Tonight on Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner and Shoopy welcome local legend, chaos coordinator, music scene archaeologist, and human wildcard Kevin Fox — better known as Expo. This episode has everything:Stories from a life lived at full volume, the kind of Dallas music history that never made the press releases, and maybe just a little therapy disguised as a conversation. Mike tries to understand Expo.Shoopy tries to wrangle Expo.Expo… just tries. Whether you know him, think you know him, or have only heard the stories, brace yourself — this one’s an instant classic. Laugh, cringe, reminisce… and then question why you listened to all of it. CHAPTERS00:00:00 — “Oh boy… here we go again”  00:01:37 — Expo enters the chat (and the danger zone)  00:04:55 — Deep Ellum: When it was loud, weird, and alive  00:09:22 — The music stories that probably shouldn’t be public  00:15:48 — Mike tries to do journalism (results vary)  00:21:30 — UFOs? Ghosts? Concussions? Hard to say.  00:27:19 — Bands, bars, burns, and bad decisions  00:34:02 — Expo’s Best/Worst Life Advice  00:40:50 — The Dallas scene: then vs. now  00:47:33 — “Wait, is this still recording?”  00:51:56 — Closing thoughts, confusion, and questionable wisdom  00:53:20 — Mike says goodbye & probably removes his pants

On this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike and Grubes attempt to start a normal show… so naturally the entire tech setup revolts, Billy Martin Jr. disappears into the Riverside void, and we end up with six and a half minutes of chaos, Titanic on recorder, and a heartfelt discussion on moldy elementary school instruments. When Billy finally makes it back from the digital afterlife, we get an incredible sit-down with the son of one of the most infamous managers in baseball history, Billy Martin Sr. Billy Jr. walks us through how his dad helped keep the Rangers in Arlington, turned Texas into a real baseball town, tortured umpires on the field and then bought them drinks off it, and why “flush the toilet” is the only way to survive a 162-game season. We also get into Billy Jr.’s life as an agent, why Pete Incaviglia might be the best manager MLB will never hire, how analytics and gut should coexist, and what it feels like to turn the same age your dad was when he passed. It’s funny, inside-baseball nerdy, surprisingly tender, and very, very Rhyner. ⏱ CHAPTERS Formatted how you’ve been using them: 00:00:00 - Cold Open: Lightning Strikes & Ticket Nonsense  00:01:04 - “172 of These Bad Boys” – Mike Actually Likes Podcasting  00:01:34 - Riverside Betrays Us: Billy Vanishes Mid-Intro  00:02:00 - Stuff, Stuff, Stuff: Mike’s Improv Theme Song  00:02:48 - Titanic on Recorder & The Curse of the Moldy Instruments  00:04:10 - “This Feels Like a Bust” – Ash, Shoopy & Live Panic  00:06:08 - Cowboys, Show Banking & Mild Bickering  00:07:13 - Billy Returns from the Void (For Real This Time)  00:08:00 - Introducing Billy Martin Jr: Son of a Baseball Lightning Bolt  00:09:27 - How Billy Martin Helped Keep the Rangers in Arlington  00:11:21 - Showing Texas What Winning Baseball Looked Like  00:13:24 - What Billy Was Really Like at Home (No, He Didn’t Kick Dirt on the Kids)  00:14:02 - Umpires, Fights & Why They Secretly Loved Him  00:16:03 - “Flush the Toilet” – How a Manager Survives 162 Games  00:18:06 - Bar Stories, Jimmy Piersall & Running the Bases Backwards  00:22:03 - From Clubhouse Kid to Agent: Launching Pro Agents  00:23:24 - Mike Hargrove, Rookie of the Year & the Human Rain Delay  00:24:43 - Cheating, Can Lids & Why It’s “As Old as Cracker Jacks”  00:26:03 - Bunt, Win, Repeat: Billy’s 7th-Inning Chess Moves  00:27:39 - Pete Incaviglia: Indie-Ball King & Why MLB Won’t Call  00:29:12 - Labor Wars, Salary Caps & Why Baseball Isn’t Football  00:31:11 - Killing the Minors & Scouts to Save Pennies  00:33:28 - College Coaches to MLB: Will Players Even Respect Them?  00:36:02 - Cashman, Boone & Managing Without Ever Managing  00:39:28 - Mickey Mantle on Billy: Always Looking for an Angle  00:42:11 - Personality Managers vs Spreadsheet Managers  00:44:37 - Analytics vs Gut: Alex Cora, Bluffing the Computers  00:52:00 - Turning the Age His Dad Was When He Died  00:53:15 - Birthday Reflections & an Open Invite to Come Back  00:54:20 - Where to Find Your Dark Companion & How to Keep It Alive   Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Two voices every DFW sports fan knows drop into the Lounge—broadcaster Dave Raymond, the man behind the Texas Rangers’ mic, and former pitcher turned talk radio lightning rod Mike Bacsik. In this episode, Mike Rhyner and Grubes go deep into baseball storytelling, broadcasting highs and lows, and the weird paths that lead from the mound to the booth. They swap tales of iconic calls, clubhouse chaos, and how humor and humanity keep the mic alive long after the game’s over. It’s insider baseball at its best: the quirks, the grind, and the joy of talking sports for a living—Dark Companion style. Chapters 00:00:00 – Cold Open: Baseball, Banter, and a Familiar Voice00:01:05 – Welcome to Your Dark Companion00:02:10 – Meet the Guests: Mike Bacsik & Dave Raymond00:04:25 – From the Mound to the Mic: Bacsik’s Second Life in Media00:07:15 – Dave Raymond on Finding His Voice in the Booth00:11:08 – Behind the Broadcast: Preparation, Pressure, and Personality00:15:40 – Rhyner on the Lost Art of Sports Talk00:18:22 – The Rangers Era: From 2010 to the Championship Run00:23:05 – Bacsik’s Most Infamous Moment (and Why He Owns It)00:28:44 – The Broadcast Brotherhood: Life Off Air00:33:12 – When Humor Meets Heartbreak in Sports00:37:59 – Ad Read Break: CBD House of Healing00:40:20 – Back in the Booth: The Call That Still Gives Chills00:44:08 – Fans, Fame, and Feedback Loops00:47:53 – Darker Days: When the Mic Gets Heavy00:51:19 – The Future of Broadcasting in a Podcast World00:56:00 – Signing Off: Why Baseball Will Always Be Home

Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and Big Rob (the last Day-One OG) pull back the curtain on the Dallas Mavericks Maniacs—how a “beefy guys” audition turned into 24 seasons of pure arena joy, a thousand-game milestone, and a community machine logging hundreds of events a year. From lightning-strike cold opens and a nod to the Edmund Fitzgerald anniversary to boy-dazzled shirts, human-bicycle routines, player chants, and even Big Rob’s side quest as a Cowboys “Chow Boy,” this episode is a love letter to game-night hype done right—genuine, goofy, and crafted with real care. Chapters 00:00:01 - Cold Open: Lightning, Baseball, and “Big Mic” Banter00:00:56 - Welcome to Your Dark Companion00:01:38 - 50 Years Since the Edmund Fitzgerald00:02:30 - Then vs. Now: What Going to a Game Means00:04:18 - The Hype Crews: From DCC to Ice Girls00:05:03 - Meet Big Rob: The Mavericks Maniacs OG00:06:01 - 24 Seasons Deep: Pre-LeBron Origins00:07:29 - The Audition That Changed Everything00:09:48 - “To Dance?!”—From Prank Call to Call-Up00:11:37 - 40 Guys, 13 Spots: The Birth of the Maniacs00:12:54 - First Routine Jitters… and a Crowd Explosion00:15:04 - From One Bit to “Do It Again”00:16:25 - Make Them Miss You: Crystals, Beads & Brand00:18:43 - Staying Late, Hugging Fans: Becoming Ambassadors00:19:28 - Choreography for 300-Pound Athletes00:21:13 - Other Teams Copy the Vibe (Hi, Matadors)00:22:40 - Free Throws & Micro-Routines: Always On00:23:36 - Why It Works: Fun, Craft, and Effort00:27:29 - Mid-Show Read: CBD House of Healing00:31:23 - Maniacs Today: 15 Strong & Evolving00:32:17 - Tricks, Tables, and Human Bicycles00:33:42 - Winning Over the Skeptics00:34:45 - The Section That Chooses Chaos00:35:50 - Smiles Over Follows: In-Arena First00:39:18 - New Tradition: Pre-Game Player Chants00:40:32 - Did We Start a Trend? (Short Answer: Yes)00:41:56 - Double Duty: Cowboys “Chow Boys” & Stadium Fame00:44:29 - Big Elves at Christmas: The Star Shows00:46:02 - Off to the Game We Go (and Tell a Friend!)

Mike finally went to Las Vegas. Yes, for the first time. At age 75 and change. And guess what? The man liked it. So this episode is basically:Vegas stories → The Sphere melting everyone’s brain → Jackson Browne healing childhood wounds → mobster restaurants → Flamingo time travel → Fremont fever → the one guy at the airport who had seen some things → and a full debrief on the show-stopping Eagles performance featuring our special guest, the legendary Eric Nadel. It’s part travel diary, part music nerdery, part “Oh God please get this man away from me in the terminal.”If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Reiner touches Vegas… well… this is it. Chapters 00:00:01 – Live at 5 and a Lightning Strike00:01:52 – It’s Becca’s Birthday (Again, Somehow)00:03:08 – Mike’s First-Ever Vegas Trip: 75 Years Late00:04:40 – “Okay Fine… Vegas Is Cool”00:05:31 – Mobsters, Havana, and The Hangover “Documentary”00:07:04 – The Sphere: How To Lose Touch with Reality in HD00:08:05 – The Eagles: Perfect On Purpose00:10:09 – Vince Gill and the Art of Replacing a Legend00:12:11 – That Venue Will Break Your Neck (But Worth It)00:14:46 – Jackson Browne and the Emotional Shoulder Pat00:18:47 – Vegas on Halloween = Extra Weird00:20:57 – Old Vegas vs. New Vegas vs. Fremont Fever00:23:38 – The Italian American Club: Mob Vibes & Velvet00:26:00 – Yes, They Really Have Slot Machines in the Airport00:29:28 – The Flamingo: Like Time Traveling Into Pink Neon00:32:51 – Downtown Sportsbooks and $13 Bloody Marys (Praise Be)00:40:07 – The CBD House of Healing Mid-Show Read (Mike’s Neck Redemption Arc)00:40:47 – The Not-Safe-for-Social-Media Street Performer Encounter00:52:00 – The New A’s Stadium & Mike Gets Recognized (Twice)00:56:04 – Coaching Changes, Rangers Reality & Ranger Fan Feelings01:01:46 – So… Are We Going Back to Vegas? (Yes.)

