Editing Don from Ohio

'''Don from Ohio''' is the single most prolific contributor in the history of [[Norse Code]], appearing in the show's mailbag across '''247 documented episodes''' 
— roughly 40% of the entire run as of Episode 604. A long-term Patreon supporter, Ohio State University devotee, self-described guardian of [[James Pogatshnik]], and bingo enthusiast, Don has accumulated over a decade of show history, a wood pellet smoker, a wife whose patience has been tested by the podcast on multiple occasions, a trip to Hawaii, a Scottish land title for his wife, a kitten, a Peloton he did not intend to give, and the distinction of being the only listener whose name has been used as a verb, a segment title, a corner, and a threat.

As of Episode 604, the show's official stated agenda includes:
“We hunt down and destroy Don From Ohio once and for all.” - Episode 604 show notes|Norse Code, 2026

He remains at large.

==Background==
Don is a Minnesota Vikings fan based in Ohio — a state with no NFL team of particular relevance — and a lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes homer, a fact he 
deploys liberally and without shame. He has been contributing to the Norse Code mailbag since at least Episode 193 (2017) and has continued through Episode 604. Over that span he has submitted questions on Vikings football, food, relationships, fantasy football, Ohio State, Kyle Sloter, wood pellet grilling, Hawaii, his wife, his cat, his kitten, bingo, the Hell League, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, Arif's car, beekeeping, and whether the Vikings have ever actually played any 
of their Super Bowls.

==The Sloter Years (2018–2019)==
Don from Ohio was an early and committed champion of quarterback Kyle Sloter, a position he maintained with remarkable consistency across dozens of episodes. Selected dispatches from this period:

* '''Episode 237:''' "How many TD passes will Sloter throw this weekend? I have   the O/U at 15."
* '''Episode 238:''' "Any reason why the Vikings are not using Kyle Sloter correctly? I know it is only 1 preseason game but there was no reason for him not to have had 12 TDs on Saturday... minimum."
* '''Episode 240:''' "@DonFromOhio is hired on to the Athletic as a Kyle Sloter beat reporter. How does Arif react to his new coworker?"
* '''Episode 249:''' "Kyle Sloter being deactivated every game. Vikings are 1-2-1. Coincidence? I think not."
* '''Episode 264:''' "Rumor has it JDF wanted to start Sloter and was fired for it. If true, why was he not promoted to head coach/GM?"
* '''Episode 279:''' "Will Arif address the doctored video of Kyle Sloter and why he is trying to slander him?"
* '''Episode 280:''' "Dear haters of Kyle Sloter: Are your lives so miserable that you must slander the greatest QB in Vikings history?"
* '''Episode 351:''' "How excited am I that Monday night's game is going to be the Kyle Sloter revenge game?"
* '''Episode 411:''' "Our Lord and Savior, Kyle Sloter, has risen again and is here to save our favorite team."

His Kyle Sloter advocacy is considered one of the foundational bits of Norse Code's middle era and directly contributed to the show's eventual embrace of [[Case Cookus]] as a spiritual successor.

==The Proposal, Wedding & Hawaii Saga (2020–2021)==
Don from Ohio's romantic life became show canon across a remarkable multi-year arc:

* '''Episode 316:''' Don mentions turning 50, with a budget of $800 for a birthday celebration and a girlfriend.
* '''Episode 327:''' "I plan on proposing to my GF right when we get the keys to the new house. What SHOULDN'T I say to her when I propose?"
* '''Episode 344:''' "I am 5-0 in my fantasy league outside of Norse Code. I am 1-4 in NCFFL... Also, my girlfriend loves charcoal and Binging with Babish."
* '''Episode 355:''' "The Fiancé and I have decided on Hawaii as our spot to get married and the honeymoon."
* '''Episode 386:''' "Which one of you assholes sabotaged my trip? I knew you and James were jealous of @DustyOConnell being my best man. I wouldn't be shocked if you had me arrested in LA too."
* '''Episode 387:''' Don sacrificed James's grilling equipment to the football gods to rid the Vikings of their curse.
* '''Episode 388:''' "As I stated yesterday, the only reason the Vikings won is because I am in Hawaii. However, I am leaving tomorrow and this will jeopardize the rest of the Vikings season."

==The Wife (2021–ongoing)==
Once married, Don's wife became a recurring character in her own right. The podcast discussed her, debated her, advised her, and occasionally wronged her:

