the link

You think I can make an episode description appear? 

*crosses arms and blinks*

This week I got to talk in depth about art, street performance, and most of all: magic.

I met Frank Deville out on the West Coast where I was lucky enough to stumble onto one of his magic shows on the Santa Monica pier. He blew my friends and I away, and I had to get him on the pod to talk more about it. While I wasn't totally sure what to expect from this episode, or where it would go, I was so humbled and pleasantly surprised that we spent a lot of the time talking about the real emotion and perspective of an artist, which is no doubt what he is.

There's laughs, there's real heart-to-heart moments, there's advice, there's a good bunch of magic talk, and even more of me making a fool out of myself with bad magic puns.

All in all, a pleasure to have him on the pod, so give him a follow @fthemagician on Instagram, and if you ever find yourself on the pier, I hope you're lucky enough to get the experience I did.

Now, I have another episode to work on, so please follow me @thelink_podcast on Twitter & Instagram, and I'll be seeing you soon.

*crosses arms and blinks*

Sorry, had something in my eye. Goodbye for real this time.

*crosses arms and blinks*

This episode is sponsored by: 

AMBASSADOR Sunglasses (use promo code: "THELINK" for 50% off your order)

&

Ninjabuzz: NinjaBuzz.io is a marketplace which lets advertisers and podcasters find each other in a matter of minutes

First of all, one of my dear friends Nicole, mother of my Goddaughter, refused to tell me what name exactly to list her as in the episode title, and as you'll hear, she loves "Coco," so...there you have it. She'll yell at me for this later, so you all better laugh.

This episode has been a long time coming, honestly even before I started the podcast. 

Debates about which Disney/Pixar movies are best, are eternal, and evergreen. Somehow, we cut our way down to 16 (not easy), and decided to do the rest of it with the mics on.

This was a battle for the ages. A lot of tough loses. Some tears, some laughs, some bruises, but also some delightful serenades...

There will be a lot of opinions on this episode, and I implore you to share yours on Twitter & Instagram : @thelink_podcast

Also, on those social media platforms, you can find a picture of the bracket so you can follow along with us visually as we go along (for everyone listening at a later date, and we know you are, I appreciate you, and you can go back and find those posts from 9/12/21).

For better or worse, we got to the end and crowned a champion. Thank you to Nicole for putting up with my nonsense throughout these debates, and occasionally laughing at my jokes (and for giving me the cutest Goddaughter and children to spoil who I will pimp out for likes on my social media, don't you worry). 

Now, let's find the champ, shall we?

"10ish Podcast" is one of my favorite podcasts not named after parts of a chain-fence. Every week, they pick a top 10 list, of varying topics, for each of the two hosts to guess against one another. Can they stump their co-host? Will the audience be able to guess along? What will we find out that we didn't know before? It's honestly very fun every week, and super interactive, which I love. 

Host Nick Emel was nice enough to come on and play in a road-game. We used his format, on my pod, and...well you'll have to listen to see how it went.

The topic this week was the top 10 biggest opening weekends in box office history. We ran the gamut of movies, blockbusters, theaters, streaming, superheroes, franchises, and of course, a heaping spoonful of silliness.

If you want the actual list we use, you can find it HERE, but don't cheat, because it's just less fun.

If you liked this episode, you'll love "10ish Podcast" so give either head to their website (link above), or follow them on Twitter & Instagram for even more content. Oh, and shout-out to Brandon, the other co-host of "10ish Podcast" who probably has the better taste in movies of the two, but don't tell Nick I said that.

As always, I would love if you would follow me on Twitter & Instagram as well. How else would you get hot takes, silly memes, and overall nonsense on a regular basis? Okay that's mostly everywhere, but mine is better I swear. 

Saxl Rose is my homie.

I got some of his merch that said that (which you can order HERE, for a great cause, with some of the proceeds going toward a charity near-and-dear to Saxl's heart, which we talked about in the episode), and was hoping it came true after we kicked it on the podcast for an hour. Lucky me; it did.

Saxl Rose is one of the best modern saxophone players I've heard, and if you ask me, he's only just started to get rolling. He's already done huge collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, Paramore, and some other notable and overall dope people. Not only that, but Saxl's abilities on a bunch of instruments, overall awesome vibe, and constant stream of content, makes @saxlroseofficial (on Instagram, @Saxl_Rose on Twitter, and Saxl Rose on YouTube) a really awesome social media follow.