Mike and Grubes welcome back the Kessler Theater’s own Jeff Liles—human jukebox of Dallas music lore and owner of the best black-leather-pants origin story this side of Valley View Mall. From a lightning-strike cold open at Dudley’s to the Sex Pistols turning the Longhorn Ballroom into glorious chaos, Jeff dishes on ShowCo lasers, counterfeit Zep tickets, Ramones vs. Pistols setcraft, and why Bronco Bowl should’ve been a Home Depot with a stage. We get a front-row seat to a very Dallas series of cameos: Stevie Ray Vaughan auditioning for a teen Mike, Nick Lowe playing post-show solitaire, Stan Lynch and Andy Timmons tearing up Texas, and a PJ Harvey booking dream that still haunts promoters. It’s witty, rowdy, nostalgic—and a love letter to the venues, weirdos, and miracles that made this town thunder. About the Guest(s):Jeff Liles — Artistic Director at the Kessler Theater; veteran of the Dallas rock/punk trenches; alum of legendary production house ShowCo; tireless archivist and storyteller of the scene. Chapters 00:00:01 - Lightning, Dudley’s & “We’re Live… But Not” 00:02:06 - Enter Jeff Liles: Kessler Boss & Four-Timer Club 00:05:23 - Weather Guys, Climate Takes & TV Sarcasm 00:07:17 - Sex Pistols Tease: Longhorn Postponements & Broken Wrists 00:08:22 - Led Zeppelin ’77: ShowCo Lasers, Mother Blues & 5,000 Fake Tickets 00:12:36 - Longhorn Ballroom ’78: Country Room, Punk Riot 00:25:00 - Openers Win: Nervebreakers, Dead Fish, Rolling Stone “Random Notes” 00:18:36 - From Doors to “Bollocks”: Punk Rock as Vocabulary Lesson 00:27:06 - SRV Auditions Mike’s Band: Slow Blues, Piano-Wire Strings & Fate 00:37:38 - Staying Clean, Helicopters & A Dallas Legend Remembered 00:49:21 - Ramones vs. Pistols: American Tightness, British Chaos 00:51:44 - Hot Klub → Arcadia → Bronco Bowl: The Pipeline for U2, Cure & Friends 00:53:37 - Booking White Whales: PJ Harvey, Nick Cave & Nick Lowe’s Post-Show Solitaire 00:47:01 - Stan Lynch’s Speaker Wars, Andy Timmons, and the Art of MD’ing 00:55:03 - Storytellers Invite & One More Sex Pistols Story 00:56:05 - Reviews, Follows & A Pants-Off Sign-Off   Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Mike fires up Your Dark Companion with a literal lightning strike, then welcomes Dallas lifers Ward Richmond and John Pedigo to talk about Ward’s new album, Big Addict Energy—a brutally honest, oddly hilarious chronicle of high-functioning drinking, rehab math, and rebuilding a life that actually fits. We bounce from Lakewood and Deep Ellum war stories to the therapist who called her shot (“alcoholic”), the Truck Yard-as-office era, and why Ward now tours with… a pedal that plays his whole band (karaoke, but make it auteur). Pedigo breaks down the “producer as translator” approach—less sprinkle, more spine—while the guys trade memories, cuss less (sometimes), and make a pretty airtight case for talking about addiction without the shame fog. Stick around for the closer: Ward’s earworm “Non-Alcoholic Beer Drinking Man.” It slaps, even if your drink is Topo.00:00 – Cold open, lightning strike, live-at-5 banter01:41 – Meet Ward & Pedigo; the new record is the story03:05 – “Big Addict Energy”: single in Aug; album out Nov 2104:31 – Three friends lost in Summer ’24; writing through grief07:49 – High-functioning drinking in CRE culture09:09 – Genetics, social anxiety, and why alcohol “worked”10:15 – Lakewood roots → Deep Ellum bands (Boys Named Sue, Slick57)12:32 – Ward + John origin story (choir class to clubs)14:19 – “High-functioning” vs. “asshole”: the counselor’s wake-up18:34 – The decision to quit; mapping rehab like a project20:46 – Day one, therapy, psychiatrist, acceptance22:36 – The call that changed it: AA, rehab choice, no rock bottom25:21 – Lunch drinking, Truck Yard “office,” living in the open30:42 – Turning the mess into music31:33 – From early sobriety songs to darker honesty34:24 – Calling Pedigo; the producer’s job: serve the story36:11 – The “Party Police” and John’s producing origin39:20 – Parallel divorces, Tulum writing trips, new studio41:27 – Pedigo’s philosophy: make the song bigger, not busier44:01 – Clean/explicit cuts, sequencing chaos, mastering45:22 – Ward’s writing workflow (click, scratch, build)46:06 – The players: Joshua Ray Walker, Charlie Wiles, Trey Pendergrass, Chad Stockslager & more47:28 – Releasing with Idol Records; PR; the Beyond the Bar show49:05 – The “pedal band” plan (full band, one pedal)51:12 – Using the record to talk openly about addiction (+ book tease)52:09 – Setup to the feature track53:00 – Song: “Non-Alcoholic Beer Drinking Man”56:38 – Wrap and sign-offFollow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Mike Rhyner sits down with Rick and Ryan Holden — a father-son polygraph team whose client list ranges from federal agencies to murder suspects to people just trying to clear their names — to pull the curtain back on the world most of us hope we never have to visit. They walk Mike through how a real polygraph actually works (and why “lie detector” is the wrong term), why the machine itself isn’t magic but the examiner better be, and why anxiety doesn’t automatically make you look guilty. Rick talks about 50+ years in the chair, from Texas death row to child abuse cases to capital murders, and Ryan breaks down how this work shows up in counterintelligence, national security, and courtrooms. They also get into ethics: when you’re allowed to tell, when you’re not, and what it feels like to know the truth in cases that are dark, heartbreaking, and legally delicate. It’s intense, it’s honest, and it’s not reality TV. Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to Your Dark Companion00:01:24 - Meet Rick & Ryan Holden, Human Lie Detectors (Sort Of)00:03:53 - 52 Years in the Chair: How Rick Got Here00:06:39 - “Lie Detector” Is a Bad Name (Here’s Why)00:08:33 - Has the Polygraph Game Changed? Uh, Yeah00:10:39 - Courts, Admissibility, and That 1923 Problem00:12:12 - Is It 100% Right? (Short Answer: No)00:13:20 - When Examiners Get It Wrong00:15:06 - Trusting the Human, Not Just the Machine00:16:17 - Panic in the Chair: Does Nerve = Guilt?00:18:28 - Why They Actually Want You a Little Nervous00:20:33 - “Do I HAVE to Take This?” Voluntary vs Forced Tests00:22:29 - No, You’re Not Walking In Off the Street for a Cheater Test00:24:38 - Reality TV Polygraphs Are Garbage00:26:38 - Rick’s Still Obsessed With This Work (In a Good Way)00:27:40 - Clearing People vs Catching People00:28:31 - Polygraph 101: How a Real Exam Actually Works00:33:12 - Reading Physiology, Reading Behavior, Reading You00:35:24 - When They Confess Before the Test Even Starts00:36:15 - Midshow Read: House of Healing00:39:01 - The Case That Still Haunts the Room00:43:52 - How Child Abuse Allegations Actually Move Through the System00:47:00 - The Confession, Attorney-Client Privilege, and Outrage00:51:32 - Are You There to Find the Truth or Deliver Justice?00:53:41 - How Do You Hear This Stuff and Sleep at Night?00:56:06 - “Everybody Has Something at Stake”00:56:32 - Why People Come to Them Quietly00:57:27 - Everyone Has a Right to Defend Themselves Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com      

Mike Rhyner and gang unveil a new wing of the the Sunset Lounge: The Sunset Soccer Club with Tyler Kern—a show built to make the world’s game make sense before the 2026 World Cup steamrolls America like a well-timed counterattack. Rob Ervin tags in to talk fandom, promotion/relegation, and why Bundesliga is the most fun word to say out loud. From Dallas hosting more Cup action than anyone, to how MLS grew up without face-planting, to why the U.S. men might finally be good on paper (our favorite American surface), this one’s a crash course wrapped in a hangout. Rhyner plays curious convert, Tyler speaks fluent footy, and Rob swings the supporter’s hammer. Come for the Rush detour and transfer-fee nerdery; stay for the plan to turn soccer snobs into soccer sherpas. Chapters 00:00 – Rhyner Kicks Off: “Podcasts live forever—kind of like my Rush regret.”01:34 – Meet Tyler Kern: Ticket alum, WBAP survivor, soccer lifer.06:55 – Sunset Soccer Club 101: The show that preps America for 2026 without gatekeeping.07:21 – World Cup on Home Soil: Why Dallas is basically Tournament HQ.09:50 – How We Won the Bid: FIFA votes, super-bids, and not-so-subtle course corrections.11:14 – From ’94 to MLS: The league that learned to grow up slow (on purpose).12:37 – U.S. Sports Appetite: WNBA proof, Messi mania, and “yes, there’s room for one more sport.”13:44 – No Snobs Allowed: Making the game accessible (and keeping the weirdos fun).19:56 – Pick a Team, Coward: Tyler chooses Borussia Dortmund and explains tifos like a proud dad.23:57 – Rhyner’s Conversion Arc: Hockey hooked him; soccer’s next.25:35 – Is MLS Here to Stay? Why slow and steady beat NASL’s rocket-sled.27:08 – Academies vs. Hope & Dreams: FC Dallas as a talent factory.31:32 – Lamar Hunt Appreciation Minute: The man who named the Super Bowl and propped up soccer.33:42 – What the New Show Will Do: News, guests, evergreen explainers—no EU passport required.38:24 – USMNT Lens: Why “on paper” is our favorite American tactic.46:24 – 48-Team World Cup: New nations, new chaos, same beautiful game.49:09 – Who’s Best Right Now? Haaland the hammer, Mbappé the jet, Messi the myth.51:36 – Transfers, Fees & Loans: Soccer’s trade system, but weirder (and richer).54:11 – Sunderland ’Til It Hurts: Relegation’s civic hangover—required viewing.58:53 – Launch Time: Sunset Soccer Club records Tuesdays, drops Wednesdays—send your love (and hate) to sunsetsoccerclub@stolenwatermedia.com. Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker joins Mike Rhyner and Woodsey (Ben & Woods Show, San Diego) for a lively, honest, and at times hilarious look into baseball, leadership, and life in the big leagues. Skip talks about his path from player to manager, lessons learned under Tony La Russa, and what it takes to build a real clubhouse culture. The guys dig into the Rangers’ rollercoaster season, the difference between coaching and managing, and what Skip’s bringing to Arlington. It’s part baseball masterclass, part barroom storytelling—classic Your Dark Companion energy. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 – Intro: Mike Rhyner welcomes Skip Schumaker & Woodsey00:01:33 – How Skip fell into coaching and learned the game from the other side00:02:50 – Lessons from Tony La Russa & how bench roles shaped his mindset00:04:19 – The DH debate: Has baseball changed for better or worse?00:05:30 – Who influenced Skip’s baseball brain the most00:07:17 – Skip’s radio connection with Woodsey and Ben & Woods Show00:11:39 – How Skip’s long ties led him to the Texas Rangers00:15:27 – Working alongside Bruce Bochy as a senior advisor00:19:10 – Why Texas was Skip’s #1 choice & family ties to TCU00:21:26 – Building a clubhouse culture from Day One00:23:53 – Why culture wins games & why staff chemistry matters00:25:44 – The kind of people Skip wants in the organization00:26:30 – The Rangers’ frustrating 2024 season – what went wrong?00:30:22 – Skip’s pitching philosophy: command beats velocity00:32:24 – October baseball – pressure, preparation, and playoff mentality00:35:06 – Pitching evolution: velocity vs. control in modern MLB00:38:18 – The Rangers bullpen & the power of command00:39:33 – Building chemistry through communication00:41:50 – Hotel-bar lessons with Tony La Russa 🍷00:42:50 – Padres talk: culture, chemistry, and what went wrong in San Diego00:46:19 – Would Skip ever have imagined managing the Rangers?00:48:42 – Closing thoughts, friendships, and managing with gratitude Watch the full conversation now and don’t forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share with your fellow baseball fans. 📺 Your Dark Companion🎙️ Hosted by Mike Rhyner💬 Guest: Skip Schumaker – Manager, Texas Rangers🎧 Featuring Woodsey (Ben & Woods Show, San Diego) Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

On Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner and Grubes sit down with Dallas Morning News veteran Evan Grant (29 seasons on the Rangers beat) to unpack a maddening 2025 campaign: elite starting pitching, an offense that never synced, and a clubhouse that couldn’t find its rhythm. Evan explains why this felt like the most underperforming Rangers team in memory, what changed going from Donnie Ecker to Brett Boone on hitting, and how a late-season infusion of “Little Rascals” energy briefly jolted the club.They also dig into Jack Leiter’s leap, where Kumar Rocker stands, the Seager–Semien dynamic, the looming payroll/CBT constraints, potential trade math (who’s movable, who isn’t), and what new manager Skip Schumaker’s C.A.P.E. mantra (Communication, Alignment, Preparation, Execution) could mean in practice. Plus: catcher conundrums, Adolis adjustments, and who Evan would love to see in October. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 - Open & Introductions00:04:45 - Pitching vs. Hitting00:09:20 - Ecker → Boone (Hitting Message Shift)00:13:50 - “Little Rascals” Bump00:18:05 - Jack Leiter’s Breakthrough00:22:40 - Kumar Rocker’s Path00:27:10 - Clubhouse Chemistry00:31:35 - Catcher Crisis00:36:00 - Adolis & the OF Puzzle00:40:10 - Payroll Reality Check00:44:45 - Trade Talk00:49:05 - Enter Skip Schumaker (C.A.P.E.)00:53:20 - Ballpark & Approach (Line Drives > Uphill Swings)00:58:00 - October Wish List01:04:00 - Wrap & What’s Next  

Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and DLLS’s own Kevin Gray power-wash the offseason angst off Mavericks fans and get you ready for tip-off. Yes, the Luka-to-LA asteroid actually hit. Yes, everyone doom-scrolled. And yes, there’s still basketball to play — with Cooper Flagg flying around like a caffeinated free safety, Anthony Davis trying to carry while the eyeball heals and the scale side-eyes him, and a defense-first identity that might just make Dallas obnoxious to score on again. Kevin dishes on where fans’ heads are post-catastrophe, what “movement and spacing” looks like without Luka-ball, why the frontcourt depth is quietly nasty, and which Western heavies (OKC, Denver, Houston) are about to make your sleep schedule worse. Plus: CBD slushies, cap-circumventing conspiracies, and the annual reminder that the Cowboys will test your faith more than any religion. It’s fast, funny, and Mavs-nerdy in all the right ways. Chapters 00:00 - Lightning Strikes & Roll Call at the Mothership02:10 - Enter Kevin Gray: The Dark in Your Dark Companion05:06 - Two Weeks Out: What Even Are the Mavs Now?06:22 - “That One Thing”: Reliving the Luka Trade Night12:11 - Fallout & Fanbase Therapy: From Apoplectic to Apathetic15:10 - Lottery Luck & Flagg Day: Turning the Page (Maybe)22:25 - Luka vs. Cooper Flagg: Artist vs. Disruptor26:19 - Defense, Junkie Vibes & Not Here to Make Friends26:31 - Kyrie’s Timeline, AD’s Burden, and Reality Checks30:08 - New Look Offense: Movement, Spacing, Many Hands on the Ball31:44 - Identity Reset: Clamp First, Score Later32:14 - Mid-Show Read: CBD House of Healing (Slushies Optional)35:43 - Cowboys Tangent: Silver, Blue, and Emotional Damage41:00 - Bigs, Depth, and Rotation Math: AD, Lively II, Gafford, PJ42:48 - The West Gauntlet: OKC, Denver, Houston and Friends45:22 - East Wild Cards: Boston’s Gap Year, Knicks/Cavs, Watch Orlando48:20 - Around the League: Cap Shenanigans & Mystery Guests50:04 - Who’s Left Standing? Kevin’s Chalk (and We Hate It)51:42 - Parting Shots: Mavs Homework and Kevin’s Flowers IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com  

