This Podcast Is... Uncalled For

Yes, Mike is ordained through the Universal Life Church, which offers online ordination. No, he doesn't do weddings. Today's Thoughts episode explores the idea of priesthood and why Mike doesn't do weddings.

United Bowl 3 is set! Playoffs: DC 28, Orlando 22 Louisville 29, St. Louis 20 United Bowl 3: Saturday, June 13 - DC vs. Louisville

Today's episode is a special one with the FIFA World Cup starting soon!

Our guest today is David Chimbaza, a British sports professional and big association football (or what we Yanks call soccer) fan. We talk about the World Cup and the differences between English football and American sports. (David is a Manchester United fan, but we won't hold it against him.)

Mike's guest today is his chess co-worker Jason Ward. They talk about chess, being tall men (Jason is 7 foot tall), geek culture, celebrities, and the fact he was (until recently) neighbors with some dude named Travis. Must listen for the Swifties.

It's playoffs time!!

Week 10:

Dallas 20, St. Louis 16 Houston 26, Birmingham 13 Orlando 29, DC 23 Louisville 42, Columbus 27

Playoffs:

Sunday, June 7 - DC vs. Orlando in Columbus; Louisville at St. Louis

We've made it to 200 episodes!!!

Thank you to everyone who appeared on the podcast and supported us over the years!!

Program breakdown:

• AI Generated Review of the Podcast (demonstrating why we won't be using AI to produce content for the podcast)
• Mike's 2026 tournament picks (they're garbage - and we got a surprise visit from Chris Hurt)
• Our special "bagel session" with Chris Hurt
• Review of the movie "Network" with Amy Bell (now a member of the Three Timers Club) and Amanda Feriante (this review will also be used for their podcast These Are Bad Movies)
• Top 5 clips from the entire podcast

One more week! One more playoff spot to fill!

Week 9:

Orlando 27, DC 19 Columbus 36, Birmingham 29 Louisville 37, Dallas 23 St. Louis 21, Houston 15

Week 10:

Friday, May 29 - Dallas at St. Louis Saturday, May 30 - Houston at Birmingham Sunday, May 31 - Orlando at DC; Louisville at Columbus Playoffs: Orlando, St. Louis, and DC are in! Louisville and Birmingham are still alive for that final spot Columbus, Dallas and Houston are all done for the year

Mike had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Riverfront Extension of the KC Streetcar system. And... he was on the second streetcar out of the brand new stop! We'll share our recording of the ceremony as well as Mike's experience on the line.

Today's guest is Kat Anna, a Polish-Canadian men's health expert. You'll love this conversation. Check out Kat's work at menneedlovetoo.org

We're almost there, and one team has clinched!

Week 8:

Orlando 31, Dallas 24 Louisville 33, DC 30 Houston 23, St. Louis 16 Birmingham 14, Columbus 3

Week 9:

Friday, May 22 - DC at Orlando Saturday, May 23 - Birmingham at Columbus Sunday, May 24 - Dallas at Louisville; St. Louis at Houston