SHIT2GRIT

David and Marshall share an insightful Tyler Dunne article from Go Long ( "Ass-Kicking Origins: Why the Detroit Lions Are Built for 2024 Football" ) to explain why they weren't the least bit worried about the Lions going into the Arizona Cardinals game. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Author Bill Morris joins us to discuss ⁠ The Lions Finally Roar ⁠ , his chronicle of the Detroit Lions's organizational dysfunction and dramatic turnaround. (02:40) The time David kind of met William Clay Ford (05:08) The urine-soaked legacy of the Silverdome (07:49) How Bill’s father was almost the general manager of the Lions—and why that epitomizes the organization’s struggles (13:44) The r...

We document the unimaginable: a meaningless Detroit Lions preseason finale that a) was sold out—even for standing-room-only!—and b) featured a crowd so loud  they actually affected the outcome of the game. Then: (10:10) Did David invent the phrase "going sideways?" Did Marshall invent The Floor is Lava? And the essential quality of bringing yourself present to the moment (16:08) Why MTV&...

David and Marshall discuss: David's observations of his son's band-camp dance this week—and our own nerve-wracking high-school experiences calling girls we liked; who's playing—and who should be playing—John Madden in the upcoming biopic on his life (08:33); who wins the daily practice battle between superstars Penei Sewell and Aiden Hutchinson (16:51) and why; do you make room on your...

Inspired by the Detroit Lions' reinvention many of us believed would never happen, David and Marshall discuss and debate other successful—and unsuccessful—reinventions in our lifetimes, in entertainment, business and (20:38) sports. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

David and Marshall discuss what the preseason really means, flash back to when the most popular person in Detroit was our backup quarterback (06:17), and wonder if backup QBs get practice reps with the first-team offense (08:00). Then we ask: when, if ever, should an NFL player choose going down or running out of bounds, versus fighting for an extra yard and risking injury (12:33)? Theme music: Mr...

Part 2 of 2. David wonders if our phones are listening to us, tells Marshall how to make their bedroom bats more effective against intruders (07:59), and has an intense reaction to a comment Dan Campbell made to Sports Illustrated (11:38). Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 1 of 2. David and Marshall try to solve a dead-rabbits mystery before they discuss second chances: will the Detroit Lions become only the third NFL team in the last 30 years to lose a conference championship, and come back the next season to win it (18:34)? And…what about second chances in love (29:54)? Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 3 of 3. Heather joins for a fascinating 'offseason' (translation: about our friendship, not football) episode. Last time, David was rocked when Heather said the phrase "okay, great!" David shares what that moment was like for him (01:17); then Heather explains what was actually going on for her when she said it. Also last episode, when Marshall went inside to get Heather, Da...

Pt. 2 of 3. David and Marshall discuss: What David said to that know-it-all neighbor about his perennials (01:30) Do Black people need sunscreen? (04:01) Then Heather joins us to resolve hurt feelings from the last time we were at David's house (08:35). Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 1 of 3. On Father's Day, David and Marshall intend to record an episode on the Lions and reinvention, but this time we get lost in the weeds (pun intended) breaking down Marshall's experience mowing his first-ever lawn earlier this week. Also discussed: the transformative power of making your bed; movies that hinge on a 'deadman's brake;' the joys—and occasional letdowns—o...

Football is essentially over until training camp. But our ongoing conversation continues, without football this week. We started this season of SHIT2GRIT revisiting the violent tale of Cam Sutton, which apparently occurred when he was dealing with a failed relationship. We've also been talking about all the factors that go into giving a player a 'max' contract, and the lack of coaching...

Part 3 of 3. Brad Holmes has a proven track record as a GM in every area but one: re-signing his own draft picks. Holmes just gave cornerstone deals to three players: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Jared Goff. From Marshall’s perspective, all three cornerstones are not on equal footing. From David’s perspective, Holmes had no choice.  That subject ties our last few episodes together. We recal...

