I've been extremely lucky to have a group of friends for a very, very long time. As any modern group does, we have our own group chat that is CONSTANTLY being blown up at all hours of the day. That group chat is named the Sausage Kings of Chicago, and thus, we are the Kings. There are nicknames for each of us:

and I, of course, your host, Mike, am Mush (my luck isn't great, it is what it is).

I found a way to get all 9 of us on the pod without having to do a 9 microphone setup and have us just screaming over each other the whole time. Instead, I did a couple of minutes with each of them, and posed a tough "Would You Rather" question. They hadn't heard the questions in advance, so it's as natural as any conversation with us generally is.

Enjoy.

Oh, and if you need real-estate help, follow either @joshhandler_realestate or @zaprealty on Instagram. 

If you need pizza on Long Island, Chef will tell you to go to Calda, but that's a heated debate we don't have time for in the description...

This week we went for something a little different. Rather than lining up one super-interesting fun interview style with a guest, I wanted to mix it up and record little mini-podcasts every day of the week. This way you get a bunch of different flavors, topics, moods, and aromas (just listen, it will make sense). 

EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING is covered here, from fireworks to bald eagles to peppermint, DDD1 has it all.

Like this episode? Cool, share it, like it, listen again, call your cousin that you've been meaning to call for 2 years and tell them all about it. Whatever you do, stay tuned for DDD2 in the future. That'll be a doozy.

Until then, follow the pod @thelink_podcast on both Instagram and Twitter, leave some comments, share some posts, perhaps talk about some super secret words that nobody knows about so shh...

ZANZIBAR

What an honor it was this week to sit down with Azra Alkan, who has climbed the ranks of visual effects artists in Hollywood, and whose career is blossoming more and more with every project that passes. If you want to be impressed, just listen to her talk, but if you want to be doubly impressed, check out her IMDB page which I gushed over in the intro because this list of projects deserves it. 

We talked all about the process of effects, the teamwork, the collaboration, the highs, and the lows. From simple questions that someone outside of the industry might not think of, to philosophical musings about art and leadership, this episode really has it all. Azra's attitude is infectious in the best way, and it's no wonder to see her leading teams of artists in some of my favorite things on screen.

...like...she worked on SPACE JAM 2...how much more up-my-alley can something possibly be??

Follow Azra on Instagram @azralkan and check out her website https://www.azralkan.com/ to see more of her work. 

While you're at it, as always, follow the podcast @thelink_podcast on both Instagram and Twitter

Finally, the time has come: After a decade working in sports, and three decades of loving them, I would regret not having sports-based episodes, so here's the first of them.

UFC, MMA, Boxing, and Combat Sports in general are a phenomenon that comes about weekly now, and yet has so many major differences from other sports that it can be hard to compare. With all of the big names and fights recently though, it felt like a good time to reach out to someone who knows the fight-game better than I, or 99% of the world ever could.

Fight Night Picks is my favorite YouTube Channel for all things combat sports. I'm personally a viewer and a fan of their videos, and don't miss very many of them. It's in my permanent rotation. Head to their YouTube channel to see break-downs of EVERY UFC fight, in addition to plenty of cool interviews, predictions, and content galore. 

Craig Allen, host of the show (along with his brother Matt), was nice enough to come on and catch up on where things are with MMA right now. We talked about some of the biggest recent fights (centered around UFC 263), and broke that down further into some overarching talking points about the sport in general:

Judging, reffing, weight cuts, Dana White, and just enough NY vs. Boston rivalry to keep it interesting.

Whether you're a fight fan or not, there's plenty in this conversation for you. Craig has more knowledge on the fighters and their histories than anyone I've come across, and it shows. His passion is second-to-none and it shines through the microphone.

Follow Fight Night Picks on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for tons of great content and entertainment. 

While you're at it, follow the link podcast on all those social media platforms you were just on too. What's one measly click gonna cost you?

This week I wanted to get back to some reviews, and make some recommendations to the listeners of things I watched/listened to lately. This episode has three of them, and they're all linked by a common theme: Is aiming for popularity justified in making creative choices and decisions, or does it have a way of poisoning the story you were trying to tell in the first place?

Popularity is a funny thing. In many ways, it signals success to people. Should that be the only goal though? Is it not also successful to tell the story that you wanted to tell, regardless of how it's perceived? This isn't a conversation of good vs. bad decisions, but an analysis in perspective when starting a creative venture, and the way that outside pressures can get to you if you're not careful.

I thought all three of these things bucked the trend, and found a way to stay true to themselves, despite some decisions that could have really gone either way.

First, I talked about "Pose" which had its series finale recently, and I watched it through teary eyes, just like you will if you take my advice. It was one of the best shows I've seen on TV lately, and I don't just say that about anything (and if you liked the clip at the end of the "Pose" section of the pod, click here for the video version)

Up second was "Raya & The Last Dragon" which is available on Disney + for no extra charge, but did launch under their "Premiere Access" feature, costing an extra $30 when it came out. Did that turn people away? Probably. Can we blame the stupid pandy? Definitely. Either way, it's an interesting study.

Last, but certainly not least, was the new album by the "Black Keys - Delta Kream." This album felt like a bit of a new and different direction for them, which is always a scary leap to take for a band.

Check it out, take my recommendations, or don't...but definitely do.

While you're at it, follow the pod on Instagram and Twitter for more behind the scenes peaks into my weird brain, and info about past/upcoming episodes.

Dutch Cramblitt isn't just my uncle, he's a conqueror in the music business, and boy has it paid off. Not only is he a treasure-trove of musical knowledge and facts, but he knows the ins-outs-and-in-betweens of the business side of things, which is always interesting to dissect and break down. 

