The FREEDRIFT Podcast

Eric Nishimoto shaped how I think about journalism, teaching, and friendship. In our interview, Eric shares his family's remarkable history, his journey through law enforcement, and the importance of storytelling, patriotism, and faith in shaping a meaningful life. Read the full written profile on the FREEDRIFT Substack.-------Chapters00:00 Revisiting Old Friendships07:30 The Legacy of the 442...

Father Brian O’Brien believes in you. He wants to help you—I’ve seen it with my own eyes. He’s blessed my home, and counseled me, and I’m just one of his parishioners, one sheep in his Tulsa flock of 1,800 registered parishioners, and hundreds more every weekend. It’s miraculous that he has time for each one of us, but that’s exactly how it is: Each of us is his primary concern, like there’s one o...

Afroman. What a legend. Justin Robert Young breaks down the full story: the 2022 Adams County Sheriff's raid, the TikTok banger cinematic universe that followed (Lemon Pound Cake, Lickum Lo Lisa, and more), and the defamation lawsuit that just handed Afro Man a second career on a silver platter. Also: NWA, Two Live Crew, the First Amendment, and why this might be the most American story of the yea...

Alex Kraemer writes Critiques & Musings on Substack, and he has one of the most genuinely good eyes for film of anyone I've come across online. We sat down to go deep on the movies that defined 2025 — Sinners, Marty Supreme, Black Bag, Eddington, The Phoenician Scheme, the new Naked Gun, and more. --- Find Alex on Substack at Critiques & Musings by Alex Instagram: @MrAlexKraemer FREEDR...

In this episode of the FREEDRIFT podcast, I sat down with Father Tom Miller, a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the voice behind the Humbuggery Substack. I wanted to do this episode so we could talk about Lent, and we wound up talking about a ton of additional topics, including musicals and St. Louis-style pizza. Father Tom shares his 33-year journey in the priesthood, his lov...

Jim Dale has been one of my best friends for about a decade now. We met in graduate school at the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton. We immediately became friends and began the series of journeys that have brought us to where we are today. There was our trip to Louisiana for a Trump rally, while I was covering the 2020 Presidential Election, and our coverage o...

My article about the Joyful Mysterieshttps://open.substack.com/pub/freedrift/p/the-joyful-mysteries?r=3umok&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueMy article about the Holy Rosary https://freedrift.substack.com/publish/post/181839853https://linktr.ee/FreedriftKevinhttps://freedrift.substack.com/

For nearly a decade, Hair Metal wasn’t a niche—it was mainstream rock. Then it vanished. Film scholar and historian Andrew Patrick Nelson joins me to make the case for Hair Metal as one of the most misunderstood eras in modern music history. What gets dismissed as camp or excess was, in reality, a genre built on virtuoso guitar playing, powerful vocalists, massive studio production, and an unmatch...

A reading of Merwin's gorgeous poem, "Vixen." Find the accompanying story at: https://freedrift.substack.com/p/109b1252-6f9c-4af0-a344-63315d453896

Andrew Patrick Nelson delves into the remarkable career of Barbara Stanwyck, exploring her iconic roles, emotional authenticity, and the complexity of her characters. The discussion highlights her impact on film noir, her dynamic performances alongside Fred MacMurray, and the evolution of her filmography. Check out Andrew’s top-ten list at: freedrift.substack.com/p/0a0b9abf-ff6a-4b6d-807c-6076af91...

David Fraze has spent over 35 years mentoring students, athletes, and families, helping them navigate the challenges of identity, faith, and competition. In this deep dive, we explore his journey from student minister to university professor and special assistant to the president at Lubbock Christian University. Fraze shares powerful insights on how youth sports can shape character, why failure is...

Author Joe Pappalardo joins us to discuss his new book, "Four Against the West," which unravels the myth of Roy Bean—the so-called "Law West of the Pecos"—and dives into the untold stories of his brothers, Sam, James, and Joshua. While Roy is often remembered as a frontier judge, Pappalardo reveals a more complex truth: Roy was more showman than lawman, and his brothers left eq...

