the link

This has been a difficult and emotional week for a lot of people. I think the only way to get through it, is to talk to one another, and try to relate, and find common ground, so that we can all band together, and make sure not so many people are feeling abandoned or left behind when important decisions are made. We can do better at every level, and it starts with simple questions and empathy.

Planned Parenthood

The United State of Women Reproductive Justice Hub

Consider this my lobbying effort for Bill Hader's Emmy campaign.

Didn't have this one planned at first, but I've been taking in so much content lately, that I had to show love for the show that stood above all other TV I've watched this year. 

"Barry" has always been an amazing show, but Hader & co. took it to a different level in the season 3 finale.

The acting, the direction, the writing, the efficiency, and the originality, deserve to be gushed over, and that's exactly what I'm doing.

If you haven't watched the show yet, have no fear, we're rolling with a new style on the link where the first half of the episode will be a spoiler-free review, with plenty of reasons to watch.

...in the second half though? We're diving into the deep end. Join me if you've watched, and if you haven't, go watch then come back. Write yourself a post-it. Don't forget. I'm holding you to it.

As always, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for revelations that came after I recorded, more reviews of things I'm taking in, extra content, and overall Mikefoolery.

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If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot).

P.S. We made a BUNCH of money on the Warriors winning the NBA Finals, so get in while the getting is good. All-time NBA Top 10 Players video coming soon!

TJ is back for E69 (nice): his record 6th episode on the pod, and rather than just breaking down specific movies this time (although we did do some of that), we took a different approach.

If you're an OG listener of the pod, E4 was our first episode with a guest, and in there we talked about TJ's journey through film school. Since then, he's written a bunch of screenplays, and is one of the most dedicated writers I know personally. While I like to write also, I've never known the ins-and-outs of writing a screenplay specifically. What are the rules? How is it structured? Tips? Tricks? When do you put in stage direction, if ever? All of those questions came up, and were answered in this episode with examples from tons of different famous movies. 

Toward the end, we talked about a movie we both loved (that I broke down in E68) Top Gun: Maverick, and I tried to apply everything I learned in this episode by picking out the specific beats of the film that match up to the way TJ approaches writing a screenplay in general.

It was a fun journey, and if you're interested in what goes into making some of your favorite movies, get a notepad out.

If you want more of TJ...well there are a lot of episodes, so go back to those (and more to come), but he's constantly giving reviews of movies on his Instagram @omgitstjtrimboli, and has a YouTube channel called The Adventure Outpost which is constantly churning out content.

As always, give me a follow @thelink_podcast on Twitter and Instagram for reviews of my own, extra content, and overall tomfoolery.

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If you're a sports fan, subscribe to my YouTube channel called MikeTheMush where we post at least weekly breaking down some of the biggest stories in sports, usually with a gambling spin for all of you who want to make a couple of extra bucks in the newly legal gambling world. Check out even more sports content @MikeMushSports on Twitter and Instagram where I'm at least 50% more irrationally confident on my takes than I am on the link (and that's saying a lot).

When I started this podcast, I figured there would be a ton of episodes that were reviews, and there are a bunch of episodes that way, but I want to sprinkle a few more in here and there. As I mentioned in the intro, one of my favorite moments is when you watch a movie with someone and get out of it ready to discuss everything you just experienced. There's something so distinct about that.

Well I got out of Top Gun: Maverick, and I had a lot of thoughts, and y'all are the ones I wanted to discuss them with.

Let's get into it, but before you worry, the entire first half of the pod is spoiler-free, and there's a very clear warning before the ad-break where to drop off if you don't want to be spoiled (and honestly, even the spoilers aren't that bad).

For even more reviews, many of which don't have the gravity to get their own pod episode, follow @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter. Conversation welcomed.

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If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks?

Once you get my dad and I talking about music, it rarely stays on topic, so why narrow ourselves down to a topic at all? Just embrace the long and winding road. This time we went through a plethora of little music debates (but battles sounds cooler and more epic).

Feel like you've already read that description? Well yeah because who's going to write a whole other description for the second part of the same podcast? Well me, I guess, since I'm doing it right now. Some paradox we just got ourselves into.

This episode has (more) Michael Jackson, Biggie, The Cure, Pete Davidson, and a whole bunch of other twists and shouts. 

Feeling a certain kind of way as you listen? Let us know where you land on some of these battles by posting in the comments @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter.

