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Mike kicks off the finale to Season 6, where he discusses one of his favorite end-of-the-year holiday songs.  A herculean task to get things down to just 20, Mike and the podcast staff are confident the 20 tracks Mike goes over will set your end-of-the-year holiday mood just right.  Follow the podcast on Bluesky at @friendsofmiked Email the podcast with any questions or requests at [email protected] Please subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.  Please also rate and review the podcast.  Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to Episode 6 of Season 6. 2:10: Mike talks a bit more about the format for this holiday music-themed episode 5:20: Mike breaks down his favorite 20 holiday songs of all time (spoiler alert: they are objectively the 20 best to many people)

In Episode 5 of Season 6 Mike welcomes noted college football fans and expert prognosticators Tim Horvath and Chad Massey for the guys’ annual college football preview of the 2025 season. Follow the podcast on BLUESKY: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S6E5 1:40: Mike updates the listeners on the plan for the rest of Season 6 of the podcast 2:25: What’s been going on with Mike?  Namely trips to Philadelphia and morning horror movies 4:30: Mike breaks down the rest of this episode and features a song that best encapsulates the attitude of the Michigan Wolverines heading into the 2025 season (spoiler alert: it’s not an old attitude) 9:45: Mike welcomes Tim Horvath and Chad Massey onto the podcast.  There’s definitely some insurance humor involved as well as some life updates 15:15: Mike sets the table for the rest of the episode, starting with a quick recap of the 2024 season as well as a tailgate tradition that involves the mantra 29:20: The guys give their thoughts on the big offseason recruiting news about incoming freshman QB Bryce Underwood 37:50: The fellas then talk about which true freshmen they’re most excited about outside of Bryce Underwood 43:45: Next up is discussing their favorite pickups in the transfer portal for the Wolverines 46:40: The Big 10 has some annoying head coaches and the guys discuss them in non-annoying detail 54:15:  Should the College Football Playoff be expanded from 12 to 16 teams?  The guys debate this (in a respectful manner) 57:10: Reasons for optimism for the 2025 Michigan football season 1:01:00: Reasons for concern for the 2025 Michigan football season 1:04:00: Key position groups for the 2025 Michigan football season 1:07:00: Key individual players for the 2025 Michigan football season 1:11:00: The guys break down every game on Michigan’s 2025 schedule, starting with game 1 with the game against New Mexico Lobos 1:12:30: Oklahoma 1:17:00: Central Michigan 1:18:00: Nebraska 1:20:00: Bye Week (First ever Big House concert) 1:21:40: Wisconsin 1:24:50: USC 1:28:00: Washington 1:31:00: Michigan State 1:34:45: Purdue 1:36:15: Bye week 1:36:30: Northwestern (at Wrigley Field) 1:39:00: Maryland 1:41:00: Ohio State 1:46:00: The guys finish up by picking the Big 10 champions, the teams who will make the College Football Playoff and the National Champion.

In Episode 4 of Season 6 Mike welcomes his observational-in-a-comedic-way dear friends Todd  Pretty, Tim Rechtien, John Baker and Chris Allan to talk about two things: Life + Seinfeld and how much it’s meant to them over the years (this is Part 2 of an epic two part pod). Follow the podcast on BLUESKY: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S6E4 featuring four dear friends (Todd Pretty, Tim Rechtien, John Baker and Chris Allan) for part 2 of a love letter to their favorite show from the 90s about nothing aka Seinfeld! 2:30: Mike lays out the plan for the rest of Season 6 3:10: Mike corrects an English river-based mistake from S5E2 4:10: What’s been going on with Mike D? Mike breaks things down and they involve Mike getting a new Tottenham-related customized tattoo somewhere on his body, trips to Cleveland and Philadelphia, some great TV (The Bear on Hulu and The Eternaut on Netflix). 11:30: Mike kicks off Part 2 of the conversation about Seinfeld by catching up with the guests and learning how their lives have changed (for the better) since Part 1 dropped. 15:30: Mike lays out the plan for the rest of the episode of talking about the guys’ favorite 10 individual episodes of the show 16:00: The Contest 33:10: The Bizarro Jerry 48:50: The Merv Griffin Show 1:03:30: The Pitch/Ticket 1:18:35: The Opposite 1:32:20: The Strike 1:45:50: The Pony Remark 2:00:00: The Understudy 2:16:50: The Wizard 2:28:20: The Marine Biologist

