Welcome back to another episode of "Just A Conversation" - where we highlight and amplify the incredible work happening in our community.

Today I'm joined by Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seattle-based journalist and author of the new book "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks - A Curated History of the Legion of Boom Era." This is his first book, and the stories he uncovered will give you chills.

Mike spent two years researching this era, conducting countless interviews with players, coaches, and staff. He literally maxed out Google Docs' character limit with his research (1.3 million characters!). The dedication shows in every page.

In this conversation, we dive deep into:

• The real brotherhood that made the Legion of Boom special

• Why Super Bowl 49 hurt so differently than a regular loss

• Brandon Browner's essential role that fans don't know about

• How Doug Baldwin's endorsement gave him confidence to tell these stories

• The writing process during paternity leave (midnight to 4am sessions)

• Why research is the cure for writer's block • How this era put Seattle on the global sports map

This isn't just a sports conversation - it's about commitment, brotherhood, research, fatherhood, and the power of storytelling.

📚 Get "The Franchise: Seattle Seahawks" wherever books are sold