I was never the punk that Bobby McGarvey or Stevie Saturn were in “Cubicle Punks,” but I do have something in common with them: I have always struggled with certain things that come with a “responsible” job.

The pull between a day job that pays the bills and pursuing one’s dreams is a recurring theme in several of my stories.

I talk about it on this episode of Behind the Cut…

Two aging punks come to grips with who they once were…and what they’ve become today.

Content Advisory: Swearing. Drug and alcohol use. A small fight. Mention of violence (a large, back-alley fight). Midlife crisis. Dissatisfaction with work and life.

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Punk Rock Opera

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

As I close in on having a readable draft of the current novel-in-progress, I’m changing the schedule for Not about Lumberjacks until I am done with the book.

Until I’m ready to return to a monthly schedule, stories will be released every-other month.

I hope you understand…

All but three little things are true in “Bobo.” Find out what those things are, why I quit clowning, and…how I measure success today.

A kid’s party clown comes to grips with what he’s become.

Content Advisory: Swearing. Mention of alcohol use. Bullying. Mention of attending a strip club. Childhood trauma brought on by a clown.

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Chad Crouch

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

The “Fuck You, Clown!” Drive-By Duo: Zane and Tim Czarnecki. (Because nothing says father and son moment better than swearing at a clown…)

“El Concusso” is one of the few things I’ve written directly for somebody.

Here’s the story behind the story…

A professional wrestler can’t remember who he is after hitting his head against the ringpost during a match in Mexico City.

Content Advisory: Cartoonish violence (professional wrestling) and a car accident resulting in hospitalization.

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Chad Crouch

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

A real book inspired “The Art of the Lumberjack.” That book? The Sport of Falconry.

According to the inscription, the book was given to me by my father on January 11, 1975.

This four-and-a-half minute episode is about how a book I’ve had for 41 years led to one of the best short stories I’ve ever written…

A year ago, I posted the first Not about Lumberjacks story. In honor of the show’s anniversary, I keep with tradition and refuse to even mention those foul-mouthed tree droppers!

When Erik Nilsson has a minor heart attack and is told to take some forced time off of work to recuperate, he finally reads a book left to him by his father much earlier in life. What he finds hidden among the pages changes him forever…

Content Advisory: Mention of suicide by shotgun. Overbearing parent (mother). Protagonist dealing with a medical issue (a minor heart attack).

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Credits:

Music: Ergo Phizmiz and Broke for Free

Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund

This time, I sit down and chat with Cynthia Griffith about recording an audio drama instead of a narrated work of prose.

It’s the longest episode of Behind the Cut, but it gives a good peek at the process behind putting an audio drama together.

And remember, in a few weeks it’s the next Not about Lumberjacks story. It was written for a special occasion: the one-year anniversary of the show!