Mike Safo

Joined today by former Park Ranger and now author, Andrea Lankford.  Andrea and I talk about what led her to be a park ranger, the stunning landscape that is her workplace and what caused her to retire after only 12 years. We chat about her first book “Ranger Confidential”; when she knew she had a hit on her hands and other books she wrote. Andrea shares her newest book “Trails of the Lost” and ho...

Joined today by 2-time World Series Champion and MLB veteran, "The King" Jim Leyritz. Jim talks about growing up in Cincinnati, idolizing Pete Rose and the life changing advice Johnny Bench gave him when he was 14. We hear why Jim abandoned his basketball dreams, breaking his foot right before the MLB draft and how he ended up at the University of Kentucky. Jim chats about meeting the Yankee scout...

Joined today by former light middleweight champion of the world Sadam Ali and co-host, former boxer Will “Power” Rosinsky. This episode was recorded from Sadam’a gym in Brooklyn. We chat about how Sadam and Will met each other, their initial thoughts on each other’s skills and how Sadam eating at a restaurant alone got us together. Sadam gets right into it and announces that he’s on the verge of a...

Joined today by Head Coach of the Philippines National Baseball team, former Oakland A's draft pick in 1990 and head coach of LA Pierce College, Coach Bill Picketts. Bill and I talk about his first year at Long Beach State, their Cinderella run to the College Baseball World Series, and where the name "Dirtbags" came from. We hear about how Bill got the call in 1990 that he was drafted, his time in...

Joined today by co-host of “True Crime Garage“ and author of the incredible new book "The Delphi Murders: The Quest to Find The Man on the Bridge", Nic Edwards. Nic shares why he chose to write a book on this horrific case, what the process of writing his first book was like, and how he juggled researching his podcast and writing the book simultaneously. We chat about the case starting with the la...

Joined today by Pulitzer Prize winning author, David Maraniss. David and I chat about getting the phone call that he won the Pulitzer, the gifts that come with it and what he did the first time he saw someone reading his book. David talks about his podcast with his daughter “Ink in our blood” and what made him want to venture into that medium. We hear why David makes it a point to visit, and often...

Joined today by traveler and author of the tremendous book “Mad Travelers: A Tale of Wanderlust, Greed and the Quest to Reach the Ends of the Earth”, Dave Seminara. Dave talks about growing up in Buffalo, the tragedy he feels being a Buffalo Bills fan, and if he’s losing hope that he’ll ever witness his team win a Super Bowl. Dave then talks about why he joined the foreign service, daily activitie...

Joined today by TWO New York Times best-selling authors, Erik Larson and Abbott Kahler. Abbott and Erik share their story on how they met 20 years ago, what shocked them to learn about each other, and why they have stayed friends for such a long period of time. Abbott talks about why she changed her name at 40, if she is worried that her name change will affect her book sales, and why changing her...

Joined today by New York Times best-selling author Jeff Guinn. Jeff and I talk about last night’s Super Bowl; where he watched it and what he thought of the horrendous “holding” call. Jeff looks back on the first time he saw someone reading his book and what happened that caused him to never approach someone holding his book ever again. He goes on to talk about his incredible new book “ Waco: Davi...

Joined today all the way from Uganda, viral baseball sensation Kasumba Dennis and his coach Paul Wafula.  We talk about visiting Uganda, gorilla trekking, what’s there to do there and food you must try when you visit the Pearl of Africa. We discuss how the United States military came to Uganda and how the citizens saw them playing and fell in love with the game. We chat about how Coach Paul’s tale...

Joined today by Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for Baseball United, John Miedrich. John talks about growing up in Long Island, why he joined the NYPD, and what lifelong lessons he learned early on in his life patrolling the streets of East New York. We chat about his illustrious career climbing the ranks and serving as the commanding officer of the NYPD International Liaison Unit....

Joined today by award winning author of "Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain", Charles Leerhsen. Charles and I talk about growing up in New York, becoming an editor for Sports Illustrated, and when he knew the time had come to move on from SI. We discuss his time writing for Newsday, venturing out on his own projects and how he convinced Simon and Schuster to allow him to write...

