Tag: YouTube

From red fezzes to screaming goats: The wild world of ‘Law Talk With Mike’

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
“Law Talk With Mike” takes you on a high-octane, shag-carpet joyride you’ll enjoy every day.

If you haven’t caught “Law Talk With Mike,” you’re missing the fun boat.

Michael J. Gravlin, Chicago’s legal YouTube maestro, turns courtroom Latin into barroom English quicker than you can shout, “Objection!” The show? Think of it as a comedy club where the American justice system is both the joke and the punchline.

“Law Talk With Mike” is one of those YouTube channels you can’t help but binge, like a “Breaking Bad” season, but with less meth and more legal jargon.

Gravlin’s channel features a compilation of proceedings from our nation’s courts. And, boy, does this guy have a knack for keeping the show rolling. Sovereign citizen starts spouting nonsense? Boom! Out comes the red fez. Something bonkers happens? It’s time for the screaming goat toy. Yeah, you heard me right, a screaming goat toy. It’s like a courtroom version of a laugh track, only always on point.

One recent episode — Gravlin titled it “Vaseline!” — had me in stitches. It involved a defendant caught doing something so embarrassing in his car, parked in a CVS lot, it’d make a Kardashian blush. Gravlin tore into the case with the snark you’d expect from a late-night host, only with a law degree.

But here’s the kicker: Gravlin’s not just some talking head. He’s built a community around these online court shenanigans. The guy’s got over 1,400 episodes under his belt and is closing in on 200,000 subscribers. And amid the humor, he provides genuine insight into the legal process in which he’s been involved as a prosecutor and a personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney.

Thanks to Gravlin’s success, he’s helped turn judges, prosecutors, and even serial defendants into minor celebrities. It’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for people who can’t fly or shoot lasers from their eyes.

The guy’s got a new episode almost every day, sometimes more. So, if you’re tired of the same old reruns and want something that’ll make you laugh, think, and occasionally cringe, do yourself a favor and check out “Law Talk With Mike.”

Trust me, it’s the kind of ride you won’t want to get off.

Maximize YouTube learning with Field Notes

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
Photo of an opened Field Note notebook feature notations I wrote while watching YouTube videos.
Recent notes I took while watching YouTube videos.

It was just another ordinary day in 2022 when I chanced upon the intriguing idea of keeping a small notebook while binge-watching YouTube videos.

What began as a whim transformed over time into a beneficial habit that would change how I consumed and processed online content.

Today, friends, I want to share the unexpected advantages of this journey, taken side by side with my trusty, pocket-sized partner — a Field Notes notebook.

Take a moment to look at the illustration – it’s my most recent YouTube session, distilled into the pages of my Field Notes. The brand deserves a special shout-out here. With their rustic charm, durable build, and perfect pocket size, Field Notes has been an ideal companion in my writing adventures everywhere.

Now, about my notes: I’ve developed the habit of numbering each one. The first note might encapsulate a gut-busting joke, the second an intriguing piece of trivia, while the third could enshrine an eloquent quote for future dinner table conversations.

This technique has turned my YouTube viewing into an active rather than passive experience in the past year. My ability to connect the dots between different ideas from various videos has significantly improved.

And here’s the great part: I’ve amassed over 3,000 entries.

Every numbered note is a beacon of my engagement, each leading me back to a moment of knowledge or laughter. These entries archive my online explorations, serving as conversation starters, sparks of inspiration, and sources of amusement.

In my daydreams, I think of myself as a digital-age Samuel Pepys, chronicling my everyday experiences through the videos I watch, the laughter I share, and the knowledge I gain. My entries are light on royal scandals and plague reports, but they capture the essence of my gallivanting through our modern, interconnected era.

So, the next time you embark on a YouTube journey, consider bringing a notebook along for the ride. It might feel odd, but I promise it will enrich your experience.

You might end up with your unique diary brimming with fascinating tidbits, insightful revelations, and abundant personal insight.