Life 2.0

Episode #2- Dracula, The Bear and Retirement Home Upgrades

GM and JSA are back at it for episode zwei (that's number two for your non-Germanic types), and besides exploring the dark corners of each other's minds, it's a show chock-full of Dracula stories (John's dad had a Bela Lugosi crush) Garry's thoughts on how AARP needs to let us live in denial as long as possible and of course beating up a little bit on the radio industry in light of the recent "iHeart Media Massacre." Add in a bit about the hit FX show "The Bear" featuring a cameo by "The Walt Disney of Weather" Tom Skilling and the fact that 99% of the fireworks we use to celebrate our Independence Day every 4th of July come from China and... well, you'll have to listen and figure it out for yourself.

AI LOVER

What happens when artificial intelligence intersects with human intelligence? Well, since humans have a hard enough time discerning what reality is, chances are if you don't have your firewall of common sense up, AI is gonna take you to the cleaners, because behind the beauty that insists they have your best interests at heart, is a lower life form human who doesn't. After getting a text from a friend that described how a family member fell in love with an AI-generated woman and lost serious coin, I thought it was time for a PSA when it comes to common sense for uncommon times.

SAINTS & SINNERS EPISODE #1

What happens when you put a Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster (Garry Meier) and an award-winning radio voice (John St. Augustine) in the same podcast space? Not really sure, but certainly worth a listen! In this first episode, we go behind the glass in the world of radio with war stories about Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, and hate mail. Add in "Earth Matters with Bill Kurtis," a discussion about Disclosure Day and aliens among us, and why John always thinks of Garry when the movie "Silverado" comes on the screen.

Must be the chaps.

Remembering Tommie.

Legendary stand-up comedian and favorite son of Harvey, Illinois, Tom Dressen, passed away on June 17th at the age of 86. From hardscrabble beginnings, to forming the Tim and Tom comedy duo with Tim Reid in 1969, to finding himself as the opening act for Frank Sinatra and 61 appearances on the Tonight Show, Tom was an everyman who made it big, but most importantly, never forgot where he came from, or the basic building blocks needed to live a life of faith, family, and friends, which is what success is all about. This is one of my favorite conversations with Tom, shortly after his book "Still Standing ... My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage, and Sinatra" in which he shares his incredible rise from dirt poor kid who shined shoes to becoming one of the most beloved comedians and humanitarians of the last 50 years. On this Father's Day weekend, Tom's experience of finding out that his biological father was not who he thought he was and a deathbed confession underscores the power of forgiveness. 

Jim Alstott

Jim Alstott’s spiritual awakening didn’t happen on a mountaintop in Nepal; it happened on a Florida beach at nearly 400 pounds, exhausted, broken, and ready to give up. That night, a voice that wasn’t quite his own told him things would change. And they did.

Blending irreverent humor with profound spiritual inquiry, Did I Just Have a Spiritual Awakening, or Was it Something I Ate? traces one man’s magical, mystical journey through Dolores Cannon’s twelve stages of awakening, with each chapter anchored by the song that defined it. From seeing his deceased great-grandfather at age four to receiving prophetic dreams that saved his son’s life, Jim chronicles fifty-nine years of experiences that defy explanation with raw honesty and occasional profanity.

Mind kinda guy. 

Music used by permission of the John Denver Estate. 

Band of Brothers- SAR/59 Project

I arrived at Coast Guard Air Station Chicago in June of 1980. After my 4 years were up, I returned to civilian life, but I always wondered what happened to the men and women I served with...Joltin'Joe, The Penguin, Doc, The Sheik, Metz, Brenda, DJ, Strolie...

Fast forward to 2019, when Coastie veteran Mike Phillips came across one of our helicopters, CG 1459, sitting outside in a parking lot. What followed has been a seven-year roller coaster ride to see how we could save and restore not just a military aircraft we all flew in, but as it turned out, ourselves in the process.

Disclaimer: the podcast is 1:50 minutes long, because the story of the 1459 and the band of brothers who are dedicated to its restoration has been nearly 50 years in the making.

The Newsman-Charlie Meyerson

In an age when most people get their news from a handheld device locked into the platform of their choice, which feeds their confirmation bias, Charlie Meyerson stands as a testament to old-school journalism and fact-based reporting. He's a winner of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for his work, a relentless purveyor of truth at all costs, and add to that. a mighty fine flautist. Charlie is the very definition of journalistic integrity, and in this episode, we talk about the business of podcasting, reliable news sources, and why it's a really good idea to go visit a Farmer's Market as often as possible.

Photo credit: Steve Ewert

Memorial Day 2026

Let me be clear. There's nothing "happy" about Memorial Day. It was created as "Decoration Day" shortly after the Civil War to commemorate those who lost their lives. Somehow over the years, it's become a three-day weekend, and an excuse for retailers to sell more tires, mattresses, and televisions. It's the official start to summer. But for two fathers, Memorial Day is filled with the memories of their sons, Ryan and Nick, who gave their last full measure in service to our nation. 

Lest we forget.

Saturday Rewind-Earl Hamner

It's a glorious morning in the outskirts of Chicago. A light rain is falling; the baby robins in the nest under the overhang of the house next door are looking for breakfast, and a slight rumble of thunder interrupts the early-morning silence. All of these things have me remembering my friend, the late, great Earl Hamner. This Saturday Rewind takes us back to November of 2001 and my conversation with Earl about "The Waltons" as well as life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the book he had out at the time (that I still read on occasion), The Avocado Drive Zoo.

Music used by permission of the John Denver Estate.

THE BIG FLUSH

Ah, nothing like a colonoscopy to bring a little perspective! It occurred to me as I went through the wonderful pre-procedure flush that sometimes getting totally cleaned out and starting all over again is a really good thing. Add to that a short preview of an upcoming podcast project with radio legend Garry Meier, a few hours digging in my sister's garage and finding evidence that at one time, I had really good handwriting, along with some incredible artifacts and the reminder comes that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Music by Mark Cleveland used by permission.