In Episode 1 of Season 4 Mike welcomes his good friend Rachael Lawrence-Lupon for a DEEP dive on their favorite duet songs from the golden age of duets (the 1990s) as well as Rahael’s passion for music and the joy and comfort she brings people through her work as a music therapist. Mike and Rachael also discuss an amazing fundraiser event throughout Michigan called Barley, Beats and BBQ (https://www.hom.org/barley-bbq-beats-2023/).

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Email the podcast at talkingfriendship@gmail.com

Key moments from the pod:

0:30: Mike welcomes listeners to S4E1 featuring Mike’s musical friend Rachael Lawrence-Lupton

1:40: Mike talks about what’s been going on with him, including an epic train trip to Canada, involving a transit adventure, discovering a wonderful Canadian mystery novel series by Louise Penny, a lot of NHL hockey, and a whole lot of Canadian culture.

12:00: Mike then recalls the St. Patrick’s Day Party he hosted in the Daniel Pub (aka his basement pub) that involved double digit friends showing up.

13:15: Mike goes over his recent trip to the continent of Europe and what it entailed.

14:10: Mike goes over the plan for the podcast going forward and what it is evolving into. Spoiler alert: it’s changing a bit!

16:20: Mike then brings on his friend Rachael Lawrence-Lupton to talk their favorite duet jams from the 90s.

17:40: Rachael gives some background on her as an Ann Arbor native

18:40: Mike and Rachael talk about how they know each other (which Mike actually MISREMEMBERS) and how their friendship blossomed over pub trivia.

23:30: The topic of Rachael’s good luck snack she brings to every Michigan football tailgate party at Mike’s house.

25:30: Rachael talks about the music therapy work she does at Arbor Hospice and its impact on the people she provides therapy to, as well as the Barley, BBQ and Beats fundraiser events (https://www.hom.org/barley-bbq-beats-2023/) happening all over the State of Michigan.

28:15: Rachael breaks down who her longest running friend is (he doubles as her roommate and husband!).

29:30: Mike and Rachael go over the theme and format for this episode on 90s duets and how they define “duet” (Rachael’s definition is much more scientific than Mike’s).

36:00: Mike and Rachael then break down their top 7 favorite duets from the 1990s in serious detail, starting with Rachael’s #7 duet which involves a classic father/daughter collaboration.

42:40: A song about not knowing a lot except one critical thing, a beautiful higher pitched male voice and a road trip from Chicago to Ann Arbor.

50:25: Two legendary R&B crooners in a dispute over a boy.

58:00: A beautiful duet about losing love (which sometimes does happen).

1:05:00: A track about a new world that’s not half full, but instead very full.

1:13:20: Wu-Tang and an R&B Legend in a groundbreaking crossover duet.

1:20:45: A Country Duet that’s an all time wedding reception emotional banger featuring one half of the queen of Canadian country music..

1:27:30: A classic cover duet featuring an established rocker and an up-and-coming prodigy. This one gets wild in the evening.

1:33:00: A duet featuring two of the most powerful vocalists of all time, one from north of the border and the other a legendary Broadway artist.

1:41:35: An alternative rock duet with a killer message that will leave you hungry for more.

1:48:15: An R&B duet with a killer string opening that Mike used to play on loop in his dorm room back in 1997-1998.

1:55:10: A country duet from a boyfriend to a girlfriend who later became husband and wife.

2:01:40: MC + WH = Raw Duet POWER

2:09:30: An R&B/Hip Hop Duet Crossover that encapsulates the 90s.