004 - Misery (featuring Sam Popkin!)

In this week’s episode of All You Need Is Pod, Jesse and Mike are joined by returning fan favorite Sam Popkin for Beatle Tangents Vol. 1! During the recording of our Please Please Me retrospective on “Chains,” the conversation took so many unexpected turns that we ended up with nearly an hour of hilarious, fascinating, and freewheeling Beatles discussion that was too off-topic for the main episode but WAY too good to leave on the cutting room floor! 

Want to get tangled up in another classic Beatles tune?This week on All You Need Is Pod, hosts Jesse and Mike continue their song-by-song retrospective of the Beatles’ groundbreaking debut album, Please Please Me, with a deep dive into “Chains”!Joining the fun is returning guest and fan favorite Sam Popkin, who’s back for another lively, hilarious, and freewheeling conversation about all things Fab Four!Together, the trio explores the Beatles’ infectious cover of this early rock ‘n’ roll gem, George Harrison’s turn at the microphone, and the magic of the band’s early sound. But in true All You Need Is Pod fashion, the conversation doesn’t stop there! Expect plenty of unexpected detours, fascinating Beatles trivia, and entertaining tangents spanning the length and breadth of Beatlemania.From the music to the madness, this episode is a reminder that when it comes to the Beatles, one great song can spark a thousand great conversations!

In this episode of All You Need Is Pod, Jesse and Mike welcome acclaimed Beatles historian and author Kenneth Womack to discuss his remarkable book, Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans!For more than a decade, Mal Evans was one of the closest people to The Beatles — a road manager, personal assistant, friend, protector, and witness to some of the most important moments in music history. From the chaos of Beatlemania and the band’s legendary tours to the recording sessions, friendships, and struggles behind the scenes, Womack brings new depth to the story of the man who helped keep the Beatles’ world moving.Jesse and Mike talk with Kenneth about the discovery of Mal’s long-lost archives, the diaries and memories that shaped the book, and how Evans’ unique perspective offers a fresh look at the Beatles’ journey — from their rise to global fame to the years after the band’s breakup.Join us for a fascinating conversation about one of the most important unsung figures in Beatles history and the story of the man who was there for it all!

In this week’s episode of All You Need Is Pod, Jesse and Mike are once again joined by Rob Collier of Beatles Bass Lines for the second part of their conversation, this time turning their attention to the Beatles’ aching cover of Anna (Go to Him). The discussion explores the brilliance of Arthur Alexander and the enormous impact Black American soul and R&B music had on the Beatles’ early sound and musical identity. Along the way, the conversation branches out into the emotional force of John Lennon’s vocal performance, the subtle brilliance of Ringo Starr’s drumming, and the unique chemistry that made the Beatles’ early covers feel so personal and alive. As always, the episode is packed with musical analysis, Beatles history, side tangents, and plenty of appreciation for the artists and influences that helped shape the band in their formative years!

In this week’s episode of All You Need Is Pod, Jesse and Mike are joined by Rob Collier of Beatles Bass Lines for a deep dive into the endlessly inventive bass playing of Paul McCartney. Together, they trace Paul’s evolution from the straightforward rock ’n’ roll roots of the early Beatles years to the melodic, genre-defying approach that would completely reshape what a bass guitar could do in popular music. Along the way, Rob breaks down some of Paul’s most iconic bass parts, the gear and instruments that shaped his sound, and the unconventional ways he applied music theory — often by instinct rather than formal training. The conversation also wanders into favorite bass moments, recording techniques at Abbey Road, how Paul’s playing interacted with John Lennon and George Harrison, and why McCartney remains one of the most influential bassists in music history. Whether you’re a musician, a Beatles obsessive, or just someone who’s ever found themselves humming a Paul bass line, this is a fun and insightful conversation you won’t want to miss!

In today's episode, Jesse and Mike are joined by musician and YouTuber Sam Popkin for a fun and wide-ranging dive into “Misery,” the third track on the Beatles’ debut album Please Please Me. What starts as a look at one of the earliest Lennon–McCartney compositions quickly opens up into a lively conversation about the song’s origins, recording quirks, and where it fits in the Beatles’ rapidly unfolding story. Along the way, Sam brings a musician’s perspective to the track’s structure and performance while sharing the story of his own Beatles fandom, and the discussion takes plenty of entertaining detours into Beatles history, recording trivia, and early-60s pop influences. It’s the kind of humorous, tangent-filled deep dive you’ve come to expect from All You Need Is Pod, perfect for longtime Beatles obsessives and curious fans alike!

In their first episode of 2026, Mike and Jesse discuss everything Beatles related that 2025 had to offer - from the long anticipated Anthology remaster project to the upcoming Sam Mendes and BBC biopics!

Mike and Jesse kick off their deep-dive into the Please Please Me LP with an in-depth breakdown of its opening track, "I Saw Her Standing There"!

Hello Beatle Peoples! In this debut episode of ALL YOU NEED IS POD, your hosts Jesse and Mike break down the origins of their lifelong Beatles obsession and what to expect from upcoming episodes!