Central Division

We're back out in the open with our 111th episode. We hit the hard topics and talk about changing cities, the dangers of nostalgia, crisis communications and Belgians Shoes. Hope you like it!

We're back and talk about Father's Day and what we learned from our dads. We also revisit the enduring coffee dilemma and consider the appeal of underdog sports teams. Hope you like it!

It's getting warmer in the big town and morale is already suffering. Hope you like it!

Coggins decamps to a new HQ. Williams completes his victory tour of the East Coast. Hope you like it!

Michael makes his triumphant return to the big town, and we sit down for our first in-person pod. Hope you like it!

Hard hitting decisions on the big topics of the day: We start with Bronco vs. Blazer, gelato vs. ice cream and we go from there.

Coggins returns from the Left Coast, while Williams dusts off the Delta app and plots his triumphant return to the Big Town. We also take time to get ready for a big summer and speculate about Casino vs. Goodfellas.

The Optimist is here, so we celebrate David’s big day. He talks about the book, being illustrated in the New Yorker and what it’s like letting something you’ve worked on go out into the world.

We talk about bad decisions, the road not taken and the dangers of midnight eBay.

Today we answer questions from followers / listeners / friends of Central Division. Enjoy! Check out the Central Division newsletter at centraldivision.substack.com

We pour out an artisanal saké for Hideki’s inspiring Masters win and his equally amazing caddy (and Coggins bravely manages not to cry). Then we consider the home office, co-working discontents and the infuriating WeWork documentary. Finally we ask when is the best time to work, write and start a newsletter.

Our West Coast Correspondent talks about life on the Left Coast—valets, tennis, Sqrl, traffic. We also talk Balthazar, Buffet (Jimmy) and bars (mediocre). Hope you like it!

What makes a good store? Why do we like them and why are they so hard to find? We discuss our favorites and ones we miss. Hope you like it!

This week we talk about diversions and the highs and lows of spring break. Then we discuss Michael’s big, big news: The launch of ACL Golf! Coming to a screen near you.

This week we discuss the difference between the seasons in New York and LA, when jelly beans were still good, the joys of Riesling Season™ and which Italians can get away with white jeans or black shoes.

David’s back on the Delta app and he’s headed out to the Bahamas to fish the flats. Loyal listeners continue to send in corrections and alert us to our mistakes from previous podcasts. We talk travel, the places we are missing, what we plan to do when life ever gets back to normal and offer some tips on buying a Rimowa. Bon voyage!

This week we address the continuing fallout of Michael’s genetically modified Sumo scandal. Then we make some predictions about the future of dressing, of New York, about high-speed rail, and who will win the Masters.

This week we talk about what we’re into at the moment, like the Spelling Bee, a really good orange (which we now know is not GMO) and smart dress socks. We also consider futurism in film, David Mamet’s correspondence and the correct color for an old car. Subscribe at Central Division

This week Coggins checks in from down South and we discuss road trips, speeding and Snyder’s pretzels. Michael reports from his new standing desk and explains what’s going on with Clubhouse. And we discuss the delicate case of buying furniture when you’re part of a couple.

This week we discuss the pleasure and intensity of working from home. We’re all reconsidering our relationship to the physical office and even to work itself. We talk about the evils of cubicles, lunch at your desk and using Zoom as a verb. Coggins also gets in to some details of balancing privacy with his writing process.

A theory can be a blessing and a curse, it provides wisdom so easily that you might accept one before thinking it out. We discuss the difference between theories and guidelines. Naturally we offer some thoughts—about restaurants, dressing, travel, social media—that we’ve refined over the years. You can accept them without fear. Trust us!

Don’t be afraid. It’s just a little lighthearted analysis of social media—how we use it in our lives, why it infuriates us, and how it can be a good tool. With a few detours to Pitti and Tokyo (naturally). Enjoy! Subscribe: centraldivision.substack.com

We discuss worthwhile improvements, from coffee makers to cars. When is it good to graduate to the next level and when should we stay with something trusted? Also: How do we incorporate enlightened objects into our everyday lives? From wine glasses to fountain pens to umbrellas. Subscribe at: centraldivision.substack.com

We celebrate a big win for Michael’s beloved Cleveland Browns, salute the Middle West and hometown affiliations. Then we talk about escapism, travel and dreams of Argentina. Subscribe for full episodes at Centraldivision.Substack.com

This week we think about new years, good beginnings and bad resolutions. Then, what you’ve all been waiting for, the Michael Williams origin story. How a kid from Cleveland showed up in the big town, made his way into the PR game and did it his way. It’s a great story and explains a lot about the man himself. This episode was my idea, Michael was reluctant to do it and doesn’t enjoy this flattery. Just so we’re clear about that. -David Subscribe at centraldivision.substack.com

We talk about the strangest year—what we missed, what we learned, how we changed. How did we handle isolation? Why did we start newsletters? What we’re looking forward to in 2021. Thanks for listening all year.

