ML Soul of Detroit

ML Soul of Detroit
  • 4.7 (610)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
ML Soul of Detroit

News, views, inside stories -- long AND short -- all well-told.

  1. 1D AGO

    Tigers Town – April 22, 2025

    Shawn is back, bemoaning Detroit’s preference of the Tigers over the Pistons, while Marc is still amazed that ML has a new beef with the Lions.STRAIGHT DOPE: After years in the dumps, the Pistons are suddenly doing well with everybody but Detroit sports fans. Shawn says it’s because the Tigers have taken over Detroit.Marc says the Detroit Lions are the most popular professional team in Detroit. He ranks the Tigers second, followed by the Red Wings and Pistons. How would you rank Detroit’s pro teams? Send your answer to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comEven though they Lions are finally giving fans something to cheer for, ML nevertheless finds a reason to root against them. Marc is incredulous. Listen in to hear the debate.Is the NBA too boring? Marc and Shawn said there are “cultural issues” that give Major League Baseball the edge over the NBA. ML asks: “What are cultural issues?”Shawn asks ML if he’s a lover or a fighter. Since he’s never made love to another hockey player, ML says he must be a fighter. Then he reveals his pet peeve – a problem that has landed him in the penalty box on many occasions.Basketball nut Shawn discusses the revival of the Detroit Pistons.What the hell are “ethical hoops?” ML, who has never heard the term, makes a guess. Listen to learn what he said – and whether he was close to being right.Do you prefer watching a series on TV or going to the movies? Marc, Shawn and ML agree on which they like better. And ML explains why TV has essentially made him give up reading books.If you missed ML’s latest “On Guard” column, get it here. Catch up with Shawn’s latest journalistic stylings here.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal.Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here.GEEK OF THE WEEK: How Swede it isn’t, when an uber green tourism destination in Scandinavia is exposed for stockpiling pollutants.ROOM 7609: A listener tells an epic yarn then cozies up to Shawn by booking James Booker in the New Wave suite to perform “Good Night, Irene.” His story inspires a lively discussion of what are the best and worst shows the guys have ever seen. Send us your favorite tune or deep cut or track from an obscure band – along with a story about the ditty – by writing to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com.LATEST SOULMATE: Sign up for our Patreon supporters club and find out how you can get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on PatreonFEEDBACK: We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – atmlsoulofdetroit@gmail.comDONATE OR SPONSOR US: Support us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!LISTEN AND LEARN: Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!

    57 min

  2. APR 15

    Mike Young: Hollywood Baller – April 15, 2025

    Tax Day is no laughing matter, so comedian Mike Young tells Erika, ML and Marc some amazing true Hollywood stories. STRAIGHT DOPE: Talk about tough crowds: ML tells comedian Mike Young he just sent 8 checks to the IRS so he desperately needs some laughs. Instead, Mike regales us with stories about how he got on Leonardo DiCaprio’s basketball team. Marc asks ML why he owes so many tax bills and gets a story so long – but well told! – that Erika jumps in to make him wrap it up. Mike just got in from the West Coast, where he did a bunch of shows and yukked it up with morning radio deejays. Marc asks whether Mike likes promoting his show that way – and whether it makes a difference. Bob Saget LOVED promoting his shows. Mike talks about what it was like to tour with Bob … and how he NEVER watched an episode of “Full House.” Mike counts John Stamos among his pals, and explains how Stamos got to play drums with the Beach Boys. ML butts in to remind us that Stamos had some trouble with the ladies in the U.P. and speculates that he doesn’t have many good memories of Michigan. Marc asks Mike what it was like to be a “secret” contributor to “Entourage,” and gets rewarded with some great behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories. Mike was working on a show for Tobey McGuire at ABC, spurring a discussion of whether the original Spiderman has comedic chops — and basketball hops. Mike took on Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch on the basketball court, and ended up squaring off at center court with Marky’s chef. Listen and learn what the beef was about. Encounters with Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson left Mike with two very distinct and different impressions of the former champs. Find out which one was an angel, and which one he would never mess with. ML asks Mike about bombing and whether it’s a necessary rite of passage. Mike has toured with – and gives his take on — Dave Chappelle, Sebastian Maniscalco and Joe Rogan. Catch Mike’s show Wednesday, April 16 at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. Use this link to learn more. Mike shot a movie – “Stealing Jokes” – in Detroit. Find our more about it here. If you missed ML’s latest “On Guard” column, get it here. Catch up with Shawn’s latest journalistic stylings here.Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal. Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here.

