This week, we break down The Karate Kid — the underdog classic that taught us how to fight without throwing punches. From Daniel’s awkward moves to Mr. Miyagi’s masterclass in mentorship, we dive into why this 80s film still hits harder than a crane kick to the chest.

We talk about:

• What makes Mr. Miyagi the GOAT of mentorship

• The psychology behind bullies and belonging

• And whether karate tournaments should even allow flying face kicks

Whether you’re Team Cobra Kai or rooting for the kid from Reseda, this episode reminds us all: balance isn’t just for the mat — it’s for life.

🥋 Hit play. Find your Miyagi. And remember, man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.

In this episode, the boys lace up and dive into Shoe Dog — Phil Knight’s raw, unfiltered memoir of building Nike from nothing but a dream and a borrowed fifty bucks. They break down the gritty grind behind the swoosh, unpack the highs, lows, lawsuits, and left turns that shaped a global empire, and debate whether Knight is a genius, a madman, or both. Expect stories of scrappiness, sacrifice, and startup chaos — plus a few thoughts on why chasing your crazy idea might be the most sane thing you ever do.

Just do it? After this one, you just might.

The boys dive headfirst into the Plastics’ pink palace as they break down the cultural juggernaut that is Mean Girls. From the savage one-liners to the surprisingly sharp social commentary, nothing is off limits. Was Regina George actually the hero? Is Aaron Samuels just a walking haircut? And is this the most quotable movie of the decade?

Grab your Burn Book and join us as we unpack cafeteria politics, Glen Coco justice, and whether or not butter is, in fact, a carb. You can’t sit with us… unless you're listening to this episode.

The journey continues... and it gets darker, wetter, and way more intense. In part two of our Lord of the Rings trilogy deep dive, the boys tackle The Two Towers — the middle child of the saga that somehow delivers one of the greatest battle sequences in cinematic history.

We talk Helm’s Deep (obviously), Gollum’s Oscar-worthy split personality, Aragorn’s hair care routine, and why this film might secretly be the most emotional of the three. Spoiler alert: Samwise Gamgee gets his flowers.

In this episode:
– Helm’s Deep breakdown: Why it still slaps
– Gollum vs. Smeagol: One actor, two legends
– Rohan’s vibe check
– Why Faramir deserves better
– Sam’s speech that saved a generation

No orc is safe, no eye is unwatched, and no one makes it through this episode without wanting to rewatch the movie. The fellowship is scattered, but the banter is strong.

Grab your second breakfast and buckle up, because the boys are finally heading to Middle-earth. In this first installment of a three-part deep dive, we’re cracking open The Lord of the Rings trilogy and kicking things off with The Fellowship of the Ring.

Expect fiery takes hotter than Mount Doom, a little elf vs. dwarf banter, and more than a few tangents about whether Frodo actually did anything or just had good friends. From the Shire to Rivendell to the mines of Moria, we’re unpacking the themes, characters, and cinematic magic that made this film a fantasy landmark.

Come for the nostalgia, stay for the Gandalf impressions. This is the beginning of our quest, and you’re coming with us.

Topics include:
– Why this film still holds up
– The genius of Peter Jackson’s casting
– The most underrated member of the Fellowship
– Is Boromir the most relatable character?
– What modern movies could learn from LOTR’s pacing

It’s dangerous business, clicking play on a podcast... but here we go.

Inconceivable? Not at all. For Marcus’s birthday, we took The Cover on the road and landed at Books & Brews for a live recording that celebrates everything we love about The Princess Bride—sword fights, Rodents of Unusual Size, and the purest cinematic love story of all time.

Join us as we toast to true love, quote along with the crowd, and unpack why this fairy tale comedy still holds up decades later. It’s part party, part podcast, and entirely filled with good cheer, cold beer, and Cliffs of Insanity-level enthusiasm.

As you wish.

He's got a ledger in one hand and a sniper rifle in the other.

This week, the boys crack open The Accountant – the 2016 action-thriller starring Ben Affleck as a math savant with more secrets than a Swiss bank. We’re diving into financial crimes, childhood trauma, martial arts, and what it really means to be “high-functioning” in both Excel and hand-to-hand combat.

We’ll talk:

• Why this movie is oddly heartwarming… and also kind of terrifying

• The most underrated Affleck performance?

• The wild blend of autism, action, and accounting (and somehow it works)

• Jon Bernthal’s twist, Anna Kendrick’s charm, and JK Simmons doing JK Simmons things

Plus, we ask the important questions:

• Does this deserve a franchise?

• What’s your superpower nobody understands?

• And… can spreadsheets save the world?

Hit play, crunch the numbers, and let’s see if The Accountant adds up.

In this episode of The Cover, the crew dives into Ocean’s Eleven — the slick, stylish film that redefined the heist genre. We’re talking about the charm of Clooney, the cool of Pitt, and the plan so flawless it makes you want to rob a casino (in theory).

We break down the characters, the twists, the teamwork, and why this movie still feels so fresh more than two decades later. From revenge plots to Vegas glitz, it’s a masterclass in confidence, cleverness, and charisma.

This week, the boys crack open one of the most chilling and under-told chapters in American history. Timothy Egan’s A Fever in the Heartland reads like a true crime thriller — except it actually happened. And it happened here.

The guys dive into the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the Midwest, led by a charismatic monster named D.C. Stephenson. It's got it all: power, politics, propaganda, and one courageous woman whose bravery brought it all crashing down.

From Indiana politics to national headlines, from hoods to handcuffs, we explore:

• How the Klan became disturbingly mainstream

• Why Midwest respectability was the perfect disguise for evil

• And how a single trial exposed the rot underneath the robe

This isn’t just a history lesson.. Buckle up.

This week on The Cover, the boys take a seat at the foot of the cross and unpack Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christthrough a Christian lens. Is it the most emotionally jarring depiction of Jesus ever put to screen—or spiritual trauma with a cinematic budget? We talk theology, artistry, and why this movie still hits different 20 years later. From Gethsemane to Golgotha, we reflect on the film’s intensity, accuracy, and what it stirs up in believers and skeptics alike. Bring your questions, your Kleenex, and maybe your small group.