In this episode we go overtime to talk about the current state of VfB ... which is, in a word, a state of chaos. Much like this episode! In Part One, we get revisit one of our favorite segments, "Help with Hannes," as our Swabian insider gives us some major details on the new hire ... which also happens to be an old hire. Huh. Anyway, Hannes digs into Bruno's past, present, and future, and gives us info regarding our new coach's style of play, who may play and who may sit now that he's the head man, and why so many VfB supporters are so down on his return but ultimately why Hannes believes Bruno will help the club survive the rest of the season. In Part Two, Jake from 50+ Doner, a completely unbiased Effzeh supporter who has a soft spot for Stuttgart, gives a refreshingly positive outsider's view of VfB's status this season before giving some not-so-positive insight into his former CEO, which is our current CEO, the one and only Alexander Wehrle. Super! In Part Three, co-host Matt and first time contributor David bring their Michigan and Auburn angst to the program as the group covers Sven's departure, Wehrle's handling of said departure, and how the support may or may not change now that the club has made what seems to be a major shift in philosophy.  Before wrapping up, Travis tries to wield his "Sworn Sword of Positivity" (patent pending) as the guys talk Bruno, Stenzel versus Egloff, mistakes, survival versus philosophy, and the awesomeness that is their good friend Adrian. It's a lengthy, bumpy, and at times depressing episode with just enough brief glimpses of hope to help you see a ray of VfB sunshine in an otherwise cloudy VfB sky! Part One - Help with Hannes - 0:00-51:00 Part Two - Interview with 50+ Doner - 51:20-1:20:58 Part Three - Headlines & Questions - 1:21:07-2:10:00 Thanks to Encanto: We Don't Talk About Bruno, Uploaded By: Djluna, for the transitions this episode!

In this episode, Ted and Travis chat up the VfB trip to Texas!   In Part One, after reviewing VfB's reasons for the trip, the guys give a day-by-day break down of what went down, from practice sessions and gatherings on Thursday, to exploring Austin on Friday, to the big match on Saturday!  From mingling with Fritzle and Sven to selfies with Dino and Wimmer, the guys relish in the opportunity to meet so many followers of the brustring ... even if their German left much to be desired!  In Part Two, the guys try to analyze whether the trip was a success or if it was a waste of time and resources and surprisingly to absolutely no one, come on the positive side of the ledger! It may not be super relevant considering the news of Sven that broke today, but ... well ... yeah... neither is this podcast! Intro - 0:00' - 4:08 Part One - 4:18-55:47 Part Two - 55:57-end

In this long-winded episode, Matt, Ted, and Travis avoid talking about the recent loss to Bayer before diving into some deep detail on the upcoming VfB friendly taking place in Austin, Texas.  And as luck would have it, Ted gets to talk about his love of one of the legends attending the trip, one Ricardo Osorio! In Part One, the guys debate exactly who toothless the jungundwild actually were on the road at Bayer and then glance - however hesitantly - at the current state of the Bundesliga table. In Part Two, the guys rejoice in possibly breaking another record and then dive into some questions regarding the upcoming World Cup break, Kevin Bacon, Borna Sosa, and the most inspirational speech of all time! Part Two continues with a deep dive on the Austin, Texas friendly and cover the schedule, possible speeches, and who is the true Fritzle. Interested in the trip?  Click here for detailed info on the Austin, Texas, including information regarding the schedule of events, the city, the stadium, the food, and the transport!  Thanks to our good friends @VfB_Cen for putting all this together! Intro: 0'-5:44 Part 1: 5:54-19:00 Part 2: 19:10-end

In this episode Matt and Travis break down a chaotic week with a chaotic episode and reflect upon the meaning of one Antonio Rüdiger to their combined VfB fandom. Part One starts off with a discussion of the last two matches, the recent loss on the road to BMG and the even more recent win at home versus BSC.  Topics covered include the non-red card in the BMG match, setting and/or extending even more dubious records, wishing Captain Endo well, and wondering if it's okay to celebrate like Dino, a.k.a. shirtless. In Part Two the fellas engage in a topic that has no doubt been covered more than it needs to be covered, the Sven v Wehrle situation, but decide to just keep on talking about it anyway before discussing some coaches from VfB past ... and possible future! Part Three ends with two not-so-optimistic predictions about the final match of the first half of the season before they once again discuss WimmerMania. Because they are simply out of ideas. All that and some pretty lousy technical editing thanks to a number of wandering conversations that make this one of the most ... recent episodes to date. How's that for praise?! Intro - 0-5:10 Part One - 5:20-37:20 Part Two - 37:30-58:12 Part Three - 58:22-end

In episode 64, Travis, Matt, and Hannes attempt to break down the most recent match, the thrilling last minute cramp-inducing victory over our Swabian rivals! Or are they?! In Part One, Travis and Matt discuss the win over FC Augsburg and touch on the impressive home supporters, VfB setting (unfortunate) league records, the play of Dan-Axel versus Luca, VAR's ruling on the Sosa non-handball, the backheel pass of super-sub Tiago, and finally Waldy Anton quite literally giving every inch of his being to the club. In Part Two, we revisit the derby question as we recruit Hannes for another segment of "Help from Hannes" as he tries to explain just that, was this match a derby?  He goes on to discuss the difference between derbies and rivalries and why it's just oh so hard to root against clubs like Freiburg ... even though we'll do our best to try! In Part Three, Headlines and Questions are pondered, and since it's been a (thankfully) quiet week, Matt and Travis focus on listener questions regarding the current state of the coaching staff and some potentially key players and for the first time ever (politely) disagree with a listener!  The disagreements don't stop there as Travis disagrees with Matt regarding Wimmer, Matt disagrees with a listener regarding Luca, and Luca and Dan-Axel probably disagree with two untalented fools like Travis and Matt talking about them in any form or fashion. In Part Four, the upcoming matches versus 'Gladbach and Hertha are previewed, with Matt and Travis trying to figure out what is stronger - a foal or a crocodile - before shrugging their shoulders and agreeing with Hannes ... because who really knows?! All that plus the bad editing and poor sound quality you've all come to love! Intro - 0'-2:49 Part 1 - 2:59-29:49 Part 2 - 29:59-1:00:07 Part 3 - 1:00:17-1:25:12 Part 4 - 1:25:22-end

In this episode, Ted joins Matt and Travis to give some insight on the dumpster fire that is VfB in 2022! The guys start off by going over the most famous 28's in VfB recent history and reminisce about Holger Badstuber's influence before celebrating the career that was - and is! - Günther Schäfer!  The guys then take a moment to reflect upon what it was like to not just enjoy a championship ... but also a win! Speaking of wins, in Part One, the guys break down the inspiring and "intoxicating" victory over DSC before moving on to chat about the disappointing result versus BVB ... which as it turns out, most of them didn't even watch (lucky!) ... and try to figure out if there are any silver linings to take from the combined matches.  (Hint: No)  Part One ends with Travis throwing out a theory, the guys shockingly agreeing with said theory, and Matt ending with what may be the quote of the month, that VfB went from an "underperforming team that believes in it's cause, that has an identity and a  purpose ... to a team that has no plan, has no identity, and has no purpose."  Yikes! The guys shift to a more positive attitude as they start Part Two and celebrate the upcoming Pokal match versus Paderborn before getting back into their comfort zone - confusion and disappointment!  Ted and Travis bring their combined experience of supporting two of the worst NFL teams in NFL history - the Bengals and the Browns - to the table in an attempt to analyze what the heck is going on in Stuttgart with the coaching search and upper management and conclude that whatever it is, it's bewegungslosigkeit (which Travis, of course, mispronounces). A brief Part Three looks toward the home match versus Augsburg and despite all the negativity, the guys end on a hopeful - if not sober - note! Episode Introduction - 0:00-8:51 Part One - 9:01-25:56 Part Two - 26:06-56:54 Part Three - 57:04-end

In episode 62, Matt and Travis are so giddy with excitement they forget it's actually episode 62, instead repeatedly calling it number 63, as they cover all the big - and small news - of the past week! In Part One, Matt and Travis talk their favorite #27's, the surprising benching of Hiroki, the fantastic play of Enzo, and whether stand-in manager #WinWithWimmer actually changed ... anything?  Part One ends with a break-down of the ugliest match of the season ... that just so happened to be the most beautiful result of the season, as Luca's whiff, Bochum's game plan, Silas' return, and Sven's goal of "1st" place are all covered. In Part Two, Hannes joins the program once again to help provide some info on how non-German speaking - or reading - American's can get some detailed info on one of the most drama-filled clubs in all of Europe, our beloved VfB.  Thanks to Hannes, we get some perspective on resources both in Germany and in Stuttgart, that are available to those of us across the pond before wrapping up by throwing a shout out to the one-time biggest VfB podcasts in all of the VfB universe, VfB STR with Riky and Sebastian.  And then embarrassingly try to bask in their glory. In Part Three, Matt returns from his break to help deal with Headlines and Questions.  Headlines include picking between Alfred, Jess, or ... Wimmer (?!) as the new manager while questions include whether the Bochum win is a turning point, if Silas is back, and what the Pokal lineup should look like. Part Four wraps up episode 62 with predictions on the Pokal match versus a struggling Bielefeld and then the weekend match at Dortmund.  Surprisingly, both Matt and Travis end on an incredibly uncomfortably positive note, which should cause fear in the hearts of all true VfB supporters. Speaking of fear, give it a listen! Intro - 0:00-4:10 Part One - 4:17-22:10 Part Two - 22:20-50:45 Part Three - 50:55-1:12:15 Part Four - 1:12:25-end

