This Podcast Is... Uncalled For

When your guest talks about doing a commercial shoot and not being able to check out a dinner show - with horses. From our episode with Jamie Morrow

As the uncle of school children in the State of Oklahoma, Mike is quite offended by what the powers-that-be in that state are forcing on the kids in their public schools - that the Bible be taught in public school; that the lies of J6 be taught as fact; and that teachers coming to the Sooner State from elsewhere (specifically New York or California) take a test from an unaccredited right-wing YouTube channel posing as a "university." As a public service, and in the interest of torturing himself, Mike takes the test - and you get to hear his reaction in real time.

When your guest talks about being from St. Louis and encountering difficulties with Kansas City people because of his dialect. From our Virtual Fringe episode with Omega Edwards

It's one of Mike's favorite all-time political media stories - Bill O'Reilly sexually harassing one of his producers and confusing loofahs with falafels.  Well, it resurfaced in recent years, and you better believe "We'll do it LIVE!"

When your guest explains the difference between a do (way) martial art and a jutsu (art). From our Virtual Fringe episode with Dan Handley

Mike attended the annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Kansas City - on a day that proves Ichiro Suzuki's favorite English expression is indeed true.  He describes his experience there, including a run-in with a Friend of the Podcast.

When you talk about learning the classic D&D story of the Dread Gazebo. From our episode with Ty Gephardt

Today we talk with Monica McKitterick, a health and wellness expert in central Texas.  Our discussion includes the health benefits of getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and our shared love of Duke basketball (she's a Duke grad).

When your co-host gives his Celebrity Mount Rushmore and number two is a pop culture junkie hack with too much time on his hands and no good sense of story telling. From our episode Discussion on Celebrity Mount Rushmores

Today we interview Linda Eastburn, a real estate investor and intuitive from Springfield, MO.  We have an interesting discussion on intuition.

When you're asked what the best barbecue place in Kansas City is. From our episode with Carl Fletcher

Congress recently voted to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the umbrella funding apparatus for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) - the primary public media outlets in the United States. Mike, who interned at Kansas City's PBS station, has some thoughts on this. Support your local public media outlets!

When you compare the behavior of two billionaires involved with the sport of American football and legitimately ask which one has done more harm to the game: the singer supporting her football playing boyfriend, or the owner who lied a team out of town for no good reason. From our episode Discussion on Taylor Swift

Conservatives clearly have it out for efforts to fix climate change and transitioning to green energy (think wind and solar).  Mike reads a few articles on the subject, then revisits a Sunflower Brew episode on environmental issues.  (This in response to Google recently and intentionally taking down the Blogspot post on this specific episode - and only this specific episode.)

This is the sixth and final of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: Gotta Get Gas DoorDash Comedy of Errors Becoming a Monty Python Gumby Children of the Circle QuikTrip Thanksgiving Complete with Square Pie Libsyn 5 Orientation Call Summary Easily the Most Expensive DoorDash Item Ever (Crab Legs) Pre-Tournament Check-In Hospital Anniversary Part 1 Hospital Anniversary Part 2 Final Thank You

When your guest guesses that both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League - before either team made the Champions League Final!   This episode was recorded in 2020, just before PSG made their first Champions League Final appearance (they finally won it in 2025) and a year before City's first Final appearance (they won in 2023). From our second episode with Lucas Stoneking and Daniel Rains, which was also a Fringe Festival episode.

We did it!!  25,000 Unique Downloads for the entire podcast!  Let's keep up the good work!!!