* '''Episode 404:''' Don asked for Christmas gift etiquette guidance; the advice given was later blamed for consequences.
* '''Episode 406:''' The show discussed when it is okay to lie to Don's wife.
* '''Episode 424:''' Don announced he was taking the wife back to Hawaii for her 50th birthday and asked for recommendations between Kauai (where they married) and Maui.
* '''Episode 450:''' Don reported his wife "went bat shit crazy ordering Christmas gifts" and needed new gift ideas. Advisors failed him.
* '''Episode 455:''' Don reported the result of following the show's gift advice — a Peloton — and the fallout. A separate listener in Episode 500 confirmed they followed the same advice for their pregnant wife and were accused of body shaming.
* '''Episode 471:''' Don bought his wife land in Scotland, granting her the title "Lady Diana."
* '''Episode 481:''' Don listed the Vikings' failure to sign Pit Boss Grills as a top-3 reason for their 0-2 start, alongside weak interior OL and an undersized defence. His wife was not mentioned in this episode.
* '''Episode 506:''' "My wife had gastric bypass surgery. Should I make her pay for half the grocery bills still?"
* '''Episode 548:''' Don considered staging a robbery of his own house to hide the fact he had reclaimed his wife's gifts to buy Vikings game tickets.
* '''Episode 559:''' "The wife's birthday is tomorrow and I really don't feel like spending over $20 on flowers for her. Should I wait to see what Mother's Day clearance flowers are out there and pick those up instead?"

==The Hell League (2021–ongoing)==
Don from Ohio is a long-standing and rules-adjacent member of [[The Hell League]]:

* '''Episode 482:''' "What is more frustrating: Vikings are 0-3 or that I am  3-0 in Hell League?"
* '''Episode 499:''' "How does it feel knowing I made the Hell League playoffs with the worst point total in the league by close to 300 points?"
* '''Episode 547 (Charles):''' "What advice can you give for a friend who's looking to sustain an increasingly elaborate and precarious bit via a Vikings podcast's mailbag?" - submitted on Don's behalf, acknowledging the meta-nature of his decade-long contributions.

==The Wood Pellet Smoker Saga==
Don from Ohio acquired a wood pellet smoker and its integration into show lore was immediate and sustained:

* '''Episode 350:''' "After my less than stellar attempt at brisket on my wood 
  pellet smoker (James and his voodoo demonic curse was behind this) what would 
  you recommend next?"
* '''Episode 474:''' Don endorsed the wood pellet smoker as the reason for Kirk 
  Cousins' quick recovery time and lobbied for a Pit Boss Grills sponsorship.
* '''Episode 476:''' "Lewis Cine plays his best when he eats a cooked meal from 
  @PitBossGrills equipment."
* '''Episode 481:''' Listed the Vikings' failure to sign Pit Boss Grills as a 
  top-3 reason for their 0-2 start.

==The Ohio State Corner==
A reliable and passionate Buckeyes homer, Don deployed his Ohio State allegiance consistently throughout the show's run:

* '''Episode 359:''' After beating Eric Thompson in fantasy: "Is it fair to say this is the equivalent of NDSU had played THE Ohio State University?"
* '''Episode 371:''' "Even though I'm an OSU homer, convince me otherwise Justin Fields isn't a better QB than the rest of the guys who might be drafted ahead of him."
* '''Episode 439:''' "The Dukes are nationally ranked in the top 25. NDSU has never cracked the top 25 ever. Can we finally put to rest the notion NDSU was ever a legit college football program?"
* '''Episode 511:''' Acknowledged he never thought he would cheer for an NDSU player, asking how one adjusts to rooting for a player from a bitter rival.

==The Bingo Corner==
Don and [[Arif Hasan]] share a well-documented mutual appreciation for bingo:

* '''Episode 377:''' "Arif and I agree that bingo should be an Olympic sport. What other activities would you like to see in the Olympics?"
* '''Episode 397:''' "How are the bingo halls in Virginia?" — submitted during a period when Don appears to have been based in Virginia temporarily.

==Selected Mailbag Questions (Chronological)==
The full Don from Ohio archive spans 247 episodes. A representative selection:

{| class="wikitable"
! Episode !! Question
|-
| 195 || If Arif, Dusty, James, Eric Thompson and @purplebuckeye had to face Pennywise the clown who gets killed off first?
|-
| 215 || Have either of you ever regifted before and if so did someone know it was a regift?
|-
| 230 || Is there any reason at all to watch a live baseball game in sub-40 degree temps?
|-
| 234 || James: you find out Arif had killed someone — turn him in and the podcast suffers, or pin it on @DonFromOhio?
|-
| 235 || Best way to cook corn on the cob?
|-
| 250 || Candied apples: overrated or underrated?
|-
| 263 || ARE YOU HAPPY NOW JAMES?!?!?!?
|-
| 266 || What was the best movie either of you saw this year?
|-
| 277 || What do you give a father for Father's Day whose son is a trained cannibal by said father?
|-
| 287 || Best pie/ice cream combo?
|-
| 288 || Do you keep @bigmono on as pity?
|-
| 292 || Since @bigmono just found out he has a conjoined twin in his wrist/hand do you think he should...
|-
| 300 || Which one goes and why? Shoestring fries, Curly, Steak, Tater tots
|-
| 305 || Pumpkin cheesecake or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving?
|-
| 325 || What would be the dumbest thing you could do with your stimulus check and why is buying Packers "stock" it?
|-
| 326 || Should male pet owners be allowed to celebrate Father's Day?
|-
| 332 || Did Arif eat the squirrel he took a picture with?
|-
| 337 || Pretend this is the subreddit ELI5 and explain in detail why electricity and grilling don't mix.
|-
| 340 || How did Arif celebrate his 46th birthday?
|-
| 366 || If you guys were a member of Westview when Wanda took it over what characters would she have transformed you into?
|-
| 377 || Arif and I agree that bingo should be an Olympic sport. What other activities would you like to see?
|-
| 397 || How are the bingo halls in Virginia?
|-
| 403 || Are you surprised Cousins is a Right Guard type of guy? I saw him more as Old Spice or Degree.
|-
| 421 || Arif was adamant I try birria tacos which he said would "change my life." They did not change my life.
|-
| 422 || What Don variants would you actually get along with?
|-
| 424 || Wasn't it OK to kill the hornets? Why are wasps/hornets so protected by Norse Code Discord?
|-
| 439 || The Dukes are nationally ranked in the top 25. NDSU has never cracked the top 25 ever.
|-
| 444 || For James and Arif's "Spoiled kids on Halloween" corner.
|-
| 445 || When I win Powerball tonight, how much would it cost me to shut down Norse Code Discord and the podcast?
|-
| 453 || How do I keep this damn kitten out of our Xmas tree?
|-
| 458 || Did James and Arif get my Christmas gift? Unlimited flights from Southwest Airlines.
|-
| 471 || I bought my wife land in Scotland so she could receive the title "Lady Diana." What should her first act be?
|-
| 506 || My wife had gastric bypass surgery. Should I make her pay for half the grocery bills still?
|-
| 507 || Will Kohl's Cash be the next Crypto in the ATL?
|-
| 520 || Has C.J. Ham's time expired?
|-
| 535 || What should Ohio do now that we will have an over abundance of dogs and cats in our state?
|-
| 539 || Is Rex Grossman the greatest Bears QB this century?
|-
| 547 || If Kirk Cousins applies for a job at Kohl's which one should he apply for and why would it be shipping/receiving?
|-
| 548 || Should I stage a robbery of our house so my wife doesn't find out I reclaimed her gifts for Vikings tickets?
|-
| 554 || Is Kevin O'Connell this century's Dennis Green?
|-
| 556 || Speaking of really short people with a beard, what food challenge could Arif complete?
|-
| 559 || The wife's birthday is tomorrow. Should I wait for Mother's Day clearance flowers?
|}

==Other Notable Community References==
Don from Ohio has been referenced, hypothesised about, and weaponised by other listeners throughout the show's run:

* '''Episode 247 (Kyle):''' "Would sacrificing @DonFromOhio to the football gods anger them further or appease them?"
* '''Episode 251:''' "If you could either have (a) no more questions from @DonFromOhio ever, or (b) a loss by the Eagles tonight — which would you take?"
* '''Episode 420:''' "At that point: can you ever forgive @DonFromOhio for the things he has done?"
* '''Episode 441:''' "Don from Ohio is just a crisis actor?"
* '''Episode 500 (Logan):''' "Last year I followed your advice to Don from Ohio and bought my then pregnant wife a Peloton with scale and she accused me of body shaming her."
* '''Episode 551 (Logan):''' "What is it about Don that caused the Vikings to lose this game? What can the rest of us do to prevent Don from hurting the Vikings during the playoffs?"

==Known Facts==

{| class="wikitable"
! Fact !! Source !! Status
|-
| Based in Ohio || His name || Confirmed
|-
| Ohio State Buckeyes fan || 247 episodes || Confirmed (emphatically)
|-
| Long-term Patreon supporter || Multiple episodes || Confirmed
|-
| Turned 50 around 2020 || Episode 316 || Confirmed
|-
| Proposed to girlfriend in 2020 || Episode 327 || Confirmed
|-
| Married in Hawaii || Episodes 355, 386–388 || Confirmed
|-
| Has a wife || 50+ episodes || Confirmed
|-
| Wife received a Peloton || Episode 455 || Confirmed; received poorly
|-
| Wife had gastric bypass surgery || Episode 506 || Confirmed
|-
| Wife's birthday flowers budgeted at under $20 || Episode 559 || Confirmed
|-
| Owns a wood pellet smoker || Episodes 350+ || Confirmed; brisket did not go well
|-
| Has a kitten || Episode 453 || Confirmed; kitten in the tree
|-
| Temporarily based in Virginia || Episode 397 || Confirmed (bingo halls researched)
|-
| Hell League member || Multiple episodes || Confirmed; rules disputed
|-
| Designated for destruction || Episode 604 || Confirmed; outcome pending
|-
| Vikings fan || 247 episodes of evidence || Plausible
|}

==See Also==
* [[The Mailbag]]
* [[The Hell League]]
* [[James Pogatshnik's Relationships]]
* [[Case Cookus]]
* [[Arif's Car Woes]]
* [[Dusty O'Connell]]
* [[A Second Jet Has Hit Drew Bledsoe]]

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[[Category:Bits & Lore]]
[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:People]]