Wandering the Aisles w/ Andy Farnsworth

A strolling inventory of the chicharrones, fresh spices, and Llama-cop piñatas at the vibrant Lowe's Supermercado in Denver, CO. Comedian Adrian Mesa @mesathings gives @bambifransworth a crash course on Cuban cuisine and presents a compelling case for his theory of pretentious restaurant naming.

From Denver to LA via a Dropbox Homing pigeon, @sethandthecity collaborates with @bambifransworth on a very special @wanderingaisles. The show is comprised of two audio letters, a clip of one of Seth's greatest standup bits, and brand new music from @thefriendshipsband, his musical partnership with @ryamcownie 

An afternoon with one of my real-deal, go-to friends here in Denver, Alex Elliott @alexelliottpics. And by afternoon, seriously, I mean the better part of an entire afternoon. Mostly Sprouts and us just talking in my truck. Verité podcasting. I didn't cut much because it's really hard to get tired of this guy. He's a genuine, wise, cat who never brags or name drops AT ALL even though he totally could. For example, I was months into knowing Alex before he happened to casually mention he was a finalist to be on "The Bachelor." And (paraphrasing here): "It's funny you bring that up because one summer I filmed some stuff with Jimmy Fallon and slapped Hannibal Burress in the face a bunch of times for a thing." Stuff like that. Introducing Alex Elliott. 

@Insanebrownposse (BK Sharad) joins Andy in the search for fatherly comedy affirmation, talks being brown in Colorado, and cooks bacon the entire time he's on the phone. There's considerable soul-searching, faltering, questionable monologue-ing in this one so if you're itching to cancel somebody get that notepad out. 

Ritualcraft (Target for Denver Witches) and Botanica Yemaya with massage therapist, hand witch, and healing artist, Abby Jane Palmer @abbyjanepalmer. We slash through the shame forests of our religious upbringings and find our way into the clearing of a more inclusive and freeing spirituality. Sex, magic, and good-touch karma flowing through this episode. 

What begins as a failed trip to REI for a hat, becomes Steve Vanderploeg @slumdogchillionaire giving @bambifransworth a surprise visit to the now-defunct "Dog the Bounty Hunter" retail store. We walk Sloan's Lake and find the solace of our earliest curse words among the wary pandemic ducks. Support Wandering the Aisles on Patreon.

First, a fiercely compassionate and steely listener letter from Kisha Baskin--Andy's Junior High School friend who, maybe on accident, changed the direction of his life by telling him he was funny. And meant it. 

Next, (you'll notice this episode is still rated "explicit.") You'd think a clergy member would shy away from Andy's earthy lexicon and subject matter. Not so with the Reverend James Dollins. This conversation will surprise the Hell out of you. (No pun.)

Dollins is a socially-progressive; insightful; startingly "non-shamey"; compassionate, and super quick-witted Methodist minister in Anaheim, CA. A city which is 55% Hispanic or Latino, 24% White Alone, 15% Asian Alone, and only 3% African American or Black. (The remaining 3% being a diverse mix of Native, Two or More Race, and a bunch of folks that identify as "Other".)

Full disclosure: I consider myself extremely lucky to call this man my cousin. 

@wanderingaisles went quiet last Wednesday out of respect for Black Lives Matter. Before we get back on schedule next week, I've put together a couple timely, stripped down episodes for today and Sunday in honor of George Floyd and BLM. A collage offering of sturdy angles, devoid of my usual monologues and cutaways. 

This first installment: An unflinching petition for understanding from NYC comedian Drew Dowdey.

Oh and check out @thewhiteshift, a great IG that offers distilled information for "White people who want to help out but don’t know how.”

The inimitable Eeland Stribling @blacksteveirwin--one of the most relaxed, but killer comics I've seen in a while. He's also a Wildlife Biologist and a major part of the @brownfolksfishing initiative. AND co-host of the popular "Get Home Safe" podcast. We start with some basic bachelor grocery shopping and trade our takes on: trout fishing and race; religion; carbonated Hawaiian Punch; Ireland (or what he calls "White People's Africa"); and witness a rare kid-accidentally-breaking-some-eggs-on-the-way-home-from-the store ritual. This is a longer episode for you to live in and truly one of the best recorded evenings in the history of @wanderingaisles. Support the show at Patreon.com/WanderingTheAisles or just tell a friend.  

@haleydrizcoll is our traveling companion today. The joyous peril begins with a traditional pre-show de-crystalling ceremony in front of Andy's place. Then: it's fronting English in front of a Natural Grocers; talking exchange students at a mile-high Asian market; soccer hooligans in a middle school parking lot at sunset; and a suburban Vaquero appearing out of the vapor to guide our spirits back home. Support @wanderingaisles at Patreon.com/WanderingTheAisles.