2026-05-06- KSR - Hour 1

Summary

Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) — Hour 1

Episode Date: May 6, 2026
Host: Matt Jones with Ryan Lemond, Drew Franklin, and Shannon Dawson
Podcast: Kentucky Sports Radio, iHeartPodcasts & Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
Location: Live at KS Bar and Grill

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Episode Overview

This episode of KSR is an open “Ask Anything Wednesday”—framed as a group therapy/talking session intended for the Kentucky basketball fan base to process ongoing uncertainties with the program in the off-season. The crew discusses recent recruiting developments (most notably UK missing out on Marcio Santos), addresses UK coach Mark Pope’s decision to directly interact with fans on social media, and delves deep into the need for open communication from athletic department leaders. The episode features spirited debate, humor, and candid takes on the state of Kentucky Basketball, fan expectations, and the complicated media environment around UK athletics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marcio Santos Recruitment & Missed Opportunity

• [02:33–03:45] Kentucky lost out on international recruit Marcio Santos to LSU, despite head coach Mark Pope flying to Israel to recruit him.
  • Drew Franklin notes LSU could promise Santos a starting spot, and probably had "more to offer" in terms of NIL.
  • Matt Jones reflects on the strangeness of investing in such a trip without stronger intel on recruiting position:

    “To me, you don't get on the plane unless you know you're going to get the guy.” — Matt Jones [04:16]

  • Drew questions process efficiency:

    “I just don't understand how you get on a plane and make that trip and not know your standing...” — Drew Franklin [03:45]

• The group concludes that while the loss isn’t catastrophic, the optics and uncertainty in recruiting processes are concerning for fans.

2. Mark Pope’s Social Media Q&A — Transparency or Chaos?

• [05:00–13:00] Mark Pope opened his Twitter and Instagram to direct fan questions, promising video responses.

  • The hosts debate whether this was a good idea:
    • Ryan Lemond and Shannon Dawson see value in open communication:

      “We needed to hear from him... he's actually going to interact with the fan base.” — Ryan Lemond [06:33]

    • Drew Franklin acknowledges bravery but calls it “utter chaos”:

      “He just welcomed... bring the smoke... I would not have done that, but good on him.” — Drew Franklin [06:46]

    • Matt Jones offers nuanced approval:

      “I actually think that was... not a bad thing to do... I do respect it." [07:06]

• The show discusses the value of answering both tough and sincere questions, and suggests Pope do a “mean tweets” video for levity and transparency.

  • “Mean Tweets” segment is pondered as a way for Pope to display self-awareness and connect with fans, inspired by TV humor:

    “If he did that, that would actually be a win.” — Matt Jones [08:20]

• The crew stresses the importance of filtering negativity while still engaging with real fan concerns.

3. UK Athletics Communication Policy & Media Access Limitations

• [20:42–37:14] The group takes calls and discusses how internal policy (controlled by JMI, the UK's multimedia rights holder) inhibits coaches and affiliated personalities (like Jack Givens) from appearing on non-official UK platforms—even on small, independent podcasts.

  • Matt Jones criticizes media strategy as outdated and counter-productive for exposure:

    “They should want Nick Mingione [baseball coach] on your podcast... UK should be loving that. I think that's a big mistake...” — Matt Jones [34:15]

  • Drew Franklin calls for supporting up-and-coming content creators, not just established media.

• The reality is, coaches like Mark Pope and others are often not allowed to do local or independent interviews, despite broad fan demand for more candid, local communication.

• Matt Jones clarifies that criticisms are not about KSR exclusivity but about a systemic lack of open dialogue with the fan base, comparing to Rick Barnes and other coaches who engage their markets during lulls.

  • “My criticism has not been him [Pope] not coming on here. It's been him not talking at all.” — Matt Jones [23:39]

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4. Roster Concerns and Potential Additions

• [26:04–27:56] The hosts analyze UK’s current 12-man roster, speculate on pending additions, and briefly assess NBA draft returns.
  • Drew Franklin doubts UK will land three more quality players:

    “I will say, I do not think they get three. I will take the under at three.” — Drew Franklin [26:04]

  • The group is hopeful key returnee Malachi Moreno will stay for another year rather than stay in the NBA draft, citing higher NIL earning potential and weaker draft class next year.

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5. Fan & Media Dynamics: Online Critique and Misconceptions

• [28:05–31:17, 35:00–37:36] The atmosphere of social media negativity is dissected.
  • Fans and Twitter critics often dramatically over-ascribe “power” to KSR’s hosts in influencing UK Athletics.

    “It's become kind of out of control in terms of... it's getting to the point on Twitter where I don't even really want to give an opinion.” — Matt Jones [28:42]

  • The team points out how little they actually control university decisions, and decries the toxic culture of personal attacks on media members.
  • They compare this environment to conspiracy thinking, humorously mocking the idea of a “cabal” running UK.

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6. Listener Calls & Lighthearted Moments

• [32:43–41:37]
  • Several callers ask about JMI’s restrictions, the broader landscape of athletics communication, and the financial scale of NIL for rivals like Louisville.
  • One caller provides a tongue-in-cheek analogy comparing failed recruiting efforts to failed attempts at picking up women at a bar, prompting the hosts to act out a (hilariously awkward) roleplay.
  • Matt Jones shares a personal anecdote about a failed “ICQ” chat-turned-roadtrip (and its parallels to Pope’s failed international recruiting trip).

    “Just like Pope went to Israel... saw Marcio have zero points.” — Matt Jones [48:34]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Pope's Q&A Social:

• “He just welcomed. He said, bring the smoke, bring it on. I would not have done that, but good on him for doing it.” — Drew Franklin [06:46]
• “With the off season that he's had, that took some cojones to do. I think it's a good idea, though.” — Shannon Dawson [06:58]
• “If Mark Pope goes, this is from Brandon. Brandon's gonna forever be his fan. Because he did it.” — Matt Jones [09:47]

On Media Policy and Fan Engagement:

• “You don't get on the plane unless you know you're going to get the guy.” — Matt Jones [04:16]
• “They [JMI] just don't have that view. And I think that's a mistake. ...You don't get enough publicity.” — Matt Jones [35:59]
• “Aren't we all on the same team?...It all works better when people are working in...concert with each other.” — Matt Jones [37:36]

On Social Media Backlash and KSR's Role:

• “It's crazy to me...they think Ryan and Drew and I somehow are this cabal running the university. It's crazy.” — Matt Jones [28:42]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:35] Show open and “group therapy” framing for the episode.
• [02:33–04:25] Marcio Santos recruiting miss and UK’s struggles to close on top targets.
• [05:00–13:45] Mark Pope’s open Q&A on social media — discussion and advice.
• [16:11] Transition to open fan questions ("Ask Anything" Wednesday).
• [20:42–23:39] Listener input on communication: Why not use KSR or other local media for coach communications?
• [26:04–27:56] Roster depth debate; prospects for more additions and NBA draft impacts.
• [34:15–37:36] JMI’s control over coach/media appearances and the loss for independent UK coverage.
• [41:03–50:12] Humorous call-in pickup artist analogy; Matt’s “ICQ” story and parallels to recruiting.

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Summary Takeaways

• UK basketball remains in flux with fan anxiety centered on recruiting (especially after losing another international prospect) and how Mark Pope will fill out his roster for the coming season.
• Direct communication from leadership (Pope’s Q&A initiative) is largely praised, even if the execution is unorthodox and provokes mixed social media reactions.
• JMI’s restrictive media policy is seen as increasingly out-of-step with modern fan engagement and is frustrating to fans, local media, and even minor content creators.
• Online climate around UK Athletics is fraught, with KSR often unfairly scapegoated for broader program decisions outside their control.
• The episode’s tone blends humor, candor, and fan therapy, making it an engaging listen for anyone invested in Kentucky basketball or college sports culture.

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For Further Listening

• Upcoming KSR podcast to explain NIL mechanics and breakdown how schools like Louisville manage large NIL investments—stay tuned for details.

End of Hour 1.

Transcript

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[Matt Jones]

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[Ryan Lemond]

Liberty, Liberty.

[Matt Jones]

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[Shannon Dawson]

This is Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Now here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome, everyone. This is Kentucky Sports Radio Wednesday, May 6th. I am Matt Jones here at the KS Bar and Grill. It is Wings Day. You can come out and join us when we open in an hour at the Clark's Pump and Shop. Phone line is 859-280-2287. A Vision Auto Glass text machine is 772-774-5254. In this edition, sponsored by the TJ Smith Law Office, if you call TJ he'll make them pay. We are. It's a little cold outside, but ready to rock. Today, this is going to be. Ryan, I think the best way I can say this is this is going to be like, I don't want to say group therapy because it's not really therapy because it's not like it's down. But just a talking session today.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

It's Ask Anything Wednesday, so people can ask any questions they want, but also just kind of talk about where every where everyone is and what happens going forward for the rest of the summer.

[Ryan Lemond]

We all kind of need it. Don't We.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I'm not trying to make everybody listen. Let me be clear. I'm not trying to make everybody feel better. The question is, though, we could just talk about. Talk about it because I don't know, I mean, people are all over the map. So I'm not going to claim that we can make everybody feel better, but there's a lot to talk about. Drew. And we did get some news this morning, which is the starting part, which is that Kentucky did not get the kid that Pope went to Israel to see, Marcio Santos. He has picked lsu. LSU currently, by the way, only has two players, Mo Diabatte and Marcio Santos, which is an interesting. We're going to know that lineup really well. We play them, but did not get the guy that they went to Israel for. Drew.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, the head to head with lsu. I mean, they're able to promise him. Looks like he's gonna be their starter.

[Caller/Listener]

Yes.

[Drew Franklin]

They had one player, so they had a lot more they could offer him.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, they presumably probably had more money. Thank you. Well, that's for him.

[Drew Franklin]

You can have it. It's probably a baby gift.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Drew Franklin]

It says welcome little one on it.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, so that's not for me.

[Drew Franklin]

No, but if you want to.

[Matt Jones]

But. But presumably had more money. Yeah, I mean, there's. They probably had more stuff they could. They could offer.

[Drew Franklin]

So I don't think losing the head to head is that that big of. I just don't understand how you get on a plane and make that trip and not know you're standing. It hadn't been a week.

[Matt Jones]

Well, okay, before we get. Before we go negative, let's just say, first of all, it is. We literally had a conversation that's just

[Drew Franklin]

like, what are we doing?

[Matt Jones]

We. It is a different world in recruiting in the sense of, like, everybody's got stuff to offer now. Yes. Financially, like, everybody has. Has something to offer. So it does make it. It does make it hard to know. At the same time, I do agree with you. Like, to me, you don't get on the plane unless you know you're going to get the guy.

[Ryan Lemond]

People.

[Matt Jones]

There are people this morning going, you know, Pope went over there and probably didn't want him. Folks, we do have to at some point. Even if we're going to. If we're going to talk about this rationally, we can't, like, live in the dream world where he went on a plane to Israel. Like, it was the first time he'd ever seen the guy play. They clearly went. I mean, his agent flew in to

[Drew Franklin]

Try to close the deal that you'll see how tall he was in person. Had to stand side by side.

[Matt Jones]

He didn't. He didn't fly over there without wanting. We didn't get him. That's okay. But of course, it's been one of many not gets. But let's. Let's focus on who we get in a little bit. Let's talk about what I do think was the biggest news yesterday, which is Mark Pope basically said, DMs are open. Essentially. He. He did a video on Twitter and Instagram that said, hey, bbn, ask me questions, and I'm going to answer directly the questions from the fans. I was at dinner and then I had that book event. Yes.

[Ryan Lemond]

Right.

[Matt Jones]

So I was off my phone for a couple hours. I saw the video right before I went into the event, and I thought, okay, this is going to go well. I came out and there were 2000 comments when I came out. 2000 responses at the time. You know, your algorithm ranks things. I think this is important for people to realize your algorithm ranks what you see, from what I can tell, based on what they think you're gonna like. So if you're like, someone who interacts a lot with negative comments or have negative comments, you might see those first. For me, the first things that came up are people I follow or people I communicate with. So most of the first comments were actually, I thought, really good questions, people who are asking, like, really legitimate questions. And then I was like, this is going amazingly well. And then as I scroll down, you started to see some negative. But I actually thought there were hundreds of legitimately good questions. So we'll start with this. Good idea, Ryan. Bad idea.

[Ryan Lemond]

I think it's a good idea. We needed to hear from him, so I was it. When I first saw it, I thought, wow, he's actually going to enter, you know, interact with the fan base, because we need to hear from him. So if you're asking me just straight up, good idea, better deal.

[Matt Jones]

Good idea, good idea.

[Ryan Lemond]

All right.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't know if I can call it a good idea because the utter chaos. But I respect him for doing it because, I mean, he just welcomed. He said, bring the smoke, bring it on. Yeah, I would not have done that, but good on him for doing it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon, Good idea or bad idea?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. With the off season that he's had, that took some cojones to do. I think it's a good idea, though. We've been asking for it for a month at this point, so I'm glad that he did something.

[Matt Jones]

All right, I. I essentially agree. I would not have chosen that as the form. I don't know if I would have said, hey, everybody, punch me in the face. But at the same time, I do respect it. I'm actually. I would argue the response on social media from people telling him it was a bad idea were worse than the comments that were in the section. Like, all these people were saying, this is a terrible. Like I said, I wouldn't have done it like that if I were him. I probably would have just like done an interview, maybe with. With a national person or maybe even just like given a little two minute spiel, but they chose to do that. And I actually think that was. That was a. Not a bad thing to do, you know? Yes, there are going to be people who write crazy stuff, but hopefully he's not reading it. Hopefully there's some intern that's going through the comments.

[Shannon Dawson]

You need a filter for sure.

[Matt Jones]

No, I mean, I will say, I hope he's not reading. I'm gonna assume he's not, right? He's not.

[Drew Franklin]

I think he's reading it. Pope seems like the guy reads everything.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I hope he's not too. I hope he's not. I kind of actually don't think that. I actually think he probably isn't.

[Drew Franklin]

It would not be healthy to read it.

[Matt Jones]

It would not. But at the same time, nobody can act like they don't know where the fans are if you read it. Now, if I were him, I would answer the best questions and not just the, hey, coach, how you doing? Like, don't answer those, like, the real questions that people have. And then I would do another video where I read some of the meanest comments and, like, laughed them off. I think if he did that, that would actually be a win. You know what I mean?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes, I've been a mean tweets.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. I mean, like they do on the Jimmy Kimmel show and stuff. But he did that at BYU once and he didn't. They didn't really pick mean ones. It was like, hey, coach, you're like milk. And it's like, I mean, if you're gonna do mean tweets, you gotta read mean tweets.

[Shannon Dawson]

Could you wear a body cam? Had me laughing. That was funny.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, but. And by the way, I. I think to some extent you do have to laugh at some of this laugh so you don't cry. But I actually, I was surprised how universally negative people thought that it was that he did it, because I actually think, look, man, it's Better to do that than nothing.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Yeah. I was a little concerned when I saw it was on Twitter. That's, you know, a lot of vitriol on Twitter. And trolls come out on Twitter.

[Matt Jones]

Other fan bases.

[Drew Franklin]

Yes.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, I was worried about that. They did. They just funnel through it. If you go through a lot of. A lot of the questions were legit questions that we all have, and there

[Matt Jones]

were people writing sincere questions. They were fans writing sincere questions. So if you answer those and you say, okay, what's your name, sir? Brandon. So if Brandon writes a question and you can. First of all, if Mark Pope goes, this is from Brandon. Brandon's gonna forever be his fan. Because he did it. No, I mean, he really is like. Like, that's just a practical part of life. I've learned my question. If you acknowledge people's existence and say it, they will be. They will be positive. And he can answer the questions that are good with the mean tweets. You can show you have a sense of humor and you're not about to, like, jump off a ledge. So I think that can be good too.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. I just couldn't believe he did it. I mean, that app is about as bad as it is can get on the Internet right now.

[Matt Jones]

Twitter's.

[Drew Franklin]

So for him to just hop on there and say, all right, everybody tee off on me. Because it did. It wasn't just Kentucky fans. It opens the door for whoever wants to get in and throw a punch. Everybody's in there doing it. I agree on the mean tweet, tweets tweets thing too. Especially there's Arkansas fans in there. I'd talk directly to them about how I went into Fayetteville last year and beat him. I would talk smack.

[Matt Jones]

So you would be some of those fans, Big Boss Hog.

[Drew Franklin]

I would call out if they have their picture. I'd call out their picture for the ones that said truly mean stuff, like hateful stuff.

[Matt Jones]

Hey, Big Boss Hog. And just show the scoreboard. Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

You could come use our treadmill anytime there but yourself. You know, innocent stuff like that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I. I agree with you.

[Drew Franklin]

I just couldn't believe you did it. That is like the most chaotic way to go about it. I like it.

[Matt Jones]

I enjoyed watching, but embrace the chaos.

[Drew Franklin]

I mean, yeah, I would have put out like a prepared two minute video saying what I feel like they need to hear. I couldn't believe he just said, all right, everybody, here I am.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, well, I couldn't either. It got attention a lot. Oh, yeah. If you're wanting to Say, hey, Kentucky basketball's still here. You know, we're not. We're not quivering. I think there is a sense. Okay, so then there was the second part of this, which was the people online who were, like, continuing this theme of, like, we're the Oz in the background. Matt Jones and KSR forced him to do this. We didn't. But I'm glad he did it. I'm glad. I think. I think more communication is better than less.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And, you know, again, was that the way to do it? I don't know. But if you're going to ask people to do it, then you can't just complain when they do it. So I'm okay with it.

[Ryan Lemond]

At least it's some sort of start that we're hearing from our coach, you know, tell us what's going on, give us a chance to kind of interact with him because he's.

[Matt Jones]

Did you write a question?

[Ryan Lemond]

I haven't.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, I'll tell you what, let's. Because, you know, I don't usually let you ask questions on here. All right, you get one.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay, this could be the one.

[Matt Jones]

So this could be the one. What would you ask him? Maybe you can type it during the break. Maybe he'll answer because, you know, he knows you might answer your question. What would your question.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay, I'll type it up and then it in the break.

[Matt Jones]

No, no, I mean, why don't you just do it here on the air?

[Ryan Lemond]

I would say, Coach, if you're honest with yourself, you had. Out of the top 20 high school kids in America, you had 14 of them on campus. If you're honest with yourself, what is the reason, though, they didn't commit? Was it nil problems? Was it. You couldn't communicate with their agent? Like, if you answer. If you look in the mirror and come up with an answer, what is it you see?

[Matt Jones]

That's a little accusatory, though, maybe. You say it seems like you all had trouble struggling closing with some recruits. Why do you think that is?

[Ryan Lemond]

That's my question.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe without all the commentary at the beginning.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. Well, that's good. Could you hit me on, you know, on the spot? So I came up with something, but I think that came with facts.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, you did. You. That was a hard. That was a journalistic question.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, I'm a reporter at heart. Deep down, at its core, I'm a reporter.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, you can't. You came with the. With the fire. So how do you think. Do you. When do you think he'll do it? You think he'll he'll answer questions today. I think he should.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, do it soon. Get it out of the way and just move on.

[Matt Jones]

I'd go ahead and lock that. That thread so that it doesn't keep going or. Or whatever. And then I would start. I would answer questions today.

[Drew Franklin]

And I get these on this afternoon.

[Matt Jones]

I. I mean, one thing is he'll have everybody watching it. Like, that video that he does where he answers the question will get a ton of people watching it. And if they handle it the right way, I think it'll be a win for him.

[Drew Franklin]

How about that camera? You look good.

[Matt Jones]

You know what? I'm glad you said that. That camera, I felt like I was like a part of Mark Pope. That's one of the best cameras I've ever seen.

[Drew Franklin]

That's like a Spielberg production that going on over there. I actually thought it was AI at first because it almost looks.

[Matt Jones]

See, I will say, when I first saw it, I thought it might be a. I really did.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Like, that's because. Because it was almost like a movie. Sparkling clear.

[Drew Franklin]

I would this afternoon put out part two. I wouldn't let it linger, too.

[Matt Jones]

I wouldn't let it linger either. Shannon, would you agree? Would you do the mean tweets thing? Shannon?

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah, I would. I would embrace it.

[Ryan Lemond]

You can't ignore it. You're right. I don't.

[Drew Franklin]

I.

[Shannon Dawson]

Well, I think that he will ignore it. I don't think they will do that, but I.

[Matt Jones]

See, I would. If I were them, I would do something where I was like. So I opened it up, got some great questions, but some of y'. All. And then just, like, use it as a way to kind of.

[Drew Franklin]

I would hold up a body cam, be like, look what I got. I saw you said I should wear a body cam. I'll start wearing this.

[Matt Jones]

See, that would be great. Yeah, that would be great.

[Drew Franklin]

That could be your icebreaker then. Talk about the gm.

[Ryan Lemond]

He can win a lot of people over again.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah. The problem is he's already too goofy as it is.

[Ryan Lemond]

And.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know, but there's a difference. Yeah, but goofy is okay, but like, self aware. Goofy, I think is good. I think, like, being self aware is. Is good. So, anyway, it certainly got the process started.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

You know, and then we get the Santos news today again. I don't even. I didn't even really care about getting it. I just wish he hadn't gone to Israel unless he knew he was going to get him. But I don't really care that whether we got him or not.

[Drew Franklin]

No, he would have been fine. Backup by and I understand why the guy want to go somewhere and be a starter. It just, it goes to my worry of Pope not having a good feel of these recruitments as he's in them.

[Matt Jones]

I will say if they're starting front line is diabate and Santos. I don't say this to be rude, but they're not going to be. They're not going to be.

[Drew Franklin]

They're going all international. It's going to be a Diabate and ten international.

[Matt Jones]

They have no players. They have two players right now. You're right. It's going to be an all international team. Team. That's what they're going to have. 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-7745254. We're going to take a break. We'll come back, Ask anything. You all can ask whatever you like. This will be right back. This is ksr.

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Listen to Saigon on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Narrator]

Every story has a point where it's balanced on a knife's edge. That's where we begin. For some, it's a confrontation no parent ever expects. They finally admit we're here to take your children. The department has taken custody and we're here to take your kids. It was just shock and horror and desperation. For others, it's surviving the unthinkable. As they're having this gun battle thousands of feet up in the air, many of the bullets start to puncture the aircraft. I thought we were gonna die then. The Knife is a podcast about real people whose lives were upended in an instant. We talk to the people who lived it, unpacking what happened, how they got through it and what came next. And on our off record episodes, we go even deeper into the reporting and answer the questions you can't stop thinking about. New episodes drop every Thursday on the Exactly Right Network and the iHeart Podcast Network. Listen to the Knife on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

When you feel uncomfortable, what do you put on Biggie? You put on Biggie when you feel uncomfortable.

[Matt Jones]

Cause I wanna get confident.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

This is DJ Hester Prynne's Music is Thera, a weekly podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist that asks one simple question. Who do you want to be and what's the song that can take you there?

[Commercial Announcer]

I didn't care about my life circumstance

[Drew Franklin]

when I listened to that stuff. It didn't matter to me.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

Music changes what you feel and what you feel changes what you do. Right that moment where a song shifts something inside you, that's where transformation starts.

[Podcast Narrator]

Healing is the shift from survival into choice.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

It's Mental Health Month and I'm talking to experts like celebrity therapist the mindful mft Lynn Hoffman from Music Saved Me and the man who Shaped My Ear than anyone. Questlove. They'll bring the strategies, I'll pair them with the right records and we'll teach you how to use the music to make change stick. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for you every day.

[Matt Jones]

This has been so much fun.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

Music is therapy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome Back it is Kentucky Sports Radio, 859-280-2287. Text machine is 772-774-5254. One person write that I. When I saw the video, I thought it was a terrible idea, and I wish Pope hadn't done it. Then I read the comments, and I actually thought most of them were good people focused on the bad ones, but there were a lot of good questions. It's kind of like the Internet as a whole. I completely agree. Like, yeah, there were. There were jerks, but there was also real stuff. And if you. If you filter out the jerks, then. Then I'm. Then it's good. Well, not good, but I. But I think if it makes sense.

[Ryan Lemond]

Got a text from one of my friends, and I agree with what he said. He honestly wanted to reach the fan base. You should have come on this show, let him talk to you for an hour and then take calls for an hour and maybe, yeah, message across a little better that way.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I mean, obviously, selfishly, that's what I would like, but I do so, like, we're in this position, or at least I am, where it can feel sometimes like, for me, I can do no right by people. People. Like, there's absolutely nothing I can. Well, I. There is nothing I can say that will please everyone. I'll even go further as to say people. People care way too much about what we say. And I don't mean fans. Like, I want people listening to care, but people just act like that we control everything. It's. It became it. Like, we've laughed about its KSR's fault, but there are people who I think legitimately think, like, we're doctors. We're Dr. Oz in the background. You know, I mean, it's. It's cr. It's crazy to me. So selfishly, I would love to have him on, but I can't sit here and say, mark, you're not really the coach at Kentucky unless you come on here. That's ridiculous. He can do whatever he wants. He doesn't have to come on here. He can come on whatever he wants. If he goes on any show, that's better than no show, which is what I'm saying. It's not so much I'd love selfishly to have him on here. It's just. Don't be silent. I say all this to be quite frank with you because I want to help him. I feel like he's make. He has been making the same mistake that Mark Stoops made at the end, that Cal made at the end that Mitch made at the end. And it's not about Matt Jones. It's just about the fan base as a whole. So, yes, Ryan would. I love for him to come on here. Sure. But he doesn't have to come here. He just needs to speak. And if that's the way they want to do it, Drew, then I'm fine with that.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah. And I see some similarities in the stoops here because he would intentionally. He'd always say, I don't want to make a headline or, you know, wouldn't really answer questions because he didn't want things to get out. Ended up just being that silence that we would talk about so much. I think the video thing, once you get past the criticisms and have a few laughs, like I didn't even realize it was now. But Kyle Wilcher had chimed in asking. He asked like, what international player. See if I were here, there was a lot of good to them.

[Matt Jones]

See if I was. If I'm Pope, I respect respond to Kyle Wilcher and I respond to Romel Bradley sort of show, which I bet he will. I bet he will do that or it's important.

[Drew Franklin]

But that was a good part of that. And I agree that he should go out and do some shows. Doesn't have to be this one. And I've thought this not just Pope. I thought this with Cal. I hate it when they just call up a national person when there are plenty of people in this town that show up to every press conference and every game. Doesn't have to be ksr. There's other operations. I hate sometimes when they go national and just skip over the local people that are there daily. So even if they went on name it something around here that's not us, I think that would be good to just trying to be out there a little more. But I do think if he does that it keep to people around Kentucky before going straight to the Goodman's.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. And I. So so anyway, I actually think that was a smart thing to do. And then, you know, in general, the I do want to say that you mentioned Stoops and them coming on. Some of why these coaches don't come on shows is beyond their control. So I do think that's worth noting too. So let's just go through these guys. John Calipari. So first of all, JMI has a contract where they own essentially the right of coaches to talk coaches. So JMI limits the amount they can come on shows like this. So they do it some. But like JMI wants them to go on BBN tonight and stuff. Right. Which I understand. But so part of why they don't do it is that. So let's take Will Stein. I think Will Stein would come on this show every week. I do. I think he would like to. He really likes it. He. But he's not allowed to. So we work it out to come on as much as he can. Mark Stoops never refused to come on the show. He just was not allowed to talk by JMI for a while. And then he made a decision at the end to not go on any media. It wasn't I'm not going to go on ksr. It was I'm not going to do any media. The only person that's ever kind of refused to come on this show was Cal. And it was only in the last two years before that. He always did. And Mark Pope has told me, and I've been told as recently as last week, he will come on here at some point. So there's like this narrative that Mark Pope refuses to come on ksr. That is not true. My criticism has not been him not coming on here. It's been him not talking at all. Now there are people out there saying, well, no other coach is doing it. Respectfully, that's just not true. All right, all these coaches have gone on some show, right? Rick Barnes did a three. You don't know about it because you don't follow these teams, but Rick Barnes did a three city tour around Tennessee where he spoke to media in each place. So just because you don't know about it doesn't mean it didn't happen because

[Ryan Lemond]

this is the first time we've heard from Coach Pope since they lost to Iowa State. I mean, that was what, six weeks ago or so?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, and he went on leeches on his regular podcast. All right, so now we have 12 players. Do you think we get three more? Or maybe he'll answer that question today. We'll see.

[Drew Franklin]

I hope so. I think they definitely need three more. But I, I don't. I will say I do not think they get three. I will take the under at three.

[Ryan Lemond]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

What about you?

[Ryan Lemond]

I think they'll get three. I think there may be some guys like, maybe they'll bring in like Brandon Hawthorne last year, just bringing him just for him to sit and learn and practice for a year. Or maybe one of those guys. I'm hopeful there's a guy that eliminates his name from the NBA draft. Maybe one of those guys maybe fall.

[Matt Jones]

You at all worried about that? Moreno was Projected in amok for the first time in the first round yesterday. It's the first time I've seen that. Are you at all. Is there any worried that he doesn't come back?

[Ryan Lemond]

Me? No.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Ryan Lemond]

Because I think next year's draft, he's going to vault up. You know, this year's draft is so strong. Next year's draft is not as strong. He could vault up to maybe have a good season sniffing at a lottery pick or something.

[Matt Jones]

I agree with you, but one of the things to watch is go look at the mock drafts and see who's projected. All right, so the top 20 guys are all kind of set. They're freshmen, international guys. But guys like 20 through 40, a lot of those dudes are thinking about coming back to college. And it is. The only thing that worries me is what if, like, the guys ranked 20 to 30 all go back to college and then Malachi's like, well, if I can go 21st in the draft, I hope that doesn't happen. I expect him to be back same. Do you expect him?

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, I expect him to be back outside of a team, you know, some good teams have several picks. If someone promised him, look, we're taking you 20, whatever storing you, we want you, he would have to really consider that. But I just don't think that would happen. He seems like a early second rounder.

[Matt Jones]

There's a good chance that if he, unless he's picked higher than 20th, I think there's a good chance he's going to make more money here next year than he would in the NBA.

[Ryan Lemond]

Good point.

[Matt Jones]

So to me, it would make more sense because Ryan's right. Next year's draft is the worst draft maybe in history. He could go in the top 10 next year. We'll take a break. Be right back. Take your calls. KSI,

[Mood.com Advertiser]

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[DJ Hester Prynne]

Call tj.

[Matt Jones]

He'll make them pay.

[Shannon Dawson]

Now more of Kentucky Sports Radio presented by Stockton Mortgage. Here's Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

Welcome back. Tech Sports Radio. 859-280-2287. Text machine. 772-774-5254. One person writes. Matt, I can't believe how mean people are to you and KSR and Twitter. You write something and no matter what you say, people just tear it down. That is true. But I guess that comes with the territory. But it goes to my point, which is I don't understand why people. I mean, this is a weird thing to say because you want people to care about what you say, but, like, I don't understand why People care so much about what. What I say. Like, it's my opinion.

[Ryan Lemond]

If.

[Matt Jones]

Why do you care so much?

[Caller/Listener]

If you.

[Matt Jones]

If it makes you mad, just don't follow it. Like, I. I don't get it. I really don't. Like, it's become kind of out of control in terms of. I don't even know what to say. Like, it's getting to the point on Twitter where I don't even really want to give an opinion. Opinion on his. On this show. I don't mind. Like, people hear the context, and they can. But like, it. It is insane to me the way people think we. We run the school, and that's ridiculous. For a long time, we can't. I mean, we can't get. Return our calls. You tell me we run the school. Like, that's insane. I mean, I don't know what it's. It's almost like, I don't know, you know, how people will think. Like, this group of people run the world. It's like they think Ryan and Drew and I somehow are this cabal running the university. It's crazy.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, this day and age of making a hot. Take these people under the cloak and anonymity can say, you know, I'm gonna get Matt Jones. Watch this.

[Matt Jones]

But why does it. Why don't, like, why don't you, Ryan Lemon, get to have an opinion? Like, it's almost like they don't want you to have an opinion.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, they're gonna. They're gonna tear you down just to try to make themselves. Now. I'm gonna get him. Watch this. I'm gonna get Matt Jones.

[Matt Jones]

That's how they say it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah. I'm gonna get him. I'm gonna get Red.

[Matt Jones]

I like that impersonation. Who is that supposed to be?

[Ryan Lemond]

The dude that's poking at you.

[Matt Jones]

One more time. I'm gonna get that, right, Joan? Watch this.

[Ryan Lemond]

Watch what I'm gonna say. Bad Joe. Do suck. Stinking.

[Matt Jones]

Send Shane. And then they hit sin right there.

[Shannon Dawson]

Yeah.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

That is a good impersonation. I like when you add voices to your repertoire. One person goes, matt, this week, I saw Ryan doing his realtor profession. I have to say, he looked very professional. He should make sure people know that.

[Ryan Lemond]

Nice. Thank you very much.

[Matt Jones]

What was that, boys?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, good little plug right there.

[Shannon Dawson]

People want to know when he. He's gonna eat by himself. He still hasn't.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I mean, the problem is that Brian keeps. Everything keeps coming up, and it's hard to find a week. So we are. But listen, I'm not Letting it go. But I need you to have a full week. Last week was derby and all that stuff. And you're. You're going bowling tonight. So that makes it harder. But we're. We're gonna figure it out.

[Ryan Lemond]

It's gonna be tough because Josiah moves home today. I'm moving him out of the dorm today. And he's.

[Matt Jones]

But you can leave him alone. He doesn't want you to be in his grill. Also.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, I'm going back from being by myself now. I got a roommate again.

[Drew Franklin]

Who? You excited?

[Ryan Lemond]

I kind of got to the point

[Matt Jones]

where I was where you wanted him gone.

[Ryan Lemond]

I kind of adjust to being by myself. It's kind of nice once in a while. You guys are right. I'm kind of open to a whole.

[Matt Jones]

Wait, see, I didn't know this. You've actually gotten to the point that you like it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Like. Like for example, last night I walked in. Last night we went to Cinco de Mayo and I walked in, Jennifer went home and I walked in like, you know what? This is my last night by myself. I'm gonna enjoy it. I just laid in bed, turn the TV on, played on my phone.

[Matt Jones]

You couldn't do that if he was there.

[Ryan Lemond]

No, cuz he's blaring down the hallway, he's got his music going, he's got his video games going, he's screaming at his buddy on his headset. Not peace and quiet last night.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I'm glad you're staying. So it sounds like you're starting to embrace.

[Ryan Lemond]

I really have. Yeah. Yeah. You know, here I am, 59 years old, finally don't care to be by myself.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's great. Well, maybe we don't even need to do the rest of the. I agree.

[Ryan Lemond]

I don't think we need to do it anymore.

[Matt Jones]

He was trying to do reverse psychology. Happy birthday to Joe Michael here. Yeah, it's his birthday today. He came good to see a good Cynthia here. You could go to. You could have gone to biancies, but instead you came here and so I. I appreciate that. Happy birthday. And then. So they brought you a gift. Someone brought you a gift, but says welcome, little one.

[Drew Franklin]

Yep. I don't know if that's welcoming me back to the show or if I'm supposed to take that back home.

[Matt Jones]

You're the little one.

[Drew Franklin]

I'll open it during the break. I appreciate that.

[Matt Jones]

All right, who's up first? 859280. 2287. Shannon.

[Shannon Dawson]

Adam.

[Matt Jones]

Adam. Go ahead, Adam.

[Caller/Listener]

Hey, what's up, Matt? I had a statement And a comment or a question both about JMI. So I've got a small time podcast, probably like 50 followers that I just do for a hobby. Don't make any money off of it.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Caller/Listener]

Had, you know had had a appointment with Jack Givens to interview him and Nick Minion as both reached out and said JMI Nixon. It's like you're really threatened by a little podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that disappoints that just that disappoints me for not it's not surprising Jack Givens is not allowed to come on this show anymore. And I used to really look forward to Jack Givens coming on and again it's not because UK hates ksr. It's Nick Mingion. Jack Givens would come on here. It's very kind of them. They were going to go on your podcast but they have now been told in the last six months that they are not allowed to go on any show. I'm kind of with you. Your podcast is not a threat to the UK radio and television network. They, they should want Nick Mingione on your podcast. They should want Jack Givens on your podcast. I think that's a big mistake and I've said that to jmi. I, I talked to JMI recently and I've said the fact that like I, I don't get that view at all. Especially for somebody like you who's trying to like create something. I, I, I'm sorry about that. I think that's really disappointing.

[Caller/Listener]

My question about jmi. So yesterday you mentioned the possibility or the Herald leaders possibility of hiring two ads, one over sports, one over kind of nil the business. So how would that work since JMI is in, in charge of the nil.

[Matt Jones]

It's a great question. I don't know. I mean I appreciate the call the, you know. So JMI has a strong role in every decision that's made at uk. I don't think that they're like the boogeyman for everything that's wrong. Like sometimes people do. I have my criticisms, I still have my criticisms of them but I don't know like I think sometimes anything bad happens. The, the initial thing is to point to them but I will say this, I think their media strategy and I'm not saying something I haven't told directly to them it is a mistake. The idea that the best way to handle media is to only talk to the official sources only go on Tom Leach. I just think that's a mistake. Like the n, like you're that kid's podcast Nick Mingy own the baseball coach. I like Nick. I'm not going to have him on this show all the time. We got other things to do. But if you want to take the time to produce, produce a full form interview with him. In my opinion, Drew, UK should be loving that. Let's get Nick Mangione out there. Like, right. If somebody wants to take the time to talk to Nick Mingyon for an hour, I would want it to be everywhere. But they just don't have that view. And I think that's a mistake. And people get it so wrapped up in what they think of the Herald Leader or ksr. Forget about us. They take that view about everybody. And I just think it's a mistake. You don't get enough publicity.

[Drew Franklin]

Yeah, they try to keep everything in house. Close the door. We're gonna put it on our. What's that website. I don't know what the website's called that they tried it might even already be gone. Or the BBN tonight, all their affiliated shows. It's great you have those. But open up your ecosystem and, you know, get your brand out there. Maybe you're helping an up and comer that's starting a podcast or let them go on a big show and just add more eyeballs and ears to everything you're doing.

[Matt Jones]

Use Jack Givens as an example. Is there anyone more positive about UK basketball than Jack Givens?

[Ryan Lemond]

He's the best.

[Matt Jones]

Yep. Is there anyone who can give more of a positive message about what's happening than Jack Givens?

[Ryan Lemond]

Not right now.

[Matt Jones]

You want Jack Givens to come on here and tell Drew he's a goober for thinking to come on here and tell us how good Braden Hawthorne is to get the. But they won't let him. They won't let him. And that's crazy to me.

[Ryan Lemond]

You're right. Bottom line, aren't we all on the same team? Are we all here for the same cause?

[Matt Jones]

That's just crazy to me. Like Jack Givens. There is no better ambassador for UK basketball and there's no one who I'd love to have. Brighton Hawthorne is going to play a key. Who's his biggest advocate? Jack. Jack. Wouldn't it be nice to sit him here and have him tell the fans about Jack Givens?

[Caller/Listener]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

Or I would love to hear Braden

[Drew Franklin]

Hawthorne tell us about Jack.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Braden Hawthorne come on and talk about Jack Givens. But. But they don't let it. And I just. I think that's a mistake.

[Drew Franklin]

It'd be one thing if they were putting out a Bunch of content, didn't want copycats, but it's like they're telling people they can't do it, and then they're also not doing anything with these people.

[Matt Jones]

So it's like, I just.

[Drew Franklin]

Now we're just getting nothing.

[Matt Jones]

The thing we all need to remember, we all want Kentucky to succeed.

[Caller/Listener]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

And it all works better when people are working in. In. In con. Hort. Or not con or concert with each other. Who's next?

[Shannon Dawson]

Pat.

[Podcast Narrator]

Pat.

[Matt Jones]

Go ahead, Pat. Yes. Go ahead.

[Caller/Listener]

Yes. Hey. This is the most pathetic thing I've ever seen as a UK fan. Be honest with you. I mean, we're gonna go. You made these analogies before about, like, breaking up with a girl or trying to get a girl. I feel like the same thing. We're gonna go on flying and asking, ask what we're doing wrong here. To all our fans. It doesn't matter what we're doing wrong. To all our fans, Imagine what we're doing wrong to the players we're trying to recruit. And I'm a really simple. It's like going to a bar sometimes,

[Matt Jones]

and I just say, what are you complaining about? What are you complaining about, though, when you would. Like, what. What's the fact that they're talking about

[Caller/Listener]

this guy about Pope coming on and asking, oh, please, everybody, tell me what I am doing.

[Matt Jones]

That's not what he said, though, to be fair. That's not what he said. He said, do you have questions? I'll answer your questions. That's not the same as saying, tell me what I'm doing wrong. That's not what he said.

[Caller/Listener]

Questions. We are. We already know what the questions are. Is. My point is, again, it's like going. I just. The other night there, I went out to a bar. There's. Sometimes there's guys that just don't have it. This one guy was going up, and you could tell he just wanted to, and I felt sorry.

[Matt Jones]

Do you have it, sir? You're saying that there are guys at bars that don't have it when they go up to women. Do you? It?

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah, I do.

[Matt Jones]

You do. Okay, so give me an example. Because. Because I. I. I'll admit sometimes I don't have it, but you have it. So here's the thing. I want. I'd like to. Hang on, hang on. I want to hear how you have. So, so. All right, so Drew is going to play the role of woman at the bar.

[Drew Franklin]

Okay?

[Matt Jones]

And you're going to play the role of the guy who's coming up who has it. Because you're saying Mark Pope doesn't have it. You. You play the role of guy who has it. It. I'll give you the floor. Go ahead, sir.

[Caller/Listener]

Okay. Yes. Honestly. Well, I'm. I have a fiance now, but I walked up the other night, this guy.

[Matt Jones]

No, no, no, you're not. You're not. I don't think you're playing. You're supposed to be showing us how you have it. Give it to Drew.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm just here drinking by myself.

[Matt Jones]

Drew's the girl.

[Drew Franklin]

I don't have the out.

[Caller/Listener]

Pick up a girl.

[Drew Franklin]

I just want to dance.

[Matt Jones]

Well, but you're going to act like Drew's name is Drew Cena and you're trying to pick him up at the ball.

[Drew Franklin]

I'm here on work. I just want to come out and dance. Have a good time.

[Matt Jones]

Well, hello.

[Drew Franklin]

By myself.

[Caller/Listener]

Hey. First of all, you looking nice tonight.

[Drew Franklin]

Thank you.

[Caller/Listener]

Would you like a drink or whatever? What can I get for you? And

[Drew Franklin]

I already have a full drink, but thank you.

[Caller/Listener]

Where you don't act desperate. If and if she go.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I have to say the other way.

[Caller/Listener]

You just walk away.

[Shannon Dawson]

Drew, you taking this guy home with you?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Drew, are you going to be hooking up with this guy?

[Drew Franklin]

I don't think so.

[Caller/Listener]

I've never seen you Drew, so I

[Drew Franklin]

feel like he'd be slobbering on me.

[Caller/Listener]

My point is, in the long run, we. We gotta admit this is kind of desperate situation that he's got to go in. That all okay, good. I didn't want to pick up Drew to begin with.

[Drew Franklin]

Oh, now, now, you're.

[Matt Jones]

See, I appreciate the call. You did the thing guys do. Guys go up to someone in a bar, hit on them, get turned down, and go, I didn't like her anyway.

[Drew Franklin]

See, I've now whispered, help me to the bartender to come get you away from me.

[Matt Jones]

I appreciate you being a good sport.

[Ryan Lemond]

So standing about the Santos dude right now.

[Matt Jones]

Look, we didn't get him. I don't even. I now almost sound like that guy I didn't even really want him to get. But it's clear. It's clear Pope did because he went to Israel for him.

[Ryan Lemond]

14 hour flight.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Ryan Lemond]

I have a good war zone.

[Matt Jones]

I have a good story that's along those lines. Well, you know what? I'll tell it really quick. When? In 2000? Well, all right. It's gonna take a minute. Let's take a break and then I'll tell them.

[Ryan Lemond]

That's a good tease.

[Matt Jones]

We'll be right back. Ksr.

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[Podcast Narrator]

family and of the country that shaped us.

[Caller/Listener]

The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however great, take over another country.

[Commercial Announcer]

From iheart Podcasts, Saigon.

[Drew Franklin]

Please allow me to introduce Joseph Schumann.

[Matt Jones]

You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much.

[Drew Franklin]

I like hearing you.

[Commercial Announcer]

One city, a divided country and the war that tore America apart.

[Matt Jones]

This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese brown fire.

[Ryan Lemond]

Do you read me?

[Matt Jones]

They're pouring petrol all over him. He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine for freedom. Let's get out. Freedom for Vietnam.

[Commercial Announcer]

Saigon. Starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict.

[Matt Jones]

Staying here is madness.

[Drew Franklin]

The world should hear about this.

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[Matt Jones]

and it's going to burn out everything.

[Commercial Announcer]

Listen to Saigon on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Narrator]

Every story has a point where it's balanced on a knife's edge. That's where we begin. For some, it's a confrontation no parent ever expects. They finally admit. We're here to take your children.

[Matt Jones]

The department has taken custody and we're

[Podcast Narrator]

here to take your kids. It was just shock and horror and desperation. For others, it's surviving the unthinkable. As they're having this gun battle thousands of feet up in the air, many of the bullets start to puncture the aircraft. I thought we were gonna die then. The Knife is a podcast about real people whose lives were upended in an instant. We talked to the people who lived it, unpacking, what happened, how they got through it, and what came next. And on our off record episodes, we go even deeper into the reporting and answer the questions you can't stop thinking about. New episodes drop every Thursday on the Exactly Right Network and the iHeart Podcast Network. Listen to the Knife on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

When you feel uncomfortable. What do you put on?

[Matt Jones]

Biggie.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

You put on Biggie when you feel uncomfortable.

[Matt Jones]

Cause I wanna get confident.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

This is DJ Hester Prynne's Music Is Therapy, a weekly podcast from me, a DJ and licensed therapist. That one simple question. Who do you want to be and what's the song that can take you there?

