Send us a text

Today on the pod, the boys are talking about college. Over the past 10 years, confidence in higher education in the US has fallen to dramatic lows. The media is littered with stories about massive student debt, lack of job opportunities and other pitfalls. So we’re going to explore what’s going on with college and whether or not it’s still the path to the American Dream.

On top of a rather inspiring conversation about the state of education, we’re also addressing the shocking NBA trade deadline, the boys wild weekend in Tampa, Florida, and Ethan’s disappointment with this year’s Oscar nominations. All that and more on this week’s episode.

What are you drinking Recommendations:

• Alex: Citrus Punch IPA (beer) - Perrin Brewing Company
• Chris: G4 Reposado (tequila)
• Patrick: Whipped Coffee Old Fashioned (cocktail)
  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • .25 oz simple syrup
  • .25 oz Licor 43
  • 3 dashes Orange Bitters
  • 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
  • Whipped Coffee (3 tsp instant coffee, 2 tsp sugar, 2 oz water)
• Ethan: Bum’s Beach (beer) - Ore Dock Brewing

Just One More Recommendations:

Alex: The Merit Myth: How Colleges Favor the Rich and Divide Us - Book by Anthony Patrick Carnevale, Jeff Strohl, and Peter G. Schmidt

Chris: The Once and Future King - TH White (Books)

Patrick: Savage Inequalities - Jonathan Kozol | Schooled to Order - David Nasaw

Ethan: Gabriel LaBelle (Actor) in Snack Shack (movie) & Saturday Night (movie)

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

Today on the pod we’re talking about a staple of the ‘bro economy’ and what has seemingly taken over every broadcast, scrolling ticker, and conversation among guys at the bar: sports betting. In the past few years sports betting has gone from a reputation as sneaky, undesirable, and even illegal, to inhabiting some of the most popular apps on every bro’s phone. But before we talk winning…. Mostly losing

In addition to sports betting Chris and Patrick are getting spicy over the national championship and we serve up some great recommendations.

Just One More Recommendations:

• Alex: Cash The Ticket (Podcast)
• Chris: The Green Knight, David Lowery (starring Dev Patel, based off the poem of the same name) ; Gambler by Billy Walters
• Patrick: The Mountaintop, Katori Hall [Play]
• Ethan: Anora, Film

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

Today on the knowledge bar we’re talking about the case that may decide the fate of an app with more than 170 million users: tik tok. Last week the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument on Tik Tok v. Garland. We’ll explore the arguments for and against Tik Tok and what the implications are for speech, security, and social media in our lives.

In addition, on today’s episode we’ll talk recommendations for electronic note-taking devices, tragedy around the world and at home, and we’ll do a live bourbon tasting and review.

What are you drinking Recommendations:

• Alex: Run Wild IPA (NA Beer) - Athletic Brewing Co.
• Chris: Woodinville 8-year (bourbon) - Woodinville Whiskey Co.
• Patrick: Rooibos (tea) - Equal Exchange
• Ethan: Dank Juice (beer) - Odd Side Brewing

Just One More Recommendations:

Alex: Mushroom Soup (recipe) - https://biancazapatka.com/en/mushroom-rice-soup/

Chris: Boomsday (book) by Christopher Buckley

Patrick: The Anxiety of Influencers: Educating the TikTok Generation (article) - Harper’s

Ethan: The Clouds of Sils Maria (movie) - Streaming on Kanopy

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

On this episode of The Knowledge Bar, we dive into the current world of dating from our varied perspectives. According to Pew Research, as of February 8, 2024, a quarter of all 40 year olds in the United States have never been married. For context, in 1980, that number was just 6%. Add on that the majority of single people are not actively looking for a relationship and we are left wondering: Is dating dying a slow death?

In addition to dating, Chris’s excitement for the Detroit Lions continues, we’ll talk NFL MVP, some new hobbies in the group, and the big question that is haunting us all – Kindle v Books.

What are you drinking Recommendations:

• Alex: The “Diet Dr. Kelp”
  • Sonic Cherry Limeade Drink Packet
  • Lime Spindrift
  • 2 Lime Wedges
• Chris: Angel’s Envy Finished Rye - Rum Cask
• Patrick: Store Pick Buffalo Trace
• Ethan: Amber Road
  • 1.5 oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Aperol
  • .5 oz Lemon Juice
  • .25 oz Maple Syrup
  • 2 oz Sparkling Water

Just One More Recommendations:

Alex: Platonic (TV Series) - Apple TV+

Chris: By the Fire We Carry (Book) by Rebecca Nagle

Patrick: Jomo (App) - Time Management

Ethan: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Book) by Mark Twain

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

We’re taking a moment to appreciate 2024. As we cross the new year, we’re going to offer you our ‘Best of 2024’. We’re going to do this in a bit of a unique way but we hope you walk away from today’s episode with some reflection on 2024 and maybe some recommendations