  3. APR 8

    The Good, The Bad, and The Sleepy – April 8, 2025

    No need for a spoiler alert, as Shawn regales us with his thoughts on “Game Of Thrones” – a series that ended years ago, leaving Marc a fan and ML put off by all that lust in the dust. STRAIGHT DOPE: Shawn admonishes ML for being out of uniform by wearing a tie, leading to a series of random recollections by ML that conclude with some advice that could save your life. Shawn spaces out on the name of, er, Marc – yeah, that’s it! Marc! – and wonders whether he’s losing it. Meanwhile, ML comes up with a movie star who he says could be separated at birth from Marc. Listen, learn and let us know what YOU think. Dragons, sociopaths, major characters being killed without warning are all hallmarks of “Game of Thrones.” So Marc and Shawn wonder why ML is so hung up on how dirty everyone is while they’re having sex. ML, inspired by Shawn’s trip down pop culture memory lane, reads some old fake news headlines from The Onion. Marc takes us from old shows to new, getting us caught up on “The Pit,” “Adolescence,” and “White Lotus,” while ML wonders whatever happened to “Foundation.” Creepy coaches are making headlines, from Detroit to Gainesville, Florida. But ML feels that the national media betrayed viewers by largely ignoring a scandal involving the coach of the Florida Gators basketball team at the start of their national championship season. Marc asks what the media could have done better, and a lively discussion ensues. Attorney Amir Makled was detained at Detroit Metro Airport on his way back from a family vacation. He zooms in to tell the crew what happened – and why we should all be concerned. Tresa Baldas broke the story in the Detroit Free Press. Read all about it here.If you missed ML’s latest “On Guard” column, get it here. Shawn weighs in on the Pistons’ recent struggles in his latest column. Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal. Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here. GEEK OF THE WEEK: Everybody votes for change, only to have the new regime do exactly what voters said they didn’t like about the old regime. If you’re OK with this, you’re this week’s geek. ROOM 7609: Shawn takes charge and books The Average White Band into the New Wave suite to perform “A Love of Your Own,” prompting a discussion of listening habits and why ML never liked it when radio deejays “hit the post.” Send us your favorite tune or deep cut or track from an obscure band – along with a story about the ditty – by writi...

    1h 17m

  4. APR 1

    The Return of the Queen – April 1, 2025

    Erika Erickson is BACK! ML and Marc also welcome Shawn back to Red Shovel Headquarters to discuss matters ranging from women with beards to men whose rugs need scrubbing. STRAIGHT DOPE: Promises made, promises kept! ERIKA FRIGGING ERICKSON makes her triumphant return to the show. Some say she enjoys podcasting, but we know she really just loves hanging out in a basement with three dorks. Months after Erika designed some new duds for the ML Soul of Detroit merch shop, ML presents her with a t-shirt, then challenges Shawn to try on the crop top Erika THOUGHT was meant for her. Soulmates can see how the how deal goes down … and who ends up putting on the crop top. To become a Soulmate, and get the video version of the show, join our Patreon supporters group by using this link. ML recalls the first time he saw a woman with whiskers, Erika recalls when she worked in a bar with bearded women and Marc and Shawn check their chins. Erika loves being back on TV – and boy has she told some crazy stories! One of them gets ML and Marc beefing about – what else – the Wolverines and Spartans.   Shawn is BACK! He talks about life as a road warrior, as well as the epic seasons ML’s Spartans and Marc’s Wolverines just wrapped up. Lawyers are looking for Mel Tucker. ML says a source told him where Mel is hanging out … and it’s a place where it’s ok to handle the tools. Erika believes Shawn is separated at birth from a famous and equally dyspeptic character. Listen and learn … and let us know if you agree! Who knew that toupee maintenance was a big deal. Erika tells us about a man with a well-disguised rug that nevertheless needs a good shampooing. ML’s latest column calls out Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who he says should stick to politics instead of giving phony history lessons. Read it here. Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal. Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here. GEEK OF THE WEEK: A Detroiter who left his gator – not his gators – in a Cheboygan motel is this week’s geek. ROOM 7609: ML marks Erika’s triumphant return by choosing a song that he believes captures everyone’s feeling about her participation in the show: Paul Young’s “Come Back and Stay.” Send us your favorite tune or deep cut or track from an obscure band – along with a story about the ditty – by writing to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com. LATEST SOULMATE: ML offers TransAtlantic thanks to Vince, the newest member of our Patreon supporters club!

