Cookin With Gas

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Detroit sports doesn’t feel “down” right now, it feels broken, and I needed to say it with my chest. When five of the six biggest teams in the city look like a mess at the same time, it stops being a bad week and starts feeling like a full-blown identity crisis for fans. I’m talking Lions, Red Wings, Michigan, Michigan State, and the whole doom-and-gloom cloud hanging over every conversation.

We start with the Detroit Lions because the disappointment hits different when the hope was real. A high-scoring offense means nothing if the defense can’t cover, can’t adjust, and can’t get stops when it matters. I dig into what’s going wrong on the field, why the penalties and sloppy execution point back to coaching, and why “we’re looking forward” stops working when the same problems keep showing up every Sunday. If you’ve been searching for what’s behind the Lions losing streak and that “something is off” feeling, this is the blunt version.

Then we hit the Red Wings frustration and the fan backlash that finally boiled over, plus the absolute chaos in college football. Michigan looks undisciplined and stuck, the quarterback conversation is unavoidable, and Michigan State looks like it’s not even competing week to week. I also talk about the weird truth of sports talk and podcasts: losing can boost the noise, but none of us actually want that. We want our teams to look prepared, coached well, and headed somewhere real.

If you’re riding with Detroit sports through the slump, subscribe to Cooking With Gas, share this with a fellow sufferer, and leave a review so more fans can find the show. What team has you the most fed up right now?

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The Lions pulled off the win, but we are not pretending everything is fine. We talk through why Detroit’s defense still feels like a weekly crisis, how a single strip or turnover can hide bigger issues, and why the NFL is chaotic enough that “take care of business” is never automatic. With Sunday night football in Carolina on deck, we dig into the Panthers matchup, the too-close-for-comfort spread, and what Detroit has to do to survive if the game turns into another shootout.

On offense, we get specific: we want cleaner red zone football, fewer self-inflicted mistakes, and more intentional usage of weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Teslaa. We also hit the stress point every Lions fan knows, injuries, especially when Gibbs is taking contact over and over. And when key guys start dropping catchable balls, including frustration around LaPorta, it raises a simple question: are they truly locked in?

Then we pivot to college football pain. Michigan’s loss to Iowa is the kind that sticks, not because of one play, but because of discipline, coaching decisions, penalties, and failing to finish drives with touchdowns. We zoom out to Big Ten parity, surprising standings, and what it means for the rest of the season for Michigan and Michigan State, especially with injuries piling up in East Lansing. We also talk fan value and why Cosm might be the best place to watch the Michigan Michigan State game with both fan bases in the building.

If you like honest Detroit sports talk with real takes and zero sugar coating, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review.

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10,000 followers on Facebook hit overnight, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I start by saying thank you to everyone who likes, comments, shares, and actually hits the places I post, because that’s the whole point of Cooking With Gas: giving you real ideas for what to do in Michigan and building a community that talks back.

From there, I get into the hard stuff, starting with the Detroit Lions. The Bills loss wasn’t just ugly, it exposed a defense that looks overwhelmed and a team that may be asking too much of the offense every single week. I talk Jared Goff, why I want him to succeed, and why I’m not convinced this roster can win the biggest games as built. I also go off on the constant injuries and why I don’t accept “it’s football” as an excuse anymore, plus what I expect against the Jets and why watching at Cosm makes game day better even when the takes are grim.

Then it’s college football and both Michigan programs feeling unimpressive for different reasons. I break down Michigan State at Notre Dame, why moral victories do nothing and why Nebraska is the kind of game the Spartans need to win to pull people back in. On the Michigan side, I react to the UTEP performance, the lack of rhythm on offense, and the quarterback situation with Bryce Underwood and the noise Tommy Carr could create after one big throw. I close with what I’m looking forward to next, including October energy, football weekends, and the Halloween content I’ve been building toward.

Subscribe for more, share this with a fellow Michigan sports fan, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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One second on the clock turned a messy Saturday night into a full-blown college football argument, and Michigan found itself right in the middle of it again. We break down the Big Ten’s decision, why a lot of fans will never buy it, and why I still think that second belonged on the board. 

