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Step into the musical time machine as Mike and Tom explore the soundtrack of 1973 – a year when rock anthems, soul classics, and unforgettable ballads dominated the airwaves. What began as casual workplace conversations about beloved songs has transformed into a passionate deep dive through the year's defining hits.

From Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" to Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia," the hosts offer fascinating insights and personal memories triggered by these timeless classics. The episode reveals surprising discoveries about familiar tunes – songs they've loved for years but never knew the titles of, or beloved melodies whose artists remained mysteries until now. These revelations highlight how deeply music embeds itself in our memories, often detached from the details of who created it.

The hosts' enthusiasm reaches its peak when discussing personal favorites that didn't make the Billboard Top 40 – including Aerosmith's "Dream On," Deep Purple's iconic "Smoke on the Water," and Golden Earring's driving anthem "Radar Love." Their stories capture why these songs continue to resonate decades later, becoming soundtracks to pivotal moments in listeners' lives. Between reminiscences of backyard bonfires and high school jukeboxes, Mike and Tom demonstrate how 1973's diverse musical landscape – spanning rock, soul, country, and pop – created cultural touchstones that transcend generations.

Whether you lived through 1973 or are discovering these classics for the first time, this episode offers both nostalgia and fresh perspective on a year where musical boundaries dissolved and unforgettable hits emerged. Subscribe now and join us next week as we continue our journey through the decades with the greatest hits of 1974!

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Ready for a podcast that bounces between courtroom scandals and Chuck Berry's only number one hit without missing a beat? We've got you covered.

The gavel comes down hard in this episode as we tackle the bizarre case of two Democratic judges arrested for harboring illegal immigrants. One judge allegedly helped an undocumented defendant escape ICE agents through a courthouse back door, while another kept a suspected Venezuelan gang member as a "handyman" in their guest house. As we unpack the legal and ethical implications, we can't help but wonder what motivates supposedly impartial judges to risk their careers and freedom for such actions.

But this isn't just a current events show. We take a delightful detour into the musical treasure trove of 1972, sharing personal stories about iconic tracks that defined an era. From Don McLean's "American Pie" (no, it wasn't about Lynyrd Skynyrd) to Badfinger's Beatles-esque "No Matter What," these songs carry powerful memories. Mike recalls making out to The Raspberries' "Go All the Way," while Tom shares how Dr. Hook's "Sylvia's Mother" became the soundtrack to lonely summer days on his sister's farm, played endlessly on an 8-track player.

Of course, our resident troublemakers Pip and Squeak crash the party with their own questionable 1972 selections. Chuck Berry's innuendo-laden "My Ding-a-Ling" makes an appearance, as does something about a dead skunk in the middle of the road. The segment culminates in our discovery of perhaps the strangest song of 1972 – a track called "Jungle Fever" that leaves us genuinely wondering if we're hearing torture, kidnapping, or something else entirely.

Whether you're a music enthusiast, a news junkie, or just someone who appreciates unfiltered conversation, this episode delivers on all fronts. Subscribe now and join us next week as we explore the musical landscape of 1973!

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Tariffs might sound like the economic equivalent of watching paint dry, but Mike and Tom transform this seemingly dry topic into an entertaining deep dive that challenges conventional thinking. Our budget economists tackle Trump's controversial trade policies with their signature no-holds-barred approach, arguing that while tariffs may cause short-term pain, they're already yielding results as countries rush to the negotiating table.

Vietnam has offered to remove all tariffs, India is lowering barriers on American goods, and the UK sees these policies as an opportunity to attract investment. Despite mainstream media's often one-sided portrayal, Mike and Tom highlight how many farmers and small businesses support these measures, believing they'll level the playing field against countries that have exploited unfair trade advantages for decades. The $28 billion Market Facilitation Program that aided farmers between 2018-2020 gets a mention, showing the complex support systems behind these economic strategies.

Just when the economic discussion reaches its peak, Squeak crashes the podcast with his bizarre musical tastes, sparking a hilarious debate about whether "everybody was kung fu fighting" is factually accurate. This unexpected detour provides the perfect counterbalance to the policy talk before Mike and Tom launch into their nostalgic 1971 music segment, sharing personal stories connected to classics like "Knock Three Times," "Mr. Bojangles," and "Indian Reservation."

The reminiscing reveals surprisingly intimate moments – from Tom's first romantic note (plagiarized from a McCoys song) to Mike's experimental youth with "Indian Reservation" as his soundtrack. These personal connections to music create a warm, relatable atmosphere that perfectly balances the earlier policy discussion.

Whether you're interested in trade economics, nostalgic music, or just enjoy listening to unfiltered conversation, this episode delivers something for everyone. Tune in, lower your expectations, and enjoy the beautiful chaos that is the MT Alternative Podcast.