Our guest this week is Conor Mitchell: nurturing dad dedicated to making space for the clunkiness of youth, devoted partner who says I love you and, and the kind of friend who will yes and my jokes just as fervently as he does my hopes and dreams. Conor is a seeker guided by curiosity, a journeyman undaunted by anomalous paths, an artist who ignores the boundaries of genre and a therapist who is far too good at getting me to talk too much. Join us in our attempt to redefine cool, to grapple with the reality that the people we love the most are the ones we hurt the most, to traverse the condemnation of gym bros, and to make space for clunkiness. Stick around at the end of the episode for some of Conor’s original tunes from his project, Lathe of Tongues. And keep an ear open for his current project with his partner, Lexi Braun—Soft Opening. Thank you for finding your way here today. Enjoy. 

Recorded September 08, 2024

Welcome to the second part of my conversation with Darby Delane. We discuss our complicated relationship with academic gatekeeping, our goal to remain a student for the rest of our lives, and the combined discomfort and joy that comes with letting our masked selves die. I recall my childhood lesson in gender equality on the basketball court while Darby teases us with a dirty secret about the crucifix, we express our deep longing to discuss poop and sex at the dinner table, and finally, we help each other emerge from our grumpy moods. 

Recorded September 02, 2024

This episode is brought to you by Crooked Path Forge. Use promo code FINDAHAMMER at www.crookedpathforge.org to receive 10% off your purchases of custom forged kitchen knives, garden blades, swords, and axes among many other various metal works, all crafted by local artist, blacksmith, and author, Jordan Borstelmann. Or, if you prefer to take a swing at forging your own blade or axe, use our promo code to get 10% off one of the many workshops offered at Crooked Path Forge. 

Our guest today is my friend, Darby Delane. Join us as we discuss our disregulations, our awakenings, and our reasons for existing. We discover the benefits of tapping into the flow state, the many other ways we refill our marble jars, and the dangers of pushing ourselves to the point of permanent burnout. As always, Darby and I share our deep appreciation for our friendship and explore the ways we've helped support each other on this frightening but invigorating journey of existence. Thank you for finding your way here today. Enjoy!

Recorded September 02, 2024. 

This episode is brought to you by Crooked Path Forge. Use promo code FINDAHAMMER at www.crookedpathforge.org to receive 10% off your purchases of custom forged kitchen knives, garden blades, swords, and axes among many other various metal works, all crafted by local artist, blacksmith, and author, Jordan Borstelmann. Or, if you prefer to take a swing at forging your own blade or axe, use our promo code to get 10% off one of the many workshops offered at Crooked Path Forge. 

Our guest this week is my friend, Ian Buhler. In addition to his passion for music, classic cars, and interior design, Ian is a quiet and humble beast of an artist—always quick to deflect any praise pointed in his direction, no matter how well deserved. A perpetual student and master of many mediums, including graphic design, photography, screen printing, and more, Ian holds himself to standards of the highest measure—his own—and he is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. Buhler Design, the company Ian started with his brother, Arian, has created designs for Foo Fighters, Guns N Roses, the Bob Marley estate, and more (check out buhlerdesign.com). Join us as we explore our passions, our pain and our purpose. Thank you for finding your way here today. Enjoy.

Recorded September 6, 2024

Our guest this week is my friend, Ian Buhler. In addition to his passion for music, classic cars, and interior design, Ian is a quiet and humble beast of an artist—always quick to deflect any praise pointed in his direction, no matter how well deserved. A perpetual student and master of many mediums, including graphic design, photography, screen printing, and more, Ian holds himself to standards of the highest measure—his own—and he is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. Buhler Design, the company Ian started with his brother, Arian, has created designs for Foo Fighters, Guns N Roses, the Bob Marley estate, and more (check out buhlerdesign.com). Join us as we explore our passions, our pain and our purpose. Thank you for finding your way here today. Enjoy.

Recorded September 6, 2024

Part 2 of my conversation with John David Eriksen. Join us as we journey into Zen Buddhism, Eastern and Western esotericism, the occult, dreamwork, the tarot, and more.

Recorded September 4, 2024

Our guest this week is John David Eriksen. I’ve only just begun my friendship with John David, but I’ve quickly found myself awestruck by their commitment to their passions and their practice. They are a multi-instrumentalist with an inspired relationship to the cello and bass, and they are an accomplished sound engineer, mixer, and producer. John David shares my curiosity for life’s greater mysteries, which led them to explore the depths of both Eastern and Western esoteric traditions. They possess a wealth of knowledge and a generously inquisitive method of elucidation. Enjoy what I hope will be one of many conversations with John David Eriksen. 

Recorded September 4, 2024

Our guest this week is Jenna Horner. Jenna is a superhuman force of artistry, kindness and laughter. She’s a painter, teacher, yoga instructor, a damn good singer, a fellow egg lover, and a high school yearbook certified class clown. She speaks in colors, and through the non-profit organization she founded, Mindful Messages, Jenna spreads a gospel of community fellowship, safety and inclusivity. Take a walk through town as you listen today and odds are, you’ll find yourself transfixed by one of her murals along the way. From there, follow the snail trail of our discussion regarding our love of routine within a discombobulated life, our undying love of eggs, the practice of repetition and variation, our trepidation regarding fame, our ardent endorsement of corniness, our never ending search for our inner spark and the filters that dilute it, and our struggles that lead us to bliss. 

Thank you for finding your way here today. Enjoy. 

Recorded August 27, 2024.

In the second half of my conversation with Lexi, we give everyone permission to be a singer, we share our love and fear for our community, and we try to find a way to build up that community with space for our differences. You can find the art that Lexi has yet to set ablaze on display at The Hippodrome through Art Walk starting Tuesday, September 10th. Stick around at the end of the episode for Lexi’s song, The Moon. Recorded August 15, 2024.  

Our guest this week is Lexi Braun. Lexi is an unstoppable force of creation and destruction. She burns her art, immortalizes the dead with grief sprinkles, she’ll make you laugh in the beginning of a song and cry by the end. She’s a community leader and loyal defector, a dog lover and human protector, and to me, she is a kind, encouraging friend who gives me permission to belong. You can see the art that Lexi has yet to set ablaze on display at The Hippodrome through Art Walk starting Tuesday, September 10th. Stick around at the end of the episode for Lexi’s song, The Moon. Recorded August 15, 2024.