Mike talks one of his favorite topics for the second "point fiver" of Season 1: Inspiration.  But not just inspiration in general but specifically inspiration through the lens of sports speeches.  Be warned: if you listen to this episode you will likely be inspired to do something amazing.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 7.5 and reminds listeners what a "Point Fiver" is

1:00: Mike discusses his love of inspirational speeches from sports movies and how they inspire him to be his best self

2:40: Mike interprets his top 5 favorite inspirational sports speeches from movies (and more)

Mike teases the next “Point Fiver” episode while also talking about the movie The Dig and the show Last Tango in Halifax and then welcomes his good buddy Kelly Worman to the podcast where they discuss such topics as forming a weightlifting society, Mike's even keel nature on the basketball court and how Kelly invented the male hairstyle "frosted tips".

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes the listeners to Episode 7

1:45: Mike announces the next “Point Fiver” which will be Episode 7.5 on the topic of friendship

2:25: Corrections from the Casey Frushour (Season 1 Episode 6), including one from his mom.

4:05: Mike talks about what’s been going on with him and it involves playing tennis and both a movie (The Dig on Netflix) and a TV show (Last Tango in Halifax on Netflix) recommendation

6:50: Mike gives some background on this episode’s guest, Kelly Worman

7:55: Mike welcomes his good friend Kelly Worman into the podcast studio

8:50: Kelly gives the listeners some background on himself and it’s pretty amazing

13:20: Kelly breaks down his goals for 2021 as a dad and husband

15:05: Kelly and Mike talk about how they actually talk on the phone pretty much every week, which is a rarity for adult male friends

18:20: Kelly talks about his longest current friends

20:15: Kelly and Mike talk about the earliest memories of their friendship, including Kelly REALLY not liking Mike after his first impressions of him as well listening to the Dave Matthews Band while talking about life

25:55: Mike recounts the story of playing in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with Kelly during college (confirming Mike’s combustible nature on the court)

28:00: Mike and Kelly talk about founding the Bash Brothers Weightlifting Society, including Kelly’s nickname of Chatty Cathy

30:10: Mike talks about how Kelly inspired him to “frost his tips”

31:35: Mike and Kelly talk about going on Spring Break to Mazatlan, Mexico their senior year of college

34:00: Mike and Kelly talk about their college house (the “BC”) and how wonderfully well maintained it was

37:30: Mike talks about how Kelly inspired him to go to law school

42:00: Kelly goes through why he loves living in Nashville

43:00: Mike ask Kelly what the key to a good friendship is in his eyes

45:20: Kelly and Mike talk about what’s next for their friendship

48:30: Mike takes Kelly through the Rapid Fire segment, including talking about where Kelly wants to travel next with his wife, his favorite TV shows he’s been watching recently, the favorite thing about living in the state of Tennessee, Kelly’s favorite activities to do with his daughters, and his favorite song to request at a piano bar.

Mike celebrates a milestone for the podcast, corrects a few embarrassing mistakes, reviews the new Jazmine Sullivan album and welcomes the top graphic designer in Washtenaw County (and his good, good friend) Casey Frushour to the podcast where they talk the beauty of 7 minute phone calls, running 1 mile, and an amazing best man speech.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 6

1:45: The podcast crosses a milestone

2:15: Mike corrects a few errors 

3:45: Mike reviews the latest album from Jazmine Sullivan (“Heaux Tales”)

6:10: Mike provides a little background on this episode’s guest: Casey Frushour

7:15: Mike welcomes Casey into the virtual podcast studio

8:15: Casey gives the listeners some background on himself

9:30: Casey tells the listeners about his thriving graphic design career and business (caseyshead.com), including how he got his start

15:00: Casey talks about meeting his wife Anna while they were in college

16:30: Casey and Mike reminisce about Casey’s wedding (to his wife, not to Mike)

18:45: Casey gives an update on the latest with him, including parenting during a pandemic

21:00: Mike and Casey talk about Mike putting down roots in Ann Arbor and starting a podcast during a pandemic

24:20: Casey talks about the friend he’s been friends with the longest

26:30: Mike and Casey talk about living one dorm floor away from each other but not being friends yet

27:55: Casey talks about what’s made his friendship with his best friends last all of these years

29:55: Casey talks about the Ann Arbor Mile Club, which is a very serious club

31:50: Casey and Mike talk about their first memories of being friends with each other, including Mike’s issues with sports referees and Casey going to the Kentucky Derby

37:30: Casey and Mike talk about Casey’s college house and the great group of guys he lived with

38:40: Casey and Mike talk about the Spahn-Hayden Invitational golf tournament, a true connector of friends

41:15: Mike recounts the story of when he and Casey went to see Dustin Diamond (aka Screech from Saved by the Bell) do standup in Ann Arbor

43:25: Casey goes over the best man speech he gave at his buddy Jimmy’s wedding

46:20: Mike and Casey talk about bringing Running of the Bulls to Ann Arbor

48:35: Casey gives his keys to a good friendship

51:25: Casey talks about what he’s looking forward to in the next six months

52:40: Mike takes Casey through the Rapid Fire Segment where Casey talks about where he wants to travel next with his wife, predicted future careers for his sons, the game Spike Ball,  and Casey’s favorite TV shows during the pandemic

Mike quickly checks in on Michigan Basketball, discusses his newfound baking talent, and goes over his top 5 random moments of Season 3 of the TV Show Cobra Kai before welcoming legal titan (and dear friend) Tim Rechtien to the podcast.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 5

1:15: Mike corrects a terrible mistake from Episode 4 (the John Baker episode)

2:20: Mike tells the listeners what’s going on with him, starting with what’s going on with the Michigan Men’s Basketball team as of late January 2021

3:30: Mike talks about baking cookies for the first time in his own oven

4:30: Mike breaks down his top 5 favorite random moments from the Netflix show Cobra Kai, Season 3

8:40: Tim Rechtien joins Mike in the virtual podcast studio

9:45: Tim gives the listeners some background on himself for the listeners

14:00: Tim talks about some of the challenges of being a parent to young kids during a pandemic

15:05: Tim talks about which friend(s) he’s been friends with the longest

17:25: Tim and Mike talk about the last time they did something that wasn’t just a group text exchange

20.40: Tim and Mike talk about the initial memories of their friendship

24:00: Mike and Tim discuss how they never beat a joke into the ground and then get into their mutual love of Seinfeld and how their friendship is just like the Gatsbys

26:15: Mike and Tim talk about overstaying their welcome at a Chicago picnic

28:05: The guys talk about raising the volume of their voices in group settings

29:00: Mike introduces a classic summer activity he and Tim has participated in: Running of the Bulls

31:45: Mike and Tim discuss their trip to New Orleans for Mike’s 40th birthday celebration

33:40: Tim discusses the key to a good friendship as an adult in his eyes

37:30: Tim talks about what’s next for him

39:30: Tim and Mike discuss what their individual favorite scenes from Seinfeld are

43:30: Tim answers a series of question during the Rapid Fire Segment, ranging from travel destinations, Seinfeld characters to the state of MSU hoops

Mike reviews the Netflix show “Lupin” and then welcomes his dear old friend John Baker to the podcast.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 4

1:00: Mike talks about how he stays so on top of communications from listeners

2:50: Mike plugs the Netflix show Lupin and how much fun it is to watch

4:05: Mike gives a little background this episode’s guest: John Baker

5:45: Mike welcomes John to the podcast.  His excitement is palpable

6:15: John tells the listeners his life story

8:25: John talks about how he ended up in Chicago

10:00: John and Mike talk about John’s wedding to the lovely Gina at the historic Blackstone Hotel in Chicago (including the origin of the term “Smoke Filled Room”)

13:45: John talks about why he loves his current neighborhood in Chicago (Logan Square)

15:40: John talks about his oldest friend.  Spoiler alert: Mike knows him well

18:30: John and Mike talk about some early memories of their friendship, specifically driving around and (unsuccessfully) trying to talk to girls

20:40: Mike and John talk about playing CYO basketball together in grade school and their powerhouse 5th and 6th grade Cabrini Grade School hoops team

23:00: Mike and John talk about playing pickup football at the park by Cabrini Grade School including John’s nickname “John Baker the Touchdown Maker”

30:30: John and Mike discuss the adjustable height basketball hoop at John’s house growing up

33:10: Mike and John fast forward to college and talk about the very well maintained house they both lived in together

38:35: Mike and John discuss “cleaning to the beat”

41:10: Mike and John discuss their mutual love of Michigan football

43:30: Mike talks about the greatest honor he can bestow on a friend: letting John control the music at a tailgate while Mike goes to the restroom

45:45: John talks about his keys to maintaining a strong friendship.  Warning: wisdom alert

48:00: John talks about what’s next for him

49:50: John and Mike talk about what’s next for their friendship

52:45: Mike takes John through the Rapid Fire: What Mikes Wants to Know questions

Mike kicks off the first “point fiver” which is a new episode format.  This one focuses around Mike’s love of music and Mike discusses his top 10 favorite songs of 2020.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 3.5 and explains what a “point fiver” episode is.