It’s the end of the year, and this week we discuss things that are coming to a close and things that about to begin. That means the 21 Club, Brooks Brothers, MW’s clearance sale of his possessions and other Christmas considerations. Have a good holiday! Subscribe at centraldivision.substack.com

This week we talk with Miles Fisher. Miles is a talented and unique friend, a hyphenate like no other. He’s an entrepreneur, an actor, a podcast host, a viral video star. Somehow his success in these endeavors—and the fact that he appeared on Mad Men—does not diminish his charm. We’re thrilled to have him on the show to talk about what he’s up to and all of the great menswear that he’s selling off. Subscribe at centraldivision.substack.com

This week we discuss what we like to give, what we like to receive and what makes a good present. We talk about everything from coveted subscriptions to engraved stationery and a bottle of wine that will always be welcome. Hope you like it! Subscribe at centraldivision.substack.com

This week, we are visited by our great friend, Randy Goldberg. You know him from Bombas but here we talk about the wonderful journey of the Pop Up Flea, which Randy and Michael founded in 2009. It started with their friends in a small event space in SoHo and ultimately involved some of the best-known brands and traveled worldwide. It’s a look back on retail, menswear, events, New York from the wise men behind A Continuous Goldberg. Subscribe at centraldivision.substack.com

We talk about rules we follow, rules we bend and rules we break. We also consider what guidelines serve us well.

Michael moves house, so we talk about the pleasures and burdens of possessions. Collections, clothing, photographs, books, art, clothes, furniture, antiques—does this list excite you or make you nervous? Probably both. We discuss why we acquire things and how hard it is to let them go.

It’s an episode unlike any other. Yes, it’s the Masters. Coggins isn’t a golf fan and he’s obsessed it. Williams is a vanity 6-handicap, so naturally he loves it. The Masters is about tradition and vision, pimento and marketing, and, of course, Verne Lundquist. We talk about our pilgrimages to Augusta National and late-night visits to the Waffle House. This week, it’s all in play.

This is Central Division — a collaboration between The Contender and A Continuous Lean, and the subscription provides access to the full archive or both sites. Central Division welcomes our first guest. You know him, you love him, it’s everybody’s favorite, it’s Aaron Levine. He oversees what’s what at Abercrombie & Fitch. We’ve known him for a long time and are happy to talk to him in typical low-key Levine fashion.

This is Central Division — a collaboration between The Contender and A Continuous Lean, and the subscription provides access to the full archive or both sites. Our weekly conversation at Central Division we discuss the joys (and hangovers) of drinking.

This is Central Division — a collaboration between The Contender and A Continuous Lean, and the subscription provides access to the full archive or both sites. Our weekly conversation at Central Division we discuss the joys (and hangovers) of drinking.

This is Central Division — a collaboration between The Contender and A Continuous Lean, and the subscription provides access to the full archive or both sites. This week, David and Michael discuss what we buy and why. We explore the motivation behind everything from long-term strategies, impulse investments and the dangers of the Barneys warehouse sale.

This week David and Michael take listener questions. Topics include, menswear, media, getting dressed for WFH and other related things. Central Division, a relatively safe space on the internets for Michael Williams and David Coggins. This is where we’ll have a weekly conversation about some of our favorite things. If you know us then you know that means travel, men’s clothing, drinking, and, yes, golf and fly fishing. We also like good Italian wine but have questionable taste in beer. So Central Division is where you’ll find our newsletters and podcast in one place.

Hey now! Welcome to Central Division, a relatively safe space on the internets for Michael Williams and David Coggins. This is where we’ll have a weekly conversation about some of our favorite things. If you know us then you know that means travel, men’s clothing, drinking, and, yes, golf and fly fishing. We also like good Italian wine but have questionable taste in beer. So Central Division is where you’ll find our newsletters and podcast in one place. It’s a big world out there, but welcome to our small corner of it. We’re glad you’re here. Welcome to the game.