In this conversation, Sammy Swindell shares his journey in racing, starting from his early days influenced by his father's passion for the sport. He discusses the importance of car setup, mental focus, and the strategies that contribute to his success on the track. Swindell reflects on the dynamics of racing, the thrill of competition, and the lessons learned from both victories and defeats. H...

In this conversation, Kevin Ryan and Rick Hinderer delve into the world of knife making, exploring Rick's journey from a horse trainer to a renowned knife maker. They discuss the importance of craftsmanship, the influence of creativity, and the design philosophy behind Rick's knives, emphasizing usability and ergonomics. The conversation also touches on the materials used in knife making, the inno...

What if everything we know about reality is wrong? Quantum mechanics isn't just a weird science experiment—it could rewrite the rules of existence. From Schrödinger’s cat to the mind-bending possibilities of the multiverse, this is the story of how quantum physics challenges our understanding of time, space, and even free will. Science journalist Joe Pappalardo joins the conversation to explor...

In this insightful interview with Joe Pappalardo, one of the top science journalists of our time, we dive into the future of smart cities, exploring the complexities of interconnected systems, the loss of human agency, and the role of technology in shaping urban life. Pappalardo shares his thoughts on the promise and pitfalls of smart cities, from the potential benefits in healthcare to the concer...

In this episode, I sit down with Art Ayris, the visionary founder of Kingstone Studios, as he shares his incredible journey from overcoming multiple near-death experiences to creating a groundbreaking platform that brings the Bible to life through comics. Art discusses the pivotal role faith played in his life, the challenges of creating compelling Christian media, and how his team at Kingstone St...

In this episode, Kevin Ryan sits down with John Roy of Dawson Knives for a deep and inspiring conversation about faith, craftsmanship, and the values that shape our world. They explore the origins of Dawson Knives as a family business rooted in tradition, the artistry of sword-making, and the cutting-edge innovation of MagnaCut steel.   John shares personal stories that highlight the power of pray...

I spoke with the legendary Andrew Patrick Nelson, film historian and chief curator of Western Spirit, Scottsdale's Museum of the West. Discover why "Rio Bravo" is more than just a Western—it’s a cinematic response to the Hollywood politics of its time and a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino, who calls it his ultimate “hangout movie.” Directed by Howard Hawks, this 1959 John Wayne classic was...

In this conversation, I speak with Jason Nelson about the devastating impact of a recent hurricane on Western North Carolina, highlighting the logistical challenges faced in disaster response, the failures of government agencies like FEMA, and the urgent need for community support and action. Jason shares his personal experiences and instincts during the crisis, emphasizing the dire situation on t...

Douglas Green, also known as Ranger Doug, discusses his experiences as a member of the Western music group Riders in the Sky and his love for Western music and culture. He shares stories about playing at the Grand Ole Opry, the history of the song 'Don't Fence Me In,' and the figure of the singing cowboy. He also talks about the connection between Western movies, TV shows, and music, a...

Open Range is a classic Western film directed by Kevin Costner. It follows two mysterious and steely-eyed strangers, Charlie and Boss Spearman, who are free grazers in the last days of the frontier west. The film explores the clash between law and lawlessness, as well as the authenticity of the heroes and the Western setting. It also delves into the concept of masculinity and the strong silent typ...

This week's WednesdayWestern is “The Old Way” (2023), a horrible movie featuring Nic Cage. We start with the connection between 'The Old Way' and the tragic incident on the set of the movie 'Rust', which had the same gun handler. We also delve into Nic Cage's acting style, known as 'Nouveau Shamanic', and highlight some of his iconic performances.  Full article appe...

Nathan Dahlstrom writes Western-tinged Young Adult fiction under the pen name S.J. Dahlstrom. In an era where libraries have allowed the creep of ideology to spoil books, he delivers characters and scenes with backbone and wonder. Align interviewer Kevin Ryan chatted with Nathan at Mercury Studios, headquarters of Blaze Media. You can find the entire profile here (LINK) They discuss masculinity, b...

Ryan Vaughan, CEO of Anderson Bean Boots, discusses the history and unique features of the boot and the company. The Rios family has been making boots since 1853 and settled in South Texas to take advantage of the fertile valley along the Rio Grande River. Anderson Bean boots are known for their high-quality materials and construction, making them durable and comfortable. The brand works closely w...