the link

Whether we're on a break or not (insert Ross and Rachael joke here), we don't skip the Oscars. I still watched every movie, and I still cried by eyes out at "The Whale." Plus, am I going to skip a reason to brag about loving "Everything Everywhere All At Once" after gushing about it on so many episodes throughout the year? I surely am not. TJ Trimboli came back on to talk about not only the movies, but the award show itself, and the fact that by the grace of God, both of us actually enjoyed it. If you haven't seen any of the movies yet, use this as your guideline of what you need to get to, and what you can skip. Listen, like, share, do all the things. I won't shamelessly plug myself in the middle of a hiatus, but I will tell you to check out The Adventure Outpost on YouTube where you can see TJ share a ton more about films, both old and new. Be on the lookout for more from him, and me, coming soon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

HAPPY EPISODE 100! No, this episode isn't about the video game series, although that would be the ultimate niche episode. Do you say "nitch" or "neesh"? That's an important question to leave you with. Ad free for her pleasure. @thelink_podcast Until next time...

Finally, I can share with you, a little taste of my pride and joy: "Card Sharks" an upcoming novel by yours truly, Mike Szego. Luckily, since I am the author, and will self-publish and produce, I have the green light to share a little bit with you ahead of time, so here are the first 5 chapters, narrated by your favorite voice aside from Morgan Freeman: me. This is just the tip of the dingleblop, but more on that later. Want to find out more? Release dates? Price? Where to buy? You already know where to go: @thelink_podcast for all of your podcast/literary needs. See you at the meet and greet. It's not too early to think about next year's Christmas gifts. --- Another tip heading into the new year? You should be following the MikeTheMush Sports channel, available on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. We had a great year of gambling picks in 2022, finishing up over +100 units, clearing our goal, and making the listeners plenty of money. You'll see picks posted there at least once a week, if not more, with breakdown videos, reaction to the biggest news, and general pot stirring. I have separated my love for sports with my love for nerd culture, that way I can get you to subscribe twice. If I'm getting you free money on here, it's the least you can do. Now the NFL playoffs are coming soon, so get stretched out while I prepare my pump-up speech for you all. It's money making season. This is where all the research pays off...or the biggest mushings happen. Only one way to find out... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I wrote out a really fun description for this episode, and was ready to turn over a new leaf into the new year. I talked about how beautiful it was that you've joined me to listen. How nice it is that I'm able to take in all of this content and share it with you all. How it's weird that you might be listening to this episode while you read this, so you're listening to me twice in a way, and do you hear my voice when you read this part, or your own? I'm telling you, there was a lot of good stuff in there. Then I accidentally hit the command that closes the tab, and none of it saved. Nailed it. Luckily (a peek behind the curtain here), I'm typing this before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, so we can leave all the unlucky vibes in the past. 2022 wasn't totally unlucky though...I actually had a great year overall, and with that came a ton of content (by the way do I use the ellipsis too much? I feel like I might. There's an achievable 2023 resolution). Like last year, I wanted to put a button on the year (where do all these buttons come from anyway? who's still making buttons? Except for shirt makers...and pants I guess...actually this keyboard is full of buttons...okay buttons are still in), by recommending my top 5 pieces of content in each of my favorite genres. If you're looking to catch up on the year that was, get in on the conversation about the most awesome popular stuff, or pull out a deep recommendation what will make everyone raise their eyebrows with intrigue (if you sell it right...you better sell it... also seriously, watch Primal), this is the episode for you. Have some things you think I'd like? Post them @thelink_podcast where I'll be sharing plenty of content this week from all of the things I named...and maybe I'll cave and point out some honorable mentions that I didn't think about in the moment. I'm happy to have you on this ride as we go into another year. Bigger and better things on the horizon. Plus, another one of your recommendations to sound cool at the water cooler is this very podcast, so I'm giving you cred, and you're giving me listeners. I love our relationship. See you on the other side. --- Another tip heading into the new year? You should be following the MikeTheMush Sports channel, available on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. We've had a great year of gambling picks in 2022, finishing up over +100 units, clearing our goal, and making the listeners plenty of money. You'll see picks posted there at least once a week, if not more, with breakdown videos, reaction to the biggest news, and general pot stirring. I have separated my love for sports with my love for nerd culture, that way I can get you to subscribe twice. If I'm getting you free money on here, it's the least you can do. Now the NFL playoffs are coming soon, so get stretched out while I prepare my pump-up speech for you all. It's money making season. This is where all the research pays off...or the biggest mushings happen. Only one way to find out... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Avatar 2: The Way of Water is, for my money, the movie with the biggest disparity of how awesome it was vs. how many people are trying to find a way to hate on it. James Cameron is the king, and the cheese god, but more on that in the episode. TJ came back on to tackle this behemoth of a movie, Christmas movies in general, releasing big movies around Christmas, and just general gushing over Jimmy Cameron's best projects. If you're a fan of the pod, you know TJ is my movie consiglieri, so be sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel: The Adventure Outpost, where he's always posting new videos, reviews, lists, and everything the die hard movie buff would want. Not just Die Hard either. Okay that was a bad joke but I typed it out and the backspace button is no fun. Follow the pod @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram, buy me belated Christmas gifts, and spread the word about your favorite podcast at your holiday get togethers. Or, if you want to escape the holidays, you've got 97 episodes of content to listen to! We can spend it together. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and 新年快乐! Big things in store for 2023! See you then. --- If you're a sports fan, or enjoy money at all, you should be following the MikeTheMush Sports channel, available on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. We've had a great year of gambling picks, finishing up over +100 units, clearing our goal, and making the listeners plenty of money. You'll see picks posted there at least once a week, if not more, with breakdown videos, reaction to the biggest news, and general pot stirring. I have separated my love for sports with my love for nerd culture, that way I can get you to subscribe twice. If I'm getting you free money on here, it's the least you can do. Alright, half-time speech is over, get back out there. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ho ho ho, the shot is framed perfectly...the camera is on the yule log...mistletoe hangs overhead. A woman steps into the frame from stage right, draped in shadows, only the light from the fire outlining her entrance into the scene. From stage left, a man, clearly handsome despite the shadows, steps toward the center of the frame. They meet and lock eyes. Suddenly, the woman's hand raises with something in it. An ornament? A Christmas ball! It flies just high of the man's head. Clearly there's a fight brewing, but about what? CUT. Let's take lunch so we can get this episode recorded, because a scene like that takes patience. We're not making a Hallmark movie here. Who better to join the second of two Christmas chaos bracket episodes than Laura, who is trying to work her way back from a difficult draft episode defeat. This time, we had to work together to find the tippy top of the Christmas movies, and it was a doozy. So many to choose from, so many battles won by a narrow margin. It was hard enough to make a bracket of 16, but getting down to 1? Well that required some teamwork. We got there, but how will the listeners' opinions compare? As always with the bracket and draft episodes, follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter for follow up content the week the episode drops. In the Instagram stories, we'll have polls for each and every match-up (one round per day), and the listeners will collectively decide their own bracket's fate, and of course, one winner. Will our answers align? Only one way to find out... Until then, put your favorite Christmas movie on in the background while you listen. Maybe it will be a Christmas miracle, and that's the one that will make it all the way through. Or...it will go home early, and I'll find extra coal in my stocking from those who didn't see the brackets go their way. At least I can try to make diamonds out of it? --- We don't talk a ton of sports on the link, but I have a background working in sports, loving sports, raging about sports, and most importantly, gambling on sports...profitably...usually. So I started "MikeTheMush Sports" which you can find on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. We're up over 100 units of profit in 2022, and are looking to close the year strong. We're always posting picks, breakdowns, reactions, and trying our best not to completely Mush any reasonable take I put out into the universe. Still, if you would have followed every pick we made on our YouTube video this year, and bet $10 on it, you'd be up over $1,000. Join us if you like me, sports, or cash. Any one of the three will do. Two out of three and you have to follow. I don't make the rules. See ya out there. I won't slap your butt as you run onto the field, because I don't think you can do that anymore, but just know that I want to, and it's purely motivational. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ho ho ho, we're back in the Christmas groove. In fact, the groove is what brought us here. We're bringing back bracket episodes on the link and what better time to do it than at the holidays. This is was our way to decide, once and for all: who sits atop the North Pole as the best Christmas song ever? It was hard enough to narrow down to 16, but we got there, and ultimately argued it out until there was only one. Who better to join than my dad, the authority on music, and my mom, the authority on all things decorating, nostalgia, and making Christmas Christmassy. Despite a few disagreements along the way, we found enough common ground to make it to the end. Besides, even if you don't like the ultimate winner, there were enough fun facts dropped along the way to keep you going (dad came prepared this week). As always with the bracket and draft episodes, follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter for follow up content the week the episode drops. In the Instagram stories, we'll have polls for each and every match-up (one round per day), and the listeners will collectively decide their own bracket's fate, and of course, one winner. Will our answers align? Only one way to find out... Until then, turn on a good Christmas radio station, find Alvin (likely off hula hooping), make sure Grandma is safe from all reindeer fly zones, and make some custom merch for the link which you can give to your favorite listener as a gift when the big day comes. They're going to love it. --- We don't talk a ton of sports on the link, but I have a background working in sports, loving sports, raging about sports, and most importantly, gambling on sports...profitably...usually. So I started "MikeTheMush Sports" which you can find on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. We're up over 100 units of profit in 2022, and are looking to close the year strong. We're always posting picks, breakdowns, reactions, and trying our best not to completely Mush any reasonable take I put out into the universe. Still, if you would have followed every pick we made on our YouTube video this year, and bet $10 on it, you'd be up over $1,000. Join us if you like me, sports, or cash. Any one of the three will do. Two out of three and you have to follow. I don't make the rules. See ya out there. I won't slap your butt as you run onto the field, because I don't think you can do that anymore, but just know that I want to, and it's purely motivational. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ho ho ho, it's officially time. Last week we were on the cusp, now we dove...dove? Not the bird, but is there another past tense of dive? Dived? Someone get me a dictionary for Christmas. Now we've jumped into the Christmas pool (something, something polar bear plunge), and there's no turning back until the new year. We have some more fun Christmas episodes coming, but to kick things off, I wanted to break down some of the most common Christmas debates and traditions. Trigger warning if you're a hardcore supporter of either side of the real vs. fake tree debate. I have to say though, the real-tree supporters always seem to be the ones doing the attacking. For people who want real Christmas, the spirit doesn't seem very alive when it comes to supporting your artificial tree owners. Just sayin'. Follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter for episode recaps, clips, polls, memes, and late-night ideas about what to buy me for the holidays. I haven't charged you a penny for 94 episodes of gold. In fact I've given you the opportunity to make money (see the other shameless plug below), so the least you can do is buy me some nice new equipment, bake me some cookies, maybe make some apparel for the link...I don't know, it's your gift to buy! We talked about lists in the episode but I don't want to give away too much if you're one of the people that read the recap before listening, which by the way, who are you if you do that? Do people do that? Who am I writing this for? If you do read the whole thing, post "my grandma did actually get run over by a reindeer and I don't appreciate the constant reminder about it on the radio every year" @thelink_podcast. Not sure people listen to the radio anymore either but you get the point. Yes you, the one person who actually read this far. Until next time, get your tree up, get your lights on, and wear your Santa hat to work, because it's whimsical and nobody can say anything about it. If they do, tell me. I have Santa's number. We'll get you written permission. --- We don't talk a ton of sports on the link, but I have a background working in sports, loving sports, raging about sports, and most importantly, gambling on sports...profitably...usually. So I started "MikeTheMush Sports" which you can find on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. We're up over 100 units of profit in 2022, and are looking to close the year strong. We're always posting picks, breakdowns, reactions, and trying our best not to completely Mush any reasonable take I put out into the universe. Still, if you would have followed every pick we made on our YouTube video this year, and bet $10 on it, you'd be up over $1,000. Join us if you like me, sports, or cash. Any one of the three will do. Two out of three and you have to follow. I don't make the rules. See ya out there. I won't slap your butt as you run onto the field, because I don't think you can do that anymore, but just know that I want to, and it's purely motivational. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's post-Thanksgiving, but pre-Christmas season...or is it? This episode falls into a little bit of a limbo, but the spirit is alive in us, and on Apple TV+. If you haven't seen the new Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds movie, I do recommend it, but more on that in the episode. Watching it did give me some more thoughts on the evolution of streaming, how the companies goals vary by the financial standing of their biggest shareholders, and how we should measure success in this new world. Of course that gave me the perfect link for the link, and led us down the road of Disney re-introducing Bob Iger as CEO after a brief retirement, and how we'll end up looking at this move relative to the success of Disney +. It's almost Christmas season, and you can expect a lot more jolly eps coming soon, so this was the warm up. Warm cocoa, if you will. Follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter for episode recaps, clips, polls, memes, and late-night thoughts that are generally so genius it's astonishing someone hasn't just hired me as an idea-man by now. Unless one of you fancy ad companies wants to drop some dollar bills in my lap and I can do it myself? That sounds like a ton of work though. No denying the ad would be great, but I'll probably hire a CEO to handle the day-to-day of all the innovation that will come from my head. Wonder how busy Shaq is... Anyway, until next time when the Santa hat will be on, enjoy the in-between... --- We don't talk a ton of sports on the link, but I have a background working in sports, loving sports, raging about sports, and most importantly, gambling on sports...profitably...usually. So I started "MikeTheMush Sports" which you can find on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. We're up near 100 units of profit in 2022, and are looking to close the year strong. We're always posting picks, breakdowns, reactions, and trying our best not to completely Mush any reasonable take I put out into the universe. Still, if you would have followed every pick we made on our YouTube video this year, and bet $10 on it, you'd be up near $1,000. Join u if you like me, sports, or cash. Any one of the three will do. Two out of three and you have to follow. I don't make the rules. See ya out there. I won't slap your butt as you run onto the field, because I don't think you can do that anymore, but just know that I want to, and it's purely motivational. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I love some friendly competition. I also love a competition with $3,000,000 on the line. I also love drafts. Fantasy drafts, real sports drafts, or just good old fashioned "don't-you-dare-steal-my-pick" kinds of drafts. When Laura came on for the Halloween episode, we did a candy draft, and had the listeners vote on Instagram for who got the better team. She edged me out, but it's like y'all have never heard of a hustle before... This time we're back with TEN drafts, of all different topics. 5 picks each, and you'll get to vote on each and every one of the teams throughout the week when this episode drops. The draft categories are... Superheroes/Villains Cartoon Characters Weapons You'd Use to Defend Yourself in a Zombie Apocalypse Animals Books Things That Are Blue Foods That Moment When... (the best feelings) Things You'd Find at Hogwarts Things That Start With The Letter "E" Be sure to follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram to check out the stories Tuesday-Saturday the week the episode comes out, so you can vote on the polls for which teams were the best in each draft. Also follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter where I'll give commentary on how the polls ended up, and how much I love the listeners for having my back...which you will. If you're a weekly listener please consider writing a review for the pod. You can find all the relevant links here so you don't have to waste time, and if you happen to listen on some other platform, kudos, ya got me. After I called y'all out for not doing it, it's the least I can do to link you. If you enjoy this episode, drop us a line (where did that saying come from?) and we'll see about mixing in some more drafts. Until next time... --- Want to rage about sports and/or laugh at my bad beats and/or make some money? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. Our gambling picks have been hot all year, except for when the Mush gods decide to bring down their wrath. We're up over 90 units on the year as this episode comes out though, which means if you bet $10 on every game we choose in the videos, you'd nearly have a band in your pocket, and not the Beatles or that janky rubber band you use instead of a wallet. Get a money clip like a grown up. Wallets are too fat though, I'm with you there. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Aaron Carter's untimely death, Judaism, robots, and Shaq's anatomy really bring this one together, but the fun doesn't stop there... If you haven't listened to any episodes with Chad yet, it's probably best to just dive in feet first (head first dives are best suited for something with more depth, pun intended...although if you say pun intended doesn't it ruin some of the "inside" nature of the joke for people who already got it? Talk on that...). If you have listened to our tandem episodes before, you must be hungry for more, so we have to feed the fans. Be sure to follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram for a visual representation of the insane thoughts that go into making this podcasts, and @thelink_podcast on Twitter where I try my hardest not to repeat content from the Instagram, so that has to get me some brownie points out there on the webs, right? Double the memes, double the fun, Doublemint twins. Do they still make that? I'll move on before I date myself even more than I already have, but the real ones know. If you're a weekly listener please consider writing a review for the pod. You can find all the relevant links here so you don't have to waste time, and if you happen to listen on some other platform, kudos, ya got me. After I called y'all out for not doing it, it's the least I can do to link you. Until next time, enjoy the nonsense. There's plenty more where that came from --- Want to rage about sports and/or laugh at my bad beats and/or make some money? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. Our gambling picks have been hot all year, except for when the Mush gods decide to bring down their wrath. We're up over 90 units on the year as this episode comes out though, which means if you bet $10 on every game we choose in the videos, you'd nearly have a band in your pocket, and not the Beatles or that janky rubber band you use instead of a wallet. Get a money clip like a grown up. Wallets are too fat though, I'm with you there. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Since my episodes drop on Mondays, I want to give everyone what they want for their perfect Monday, which is to be able to complain freely about how things are annoying you. You're not alone. I don't care if they're trivial, or goofy (good film), or serious. They're under fire in this ep. Mayo takes up 50% of my daily hatred, yes, but there's plenty more where that came from (not the mayo, I pray there's no more, I'd destroy the factories if I could). Be sure to follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram for a visual representation of even more things that annoy me throughout the week, along with some polls to see if you agree. If you're more of an $8/month kind of person, over at @thelink_podcast on Twitter I'll be trying to convince Elon that my blue check should be given not only to match the color scheme of the pod, but to avoid me putting him in a future episode of my least favorite things. He's not on there now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? If you're a weekly listener please consider writing a review for the pod. You can find all the relevant links here so you don't have to waste time, and if you happen to listen on some other platform, kudos, ya got me. After I called ya'll out for not doing it, it's the least I can do to link you. I'm sure I will see you for the inevitable sequel to this episode, but until then... --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram, and if you're looking to make a little extra pocket change, our gambling picks have been hot all year...okay the last two weeks we've gotten hardcore Mushed by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and I should know better than to dance with the devils, New Jersey included, so we'll adjust going into next week, but we're up quite a bit on the year, so we'll stay positive. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! If you've been a listener of the pod for a while, you know we're just entering holiday season, and with that comes a lot of themed episode. We'll do at least one for Thanksgiving, and Christmas themed episodes all throughout December, leading into our top 5 favorite things of 2022 episode to kick off the new year. First, we have to kick it all off with the Halloween episode, so Laura came back on the pod to talk about Halloween traditions, movies, songs, and best of all, go head-to-head in a candy draft. Head over to @thelink_podcast on Instagram this week to vote on the polls for which one of us put together the better squad in the candy draft, and some other Halloween themed polls and nonsense. You can follow us at @thelink_podcast on Twitter too. If you're a weekly listener please consider writing a review for the pod. You can find all the relevant links here so you don't have to waste time, and if you happen to listen on some other platform, kudos, ya got me (insert Heisenberg gif here). Until next week...if you dare wait that long...mwahahahahah. How was that evil laugh? Too much like my ho-ho-ho? I'll work on it for next year. --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram, and if you're looking to make a little extra pocket change, our gambling picks have been hot all year...okay the last two weeks we've gotten hardcore Mushed by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and I should know better than to dance with the devils, New Jersey included, so we'll adjust going into next week, but we're up quite a bit on the year, so we'll stay positive. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The finales of "House of the Dragon" and "The Rings of Power" have now come and gone, and I've been waiting to compare these two in an episode since they were announced. I love(d) "Game of Thrones" and "Lord of the Rings" so much, and with them airing at the same time, it was a match made in the dragon pits. When I started really taking a deeper look at them though, I wasn't 100% sure whether they actually should be compared as directly as I originally intended... Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for some memes about how Aemond looks like he's doing Zoolander's blue steel look with an eyepatch in almost every scene he's in...and maybe some other commentary I guess, but that about covers it. Until next time... --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram, and if you're looking to make a little extra pocket change, our gambling picks have been hot all year...okay the last two weeks we've gotten hardcore Mushed by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and I should know better than to dance with the devils, New Jersey included, so we'll adjust going into next week, but we're up quite a bit on the year, so we'll stay positive. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Explicit warning This one got freaky. Everyone has played the "F@%k, Marry, Kill" game, but if you haven't, you pick 3 people (or things...or pizzas...or days?) and decide which one you would f@%k, which one you would marry, and which one you would kill. Pretty straightforward, so Jess and I (who has been on the podcast twice before, but is going by a different name these days...allegedly), came up with 10 each, and deliberated thoroughly, responsibly, and explicitly. Enter with an open mind, and think deeply about what you would do with a bagel if put to the test. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for more clips of upcoming episodes, teases of future guests, late night thoughts about upcoming TV shows/movies, and even later night memes. Until next time... --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram, and if you're looking to make a little extra pocket change, our gambling picks have been hot all year...okay last week was tough, but they've looked good otherwise. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

