Mike Safo

Joined today by author of the new book "Cage Kings: How an Unlikely Group of Moguls, Champions, and Hustlers Transformed the UFC into a 10 Billion Dollar Industry", Michael Thomsen. Michael talks about growing up in California, joining the Peace Corps, living in Madagascar and finally settling down in the Big Apple. We chat about his new book, the research that went into writing it, devoting over 3 years of his life to it and finally releasing it three years after the proposed date. Michael talks about what drew him to the UFC, the early ideas for the octagon involving a moat, plexiglass, and electricity, and the violence of the early UFC matches. We chat about Dana White in the early stages of the UFC, selling t-shirts out of his trunk and going to best buy and putting the UFC DVD's up front and how that transformed him into what he is today. We hear about the importance of the Diaz brothers, Rousey, Couture, and McGregor and how each carried a certain era of the UFC. Mike tells us about the self-sustainable UFC, from their headquarters to their facilities and the access they gave him (and didn't give him). We hear how Spike TV and reality TV really put the UFC on the map and how there seems to be no slowing it down. After dedicating years of his life to this book, he answers if did that made him more of a fan or less of a fan, will there ever be a retirement health care plan for these fighters and many other questions he tries to answer.  We even chat about eye gouging fighting from the 1700's. All this and more with Michael Thomsen.

 Follow him here:      https://twitter.com/mike_thomsen?lang=en

Joined today by Patrick Bringley, author of the memoir "All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me". Patrick and I talk about him moving from Chicago to New York, switching allegiances from the White Sox to the Mets, and the behind the scenes work that a radio play by play guy does. Patrick tells us about working for the New Yorker and why his brother's illness and tragic passing led to his departure and finding work as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We chat about when Patrick decided to write this book, when he knew he had a hit and what he did when he saw someone buying his book. Patrick shares writing this different type of book where he opened up as a the narrator and still talked about the fascinating pieces of art at the Met. We discuss past thefts in the museum, the similarities of the MET guards to police officers, the secret tunnels under the museum and how he made the time pass. Ten years as a security guard, Patrick talks about what changed over that time, how he changed and when he knew it was time to retire. We go over his favorite pieces of art, the mistakes the curators make and the most annoying types of visitors. We hear about celebrities' that have been in the MET (not for the gala), what he's up to now, and how he snagged Jeff Wilpon's phone number. 

All this and more

Check out Patrick's IG here: https://www.instagram.com/patrickbringley/

His website: https://www.patrickbringley.com/

Joined today by former Atlanta Brave Pitcher, Madison Younginer. Madison talks about growing up in South Carolina, the food he misses most when he's on the road and other sports he played as a child. We chat about being the Gatorade player of the year in South Carolina, what other schools besides Clemson had a shot at getting him, and how crazy his H.S. games were with all the scouts. We go over mock drafts, selecting a family advisor and how he found out that he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. We discuss reporting to the minor leagues, playing with Mookie Betts, Elsbury, Victorino, and other future stars. Madison opens up about his injuries while in the minors, mentally dealing with the changing of destinations, and how he dealt with the roller coaster of emotions with every good and bad start. We hear about how Madison's night started with putting whiskey into a cup and ended with him getting notified that he was going to the Major Leagues. He talks about his first game in St. Louis, his first strike out, and what major league pitching record he owns. We hear about rooking hazing, playing credit card roulette at a 5-star steak house, and why he never got the chance to play with his cousin. Madison chats about his decision to play in Australia, when he knew it was is time to hang up the spikes and how lucky he was with his baseball journey. All this plus playing golf with Griffey, basketball with Betts, and the cool people in his phone.

Joined today by former Eagles legend and New Orleans Saint, Hollis "Tank" Thomas. Hollis talks about growing up in St. Louis, why he didn't play football until High School, and when the moment was that Hollis knew he wanted to play defense. He tells us why he chose to attend Northern Illinois, checking the mock drafts and making a highlight VHS tape and sending them out to all 30 NFL teams. We hear about the disappointment of not getting drafted, the teams that reached out and why he choose to sign with the Eagles. We discuss his first training camp, when he realized he belonged, his welcome to the NFL moment and the things he had to do as a rookie. Tank talks about his time with the Eagles, why he was the missing link in the NFC championship draught and how they celebrated after punching their ticket to the Super Bowl. Tank reminisces about Super Bowl 39, his thoughts of Spy-Gate and how the Eagles players dealt with that heartbreaking loss. Tank talks a little about McNabb's "stomach issues", playing for Andy Reid and then we hear about his time in New Orleans playing for Sean Payton. Hollis shares life after football, why he believes that he is beloved by Eagle fans, his outstanding podcast and radio show and how he got involved in "Philly Sports Trips". We hear about cool people in his phone, his favorite piece of memorabilia and buying a car with hydraulics. All this and more with a true Legend of the Eagles

