Off the Clock w/Jon Eks

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend and co-star Banana J, the iconic symbol of the punk rock mosh pit. Here’s some of what we talk about: First Question: When did you first put on the banana suit? why did Banana J move to Colorado, and, sub-question: what is his record for most days on the snowboard hill in a season? does he ever feel pressure or resentment about putting on t...

#OTCQuickies are mini solo episodes where I address a question or a topic in service of trying to be a good dude in the world. Today's topic is: Why AI Will Never Take Over the World I read a piece in The Atlantic by Charlie Warzel called " AI Is a Mass Delusion Event ," which inspired this Quickie. It's well-reasoned and well-written, and it triggered my memory from a couple o...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my tall pal Will, who I’ve known only a short while, who tells some of the funniest bawdy jokes I know, and provides probably the realest episode of a show I’ve ever done. Here’s some of what we talk about: First Question: What was it about the Dominican Republic that made you and Melissa want to go back there again and again? we talk about how Will...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Adam, my former accountant, a dude who inspires me in everything he does, and a fellow Rad enthusiast. Here’s some of what we talk about: First Question: Can you pinpoint the moment where you thought to yourself ‘I can’t do this anymore. I need to change careers?’” how the inspiration of a mid-life career change didn’t actually come from him,...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Paul, a dude I co-founded a network with, someone I deeply respect, and a brilliant podcaster. Here’s some of what we talk about: First Question: When I pitched this and asked you pitch a place in Denver that brings you joy, why are we sitting at the Chipotle on the 16th Street Mall? why people bitch about the city, why I generally don’t, and...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Justin, lead singer of The Frickashinas, formerly of the band A Void whose concert was the first date I had with my wife, and a dude who tries to d*ck with me during nearly this entire interview. Here’s some of what we talk about: First Question: At what age did you first want to become a rockstar and who did you think you could emulate? who w...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my workout buddy, Beer Pong Tournament co-champion, and all-around ray of sunshine Peaches ‘n Diesel. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: In your pantheon of accomplishments, where does Beer Pong Champion rank? getting Big Shot into a costume to drink with strangers how I potentially rigged the lethal lottery tournament draft like the...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Dana, a fellow punk rock radio DJ, trans rights advocate, and all-around great hang. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: What was the band, song or album that turned you into a punk rock fan? our early music tastes and migrating from pop into other genres old war stories from college radio including the origin of Jonny X not...

#OTCQuickies are mini solo episodes where I address a question or a topic in service of trying to be a good dude in the world. Today's topic is: End of Pride Month: A Quick Word of Support for My Pals We live in a world that is currently either trying to take away rights from the LGBTQ+ community, sitting idly by as that happens, or just silent out of fear, apathy, or ignorance. I just want t...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Courtney, who is my old business travel buddy, a great friend, and drop dead hilarious. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question (admittedly, a gimme): What does the term “reverse date” mean to you? the insane reason Courtney was worried about having kids our friendship and how as corporate trainers we developed the chemistry of an...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friends Adam, Mike, Austin and Aaron, who comprise the band Bad Year out of Milwaukee. In May, they were on tour and swung through Denver. I invited them to my house for tacos before the show.  Here’s some of what we talk about: First question (admittedly, a gimme): What was your favorite dinner while on tour? the origin of our connection and the...

#OTCQuickies are mini solo episodes where I address a question or a topic in service of trying to be a good dude in the world. Today's topic is: How do you get along with women so well? It's a question I get often because I work extensively with women, have a lot of platonic female friends, and enjoy myself with ease in predominantly female social situations. The answer to this question...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friends Alan and Victor. They’re both multi-hyphenate creators, lifelong best friends, and recently collaborated for the first time professionally on the short film Always Most of the Time . Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: What is the thing that has surprised you most about making a movie together? why I, as a white man, am freq...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Jeff, a wine enthusiast, the person I text the most with about the Nuggets and The King of Thornton. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: Who is your favorite Denver Nugget and why is it LaPhonso Ellis? is Jeff introverted? no, he just doesn’t care. let him explain. trying to describe wine without sounding like a pretentious d...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Conor, one of my best friends of my entire life, but someone I haven’t talked to with our actual voices since the pandemic. This is one of the most honest and intimate chats I’ve ever had in any public-facing format. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: When you think back on all of our time together, what memory floats to the...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Reed, a dude I’ve known for 20+ years, a man with the voice of a god, and an all-around ray of sunshine. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: When was the last time you watched The Big Chill? the best friends are ones that you can go months without talking to each other and just pick it back up like no time has passed the beau...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Diana, one of the fiercest and warmest women I know, a great storyteller, and one of the most driven professionals I've ever met. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: What is the most baller way of dropping off your child at a birthday party? stories of crooked Colombian priests, escaping Pablo Escobar’s men and fleeing t...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Jeff, lead singer of a kickass band, koozie enthusiast, Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: You’re in a band. How do you feel about people your band’s shirt to your own show? how people react when they find out he’s in a band the remedy for the male loneliness epidemic in this country our age difference revealed by which of u...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Nick who is an incredibly knowledgeable historian, dynamite wrestling promoter, and ace shit stirrer. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: Why are you such a mark for a character in the Bible that doesn’t even have a speaking role? a LONG history of the iterations of Satan/Satanism, Judaism, Christianity and other religions ra...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Matty, a friend of more than 20 years, lead singer of punk band No Bueno! and probably the biggest Colorado Avalanche fan I know. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question [Frank Costanza voice]: Do you know about the cup sizes addiction, relapse, recovery, maintenance why the Denver punk scene is as good as it’s ever been and who i...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Nate, who’s become a good friend, is a longtime media personality, a huge music fan, and a great guy to work with. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: Who is “Big Shot Nate?” the necessity of ego to work in media while keeping it in check when you’re not on the air developing your forward facing personas and giving audiences...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Eric, who’s a minister, a dad, and a really good hang. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: We record this on a Friday, how far along are you on this week’s sermon? the bastardization of Christianity, fighting white Christian nationalism, who Jesus actually was and how dumb “prosperity gospel” is the time he got hit by a car o...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Molly, who’s a podcaster, my good pal, and one of the most insightful movie watchers I know. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: On a scale of 1-10, how cringe do you find me? why we need more people to get into mosh pits to work out their issues watching and re-watching bad movies is a compulsion we share microdosing birthda...

On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my friend Kyle, who’s a professional creative, a friend of like 3 decades, a dad and a fellow entrepreneur. Here’s some of what we talk about: First question: Senior year of high school Kyle from 25 years ago time travels to the present day, how does he feel about your life? knocking on the doors of places you used to live and how much people love th...