Two Drinks In Again

The bromance is over, Knoxville is thriving, and restaurant bills are giving us heart attacks. Welcome to Episode 40 of Two Drinks and Again, where we're somehow still talking to each other after all this time!

We kick things off with a new format structured like an old-school newspaper (remember those?), diving into national, local, sports, and entertainment topics. The Trump-Elon breakup dominates our national discussion, as we analyze what happens when two massive egos collide and what it means for the political landscape. Why is Trump being so uncharacteristically quiet? Could Elon actually become a political force...

Every sports fan knows the unique agony of watching your team implode in a crucial moment, and in this episode, we experience the full emotional journey of Duke's stunning collapse against Houston in the Final Four. What begins as analysis of a basketball meltdown expands into a much deeper conversation about changes sweeping through college sports, particularly the NIL system that has fundamentally altered how players, coaches, and universities interact.

The transformative power of money in college athletics has created a "pay-to-play" environment where players like Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava threaten to withhold participation unless financial demands...

The stock market has plummeted 15% since inauguration day, and Americans are feeling the impact across their retirement funds, investment portfolios, and daily expenses. This economic nosedive forms the backdrop for our raw, unfiltered conversation about the political landscape transforming America before our eyes.

We explore how the current administration's economic policies, particularly regarding tariffs and reshoring manufacturing, promise long-term benefits but are causing immediate financial strain. The transition period between policy implementation and economic results leaves many Americans, especially those nearing retirement, in a precarious position. When your 401k takes a massive hit just months before your...

Basketball heartbreak, career celebrations, and the high cost of live entertainment take center stage in our wide-ranging conversation about life's wins and losses. 

When Tennessee fell to Houston in the Elite Eight, it wasn't just another tournament exit—it represented the continuation of a painful pattern for Vol fans watching former coach Bruce Pearl take Auburn to yet another Final Four. We break down what made this year's tournament unique, with all four number one seeds advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 2009, and why Duke has emerged as the team to beat.

Jump into the honest, unfiltered world of Jeff and David as they navigate everything from American politics to March Madness in this captivating conversation that feels like joining old friends at your favorite bar.

They kick things off examining President Trump's recent address to Congress, offering sharp observations about the deteriorating decorum in political discourse. "Democrats are trying to match Trump's unprofessionalism, and I think that's hurting them more than it's helping them," David notes, setting the tone for their no-holds-barred political commentary. From Gavin Newsom's podcast missteps to complex budget negotiations, they dissect the political landscape...

Struggling to manage workplace chaos? In this episode, we dive into the challenges and triumphs of navigating professional relationships, focusing on the art of managing people and fostering authentic connections. Sharing personal reflections from the past two years, we uncover the impact of maintaining a positive workplace culture amidst stress and turnover. With humor and insight, the conversation touches on the significance of individual team dynamics, the evolution of management styles, and the need for compassionate communication during transitions. 

We also explore innovative marketing trends to sustain client relationships while adapting to modern practices. Discover how fostering a...

Parenting in the world of youth sports is a wild ride filled with early mornings, endless practices, and those unforgettable senior nights. Join us as Jeff and Dave share heartfelt anecdotes from the sidelines of their children's sports journeys, capturing the thrills and challenges that come with supporting young athletes. Reflecting on the emotional highs and the relief when the whirlwind finally calms, they offer a comforting hand to fellow parents navigating the demanding schedules of youth sports.

Shifting focus from the field to family dynamics, we delve into the intricate dance of parenting post-divorce. With honest...

This episode reflects on the challenges and moments of joy experienced in 2024, touching on themes of personal loss, sports highlights, generational dynamics, and family connections. We encourage listeners to embrace the lessons learned and stay hopeful as we transition into 2025.

• Reflecting on personal experiences of loss 
• Celebrating sports highlights and the emotional investments involved 
• Navigating generational differences in the workplace 
• The importance of family bonds and holiday memories 
• Looking forward with hope and resilience into 2025

Ever navigated the chaos of holiday planning while juggling college acceptances and sports injuries? That's exactly where we find ourselves this season, with tales of moist turkeys and basketball mishaps setting the scene for a heartwarming holiday narrative. Join us as we celebrate my son's exciting college acceptance to Embry-Riddle, reflect on our first Thanksgiving without a parent, and appreciate the simple joys of family connections, like a honey-baked ham shared in a cozy setting. It's a reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle, the holiday spirit thrives on love and togetherness.

Our conversation takes a detour...

We return to grief as Dave’s mother sadly passed away recently.  He talks about the grief process and that journey has been like for him.  From there, Jeff talks about running the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon last weekend with his daughter.

And then, it’s a lot of post-game analysis as our boys dissect Election 2024.

Have you ever wondered how college football, hurricanes, and gaming all connect in one lively conversation? Grab a glass of Knob Creek bourbon and join us as we reminisce about our college days, where Red Breast Irish Whiskey paired with Kraft macaroni and cheese was the pinnacle of culinary delight. Dive into our nostalgic journey through thrilling Duke versus UNC matchups, iconic memories from the Duke-Miami game, and our mutual grumbling over those pesky late-night kickoffs. With the Florida game on Tennessee's horizon, we're all about pacing ourselves for another night of football excitement.

As we sip...

We get it.  The episodes we do on the MCU bore you to tears.  Message received.  In this episode, the boys talk about local goings on, college football, P Diddy, exploding pagers, the Emmys, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and of course, we dip into more election coverage.  The boys are big fans of The Kennedy (downtown Knoxville).  Jeff rips up his former XO from the USS TRENTON.

*** SPOILERS THROUGHOUT THIS EPISODE ***

Despite the inferno-level heat, summer marches on, and our boys have started making the segue from summer to fall.  Dave's back into having his ass owned by volleyball and his son got accepted to MTSU.  Jeff talks about his trip to the Big Apple to see the final Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden.  He discusses the joys of sibling rivalry and contracting COVID when he got home.  Both boys talk about child birth sequence dynamics.  Football season is underway, and that means Jeff can start looking forward to basketball.  Then, what you've...

Dave and Jeff are ready for the movie event of  year: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE!!!  They talk about the X-Men series.  They make predictions about the movie.  They plot the course of the MCU (and Dave makes a tremendous prediction which turns out to be true).  It's the boys attempting to bring Fox Marvel heroes into the MCU.  Theme music in support of the D&W soundtrack!

(Look, we know that by the time this is released, the movie will have come out.  That makes this all the more enjoyable.  And it's pretty likely our next episode will be preview...

It's "A Very Special Episode of Blossom...no, we mean Two Drinks In Again".  First, Dave and Jeff never even live up to the show's title and are each only one drink in (wimps!).  Picking up from episode 25, Jeff and Dave discuss the Vols amazing run through the National Baseball Championship.  Then, they get reeeeal serious like and talk about the most recent developments in this election year.  Debates, assassinations, and withdrawals...OH MY!!!

Summer marches on.  Dave has been following Tennessee's progress throughout the baseball tournament...and is losing his mind.  The weather is hot.  Really hot.  Some go to Dollywood and Splash Country for relief, but does one really get any?  Jeff bitches about having to work an occasional Friday.  They share what TV shows they're watching.  Jeff met his older daughter's boyfriend.  Jeff's younger daughter graduated from UCLA.  Do we still read books?  If so, what?  Then...it gets really with both men discussing mental health and politics.  Stay safe, friends!  Apply sunscreen.

THEY'RE BACK!!!  After yet another hiatus, Jeff and Dave return to talk about  the summer season.  They catch up a bit on summer activities and riff a lot about boating in East Tennessee.  Jeff shares his experience at the recent Scottish Highland Games in Townsend, and both segue into restaurants and bars in Maryville.  Jeff talks about his return to the American Association of Orthodontists annual session in New Orleans and he packed poorly for the weather.  Dave shares his kid-activity duties for the last few months - volleyball and basketball can own one's ass.  Jeff gives travel advice for bot...

It's awards season!  Dave and Jeff talk about the recent Grammy Awards show and the outstanding performances (and one not-so-outstanding rant) which took place.  Jeff didn't know just HOW badly he needed a new Billy Joel song.  They then proceed to talk about the upcoming Oscars - which is why this episode is being uploaded with minutes to spare.  As always, they wrap up with more college basketball as the regular season winds down and we move into tournament time.

