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Park Bench Perspectives

Carlos Figueroa & Michael Hammer

Park Bench Perspectives is a conversation-driven podcast about making sense of the world without pretending to have all the answers.  Hosted by Carlos Figueroa and Michael Hammer, two childhood friends who grew up in St Louis Park, MN =.

Each episode feels like sitting down on a park bench—no scripts, no hot takes for the sake of it—just thoughtful discussion, honest questions, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.
It’s not about being right. It’s about thinking better.


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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

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  • S1 · E32
    Thursday · 36 min

    Park Bench Perspecrtves - 32 - Steven C. on St. Louis Park, Music Mentors, and Building an Independent Career

    Send Comments and Feedback Steven C. Anderson on St. Louis Park, Music Mentors, and Building an Independent Career Hosts Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa welcome high school classmate Steven C. Anderson (Steven C.) to The Bench podcast to reminisce about growing up in St. Louis Park—Cedar Manor, Westwood Junior High, and Park High School—describing a safe, creative era of forts, sports, and community with little tension. Steven highlights influential jazz teacher Lance Strickland and argues arts and sports are vital in public schools. He discusses learning “survival tunes,” his perfect pitch and playing by ear (including the Charlie Brown/Vince Guaraldi theme), and parallels between practicing music and sports’ 10,000 hours. Steven explains how he built an independent music career through referrals before the internet, later streaming globally, releasing over 2,000 songs, and ranking in the top 10% of artists on Chartmetrics. He promotes upcoming shows at St. Thomas and his 10th annual cathedral Christmas concerts, while the group also reflects on losing parents and family updates. 00:00 Bench Podcast Reunion 01:05 Old Photos and All Star Days 02:00 Growing Up in St Louis Park 04:21 Teacher Who Changed Everything 05:58 Arts Sports and Practice 09:22 Building an Indie Music Career 13:12 Charlie Brown Theme Origins 15:37 Playing by Ear and Patterns 17:41 Music Math and Natural Talent 18:59 Chess Sports and Fix It Mindset 19:40 DIY Kids and Forts 20:33 Math Wizard Mindset 21:16 Freedom to Roam 23:10 10,000 Hours and Greatness 23:50 Why Greats Struggle Teaching 25:58 Pitching Brains and Bench Time 27:08 St Louis Park Talent Factory 29:49 Old Adventures Downtown 30:14 Where to Find Steven 31:39 Family Updates and Wild Youth 33:27 Grief and Losing Parents 35:28 Final Thanks and Sign Off Steven C's website Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E31
    October 30 · 21 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - 31 - Halloween Memories, Costumes, and Community Traditions

    Send Comments and Feedback Halloween Memories, Costumes, and Community Traditions Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer talk about fall weather and tree colors, then reminisce about childhood Halloween in St. Louis Park, including flimsy plastic masks, homemade costumes like Snoopy, going parent-free around fifth grade, using pillowcases for candy, targeting apartments, and seeking neighborhoods with full-size candy bars; Mike recalls quitting after being told he was too old. They discuss urban legends about tampered candy, a memorable house offering calamari and octopus, and Carlos’s late neighbors who gave him a fruit basket he only appreciated as an adult. The conversation shifts to elaborate adult costumes and decorations, “slutty” costume culture, Mike’s past costumes (pimp, Heath Ledger Joker, “deer in the headlights”), and Halloween with his three kids in a small town. They include SNL Coneheads trivia, mention Ghostbusters and Dan Aykroyd’s conspiracies, and close with support for Mike’s sister Michelle after personal losses. 00:00 Fall Vibes Kickoff 01:35 Winter Dread vs Reality 02:18 Plastic Mask Memories 02:52 Homemade Costumes Era 03:47 Trick Or Treat Strategy 05:05 Too Old To Trick Or Treat 06:23 Urban Legends And Pillowcases 07:26 Fruit Basket Regrets 08:40 Adult Halloween Culture 10:21 Neighborhood Decoration Destination 12:31 Slutty Costumes Sociology 13:32 Best Costumes And Joker Year 15:36 Halloween With Three Kids 17:55 SNL Trivia And Ghostbusters 19:58 Shoutout And Wrap Up Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E30
    October 23 · 29 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - 30- Out of the Park - World Series Preview

    Send Comments and Feedback Brewers vs. Rays World Series Preview and the Mind Games of Baseball Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa preview the World Series beginning tonight between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, praising both teams’ “small market” competitiveness, Tampa’s model of talent evaluation, and Milwaukee’s aggressive running game and long at-bats. They discuss why baseball is hard to project and develop—especially pitchers—reference Moneyball, and argue MLB has lagged behind other leagues in marketing stars to kids. The conversation explores pitching and hitting tactics (off-speed adjustments, pitch tunneling, pitch counts, third-time-through-the-order penalties), managerial decision-making on pulling starters versus trusting feel, and how matchups and psychology shape outcomes. They note the 2-3-2 series format and home-field advantage by record, then make predictions: Carlos picks Brewers in seven with Jackson Chourio MVP; Mike picks Brewers in six with Contreras MVP. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:31 World Series Buzz 01:37 Small Market Success 02:30 Drafting Is Guesswork 05:04 Why Kids Quit Baseball 06:43 Pitching Development Lessons 09:17 Pitch Tunnels Explained 11:22 Baseball Marketing Problem 12:55 Pat Murphy Stories 14:18 Brewers Style Of Play 15:12 World Series Chess Moves 16:05 Trusting Starters Under Fire 17:49 Pitch Counts vs Feel 19:30 Matchups and Mental Game 20:16 Series Format and Travel 21:46 Styles Make Series 24:14 Predictions and MVP Picks 24:40 Brewers Case and Pitching Depth 26:50 Giants Dynasty Throwback 27:51 Wrap Up and Sign Off Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E29
    October 12 · 30 min

    Park Bench Perspective Ep 29 - St. Louis Park: Roads, Memories, and Mapping the Twin Cities

    Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspective in St. Louis Park: Roads, Memories, and Mapping the Twin Cities Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer record the Park Bench Perspective podcast from a literal bench at Blackstone Park in St. Louis Park by the Paige Bueckers courts, joking about aging and recalling how the area has changed from open fields to apartments. They reminisce about childhood baseball ground rules, schools seeming smaller over time, and decades-long Twin Cities road construction, discussing the post–World War II interstate system and renumbered roads like Highway 12 becoming 394 and 169 once being County Road 18. They note local changes such as Cooper’s becoming The Local, new housing developments, and roundabouts, and talk about how people adapt to change and mentally “map” places without phones. Stories include getting directions from a cop while lost, confusion over St. Paul’s street layout, a curb-damaged tire on a first St. Paul job, and how music triggers memories. They also riff on McDonald’s consistency, Super Size Me, South Park, weed-store business pressures, birthdays, and plans for more guests and community episodes. 00:00 Park Bench Perspective 00:31 Reunion Banter 01:01 Blackstone Park Courts 01:41 The 15th Man Story 02:50 Baseball Field Memories 04:10 Roadwork And Commutes 05:09 Teachers And Aging 06:10 Interstates And Farmland 07:07 St Louis Park Changes 08:24 Late Night Food Spots 09:20 Roundabouts And Change 10:58 Mental Maps And Buses 12:37 Exit Numbers Debate 13:50 Lost And Pulled Over 15:38 PSA About St Paul 15:58 St Paul Street Numbers 17:10 Why Cities Grow Outward 17:42 Old School Construction Tales 18:41 Real Estate Behind Brands 19:28 McDonalds Consistency Debate 21:22 South Park Jared Parody 22:50 Names That Aged Badly 23:45 Pierced Ear to St Paul Misery 26:06 Music Memory Time Travel 26:58 South Park Podcast Pitch 28:16 Weed Stores and NFT Hype 28:55 Bench Talk Wrap Up Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • #28
    September 29 · 38 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 28 - Reuniting with John Biglow: Cedar Manor Memories, St. Louis Park, and Life After High School

    Send Comments and Feedback Reuniting with John Biglow: Cedar Manor Memories, St. Louis Park, and Life After High School Hosts Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa welcome longtime friend John Biglow to the “proverbial bench” to reminisce about growing up in St. Louis Park, especially their Cedar Manor and St. Louis Park High School years. John shares his neighborhood roots, family stories about his surname, and memories ranging from movie theater hangouts and concerts to being homecoming king and throwing a huge party. They discuss John’s legal career—moving from family law to estate planning and closing trusts after his late wife’s death—plus thoughts on AI’s impact on the profession. Conversation also covers UMD/Duluth winters and driving on icy hills, changing car safety and self-reliance, appreciation for teachers, Gen X childhood freedom with community supervision, and how neighborliness and community culture have shifted over time. 00:00 Bench Reunion Begins 00:20 Meet John Bigelow 00:48 Cedar Manor Memories 01:18 Names and Old Friends 03:07 Movie Theater Hookups 04:10 Homecoming King Chaos 06:20 Law Career and Estate Work 08:00 Music and First Concerts 11:29 College and Law School Talk 12:49 AI and the Legal Future 14:29 Duluth Winters and Icy Hills 17:15 Big Cars and Roadside Skills 18:50 Invading Cedar Manor Stories 20:23 Teachers We Remember 21:20 Halverson Basketball Showdown 21:36 Growing Respect For Teachers 23:07 Classroom Experiment Gone Wrong 24:51 Gym Class Parachute Days 25:04 Why St Louis Park Ruled 27:17 Gen X Timing Secret Sauce 30:49 Neighbors Then And Now 32:24 Running For Office Jokes 33:52 80s Nostalgia And Going Back 35:09 Music Teachers And Side Jobs 37:08 Wrap Up And Goodbyes Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • #27
    September 23 · 37 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - St. Louis Park Roots, Minnesota Wild Hockey, and Remembering Marty Hammer with Kevin Falness

