58:44
This is a Stolen Water Media Production
Your Dark Companion: Mike Rhyner's Podcast
The Old Grey Wolf lives here
Your Dark Companion is the podcast Mike Rhyner, the "Old Grey Wolf" who co-founded Dallas sports-radio station The Ticket in 1994, hosts with Michael "Grubes" Gruber, also known as "Shippy", a longtime board operator at The Ticket and The Freak. It streams live at 5 p.m. CT every Monday and Wednesday on Stolen Water Media, the DFW podcast network Mike co-founded in 2024, and has run more than 260 episodes of long-form conversations with Dallas sports, radio, music and civic figures. That's what Mike Rhyner is doing now: hosting YDC, plus live dates around DFW.
- Hosts: Mike Rhyner & Michael "Grubes" Gruber
- Live: Mon & Wed, 5 p.m. CT
- Since: May 20, 2024 (Ep 1)
- Episodes: 268 (latest Oct 21, 2026)
- Network: Stolen Water Media
Hosted by Mike Rhyner, Michael "Grubes" Gruber
Upcoming Appearances
Upcoming
Your Dark Companion
The Bartonville Store – Bartonville, TX
Nov 6, 2026
Bartonville, TX
Petty Theft Show
Upcoming
Your Dark Companion
Tolbert’s Restaurant – Grapevine, TX
Nov 14, 2026
Grapevine, TX
Petty Theft Show
Listen: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Amazon Music iHeartRadio RSS
Latest episode · October 21, 2026
Mavericks, Kyrie’s Redemption, and a Cowboys Mess | Chuck Cooperstein | Ep 268
Chuck Cooperstein discusses Mavericks' offseason overhaul with Kyrie Irving, Dusty May, and Cooper Flagg, plus NBA Western and Eastern Conference previews.
Start here: 10 essential episodes
- Old Grey Wolf and The Hammer Reunite making DFW radio history Mike Rhyner reunites with Greg Williams on Your Dark Companion podcast after 20 years of estrangement, discussing their Ticket radio legacy and…
- Rick Arnett, Skip Bayless & The Wild Early Days of The Ticket | YDC Rick Arnett recalls The Ticket's wild early days as founding producer, Skip Bayless, and building Dallas sports radio.
- Aikman is AMERICA’s Quarterback & Life After Football | Troy Aikman | YDC Ep 245 Troy Aikman discusses 26 years in broadcasting, Cowboys dynasty, Jimmy Johnson era, and current ventures on YDC.
- Two Decades of Around the Horn & The Dallas Morning News | Tim Cowlishaw | YDC Ep 243 Tim Cowlishaw on 28 years as Dallas Morning News columnist, covering Cowboys, Stars, Rangers and Mavericks—from print to social media.
- Rusty Greer on 96’s Brotherhood, Yankee Stadium Magic & Playing Through a Broken Neck Rusty Greer discusses the '96 Rangers' first playoff run, team chemistry, Will Clark's leadership, and playing through a broken neck.
- 47 Years of this Voice | Brad Sham
- Sports Radio Royalty: Nadel, Sham, Cooperstein & Bogorad Tell All | Your Dark Companion
- What is Life without the Mavs? | Mark Cuban
- Taking Down Ticketmaster: A 16-Year Battle | Tommy Dorfman | Ep 219 Tommy Dorfman on his 16-year legal battle against Live Nation Ticketmaster over alleged monopoly practices, illegal kickbacks, and inflated ticket…
- Dallas Radio History: Q102, The Zoo & The Ticket | Jon Michaels | Ep 253
Where to see Mike live
Your Dark Companion streams live at 5 p.m. CT every Monday and Wednesday. Mike is also in the rotating host lineup for Three Wide at Scout, live Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at Scout in The Statler. Upcoming live dates are listed under Upcoming Appearances.
Episodes
58:44
1:04:14
Exploring Music’s Impact: Classic Influences to Modern Discoveries
Your Dark Companion Apr 25, 2025
1:00:31
Weathering Life: Jesse Hawila’s Wild Tornado Chases
Your Dark Companion Apr 17, 2025
43:40
Nico Harrison DEFENDS Mavericks’ Controversial Moves
Your Dark Companion Apr 17, 2025
1:01:25
Krystina Ray: From “Ticket Chick” to Radio Legend
Your Dark Companion Apr 11, 2025
30:32
Mayor Jim Ross Reveals Arlington’s BIGGEST Secret
Your Dark Companion Apr 10, 2025
2:06:23
Mike Rhyner Hosts Lively Podcast at El Vecino, Discusses Baseball
Your Dark Companion Apr 3, 2025
43:02
Behind the Scenes of the All-Star Game: From Box Seats to Clubhouses
Your Dark Companion Mar 27, 2025
1:06:16
Surviving Radio’s Toughest Moments: Kellie Rasberry on YDC
Your Dark Companion Mar 20, 2025
1:01:43
Shoopies Reunite! Mike Rhyner & Grubes have a Big Announcement!
Your Dark Companion Mar 13, 2025Blog
The Evolution of Fort Worth’s Stockyards: From Ghost Town to Entertainment District
Discover how Fort Worth's Stockyards transformed from a desolate wasteland in the 1970s into today's thriving entertainment destination anchored by…
How Friday Night Lights Changed TV Production Forever: The Guerrilla Filming Revolution
Discover how Friday Night Lights pioneered revolutionary handheld camera techniques and guerrilla filming methods that transformed modern television production and…
The Psychology Behind Viral Sports Moments: Why the 1994 Plano East Game Still Captivates Audiences 30 Years Later
Discover the psychological elements that transform ordinary sports broadcasts into legendary viral moments, using the iconic 1994 Plano East comeback…
FilmFreeway vs. Traditional Film Festival Submissions: A Complete Guide for Independent Filmmakers
Discover how platforms like FilmFreeway revolutionized film festival submissions, with expert insights on strategy, timing, and fees for indie filmmakers.
Meet the Team
Mike Rhyner
HostMike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.
Michael "Grubes" Gruber
Co-host (also known as "Shippy")Michael “Grubes” Gruber is a native Dallasite, who has worked in audio/visual media since he was 16 years old. A board operator at KCTK “The Ticket” and KEGL “The Freak” radio stations, Grubes has worked with the biggest names and on the biggest talk radio shows in Dallas, as well as, Fox Sports Southwest and Bally’s. He has also been the music director for the Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers. Now teammate of Shippy, Grubes is still bringing the familiar fun! If you’ve experienced the DFW sports and/or local shenanigans scene, you know Grubes has always been there!
About the Show
"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well, the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike ldraws on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think or think differently, and just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."
Subscribe to the Podcast
Listen on your favorite platform
Your Dark Companion FAQ
What is Your Dark Companion?
Your Dark Companion is Mike Rhyner's podcast on Stolen Water Media, co-hosted by Michael "Grubes" Gruber, also known as "Shippy". It is long-form conversation with Dallas sports, radio, music and civic guests.
What is Mike Rhyner doing now?
Mike Rhyner hosts Your Dark Companion, live every Monday and Wednesday at 5 p.m. CT, and helps run Stolen Water Media, the DFW podcast network he co-founded in 2024. He is also in the rotating host lineup for Three Wide at Scout and plays live dates around DFW.
Who hosts Your Dark Companion with Mike Rhyner?
Michael "Grubes" Gruber, also known as "Shippy", a longtime board operator at The Ticket and The Freak, co-hosts the show with Mike.
When does Your Dark Companion come out?
Your Dark Companion streams live at 5 p.m. CT every Monday and Wednesday, on this website and on YouTube. Episodes then post to podcast apps.
Is Your Dark Companion still going?
Yes. The latest episode, "Mavericks, Kyrie’s Redemption, and a Cowboys Mess | Chuck Cooperstein | Ep 268", posted October 21, 2026.
Who are recent guests on Your Dark Companion?
Recent guests include Chuck Cooperstein, Elizabeth Wattley, Jonathan Bricklin, Kevin Sherrington and Brien Rea.
Where can I listen to Your Dark Companion?
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio or the RSS feed. The links are at the top of this page.
Is there a premium version of Your Dark Companion?
Yes. Premium is $3 a month or $30 a year for exclusive episodes, including The OG with Mike, Greggo and Grubes, plus Ask Me Anything sessions. Patreon members can claim access with the same email.