Bloomington Stories
Home of Indiana University, rock quarries, corn fields, enchanted woods, and Injury lawyer Ken Nunn. Bloomington is a town that has its own term for its ability to lure one-time residents back: the bloomerang. There is something weirdly magical going on here and College town nobuddies, Josh Bennett and Chris Kupersmith, are going to get to the bottom of this place by listening to stories and riding every possible tangent along the way.
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Stacy Bridavsky - Side A: Internet Cat, Side B: Cold Case
05/03/2025
Stacy Bridavsky - Side A: Internet Cat, Side B: Cold Case
Most of us have that event in our life that seemed insignificant at the time but ultimately defined the trajectory of our life. For Stacy Bridavsky, it was an internet cat film festival after an exhausting day of orientation for a new job at an art museum in Minneapolis. It was here that her future husband Mike, also known as Lil Bub’s dude, fell head over heels for her. In less than a year, she was living with him (in sin) in Bloomington, which was where she learned of the heartbreaking and suspicious 2015 death of IU student Joseph Smedley, who was found dead in Griffy Lake with 66 pounds of rocks strapped to his back. Although it was ruled a suicide, Joseph’s family believed there was foul play. So does Stacy, who created the podcast to advocate for Joseph and his family. Episode links: Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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The Many Faces of Anurag Bhat
04/01/2025
The Many Faces of Anurag Bhat
Anurag Bhat has been a policeman in India and a mosh pit participant at the Bishop. He has abandoned his childhood home under the cover of the night in Kashmir and facilitated a heat mapping study under the glare of the sun in Bloomington. In our conversation with this IU grad student, we talk about everything from ice water to climate change. He may not be long for Bloomington, but this episode can serve as a time capsule for his time in our town. Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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PowerPoint Love with Bloomington Singletons
03/01/2025
PowerPoint Love with Bloomington Singletons
Mallory Elver was tired of sitting on her couch, swiping left and right to look for love. Then, her pal Nicole Bennett discovered an alternative to internet dating in Indianapolis, and was born. Months later, Nicole was standing in the front of a private room at Heartworks Brewery, pitching her friend Mallory to a crowd of live humans. Josh and Chris were on the scene, interviewing so many fascinating attendees — including the emcee, pitchers (one from Trinidad!), pitchees (including a standup comedian), and other gawkers and spectators. In the immortal words of so many 80s newsletters, “fun was had by all.” Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Pam Thrash Pities the Fool Who Doesn’t Listen to This Episode
02/01/2025
Pam Thrash Pities the Fool Who Doesn’t Listen to This Episode
The voice of Pam Thrash has been part of the soundtrack of so many of our lives in Bloomington. Currently the host of the popular Retro Lunch Hour on B97, Pam has been broadcasting tunes and joy on the radio waves for over thirty years. An ice-skating injury as a child sparked her DJ journey and began a wild ride of a life. Pam Thrash is living proof that, if you’re lucky enough to find the thing you love, you’d better hang onto it for dear life and be willing to pretend like you know how to do the things that will get you in the door. And did we mention that Mr. T once sent her flowers? Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Episode Links: Pam Thrash on Mr. T: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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&#%!@ in the Wind with Josh and Chris
01/01/2025
&#%!@ in the Wind with Josh and Chris
Well everybody, we didn’t have time to interview an official guest because Josh is heading to Spain with Virginia to hang with her badass family. But we did get some excellent Mellencamp stories from our friend, Angie Cannon, who is a real-deal townie. Other than that, unfortunately for you, what you are getting here is the kind of episode that gives podcasts a bad name: a couple of dipshits talking about nothing and having the audacity to invite you to put your earbuds in and enter their void of absurdity. That said, we twa hae run about the braes, and pou'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, sin' auld lang syne. So, we've tales to tell ye, auld and new. Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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So Many Cigarettes with Maria Douglas
12/01/2024
So Many Cigarettes with Maria Douglas