A week of winning the war against COVID didn't leave a lot of time for recording, or a silky smooth voice for you to listen to, plus I've always wanted to do a clip episode like a 90s sitcom, so here we go. These are some highlights from each and every episode, and a good taste of any episodes that you might have missed along the way. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for more clips of upcoming episodes, teases of future guests, late night thoughts about upcoming TV shows/movies, and even later night memes. Until next time... --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram, and if you're looking to make a little extra pocket change, our gambling picks have been red hot all year... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Feeling under the weather (but more about that in the episode), so the write-up will be 80% less ridiculous. During a trip to Arizona, we sat around the table, poured a couple of fine glasses of Alka Seltzer-filled water, and went to battle over music. 18 different matchups. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram to tell us who you think should have won some of these showdowns. You'll also find some podcast clips, Nickelback memes, and apologies for not realizing Kenny Loggins was the one true king of soundtracks. Oh, and you can post your favorite barnyard animal there. If you know, you know. Until next time... --- Want a change of pace? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I was traveling this week, so while this might not be one of the longer episodes in the bunch, it struck me as meaningful. To be honest, I didn't even plan on doing this one, but after attending two sporting events during my trip to Cleveland, it begged to be talked about. With all the good vibes I had, nice people I met, and my naturally opinionated nature on the ways professional sports leagues should operate, it seemed like a good time to point out some ways these sports could be improved for the next generation of fans, and for the greater good overall. If you watch football on Sundays, or just generally are baffled at how little a multi-billion dollar enterprise can even pretend to care about their fanbase, this episode is definitely for you. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for info on upcoming episodes, throwback to past episodes, interaction with some former and future guests, and overall memery (which is absolutely a word). Until next time... --- Want sports talk like you heard in this episode? If you're a sports fan, and want to get even further into the weeds about upcoming games, picks, and trends, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The D23 Expo took place last week, where Disney makes their yearly announcements on upcoming plans, movies, shows, upgrades to the parks, and injects hype into the fanbase. After doing an episode on Marvel recently, and prognosticating on the future of big-budget IP movies in general, it made sense to follow up on some of the news, and try to figure out the future landscape of Disney as a whole. Laura came back to try and help me answer: do we need more remakes and sequels to the movies we grew up with, or are the newer ones actually the tentpole films? Are these new projects geared towards kids, or nostalgic adults? Lots of questions, lots of announcements, and lots of hating on Pinocchio, which sadly, is deserved. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for some fun Disney takes, trailers, and expectations throughout this week, and probably some reviews of the upcoming movies and shows on future episodes. Until next time... --- Want more nonsense like you hear on the link? You'll hear a better version of this pitch, by me, in the ad during the episode, but if you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel - MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