    Send Comments and Feedback St. Louis Park Roots, Minnesota Wild Hockey, and Remembering Marty Hammer with Kevin Falness Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer host Park Bench Perspectives with guest Kevin Falness (St. Louis Park class of 1990), discussing their shared St. Louis Park roots and community pride. Falness recounts being born and raised in St. Louis Park, attending Susan Lindgren, Peter Hobart, and the high school, briefly living in Denver (1995–2000), then returning to raise a family nearby. He describes his radio career, including working for the Minnesota Wild since July 2000 and on KFAN (including Beyond the Pond with Pat Micheletti), and outlines where to find his broadcasts and content. The conversation covers Minnesota sports frustrations, the Wild’s outlook and key players, and the competitiveness of the NHL Central Division. They also reflect on college hockey’s Big Ten shift and NIL’s disruptive impact. The episode closes with heartfelt memories of Marty Hammer and Falness’s role at his funeral. 00:00 Welcome to the Bench 01:46 St Louis Park Roots 02:03 Schools and Growing Up 03:50 Radio and the Wild 04:46 Old Schools Feel Tiny 05:26 High School Hall of Fame 07:04 Minnesota Sports Heartbreak 09:43 Why This Wild Team 11:46 Bill Guerin Stories 13:36 Remembering Marty Hammer 16:18 Golf Memories and Legacy 18:45 Marty the Athlete 19:25 Making Hockey Affordable 20:43 Park Hockey Reality Check 22:23 Small Town Sports Pool 23:08 Diversity in St Louis Park 23:55 Where to Hear Kevin 26:53 Gophers Attendance Rebound 28:13 NIL Breaks College Sports 31:02 Donors and Buying Titles 32:01 Wild Window and Injuries 34:49 Back to Park Memories 36:17 Wrap Up and Marty Tribute Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E26
    September 11 · 49 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the Fair

    Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 26 - Bee Stings, Butter Debates, and Fainting at the Fair Carlos and Mike Hammer open with Mike describing getting close to double-digit hornet/bee stings at work and joking about claims that venom helps joints, then riff on butter vs. margarine, PB&J (including squeeze jars), Italian ice, and nostalgic frozen treats. The conversation shifts to the Minnesota State Fair: Mike recounts fainting in 2025 after heat, exhaustion, alcohol, and hookah, leading to a medical response and later doctor reassurance about a “system overload.” Carlos then shares his own recent fair incident while waiting to meet Mike for a concert, where heat and an undiagnosed lung infection dropped his pulse ox, prompting bystander EMT help, an ambulance, oxygen, and a busy U of M hospital visit. They add shout-outs (Casey in Connecticut) and trade stories about classic theaters and movies, plus baseball tangents (Ricky Henderson, catchers, Cal Raleigh, Dominican recruiting, and Twins roster-building). 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:21 Hornet Sting Story 01:58 Butter Versus Margarine 03:26 Italian Ice Nostalgia 04:11 Fainting At The Fair 09:04 Carlos Collapses Too 13:16 Hospital And Old Heat Scare 15:47 Listener Shoutouts And Prep 16:35 Sixth Grade Movie Memory 18:32 Classic Theaters And Snacks 23:33 Semi Tough Movie Bits 25:19 Mantle And Martin Tease 25:38 Mantle Hunting Prank 27:21 Pitchers vs Base Runners 29:03 Ricky Henderson Tales 29:57 Simple Game Mindset 32:16 Cal Raleigh Slump 36:08 Catcher Wear and Tear 37:45 Dominican Signing Hustle 39:17 Baseball Bloodlines 41:25 Let Them Play 42:48 Wrap Up and Bloopers 43:40 Bee Sting Check In 45:36 Butter and PBJ Rant 47:56 Restarting the Show Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E25
    August 27 · 36 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 25 - State Fair Strategies and Remembering Dolly Parton

    Send Comments and Feedback State Fair Strategies and Remembering Dolly Parton Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer banter about why the Minnesota State Fair is the best, comparing it to the well-regarded Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport and criticizing other airports. They discuss opening day, fair logistics, and mobility scooters, including a story about Mike’s mom accidentally gassing a scooter into a woman holding a child. They share state-fair traditions and strategies that change with age: the midway, people-watching, animals (big pig, sheep, puppies), the art and horticulture buildings, free music stages, the Skyride, and foods like mini donuts, Sweet Martha’s cookies, Pronto Pups, cheese curds, corn, and Vescio’s fried ravioli, plus tips like sharing sampler bites. They note the fair’s profitability for vendors and mention a listener shout-out to Fred Slakter. The conversation turns to mourning Dolly Parton’s death, praising her talent, kindness, authenticity, and philanthropy (including 300 million books), likening her cultural stature to icons like Betty White and Dick Van Dyke. 00:00 State Fair Debate 00:28 Airport Rankings Rant 01:52 Opening Day Plans 02:45 Scooter Chaos Story 07:14 Fair Game Plan 08:56 People Watching And Animals 09:39 Carnies And Fair Hustle 12:45 Prices And Old Favorites 15:14 Food Picks And Sampling 17:18 Rides Dogs And Art 18:26 Fair After Dark Tales 19:05 Listener Shoutout Fred 19:44 Family Fair Plans 20:27 Concerts And Parking 21:55 Best Fair Show Memories 23:17 Field Of Dreams Debate 24:47 Remembering Dolly Parton 30:39 Dolly Stories And Authenticity 33:53 Life Lessons And Goodbye Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E24
    August 17 · 39 min

    Park Bench Perspective - Episode 24 - Showing Up, Getting Uncomfortable, and the Romance of Baseball

    Send Comments and Feedback From a park bench conversation, Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer discuss how society and parenting can over-coddle people, leaving them reluctant to be uncomfortable, take risks, make phone calls, handle conflict, or ask someone out face-to-face, and they argue for developing grit by showing up consistently for yourself and others. They emphasize effort backed by value, asking for the sale, avoiding performative “hard work,” and improving 1% at a time, using examples from corporate life, quitting smoking, The Beatles’ long grind, and writing regularly despite low readership until opportunities appear. The talk shifts to baseball’s romance—Field of Dreams, sensory memories, the 162-game “chapter book,” and lessons from pitching and handling failure—plus a recommendation for the indie film “Eephus” about a final town-ball game before a field is replaced. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:49 Comfort Zone Society 02:29 Grit and Parenting 03:31 Pick Up the Phone 04:30 Dating App Anxiety 06:04 Open to Serendipity 07:29 Doomscrolling and Showing Up 10:34 Grace and Perspective 13:12 Know Your Value 15:38 Jordan and the Grind 18:28 Baseball Romance 21:04 Closer Mindset Reset 21:22 Bullpen Pressure Moments 22:04 No Hiding After Homers 22:46 Catcher Tough Love 23:38 Field of Dreams Talk 24:33 Indie Movie Eephus 26:39 Batters Routines Gamesmanship 27:57 Velocity Money Motivation 28:35 Dog Days Fatigue Science 31:20 Show Dont Tell Work Ethic 33:25 CANI One Percent Better 34:56 Saying No Parenting Lessons 37:03 Aging Bodies Keep Showing Up 38:38 Bench Wrap Up Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E23
    August 9 · 33 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 23 - From Newport Beach to Little League Sponsors: Donuts, Old Teams, and Old Maps

    Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 23 - From Newport Beach to Little League Sponsors: Donuts, Old Teams, and Old Maps Carlos Figueroa and co-host Mike Hammer open the Park Bench Perspective podcast with Hammer reporting from a bench in Newport Beach, describing crowded coffee and donut spots and local landmarks like Blackie’s and the pier. The conversation shifts to childhood baseball in St. Louis Park, recalling sponsored teams such as Winn Stevens Buick, Lupient Oldsmobile, Rudolph’s Barbecue, Roto-Rooter, Park National Bank, Burger King, Minnesota Rubber, and others, plus memories of working at Lupient and early Babe Ruth experiences. They trade donut and restaurant nostalgia (Krispy Kreme, Nelson Brothers, Toby’s, Monte Carlo and its missing open-face roast beef), discuss old-school navigation with AAA triptychs and map books versus exit numbers, note Colorado’s altered mile marker 420, and close by asking listeners about forgotten school and team nicknames while sharing an update that Carlos’s sister Michelle is walking again. 00:00 Theme Song Intro 00:31 Podcast Welcome 00:56 Newport Beach Report 02:04 Beach Town Memories 02:32 Little League Sponsors 04:30 Lupient Dealership Days 06:55 More Team Sponsors 08:53 Babe Ruth Bench Stories 13:52 Donut Shop Culture 15:44 Mister Donut Flashback 16:30 Cops And Donuts Bit 17:05 Slot Machine Nostalgia 18:02 Krispy Kreme Boom And Bust 19:25 Giant Donut Road Stops 20:03 Cranberry Fritter Sandwich 21:15 Monte Carlo Memories 22:54 Mavericks And Roast Beef Talk 24:06 School Mascot Debates 26:02 City Borders And District Lines 28:21 Old School Navigation 30:07 Exit Numbers And Mile 420 31:59 Remote Episode Wrap Up Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E22
    August 2 · 37 min

    Park Bench Perspective Episode 22 - Serendipity, Youth Sports, and Showing Up

    Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspective: Serendipity, Youth Sports, and Showing Up Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa chat from their “park bench perspective” about Minnesota’s heat wave, brief rain, and the Twins acquiring a reliever and a starter. They reminisce about high school—especially chemistry anxiety dreams, taking the ACT/SAT with little preparation, and life before the internet, AI, and cellphones—while noting how easily people can be misled (Penn & Teller’s petition to ban “dihydromonoxide,” urban legends). The conversation turns to the professionalization and rising costs of youth sports, accumulated injury risk, and parents turning play into work, contrasting it with unstructured childhood games. They extend the theme to algorithm-driven shopping and dating versus serendipity, discuss golf’s frustration and mindset, and connect “blue-collaring”/brute force, sales process, persistence, and “showing up” to progress, before closing with morning routines, newspapers, and an All-Star Game sandlot-style segment. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:31 Weather and Twins Talk 01:09 Chemistry Class Dreams 02:27 Banning Water Prank 03:16 Hydration and Growing Up 03:51 School Before Internet 04:20 SAT Confusion and Futures 05:32 Dreams vs Optimization 06:33 Youth Sports Industry 08:51 Parents and Pressure 12:13 Serendipity Lost to Algorithms 12:57 Dating Apps Feel Like Work 14:19 Why Golf Feels Like Work 16:50 Living in the Present 17:44 Brute Force and Process 19:03 Sales and Baseball Metrics 19:44 Cut Bait Sales Process 20:28 Old School Relationship Selling 22:00 Rumors Before Internet 23:35 Rolodex Client Ownership 25:57 Persistence Showing Up 27:52 Morning Routine Coffee Talk 30:21 All Star Game Nostalgia 32:14 Retro Childhood Roughhousing 34:29 Analog Convenience Pay Pump 36:42 Wrap Up Next Episode Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E21
    July 26 · 33 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 21 - From San Jose to St. Louis Park: Chuck Chastain’s Perspective

    Send Comments and Feedback From San Jose to St. Louis Park: Chuck Chastain’s Park Bench Perspective Carlos Figueroa and Mike “Hammer” talk on their “park bench” podcast with guest Chuck Chastain, a St. Louis Park High School class of ’84 alumnus who moved from San Jose, California to St. Louis Park in 1978 between seventh and eighth grade. Chuck describes the culture shock of Minnesota winters, less diversity than his California school, and differences in clothing and social life, while recalling early work ethic through his family’s fruit stand, paper route, and his father’s restaurant ventures. The conversation highlights 1970s–80s mall culture and Chuck’s family business, the Fun Shop at Knollwood Mall, along with nostalgic stories about cars (including Chuck’s ’68 Camaro convertible), smoking and chewing tobacco, and Chuck’s first day at Westwood Junior High that began with a fight but led to friendships. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:31 Bench Banter 01:29 Meet Chuck 02:24 California To Minnesota 04:06 Moving Decision 07:06 Work Ethic Roots 07:57 Fun Shop Era 08:48 Mall Culture Memories 11:20 Diversity Shock 13:25 Kids See No Labels 14:17 Classic Car Stories 17:31 Smoking And Marines 18:13 Ship Store Shortage 19:47 Red Man Memories 20:34 Modern Nicotine Debate 20:59 Old School Vices 22:41 First Day Fight Friends 24:55 California Meets Winter 26:05 Fashion Culture Shock 28:39 Nike Trouble Stories 30:30 School Rivalry Reshuffle 31:46 Wrapping Up Fun Shop Tease Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E20
    July 22 · 30 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 20 - The Random Show

    Send Comments and Feedback The Random Show: St. Louis Park Support, Phobias, and Faith Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer open with talk about extreme summer heat, humidity, and smoke affecting breathing, then shift to St. Louis Park community issues: a Helix apartment fire impacting 90+ apartments, prompting Carlos to donate July advertising revenue to the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP), and road construction at Louisiana and Cedar Lake Road hurting local businesses (Uffda Burgers Brewing, Shanghai Market, A Barber’s Touch), urging residents to patronize them. They discuss the trauma of evacuations, business “collateral damage” from infrastructure projects, and then explore fears and phobias, including Mike’s claustrophobia from hiding in car trunks at the Flying Cloud Drive-In and needing medication for MRIs. Conversation ranges to snakes, ticks and Lyme disease, monkeys “ransoming” stolen phones for food, dogs’ apparent sixth sense, AI’s evolution, simulation theories, religion and Pascal’s Wager, and sports psychology, including pitching and mental health disclosures by athletes, before closing with a tease of a future guest and Carlos’s Substack essay “Ponche.” 00:00 Summer Heat and Smoke 00:49 Helix Fire Community Help 01:20 Construction Hurting Businesses 02:15 Fires and Life Perspective 04:40 What Do You Fear 05:11 Drive In Trunk Stories 07:36 MRI Claustrophobia 09:45 Snakes Hoses and Rattlers 11:35 Ticks Lyme and Vaccines 13:19 New Tangent Teaser 13:29 Monkey Pickpocket Hustle 14:25 Dogs Read Your Mind 16:16 Puppy Level AI 17:32 Heart Math And Woo 19:17 Faith And Pascal Wager 22:15 Sports God And Pressure 23:42 Olympics Egos And Mental Health 26:13 Pitching Mindset And Ponche 28:35 Duck Calm Underneath 29:12 Wrap Up And Tease https://systemsunderpressure.substack.com/s/the-ballpark-barrister Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E19
    July 7 · 31 min

    Park Bench Perspecties - Hazardous to Your Health: Concert Mishaps and Survival

    Send Comments and Feedback Surviving Rock ’n’ Roll: Concert Mishaps, Heat, and Close Calls Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer trade “park bench perspective” banter before sharing stories about concerts being hazardous. They recall a late-’90s Bob Dylan/Paul Simon show at Canterbury where Carlos became dangerously dehydrated in the heat, was taken by medical staff for water and cooling, then returned to finish the show. They revisit a teen-era Neil Young concert at Met Stadium involving long waits for tickets, heavy intoxication, and Mike accidentally setting his shirt on fire with a cigarette, plus a friend falling on the stairs. Carlos tells of an early-2000s Xcel Energy Center show where a diabetic friend was handcuffed after reacting to a paramedic, forcing Carlos to drive a large van and miss “Night Moves.” Other tales include sneaking into a Neil Young show in Perham, a memorable Paul McCartney performance, and risky scooter travel after a Rolling Stones concert in Denver. They close by inviting St. Louis Park alumni guests and chatting about caring for multiple dogs. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:31 Hot Enough For You 01:35 Corn Versus Maize 02:22 Concerts Can Be Dangerous 02:50 Dylan Simon Heat Scare 04:13 Crowd Escape And Med Tent 06:54 Hydration Reality Check 08:41 Neil Young Tailgate Chaos 09:47 Quaaludes And Shirt Fire 12:26 Law School Friend Arrested 13:42 Medical Scare After Show 14:10 Driving Anxiety Van Rescue 15:06 Bad Exit Plans And Being Sober 15:53 Old Slang Tight Explained 17:26 Perham Neil Young Road Trip 20:35 McCartney And The Lost Car 22:48 Micro Nap At Embers 24:06 Stones Scooters Survival Ride 26:36 Road Rash And Wipeouts 28:14 Bench Updates And Guest Call 29:09 Four Dogs Dog Park Chaos 30:41 Rock On Sign Off Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E18
    July 4 · 29 min

    Park Bench Perspecrives - Episode 18 - Aquila Park Fourth of July Memories, Fireworks, and Dog Stories from the Bench

    Send Comments and Feedback Fourth of July Memories, Fireworks, and Dog Stories from the Bench Mike Hammer and Carlos Figueroa reunite on the “park bench” to talk about Fourth of July plans, memories of the 1976 bicentennial mural at Elliott Elementary, and how fireworks have grown louder, longer-lasting, and more expensive for communities while also stressing anxious dogs like Sasha. They reminisce about St. Louis Park fireworks at Aquila, chasing the parachute army man, and past July 3rd parties with big fireworks runs to Wisconsin. The conversation shifts to “dog days” heat, a Cheech Marin joke, and lifelong experiences with dogs and cats, including childhood pets, dog parks, and the emotional difficulty of losing a dog, euthanasia, and grief. Carlos shares stories of rescue dogs, traveling with labs, and they close by recalling Windsor’s burial and teasing a future “pets part two.” 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:53 America 250 Memories 02:56 Fireworks Then and Now 06:08 Dog Days and Jokes 08:07 Growing Up With Dogs 11:15 First Loss and Grief 12:40 Why Dog Death Hits Hard 14:57 Saying Goodbye Humanely 16:57 Grief And New Pets 17:25 No Transition Time 17:57 Dogs That Find You 19:25 Dog Parks And Rules 21:32 Runaway Dog Memories 22:46 Road Trips With Labs 24:12 Joy And Heartbreak 25:41 Cats And Bird Chaos 28:06 Windsor Farewell 28:58 Signing Off And Fireworks Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E17
    June 21 · 42 min

    Father’s Day Reflections and Baseball Chatter: From Park Bench Perspectives to Square Box Baseball

    Send Comments and Feedback Mike and Carlos Figueroa talk on Father’s Day from their “park bench” perspective, reflecting on Carlos’s late father and how youth baseball has changed from inexpensive local leagues to costly, professionalized travel ball. They reminisce about St. Louis Park Little League memories, including injuries from hit batters, a city championship run, pitching limits, and the importance of catchers and infield communication. Their conversation explores baseball’s sounds and language (including the origin of “can of corn”), dugout and field chatter, taunting rules, and how pitchers and catchers call games, contrasting past intuition with modern analytics. They discuss parent behavior as a major problem in youth sports, and relate perseverance to being “on the one-yard line.” They plan to record at the old ballpark, revisit St. Louis Park in 2026, and launch a baseball-focused spinoff podcast, “Square Box Baseball,” based on a Latin American saying about baseball’s unpredictability. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:36 Fathers Day Talk 01:42 Remembering Dads 01:55 Kids Sports Then Now 02:49 Little Gophers Memories 03:42 Baseball Sounds Origins 04:56 Chants Taunts Rules 05:58 Voices From The Stands 06:48 Scary Hit By Pitch 08:19 City Champs Glory Days 10:33 Pitch Counts Big Games 14:21 Cinderella Man Lesson 16:52 New Baseball Spinoff 17:56 Square Box Baseball 19:21 Can Of Corn Explained 20:49 Dugout Chatter Deep Dive 21:39 Dugout Chatter Jokes 22:50 Calling Pitches Debate 23:56 Catcher Trust And Gameplan 24:49 Reading Hitters Then Now 27:00 Hitting And Guessing 30:02 Look Alive Field Talk 32:48 Taunting And First Base Stories 34:29 Parents Ruin Youth Ball 39:01 Town Ball Home Run Tale 41:04 Wrap Up And Podcast Plans Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E16
    June 16 · 32 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - Beek's Pizza, Babe Ruth Baseball, and The White Shadow

    Send Comments and Feedback Park Bench Perspectives - Episode 16: Beek's Pizza, Babe Ruth Baseball, and The White Shadow Episode Summary: In this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, hosts Carlos Figueroa and Mike Hammer welcome a very special guest to the bench: their lifelong friend from St. Louis Park, Joe Riley. Take a trip down memory lane as the trio swaps hilarious and heartwarming stories about growing up in the 1970s and 80s, the drama of youth sports, and the enduring camaraderie of childhood friendships. Key Topics Discussed: The St. Louis Park Bubble: Joe shares his memories of shifting between grade schools (Park Knoll to Aquilla) and his eventual, reluctant transfer to Benilde High School, which ultimately opened his eyes to a wider world beyond their hometown. Growing Pains & Pizza: The guys laugh about their early days as "giant" kids bonding over all-you-can-eat 99-cent deals at Beek's Pizza, and the hilarious revelation that both Carlos and Hammer dated the same girl several years apart. Babe Ruth Baseball Drama: A deep dive into the highs and lows of their youth baseball all-star team. They recall the coaching tension between Brian Hartman and Carlos's dad, the agony of a championship loss to Edina where Joe made the final out at third base, and the lasting connections born in the dugout. Life Lessons on the Diamond: Carlos shares the funny, unconventional advice his dad gave him to calm his nerves during high-pressure games: "Remember Lee Trevino". Pop Culture Nostalgia: The guys discuss which TV shows and movies best capture their youth, drawing comparisons to Dazed and Confused, That '70s Show, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Stranger Things. They also shout out Steve Rushin's nostalgic book about 1970s Bloomington, Stingray Afternoons. Be sure to stick around to the end to hear a teaser for Joe and Carlos's other podcast, Forgotten Television, where Hammer might just make a future guest appearance as his childhood moniker, "The White Shadow"! 00:00 Podcast Introduction 01:02 Meeting Joe Reilly 01:51 Growing Up in St Louis Park 02:40 School Transitions and Friendships 04:14 The Pizza Eating Contest 05:27 First Party Memories 06:31 The Shelly R Story 07:48 Coach Mikey Gavron 08:39 Going to Benilde 09:28 Eighth Grade Geography Class 10:46 The Benilde Decision 11:58 Babe Ruth Baseball Finals 13:09 Home Run Memories 15:10 Brian Hartman's Hockey Story 15:42 Coaching Dynamics and Dad Managers 16:38 Mike's Coaching Experience 17:38 NBA Playoffs Discussion 17:57 Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Talk 19:25 NBA Salaries and Contracts 19:56 Babe Ruth Baseball Memories 20:37 Sports Building Character 21:20 Dad's Coaching Philosophy 21:49 Lee Trevino Pep Talk 22:33 Lasting Friendships from Sports 24:19 Random Airport Encounter 26:08 Benilde School Experience 27:39 Embarrassing Basketball Game 28:29 Steve Rushin's Books 29:29 Movies That Captured Youth 31:38 Wrapping Up the Bench Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E15
    June 8 · 35 min

    Park Bench Perspectives - The Older Sister Perspective: Tom Petty, Twins, and a Broken Tibia

    Send Comments and Feedback In this episode of Park Bench Perspectives, hosts Mike and Carlos welcome a special guest to the bench: Mike’s older sister, Michelle. Bringing her "older sister female perspective" to the show, Michelle joins the conversation while recovering from a broken tibia after slipping in the shower, an injury that currently has her miserably confined to a straight-leg boot for six weeks. The trio swaps hilarious and intense stories about dealing with unruly crowds at live events. Michelle shares a memorable post-divorce anecdote where she pinned a harassing "troll" against a column at a Tom Petty concert at the Target Center and threatened to have her brother put a hit on him. Not to be outdone, Mike recounts his own near-brawls with shushing audience members at a Simon & Garfunkel concert and a performance of The Lion King. They also discuss the varying intensity of sports fans across different NFL stadiums. The conversation then takes a nostalgic turn into Minnesota Twins baseball. Michelle shares her deep love for the game, describing baseball as a "romantic sport" defined by the smell of the grass and the crack of the bat. She also expresses her lingering frustration that her father made her pitch in softball instead of letting her play Little League because she was a girl. The group reminisces about the magical 1987 and 1991 World Series championships and the shared pain of being a Minnesota sports fan. Finally, they revisit their high school years in St. Louis Park, discussing the awkwardness of prom dates, Sadie Hawkins dances, and the stark differences between how teenage boys and girls communicate and process relationships due to their developing frontal lobes. The episode concludes with an exciting tease for next week: the hosts plan to take the show on the road and record from a physical park bench somewhere in St. Louis Park. 00:00 Welcome to the Bench 01:22 Special Guest Michelle Hammer 01:48 The Shower Incident 02:45 Setting the Record Straight 05:12 Tom Petty Concert Confrontation 08:46 Simon and Garfunkel Rumble 09:54 Lion King Theater Drama 12:00 Sports Fan Encounters 15:04 Growing Up Baseball 17:27 Women in Baseball 18:09 The Romance of Baseball 20:23 Minnesota Sports Heartbreak 21:47 Building Championship Teams 22:56 High School Prom Memories 25:58 School Dance Traditions 27:08 Gender Differences Growing Up 29:18 Summer Recovery Plans 33:13 Future Show Plans Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E14
    June 2 · 25 min

