Best Let S Talk Wild Podcasts (2025)

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Joy Oladokun Writes Worship Music for Youth Group Rejects (REISSUE), ep. 316 51:18

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6h ago51:18

51:18

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the past several weeks, Basic Folk has been digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Joy Oladokun, was originally posted on February 24, 20…

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Episode 651: Jon Jones ‘retires’ the same week as UFC 317? Lawd! 1:13:41

6d ago1:13:41

1:13:41

So, Jon Jones is out. Like, OUT out. As in Jon Jones is retired. Or … should we say … “retired,” because ain’t nobody thinks we’ve seen the last of this dude in a cage, a ring, or a dusty circle of dirt at some county fairgrounds. In any case, Jones’ career ended (for now) the way all the great ones go out — with Dana White making a halfhearted ann…

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Watchhouse in Conversation with Jacob Sharp (Mipso) (Bonus) 45:55

2d ago45:55

45:55

(Editor's Note: Oh, WOW! A bonus, surprise episode with Watchhouse? Yes! And it is a treat. We are pleased to have Jacob Sharp of Mipso as our guest host in conversation with his friends Andrew Marlin and Emily Franz of Watchhouse, talking about their new studio album, 'Rituals.' The record was co-produced with Ryan Gustafson of The Dead Tongues. T…

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Chris Thile: Calvin and Hobbes, Classical Music, and Curiosity (REISSUE), ep. 315 1:21:20

8d ago1:21:20

1:21:20

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy! This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing Chris Thile was originally posted on September 9, 2021 aft…

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#513 - A Civil War-burton 40:36

12d ago40:36

40:36

Everything is out of context. But we do have interesting thoughts about The Lives of Tao and lots of congrats for the winners and nominees of the Nebulas and more.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Episode 650: Accusations, innuendos and inferences 1:08:27

14d ago1:08:27

1:08:27

So, there’s still some fight left in this old dog, Kamaru Usman — as Joaquin Buckley found out the hard way in their UFC Fight Night main event on Saturday. The 38-year-old Usman defied the odds and many expectations with a vintage performance that saw him use the ol’ wrestling game to take a unanimous decision over the seemingly incredibly ill-pre…

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Dar Williams: Music was Decided for Me (REISSUE), ep. 314 1:03:07

15d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. This episode featuring Lizzie No interviewing Dar Williams originally posted on October 14, 2021. Enjoy!) Dar Williams…

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4. Creating When We Feel, "What's the Point?" 11:00

20d ago11:00

11:00

Today on Sapphic Rising™, you'll hear about my reflections on, “What’s the Point?” when we’re facing or witnessing atrocities, be it individually or as a collective. The creative process has its own ebb and flow anyway, but it can feel jarring when we’re overwhelmed with events and unsure how to keep going, while acknowledging what happens in our w…

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Episode 649: Merab Dvalishvili: Little guy, big problem 1:07:14

20d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Not sure how you’re supposed to beat this guy Merab Dvalishvili at this point. Poison? Blow darts? The Dark Arts? Regular-ass fighting ain’t working, as Sean O’Malley found out at UFC 316 on Saturday. Looked like O’Malley was trying to do the right things — stay off the cage, work the body, show improved takedown defense, get up when Merab put him …

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John Hiatt is Actually Not Scared to Talk about His Feelings (REISSUE), ep. 313 51:06

26d ago51:06

51:06

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) This episode featuring Cindy Howes interviewing John Hiatt originally posted on August 5, 2021. In 2021, …

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#512 - Deep Dish is SciPie 31:39

26d ago31:39

31:39

We speculate on how James Cameron will make The Devils and whether Frankenstein will be too scary for Veronica. And we further kick off The Lives of Tao.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Episode 648: Are Kayla & Merab unbeatable at UFC 316? 1:06:27

27d ago1:06:27

1:06:27

The odds don’t look very competitive headed into the dueling title fights atop Saturday’s UFC 316. Merab Dvalishvili and Kayla Harrison are both pretty big favorites over their opponents (challenger Sean O’Malley and chalmpion Julianna Peña, respectively). The line on Harrison, in fact, is outlandish — though that fight is admittedly most interesti…

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Anaïs Mitchell: 2019 Pre-Broadway interview on Hadestown, Lamb Rearing, and Untangling Third Wave Feminism (REISSUE), ep. 312 51:22

1M ago51:22

51:22

(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our Reissue series! For the next several weeks, Basic Folk is digging back into the archives and reposting some of our favorite episodes alongside new introductions commenting on what it’s like to listen back. Enjoy!) Listening back, I feel like this 2018 interview with Anaïs Mitchell holds up. Originally published on Jan…

