Where I'm From

Santa Claus (via his good friend Kelly Rands from The Humor Mill Orlando) joins us to celebrate... Well, the North Pole of course, but mainly Christmas! Santa recalls his early days with Burgermeister Meisterburger, and talks honestly about why he's currently spending most of the year at The Villages in Central Florida. Santa Claus shares his pro tips to a fulfilling Yuletide season, tells us about balancing the demands of his job and his marriage to Mrs. Claus, and plays a new game we invented just for him: WHAT ARE THEY GETTING? PLUS: Santa won't stop calling me Billy.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
The Humor Mill Orlando
Burgermeister Meisterburger
2020 Central Florida Sketch Comedy Festival
The Villages
Santa Claus is Coming To Town
The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus
The Elf Riots of 1536
Mcdonald's Santa Clause The Movie Christmas Happy Meal Commercial
Violent Night
The Santa Clause
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
Miracle on 34th Street
The Polar Express

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:19 How Old Is Santa?
00:03:22 Santa Calls Bill "Billy"
00:04:24 Why Is Santa in Winter Haven, Florida?
00:05:10 - North Pole Chili's
00:07:03 - The Villages
00:08:02 Even Santa Works Remote
00:08:59 The Secret Origin of Santa Claus
00:10:10 - Santa Claus is a Hufflepuff
00:11:15 Mrs. Claus
00:11:54 Santa's Favorite Santa Movies
00:12:28 - The Santa Clause
00:12:28 - Violent Night
00:13:13 - Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
00:15:36 Santa's Favorite Teachers
00:16:20 - Santa's Cats
00:17:40 The Saddest Thing Santa's Seen
00:19:11 Cookie Talk
00:20:13 Santa's Thoughts on "Keep Christmas In December"
00:21:11 How Santa Learned To Make Toys
00:22:45 The Elf Riots of 1536
00:24:57 A Coal Conundrum
00:27:25 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:28:56 The Dark Side of the Reindeer
00:31:35 Santa Is The Real Florida Man
00:32:48 Job Stress and Santa's Marriage
00:32:48 A Chat Message from "Rudolpho"
00:35:45 Should We Still Be Giving Each Other Christmas Presents?
00:39:07 - Bill Doesn't Want To Get Angry At Santa
00:40:01 Santa's Favorite Santa Claus Story
00:40:11 - Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
00:40:28 - The Polar Express
00:42:10 What Are They Getting?
00:50:11 The Humor Mill Orlando
00:51:27 Santa Goes Hard Against Commercialism
00:52:40 The Elves Party Hard
00:54:25 Santa Loves Rap
00:54:51 - Santa Raps
00:56:21 Santra Addresses Labor Issues and THAT New York Post Article
00:59:26 How Many Children Has Santa Delivered Presents To?
01:00:27 Santa's Relationship with McDonald's
01:05:03 What Does Santa Want For Christmas?
01:08:57 Wheel of Anecdotes
01:14:57 Close

Kelly Vrooman (comedic actor on Black-ish, Grey's Anatomy, writer on Tuttle Twins, and former host Sprout's The Sunny Side Up Show) joins us to celebrate her hometown of Mansfield, Ohio, recalls her early days in theater, and talks honestly about her grandfather and what it was like going to a school where her mom was a teacher. Kelly Vrooman shares her experiences at Ohio cuisine staple Applebee's, tells us about growing up near the set of The Shawshank Redemption, and plays a hilarious game of WHEEL OF ANECDOTES. PLUS: The local murder trial of Dr. John Boyle.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Kelly Vrooman
2020 Central Florida Sketch Comedy Festival
PBS Kids Sprout's The Sunny Side Up Show
Mansfield, Ohio
Mohican State Park Campground
Renaissance Theatre
The Mansfield Playhouse
Miss Ohio Teen
Mansfield Christian School
The Shawshank Redemption
Ohio State Reformatory
Cypress Hill Winery
Mansfield Historic Carrousel District
The Murder Trial of Dr. John Boyle
Kingwood Center Gardens
Richland Carrousel Park
Coney Island Diner