    Memorial Day Bench Talk: Dad Jokes, Raccoons in the Attic, Fireworks, and Barter

    Send Comments and Feedback Memorial Day Bench Talk: Dad Jokes, Raccoons in the Attic, Fireworks, and Barter On a Memorial Day in Minnesota, Carlos and Mike Hammer record “Park Bench Perspectives,” starting with a dad joke from Brady about “paranormal jeans.” They trade stories about critters in attics, including Mike’s suspected squirrels that turn out to be raccoons, a late-night raccoon at his daughter’s window, and using lights and loud music (AC/DC) to drive them out, plus a teen memory of using pellet guns on squirrels. Carlos shares a childhood incident where a squirrel fell into the shower. They reminisce about changing local wildlife, Westwood Nature Center, Dayton’s Memorial Day/Jubilee Sale ads, and Fourth of July fireworks, including large personal displays in Wisconsin. The conversation shifts to barter economics, estimates vs. bids in handyman work, coincidences in repairs and health, and frustration with vaccine misinformation. They close by promoting footpainauthority.com and announcing a growing podcast network, including “Forgotten Television” and a new show, “Role Reversal,” about caring for aging parents. 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:39 Memorial Day Banter 00:43 Dad Joke Detour 01:30 Critters in the Attic 03:51 Wizard of Oz Surprise 04:42 Raccoon at the Window 06:21 Blasting Music to Evict 07:08 Pellet Gun Flashback 07:27 Shower Squirrel Chaos 08:35 Wildlife Then and Now 08:55 Westwood Nature Center 09:23 What Memorial Day Meant 10:16 Dayton’s Sale Nostalgia 11:10 Fourth of July Memories 11:42 Fireworks Then vs Now 12:37 Backyard Fireworks Tales 13:52 Cleanup and Getting Older 14:25 Barter Economy Dreams 16:52 Handyman Deals and Estimates 19:10 Coincidence and Vaccine Rants 21:24 Workplace Shots and Meeting Culture 22:39 Plugging Businesses and Podcasts 23:45 New Show Role Reversal 24:35 Next Episodes and Sign Off Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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  • S1 · E13
    May 26 · 25 min

    First Jobs and St. Louis Park Rituals

    Send Comments and Feedback From their “Park Bench Perspective,” Carlos and Mike Hammer reminisce about growing up in St. Louis Park and early work experiences, starting with a childhood paper route and frustrations with school fundraisers, including a story about Melissa McCarthy opting to write a check rather than sell magazines. They compare fundraisers like paper drives and Girl Scout cookies and joke about shrinkflation. The conversation shifts to first jobs: Hammer dishwashing at the Ambassador Motor Hotel (union breaks, heavy pots and pans) and briefly working at Jolly Troll before quitting due to a creepy manager; Carlos describes working at TGI Fridays as a teen, cutting his thumb and receiving a disability payout, then being fired over an earring, and quitting Plums after 17 straight days. They mention other jobs (Shakey’s, Snyder Drug, Tom Thumb, Domino’s) and discuss restaurant theft, service, and management lessons. Carlos announces a new podcast with Joe Reilly, “Forgotten Television,” debuting with The White Shadow, teases another podcast with Hammer, and they plan “Jobs Part Two,” while plugging Hammer’s handyman/construction work and Carlos’s writing project “The Ghost of Lake Osseo.” 00:00 Park Bench Intro 00:31 First Money Jobs 01:03 Fundraiser Rants 04:03 Girl Scout Shrinkflation 05:24 First Real Restaurant Jobs 09:04 TGI Fridays Thumb Story 11:55 More Teen Jobs List 13:12 Dominos Before GPS 15:26 Restaurant Theft Wisdom 20:26 New Podcasts Announcement 21:29 Jobs Part Two Tease 24:11 Wrap Up and Contact Support the show You can find Carlos's Substack at Ballpark Barrister Subscribe on LinkedIn to Carlos's MLB CBA Newsletter Road to the Stoppage https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444428316968759296

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