Shawn tells more tawdry tales from his Texas college days, while ML trips out on “Shen Yun” and Marc tries to maintain.

STRAIGHT DOPE: Our Patreon membership program is LIVE, so you can join up and enjoy benefits like ad-free episodes, video of the show, a bonus episode, free swag and exclusive merchandise. Sign up here.

Since online ads are usually driven by your browsing habits, ML can’t figure out why he keeps getting inundated with ads for some Chinese dance spectacle. Just what the hell is “Shen Yun” anyway?!? And Marc wants to know how they got such a big marketing budget.

Donald Trump trounces Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley in Iowa while Republicans are tearing themselves apart here in Michigan. How bad is it? For three Saturdays in a row, Republicans will meet to vote for a leader and members of the overwhelmingly white GOP are accusing each other of being racists! All this and more in ML’s latest “On Guard” column.

Shawn tells us more about the drugs that were a part of his college days, while ML shares his mushroom experiences and Marc talks mescaline. Somehow, this leads to stories about stolen Honda Sprees and how Shawn used to buy nickel bags in a tuxedo, which confused his Jamaican dealers so much they questioned whether he was James Bond. Really!

The conversation takes another twist to Gary Oldman and his latest bravura performance in Apple TV’s “Slow Horses.” Shawn and ML are fans. Marc isn’t there … yet.

Listener Kyle discovers a Windsor connection to “orange sunshine,” the illicit substance Shawn told us about last week. Read more here.

There is a new Kwame Kilpatrick biopic out. Cast members are expected to join us in studio next week. In the meantime, check out the trailer – and let us know what you think about the actor who portrays ML.

The Lions almost messed up ML’s hockey game last Sunday, but everyone else had a great time! Marc and Shawn pay tribute to Sheila Ford Hamp, with a nod to Chris Spielman. And, of course, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. Read Shawn’s latest here.

The Detroit Lions (and Michigan Wolverines) success has a bittersweet side: Long-time Detroit Free Press photographer Kirt Dozier, who captured many of their most memorable moments, was not there. He passed away suddenly earlier this month. Read all about him here.

ML’s annual Clark Park charity hockey game takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20. Come out and join us, or just send a few bucks to help the kids of Southwest Detroit using this link.

GEEK OF THE WEEK: ML makes a 180-degree turn and pays tribute to Matt Stafford, who never disappeared on the Detroit Lions, before naming Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who disappeared on the Free World, as this week’s geek.

ROOM 7609: ML ushers in a new era and uses his Imagination when he asks Shawn if he’s really in the studio or “Just An Illusion.”

FEEDBACK: Kyle connects Windsor to LSD and Michelle asks ML what he thinks about the video Strawberry’s daughter posted accusing Hizzoner of murder. We welcome all your comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

DONATE OR SPONSOR US: Support us on Patreon or make a donation at mlsoulofdetroit.com or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show! We now accept donations via Venmo (and if Venmo tells you your money is going to DaisyHouseLLC, you’ve got the right link!)

LISTEN AND LEARN: Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!

SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCH: Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found!

When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful!

Get podcast news on Twitter @elrick or on Facebook at “ML Elrick”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS