Better Call Paul

In this episode I speak with my good friend Brendan Kirby, owner and operator of Seed Sprout Spoon and The Leona Ballroom in St. Louis, Missouri. We discuss the events, hospitality and service industries in the new economic landscape, and also hopefully reveal a little bit of ourselves in this great conversation.

St. Louis post-punk/no-wave rockers Buttercup celebrate the release of their new album, "I Can't Believe It's Not Buttercup," tonight at The Heavy Anchor at 9 p.m. In this episode of the General Concerns podcast I speak with guitarist Matt Derouin about the new release.

Do you ever wonder what's going to happen on November 3rd, 2018? I got a few answers out of the mouth of Mark Pannebecker, founder of the St. Louis Indie Book Fair and confirmed German American. Have a listen-n-learn. It's the first episode of General Concerns from the new studio in the Tower Grove South neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, USA. 

Actor and funnyman Carlson Muss talks with me from his Los Angles estate. We discuss being food pirates in Portland, leaving Portland, improv comedy theater, consciously constructed vs. fake, and freedom from alcohol. It's an eye opening hour of tough talk and warm fellowship between old pals. You can catch Carlson at Upright Citizens Brigade, 5419 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 23, 2018, at 2:00 p.m.

After locking her in a closet and tormenting her with the interminable saga of my Larry David moment in the karaoke showdown where we met, my guest and dear friend Casey Bazzell saves me from further embarrassment by singing three of her songs and closing out the podcast. Download this set at Casey's brand spanking new Bandcamp page.

E-book formatting can be a real pain in the ass, especially when you're publishing an e-book of poetry.  Paul and I make an attempt to find solutions to common formatting problems, then discuss how the life of a traditionally published author is probably a huge pain in the ass too, because having to tour the material universe is a pain in the ass. We remember Abdul Kasent and the Off Broadway rehearsal house with fondness. 

Paul and I discuss the perils and intricacies of font design, the perils and intricacies of the Israeli/Palestinian situation, and the perils and intricacies of shitting on younger people's music. Other concerns are discussed.

My guest on this episode is Robin Wheeler, cooking teacher par excellence, Woody Guthrie expert, and author of the highly anticipated book with the working title, Woody Guthrie In Love. Robin bares her soul to me about the book, kimchi cliches, her first catering gig and much more.

If you're planning a visit to Zagreb, check in with my friend Iva Trčić, whose exquisite 19th century flat on British Square is scheduled to wrap up renovations by June 1, 2018. She's looking for help with funding the project on IndieGoGo, and is offering stays in the apartment as reward for support. Just search "the old zagreb place" on IndieGoGo.com.