Then we get to the part Michigan fans can’t ignore: the Wolverines looked rough against Western Michigan. We talk quarterback play, why Bryce Underwood’s tools aren’t showing up as reliable college quarterback execution, and how the offense can’t claim a “punish you” identity while getting pushed around up front. I also dig into Kyle Whittingham’s sideline vibe, the culture signals that bother me, and why being liked has nothing to do with winning in Ann Arbor. 

Western deserves its own spotlight too, because this wasn’t just a Michigan story. A late Wildcat call, a brutal fumble, and 38 seconds of sudden opportunity flipped the game in a way every underdog fears. That sequence leads straight into what matters next: Oklahoma. If Michigan shows up the same way, the Sooners can bury them, and the pressure around a QB change and the Tommy Carr conversation only gets louder. 

If you’ve got a take on the clock, the coaching, or what Michigan should do before Oklahoma, hit play and then share it. Subscribe, leave a review, and send this to the friend who won’t shut up about that one second.

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Hidden doors are cool, but what happens after you open them is even better. I’m seeing my Detroit and Michigan speakeasy reels turn into real nights out for real people, and it’s honestly blowing my mind. I talk through what’s been happening behind the scenes as my Facebook and Instagram following spikes fast, how I approach filming with Meta AI glasses without being that obnoxious content creator, and why I’m so motivated to use this momentum to help local bars, restaurants, and hidden speakeasies get discovered.

You’ll hear the stories from Ferndale, including Balam Coffee and Wine’s secret-coin speakeasy setup and Tigerlilys sushi spot with a hidden tiki speakeasy in the back. We get into smoked cocktails (including the “smoke my painkiller” moment) and how a simple conversation can lead to real changes, like pushing for Loco Moco to land on a brunch menu because Hawaii got that one right.

Then I zoom out to the bigger roadmap: what I’m building with Cooking With Gas, how Woodward Cinema fits in, and why my collaboration with MJR Theaters matters if you care about moviegoing in Michigan (VIP seats included). I also preview Cosm Detroit, the immersive dome venue opening downtown that’s built for sports viewing experiences and big-screen movies, and I explain the ticket tiers so you know what you’re paying for. If you’re into Detroit nightlife, Michigan sports, and the future of entertainment venues, this one’s for you.

Subscribe, share this with a friend who always needs a new spot to try, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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A hidden speakeasy is supposed to feel like a secret, but what happens when your reel hits hundreds of thousands of views and the comments turn into a full-on debate? I’m Jared, and I’m talking through the most unexpected wave of momentum I’ve had since starting Cookin With Gas: two Southeast Michigan speakeasy walkthroughs that suddenly took off on Instagram and Facebook, bringing in new followers, nonstop questions, and plenty of people mad that “their spot” might get popular.

I break down what I’m actually doing when I share these places and why I’m not “ruining” anything. I also get into the practical side of content creation, including how I film with Meta AI glasses so I can capture the entrance and the vibe without shoving a phone in everyone’s face, then still enjoy the night like a normal person.

Then we go to the darker, weirder side of going viral: entitlement in the comments, bots, and people accusing real bars of being AI. I talk about moderating hate, keeping the community fun, and using the noise as fuel instead of letting it derail the whole point, sharing great places to go in Detroit and beyond. You’ll also hear what’s next, including a VIP soft opening invite and how this momentum connects to my movie work with Woodward Cinema.

If you like speakeasies, nightlife, cocktail bars, and the real story behind social media growth, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a friend who always asks “What are we doing this weekend?” Then leave a review and tell me: do you think creators help local spots or hurt them?

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A movie titled Motor City should feel like Detroit in its bones and that’s where my review starts. With a real frustration about authenticity. I’m Jared from Woodward Cinema and the Cookin’ With Gas podcast, and I’m breaking down why this mystery screening was a blast while still leaving me hung up on one glaring choice: And That decision isn’t just trivia, it changes the texture of the streets, the mood of the scenes, and how much the title feels earned.

