For this episode I sat down with Aaron Boylan, a a good friend and colleague whose gigs include teaching, acting, selling loans, and building houses. He was also an All-State football player and could take my life in an instant with his Brazilian Jujitsu expertise. Aaron was the most interesting man in the world before the Dos Equis ad campaign. In this wide-ranging discussion, Aaron uses public restroom behavior as a metaphor for manhood, explains the real reason guys love Joe Rogan, defends his decision to let his son build real swords, and reflects on the magic of physical (albeit platonic) touch. And much more. Enjoy.

For Episode 20 I sat down with Craig Oliver, a guy I had known primarily from pick-up basketball courts and karaoke stages.  He's a father of three girls, an Army vet, a fitness guru, and someone who doesn't believe in chairs. Craig has some hot takes on parenting, marriage, personal development.  If you're not willing to question some of your assumptions about and approaches to being a dad, you might want to skip this one. On the other hand, if you're like me and like to be challenged, tune in for every second.  Enjoy.  

For Episode 19, an innocent negotiation with the boys about getting rid of a television morphs into a full-blown whiteboard session about energy conservation.  I wasn't planning to record this, but after listening back, I was reminded of Albert Einstein's famous quote:  "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Spoiler alert:  Dragons might be the solution.

For Episode 18, I sat down with Phil Zaroo, a close friend and one of my favorite people to talk to, mostly because we disagree a lot.  He's a father of three, an ex-liberal, ex-journalist, hater of all things U of M, and bearer of brutal honesty.  We've had countless yelling matches over the years about social and political issues,  but in this fatherhood-focused conversation we keep it mostly civil.  Phil offers some unconventional takes on parenting, shares the raw experience of losing a parent, breaks down the delusion of the archetypal U of M fan, riffs on the burgeoning bidet market, chokes up when talking about his daughters,  and talks old-school discipline.  Enjoy.

For Episode 17, I sat down with Moses Price, a man I don’t know well enough to call a close friend, but one who I feel like I’ve known my whole life. Among our similarities, he's a Flint native, a father of two boys, an educator, a huge sports fan, and the proud head chef in his home. In this wide-ranging conversation we explore, among other topics, the YouTube basement, raising black boys, his Flint roots, why video games get a bad rap, and the evolution of teen problems. With a name like Moses Price, it’s a wonder he’s not a pastor. But don't worry, the man can preach. Enjoy.

For this episode I sat down with Brian Galvin (BG), a a good friend who looks like Matt Damon and also happens to be wicked smart. No seriously, he has a photographic memory. In this heady discussion, BG reveals the dude’s side of the in vitro saga, goes full Bezos on his predictions about K-12 education, presents an interesting thesis on why Michigan weather is a source of unity, and reflects on collaborations with the likes of Taye Diggs and Common. And a lot more. Some of you may recognize BG's voice from our critically acclaimed 2005 single, "Manifesto," back when being a middle-class white rapper was actually considered ironic. Enjoy.

For this episode I sat down with my great friend James Boardman, a man who single-handedly forced me to change the podcast's profanity policy. James riffs on the curiously poor dental health in England, the life of a stay-at-home dad, growing up in a cult, having a winless record in arguments against his badass lawyer wife, developing flavor in the kitchen, and his spiritual death and subsequent awakening after his sister Sarah's death. James is one of the most generous, reflective, and genuine people I know. He's also British, so that makes him more fun to listen to. I want to apologize for the ticking noise in the background - the Boardman family just got a dog. Don't worry, we won't talk about the dog.

For Episode 14 I sat down with Ben Jacobs, whom I’ve known for 40 years.  His folks have been second parents to me and though I can’t quite call him a brother he's definitely more than a cousin. We also share a man crush on Aaron Rodgers so I think that makes us related in some way.  Ben has always been an adrenaline junkie, which explains why he was a nationally ranked gymnast and a stunt man at Disney for several years.  A big kid himself, he has always loved kids and been a natural with them, which is why it was so much fun to listen to him talk about dad life with his two daughters. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging chat with a guy who's developed one hell of a Wisconsin accent.

For this episode I sat down with Joe Johnson, AKA MC Schlep, one of the two good friends I made in graduate school.  Joe has always been just ahead of me in most life events--getting married, buying a house, having kids, becoming a functioning adult--so I feel lucky to have learned from him.  In this chat we explore, among other topics:  the mindset of an East Sider; how his experience at Warren De La Salle, an all-boys Catholic school, shaped him; trash picking; bargain grocery-shopping; coaching his kids; losing both parents relatively young; and the importance of low post position in a marriage. Enjoy. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rory-hughes/support

For Episode #13, I sat down with Michigan State Senator Jim Ananich, a friend of nearly three decades. Our relationship had been characterized by tennis and basketball, using my 50% discount at Bennigan’s when we weren’t hungry, and spontaneous explosions of Dayton Family rap sessions in public. Somehow we’ve become responsible adults with children, and Jim is now the highest ranking democrat in the Michigan Senate. Thankfully he has not lost his integrity or his sense of humor.  In this chat we cover a lot: his harrowing adoption journey; losing both parents at a young age; and fatherhood as a catalyst for growth. Sit back, get ready to learn and to laugh.  Also: When your kid doesn't care that the governor is calling Peabo Bryson;  Why dumb people shouldn't form education policy;  Raising a biracial son Dragging days, flying weeks. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rory-hughes/support