This is the fifth of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: 2025 Apple Podcast Rankings What's That Damn Squeaking Noise?! Streetcar to Planet Anime Planet Anime, I Am In You! KC Artwork at Bartle Hall The 670 Trench (Soon to be Tunnel with a Park On Top) My History with the Number 22 Reset Your Boards! (And How to Do It) Talking with the Nieces and Nephew Thoughts on Every MLB Team Mall Santa Season Driving the Streetcar(ish) 7 - Green Line Lake Remembrance (Special Thank You to Kristen for Telling Me About This Place) Thoughts on Every NHL Team (Plus 4 from the Past) The Squeaking Noise Part 2 Terry Bradshaw's Late Apology to St. Louis Car's in the Shop (First Attempt) Car's in the Shop (Second Attempt) Car's Out of the Shop

When your guest talks about a rather quiet college roommate. From our episode with Rick Daniels

This is the fourth of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: Plaza Stop on the KC Streetcar Getting on the Streetcar Union Station Pit Stop Not Welcome in P&L Post-Planet Anime Training Legend of Asia Food Pron 2 and Preview for Loneliness Vladivostok Backhand Thoughts on Loneliness A Lot of People in OP are Really F@#$ing Stupid Regarding Royals' Stadium Feeling the Pinch of Donnie's Tariff Nonsense International Men's Day (Didn't Know It Was a Thing) Too Tired for IFC International Men's Day and Donnie's War on Transit The Car's GPS No Longer Wants to Work Sumimasen, High Society SHIKOKU! SHIKOKU!!  (And the Proper Pronunciation of Karaoke)

When you talk about a ridiculously expensive potential date night experience, contrast that with much cheaper options, and your guest shares a pot roast recipe with you. From our episode with Rick Daniels

This is the third of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: Being a Fan of New Heights (Non-Debut of Daniel) Happy Veterans Day to Those Who Celebrate Chess Club Office Tour Dalton Chavez 3-Timers Club Morning View at Delta Woods Legend of Asia Food Pron My Official Response to the Prager U Letter Chess Thoughts Including Duolingo and Cheating (Kramnik Edition) Disgusting Sandwich Food Pron Cardboard Corner Food Pron Smash Up Grand Tour BriAnne Friesen 3-Timers Club Musings in (and Barely Surviving) South KC They're Killing Libsyn 4?! Climbing That Frickin' Hill St. Louis Bread (aka Panera) Food Pron

When you and your guest talk football and bring up the XFL and the USFL - and it took place two years before the two leagues merged into the UFL.  Among the teams mentioned: the St. Louis BattleHawks (consistently leading the league in attendance), Houston Gamblers (who post-merger were rebranded under the XFL Roughnecks name - and starting in '26 will once again play as the Gamblers), New Orleans Breakers (currently in a state of suspended animation but could easily come back), Michigan Panthers (who have consistently been good in the UFL but were placed in suspended animation because Ford Field has been hard for them to fill), and New Jersey Generals (also in suspended animation). From our episode with Justin Pemberton

This is the second of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: Driving the Streetcar(ish) 4 - 18th and Vine 1 Driving the Streetcar(ish) 5 - 18th and Vine 2 Pedestrians Rant - USE THE CROSSWALKS THE RIGHT WAY! Article in Favor of Washington Square Park Stadium Happy ThanksRibbing! DoorDash Thoughts Einstein Bagels Food Pron Driving the Streetcar(ish) 6 - 18th and Vine Redo Thanks to Randy Marsh Son of a B@#$h Welcome to the Nelson Donnie's Tariffs and Commanders Football Visiting the Dentist Agnostic Beverages Ramen, Ratings, Democratic Defections? United Kansas Party

When you talk about a certain owner's stewardship of a certain NBA team and how he mistreated his star player. From our episode KroenkeOut Denver Edition with Terrence Hayes

This is the first of six episodes compiling materials from our participation in National Podcast Post Month (NaPodPoMo) in November 2025. Included in this episode: Driving the Streetcar 1 - Main Street Extension Driving the Streetcar 2 - Starter Line, Riverfront, NorthRail Dias de los Muertos; Ex-Mormon Experience (Adios Nelson) Last Possible Minute Requests Shoutout to Jared; Screw the NFL; UFL Changes Appearing on Other Podcasts Kansas Christian Election Day Vlog 1 (Screw You Heley) Election Day Vlog 2 (Screw You Heley) Yes, I Do Have To Get Up That Early Certain Days Driving the Streetcar(ish) 3 - East-West Line (39th/Linwood)

When your conversation turns to football and your football loyalties - and how they were betrayed. From our live Fringe episode with Brian Boye

When you talk about how you unintentionally got your own words read on one of the biggest podcasts on the planet. From our live Fringe episode with Brian Boye

When your co-host's teenage daughter calls her - right in the middle of a live show. From our live Fringe episode with Brian Boye

When you and your guest talk Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, the Jubilee Line, and barbecue in just a few short minutes. From our live Fringe episode with Brian Boye (Postscript: Since this recording, we've now been graced with "Redwood tree, ain't hard to see.")