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#511 - Throw Me in the Corpse Hole 47:21

1M ago47:21

47:21

We discuss the return of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Frank Herbert’s posthumous SFWA Infinity Award, Audible’s AI narration plans and Amazon’s cancellation of The Wheel of Time—while nominating hamburg steak and vegan enchiladas and sharing listener stories from Matt Dinniman’s event. We round out the show with in-depth discussions of The Lives…

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Episode 647: Luckily, Merab has nine other toes 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

The CME’s 13th birthday is coming up, and you know what that means: it’s pledge month! Now through June 1, get 50% off a new monthly or annual Patreon subscription when you use the code CME13 at checkout! Get on it! Join the team! Support the community! Stick it to the man! Merab Dvalishvili broke his toe on the dome of a training partner this week…

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Morgan Toney on Circles, Elders, and Phil Collins, ep. 311 1:00:58

1M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Circles have played a huge role in fiddler and singer Morgan Toney's life thus far: from drum circles, to talking circles, to the Earth itself (a circle!). In our Basic Folk conversation, Morgan talks about his L'nu (also known as Mi'kmaq) heritage and growing up on what's now called Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where his ancestors have lived since ti…

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Episode 646: Jon Jones is back on his f*ckery 1:09:31

1M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

The CME’s 13th birthday is this month, and you know what that means: It’s pledge month! Now through June 1, GET 50% OFF A NEW MONTHLY OR ANNUAL PATREON SUBSCRIPTION when you use the code CME13 at checkout! Get on it! Join the team! Support the community! Stick it to the man! First you've got Jon Jones riding on the back of a motorbike looking zoote…

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Kris Delmhorst: Inching Forward through Sleepless Nights, ep. 310 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Kris Delmhorst is not a good sleeper. The Western Massachusetts songwriter is usually awake from 2 or 3 am to about 4 or 5am. Sometimes it feels nice and floaty, but other times she is wide awake worrying about anything her brain can get a hold of. This is similar to a feeling with which she ended her tenth record, 'Ghosts in the Garden,' with the …

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Episode 645: Let the dominoes fall after UFC 315 1:10:10

2M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

The CME’s 13th birthday is coming up, and you know what that means: It’s pledge month! Now through June 1, GET 50% OFF A NEW MONTHLY OR ANNUAL PATREON SUBSCRIPTION when you use the code CME13 at checkout! Get on it! Join the team! Support the community! Stick it to the man! Did Jack Della Maddalena ruin everything? Well, it’s a fluid situation. As …

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#510 - A New Theseus 36:00

2M ago36:00

36:00

From Hugo admins resigning over AI panel vetting to the latest award winners and a fresh Murderbot clip—to set the stage for our book club pick. Then we dig into Mickey 7’s Ship of Theseus dilemma, sharing listener takes (yes, even foot‑fetishting AIs) and the questions that keep us up at night.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Sara Watkins on I'm With Her's Witchy AF New Record, ep. 309 54:09

2M ago54:09

54:09

Sara Watkins joins Basic Folk to talk about 'Wild and Clear and Blue,' the new album from I'm With Her, her band with Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan. The new LP was inspired by looking back on your life in order to move forward, with a very witchy manner of speaking that encompasses the ancient, mysterious, and spiritual. Sara shares insights int…

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Episode 644: Somehow Belal Muhammad is still fighting for respect 1:10:26

2M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

The CME’s 13th birthday is coming up, and you know what that means: It’s pledge month! Now through June 1, GET 50% OFF A NEW MONTHLY OR ANNUAL PATREON SUBSCRIPTION when you use the code CME13 at checkout! Get on it! Join the team! Support the community! Stick it to the man! Belal Muhammad said he doesn’t care what you think anymore. He knows he’s g…

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3. Why Did I Give Up My Creativity for Career? 10:08

2M ago10:08

10:08

Today on Sapphic Rising™, you'll hear about this morning's reflections while I was sitting with a cup of tea. The question, "Did I stifle my creative muse because I was too focused on other things like career and not wanting to be a 'starving artist?' Let's get this Sapphic party started to unlock our creativity through authentic living and sacred …

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Mary Gauthier & Jaimee Harris on THE Three Shoes, Alchemy and Weeding out Baddies, ep. 308 57:54

2M ago57:54

57:54

Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris talk to Lizzie and Cindy for Basic Folk on-board the Cayamo cruise in front of a live audience. We get down to business in addressing NICE things by asking Mary what kind of shoes she's wearing – as she has a reputation for enjoying the good stuff, especially on her feet. After that, we asked and Jaimee Harris enthus…

