With a Sunday evening sermon inside the studio, Ed and Day spread cheerful blasphemy, amusingly becoming the Drinking Pastors as they riff about religion and the church. With hip-hop artist Mars Jackson as their guest, Ed and Day get reflective as they discuss family and childhood. Mars, the first hip-hop artist signed to Pittsburgh-based Misra Records, shares the experiences that shaped his upcoming album Unemployed Faith. A self-dubbed “street poet,” Mr. Jackson explores the concept of language and self-expression, an exploration of how art evolves from the personal. A passionate debate closes the podcast as the Drinking Partners and Mr. Jackson argue the merits of Eminem, with Ed the lone dissenting vote against him. An exciting episode that changes course from thoughtful to rambunctious.

In celebration of Pittsburgh Craft Beer week, the Drinking Partners welcome local comedian Mike Sasson into their “office,” and even get him to sip on a beer. From the start, the comics heckle and tease, sharing stories from the Pittsburgh comedy scene and entertaining each other, as well as the listeners. Ed, Day, and Mike embarked on their comedy careers within months of each other, and their rising popularities are discussed and analyzed, especially the idea of comedy as a business. From there, the podcast shifts to a conversation about celebrity, fame, and the control that an entertainer has over his/her product. In the latter half of the interview, the conversation turns temporarily serious, as the men wax philosophic on their futures in the industry. In the closing minutes, Mr. Sasson offers grand advice that resonates beyond the comedy world: Know who you are.

Members from Nevada Color and Emerson Jay: Adam Valen, Max

The Framework Music and

LINKS:

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With guest co-host John Dick Winters filling in for Day, the

In the latest offering from the Drinking Partners, Ed and Day visit Shu Brew for a live podcast in front of a rowdy and interactive crowd. Joined by owners Zach and Erica Shumaker, the podcast opens with a discussion on “hop-bursting,” as brewer Zach explains how his high alcohol-content beers earn their hints of flavor. With his dead-pan humor, Mr. Shumaker matches jab for jab with the Drinking Partners, which often resulted in applause and laughter from the standing-room only audience. Listen in for what caused Ed and Day to receive their first chorus of boos during a live event. However, the crowd quickly forgave them, especially once Shu Brew offered up naming rights for a newly-crafted beer. You won’t want to miss the unforgettable suggestion from Ed, which, like the beer itself, might just take your legs out from under you. Shu Brew offers an uncommon and unforgettable menu as well, with all members of the Drinking Partners team raving about the Asian-inspired dishes. Visit them in their Zelienople location and enjoy an evening of great beer and fantastic food.

Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman makes a repeat appearance with the Drinking Partners as he visits the studio in this exclusive interview. Mr. Fetterman does not shy away from any questions that Ed and Day propose, from offering his views on the legalization of marijuana to explaining how the delegate system functions. “I lament the insincerity of a lot of politics,” Mayor Fetterman states, explaining how he has earned the reputation of being a candidate of and for the people. With stories from the campaign trail, such as how he drives himself to all of his events across Pennsylvania, the interview is a lesson in how politics can, and should, be. In perhaps what might be the most interesting moment of the podcast, Mr. Fetterman describes how his appearance has affected how he is perceived. Listeners should tune in to hear his response, one that represents how uniquely talented and greatly important he is for the state of Pennsylvania

Civil rights activist and socially conscience rapper Jasiri X, a founding member of 1Hood, an anti-violence community organization, shares a timely and important message with the Drinking Partners. The conversation shifts between compelling and relevant, as the trio discusses modern day racism alongside the process of creating a rap album. In addition to examining topics of great significance, the interview is lively and amusing, especially once Ed and Day begin to argue the top comedians of all time. The podcast closes with a conversation about the Wendy Bell situation and a very thorough analysis from all three men. Both personal and political, the interview features an intimate glance into the mind of Jasiri, who seeks to “free minds one rhyme at a time.”

Nationally recognized battle rapper Real Deal stops by the studio to chat with Ed and Day about how he came to be one of Pittsburgh’s most notorious battle rappers. A natural ambassador for the battle rap scene, Real Deal matches wits with the Drinking Partners as he teaches them the history (and secret language) behind the genre. For those who might be unfamiliar with battle rap, which is rapidly growing in popularity, the interview will be an enjoyable lesson, peppered with amusing anecdotes and interesting stories, perhaps most notably Real Deal’s appearance on BET. A thought-provoking hour with a rising star.

On a quaint (according to Day Bracey) street in Carnegie, the Drinking Partners join Apis Meadery owner Dave Cerminara and art director Joe Deck for a large sampling of their honey-sweetened mead. With a large, live crowd in attendance, the group discusses the process behind brewing mead, the amusing art that makes the space unique, and how Apis is currently the only meadery in the Pittsburgh area. Flavored with ingredients like passion fruit and rose petals, Apis’s mead might seem heavenly, but Ed and Day soon discover the devilish effects of its high alcohol content. The conversation is explanatory and enjoyable, and never dull, especially once Ed begins sipping from an “elephant tusk” goblet.

Emmy-nominated Rick Sebak, a folksy, beloved, documentary filmmaker, and perhaps the voice of Pittsburgh, joins Ed and Day live at Black Forge Coffee House, as the trio enjoys a keg from Hitchhiker Brewing. Pittsburgh-raised, Mr. Sebak returned to work for WQED and has spent years exploring the city extensively. Listeners will laugh and learn as they listen to Ed and Day alternate between the irreverent and appropriate during the interview. All bets are off once Mr. Sebak pulls a bottle of French cognac from his satchel. The drinks flow, laughter ensues, and the result is an extremely entertaining hour with one of Pittsburgh’s finest.