For starters, this episode is brought to you by Bum Bums & Winkies. Go to www.bumbumsandwinkies.com and enter promo code: "THELINK" for 50% off your order. You know that reminds me of Twinkies but...more on that at the end. Nick Emel rejoined the podcast as the first leg of a double-episode we're running this week. You can listen to him guess the top 10 HBO shows of all-time in this episode, then listen to yours truly on the 10ish Pod when his next episode drops, breaking records for the best guesser alive, as I nail the top 10 most watched Netflix originals. Don't miss either one or it will feel like mom and dad picked their favorite child. You can't let us know that. Just listen to both and keep us blissfully in the dark. Catch Nick @TheNickEmel on Twitter and Instagram where you're bound to see us tearing down each other's takes every now and then. It's a love/hate relationship, but our combined stock in Bum Bums & Winkies keeps the relationship strong. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram to check in on the other side of this massive corporate success. I like to think I'm the bum bum, but he would probably say the same. Classic winkie behavior. Until next time... --- Want more nonsense like you hear on the link? You'll hear a better version of this pitch, by me, in the ad during the episode, but if you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush. During football season we're posting videos weekly that look ahead to my favorite gambling picks of the NFL week, and some fantasy football sleepers to keep an eye on. Check out even more sports content as the seasons change @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The state of the MCU is in flux. There have been a few releases in a row that, by my estimation, have been sub-par. I have been a sworn defender of Marvel, Star Wars, and all of the major IPs for a long-time, citing that everyone should just enjoy what we have because it really is a spectacle. But what happens when the writing wanes and the spectacle just starts to feel like the norm? Is it starting to become painfully clear that we have already peaked when it comes to Marvel content, or are we just at the bottom of the normal ebb and flow that this could follow for decades to come? Also, which is the ebb and which is the flow? EDIT: I got ya'll. Well Wikipedia has got y'all, but you have to trust everything on the internet: The ebb is the outgoing phase, when the tide drains away from the shore, and the flow is the incoming phase when water rises again. Anywho, we brought back Ethan Simmie from the 15 Minutes of Marvel podcast to talk about where Marvel stands, and where it's headed. For the first time on either of our pods, we disagreed pretty vehemently, and "She-Hulk" is the major culprit. No matter which side you're on, the argument is worth hearing. Follow Ethan @EthanSimmie on Twitter, and follow his podcasts @15MinuteMarvel and the brand new @24minutesofA24! You can find his pods, and mine, on every streaming service you know, and probably some more you haven't heard of. We're out there. Follow, rate, fangirl, in that order. For more behind the edit content, opinions, shameless plugs, and posts asking Shaq to come on my podcasts, follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram, and if you've got some animating skills, hit me up, I have some ideas. Until then...we'll see you next Monday. --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where we're coming back fresh after a break over the summer, and we'll have some content and weekly picks for the football season coming soon! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Summer is winding down, but hoodie szn is coming, so that's not so bad. It also means that we can have our yearly debrief on the summer movie season, which last year felt more like a moratorium, but this year inspires some hope. The state of movies is stable, but still feels like it needs to figure out where it's going to land as the digital world continues to unfold. Some ups and some downs this year, but definitely some cash cows. Top Gun, Dr. Strange, and Jurassic World made killings, and if you include Minions, TJ might be the one doing the killing, but more on that when you hit the play button. If you're already playing it when you read this, great, because as the most frequent guest on the pod, you should give TJ a follow @omgitstjtrimboli on Instagram, and follow his other channel, The Adventure Outpost, where you can find plenty of fun content, including movie reviews, on both Instagram and Youtube. Of course, give me a follow and some noties @thelink_podcast on both Instagram & Twitter where we'll be talking movies all week, all month, all quarter, all year, all decade, all century, all millennia if we're lucky. Do I regret not starting at nanosecond and working my way up even further through the units of time? Not really. Until next time... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

