How It's Related

This week your favorite cousins take on a ridiculous—but kind of brilliant—thought experiment: if aliens landed tomorrow and wanted to understand music, what songs would we play for them? Adam and Mike build their intergalactic playlist with classics, curveballs, and a few controversial takes (yes, someone said “Happy Birthday”). It’s a mix of nostalgia, music history, and pure chaos—as always.📝...

This week your favorite cousins take on a rock titan: Dave Grohl. Is he really the nicest guy in music—or is that just the brand? Adam and Mike break down Grohl’s journey from Nirvana to Foo Fighters, the myth of the DIY hero, and why owning your music matters more than ever. 📝 Topics we hit: Why Grohl is both everywhere and… kind of predictable The myth of the “nice guy” rocker What made Foo Fig...

In part two of their breakdown of Lil Wayne’s The Carter VI, Adam and Mike tackle the second half of the album — with honesty, exhaustion, and just enough optimism to keep going. From high hopes to big misses, they offer thumbs up and thumbs down on each track, debate lyrics vs. vibes, and ask the important questions like: “Why Bono?” and “What even is Peanuts to an Elephant?”---🎧 What You’ll Hea...

This week , your favorite cousins kick off our two-part review of The Carter VI by none other than Lil Wayne (or as we say, Little Wayne – government name only). We break down the first half of the album track-by-track and give our honest, slightly confused reactions. It’s full of bangers, weird collabs, nostalgic vibes, and... Bono?📝 Topics we hit:Lil Wayne’s cadence still slaps (even when the l...

Join your favorite cousins for a music-fueled riff session that somehow connects TikTok trends, bedtime playlists, Foo Fighters ballads, and punk rock reimaginings. It’s less of a plan and more of a vibe this week, and if you've ever Shazam'd a random dance song mid-scroll, this one's for you. The TikTok rabbit hole: discovering songs like “Friendships” by Pascal Letoublon and why it gives life. H...

Welcome back to How It's Related , where today we’re still reeling from our Detroit trip and digging into albums that didn’t hit at first—but aged like fine gravy. Pinkerton, Load, Paul's Boutique, 808s & Heartbreak... we break down the albums that bombed, the bands that risked it, and how expectations shape legacy. 🎵 Highlights include: Detroit recap and city slander rebuttal 🍊 Weez...

It’s almost Mike’s birthday… but does he care? Not even a little. This week, Adam and Mike get into birthday apathy, why Mexican restaurants always feel like a party, and how one surprise Metallica concert changed everything.🎙 In This Episode:Mike’s 43rd birthday is coming—yawnAdam’s mom has birthday guilt tactics🎸 That time Mike saw Metallica for free at Tower Records🧁 The “Happy Birthday” song...

It’s almost Mike’s birthday… but does he care? Not even a little. This week, Adam and Mike get into birthday apathy, why Mexican restaurants always feel like a party, and how one surprise Metallica concert changed everything. 🎙 In This Episode: Mike’s 43rd birthday is coming— yawn Adam’s mom has birthday guilt tactics 🎸 That time Mike saw Metallica for free at Tower Records 🧁 The “Happy Birthday...

This week on How It’s Related, Adam and Mike reflect on Mother’s Day, grilled steaks, and generational musical gaps—especially the wide-open one between Acoustic Alchemy and Deftones.🎵 Main Topics RecapAdam's dad brings out the "old guy chords"Mike explains why theory doesn’t drive creativity for himAcoustic Alchemy vs. Deftones: different languages, same passionThe Paul McCartney s...

This week, Adam and Mike crank up the volume (and the opinions) for a hot take on some of the most hated—and weirdly successful—bands of all time. From Creed and Nickelback to Three Doors Down, Fuel, and even Daughtry, the guys debate whether the hate is justified or just a trend. Along the way, they:🎸 Break down the stats between Creed and Nickelback🦷 Explore the rise of “Dental Office Rock”🎤...

This week on How It's Related , Adam and Mike dive into the newly announced Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, including Outkast, Soundgarden, Chubby Checker, and more — and they’re not holding back on the snubs, surprises, and hilarious sidebars. Main Topics Recap 🤔 Why is Chubby Checker just now getting in? 🎶 Outkast’s case for the Hall and why it’s a little complicated 🚫 Big snubs: Pixies...

Welcome back to How It’s Related , where cousins Adam and Mike dig deeper into the tracks that didn’t top the charts but still hit just as hard. This week, it's all about deep cuts —those lesser-known songs that left a lasting impression. 🎶 In this episode: The great ketchup bottle debate 🍅 Revisiting the "alphabet game" from a past podcast 🎤 A heated discussion about Silverchair’s true deep cu...