Maria Douglas is one of those people who really holds down the fort for Bloomington. She is badass social worker-community servant-activist, currently serving the Monroe County Women’s Commission, NAACP Youth Council, and Hoosier Asian American Power, which she helped found. During all of this, she has been on an intense journey, making sense of her experience as a transracial Korean adoptee. Last but not least, if you were around in the 90s in Bloomington, you may have wandered around town drunk with her, probably smoking too many cigarettes. Episode links: Maria contact info: Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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It Was the Best of Times. It Was the Wurster of Times
11/01/2024
It Was the Best of Times. It Was the Wurster of Times
We highly recommend that you go back and listen to our episode if you have not already. Jon Wurster is the drummer for The Mountain Goats and Bob Mould. He was the drummer for Superchunk for over three decades. He is also a comedy writer and performer, known best for his hilarious characters in The Best Show, including Ronald Thomas Clontle, the fictitious author of the book, Rock, Rot & Rule. Clontle claims that his book is the ultimate argument settler when it comes to deciding whether famous bands and musicians rock, rot, or rule. This interview brings to a close a story that has been over thirty years in the making. Episode links: Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Sorry But We’re Gonna Ghost You
10/01/2024
Sorry But We’re Gonna Ghost You
We spent September putting our lives on the line, hunting for ghosts. We made Instagram posts. We texted people. We stopped people in hallways at work. We even slid into DMs. We almost went to a haunted train tunnel. We did this all for you. And now, safe and sound from the netherworld, we’re delivering four ghost stories right into your earholes. Enjoy tales from Kate Crum, Aaron Brewington, Leigh Henderson and Blaine Rothrock,and the one and only Misha Bridavsky. Episode links: and her recommended Scary movie that permanently damaged a young Josh: Check out “We envision a world where all senior dogs and cats live in healthy, loving, and supportive environments.” Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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GHOSTS!!!
09/08/2024
GHOSTS!!!
Do you have a ghost story? Do you have a haunted bicyle? Is there a lil witch in your closet? Want to share your spooky story on the podcast? Just record it on your most cherished recording device and email the file to us at mmmmkay? Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Peace, Love, and Brotherhood
09/01/2024
Peace, Love, and Brotherhood
Dian Krumlauf is our eldest interviewee to date, but don’t get all ageist on us, ya bitches. By the time you finish listening to this one, you’re gonna wish you were as badass as this Bloomington hippie who we got to sit down with at a nursing home two days before she moved to Fort Wayne to be closer to her family. Not only did she share her circuitous life adventure but she also dropped some serious wisdom on us. Enjoy. Thanks to Andrew Behringer for sharing his Mellencamp Moment! Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Josh Turns 50 in a Parking Lot
08/01/2024
Josh Turns 50 in a Parking Lot
On Josh’s 50th birthday, BadkneesTs’ Jim Beck hosted a grand reopening for his new location on West Kirkwood across from Rose Hill Cemetery, forever home of Hoagy Carmichael and so many other seminal Bloomington humans. (In fact, just the other day, Chris’s son pointed out how many Hinkle headstones there are. If you eat burgers and haven’t had a Hinkle’s hamburger, go visit Badknees then head west a few blocks for lunch at Hinkle’s.) Anyway, Josh and Chris set up a mobile recording tent at the event because If You Pitch It, They Will Talk. And they did. We chatted with Andrew Kupersmith, Max Chestnut from Columbus, Benedict Jones, Eli McCormick, Camryn Greer and Mallory Elver, and Bloomington cornerstone, Tim Clower. The filling in this donut is a recording of Beck’s moving and historic speech commemorating the unveiling of the Bloomington monolith. Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Jawin’ Away with Joel and Jonathan
07/01/2024
Jawin’ Away with Joel and Jonathan
Joel Washington is one of those superheroes of Bloomington who walks among us like he’s no big deal. His artistry is his superpower. In fact, for his decades of making colorful–sometimes almost psychedelic–pop art, he received the City of Bloomington Living Legend Award in 2021. We also found out that he’s not too shabby on a skateboard either, and he's been doing it long before the the City decided that skating was rad. Joel’s skater pal, Jonathan Prather, came along too. Jonathan is the owner of and an all-around awesome dude. Episode links: Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Three Lil B**ches