Dave and Jeff analyze the great snowstorm of 2024 which shut down just about everything for a week.  They both agree that some of the county school systems need a better method of handling school closures.  Jeff coined the phrase "Sequoyah Hills Karen".  Then they both get all political (it IS an election year).  Jeff shares a celebrity name-drop. 

It's basketball season, so let's not forget that.  Dave discusses Tennessee's impressive season while Jeff dissects his Duke team.  Both share a moment reflecting on recently-deceased former UNC center Eric Montross.  Both guys talk about their changes going on in their...

Dave and Jeff bring 2023 to a close by discussing their New Year resolutions.  Giving up alcohol is NOT on those lists.  They go through the good and the bad of 2023.  Jeff shares the Great Team Turnover of 2023 at his practice.  They talk about travel.  They reminisce about concerts.  Dave poses the theory that Keith Richards' DNA might be a good source for the Super Soldier Serum.  They talk about how some of the local rooftop bars weren't what they used to be and how traffic in Knoxville has become a little bit of a pain.  Both discuss how they feel whe...

After a long time off, Dave and Jeff catch up discussing the holiday season and each of their traditions.  They wrap-up the college football season discussing both Duke's and Tennessee's respective bowl wins.  Now, it's time for basketball season!  Dave shares about his life being owned by his children's sports activities.  Jeff discusses his re-branding of his orthodontic practice.  We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!

It's been a while, so Dave and Jeff spend some time catching up talking college football and college basketball.  Jeff share his journey through Star Wars in both the Clone Wars and Rebels before landing on Ashoka.  They both share their love of Howard Stern's interviewing technique - particularly his recent interview of Dolly Parton.  And hey, LEAVE DOLLY ALONE!!!  We should all be so lucky to rock a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit at 77 years of age.  Dave talks about the Sylvester Stallone documentary and Robin Williams.  They wrap up talking about Jeff turning 55 in November.

IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!  Dave and Jeff talk about the goings on of the season - both with Tennessee and Duke.  They address the psychology pf storming the football field after a win.  They discuss how sometimes the refs suck, they really, really suck.  Life in the NIL world is touched upon.  They analyze sports analysts.  Basketball and baseball are touched on.  Jeff opines about how being a Philadelphia team fan means always having to say you're sorry.  They reminisce about the great college football movies.  Enjoy it - because college basketball season is just around the corner!!!

Dave and Jeff talk about their recent weekend trip with their ladies to Townsend and the golf outing that ensued.  Great visits with the Company Distillery, Peaceful Side Social, and Wild Laurel Golf Course.  Jeff played his first 18 holes since God-knows-when and had such a good time, he'll be back!  Comparisions were made between Townsend and Gatlinburg.  Jeff talks about the Hiking merit badge that he and his son did in the Smokies for Scouting.  Blackberry Farm is discussed: is it worth the money?  They nerd out for a few minutes over Clone Wars, Ashoka, and the Star Wars Univer...

This episode continues from Episode 11 and the theme of building bridges.  Dave and Jeff ask the question, "What if you want to build or repair a bridge with someone and that person is uninterested?" 

(The "building bridges" theme will be one that the boys return to now and then, as Episode 11 seemed to resonate with some of our listeners.)

Dave and Jeff actually stick to one topic (more or less) for this episode.  How many of our listeners love traveling, but hate the process of traveling?  The airports and airplanes?  The boys talk about places to which they've traveled with a sharp focus on the city of Greenville, South Carolina.  Then they turn to the big question: why is air travel such a bitch?  Can the scientists in Oak Ridge PLEASE get teleportation up and running and ready for the masses?  Why are airports dystopian hellscapes and TSA agents the unthinking automatons that they are?  And can someone PLEASE...

Dave and Jeff riff on great movies and TV - The Social Network, Ferris Buehler's Day Off, and Succession (and yeah, we're looking at YOU Alan Ruck!).  Jeff shares his conflicted views about the docs "Jared the Subway Guy" and "The Vow".  Dave sings praise to the doc on Arnold Schwarzenegger.  They talk about Democratic Presidential candidate idiots such as John Edwards and Howard Dean.  Then, Dave debuts a new segment called "I'd Rather..."  The summer heat has been beating our asses.  Long discussion about Taylor Swift and Jeff's concert schedule.  Dave speaks of the virtues of Legos.  And then it...

