Cool Side of the Pillow

On this special edition of Memory Foam, Josh and Vince sit down with independent rap pioneer, lit-hop originator, and longtime friend of the show, MC Lars!

Lars dives deep into celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal record The Graduate, navigating the early-2000s DIY touring grind, and how childhood loss shaped his lifelong drive to build meaningful artistic friendships. We cover everything from his master’s thesis on using hip-hop to teach Shakespeare, to taking Edgar Allan Poe to rural youth centers, crossing paths with "The Family 3" in Rochester, and getting surprised by second verses from hip-hop royalty.

Plus: trading tour war stories, what it was actually like working with Weird Al Yankovic, Dr. Doom verses from Kool Keith, deep lore on Disney’s The Black Cauldron, seltzer addictions in sobriety, and what’s next in the MC Lars universe.

Sink into your pillows and enjoy the conversation!

Timestamps & Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: Lit-Hop & DIY

01:52 - 20 Years of The Graduate

04:53 - Rochester Roots & "The Family 3"

07:20 - Lars on Cool Side of the Pillow in 2011

08:25 - Teaching Shakespeare with Rap

13:03 - The Edgar Allan Poe LP Album

15:05 - Life in Hell & Gary K. Wolf

17:48 - Memoir: The Nerdcore Years

19:33 - Weird Al & ICP Influences

22:00 - The Weird Al MySpace Story

24:52 - Merch & Cool Side of the Pillow Universe

30:20 - Anatomy of a Feature

34:28 - Writing "Signing Emo"

35:55 - K.Flay, Kool Keith, & KRS-One

40:00 - MC Frontalot & mc chris

42:30 - Dream Collabs: Steve Albini

43:20 - "Triforce" & Vulnerability

45:10 - The Black Cauldron Lore

48:46 - Current Music Picks

51:10 - Polar Seltzer & Sobriety

52:40 - October Tour Dates

55:10 - Outro

Links:

• MC Lars: mclars.com | IG: @mclars | YouTube: youtube.com/@mc_lars
• Merch, Full Video & Dream Submissions: CoolSideOfThePillow.com | IG: @coolsideofthepillopodcast

In this special marathon edition of Cool Side of the Pillow, Josh and Vince dive into five surreal, listener-submitted dreams sent in by resident Psychedelist Lou Dorian. Chronicling experiences under the influence of Datura, Lou's dreams blur the lines between reality, illusion, and subconscious awakening. Meanwhile, a pre-show mix-up involving supposedly "psychoactive" chocolate bars and mushroom-infused tea leaves one of our hosts inadvertently tripping into another dimension.

Episode Highlights & Chapters:

• Pre-Show Prep & The "Macro-Dose": Vince snacks on chocolate bars while Josh sips mushroom tea.
• Introducing Lou Dorian's Datura Dreams: Setting the stage for a five-dream marathon interpretation.
• Dream 1: The Phantom Cigarette: Sitting in an ancient recliner, nicotine cravings, red-splotched walls, and pantomiming smoking.
• Dream 2: Concentrated Technicolor & The Infinite Forest: Melting into a dingy chair, pulsing red energy, origami paper visions, and a slow-motion crow flying along the edge of a mysterious tree line.
• Dream 3: The Second-Floor Kegger & The Mayan Gear Wheel: 90s party nostalgia, heavy kegs up the stairs, and a multi-layered concentric wheel that dissolves reality.
• Dream 4: The 3-Mile Walk in San Bernardino: Feeling the hidden secrets and psychic imprints inside neighborhood houses before waking up alone on the street.
• Dream 5: The Cowboy Portal & The Shower Tile Mosaic: A hollow-eyed Clint Eastwood figure, impossible bathroom trips, and waking up to a very real wet bed.
• Dream Breakdown & Philosophical Takeaways: Vince and Josh discuss Kundalini energy, third-eye sight, and finding wonder in waking life.
• The Great Beverage Swap Reveal: Reading the chocolate wrappers and discovering who was actually tripping the entire show.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Perception vs. Reality: Exploring how altered states create vivid, fully formed phantom experiences (ghost cigarettes, phantom friends, and fake trips to the bathroom).
• The "Mind Gears": Recurring imagery of rotating runes, hieroglyphs, and concentric wheels acting as a subconscious bridge between visions and reality.
• Everyday Awareness: Finding deeper meaning and childlike wonder in mundane surroundings and nature without needing chemical shortcuts.

