On today's episode, I talk to writer and podcaster Dave Holmes. Born in New Jersey, but raised in St. Louis, Dave came to national prominence when he lost the inaugural MTV Wanna Be a VJ contest in 1998. Although very soon after, he was hired by the video channel to host a number of shows including 120 Minutes and TRL. Since then, Dave has led an incredibly varied career, acting in things like the first Fantastic Four film and Reno 911!, hosting podcasts like Homophilia and Troubled Waters, writing the book Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs, as well as creating and producing the wonderful limited podcast series Waiting for Impact: A Dave Holmes Passion Project. Just last year, Dave hosted another limited podcast series Who Killed the Video Star: The Story of MTV and currently, continues to be an editor at large for Esquire Magazine! This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow me on Twitter. Check out my free philosophy Substack where I write essays every couple months here and my old casiopop band's lost album here! And the comedy podcast I do with my wife Naomi Couples Therapy can be found here!

Theme song by the fantastic Savoir Adore! Second theme by the brilliant Mike Pace! Closing theme by the delightful Gregory Brothers! Podcast art by the inimitable Beano Gee!