Mike Safo

Joined today by Country Music artist and rabid Kentucky basketball fan, JD Shelburne.  JD talks about his favorite Christmas songs, the best and worst things about growing up on a tobacco farm in Kentucky, and attending University of Kentucky (UK). We chat about the current state of Kentucky basketball, where we were when we found out we signed Coach Cal, and if we expect too much from the players as fans. JD shares about teaching himself to play a guitar after his grandmother passed away, promoting himself and faking it until he made it. We discuss his loyal fan base, playing over 250 shows a year and what’s the one thing he needs in his dressing room. JD tells a tremendous story about meeting his childhood idol Ken Griffey Jr., getting the call that he was going to open for ZZ Top and being on the cover of the Kentucky tourism magazine.  All this plus texting with Jack Harlow, his dream duet and the coolest piece of memorabilia he owns.

Follow JD here and check out his listening release party here

- https://jdshelburne.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDSHELBURNE

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

Listenin Party: https://allevents.in/louisville/jd-shelburne-2023-album-pre-release-listening-party/200023778481104

Joined today by runner, journalist and New York Times Best Selling Author, Christopher McDougall. Chris talks about growing up in Philly, moving out to Lancaster and then settling down in Hawaii. Chris tells me how he was recruited for crew during his basketball practice and how he parlayed that into rowing for Harvard. We hear how as a failed High School English teacher, he decided to backpack through Europe and before he knew it he was the Associated Press‘ war correspondent in Angola and the Congo. Chris and I open up about the importance of not holding in your feelings and what he saw in Rwanda that made him come back home to the States. We hear how a writing assignment about a Mexican pop star turned into him being immersed in the Tarahumara Tribe and eventually witnessing "The Greatest Race the World Has Ever Seen". As a first time author, Chris recalls checking the reviews on the book, how he starting selling the books himself and how he got booked on the Jon Stewart Show. Chris talks about his newest books "Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Running Training Guide", what we should expect with this sequel book and why every runner needs to get this book. I deep dive into the aspects of Chris' writing: how it was collaborating on this book with Eric Orton, adding sneaker and scientific talk smack in the middle of Born to Run, and the difficulty of writing about himself as the main character. From texting with Rick Rubin, running with the Amish, and just a great conversation with the voice of running, Christopher McDougall.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisMcDougall

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismcdougallauthor/

Website: https://borntorun.world/

Joined today by Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the owners of Baseball United, Barry Larkin. Barry talks about what he loves about New York, from its energy to the passionate fans and tells a hilarious story about playing at Shea Stadium. We chat about Baseball United, the first professional baseball league created to serve the Middle East and South Asia and what was so intriguing about this venture that Barry knew he had to get involved. He shares his ventures working as an ambassador overseas to help grow the game of baseball under Presidents Bush and Obama. Barry talks about coaching baseball in Brazil, the hurdles he faced by attempting to intergrade baseball in a soccer-centric country and how he's going to use that knowledge to bring America's pastime to a cricket mad region with over 1 billion fans through Baseball United. We converse about what he wants to accomplish as one of the owners, why it's important to develop baseball from the ground up and how many jobs and opportunities this will create for overseas workers. From meeting Muhammad Ali to why he's rooting for Michigan over Ohio State, and much more!

Follow Barry on Twitter here:  https://twitter.com/barrylarkin

Follow Baseball United here:  https://baseballunited.com/

Joined today by wrestling legend, Jumping Jim Brunzell. Jim and I talk about growing up in Minnesota, walking on and playing football for MU, the Vikings and some must try foods in the "Twin Cities". Jim talks about his fandom for Bruce Springsteen, his new music and how hearing a song from “The Boss” on the radio turned into a friendship (one sided) that has lasted over 40 years. We chat about trying out for the Redskins and how that led to his former QB and friend Greg Gagne talking him into trying out to be a professional wrestler. We hear about his first wrestling camp with Verne Gagne and working out with the likes of Ric Flair, the Iron Shiek and Ken Patera. Jim recounts the grueling wrestling schedule he had, tag-teaming in the NWA/ AWA, fighting all over the world and leaving the territories to join Vince McMahon and the WWF. We learn about how cool it was when Jim first saw his action figure, how he met Brian Blair, how the "Killer Bees" started and where they got their first costumes. Jim shares how Hulk Hogan was his hype man before joining the WWF, the highs of wrestling at WrestleMania 3 and the lows of never being crowned tag team champions despite being promised the belts. We go over the mental adversity he faced when he wasn't a star anymore, why he wished he retired early and life on the independent scene. Jim tells us a hilarious Andre the Giant story, touches on the biggest pranksters in the locker room and sadly the untimely deaths of many wrestling legends. From his cool memorabilia collection to Hillbilly Jim, and much more.

