The Adulting Well Podcast

This week we sir down with the amazing Kendra Sheetz! Kendra is a Chicago-based writer, photographer, and music lover. She owns and operates Bad Copy - a music site which covers Punk, Indie, Hardcore, and Alt bands. She runs a small PR company called Type A Promo, which aims to spread the word about amazing up-and-coming Punk bands. And she is the co-host of the enough. Podcast which discusses the darker side of the music industry, specifically abuse, assault, and harassment. She also spends her free time exploring and photographing abandoned structures across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with Ian MacKaye. Ian MacKaye! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This wee we have a wonderful conversation with War On Women's Brooks Harlan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week have a wonderful talk with Daniel Sea. Daniel Sea (he/they) is a trans non-binary actor, musician and artist. Sea has worked in film, theater and TV series. They played the first recurring transmasculine role on television, appearing from 2006-2009 as Max in Showtime’s The L Word. In 2022, he revised his role as Max for the current iteration of the L Word: Generation Q. They acted in films such as John Cameron Mitchell’s “Shortbus”, and Barbara Albert’s film “The Dead and The Living/Die Lebenden.” As a conceptual artist, Sea works with interdisciplinary memoir, engaging in processes such as research-based performance, writing, music, drawing, video and photography. Prior to their work acting in mainstream tv and film, Sea came of age as an artist as a part of the queer punk, art and activist scenes of the San Francisco Bay Area, California in the 1990’s. His work transverses from the queer vanguard to the mainstream, intervening on pop culture, infecting the mainstream with a political and magical queer and trans agenda. In collaboration Marissa Lobô, Jota Mombaça, Juliana dos Santos, and with participation from artist Ani Gonzaga, and activist Sonia Guajajara, Sea was a part of creating the theater piece “Ghost Times/Decolonizing Teatro Mundi”, at the Brüt Theater in Vienna, Austria. Sea is co-writer, producer and songwriter on“La La La Little Shows”, a decolonial children’s sci-fi series, which includes animation, music performance, narrative storytelling and interviews with artists. This show centers BIPOC and Queer characters and artists. Sea exhibited in October 2022 in the Library of the Academy of Fine Arts in a group exhibition “Archeology of Whispers”, which involved a photo installation and a solo performance based on research within the library’s archive, as well as a group performance with fellow artists. Intergenerational communication, accessing transcestor knowledge through corporeal research and memories, intervening on the academy's institutional archive, were some of the themes of Sea's work within the exhibit. Sea, along with the currently unnamed artistic collective who created “Archeology of Whispers”, created a durational performance intervention in the Paintings Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, called “The Sea Room”. The Sea Room is a phantasmagorical journey through the primeval oceans of all life into the European hell of order, extraction, and ascension. It is a response, a call, and a question. Daniel identifies as trans non-binary and uses he/they pronouns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week with sit down with Matt Kreutz, the founder of Firebrand bread. Matt founded Firebrand with the goal of making a positive impact on his community by hiring homeless and previously incarcerated people. Firebrand was born out of Matt Kreutz's determination to make the best damn bread possible while building a business that helps people. His first job in a bakery at the age of 14. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note from Pepper: This episode is special for me. J Robbins is my favorite producer and I never in a million years thought I would get the chance to have a conversation with him. Yay! Robbins began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led five of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, Channels, and Office of Future Plans. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which was issued by DeSoto Records in 1993. More recently he played bass in Report Suspicious Activity with Vic Bondi, which released two albums on Alternative Tentacles Records. In 2011, Robbins, along with Kerosene 454's drummer and fellow Channels bandmate Darren Zentek, bassist Brooks Harlan, and guitarist/cellist Gordon Withers, released an EP under the name Office of Future Plans. The band, who had been playing since 2009 and released an album on Dischord Records in November 2011, but as of October 2016, they are not together anymore. In May 31, 2019, J. Robbins released his first solo album, Un-Becoming. Robbins is also a successful producer and engineer for bands such as Ponytail, Clutch (and side project The Bakerton Group), Jets to Brazil, Hey Mercedes, Shiner, Mock Orange, The Pauses, The Life and Times, Miranda Sound, Time Spent Driving, Faraquet, The Dismemberment Plan, The Monorchid, The Promise Ring, Dwindle, Pilot to Gunner, Paint It Black, None More Black, Jawbreaker, Discount, Against Me!, Goodbye Soundscape, Modern Life is War, Stapleton, Murder By Death, mewithoutYou, Black Cross (hardcore), Lemuria, Caustic Casanova, The Sword, Debate (from Sao Paulo, Brazil), Coliseum, Hammer No More the Fingers, Small Brown Bike, Broadcaster, Noyo Mathis and Nakatomi Plaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with the amaizing Kim Coletta! Kim bought her first bass from David Grubbs (Squirrelbait, Bastro, Gastr del Sol) when they both attended college in Washington, DC. After graduating, much to her father's chagrin, she started Jawbox with J. Robbins and Adam Wade. Shortly after, Coletta founded DeSoto Records to put out Edsel and early Jawbox material. Although Jawbox took a long hiatus starting in 1997, they reunited in 2018 and have since toured the U.S. and Europe. All told, the band has played around 700 live shows. Coletta works as a fifth-grade English teacher when she's not playing bass and coaches baseball. She is also a parent to Nick, a 21-year-old University of Vermont student who squeezes in some academics when not snowboarding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with the amazing Zach Barocas. Zach is best known for his drumming in Jawbox, The Up On In, and BELLS≥. He is currently at work composing material for his latest project, New Freedom Sound. Since 2001, he has served as editor and publisher of The Cultural Society, a primarily-poetry micropress. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, where they own a stationery store called Measure Twice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Kevin and Pepper talk with Gordon Withers! Gordon is a Post-Punk Cellist residing in the suburbs of Washington, DC. He plays cello with the J. Robbins Band, New Freedom Sound, Betwixt, and many others. He is best known for his cello tribute albums including Jawbreaker on Cello, Dark Side of the Moon on Cello, and Jawbox on Cello. In his “adulting” time he has a career in the tech industry helping nonprofits make strategic technology choices. Gordon became a hot sauce addict during the pandemic. https://www.gordonwithers.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down the amazing Jon Wurster! Jon is an American drummer and comedy writer. As a musician, he is best known for his work with Superchunk, the Mountain Goats, and Bob Mould.He is also known for appearing on The Best Show with Tom Scharpling. He's recorded and performed live with Jay Farrar, Ben Gibbard, Robert Pollard, Katy Perry, The New Pornographers, Rocket from the Crypt, Alejandro Escovedo, and R.E.M! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch was the mystery 2nd Guitar player on Jawbreaker Dear You tour. He's also a husband, father, and one of the nicest guys we know. Mitch talks about growing up in a Central Valley conservative house, hiding your devil music records, and answering the age old question: Who's that guy next to Blake? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon began interviewing survivors of narcissistic and domestic abuse on his podcast, Narcissist Apocalypse in 2019, I began interviewing survivors of narcissistic and domestic abuse on my podcast, Narcissist Apocalypse. In that time, he’s published over 120 survivor stories, interviewed countless experts in the field, from therapists, to lawyers, to domestic violence advocates and agencies. Allowing his guests the space to tell their own story is unique in the podcast world of over the top interviewers. Brandon grew up in Toronto, Canada and loves all things punk. His show is the perfect example of DIY ethics and organic growth! Resources In the US https://www.thehotline.org/ 1-800-799-SAFE In Canada Shelter Safe https://sheltersafe.ca/ If you are in eminent danger call 911 immediately Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with Rich Egan, founder of Vagrant Records, to talk about managing Jawbreaker in a pandemic, running a record label, being a young skater in Santa Monica, and much, much more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we welcome Blake Schwarzenbach back to the show to talk about the pandemic, writing, the craziness of the past five years, Jawbreaker, and more! Blake Schwarzenbach is an American musician. He is the singer and guitarist of Jawbreaker, and was also a member of Jets to Brazil, The Thorns of Life, and forgetters. He is known as the godfather of emo. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down for an amazing conversation with Kira Roessler. Kira Roessler is a musician, singer, and two-time Emmy Award-winning dialogue editor. She is perhaps best known as the bassist for the influential hardcore punk band Black Flag during the 1980s. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 5 kicks off with our friend A.C. Thompson joining us once again. A lot has happened since the last time he was on. Covid, BLM Protests, The United States capitol attack... A lot. We talk about it all! A.C. Thompson is a staff reporter with ProPublica. His stories, which often examine the criminal justice system, have helped lead to the exoneration of two innocent San Francisco men sentenced to life in prison and the prosecution of seven New Orleans police officers. In addition to working as a print and web journalist, Thompson has reported extensively for television, serving as a producer and correspondent for the PBS documentary series Frontline. His life was fictionalized on the HBO show “Treme.” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Death By Incarceration is a show about life behind bars. The USA is the only nation where a minor can be sentenced to die by incarceration before turning 18. A minor can’t vote, can’t serve in the military, can’t drink or smoke, but they CAN go to prison for the rest of their lives. Each week, hosts Luis "Suave" Gonzalez (Suave podcast/released lifer) and Kevin McCracken (Adulting Well podcast) will be joined by law-makers, community leaders, and the incarcerated as they shed light on institutions that viciously target and harm marginalized communities. From Crawlspace Media and DBI Media https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/death-by-incarceration/id1558992420 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Popularly known as “The Cat Daddy,” Jackson Galaxy is the host and executive producer of Animal Planet's long running hit show “My Cat From Hell.” Jackson, an animal advocate and cat behavior and wellness expert, is also a two-time New York Times best-selling author with more than 25 years of experience working with cats and their guardians. He is on a mission to educate people about cats and deepen the human and cat bond, while reducing the number of animals that end up in shelters. Long before Jackson was known as “The Cat Daddy,” the working musician found he had a unique ability to connect with cats when he took a job at a local animal shelter. During the decade that followed, he worked with thousands of cats, successfully lowering the euthanasia rate at his shelter. His work at the shelter led to a private practice of working with cat guardians and cats in their homes, which helped keep cats out of the shelter in the first place, and became the premise for “My Cat From Hell.” An immediate hit, the show has been a broadcast staple for ten seasons and has become a global phenomenon, placing Jackson at the forefront of a worldwide obsession with all things feline. All along, Jackson has stayed true to his roots as a shelter worker, educator, fervent advocate and in-home cat family therapist. At the root of Jackson’s unique approach is a philosophy known as “Cat Mojo,” which teaches cat guardians the skills to help their feline friends build confidence and thrive within their environment, and to better the human/cat relationship at the same time. Jackson has extensively detailed his work and life in his growing collection of authored books. His first, “Cat Daddy,” is a memoir, telling the story of a life-changing relationship with a cat named Benny during his years as a musician, shelter worker and an addict struggling to find a path towards recovery. His subsequent books, co-written by Cat Style Expert Kate Benjamin from Hauspanther.com, “Catify to Satisfy” and “Catification,” which both landed on the New York Times Best-Sellers List, focuses on designing a home that works for both cats and humans. His latest book, “Total Cat Mojo,” is a comprehensive guide to his approach on total cat wellness and eliminating behavioral problems by understanding cats and their instinctive behavior. Jackson has always been committed to bringing better products to the market that live up to his high standards. Jackson Galaxy Solutions, the only line of flower essence remedies designed by a behavior specialist and a veterinarian, has been helping animals live happier and healthier lives since 1995. More recently, his partnership with Petmate has brought a 20-year vision to fruition, providing innovative toys and products for every stage of a cat’s life. True to his goal of helping to save all animals, Jackson started the Jackson Galaxy Project in 2015, now a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, which seeks to better the lives of at-risk animals by transforming the places they live and helping the people who care for