Mike Safo

Joined today by Marc Víquez, aka "The Ballpark Hunter". Marc and I chat about growing up in New Jersey, his favorite jersey shore spots and why he left Rutgers for Indiana state. We chat bout team loyalty and if he’s strayed away from his childhood teams. Marc tells us how he was asked to cover different minor league ballparks in the tri state area and how that turned into a 20-year journey visiting over 270 ballparks, arenas and stadiums. We hear what marc looks for in a stadium, what are his wow factors are and the best places to drink local beers. The ballpark hunter tells us about scheduling his family vacations around sporting events, what game he wished he could have witnessed live and what he does at every single ball park. We hear about his writing for stadiumjounrey.com, his podcast and his famous stadium review YouTube channel. From watching an unknown SS named Alex Rodriguez to watching a minor league game with the “Do Nothing” promotion, the @BallparkHunter shows a unique side of fandom

Follow Marc on the following sites:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BallparkHunter

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ballparkhunter/

Stadiumjourney.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdNtaxzoCwiE1oB6vfEAitw

** The “Mike Safo” Podcast is brought you by: https://www.levinskystopshelf.com/silk-city-hot-sauce **

Joined today by heavyweight boxer, Fres "Fast Fres" Oquendo.  Fres talks about growing up in the infamous Lathrop Holmes projects in Chicago. How boxing kept him away from drugs and violence, and what's the current political climate now in the windy city with all the shootings we see on TV. We discuss his illustrious amateur boxing career where he amassed over 100 wins and under 10 defeats, and how a marijuana bust cost him a chance to represent the U.S. in the Olympics. Fres talks about turning pro, winning his first 22 fights and then dealing with the shady political underworld that is the world of Boxing. We chat about fighting Holyfield, Ruiz, James Toney and why the fight with Mike Tyson in 2001 never happened. "Fast Fres" breaks down his lawsuit that has been all over the news, what's next and why even as a # 1 ranked contender he never got his title fight. We talk about his F.O.B.A charity and all the incredible things he does to give back to the community, how his charity delivered over 1000 meals to Puerto Rico and Mexico after disaster struck and how all this led him to boxing legend Wilfredo Benetiz. From mentally dealing with his first loss to David Tua to meeting Ali, and of course his beef with Dan Rafael. All this and much more. Follow Fres here and help out his charity in the links below.

https://twitter.com/oquendofres

http://www.fobaintl.org/

Joined today by Miami football legend and entrepreneur, Rohan Marley. Calling in from Miami, we chat about him having baby number 10, selling his place in NYC and why he's taking advantage of being on lock down by focusing on his mental well being. He tells us about the glory days of Miami football, playing alongside Ray Lewis, The Rock and others, what Coach Diaz is doing right and the current state of Hurricane football. We touch on the cannabis business, why it's so important and the lack of African American owners. We talk about all the new ventures in Rohan's life, including the new Marley beach house he's opening up in Mexico. Rohan tells us about his "One Love" charity, why he's always striving to give back and his famous Lion order hashtag and way of life. We clear up the twitter blue check controversy, find out who is the coolest Marley, and if they are compensated for the likeness of their father being posted everywhere. All this and more with the legendary Rohan Marley. Follow all the good Ro is doing here:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/romarley/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Romarley

Website: https://www.rohanmarley.com/

Joined today by former Kentucky Pitcher and newest Yankee signee Carson Coleman. Carson and I talk about growing up in Lex, his High School recruiting and his recent graduation from UK. We hear how Carson dealt with the Covid shorted college season, the dramatic cut down of the MLB draft and how he got the call that he was headed to the Bronx Bombers. Carson talks about his 4MOM charity, being inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character Hall, and why giving back means so much to him. He tells us why he’s more comfortable in the bullpen, who he modeled his game after, and how he’s staying in shape waiting for the season to start. From photography to Keenland in October.

Follow Carson here: Carson_Coleman

Joined today by the owner of the legendary “McSorley’s Old Ale House”, Teresa Maher. Podcasting from inside this NYC institution, Teresa tells us about growing up in New York City with her strict father, her favorite hangouts, and her world before the bar. We hear how, she became the first female bartender at McSorley’s in 1994. We take a stroll down memory lane as Teresa shares the history of McSorley’s, from the opening in 1864 all the way up to her legendary father Matty taking the keys. We take a look and talk about the famous artifacts, from Houdini’s handcuffs, to the iconic World War I wishbones and even some Abraham Lincoln relics. Teresa tells us how a portrait led to her to meet her future husband. Teresa also recounts some wild stories from dropping the Stanley Cup, to hanging with the likes of Colin Farrell, Leonardo DiCaprio and others. From the sawdust on the floor to why they only serve 2 types of Ales, Teresa brings the mystique of this 166-year-old bar to life.

