Steve got into a game of high-stakes chicken with an opposing driver. Ahead of open-heart surgery, he’s been practicing getting up from his chair in a manner comfortable for his soon to be sawed in half sternum. Brendan witnessed the Nude Bike Ride, and had a goat empanada. Dag and company performed a, freshly written Sunshine Boys song. Someone is getting a Santa’s list worth of wishes for his planned recovery and music rooms.

Steve and Janet, much like Buzz, took great delight in watching Project Hail Mary, a feel good movie about a handsome scientist that befriends a pile of boxes in outer space. Have we all read the classics, or did we just carry them around with us? Most of us know the correct way to put on a t-shirt. And we are all gearing up to watch the 1980 one-star classic, Alligator, which was apparently “shot” in various locations across the country.

Steve flies solo for a good portion at the end of today’s show (It’s a technical workshop!) but not before we get the chance to analyze an eclair bargain that’s being offered by Jewel, and has Brendan seeking advice from his village elders. For some of us, it’s the first time we’re not only hearing of, but actually listening to the immensely popular Noah Kahan, a singer/songwriter that’s burning up the charts in a mellow, thoughtful fashion.

Steve seems to be in an endless loop of doctors and medical info, but he’s handling it all in stride, despite the absence of caffeine in his life. He and Janet binged the first half of Season 5 of The Bear. Steve did reserve doubts about the plumbing situation at the fictional restaurant, however. Joe will be participating in the annual Naked Bike Ride, and he’s willing to pull Steve in a rickshaw. A Floridiot tries (and fails) to get creative with a hiding place.

There are more tests awaiting Steve prior to his procedure at the end of the month. He’s facing them with patience, though he’s eager to get it all done. We break down the legendary face off between talking horse Mr. Ed and LA Dodgers hurler, Sandy Koufax. It’s a Talk To Me Tuesday and our wonderful listeners have lots of good wishes for Steve. And Clarence Carter, the singer, gave us both Patches and Strokin’ — talk about versatility!

Steve stared his morning by having a dust-up with his coffeemaker. Tom Thayer joins us at the top of the show, as we all give our holiday weekend firework reports. He’s very impressed by the Wimbledon ball crew, as well as NASCAR pit crews. He’s also is not driving an hour into Manhattan to eat spaghetti. Steve saved Janet (and possibly others) from eating an undercooked bratwurst. Caleb Williams signed a jersey for Da Pope.

World Cup Soccer can be captivating, but Steve feels the flopping sort of makes it look like a cartoon. He found a captivating water park in Orland Park as he went to get his heart monitor and his IL EPA emissions sticker. Brendan learns that people in the 1970s talked to plants. He’s also is back into the CD and DVD game. Buzz joins us with a movie recommendation, and a must-watch streaming show.

Steve was very pleased after meeting his surgeon. He did learn that he’ll be undergoing a second procedure too. Janet responded to the stress of all this news by cleaning. Janet responded to the stress of all this news by cleaning. Steve thinks Tesla drivers are supplanting Audi drivers. There’s motorized bike madness in Western Springs, not to mention the availability of an over the counter substance that will either leave you jacked, chilled or psychotic.

The voicemail bank is brimming with well-wishes and positive outlooks regarding Steve’s regurgitating valve. He’s meeting with a heart surgeon later on this afternoon. Tortas and tipping protocol are topics touched on following Brendan’s tasty stop in the lobby of a tall tower. Steve’s got to make a decision about bringing in his car for an emissions test: which location will he choose? Talk to me Tuesday on a Tuesday, who knew?

Steve and Janet have the complete update of Steve’s recent health concerns and it’s all here on today’s podcast. Other than some air conditioning issues, Steve’s ticker was front and center this weekend. He also proved that it’s never too late in life for an epiphany, as he has finally cracked the code on proper Saran Wrap handling. Tom Thayer’s Joliet home does not have air conditioning, and his dad strongly discouraged the use of box fans.

Steve has been sober now for 31 years! June 23, 1995 was a bad day (as you might imagine). Rosie was thrown off by a subwoofer while Steve and Janet watched Widow’s Bay, and stared down the speaker in defense of her owners. Brendan calls out a play from last night’s Cubs game; they were victorious, thankfully. Will Joe help Steve prepare himself for an impending medical test? It’s an affair of the heart.

We observe a high profile leave-behind of some Executive Branch DNA this morning, and hope it doesn’t undermine any ongoing peace efforts overseas. A Western Springs police officer — also a friend of Steve’s — is recognized for a humane act. And speaking of Western Springs, we have an open and honest discussion about Steve’s AI assisted homage to his town, and we find ourselves on common ground.

Father’s Day was a nice one for the dads among us, and Steve and Dag both enjoyed delicious ribs on their big day. Tom Thayer joins us, and helps Brendan speculate on who had the better post-Cubs and post-Bears career. A fire hydrant is being installed in front of Tom’s house, and his dogs are champing at the bit to mark it. He also remembers trying to bring Steve and Tom Dreesen together. Steve debuts his Western Springs song.

Not surprisingly, a computer-generated song has grabbed the internet’s attention. Steve’s going to work on one about Western Springs over the weekend. Friday means it time for another visit with our great friend, Buzz Kilman. The Drive-In Review of the week features a film featuring gigantic stone trolls terrorizing Norway. We also learn about the current state (as well as the backstory) on the menagerie that shares the apartment with Buzz.

Janet’s hunch was right about Steve’s recent spell of overall grogginess, but she feels he’s pulling out of that now. He’s still got some doctor visits to endure. In the meantime he’s busy planning their fall trip to Paris, which now includes a view of the Eiffel Tower from their hotel. Brendan maintains his status as the world’s most podcasted person. Rosie’s looking good with her new haircut, and a family of ducks has Steve to thank for their well-being.

Lots of celebrity news to start out this rainy Wednesday, including the divorce of recently slender hopeful father (but already a father), Jelly Roll. We also learn of the passing of two Chicago legends, one of them literally a Chicago legend. Dag is podcasting from Brendan’s house today. Steve has a serious fear of lightning, but Joe will watch a tornado roar down his street from his front window. A bungee disaster in Brazil caused a woman’s death.

Frozen dark chocolate-covered cherries are Steve’s latest obsession. He cleaned out the freezer section at Mariano’s on a recent quest for the decadent dessert. James Marsden is spectacular on Your Friends & Neighbors. Can you return unopened soda to the store? How is Brendan affected by his trips to the East Coast? Are we let down by our big stars doing TV ads for gambling apps? We head our subscribers calls on this Talk To Me Tuesday.

We’re back on this sunny Monday, each of us with a busy weekend+ under our belts. Steve was of course a golf “Legend”, despite some weather delays. Brendan had a chance to see Lupe Fiasco, and loved it despite being drenched prior to his arrival at the impressive Salt Shed. Dag gigged steadily with Expo’76, despite one and a half weather cancellations. Tom Thayer has a report from Bears Training Camp and introduces us to EMLOS.

Braden Montgomery made baseball history in his White Sox debut, with Bob Costas and Steve Stone on the call. Steve’s DuoLingo gives him passive/aggressive feedback on his progress. David Lee Roth is still touring, and Steve isn’t impressed with his stage presence. Steve waves off a cute representative from a local roofing company. Brendan hates to drive, and so he’s become a master of Chicago’s public transportation system Who invented the “high five”?

There’s window washers at Steve and Janet’s — they arrived while night owl Steve was still sleeping. Tom Thayer, on the other was cramming more into his day than most people do in a week. Standard stuff! He’s also got some thoughts on recent Bears announcements, and he offers them from a number of unique and relatable perspectives. Tom and Mike Dahl ran into one another at Bears minicamp and posed like “Iceman” for a picture.

Weekend announcements from the Bears are causing all sorts of heartbreak, confusion, and rage. Steve and Janet watched the Tony Awards, despite his forsaking the theater. Steve tried some new food for Rosie, but she is not embracing it. Bulls broadcasting legend and 3x champ Stacey King passed away at age 59. Brendan had fun at his yearly DJ gig at the amazing St. Charles Public Library, where he reunited with old friends, The Bergers.

Two guitarists, two different approaches to learning; Steve and Dag recall their early days of axe-wielding. John (Jon?) Travolta checks in to talk about his updated new look. How many Marilyns is too many Marilyns? Does Steve lack empathy? Buzz Kilman is on hand to sing the praises of “Begonia” (Brendan is also on board) and discuss the French horror classic, “Eyes Without A Face” which makes for a super uncomfortable movie-watching experience.

Western Springs issued a boil order this morning, but it seems to have arrived a little too late for Steve’s liking. He may have consumed some yellow water. Some ill advised late night Jack In The Box has left Steve in a wobbly state this morning — it may be time for a re-think on that fast food chain. Janet is stocking up for holiday glitter. Also, she and Brendan (who won’t be at Dag’s RiverWalk gig tonight) open up the Sports Desk for some serious Knicks discussion.

Steve considered adding Garry on LinkedIn before he read Garry’s profile. Dag is in possession of his father’s old recliner, where Bozo might’ve relaxed once upon a time. Steve and Janet are seriously considering electric bikes, now that Joe is sitting on a giant new shipment of them — don’t worry, he knows how to fix them. Brendan the gadabout had an afternoon that included both The Bean and a delicious beef sandwich; how Chicago is that?