Then we get to what works: Motor City is a creative, music-driven revenge thriller with almost no dialogue and no character names, and it somehow stays clear, intense, and fun. Jack White’s soundtrack and the score do heavy narrative lifting, while the cast, led by Alan Ritchson with Ben Foster bringing serious heat, sells emotion through movement and expression instead of speech. I also spotlight two standout sequences you’ll want to watch for!

Listen now, subscribe for more reviews, and share your take: does a film’s shooting location matter to you as much as the story and performances do?

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A hometown festival is supposed to feel like summer, not like something you need to brace for. I’m back after about a month away, and instead of movies or sports I’m talking about the one thing I’m genuinely fired up about: Uncle Sam Jam in Southeast Michigan, a community festival that used to be a point of pride for my city and now feels like it has slipped into chaos.

I take you through how it used to be, from better organization to memorable live music, and why I still show up each year for the Friday fireworks. Then I get into what happened when my wife and I walked inside the festival grounds for a simple elephant ear. What I saw was a mix of broken basics and bigger red flags: questionable entry screening with metal detectors, security that doesn’t inspire confidence and an overall crowd vibe that makes you wonder who is in charge of public safety and crowd control.

The moment that seals it is a teen brawl happening in the open with no cops in sight, pushing the conversation beyond complaints and into real event management questions. If a festival is free, what standards are we enforcing? Would a small admission fee improve safety and behavior? How do you protect residents who live nearby while still welcoming visitors and supporting local businesses?

If you care about community events, public safety, and what our cities should expect from the people we share space with, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more locals find the conversation.

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A $750K movie is out-earning franchise horror, a brutal new action film is making audiences gasp, and He-Man just delivered one of the most fun fantasy swings in years. That’s the kind of movie season we’re living in, and I’m here for all of it.

I start with a big life update: I’m officially working with Detroit’s Woodward Sports Network, and we’re launching a new channel called Woodward Cinema. The goal is simple: high-energy movie reviews, entertainment news, interviews, and on-the-ground coverage that treats film fans like film fans. I also explain how my podcast and Woodward Cinema can grow together, because the best part of this hobby is sharing the experience with people who actually care.

From there, I hit the headlines and the grades. Obsession keeps climbing toward legendary box office territory, and I break down why word of mouth can beat marketing budgets. I review Backrooms (jaw-dropping visuals, uneven pacing), Passenger (great setup, frustratingly dumb character writing), and Tuner (a limited-release adult thriller that deserves a bigger audience). I also rave about The Furious, a fight-choreography monster with Raid-level intensity, and I’m still annoyed it’s getting shoved into a crowded release weekend.

To close it out, I go scorched-earth on Scary Movie 6, then I pivot to the heart: Power Ballad surprised me with real warmth, strong performances from Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, and a music-industry credit battle that hits hard. And yes, Masters Of The Universe absolutely rules: great casting, huge action, and the kind of theater crowd energy that reminds me why I keep buying tickets. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review.

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Obsession didn’t just live up to the hype, it made me wonder how so many bigger movies keep missing what’s right in front of them. I’m giving a spoiler free movie review that gets into what makes this original thriller horror hit feel so addictive. A simple hook that keeps building, a tone that can make you laugh one minute and feel genuinely sick the next, and a performance from that plays like a career launch.

Then we get into the part I can’t stop thinking about: The film marketing. Obsession’s team didn’t just run trailers, they ran an experience. From social media saturation to the “text Nikki” phone number powered by an AI chatbot, the promotion makes you feel like the movie is reaching back at you. I break down why interactive campaigns like this outperform traditional ads, especially when studios are competing for attention across X, Instagram, and everything else. 

Finally, I’m doing a listener giveaway of the sold-out One Wish Willow movie prop, because it’s too cool to sit on my shelf. I explain exactly how to enter, why scalpers are killing the fun, and when I’ll announce the winner. Listen, share this with a movie friend, and if you’ve seen Obsession, message me your take and who you think the real villain is. If you’re enjoying Cookin’ With Gas, subscribe and leave a quick review so more film fans can find us.