An epic story about a long, hard journey set the tone for an episode about a career change and a new golf venture. In Episode 174, Rob and Don traded thoughts on The Odyssey before Rob announced he is stepping away from regular podcasting.
If you’ve ever watched an idea change shape through setbacks, redesigns, and hard decisions, the venture will sound familiar. The conversation connects a huge theater experience with the work required to make a once-unlikely business real.
Key Takeaways
- The Odyssey earned strong reactions from Rob and Don, especially for its IMAX scale, sound, performances, and unexpected story moments.
- Rob announced that Episode 174 was his final regular podcast episode after nearly 17 years at MOCK, although he may return as a guest.
- RangeWorks grew from an unusual idea to build a golf driving range above an urban parking deck and evolved through funding, engineering, and construction challenges.
- The planned facility will focus on golf practice, with 32 TrackMan-equipped bays, purpose-built targets, and a simple food and drink offering.
- The first RangeWorks location is planned for Woodstock, Georgia, with a hoped-for spring 2027 opening and additional locations under consideration.
The Odyssey earned the IMAX recommendation
Summer blockbuster season gave Rob and Don an easy opening, but The Odyssey soon became the focus. Both had seen the movie recently and agreed that its scale belongs in a theater, preferably IMAX.
Spoiler alert: The discussion below mentions story moments, including the Cyclops and other creatures.
Sound, scale, and a few missed lines
Rob followed the recommendation to see the movie in IMAX and found the presentation overwhelming in the best and worst ways. The seat-rattling bass and massive screen made the film feel physically enormous. His full 70 mm showing filled a three-story-tall screen, even from his third-row seat.
That scale came with a tradeoff. During a scene where the Cyclops speaks with his back to the audience, explosions and destruction drowned out important dialogue. Rob’s reaction captured the problem: “I’m missing closed captioning.”
The limited full-scale screenings were often sold out, while the movie’s long runtime reduced the number of daily showings. Rob and Don also wondered whether theaters receive specific audio requirements for premium-format films. The sound was far louder than a typical theater experience.
Surprise made the story stronger
Rob considered reading a quick refresher on the original story before seeing the film, then decided against it. He was glad he did. Avoiding advance reminders allowed several monsters and major moments to arrive as genuine surprises.
Don takes a similar approach with movies. He skips articles and social posts that reveal every plot point or character appearance before he buys a ticket. That habit shaped the conversation around the new Spider-Man movie, too. Don enjoyed its comic-book-page style, even if some viewers expected a more conventional superhero film.
Their Odyssey ratings reflected a shared positive reaction, with different levels of enthusiasm:
| Host | Rating | Overall take |
|---|---|---|
| Rob | 8.3 out of 10 | A solid B |
| Don | 9 out of 10 | An A-minus theater experience |
Both praised the performances, although Rob questioned whether Matt Damon was the right long-term fit for Odysseus. The concern was not Damon’s work. Instead, it was the challenge of seeing a familiar star in such an iconic role. A newcomer might become permanently associated with the character, while established actors often bring memories of earlier roles with them.
They were also struck by Damon’s appearance near the end of the movie, when Odysseus looked severely emaciated. Neither could tell how the transformation was achieved, which made the performance even more unsettling.
A few cheesy lines and several F-bombs pulled them out of the film. They did not want old-fashioned dialogue for its own sake, but the modern profanity felt unnecessary in a story with an otherwise strange, timeless quality. The issue was tone, not realism.
The presentation carried beyond one movie
The full 70 mm screening included a Dune 3 trailer. Even Don, who had not watched the earlier Dune films, thought it looked impressive. The format had that effect. A trailer that might pass by on a phone or standard screen felt like an event in IMAX.
Rob and Don also wondered whether The Odyssey will have lasting influence or become a brief blockbuster moment. Their joke was that The Iliad could arrive next summer, although neither expected it to be quite as fun.