1:45: Mike discusses his love of music and his love of making music mixes.

3:05: Mike breaks down his favorite 10 songs of 2020.

Mike gives an update on the Ann Arbor dining scene and then welcomes his good friend (and realtor) Megan Mazurek to the podcast for an upbeat convo on their friendship.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

0:45: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 3

1:30: Mike discusses a milestone for the podcast

2:00: Mike introduces the “point fiver” type of podcast episode that’s coming out soon

5:25: Corrections from Season 1: Episode 2 (the Ryan Lewin) episode along w/ a review of that episode by Mike’s mom

6:30: What’s going on with Mike D: Mike puts in a plug for walking outside as well as talks about some of the things he’s been reading lately

8:45: Mike gives a little background on this episode’s guest, Megan Mazurek

9:40: Mike welcomes Megan Mazurek to the podcast

10:30: Megan tells the listeners a little bit more about who she is

11:50: Mike officially endorses Megan as a realtor

13:30: Megan talks about her illustrious swimming career

16:20: Megan talks about her experience as a realtor during COVID

20:30: Mike talks about how his framed high school basketball jersey helped sell his townhome in the summer of 2020

21:25: Megan talks about what makes a good realtor and her favorite thing about her job

23:40: Megan talks about which friend of hers she’s been friends with the longest

26:30: Megan and Mike talk about the last time they spent time together dining at the Black Pearl in Ann Arbor

28:45: Megan and Mike talk about the first time they hung out

32:15: Megan and Mike reminisce about various brewery tours they set up and attended over the years, including one for Megan’s mom Nancy drove the group around

34:15: Megan and Mike discuss their mutual love of University of Michigan sports

37:30: Megan and Mike talk about their mutual love of tailgating at home for road games, including Megan’s respect for Mike’s chocolate allergy

38:45: Megan recounts watching the famous Jordan Poole buzzer beater on St. Patrick’s Day 2018 at Mike’s house

40:40: Mike and Megan talk about their group outing to Chicago in the Fall of 2018 to go to a Cubs game and to watch Michigan football take on Northwestern

43:30: Mike talks about going to multiple birthday dinners for Megan’s grandparents

45:00: Megan talks about what makes a good friendship in her eyes

46:50: Megan talks about what she’s excited about in the next year

48:15: Megan and Mike talk about what’s next for their friendship

49:15: Megan answers What Mike Wants to Know aka the Rapid Fire Segment

Mike talks about the intro, transition, and outro music in the podcast, gives an update on the Ann Arbor dining scene and then welcomes his good friend Ryan Lewin from Chicago to the podcast for a raucous conversation on their friendship.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the podcast at [email protected]

Key moments from the pod: 

1:00: Corrections from Season 1, Episode 1 (Todd Pretty)

1:30: Mike updates the listeners on other 80s movies he’s watched virtually with Todd and their other dear friend Tim Rechtien during the Pandemic.

4:10: Mike confirms he and Todd were wrong about where M&Ms are made.

4:40: Mike updates the listeners on the various music used in the podcast.

6:15: Mike gives an update on the Ann Arbor dining scene during COVID.

8:55: Mike welcomes Ryan Lewin to the podcast.

10:00: Ryan gives the listeners some background on himself.  He paints a pretty vivid picture.

12:20: Ryan talks about COVID life with a young family.

14:00: Ryan and Mike talk about when Ryan should get the COVID vaccine.

14:45: Ryan talks about how he’s been keeping his bod tight and right during COVID.

18:00: Ryan talks about his oldest friendships.

20:45: Mike and Ryan talk about the last time they hung out in person.

23:30: Mike and Ryan trace the origins of their friendship.

25:10: Mike breaks down the various types of taverns in Chicago.

27:45: Mike and Ryan talk about the beauty of trolley rides around the north side of Chicago.

29:45: Mike recounts one of his favorite memories of Ryan (it involves two Canadian tuxedos).

