Why? The Podcast

We have loved the music of Matthew Sweet for decades and we were thrilled to talk with Matthew on the release of his 15th solo album. Catspaw is everything you love about Matthew's music, plus a few new colors as he played every instrument on the record, save the drums.

We talks about a lot with Matthew- songwriting, his cats, Big Star and the lasting influence of his breakthrough record Girlfriend. We had a blast.

Matthew's new record, Catspaw is available wherever you buy or download music. Check out his website for more info and, hopefully, some tour dates.

It's hard to describe Mark Herschberg in one sentence. He has written a book, The Career Toolkit, to help folks by giving them the information they don't usually get in school. And Mark's life has been one of things learned outside of a traditional classroom. He's been a competitive ballroom dancer. He has over 400 cufflinks. He's helped catch terrorists. Oh, and he's taught at MIT. There's a lot you can learn from listening to Mark, either in this interview or in his book.

For more information, check out his website.

Let's start off 2021 with a couple of truths: Everyone loves baked goods. Everyone loves food shaped like body parts. So, why not combine the two and sell cakes shaped like breasts, penises, butts and vaginas for almost half a century?

That was the question Niki Novak asked when she started Sweet-n-Nasty in Boston, MA. The store has become an institution, a go-to for bachelor & bachelorlette parties, retirements and anytime you want to have a laugh while you put something delicious in your mouth. For more information on Sweet n Nasty, check out their website, and tell them we sent you.

Chuck Berry was one of a kind. You can't hear any one of his songs without instantly recognizing his guitar playing. We talked with Jon Brewer, the director of the new film, "Chuck Berry- the Original King of Rock n' Roll," about Berry's life and career, and about what Jon has learned from a lifetime spent working in the music industry.

"Chuck Berry- the Original King of Rock n' Roll," is now available to rent on Amazon.  

Any Star Wars fan worth their salt knows that Life Day is an important part of any holiday celebration. We talked with writer Bruce Vilanch who, on top of writing for 14 Oscar ceremonies also contributed to the much maligned 1977 TV special, The Star Wars Holiday Special. We'll bring you the full interview with Bruce at a later day, but we couldn't let the holiday season go by without pausing to celebrate.

Happy holidays from all your friends at Why. 


Nigel, is that you?

You can't escape A Christmas Story every time this year and that's a good thing- it's a great movie. We talked with Scott Schwartz, one of the stars of the film (as well as star of The Toy and Kidco) about his holiday memories, and what the movie means to him and its many fans.

You know our show- you wanted the best, you got the best. And this week, we got one of the best when it comes to Kiss. Ron Albanese has been obsessed with the classic TV movie "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park," since it first aired in October of 1978. Ron's new book Conversations with Phantoms is a great behind-the-scenes look at the movie that has become legend among both film and Kiss fans.

For more information about Ron and the book, check out his Facebook page.

We thought we knew a few things about the Walt Disney Company, their various products and the possible location of their founder's frozen remains. Well, we were wrong- or were we?

We talked with Perry and Wes from the popular podcast Banter? I Hardly Know Her and they tested us with their difficult Disney quiz. Do you know which voice actor Luke has the e-mail of? Do you know which character Heidi wanted to fight? Learn all these fun facts and more.

You can follow Banter? I Hardly Know Her on Facebook and Instagram, and find their podcast wherever you download such things.

Death can be a scary thing. But for Minda and Kristi, it's just another work day. They are morticians. (And, also podcasters.) They host the popular show Dead Girls Talking. We got to talk to them about how you get into this business, what makes for good embalming music and the huge responsibility they have to the decedent and their family.

For more information and to listen to their show, check out their website.

You may have seen Sarah Apgar on a recent episode of Shark Tank. And if you did, you know all about FitFighter, the program she developed to change exercise for everyone, using techniques and ideas she came up with while serving in the Army and as a volunteer firefighter. Yeah, Sarah is impressive.

We talk about the FitFighter program, how she created it, and what it's like to turn on the siren on the firetruck. You know, all the important stuff.

For more information on Sarah and Fitfighter, check out the website.