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Before the legendary rivalry of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, there was a coach named Judd Heathcote who shaped the destiny of the 1979 NCAA championship. This episode explores Heathcote's demanding coaching style and his complex relationship with Magic Johnson at Michigan State. Learn how their clash of personalities contributed to the team's success, setting the stage for the iconic Bird-Magic rivalry that captivated the nation.

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This episode explores the incredible journey of Larry Bird, from his humble beginnings in French Lick, Indiana, to becoming a global basketball icon. It looks at his unexpected rise to fame, his shy personality that defied the spotlight, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. From his time working on a garbage truck to his triumphant college years at Indiana State, we uncover the unique blend of talent, determination, and resilience that made Larry Bird a legend. The episode culminates with a tease of the stories to come about the iconic rivalry with Magic Johnson and the impact they had on the world of basketball.

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While Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would become forever linked in basketball history, their paths to success were starkly different. Magic, from the start, was a showman, and sought out the spotlight. Bird, in contrast, just wanted to play basketball, and largely shunned publicity. This difference in personality would be reflected in their choice of colleges: Magic opting for Michigan State, a program with a rich history and a large, passionate fanbase, while Bird chose Indiana State, a smaller, less-heralded school where he could focus on the game. These choices, in many ways, set the stage for their contrasting, yet ultimately intertwined, careers.

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In 1979, a seemingly ordinary college basketball game between Michigan State and Indiana State became a cultural phenomenon. The game, featuring future NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, captivated the nation and breathed new life into the struggling NBA. The matchup showcased the contrasting personalities and playing styles of the two stars, further fueling public interest. Airing on the then-fledgling ESPN, the game drew record viewership and launched the network into the sports broadcasting empire it is today.

Join us as we explore the impact of this pivotal game and the ripple effects that continue to shape basketball and sports broadcasting today.

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This podcast episode explores Larry Bird's formative high school years in French Lick, Indiana. Growing up in poverty with a father battling PTSD, Bird developed a sense of grit and determination early on. His older brother's basketball scholarship showed him a path to a different future. The episode tracks Bird's early successes, such as clutch free throws, and how playing under the shadow of Steve Land, a future Indiana University player, pushed him to refine his unique skillset, especially the art of the assist. Local sports writer Jerry Burge becomes a key figure, championing Bird's talent in the Jasper Herald. During Bird's senior year, his physical transformation led to dominant performances and record-breaking stats, generating buzz and even drawing the attention of coach Bob Knight. The episode recounts a legendary, close matchup against Loogootee, a controversial loss, and Bird's initial omission from the Indiana All-State team, which Burge fought hard to rectify. After high school, Bird faced challenges, including his father's passing and a short-lived stint at Indiana University, but ultimately chose to continue his basketball journey at Indiana State. The episode concludes by reflecting on Bird's journey and the potential for overlooked talent, encouraging listeners to recognize greatness in unexpected places.

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Episode Title: The Making of Magic vs. Bird

Episode Summary:

• The game was significant not only for the intense rivalry between these two future NBA stars, but also for its record-breaking viewership.
• The game drew in 24.1 rating, meaning a quarter of all television sets in America were tuned in, making it the highest-rated basketball game ever (college or pro).
• The episode likely explores their humble beginnings, the lead-up to the game and the impact this matchup had on their careers and the sport of basketball.
• A key element highlighted in the sources is the "storybook" quality of both players' journeys to the championship game.
• Larry Bird, who could have gone pro earlier, chose to stay at Indiana State, leading his team to the brink of a national title.
• Magic Johnson's performance fueled speculation that he would soon join the NBA.
• The episode might also feature a retelling of the game itself, potentially including key moments and commentary on the players' styles.
• The reference to the World Invitational tournament where Bird and Johnson played together suggests the episode could include their early interactions and budding rivalry.
• The Season starts with Bird's High School Career in French Lick, Indiana, Bird's hometown, hinting at a deep dive into Bird's background and path to basketball stardom.

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This episode of The Anxious Rambler podcast focuses on the host’s recent concert experiences seeing The War on Drugs for two nights in Ohio and Kentucky and a solo trip to see My Morning Jacket in Savannah, Georgia.

• The hosts begin by talking about their road trip to Columbus, Ohio, the first stop on their concert adventure. They discuss the enjoyment of driving into a city at night and listening to music and their excitement about the upcoming shows. The host shares that, other than a previous two-night stint with The War on Drugs in Louisville and Indianapolis, this is her first experience attending back-to-back shows by the same band. They also talk about their positive impressions of Columbus and Cleveland.
• The first concert took place at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The host recounts the beauty of the venue, located in a national park, and its history as the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra. They go on to describe The War on Drugs’ setlist, noting standout songs and moments. The setlist included “Oceans of Darkness,” “Pain,” “Ocean in Between the Waves,” “I Don’t Want to Wait,” “Harmonious Dreams,” “Strangest Thing,” “Come to the City,” and “In Reverse.”.
• The host shares a story about reconnecting with a former coworker, Lane, during the show. She describes how she thought she recognized the woman sitting in front of her but couldn't believe it was actually her. They hadn’t seen each other in 16 years. Lane later turned around and told the host she had been talking about her on the way to the show, specifically mentioning how much the host loves The War on Drugs and wishing she had more friends with similar taste in music.
• Next, the hosts talk about the second concert, which was at the Bourbon and Beyond festival in Louisville, Kentucky. The host compliments the festival’s side-by-side stage set-up and voices her distaste for VIP sections at shows. The setlist for this performance was similar to the previous night's but with the addition of "Red Eyes," which was played instead of "Strangest Thing," and the covers "Play It All Night Long" and "Under the Pressure." It started to rain during the last two songs of the set, a phenomenon that the host believes is a regular occurrence at outdoor War on Drugs shows. Due to her enthusiastic dancing and energy, the host is dubbed the "fan MVP" by other concert attendees and even manages to score a copy of the setlist.
• The final part of the episode focuses on the host's recent trip to Savannah, Georgia, where she saw My Morning Jacket with her best friend from home, Shaie. The host describes becoming emotional upon hearing that baseball legend Pete Rose had died just before My Morning Jacket took the stage. Rose, a Cincinnati Reds player and an important figure in the host’s family, had even recorded a Cameo video message for the host's father four years prior. The host shares that she and her friend were then escorted to the front of the stage by an usher just as the lights went down.
• The host goes on to highlight standout moments from the 20-song setlist, which included “Gideon,” a Chris Kristofferson cover, a Nina Simone cover, and an encore consisting of “Golden,” “Off the Record,” and “Dance Floors”. The episode concludes with the host reflecting on the

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In this episode the hosts take a deep dive into the music of their favorite band, The War on Drugs, and discuss their newly released live album, Live Drugs Again.

https://www.thewarondrugs.net/music/live-drugs-again

https://www.thewarondrugs.net/tour

The hosts explain how Live Drugs Again is a unique collection of live tracks recorded at various venues even different versions of a single song stitched together over several years, rather than from a single concert. This inspired Aaron to create a personal challenge to Cassie: curate her own setlist using live performances found across platforms like YouTube and the Internet Archive.

Emphasizing the emotional depth of The War on Drugs' music, one host talk about their experience listening to the album, recounting how they were moved to tears just minutes into the track "Harmonia's Dream." The hosts also share their love for candid, behind-the-scenes band photos and live shots, which often accompany the band's releases, adding a nostalgic and personal touch to the experience.

Towards the end, they discuss the difficulty of choosing specific live version of songs for a setlist, given the band's extensive catalog of performances.

The hosts' love for the music is palpable throughout the episode, from the vivid descriptions of unboxing the album to the heartfelt reactions to each track.

Listen along!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDagWLWoz13Xf4OXbJNmslRctsJilBIuZ&si=2bh347K9PaIa8IAI

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