Follow Tank here: https://www.instagram.com/kewlmf/

https://twitter.com/darealtank78

Joined today by former Park Ranger and now author, Andrea Lankford.  Andrea and I talk about what led her to be a park ranger, the stunning landscape that is her workplace and what caused her to retire after only 12 years. We chat about her first book “Ranger Confidential”; when she knew she had a hit on her hands and other books she wrote. Andrea shares her newest book “Trails of the Lost” and how she got involved in these three fascinating missing person cases.  We go over in depth about the three missing hikers, the facts surrounding their mysterious disappearances and our theories on what happened. Andrea was on both sides: law enforcement and now amateur detective.  We discuss the pros/cons of both sides, how social media can help and hurt an investigation and what can be done to help out the foundation for missing hikers.  We also talk about all the hats a park ranger wears and how that can lead to low morale and getting burnt out. Andrea talks about how her investigation with her book led her to marijuana growers, wild animals and even a cult! All this and more with Park Ranger turned nurse turned author, Andrea Lankford.  Follow her here:

 

https://www.andrealankford.com/

Joined today by 2-time World Series Champion and MLB veteran, "The King" Jim Leyritz. Jim talks about growing up in Cincinnati, idolizing Pete Rose and the life changing advice Johnny Bench gave him when he was 14. We hear why Jim abandoned his basketball dreams, breaking his foot right before the MLB draft and how he ended up at the University of Kentucky. Jim chats about meeting the Yankee scout who would eventually sign him, winning a batting title in the minor leagues and two awesome Deion Sanders stories from their time playing together. Jim shares getting called up to the show in 1990, his first hit, his first hit off Clemens at the stadium, and his "feud" with Bucky Dent. Jim recalls his dramatic 1995 home run against the Mariners  in the 15th inning in Mattingly's last game. We discuss the 1996 World Series, his game 4 iconic home run, catching the infamous 1-0 game 5 and celebrating the 1996 title. Jim tells us why he wanted to be traded in 1997, and why he jumped from the Angels - Rangers - Red Sox and the Padres within 2 years. We hear about the ‘98 World Series, when he knew the Padres were going to lose and the hitting style of Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs. He shares his passion working with various charitable organizations and how George Steinbrenner instilled the "giving back" mantra to him. Jim opens up about his off the field hurdles, how he persevered through his arrest and trial, and what inspired him to keep fighting. We hear about Jim meeting his wife, the importance of the book, "A Purpose Driven Life", and why he always remained loyal to Craig Carton. All this plus his rolodex of celebrities in his phone, how he gets to eat at Rao's and his goal of being a sport agent. Follow Jim here:https://jimleyritz.com/

Joined today by former light middleweight champion of the world Sadam Ali and co-host, former boxer Will “Power” Rosinsky. This episode was recorded from Sadam’a gym in Brooklyn. We chat about how Sadam and Will met each other, their initial thoughts on each other’s skills and how Sadam eating at a restaurant alone got us together. Sadam gets right into it and announces that he’s on the verge of a comeback to the ring, we hear why he’s coming back, who he has his eyes set and why he’s a better boxer now. We go back to Sadam at 8 years old falling in love with the sweet science, idolizing Prince Naseem and his fathers influence on his career and life. We talk about winning the golden gloves, being the first Arab-American to resplendent the USA at the Olympics, meeting Kobe Bryant, and where that Ralph Lauren outfit is. Sadam chats about his 22-0 record, his first defeat to Jesse Vargas and then we talk about his career defining match against Miguel Cotto. We hear how that fight got made, how it felt being an underdog in his own backyard, and when he knew he was going to win the fight. Sadam disappoints me and Will with how he celebrated winning the championship, but we hear about it. Sadam shares about falling out of love with boxing, what he did as a young retiree and how the importance of his dad’s support drives him. We discuss his other passion, bowling, and his quest to get a 300, beating a young Terence Crawford and why he wasn’t allowed to make any dumb purchases. Will and Sadam talk about the business side of boxing, why “influencers” are a great thing and why boxing is a dirty sport. All this plus a ton more with Will Rosinsky and the Champ, Sadam World Kid Ali.  Follow Sadam here