Support McSorley’s by visiting the location at 15 East 7th Street  New York, NY and check out the website: https://mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc/

Joined today by Chef and owner of the Slapfish seafood franchise, Andrew Gruel. Andrew dishes about growing up in New Jersey and heading up to Maine to run track for college. This is where he becomes engrossed in the  world of seafood, dropping out of school and devoting his life to the restaurant business.  Chef Gruel talks about taking his journey west to California, and starting a food truck with only 2 items on the menu. He describes how Slapfish grew into a restaurant and now has up to over 20 franchise locations. Andrew tells us the difficulties of having restaurants all over the country, and how Slapfish is dealing with the Covid pandemic. From the worst food trend to changing the way we eat seafood Chef Andrew Gruel shows why hard work and taking chances pays off.   Follow Andrew and Slapfish here:

https://www.instagram.com/andrewgruel/

http://chefgruel.com/

https://twitter.com/chefgruel

Joined today by best-selling author of “Kabul Beauty School” and many other books, Deborah Rodriguez. We chat about growing up in Holland, Michigan, and how watching the women of Afghanistan after September 11th compelled her to help them. Debbie tell us about her first trip to Kabul in 2002, driving through a war zone, trying to fit in and being surprised everyone was grateful to see a professional hairdresser. She recounts going back to Michigan, petitioning for hair supplies, and heading back to Afghanistan to open up a beauty school. We hear about the hurdles of opening a business as an American woman in a Muslim country and the good side of Afghanistan which the media doesn’t show. From warlords in her living room to dealing with PTSD, the former correction officer and hairdresser shows why she’s called “Crazy Deb”. Follow Debbie on the following sites and buy one of her books.

Website: http://www.deborahrodriguez.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debb_rod

Joined today by former CIA analyst and author of the fascinating book Becoming “Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator” Dr. Jung H. Pak. Dr. Pak tell us what led her to join the Central Intelligence Agency, how long she served there and why she just hasn’t had enough of North Korea. The first time author explains the process of writing her first book on such a secretive country, how lonely it could be and how that awesome cover of the book came to be. We talk about Kim Jong Un’s mysterious wife Ri Sol-ju, the role she plays in North Korea and how she compares to other First Ladies. Dr. Pak tells us what Kim Jong Un’s master plan is after extending an olive branch to President Trump, South Korea and allowing the North and South to march in the Olympics. From the biggest misconceptions about the CIA to the best pizza in New York City, Dr. Jung H. Pak continues to be the go to person when talking about Korea.   Follow Jung H. Pak and buy her book in the links below.

https://twitter.com/junghpak1

https://bookshop.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Kim-Jong-Officers-Enigmatic-ebook/dp/B07V13WZYW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G9694ETH7IY4&dchild=1&keywords=becoming+kim+jong+un&qid=1590111957&sprefix=becoming+kim%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1

Joined today by undefeated boxing phenom, Xander Zayas. Xander speaks about becoming the youngest boxer signed by Top Rank, but still fulfilling the promise he made to his mother of graduating High School. We talk about his viral anti-bullying campaign and how being bullied at such a young age changed his life. We chat about his legendary amateur career and his short, but dominant professional career. He tells us how he’s staying in shape during quarantine, what’s keeping him motivated and what are his thoughts of fighting in an empty arena. We hear how, he currently can only fight in 3 states due to his age and how being born 45 days late cost him a chance at representing his country in the Olympics. We discuss him following in Miguel Cotto’s footsteps and his dream of fighting at Madison Square Garden during the Puerto Rican Day Parade. From his favorite video games to the fights he’s dying to see, I had a blast chopping it up with the future Champion of the world

Follow Xander on twitter and Instagram and purchase his merchandise in the links below:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XanderZayas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xander.zayas/

Merch: https://ftwrbrand.com/collections/xander-zayas

Joined today all the way from Cambodia, Rowan Beard from Young Pioneer Tours. Rowan tells us about growing up in Brisbane, not being fit for the 9-5 grind and eventually heading to Russia and Vietnam for work/adventure. We hear about when he first heard about Young Pioneer Tours, and how he worked his way form tour guide to a manager, specializing in North Korean tours and visiting the area over 120 times. He tells us what a tour to North Korea is like, what you can expect and the safety precautions they take. We also hear about other tours that YPT offers to some of the world’s least visited countries, and even countries that aren’t recognized, such as visits to Iran or Chernobyl. Obviously YPT has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic so we hear how we can help the company and when he thinks we can start traveling again. From a cave of bats in Cambodia to pub crawls in Pyongang, check out YPT on the following sites:

 https://www.youngpioneertours.com/

https://www.instagram.com/youngpioneer/