* Detroit Lions beat writer Dave Birkett (Twitter @DaveBirkett) has covered hope, heartbreak, hard times — everything but a playoff victory. M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor) ask what it’s like to stare into the oblivion for a living. Joey Zuver thinks they’re talking about HIS job!* THE STRAIGHT DOPE: Seriously! This is your ABSOLUTELY LAST CHANCE to order your Soul of Detroit bike at www.drewandmikestore.com. SERIOUSLY!!!* You won’t need a bike to get around downtown if you can catch a FREE ride with GEST Carts. CEO Damon Dickens talks about his alternative to Uber and Lyft … and did we mention it’s FREE? Visit www.gestcarts.com or call 313-770-2273* This isn’t a sports podcast, so we try to connect with Detroit Lions beat writer Dave Birkett on a HUMAN LEVEL. Dave talks about how he approaches what almost always turns out to be a disappointing season.* Shawn asks a long question. ML takes note.* ML mounts a furious, but futile, defense of John L Smith.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: Yet another passenger who thought she was free to move about the cabin and throw haymakers at a flight attendant wins this week’s (dis)honor. * ROOM 7609: A FOS — Fan of Shawn — invites Adam and the Ants to perform “Here Comes the Grump” in the New Wave suite. Somehow Paul McCartney is involved.* FIRST AMENDMENT TIME: Chloe asked last week how the City of Detroit plans to spend nearly $900 million in federal aid. ML did some digging and has some answers about how Mayor Mike Duggan wants to spend more than half of that dough.* Michelle asked Shawn to do some digging. Listen and learn whether he came through.* REPRESENT! Show your Soul of Detroit pride with great merchandise, ranging from our limited-edition, hand-made in Detroit commemorate bike — available for pre-sale through May 31. We also have hip trucker hats, retro keychains, masks and gaiters, super groovy hockey jerseys, comfy logo t-shirts, stickers, neon clocks and signed copies of “The Kwame Sutra: Musings on Lust, Life and Leadership from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.” Each copy includes a smart aleck inscription penned personally by ML! Open your heart, open your wallet at www.drewandmikestore.com* HARD OUT: Need a new ride? Roy O’Brien has been putting metro Detroiters on wheels for 74 years. Before you shop anywhere else, get on the right track to 9 Mile and Mack and check out their super groovy showroom. Find our more at www.royobrien.net.* Stop looking so terrible and go get a haircut from Lady Janes. Visit Lady Janes website, find the nearest location and book your appointment today.* Don’t lose your mind trying to make sense of the financial markets. Let Luke Nowacki of Pinnacle help you make the right decisions that will help keep you on firm financial...