Episode 2 – Unscripted (with Liz)

June Overload: Awareness Months, Safety Briefs and Berry Wars

Hosts Stephen and Michael cover the chaos of June’s many awareness months, swap funny and strange military safety-brief stories, and discuss PTSD and men’s mental health. They also enjoy lighthearted tales of World Cup visitors discovering Waffle House, Buc-ee’s and ranch on pizza, then shift to a serious conversation about a deadly school track meet incident, questions of self-defense, jury selection, and parental responsibility.

Hole Challenge for Charity: 100 Holes, Bourbon & Bedtime Banter

Part B of the episode dives into a creative fundraiser idea for Rising Tide Athletics: a sunup-to-sundown "Hole Challenge" where donors sponsor hole restrictions or give flat donations, paired with sponsor perks, social media coverage, shirts and raffle ideas while navigating legal and logistical hurdles. The hosts also riff on local businesses, quirky promotional stunts (including a mariachi prank), minor-league hockey, community events and plans for live aftershows now that the show is Facebook verified.

LinkedIn: The New Good Old Boys Club?

On this episode of Backline's Bedtimes and Bourbon, hosts Stephen and Michael chat about parenting young adults, the role of LinkedIn in modern hiring and potential favoritism, insurance costs, college life skills, workplace production capacity, and colorful family stories — including a pepper-spray incident and classic car restorations. They mix humor, real-world observations, and practical advice while sipping bourbon. Part A wraps up after a lively 52-minute conversation, promising more in Part B.

Bedtimes & Bourbon: Hype, Scams and Cheap Cigars

Hosts Stephen and Michael riff on men's mental health month and dive into candid takes on overhyped bourbons (Blanton's, Angel's Envy), shady subscriptions (Disney arbitration), risky loans, golf gear flops, expensive youth sports, cigars, cars, and wild deployment stories. Raw, funny, and practical — personal anecdotes and buying advice combine with outrageous stories and straightforward tips for avoiding hype and bad purchases.

Men, Money & Misunderstanding: A Raw Look at Modern Dating and Mental Health

Michael and Stephen unpack how modern dating expectations, income pressure, and custody rules contribute to men’s rising mental health struggles and suicide rates. They discuss dating preferences (height, income, body type), the financial fallout of divorce, and how emotional isolation and feeling unheard drive the crisis. The episode highlights that June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and stresses the importance of support, awareness, and understanding for men facing loneliness, financial strain, and emotional isolation.