Check out his collab with Wiz on "Trap Nap" HERE, and his LIVE performance alongside Paramore playing "Ain't It Fun" HERE. Too awesome.

Saxl was a friend of a friend heading into this podcast, but after going into his come-up, history, family, highs, lows, and some super personal questions toward the end...yeah...I'm definitely cool saying Saxl Rose is my homie.

Follow me @thelink_podcast on both Twitter & Instagram, or shoot me an email at [email protected] with any thoughts, comments, suggestions, feedback, code words, or any general memery.

What a privilege to have Lindsey Pelas on the podcast. Through some wild circumstances that we call life, I was able to meet Lindsey on a movie set, talk to her for a little while, and somehow get the stars to align and convince her (I don't think I begged...did I beg?), to come on and talk more about her rich, thoughtful, fun, and important outlook on life through the lenses of her job, personality, and popularity.

She is most definitely more than meets the eye, and that's already a lot to live up to for a mega-popular model. We talked about the expectations, and sometimes stigmas, that come with playing her role in society, and her ways around it. 

I really loved our conversation, and can only hope to have another one in the future. 

As for you, dear listener, I recommend you give her a follow on all the platforms you can. @LindseyPelas everywhere...on Instagram, Tik-Tok, and one of my favorite Twitter follows. Plus, a growing IMDB page, an awesome podcast called "Eyes Up Here" (clever), which you can find on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and just about everywhere else.

Of course, if you would be so kind, give me a follow too @thelink_podcast on both Instagram and Twitter with episodes coming out every Monday, and more cool guests on the horizon (who will always be trying to live up to this one, of course).

Until next time, I hope this episode has you grinnin' like a 'possum...or whatever they say down South. 

If you haven't been keeping up, and haven't heard E25 yet (Pt. 1 of this double-album-podcast-experience) then thanks for coming, but I'll kindly direct you back to that one first, then you can come here and check out the finale. Have to get the full picture.

If you're here, and need a reminder:

Christian James Hand has had a storied and credentialed run with decades of experience in all facets of the music business. From radio, to producing, to performing, and now, to the coup de grace - @thesessioniglive

On his channel (which you absolutely should/have-to follow and watch), he takes one song per session, and breaks it down completely. He'll isolate just the drum track, or just the bass line, or just one background vocal, and allow you to hear the song like you have never heard it before, with a group of people that are jaw-dropped the entire time. When he builds it back up at the end, you wind up hearing the song like it's brand new out of the record sleeve (or jewel case, or...phone...files? idk digital just isn't as cool), and will have come out on the other side of a truly wonderful experience.

I really enjoyed every minute of this conversation. I could have sat there and listened to stories for days at a time, but some of that I have to leave to him, so head over to his channel and tune in when he goes live, because once it's gone, it's gone. No archive. Pure punk-rock one-and-done. Be there or be square. Is that offensive to squares? Should we change that? Be there or be whatever shape you want. Inclusivity is important.

As always, follow me @thelink_podcast on Instagram and Twitter for all the extra content, info, behind the scenes anxiety, occasional podcast memes, and action-shots of yours truly. Tell your friends, family, barber (or hair-stylist, inclusivity is important!), and sanitation worker (garbage man doesn't work...garbage women exist...and garbage-person sounds awful).

Be safe out there, and let the music guide you until next week.

If you're a music lover in any capacity, this episode is a must-listen (and yes, I would say that about all of my episodes, but I really mean it this time, scout's honor).

Christian James Hand has had a storied and credentialed run with decades of experience in all facets of the music business. From radio, to producing, to performing, and now, to the coup de grace - @thesessioniglive

On his channel (which you absolutely should/have-to follow and watch), he takes one song per session, and breaks it down completely. He'll isolate just the drum track, or just the bass line, or just one background vocal, and allow you to hear the song like you have never heard it before, with a group of people that are jaw-dropped the entire time. When he builds it back up at the end, you wind up hearing the song like it's brand new out of the record sleeve (or jewel case, or...phone...files? idk digital just isn't as cool), and will have come out on the other side of a truly wonderful experience. 

