Your Dark Companion Podcast

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.

Rangers legend Rusty Greer joins Mike Rhyner and Michael Gruber for a nostalgic deep dive into the iconic 1996 Texas Rangers, the franchise's first playoff team. Greer reflects on the team's unbreakable clubhouse chemistry, playing through injury under Will Clark's tough-nosed influence, the unforgettable 1996 ALDS battle against the Yankees, and Juan Gonzalez's legendary postseason power surge. Plus, Greer opens up about his old weekly radio segment with the hosts, his coaching philosophy at Fort Worth Christian, and the toll his hard-nosed playing style took on his career.

Former Texas Rangers infielder Mark McLemore joins hosts Mike Rhyner and Grubes for a candid look back at his 19-year MLB career, including stints with all five American League West teams, getting released twice before resurrecting his career in Baltimore, and playing alongside Cal Ripken Jr. McLemore opens up about the beloved 1996 Rangers squad, adjusting to life after baseball and broadcasting, and why he ultimately chose to put down roots in Texas. Baseball fans and Rangers faithful won't want to miss this nostalgic, laugh-filled conversation.

Step inside Dallas's historic Majestic Theatre for a rare behind-the-scenes tour with theater manager Michael Gruber, guided by host Mike Rhyner. Discover hidden treasures like Johnny Cash's autographed backstage door, a century-old carbon-arc spotlight, the original 1920s counterweight fly system, and forgotten passages once used by actors racing between stage entrances. Packed with fascinating stories about Hollywood legends, secret rooms, Italian marble floors hidden under carpet, and the theater's storied past as America's first air-conditioned movie palace, this episode is a must-listen for history buffs, theater lovers, and anyone curious about Dallas's iconic landmarks.

Mike Rhyner and Michael Gruber welcome back musician-turned-baseball writer Levi Weaver for a wide-ranging conversation covering his terrifying neck-breaking sledding accident, his return to sandlot baseball at legendary fields including Field of Dreams, and candid takes on the wild 2025 MLB season, the Texas Rangers' rebuild dilemma, and salary cap debates. The trio also dives into Levi's music career, touring life, and passing the torch to his teenage son, plus updates on Petty Theft's upcoming shows at Tolbert's and the State Fair of Texas. It's a fun, freewheeling episode blending baseball talk, rock and roll stories, and classic Dark Companion banter.