The Knocking Rod Podcast

On this episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, we add video for the first time! But more importantly, this is a full-on group goof-around session with a regular who’s who of Fanwood, New Jersey. First and foremost, our guest of honor - Katie Z! From the house on the corner of the one and only Herbert Avenue, Katie, her family, and our family go ALL the way back. She’s joined by two more Stenders - C...

On this episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I chat with Cousin Todd who is also known as Uncle Todd in our household. Turns out, Todd and I come from a long line of car guys, starting with Grandpa Smiley who passed his car-loving ways to his sons, who in turn brought the next generation into the fold. Todd has many good stories, like the 1965 Cutlass his dad used as a parts car that became Todd’s...

Tyler and I discuss our time spent with the 2026 Ram 1500 Warlock. It’s a badass truck and one that has Tyler pining for his previous, and equally awesome, Ford F-150. We talk boosted Hurricanes, the return of a Dodge nameplate form the ‘70s, and my skills putting 20-year-old Tubbs snowshoes (from Caroline 20 years ago!) to the test. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

After a week spent with the all-new Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, Tyler and I discuss what we loved - all the tech - what we didn’t - speed of seat adjustments - and where we net out on this range-topping Palisade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theknockingrod.com

I recently had the opportunity to attend the launch of Michelin’s new X-Ice Snow+ winter tire. It was an incredibly interesting event, with time spent behind the wheel getting a feel for how the new rubber performs in its natural setting - the frozen and snow-covered Mecaglisse proving grounds deep in the Canadian wilderness. A highlight was sitting down with Michelin’s David Griese, who is the Pr...

On this episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I chat with my best friend Dave Russ - though he is known worldwide as Druss. We’ve had A LOT of car adventures together and that’s something that Dave rightly points out as something that really sticks with you. Particularly the first car adventures when you and your friends are enjoying the first real taste of independence. For Dave, there was a pair...

On today’s episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I chat with the person who may not consider herself a car person, but who is in the fact responsible for my love of station wagons. That being my mom, Linda. Her first car was a 1968 Pontiac LeMans. Prior to that, her mom, Shirley, had a Plymouth Valiant that was known for stalling after driving through puddles. In my memory, Shirley was also known f...

I recently had the opportunity to attend Destination Defender with Land Rover out in Temecula, California. Though we did many cool things, a highlight was sitting down to talk off-road racing with American off-road racer Sara Price. She’s been behind the wheel for 25 years, racing in Motocross, Supercross, NitroCross, and even electric hydrofoil boats with Will Smith ‘s (yes, the actor) team. Side...

The First Car On the latest episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I talk with my favorite sister, Caroline, about many things. But mostly cars. Like her first ride - and the one I learned to drive stick on - a 1986 Volkswagen Golf with no power steering and a Wellfleet, Cape Cod provenance. The Current Fleet We look at her current fleet, which includes a Mazda3 lovingly referred to as “the roller s...

In today’s episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I talk with my good friend and local Seacoast car guy Jon Gaffney. His first car, a 1992 Nissan Maxima, is a ride you don’t see too much on the road these days. But man, who wouldn’t rock one of these under-the-radar ‘90s gems today?! The First Car We talk cars that, though not necessarily bad, left Mr. Gaffney hanging. Like a 2004 Honda Civic - gray...

On today’s episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I talk with the car guy who started it all for me - the father unit AKA Fred AKA many other nicknames depending on the sibling. On today’s episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I talk with the car guy who started it all for me - the father unit AKA Fred AKA many other nicknames depending on the sibling. The First Car We talk young Richard’s first car,...

On today’s episode of The Knocking Rod podcast, I chat with good friend, neighbor, and consummate car guy Adam Cullinane about many things. There’s his first car, an epic V6-powered Camaro, replete with powder-coated rims, custom-trimmed springs, and so much more. The First Car Then there is the current car, a big, cushy Toyota Avalon with a special hidden feature that even the car-iest of car ent...

In the inaugural Knocking Rod podcast, we talk with Tyler Stender about his first car - a glorious Powder Blue 1989 Toyota Corolla, replete with 75 horsepower and bicycle tires. 1 of only 50,000,000 ever made. The First Car We also delve into Tyler’s favorite car - a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring, specially made for hungover cross country road trips and a beast in the snow. The Favorite Car Finally...