Mac brings back something he thought he had lost - an interview with best-selling author Sebastian Junger. In 2024, Junger's book, "In My Time of Dying," which covered his near death experience. There was one part to Mac's interview with Junger that stuck out, and it should resonate with all of us who question a life after our death.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones you thought were gone forever.

In this episode of Engel Angle, Mac Engel shares a rediscovered interview with acclaimed author and journalist Sebastian Junger — a conversation pulled from the digital archives that feels even more powerful today than when it was first recorded.

Junger, best known for The Perfect Storm, War, Tribe, and Freedom, opens up about a near-death experience caused by a ruptured aneurysm — an event that nearly ended his life and fundamentally challenged how he understands existence. Despite identifying as an atheist and skeptic, Junger describes a vivid moment in which his deceased father appeared to him as he was slipping toward death, urging calm as everything went dark.

What follows is a deeply thoughtful discussion about near-death experiences, shared patterns among people on the brink of dying, and the uncomfortable questions that arise when science, neurochemistry, quantum physics, and human consciousness begin to overlap. Junger doesn’t claim answers — instead, he explores possibilities, acknowledging that both life itself and the idea of life after death may be equally “preposterous.”

Mac reflects on curiosity, aging, memory, and why gathering meaningful experiences matters — especially when they force us to admit we may not understand nearly as much as we think we do.

This isn’t a religious discussion or a scientific lecture. It’s a calm, honest exploration of uncertainty — and why that uncertainty might make existence itself even more remarkable.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Rediscovering a conversation thought lost 00:01:25 – Why curiosity still drives the podcast 00:02:31 – Interviewing people beyond sports 00:03:33 – Why Sebastian Junger mattered to Mac 00:05:12 – Asking the unanswerable questions about the afterlife 00:07:15 – The interview that almost ran out of time 00:10:00 – Junger’s ruptured aneurysm and near-death experience 00:10:28 – Seeing his deceased father as death approached 00:11:51 – Why near-death experiences are strangely consistent 00:12:20 – Neurochemistry vs. something we don’t understand 00:12:59 – Quantum physics, shamanism, and alternate explanations 00:13:52 – Did the experience change Junger’s beliefs? 00:14:34 – The “preposterousness” of existence itself 00:15:18 – What the experience ultimately changed 00:15:50 – Final reflections on life, memory, and mystery

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Is being likable enough to lead an NFL team?

In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges takes a thoughtful look at Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and asks a question many fans are quietly wondering: can a “Mr. Nice Guy” succeed long-term in the NFL? Norm breaks down coaching styles from Tom Landry to Bill Belichick, and introduces the idea of the “thundering velvet hand” — leadership that blends discipline with care — while questioning whether Schottenheimer strikes the balance players need to win.

Then the focus shifts to the Dallas Mavericks, where injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving force a hard reset. Norm lays out a blunt plan: forget the playoffs, invest in young players, and start building for the future. From developing Ryan Nemhard and Brandon Williams to eyeing draft position and long-term roster construction around Cooper Flagg, Norm explains why patience now could pay off later — even if it’s not the plan fans hoped for.

It’s a candid, realistic look at leadership, culture, and decision-making in Dallas sports — the kind of thinking that doesn’t chase headlines, but might just point the way forward.

JWw-NH SL Ep 85

Chapters

00:00:00 – Opening thoughts and today’s big questions 00:01:27 – Is Brian Schottenheimer simply too nice? 00:02:53 – Coaching styles: fear, respect, and leadership 00:04:21 – The “thundering velvet hand” explained 00:05:14 – Why likability may not equal long-term success 00:05:14 – Transition to the Mavericks and roster reality 00:07:46 – Anthony Davis injured again and plans unravel 00:08:29 – Forget the playoffs: time to invest in youth 00:09:30 – Building next year’s lineup around Cooper Flagg 00:10:16 – Trade flexibility and long-term roster vision 00:11:02 – Why this plan offers a real future 00:11:13 – Sponsors and closing reflections Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfw Tiktok: sunsetloungedfw X: SunsetLoungeDFW FB: Sunset Lounge DFW

In Case 2, Part 2, the Baylor basketball scandal takes a darker turn — because the murder wasn’t the only crime unfolding behind closed doors.

With Patrick Dennehy gone and the investigation closing in, Baylor head coach Dave Bliss didn’t focus on justice. He focused on survival. What followed was an audacious and chilling plan: convince players and staff to tell authorities that the victim was a drug dealer — a lie designed to explain away illegal payments and protect a career.

Enter Abar Rouse, a 28-year-old assistant coach who thought he’d landed his dream job. Instead, he walked straight into a moral trap. Lie and protect the program… or tell the truth and burn everything down, including his own future.

