Heather joins for a fascinating 'offseason' (translation: about our friendship, not football) episode.

• Last time, David was rocked when Heather said the phrase "okay, great!" David shares what that moment was like for him (01:17); then Heather explains what was actually going on for her when she said it.
• Also last episode, when Marshall went inside to get Heather, David speculated about what the two were saying to each other; Heather and Marshall reveal what they were actually saying to each other (12:54).

In short: you'll get to see the stories we tell ourselves, and how both a) saying those stories out loud, and also b) responding to the stories with absolute honesty, can create real and deep trust and eliminate misunderstandings. Okay? Great!

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind"

Pt. 2 of 3. David and Marshall discuss:

• What David said to that know-it-all neighbor about his perennials (01:30)
• Do Black people need sunscreen? (04:01)

Then Heather joins us to resolve hurt feelings from the last time we were at David's house (08:35).

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 1 of 3. On Father's Day, David and Marshall intend to record an episode on the Lions and reinvention, but this time we get lost in the weeds (pun intended) breaking down Marshall's experience mowing his first-ever lawn earlier this week.

Also discussed:

• the transformative power of making your bed;
• movies that hinge on a 'deadman's brake;'
• the joys—and occasional letdowns—of slowing things down.

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Football is essentially over until training camp. But our ongoing conversation continues, without football this week.

We started this season of SHIT2GRIT revisiting the violent tale of Cam Sutton, which apparently occurred when he was dealing with a failed relationship. We've also been talking about all the factors that go into giving a player a 'max' contract, and the lack of coaching players get about turning it off after they've been coached a lifetime to play violently.

Those three takes are the subjects of these three outtakes from conversations past.

• In the first (01:45), David and Marshall, after an a '80s and '90s pop-music duets convo, discuss the merits of alluding to violence in movies rather than showing it.
• Then Heather joins us (19:48) to contemplate the consequences of normalizing violence in children, and the importance of maintaining connection to one's own voice as a child facing violent punishments.
• We conclude (31:07) with Heather shedding light on what happens to a platonic relationship when one person tries to take it further.

Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Part 3 of 3. Brad Holmes has a proven track record as a GM in every area but one: re-signing his own draft picks. Holmes just gave cornerstone deals to three players: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell and Jared Goff. From Marshall’s perspective, all three cornerstones are not on equal footing. From David’s perspective, Holmes had no choice.

That subject ties our last few episodes together. We recall a multitude of famous figures who’ve had unexpected trajectories in their careers and lives, and ask if there are any true predictors of a person’s future trajectory. We also champion the necessity of direct communication during the heat of battle, and wonder how important communication skills are in determining long-term success.

We also ponder:

• Does it matter if someone is just having a bad day? (28:44)
• Does everyone deserve a second chance?
• And what if they squander it?

Stay tuned after the outro music (45:54), as David waxes passionate on the bizarre name of the episode—cracking Marshall up in the process. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"

Pt. 2 of 3. David sends Marshall an Instagram video of two football players, one expressing frustration with the other's on-field communication. It launches us into a discussion about the nature of communication in high-pressure situations in professional sports.

• What's the impact of ego on your ability to listen?
• Is insensitivity always obvious?
• Is what we're hearing passion or aggression?

Marshall emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags and troubling patterns, while David considers the possibility of coaching and growth. Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)" | Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7CZGTtRXWZ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Part 1 of 3. On our way to a conversation about Brad Holmes, David and Marshall get sidetracked. We reflect on:

• our 50th episode;
• what got Marshall into podcasting and into football;
• David recalls a phrase from last week that bothered David but resonated for Marshall;
• what bothered us both about Barry Sanders;
• an Instagram video about body language and making mistakes

In Part 2, we discuss Brad Holmes having to go all in on something he's never done before: re-sign his own draft picks | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)

Part 2 of 2. Chris Perfett of the late Pride of Detroit PODcast finishes his breakdown of the Detroit Lions' 2024 draft. Chris also discusses game theory, his relationship with sports, and what the PODcast journey has meant to him.

Afterwards, David and Marshall debrief how stressful it was keeping up with Perfett's untouchable knowledge base while dealing with David's dying phone, and chat about sushi bars, Seinfeld and the agony of waiting for the 2024 Lions season to start.

• (02:00) "Of the three other draft picks, what stands out to you?"
• (14:38) "Everyone's jumping on this bandwagon now"
• (22:46) "Could you tell that the Campbell/Holmes regime was different?"
• (24:07) "The mic is yours…what else do you want to say?"
• (29:06) "That was quite an experience"

Our thanks again to Chris Perfett for his time, honesty and insights | Theme music: Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist, "Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)"