[Commercial Announcer]

I didn't care about my life circumstance

[Drew Franklin]

when I listened to that stuff. It didn't matter to me.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

Music changes what you feel and what you feel changes what you do. Right? That moment where a song shifts something inside you, that's where transformation starts.

[Podcast Narrator]

Healing is the shift from survival into choice.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

It's Mental Health Month and I'm talking to experts like celebrity therapist, the Mindful mft, Lynn Hoffman from Music Scene and the man who Shaped My Ear more than anyone, Questlove. They'll bring the strategies. I'll pair them with the right records and we'll teach you how to use the music to make change stick. This isn't just a podcast. It's unconventional therapy for you every day.

[Matt Jones]

This has been so much fun.

[DJ Hester Prynne]

Music is therapy on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Matt Jones]

That's good. Well done, Shannon.

[Ryan Lemond]

Shannon is so good.

[Matt Jones]

Shannon is good. People are writing in the text machine 772-774-5254 saying they want to try to pick up Drew Cena.

[Drew Franklin]

Well, that got whiffed. He had a chance. That was a poor.

[Ryan Lemond]

I just shot my shot at Drew Cena.

[Matt Jones]

Did you?

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Is that why you pulled up your shirt and showed your belly just a second ago?

[Drew Franklin]

I'm actually uncomfortable right now.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Tell me about Stockton Mortgage.

[Ryan Lemond]

I'll tell you about Stockton Mortgage. There's no better time to start shopping than right now because the market is super de duper hot right now. For a couple years, it's been kind of slow.

[Matt Jones]

I got that started.

[Ryan Lemond]

It is, right? It did. It started with the Matt Jones bump and it can help you as well. I should thank you because I had a guy call into the shoe to reach me because he said he knew I was your realtor, wanted me to be his realtor.

[Matt Jones]

Well, that's good. You've been doing this for. I don't know why you don't remind people you're a realtor. Like that's like literally your second job and you never mention it.

[Ryan Lemond]

Well, you know I'm a reporter when I'm here.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, just, just do Stockton Mortgage.

[Ryan Lemond]

Stockton Mortgage. They can help you get to the closing table. That's what it's all about. They make the process easy. It can be quite a hassle but they make a especially for like first time home buyers. It's kind of a hassle for you. They can hand lead you all the way to get you the closing table. So it's easy to do. Go to their website, stockton.com. there's a button there say get started. You hit that button, it'll take you to hook you up with a loan officer and they'll get you started on the way. So Stockton Mortgage NMLS 8259 equal housing lender.

[Matt Jones]

So here's my story real quick. Quick, you know you can go all the way. This, this really isn't appropriate for, for, for Pope but you know, it's a good time to tell the stories. So this is like 2005 Drew 2006 ICQ. Does anybody remember ICQ? Michael remembers that ICQ was like the way you would like chat with people back then before Yahoo and aol, before all that and before you had dating side and I don't remember how. So I'm living in Lexington, I'm working for Judge Caldwell in Frankfurt. And like I don't really know. My friends are all grad schools place so I'm kind of here by myself. I only have one or two friends here at the time. And you know you get sometimes you can have these little periods where you're like, you know, it's a dry spell for the day.

[Ryan Lemond]

Yeah, right.

[Matt Jones]

And I get on ICQ and I met a woman in I remember the town. Meban, North Carolina.

[Drew Franklin]

Sounds romantic.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, Mebben, North Carolina. And like we chat forever. And then at some point she's like, you should come to Mebin, North Carolina. And I don't know, I was like, you know what, I got nothing going on. It's 2005, let's drive to MEB in North Carolina. And it wasn't far from Duke and I just graduated law school. So I was like, you know what, I'll go to Mebin and then I'll go to Duke. And I was gonna see my friend at Duke. So I drive to Mebin and Shannon pull up in the driveway and immediately when I pull up, this woman is not the woman whose pictures she had sent.

[Shannon Dawson]

Oh, no. The bait and switch.

[Matt Jones]

And I had already planned to spend a night in Mebin. Just like Pope. Went to Israel. Saw Marcel have zero points.

[Shannon Dawson]

Wasn't who expected it.

[Matt Jones]

It wasn't what he expected.

[Drew Franklin]

They describe you as very desperate.

[Matt Jones]

But. But I'm in Mebin. What am I supposed to do, right? This is where I'd planned to stay for the night. Uhhuh. So you want to talk about awkward, you don't want to just turn around? So I did this whole thing again. Pre cell phones, right? Like, pre smartphone. So I. Shannon, what would you do in that scenario if you were like, this is not gonna happen.

[Shannon Dawson]

Sorry, I gotta go out and grab some smoke. So I'll be back.

[Matt Jones]

Oh, and then just leave? I didn't do that. I said, hey, I gotta check in at home. Called and said, I made up, like, my friends having an emergency. I gotta go. Then never spoke to the person.

[Drew Franklin]

All that chemistry you built up on icq.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I'd had such icq. Better game than that guy that called and then got to Mebin, and so I passed Mebin on the interstate. When you go to Duke and Raleigh, you'll see the sign for Mebin. I'm always like, that's why you got.

[Drew Franklin]

Do you wonder about her?

[Matt Jones]

I don't.

[Drew Franklin]

Maybe she's thinking about you.

[Matt Jones]

I wish her the best, but I don't wonder. Just like I don't think Pope's gonna wonder about Marcio Santos after all this time.

[Ryan Lemond]

Could have been a wonderful love story.

[Matt Jones]

It could have been in Mebin.

[Shannon Dawson]

See, Pope's gotta see him again because he's gonna play.

[Matt Jones]

Pope is gonna have to see. No, that's exactly right. That would be as if we lived in the same town and then we saw each other.

[Ryan Lemond]

How's your friend's emergency surgery?

[Matt Jones]

Oh, he went good. It was 20 years ago. He survived.

[Drew Franklin]

Thank God. Tell her he got.

[Matt Jones]

Let her know he got through. Who's next? Shannon.

[Shannon Dawson]

Let's go to Brandon.

[Matt Jones]

Brandon, got a minute? Go.

[Caller/Listener]

Hey. I just wanted to say, guys, I would love it if we could have a ladies man every week. Get on here and tell us the ways to pick up women.

[Matt Jones]

I would like that, too, actually. That would be good.

[Caller/Listener]

My other question is this. Have you guys heard? Like, I know Louisville is absolutely running the ringer, but I read an article the other day that said Louisville is approaching $31.6 million.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Caller/Listener]

On their roster. Could you. Can you kind of.

[Matt Jones]

I can't confirm that, but I would. There is no cap. So it's, it's a great question. So I'm going to do a podcast next week on Interrupted about how nil works. I had a long conversation with a couple people and I feel like I know it much better and I can't just do it in five minutes. So I'm going to do a podcast about that with Billy next week and we'll talk more about it at the end. We'll take a break, come back hour number two. This is ksr.

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