NuckolBall

NuckolBall

By: Mike Nuckols

Language: en-us

Categories: Kids, Family, Parenting

I’m a writer in New Jersey. I started writing about baseball, but it’s turned into this whole crazy thing where I basically write whatever I feel like. Major characters include my older son, Jack, who is a huge baseball fan. My younger son, Alex, who is not. And my wife, Shani, who sort of watches me and shakes her head.

Episodes

Chapter 10: Check the Tire Pressure
Dec 15, 2025

Superguy wants to hit the hotspots! So why on earth are they at a dive called The Blue Room?

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It...

Duration: 00:12:07
Chapter 9: Breaking Bread
Dec 15, 2025

He's not a waiter -- he's an artist! And the revolution begins NOW! If only he can get these losers motivated.

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding yo...

Duration: 00:10:05
Chapter 8: The Brick
Dec 14, 2025

In the face of a tragic earthquake, Charles Galapagos tries to stand tall. Fortunately he has plenty of Cherry Coke.

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your pe...

Duration: 00:15:21
Chapter 7: 20 Pack
Dec 14, 2025

Introducing Marcus the Unfunny Comedian. Will he eat all the McNuggets? Will he survive the onslaught of the fearsome Ms. Ott? 

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding you...

Duration: 00:12:13
Chapter 6: The Sierra Mining Company
Dec 13, 2025

Remember trying to get your first job? How about your first place to live? 

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It's about freedom and fear, and...

Duration: 00:15:24
Chapter 5: Snoopy on Ice
Dec 13, 2025

Will Kim get the part? (yes) Will you fall in love with Kim? (yes, again) Do things end well? (you'll have to listen and find out)

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in...

Duration: 00:10:52
Chapter 4: Jack the Cat and Little Caesar
Dec 12, 2025

How do friendships form? This may be the best example ever. 

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It's about freedom and fear, and above all, a t...

Duration: 00:15:29
Chapter 3: KLAX
Dec 12, 2025

Things a person in their 20s could not possibly imagine! Tune into chapter 3.

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life for the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It's about freedom and fear, and ab...

Duration: 00:02:43
Chapter 2: The Last Grenadier
Dec 11, 2025

The origin of Superguy's nickname! New friends! Volleyball! Fuddruckers! A giant pirate!

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: https://taking-the-brick.com/

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It's about freedom and fear, and above al...

Duration: 00:22:35
Chapter 1: Y (a prologue)
Dec 10, 2025

From Taking the Brick, by Mike Nuckols. Exit 4 Edition. Yup Yup Yup Reading Group interim reading.

Preorder now: Taking-The-Brick.com

1993 Los Angeles. Super guy arrives fresh from college and ready for the liberation and excitement of adulthood. But instead of life with the beautiful people, he finds himself stuck among an assortment of misfits. 

 Taking the Brick tells the story about finding your way in the world and finding your people. It's about freedom and fear, and above all, a time when your friends are your family. 

 For readers who have been...

Duration: 00:03:59
About Fatherhood (The Curse of Donna G)
Aug 15, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen...that's a wrap! The final episode of the NuckolBall podcast.

Duration: 00:19:37
About the Biggest Moment of My Life
Jul 15, 2025

Ask most people if their life has a turning point and they'd have no idea. But not me. My life has an honest-to-God turning point and this is it.

Duration: 00:15:45
About My Uncle
Jun 15, 2025

Happy Pride! This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. 

Duration: 00:21:53
About Streaking
May 15, 2025

Vital information. And a podcast Shani would like you not to listen to.

Duration: 00:06:17
About Work
Apr 15, 2025

The 3 keys to succeeding in corporate America AND the 2 keys to happiness at work. Sound design by Spencer Cowley!

Duration: 00:12:43
About Popularity
Mar 15, 2025

Advice to my kids (and I guess any kids) on how to manage social pressure in school and the challenges of popularity. 

Duration: 00:11:39
About My Mother
Feb 15, 2025

To anyone who has lost a parent, this episode is a master class in processing grief and finding joy. An amazing tribute to Mary Nuckols, from a son who still misses her.

Music credits is the song "Eyes Wide Open" by Combing Delores.

Duration: 00:19:13
About Your Mother (Ad free)
Jan 19, 2025

If you're looking for a quick romantic listen, this is it. A father writes a beautiful letter to his two sons about how he and their mother fell in love.

Duration: 00:15:54
About Your Mother
Jan 15, 2025

Inspired by cancer (not mine, Donna G's) this is the post that took NuckolBall from 50 to 5000 followers. A father's story written for his sons. This one is "about your mother." Features music from Brian Revels and the Heat Lightning!

Duration: 00:18:59
The Green Folder that Ruined Christmas
Dec 15, 2024

Listeners, you are in for an early Christmas present, because this story is a treat. It comes all the way from 2016 when Jack was a thoughtful lad of 13 – and this story has become part of our family Christmas history and soon you will see why. So grab some egg nog, take a seat by the fire, and get ready for…The Green Folder that Ruined Christmas.

Duration: 00:10:59
The End of the Season
Nov 15, 2024

We say goodbye to the baseball season, but we also say goodbye to our youngest son as he heads off to college. Some reflections from an "empty" nest.

Duration: 00:16:35
Ramblin'
Oct 01, 2024

Camping trip with old friends, boys, knives, and fires. Heavily features the Fizzybees. Check out at https://open.spotify.com/album/1NIqqcCQ1SXSOJSZZP2k4H?si=bVLjryEgQlKh0ev1d4-qeQ

Duration: 00:14:43
Vengeance and Loss in New York City
Sep 01, 2024

Yankees fans get the first chance to boo the cheating Astros. But this baseball story turns into a story about a father seeing his son leave the nest.

Duration: 00:12:45
Diving on the Big Stage
Aug 01, 2024

A tense and tumultuous tale of Alex's first AAU National Championships in 2016. Plus an update on where Alex is now.

Duration: 00:13:58
Goodbye, Mr. Jeter
Jul 01, 2024

Derek Jeter's biggest 11-year-old fan goes to the final game of Derek's career. 

Duration: 00:10:52
The Coming Out Episode
Jun 01, 2024

In celebration of Pride Month, it's the story of Alex coming out. It's emotional and  touching, with a few laughs. Also, don't miss the bonus ending.

Duration: 00:13:01
Mike Nuckols: Bad Umpire
May 01, 2024

Two little league stories that will have you at the edge of your seat. 

Duration: 00:12:51
Mike Nuckols: Social Liability
Apr 01, 2024

This episode is called “Mike Nuckols, Social Liability” and my wife hates and loves this story. It’s funny but it’s also kind of mortifying. It’s my experience at a party we went to, and it’s not the first time I've proven myself to be problematic in this type of gathering. 

Duration: 00:08:56
Meet the Mets
Mar 01, 2024

In 2013, our son, Jack wrote all the minor league teams in the area and asked if he could come interview players. A lot said yes and it turned into an amazing experience. Last month’s podcast was about that.

 

So in 2014, Jack set his sights higher and wrote major league teams to see if he could come interview a player. And the Mets said yes. Which turned into an experience that was just incredible. 

Duration: 00:13:48
Mr. Celery and Elvis
Feb 01, 2024

Today’s story is from 2013. Our son, Jack, expressed some interest in being a baseball journalist, so he wrote to every minor league baseball team within 100 miles and asked if he could come interview their top prospects. And he got a lot of responses. So that summer I took the boys to 5 different minor league teams. Jack would interview players and Alex was the photographer. It was a wonderful experience for all of them – and Jack eventually wrote an article that got in the local paper.

So this story is about a visit to the Blue Rocks in W...

Duration: 00:09:57