31:45: The guys discuss three different road trips to see the Michigan Wolverines football team play (Purdue in 2012, Minnesota in 2015 (including how their friend dressed up as the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock for a costume contest), and Iowa in 2016).

38:25: Mike and Ryan talk about the 2016 football season and their friendship with Grandma Glasgow.

40:10: Mike and Ryan talk about the magical 2013 Michigan basketball team run and watching the Trey Burke shot together.

44:00: Ryan gives the background on the annual cornhole/bags tournament he puts on in Chicago.

50:00: Ryan talks about what he’s excited about in 2021.

53:25: Ryan gives his key to a good friendship.

55:30: Mike asks Ryan a flurry of questions in the “What Mike Wants to Know” segment.

Mike welcomes his oldest and best friend Todd Pretty to the podcast.  

Follow the Podcast on Twitter: @friendsofmiked

Email the Podcast at [email protected]

Show notes: 

1:00: Mike thanks some people who’ve helped him w/ the podcast so far

2:00: What’s been going on w/ Mike D.  Includes updates on COVID exercising, sports watching and TV picks.

5:30: Mike introduces this episode’s guest: Todd Pretty

6:45: Todd joins the podcast and tells the listeners a bit about himself and where Todd and Mike became friends.  The Jewel of Downriver is brought up.  Todd also confirms he’s married to a human woman named Amy.

11:30: Todd talks about his family’s recent move and confirms his daughters were forced into manual labor to help complete said move.

13:50: Todd and Mike talk about playing video games on Mike’s new reasonably sized television set.

16:20: Todd and Mike recount (virtually) watching the movie Back to School on Mike’s birthday recently with fellow friend of the podcast Tim Rechtien.

19:50: Todd and Mike talk about living in Chicago and how John Hughes’ films fit into that equation.

21:10: Todd and Mike talk about their first memories of being friends with each other.  Warning: this goes back to the 1980s.  Todd talks about how Mike came over to play at his house w/ a note pinned on his clothes listing all of the foods Mike was allergic to.  Classic 80s parenting move by Mike’s mom and dad.  Todd and Mike talk about playing the game “guns” with each other.  Mike talks about having his first sleepover at a friend’s house at Todd’s house as well as playing the Nintendo game Double Dribble with Todd in his basement.

26:15: Todd confirms of all of his friends he’s been friends with Mike the longest and what’s made their friendship last so long.  Todd confirms Mike paved the way for Todd to move to Chicago in the early 2000’s, which has led to every good thing in Todd’s life.

30:00: Todd confirms his first kiss was in 5th grade with a girl named Megan (not his current wife) at summer camp.

31:15 Mike talks about how the layout of Allen Park, MI was conducive for kids to ride their bikes to each other’s houses, which helped Todd and Mike really build their friendship.

33:35: Todd and Mike talk about playing pickup football in a little field close to Cabrini grade school as well as various backyard basketball courts among Todd and Mike’s friends.  The old “go real long” ad campaign for the Nerf Turbo football is brought up.  Todd and Mike also talk about playing recess football and the game “500” at Cabrini Grade School, as well as attempting to “strike” when things didn’t go their way.

39:30 Todd and Mike spend multiple minutes talking about various “lunch monitors” during grade school and the nutritional value of Cabrini Grade School lunches.

43:15: The story of Mike eating M&M’s at the Pretty household and Mike’s lifelong struggle with a debilitating chocolate allergy.  “Nature’s candy” is also discussed.  Mike readily admits to formerly being an MSU Spartan fan and how Mike and Todd balance their college sports fandom rivalry.

49:30: Mike puts out a call to action for any allergists listening to the Pod to confirm his chocolate allergy.

50:00: Mike and Todd tell the story of playing home run derby with crab apples from a tree in Todd’s backyard.

53:15: Todd talks about what’s next for him in 2021.

56:50: Mike and Todd talk about what’s next for their friendship.

1:00:00: Todd breaks down the key to a good friendship from his perspective.

1:02:00 Mike asks Todd a series of questions as part of the Rapid Fire segment to end the show.

This episode serves as a general introduction to the Talking Friendship with Mike D Podcast.

It will give the listener a flavor for what this podcast is all about and hopefully intrigue the listener into giving it a shot.

Spoiler alert: this podcast is about friendship.  But not only friendship generally but specific examples of friendship through the lens of host Mike Daniel aka Mike D.