Connect With the Show:

• Website & Merch: CoolSideOfThePillow.com
• Submit Your Dreams: Email your written dream or a 3-minute voice memo to [email protected]
• YouTube: Subscribe to Cool Side of the Pillow for video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@CoolSideofthePillowPodcast
• Instagram: Follow @CoolSideOfThePillowPodOfficial for sketches, updates, and community content: https://www.instagram.com/coolsideofthepillowpodofficial/

Sharing a Drink with the One Drink Podcast!

In this crossover episode of Memory Foam, Josh and Vince sit down with Matt and Oliver, hosts of Rochester's own One Drink Podcast. The four hosts talk about the origins of their shows, the trial-and-error process of early podcast production, and why staying in your creative lane is key to long-term consistency.

The conversation covers favorite stand-up comedians, legendary comedic actors, and community involvement. Plus, Matt and Oliver share one of their all-time favorite behind-the-scenes stories involving fake golf outfits, free appetizers, and Australian caddies at 2:00 AM.

In This Episode

• 00:01:32 Matt and Oliver share how One Drink Podcast officially kicked off during the 2020 pandemic shutdowns.
• 00:04:14 The group reminisces on early DIY recording setups, from phone cameras to $8 knockoff microphones.
• 00:06:28 The premise of One Drink Podcast: one topic per drink, no politics, no religion, and pure drive-time banter.
• 00:08:21 Giving back to the local Rochester community, supporting charities like Good People Deserve Wins Too and Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.).
• 00:19:16 Matt details his nostalgia spin-off show, Back to the 80s, co-hosted with his friend Ryan.
• 00:26:23 Top stand-up comedians and comedic actors draft, featuring Steve Martin, Chris Farley, Jim Carrey, Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chappelle, and Tom Segura.
• 00:36:21 Josh shares a personal story of Mitch Hedberg at a live show in Rochester.
• 00:47:46 The epic story of how Matt and Oliver once crashed a local pub pretending to be a PGA Tour golfer and his agent.
• 00:52:06 The famous "American Angler" magazine bit that resulted in a two-minute uncontainable laugh attack.
• 01:13:20 Oliver pitches a plan to live-stream a podcast episode in the middle of Matt's upcoming wedding.

Connect with One Drink Podcast

• Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and all major podcast platforms.
• Watch: Full video episodes on YouTube [@OneDrinkPodcast] https://www.youtube.com/@onedrinkpodcast
• Socials: Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok [@OneDrinkPodcast].

Watch & Listen to Memory Foam

If you are only listening to Memory Foam, you are missing half the show! Watch full video episodes on our YouTube Channel.

• Website & Merch: CoolSideOfThePillow.com
• Instagram: @CoolSideOfThePillowPodOfficial

Physical Media, Faith, and Kevin Smith's Dogma!

In this episode, Josh and Vince tackle the modern frustrations of streaming services and the lost art of physical media. Vince explains why he still buys DVDs and physical comic books to avoid altered or deleted content, citing missing episodes from popular sitcoms like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and others.

The conversation then shifts to a massive, spoiler-filled retrospective on Kevin Smith's 1999 film, Dogma. The hosts break down the complex history of the movie's distribution rights, Kevin Smith's genius self-protests, and why the film's star-studded cast delivered some of the best performances of the decade. Finally, Josh and Vince share their own experiences growing up with religion and how a controversial comedy actually provides a profound message about faith and the power of ideas.

In This Episode:

• The pitfalls of streaming services and the appeal of owning physical media like Perfect Strangers on DVD and The Absolute Batman comics.
• Why certain television episodes disappear into the digital void due to licensing or controversial content.
• A deep dive into the characters, plot, and legacy of Dogma, complete with full spoilers.
• Behind the scenes trivia, including how Kevin Smith protested his own movie.
• The transition of the film's distribution rights from Disney to Lionsgate.
• A discussion on the differences between rigid beliefs and flexible ideas, inspired by Chris Rock's character, Rufus.
• Josh shares the story of showing Dogma to his childhood Catholic priest.

Watch & Listen to Memory Foam:

If you are only listening to Memory Foam, you are missing half the show! Watch the full video episodes on our YouTube Channel.

Follow Us:

• Website & Merch: CoolSideOfThePillow.com
• Instagram: @CoolSideOfThePillowPodOfficial
• YouTube: @CoolSideofthePillowPodcast

CSP 10: AI-E-I-Oh No!