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Episode 643: What are we gonna do with you, Ian Garry? 1:05:47

2M ago1:05:47

1:05:47

The CME’s 13th birthday is coming up, and you know what that means: It’s pledge month! Now through June 1, GET 50% OFF A NEW MONTHLY OR ANNUAL PATREON SUBSCRIPTION when you use the code CME13 at checkout! Get on it! Join the team! Support the community! Stick it to the man! Ya boi Ian (Machado) Garry commands a lot of attention in MMA. If the most …

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#509 - New Achievement! 52:04

2M ago52:04

52:04

We wrap up Dungeon Crawler Carl, including our horrible imitations of Jeff Hays. Plus, we announce the next pick for May and ponder data-driven determinations of the best SFF books of Tom’s life.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Susan Werner on Defining Hard Work, Paid Vacations, and Relaxing as Indie Musician, ep. 307 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

The dynamic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Susan Werner talks to us onboard the Cayamo cruise, which she describes as a "paid vacation." Reflecting on her upbringing on a working farm, Susan discusses the hard work that shaped her, but also how she’s learning to embrace rest and relaxation. With humor and insight, she navigates the balance be…

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Episode 642: Dana White got booed at Wrestlemania. What does it mean? 1:05:47

2M ago1:05:47

1:05:47

The two-night extravaganza that was Wrestlemania 41 went down over the weekend in Las Vegas, much to the delight and consternation of marks and smarks everywhere. Yeah, yeah, we know the CME ain’t a rasslin’ podcast, but one thing caught our attention that may be of interest to the combat sports audience: Dana White got booed. Yep. They showed Dana…

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Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food and His Googly-Eyed Guitar, ep. 306 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country's capital of Kampala), Jon Muq's journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and "We Are the World,"…

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Episode 641: Volkamania runs wild once again! 1:10:34

3M ago1:10:34

1:10:34

Your boy Alexander Volkanovski is champion again, besting a fairly valiant effort by Diego Lopes at UFC 314 Saturday to claim the vacant UFC featherweight title. Volk looked pretty good, too, beating Lopes at range and mixing up the takedown attempts en route to the unanimous decision win. For The Fall Out Boy, well, it seemed like he just got star…

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2. Embracing the Ego in Writing 8:32

3M ago8:32

8:32

Today on Sapphic Rising™, you'll hear a story about how I had to face my own ego after self-publishing while embracing my unique path and navigating how creators often have to be their own cheerleaders. Community and like-hearted folks will get you through those tough moments, too, so remember you're not alone on your creative journey. There are pl…

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Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism, ep. 305 43:44

3M ago43:44

43:44

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show 'H…

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#508 - Sexy, Sexy, Mind Palace 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

We have Murderbot trailer! And we like it! Plus, the Hugo nominees are out and we wrap up our thoughts on The City and the City and begin our April dungeon crawl.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Episode 640: Will Volk be champ again at UFC 314? 1:07:21

3M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Look, we’re just being honest. After back-to-back KO losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, and a 1-3 record dating back to 2023, we couldn’t help but wonder if we’d already seen the best of Alexander Volkanovski. Then, lo and behold, Topuria moves up to lightweight, and suddenly Volk is right back in the mix — going off as a slight betting fa…

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1. The Podcast Reboot: Welcome! 7:32

3M ago7:32

7:32

Today on Sapphic Rising™, you'll find encouragement to embrace a creative reboot, get out of a creative rut, and move forward with confidence. When you launch your business, start freelancing, or begin to ponder how you'd like to share your creative talents, just know there is probably a 99% chance that you'll need to pause and reflect at some poin…

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Loudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy, ep. 304 46:20

3M ago46:20

46:20

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance betw…

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Episode 639: Mexico can’t literally s*ck your b@lls, Joe Pyfer 1:08:20

3M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

Joe Pyfer got food poisoning — or maybe it was altitude sickness — and now he’s, like, furious. He had to call off his fight with Kelvin Gastelum because his tum-tum hurt, and he’s pissed that he slept in a tent on the floor for nothing. In a tent! On the floor! Obviously, this is Mexico’s fault. It’s a shithole, Joe Pyfer says. Joe Pyfer is never …

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Olivia Ellen Lloyd: West Virginia to Brooklyn, Finding Ground in Water, ep. 303 1:01:14

3M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Olivia Ellen Lloyd's latest album, 'Do It Myself,' sees the West Virginia-born Brooklyn-based songwriter reflecting on the powerful imagery of water. She shares how it has been a source of grounding and calmness in her life, from childhood memories spent on the Potomac River to her current love for the ocean, these elements have shaped her artistic…