Bests of 2024

Chris’s Bests of 2024

• Best Bourbon: Woodinville 8 Yr - 2024 Release
• Best Sports Moment: Lions Defeat Rams in 2024 NFL Wildcard
• Best Watch: Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT
• Best Movie: Dune, Part 2
• Best Dinner: Mink - Detroit, Michigan

Patrick’s Bests of 2024

• Best Booze Discovery: Rocket Top Rye Whiskey - Redwood Empire
• Best Travel: Ireland in June
• Best Book: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• Best ‘Watch’: Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc
• Best Experience with the Boys: The Bourbon Trail - Kentucky

Ethan’s Bests of 2024

• Best Experience: Across the Spider-Verse w/ Live Music
• Best Sports Moment: Elly De La Cruz’s 20-60 Season
• Best Book: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
• Best Movie: Dune Part 2
• Best Show: The Curse

Alex’s Bests of 2024

• Best Bourbon: James E Pepper Barrel Strength Decanter Bottle
• Best Sports Moment: Steph Curry’s Gold Medal Game in Olympics
• Best Movie: Ghostlight
• Best Restaurant: Dixboro Project, Ann Arbor, MI
• Best Experience: Boston Trip w/ Patrick, Fenway Park, WNDR Museum

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

On this episode of The Knowledge Bar, we dive into something that everybody relates to on some level: Fandom. The rise of social media, pop sensations like Taylor Swift, and mega franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe have taken fandom from online chat rooms to mainstream. Join us for a conversation about the origins of fandom, how we interact with it, and where it's going.

We’ll also spend time on today’s episode comforting Chris as the Lions lose more players to injury, get Patrick’s reaction to the NYT’s Year in Photos, and celebrate the death of cord drawers.

What are you drinking Recommendations:

• Alex: Old Cockney Gin - Two James Distilling - Detroit, MI
• Chris: G4 Madeira Blanco - Destileria El Pandillo - Los Altos de Jalisco
• Patrick: Macallan 12 - The Macallan - Easter Elchies, Scotland
• Ethan: Quite Brite, Belgian (Beer) - Bells Brewing - Kalamazoo, MI

Just One More Recommendations:

• Alex: Ted Lasso (TV Series) - Apple TV
• Chris: The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in WWII, Buzz Bissinger (book)
• Patrick: Devil’s Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency, Joshua Green (book)
• Ethan: The Last Bronycon: A Fandom autopsy - Youtube

00:00
The Rise of Fandom Culture

32:22
Exploring the Dynamics of Fandom

33:49
The Impact of Social Media on Fandom

42:04
Personal Experiences with Fandom

47:18
Navigating Fandom Conversations

49:30
The Psychological Benefits of Fandom

51:52
The Downsides of Fandom: Knowledge Toxicity and Exclusivity

55:39
Parasocial Relationships and Their Impact

56:58
Fandoms as Social Connections

01:02:42
The Future of Fandom: Growth and Concerns

01:07:26
Toxicity in Fandoms: A Double-Edged Sword

01:12:51
The Impact of Corporate Interests on Fandoms

01:19:49
Final Thoughts on Fandoms and Community

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

Hear our thoughts and analysis on the upcoming College Football Playoff!

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!

Send us a text

Today we’re jumping into a topic that paints a grim picture for the future of housing in America. Major climate events in the United States have quintupled since the 1980s. Those events are particularly concentrated in Texas, Florida, and California. The effects of global climate change are making these natural disasters more and more severe, but populations and property values in high risk zones are increasing. We’ll explore what’s going on and the impacts for the future.

In addition to our main topic, we’ll catch up on the World Chess Championship, lament the impending Reds loss of Elly De La Cruz in 2029, and talk about a court case with huge consequences.

What are you drinking Recommendations:

• Alex: 51k (Beer) - Blackrocks Brewery
• Chris: Bake Sale (Beer) - Arbor Brewing Company
• Patrick:Strawberry Blonde (Beer) - Arbor Brewing Company
• Ethan: Juicy Truth (Beer) - Rhinegeist

Just One More Recommendations:

Alex: Ghostlight (movie) - Streaming on AMC+

Chris: The Great Transition (book) - Nick Fuller Googins

Patrick: Brooklyn Castle (2012 Documentary)

Ethan: Devs (Show) - Streaming on Hulu

Produced and Edited by Ethan Harig

Rate, Subscribe, and leave a comment to let us know how we’re doing.

Follow us on Instagram (@TheKnowledge.Bar) and TikTok (@TheKnowledge.Bar). Check out more Knowledge Bar content at TheKnowledge.Bar and email us feedback or topic thoughts at podcast@knowledge.bar.

Enjoy your friends and always drink responsibly! Cheers!