• M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) should observe a moment of silence, but just keep yapping. Joey Zuver observes an entire show in silence.
• THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  In a Detroit podcasting first, ML and the boys host an online wake for John Thompson, the legendary proprietor of Honest ? John’s (Bar no Grill).
• Before introducing friends and customers of John, Marc shares a story about his time working with the late, great Jamie Samuelsen, whose death at 48 shocked Detroiters. In honor of Jamie, the boys echo his call for everyone to have a colonoscopy. 
• Shawn also shares the story of his brother-in-law, you also left us before his time. Like Jamie, Don Moray listened to others and made people feel like they mattered.
• Despite the somber occasion, ML sneaks in a jab at the Wolverines. Marc thinks Jamie, a Wildcat, would have approved.
• Before things get too deep, ML welcomes Andrew and Matthew Turnbull, Jim Curran, Lynne Kneiss and Allan Lengel to share their favorite memories of John Thompson, the man behind one of the best bars in Detroit at a time when there weren’t many great bars in Detroit. Thompson died July 10 in Cape Coral, Fla., but the sad news didn’t hit Detroit until last week.
• John was famously irascible, but also magnificently magnanimous. He also had a phlegmatic laugh and distinctive accent, apparently honed during a hardscrabble upbringing in the Cass Corridor. Listen for uncanny imitations — and more!
• If you were an adult down on your luck, there was a chance John would give you work. If you were a needy kid, there was an even better chance John would give you a gift. If you were a drug dealing neighbor, there was a chance he would shoot up your car. If you were a pain in his ass, there was a chance he would bar you. And if you were barred, there was a chance he would soon forget. These are just some of the great memories John’s friends share on this week’s episode.
• ML shares a story about one particularly memorable night at the original Honest ? John’s on Field Street just off East Jefferson. Shawn, clearly moved, lets ML get away with telling a story that is mainly about himself when he should be telling a story about the guest of honor.
• There are many, many more great stories, including John’s entrepreneurial streak — he used to rent kayaks and bikes long before anyone else — and his creative fundraisers, like his moonshot postcards. The moons, by the way, were provided by his customers. Listen and learn and, we hope, laugh.
• THE GREAT DEBATE: The media has an obligation to provide fair and balanced coverage in which all sides are represented. But does that obligation extend so far that crackpots should have their say? The boys chop it up.
• GEEK OF THE WEEK: There are so many good candidates you’d think it would be hard to pick a winner. But when you’ve got a doctor who attributes maladies to succubi, incubi, the “Epic of Gilgamesh” and “evil deposits from the spirit husband,” it turns out it’s not so hard at all!
• THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: Dr. Matt fires up the Way Back Machine for a trip through history that you won’t find in any book.
• ROOM 7609: It’s Cover Tune Month in the NuWave suite, and ML’s choice of REM covering Leonard Cohen triggers a SECOND Great Debate over just what genre best describes REM. (Spoiler alert: Shawn says it’s not NuWave. Is he right? Listen and decide for yourself.) 
• HARD OUT: Find out how you can sponsor the show and get a one-of-a-kind token of our appreciation. For a donation fo $20 or more via the link on our homepage, www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, we will record a message meant JUST FOR YOU. We call it “cam-e-soul.” 
• Please be sure to let our sponsors know you heard them on the podcast! We are pretty picky about who we do businesses with, so it’s important we keep the support of business we believe will do right by you. And since we can’t go on without continued sponsor support, please let our trusted partners know you appreciate them. They really do keep track of referrals from loyal listeners like you! 
• If you’re looking for a partner for your business and marketing communication needs, we recommend our friends at Sir Speedy Printing. To find out what they can do for you, visit www.sirspeedydetroit.com or call 586-777-7500. Tell them ML sent you!
• If you’re looking to sell your home or buy a better crib, we humbly recommend Lindsey Broadwell of Broadwell Homes, who you can find at BroadwellHomes.com or 248-767-7767. Make sure Lindsey knows you where you heard about her and that you’ve got SOUL. 
• If you need a mortgage or want to refinance your new digs or save on high-interest debt, contact Hall Financial here or call 248-308-5000 and let them know ML told you to call! 
• When it’s time to kick back with a tasty hometown classic brew, reach for an Altes! Learn more about which stores and other quality establishments carry these authentically Detroit suds at www.altes.beer
• Don’t lose your mind trying to make sense of the financial markets. Let Luke Nowacki of Pinnacle help you make the right decisions that will help keep you on firm financial footing. Contact Luke and be sure to tell him you heard about him on the Soul of Detroit! 
• You can’t beat the meat you get at The Butchery! Mention ML and get a free pound of bacon with a purchase of $50 or more. Learn more at www.thebutcherysl.com.
• Szott Automotive Group dealerships are BACK IN BUSINESS! Check out www.dealsintheD.com for details — and let them know ML sent you!
• See Detroit from a whole new perspective on a Michigan Pedaler peddle pub! Learn more at www.michiganpedaler.com. Be sure to tell them who told you about them!
• REPRESENT! Show your Soul of Detroit pride with great merchandise, ranging from our hip new hats, super groovy hockey jerseys, t-shirts, stickers and signed copies of “The Kwame Sutra: Musings on Lust, Life and Leadership from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.” Each copy includes a smart aleck inscription penned personally by ML.
• Please subscribe to and share the podcast — your endorsement is very powerful! 
• We always appreciate your feedback at [email protected] or 313-Butterfield8-9070 (aka 313-288-9070). If you leave a message, you could hear your voice on the air!

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