them. Jackson spends much of his time these days devoted to growing the reach and impact of the life-saving JGP Programs and partnerships, including Cat Pawsitive, which focuses on giving shelters and rescue workers the tools to train cats in their care in order to help them find their mojo and get adopted, Safe Haven, which retrofits domestic violence shelters so victims can bring their pets when leaving an abusive home, and Operation Homeward Bound, which is a transport program that flies cats and dogs to shelters around the country that have more room to find them new homes. Jackson has been featured on 20/20, The Today Show, The --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laurie began her career began in 1995 as an HR assistant for Leaf Candy Company, providing operations assistance and recruiting services for an hourly workforce in a manufacturing environment that was heavily unionized and staffed with immigrants from war-torn Bosnia. Since those glorious days, she’s worked at Monsanto, Alberto-Culver, Kemper Insurance (out of business), and Pfizer. Even as her title and compensation grew, she hated her job. She became a writer, speaker, and podcaster as a result of the heartbreak and outrage she experienced throughout her corporate career. While she loves calling out boorish behavior, she is dedicated to the revolutionary and long-overdue mission of fixing work by telling stories and teaching leaders how to create workplace cultures that support, empower, and engage workers meaningfully. Now she helps executives and HR leaders prioritize the employee experience to avoid the collateral damage of a toxic work environment. You can find her all over the internet, shaking her fist and yelling at clouds. https://laurieruettimann.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two people able to paint like one, especially for an extensive period of time is a rare thing indeed. For over a decade Kelly Tunstall and Ferris Plock have been presenting elaborate stories of earthly conditions through mischievous characters representative of both their individual and collective imagination. While often playful in appearance, the sprawling, interwoven tapestries provide a more surreal glance into the intersection of dreams belonging to a soundly bonded couple, both creatively and emotionally. An ever-evolving dialogue between beauties and beasts and masculine and feminine, KEFE World is a chromatically vibrant place where fantasy is reality and vice versa. Even Inanimate objects, buildings, food, and feats of other human inventions are bequeathed by their own personalities, often sharing in or driving the emotions, behavior, and energy of the subjects of each vignette. These meticulously drafted environments, both two and three dimensional, are born out of a variety of media including acrylic, watercolor, spray paint, ink, and gold leaf. An appreciation for traditional craft practice, textiles, and elaborate Japanese ukiyo-e woodblocks is present in the stylization and framework of their imagery. At their roots, Tunstall’s airy and casual figures maintain a state of quiet confidence as if they are immune to society’s pressures and expectations and the weight they carry in the real world. It is as if these long and elegant stylized characters leaped out of a vogue existence at the beginning of their prime, preserving all of their strengths and feminine attributes with which to explore an alternate world of boundless imagination and possibilities. Somewhere along their journeys, they stepped into Plock’s semi-psychedelic cartoonish sphere occupied by living, breathing architecture and anthropomorphic creatures capable of shape-shifting seamlessly throughout their elaborate displays impish behavior. The couple’s meticulously crafted modern mythology serves as a prime example of what fantastic chemistry can do when built on the foundation of trust between two partners unencumbered by artistic fears and creative anxieties. Tunstall and Plock are veterans of multiple esteemed artist residencies, including at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Their work both individually and collectively has been exhibited in revered galleries across North America, Europe, and Asia. The duo maintains representation in San Francisco, Portland, and New York. KEFE has been commissioned for work in a bevy of private collections as well as a number of internationally recognized bars, restaurants, hotels, and other chic hospitality outposts. They have participated in a number of notable product design collaborations with Bulleit Bourbon, Uniqlo, Krooked, and Element. The duo resides and works in an occasionally foggy neighborhood in San Francisco with their two boys and two cats. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/adultingwell/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices