The Lone Star Plate

Today I am joined by Amanda Marcotte, a Texas-born writer who covers politics, feminism and culture for The Salon.

A few days ago she wrote an excellent article on the Black Lives Matter movement. Though we rarely discuss politics on the show, at this moment it is important to be fully present with the pressing issues of our time.

In 2018 Amanda published a book called ‘Troll Nation’, and I wanted to know how the writing process went for her. 

As always, we chat about Texas and food. We discuss how it was to grow up in Texas, and racial prejudice that we witnessed, and I’m also surprised to learn how much food Amanda grows in her garden!

“The best way is to be a noob. The best way is to do a lot of listening and not talking.” – Amanda Marcotte

 

 

Writer Amanda Marcotte joins us to discuss her recent article for The Salon on Black Lives Matter movement, and to chat about Texas and food.

Today I am joined by Amanda Marcotte, a Texas-born writer who covers politics, feminism and culture for The Salon.

A few days ago she wrote an excellent article on the Black Lives Matter movement. Though we rarely discuss politics on the show, at this moment it is important to be fully present with the pressing issues of our time.

In 2018 Amanda published a book called ‘Troll Nation’, and I wanted to know how the writing process went for her. 

As always, we chat about Texas and food. We discuss how it was to grow up in Texas, and racial prejudice that we witnessed, and I’m also surprised to learn how much food Amanda grows in her garden!

“The best way is to be a noob. The best way is to do a lot of listening and not talking.” – Amanda Marcotte

Time stamps:

1:30 – Introducing my guest Amanda Marcotte.
5:25 – Discussing Amanda’s latest article on The Salon.
10:45 – The social and political implications of disbanding police departments.
14:52 – What she thinks about Trump’s whole fake news thing.
19:00 – What Amanda’s book is about.
21:30 – What are the odds for Trump in 2020 elections.
26:50 – The consequences of discussing politics with our families.
30:00 – The problems Patrick had growing up in Texas because of his Mexican origins.
34:20 – How Amanda’s growing up in El Paso was.
37:15 – How Texas is changing and progressing.
40:45 – What Amanda’s diet is like and what she likes to cook.
46:40 – The plants and vegetables Amanda grows at her garden.
52:56 – How people can support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Resources:

How and why Black Lives Matter harnessed a nation’s anger toward Donald Trump by Amanda Marcotte
Troll Nation: How the Right Became Trump-Worshipping Monsters Sat on Rat-F*cking Liberals, America and the Truth Itself by Amanda Marcotte
Cultivate: Grow Your Own Food in a Box, interview with Nathan Heath
Texas Real Food

Connect with Amanda Marcotte
Twitter
Facebook

Connect with Patrick Scott Armstrong:
Instagram
Facebook
Email

Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to the legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Mathis. 

With 73 of his albums making the Billboard charts, and being the first ever artist to release a ‘best of’ album, he is a true national treasure. 

Johnny starts by telling me about his appearance on Ed Sullivan show, his love of Texas and his favourite parts of the state. 

He also tells me how important diet is when you’re using your vocal cords as much as he is, and where his love of food came from. 

He gives his perspective on the Black Lives Matter movement, and we discuss the lasting impacts we think this will have on American society. 

Johnny Mathis is a modest man of many talents. Enjoy this conversation! 

”My type of profession was very consuming, it’s a constant, and it’s a never ending thing. ”- Johnny Mathis  

 

The legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Mathis talks about his long career, dealing with racism, and how food helps his singing.

Today, I have the privilege of introducing you to the legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Mathis. 

With 73 of his albums making the Billboard charts, and being the first ever artist to release a ‘best of’ album, he is a true national treasure. 

Johnny starts by telling me about his appearance on Ed Sullivan show, his love of Texas and his favourite parts of the state. 

He also tells me how important diet is when you’re using your vocal cords as much as he is, and where his love of food came from. 

He gives his perspective on the Black Lives Matter movement, and we discuss the lasting impacts we think this will have on American society. 

Johnny Mathis is a modest man of many talents. Enjoy this conversation! 

”My type of profession was very consuming, it’s a constant, and it’s a never ending thing. ”- Johnny Mathis  

Time Stamps:
01:55 – Who Johnny Mathis is and what he’s done. 
04:38 – What Ed Sullivan is like in real life. 
06:37 – The best part about being on Ed Sullivan’s show. 
08:17 – How Johnny ended up making the first ever ‘best of’ albums. 
10:08 – Johnny’s favourite thing about Texas. 
11:27 – Johnny’s sporting relationship with Bill Russell. 
14:50 – The importance of having a good diet when you’re a professional singer. 
18:34 – How Johnny’s life has been completely focused on his career. 
21:37 – How Johnny dealt with racism as he went through his career. 
22:39 – The changes Johnny expects to come out of the black lives matter movement. 
25:34 – Johnny’s message to others during the Pride month. 
26:09 – The types of music Johnny listens to. 
28:01 – The disruption the pandemic has caused Johnny’s career. 
29:37 – Johnny’s favourite country in the world. 
30:16 – The different languages Johnny sings in. 