In Episode 3 of Season 6 Mike welcomes his observational-in-a-comedic-way dear friends Todd  Pretty, Tim Rechtien, John Baker and Chris Allan to talk about two things: Life + Seinfeld and how much it’s meant to them over the years (this is Part 1 of an epic two part pod). Follow the podcast on BLUESKY: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S6E3 featuring four dear friends (Todd Pretty, Tim Rechtien, John Baker and Chris Allan) for a love letter to their favorite show from the 90s about nothing. 2:00: Mike updates the listeners on a recent trip to one of his favorite cities: Toronto, capping things over with an anthem about his new favorite soccer clubs, Toronto FC (7:05). 12:00: Mike welcomes the crew from Monk’s (Todd, Tim, John and Chris) to the podcast and checks in w/ how they each are doing life-wise. 17:45: The guys then check in on when they last saw each other in person, including a new baby in Denver and a disease known as Tigers Fever. 23:30: Mike lays out the premise for the rest of the episode and starts by asking the guys how they first found Seinfeld, which includes several home recordings that weren’t exactly street legal. 33:00: The guys then talk about whether the show grabbed them right away as something they loved. 37:40: Next up the guys quickly talk about their favorite character of the “Big 4” (Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer). 51:50: Has the show stood the test of time?  The guys definitively answer this question. 59:40: It’s the meat of this Part 1: the guys talk through their top ancillary (non-core 4) Seinfeld characters. 1:00:30: George Steinbrenner 1:06:10: Bob Sacamano 1:11:00: Tim Whatley 1:18:20: Izzy Mandelbaum 1:25:15: Jackie Chiles 1:32:20: Lt. Joe Bookman 1:44:40: Jacolo “J” Peterman 1:48:20: David Puddy 1:56:00: Newman 2:06:10: Frank Costanza

In Episode 2 of Season 6 Mike welcomes his mate from Sheffield (England), Mark Charlton, for a scholarly discussion of the music of BritPop, redefining the genre in the process. Follow the podcast on BLUESKY: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S6E2 featuring Mark Charlton and a deep dive on all things BritPop 2:10: Mike updates the listeners on what’s been going on with him, including a trip to the Balkans (specifically Belgrade) for a mix of history,  and going to see a phenomenal new film Sinners 12:20: Mike welcomes Mark Charlton to the podcast and he tells his life story having grown up in Sheffield, England and how it reminds him a bit of Detroit 16:00: The guys then trace the origins of their friendship via the Ann Arbor Mug Club including the last time they saw each other as well as a discussion of some amazing music artwork/infographics (wearedorothy.com) in Mark’s basement 20:40: Mike lays out the premise of the episode and discuss what BritPop means to them, including the music itself and the movement around it (and of course the rivalries!) 27:30: The guys discuss their 14 favorite BritPop songs of all time, starting with a song about a type of gold from one of Manchester's most decorated bands 40:30: A song for all people and one that involves a biting take down of class tourism that is also a propulsive jam 53:00: One of all time best Deborahs gets referenced in this romantic jam from one of Sheffield’s all time greatest bands 1:02:00: A song about going on holiday in Greece and letting you freak flag fly 1:12:00: A song from a massive BritPop band that’s both fun and a bit a surprising 1:21:20: A song about being alone on a motorcycle 1:30:30: An epic, atmospheric heightening song in every note 1:41:20: A B-side from a pioneer BritPop band about a glorious river 1:48:15: An amazing cover that completely reinvents the original song around a BritPop beat for the ages 1:57:25: An underrated song from band with instructions to sit (not stand) 2:05:40: A song from a UK band from the West Midlands who actually know a lot 2:13:00: A (largely) romantic upbeat song from the vision of one man 2:19:20: The swagger-inducing and enhancing song from a band with a flower in its name that’s also about love 2:28:15: The last song of the episode is a fitting end that focuses on looking forward (not backward)

