The Far Middle

Episode 51 of The Far Middle features a first dual-dedication to Ichiro Suzuki and Dick Butkus—two great number 51’s who, while opposites in their approach, shared greatness. Their success was grounded in a “good old-fashioned work ethic,” says Nick, before quoting Calvin Coolidge: “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort me...

Episode 50 of The Far Middle is dedicated to the elite NHL players who’ve scored 50 goals in the first 50 games of a season, and in particular the Islanders’ Mike Bossy. Nick recounts the dramatic final five minutes of the 50 th game of the 1980-81 season where Bossy netted his 49 th and 50 th goals. Next in this episode’s line-up, Nick provides an overview of the oil industry, from the different...

Episode 49 of The Far Middle is dedicated to Robert “Bobby” Mitchell. For those unfamiliar, Bobby was the original four-way threat, the Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders before there was a Bo or a Deion. Nick begins by discussing a recent CNBC survey and its design, which looked at President Biden’s approval rating and Americans’ top concerns. Next, Nick discusses the latest restrictions being imposed...

Episode 48 of The Far Middle is uniquely dedicated to “the strikeout.” Listen as Nick connects the number 48 to Major League Baseball strikeouts. Nick highlights Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, aka the Strikeout King, as he discusses the risk/reward of pitching for strikeouts. While on the topic of risk/reward, Nick examines ESG investing. “Doing right—sometimes—that correlates to amping up risk....

Episode 47 of The Far Middle is dedicated to Steelers cornerback Mel Blount, the lynchpin of the Steel Curtain. After reflecting on the four-time Super Bowl champ’s playing career and post-football work supporting and mentoring youth, Nick proposes we deputize the Hall of Famer to straighten things out with criminals looting and vandalizing train cargoes in California. Next, Nick discusses environ...

Episode 46 is uniquely dedicated to both Buddy Ryan’s 46 Defense and strong safety Doug Plank, “probably the most impactful player in football history that you never heard of.” After reflecting on the Chicago Bears 1985 season, Nick draws similarities to virtue signaling surrounding pandemic management, specifically New York City Mayor Eric Adams exempting athletes and performers from the city’s C...

Episode 45 of The Far Middle is dedicated to Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson—the ultimate intimidator while on the mound. In this installment, Nick discusses several troubling trends, starting with America’s mass transit systems. Despite ridership declines, government continues to pour taxpayer dollars into “keeping the rails greased.” Next, Nick questions why we’re not paying closer attention to...

Episode 44 of The Far Middle—dedicated to Hammerin’ Hank—focuses again on the Russia/Ukraine crisis. While episode 43 examined the international response to Russia’s invasion, episode 44 focuses on the disappointing leadership from President Biden and his administration. “President Biden is doing everything he can do to determine Ukraine’s fate early, and not in a good way from the perspective of...

Episode 43 of The Far Middle is a must-listen emergency, special edition focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nick examines the root cause of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia/Putin is a symptom of the West’s destructive energy policies. Extreme climate change policies and environmentalism gift Putin leverage and the opportunity for aggression, explains Nick. He walks thr...

Episode 42 of The Far Middle is dedicated to the extraordinary Jackie Robinson and includes four insights you might not know about the groundbreaking second baseman. Nick reflects on a few myths that are about to deliver societal jolts, including the fallacy that climate change policies will improve America’s geopolitical standing and weaken our adversaries. “Guess what, just the opposite is occur...

Episode 41 of The Far Middle is dedicated to 12-time All-Star Tom Seaver. In looking back at “Tom Terrific’s” career, Nick notes his career stats, including an earned run average below 3.00. “The only thing lower than Tom Seaver’s career ERA seems these days to be office occupancy rates in big cities,” says Nick as he examines the causes and consequences of people not returning to in-person work. ...

Episode 40 of The Far Middle is dedicated to Gale Sayers, the “Kansas Comet.” Nick recalls the legendary rusher’s famous quote, "Give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need.” And he compares that to the use-to-be work ethic of the American worker, “just give me a job, that’s all I need.” Nick examines America’s declining workforce participation and how that will have far-ranging economic impa...

Episode 39 of The Far Middle is dedicated to the one-and-only Dave Parker, aka “The Cobra.” Nick recounts how Parker was a feared, force to be reckoned with—both in the field and in the batter’s box. While The Cobra didn’t play it safe, Nick discusses how the same can’t be said of our education system today. Across American schools the term “out of an abundance of caution” has taken precedence ove...