Rob signs off from regular podcasting
After the movie discussion, Rob shared the bigger news: this was his final regular podcast episode. He may return as a guest, but he is stepping away from his ongoing role at MOCK after nearly 17 years.
“It is weird to say that out loud.”
The decision brought both sadness and excitement. Don offered a warm farewell, along with a playful apology to the podcast’s fans. He also made clear that MOCK and the podcast will continue. Episode 175 is still on the way, even though the next co-host has not been chosen.
Rob is not leaving marketing behind entirely. He plans to keep working with a handpicked group of valued clients while giving more time and attention to the new venture.
RangeWorks grew from a strange parking-deck idea
A friend Rob has known since sixth grade called with an unusual idea about two and a half years ago. He was an investment banker at JP Morgan and an accomplished golfer. From a high-rise office in downtown Atlanta, he had watched an empty parking deck for years. He wondered whether a golf driving range could sit on top of it.
The original plan did not survive contact with construction realities. A fully enclosed range needs roof and side netting, which require structural support. That support could not simply be drilled into a parking deck. The team got laughed at, learned what they did not know, and kept working.
A successful seed round provided funding. The process gave Rob real-world experience with local municipalities, real estate, construction, and structural engineering. The concept changed repeatedly, but its core purpose held steady: bring a golf practice facility into a dense urban area while preserving parking below.
A golf-first alternative to Topgolf
The facility shares a few visible traits with Topgolf, including nets and hitting bays, but its business model is different: it will focus on golf practice. Topgolf offers an entertainment night out with a full food and drink program.
The planned venue is about the size of a football field and will be a fully netted cube with a roof. Its 32 bays will use TrackMan technology for practice and training, letting golfers play available courses and work on their own game.
Purpose-built targets will support short shots, flop shots, drives, and other practice needs, from fundamentals to advanced skills. Food and drink will stay simple, with grab-and-go snacks, canned beer, and items such as Uncrustables instead of a sit-down menu.
Woodstock is the planned first stop
The flagship location is planned near the Outlet Shops of Atlanta in Woodstock, Georgia, close to Interstate 575. The team hopes to break ground within 60 to 90 days and open in spring 2027. Conversations are also underway around a property in Alpharetta and potential locations in Charlotte.
For a Graphic Design & Advertising Agency, the project applies familiar skills to a different business. That means defining a clear offer, earning attention, and giving people a reason to return. Follow the project’s progress through the project updates.
MOCK will continue providing graphic design and advertising services while Rob supports a select group of clients. Organizations preparing their own brand or campaign work can get in touch for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RangeWorks?
RangeWorks is a golf practice facility designed for dense urban areas. It will offer TrackMan-equipped hitting bays, practice targets, and a golf-first alternative to entertainment-focused venues such as Topgolf.
Where will the first RangeWorks location open?
The planned flagship location is near the Outlet Shops of Atlanta in Woodstock, Georgia, close to Interstate 575. The team hopes to open it in spring 2027, with additional conversations underway in Alpharetta and Charlotte.
How will RangeWorks differ from Topgolf?
RangeWorks will focus primarily on practice and training rather than a full restaurant and entertainment experience. Its 32 bays will support everything from fundamentals and short shots to course play through TrackMan technology.
Why is Rob stepping away from regular podcasting?
Episode 174 was Rob’s final regular episode after nearly 17 years at MOCK. He plans to continue working with a select group of marketing clients while giving more time and attention to RangeWorks.
When will RangeWorks open?
The team hopes to break ground within 60 to 90 days of the discussion and open in spring 2027. Construction, engineering, and municipal approvals will determine the final schedule.
A new adventure is already underway
Episode 174 opened with an epic movie and closed with a real-world leap. The Odyssey brought spectacle to a massive screen, while RangeWorks reflects the patience required to turn an unusual golf concept into a physical venue.
Rob’s decision to step away from regular podcasting closes one chapter at MOCK. The next one remains a long build, with 32 bays, a roof full of netting, and a planned opening in Woodstock.
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