Joined today by crime reporter, author of “Monster: The True Story of the Jeffrey Dahmer Murders”, and star of the Netflix show “Conversations with a killer”, Anne E. Schwartz.  Annie talks about growing up in Queens, moving to the “Cream City” and volunteering to be the nighttime beat reporter with the Milwaukee PD.  We chat about cop humor, ride alongs and how she gained the trust of the police...

Joined today by former UFC fighter and current PFL top contender, Chris “The Long Island Killer” Wade. Chris and I talk about World Cup Fever, why he’s ok with the Mets buying every free agent and if he thinks Danny Dimes is the Giants QB for the future. Chris tells us about being part owner of Long Island Strong (Lislandstrong.com), how he got involved and why he always wanted to be his own boss....

Joined today by professor, author and retired commanding officer of the NYPD Cold Case Squad, Joseph Giacalone, as well as retired NYPD Lieutenant Sean Williams.  Joe talks about why he joined the NYPD, getting assigned to the 47th precinct and a crazy gun battle that earned him the medal of valor. We talk about his rise through the department to sergeant and then to internal affairs and how restr...

Joined today by Country Music artist and rabid Kentucky basketball fan, JD Shelburne.  JD talks about his favorite Christmas songs, the best and worst things about growing up on a tobacco farm in Kentucky, and attending University of Kentucky (UK). We chat about the current state of Kentucky basketball, where we were when we found out we signed Coach Cal, and if we expect too much from the players...

Joined today by runner, journalist and New York Times Best Selling Author, Christopher McDougall. Chris talks about growing up in Philly, moving out to Lancaster and then settling down in Hawaii. Chris tells me how he was recruited for crew during his basketball practice and how he parlayed that into rowing for Harvard. We hear how as a failed High School English teacher, he decided to backpack th...

Joined today by Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the owners of Baseball United, Barry Larkin. Barry talks about what he loves about New York, from its energy to the passionate fans and tells a hilarious story about playing at Shea Stadium. We chat about Baseball United, the first professional baseball league created to serve the Middle East and South Asia and what was so intriguing about this ven...

Joined today by wrestling legend, Jumping Jim Brunzell. Jim and I talk about growing up in Minnesota, walking on and playing football for MU, the Vikings and some must try foods in the "Twin Cities". Jim talks about his fandom for Bruce Springsteen, his new music and how hearing a song from “The Boss” on the radio turned into a friendship (one sided) that has lasted over 40 years. We chat about tr...

Joined today by former Toronto Blue Jay and Montreal Expo baseball player, Luis “LL” Lopez. Luis and I talk about growing up in Brooklyn, ballin’ out at Canarsie High School and how his hustle landed him a scholarship to Coastal Carolina. Lop talks about his career in Carolina, the disappointment in not getting drafted, and how his time in the Pioneer league landed him with the Blue Jays. We chat...

Joined today by the greatest relief pitcher of all time and the Co-President of the United International Baseball League(UIBL), Mariano Rivera.  Mariano talks about the launch of the UIBL, why he chose to be involved in this ground breaking venture and what he wants to achieve with it.  We go over the UIBL showcase in February of 2023, his travels to the Middle East and how he plans to open doors...

Joined today, from across the pond, author Susan Jonusas. Susan and I talk about her debut true-crime book, “Hell’s Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, a Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier”. We chat about the infamous serial killing family, the seductive Kate Bender and how she became so enamored with the Benders that she had to play detective and write a book about them. Susan...

Joined today by the 8th President of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Josh Rawitch. Josh and I talk about relocating his family from the West Coast up to Cooperstown, New York, what food they miss the most, what food Cooperstown does better and if he's a local celebrity yet. Josh shares about growing up a Dodgers fan, why he chose Indiana for college and how a few letters to his favorite team got him an...

Joined today by Irish boxing phenom, Kieran Molloy. Kieran and I talk about his first visit to New York City, what he wants to see and of course what he wants to eat. We chat about why he signed with Top Rank and the Conlan brothers, the recruitment process and why he knew it was time to turn pro. Kieran reminisces about starting to box at the age of 5 years old, what fighters he looked up to, and...

Joined today by by founder and CEO of Ebbets Field Flannels, Jerry Cohen. Jerry and I talk about growing up in Brooklyn, his childhood, and where his fascination and obsession with jerseys/hats came from. Jerry reminisces about performing in a rock band, making some jerseys and how he parlayed that into starting the company in 1988. We hear why he started off hand sewing jerseys from special wool...