A car breakdown called Grandpa Steve into action for a card show appearance. Dag Juhlin is full of Tex Mex and BBQ as he bids farewell to Houston after a life-affirming siblings weekend. Margarita-swilling sports fans are a chain’s PR concern. A Talk To Me Tuesday opens the door to discussions about eye health and Jack Black’s connection to the Apollo project.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires clouded Steve and Brendan’s weekend with weather warnings — but Dag was blissfully unaware down in Houston, busy having a blast at NASA, even getting behind the controls of the Ghost Shuttle. Meanwhile, Steve’s been hitting the links with strangers, and Tom Thayer reports some encouraging progress from the Bears as the season nears. Oh, and in a surprise pop, Tom Brady showed up in Wrigleyville over the weekend.

Steve doesn’t cross paths with Captain Morgan anymore, but he used to mix spiced rum with orange juice. Steve had difficulty locating his car in the gym parking lot. Joe used to work nights at a gym in River North, where he held unsanctioned pool parties after midnight. Steve invented the broccoli-cauliflower mashup, but didn’t obtain a patent on the broccoflower seed.

The search for Giddy Steve commences during today’s show. Janet announces the results of their puppy search. A kindhearted friend waited at Jack in the Box to obtain tacos for Steve. A Columbus man kept a physical list of all the books he read since 1962, which was published to a website upon his death. Martha Stewart’s vegetable garden is thriving. Steve can change a lightbulb.

Steve’s driving-range trip with the grandkids hooks into trouble but he manages to wedge in a heartfelt life lesson on the ride home. Dag’s new granola obsession reaches California gold standard status—verified by native son Steve himself. Meanwhile, Tom Thayer is fully locked into Bears camp under new head coach Ben Johnson, dishing no-nonsense insights and not shying away from calling out bogus media takes.

Steve’s late-night workout wrecks his sleep, and yet again his Jack in the Box cravings go unsatisfied. Brendan gets nostalgic about Ryne Sandberg, a hero to his younger Cubs-fan self. We also learn what a “micro-influencer” is (spoiler: it’s not a tiny person with a megaphone). Plus, it’s Talk To Me Tuesday—bringing you a buffet of advice, humble brags, and just enough wisdom to make it sound like we know stuff.

Steve and Janet consider adding a new dog while Brendan logs tarmac time en route to a joyful Jersey family weekend. Despite a nine-hour flight delay, Brendan made a new pal and plenty of laughs. Steve preps for cataract surgery and still hasn’t mad it to Jack in the Box. Dag and Expo’76 rocked a scenic gig in Beverly Shores, Indiana, wrapping up a lively weekend.

A rainstorm sends Steve’s backyard umbrella flying, and he remembers Weber grill igniters need batteries. Steve shares a lettering secret about airport codes and the latest golf outing news—with a non-golfer option. Geja’s celebrates 60 years of fondue. Steve seeks a positive use for AI. Brendan defends the Chicago & Oven Grinder Factory despite mixed reviews, plus shares a heartfelt wedding DJ story.

Steve shares vivid memories of growing up on Balboa Island and groovier times while Mike Dahl and his family take a trip to California. Steve’s also adjusting to vegetable gardening and the importance of a dedicated partner like Janet. Dag and Meredith celebrate 32 years of marriage, and there’s a shocking spongecake-spider discovery at a German airport. We also cover ferry rides, Hulk Hogan’s death, and a Western Springs boil order mystery.

It’s another late-night Jack in the Box disappointment for Steve as the crowds strike again—will he ever get those tacos? Dag’s down on Pop Tarts, and Brendan pulls off a perfectly executed burrito run during the Cubs game. Plus, Steve dives into the full Francheezie saga, a Chicago hot dog pizza claim, a cyclist mayor at 2 Bici, and a Florida bar’s flying gator nuggets. All this and more on DahlCast!

Jack In The Box is finally open, but Steve’s taco cravings get foiled by an endless drive-thru line. Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s team up with a pizza-hot dog hybrid that’s more novelty than classic. Listeners share tips for Steve’s upcoming cataract surgery. Plus, where were you during the O.J. chase? Dag and Meredith were on a romantic date while Steve changed into his swimsuit in the gazebo.

Steve’s anticipation for his local Jack In The Box build-up continues, while Tom’s already sampled the Plainfield spot’s burgers. Dag tussles with the Jewel Osco app as Steve and Brendan boast mastery over theirs. Tom dives into Super Bowl Shuffle lore, and Steve warns about Tom’s shrimp dinner plans. Plus, listener questions, PD Live analysis, a Southside Summer Fest recap, and Phil Dunphy’s Kiss Cam woes join the fun.

Steve asks listeners for amnesty on his mountain of late emails as he works to catch up. Brendan was offered a guest-list spot for Dag’s Poi Dog Pondering gig at the Southside Summer Music Festival. Meanwhile, Steve’s cataract journey begins, and he shares that as a kid he was allergic to everything—except poi! Plenty of updates and fun stories in this episode.

Steve’s garden flourishes while Janet enjoys the basil scent. A hospital escapee sparks chaos in Western Springs, breaking into homes and stealing a car. Janet shares tough love updates about her grandkids. We crown a Subscriber of the Day with a perfect Instagram pick for Steve.Plus, a Coldplay Kiss Cam moment gets hilariously awkward—splitting up co-workers on live TV!

Steve faces the “eye-opening” news of cataracts and an inevitable procedure, while Brendan battles sticker shock over a fancy soda. Dag checks out indie rock at the Arcada Theater, and Joe pedals through the city’s annual naked bike ride. Meanwhile, a Floridiot burglar takes “breaking and entering” to the next level by breaking in and drawing a bath. Mark Zuckerberg seems to “get” nasty Steve.!

It’s Talk To Me Tuesday with calls pouring in—including a wild gender reveal shoutout to country star Bailey Zimmerman that Steve won’t forget. Brendan’s internet provider won the battle, but he’s on a quest to snag every episode of The Office. Desert island discs get a twist from Dag, and we honor the late Cubs manager Lee Elia with his classic rant. Plus, Steve questions his pricey golf clubs!

Janet’s friends gathered on the back porch this morning for some relaxed backyard fun. Steve tried out some jokes, but they mostly fell flat (too much setup). Tom Thayer treated his great nephew to White Fence Farm’s famous corn fritters. Meanwhile, the Joliet Slammers and Pabst Light will 2,600 hot dogs from the sky on July 22, turning a casual evening into a wild and tasty spectacle.

Brendan fights off rogue headphones but keeps the show rolling. Steve misses the train life and reminisces about his favorite TV show, Sky King. Over the holiday he shares a Yacht Rock lesson with his daughter-in-law Rachel. Meanwhile, Dag missed the Bread train, but Steve’s still a fan. Plus, there’s some wild news from outside of Des Moines involving drugs, flags and fire. Is Janet ever coming home from MI?

Steve zooms past the soon-to-open Jack in the Box, while Brendan’s busy brain-tasting all 33 wild new foods from the Minnesota State Fair 2025. The Dahl fridge now features pickle juice sports drinks—because why not? Steve shares some surprisingly serious Caprese salad tips, proving he’s a food guru in the making. Tune in for eats, treats, and some seriously weird beverage choices!

Steve’s garden is growing slower than his golf game, cut short by rain showers after nine holes with Shoddy and his son. Meanwhile, Steve survives on steak quesadillas while Janet’s away, and his flower mouth condition worsens (sorry, plants look better). Plus, Florida delivers another wild headline—a meth-fueled joyride on a stolen Conch Tour Train. Oh, and Steve’s got a surprise bandmate guest lined up!

Western Springs folks are flooding the Hinsdale pool like it’s the last lifeboat—while Steve just tries not to drown! Ozzy’s final Black Sabbath bow hits Birmingham, and Brendan’s feeling nostalgic (and lucky he caught him live). Meanwhile, AI’s creeping into our lives, and Dag fears the Springsteen biopic might turn into a deep, moody monologue. Plus, it’s Talk To Me Tuesday—with some classic butt dial Ace Ventura vibes!

Steve defies a country club guard near a fireworks show while Tom Thayer heroically tackles his first lobster roll recipe. Brendan’s unimpressed by Alex Cooper’s controversial “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Wrigley. Rockets’ red glare delights humans but terrifies dogs as everyone survives the 4th with fingers intact. Meanwhile, Tom scans sports crowds for friends, and Steve fondly remembers witnessing Clayton Kershaw’s very first strikeout.

Steve avoids chlorine mishaps while Brendan and Matt gear up Spectrum Sound & Vision for a weekend wedding. Dag wraps up songs and preps calming dog routines against fireworks. Steve’s contemplating trying a Crunchwrap Supreme after reading about it, Jackson’s Happy Gilmore swing inspired him to finally binge Sandler, and we’re kicking off the new R2O Coffee of the Month—with a nod to Karen Carpenter’s drumming.

Today’s DahlCast dives into Steve’s comedy-filled hunt for the brown specks haunting his tee and sheets (nightshirt stains, anyone?), plus he’s tackling a classic banjo-picking tune on Matt’s axe. A lively show intro eagerly drops, Grandpa Steve decrees brand-new pool toys, and chaos ensues at the gym when he misplaces his padlock—turns out Lost & Found is overflowing with locks!