Mike & Jake: The Almost Experts

NCAA Brackets, Coaching Rants, and Weird Food Combos (feat. Colton Mannon) | Almost Experts Ep. 9
In episode nine of Mike and Jake: The Almost Experts, the hosts welcome special guest Colton Mannon and discuss the NCAA tournament, including bracket accuracy, whether multiple brackets are cheating, remaining perfect brackets, and KenPom-style contender criteria, plus reactions to games like Mizzou vs. Miami and a Kentucky–Santa Clara finish involving a missed timeout and late-game strategy about fouling up three. The conversation shifts to coaching and strength of schedule, including Mike’s experiences coaching girls basketball, how tougher opponents helped late-game toughness, and differences between coaching boys and girls. They then dive into high school football scouting routines and the challenges of running scout teams, before ending with favorite movies and a segment on strange food combinations such as soy sauce in ice cream, a peanut butter–chip–barbecue sauce pita, and crackers in milk.
00:00 Cold Open and Theme
00:44 Meet the Special Guest
02:13 March Madness Brackets
03:58 Perfect Brackets and Favorites
06:27 Why 11 Seeds Play In
10:13 Foul Up Three Debate
12:48 Scrimmage Story and Home Cooking
16:06 Tough Schedule Builds Teams
18:11 Coaching Boys vs Girls
22:19 NIL Contracts and Transfers
25:02 High School Football Scouting
29:32 Scout Team Crunch
30:51 Emulating Elite Opponents
32:18 Film Study and Huddle
34:28 Run Heavy Offenses
35:46 Trenches Are Brutal
38:00 Worst Jobs on Field
40:47 Swinging Gate Explained
42:29 Top Three Movies
44:40 Weird Food Combos
51:49 Coach of the Year Roast
53:37 Podcast Sign Off

Hunting Mishaps, Olympics Talk, Hidden Talents & a Cereal Snake Draft | Almost Experts Ep. 8 (ft. Chris Newman)
In episode eight of the Almost Experts Podcast, Mike and Jake welcome special guest Chris Newman, introduced for his fantasy baseball success, fatherhood, and cancer survival, and talk through several hunting stories, including Chris’s Northern Missouri bowhunt where a cold-weather gear mishap led to a lucky double-lung shot on a buck later revealed to be blind in one eye. Mike and Jake share their own hunting blunders and a story about dragging out two deer and calling for help. The conversation shifts to Olympic excitement and medal talk, then to the World Baseball Classic and concerns about players getting hurt, plus debate over eligibility rules for playing for other countries. They highlight Jake’s viral singing moment with Hannah Harper and end with a snake draft of favorite cereal brands.
 
00:00 Podcast Cold Open
00:22 Meet Chris Newman
01:11 Fantasy Rings Banter
02:02 Hunting Story Setup
03:21 Northern Missouri Bowhunt
09:13 Blind Buck Twist
12:29 Mike Shoots The Blind
16:22 Deck Stand Hunting
18:28 Two Deer Drag Out
22:23 Rifle Season Pee Break
27:10 Olympics Miracle Talk
28:29 Herb Brooks Memories
29:23 Olympics Medal Talk
31:23 Winter Games Thrills
33:00 World Baseball Classic Hype
35:42 Country Eligibility Debate
38:40 Jake Breaks Facebook
40:59 American Idol Stage Story
43:01 Elvira Singalong Moment
43:55 Cereal Snake Draft
47:46 Mascots and Wrap Up
50:04 Final Sign Off

Almost Experts Ep. 7: Coaching Talk, Collecting Cards, and Buffet Debates + Blind Food Ranking
 
In episode seven of the Almost Experts podcast, Mike and Jake finally address coaching, explaining they avoided it because the podcast was meant as an escape, though recent delays came from being busy with the OFC tournament and other game duties. They discuss coaching attire and how dressing up has become less common, share their paths into education through alternative certification despite originally pursuing criminal justice and health sciences, and reflect on the impact of being called “coach.” The conversation shifts to collecting, including Mike’s baseball card hobby (and a sold Luka Doncic card used to buy golf clubs), Jake’s childhood Pokémon cards being thrown away, and other family collections like magnets, bells, and baseballs, plus Jake’s Funko Pops rescue. They debate buffets and unlimited appetizer deals, then end with a blind food-trio ranking game where pizza, wings, and soda takes the top spot.
 
