Ye Olde Magic

Conversation 24: Chapters 2 and 3 15.11.2025 33:25 ↓

Just reading a bit more to my dad. 

29: The Eulogy 08.11.2025 18:26 ↓

On October 24th, 2025, my father passed away. My sister Rachel gave the eulogy at his funeral. 

Conversation 28: The professional life 07.11.2025 1:01:23 ↓

Where dad and I discuss his career, early life, and the red sox. 

Conversation 22: On reflection after one year 07.11.2025 58:52 ↓

It's been just over a year since my dad and I began having these conversations. Recently, he decided to refuse certain medications, a choice we know will significantly affect his life expectancy. In this conversation, we talk more about what that means, what we've learned from recording these chats, and what we hope to get out of the few we have left.

Conversation 20: The Uncle Max Tales 07.11.2025 55:28 ↓

Jason Poppleton spoke with us today as Dad described what it was like to be brothers with Max. Also, there's something about a paintball to the neck, a jeep crashing into the Mahn's house, and an especially cruel barber. 

Conversation 18: Where Wayne talks about knowing Brother Poppleton 07.11.2025 55:49 ↓

My childhood friend, Wayne Clements, joined us to discuss life at the Poppletons. We cover Moorpark training, the old watering hole, religious life, and almost getting killed by the cops. Also, there's a part about cultural appropriation I may delete one day. I can't promise I know what version you're listening to. 

Conversation 17: A few more songs from the front room 07.11.2025 52:38 ↓

There was no way to get to all of the songs we played in the front room in just one hour, so Rachel and Dad take us back this week Simon and Garfunkle, Burl Ives, and the Everly Brothers.

Conversation 16: Front room music 07.11.2025 59:56 ↓

The Brower house was always filled with music, whether from the giant turn table, someone playing piano, or Dad playing guitar for the kids. In this conversation we play some of that music and talk about why Dad chose the songs he did and what those songs mean to him now. 

Conversation 15: On classic movies and high fantasy 07.11.2025 55:06 ↓

Jacob Hixon joins us tonight for a conversation about classic movies and choosing a theme for your stories. We talk about Dad's early days going to the movies with his brother Max and the times they were thrown out of the theater. We also discuss the difference between high and low fantasy and the right way to tell a mystery. 

Conversation 14: The Legend of the Green Monkey 07.11.2025 22:33 ↓

The Legend of the Green Monkey

Conversation 12: On backyards and satellites 07.11.2025 48:32 ↓

Stephen Hixon joins us to discuss what it was like coming over to the Poppletons. We spend most of the time in the old Brower backyard, but detour a bit to argue ice skating scores and east coast basketball feeds. 

Conversation 11: On loneliness 07.11.2025 1:07:02 ↓

Megan joined us this week to discuss loneliness. We discuss Pa and what his loneliness looked like, Megan as the youngest of eight children and five years from her closest sibling, and a poem written for Judie. 

Conversation 10: Firstborns and runaways 07.11.2025 58:04 ↓

Desiree and Tauni join us to discuss the chaos that was being the oldests. We talk early days, running away, cousin Julie, and take a moment at the end to listen to one of Travis' favorite poems -- "In Just" by e e cummings. 

Conversation 09: When we write music 07.11.2025 1:06:19 ↓

Abigail and Chip join us this conversation to discuss music, what it means, why we write it, and the influences that drive us to create. Our first introduction to the grandkids on my favorite ninth episode of a magic podcast.