Why Am I Podcast

In this episode of Why Am I, I sit down with Colton Holder, Director of Operations for the Arkansas Renaissance Festival. Colton’s path took him from theater kid, to soul-crushing sales job, to unexpectedly helping build a Renaissance Festival from the ground up. We talk about identity, performance, community, finding your people, and why giving adults permission to play might be more important th...

Just a quick thank you for everyone listening and a wrap up for the year! Find more info at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://whyamipod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you want to support the podcast you can do so via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Step inside The Fantasy Restaurant as Nancy Beverly joins me to build her dream meal. From the atmosphere to the first sip, she crafts a dinner that’s simple, personal, and surprisingly charming. We talk about childhood favorites, homemade touches, and the joy of keeping things unfussy.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person. Pl...

In this Fantasy Restaurant episode, Brian takes his time building a thoughtful meal, choosing dishes that each have personal meaning or a story behind them. We talk through why certain foods stuck with him, what makes a dish “right” in his mind, and the small details that shape how he enjoys a meal.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind t...

Award-winning writer, photographer, and explorer Nancy Beverly joins Greg to talk about creativity, collaboration, and the joy of exploration; from the hiking trails of California to the writer’s room in Hollywood. They discuss playwriting, community, nature, feedback, and even how aliens might communicate through art.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chas...

Former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski committed over 20 robberies alongside his father and brother. In this episode of Why Am I, we dig deep into what pushed him to that life—and what brought him back. From his chaotic childhood to finding redemption through comedy and nonprofit work, Bryan shares a brutally honest and surprisingly funny look at guilt, change, and the choices that shape us. We also...

I head into the piney woods of East Texas for a family reunion… held in a cemetery. Since the mid-1800s, families have gathered at Antioch Cemetery on the third Sunday in October to argue about upkeep, share a potluck, and remember. My Uncle Bobby walks me through headstones, East Texas sawmill history, dry-county bootlegging, Civil War migrations from Alabama to Texas, faith, forgiveness, and wha...

Step into the Fantasy Restaurant with Ben E. Wood, where the menu is fueled by nostalgia and imagination. From banana milkshakes the size of his head to crispy chicken wing triangles, Ben’s meal is equal parts comfort food and childhood memory. Add in diner all-day breakfast, a “cheese number,” and a mountainous banana cream pie for dessert, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind feast. 🔗 Don’t forget to...

Step into the world of pinball like you’ve never seen it. David van Es blends his lifelong love of movies, pinball, and film production into immersive machines that let you live inside your favorite stories. From Star Wars to Labyrinth to Dune, David shares how pinball can become more than a game—it’s a way to connect, imagine, and build community. 🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe f...

Dawn Meyerriecks has spent her career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and service. From building systems that shaped modern defense to guiding innovation in intelligence, she’s proven how curiosity and courage can change the world. In this episode, we explore her journey, her lessons, and the impact of mentoring the next generation.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for m...

Canadian musician Ben E. Wood joins Why Am I to talk about his fourth album, the haunting creative process behind it, and the deeply personal journey through mental health challenges that shaped it. We discuss making art in recovery, what it’s like to “write an album with ghosts,” the importance of local arts, and how to support friends who may be struggling.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and s...

Joel joins me in the warmup exercise for the Why Am I Podcast called the Fantasy Restaurant. This guy puts together a meal that is rich in nostalgia and full of flavor. Oh yeah, don't forget to bring your own padlock ;) 🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person. Please show them some love on their socials here: https://www.tik...

This week on Why Am I, I talk to Joel—better known online as Fuel Neve. He’s a writer, voice actor, and humorist whose viral social commentary often disarms toxic ideas with heart and wit. We talk about learning to “fail less,” using humor to heal, and the unexpected gift of emotional rock bottom. Joel opens up about losing his father, becoming a parent, and why bravery, empathy, and curiosity sha...

