Mitch Wonders

We all own things. But somewhere along the way, some of those things become something more.We talk to our cars. We encourage machines. We thank technology. We get attached to things that remind us of home — and develop long-running grudges against printers, garage doors, and anything else that decides to betray us at exactly the wrong moment. (Don't bring up snowblowers!)This week, Mitch is joined by longtime friends Brian and John for a completely unserious look at the very real relationships we develop with things that aren't alive.Because when it works, it’s just a thing.When it doesn’t? It gets personal.Mitch Wonders is where Texas porch talk meets life’s big questions. Each episode, Mitch — a cranky but curious Texan — takes a plainspoken look at today’s world with humor, humility, and a shot of wisdom you can actually swallow.Catch up on all episodes, see recent guests, YouTube clips, BBQ and whiskey reviews, subscribe, and visit the Mitch Merch Store at the Mitch Wonders newly updated and streamlined website:  ⁠https://mitchwonders.com/⁠. Got feedback? Hit Mitch up at ⁠https://tinyurl.com/kc2e4wu3⁠ and...thank you!

In Episode 216, fan favorite Angie from Virginia returns to Mitch Wonders to talk about Ella Langley, the massive success of Choosin’ Texas, and why America seems to rediscover country music every few decades.We go back to the Urban Cowboy explosion of 1980,when cowboy hats, boots and country music suddenly seemed to be everywhere, and discuss whether we're watching a new version of the same phenomenon today.From Doja Cat having no idea who Ella Langley was, to Yellowstone and Lainey Wilson, to some borderline embarrassing stories from our own country-music past, Angie and I wonder why country keeps finding new audiences — and why some of those newcomers eventually stay.Because Ella Langley was here before the headlines and the hype. Country music was here before Urban Cowboy made it cool.And when the smoke clears, our bet is they'll both still be here.Mitch Wonders is where Texas porch talk meets life’s big questions. Each episode, Mitch — a cranky but curious Texan — takes a plainspoken look at today’s world with humor, humility, and a shot of wisdom you can actually swallow.Catch up on all episodes, see recent guests, YouTube clips, BBQ and whiskey reviews, subscribe, and visit the Mitch Merch Store at the Mitch Wonders newly updated and streamlined website:  ⁠https://mitchwonders.com/⁠Got feedback? Hit Mitch up at ⁠https://tinyurl.com/kc2e4wu3⁠ and...thank you!

Do Texans really need to pick a side? Do any of us need to?Lisa Singer, founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Times News, joins Mitch to explore the growing influence of independent voters—and what happens when the issue in front of us matters more than the party.From close elections to the enormous growth of AI data centers in Texas, some of today's biggest questions don't fit neatly into a Republican or Democratic box. Can independent voters help bridge that divide and bring people together around the issues that matter?Politics? Sort of. Texas? Absolutely.This is Episode 215 of The Mitch Wonders Podcast: Do Texans Need to Pick a Side?Mitch Wonders is where Texas porch talk meets life’s bigquestions. Each episode, Mitch — a cranky but curious Texan — takes a plainspoken look at today’s world with humor, humility, and a shot of wisdom you can actually swallow.Catch up on all episodes, see recent guests, YouTubeclips, BBQ and whiskey reviews, subscribe, and visit the Mitch Merch Store at the Mitch Wonders newly updated and streamlined website:  ⁠https://mitchwonders.com/⁠Got feedback? Hit Mitch up at ⁠https://tinyurl.com/kc2e4wu3⁠ and...thank you!

At 25, Simone Vitale left Sicily for a job opportunity in America. Twenty-six years later, he has spent more than half his life here, built a career and family, and become an American citizen.In this episode, Simone shares what America looked like from Italy, what surprised him when he arrived, and why he believes the American Dream is still alive—but is often misunderstood. Opportunity, he says, isn't a gift. America gives you the freedom to pursue the life you want; what happens next is up to you.We also talk about the American influence he experienced growing up in Sicily, the differences he found in American working culture, the day he and his wife became U.S. citizens, and a bit of Italian wisdom worth remembering: Tutto passa. Everything passes.After 26 years, knowing everything he knows now, would Simone choose America again?His answer: “Of course.”And Mitch gets it.Mitch Wonders is where Texas porch talk meets life’s bigquestions. Each episode, Mitch — a cranky but curious Texan — takes a plainspoken look at today’s world with humor, humility, and a shot of wisdom you can actually swallow.Catch up on all episodes, see recent guests, YouTubeclips, BBQ and whiskey reviews, subscribe, and visit the Mitch Merch Store at the Mitch Wonders newly updated and streamlined website:  ⁠https://mitchwonders.com/⁠Got feedback? Hit Mitch up at ⁠https://tinyurl.com/kc2e4wu3⁠ and...thank you!

Technology makes life easier. That's the pitch. Until, maybe, it starts making a few too many decisions for us.Mitch's good pal from Australia , Gavin, returns to Mitch Wonders for a conversation about smart homes, AI assistants, convenience creep, and the little habits we've adopted without ever really deciding to.We're not rejecting technology—we love plenty of it. The question is where each of us draws the line. (And you don't want to miss Gavin's borderline epic electric bike analogy!)What do we really need? What do we simply enjoy? And when does useful become unnecessary?Welcome to The Smart Home vs. The Simple Life. Welcome, to Mitch Wonders. Mitch Wonders is where Texas porch talk meets life’s big questions. Each episode, Mitch—a cranky but curious Texan—takes a plainspoken look at today’s world with humor, humility, and a shot of wisdom you can actually swallow.Catch up on every episode, meet recent guests, watch YouTube clips, check out BBQ and whiskey reviews, visit the Mitch Merch Store, and more at the newly updated Mitch Wonders website: https://mitchwonders.com/Got feedback, an idea, or something you just need to tell Mitch? Reach out here: https://tinyurl.com/kc2e4wu3And as always...thank you for listening.