In Episode 1 of Season 6 Mike welcomes two good buddies onto the podcast to kick off the season for a free flowing conversation about the friendship ties that bind and a yearly tradition that has become legendary from coast to coast.   Follow the podcast on BLUESKY: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S6E1 featuring Mark Sgriccia and Zach Drennen! 1:45: Mike sets the table for Season 6 of the podcast 2:28: MIke then talks about what’s been going on with him since Season 5 of the pod ended and it involves A LOT of amazing traveling including trips to: 3:20: Cancun! 4:00: Glasgow! (where Mike tried to play the bagpipes and failed miserably) 6:00: London! (where Mike scaled monuments, watched football (soccer), and learned some rock and roll history). 8:00: Canada (specifically Alberta) to see the Red Wings take down the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames along with soaking in some Canadian culture and fresh brews. 11:00: Italy (specifically Rome, Florence and Milan) for history, food, art, architecture, sport and friendship building! 14:15: Mike plays a smidge of an Italian song that he was listening to while traversing Italia on the trip. 18:00: Mike brings on two true blue Wolverines who have skyrocketed up his personal FQR (friendship quality rankings). 21:00: Mike lays out the plan for the rest of the episode, including introducing a long-standing friendship tradition 22:45: The guys get into the last time they saw each other, including an epic March Madness gathering at Zach’s as well as at the beginning of the Dusty May era. 28:00: Zach and Mark give their respective histories about becoming Michigan fans. 33:15: Zach then talks about how he’s become the wizard of recaps. 34:15: The guys talk about how they first crossed paths at the Michigan/Penn State game in State College in 2023. 42:30: Zach and Mark reflect on what the 2023 Michigan football season means to them. 47:15: The guys then talk about the 2024 season and how it compared to 2023 as well as noting how Ohio State’s 2024 “championship” season will forever be less than. 55:00: Mark and Zach then give the history of their road game weekend tradition. 1:02:00: The guys then go over the most recent iteration of this epic tradition: the Michigan/Washington game in Seattle in 2024. 1:09:00: Mark then talks through how the specific road game for the RGWT (road game weekend tradition) gets chosen which involves a west coast BBQ, a powerpoint/Google slides presentation and data-informed decision making. 1:15:00: The guys then discuss the plans for the 2025 Michigan/USC road game in LA (which is NOT necessarily the official RGWT choice for the 2025 season. 1:19:00: The guys then talk about the vibes for the 2025 Michigan football team as of the spring of 2025. 1:24:45: The episode comes to an end with the guys sharing what makes the RGWT special and where it might go.

In Episode 17 of Season 5 Mike and the usual college football preview crew (Tim Horvath and Chad Massey) pick back up for their fourth annual college football preview podcast episode, this time focused on the 2024 season with a slight focus on the Michigan Wolverines (reigning national champions of the whole nation). Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E17 featuring Tim Horvath and Chad Massey 3:00: Mike talks about the plans for the podcast offseason and Season 6 and then corrects some huge errors from prior episodes, including an inaccurate description of Great Britain and her component nations as well as a misallocated sack in the Rose Bowl (apologies to Josiah Stewart) 5:30: Mike then recaps his trip to CDMX aka Mexico City (and how much he loved it). 6:45: Finally, Mike features a small bit of a new Eddie Vedder cover track that speaks to the current state of the Michigan Wolverine football team. 13:30: Mike welcomes Tim Horvath and Chad Massey into the podcast studio and the guys give comprehensive life updates, including Tim’s son spurning Purdue to become a Wolverine. 20:30: The guys touch on their thoughts on college football conference realignment. 24:15: Next up is a discussion of the revamped Michigan coaching staff led by Sherrone Moore, including new Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale. 31:00: The guys then talk about the evolution of Michigan’s approach to name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, including how critical using NIL to retain players has been for the Wolverines. 37:15:  The Big 10 has brought in several new head coaches and the guys discuss who they are most intrigued by coming into 2024. 41:15: The guys then go through their reasons for optimism for Michigan football in 2024.  The future is bright! 45:40: Next up are reasons for concern for the 2024 Michigan Wolverines. 49:20: The guys then talk about their key players for Michigan’s season. 56:00: Key Michigan football position groups for the season. 58:45: The guys then go game by game through Michigan’s season starting with Fresno St 1:00:15: Texas 1:03:15: Arkansas St 1:04:05: Southern California 1:06:00: The Battle for the Brown Jug (Minnesota) 1:07:40: Washington 1:11:30: Illinois 1:14:30: Michigan State 1:20:00: Oregon 1:23:15: Indiana 1:25:00: Northwestern 1:27:15: Ohio State 1:34:45: The guys predict the Big 10 Champion 1:36:30: The guys then predict the 12 Team playoff and national champions 1:41:45: The episode wraps up with an emotional sign off