"Westworld" season 4 ended a night before the "Better Call Saul" series finale. I have been a long-time supporter of both shows. It's pretty likely that both could make my top 5 at the end of the year, and yet they both took such drastically different approaches and paths towards a finale, that it warranted comparing them within the same episode. If you've watched both already, come on in, the water is warm. If you haven't watched one or the other, have no fear, we follow the same format we always do when reviewing new things: 1st part = NO spoilers at all 2nd part = spoilers, but this time, the 2nd part is split in half: a "Westworld" section, and a "Better Call Saul" section, so anyone who has only seen one is still welcome too. Then we close it out with some nonsense as always. Come for the breakdowns, stay for the nonsense, leave the gun, take the connoli. For more thoughts on each of these shows, and the landscape of TV and movies in general, gives us a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram, and look forward to another big episode next week when we shift our focus from the small screen, to the big screen...or silver screen. Do they use silver? Does silver ward off vampires? Because that would link up nicely to this episode. Or is that werewolves? There was a Harry Potter 3 reference in this ep... More of this rambling coming at you weekly. Until then... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Lock the doors, there's a fox on the loose. When Chad comes on the pod, all hell breaks loose, and you really never know where things are going to go. From Danny Trejo, to weight loss, to hidden cats, Aunt Esther's fox fears, BBMak, and Snuffleupagus' trip to the zoo in season 3 (thankfully they taught us to spell on Sesame Street), this episode will keep you hoping for that lime green hatchback you've always wanted... ...it's hard to write these descriptions. For more behind the scenes, clips, reactions, and reviews to the biggest movies, TV, music, and just about everything else: follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram, and leave a review will ya? There's so many good words to throw in there; IYKYK. --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's extremely hard for me to nail down my favorite of anything. Bands, songs, foods, tv shows, movies...it's always changing. But, after my most recent re-watch, if you ask me right now, in this moment in time, as I'm typing this, my favorite movie of all time is Rocky. That's worthy of me leaving a love letter to it. We went through the big moments, some that may get overlooked, tidbits, jabs, and crosses, not to mention Stallone's recent social media beatdown of Irwin Winkler, producer of the Rocky franchise and, unfortunately, owner of the character, which leaves Stallone earning less than 1% of the profits from the franchise, and technically no creative control over future films, which has been a point of contention lately. The Academy Awards showed this movie love then, and I'm showing it love now. I'm not much for re-watching things as the listeners know, but Rocky? That's a full Sunday marathon. The Cold War ends today. Follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for a Rocky quotes all week and beyond probably. Review the pod with a secret code word and you'll be etched into the right side of history. That's the link guarantee. --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sometimes we have to get real on this podcast. It's really up for debate whether this episode qualifies considering I started it with a musical number from the 1950s. Anywho, lately I've felt like there's been such a hive-mind opinion that social media is this evil creature that is taking over the world and that there aren't actual people behind it causing the problems that just happen to display on social media. There's a yin-and-yang to the digital world and cackling maniacally from its dark tower (not the Stephen King series, his endings tend to leave a lot to be desired), and too often I think people ignore the benefits of our connected digital world, and only seem to be focused on the negative and trying to eradicate it. Maybe it's a good thing to be cautious and skeptical, but it doesn't mean the good-side doesn't exist, and that we can't have hope to improve it even more. Plus, social media allowed us to take polls on some of the food fights in E75, so Laura came back on the pod to settle those in the outro this week. If we're doing an episode on social media I'm damn well plugging my channel without needing a joke to hide behind. Oh God, does this Meta statement count as a joke? Does me capitalizing the "M" in meta a.k.a. the Facebook parent company count as a reference that could make someone blow air out of the nose in place of a laugh, which could potentially constitute this as a tiny little joke? If I said baby joke there, would you have imagined a family of jokes that has a child, potentially in a stroller with a boxing glove on it to represent the punch line? Now I want to go watch Rocky 3. All this and more @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram. Until next time... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Have you ever felt like you're alone on an island when it comes to your takes on food? Do you sometimes think...screw it, I like this island, I'm staying. Do you consider yourself picky? Are there weird quirks and rules you have with your food? Do you have thoughts on mayo? If you answered yes to any of those questions, or even read those questions at all, this episode is for you, because frankly, I'm not sure how many people are reading the description if they're not going to listen to the pod anyway, or for that matter, are already listening. I'm sure you'll fall into one of those buckets. Food is fun to talk about though, and it's funny to me how different everyone's relationship with food can be. Also Mayor McCheese is an elected official who deserves respect. #MMC2024 Until next time... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