Welcome to the Fantasy Restaurant, where anything you’ve ever craved is on the menu. In this warmup episode, Justin from Library Punk joins Greg to order up a literary feast — from Redwall berry flights to vegan duck with tofu head. It’s nostalgia, nerdery, and texture-forward food fantasy in full force. 🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story be...

In this episode of Why Am I, we sit down with Justin from Library Punk to explore how librarianship, leftist critique, and punk rock intersect. We talk about moving across the country, parasocial podcasting, career pivots, and organizing for systemic change — all through the lens of a library worker who just might be your favorite quiet radical.📚 From library theory to protest reality🎤 From punk...

In this darkly funny personal essay, I reflect on the chaos and compromises of parenting through the lens of a family trip inspired by our toddler’s obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine. It’s got trains, rain, and an unforgettable roadside bathroom situation. Think David Sedaris meets wooden railroads. Watch as I recount two pivotal moments in our family’s journey with Thomas, complete with backw...

In this episode of Why Am I, I sit down with Meg Gustafson—curator of 80s aesthetic magic and creator of @HammyWhammyOfficial—to talk nostalgia, Memphis design, mid-century burnout, and the deeply emotional connection we form with our spaces. From mall guides to neon preservation, this is a candid look at how architecture, fashion, and music shape us.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe...

Step into the Fantasy Restaurant with soap opera writer Joanna Cohen as she builds her dream meal—from Prosecco in a tulip flute to tuna sliders from a Nantucket food truck. We talk taste, texture, and the subtle art of simple pleasures. This is more than a menu—it’s a memory.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person. Please show...

In this “Why Am I” episode, writer and soap opera veteran Joanna Cohen explores identity, motherhood, nostalgia, and her unlikely path from sports journalism to daytime TV.She opens up about journaling, growing up in NYC, and writing real human emotion into soap scripts. It's deep, funny, and refreshingly candid.🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase...

What drives someone from a childhood of pirating games to building a startup accelerator that spans countries? In this episode, Jason W. Taylor opens up about relentless ambition, fear-driven success, and why he believes entrepreneurism is humanity’s greatest force for good. Jason shares how computer camp shaped his future, why failure isn't something to be feared, and the power of building in...

Ever wonder what your dream meal would be if anything was on the table? In this episode of The Fantasy Restaurant, Steve Davis walks us through his ideal lineup—complete with salt and pepper squid, a classic New Zealand lamb rack, and a custard-topped fruit pie that'll make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about dessert. Along the way, we talk Kiwi cuisine, nostalgic dinners in S...

Step into the "Fantasy Restaurant" with host Greg and guest Anton Mitchell as they craft a dream meal from scratch. From spicy cherry-infused old fashioneds to jerk chicken sliders and dual mains featuring papardelle and lamb chops, Anton takes familiar flavors and elevates them to something extraordinary. This warm-up episode sets the table for storytelling, flavor, and nostalgia.🔗 Don...

In this episode of Why Am I, I sit down with the endlessly fascinating Steve Davis – a sidemount cave diver, podcast host, entrepreneur, and former Navy engineer. We dig deep into how Steve found his way from corporate life in Silicon Valley to running a coffee shop in New Zealand, exploring underwater caves, and hosting one of the most niche diving podcasts out there. He shares gripping cave divi...

This week, Greg chats with Anton Mitchell, a gifted educator and storyteller based at the Mob Museum in Las Vegas. From his blue-collar roots to educating thousands about the hidden truths of organized crime, Anton’s journey is anything but ordinary. We dig into the nuanced history of the mob, the power of everyday choices, and what it really means to teach and learn every day.🔗 Don’t forget to l...

Welcome to the Fantasy Restaurant episode of the Why Am I Podcast, where anything goes when it comes to food! Our guest, Andy Kay, builds his dream meal, from the perfect drink to an unforgettable dessert. We talk prime rib perfection, bacon-wrapped dates, and the art of simple ingredients done right. Plus, Andy shares his thoughts on the true dining experience—whether it's in a fine restauran...