Buy Jim's book here: https://www.blurb.com/b/6298514-matlands

Follow Jim on twitter here: https://twitter.com/jumpinjbrunzell

Killer Bee's website: https://www.thekillerbees.net/

Joined today by former Toronto Blue Jay and Montreal Expo baseball player, Luis “LL” Lopez. Luis and I talk about growing up in Brooklyn, ballin’ out at Canarsie High School and how his hustle landed him a scholarship to Coastal Carolina. Lop talks about his career in Carolina, the disappointment in not getting drafted, and how his time in the Pioneer league landed him with the Blue Jays. We chat about his time in the minors, the food he missed the most and finally getting the call to the show at the age of 27. LL tells us about his first hit, the elation of his first home run and how he coped with getting sent down again. We hear about the 2004 Expos, playing the year under the rumor of relocating, and what that season was like. Lop shares his experience playing in Japan, the difference with the game over there and how he was treated like a rock star. We finish up talking about his hall of fame / legendary career with the Bridgeport Bluefish, meeting his idol Edgar Martinez and why he loves coaching the game.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/doublel1919

Joined today by the greatest relief pitcher of all time and the Co-President of the United International Baseball League(UIBL), Mariano Rivera.  Mariano talks about the launch of the UIBL, why he chose to be involved in this ground breaking venture and what he wants to achieve with it.  We go over the UIBL showcase in February of 2023, his travels to the Middle East and how he plans to open doors to this Cricket loving region. We chat about the Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown and hear what players Mo gets excited about seeing. Mariano recounts how he got a tryout with the Yankees and where he was when he got the call that he was going to the major leagues.  Mo shares his favorite piece of memorabilia he owns, the one baseball game he wished he witnessed live and even tells us the coolest person in his phone.  All this and more with the true GOAT.  Go to UIBL.pro to find out more about this groundbreaking league that’s going to change baseball.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marianorivera

UIBL: https://uibl.pro/

Joined today, from across the pond, author Susan Jonusas. Susan and I talk about her debut true-crime book, “Hell’s Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier”. We chat about the infamous serial killing family, the seductive Kate Bender and how she became so enamored with the Benders that she had to play detective and write a book about them. Susan tells us about the research that went into this book, visiting Kansas, seeing the murder weapons and what her reaction would be to seeing someone reading her book. Susan explains why it was so important to talk about the victims In the case, how the York family were so important in her telling this story and we try to uncover just why the Bender family killed all those people. We chat about having her book optioned for a movie/series, what she’s working on next (spoiler: it sounds incredible!), her love of antique guns and archery and her favorite true crime book!  All this and more with the fabulous new author! Follow Susan here and buy her book!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanjonusas

Joined today by the 8th President of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Josh Rawitch. Josh and I talk about relocating his family from the West Coast up to Cooperstown, New York, what food they miss the most, what food Cooperstown does better and if he's a local celebrity yet. Josh shares about growing up a Dodgers fan, why he chose Indiana for college and how a few letters to his favorite team got him an internship that he parlayed into a full time gig. We find out how and why there are only 7 former Presidents of the Hall, what was the first thing he did as President and if he had his "Night at the Museum" moment yet and gone there at 2am to hang out. We talk about his vision and goals for the Hall, his day to day activities and joining the "Museums for All" program to allow all children the ability to enter the Hall regardless of financial standings. Josh chats about his team and making decisions on what items to display, staying current and requesting items from players and if there is ever any pushback from the players wanting to keep their swag. From being on stage during Derek Jeter's induction to wanting to have an MLB game at the Grand Canyon, Josh's vision for the game is always thinking forward. Such a blast to have on "The Prez"

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HOFprez

Joined today by Irish boxing phenom, Kieran Molloy. Kieran and I talk about his first visit to New York City, what he wants to see and of course what he wants to eat. We chat about why he signed with Top Rank and the Conlan brothers, the recruitment process and why he knew it was time to turn pro. Kieran reminisces about starting to box at the age of 5 years old, what fighters he looked up to, and why he thinks Americans are gonna love his southpaw knockout style.  He shares about fighting at Madison Square Garden, linking up with Angel Fernandez, and if he feels the pressure of being such a highly touted Top Rank prospect. Kieran shares why I need to visit Galway, what bars to go to and how he’s in the process of getting some merch!!  Follow the phenom Kieran Molloy here and check out his fight Saturday June 18!!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kieranmolloy8

Joined today by by founder and CEO of Ebbets Field Flannels, Jerry Cohen. Jerry and I talk about growing up in Brooklyn, his childhood, and where his fascination and obsession with jerseys/hats came from. Jerry reminisces about performing in a rock band, making some jerseys and how he parlayed that into starting the company in 1988. We hear why he started off hand sewing jerseys from special wool in painstaking detail because he wanted his products to be truly authentic. Jerry looks back on not having a business model when he started and the 2 or 3 moments when he really knew he had something special. We discuss how his clientele has changed over the years, how he picks what team or league to design next and how his products are rotated and discontinued. I ask Jerry about any beef with the other vintage sporting line "Mitchell and Ness", why he hasn’t produced NBA jerseys and what would be some of his dream designs. We hear about the early hurdles of desinging uniforms from black and white photos from the Hall of Fame, why the MLS won't let him produce some kits and sadly why his flagship store in Seattle closed down. We hear about best-selling merch, working on the set of "42", and donating money to the Negro League Museum. From the Joplin Miners to the Bustin' Babes and even the San Francisco Seals, Ebbets Field Flannels is hands down the best in the game, and Jerry is behind it all.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ebbetsvintage

Website: https://www.ebbets.com/