Neal and Ryan discuss their history with the animal liberation movement. How and why they each became vegan and where they are at with it now. 

Hoosier Illusion is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Neal Taflinger is on Twitter and Facebook.

Ryan J. Downey is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hoosier Illusion is part of the PopCurse podcast network.

Neal and Ryan talk about their respective journeys as Indiana youngsters learning about racial justice, white supremacy, and activism, through hip-hop, hardcore / punk, skinhead culture, and lots o' book-learnin'. They discuss the idea that "treason to whiteness is loyalty to humanity," as espoused by the late author and historian Noel Ignatiev, who passed away earlier this month, and the band named after his ideas, Racetraitor. 

The Atlantic reported on the Circle City's history with school desegregation, explaining that "a decision more than four decades old continues to haunt Indianapolis's education system while almost everything else in the government is unified" in Racial Bias and the Crumbling of a City.

Read about Leonard Peltier HERE. 

Read about Mumia Abu-Jamal HERE. 

Hoosier Illusion is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Neal Taflinger is on Twitter and Facebook.

Ryan J. Downey is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hoosier Illusion is part of the PopCurse podcast network.

Talk therapy and antidepressants have worked wonders for our two hosts, who between them boast a bunch of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, codependency, depression, and general anxiety. Listen in as Neal and Downey retrace their respective journeys into talk therapy as adults. 

Hoosier Illusion is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Neal Taflinger is on Twitter and Facebook.

Ryan J. Downey is on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Hoosier Illusion is part of the PopCurse podcast network. 

Music in this episode: OUTSPOKEN "Daydream" (1992).

Hoosier horror host Sammy Terry, famous film slasher Freddy Krueger, horror punk icons the Misfits, sarcastic maudlin goth metal band Type O Negative : why are we simultaneously fascinated and entertained by darkness when what we're really striving toward is the light? Neal poses the question to Halloween and horror loving Downey. Warm yourselves with the November Coming Fire of Hoosier Illusion: Season (of the witch?) II: A Nightmare on Edgewood, so named for an Indianapolis haunted house attraction, as we celebrate Halloween 2019. 

Now it's Ryan J. Downey's turn to confess all about his high school bands to Neal Taflinger. Expect to hear anecdotes about the following people and things: Suicidal Tendencies; Gwar; Cryptic Slaughter; Tony Victory; Fred Armisen; Split Lip; first kiss; straight edge; love triangle; and more.

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Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.

Neal was in a band. No, not that band. The band before that one. Listen in as Neal tells a relatable tale of his first foray into band practices, songwriting, and playing hardcore shows, with an unflinching look at the small victories and bigger humiliations that were part of the ride.

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Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.

"I tried hard to have a father / But instead, I had a dad" - Kurt Cobain 

Neal took his father to therapy. 

Nirvana "Serve the Servants" live on Italian TV (1994) 

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Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.

Legendary action star Dolph Lundgren gave a Ted Talk about trauma, addiction, human trafficking, and forgiveness. 

Dolph Lundgren on Healing and Forgiveness. 

The Punisher "Dirty Laundry" short film.

10 Badass Facts About Dolph Lundgren. 

Ryan J. Downey interviewing Dolph Lundgren in 2012. 

Follow Hoosier Illusion on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

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Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.

Losing touch in adulthood; vulnerability and vocation; social media; male fragility; Bagel Boss guy vs. Bed Intruder guy; Good Charlotte guy vs. Headbangers Ball guy; the Dukes of Hazzard; and the surprising feedback we've gotten about Hoosier Illusion's first half dozen episodes. 

Follow Hoosier Illusion on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

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Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.

Ryan and Neal talk about the role anti-depressants play in their lives. Do you know what I'm sayin'?

Follow Hoosier Illusion on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Follow Neal Taflinger on Twitter, Facebook, and Medium.

Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Speak N' Destroy.