When your guest mentions he went gaming with a friend who attended a certain university in Tulsa that you can't stand. From our Fringe episode with Mike Pole and Terrence Hayes

When you're playing Betrayal at House on the Hill and have reached that point in the game where the haunt is revealed and the traitor is known. From our playthrough of Betrayal at House on the Hill

When you ask your guest if his travels took him to Virginia's Hampton Roads area. From our episode with Richie Wolfe

When you talk about how your father's side of the family is from Pittsburgh and you demonstrate it by helping with the pronunciation of Allegheny. From our episode with Richie Wolfe

When your guest talks about the healing effects of simply taking off your clothes. From our episode with Kerry Kott

When your guest goes a little bit off topic and talks about a rap battle he was judging. From our St. Archuleta's Day episode

Thanks to New Heights for bringing this fun little test to our attention.  Like the younger Kelce brother, our intrepid host is a self-avowed picky eater.  So, we're going to test how picky he really is.

When your guest talks about their love for Settlers of Catan and ways to make an interesting variant. From our episode with the cast of Bi Spy

When you and your guest - both former Boy Scouts - talk about summer camp, rifle shooting, and accidentally shooting the clothes line holding all of the targets up at the range. From our episode with Jeff Polaschek

College realignment (specifically at the NCAA Division I level) is getting ridiculous.  It's effectively put one major conference (the Pac-12) into a coma, from which it will be relegated to mid-major status; and will likely be killing off another conference, the WAC (Western Athletic Conference).  Mike (whose alma mater was at one time a school in the WAC) reads a few articles on the subject and shares his thoughts. Update: On July 1, 2026, the WAC will cease to exist, being replaced by the United Athletic Conference (UAC).

When you learn about what they do at the entry level of burlesque. From our Fringe episode with Meghan Spencer

When your discussion turns to hockey and you're wondering if someone who grew up in a Toronto Maple Leafs house could support their biggest rival, the Montreal Canadiens - or, as hockey fans know them, the Habs. From our episode with Brody Otway

Mike talks about his experience volunteering at Kansas City's Planet Comicon in March 2025.  Mike did two days there - one day shooting video, and one day helping out with the board gaming area.

When you compare a chess variant to a board game expansion - not in a favorable way. From our episode with Dalton Chavez

When a bunch of local kids interrupt the first podcast recording session you have with a new co-host. From our episode Discussion on Taylor Swift

Today we're joined by Richie Wolfe, local filmmaker and writer who did a bicycle tour of the US.  He was also Mike's boss doing student media at JCCC.  He recently wrote a book on his travels. Richie's book is called "Home Is Where the Heart Lands: How Pedaling for 5 Months Brought Me Closer to Home."  You can find it at Richie's website: https://www.wolfesdenwriting.com/

When you quote the biggest pop star in the world - as she starts spending time in your area.  Yes, we're Swifties here. From our Fringe episode with George M. Dean

When one of your high school teachers is the basis for a popular TV character created by a celebrity you were briefly in school with. From our episode with Marnie and Nick

Health and fitness expert Robin O'Grady joins us from Calgary for an enjoyable discussion.

When your high school football teammate talks about how he became a Raiders fan, how you became a St. Louis fan, and how you both feel about the NFL's LA debacle. From our episode with Grant Adams

When someone comes up with a ridiculous rule on how food is to be classified.  Always remember the famous haiku:  ラーメンで  数字を取れなきゃ  犬を出せ From our episode Thoughts on the Cube Rule of Food