Now if you need me after I write this, I'll be listening to George Gershwin because my American and New York pride took a shot to the solar plexus (any excuse to use that word in context) when I forgot that he was from Brooklyn. The Beastie Boys would be so disappointed in me. Smh. I'll make it up to you fellas. 

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If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks?

Once you get my dad and I talking about music, it rarely stays on topic, so why narrow ourselves down to a topic at all? Just embrace the long and winding road. This time we went through a plethora of little music debates (but battles sounds cooler and more epic).

For example we started with: vinyl vs. cassette vs. CD vs. digital

There's plenty more like that, and plenty more that are much more random.

Get your headphones on, or sit between your speakers so you have like a full-room headphones thing going on, and let me know where you land on some of these battles by posting in the comments @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter.

This is just the first half of a two-part episode, so check back next Monday (and every Monday, we never miss, 66 straight, *edit in Michael Jackson sound here*) for even more.

Until then, stay classical Beethoven...or roll over...or whatever Will Ferrell says in Anchorman...you guys get it.

...also Beethoven is spelled B-e-e-t? Dwight Schrute must have loved him some Fur Elise.

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If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks?

Sometimes when you have a brilliant idea, you have to tell someone that you know will get on board. It's important to have realistic expectations, sure, but it's also important to build confidence in an idea right out of the gate. Well boy did we do that with the movie I pitched in this episode. We actually blew right though that gate, but we still landed on a winner.

Check it out, invest now @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter so you're in ahead of the movie's release, and you can say you knew me before it was cool...before the Oscar.

Until next time, get in before first pitch, brainstorm some titles, and get back to me.

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If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks?

If you enjoyed E60, the fast food bracket episode during April Madness, you're going to love Chad's second appearance. 

I can sum up this episode in 12 easy words, no question about it:

That's it. It perfectly describes everything you need to know. 

There were laughs, there were definitely tears, and there were plugs for @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter.

Until next time, avoid ferris wheels and stingers...

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If you're into sports like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're breaking down games, teams, players, and bets weekly on YouTube. We're up plenty of money on the year over there, so if you like sports, cash, or me...or even just yelling about sports: give us a look, subscribe, and follow on Twitter & Instagram there too, because what's a couple more clicks?

APRIL MADNESS

All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet.

If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we on the pod, all about Disney-Pixar movies. Now we're on our final bracket this month, and up next is a classic for anyone (but if you're not in NY...or Montreal apparently...we'll all have a hard time taking your opinion seriously):

The Best Bagel Flavor. Flavor? Topping? Style? You get it.

Finally I was able to get both my mom and dad on the pod together, because believe it or not, bagels are part of our family legacy. Maybe legacy is a strong word, but there's dough in our DNA, and not the green kind...although there will be when this episode goes viral with some of the takes that were thrown around.

Classics, new styles, and a generational difference in how we perceive the new bagels on the block. This episode had it all.

While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up?

If you liked these April Madness episodes, let us know on the social media pages?

Next week it's back to basics. Although I'll tell you one thing...E63 is going to be anything but basic...but more on that later.

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If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports?

APRIL MADNESS

All throughout April, we're keeping the bracket theme alive. It's what makes March so fun, and we're not ready to give it up yet.

If you go all the way back to E30, you'll hear the first bracket ep that we on the pod, all about Disney-Pixar movies. Now we're on our 3rd bracket of 4 this month, and up next is a classic for people in my generation: the best Nickelodeon shows of all-time.

My friend, and former guest, Jess Vitolo joined me for the stroll down memory lane, full of new facts, questions about what we could remember, and a ton of laughs as we battled it out.

Animated, non-animated, new, old, and the single worst show on the network that probably shouldn't have made the bracket, but it did (you'll know when you hear it...if you ask me, you should know when you see it).

While you're on your phone, or however the kids listen these days, head over to @thelink_podcast Instagram (of course follow the Twitter too but for this purpose, IG will do), and if you're listening the week the pod comes out, you can make your fan votes in the stories! We found our winner...does yours match up?

More brackets to come throughout April, so hit that follow button and stay tuned...

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If you're into sports, like I am, I have a second podcast/YouTube channel called MikeTheMush Sports. We're live on YouTube multiple times per week. I'd love if you would check that out, subscribe and follow, and give us a look on Twitter & Instagram there too, because more me is always good, right? Plus who doesn't want to rant about sports?