https://raisedbywhoops.substack.com

If you’ve ever been pleased by an algorithm or persuaded by an advertisement, take a moment to consider the dark implications these instruments suggest about what your brain is made of. Honestly, I’m unsure why I put “if” in the opening sentence. Of course, you’ve been entertained by robots and convinced by ads. In fact, I’d be kinda pleased if the algorithm is bringing us together now. It's an unlikely proposition, though, as I’m not the type for whom it typically sings its mysterious song. In any case, no derision is implied in my soft allegation; it’s simply a recognition that we’re all in the same cognitive boat. We’re predictable, programable, and utterly convinced most of the time that we are neither. 

Like a Cadillac gliding effortlessly into the shop for major repairs, Gertie approaches our campsite with a stylish limp. She’s 88 years old. Ignoring the two humans beside him, she slowly dips to greet our dog. Always a gentleman, he rises to receive her with an admiring wiggle of his hips. As we all absorb the splendor of her person – the sparkling of her shirt, the improbable tightness of her jeans, and the dizzying height of her high-heeled shoes – her voice snatches what remains of our attention. The clipped vowels and swooping emphasis of an uncharacteristically friendly German accent roll over our dog’s back with the same tenderness as her liver-spotted hands. The dog is in a state of bliss; we’re in a state of awe.

It’s not even the driving snow, the uncalled-for elevation, the snake egg fortune cookie wisdom of the parched hippies, or the generally fleece-lined Kansas-adjacent flogging of the wind and cold.

Continuation of Part 1

Written and Narrated by Glenn Vanderkloet

Songs Featured

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Self Defense - Ryan Adams

Photo - Barn in Kingston, NY - GV

It was the mid-2000s, George Bush The Stupid was in office, Saddam Hussein was on the run, and oil cost about $100/barrel. I wasn’t yet aware of just how ill-equipped I was for the world of speaking publicly. I am now, of course, but occasionally, I must learn my lessons the hard way. Join me for a brief look at my worst public speaking gig ever.

A story about health anxiety and coping

Written and narrated by Glenn Vanderkloet

Songs featured:

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Days of the Years - The Felice Brothers

Photo of Quaco Head Lighthouse by Ashley Spicer

Written and Narrated by: Andrew Couch

Like a noticeable run in the ass-end of our nation’s crotchless panties, US Route 50 tears its way from Maryland to California. In my admittedly questionable opinion, the strangest portion of this highway meanders from somewhere hopeless in eastern Nevada to someplace even less upbeat on the western shoulder of the state. Known as “The Loneliest Road in America,” Route 50 has earned the title. I can’t say what compels most travelers to test themselves against it, but my first encounter was the result of death, theft, heartbreak, automotive maintenance, and a desperate craving for a sandwich...

We hope you enjoy this chat with first-time feature film writer/producer/directors Matthew Hirschhorn and Eric Cohen. We talked mostly about their upcoming film, Wine Club - A “Cult” Comedy, Staring Stevie Little (of Eastbound and Down), Taylor Ortega, and Daniel Van Kirk. We also managed to talk about directing a porn star, dick wine, making an independent film, crashing NYU film school classes, Morgan Freeman, what it’s like to direct professionals as a beginner, and much more. “Wine Club” will be available on Amazon, Google Play, and Apple TV on December 15th. Donate to Eric and Matthew’s Kickstarter before then and get a free screener of the film!

Tunes in This Episode

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Lying is Easy - Pale Cricket

Links

Wine Club Movie

Kickstarter Campaign

Instagram

Marya Hornbacher, a woman inadequately described by adjectives alone, was kind enough to join us for a chat. She is known as a New York Times best-selling author, a journalist, and a traveler of hearts and minds via the road less scrambled. In a broad and far-reaching conversation between Marya and Andrew, a number of topics found their way to the surface, including her unique brand of journalism, her upcoming projects, living on the road full-time, existing closer to the ground than most, hamburgers, vulnerability, arming oneself (physically, and metaphorically), identity, women’s bodies, and much more. It was a pleasure to host such a charming and very real human being on this very fake radio show. Share and Enjoy!

Links

Marya’s Website

Facebook

Instagram

Tunes in This Episode

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Solitary Daughter - Bedouine

Stop by for a little chat with the prolific and talented author, artist, and traveler Corey Michael Smithson. He and Andrew covered lots of bases, including the wisdom of being lost, Ganesh The Lord of Obstacles, the call to wander, writing, painting, and the ice-cream truck of destiny. As always, we humbly ask that you rate, review, subscribe, share, and enjoy!

Let’s talk about those dreams of yours, eh? It was my pleasure to sit with our pal, Alexis Angelucci to chat about living, dreaming, and paying attention to the mind. Her take on the phenomenon of dreams is not looking to them as oracles in the mind but as under-appreciated aspects of the psyche. Tune in for a tiny glimpse into Jungian dream analysis and hear two fascinating dreams told to a lovely score by the singular Harold Budd. Share and Enjoy!

Links

Cazimi Creations

Tunes in This Episode

Harold Budd - Madrigals Of The Rose Angel

Harold Budd - Bismillahi Rrahmani Rrahim

A talk with California songwriter and musician, Donovan Quinn

Interview conducted by: Glenn Vanderkloet

Songs featured:

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Zombie USA - Donovan Quinn

Bunny and Me - Donovan Quinn

Photo courtesy of Donovan

donovanquinn.bandcamp.com

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with multi-instrumental musician, singer, and songwriter singer Mery Steel. We talked about all the things you might expect from a “weird-adjacent moody Ohio twang pop” artist and a guy who is, well, just weird. Mery was also generous enough to play two tunes for us while we had her on the phone or Zoom…whatever. Share and enjoy! Hosted by Andrew Couch

Tunes in This Episode

Hazlehurst – Pale Cricket

Freight Train – Elizabeth Cotton

Dirt – Mery Steel

Riverland – Mery Steel

Links

@TheMerySteel – Instagram

@WeAmplifyVoices - Instagram

A conversation with Brooklyn based writer and musician, Howard Fishman

Interview conducted by Glenn Vanderkloet

Songs featured:

Hazlehurst - Pale Cricket

Talkin’ Like You (Two Tall Mountains) - Connie Converse

howardfishman.com

Hey, did you know Andrew has friends? Yeah, we’re shocked too! He even had a chat with one of them - author, comic, and all-around good guy, Leon Blanda. They talked about books, comedy, and why Rob Reiner doesn’t really care if you live or die. Check out Leon’s Debut Novel, “High Moon,” sign up for the “No News is Good Newsletter,” and treat yourself to a little southern charm in this episode. Share and Enjoy!