If you listened to E72, you heard my ups-and-downs with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney +, and a lot about how I thought it should have been edited down into a movie (which it was originally supposed to be). Well, lucky me, I came across a viral sensation; outlets all over the place from Variety to IGN were touting that a fan-edit of Obi-Wan was catching fire across the interwebs. This mystery editor had taken the project from a 4.5 hour series, to a 2.5 hour movie, and the fans were loving it. Even luckier me, that editor and film-maker is named Kai Patterson, and he agreed to come on the pod to talk about his work, the ups, the downs, the immense fan reactions, the specific choices, and everything that led to this moment. For all review-style episodes, we go spoiler-free before the ad-break, so nothing to worry about if you haven't seen either version of Obi-Wan yet. Plenty of looks into the film and editing world, Kai's backgrounds, and the process of making this happen from start to finish. Then, of course, we let loose with specific scenes, cuts, music changes, and defense of Jar Jar Binks (I will die on that hill). Head to www.kaipattersonfilms.com to check out his work on the Obi-Wan Kenobi edit, his TikTok (where this all began), his YouTube with some of his other self-made short films, and plenty more. As always, follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for more content, spread the word, write a review, tell your mom, pet your snoot horse, if you don't know what a snoot horse is, you obviously didn't listen to E72. It's a package deal folks. Become a weekly listener or you'll miss all these incredible tie-ins. That's a huge risk that you probably can't afford. Until next time... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Chad is back for his 3rd episode on the pod, aren't there aren't many guests that get sillier. We did break down some movies, TV shows, political difficulties, and philosophical debates... ...we also got pretty far into Pizza Hut, nectarines, cheese wheels, Tom & Jerry, mobile games, and so many, and I mean SO many other topics. Keep your head on a swivel, this one moves fast. Also your head is never really on a swivel or else you definitely have a decapitation and/or spine alignment problem. Your head can swivel, which is probably the more appropriate nomenclature. Nomenclature? Tommenclature...Tommen...Game of Thrones...we mentioned that too. Just trust me and give it a whirl, if you don't have at least 2.5 times (the half being a small snort out of your nose to acknowledge the comedy), then you can just try again next week. As always, follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for more content, spread the word, write a review, tell your mom, pet your dog, if you don't have a dog, pet someone else's, but maybe ask first. Until next time... --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I originally planned on having a guest for this episode, but I had so many thoughts on the state of extended universes (Marvel, Star Wars, the other ones I couldn't think of while recording), and how the newest Disney + show Obi-Wan Kenobi fits into that landscape. For all review episodes, we stick to the first-half, no spoilers rule, so if you haven't seen Obi-Wan Kenobi yet, have no fear, you'll be warned before spoilers start. I enjoyed some things about this series very much, but I was also left feeling puzzled at times, for what this means for the characters, and for what it means for the biggest trends in film. Plus we got to see Darth Vader again so that's worth talking (and memeing) about if you ask me. In the second-half, we let the spoilers rip, and broke down not only the finale, but the best and worst storylines of the season. Until next time old friend, may the force be with you. (oh and follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram but I don't think they said that part in Star Wars...yet). --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This has been a difficult and emotional week for a lot of people. I think the only way to get through it, is to talk to one another, and try to relate, and find common ground, so that we can all band together, and make sure not so many people are feeling abandoned or left behind when important decisions are made. We can do better at every level, and it starts with simple questions and empathy. Planned Parenthood Access care, learn more, and get involved at plannedparenthood.org The United State of Women Reproductive Justice Hub Access care, volunteer, and donate to abortion funds: usow.org/repro/

Consider this my lobbying effort for Bill Hader's Emmy campaign. Didn't have this one planned at first, but I've been taking in so much content lately, that I had to show love for the show that stood above all other TV I've watched this year. "Barry" has always been an amazing show, but Hader & co. took it to a different level in the season 3 finale. The acting, the direction, the writing, the efficiency, and the originality, deserve to be gushed over, and that's exactly what I'm doing. If you haven't watched the show yet, have no fear, we're rolling with a new style on the link where the first half of the episode will be a spoiler-free review, with plenty of reasons to watch. ...in the second half though? We're diving into the deep end. Join me if you've watched, and if you haven't, go watch then come back. Write yourself a post-it. Don't forget. I'm holding you to it. As always, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for revelations that came after I recorded, more reviews of things I'm taking in, extra content, and overall Mikefoolery. --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). P.S. We made a BUNCH of money on the Warriors winning the NBA Finals, so get in while the getting is good. All-time NBA Top 10 Players video coming soon! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

TJ is back for E69 (nice): his record 6th episode on the pod, and rather than just breaking down specific movies this time (although we did do some of that), we took a different approach. If you're an OG listener of the pod, E4 was our first episode with a guest, and in there we talked about TJ's journey through film school. Since then, he's written a bunch of screenplays, and is one of the most dedicated writers I know personally. While I like to write also, I've never known the ins-and-outs of writing a screenplay specifically. What are the rules? How is it structured? Tips? Tricks? When do you put in stage direction, if ever? All of those questions came up, and were answered in this episode with examples from tons of different famous movies. Toward the end, we talked about a movie we both loved (that I broke down in E68) Top Gun: Maverick, and I tried to apply everything I learned in this episode by picking out the specific beats of the film that match up to the way TJ approaches writing a screenplay in general. It was a fun journey, and if you're interested in what goes into making some of your favorite movies, get a notepad out. If you want more of TJ...well there are a lot of episodes, so go back to those (and more to come), but he's constantly giving reviews of movies on his Instagram @omgitstjtrimboli, and has a YouTube channel called The Adventure Outpost which is constantly churning out content. As always, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for reviews of my own, extra content, and overall tomfoolery. --- If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