In Episode 16 of Season 5 Mike and his best in the nation Michigan fan buddies Irfan Bhabhrawala and Kevin Werner put a bow on a legendary season of college football, friendship and life by discussing the 2024 National Championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies.   Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E16 featuring Irfan Bhabhrawala and Kevin Werner 4:00: Mike corrects zero mistakes from past episodes 5:00: What’s been going with Mike D?  Practicing gratitude and how Mike is incredibly grateful for what the 2023 Michigan football team has given to him. 15:15: Mike welcomes on Irfan and Kevin to set the table for a deep dive on the 2024 National Championship game with Irfan and Kevin also telling their respective life stories, which include Irfan becoming a titan of finance and Kevin impressing his wife with his level of internet fame among Michigan fans. 34:30: The guys talk about the last time they saw each other and what they were doing as well as their thoughts coming into the 2023 Michigan football season. 44:00: Next up is a discussion about their thoughts on the National Championship game opponent for Michigan, the Washington Huskies.  53:00: The guys talk about some of the logistical challenges in even getting to Houston as fans (especially Irfan and Kevin), including Irfan’s command of the travel logistics variables.  Truly legendary. 1:02:00: It’s game day in Houston!  The guys discuss their now iconic hotel lobby tailgate and unique the feeling was that Monday leading up to the game. 1:09:50: The guys then break down Michigan’s National Championship victory over the Washington Huskies. 1:38:00: Michigan are your national champions!!!  The guys reflect on what it felt to be there and the immediate aftermath of the glorious victory, which includes the best (or at least most satisfying) burrito Kevin and Irfan have ever eaten. 1:45:00: The guys wrap up with a philosophical reflection on the lasting meaning of Michigan’s 2023 season.  It’s one that will never be forgotten.

In Episode 15 of Season 5 Mike and his cool California buddies PJ and Arvind talk the 2024 Rose Bowl, the site of Michigan’s now iconic playoff win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Overtime, in one of most memorable Michigan football wins in the history of not only the Michigan program but all of college football.   Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E15 featuring Prashant “PJ” Jolepalem and Arvind Ramakrishnan 2:45: Mike corrects some embarrassing gaffes from past episodes, including misstatements about where in North Carolina he recently visited and his friend Jay Bibby’s citizenship. 4:15: Mike talks (very quickly) about what’s been going on with him, including invoking “res ipsa loquitur” to describe the conversation later in the episode with his buddies PJ and Arvind, and the song that captures the vibe of this legendary game and experience. 10:30: Mike welcomes Prashant and Arvind onto the podcast and they introduce themselves to the listeners and the three trace the origins of their friendship. 17:30: The guys talk about the importance of thinking through “tailgate logistics” ahead of time. 20:30: Next up the guys talk about their thoughts about this Michigan football team coming into the season, looking back on how Michigan got to Pasadena and whether Mike D received a championship ring based on this season. 28:00: The guys talk about what the experience was like leading up to the game itself in Southern California, including meeting up with their good buddy Zach, watching Lions/Cowboys from LA Live and how Mike was fighting a brutal cold (but pushed through!). 33:00: It’s January 1, 2024 aka game day in Pasadena.  The guys talk about taking LA public transit up to the game, the Tournament of Roses parade, walking to the Stadium (eschewing the shuttle) and tailgating on the golf course. 40:00: Next the guys head into the stadium itself and begin the tale of what happened in the game itself. 1:19:00: Ecstasy and relief!!  Michigan wins and the guys try to describe it.

