SHIT2GRIT

This one’s about the lies people tell—and the ones we tell ourselves.

We start with an update on David's beef with the Arts and Leisure department: that there's no real update, just silence. AI's suspicion as to why helps us transition to a new Netflix docuseries on the 1995 O.J. Simpson double-murder case, and how, thirty years later and with a clearer lens on American truth, Marshall sees the verdict with new eyes.

From there it’s on to football, where truth gets slippery too. From Aaron Rodgers "yada yada-ing" Aaron Glenn's involvement in his New York Jets release, to the Chicago Bears giving their 15-36 general manager an early contract extension, proof for Marshall that denial still runs deep in Chicago.

But this episode’s not cynical. It’s hopeful. Because from Frank Ragnow’s foot to Levi Onwuzurike’s back, this team appears to know the truth about its players. And if you’ve followed this franchise as long as we have, you know how rare—and refreshing—that kind of honesty can be.

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

They blew David off one too many times. Now, he's got the goods—and the AI-generated (with a little poke from Marshall) script.

David’s son Archer—high school junior and marimba wunderkind—wants to play for tips at the local farmer’s market. So David and Archer fill out the forms, submit the video, click all the right buttons.

Then…crickets. For almost six months.

Until David decides to do something.

Join David's two-week odyssey of polite persistence turned existential madness: seven visits to the Parks and Rec office, only to get the same bureaucratic shoulder shrug: “We’ll get back to you.”

Spoiler: they never do.

But here’s where it gets good: One day, David strolls past the farmer’s market only to find—wait for it—a flower child for hire in sandals and a peace-sign hoodie, serenading shoppers with... “Blowin’ in the Wind?" And beside her: a neon green tip bucket.

Cue the AI-generated Freedom of Information request, cue David planning a full Rupert Pupkin lobby visit—and cue Marshall egging him on.

What started as a kid just wanting to share his gift turns into a meditation on the irresistable force of a dad who will not be ignored.

You'll laugh. You’ll rage. You’ll want to listen to Archer play the marimba.

If you’ve ever been told to wait your turn and your turn never came—this one’s for you.

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Our Season 3 opener has anticipation written all over it. David and Marshall go through the draft pick by pick—and despite the residual pain of last season's abrupt end, we can't help but get axcited. From instant reactions to long-view strategy, we break down why Brad Holmes just might still be in One Step Ahead Mode. We unpack the hunger, heart, and dawg-eat-dawg energy that got added to this roster—and why we're finally okay trusting, in this organization, in the culture—and in what’s coming. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

[NOTE: Pardon Marshall's mic on this episode—it isn't connected properly. And David did try to warn me, but I told him it was on HIS end…]

In this belated season finale, we explain why we ghosted you all—and the Lions—as we reflect on our emotional journey as fans of this team. We discuss the impact of the team's strong regular season and stunning playoff exit on our lives: the emptiness left in the wake of the season's abrupt end is essentially why we've been Lions-free since the Commanders loss. We also share our continued high hopes for this team's future, as general manager Brad Holmes faces another test: sustaining, and improving on, the roster he created. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam" (Open Up Your Mind)"

David and Marshall discuss cocktails based on Manhattan boroughs, give our takes on the Detroit Lions' outgoing and incoming offensive and defensive coordinators, and hatch a plan for David's upcoming speed-dating event. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Recorded right after the Detroit Lions were unceremoniously bounced from the NFL playoffs, David and Marshall discuss the emotional aftermath of the loss. We analyze key moments from the game, including coaching decisions, and reflect on the future of the team in blue. Do we need to reevaluate the Lions' direction moving forward? Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

In this live—and live-wire—bonus convo, Marshall and David discuss a controversial play involving NFL player Brian Branch, who got a penalty for pushing an opposing player who was on the ground. David says the penalty on Branch was unwarranted; Marshall argues Branch broke the rules.

Along the way, we consider the nuances of referee discretion, the rules surrounding player contact, the expectations of player reactions in a physical sport like football—and how differently we each see this play. Will this be our first argument in our three decades as friends? Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)”

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro to the controversy

(02:56) The Incident: Brian Branch's push

(05:40) Debating the rules and discretion of referees

(08:53) The nature of aggression in football

(11:47) A failed analogy

(14:43) The slippery slope of contact in sports

In this conversation, Marshall and David discuss the remarkable resilience of the Detroit Lions' defense, who overcome a staggering list of injuries to earn this team, for the first time ever, the NFC's No. 1 overall seed—and a desperately needed week off. We also celebrate "future head coach" (David's words) Aaron Glenn, wonder who'll play Dan Campbell in the movie version of this team (10:49), relive our experience of this historic victory, and finally realize what the Lions have been meaning when they say they're "built for this:" player versatility. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Reflecting realistically on the impact of the Lions’ league-leading injury list, Marshall and David explore what being ‘built for this' actually means (06:09), and predict just how far this team’s resilience can actually carry them. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

After the Thanksgiving victory, Marshall shares how hauntingly familiar the Chicago Bears' woes are to longtime Lions fans. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"