The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

Tim and Bethany welcome guest Rick Gustaitis to discuss his new musical project, Salem Soul and the High Point Horns. Rick shares the origin story of the band, explaining how he was inspired by groups like Tower of Power, Chicago, and Earth, Wind & Fire to create a horn-driven ensemble celebrating Motown and classic soul music. After initially being discouraged about the logistics of an 11-piece band, Rick was reinspired by the success of the Camel City Yacht Club and decided to pursue his vision, personally recruiting top-tier musicians from the area, including the acclaimed High Point Horns.

The band performs classic hits with powerful horn arrangements, including songs like “My Girl,” “Make Me Smile,” and other beloved tracks from the golden era of soul and R&B. Rick emphasizes that despite having 11 talented musicians, he considers himself the “weak link” in the group, though the recording session he shares demonstrates the band’s exceptional chemistry and ability to nail songs on the first take.

Salem Soul and the High Point Horns will make their debut on January 24th at the Ramkat alongside Black Pearl, with tickets already on sale. They have a second show scheduled for April at Whiskey Taps and Tails (formerly the Playground) where they’ll share the stage with Fly, another local band featuring several Salem Soul members. Listeners can find more information at salemsoulhph.com and follow the band on social media at salemsoulhph on Instagram and Salem Soul and High Point Horns on Facebook.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

Tim flies solo and talks Turkey Day and how he’s switching up his “family famous” deviled eggs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

In this episode, Tim and Bethany welcome Anthony Ingram, owner of Superpowers Heroic Apparel, to discuss his journey from bail bondsman to successful apparel entrepreneur. Anthony shares the origin story behind his brand name (inspired by a wrestling tag team) and explains his philosophy that having superpowers means nothing without being heroic in what you do. He opens up about the early struggles of his business, from trunk-loads of unsold inventory to learning the hard way about listening to customers and diversifying beyond his own brand.

Anthony recounts the pivotal moments that transformed his business, including an unexpected breast cancer awareness shirt that became his top seller and the networking connections that grew his revenue by 400%. He also shares his compelling personal story of losing his mother to cancer, pivoting from a nursing degree, and the rock-bottom moment that led him to fully commit to entrepreneurship. Anthony’s dedication to quality and customer service has built Superpowers Heroic into a thriving business that represents being super and heroic in everything you do.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .
“A Rocket Ship to You ” by The False Positives is the song of the week.

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

Tim and Bethany welcome Jessica Perry from Little Theater of Winston-Salem to discuss their current production of Sister Act: The Musical. Jessica shares her enthusiasm for the show, which runs through November with performances Thursday through Sunday at the HanesBrands Theater through November 23. Set in the 1970s with a disco vibe and music by Alan Menken, this adaptation brings the beloved Whoopi Goldberg film to life on stage with original songs and choreography.

The conversation touches on the stellar cast, impressive costumes, and the infectious energy that has audiences dancing by the final curtain call. Jessica emphasizes how much fun the show is and encourages everyone to experience this joyful production during these stressful times. The episode also includes updates on Tim’s health journey. Tickets for Sister Act are available at ltofws.org or by calling the box office.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

“Caveman” by Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin is the song of the week.

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

Tim flies solo and gives a health update with new developments. That’s it. That’s all this week.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,    Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

For the first time in almost (or maybe even over) a decade, The Less Desirables was recorded “on location” or “remotely.” This time, of course, we laid the recorder on a table at Top Leaf Cigar Lounge. So, they have a new line of cigars called El Septimo and they had Kevin (operations dude) the rep for El Septimo there and Chef Jeff Hunt of 920 Services to do a cigar-to-food pairing. Delicious food with four different cigar styles, all from El Septimo. It was a very good night!

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Xia’s Asian Tapas ,  What Da Pho ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

In this solo episode of The Less Desirables, host Tim reflects on the recent passing of Ace Frehley, the original guitarist of KISS. Tim discusses Ace’s crucial role in shaping his favorite band, from his early songwriting contributions like “Cold Gin” and “Shock Me” to his successful solo album featuring “New York Groove.” He traces Ace’s journey through the band’s evolution, including the substance issues and creative differences that led to his departure in the early 1980s, and the complicated relationship between Ace and the band in later years.

Tim candidly shares his conflicted emotions about Ace’s death. Despite Ace being integral to Tim’s love of music and his career as a musician, Tim grapples with feeling somewhat detached from the news. Ultimately, Tim expresses gratitude for Ace’s contributions to KISS and the music that will always remain accessible to fans, while honestly confronting his own emotional response to the loss.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Xia’s Asian Tapas ,  What Da Pho ,  Coffee Park Airstream ,  Dream Kreams , and  X1 Communications .

The Less Desirables Recorded in  The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza .

This week’s episode features a returning guest, Gracie, a ninth-grader at Winston-Salem Christian School (who happens to be Bethany’s granddaughter). The conversation covers her experiences in high school, from navigating classes and teachers to preparing for the upcoming homecoming dance. Tim and Bethany discuss school life, including the challenges of literature assignments, the benefits of having real-world business classes, and Gracie’s involvement in dance both at school and at Dancers Edge studio.

The episode opens with Tim sharing an important health update and his commitment to making positive changes for his well-being. He reflects on lessons learned and promises to do whatever it takes to be there for his listeners, clients, and loved ones. Important to the conversation was self-care, being available for others, and the importance of taking care of yourself so you can show up for the people who matter.

Gracie talks about her dance studio business project, her role as a mentor to younger dancers, and her experiences at Winston-Salem Christian School.

Special thanks, as always, to  Top Leaf Cigar Lounge ,  Soft Golf ,  Xia’s Asian Tapas ,  What Da Pho ,  Coffee Park Airstream , and  X1 Communications .

“Speak No Evil ” by Crymwav is the song of the week.

The Less Desirables Recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza.

Tim flies solo and he apologizes for being cryptic and vague. All will be revealed when there is something to reveal. Thank you so much for listening!!

Special thanks, as always, to Top Leaf Cigar Lounge, Soft Golf, Xia’s Asian Tapas, What Da Pho, Coffee Park Airstream, and X1 Communications.

The Less Desirables Recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza.

Tim and Bethany kick off October’s “Witchy Month” by catching up after Bethany’s recent bout with COVID. The hosts share their appreciation for autumn’s transformative beauty while discussing the changing leaves as nature’s lesson in letting go. Bethany returns with major news from Top Leaf Cigar Lounge that’s been years in the making.

Tim previews his upcoming road trip to Pittsburgh for the first-ever “Asylum Summit,” where all four hosts of the Asylum podcast will meet in person for the first time. The hosts also discuss local updates including Liberty Street’s conversion to two-way traffic, Bethany’s organizational projects with Hannah’s Heritage, and her rediscovery of the downtown library’s community offerings.

Special thanks, as always, to Top Leaf Cigar Lounge, Soft Golf, Xia’s Asian Tapas, What Da Pho, Coffee Park Airstream, and X1 Communications. “A Girl Like You” by David Barker is the song of the week.