OH, and he's a co-founder of "Omnivore Recordings" who just won a damn GRAMMY!! It doesn't get much cooler than that...until I tell you that the album that won was by the legendary Mr. Rogers. "It's Such A Good Feeling: The Best of Mr. Rogers" (available now for purchase, both physical and digital). It took home the Best Historical Album Award at this year's Grammys, and honestly, I couldn't be more impressed or proud to say that a family member of mine was an integral part of making that happen, so hats off. 

We talked about all of that, plus his journey through the music business, from label-to-label, and coast-to-coast, plus some new music we've been into lately.

Follow "Omnivore Recordings" on Instagram and Twitter (check mark and all, this is the big-time folks), and be on the lookout for more releases from them soon, because the label is wide-ranging, and consistently cool.

Until then, be sure to follow the link on Instagram and Twitter as well, or shoot us an email: [email protected] with any feedback, questions, comments, or most importantly: compliments.

Two Szegos, One Pod. What could go wrong?

I love talking to my dad (and my mom...not leaving you out Ma! ...but she wouldn't do the pod, so here we are). Sometimes I forget how crazy of a life he's led, and I wanted the opportunity to share it with everyone. It's a personal look into our family history, but also packed with fun, random silliness. 

From Auschwitz to disco hits, this is the story. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder what your top 5 Beatles' songs are, and you will damn well learn more about music, because he is a walking encyclopedia of tunes. Nobody I've met knows more (although next week's guest might give him a run, but that's a description for another week). Anything I know about music, I have learned because of my dad; I hope it shows.

I wish I had more social media links to share, so while we blow this episode up and get the world to convince my dad to create his own accounts, I'll share mine:

Twitter & Instagram & all other links HERE. Follow and share at your leisure (except just do it now though because you're reading it so...)

Oh, actually...if you want the coolest 80s music on the market, which deserves so many more views/listens than it currently has, check out "Lil Off & Andy" on YouTube. There's a whole album on that playlist, and you better listen to all of it. OR ELSE. If you want just a taste, here's my personal favorite.

Anyway, thanks for having me.

This week I was lucky enough to have another creative mind, artist, and fellow nerd on the pod. Steve Calandra is not only a friend, but the sole creator of "Space Pirate." It's a manga, but it's also a comic book, and it served as the launching-off point for a bigger discussion about how different art forms are labeled, the differences between them, whether that's fair or not, and if the distinctions even matter at all.

We got philosophical, but we also spent a chunk nerding out over "Dragon Ball," "Invincible," and more of our favorite parts of the anime/cartoon/manga/comic world. 

Last but most definitely not least, we got deep into the weeds on the physical process of creating "Space Pirate." From questions about writing vs. art, to the "simple" process of printing, we covered it all. If you want a crash course in what it takes to get going yourself, or just want some behind the scenes info on "Space Pirate," tune in.

I'm a big fan of his work personally. I own every issue so far, and will continue to buy them as they come out. I urge you all to do the same. They're cheap, fun, and a good source of entertainment. 

Go HERE for his ETSY store where you can buy physical copies (do that).

Go HERE to check out the digital versions, subscribe, and leave some comments/feedback (do that too).

Go HERE to follow "Space Pirate" on Instagram for some more content and updates (okay come on this one is easy).

As always, for more info on my guests, upcoming episodes, and daily rants about whatever I'm doing that day, follow "the link" on Instagram and Twitter. If you're enjoying the podcast, or you're just a good friend: subscribe on your favorite platform, give me a rating, drop me a comment, share some links, and tell your friends. 

Until next time...nerd on.

I love to laugh. It may sound obvious, but it's odd to me that there aren't even more people into stand-up comedy like I am. Who doesn't love a good joke? Admittedly, I'm obsessive about it, but the good news is, I know Katie Orchard. Her and I go way back, and since we were together last, she has taken her talents to the West Coast, where she is a hilarious stand-up comedian in her own right. We talked about that, the process of stand-up itself, the challenges in a COVID-world, and just a few of our favorite comedians and specials. 

I say this for all of my guests, and I mean it every time, but this was a really fun, free-flowing conversation about something we both love, and that shines through. Whether you're a super-fan, or a grinch who doesn't like to laugh, there's something in this episode for you.

Now go follow Katie on Instagram, chop chop: @itskatieorchard (and since she is so multi-talented, head to the link in the bio of that account to follow her others...they're all worth it, she lives a real cool life). 

You can also check out her podcast that we referenced in the episode HERE.

Most importantly, go see live comedy now that it's coming back: Katie's orders.

Oh, and second most-importantly, follow my Instagram and Twitter for more content!

Tom Bates is the animator/"goblin guy" for my favorite podcast, "Take Your Shoes Off" with Rick Glassman (seriously, click that, every episode is great, the quality is impeccable, and Tom's animations really take the pod to the next level...also Rick is a genius).

If you want a peek at some of Tom's work on TYSO, check out my Instagram HERE where I'll be sharing some of my favorite clips.

HERE, on the other side of things, is a much, much...MUCH more explicit example, but absolutely hilarious as well.

I may have learned of Tom through his awesome flying goblin art, but he is also a film-maker, and a ton of other titles we tried to narrow down in the episode. A jack-of-all-trades with a lot to offer in terms of art and creativity. We went down the rabbit hole of how he got the gig drawing goblin-dicks for Rick, talked some of his past film-endeavors, and what the future holds for someone who doesn't want to just narrow themselves down to one-thing.

And if you haven't yet, follow the link on Instagram and Twitter for all updates and ramblings of a madman with too much time on his hands.