Episode 38 is dedicated to Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ray Dandrige, “the greatest third baseman you’ve never heard of.” While Ray was playing stellar ball at the hot corner, across the globe Joseph Stalin was tearing up humanity and giving rise to the “whole of government” approach we hear so much about today. Next, Nick examines coastal big city real estate markets; questioning that if the elite clas...

Episode 37 is dedicated to the great sport of boxing, with a special focus on the 1970s—the Golden Age of heavyweights. Nick pays tribute to the self-described greatest of all time Muhammad Ali (and his 37 career knockouts), before transitioning to one of the self-described medical profession greats, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Following this week’s “Fauci Focus,” Nick’s “Mask Mania” segment addresses the...

Episode 36 is dedicated to “The Bus.” Nick reflects on Jerome Bettis’ prowess on the football field. However, the most impressive force from number 36 is what he’s done off the field—supporting underprivileged youth and communities through the Bus Stops Here Foundation. Nick discusses Jerome’s understanding of the equation mass times acceleration, and connects it to another equation, MV=PY, as he...

Episode 35 of The Far Middle is dedicated to Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro. Nick describes the five-time All-Star knuckleballer as, “proof positive the unconventional and different is a way to make a mark in chosen field.” This Far Middle installment centers around the twisting, turning, and volatility of managing the pandemic. “Our current leaders’ management of pandemic in this nation is now...

Episode 34 is dedicated is to an athlete Jim Brown called “the epitome of greatness” – Walter Payton . In this Far Middle episode, Nick connects the explosive running of “Sweetness” to the hot-running stock market. Nick urges caution as anything and everything seems to cause a market rally these days. Meanwhile, a key spread continues to be ignored – the difference between inflation and Treasury b...

Episode 33 is dedicated to NBA superstar Larry Bird, aka “Larry Legend.” Nick notes the hardworking shooter’s many accomplishments, and also pays tribute to Bird’s contemporary Magic Johnson (who was boxed out by Jim Brown for Far Middle episode 32’s dedication). Continuing the Far Middle’s connections theme, Nick transitions from Larry Bird to the factors involved in wine purchasing—Nick argues t...

Episode 32 is dedicated to the awesome Jim Brown, while no saint, Nick describes him as “the purest of athletes.” There’s a lot of competition for the greatest to wear number 32, but Nick outlines why Brown’s athletic prowess makes him the clear choice. Nick transitions from Brown to the experience of going to an NFL game today (with an e-ticket) versus watching from the comfort of home. While als...

Episode 31 is dedicated to former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Donnie Shell. Nick discusses the Hall of Famer’s NFL career and his unique path to joining the Steelers, aided by the great Bill Nunn, Sr. “The risk/reward math you see with safeties in football, it’s the same type of important skill when it comes to pension and fund managers...we want our money managers really astute at risk/reward wiza...

Nick dedicates episode 30 to the greatest goalie of all time, Martin Brodeur. The three-time Stanley Cup champion amassed records that will unlikely be achieved again. Nick discusses how a goalie is the foundation of a hockey team’s success, similar to how energy is the foundation of a society and its economic success: “It’s no secret that I see domestic energy as the crucial bedrock foundation of...

Episode 29 of the Far Middle is dedicated to the legendary hitting machine Rod Carew. Nick discusses how the 18-time All-Star’s career was marked by keen risk-reward analysis (especially when it came to stealing home). Nick connects the idea of risk-reward analysis to investing in markets, “these days you see growing risks and diminishing rewards,” says Nick. He goes on to examine the state (and h...

In Episode 28, Nick looks at how the times they are a-changin'. In recognition of number 28, Nick dedicates this episode to hall-of-fame pitcher Bert Blyleven whose  career  highlights include 242 complete games pitched, but how the times are a changin’ for the role of a starting pitcher. Nick next recounts a few observations suggesting positive changes occurring on college campuses following a co...

Episode 27 begins with a reflection on Carlton Fisk, one of the most-iconic number 27’s of the sports world. An 11-time All-Star catcher and Hall-of-Famer, Fisk’s fire and drive embodied 1970s baseball. Fisk was also no stranger to a collision, and this Far Middle episode connects a few “collision dots.” Specifically, government policy colliding with the real economy, education, science, and urban...