In this episode, Derek and Steve return after a two-month hiatus, sharing personal updates including Steve's new home and their recent trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. They discuss the current state of the NBA and NHL playoffs, reflecting on their teams' performances and the excitement of the ongoing series. The conversation shifts to the NFL draft, where they analyze the Buccaneers' surprising first-round pick and the Patriots' strategy. Finally, they touch on March Madness, critiquing the lack of Cinderella stories in the tournament and attributing it to the impact of the NIL era on college basketball. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the implications of NIL on March Madness, share their experiences at the Miami Open, and tackle fan questions about MLB hitting challenges and the definition of sports, particularly comparing NASCAR and golf. They also explore the idea of starting over in a new country and wrap up with a pop culture lightning round featuring the Pope and Katy Perry's space journey. In this episode, the hosts discuss various pop culture topics, including a shift in perception regarding Katy Perry, the identity crisis of 'The Last of Us', and the potential pitfalls of 'White Lotus'. They also delve into the intricacies of 'Severance', share book and movie reviews in the Cozy Book Corner, and celebrate personal accomplishments, including the completion of a novel.

00:00 Welcome Back and Updates

07:40 Sports Check-In: NBA and NHL Playoffs

13:55 NFL Draft Insights

22:43 March Madness Reflections

24:30 The Impact of NIL on March Madness

26:44 Experiencing the Miami Open

29:36 Fan Questions: MLB and Hitting Challenges

34:34 Defining Sports: NASCAR vs. Golf

41:02 Starting Over: Where Would You Go?

43:34 Pop Culture Lightning Round: The Pope and Katy Perry

47:40 Katy Perry's Space Adventure: A Shift in Perception

48:08 The Last of Us: Identity Crisis and Audience Retention

49:20 White Lotus: Are We Being Fooled?

51:24 Severance: Attention to Detail and Fan Engagement

54:41 Cozy Book Corner: Reviews and Recommendations

01:02:14 Movies: A Mixed Bag of Entertainment

01:09:51 Final Thoughts: Celebrating Accomplishments and Future Plans

In this episode, Derek and Steve discuss the decision to keep their beloved intro song, share shout-outs to new businesses, and dive into the current state of sports, including a recap of the Super Bowl and thoughts on March Madness. They also answer listener questions, including a fun hypothetical about playing in the Masters golf tournament. In this conversation, the hosts delve into various topics, including the challenges of competing at the Masters, the comparison between two-way athletes Shohei Otani and Travis Hunter, the relevance of the Oscars in today's entertainment landscape, and the intricacies of storytelling in the series Severance. Each segment explores the depth of these subjects, providing insights and opinions that reflect the hosts' perspectives on sports and pop culture. In this episode, the hosts delve into various topics including the storytelling techniques in film and television, the economics behind high-budget shows like Severance, and the appeal of action-packed series like Night Agent. They also discuss the mixed reception of Gladiator 2, the artistry of the concert film Stop Making Sense, and provide a book review of V.E. Schwab's Fragile Threads of Power. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the iconic series Lost and personal experiences in Madrid, highlighting the contrast between expectations and reality in travel.

03:39 - Super Bowl Reactions

10:25 - March Madness, no takes

14:49 - Slide into the DMs

29:00 - The Oscars: Worth Caring About?

36:59 - Severance & other TV

48:52 - Stop Making Sense

53:03 - Cozy Book Corner

57:24 - Final Drive

In this episode, Derek and Steve discuss a variety of topics including Derek's recent cruise experience, the challenges faced during the trip, and updates regarding the podcast's music and sound effects. They also delve into their thoughts on the upcoming Super Bowl, sharing predictions and reflections on the teams involved, particularly the Chiefs and Eagles. The conversation is light-hearted and filled with humor, showcasing the dynamic between the hosts as they navigate through personal anecdotes and sports commentary. In this conversation, the hosts discuss their predictions for the upcoming Super Bowl, focusing on the Eagles and their performance. They transition into a surprising discussion about the recent trade of Luka Doncic, exploring the implications and reactions surrounding it. The conversation then shifts to Luka's conditioning and the dynamics within the Mavericks organization. Finally, they tackle a unique question about explaining tariffs using college football as a metaphor, showcasing their creativity and humor throughout the discussion. In this episode, Steve and Derek explore a variety of topics ranging from sports analogies to baby names, pop culture, and book recommendations. They discuss the concept of a 'wagon' in sports, share ideas for baby names, and debate the Eagles' chances against referees. The conversation shifts to a review of the second season of Severance, followed by a cozy book corner featuring two book reviews. They also touch on current events, including celebrity lawsuits and a Netflix show, before wrapping up with personal updates in their final drive.

03:03 Cruise Experience and Illnesses

07:01 Podcast Intros

14:56 Super Bowl Predictions and Reflections

27:27 The Luka Trade

39:13 More DMs

52:56 Eagles vs. Referees

54:00 Severance Season 2

57:02 Cozy Book Corner

01:03:33 Celebrity Lawsuits and Netflix Shows

01:08:12 Final Drive