Mike Safo

Joined today all the way from Taiwan, podcaster and University of Texas student Danny Shih. Danny and I talk about his upbringing in Taiwan and Beijing and what made him want to travel around the world and attend UT in Austin. We chat about his podcast “Rants with Danny Shih”, how it got started, his dream guests and some Texas sports. Danny tells us how he became a diehard Yankees fan watching Chien-Ming Wang dominate, we touch on the 2020 Yankees roster, signing Gerrit Cole and why he isn’t one of those unrealistic Yankee fans. We chat about the CPBL, (Chinese Professional Baseball League), the history of it, Manny Ramirez playing there and the cardboard cutout of fans we see in the stands. From why Taiwan is leading the world in the fight against Covid-19 to what to do and eat when visiting Taiwan. Check out Danny on twitter and listen to his fantastic podcast here:

twitter: https://twitter.com/daniel_shih88

podcast: http://rantswithdannyshih.buzzsprout.com/

Joined today by Rolling Stone senior writer and author of “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s”, Andy Greene. We talk about Andy living in Brooklyn, how he landed his dream job at Rolling Stone and what food he’s missing most from the land. Andy and I then chat about his Rolling Stone cover story on Howard Stern, how it was interviewing the King of All Media and his thoughts on the new Howard Stern. We discuss how he came up with the idea to write a book on the hit show, The Office, why he chose to write it in an oral format and if the quarantine was a good thing or bad thing for his sales. We talk about how Andy painstakingly put together interviews of hundreds of people involved in the show from the actors/actresses, the writers, boom mic techs and even caterers. From behind the scenes info like James Gandolfini almost becoming the CEO to breaking down the development of the characters. Check out Andy here and buy his book:

https://twitter.com/greeneandy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VN1XCBH/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Joined today by author, motivational speaker and former POW, Captain Charlie Plumb. Charlie tells us about his book “I’m No Hero”, why he wrote the book and how it became therapeutic for him.  We hear why he chose to attend the NAVY, what made him decide to “get his wings” and some of his favorite fighter planes. Captain Plumb tells us when he first heard about the Vietnam War and how a prank from flight school not only gave him notoriety, but helped get him deployed to the War.  We hear about his fateful 75th mission and how he was shot down by the Vietnamese, captured, and taken to the Hanoi Hilton Prison Camp.  Charlie explains the torture he endured during 2103 days of captivity, how his mental strength helped him survive the 6 years of being a prisoner and how he became a master of underground communication using taps, sneezes and coughs to speak to the other prisoners. Captain Plumb tells us about coming home, discovering women in mini skirts and coping with life after the war.  From his friendship with the late John McCain to how he met his wife, Captain Charlie Plumb continues to preach perseverance and inspiration.  Follow this American hero on the follow sites and purchase his book “I’m No Hero” here:

https://charlieplumb.com/

https://charlieplumb.com/store/

Joined today by world traveler, author and Guinness Book of World record holder, Gunnar Garfos. Gunnar and I talk about his book "198* How I Ran Out of Countries", how he remembered all his stories and when the sequel is coming out. We chat about a random bet with his friend to visit every country in the world and the unique way the bet was paid out over a popular radio show in Norway. We hear about life outside of traveling, working for Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and playing amateur soccer in Norway. With 198 countries to chat about, Gunnar and I chat about the Gate of Hell in Turkmenistan, the Oceanic countries and even Equatorial Guinea. From spending a night in prison in Niger before being thrown out of the country to a few of his World Records. All this and more with the man who has traveled to every country in the world TWICE. Follow Gunnar here:

https://garfors.com/

https://twitter.com/garfors

Joined today by 2 time World Series Champion, former 2 time All-star and 14 year MLB Veteran, Howard Johnson. Howard and I talk about his favorite shows to binge watch, as he prepares to watch The Tiger King. We hear about where he was when he got drafted by the Yankees, why he didn't sign with the Bronx Bombers, and his first camp with the Detroit Tigers. Hojo tells us about getting the call to "The Show" and walking into the locker room among future Hall of Famers. He talks about getting traded to the New York Mets, where he lived when he played in the Big Apple, and if he partook in the after game activities of those infamous teams. We chat about the legendary 1986 Mets team, being on deck when the ball went through Buckner's legs and how easy it was to win 2 World Series rings so quickly. From scouting to his working with the Tijuana baseball league and much more with the New York legend. And we hear from the Iconic Ballplayer which he thinks was cooler: being on a baseball card, having his own action figure or being in a video game. 