In this episode of Cool Side of the Pillow, Josh and Vince's friendship is put to the test by the sudden arrival of a massive crate containing Rob-Bot, a state-of-the-art AI assistant sent to them by Trevor Kromdor. While Vince is immediately enamored with the robot's impressive multitasking abilities, Josh begins to feel the sting of its judgmental internal monologues and passive-aggressive "optimizations" to the podcast's archives. The tension boils over when the hosts must debate the true value of human creativity versus artificial efficiency.

We also interpret two new listener dreams: a bizarre trip to a desolate carnival, and a frustrating struggle to find the right pair of shoes.

In This Episode:

• A surprise delivery from Trevor Kromdor.
• Vince attempts to ride the new studio assistant.
• The Nimbus Plus Cloud Computing App
• Rob-Bot optimizes the studio by steaming the cats and updating the outro music.
• A heartfelt defense of the imperfect human experience.
• Dream 1: A desolate carnival.
• Dream 2: The struggle for the right shoes.

Connect with us!

Send us dream or grab some merch: https://coolsideofthepillow.com/

Social media: https://www.instagram.com/coolsideofthepillowpodofficial/

In this crossover episode of Memory Foam, Josh and Vince welcome Brianna and Laura, two of the hosts from the Spooky Sips podcast. The guests share the origins of their show, which started as a Spooky Movie Club and pairs horror movie reviews with themed drinks.

The conversation covers everything from their top three horror films and favorite sub-genres to a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" personality breakdown of the hosts. Vince shares a bizarre recurring dream about a cult and a bag of burgers, prompting an amateur psychological analysis. To top it all off, Vince pitches two incredibly catchy, yet poorly received, theme songs for the guests.

In This Episode:

• 00:00:38 Josh and Vince introduce Brianna and Laura from Spooky Sips.
• 00:00:54 Vince debuts a work-in-progress theme song that Josh compares to a breakfast cereal commercial.
• 00:02:31 The guests explain how Spooky Sips started from watching horror movies with snacks and wine.
• 00:05:42 A look into the podcast's rating system and how they pair custom drinks with every movie viewing experience.
• 00:15:31 The group shares their top horror movies, including American Mary, Sinister, and The Shining.
• 00:19:54 A discussion determining which Ninja Turtle represents each podcast host.
• 00:30:38 The group discusses sleep paralysis and Vince recounts a strange dream involving a cult and burgers.
• 00:36:30 Brianna and Laura recommend The Sixth Sense for people looking to get into horror movies gently.
• 00:43:21 A spooky behind-the-scenes story about visiting a haunted hotel in Salt Lake City.
• 00:58:45 Vince attempts to sing a second theme song called "Spook Loop," resulting in immediate technical difficulties.

Follow Spooky Sips:

• Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Follow them on Instagram: @spookysips_podcast

Watch & Listen to Memory Foam: If you are only listening to Memory Foam, you are missing half the show! Watch the full video episodes on our YouTube Channel.

Follow Us:

• Website & Merch: CoolSideOfThePillow.com
• Instagram: @CoolSideOfThePillowPodOfficial

Memory Foam: Rap Supergroup

In this episode of Memory Foam, Josh and Vince dive deep into the current landscape of classic hip-hop, reviewing new releases from legendary artists and fantasy-drafting the ultimate rap supergroup.

The conversation kicks off with a review of the latest De La Soul album, discussing the emotional weight of recording following the passing of Trugoy the Dove (Dave). Vince compares the album's melancholy tone to A Tribe Called Quest's final record and shares his standout tracks, as well as his critiques on the album's length and heavy use of skits. The hosts also touch on recent projects from Ghostface Killah and Nas.

The main event of the episode explores a massive "What If?": What if the surviving members of legendary hip-hop groups (A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, and Gang Starr) united to form a Wu-Tang style supergroup? Josh and Vince break down the roster, balancing production heavyweights like DJ Premier with the unique vocal styles of Q-Tip, Ad-Rock, and Posdnuos. Finally, they debate the lost art of in-person studio collaboration versus the modern trend of mailing in verses.