In Episode 14 of Season 5 Mike and his longtime Michigan football buddy Ryan Lewin talk the 2023 Big 10 Championship game, including what the experience is like attending this college football fiesta in person in Indianapolis and how the Wolverines clinched their third straight undisputed Big 10 Championship against the hapless Iowa Hawkeyes.   Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E14 featuring Ryan Lewin (S1E2 + S3E2.5) 2:00: Mike corrects…..nothing....again! 3:00: Mike then updates the listeners on what’s been going on with him, including a trip to North Carolina and watching the TV show Shoresy. 7:00: Mike sets the table for the rest of the episode, including identifying a song that comes from a band both this episode’s guest Ryan Lewin and he love and how the track encapsulates the feeling of the Michigan football team and its fans like Mike and Ryan heading into the 2023 Big 10 Championship Game (and featured in S3E2.5). 13:00: Mike welcomes Ryan Lewin back to the Podcast, they talk about the new Bleachers album and Ryan gives an update on his amazing life (including the addition of Roscoe the dog) and how it's going. 18:30: The guys then talk about the pure objectivity of the Michigan football team fandom of Ryan’s sons as well as the last time they saw each other in person. 24:00: Next up the guys look back about how they were feeling as Michigan’s season played out up to this point. 28:00: American Hero Conor Stalions is discussed and the mental state of the team around this “scandal” 31:00: The guys talk about the entire experience of heading to Indianapolis for the Big 10 Championship Game in person and how it’s a sports experience not to be missed, including the fan fest and how Mike set a pitching speed record as well as the rest of the day leading up to the game.  The guys talk about how Ryan’s son Oliver is a very level headed, objective Michigan fan. 36:30: Next up the guys set the table for this old fashioned Big 10 slugfest (largely due to Iowa’s anemic offense). 42:00: Mike and Ryan go deep on the key plays from the Big 10 Championship Game. 53:00: Mike talks about the satisfaction of being able to hang another Michigan banner in Lucas Oil Stadium once the game was won by Michigan. 55:40: The guys talk about what was next for Michigan in the College Football Playoff and who they thought the four teams should’ve been. 1:01:40: Ryan talks about what it is about Michigan football that keeps his passion.

In Episode 13 of Season 5 Mike brings back two foremost experts on Michigan Football in former guests (and current dear friends) Brock Steere and Tim Horvath to talk THE GAME (Michigan football v Ohio State from 2023) and discuss what the rivalry means, where it’s been and how Michigan came out on top in the greatest rivalry in sports. Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E13 featuring Brock Steere (S1E12) and Tim Horvath (S1E11) 2:00: Mike corrects…..nothing! 2:20: Mike then summarizes what’s been going on with him, including a road trip to Cin City aka Cincinnati to see the Tigers take on the Reds and take in all Cincinnati has to offer (which is a lot). 6:45: Mike plugs a recent film he saw on long time best bud Todd Pretty’s recommendation: Snack Shack, a true coming of age story set in the 90s (when Mike came of age in real life!) and a (new) classic song from the closing credits of the movie. 13:40: Mike kicks off a rousing conversation with Brock Steere and Tim Horvath to talk Michigan/Ohio State as the guys give some updates on their lives. 20:00: The guys set the table for the rest of this epic episode featuring an epic rivalry and their thoughts about this game coming into it as well as the evolution of the rivalry overall. 29:00: How Michigan has been the tougher team in this rivalry and it eats the Buckeyes up inside. 34:30: Brock then speaks to what OSU fans feel about Ryan Day from an Ohio resident’s perspective and why this particular Michigan/OSU game was even more important than normal. 38:40: The guys then talk about the Friday night before the game and running into Bill Steere along with the epic tailgate beforehand and how there’s no other feeling like the morning of a Michigan/OSU game. 45:00: Next up is a breakdown of THE GAME in a level of detail that may give you chills (in a good way, not like in a flu-like way), clarifying that the Ohio State Buckeyes are not, in fact, world famous and are also great at getting beat by Michigan, how this game showed how much Michigan will miss QB JJ McCarthy, the really unfortunate Zak Zinter injury and how Michigan bounced back (1:03:00), and Rod Moore calling game (1:14:00). 1:20:00: The guys wind down the episode talking about what the game ultimately came down to as well as celebrating the win and the feeling coming out of this game with respect to the rest of the season. 1:24:00: Brock and Tim share what Michigan football means to them.

