Drop the Needle

This early episode is the first of several that were only briefly available before they vanished due to a server crash (or Paul's ineptitude...)Regardless, they've all been re-discovered, dusted off, freshened up, and re-released for your listening pleasure. First up: Sean's great topic about the act of apologizing and/or asking for forgiveness in recovery.“Daniel,” Olentangy John  “Begin By Letting Go,” Etherwood “The Way Things Are,” Fiona Apple“The Traitor,” Sea Wolf“Hold Me Now,” Thompson Twins“Walking Home,” Serenades“Crawling Back to You,” Tom PettyThis podcast does not claim ownership or copyright of any of the media included.

Songs include:A theme from a seminal animated film about anthropomorphic playthingsA female vocalist's 3% happier cover of a wildly sad Death Cab for Cutie trackAn R.E.M. deep cut "When Am I Gonna Lose You?", which really wears its anxiety, neediness, and fear on its title sleeve

Mike considered this episode one of his favorites, which was really saying something since he routinely never listened to the show after recording. This was apparently a rare exception. Songs:- "Ecstasy," Rusted Root- "HOPE," Tenacious D- "The Living Daylights (Acoustic)," a-Ha- "Big Ideas," The Boxer Rebellion

Back when we had a smattering of regular listeners, we actually had a few questions come our way from people. And then they promptly stopped coming. So, here's our first and only "listener mailbag" episode. Our good friend Jen Hoening visited for this episode.

Recorded in Mike's brand-new apartment under his ridiculously large HDTV. Highlights: Guest Jason Lichtenberger makes DtN history by delivering the show's first country song, much to Mike's bewilderment.Sean brings a song that's barely a week old.Paul praises a coffee cup.Mike recalls some of his adventures, including hiding out from his parents behind a dumpster. Music by Tears for Fears, niko+ & Clans, Father John Misty, Chris Stapleton, First Aid Kit, and Tune-Yards.

Short (but not necessarily sweet) episode where Mike returned to the show after a lengthy absence.

Sean and Paul watch Mike's face get flushed red the entire time during their interview with author Amy Dresner ("My Fair Junkie").

One of our favorites. Mike and Sean are on fire.

A round-up of our favorite moments from our rough-around-the-edges Season 1 (not that we ever became super-polished).

Part 2 of our “Recovery According to Mike” supercut — a testament to everything he learned in sobriety and a tribute to what kept him clean to the very end.

Guest: Jason Lichtenberger Songs in order of appearance:“Nobody to Blame” - Chris Stapleton (Jason's choice)“ABC 123” - Tune-Yards (Sean's choice)“Everybody Wants to Rule the World" - Tears for Fears (Paul's choice)“Bad Bad Leroy Brown” - Jim Croce (Jason's choice)“Bad Blood” - Ryan Adams (Paul's choice)“Ride” - niko+ & Clans (Sean's choice)“Chateau Lobby #4" - Father John Misty (Paul's choice)“Ruins” - First Aid Kit (Sean's choice)This show does not claim copyright to any of the media included in this episode. 

[Previously released October 2019]Selections include:"Back in Your Head," Tegan & Sara"The Pretender," Jackson Browne "In the Waiting Line," Zero 7"Oh Devil," Electric GuestDrop the Needle does not claim ownership over any of the media included in this episode. 

Earlier this year, we returned with a brand-new co-host, a renewed purpose, and the excitement of getting together again... only to put the entire series to bed for good.In other words, this is our final-final, last-ever, we-swear-it's-over series finale. But this isn't a sad occasion. That's why this isn't an episode so much as a celebration that took almost 3 months to put together. It's a retrospective that pulls from 80 episodes to distill years of "Drop the Needle" down into one hour. If you've been with us since the beginning in 2016 or if this is your first-ever listen, thank you so much. As always, we hope this helps someone out there. Love, Paul, Sean, Rikki & MikeListen to all the songs included in this episode on Spotify! Guest Voices: Matt ArgalasAmy DresnerAmy TalbottShawn Patrick Thomas DaleyCole DownsDusty BakerJen HoeningCorby DickersonArtists: Julia JacklinBen HowardArcade FireBen Folds FiveBroken Social SceneCity and ColourThe DecemberistsOperatorsJukebox the GhostBeckLord HuronBruce Hornsby and the RangeLucy DacuslovelythebandiamamiwhoamiEagles of Death MetalToad the Wet SprocketMiike SnowPeter Gabriel<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy>

Guest Matt Argalas (The Wounded Jukebox, The Lazy Flame) uses his butterscotch voice to discuss identity, loss, and Australian accents, not to mention collecting trinkets and toys and trivial things, and so much more. Music: Alena Diane, Carpenter Brut, Arlie, Jimmy Eat World, Arcade Fire, Sylvan Esso, Post Malone, She & Him, Bob Seger and Julia Jacklin. Movie: "Liberal Arts" (2012, dir. Josh Radnor)<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy>

In a previous life, Dustin Baker was a rugby star, bartender, bouncer, reader, writer, and semi-serious Shakespeare scholar. Today, he's a high school language arts teacher who explores this week's topic through the prism of pop culture. He shares a poem by H.W. Longfellow; a novella by Fredrik Backman; music by The Steeldrivers, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole and Faces; words from Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl; and a seminal scene from "Pulp Fiction." (Future guests: the bar has officially been set very, very high.)<This podcast does not claim copyright to the elements included in this episode. This show is also not a substitute for psychological services, counseling or therapy.>

If you're a people pleaser like 3/4 of this podcast's hosts, then this episode is a must-listen. Saying the word "no" is as empowering as it is elusive, but it's also intimidating and necessary. We walk through some tools and techniques to combat the anxiety of hearing "no" from others, bolstering self-identity, and diving into songs from Waxahatchee and KT Tunstall. <This podcast does not claim copyright to the song segments played. This show is also not a substitute for professional psychological services, counseling or therapy.>