When I started this podcast, I figured there would be a ton of episodes that were reviews, and there are a bunch of episodes that way, but I want to sprinkle a few more in here and there. As I mentioned in the intro, one of my favorite moments is when you watch a movie with someone and get out of it ready to discuss everything you just experienced. There's something so distinct about that. Well I got out of Top Gun: Maverick, and I had a lot of thoughts, and y'all are the ones I wanted to discuss them with. Let's get into it, but before you worry, the entire first half of the pod is spoiler-free, and there's a very clear warning before the ad-break where to drop off if you don't want to be spoiled (and honestly, even the spoilers aren't that bad). For even more reviews, many of which don't have the gravity to get their own pod episode, follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. Conversation welcomed. --- If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Once you get my dad and I talking about music, it rarely stays on topic, so why narrow ourselves down to a topic at all? Just embrace the long and winding road. This time we went through a plethora of little music debates (but battles sounds cooler and more epic). Feel like you've already read that description? Well yeah because who's going to write a whole other description for the second part of the same podcast? Well me, I guess, since I'm doing it right now. Some paradox we just got ourselves into. This episode has (more) Michael Jackson, Biggie, The Cure, Pete Davidson, and a whole bunch of other twists and shouts. Feeling a certain kind of way as you listen? Let us know where you land on some of these battles by posting in the comments @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. Now if you need me after I write this, I'll be listening to George Gershwin because my American and New York pride took a shot to the solar plexus (any excuse to use that word in context) when I forgot that he was from Brooklyn. The Beastie Boys would be so disappointed in me. Smh. I'll make it up to you fellas. --- If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Once you get my dad and I talking about music, it rarely stays on topic, so why narrow ourselves down to a topic at all? Just embrace the long and winding road. This time we went through a plethora of little music debates (but battles sounds cooler and more epic). For example we started with: vinyl vs. cassette vs. CD vs. digital There's plenty more like that, and plenty more that are much more random. Get your headphones on, or sit between your speakers so you have like a full-room headphones thing going on, and let me know where you land on some of these battles by posting in the comments @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. This is just the first half of a two-part episode, so check back next Monday (and every Monday, we never miss, 66 straight, *edit in Michael Jackson sound here*) for even more. Until then, stay classical Beethoven...or roll over...or whatever Will Ferrell says in Anchorman...you guys get it. ...also Beethoven is spelled B-e-e-t? Dwight Schrute must have loved him some Fur Elise. --- If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sometimes when you have a brilliant idea, you have to tell someone that you know will get on board. It's important to have realistic expectations, sure, but it's also important to build confidence in an idea right out of the gate. Well boy did we do that with the movie I pitched in this episode. We actually blew right though that gate, but we still landed on a winner. Check it out, invest now @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter so you're in ahead of the movie's release, and you can say you knew me before it was cool...before the Oscar. Until next time, get in before first pitch, brainstorm some titles, and get back to me. --- If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

If you enjoyed E60, the fast food bracket episode during April Madness, you're going to love Chad's second appearance. I can sum up this episode in 12 easy words, no question about it: Massage Moon Pool Losing Cuba Indiana Maps Ape Super Bee Spider Scorpion That's it. It perfectly describes everything you need to know. There were laughs, there were definitely tears, and there were plugs for @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. Until next time, avoid ferris wheels and stingers... --- If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I love music. I talk about it a lot on this podcast and in life. Everything relates back to it somehow. I did my first Love Letter Series episode for Outkast, who I'm a major fan of, and I find extremely interesting. This time around, I chose...probably a tougher task, but most definitely interesting, and cracks into my top 7 hip-hop artists of all time (I can't get to 5, sue me...don't sue me): Kanye West. I really struggle to find out exactly why he's villainized as much as he is, which is the crux of this episode, in addition to showing off the absolutely stacked catalog that he already possesses, without his career even being over. Nothing more to say here that isn't said in the episode, but give it a whirl even if you're not a fan. It might at least provide some much needed perspective. For what I'm sure will be an interesting mix of promotional content for this episode, be sure to follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. Who should be the next Love Letter episode? We have already done a pseudo-Beatles one with my dad. Some thoughts in this episode, but open to ideas from the listeners! Until next time... --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

APRIL MADNESS All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet. If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we on the pod, all about Disney-Pixar movies. Now we're on our final bracket this month, and up next is a classic for anyone (but if you're not in NY...or Montreal apparently...we'll all have a hard time taking your opinion seriously): The Best Bagel Flavor. Flavor? Topping? Style? You get it. Finally I was able to get both my mom and dad on the pod together, because believe it or not, bagels are part of our family legacy. Maybe legacy is a strong word, but there's dough in our DNA, and not the green kind...although there will be when this episode goes viral with some of the takes that were thrown around. Classics, new styles, and a generational difference in how we perceive the new bagels on the block. This episode had it all. While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up? If you liked these April Madness episodes, let us know on the social media pages? Next week it's back to basics. Although I'll tell you one thing...E63 is going to be anything but basic...but more on that later. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

APRIL MADNESS All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet. If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we on the pod, all about Disney-Pixar movies. Now we're on our 3rd bracket of 4 this month, and up next is a classic for people in my generation: the best Nickelodeon shows of all-time. My friend, and former guest, Jess Vitolo joined me for the stroll down memory lane, full of new facts, questions about what we could remember, and a ton of laughs as we battled it out. Animated, non-animated, new, old, and the single worst show on the network that probably shouldn't have made the bracket, but it did (you'll know when you hear it...if you ask me, you should know when you see it). While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up? More brackets to come throughout April, so hit that follow button and stay tuned... --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

APRIL MADNESS All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet. If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we on the pod, all about Disney-Pixar movies. Last week we kept that theme going with the best actors. Now? We're onto something a little more spicy... My friend Chad joined me in debating the best fast food chain of them all. What's the connection between a Rabbi, an Amish man, and Santa Claus? Listen now to find out, and bring your appetite. While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up? More brackets to come throughout April, so hit that follow button and stay tuned... --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