🎙 Welcome to Episode 15 of How It’s Related! This week, Adam and Mike take a break from brackets to celebrate something sacred: Record Store Day. From surprise vinyl finds to discovering your new favorite song at a $5 lunch spot, this episode is full of nostalgia, hot takes, and a whole lot of Queens of the Stone Age. The cousins hit up Wooden Nickel in Fort Wayne (completely by accident), get sor...

🎙 Welcome to Episode 14 of How It’s Related ! The madness ends here. Adam and Mike finally reveal their completed Music Bracket Madness —a four-region, 64-artist showdown covering Pop, Rock, Rap, and Country. After weeks of fierce debates and controversial upsets, one artist stands alone as the all-genre champion. Does Nas outlast Metallica? Did someone really pick Hall & Oates over Black Sabb...

🎙 Welcome to Episode 13 of How It’s Related! Pop goes the bracket! This week, Adam and Mike dive into the world of glitter, hooks, and heartbreak to assemble the ultimate Pop Music Bracket —a 16-artist showdown that somehow includes both the Backstreet Boys and Phil Collins. Can Mariah Carey out-sing Elton John? Does Lady Gaga belong in the same conversation as Madonna? And how many boy bands are...

It’s rap bracket time! This week, Adam and Mike take on the impossible task of ranking 16 of the greatest rappers of all time—combining lyrical skill, legacy, and cultural impact… with a little bit of chaos. From Eminem and Tupac to KRS-One and almost Ludacris, the arguments fly fast in this one. Can Snoop Dogg really take down Dolly Parton in a bracket showdown? Will Tech N9ne survive the cut? An...

🎙 Welcome to Episode 11 of How It’s Related ! March means bracket season , and this week, Adam and Mike break down the Country Music Bracket —whether they like it or not! From classic legends to modern chart-toppers , the guys react to an AI-generated ranking of the top 16 country artists of all time. Does Keith Urban belong on the list? Does anyone actually dislike Johnny Cash? And is Bo Burnham...

March Music Madness Begins: The Rock Bracket is Here! It’s bracket season, but we’re swapping basketballs for basslines! Adam and Mike are launching their own version of March Madness—a full tournament-style bracket featuring the biggest names in music history. And first up? Rock & Roll. In this episode, Mike unveils his Top 16 Rock Artists and ranks them from underdog to unstoppable, setting...

Join cousins Adam and Mike as they mix college basketball energy with a brand-new twist on music debates. In this episode, the guys introduce music bracketology—a fun, opinionated challenge where genres go head-to-head and top bands are ranked in a bracket-style showdown. From R&B and hip hop to country, pop, and rock, they lay out their plan to score and debate the best of the best. And yes,...

Join cousins Adam and Mike as they dive into the wild world of movie soundtracks and scores—starting with hilarious sound-check mishaps and burp-induced microphone mayhem, and journeying through debates on what makes a soundtrack truly iconic. In this episode, they hash out everything from girl movies versus cult classics to why Hans Zimmer’s epic beats in Batman still give us goosebumps. Get read...

Join cousins Adam and Mike as they take a wild trip down memory lane, diving deep into the best—and most bizarre—musical moments from Saturday Night Live. From epic cowbell moments and unforgettable guest performances to cheeky behind-the-scenes tales, this episode is a nostalgic rollercoaster through live TV history that’ll have you laughing and reminiscing about the good old days of SNL.What’s I...

Join cousins Adam and Mike as they dive headfirst into one of the most talked-about topics in music: the sizzling beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake—and the Super Bowl halftime show that set off a media firestorm! In this episode of How It’s Related, the duo unpacks everything from the origins of the rap feud to whether the halftime performance was a genuine display of artistry or just a carefu...

This week join cousins Mike and Adam as we’re diving into two big topics: the fallout from the Grammys and a deep dive into Mike’s time in the band Unjust—a band that shaped his music career and identity in a way he never expected. 🔥 In This Episode: 🎤 The Grammys: Do They Even Matter? The winners, the snubs, and the Rolling Stones still winning awards?! 🤯 Beyoncé’s country win—deserved or just...

Join cousins Adam and Mike Merino as they take a fun, spontaneous dive into the world of making music—from impromptu 311 covers to exploring Linkin Park’s surprising new vocalist! In this episode, they share behind-the-scenes clips from their one-take version of “Beautiful Disaster,” chat about what it’s like to jam together in Mike’s basement, and reveal why some bands change singers—and how fans...

In this week’s episode, cousins Adam and Mike Merino dive deep into the fascinating world of playlists. Are you a meticulous playlist curator, building the perfect vibe for every mood, or do you treat your liked songs as a living, breathing time capsule? Adam and Mike explore their wildly different approaches to listening to music, with plenty of laughs, debates, and heartfelt stories along the wa...