Basic Thoughtonomics
On Basic Thoughtonomics I (Chris Grosso) have conversations with people in the sports media world who have similar interests, hobbies, mindsets and are passionate at what they do. What makes me stand out is my personality and knowledge. I'm a very gregarious, charismatic, down-to-earth guy with a very relatable personality and a great sense of humor and I try to make that come out in my episdoes. Feel free to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. It's always appreciated. Follow @basicthoughtpod on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
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Episode 44: MLB week recap 8/21/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/25/2023
Episode 44: MLB week recap 8/21/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
New episode. Really good games this week. Some wild card teams playing each other. Giants vs Phillies, Reds vs D-Backs, Yankees and Nationals had a great game at the stadium. And then I touch on big news in the game. Shohei Ohtani torn UCL and how that really puts somewhat of a damper on his free agency pursuit. And Terry Francona intimates this will be his final season managing.
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Episode 43: MLB weekend recap 8/18/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/21/2023
Episode 43: MLB weekend recap 8/18/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
Good games this weekend. Lots of drama. Yankees vs. Red Sox had a great finish Sunday. Braves and Giants played a nailbiter Saturday night. Julio Rodriguez and Pablo Lopez were the story as far as individual performances from the weekend. Jose Altuve makes history. I conclude giving the series results.
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Episode 42: MLB weekend recap 8/14/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/18/2023
Episode 42: MLB weekend recap 8/14/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
Another recap of some of the best games from the week. Mariners and Royals played a couple of nailbiting games. Astros and Marlins played a couple games that came down to the wire. White Sox and Cubs had a dramatic finish Wednseday night. As far as storylines, Yankees and Dodgers are front and center as they're two teams going in opposite directions and Brandon Lowe makes history doing something no second basement has done.
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Episode 41: MLB weekend recap 8/12/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/14/2023
Episode 41: MLB weekend recap 8/12/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
Another recap of some of the best games from the weekend. Huge 9th inning comebacks from the Marlins and Yankees game and Nationals and A's game. Great drama with the Orioles and Mariners from Sunday. And also touch on some stories. A great story of perservance from Jon Singleton who hadn't played in MLB in eight years prior to this season. And I recap the series results from the weekend.
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Episode 40: MLB recap week of 8/7/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/11/2023
Episode 40: MLB recap week of 8/7/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
Similar to last episode I touch on what I thought were some of the best games and finishes from the week Monday-Thursday. Then touch on some noteworthy statistical things that happened in the week, standout performances, statistical oddities. Matt Olson, Josh Bell, Miguel Cabrera involved in some of these. Then I conclude providing the series results from the week so far.
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Episode 39: MLB weekend recap 8/5/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
08/07/2023
Episode 39: MLB weekend recap 8/5/23 - Best finishes, highlights, key moments
First episode in a while - tried to do a little something different with this episode. It is more news, journalistic related. Little old school but had some fun with it. But touched on some of the best games and finishes from the weekend, standout performances, key moments, noteworthy statistics. Concluded the episode by giving series results from the weekend.
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Episode 38: Potpourri (Thoughts on Joe Buck, Troy Aikman deals, Breaking Bad, Catcher in the Rye, St. Peter's run)
03/24/2022
Episode 38: Potpourri (Thoughts on Joe Buck, Troy Aikman deals, Breaking Bad, Catcher in the Rye, St. Peter's run)
Different kind of episode this time. Instead of focusing on one topic I just touched on a few things that were on my mind. I start out talking about the absurd amount of money's sports broadcasters are making and give my thoughts on compensation in some more meaningful fields. I then talk about watching Breaking Bad and give praise to the show as I just finished season 3. (10:13) I finished reading Catcher in the Rye and give some thoughts on that. (15:48) I conclude with giving my thoughts on St. Peter's unlikely miraculous run and how I've really rallied behind their success and newfound notoriety. (19:25)
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Episode 37: NBA Top Five Teams/Top Five MVP Candidates Episode
02/03/2022
Episode 37: NBA Top Five Teams/Top Five MVP Candidates Episode
Getting back at it posting content for the pod. For this episode (solo show) I give my take on the who I think the top five teams in the league are and the top five NBA candidates raking them both 5-1. Feel free to debate or provide feedback.
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Episode 36: Interview with Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims
10/08/2021
Episode 36: Interview with Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims
For this episode I (Chris Grosso) am joined by longtime Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims. I got his take on the overwhelming reaction his game-winning call got on Mitch Haniger's go-ahead single Saturday night which garnered nearly three million views on the Mariners Twitter account. We also talked Mariners fan base and their playoff drought. For any Mets fans, we also talked Jarred Kelenic, Robinson Cano as well.
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Episode 35: Interview with former NFL running back Antowain Smith
09/07/2021
Episode 35: Interview with former NFL running back Antowain Smith
For this episode I’m joined by former Super Bowl winning running back with the New England Patriots Antowain Smith. I start out asking what he’s been up to and what life is like when you transition into retirement from the game (:56) I then ask how he only played high school football his senior year and how he played only because of a “dare” from his friends. He then talks about how he left a scholarship from Auburn on the table to take care of his ailing grandmother I ask about his experience playing under Bill Belichick and what Bill was like and the environment of the organization. (5:05) I then ask what Tom Brady was like in the early stages of his career and he talks about how some veterans like Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy molded him early on (7:56). I then get his take on the success Brady is having nearly 20 years later (11:15) We then talk about the 2001 season and how the team had little expectations going into the season and especially after Drew Bledsoe went down (13:20). I then ask the team’s mindset, game plan going into Super Bowl 36 as 14 point underdogs to the Rams(15:15). I ask about his iconic celebration as he was the first Patriot to rush the field after Vinatieri’s field goal (16:45). We then talk Super Bowl 38 and the flipped script with the Pats being heavy favorites in that game (19:00) I then ask his thoughts on Brady getting the ball with less than two minutes in Super Bowl 36 and 38 and whether he had confidence in him (21:05). He then talks about what is was like scoring a touchdown in front of his hometown friends and family in Houston in Super Bowl 38 (23:10). I get his thoughts on the current game and the differences in regards to safety from the time he played (23:50). I ask about an epic run he had on 10/17/1999 (YouTube if you want) with the Bills when he trucked Raiders safety Eric Turner on the way to a 50 plus yard TD run (25:15). I ask about some of the intangibles and ingredients that goes into championship teams and he sheds light on a lot of the team bonding things those Patriots teams did (26:40) and he concludes talking about some of the guys he still is close with on those Patriots teams.
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Episode 34: MLB talk with MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman
09/03/2021
Episode 34: MLB talk with MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman
For this episode I (Chris Grosso) have on Jon Heyman as we talk all things baseball. First we start with the Mets and the thumbs up thumbs down fiasco and we transition to the on-field performance of the team and the struggles of Lindor and the rest of the offense this season. Then we talk Yankees turnaround and Gerrit Cole's CY Young candidacy especially rebounding after the spider tack scandal. We talk Yankees chances as well in the wild-card game. We also talk Rays unlikely success year in and year out. The NL West race between the Dodgers and Giants. The unlikely success of the Giants. We talk awards and the candidates for NL, AL CY Young and MVP. We debate whether the MVP award should go to a player on a winning team. We also debate whether Shohei Ohtani should remain a two-way player and how good he'd be if he dedicated himself to hitting or pitching. We conclude by talking rule changes (7th inning DH's, runner on second to start extra innings) and whether he likes them or not.
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Episode 33: Mets, Yankees Weekend Recap 8/9/21
08/09/2021
Episode 33: Mets, Yankees Weekend Recap 8/9/21
It seems the world is aligned again as the Mets and Yankees are playing the way we're used to seeing them play. Mets are out of first place after three months hitting rock bottom getting swept in embarrassing fashion. Yankees lose yesterday but overall are playing better since the trade deadline as they look to secure a spot in the Wild Card game.
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Episode 32: Yankees, Mets trade deadline recap 7/31/21
07/31/2021
Episode 32: Yankees, Mets trade deadline recap 7/31/21
I start out recapping a little bit of my trip to Chicago from this past week and then get into the trading deadline for the Mets and the Yankees. While the Mets got Baez i don't think they addressed the more glaring needs with their team which was the rotation and bullpen while the Braves and Phillies upgraded their needs. Yankees get some left-handed power but they're essentially playing to get into the one game wild card. Even if they get into the playoffs how deep of a run can they make?
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Episode 31: Mets, Yankees weekend recap 7/19/21
07/19/2021
Episode 31: Mets, Yankees weekend recap 7/19/21
Recap of the Mets and Yankees performances from this weekend. Mets underperform but get big comeback win yesterday. Yanks finally show some life vs. Red Sox
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Episode 30: Mets, Yankees first half recap
07/14/2021
Episode 30: Mets, Yankees first half recap
New episode of the podcast is up as I recap the first half for the Mets and Yankees and chronicle the good, bad and ugly (although with the Mets I couldn’t really come up with any ugly as it’s been mostly good).
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Episode 29: Phillies talk with Bob Wankel of Crossing Broad
07/09/2021
Episode 29: Phillies talk with Bob Wankel of Crossing Broad
My first ever guest on the podcast comes back for a triumphant return as I have on Bob Wankel, Phillies writer for CrossingBroad.com to talk some Phillies baseball. We talk about their disastrous bullpen despite their better play as of late, whether they will be buyers or sellers at the deadline and if they can make a run at the Mets, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Joe Girardi among many more things.
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Episode 28: MLB Nightly Recap 6/30/21
07/01/2021
Episode 28: MLB Nightly Recap 6/30/21
Nightly recap of some of the games last night. Yankees vs. Angels, Mets vs. Braves, Nats vs. Rays, Phillies vs. Marlins, Padres vs. Reds and more
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Episode 27: MLB Nightly Recap 6/14/21
06/15/2021
Episode 27: MLB Nightly Recap 6/14/21
Nightly recap of all 13 games from June 14th. Good series starting between the top two teams in the AL in the Rays and White Sox. Blue Jays, Red Sox conclude a 4 game series in which Vladdy Jr. just went OFF. Reds and Beermakers start a big series in the AL Central. Mets, Cubbies get a series going. More good pitching, more good ERA'S. We'll see if that changes with the monitoring of the foreign substances going into effect today
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Episode 26: MLB Weekend Recap 6/8/21
06/08/2021
Episode 26: MLB Weekend Recap 6/8/21
Know there were a few games last night but recapped all the series from this past weekend starting with Yankees/Red Sox(1:30) Mets/Padres (6:00) Giants/Cubs among many more. Touched on the ridiculous amount of good pitching performances, Jesse Winker's monster 3 homer game Sunday, Cedric the Entertainer going 9 for 9 over a stretch (26:11), Beermakers go 9-1 in their last 10 games, Whit Merrifield does something that hasn't been done since 1980 (29:46)
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Episode 25: MLB Weekend Recap 5/31/21
05/31/2021
Episode 25: MLB Weekend Recap 5/31/21
For this episode this is a solo show as I breakdown and provide a little recap of each series from this weekend. I touch on the key moments, plays, performers, storylines and just talk some baseball. Might try and make this a weekly episode.
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Episode 24: Knicks talk with New York Post's Marc Berman
03/23/2021
Episode 24: Knicks talk with New York Post's Marc Berman
For this episode I'm joined by Marc Berman who covers the Knicks for the NY post. I start out asking him his on how he would summarize/characterize the Knicks surpising season so far (0:42) and whether he thought they'd ever be this good (2:09). I then ask if he thinks Thibs is going to be here long term (3:30). I ask his thoughts on Obi Toppin and his struggles his first season (4:30) We then talk some Immanuel Quickley and his unexpected rise (7:20). We then talk about the urgency the Knicks need to have to finish in the top 6 in the Eastern Conference to avoid the play-in tournament (9:44). I ask his expectations of what he thinks the team can do if they get into the playoffs and if they could maybe make some noise or win a first round depending on the matchup (12:56). I ask his thoughts on Julius Randle unexpected All-Star season (15:22) and what he sees in terms of his role long term (17:20). Lastly we conclude talking about R.J. Barrett's strides in his second season (19:56).
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Episode 23: Mets talk with WFAN'S Ed Coleman
03/10/2021
Episode 23: Mets talk with WFAN'S Ed Coleman
For this episode, I'm joined by the great Mets reporter Ed Coleman of WFAN to talk some Mets going into the season. I start out asking him what it was like to cover the bizarre 2020 season (2:20). I then ask what his early impressions are of the Steve Cohen era (4:10). I then ask what his thoughts were on the Mets offseason and how I expected them to do more in free agency. (5:27). He provides some good insight into why Steve Cohen maybe didn't want to spend wildly this offseason (10:50) I ask how much stock he put in performance good or bad in the extremely truncated 2020 season (12:47). He brings up some good analysis on why Pete Alonso may have struggled (14:20). I asked what he thought of Conforto's 2020 season and if he's a believer in him long term (18:40). I ask his early impressions of Lindor and what he expects from him (20:37). I ask what he thinks a Lindor extension could look like in terms of years/dollars (24:13). I ask what he expects from Edwin Diaz in 2021 after a strong 2020 (27:50). I ask who he thinks from under the radar guys in the bullpen could be (30:16) and if he thinks Familia and Betances can get back to the way they were in their prime (32:20). I then ask his thoughts on the rotation outside of deGrom (34:00) and his thoughts on Syndergaard's return (39:00). We conclude with talk on JD Davis at 3rd (42:48) and the Mets defense and what his expectations for the team going into this season (45:28).
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Interview with John Jastremski of WFAN/SNY
02/26/2021
Interview with John Jastremski of WFAN/SNY
For this episode I’m joined by the great John Jastremski of WFAN. We start out talking life and career stuff and his recent engagement and then we get into some sports. We talk Knicks and the progress they’ve made this year and what they need to do to get to the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference. We then talk a little Syracuse since he is an alum there and reminiscence about the better times for the Orange. We then touch on the Yankees and their expectations going into this season and really debate on the Mets and whether they had a good offseason or not. We conclude talking about his passion for running. Up on @applepodcasts, @spotify @youtube. Feel free to subscribe, rate, review.
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Interview with Thom Brennaman
02/01/2021
Interview with Thom Brennaman
For this episode I'm joined by longtime sports broadcaster Thom Brennaman who broadcasting career has been put on hold since August due to uttering a homophobic slur which was caught on a hot mic. I start out with a little humor icebreaker by asking Thom about spelling his name "Thom" as opposed to Tom (1:38) and transition to one of his new endeavors as he's started up his own podcast Dialed In with Thom Brennaman in which he's interviewed Urban Meyer, Brian Billick, Troy Aikman (2:40). I then ask if he believes he'll get another chance to announce again (4:20) I then ask about the night of the incident in which he was caught using the homophobic slur and his reaction right after he was made know it had went viral (6:50). I then ask about the criticism and backlash he received from calling the Nick Castellanos home run in the middle of his apology (10:40) I then ask if he had ever the mindset "why me" as I make the point that unfortunately people do make inappropiate jokes all the time and he had been unfortunate he had been caught on a hot mic (13:30). I then ask about the outreach he has done with the LGBTQ community to make amends for using the slur (15:12) I then ask if he thinks it's "fair" whether an employee with no track record of scandal should be terminated or be put in a position where the outcry is so much that they should be put in a position to resign from one incident (18:35) I transition to his college and professional career and ask about his experience becoming a sports broadcaster and the jobs he's had throughout his career (22:05). He sheds light on his lack of experience announcing baseball and how he literally got his start by announcing games on his own tape recorder in the press box at Riverfront Stadium (26:37) I conclude by asking him about his most memorable calls/games which included the Derek Jeter flip play, the Boise State upset of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, covering the 2001 World Series between the Yankees/Diamondbacks and Albert Pujols home run off Brad Lidge in game 5 of the 2005 NLCS. (33:40)
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Interview with Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports
12/10/2020
Interview with Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports
For this episode I (Chris Grosso) have on Frank Fleming of Barstool Sports for a conversation. We talk about Frank's career prior to Barstool Sports, his NJ Transit rant which propelled his career, his food reviews most recently his McRib review, his love of raw dogs (plain hot dogs), and debate what the best fast food joint is. We then talk about the Mets and whether he's optimistic about the ownership change, relive some of the Mets worst moments ('06 NLCS, '07 collapse, last game at Shea in '08) and conclude talking about the pandemic and how we have had to alter our lives. Apologies for the weird beeps and sounds that randomly occur, think there was just some technological issues. Feel free to follow @BasicThoughtPod on Twitter @BasicThoughtsPod on Instagram
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Yankees-Rays Game 5 Recap and offseason preview
10/12/2020
Yankees-Rays Game 5 Recap and offseason preview
For this ep, I (Chris Grosso) recap game 5 between the Yanks and Rays. I give my thoughts on how on the Yanks offense came up short when they had Glasnow on the ropes, the Rays bullpen, Gerrit Cole's outing. And then I touch on some of the offseason decisions the Yankees will have to make. Most importantly will they try to resign LeMahieu and will they try to resign Tanaka, Paxton. I also recap Tanaka's seven year tenure in NY if it does come to an end. Will they go after Trevor Bauer or J.T. Realmuto? I give my personal take on Trevor Bauer after meeting him at MLB Network when I worked there. How would the Yankees have fared if they were to have gotten past the Rays.
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Giants talk with Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News
10/07/2020
Giants talk with Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News
New episode of Basic Thoughtonomics is up as I (Chris Grosso) have a convo with the Giants beat writer of the New York Daily News Pat Leonard. We talk state of the Giants, the lack of success the last seven to eight years (1:35), Dave Gettleman’s tumultous tenure (4:27), their inept offense and why it has struggled so bad (9:00), the lack of involvement with Evan Engram (13:37) whether he envisioned the season could start this bad (15:15), the terrible 49ers loss (16:02), the improved play of the defense (20:26), the terrible NFC East (22:50), Daniel Jones play and his future (27:30) his thoughts on Joe Judge so far (29:50), Jason Garrett going back to Dallas this week (33:34), his experience not going on the road having to cover the team (33:58) and more
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Yankees postseason talk with Sweeny Murti of WFAN
10/02/2020
Yankees postseason talk with Sweeny Murti of WFAN
For this episode I'm (Chris Grosso) joined by longtime Yankee reporter for WFAN Sweeny Murti. We start out recapping his takeaways from the brief two-game series between the Yankees and Indians. I then ask if he thinks the layoff in between series may hurt the Yanks particularly the guys like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez, all of whom got the bats going. I then ask if he likes Gary Sanchez may have turned a corner after his good game in Game 2 vs. the Indians. Next we talk about the ALDS with the Rays and how the Yankees will have to dip more into their resources particularly in the starting rotation and bullpen. I then ask how this series may have a different feel to it playing in a neutral site on the West Coast. We conclude talking about his biggest keys for this series from the Yankees and Rays standpoint and what he thinks of a potential ALCS rematch between the Yankees and Astros.
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Yankees talk with Bryan Hoch of MLB.com
09/28/2020
Yankees talk with Bryan Hoch of MLB.com
For this episode I (Chris Grosso) am joined by Bryan Hoch who covers the Yankees for MLB.com. I start out asking what his experience has been like covering the team this unprecedented season not being able to go into the clubhouse or be on the road (00:40). I then ask his thoughts on this streaky Yankees team as they head into the postseason losing six of their last eight games (3:00). I then get his take on the keys for the Yankees in their bizarre best of three series coming up with the Indians (4:25). I ask about the Yankees offense as much of the team has been sputtering as of late with the exception of LeMahieu, Voit and Gio Urshela (5:50). We then talk the struggles of Gary Sanchez and I ask if he thinks if it may be time to look for another everyday catcher if he continues to struggle (9:00). Next, I ask about the home run or nothing nature of the Yankees offense and how that they manifest itself in the postseason (14:30). We then touch on the importance of starting pitching if the Yankees were to advance in the LDS and LCS with no off days (16:35). I then ask about Deivi Garcia in particular and how he would expect him to fare pitching on the big stage as a rookie (19:25). Next I ask his thoughts on the Yankees poor record away from the Yankee Stadium and whether he's concerned about it (22:47). We then talk the bubble format coming up for the postseason and the impact that could have on the players (25:20). I conclude by asking him his thoughts on a potential Yankees, Rays LDS matchup with the bad blood brewing from both teams earlier in the season (27:45).
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Interview with Michael Kay
07/02/2020
Interview with Michael Kay
New Basic Thoughtonomics podcast is up as I’m (Chris Grosso) joined by the great Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay to preview the upcoming season. I ask what he’s looking for in terms of storyline for the upcoming season and how he would go about analyzing a 60 game season. I get his thoughts on the 60 game season in terms of credibility and legitimacy. I also get his thoughts on how managers will have to adapt to the 60 game schedule. Also, asks his thoughts on how games might feel different with an added sense of urgency due to the shortened season and the Yankees biggest threat in the division. I ask how he thinks the players will respond to playing in empty ballparks, his thoughts on calling games in an empty stadium and how he’ll be calling road games from the YES studios in Connecticut. Lastly, I ask him his favorite Centerstage interview which led to a fun little debate about Seinfeld and Friends. If you have a few minutes, feel free to give it a listen. As always, any and all feedback is encouraged.
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