In Episode 12 of Season 5 Mike welcomes back one of the foremost authorities on Michigan football, insurance and friendship in all of Washtenaw County nay the State of Michigan nay the World in longtime guest and friend Chad Massey to talk through a class Michigan football “trap game” from the 2023 season in their final road tilt of the season at the University of Maryland Terrapins.  Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E12 featuring Mike’s wise friend Chad Massey. 1:45: Mike goes on to correct a HUGE mistake from S5E11 (The Penn State episode) relating to a missed fact that is super embarrassing for Mike. 2:45: Mike then gives an update on what’s been going on with him, including continuing to watch both the Euros and Copa America, attending an MMJ concert in Detroit, an epic 4th of July party at the Bibbys (Season 5 Episode 8 guests Jay and Andrea Bibby), and Season 3 on Hulu. 5:30: Mike then features a bit of a track dedicated to this episode’s guest (Chad Massey) and his deep passion for all things insurance. 12:30: Mike welcomes long time guest Chad Massey back onto the podcast to give a quick life update. 16:30: The guys then talk about the last time they saw each other at Detroit Tigers Opening Day. 18:00: Chad talks about who his longest running friend is and what’s kept that friendship going over the years as well as his thoughts on how Michigan football had performed up to this point in the season including managing the Conor Stalions nonsense. 22:00: Mike and Chad then set the table for the Maryland game with Michigan missing Head Coach Jim Harbaugh for the second straight game. 29:00: Mike leads a discussion of the key moments from the 2023 Michigan/Maryland game including how Chad decided to make the trip down to College Park, and how this was a truly historic win in the annals of Michigan football. 45:45: The guys talk about how they were feeling coming out of this narrow win by Michigan over Maryland and Chad shares some inside info about just how banged up JJ McCarthy really was coming out of this game. 51:00: Chad finishes up by talking about what it is about Michigan football that keeps him passionate about life and college football.

In Episode 11 of Season 5 Mike introduces the listeners to a first time guest to the podcast, “Positive” Greg Shuraleff, to talk through Michigan football’s first true test of the 2023 season: the Penn State Nittany Lions.  The guys talk Beaver Stadium architecture, awkward Air Bnb’s, (Bill) Pickles and a weekend in State College, PA they’ll never forget.  Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E11 featuring Mike’s Wolverine buddy Greg Shuraleff. 2:00: Next up is the traditional corrections segment, where Mike corrects the driving time from Ann Arbor to East Lansing, an apology to Scottish listeners, and finally a miscalculation of the number of times Michigan football has played on NBC Saturday night football. 4:20: What’s going on with Mike D, which includes a 2nd annual Kalamazoo day trip via the train and live roller derby (shout out to Skinny Minnie). 7:20: Mike then sets the table for the dramatic weekend in Happy Valley that is the subject of this episode, including an encounter with the Michigan football team at the State College Regional Airport and a galvanizing rallying cry born from that moment. 9:45: Mike and the staff then play a smidge of a track that best exemplified the vibes of that weekend in State College vis a vis the Michigan football team. 14:00: Mike welcomes Greg Shuraleff into the virtual podcast studio. 15:40: Greg then tells his entire life story for the listeners and it’s quite the tale (including how he was NOT originally a Michigan fan as a kid and a transfer averted). 18:00: The guys then trace the origins of their friendship in Chicago and a mutual love of the State of Michigan sports and then discuss the last time they saw each other in person (which was in Pasadena, CA). 23:30: Greg tells the listeners who his longest running friend is and why that friendship has remained so strong (and how it started when we had to switch schools as a kid). 26:50: The guys then talk about their thoughts on the state of Michigan football coming into the season and this critical Penn State game. 31:15: Next up the guys talk about the Friday night and Saturday morning in State College leading up to the game itself, including the challenges of actually getting there and finding lodging close to campus, posting up at the legendary Bill Pickles Tap Room, an awkward AirBnB, Greg’s pre-game ritual at road games, an Uber situation that almost ended a friendship, and finding a Michigan-friendly tailgate very close to Beaver Stadium. 44:45: Mike and Greg then break down the epic highs and lows (mostly highs) of Michigan’s win over Penn State, including the architectural “charm” of Beaver Stadium. 59:00: The guys start wrapping things up by talking about Interim Coach Sherrone Moore’s legendary post-game interview, the team’s celebration and how they capped off their trip in Happy Valley. 1:03:00: Greg then caps the episode by talking about what Michigan football means to him.