06/01/2024
Three Lil B**ches
Our guest, Asher Waite-Jones, greeted us in pajamas and immediately began making Josh feel slightly nervous–before we could even start recording. While we can never predict how successful an interview will be, this was certainly an auspicious beginning. You might expect a certain degree of decorum from a Staff Attorney in the Bloomington Office of Indiana Legal Services who, according to a Maurer School of Law blog, “runs the Expungement Help Desk, working alongside Maurer students to represent hundreds of low-income Hoosiers impacted by the criminal legal system.” But, as you know, we happen to specialize in bringing out the worst in people—even local saints like Asher. And he brought his A game: gossip about the ex, all kinds of sex jokes, and a real doozy of an imitation of one of our hosts. Thank you to our newest sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Hello, Hello, Hello John Wurster
05/01/2024
Hello, Hello, Hello John Wurster
Today’s story is about a band, a song, and a brush with fame that’s more cringe than cool. Thirty years ago, Bloomington danced to the electronic beats of Situation Grey, a college band known more for their covers than cutting-edge originality. Their lead singer—one of our hosts—dreamed of being an indie music maestro, but instead became the king of campus karaoke. Then, one fateful night in the early '90s, some indie rock royalty walked in. What followed was not the stuff of dreams, but the kind of anecdote you reluctantly share at parties. We're talking about the kind of story that gets trotted out at every party, the one guaranteed to elicit a polite chuckle and a sympathetic head tilt. Fast-forward three decades, and that same celebrity brings the story full circle with a digital-age jab that reignites a moment our singer wishes he could forget. In this episode, we peel back the layers of a memory marinated in both mortification and time, exploring the unexpected ways our past populates our present. Stay tuned, as we dissect the enduring echo of fifteen minutes of shame that lasted thirty years. Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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“Did You Guys Know I Was Gay?” with Smoove
04/01/2024
“Did You Guys Know I Was Gay?” with Smoove
Sara Gardner came to town/ Turned her bike into a crown/ Rode the bus to sororities/ For shits and giggles-what a tease!/ Went out west to use her math/ Stacked up cash and came on back/ Opened the doors to a rainbow space/ Stuck some fake teeth in her face/ Trolls the town, leaves some aghast/ And now she’s a guest on our podcast. Special thanks to for kicking off the episode. Sign up to follow him Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Shoes on a Wire, Shirts on the Press, and Dogs on the Floor
03/11/2024
Shoes on a Wire, Shirts on the Press, and Dogs on the Floor
Today we talk about T-shirts that make you feel like a loser and T-shirts that make you feel like today is your day. We also discuss Jim from badknees, T-shirt whisperer, and Chris Mott, killer artist. You even get to hear one of his songs, “All the Dogs,” from the PURPLE 7 album Jewel Finger. Find the link below. And while you're at it, go out and get yourself some street cred by pre-ordering one of our shirts, mugs, totes, or buttons by March 15! Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Support: Contact & Follow:
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Hot Off the Press with Mike Conway
03/01/2024
Hot Off the Press with Mike Conway
Bloomington Stories snags interview with media maven, ! Hold onto your fedoras, folks, because Bloomington Stories has just landed the interview of the century! Fresh off the press, we've got the lowdown on our chat with none other than Dr. Mike Conway, the head honcho over at the esteemed (IBHA)! This sharp fella isn't just another suit, mind you. Dr. Conway's practically a walking encyclopedia of news! Back in the day, this ace reporter wore every hat imaginable in the bustling world of television newsrooms – from sharpshooting photographer to the smooth-talking anchorman himself! But before he was the kingpin of the IBHA, preserving Indiana's media legacy, Dr. Conway was just a bright-eyed young buck at IU, spinning tunes on the college radio station (, now known as ) and chasing the big stories. We even got the exclusive scoop on his daring hitchhiking adventure in the 80s, where he trekked across the country with a petition straight for the desk of the one and only David Letterman! Talk about moxie! So, grab your best listening ears, Bloomington! This episode is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes secrets and historical insights! Don't miss it! Also, BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Show Links: Support: Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Trash Talking with Bethany Robinson
02/01/2024
Trash Talking with Bethany Robinson
Salvage yard. Does that phrase make you think of goats or ducks? Baby dolls? Unicycles? Barges? Field trips? The January 6 Insurrection? Hugging? Our guest, Bethany Robinson, is the vice president of , a classic Bloomington business on the west side of Bloomington. We had the pleasure of getting the history of this salvage yard that her father, J.B. Robinson, started decades ago and built into a thriving business before he passed away. We also get to ask her all the questions about the weird shit that happens at a salvage yard. Come along and listen to stories about a place where stuff goes to die–and eventually get reborn. At the beginning of the episode we talk about the podcast . Check it out! BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Tales from the Gulch with Miles and Alex
01/01/2024
Tales from the Gulch with Miles and Alex
We take a conversational stoll through our town, this time joined by fellow podcasters Alex and Miles from “.” We talk about our shared love for Bloomington (the Gulch), but also our common experience of defending the decision to stay here. These Hoosier Alan Lomaxes tell us about Nighthawk, a local caped crusader, and his direct action crew. We also get to hear about Humor the Clown, who is actually a mime. Along the way, we talk about Reggie Miller, Farm Aid, Alex’s last name, Miles’ alter-ego, Premiles, and, of course, John Mellencamp. We even get a guest appearance by Sushi the cat, and an original poem by Alex. This episode is a love letter to Bloomington to close out 2023. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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California Sober with Freda Love Smith
12/01/2023
California Sober with Freda Love Smith
According to her recently published book, I Quit Everything, quit everything. But she does still talk, and we can prove it. And when she did do stuff, she played drums with The Blake Babies, Juliana Hatfield, Antenna, Gentleman Caller, Sunshine Boys, and Mysteries of Life among other 90s darlings. She wrote Red Velvet Underground, a cookbook/ memoir. However, once again we have no interest in lingering on our guest’s remarkable accomplishments but prefer to bring out the worst in them. So get ready to hear about Ricky’s Cantina, robotripping, and roughing up a local celebrity. PS The related articles on Freda’s Wikipedia page are “Erzulie, Family of Voodoo spirits,” “Felix da Housecat, American DJ and record producer,” and “Debra L. Shapiro, American scholar.” BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Nailin' It with Rusty Peterson
11/01/2023
Nailin' It with Rusty Peterson
Rusty Peterson is the drummer in our band, The ShackUps, and the mysteriously sexy voice behind the Bloomington Stories intro. He is also a master carpenter and owns Rusty Peterson Construction. But we don’t like to dwell on the things people are good at. In this episode, Rusty tells us about his experiences with nature, nudity, yoga cults, 10 gallon buckets of dumpster pie, and sinking boats. If you don’t believe us, why don’t ya just take a listen for yourself, ya lil bitch. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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I Can Freak Myself Out All Day Long Anywhere with Megan MacDonald
10/01/2023
I Can Freak Myself Out All Day Long Anywhere with Megan MacDonald
Welcome to a resplendent edition of “Bloomington Stories,” where we have the singular honor to present the esteemed Ms. Megan MacDonald! Our delightful guest, a radiant custodian of times bygone, is an eminent figure at the Monroe County History Center. In this scintillating episode, Ms. MacDonald, fresh from the razzle-dazzle of the city that never sleeps—New York City, spins marvelous yarns of the illustrious days of early Bloomington. Our conversation dances through the gamut of extraordinary tales, hopping from the whimsical charm of pink houses to the snapping vigor of turtles! And, oh, the strange and wondrous relics she has received! We delve into animated discussions, ranging from the legendary Bob Hope to the most peculiar subject of underwater cemeteries! Brace yourselves, dear listeners, for our conversation does wander into the more risqué territories, embracing topics of sex and dolls! And it’s the effervescent Ms. MacDonald who regales us with quite the eyebrow-raising anecdote involving none other than Herman B Wells’ testicles. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Not Your Average Security Guard with Rob Jordan
09/01/2023
Not Your Average Security Guard with Rob Jordan
Rob Jordan works as a security guard at Bloomington High School North, but we found that he provides way more emotional security for students than he does guarding them from each other. During the interview, we talked about Rob’s difficult upbringing in Kentucky, his deeply intuitive approaches to working with at-risk kids, donuts, knowing kids’ names, the Chicago-to-Bloomington pipeline, body language, food insecurity, his son’s first date, comic books, the students we’ve lost, and Sunday dinners. Oh, and bourbon. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Spiritual Father
08/01/2023
Spiritual Father
Tall swooning bamboo, the smoke of clove cigarettes, and . If you’ve taken a walk on the near westside of Bloomington in the last many decades, you may have had this sensory experience as you knowingly or unknowingly passed the home of our guest, Simeon Rodgers. Having made his way from a farm in the middle of Indiana to the prestigious Indiana University Music in the 1960s, Simeon established a home here and earned a degree. He also made donuts to keep a roof over his daughters’ heads and started a career in rolfing, an intense form of bodywork that involves manipulating deep tissue. Along the way, your hosts talk about fear of highways, Spanish beaches, Nine Inch Nails, spiritual godfathers, weeding gardens, eating pies at Spring Mill State Park, conflicts on rooftops, and, most importantly, being lil bitches. In this episode, Chris incorrectly guessed that David Letterman interviewed Kenny Aranoff about rolfing, and Josh called Scott his uncle. He’s actually his cousin, so fuck you! Chris wrote song for Simeon back in the day. Some of the references should be familiar, bitch. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Happiness Makes You Cry: The Flaming Lips and LonPaul Ellrich
07/01/2023
Happiness Makes You Cry: The Flaming Lips and LonPaul Ellrich
took over Kirkwood for the annual , which celebrates all things , but also, more importantly, seeks to make the humanities at IU sexy. Your cub reporters were on the scene, which sent us both into some time-tripping. Some of it has to do with our kids, so if you don't like hearing dads be nostalgic lil bitches about their kids, then skip to about halfway through the episode. Along the way, we talk about Wayne Coyne, the lead singer of Flaming Lips. We also end up thinking about an old Bloomington/Indianapolis friend who is no longer with us: LonPaul Ellrich. More music with LonPaul: For more Indiana music, checkout BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Know Fear with Merrie Sloan
06/01/2023
Know Fear with Merrie Sloan
Welcome to another episode of Bloomington Stories! In today's captivating episode, we explore the extraordinary experiences of a woman who found herself immersed in the vibrant and eclectic community of Bloomington, Indiana. From her involvement with a non-denominational charismatic cult to encounters with colorful characters, join us as we unravel her journey filled with intrigue, self-discovery, and unforgettable memories. Our story begins with our protagonist's entanglement in a non-denominational charismatic cult. We delve into her struggles with church leaders and the complexities of breaking free from their influence. From questioning faith to seeking independence, she embarked on a path of personal growth that shaped the rest of her remarkable journey. Amidst the chaos of her spiritual awakening, our protagonist stumbles upon the perfect punk rock boyfriend. We explore the magnetic pull between their rebellious spirits, their shared passion for music, and the adventures they embark upon together. Through their eyes, we witness the vibrant punk scene in Bloomington and how it influenced their lives. Beneath the moonlit skies of Bloomington, our protagonist finds solace and inspiration. We accompany her on enchanting walks through the city, exploring its hidden corners and sharing the captivating tales that unfold in the depths of the night. These nocturnal excursions reveal the essence of Bloomington's soul, as experienced through her eyes. Campfires and country music become a catalyst for connection and camaraderie. We delve into the intimate moments our protagonist shared around crackling flames, strumming guitars with fellow musicians, and singing heartfelt songs that resonate with the spirit of Bloomington. These musical interludes hold a special place in her heart and serve as a backdrop to the stories she cherishes. The music scene in Bloomington embraces our protagonist, allowing her to pursue her passion by playing music alongside talented individuals. We explore the unique dynamics and friendships formed within these collaborative ventures, revealing the transformative power of music and the unifying spirit it fosters within the community. Bloomington is home to a colorful cast of characters, and our protagonist encounters her fair share of intriguing personalities along the way. We highlight some of these memorable figures, including Toby, whose enigmatic presence leaves an indelible mark on her life. We also recount the amusing tale of Robocop on Kirkwood and other intriguing anecdotes that bring the city's character to life. As our journey nears its end, we recount a particularly unforgettable episode involving a green water gun holster. We explore the mischievous escapades that unfolded, including encounters with puking clowns, embodying the wild and adventurous spirit that can only be found in the unique tapestry of Bloomington. Join us next time as we continue to unravel the captivating stories that lie within Bloomington's colorful history. From cults to punk rock, and everything in between, this city has nurtured the spirit of adventure, creativity, and resilience. Until then, keep exploring, keep discovering, and keep embracing the unique tapestry of life. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Late for School with Jim Granato
05/01/2023
Late for School with Jim Granato
Summer in a college town, stolen TCBY signs, selling popcorn to John Cougar Mellencamp, and meeting one of your best friends in Sociology class after you’ve spent the night in jail. That’s Jim Granato, our first guest. Jim grew up in Unionville, a little town right to the east of Bloomington. He and Josh became fast friends during high school, which is also when Jim found himself at home behind the camera. Jim is now a freelance filmmaker in San Francisco. His films and documentaries have appeared on PBS, including A Day with My Boy: Slug War and D-Tour, a documentary that follows professional drummer and Bloomington native, Pat Spurgeon, as he does daily dialysis and searches for a new kidney while on tour with rock band Rogue Wave. Spurgeon’s story is deeply intertwined with those of several other Bloomingtonians. More about Jim: Jim Granato is a self-taught, award-winning filmmaker based in Oakland, California. Born in Chicago, Jim moved to the Bloomington area with his family when he was 5 years old (1978) and his earliest memories there are seeing the movie trucks and lights that were set around town when BREAKING AWAY (released 1979) was being filmed. He grew up fascinated with movies ever since, making up scenarios with childhood friends creating movie drawings and shooting polaroids and occasional super 8 before video cameras were available. In 1991, he started making short films on VHS with a dedicated group of friends that included trick or treaters getting run over, killer puppets, nude serial killers with plenty of the era's local underground music scene sprinkled in between. Jim left Bloomington in 1994. Since 1996, he has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and has directed and produced several short films and music videos. His shorts, A Day With My Boy: Slug War (2014), was licensed by PBS and premiered as part of their series PBS Indies, and Angels (2013) was nominated for a Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. He has made music videos for Sonny & The Sunsets, Rogue Wave, Ramon & Jessica, Pancho-San and The Bobbyteens. D TOUR (2009), which partially takes place in Bloomington, is his first feature film as director and producer. D TOUR won several awards including the Golden Gate Award for Bay Area Feature Documentary from the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary from the Bend Film Festival. D TOUR premiered nationwide on the PBS Emmy award-winning program Independent Lens in November 2009. He is currently working on a second feature film project with underground "budget rock" legends, The Mummies, and has plans to write and direct a feature length project based on growing up in Bloomington. Check out some of Jim's projects: BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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Us
03/15/2023
Us
In this inaugural episode of Bloomington Stories, Josh and Chris interview each other about their Bloomington origin stories. Along the way, they talk about very sad things like death and divorce and very happy things like constantly pissing your dad off on purpose and eating at Cracker Barrel with your grandma. We also address Ricky Martin, finite math anxiety, quarry swimming & cigarette smoking, golf (way more than golf virgins should), heavy metal roommates, turtlenecks, and injury lawyer Kenn Nunn. BIG NEWS: Designed by and sponsored by . Check it out! Contact & Follow: Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
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