APRIL MADNESS Yeah, I get it, the name is weird, but if you just click that play button, I'm happy to explain! All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet. If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we did together, all about Disney-Pixar movies. On the back of the Oscars' episodes, we had to keep the movie theme going, so we chose 16 of the best living actors and actresses, randomized the bracket, and deliberated for a long time. Thank God for editing. Plus, you'll get to hear the MASSIVE list of honorable mentions, which I'm sure some people would fight for, but the bracket is set, and we're ready to find the winner. While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up? Plenty more brackets to come, so hit that follow button and stay tuned... --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's Part 2 of 2, what kind of description do you need? If you didn't catch the first part, go back to E57. If you're caught up, good on you, and you get rewarded with full breakdowns of all the Best Picture nominees, and the other major awards we didn't predict before. This is why I take all the notes folks. If you haven't listened to the other episodes with TJ, you're in luck. Check out E4, E9, E32, and needless to say, E57 where we kicked off the 2022 Oscars talk. There just might be a few more planned for the future, but more on that later. For now give TJ's YouTube channel a follow where he's constantly breaking down movies. Don't forget his Instagram stories where he rates every movie he sees (spoiler: it's a ton, and it's a great barometer to have). While you're on the world wide web, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter & Instagram, and if you listen all the way through the end...you'll know what to do. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Finally TJ has come BACK to the link podcast. If the Rock is reading this, TJ might have words about you in the pod, but I had your back man, don't forget that. It's our second annual Academy Awards breakdown, but this year is bigger and better. This is just part 1 of 2 covering the entire landscape of film in 2022, the Oscar nominees, film breakdowns, potential winners, fixes for the award show, and a ton of other hilarious but semi-useless ramblings. Oh, and yes, we got off track and discussed The Batman for a while in this, but it links back up to the awards talk, I swear. If you haven't listened to the other episodes with TJ, you're in luck. Check out E4, E9, and E32 (and E58 if you're a time traveler). There just might be a few more planned for the future, but more on that later. For now give TJ's YouTube channel a follow where he's constantly breaking down movies. Don't forget his Instagram stories where he rates every movie he sees (spoiler: it's a ton, and it's a great barometer to have). While you're on the world wide web, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter & Instagram, and if you listen all the way through the end...you'll know what to do. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I love playing the bass, and I appreciate a good groove like nothing else in this world. While I was strolling through the airport, jamming out to the new Earthgang album - Ghetto Gods - I was thinking to myself, who the hell is laying down the bass line on this song? I tweeted @Earthgang to find out, and they graciously pointed me to Benji. He was cool enough to come on the pod and talk music, his journey from athlete-to-musician, into Spillage Village, and now going on tour with Earthgang (you can find the tour dates here, and when you listen, be sure to let me know if you want to go on the link podcast's field trip to Brooklyn on May 18th to see Benji and the gang play). We had an awesome conversation about his history, his play-style, his Pittsburgh-roots, and love for his adopted home: Atlanta. Do yourself a favor and give "Smile, You're Alive" a spin after you put this pod down. You won't regret getting in on the ground floor of Benji's solo career. Big things to come, I'm sure...including a potential second podcast episode, and some producer credits...but you'll have to listen for all that. Follow Benji. @avatarbenji on Twitter & Instagram. While you're on there, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter & Instagram, and if you listen all the way through the end...you'll know what to do. For now: let's jam. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Not enough video game episodes on the pod quite yet, so let's try to tip the scales. The first time Sal came on, we talked about the Mortal Kombat movies, and dipped a little bit into the games, but not nearly enough. This time around, we got nerdy. How did Nintendo shape our lives? What would have happened if they didn't win the original console wars? Which characters led the way, and how would life look like without our beloved plumber (and his brother...and weird cousins)? All that plus a ton of fun facts, like the star of this Super Nintendo commercial... which I almost re-enacted but there wasn't enough dialogue. Want more tidbits like that, rants, and me trying to do my best renditions of classic Nintendo theme songs? Well this episode is for you. I'll share some of the things we referred to in the episode, and any more Easter eggs (why only eggs on Easter? eggs are great year round...and why a bunny? Although we did reference "Buster Busts Loose" in this episode too...full circle) throughout the week, head over to @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram. While we're talking gaming, follow Sal on Twitch! Now slide that purple button up, switch your TV to channel 3, and let's game. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

During the pandemic, the collectible market skyrocketed to heights never seen before. At the heart of that market are trading cards. I grew up in the perfect time to get hooked on Pokemon as a kid. Little did I know, that love (obsession, Blastoise is king) would come back around later in life. As the market surged, I kept my eye on it, observing from the sidelines. One day, I ran into my friend Gio at a party, who I hadn't seen in a while, and we got into a long conversation (shocking for me, I know), about how he had been collecting, buying, selling, and taking advantage of this movement that was happening. Most importantly, it sounded like he was having a great time along the way. I was hooked, I had to know more. I also had to share it with all of you, so I stopped the conversation in its tracks, and told him lets finish it when the mics were on...and here we are. If you're already in the market, or looking to get your feet wet with it, this is a crash-course. If you're ready to buy, Gio has an eBay store where you can get started right now. Are things surging to new heights? Can it keep up? Where is the best value? We got into all of that and more. If you want to see some of the goodies we referred to in the episode, head over to @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram. Your new obsession awaits, and it just might make you a few bucks. --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Does the title make sense now? It's intriguing, that's for sure. Will it makes sense after you listen? Oh that's also quite hard to say... You never know where these solo episodes are going to go, but I do know that this one will make you cry, make you laugh, make you friendly with your staff. Maybe not all of those things right away, but I bet you'll do all three of them in time, and you'll think of me, Mike Szego, who you can follow @thelink_pocast on both Twitter & Instagram! --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Somehow, we haven't done a Star Wars episode on the pod yet, and what better time than now with the whole Disney+ universe expanding at a rapid pace. My good friend Luke (not Skywalker, but you gotta start somewhere) and I broke down where Star Wars stands now as a brand, what's to come, natural comparisons to Marvel, and of course, now that the finale has aired, we got deep into "The Book of Boba Fett" in the 2nd half of the episode (don't worry, no spoilers in the 1st half if you haven't finished yet). All aboard Slave-1 (we're not changing the name)...we're about to travel through hyperspace and onto Nerdia-9 (excellent fake Star Wars planet name if you ask me). Enjoy the episode? You can follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter and/or Instagram. Until next time... --- If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Listen to me for ~4 minutes, laugh once, check your bank account, see how much you can spare, and put it toward a good cause. Here's some options: St. Jude Children's Hospital National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Ronald McDonald House Charities Alex's Lemonade Stand No plugs. See ya'll next week (I'm sure there will be more than enough plugs there to make up for it).