Mike Rhyner pulls up a barstool with Matt Lyle (playwright/agent of chaos) and Max Hartman (actor/true believer) to unpack The Trade—a sharp, satirical stage play where Luka “gets shipped” to the Lakers… strictly in parody land. It’s a Greek tragedy with punchlines, puppets (yes, a giant one), and the kind of Dallas sports heartbreak that only theater can make weirdly healing. In between a studio lightning strike (because of course), a Rangers victory lap, and Shoopy’s drive-by quips, the gang digs into how you spin sports calamity into catharsis, why comedy is the only way to survive a news cycle like that, and what it’s like rewiring a script on the fly while your opening night anxiety does suicides in the lobby. Come for the Mavs angst. Stay for the craft: character builds, last-minute rewrites, staging a sports scandal with style—and the reminder that, sometimes, parody tells the truth better than a press conference. ⏱️ Chapters 00:02 — “Thunder, Meet Rangers”A literal lightning strike says hello as the crew toasts a World Series and checks if the breakers—and Mike—are still alive. 03:13 — “Luka to the… Lakers? Relax, It’s Theater”Max and Matt introduce The Trade: a satirical fever dream, not Woj-bomb reality. (Everyone breathe.) 05:08 — “Friendship, Grief, and a Giant Puppet”Building characters from fan trauma, plus the Patrick Dumont mega-puppet cameo you didn’t know you needed. 08:17 — “When Sports News Feels Like a Prank”Remember that day you refreshed your phone 400 times? They bottle that energy—then set it on stage. 11:32 — “Greek Tragedy in a Jersey”Matt on using pain and rage for laughs (the good kind), and why parody hits where pressers won’t. 17:20 — “The Trade: A Comedy Built on a Collapse”How to stage the unstageable: tone, pace, and keeping the crowd howling without twisting the knife. 24:24 — “CBD Time-Out”A mid-show pit stop at CBD House of Healing. (Because opening nights and sports fandom both need balm.) 26:48 — “Rewrite, Rehearse, Repeat”The breakneck cycle of writing in April, staging by fall, and changing lines five minutes before curtain. 29:30 — “Parody vs. Press Release”Sports drama on stage vs. in real life—and why one of them actually gives you closure. 34:44 — “Stage Fright & Film Fights”Max on opening-night nerves, theater vs. film rhythms, and making the laugh land on two. 40:29 — “Tell a Friend, Bring a Frenemy”Mike’s parting shot: subscribe, share, and yes—argue with us in the comments. It’s tradition. Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Mike sits down with the guy who helped steer the ship when The Ticket went from scrappy longshot to Dallas sports juggernaut: former program director Bruce Gilbert. In true Your Dark Companion style, this isn’t a dry industry interview—it’s two radio lifers swapping war stories about wild ownership changes, home-brewed sports talk, and the kind of chemistry you can’t script. They laugh about bad ideas, celebrate good ones, and unpack why The Ticket still matters in a world where every phone is a radio. This is part origin story, part master class, and part therapy session for anyone who ever loved—or worked in—live radio.00:00 Lightning & Rocktober02:47 Conference-Room Ambush04:54 From FM to Misfits06:58 No Blueprint, Just Guts09:43 Bought To Be Killed?12:19 Bunker Mentality 10115:27 Chemistry You Can’t Fake20:48 Management: Human Shield23:33 Stars, Not Egos26:15 Underdogs With Nothing30:03 Slushies & CBD Reads33:08 Okay, We’ve Got It36:12 Magic vs. Spreadsheets41:45 Everyone Wants Content46:28 Why Radio Still Hits50:03 Talent Hall of Fame52:35 Ticket Luck Strikes55:27 Our WLS Moment56:53 Pants Off, Sign OffFollow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Indie films, preacher’s kids, Elvis motels, and Troy Aikman commercials — this episode has it all. Mike Rhyner sits down with Dallas filmmaker Josh David Jordan, the mind behind This World Won’t Break and the upcoming El Tonto Porcristo. Josh talks about growing up as the son of an evangelical preacher and how those fire-and-brimstone Sundays shaped the stories he tells today. From scribbling notes in moleskins to chasing the perfect song for a scene, his process is messy, passionate, and a little bit like “building the airplane on the way down.” Along the way, we get Dallas love letters, border-crossing mishaps, and what happens when your indie film somehow collides with Troy Aikman’s commercial world. It’s raw, funny, and exactly why you tune in to Your Dark Companion. Chapters 00:00 – Mike Rhyner and Josh David Jordan: film, life, and why Dallas always sneaks into the frame04:17 – Orthodoxy, cinema, and telling stories no one else is telling12:54 – Childhood memories: motels, Elvis, and little sparks of inspiration15:14 – This World Won’t Break: a filmmaker’s love letter to Dallas23:30 – Touring pains: crossing borders with too much gear25:20 – Film premieres, surprise connections, and the music that stays with you28:09 – What’s next: El Tonto Porcristo and making films against the odds34:44 – A pit stop at CBD House of Healing (because indie film hurts)35:57 – Storyboards, scripts, and the obsession behind directing39:28 – Why festivals are equal parts heartbreak and high-five44:50 – The toll of filmmaking — and why they still do it anyway46:29 – Wrestling with endings, edits, and when to finally “let it go”53:14 – Family, legacy, and the indie hustle55:51 – The weird joy of shooting commercials with Troy Aikman Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Spooky season pulls up in a purple hearse as Mike Reiner welcomes Julie Fisk and Rebecca Black—the hilarious radio vets behind the hit pod Haunted AF. We talk real-world hauntings, fake ghost vids (we see that fishing wire), Dallas-Fort Worth’s creepiest spots, and why renovations are basically a Ouija board for the dead. Somewhere in there we accidentally name the spirit in Mike’s house Fred and immediately start provoking him. Sorry, Mike. You’ll get tips for finding legit scares around DFW (from Hangman’s House of Horrors to the Kalita Humphreys Theater), a crash course in “talking to your ghosts politely,” and a monster tale from a Canadian farmhouse that will make you rethink nocturnal wildlife. PLUS: Haunted AF’s live show at Texas Live (Oct 1), a promo code for Hangman’s, and Rebecca’s new pod, Unsolicited. It’s cozy, creepy, and totally unserious—like chicken nuggets shaped like ghosts. Boo appetit. Resources mentioned Haunted AF podcast Texas Live — Haunted AF live podcast, Oct 1 (free tickets) Hangman’s House of Horrors (promo mentioned in-episode) Kalita Humphreys Theater (Frank Lloyd Wright’s haunted beauty) “Your Dark Companion” with Mike Reiner Chapters 00:00:00 - Cold open chaos: false start, lightning, and sports-radio brain00:01:08 - Mike’s welcome + “September isn’t fall, fight me”00:02:58 - The Haunted AF duo returns (and shamelessly sells merch)00:04:07 - Origin story: radio roots → global ghost hotline00:07:24 - Believer vs. skeptic: the dance of wanting it to be real00:08:19 - What actually scares pros who hear this stuff all day00:09:31 - Marriage as a jump-scare sport00:09:44 - Mike’s mystery noises: is it a ghost or a raccoon?00:13:02 - Meet Fred, the newly christened house ghost00:15:32 - Ghost etiquette 101: set boundaries, use their name00:17:26 - Halloween is our Super Bowl: Texas Live, Oct 1 (free tix!)00:22:27 - Big Tex must be haunted (right?) + Fair Park lore00:23:20 - How they find stories: the Google-and-receipts method00:25:18 - Lady of the Lake “proof”… and the Photoshop plot twist00:28:08 - Fake videos vs. subtle real weirdness (Stanley Hotel tease)00:30:16 - Take a million pics, back-to-back: Galvez bathroom shadows00:31:46 - Scaring each other at Cane Rosso (and yes, hair pulls)00:32:55 - DFW scare guide: Hangman’s, Beaumont Hotel, Forest of Shadows, Fright Fest, Denton vs. Grapevine00:38:23 - Old City Park/Millermore: security spooks & the ghost app image00:41:20 - Kalita Humphreys Theater: Frank’s bathroom cameo & flickering lights00:45:24 - McKinney pubs and the shoulder tap you feel00:46:27 - Breakfast wine & the petty ghost that snitched (or saved)00:49:24 - Canada farmhouse reno: hyena-mane thing & a whistling barn00:54:47 - Posting cadence + Rebecca’s new pod Unsolicited00:58:37 - Cowboys Netflix doc: Reiner’s 90s nostalgia and locker-room legends01:01:02 - Why Mike loves talkers (and how this show works)01:02:21 - Like, share, review—cast your pod-boosting spells01:03:28 - Fred, you’re on in 3…2…1 (sign-off)

Recorded live from the backroom at Dudley’s on Henderson, Mike Rhyner sits down with Texas sports legend Craig Way and dynamic broadcaster Erin Hartigan for a lively trip through the roads (and backroads) of sports media. From high-school press boxes to national broadcasts, tequila at weddings to the creation of “The Ticket,” this episode is a masterclass in how passion, timing, and a little chaos can build a career. The trio swap stories about reinvention, mentorship, the “media meal” era, and the moments that shaped their love of the game — and each other’s respect. It’s part nostalgia, part industry insight, and part laugh-out-loud storytelling, all served up with deviled eggs and jalapeño poppers. Chapters 00:00:01 - Lightning Strikes & Rangers Hype: Welcome to Dudley’s00:02:36 - Introducing Craig Way: From North Texas to Voice of Texas Sports00:04:30 - Erin Hartigan Joins the Table: Filling In and Owning Her Lane00:06:27 - Tequila at the Wedding: How Erin Became the Bell of the Ball00:08:37 - The Back of the Bus: Where “The Ticket” Template Took Shape00:11:02 - Building High School Football Coverage Like SportsCenter00:14:31 - Erin’s Omaha Beginnings and Recruiting Coverage Hustle00:16:43 - Parenthood, Pivots, and Slowing Down in a Fast Game00:19:25 - Pops & Boompa: Grandparent Names and Life Outside Broadcasting00:22:28 - Media Meals & Bad