This episode pulls back the curtain on how power pressures silence, how authority manipulates loyalty, and how one person pressing “record” stopped a conspiracy from becoming the official story of a murder. Along the way, we explore informants, false narratives, NCAA corruption, and the razor-thin line between institutional damage control and obstruction of justice.

This isn’t just about Baylor. It’s about what happens when truth becomes inconvenient — and who pays the price when someone refuses to stay quiet.

Chapters

00:00 – When a Murder Turns Into a Cover Story 02:40 – Informants, Lockdowns, and the Smoker That Led to a Lesson 08:06 – How Informants Really Work (and Why Motives Matter) 15:35 – Trust, Authority, and a Rookie Cop’s First Arrest 18:20 – Enter Abar Rouse: The Coach Nobody Wanted to Be 23:48 – The Lie: Turning a Murder Victim Into a Drug Dealer 30:22 – Press Record: The Moment Everything Changed 33:04 – NCAA Fallout and How Baylor Avoided the Death Penalty 35:55 – Dave Bliss: The End of a Career and a Tarnished Legacy 39:29 – Corruption, Silence, and the Cost of Telling the Truth 47:50 – Case 2 Continues: The Story Isn’t Over Yet

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It’s a new year, which means it’s time for the Clubhouse tradition that causes the most arguing, second-guessing, and hurt feelings: the Best and Worst Movies of 2025.

In this episode of The Clubhouse Podcast, Rob Ervin, Alex Barnhill, and Don Ford break down the films that thrilled them, disappointed them, and made them question how some of these movies ever got greenlit. From award-bait performances wrapped in bad scripts to big-budget releases that somehow felt unfinished, nothing is safe.

The guys also mix in NFL chaos, coaching firings, mind-blowing Jets statistics, strange betting odds, tech toys like the Stream Deck, and why respectful disagreement is basically the lifeblood of this show. Expect strong opinions, passionate defenses, brutal takedowns, and at least one list that sparks immediate controversy.

This isn’t a definitive ranking — it’s three different perspectives colliding in real time. And that’s exactly the point.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Welcome to the Clubhouse and New Year chaos 00:03:00 – Shoutouts, gadgets, and early banter 00:04:18 – Bowl season updates and betting oddities 00:10:08 – NFL season wrap-up and coaching firings 00:12:55 – The Jets stats that don’t feel real 00:18:07 – Don’s tech issues and list tension begins 00:19:50 – Stranger Things finale reactions 00:22:40 – Sponsors, Kid Fest, and upcoming events 00:25:14 – Introducing Best & Worst Movies of 2025 00:29:22 – Worst Films of 2025: Don’s picks (#10–#5) 00:43:02 – Worst Films of 2025: Alex’s picks (#5–#1) 00:57:10 – Best Films of 2025: Don’s picks (#10–#5) 01:15:32 – Best Films of 2025: Alex’s picks (#5–#1) 01:45:14 – Best Films of 2025: Rob’s picks (#5–#1) 02:11:14 – Final thoughts, disagreements, and sign-off

Mike Rhyner welcomes a new voice into the Sunset Lounge universe — and it’s one that knows more about dirt than just about anyone alive.

Howard Garrett, better known as the Dirt Doctor, joins the show to talk about his transition from decades of terrestrial radio into the podcast world, and the unlikely path that led him there. What starts as a conversation about gardening quickly turns into a deeper discussion about health, industry resistance, bad science, and why doing things the “normal” way doesn’t always mean doing them the right way.

Howard explains how his entire career changed the moment he realized he didn’t want toxic chemicals anywhere near his young daughter — a decision that pushed him toward organic gardening long before it was fashionable. He breaks down why synthetic fertilizers damage soil over time, how organic methods actually save money, and why healthier soil leads to fewer pest problems instead of more.

Along the way, Howard shares stories of pushback from the landscaping industry, getting canceled for challenging the status quo, and why no university in America teaches the organic approach he’s spent decades perfecting. From fire ant control using dry molasses to curing tree problems others say can’t be fixed, the Dirt Doctor makes a strong case for doing things naturally — and smarter.

It’s practical, eye-opening, and occasionally rebellious… just the way Mike likes it.

Dirt Dr.mp3

Chapters

00:00:00 – Lightning strikes, chaos, and a proper Your Dark Companion return 00:01:58 – Mike introduces the Dirt Doctor 00:02:50 – Leaving terrestrial radio and entering the podcast world 00:03:19 – Howard’s background: Marines, landscaping, and Camp Lejeune 00:05:10 – From golf courses to organic advocacy 00:05:40 – The moment everything changed: protecting his daughter 00:06:10 – What “organic” really means (and what to stop doing) 00:06:45 – Why organic works better — including financially 00:07:08 – The myth that organic costs more 00:07:56 – Why no universities teach the organic approach 00:08:21 – Teaching outside the system: classes, radio, podcasts 00:09:19 – Tree care, oak wilt, and solving “unsolvable” problems 00:09:53 – Learning the organic method from early pioneers 00:10:53 – Industry backlash and being labeled a renegade 00:12:21 – Why professionals stick with broken systems 00:12:41 – Cutting costs by improving soil health 00:13:30 – Saving water and money with organic landscapes 00:14:28 – Why soil never “wears out” organically 00:15:09 – Fire ants, dry molasses, and accidental breakthroughs 00:16:57 – When skeptics become believers 00:17:33 – Natural pest control that actually works 00:18:17 – Consulting, contractors, and organic holdouts 00:19:36 – Transitioning from radio to podcasting 00:20:10 – Learning a new medium and reaching new audiences 00:21:18 – Helping people live healthier through better dirt 00:22:25 – Final thoughts and welcoming the Dirt Doctor aboard

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It’s another Cowboys postseason press conference, which means plenty of smiles, sound bites, long explanations… and absolutely no real change.

In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges breaks down Jerry Jones’ latest round of optimism, focusing on the Micah Parsons trade, the financial gymnastics that come with it, and Jerry’s ongoing belief that he can “bust the budget” his way back to a Super Bowl. Norm questions whether trading elite defensive talent while handing out massive contracts elsewhere actually solves anything — or just pushes problems further down the road.

Norm also takes aim at the Cowboys’ strategic contradictions: a defense everyone admits was bad, a running game that actually worked, and an offensive approach that somehow ignored it. If your defense can’t stop anyone, shouldn’t your offense help protect it? Apparently not in Dallas.

Then it’s on to the numbers — the strange, fascinating, and occasionally absurd stats from this weekend’s football games. From Carolina winning a division while being outscored, to San Francisco thriving without a pass rush, to Jacksonville’s late-season dominance and the one number that decides whether Houston wins or loses, Norm connects trends, history, and logic in a way only he can.

Dreams, data, and disappointment — just another week in Cowboys country.

JWw-NH SL Ep 84

Chapters

00:00:00 – Another Cowboys postseason press conference begins 00:01:29 – Smiles, sound bites, and decades of disappointment 00:02:12 – The Micah Parsons trade and why the math doesn’t work 00:03:47 – Paying receivers instead of elite pass rushers 00:05:08 – Jerry picks the next defensive coordinator (again) 00:06:46 – “Busting the budget” and pushing money down the road 00:08:14 – Who pays if this plan fails? 00:09:02 – Protecting a bad defense with smarter offense 00:09:47 – The Cowboys ran well… so why didn’t they run more? 00:10:24 – Passing too much and wearing down the defense 00:11:08 – Jerry the dreamer vs. Jerry the general manager 00:11:53 – Four Super Bowls, ten years, and reality setting in 00:13:35 – What a real GM’s job actually looks like 00:14:26 – Sponsors, healing balm, and practical solutions 00:16:29 – Nick Saban’s massive coaching tree 00:17:21 – Carolina wins a division while being outscored 00:18:04 – Eric Dowdle’s bizarrely identical seasons 00:19:01 – San Francisco wins big without a pass rush 00:19:53 – Jacksonville’s dominant eight-game streak 00:20:49 – Old rivalries and playoff history 00:21:43 – The magic number for Houston: 20 00:22:52 – Final thoughts and wondering what’s next Check us out: patreon.com/sunsetloungedfw Instagram: sunsetloungedfw Tiktok: sunsetloungedfw X: SunsetLoungeDFW FB: Sunset Lounge DFW

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Today on Just Wondering, Norm does what every sports fan secretly wants to do — he makes himself the general manager of the Dallas Cowboys. Fair warning: you’re probably not going to like some of the moves. Norm doesn’t like all of them either.

With the salary cap looming and bills coming due, Norm walks through what tough, realistic roster decisions actually look like — who stays, who goes, and why kicking the can down the road eventually turns into a financial brick wall. From Dak’s ballooning number to painful goodbyes on defense, this is a no-nonsense look at what roster discipline really costs.

Then, Norm shifts to the Dallas Mavericks and a familiar problem: Anthony Davis. When healthy, he’s elite. When not, he’s unavailable. With a massive extension looming and a rebuild quietly underway, the Mavs find themselves stuck between what they hope Davis can be and what he actually is right now.

It’s cap math, uncomfortable truths, and the reminder that being the GM is hard — even when it’s hypothetical.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Norm Makes Himself Cowboys GM (You Won’t Like This) 00:02:02 - The Salary Cap Reality Check 00:05:14 - Tough Cowboys Cuts and Contract Decisions 00:07:32 - Who Stays, Who Walks, and Why 00:09:45 - The George Pickens Decision Nobody Wants 00:14:07 - Full Moon Healing Balm and Aging Gracefully 00:15:23 - The Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Dilemma 00:19:40 - Big Picture Decisions and Dallas Sports Reality

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