https://www.instagram.com/theworldkidali/

Joined today by Head Coach of the Philippines National Baseball team, former Oakland A's draft pick in 1990 and head coach of LA Pierce College, Coach Bill Picketts. Bill and I talk about his first year at Long Beach State, their Cinderella run to the College Baseball World Series, and where the name "Dirtbags" came from. We hear about how Bill got the call in 1990 that he was drafted, his time in the minors and how at the age of 23 did he know it was time to hang up the cleats and go into coaching. Bill and I discuss his jump from coaching the freshman high school baseball team to the head coach of LA Pierce College. He shares bout the one-time Coach Picketts actually picked up his office phone and how a random question about a Filipino baseball player led him to be the head coach of the Philippines Baseball team. Coach Picketts talks about going out to the Philippines, his surprise how passionate they are about baseball and what his long- and short-term goals are out with building baseball from the ground up out there and how we can help. Bill tells us about almost coaching Tim Tebow, what current players the Filipino players look up to, their success in the Southeast Asian games and the challenge that lies ahead as they go to China to compete in the Asia games. All this plus we hear about a Don Mattingly postcard, Ted Williams bat and the moment Coach Picketts knew he wasn't going to cut it as an MLB player. Click on the links below to help support growing the game of baseball in the Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient 

https://philippinesbaseballgroupstore.myshopify.com/collections/all

Joined today by co-host of “True Crime Garage“ and author of the incredible new book "The Delphi Murders: The Quest to Find The Man on the Bridge", Nic Edwards. Nic shares why he chose to write a book on this horrific case, what the process of writing his first book was like, and how he juggled researching his podcast and writing the book simultaneously. We chat about the case starting with the last time Abby and Libby were seen alive, that first night and the search, and the next morning when their bodies were discovered. Nic and I go over the investigation, from the changing of the suspects picture to having numerous law enforcement agencies involved to the number of potential suspects. We discuss how a case with a snapshot and a voice recording of a suspect didn't result in an immediate arrest. We talk about some of the evidence against Richard Allen, speculate if there will be more arrests and why we are all eagerly awaiting the trial. Nic tells us about hosting the uber popular podcast, “True Crime Garage” with his brother "The Captain", the research that goes into their shows and when he knew they had a hit show. He talks about his other passion, which is being on the board of our buddy James Renner's non-profit, "The Porchlight Project", what they do and how we can help. From cold cases being solved with modern technology to what true crime story he would love to do a deep dive 60-part series on. All this and more with the voice and now author or the true crime genre. 

Check out Nic and “True Crime Garage” here:

https://www.truecrimegarage.com/

https://twitter.com/truecrimegarage

https://twitter.com/TCGNIC

Joined today by Pulitzer Prize winning author, David Maraniss. David and I chat about getting the phone call that he won the Pulitzer, the gifts that come with it and what he did the first time he saw someone reading his book. David talks about his podcast with his daughter “Ink in our blood” and what made him want to venture into that medium. We hear why David makes it a point to visit, and often times, move to the location where the subject of his book is from; and the significance of talking to every possibly person and how he gains their trust. David talks about his latest book “Path Lit by Lighting: The Life of Jim Thorpe”, what made him want to write about him, his legacy, and the biggest misconceptions about him. David and I touch on his other books: “Rome 1960”, their importance and why Rafer Johnson was chosen to be on his cover; “When Pride Still Mattered” and how Packers football is LIFE in Green Bay and his other work.  David tells two amazing stories that you just need to hear: 1. About his relationship with Bill Clinton and the “tie” comment and 2. How he discovered Obama’s NYC girlfriend. All this plus some cool memorabilia he owns, his favorite tv show and his ritual when finishing a book.

 Follow David hear: https://davidmaraniss.com/

Buy his books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Maraniss/author/B000APJ88U?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

And don’t forget his paperback book is out June 7