This one-on-one conversation was a while in the making, and so well worth the wait.

Being a longtime customer of Grateful Fred and a fellow Deadhead, I’m honored to have hosted the founder of what I consider to be one of the premier Grateful Dead product producers in the country, Grateful Fred, Stephen McMennamy - https://grateful-fred.com/collections/badges

The episode is in no way intended to be an “infomercial” for either Grateful Fred or the podcast (I invited Stephen to be my guest, no strings attached), but more so it’s my way of sharing the story of a true entrepreneur, his love for the Grateful Dead, and how his passion to fuel his creative energy has reached new heights that he never dreamed possible.

Last but not least…. who is Fred anyway? Tune in. You won’t be disappointed :)

Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

Grateful Fred

St Stephen 4.27.71

Tweezer 2.28.02

Wondering

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

My friend, John Macario, returns to the show and we pick up right where we left off back in late 2024 when he first shared his amazing story.

It’s been 19 months since John lost the love of his life and fellow Deadhead, Meg, at age 52 to complications following a liver transplant. We catch up on how he and their 12-year old daughter, Gloria, are doing facing the world together as the dynamic duo. John shares how single parenting is going, and how every now and again he gets out to fuel his soul with live music, including the likes of Bulgarina-American pianist, Kristina Marinova. Marinova’s recent solo release, The Bus Came By and I Got On, is unlike any Grateful Dead music that I have ever heard before and is a must-listen.

In honor of our beloved Bobby “Ace” Weir, John insists that we tune into NPR’s Tiny Desk with Bob Weir & Wold Brothers, where Mikaela Davis sits in on harp. Their rendition of Birdsong is simply magical and instantly transports the listener with its first few notes.

We wrap up with John’s story of Gloria’s early love of Jerry Garcia, and how at just 5 years old she became attached to Jerry Garcia Band’s 1980 rendition of After Midnight. “More Jerry, Dad!” How cool is THAT, I mean really.

Finally, John reveals for the first time how he got the nickname I never knew even existed - “Spiff”!

Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

Morning Dew / Kristina Marinova
Smells Like Teen Spirit / Nirvana
Please Don't Bury Me / John Prine
Birdsong / Wolf Bros
I Know You Rider / Grateful Dead
After Midnight / JGB

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In Part II of the continuing celebration of Bobby Weir and his life well-lived, I’m joined by lifelong Deadheads, Ted “The” Bahr and Paul “Nud” Schmitz. Nud kicks off the conversation by sharing his thoughts on Bobby’s one-of-a-kind “rhythmic-lead” style, and how this unique approach to the guitar was unlike any rhythm guitarist. We walk through the early days in the mid-60’s when, as Nud puts it, Bobby “couldn’t play very well, and couldn’t sing very well either” through his mastery of the axe by the early and mid-70’s.

Ted brings his Top 20 Bobby Songs to the table for discussion and debate (similar to a recent “spirited conversation” that I had on The Great Debate episode The Great Debate ) acknowledging that some songs on the list aren’t technically Bobby songs at all. Being a self-described “picky Deadhead”, he’s unafraid to admit which songs he’s heard enough of and which Bobby songs still give him joy with each listen today.

Join us once again, as we celebrate the well-lived life of Bobby “Ace” Weir, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

Bobby
Easy Wind
Passenger
Brother Esau
Feel Like a Stranger
The Other One

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Bobby Weir - October 16th, 1947 - January 10th, 2026

This one hurts, and feels very much like the closing of a chapter. Yet at the same time, we CELEBRATE. We celebrate the amazing life of founding member of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, and we kick off with two lifelong Deadheads - both previous podcast guests - Tim “Tmac” McGuire and Kevin “Camp” Campion.

Tim leads the way, recalling his early days admiring Bobby’s peaceful energy, his kindness, and lightly poking fun at his Daisy Duke short shorts, purple Polo’s, ponytail, tennis sneakers, and half-calf socks. We talk about how we tend to learn more about those we love after we lose them. And Tmac reminds us of the “SAY YES, DON’T WAIT” motto that he and I live by, and why that mindset matters.

In the second half of the episode, Kevin, brings us back to how Bobby tackled Bob Dylan songs without missing a word, yet would somehow forget a lyric in staples like Truckin’, and he reminds us of Bobby’s philanthropy, his humility, and his spirit.

Join us, as we celebrate the life of Bobby “Ace” Weir, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

Hell in a Bucket 09.12.87 Cap Center

Hell in a Bucket reprise 09.12.87 Cap Center

Sugar Mags 03.21.86

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As much as unexpected and tragic loss tests the human spirit, sometimes it can become the catalyst for good. And that is exactly the mission that my friend, Erik Larson, has embraced after suddenly losing his best friend, Greg Kline, in August of 2020.

Greg had a motto that he lived by, Get Busy Living, and Erik embodies all that is about getting busy living. But now, he’s also embodying getting busy GIVING.

Erik Larson, who many refer to as “The Swede” because of his Scandinavian good looks and impeccibly styled blond hair, decided he had a story to tell. A story of his three nephews, who become wildly successful in the business of crypto currency, but the oldest brother, Billy, isn’t satisfied with materialism and modern “things of this world” and decides to travel the world in search of his true purpose in life. Ultimately he discovers that purpose in a life devoted exclusively to God. And in one of the most remote areas of the world no less - Mt Athos, Greece - where orthodox Christian monks have been serving God for over a thousand years. This otherworldly devotion requires the avoidance of “distractions” such as money, women, and even family.

The Swede shares how Billy, now known as Brother William, embraces his new reality, all the while his brothers, his mother, and his girlfriend know nothing about his whereabouts or the new life he now lives. They become determined to find Billy and to “save him” from a life that has every sign of being a cult.

Based on a true story, Cold Storage includes it all. Wealth, family, mystery, love, faith, and in the end, peace.

Erik wrote Cold Storage, available in print and soon in audio, to support his new Get Busy Giving nonprofit foundation. As quoted on his website www.getbusygiving.net, Get Busy Giving is inspired by:

“...seeing what real generosity looks like. Our town has rallied around families in need, supported local causes, and lifted people up in ways that pushed us to do something of our own. So we built Get Busy Giving, a nonprofit run by six grateful friends who want to turn inspiration into action. Our mission is to support causes that matter, build connections, and encourage others to step up for their neighbors. Greg Kline’s saying, “Get Busy Living,” reminds us to live with purpose and heart. Get Busy Giving is our way of carrying that spirit forward.

All proceeds from Cold Storage and related merchandise go directly to Paws of War, supporting the life-changing bond between rescued dogs and those who serve in the military and first responders.”

The 6 grateful friends referenced above include Greg & Melissa Kline’s three children - Tommy, Mikey, and Gracie - and Erik & Meredith Larson’s three children - Anna, James, and Jack. Together they comprise Get Busy Giving’s board of directors.

And to steal one more line from Erik’s website:

"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka

So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

www.getbusygiving.net

getbusygiving@getbusygiving.net

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75EQYtN4axmGWGIpK0iA6p?si=HwSv9dsdRb2YC8yWVyFIBA&pi=od6v0bOgSDOyZ

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Huntington, Long Island - home to so many of the amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends and family - continues to create new bonds and new friendships. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I could not be more grateful for those connections.

Thanks to a few of those lifelong friends, I’ve been recently connected to a fellow Huntingtonian, a fellow music-lover, fellow golfer, fellow genuinely happily married man and fellow father-of-three daughters. A friend that truly gets what it means to Get Busy Living. I’m proud and fortunate to call my guest, Rich Gray, a new friend and I’m excited to share our conversation.

Our conversation covers ground dating back to the early ‘80’s in New York City when Rich was Lead DJ “spinning records” at the successor dance club to Studio 54, Danceteria, where he helped fuel the shift from disco to more alternative dance music. As fate would have it, Rich met a woman at Danceteria who would ultimately turn out to become “the future Mrs. Gray”, though if you ask Janet, aka Mrs Gray, there may be some debate as to when exactly their fate was sealed ;)

Rich shares insights into music and a lot of bands that I have never heard before, which is one of the things I love most about Exploring the Energy, namely getting enlightened to new and wider horizons of music. In the words of our beloved Billy Campion… “Hey man, there’s a lot of music out there.”

So join us, and let's see where the energy takes us!

Cotton Fields / Credence Clearwater Revival

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cotton-fields/1440950503?i=1440950717

Don't Go Back to Rockville / R.E.M. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-go-back-to-rockville/1442454230?i=1442454641

Cousin Dupree / Steely Dan

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cousin-dupree/297597608?i=297597647

Roadhouse Blue / Doors https://music.apple.com/us/album/roadhouse-blues/511578072?i=511578100

Saint of Circumstance / Grateful Dead https://music.apple.com/us/album/saint-of-circumstance/663697282?i=663697477

You're the Best Thing / Style Council https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-the-best-thing-12-inch-version/1851028801?i=1851029447

Christmas Must Be Tonight / Goose

https://music.apple.com/us/album/christmas-must-be-tonight-live/1667827844?i=1667828935

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In somewhat of an unconventional "studio" setting - namely a gutted former restaurant under renovation and equipped with only a table, a few folding chairs, a cooler of beer and an extension cord - 6 fellow music lovers travelled from across the Eastern Seaboard to Downtown Huntington to discuss and debate a subject that has been the hot topic among the group for over 6 years. "What are the Top-5 greatest American rock-&-roll bands of all time." Key word - American.

No Stones. No Beatles. No U2. No Led Zeppelin (#sorrymeyers). The criteria as to what makes a band authentically American was that every band member, without exception, must have been born in the United States. No Metallica (#sorryhanna).

After the rules of engagement were spelled out, the conversation that ensued over the next 50+ minutes was as spirited and riveting as any I've hosted in any prior episode. Enjoy the energy that flowed amongst my co-host, Rob "Monkey Man" Diestel, and his "Boys from Bergen" - Nick Halaby, Lewis Meyers, and Matt Hanna. Special cameo appearance at the end by our sound engineer, none other than founding member and frontman of Huntington's own Bogmen, Billy Campion. Thanks again for herding us cats and taking such good care of us, Billy!

So join us, and let's see where the energy takes us!

Midnight Flyer / Eagles
https://music.apple.com/us/album/midnight-flyer/635765828?i=635765933

The Boys of Summer / Don Henley
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-boys-of-summer-remastered-2024/1761230483?i=1761230752

Everyday People / Sly & the Family Stone
https://music.apple.com/us/album/everyday-people/193125445?i=193126391

Truckin' / Grateful Dead
https://music.apple.com/us/album/truckin-live/307793560?i=307793566

Kokomo / Beach Boys https://music.apple.com/us/album/kokomo/1617206809?i=1617208420

Don’t Believe the Hype / Public Enemy https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-believe-the-hype/1440837788?i=1440837952

Crosseyed & Painless / Phish
https://music.apple.com/us/album/crosseyed-and-painless/396463671?i=396463832

The Weight / Aretha https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-weight/934618187?i=934618225

Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd https://music.apple.com/us/album/free-bird-live-at-the-fox-theater-1976/1413948379?i=1413948706

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This one was a big deal for me. My guest, Dennis McNally, isn’t just a reknowned author, music historian, and publicist, he’s someone I’ve long considered somewhat of a “celebrity” in my world. From 1984 to 1995, Dennis was the Grateful Dead’s publicist and part of the band’s inner circle.

He’s written five books, including the classic Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead, and his latest, The Last Great Dream - How Bohemians Became Hippies and Created the Sixties. He’s married to the love of his life, photographer and author Susana Millman, whose book Alive With the Dead - A Fly on the Wall with a Camera, is one of my favorites.

What struck me most was Dennis’s insight into how the Dead operated behind the scenes. How the band members interacted, what touring was like, and what it was like to be at the center of all that energy for so many years. He was every bit as gracious, articulate, and engaging as I could have imagined and I’m honored to now call Dennis a friend.

Speaking of friends, this episode was also a first for me. I was joined by my good friend Charlie French as co-host who added thoughtful color and questions that I wouldn’t have thought to ask!

These days, Dennis lives in San Francisco with Susana and is still doing the work he loves - namely as the publicist for Little Feat.

It’s an honor and a privilege to share our conversation.

So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

https://www.dennismcnally.com/

https://mamarazi.com/

Stir It Up https://youtu.be/XQxceOPnj9Q?si=i8Vu2Wh_UnpJ_6LX

Death Don’t Have No Mercy https://youtu.be/wH8GUfK-MOM?si=frh9iuuf1bCDSuob

Time Loves a Hero https://music.apple.com/us/album/time-loves-a-hero/471749182?i=471749184

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