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:32 - Central Florida Sketch Comedy Festival (2020)
00:03:24 Being a Kid's Show Host on PBS Kids Sprout's The Sunny Side Up Show
00:07:37 - Mohican State Park Campground
00:10:22 Mansfield vs. Ontario
00:11:03 The Mansfield Theater Scene
00:14:13 - Renaissance Theatre
00:15:32 -The Mansfield Playhouse
00:19:20 Miss Ohio Teen
00:21:06 - Mansfield Christian School
00:22:38 - Natalie Witwer, Miss Ohio 2001
00:23:43 Mansfield Renaissance Theatre
00:25:11 The Shawshank Redemption Connection
00:27:02 - Ohio State Reformatory
00:27:22 People From The Northeast
00:27:48 - The West Virginia Flip Off
00:29:50 - The GM Plant Closing in 2010
00:31:34 - A Rebirth in Mansfield
00:31:43 -- Cypress Hill Winery
00:31:55 -- Mansfield Historic Carrousel District
00:32:55 - Kelly Vrooman and the Applebee's Vortex
00:36:09 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:44:19 Strean Studio Ad Read
00:45:30 The Murder Trial of Dr. John Boyle
00:49:59 Going to School with Mom
00:53:12 Kelly's Grandfather
00:58:12 - The Lesson of Kingwood Center Gardens
01:00:55 Why Kelly Left Mansfield
01:04:14 - Richland Carrousel Park
01:04:34 - Coney Island Diner
01:05:12 Close

After talking with Brian Brushwood about Katy, Texas earlier this week, I decided to rebroadcast an interview I did with Karen Kay, the host of the Fox 26 Kids Club in Houston, Texas. The Fox Kids Club was a local broadcast in many cities that promoted the Fox Network’s early-90s cartoon lineup, Fox Kids. Karen Kay was my local host, and when I’m not fanboying out, she tells me what it was like to be a kid show host, and how much persistence it took to build a career in broadcasting. Plus, Karen makes a commitment to locate a relic from my past, if she can remember where she put it in her basement.

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LINKS
Karen Kay on Hit Video USA
fox 26 kids club with karen kay fright fest
Karen Kay and the Belugas
The Fox Kids Club – History of Fox Kids
Original I Made This Episode
Where I'm From YouTube
Bill Meeks YouTube

Brian Brushwood (magician, host of Scam Nation,The Modern Rogue, and Great Night) joins us to talk honestly about his hometown of Katy, Texas, recall his local sneakernet, and celebrates his first job at Mason Park Cinema 8. Brian Brushwood shares his experiences going to church in a self-proclaimed "City of Churches," tells us how he tried to help his brother and ended up getting in his first fight, and chats with Bill about their shared history in Katy. PLUS: Six Flags AstroWorld.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Brian Brushwood
Scam Nation
The Modern Rogue
Scam School in Indonesia
Katy, Texas
Williamsburgh Settlement
Richard Garriott
Floppy Joe's in Austin, Texas
West Memorial Junior High
Blue Willow Bookshop (formerly Musabelle's Books)
Tri-County Baptist Church
Katy First United Methodist
Mason Park Cinema 8
Mason Village Shopping Center
Six Flags AstroWorld
Defunctland: The Demolition of Six Flags Astroworld
NRG Astrodome
Bill's Trip To Katy in 2021

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:14 - Scam School in Jakarta, Indonesia
00:03:55 - Bill and Brian's Katy Timelines
00:08:55 The Culture of Katy
00:10:57 Important Teachers
00:12:10 - Williamsburgh Settlement Pool
00:15:54 The Mud Fight on Hoyt Lane
00:18:39 The Texas Sneakernet
00:19:30 - An Awkward First Meeting with Richard Garriott
00:20:03 - Floppy Joe's in Austin
00:20:29 Brian's Katy Landmarks
00:20:31 - West Memorial Junior High
00:20:48 - Musabelle's Books/Blue Willow Bookshop
00:21:59 - 80s Baseball Cards
00:22:47 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:24:31 The City of Churches
00:24:35 - Tri-County Baptist Church
00:24:53 - Katy First United Methodist Church
00:25:30 - Religion and Parenting
00:29:13 Working At Mason Park Cinema 8
00:30:12 - Hi-jinx in the Projection Booth
00:32:08 90s Kids in Katy
00:32:59 - Brian Defends His Brother Jay
00:33:44 - Texas Snow
00:35:29 Why Brian Left Katy
00:35:50 - Going Home From College to Venezuela
00:36:14 Discovering Magic in Texas
00:37:25 - Weird Businesses In People's Garages
00:37:52 What's Changed in Katy?
00:38:22 - Mason Village Shopping Center
00:39:04 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:44:31 Close

Rebecca Johnson (co-host of Supergirl Radio) comes back to tell us more about her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She explains why she moved back after 14 years, and discusses Alabama's history of racism and how the city has grown. Rebecca Johnson shares her experiences running A/V equipment for two different churches, talks about her love of Tim Burton's Batman, reminisces about working at Turner in Atlanta, reveals her favorite local Birmingham TV station, and discusses the parallels between real life and her character on The Fakist. PLUS: A fresh game of Hometown Hot Takes!

