Off the Clock w/Jon Eks

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my tall pal Will, who I’ve known only a short while, who tells some of the funniest bawdy jokes I know, and provides probably the realest episode of a show I’ve ever done. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First Question: What was it about the Dominican Republic that made you and Melissa want to go back there again and again?

we talk about how Will lost a ton of weight, yoga, and making a wholesale lifestyle change

we talk about spirituality, religion (Southern Baptist & Methodist specifically), prosperity gospel, atheism, and how to connect to a higher power

Will tells me about how he got shot after a break-in attempt and what the recovery was like

how Will ultimately fell under the spell of a dude that led him to crime

what was jail like? and what’s something that people don’t about but jail or should?

we talk about race issues and why I’m unsure of my footing in these conversations as a white person

“You don’t belong here.” – words from a sheriff to Will when he arrived in prison

what would Will like to see more of or less of from white people?

Will’s feeling on the n-word, other charged words, and how we navigate language

the different reasons each of us wore suits in high school, and Will’s first job at age 11 (!)

Find Will on Instagram.

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded at my house.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Adam, my former accountant, a dude who inspires me in everything he does, and a fellow Rad enthusiast. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First Question: Can you pinpoint the moment where you thought to yourself ‘I can’t do this anymore. I need to change careers?’”

• how the inspiration of a mid-life career change didn’t actually come from him, it came from his wife and her feeling that God talked to her about it
• how damn good Adam was as an accountant, but why it was unfulfilling and why he ultimately pursued a career as a firefighter
• an actual story of a business treating an employee/partner right, which stands in contrast to so many stories about business today
• Adam shares a devastating story of disappointment and pain that I’ve never heard him tell before
• let’s say he doesn’t make this life change, how does he picture his life turning out? what does the other side of the Sliding Doors moment look like?
• uh oh, it sounds like we’re “wife guys,” but not in that lame toxic way. we just enjoy the companionship of our wives as both partners and friends
• taking your whimsy seriously – see: our Beirut tournament, the attached photo of Adam’s ridiculously good looking family, and being silly with your kids
• Adam’s insights into why his kids are cool and still close with he and his wife
• we discuss our friendship origin story and our shared superpower of pulling movie quotes at lightning speed
• what the realities of the lifestyle of a firefighter are like
• one more time for everyone in the back: connect with your friends over the phone, not just through goofy Instagram reels sent back and forth!

Find Adam on Instagram.

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded on the front porch of my house.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Paul, a dude I co-founded a network with, someone I deeply respect, and a brilliant podcaster. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First Question: When I pitched this and asked you pitch a place in Denver that brings you joy, why are we sitting at the Chipotle on the 16th Street Mall?

• why people bitch about the city, why I generally don’t, and our different impressions of his show City Cast Denver
• why Paul loves tough (but reasonable) feedback and dissent
• why I dislike video podcasting formats
• how we can survive for a very long time on a great compliment
• the importance of being yourself as much as possible, especially in a public format
• the most batsh*t insane take about concerts I have ever heard
• of these two seven deadly sins, which is preferable: pride or greed?
• we talk some sh*t about Boulder, CO (well, I do)
• our shared concern about the businesses along Colfax during this construction phase of Bus Rapid Transit
• what does Paul think could improve the city, and would he ever leave?
• we share all sorts of opinions on the New York Times, Star Wars, WWE, kayfabe, AEW and a lot more
• the “legalize recreational cocaine guys” at the No Kings protest
• what to do to embolden journalism in a very challenging environment

Find Paul at City Cast Denver.

Photo by Jeff Stonic.

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded on the patio of the Chipotle at 1480 16th St. in Denver.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Justin, lead singer of The Frickashinas, formerly of the band A Void whose concert was the first date I had with my wife, and a dude who tries to d*ck with me during nearly this entire interview. Here’s some of what we talk about:

• First Question: At what age did you first want to become a rockstar and who did you think you could emulate?
• who were Justin’s early musical influences? which nerdy band instrument did he play?
• the process of commissioning the song “Happy Friday” and our shared sensibility
• the fine art of ballbusting
• Dave Grohl screwing up his reputation by screwing around and Justin’s own crazy family discovery
• punks listening to Foo Fighters, Sister Hazel, Tegan and Sara, Taylor Swift, Post Malone and Olivia Rodrigo
• Justin tries to hijack the interview by constantly interrupting me and I just stare his ass down and make it super awkward
• how our brains are not equipped to handle the constant barrage of information and how bad cell phones are for kids (seriously)
• how maybe we in the punk community are just throwing talent shows for each other, but how that’s the antidote to loneliness
• how even the smallest little projects can have a profound impact on someone’s day, someone’s life, someone’s entire existence and why we all need to keep creating
• the hidden 1-2-3-4 in one of the Frickashinas songs
• the actual process of recording new stuff and what the best practices are
• the pivot the Frickashinas have made away from the negative and toward the positive

Find Justin at The Frickashinas.

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded at my house.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my workout buddy, Beer Pong Tournament co-champion, and all-around ray of sunshine Peaches ‘n Diesel. Here’s some of what we talk about:

• First question: In your pantheon of accomplishments, where does Beer Pong Champion rank?
• getting Big Shot into a costume to drink with strangers
• how I potentially rigged the lethal lottery tournament draft like the 1985 NBA draft lottery
• just how many DMs she gets in a day (which – OHMYGOD)
• does she ever feel resentful of the online persona she’s built for herself
• what are her biggest triggers and/or insecurities about being a creator?
• which social media platform has the meanest commentors and how we’ve lost a lot of civility in this society
• how do we break down the barriers of society and start talking to each other again? (hint: costumes!)
• the pitfalls of tattoo location as you age and some general light tattoo talk
• how we define weird and we answer the question of whether we find ourselves “weird”
• goats, alpacas, yoga, and making yourself happy in moments of sadness
• what are our most used emojis?
• the endgame for Peaches n Diesel, brand deals, and misplaced self-righteousness from an audience
• what’s Serena Williams like? (Peaches has met her)
• are we prepared to defend our championship? (YES!)

Find Peaches 'n Diesel on Instagram.

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded at my house.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Dana, a fellow punk rock radio DJ, trans rights advocate, and all-around great hang. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First question: What was the band, song or album that turned you into a punk rock fan?

• our early music tastes and migrating from pop into other genres
• old war stories from college radio including the origin of Jonny X
• not being a morning person and dealing with sleep deprivation
• how long we’ve wanted to meet each other and then a lot of mutual admiration society energy
• how apparently the bassist from Murder by Death bartends at a bar near my house (!)
• her process of coming out, the pandemic, Laura Jane Grace and her path back into radio
• we talk about the current cultural spotlight on transgendered people, grooming, and being a “fully customized human being”
• which bands we’ve been keeping our eye on and her station’s Indiefest coming up
• Dana’s extreme extroversion and the cocktail that’s named after her
• how weird having notoriety in your community is
• how finding the highest expression of yourself leads to greater success
• what she would like to see out of society to make it better 

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded at my house.

Pictured in the photo from left: Dana, my daughter, my pal Jason, some photobomber, me, Bret & Justin from the Frickashinas

#OTCQuickies are mini solo episodes where I address a question or a topic in service of trying to be a good dude in the world. Today's topic is:

End of Pride Month: A Quick Word of Support for My Pals

We live in a world that is currently either trying to take away rights from the LGBTQ+ community, sitting idly by as that happens, or just silent out of fear, apathy, or ignorance. I just want to use my platform to tell you that at least one straight, cis, white guy supports you, and does so loud and proud!

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Courtney, who is my old business travel buddy, a great friend, and drop dead hilarious. Here’s some of what we talk about:

First question (admittedly, a gimme): What does the term “reverse date” mean to you?

• the insane reason Courtney was worried about having kids
• our friendship and how as corporate trainers we developed the chemistry of an old vaudeville team
• why powdered eggs are superior in a catering buffet to real eggs
• my theory that everyone loves a woman who tells a good dirty joke
• (there’s a break in the action where a lifeguard makes an actual save in the pool)
• how synchronized swimming in many ways hasn’t changed in probably 100 years and is a valid survival skill
• how we’re both charming and engaging, but how we cannot carry a relationship on our own and need others to raise their game and be funny too
• the time Courtney’s dog Jeffrey greeted Sen. Bernie Sanders a little too enthusiastically
• Courtney’s incredible resume and the fact that she carries a (metaphorical) switchblade on her at all times
• the patriarchy and the irritating unearned entitlement of many in the management class
• doing jobs that teach you how to deal with jerks
• being obsequious with restaurant servers to cosmically balance out how many crappy customers they deal with
• self-awareness, tactical vests, fingerless gloves, and playing drinking games
• what would she tell the men of the world that would make the world better?
• holy hell do we laugh in this episode. this is very fast-paced, so funny, and totally full of love. what a great time!

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded at my swim club on a gorgeous day.

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friends Adam, Mike, Austin and Aaron, who comprise the band Bad Year out of Milwaukee. In May, they were on tour and swung through Denver. I invited them to my house for tacos before the show.  Here’s some of what we talk about:

First question (admittedly, a gimme): What was your favorite dinner while on tour?

• the origin of our connection and the incredibly thoughtful messages over Instagram that led to this new friendship
• what does their self-selected descriptor “accessible punk rock” mean?
• what other bands do they get compared to?
• how do you create the music scene you want to be a part of?
• how to tour the country as four dudes in an SUV and not kill each other
• how often do they get invited by randos out on the road to come have dinner in someone’s home?
• why being on tour is actually easier in some ways than “real life.”
• Mike got engaged on the tour to a stranger in Santa Monica (note: I could not tell which elements of this story were real, or if the entire thing is made up)\
• why it’s important for your band to pick a lane in terms of style and aesthetic
• I annoy the band by asking them the prosaic ass question of “what is the process of writing a song like for you?”

Find Bad Year at their website. Stream their new song “Black Skies.” 

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky. 

Recorded over Google Meet. Dinner was at my house a month and a half or so prior.

#OTCQuickies are mini solo episodes where I address a question or a topic in service of trying to be a good dude in the world. Today's topic is:

How do you get along with women so well?

It's a question I get often because I work extensively with women, have a lot of platonic female friends, and enjoy myself with ease in predominantly female social situations. The answer to this question is shockingly simple, but something a lot of men have trouble with. Download this episode and hear my secrets! 

Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.

Logo by Nebulus Visions.

Produced by Deft Communications.

Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.