In this episode, we cover the recent match, say goodbye to a fellow American, look to the future, and invite a new guest who gives us a ray of hope in these otherwise bleak times ... even if he didn't know he was actually that hopeful! In Part One, Matt and Travis break down the home loss to FCU and rue bad officiating, bad play, bad finishing, bad historical records, and just downright bad luck. In Part Two, a loooooooooooooong and somber good bye to 1015 day manager Pellegrino Matarazzo dominates the airwaves as Matt and Travis react to the timing, the emotions, and the apparent "inevitability" of the dismissal of the only manager this podcast as ever known.  In the end, after a walk down memory lane of some of their favorite Rino memories, from the opening win versus Heidenheim to the final curtain call of Mata facing the Curve, both fellas ponder what they'd like to see in a new club boss and shockingly nominate themselves to take over! In Part Three, predictions are made even though no one knows who is in charge of the team, and both are hopeful that the boys can turn things around starting at home against both DSC and Bochum and old friend Philipp Förster. In Part Four, special guest Hannes, who was quite literally born into the VfB, joins the podcast for the first time ever, giving some insight into why so many of us are so attached to Rino and Sven despite some results that have kept the club winless to start the season.  Despite the losses, though, Hannes provides some much needed positivity to keep the brustring faithful looking forward to some positive results come matchday! Introduction - 0:00-2:21 Part One - 2:31-20:06 Part Two - 20:16-58:02 Part Three - 58:12-1:09:37 Part Four - 1:09:47-end

In the 60th episode, Matt and Travis show off a new intro song that is wildly appropriate for the current VfB squad - steh auf wenn ihr Schwaben seid  - get up if your Swabian!  And then engage in some retail therapy buy purchasing the world's biggest advent box. In Part One, the fellas celebrate their favorite #26's in recent VfB history before moving on to the disappointing loss in one of the most quiet stadiums on all the planet, Wolfsburg.  Breaking down the 3:2 loss thematically, topics covered include the goals, the travelling support, Omar, the tale of two Flo's, the confidence of the defense, tactics on both sides of the ball, and finally the role of former NBA greats Dikembe Mutombo and Paul Mokeski in this week's episode. In Part Two, questions and headlines are dealt with, as the elephant in the room, the status of Rino and Florian Müller, are discussed.  During said discussion, Matt professes his love for all things Sven, Travis reminisces about the "glory days" of Tayfun Korkut, and finally compares Fabian Bredlow to Tom Brady before the segment ends as both ponder how many points are needed in October to calm everyone down. In Part Three, the two look forward to the final game of matchday #9 as VfB starts a three match homestand to possibly save their season, and all they have to do is get a win against the current table leader, Union Berlin. Oh geez. Introduction - 0:00'-2:37 Part One - 2:47-32:05 Part Two - 32:15-54:51 Part Three - 55:01-end

In episode 59, Josh from the VfB Central Texas supporters group joins us to review the matches so far, preview the matches to come before the World Cup break, and give us some insight on the upcoming friendly scheduled for November in his neck of the woods, Austin, Texas. In Part One, Josh and Travis talk expectations, chemistry, red cards, points, the table, concerns after seven league matches, positives going forward, and how Flo is saving the season! In Part Two, Josh and Travis look toward the future and ponder if the international break is a positive or a negative, talk World Cup, how they love the Pokal, and go rapid fire true/false regarding topics ranging from Flo to Rino to Team USA's kit! In Part Three, Josh gives us some big time insight into what to expect during the friendly in Austin the week of November including areas to stay, bars to visit, things to do, and BBQ to eat! In a brief Part Four, Travis apologies for cutting Josh off and offers his brief opinion on what the future holds regarding the enormous away match at Wolfsburg. Introduction - 0:00-4:37 Part One - 4:47-15:30 Part Two - 15:40-39:04 Part Three - 39:14-55:31 Part Four - 55:41-end