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Rebecca Johnson
Supergirl Radio
Birmingham, Alabama
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
Railroad Park
Buckhead Church
Service Merchandise
Slow Art  - Birmingham Museum of Art
The Fakist: One Last Day

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:36 The 16th Street Bombing
00:04:43 - Railroad Park
00:07:00 On God's A/V Squad
00:10:58 Moving Back To Birmingham
00:15:07 - Why Rebecca Came Back To Birmingham
00:18:05 - Turner Memories
00:19:22 Re-acclimating to Birmingham
00:21:58 - The Fakist and the "Big Red Cloud"
00:22:54 Strean Studio Ad Read
00:24:36 Birmingham's Comic Book Scene
00:27:12 - Service Merchandise
00:30:19 - Slow Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art
00:32:17 Hometown Hot Takes
00:42:17 - In Defense of Alabama
00:43:50 Close

Rebecca Johnson (co-host of Supergirl Radio) joins us this week to talk honestly about her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She recalls her first gig in TV news at WVTM, and endorses Frank Stitt's culinary delights at Highland Bar & Grill. Rebecca Johnson shares how she produced a music video to help her friend propose, why it ended up on-screen at the legendary Alabama Theater, then mourns the loss of the City Stages concert, reveals how her friend dragged her along for dates, and remembers the social dynamics of childhood. PLUS: Rebecca returns next week for Part 2.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Rebecca Johnson
Supergirl Radio
Birmingham, Alabama
Vestavia Hills
City Stages: A look back at the Birmingham music festival
The Alabama Theater
Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
Andrew Taylor's "All About You" Music Video
WVTM
The Fakist: One Last Day
Frank Stitt
Highlands Bar & Grill
Chez Fonfon
Bettola
Helen's Angel Biscuits

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:04:33 High School in Vestavia Hills
00:08:17 - Rich Kids vs. Poor Kids
00:10:34 - Running Into Old Classmates
00:11:39 City Stages
00:15:23 The Alabama Theater
00:18:51 - The Mighty Wurlitzer Opus 1783
00:20:21 - Andrew Taylor's "All About You" Music Video
00:21:47 Strean Studio Ad Read
00:23:28 Working in TV News at WVTM
00:29:38 - The Fakist and LeAnn's Similar Origin Story
00:32:28 Best Eats in Birmingham
00:33:11 - Frank Stitt's Culinary Delights (Highlands Bar & Grill, Bottega Procesecco Bar, Chez Fonfon)
00:33:41 - Bettola
00:34:08 - Helen's Angel Biscuits
00:35:16 - Quintessential Birmingham Cuisine
00:36:28 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:44:53 Close

Faith Benson (host of The Frontier Podcast + Director of Growth Marketing for Gun.io) joins us this week to talk honestly about her hometown of Allegany, New York, recalls the Allegany Kangaroos, and satisfies true crime fans with the tale of the MURDER AT THE SKI WING RESORT. Faith Benson shares how teaching led her to tech start-ups, tells us why her sibling isn't allowed in Canada, and reveals her ties to the local lumber industry. PLUS: Faith breaks down local eats like garbage plates and chicken riggies.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Faith Benson
Gun.io
The Frontier Podcast
Faith Benson's Twitter
Town & Village of Allegany, NY
Randy's Up The River
Garbage Plates
Chicken Riggies
Allegheny River Trail
Ellicotville
Allegany State Park
Kinzua Dam
Letchworth State Park
St. Bonaventure University
The Allegany Kangaroos

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:45 Allegany the Town vs Allegany the Village
00:03:59 Deep Roots in Allegany
00:05:17 Murder at the Ski Wing Resort
00:08:48 Skiing
00:10:12 Randy's Up The River, Garbage Plates, and Chicken Riggies
00:12:40 - Down the Allegheny to Pittsburgh
00:14:15 Allegheny River Trail
00:14:52 Favorite Places To Shop
00:16:46 - 1976 Cadillac De Ville
00:17:42 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:19:22 Can't-Miss Attractions
00:19:38 - Ellicotville
00:20:01 - Allegany State Park
00:20:12 - Kinzua Dam
00:20:16 - Letchworth State Park
00:20:32 - St. Bonaventure University
00:21:22 - The Allegany Kangaroos
00:22:33 - Growing Up Near Niagara Falls
00:24:24 Teachers Who Treat You Like A Grown-Up
00:27:00 Winter Storms at Colgate University
00:28:55 From Teach For America to Gun.io
00:36:14 Wheel of Anecdotes
00:40:08 Close