00:00 Episode Seven Kickoff
00:49 Why We Avoid Coaching Talk
02:14 OFC Championship Suit Story
03:39 Coaching Attire Then Now
06:32 Baseball Coaching Fits
09:31 Missing Coaching Life Lessons
12:47 How We Became Educators
17:59 Addicted To Collecting Cards
21:17 Pokemon Cards Gone Missing
24:33 Selling A Luka 1 of 1
25:57 Weird Collections Magnets Bells
27:28 House Fixture Debate
27:45 The Coliseum Frog Legend
28:34 Sports Memorabilia Habits
29:19 Funko Pops Explained
30:43 Dumpster Diving Rescue
32:16 Ninja Turtles Nostalgia
33:50 Souvenir Magnets and Baseballs
36:20 Whatnot Card Buying Spiral
37:41 Buffet Culture Obsession
46:21 Blind Ranking Food Trios
50:01 Health Goals and Soda Talk
53:29 Wrap Up and Sign Off

Almost Experts Podcast - Episode 6: Super Bowl Predictions, Special Guest, and Conspiracy Theories
Welcome back to the Almost Experts Podcast for Episode 6! In this episode, Mike and Jake are joined by special guest Jesse McDaniel. They dive into Super Bowl predictions, life updates, and audience questions from their Facebook page. The trio discusses topics ranging from the Super Bowl, a special cheerleading dad segment, and life updates, to an in-depth conversation on the existence of aliens, Bigfoot, MLB strike zones, and whether college athletes should get paid. The episode is full of humorous anecdotes, sports talk, and some unexpected conspiracy theories. Stay tuned for an entertaining listen!00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:44 Special Guest: Jesse McDaniel01:31 Super Bowl Talk03:18 Life Updates and Cheerleading Adventures04:40 Facial Hair and Truck Talk09:27 Facebook Questions: Hot Dog Debate13:29 The Dress Color Debate15:03 Basketball Memories: Jesse vs. Mike19:19 Mike's Basketball Story20:10 The Sombrero Incident22:04 Discussing Coach Dennis Gates24:00 MLB Strike Zones: Human vs. Robot26:43 Is the NFL Scripted?29:01 Conspiracy Theories and Aliens30:11 High School Basketball Shot Clock Debate40:24 College Athletes Getting Paid44:34 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts

Mike and Jake: The Almost Experts - Ep5
 
Almost Experts Podcast: Vacation Stories, Super Bowl Predictions & Famous DuosIn Episode 5 of the Almost Experts Podcast, hosts Mike and Jake welcome special guest Ethan Boyer. They dive into hilarious and chaotic vacation stories, make their Super Bowl predictions for the Patriots vs. Seahawks game, and engage in a fun blind ranking game featuring famous duos. Along the way, they talk about their growing podcast following, share a few personal anecdotes, and discuss their favorite pastimes. Tune in for a blend of comedy, sports talk, and unexpected revelations.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:43 Podcast Updates and Listener Engagement02:41 Introducing the Special Guest: Ethan Boyer07:02 Vacation Stories and Super Bowl Predictions11:47 Hilarious Vacation Mishaps15:53 The Snake in the Car Story23:56 Shout Out to All Dads24:09 Dad's Vacation Misadventures25:27 The Great New Orleans Detour27:18 Dads vs. Modern Navigation28:15 Google Maps and Road Trips33:10 Super Bowl Predictions36:15 Famous Duos Blind Ranking Game43:56 Wrapping Up and Farewell

In this episode of the 'Almost Experts Podcast,' hosts Jake and Mike discuss the recent national championship football game between Indiana and Miami. They recount key moments and standout performances, particularly emphasizing the energy and unexpected twists in the game. The conversation shifts to the topic of four-day school weeks, with both hosts—who are educators—sharing their experiences and thoughts on the benefits and challenges of the schedule. They explore issues such as teacher retention, student attendance, and the practicalities for both teachers and students. Jake goes on a passionate rant about the frustrations of buying a vehicle, criticizing the lack of transparent pricing. The episode concludes with a light-hearted 'blind ranking' game where Jake ranks chocolate candies. They also announce the launch of their Facebook page, inviting listeners to follow for updates.