    1h 15m

  5. MAR 25

    Resurrecting Rock – March 25, 2025

    TRIGGER WARNING: Third Man Records’ Ben Blackwell joins ML and Marc to talk about ML’s failed city council campaign before discussing his effort to resurrect the career of obscure Detroit rocker Ted Lucas. STRAIGHT DOPE: ML confuses the Apple TV soccer coach with the obscure Detroit musician Ben Blackwell is trying to put back in circulation by pressing new records at Third Man Records. You may know who Ted Lasso is. But you’ll have to listen to learn why Ted Lucas may be worth a spin on your turntable. Gentle Ben is such a hardcore Detroit history buff that the only sure way to rise his ire is to refer to the Cass Corridor by the nickname a PR and marketing firm came up with to promote the neighborhood between downtown and the New Center. Do you know what that name is? There have been lots of characters on Detroit City Council, but not a lot of notoriously flamboyant candidates (besides, of course, ML). So Ben, Marc and ML discuss some of the celebrities who got elected. The list includes a Motown star, a cop-turned movie star and a former Detroit Tiger. Can you name them? You’ll never believe what ML saw one of Martha Reeves’ assistants pulling out of her trunk at city hall. Listen to hear this strange-but-true tale. Legendary Free Press reporter and columnist Bill McGraw and legendary counter-culture troublemaker John Sinclar’s wife spent a combined 70+ years earning their bachelor’s degrees. ML and Ben tell you where they went – and what took so long! Ted Lucas died 30 years ago, but Ben has been trying to resurrect his career for more than a decade. He tells ML and Marc about the man and his music. And what he found in the Lucas boys’ garage. Marc asks Ben who game up with the genius idea to give away Jack White’s latest album – the so-called No Name album. Ben dishes the inside details. Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal.Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here. GEEK OF THE WEEK: A man who was so upset that he was not invited to a funeral wins this week’s award for nearly causing a funeral. ROOM 7609: Listener Mike is feeling wistful when he books the Menzingers into the New Wave suite to sing about their “High School Friend.” Send us your favorite tune or deep cut or track from an obscure band – along with a story about the ditty – by writing to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com. LATEST SOULMATEML welcomes John and Keith to our Patreon supporters club! FEEDBACK: Stouts, basketball and crazy frat stories dominate our feedback segment. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com DONATE OR SPONSOR US: Support us on Patreon or make a donation at mlsoulofdetroit.com or drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show! We now accept donations via Venmo (and if Venmo tells you your money is going to DaisyHouseLLC,

    1h 18m

  6. MAR 18

    Fools Gold – March 17, 2025

    ML and Marc broadcast from the Cadieux Cafe on St. Patrick’s Day, and ML learns why Marc hates doing remotes. STRAIGHT DOPE After overcoming yet another technical nightmare while trying to broadcast outside the friendly confines of Red Shovel Network HQ, ML looks back on the 5th anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and wonders whether we’ve learned anything? Marc offers his answer. What’s yours? The Cadieux Cafe was preparing to host the show’s first-ever roadshow in 2020 when ML stopped by on a Friday night to see whether folks would be able to social distance at the intimate Eastside establishment. While a Rush cover band rocked on, and a drunken patron covered him in spittle, ML began to have doubts. But what happened a few days later resolved all of his concerns. Listen and learn what historic event let the Soul of Detroit crew off the hook. Here’s an old story: Instead of celebrating their Big Ten Tournament victory, Wolverine fans are complaining that they got jobbed with their seeding for March Madness Marc questions whether ML’s X post about the so-called Big Brother was sincere. Marc also thows shade on ML’s contention that losing in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament may be the best thing to help his Spartans go on a deep tournament run. Before he was James Bond, Sean Connery starred in this Irish folktale produced by Disney. Can you name it? We know, we know; you’ve heard it before. But we’ve worked out a plan to get Erika Erickson back on the show regularly. Tune in to find out more! ML tells some stories of his time as an assistant warden at the youth hostel in Killarney, Ireland, and how he used to torture obnoxious guests by playing SubPop artist The Dwarves at high volume. If you missed us on St. Patrick’s Day, come out on Friday Aug. 1 for Soul Night at the Cadieux. We’ll have live music, VIP events for members of the Soulmates and great music by Shashta Fox and The Kings English. Can former Detroit Police Chief James Craig win the mayor’s race? ML sat with him last week and assesses his chances in his latest “On Guard” column for the Free Press. Read it here. Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal. Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here. GEEK OF THE WEEK An influencer who messes with a baby wombat is this week’s absolutely selfish, rotten, horrible … geek.  ROOM 7609 The Waterboys “Fishermans Blues” was in heavy rotation when ML deejayed at the youth hostel, so he books them into the New Wave suite for St. Patrick’s Day. Send us your song — with great story attached — at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com SOULMATE UPDATE Will you please be our Soulmate?

