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Weather doesn’t just “happen”… and neither does a career in television.
On this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and the crew welcome back WFAA meteorologist Jesse Hawila for a conversation that somehow covers weather science, sports, music, and the weird path to finding your lane.
Jesse breaks down what it’s really like to forecast North Texas weather, including the infamous “cap” phenomenon, why meteorologists are constantly checking data (even on vacation), and how predicting the unpredictable becomes part of your DNA.
But this episode doesn’t stay in the clouds…
The conversation drifts into:
The Texas Rangers’ early season momentum and first impressions
Thoughts on the Final Four and college basketball’s changing appeal
The reality of working in local TV and building a personality on air
Jesse’s deep love of metal music, concerts, and band culture
And somehow… monarch butterflies, hydration, and random on-air chaos
It’s funny, it’s unpredictable, and it’s exactly what happens when you put curious people in a room and let the conversation go wherever it wants.
If you like weather, media, music, or just great conversations that go off the rails, this one delivers.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Lightning Strike Start & Rangers Opening Thoughts
Rangers take 2 of 3 and early season reactions
3:08 — Brandon Nimmo and Early Favorites
Unexpected standouts and first impressions
3:59 — Final Four Talk (Sort Of)
Why college basketball doesn’t hit like it used to
5:05 — Jesse Hawila Joins the Show (Again)
Returning guest, inside jokes, and WFAA talk
8:14 — Matt Howerton, Morning TV, and Energy on Air
What it takes to succeed in local news
11:18 — Episode 208 and Building a Podcast
Consistency, growth, and sticking with it
12:12 — Inside the Mind of a Meteorologist
Why weather never turns “off”
13:25 — Weather Models, Data, and Forecasting Reality
European models, American models, and constant updates
17:10 — Music Talk: Metal, Punk, and Concert Culture
Where passion meets identity
23:09 — When Your Favorite Band Doesn’t Hit the Same
The reality of live music over time
28:15 — Jesse’s Musical Background and Band Days
Early influences and creative outlets
32:12 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
34:23 — Stolen Water Media Expansion
35:29 — Random Conversations You Didn’t Expect
Water bottles, life habits, and podcast chaos
39:46 — Early Career Stories and On-Air Moments
The path to becoming a TV personality
46:09 — The John Hinckley Pen Pal Story
49:21 — Media Careers and Memorable Moments
51:02 — The Beginning of Sports Radio in Dallas
When nobody thought it would work
52:51 — Betting on Yourself When No One Else Will
57:15 — Weather Warnings (and Small Dog Advice)
59:27 — Monarch Butterflies and Unexpected Passions
1:02:31 — Eric Nadel Event & Final Thoughts
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode:
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf:
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
On this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner, Grubes, and the crew welcome back WFAA meteorologist Jesse Hawila for a conversation that somehow covers weather science, sports, music, and the weird path to finding your lane.
Jesse breaks down what it’s really like to forecast North Texas weather, including the infamous “cap” phenomenon, why meteorologists are constantly checking data (even on vacation), and how predicting the unpredictable becomes part of your DNA.
But this episode doesn’t stay in the clouds…
The conversation drifts into:
The Texas Rangers’ early season momentum and first impressions
Thoughts on the Final Four and college basketball’s changing appeal
The reality of working in local TV and building a personality on air
Jesse’s deep love of metal music, concerts, and band culture
And somehow… monarch butterflies, hydration, and random on-air chaos
It’s funny, it’s unpredictable, and it’s exactly what happens when you put curious people in a room and let the conversation go wherever it wants.
If you like weather, media, music, or just great conversations that go off the rails, this one delivers.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 — Lightning Strike Start & Rangers Opening Thoughts
Rangers take 2 of 3 and early season reactions
3:08 — Brandon Nimmo and Early Favorites
Unexpected standouts and first impressions
3:59 — Final Four Talk (Sort Of)
Why college basketball doesn’t hit like it used to
5:05 — Jesse Hawila Joins the Show (Again)
Returning guest, inside jokes, and WFAA talk
8:14 — Matt Howerton, Morning TV, and Energy on Air
What it takes to succeed in local news
11:18 — Episode 208 and Building a Podcast
Consistency, growth, and sticking with it
12:12 — Inside the Mind of a Meteorologist
Why weather never turns “off”
13:25 — Weather Models, Data, and Forecasting Reality
European models, American models, and constant updates
17:10 — Music Talk: Metal, Punk, and Concert Culture
Where passion meets identity
23:09 — When Your Favorite Band Doesn’t Hit the Same
The reality of live music over time
28:15 — Jesse’s Musical Background and Band Days
Early influences and creative outlets
32:12 — Sponsor: CBD House of Healing
34:23 — Stolen Water Media Expansion
35:29 — Random Conversations You Didn’t Expect
Water bottles, life habits, and podcast chaos
39:46 — Early Career Stories and On-Air Moments
The path to becoming a TV personality
46:09 — The John Hinckley Pen Pal Story
49:21 — Media Careers and Memorable Moments
51:02 — The Beginning of Sports Radio in Dallas
When nobody thought it would work
52:51 — Betting on Yourself When No One Else Will
57:15 — Weather Warnings (and Small Dog Advice)
59:27 — Monarch Butterflies and Unexpected Passions
1:02:31 — Eric Nadel Event & Final Thoughts
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode:
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf:
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Mike Rhyner
Mike 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.
What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?
"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 likes to draw 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, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."