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Episode 638: What is Tom Aspinall so excited about? 1:05:18

3M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Big Tommy Gas Hands brought his rubber ducky to UFC London. See what he did there? That’s a little elbow to the ribs of Jon Jones, who we know Aspinall has been chasing all over God’s green earth trying to get a shot at unifying the heavyweight title. That’s got to be frustrating. Weirdly, however, Aspinall emerged from a meeting with UFC brass las…

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Bonnie "Prince" Billy On Making Nashville Musical Magic, ep. 302 1:04:32

3M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, has led an illustrious, sometimes mysterious career which has spanned decades and genres. Hailing from and still living in Louisville, KY, in our Basic Folk conversation Will reflects on his journey from a young artist struggling to find his place in the music world to a seasoned musician who embrac…

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Rose Cousins & Edie Carey: Bast Friendship, Music, and the Art of Spatula-ing Life, ep. 301 1:25:31

4M ago1:25:31

1:25:31

Rose Cousins and Edie Carey's friendship has blossomed for over two decades. On the occasion of Rose releasing her new album, 'Conditions of Love - Vol 1,' the pair appear on Basic Folk to discuss the new music. They reflect on their early days and their first meeting as well as the ways they’ve influenced each other's careers and personal growth. …

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#507 - Book Goblin 40:49

4M ago40:49

40:49

Tom forgot to write the intro to the show this week, so you’re stuck with the Veronica Edition. March is still full of madness, which makes sense because it’s a full moon eclipse coming up and Venus is in retrograde. Or something! We check in on The City and The City by China Miéville, and we see and unsee your perspectives on the book thus far.…

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Episode 637: Was Magomed Ankalaev really that boring at UFC 313? 1:08:33

4M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

If we told you going into UFC 313 that Magomed Ankalaev would go 0-for-12 on takedown attempts in his light heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira, would you have thought that shaped up as a win for Ankalaev? Yeah, we wouldn’t either. That’s what happened, however, with Ankalaev using a surprisingly effective striking attack coupled with a su…

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Sierra Hull: Mandolin Magic and Small Town Roots, ep. 300 1:06:40

4M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

When mandolinist Sierra Hull was little, her dad told her she was really good "for a ten year old." The older Hull knew Sierra had a fiery passion for the instrument and he knew exactly how to motivate his daughter. He went on to say that if she wanted to go to jams and porch-play for the rest of her life, she'd learned enough. He gave her realisti…

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Episode 636: Alex Pereira faces the worst kind of fight at UFC 313 1:06:12

4M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

What’s the worst kind of fight? A tough-ass matchup against an opponent nobody cares about. That’s exactly what Pereira has on his hands against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on Saturday, so much so that everybody involved (except Ankalaev) appeared put it off as long as they possibly could. But, here’s Poatan, at 37 and sitting on the brink of clean…

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Basic Folk Presents: Folk Files: Shady Grove 25:27

4M ago25:27

25:27

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! Folk Files is a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music through the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music th…

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Gary Louris talks to Mark Erelli on Songwriting, Late in Life Love, and Technology, ep. 299 1:01:02

4M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

You probably know Gary Louris as the leader of The Jayhawks – or as they refer to themselves, “a band from Minnesota.” The Jayhawks are pioneers of roots rock, alt-country, and Americana. Whatever you wanna call it, they’ve been making records where rock, pop, country, and other forms of American roots music overlap since the mid-1980s. But Louris’…

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#506 - SECs Unit 58:30

4M ago58:30

58:30

March Madness has begun, so get your votes in now. Plus do we like Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot? And our final thoughts on Will of the Many and non-spoiler intro to The City and the City.By Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

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Episode 635: Henry Cejudo gets the ol’ 3 Stooges (plus a ton of news!) 1:11:11

4M ago1:11:11

1:11:11

Doesn’t Henry Cejudo know that when somebody tries to go full Moe Howard on you (looking in your direction Song Yadong) all you gotta do is throw the hand up in front of your face to block it? Guess he missed that day in Greatest Combat Sports Athlete of All Time School. We kid, obviously. Still, though, shoutout to Cejudo, Song and Jason Herzog fo…

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Lilly Hiatt: Driving Tunes and Life Lessons, ep. 297 44:50

4M ago44:50

44:50

Singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt has an interesting way of working melodies and a down to earth way of telling stories about her life and about how she sees the world. All of her albums have cool, crunchy guitar parts that take folk songwriting to a new rockin' level. On her new album 'Forever,' Hiatt's diverse influences are woven into songs that tou…