Baseball: Arlington Stadium Memories00:26:12 - Mentorship Moments: Sham, Mercer, and Learning the Craft00:30:26 - Mike’s First Radio Gig & Craig’s High School TV Studio00:33:34 - Writing, Versatility, and Erin’s “Squirrel Mom Brain”00:38:12 - Reinvention: From Music Dreams to Microphones00:42:16 - Dudley’s Snacks: Jalapeño Poppers & Elevated Sports Bar Food00:45:42 - Cowboys & Change: Landry, Jerry, and the Saturday Night Massacre00:50:55 - Generations Without a Super Bowl: Cowboys Then & Now00:54:13 - Ticket Luck and the Rise of Dallas Sports Radio00:59:13 - Why Preparation Still Wins: Lessons From the Desk01:02:35 - Closing Thoughts: Mentors, Weirdness, and What’s Next for YDCFollow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Mike Rhyner and Grubes welcome Mavericks legend and Shark Tank titan Mark Cuban to Your Dark Companion for a candid conversation that swings from the heartbreak of Luka’s exit to the grind of fixing America’s broken healthcare system. Cuban opens up about selling the Mavericks, the fine print that surprised him, and the not-so-subtle joys of yelling at refs without any actual power. He talks about Luka Doncic, Dirk’s legacy, and how chemistry in an NBA locker room can be just as fragile as a startup pitch on Shark Tank. From his Cost Plus Drugs revolution to playoff scars that never quite heal, Cuban delivers the unfiltered truth you don’t hear on CNBC. It’s part basketball therapy, part business masterclass, and part “what the hell just happened?” — all in the way only Mark Cuban can bring it. Chapters 00:00:00 - A Storm, A World Series, and Mark Cuban Joins the Show00:02:16 - Life After Selling the Mavericks00:04:05 - From Owner to Fan (and Wedding Anniversaries Without Training Camp)00:06:53 - The Fine Print Surprise: Losing Basketball Ops Control00:09:39 - Valuations vs. Fans: The NBA’s Changing Priorities00:11:43 - Breaking the News to His Family00:16:34 - Luka Magic: Draft Day Terror and Preseason Awe00:18:36 - “The Night” Luka Was Traded00:21:33 - Fans, Divorce, and the Grieving Process00:26:06 - Enter Cooper Flagg: Hope for the Future00:29:20 - Luka vs. Cooper: Cultural Differences and Mentality00:34:00 - Referees Are Nicer Now (When You Can’t Fine Them)00:35:09 - Would Cuban Buy Another NBA Team?00:43:09 - The Clippers Scandal Explained00:46:44 - Favorite Playoff Series (and the Ghost of 2006)00:52:09 - Dirk Nowitzki: Friend, Icon, and Teacher00:56:13 - Bill Mazeroski, Pittsburgh Pride, and College Memories01:00:16 - CBD Reads, Rap Attempts, and Closing BanterFollow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Mike Rhyner welcomes back Sarah Blaskovich from the Dallas Morning News for a rollicking ride through Dallas’ culinary scene — and this one’s got everything: Cardi B baby talk, fried deviled egg sliders, and Grego’s strong anti-egg stance. Sarah serves up a full preview of the State Fair of Texas food lineup (yes, she’s taste-tested all 15 finalists — twice), gives her hot takes on Dallas’ newest upscale restaurants (Avra, Momini, Punk Noir), and drops the breaking news that White Castle is finally coming to Texas. Along the way, we get a tour of sports snacks — RoughRiders cinnamon nuts, Wrigley Field hot dogs, Notre Dame High Noons, and the Rangers’ legendary boomstick — proving that Sarah may just care more about stadium food than the games themselves. Whether you’re a fair food adventurer, a burger purist, or just in it for the margarita with Pop Rocks, this episode will have you laughing, drooling, and possibly Googling “Graffiti fine dining.” Chapters 00:00:00 - Breaking News Banter: Cardi B’s Baby, Newsroom Gossip & Mike’s Math Skills00:03:57 - Meet Sarah (Again): Why Food Is the Ultimate Dallas Conversation Starter00:07:51 - State Fair Deep Dive: Big Tex Choice Awards & The Most Creative Winners00:10:49 - Wagu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders: Love It or Eggxit?00:15:24 - Savory, Sweet & Sipper: The Judges’ Picks (and Sarah’s Favorites)00:18:27 - Drinks with Pop Rocks, Trick’d-Up Lemonade & Brisket-Stuffed Pretzels00:20:32 - The “Candy Lemon Sour Face” Challenge (and Mike’s Reaction)00:21:20 - Big Tex’s Butt: The Best Fair Meetup Spot & Mitch Garver’s Legacy00:23:32 - Upscale Dallas Dining: Avra, Momini & the $48 Scallop Bite00:31:59 - Punk Noir: 20-Course Graffiti Fine Dining & Black Car Entrances00:34:56 - The Cost of Fancy Food & Why Dallas Still Needs $11 Burgers00:35:42 - Fast Food Love: Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and New Builds in East Dallas00:41:27 - White Castle Comes to Texas: History, Confusion & Slider Culture00:48:32 - Is It Actually Good? Sarah’s Honest Take on the Famous Sliders00:51:01 - Stadium Food Tour: RoughRiders Nuts, Cubs Hot Dugs & Aggie Road Trips00:55:49 - Secret Hot Dogs, Boomsticks & Sharing 24-Inch Burritos00:57:33 - Hurtado BBQ Reigns Supreme at Globe Life Field00:58:48 - Varsity Jacket Status & Sarah’s Standing Invite Back to the Show00:59:29 - How to Reach Sarah & Why Dallas Is Better (and Pricier) Than EverFollow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com