Pt. 2 of 3. David sends Marshall an Instagram video of two football players, one expressing frustration with the other's on-field communication. It launches us into a discussion about the nature of communication in high-pressure situations in professional sports. What's the impact of ego on your ability to listen? Is insensitivity always obvious? Is what we're hearing passion or aggres...

Part 1 of 3. On our way to a conversation about Brad Holmes, David and Marshall get sidetracked. We reflect on: our 50th episode; what got Marshall into podcasting and into football; David recalls a phrase from last week that bothered David but resonated for Marshall; what bothered us both about Barry Sanders; an Instagram video about body language and making mistakes In Part 2, we discuss Brad Ho...

Part 2 of 2. Chris Perfett of the late Pride of Detroit PODcast finishes his breakdown of the Detroit Lions' 2024 draft. Chris also discusses game theory, his relationship with sports, and what the PODcast journey has meant to him. Afterwards, David and Marshall debrief how stressful it was keeping up with Perfett's untouchable knowledge base while dealing with David's dying phone, and...

Part 1 of 2. David and Marshall are thrilled to have Chris Perfett , creator and host of the now-defunct Pride of Detroit PODcast, join us to break down the Lions' draft. Covered on Part 1: the draft in the D; Terrion Arnold ; Ennis Rakestraw Jr. ; the Lions's cornerbacks room; man-mountain Giovanni Manu .  (02:48) "We've suddenly become legit"  (08:47) "Guess who's...

On the weekend before the 2024 NFL draft, and as we get back into the groove of doing the show, David and Marshall reflect on what's changed for us as longtime Lions fans in one calendar year. We discuss: what it's like to be rooting for a winning Lions culture for the first time ever what makes a culture great what positions we predict Holmes will focus on in the draft what we feel about...

In the Season 2 premiere, David and Marshall delve back into the story of former Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton, who committed a violent crime, fled the scene, and avoided the police for almost a month before turning himself in. We consider the impact of violent jobs on personal relationships, and the essential quality of being able to 'turn it off' after a game. We also explore ways the...

Season 1 finale. David and Marshall begin their final convo of the season by talking about running, marathons and punchlines (01:57), 'press on' (you're welcome, David) with acknowledgements of friends of this podcast (05:43), reflect on this season of our show (09:50) and of this remarkable Lions season (17:36), and conclude with a chat from the past that features a hauntingly powerful message fo...

Many OG Detroit Lions fans went negative after the Lions' devastating loss in the NFC Championship game. Not David and Marshall. "It makes me nervous, but that means I should do it" (01:06) | "Younger siblings seem to not rush into stuff" (04:32) | "He looks devastated" (09:54) | "I think Brad Holmes is setting us up for long term success" (13:22) | "You can't find something to be grateful for? Ar...

The Detroit Lions now stand one win from the Super Bowl. David raises a glass to toast the playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (01:35); then we discuss TV shows with dark endings, answering machine messages, talking with dads and wrestling with sons (05:40). Next, we consider how unique it is to have a head coach be the face of our NFL franchise (18:07) and wonder what it is that makes p...

In an emotional episode, David and Marshall talk before and after the Detroit Lions' first playoff victory in 32 years. Before the game starts, David helps Marshall recapture the feeling of hope as a fan watching a game. The morning after the win (26:39), the team's generational accomplishment slowly starts to sink in. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)" |...

David and Marshall prepared an episode anticipating an uneventful contest against the Minnesota Vikings to close out the 2023 regular season. Since the game was decidedly eventful, we begin by sharing our polarized reactions to Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell's approach in the finale: start regulars and don't take a knee. Then we do a deeper dive into last week's ref fiasco against the Cowboys (0...

Before the thrilling Lions victory that wasn't against the Dallas Cowboys, David and Marshall consider where belief in a team comes from. After the game (22:17), we find inspiration, not dejection, in the Lions's resolute performance. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)" | Our thanks for the transition music to MondayHopes on Pixabay