Mary Helen claims that we are all celebrities in Bloomington. And yeah, she’s got a point. But, c’mon, she is one of the few local celebrities who can claim that, on a regular basis, she goes into a home and leaves after another human has magically appeared. In this episode, we get to talk about one of our favorite subjects: screwing life up in your teens and twenties. We also discuss Russian literature, Led Zeppelin, the fight to legalize midwifery in Indiana, Tom Donahue of TD’s CDs and LPs, and much more. We also get a rollicking Mellencamp moment, courtesy of James Robinson.

Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and Bloomington Rentals and Realty for their support of the pod.

And thanks as usual to badknees

WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out!

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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.

We’re on vacay but couldn’t resist throwing together an ep so we don’t break our 26 episode streak. So, that leaves you having to hear us on our bullshit again with no guest to redeem us. In this lil bitch chat, we discuss falling utility poles, mustaches, customer service, Facebook Marketplace deals gone very wrong, falling limbs, and so on. The only redemption this episode enjoys are jokes from Jon Hancuff and a Mellencamp Moment with Dason Anderson. Happy July and eff you.

Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and Bloomington Rentals and Realty for their support of the pod.

And thanks as usual to badknees

WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out!

Support:

Support Bloomington Stories

Contact & Follow:

Instagram

Facebook

Bluesky

Threads

bloomingtonstoriespod@gmail.com

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.

In a 1999 song, Tom Waits persistently asks, “What's he building in there?/ What the hell is he building in there?” In his humble garage art studio, Tom Shelton has been making magical “pictures,” often landscapes, rendered through the ordered lens through which he sees the world. In fact, a piece on Journey Indiana describes him as a “system painter.” Not only did we discuss his paintings but also his childhood, partially defined by his mother’s alcoholism, and his circuitous and beautiful life path.

Episode links:

• I Call Him Tom (documentary mentioned in episode)
• Jouney Indiana: The System Painter
• Solway Gallery

Thank you to our sponsors, Gretchen and Ruth Nall and Bloomington Rentals and Realty for their support of the pod.

And thanks as usual to badknees

WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out!

Support:

Support Bloomington Stories

Contact & Follow:

Instagram

Facebook

Bluesky

Threads

bloomingtonstoriespod@gmail.com

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.