In this episode. Dave and Jeff talk about the need to recharge one's battery, staffing shortages, the Titan submarine tragedy, and all the goings on in South Knoxville.  Jeff tries to explain the legacy that was King Tut's and the shopping travel philosophy of Farragutians.  Restaurants are analyzed.  Golf is touched upon.  They say a quick prayer for Dave's liver.  Finally, they talk about how they each celebrated Father's Day and weekend boating.

Dave and Jeff reconnect after a few months apart.  JEFF IS OFF THE WAGON!!!  They discuss Jeff's and his wife's casting in the show CLUE.  They talk about travel.  They really make this the most random episode in the collection, but they will NOT apologize for it.

Jeff and Dave get very deep on this Very Special Episode.  Jeff shares his grief about his father's death last year.  They discuss burning bridges with people, and Jeff discusses his turnaround and when he decided to build bridges instead of burn them.  Dave and Jeff discuss past relationships - those that have healed and those that haven't.  They get very personal, admit past mistakes and bad behaviors, and reveal what they're trying to do to be better people going forward.

BRUNCH!!!  Who doesn't love a good brunch?  David and Jeff talk about the great places in Knoxville (and other cities) to have a great brunch.  They go on about what constitutes a good brunch.  It's all about brunch.  Bon appetit!

It's NCAA Tournament time!!!  Dave and Jeff talk about how the basketball season has been.  Jeff praises Duke.  Dave praises Tennessee.  Dave is drinking.  Jeff is still in his dry quarter.  They both rip up North Carolina's lousy season.  They talk about crappy officiating.  Creed III and the Rocky saga comes up out of nowhere.  Jeff closes the episode with some opinions about community theatre.

Dave and Jeff discuss many of the fine breweries and bars in the Knoxville area (after Dave rudely waves his Highland Cold Mountain Ale in still-dry Jeff's face) including YeeHaw, Hi Wire, the Public House, and Xul.  Xul leads them to a Ghostbusters quote which then has them proclaiming their admiration for Rick Moranis, SCTV, and the movie "My Blue Heaven".  The mention of Steve Martin segues into "Only Murders in the Building" and Dave admitting to not subscribing to Hulu.  The boys express their love of "The Crown" and "Weeds", postulate on cancelled actors and how much "f*ck...

Dave and Jeff talk about why the Knoxville area doesn't have it's music scene shit together.

Happy New Year, friends!  Dave and Jeff ring in the new WITH JEFF BEING ON THE WAGON!!!  Dave explores why Jeff would do something so colossally moronic, and then Dave torments Jeff with both his glass of wine and his absurd metabolism.  They postulate on what the cost of a wedding goes for these days.  New Years resolutions and forgiveness reign supreme with these two nuts.  Have a great 2023!!!  WE GOT A NEW LOGO!

Dave and Jeff talk about Christmas and their family traditions.  They talk about childhood memories, and what Christmas means to each of them both then and now.

Dave and Jeff wish all of their listeners a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and a most joyous New Year.  They'll see you in 2023!

Dave and Jeff go all-in with Larceny Bourbon and conversation about the mid-term election results.  They do a better job at being "fair and balanced" than Fox News does.

Dave and Jeff totally geek out and talk about their love for the MCU.  This could have been a multi-part episode, so they may return to it in the near future.  As they riff on their love of the superhero movies, you'll be left wondering how each of them ever got women to have sex with either of them.

Jeff consoles Dave as the Vols fall to the Bulldogs.  So, they do what they do best and that's talk about beverages and food.  They reminisce about some of the seedier activities one can do in Knoxville.  

Dave and Jeff get the party started two drinks in and launch by celebrating Tennessee football's big win over Alabama.  Dave shares what a huge moment this was for the Vol Nation, and big deal for first-year coach Josh Heupel.  The discussion of first-year coaches segues over to Jeff's focus on the new coaches for both Duke football and Duke basketball.