Unteathered Talks

"Here I am, in my kitchen," Daniel says as we start our talk recorded back in November when the first of the rains were coming in. I’ve been sitting on this recording for too long, like I think it’s a fine wine waiting for the tannins to settle. Never mind any silly reasons for the delay: I am no longer hoarding one of my favorite conversations-- with Mr. Daniel D’Agostini (: A farmer, teacher, writer, photographer, among many other things, this OG Amadorian is not only dynamic but Bio-Dynamic, which we learn is a holistic and sustainable way of stewarding the land. 

We talk at his 'stead, the Abbondanza Lavender Farm in Amador's Shenandoah Valley, while (appropro-ly) sipping Zin and slurping split-pea soup. "True stories are easy to tell because they're true," as he begins telling another one. As always, I wish I talked less and let my guest talk more, but Daniel maneuvers around my interjections with such grace and insight. I learned. I laughed. I truly enjoyed. And I hope you do too!

Sat down with Jake from the Break Even Beermakers' team located in Amador City to "talk nonsense", as he says. Originally from Kirkland Washington, Jake has an action sports background from his exposure to HO Sports where his dad was a graphic designer. 

We discuss the difference between board and plank sports, some punk and a bit of funk, and what it's like being dad to little Lemmy, one of the coolest babies (now toddler) I've ever met. I had a lot of favorite quotes of Jake's: "the best boot out there is the boot that fits you" or "drone dancing is probably less lame than dating in the metaverse". 

Lady Jen joins us on the side from time to time throughout this live 'cast recorded at the Break Even tavern. Did you guys know DMX has a cover of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer???

On this episode we are joined by fellow podcaster Cory Faust. Cory grew up in the county, was able to "escape" for most of his young adulthood, and has recently returned to what he says is pretty much “exactly the same”. We discuss how to beat the heat (Amador County stays in the mid to late 90s most of July and August), feel-good video games, remembering how to actually read a book, and how dangerous Shia Lebouf can be in a game of Dungeons & Dragons.

Cory tells us about what it was like to attend yet not quite complete Air Traffic Control school: “I was just a broken person they were trying to mold.” You can also hear Cory, along with former guest Brandon Carroll from our Episode 4: Love in the Time of Covid, on their podcast “Talk Good!”. Thank you for joining!

Excited to present Chef Tim Blankenship whose tasty treats I hope you have had the chance to imbibe. And if you haven't, it can be a little hard to convey the hearty delight of his Japanesey Tex/Mex fusion fresh tapas. Tim can be found chefing at local taproom Provisions and is now offering wine-paired foods at Yorba's tasting room just around the corner! You may also remember his bomb breakfasts from the days of Element or before my time here in Sutter Creek when J&D's Steakhouse was still around. 

This isn't the first episode to be recorded in two parts (see "Truth about Cats & Dogs of War" with Kevin Conklin who is also mentioned in this chat), but it is the first two-parter recorded in the same day and my very first episode to have music in the background--which is one of my favorite things about being untethered: we can do whatever we want!

Tim is an avid sports fan and our podcast was scheduled the same day as the Texas elementary school shooting that happened a little over a month ago. After we finished the first interview, Steve Kerr, a coach of one of his favorite sports teams who was playing in Texas that day, released a statement that inspired Tim to want to hit the record button again. And I'm really glad we did! 

Part I has the feel of a daytime interview; we discuss how he arrived to the county, what made him want to be a chef, and how he gets creative about working without an industrial kitchen. Part II shifts to a casual evening vibe, where discussion gets a little more philosophical and a LOT more sportsy. I can't help but relish Tim's disdain at how little I know about sportsball(: Accompanied by Timothy's vinyl pick: "The Dead Set"-- Hope you enjoy the talks!

If you've walked the backroads between either of our two towns, you've undoubtedly run into Cort Strandberg. Affectionately referred to by his former high school Spanish students as Supreme Cort, we discuss the various work he has had since coming to the county, how three-year old's birthday parties are "the only place you can shit in your pants and puke without causing any trouble" and what happens when you mix LSD and an M16. From Jersey to Mexico, the bay to the hills, Cort readily brings a fresh wit and perspective. Hope y'all enjoy!

I am here with my dear friend Kevin Conklin. (Partner to Miss Kelsey Mort featured in Episode 3!) This episode is a two-parter that began on Veteran’s Day with surprise guest interviewer Stephanie Sittner, where we discuss Kevin’s time in the service and what it’s like to punch through a wall or get punched in the face. I also learn that one of our local MMA instructors Paul Smith helped start cage fighting! My most ratchet episode yet, I actually had to remove huge chunks of this recording #earmuffs

In our later one-on-one, Kevin and I talk about the challenges of adopting rescue dogs, the eternal question of what’s worse: #1 or #2, big dick energy, the end of Mandalorian, and how his Anatolian Shepherds sound like a cappuccino machine when they pee. Kevin says that when the winter blues hit, “just rock your unicorn onesie.” And, watch out Amador County!—There may be plans in the works to create Jurassic Bark, a monster dog-dino riding zoo. Stay tuned!…

Meet Will Pritchard! He is co-owner (along with his lovely wife) of Amador Brewing Company, locally and lovingly referred to as the ABC. We chat in the shaded brewery breezeway on the last day of August about craft beer and the county, but I ultimately wanted to know how the ABC came to fruition. May sound cheesy, but I simply love learning how others manifest their dreams (especially against challenging tides!), so this is yet another episode about a rad human doing awesome things.

A combination of vision, team building, brand marketing, hard work, and good flippin’ beer has led to their success. I admire Will’s approach to business and very much enjoyed hearing the journey of how the ABC got to where it is today, how they’re handling the tides of 2020, and where he wants to put the focus moving forward.

Will shares some fun beer blending tricks like making a “Dirty Kölsch” and we find out a Pine Grove taproom is in the works--set to hopefully open soon! (I didn’t realize) the population of Pine Grove and Pioneer combined is over 3,000, so this new spot will serve the upcountry locals even more so than those that may be stopping through on their way up or down Hwy 88. All the wins. Yay.