Caffeinated New Jersey

What does it mean to believe in something your entire life, even when it keeps breaking your heart?

For Buffalo Bills fans, that question hits close to home.

In Episode 6 of Caffeinated New Jersey, host Dave Fletcher welcomes filmmakers Kevin Polowy and Addison Henderson, directors and co-showrunners of Just One Before I Die, the five-part Tubi Original documentary series exploring the passion, heartbreak, resilience, and extraordinary community of Buffalo Bills fans, better known as Bills Mafia.

But this conversation goes far beyond football.

What began as an idea between lifelong Bills fans evolved into an ambitious documentary project nearly three years in the making. Along the way, the filmmakers discovered remarkable personal stories that transformed a documentary about sports fandom into a powerful exploration of humanity, loss, hope, and belonging.

Kevin and Addison share the creative journey behind Just One Before I Die, from finding compelling subjects and earning their trust to navigating the challenges of independent filmmaking, securing NFL footage approvals, and making difficult decisions about which stories would ultimately appear in the series.

Among the unforgettable stories they discuss are a terminally ill fan hoping to witness a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl victory and a grieving mother whose connection to Bills Mafia helped bring her closer to the recipient of her late son’s donated organs.

In this episode, we explore:

And because this is Caffeinated New Jersey, there’s a Garden State connection. Addison previously lived in Newark and has family roots in Newark and Jersey City, while Kevin’s mother grew up in the Trenton area.

Looking for a place to congregate with other Bills fans in New Jersey? Visit Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint in Cedar Grove, an official Buffalo Bills Backers location and the home of Caffeinated New Jersey. Stop by for coffee, community, and plenty of Bills spirit.

Throughout the conversation, Dave, himself a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, explores the universal themes that make Just One Before I Die resonate even with people who have never watched a football game.

At its heart, this episode is about storytelling, friendship, creative perseverance, community, and the remarkable human ability to keep believing.

Whether you’re a member of Bills Mafia, an aspiring filmmaker, a documentary enthusiast, or simply someone fascinated by the creative process, this conversation offers an engaging look at what happens when passion becomes purpose.

Watch Just One Before I Die, streaming free on Tubi.

Caffeinated New Jersey with Dave Fletcher.

Good conversations. Creative minds. Plenty of caffeine.

Three New Jersey siblings. Decades of images. One shared creative inheritance.

Dave Fletcher talks with Robert, Mike and Janet Mickens about Ocean of Memory / Ocean of Dreams, their multimedia window installation presented through Studio Montclair’s Windows at 127.

The siblings revisit their childhood in Clifton, where their artist mother encouraged them to draw, make movies and transform ordinary materials. Robert discusses his journey from Pratt Institute into broadcast television and explains why television became his “boot camp for understanding images.” Cinematographer Mike recalls his early fascination with cameras and his experience working with legendary designer Saul Bass. Janet describes moving between art and social work before returning more fully to painting, drawing and transforming discarded furniture.

Their conversation encompasses family home movies, public-access television, the Jersey Shore, creative aging, artificial intelligence and the countless images that accumulate within a family’s shared memory.

Ocean of Memory / Ocean of Dreams runs September 6–October 11, 2026, in Studio Montclair’s Windows at 127, adjoining 127 Bloomfield Avenue near Bay Street in Montclair, New Jersey.

Learn more at Robert Mickens Art, Welcome to Planet Janet, and Studio Montclair.

In this episode, Mike Gillespie and Anna Archaic of Diiiotima Arts explore their journey from childhood creativity to building immersive, myth-inspired performances rooted in philosophy, storytelling, and visual art. Drawing inspiration from theater, fantasy literature, Dungeons & Dragons, and Renaissance aesthetics, the duo discusses how diverse life experiences shaped their artistic voices and collaborative process.

Together, Mike and Anna share insights into the importance of intentional storytelling, immersive audience experiences, and the emotional power of art that invites people to slow down, reflect, and truly feel. They also dive into the realities of creative partnership, innovation, navigating controversy, and balancing artistic risk with performance safety.

This conversation offers a fascinating look into the philosophy behind Diiiotima Arts and the creative process that fuels their darkly beautiful, thought-provoking performances.

Visit Diiiotima Arts to explore their work.