I'm a fan, and Christian was cool enough to hang with me for so long, and give me SO much that I wanted to share with everyone, that we even had to break the pod into two parts (but have no fear, pt. 2 is coming next week, E26, and it is FULL of feel-good moments and wild stories, so stay tuned for that one...)

If you want more info, check out his website here: https://thesessionwebsite.com/ & his personal Instagram account - @christianjameshand

As always, follow me @thelink_podcast on both Twitter and Instagram, and drop me a comment or 3 letting me know what you think of the pod, or maybe even dropping a secret code word if you're feeling frisky (but shh, that's why we put it at the end of the description where only the bravest roam).

Dear Outkast, 

I wrote you but you still ain't callin'...

...wait no...wrong letter...hold on...

Dear Outkast,

Can you at least think about a reunion? Maybe on the link podcast with Mike Szego?

Love,

Mike Szego, from the link podcast with Mike Szego

...Worth a try.

On most of my episodes so far, I've been either interviewing cool people that I find interesting, or reviewing mostly new stuff that has come out. This time, I wanted to give you all a little more lore to my own life, the stuff I grew up on, and for this time around, the key beats in the soundtrack to my existence.

I love Outkast very much. One of my favorite artists of all-time, and had the most underrated and extremely original, amazing, and sonically explosive four-album runs that any group could ever hope for:

Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik (1994)

ATLiens (1996)

Aquemini (1998)

Stankonia (2000)

What a run. Let me geek out and tell you all about it. I swear, if you're a fan, it will be a fun stroll down memory lane, and if you're not, I think I can turn you.

At the very least, you'll know I love it.

First book-writer on the pod! Professor Clark was nice enough to join me to talk about his new smash success children's book: "Stonks On The Moon" 

It's a heart-warming allegory for the GME short-squeeze of 2021, and also happens to be about an adorable little ape named Stonks, who just wants to get to the moon with his dad.

There's plenty there for the kids to chew on, but also is a fun read for adults who are into the world of investing, the stock market, finances, reddit trends, and all of those ultra-popular topics surging around the internet these days.

We talked about not only the creation of the book, from ideas, to writing, to publishing, to distribution; but we also talked about Dr. Suess, our favorite children's books/movies, and even pivoted to full-blown investment talk toward the end for a few minutes to please all the suits in the room. 

Odd combo for a pod? Maybe, but I like both. Odd combo for a children's book? Not at all. It grabs the attention of both the kids and the adults who inevitably will be reading it together, and for my money, that's genius. 

There's a reason this book hit the top 100 books on ALL of Amazon on its FIRST DAY OF RELEASE!

The book is available on Amazon HERE, and you can follow @StonksOnTheMoon on Twitter for new updates, availability, Easter Eggs, AND some potential info about upcoming sequels, which we talked plenty about on the episode.

Now, without further ado, follow @thelink_podcast on both Twitter & Instagram, or send me an email: [email protected] telling me how fantastic this (and all the other episodes are), or really say whatever you want, it's a free country, and a free email, AND a free podcast! What a deal.

Okay, we're good now, promo done, I swear. Enjoy the episode.

Journey back into the MCU with us. The third MCU-centric episode on the link, and they do say third time's a charm, but for this episode lets say third time's an enchantment.

I HAD to bring back my friend Ethan from the "15 Minutes of Marvel" podcast to nerd out a little this week. Since the "Loki" season 1 (HYPE) finale has aired, and given us some time to digest, AND "Black Widow" has dropped both in theaters and on Disney+, we had to find a way to talk about both. SPOILER heavy, so listener beware, but we got some good reactions, Easter eggs, overall thoughts, and predictions (or warnings) for the future.

It's also our 2nd episode with 15m of Marvel, so congrats to him for climbing the ranks of most decorated guests. A very prestigious honor. Round of applause. Give him a Twitter follow for it. Well deserved.

Both "Loki" and "Black Widow" rocked, but we got deep into it, and definitely didn't agree on everything this time around, so tune in to see which side of the fence you're on, and drop a comment on Instagram or Twitter to let us know what you thought.

Until then, carry on your journey to find your own glorious purpose, and if you can, avoid any red rooms.