Jason Inman (former DC All Access host, host of Geek History Lesson, and comic book writer/screenwriter) joins us this week to talk honestly about his rural hometown of Stark, Kansas, where he used to cruise for ears of corn, and how he got into comic books despite not having a local comic book shop. Jason Inman shares his path from the corn fields of Kansas to a media career in Los Angeles, tells us why he identifies with another farm boy from Kansas (Superman), and reveals how other superheroes would change if their origin story was set in Stark. PLUS: Jason reveals the difference between Kansas raccoons and Hollywood raccoons.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Jason Inman
Geek History Lesson
Jason Inman's Twitter
City of Stark, Kansas Facebook Page
Little House on the Prairie Museum
DC All Access

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:04 Stark, Kansas: A Really Small Small Town
00:08:12 The Real Little House on the Prarie
00:12:12 Being A Comic Book Fan In Kansas
00:16:46 Identifying With Superman
00:18:27 - Superman's Triangle Era
00:22:01 - Recommendation: It's Superman by Tom Dehaven
00:23:02 Jason Inmans of Infinite Earths
00:24:36 What If It Happened Here?
00:30:00 Streann Studio Ad Read
00:31:39 Growing Up Rural
00:34:55 - Country Critters
00:36:37 High School
00:38:17 Kansas Politics
00:42:34 Inventing Your Own Fun In A Boring Town
00:44:12 Community Events
00:46:27 From Small Town to Big Media
00:49:48 - Military Life
00:52:48 Wheel of Anecdotes (Last Game)
00:56:30 Close
00:57:48 - Listener Mail

Ashley Verma (Broadway performer, fitness coach, and host of the BizziMumzi podcast) joins us this week to talk honestly about her hometown of Moundsville, West Virginia's Deliverance-inspired reputation, how her parents turned an old dairy into kitschy attraction, and how the Ohio Valley has changed since she left. Ashley Verma shares her path from Wheeling Park High School to Broadway, tells stories about visiting the Grave Creek Mound and West Virginia Penitentiary, and shares her thoughts on how important a good support system is to following your dreams. PLUS: Ashley tells us how classic Broadway musicals would be different if they were set in Moundsville.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Where I'm From YouTube Channel
Bizzimumzi
Bizzimumzi Podcast
Moundsville, WV
Wheeling Park High School
Johnny Shar's Big Dipper Blog
Grave Creek Mound
West Virginia Penitentiary
Define London

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:07 Bill Cornforth's Class at Wheeling Park High School
00:07:59 - From Park Players to Broadway
00:14:01 Embracing Dance
00:20:13 West Virginia's Reputation
00:26:41 - Dead Steel Mills and Military Recruiters
00:33:21 Ad Read
00:34:42 Johnny Shar’s Big Dipper
00:37:48 - Moundsville Landmarks (Grave Creek Mound and West Virginia Penitentiary)
00:42:53 The Ohio Valley Mindset
00:52:00 What If It Happened Here?
00:57:00 Outro

Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, The Goldbergs, Archer) joins us this week to talk honestly about his hometown of Dallas, the teachers who shaped him, how Dougherty's Pharmacy taught him an important life lesson, and what it was like in his hometown when President Kennedy was shot. Stephen Tobolowsky takes us through a chance encounter with Lyle Lovett, tells the story of four important moments in his life where he's run into David Nichols, and shares his thoughts on how the lone star state has changed over the years. PLUS:  We quiz Stephen on all the characters he's played over the years. 

Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, The Goldbergs, Archer) joins us this week to talk honestly about his hometown of Dallas, the teachers who shaped him, how Dougherty's Pharmacy taught him an important life lesson, and what it was like in his hometown when President Kennedy was shot. Stephen Tobolowsky takes us through a chance encounter with Lyle Lovett, tells the story of four important moments in his life where he's run into David Nichols, and shares his thoughts on how the lone star state has changed over the years. PLUS: We quiz Stephen on all the characters he's played over the years.

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LINKS
Full Uncut Interview (Livestream)
Stephen Tobolowsky
Dallas, Texas
The Tobolowsky Files Podcast
Steven's Books
David Byrne's True Stories

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:53 Dougherty's Pharmacy
00:11:05 Silver Age Comics
00:14:45 Dallas Theater
00:21:17 The 4 Time Stephen Met David Nicholls
00:28:54 Stephen's Early Teachers
00:40:46 Ad Read
00:42:24 Texas: Then vs. Now
00:44:39 - Meeting Lyle Lovett in Austin
00:47:32 Hometown Trivia
00:53:03 The Kennedy Assasination
01:07:00 Inspiring The Talking Heads and Radiohead
01:19:43 Have You Ever Played _______?
01:23:49 Plugs/Outro