Follow Howard Johnson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/20Hojo

Joined today by world traveler, entrepreneur and travel expert, Lee Abbamonte. Lee and I talk about the COVID-19 pandemic that’s taking over the world. How it affected his European trip and why a lot of American citizens aren’t helping the cause. He tells us about the list he created of the Mount Rushmore of athletes for all different cities, and discuss why he picked the way he did. We touch on the current state of sports, or lack thereof, will there be fans and a possible start date. As a travel influencer, he gives tips for young people who want to get paid to travel, tells me about the 5 places on the planet that he has yet to visit and how he lost 30 pounds. All this and more with the Marco Polo of the 20th century.

Follow Lee and his travels here:

https://www.leeabbamonte.com/

 https://twitter.com/leeabbamonte

https://www.instagram.com/leeabbamonte/

Joined today by former Kentucky basketball star and guard for the Empoli Basket Lions in Italy, Maci Morris. Maci talks about playing basketball and living in Italy when the coronavirus stuck, her difficulties of getting home, and being self-quarantined in Kentucky as we record this podcast. We talk about Maci being one of the best High School players in the country, her recruitment journey and what led her to the University of Kentucky. She shares why she chose to Italy to continue her career, what food she misses the most from home, and why she can't stop eating gelato. From Drake following her on Social Media to what’s next for one of the best shooters in University of Kentucky history, Maci Morris delivers!

Follow Maci on her on social media accounts here:

https://twitter.com/Maci4Mo

https://www.macimorrisofficial.com/

instagram.com/maci4morris

Joined today by former MLB all-star and 14-year veteran, Bob Tewksbury. Bob and I talk about me waking him up at 5am on accident on the day of the interview. We hear about him being drafted by my NYY and refusing to live in the big apple. We then talk about his book "Ninety Percent Mental: An All-Star Player Turned Mental Skills Coach Reveals the Hidden Game of Baseball" and how relevant it is in today’s game. Bob tells me what he’s doing now with the Cubs, how he approaches the superstars of the game and why mental wellbeing is so important in baseball. He shares what it was like dealing with the mental difficulties of being a pitcher, being on 6 different teams and how golfers, kickers and other sports are realizing the importance of being mentally realistic and strong. I ask bob if he would make it in today’s game or even given the chance to make it, his answer is surprising. From baseball movies to why Wrigley is so special and more.

Buy bob’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ninety-Percent-Mental-All-Star-Baseball/dp/0738233781

Follow him here: https://twitter.com/bob_tewksbury

Joined today by author and New York Times sports columnist, the great George Vecsey. George and I talk fondly of our adopted state of Kentucky and then jump right into his book “Baseball: A History of America’s Favorite Game”. We chat about George growing up in Brooklyn/Queens and his adoration for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and hear about his first memories of the game and what made him fall in love with it. We talk about the plight of Jackie Robinson and what he went through and the reaction of other players as he broke the color barrier. I express my love for Babe Ruth and we talk about what he meant to the game. We hear about the difficulties of writing a book about the history of baseball and what was the one thing he regrets not adding to this book. Mr. Vecsey and I talk about the current state of baseball with the Astros cheating scandal, his New York Mets and his dislike for the Bronx Bombers. From interviewing the Dalai Lama to sitting down with Tony Blair, and hanging out with Muhammed Ali, it’s always an honor to speak to a national treasure.

Follow George on his website… https://www.georgevecsey.com/