Remember the Sony Sports Walkman? (with Mike Kinsella of American Football)

Remember the Sony Sports Walkman? (with Mike Kinsella of American Football)

From How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer by All Things Comedy

June 1, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 85

About this episode

The Bayers discuss childhood memories and the Sony Sports Walkman with guest Mike Kinsella of American Football.

This week, the Bayers welcome Mike Kinsella of American Football to the podcast! We talk about Mike eating deep dish as a little kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs, playing shows with Cap'n Jazz as a teenager and owning the most controversial baseball card of the 80s. We also get some exclusive stories from friend of the podcast and fellow American Football member (and Mike's cousin), Nate Kinsella! For our topic we discuss the Sony Sports Walkman, something Mike would listen to during long road trips next to his older brother Tim, in the backseat of the car. From the autoreverse to the heavy-duty yellow casing, this machine truly had it all. We also discuss our first cassettes and debate if the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" benefited from studio trickery that has never been exposed until this episode. (Kokomogate?) Finally we play around of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of an American Football-themed mural in Champaign-Urbana, the return of Hershey's Dunkers and should the residents of Mike's hometown of Buffalo Grove be allowed to own backyard hens? You'll have to listen to find out. In the meantime you can catch American Football on tour and pick up their new album…

People in this episode

Hosts: Vanessa Bayer, Jonah Bayer

Guest: Mike Kinsella

Topics covered

  • music
  • nostalgia
  • technology
  • childhood memories
  • American Football
  • baseball cards
  • road trips

Keywords

  • Sony Sports Walkman
  • American Football
  • Kokomo
  • deep dish pizza
  • Cap'n Jazz
  • baseball cards
  • road trips
  • Nate Kinsella

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Football

Products: Sony Sports Walkman

Books & works: Kokomo

Places: Chicago suburbs, Champaign-Urbana, Buffalo Grove

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