In This Episode:

• 00:01:00 Reviewing the new De La Soul album and the legacy of Trugoy the Dove.
• 00:03:00 Comparing De La Soul’s return to A Tribe Called Quest’s final album.
• 00:07:45 Vince’s standout tracks and critiques of recent hip-hop skits.
• 00:15:38 Fantasy Draft: Building a supergroup from the surviving members of Tribe, De La, Beastie Boys, and Gang Starr.
• 00:20:00 Reviews of Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele 2 and Nas & DJ Premier's Light Years.
• 00:33:00 Flipping the script: What if the supergroup was made up of the late, great members (Phife, Dave, MCA, Guru, and ODB)?
• 00:35:10 The magic of Run The Jewels and the lost art of in-studio collaboration.

Join the Conversation: Who would you add to this hip-hop supergroup? Who would be the strongest member? Let us know!

Watch & Listen: If you are only listening to Memory Foam, you are missing half the show! Watch the full video episodes on our YouTube Channel.

Follow Us:

• Website & Merch: CoolSideOfThePillow.com
• Instagram: @CoolSideOfThePillowPodOfficial

Cool Side of the Pillow - Episode 9: Yes Chef, Pod Chef!

Episode Summary: The Dream Bunker gets a culinary makeover as Chef Vince takes over the newly established "off-kitchen," funded by a massive chunk of the podcast's savings. When Josh decides to skip standard allergy medication in favor of a "real-man" dose, lead to some bizarre side effects. Will this cooking experiment earn a Michelin star, or just end with a sink full of studio cats?

The Dreamers:

• Chelsea's Dream: We unpack a literal trip down memory lane down on Main Street.
• Lauren's Dream: A casual drive takes a wild and unexpected turn when she comes face-to-face with some bears.

Connect with us!

Send us dream or grab some merch: https://coolsideofthepillow.com/

Social media: https://www.instagram.com/coolsideofthepillowpodofficial/

Episode 8 - Team Building: That Pizza’s Cold by Now

In this chaotic installment of Cool Side of the Pillow, Josh returns to the workspace to find that Vince has officially "moved in" (complete with a unicorn blanket of questionable hygiene). The workspace is quickly thrown into disarray by a burst pipe, a high-stakes deal with a cousin named Big Bubba, and the heartbreaking loss of a monster truck.

To get the show back on track, the boys dive into a team-building training video from "Derek’s Pizza Pit" that is less about leadership and more about third-degree cheese burns and "Open Oven Policies."

In This Episode:

• Office or Oasis? Vince’s new living arrangements involve "snozzberry" flavored stains and a cat named Chunky Smork.
• The Big Bubba Fix: When the executive desk pipe bursts, Josh calls in family reinforcements, leading to a bill that costs him his most prized possession.
• Corporate Training (Pizza Style): Josh and Vince study the "Hot Circle of Trust" under the tutelage of Derek, a man who pays in toppings and ignores his own bleeding ears.
• New Merch Alert: Forget gloves, Josh is all about individual foam fingers which are perfect for eating more pizza helpings.
• Commercial Break: A special message from Richard Martin Lloyd Walters, Esq., the 12 year-old "GOAT" attorney for kids who are tired of being told to go to bed.

Featured Segments:

• Dream 1: Jenny's "Field of Marigolds"
• Dream 2: Michaela of Dream Party Hotel "Butter's Department Store"

Check-in at the Dream Party Hotel feat. Michaela!

On this episode of Memory Foam, we are taking a brief detour from our usual antics. We’ve put the nonsense on pause to make room for some genuine insights with dream expert Michaela from Dream Party Hotel.

While this conversation is a bit more grounded than our usual chaos, it gets wild in the best way possible. We dive deep into the science and spirituality of what happens when we sleep, covering:

• The "Mall World" Phenomenon: Why do so many of us dream about the same dystopian shopping malls?
• The "Heyoka" Dream: Michaela’s incredible story of a precognitive dream manifesting in real life.
• Telepathy & "The Hill": A look at the Telepathy Tapes and the potential for a shared consciousness internet.
• Lucid Dreaming 101: How to wake up in your dreams and controlling the events, elements, or environment.

Missing the jokes already? Don't fret! We’ll be back to our regular, joke-filled programming next month. Until then, dream big and enjoy this fascinating deep dive!

Connect with our Guest:

• Website: DreamPartyHotel.com
• Instagram: @dreamparty_hotel
• Substack: Dream Party Hotel

Don't miss Cool Side of the Pillow Ep8, will be interpreting one of Michaela's dreams!

Want more? Head over to coolsideofthepillow.com to for more content and to grab some merch!

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @coolsideofthepillowpodofficial for updates, wacky content, and other weird dream stuff.