Just in time for back-to-school season, we're joined in this episode by our youngest guest to date. Mason is a 16-year-old rising junior at L'anse Creuse North HS in suburban Detroit. Mason's also an avid sports fan who favors baseball (the hometown Tigers and the Atlanta Braves are his favorites) and college football (the University of Michigan). 

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In today's conversation we chat with Ian Casselberry, an Ann Arbor, MI, native who now lives and works as a freelance writer, editor, and podcaster in Asheville, NC. You can find Ian's work at Barrett Sports Media and his own website, Bowls Media. His podcast, cleverly named The Podcass, is set to return this fall to whereever you find your podcasts. 

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The 2022 Little League Baseball World Series begins Wednesday in South Williamsport, PA. Today's guest, John Pakledinaz, and his son, J.D., will be there - as they have been most of the past 15 years - serving as volunteers. In today's bonus episode, Paklidenaz shares what took his family to South Williamsport in the first place and the strong relationships with the community of volunteers that have led them back, annually. 

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Today we experience an enjoyable conversation with Don Drooker who began his life in Boston, moved with his family to Los Angeles as a teenager, and now calls Surprise, AZ, home. Don was at Fenway Park for Ted Williams' first game back in uniform following his tour of duty during the Korean War, saw Bill Russell play in Boston Garden shortly after the 1956 Olympics, enjoyed Vin Scully for the better part of the his entire broadcasting career, saw UCLA freshman Lew Alcindor and his fellow freshmen defeat the top-ranked Bruins' varsity, 75-60, in an exhibition game at the opening of Pauley Pavillion in 1965, and was at Angels Stadium for George Brett's 3,000th hit in 1992. Today, Don is retired and serves as a buying consultant for AZ Sports Cards in Phoenix. 

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In today's episode with converse with Jim Livingston, a lifelong metro-Detroit resident and avid sports fan for all things Detroit and the University of Michigan. Jim is a proud member of the Teamsters and drives for Tri-County Beverages in the Detroit area. (Note: We apologize for some technical issues throughout this recording, most notably near the end of this episode.)

Today we converse with Mike McClary, a longtime friend of mine dating back to our high school days. Mike easily wins the award for most prepared guest we've had on Conversations coming equipped with a list of his first events attended as well as boxscores where available. Mike, who is self-employed, lives and works in Cave Creek, AZ. 

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Today we converse with Tom Varcie, a former co-worker at the Eastern Michigan University student newspaper, the Eastern Echo. Tom and I received our Bachelors' Degrees in succession on the stage in EMU's Bowen Field House in December 1989 and I famously photo-bombed his university-produced photo. Tom's a long-time hockey player and fan of the Red Wings, Tigers, and - gulp - the Lions. A Garden City, MI, native, Tom, now lives and works in Chesterfield Township, MI.

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Host, Doug Hill, shares his recollections and interactions from a day spent on The Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, as part of the just-completed 150th Open Championship week. 

Today we converse with Laura Dennis, a 1-time college roommate of my far better half, Carol. Laura was born and raised in Chelsea, MI, which is about 15 miles west of Ann Arbor and currently resides in Chicago. Her nearly 20 years in Chicago have her smitten with the Chicago Cubs but her hockey loyalties remain with the Detroit Red Wings. Try as we might, Laura was not able to lock in a future Conversation with Chelsea's most-famous resident, Emmy and Tony-winning actor Jeff Daniels.

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In this episode we converse with calculus teacher and die-in-the-wool Detroit Lions' fan, Rob Byrd. Rob is a Livonia, MI, lifer who is unashamed to admit he suffers from fear of missing out (FOMO). His personal quest is to see the Lions play in every opposing stadium. 

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