In Episode 10 of Season 5 Mike welcomes Eric Wobser, the pride of both Michigan law and city of Sandusky, OH to talk all things regional and local development focused as well as the Michigan v Purdue football game from the 2023 Season. Follow the podcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E10 featuring Mike’s legal and regional development-focused sports buddy Eric Wobser. 2:05: Mike then corrects some major mistakes from past episodes, including an embarrassing omission from Season 5 Episode 7 (the Bob Stinchcombe/Minnesota game episode) related to the movie Spaceballs. 4:20: Next up is the classic “What’s Going on with Mike D” segment which includes some soccer (both in Detroit and Germany) and a new mystery novel (or at least new to him) from Canadian author Louise Penny. 6:00: Mike then pays tribute to the city he most associates with Eric in the form of both fun facts and song: Cleveland, OH. 14:00: Mike welcomes Eric Wobser onto the podcast where Mike gives Eric the opportunity to tell his entire life story and Eric accepts (and shares how an Ohio boy ended up at law school at the University of Michigan). 19:00: The guys then talk about meeting at Michigan Law School on an iconic Ann Arbor patio known formally as Wonderful Times Charles. 22:00: Eric breaks down his love of the sport of wrestling (real and “real”) and how the cities of Cleveland and Detroit are kindred spirits 27:00: Eric then talks about how his son has made Mike his role model in life (only behind Eric). 28:30: The guys then lay out the plan for the rest of the episode, starting with Eric talking about his longest running friend in his life and how he thinks about friends as “layers on a tree”. 31:00: Eric shares where he was with Michigan football coming into this season, including what it’s been like as a Michigan fan living in Ohio. 32:30: Mike and Eric set the table for this Michigan/Purdue game, including the outbreak of the Sign-Gate “scandal” (aka a big nothingburger), including the tailgate. 37:00: The guys then go through the many highs (and very few lows from a Michigan perspective) of this game. 44:30: Eric shares what it is that motivates him to stay connected to the Michigan football program.

In Episode 9 of Season 5 Mike welcomes Mike “Fulk” Fulkerson, MTE (master tailgate extraordinaire) to talk about how he became one of the top tailgaters in all of Michigan Wolverine nation and then break down the Michigan v Michigan State football game from the 2023 Season in all of its rivalry glory. Follow the pdcast on Twitter/X: @friendsofmiked Email the podcast at [email protected] Key moments from the pod:  0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S5E9 featuring Mike’s tailgating role model Mike “Fulk” Fulkerson. 2:00: Mike quotes the late, great Jerry Orbach and admits some embarrassing mistakes, including a mistake within a mistake related to S5E5 (The Rutgers episode featuring Fletcher Walters) and S5E8’s (the Indiana episode featuring the Bibbys) failure to reference the greatest TV-based romance in Canadian history. 5:10: Mike then breaks down what’s been going on with him, including a trip up to Traverse City for a Pure Michigan weekend with Ann Arbor Mug Club and prepping to play possibly the biggest pub quiz game of his life, along with his strategies for a successful pub quiz night. 12:00: Mike finishes off the opening segment with a tribute to the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry and extends a musical olive branch to his Spartan friends and listeners. 17:20: Mike welcomes Mike Fulkerson into the podcast studio. 18:20: Mike Fulkerson then tells his entire life story and the story of the Plymouth Canton/Salem/Plymouth High Schools, which is a multi-campus adventure for the students who come through there. 21:10: Next up the guys talk about the last time they saw each other in person at the famed Houston NRG Wyndham for a new infamous “lobby tailgate”. 24:20: Fulk talks about who his longest running friend is and how that friendship has lasted all of these years. 28:15: Mike D then asks Fulk about how his legendary Michigan football tailgates have evolved over the years at Ann Arbor Golf and Outing (as great tailgates do). 36:30: The guys then talk about how they first met…..at a Michigan tailgate in Bloomington, IN and then again in Lincoln, NE. 41:00: A prank gets played on Mike D by Fulk and their friends “Fun” Ron and Strikeout and Mike doesn’t get mad at all. 44:00: Fulk talks about his thoughts about the 2023 Michigan football team coming into the season and how the season had gone so far in his mind. 47:00: The guys then touch on the emergence of the Conor Stalions backstory for Michigan football. 49:20: How tailgating at Michigan State differs from tailgating at Michigan and an audio picture of the Michigan/Michigan State game as told by Mike and Mike. 1:03:30: Mike F then talks about whether this game changed his opinion of Michigan’s chances the rest of the season as well as why Michigan football has remained a priority for him in his life.