    47 min

  7. MAR 11

    Bitchers & Catchers Report – March 11, 2025

    Legend Eli Zaret zooms in with some classic baseball stories and hot takes from sunny Florida, while Marc continues to fight a virulent virus and Shawn finally ends his quest for T.P. STRAIGHT DOPE: Come join us in person on Monday, March 17 for our annual St. Patrick’s Day show at the Cadieux Café, where we’ll be recording live from noon to 2 p.m. Eli takes us back 50 years to tell a tale of spring training when the Tigers were at their nadir. He says he’ll never forget what a recumbent Gates Brown told him while the rest of the Home 9 hustled to get ready for the season. Listen and learn – and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed. ML, Marc and Eli reminisce about the phenom who followed that awful 1975 squad during Detroit’s bicentennial: Mark “The Bird” Fydrich. Eli fondly reflects on the simple farm boy from Massachusetts, and how the cheapskate Tigers never gave him his due. Which is why he bought the dump truck that would play a key role in his untimely demise. Tiger Stadium was a ballpark like no other, with fans close to the field and foul territory so narrow pitchers needed protection as they warmed up. ML is still wondering why they didn’t want any pepper on the field, though. If you can help him, drop us a line at mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com. Eli trots out a couple old MSU burns when ML asks him to opine on the latest chapter on the ever-roiling rivalry between THE university of Michigan and the University of Michigan. Meanwhile, Marc wonders what all the fuss is about. ML tells a tale of some children who know how to handle the rivalry. Hear all about it. And heed their example! Shawn makes the scene and asks Eli if he sees any parallels between former Pistons GM Troy Weaver and current Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Eli weighs in on the fate of two franchises who are rebuilding, and why one is doing so much better than the other. Sideburns, chaw and Bob Sykes. If you are a long-time Tiger fan, you know exactly what ML is talking about when he asks Eli whether he had better muttonchops than a long-forgotten Tiger hurler. With just 30 seconds left before Eli has to hit the links, ML asks him to share his thoughts on Donald Trump and Eli Musk. Can the consummate TV newsman fit it all in before the break? You’ll have to listen to find out. ML causes more controversy when he calls out Michigan AG Dana Nessel’s special agents and their secret records. Read all about it here, where you can also hear ML caught on tape. Shawn turns in another outstanding column, this time about a man who encouraged us to savor every moment, even as he was running out of time. Check it out here. Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal.Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes,

    1h 10m

  8. MAR 7

    Andy Dirks & Jerks (Replay) – March 7, 2025

    We’re revisiting a show from October. Erika Erickson is back and we’re talking with Tigers broadcaster Andy Dirks… while Shawn is cleaning his dirty drawers in Cleveland. STRAIGHT DOPE: Fresh off his appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show, ML starts the podcast with a tribute to his favorite host of the Carlos & Shawn podcast … Mr. Monarrez. Former Tiger Andy Dirks, who provides color commentary, zooms in to talk about the Detroit Tigers amazing season. Andy breaks down the managerial genius of AJ Hinch, whose ability to put players in a position to succeed prompts ML to reveal the similarities between the Tigers skipper and his leadership of the Detroit Free Press recreational co-ed Wednesday night Belle Isle softball team. Andy politely pretends to take a call in the middle of ML’s incisive analysis. Erika says it seems like the young Tigers are having a lot of fun and defying expectations. Andy offers his insights. Andy contrasts the 2011-2014 Tigers he played on with the current squad. He said his Tigers were starter-heavy, with horses like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the starting rotation. The current Tigers have only one horse: Tarik Skubal. How do you hit a 100-mph fastball? Andy discusses batting strategy and how pinch hitters prepare to face flamethrowers. ML – again – sees parallels between how he helps the members of his softball team prepare to face pitchers … hurling 10-mph pitches. Marc asks ML about the column that got him on Rachel Maddow, an investigation into where U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers really lives. Shawn dials in to discuss why he skipped dinner with Jennifer Hammond to wash his drawers in a Cleveland laundromat. Teen trolls stop Shawn on the street in Houston. ML says he’s pretty sure his cousin Jeffrey was not involved, but he can’t guarantee it. Please support the show and join the Soul Patrol by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. At the $25 and $60 a month levels, you get free swag and exclusive merchandise. Sign up here: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon GEEK OF THE WEEK: ML lets Marc peek this week’s geek … and instantly regrets it. ROOM 7609: Marc revives “Bless You Boys,” prompting many comments about the lame video and triggering a conversation about Detroit sports theme songs. Send us your favorite deep cut or obscure band – and a story about them or why they mean something to you – by writing to mlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com. FEEDBACK: Robert Dorigo Jones is the newest Soulmate, while P*nis Breath checks in again to clear up some confusion. Then Hannah gives ML hell from Holly. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – atmlsoulofdetroit@gmail.com SAVE WITH SOUL: Use promo code SOUL to get 10% off your registration for sports leagues with Come Play Detroit at www.comeplaydetroit.com and promo code MLSOUL to save $40 off a 15-person ped...

    1h 41m
See All (300)

4.7
out of 5
610 Ratings

About

News, views, inside stories -- long AND short -- all well-told.

Information

  • Creator
    ML Soul of Detroit
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    ML Soul of Detroit

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada