Your Dark Companion Podcast

Mavericks radio voice Chuck Cooperstein joins Mike Rhyner on Your Dark Companion for an inside look at Dallas sports as the NBA season tips off, breaking down Kyrie Irving's resurgence, Cooper Flagg's sky-high ceiling, and new head coach Jason Kidd... wait, Dusty May's unconventional path from college champion to the Mavericks bench. Cooperstein also shares colorful stories from his decades in sports broadcasting, including the secretive birth of The Ticket in 1993, before the pair dig into a wide-open NBA landscape, a wild MLB postseason overshadowing a possible lockout, and the Dallas Cowboys' messy, inconsistent start to the season. Packed with insider history, sharp analysis, and candid banter, this episode is a must-listen for Mavericks, Cowboys, and Dallas sports fans alike.

Mike Rhyner and Michael Gruber welcome back Elizabeth Wattley, founder and CEO of Forest Forward, for a third update on the historic Forest Theater restoration in South Dallas, now just days from its grand reopening on November 1st. Hear the inside story of bringing this 1949 landmark back to life, from its segregation-era roots and legendary concerts by Ike and Tina Turner to the Dolby Atmos sound system, new Starbucks, and neighborhood revitalization efforts transforming the MLK Boulevard corridor. A must-listen for Dallas history buffs and anyone invested in South Dallas's economic comeback.

Entrepreneur and filmmaker Jonathan Bricklin joins Mike Rhyner and Michael Gruber on Your Dark Companion to unveil his wildest project yet: the Little People Social Club, a members-only social club scaled entirely for little people, complete with mini billiards, ping pong, and shuffleboard tables. Bricklin also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his unconventional career, including co-founding a ping pong club empire, opening a western-themed pickleball saloon, and bizarre encounters with Bruce Willis and filmmaker Vincent Gallo. A strange, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about entrepreneurship, eccentric ideas, and chasing the absurd.

Dallas Morning News sports columnist Kevin Sherrington joins Mike Rhyner for a candid breakdown of Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer's rocky stretch, including the controversial blocked field goal decision against the Texans and growing scrutiny from owner Jerry Jones. Sherrington also digs into the chaos of modern college football and NIL spending, the murky future of the Mavericks under Nico Harrison's rebuild, and Kyrie Irving's surprising transformation as a locker room leader. Plus, he shares colorful behind-the-scenes stories from his decades covering Texas sports, from Dennis Rodman to the golden era of the Dallas Morning News sports section.

Mike Rhyner and the crew welcome Dallas Stars studio host Brien Rea for an inside look at the team's big move to Amazon Prime, the loaded Central Division, coach Glen Gulutzan's analytics-driven strategy shift, and the high-stakes Jason Robertson contract saga unfolding amid the NHL's exploding salary landscape. Along the way they riff on mini KISS, dream arena experiences from Montreal to Jerry World, and the best vantage points for watching live hockey. A must-listen for Dallas Stars fans and hockey diehards wanting the real scoop on the season ahead.

Former Texas Rangers outfielder and longtime general manager Tom Grieve joins Mike Rhyner live from Globe Life Field for a wide-ranging conversation covering his playing days under Ted Williams and Billy Martin, the wild 1975 Washington Senators-to-Texas relocation, and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from decades in the Rangers organization. Grieve and Rhyner also break down the current MLB season, dissecting the Detroit Tigers' surprising dominance, ace Tarik Skubal's dominant outing against Texas, and why today's Rangers lineup has struggled to hit even as the pitching staff has emerged as one of baseball's best. Packed with candid baseball history, front office insights, and classic Ted Williams anecdotes, this episode is a must-listen for Texas Rangers fans and baseball history buffs alike.

Hall of Fame goaltender Ed Belfour joins hosts Mike Rhyner and Michael Gruber for a candid conversation recorded live at the Giving Moss charity event benefiting the Dallas Amputee Network. Belfour opens up about his improbable journey from a small Manitoba town to NHL stardom, breaking down his equipment superstitions, brutal training camp battles in Chicago, learning from Soviet legend Vladislav Tretiak, and the intense Bob Gainey speech that set the tone for the Dallas Stars' 1999 Stanley Cup championship run. Packed with rare hockey history, locker room stories, and behind-the-scenes details from one of the most dominant goalies of his era, this episode is a must-listen for Dallas Stars fans and hockey history buffs alike.

Mike Rhyner heads to the Texas Rangers Golf Club for the annual Rangers Baseball Foundation event, sitting down with foundation president Karen Morris, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, and Rangers legends Elvis Andrus and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez-era teammate Steve Buechele. The conversation ranges from the foundation's youth academy and grants to Arlington's explosive growth, Globe Life Field's impact, and a deep dive into the Rangers' surprising late-season playoff push, plus candid takes on analytics versus old-school baseball. Packed with insider stories about Rangers culture, city development, and the unpredictable 2025 AL West race, this episode is a must-listen for Texas Rangers fans and Arlington locals alike.

Radio veteran Steve Everhart joins Mike Rhyner on Your Dark Companion to share incredible behind-the-scenes stories from his legendary career, including how he landed his dream job at KVIL working alongside the iconic Ron Chapman, an unforgettable backstage run-in with a demanding Chuck Berry, and the time Mariah Carey asked him out. Everhart also opens up about owning and running small-market station KGAF in Gainesville, Texas, his work lobbying Congress to save AM radio in cars, and his candid take on where radio broadcasting is headed in the age of AI and streaming. A must-listen for fans of classic Dallas radio history, KVIL nostalgia, and the future of the industry.

Mike Rhyner sits down with Dallas defense attorney Knox Fitzpatrick and Heart of Gold Foundation founder Mark Leitch to break down the twenty seventh annual charity golf tournament benefiting sick and needy kids. They dig into the tournament's origin story, the history of the Golf Club of Dallas (formerly Oak Cliff Country Club) and its Perry Maxwell design pedigree, and the heartwarming mission behind Camp Moss, a cardiac camp for children who have undergone heart surgeries and transplants. A must listen for North Texas sports fans, golf lovers, and anyone interested in local charity events making a real impact on kids' lives.