MLB Offseason Moves & Hot Takes: Bo Bette to the Mets, Salvy's Home Runs, and More!
In this episode of the Almost Experts Podcast, Jake and Mike delve into the MLB offseason, discussing key player movements and their potential impacts, particularly focusing on Bo Bette's move to the Mets. They provide insights on fantasy baseball, highlighting the significance of these moves on player valuations. The hosts also tackle hot takes for the upcoming season, including Salvador Perez potentially hitting 40 home runs and predicting the Seattle Mariners to win the World Series. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with analysis and bold predictions!
00:00 Welcome to the Almost Experts Podcast
00:56 MLB Offseason Moves: Bobette to the Mets
02:54 Chicago Cubs' Big Moves
03:34 St. Louis Cardinals' Struggles
04:17 Dodgers' Spending Spree
09:45 Fantasy Baseball Insights
12:48 Boston Red Sox's New Signings
16:13 The Cardinals' Superstar Drought
17:02 Jordan Walker and JJ Weather Holt: Future Stars?
18:08 MLB Trade Dynamics and Player Value
19:23 Kansas City Royals' Stadium Changes
22:25 Hot Takes: Salvador Perez's Home Run Prediction
24:10 Hot Takes: Seattle Mariners' World Series Chances
29:31 Concluding Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Almost Experts Podcast: College Football Championship, NIL Debate, and Mizzou FootballJoin Jake and Mike in the second episode of the Almost Experts Podcast as they dive into the College Football National Championship between Indiana and Miami. Is Indiana poised to finish their Cinderella story, or will the U reclaim its former glory? The duo also discusses the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on college sports and its role in evening out competition. Plus, get the latest updates on Mizzou football and predictions for their upcoming season. Finally, Jake and Mike wrap up with a fun game of 'Two Truths and a Lie: Sports Facts Edition.' Tune in for entertaining and insightful takes on college football!00:00 Introduction to the Almost Experts Podcast00:30 College Football National Championship Preview01:11 Indiana's Cinderella Story02:12 Miami's Legacy and the Big Game04:16 Hypothetical Indiana Football Movie06:06 Predictions and Hopes for the Championship11:31 The NIL and Its Impact on College Sports19:40 The Impact of the Transfer Portal21:29 Mizzou Football: Transfer Portal Insights22:08 Concerns and Hopes for Mizzou's Defense23:34 Quarterback Comparisons and Expectations28:13 Reflecting on Past Seasons and Future Hopes32:35 Fun and Games: Sports Facts Challenge
 

In the very first episode of Almost Experts, hosts Michael Snyder and Jake Nickelson introduce you to a podcast where they aren’t experts at anything, but they’re almost experts in everything. From high school coaching and athletic directing to the high-stakes world of "Ballers on a Budget" Little Caesars runs, these two "dudes being bros" dive into the chaotic reality of their lives in Southeast Missouri.This episode’s highlights include:The "30-Minute Expert": Hear how Michael managed to BS his way through a CDL bus-driving test by pretending he was a seasoned turkey hunting pro—despite only ever having seen a turkey once (and it wasn't even that close).The Silver Dollar City Disaster: A festive family trip turns into a traumatic "walk of shame" when the guys are deemed too big for the Outlaw Run roller coaster by a very strict attendant in a cowboy hat.The "Big Guy" Row: Discover why Jake is now a staunch advocate for the fifth row on the Wildfire coaster—the only place where a "click" of the seatbelt is actually guaranteed.Slow-Pitch Drama: Michael explains why he retired from softball after a teammate "Superman-punched" an umpire, while Jake admits he ditched his own baseball team during a championship game to play in a softball "World Series".A "Baller" Pilot: The guys kick off the show in true style with a stack of Hot-N-Ready pizzas, Crazy Bread, and a two-liter of Pepsi that may or may not be the reason they can't fit on the rides at Silver Dollar City.Join Michael and Jake for a look into the life of two "Almost Experts" just trying to make it through the week without pulling a calf muscle.