Resources: 

Texas Real Food 

Connect with Johnny Mathis:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Connect with Patrick Scott Armstrong:
Instagram
Facebook
Email

Today we are joined by Texan musical group Blue Water Highway.  

We talk about the origins of the band and the difficulties they’ve faced getting to the successful point they’re now at. 

I love their music. The way they work together and harmonise their voices just sounds amazing.

After talking about how they make their music and who does what, we move on to food. 

They tell me how their ‘on the road diet’ shifted from Wendy’s and Subways to more local, healthier dishes. 

We also talk about how the coronavirus has affected them as artists, and how they think it will shape the music industry in the future. 

”It’s so weird, people expect musicians to also be models. That’s not a skill set you get imparted with.” – Catherine Clarke 

 

Today we are joined by Texan musical group ‘Blue Water Highway’.  

We talk about the origins of the band and the difficulties they’ve faced getting to the successful point they’re now at. 

I love their music. The way they work together and harmonise their voices just sounds amazing.

After talking about how they make their music and who does what, we move on to food. 

They tell me how their ‘on the road diet’ shifted from Wendy’s and Subways to more local, healthier dishes. 

We also talk about how the coronavirus has affected them as artists, and how they think it will shape the music industry in the future. 

”It’s so weird, people expect musicians to also be models. That’s not a skill set you get imparted with.” – Catherine Clarke 

Time Stamps:

00:39 – Introducing our guests, Blue Water Highway.  03:31 – Where the name of the band came from.  06:20 – Their new album Paper Airplanes.  07:22 – How they manage to get their harmonies to match so well.  08:27 – The difficulties that come with recording some songs. 09:41 – The different influences that shaped their music.  12:44 – Who writes the songs.  14:17 – Which instruments they use when first writing a song.  16:55 – What they eat when they’re on tour.  21:23 – A funny story about Zack and food.  26:36 – How the pandemic has affected them.  28:35 – The importance of recording the music you write, and the difficulties with writing songs.32:52 – The strangeness involved with doing staged photo shoots.  34:06 – The importance of having the right photographer.  35:57 – The different ways to contact the band, and when their live streams are.  38:54 – Whether they will carry on live streaming after the pandemic. 

Resources: 

Blue Water Highway The Local Texas Real Food

Connect with Blue Water Highway: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Connect with Patrick Scott Armstrong: Instagram Facebook Email

Today we are joined by Texan musical group Blue Water Highway.  

We talk about the origins of the band and the difficulties they’ve faced getting to the successful point they’re now at. 

I love their music. The way they work together and harmonise their voices just sounds amazing.

After talking about how they make their music and who does what, we move on to food. 

They tell me how their ‘on the road diet’ shifted from Wendy’s and Subways to more local, healthier dishes. 

We also talk about how the coronavirus has affected them as artists, and how they think it will shape the music industry in the future. 

”It’s so weird, people expect musicians to also be models. That’s not a skill set you get imparted with.” – Catherine Clarke 

Time Stamps:

00:39 – Introducing our guests, Blue Water Highway. 
03:31 – Where the name of the band came from. 
06:20 – Their new album Paper Airplanes. 
07:22 – How they manage to get their harmonies to match so well. 
08:27 – The difficulties that come with recording some songs.
09:41 – The different influences that shaped their music. 
12:44 – Who writes the songs. 
14:17 – Which instruments they use when first writing a song. 
16:55 – What they eat when they’re on tour. 
21:23 – A funny story about Zack and food. 
26:36 – How the pandemic has affected them. 
28:35 – The importance of recording the music you write, and the difficulties with writing songs.
32:52 – The strangeness involved with doing staged photo shoots. 
34:06 – The importance of having the right photographer. 
35:57 – The different ways to contact the band, and when their live streams are. 
38:54 – Whether they will carry on live streaming after the pandemic. 

Resources: 

Blue Water Highway
The Local
Texas Real Food

Connect with Blue Water Highway:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Connect with Patrick Scott Armstrong:
Instagram
Facebook
Email

My very special guest today is Mark Henry, “The World’s Strongest Man,” a retired Olympic weightlifter, powerlifter, strongman, and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar.

During his 25-year career, Mark has held numerous wrestling and heavyweight championships, as well as world records in weightlifting. He is an amazing athlete and showman who was inducted in WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.

I’m curious about what you really need to eat in order to lift a car or pull two trucks.

Mark and I chat about how coronavirus changed his eating out habits, about his favourite barbecue places in Texas, and the most memorable moments from his professional career.

“It’s like a pilgrimage. You get up early, travel to another place and stand in line for a few hours to get a good barbecue.” – Mark Henry