Trying To Be Better with Joel and Steve

Tell Someone. Joel and Steve Talk About Suicide.

September 5-11 is Suicide Prevention Week.  Joel and Steve talk about suicide.  They also talk about the usual stuff - sushi, trust, organizational culture, Ivermectin etc.!  (There is even a cameo by Joel's wife and past podcast guest Kjersten!)

Their friend and past podcast guest Charlie Shonka has a cool website with resources for people contemplating taking their own life:

https://keepongoing.life/

There is also a national Suicide Prevention Hotline:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

It's tangentially related - but Joel and Steve are fans of Rob Bell, whose latest podcast is straight fire:

https://robbell.podbean.com/e/the-fauci-of-it-all/

Be sure to like/follow/rate the podcast on your preferred podcast purveyor of choice.  Follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, and email them at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com! (Please.)

#TootYourHooter  #DontGiveUp

MONDO‘S MUNDO!! Joel and Steve talk with Armando McClain!

Joel and Steve talk with Armando McClain, Joel's pal from CalArts!  They cover everything from growing up in Oakland, CA to  teaching Shakespeare - and lots of points in between.  Armando is a fascinating person, this is a great talk!

Be sure to like/subscribe/follow Joel and Steve on your preferred podcast purveyor of choice!  Follow on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email (Please, for the love of God send them an email) at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter #YouAreEnough

Steve Paints It Black

It is not lost on Joel and Steve that Charlie Watts - legendary drummer for The Rolling Stones - passed away a few days after their last podcast, which was named using a play on the name one of the most famous Rolling Stones songs.  They wish peace and grace on the Watts family, and to Charlie's band mates.

This episode finds Joel and Steve unpacking the conundrum of being peaceful and loving while speaking truth to power and calling out injustice.  When is something a difference in opinion, versus a difference in Morality?  Is calling out obvious bullshit being holier than thou?  Throw that in the pot with a monologue from Steve on the United States' long but predictable slide into authoritarianism and you've got a really great conversation between two pals just trying to navigate this crazy world with some grace.

Be sure to like/follow/rate the podcast on your preferred podcast purveyor of choice.  Follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, and email them at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com! (Please.)

#TootYourHooter #SomeFolksLookForAnswers

(Should We Have) Symapthy For The Devil?

Joel and Steve work through the latest level of insanity of the global pandemic, and how to deal with people whose lack of empathy and thin grasp on reality is negatively impacting the lives of friends and loved ones who are doing the right thing.

They're both a bit over it - which makes for a great conversation as they try to navigate the seemingly endless morass of idiocy they are confronted with on a daily basis.   Spoiler Alert - they up at Waffle House, like all good spiritual warriors!

Be sure to rate/follow/like on your podcast purveyor of choice! Follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter #ScatteredSmotheredandCovered #GetTheWaffle #GetTheJab

Joel and Steve On The Road!!

Joel and Steve head to Kansas City, MO to see Sleater-Kinney and Wilco live in concert!  They get weird in their delightfully appointed hotel room and discuss quantum physics (they think) and, er, Pizza!

 

Be sure to follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast and email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!  Please Like/Follow/Share/Rate on your podcast purveyor of choice!

 

#TootYourHooter  #Minskys  #BeingThere

MORE MUSIC!! Joel and Steve talk with James Beaudreau

Joel and Steve have the pleasure of talking with James Beaudreau - bandleader for the group Bell Helium out of New York City.  James has had quite a journey musically, going from Big Rock to Jazz to the Dead and rolling it all up into his own thing! They talk about the creative process, what it's like to be a working musician in the big city, blowing up what you know to do something different - and generally have a good time!

Be sure to listen to the end, James was kind enough to provide a live track - "We Don't Have To Talk About It", recorded at The Bitter End in NYC March 7, 2020. 

Check out Bell Helium at:

https://bellhelium.bandcamp.com/

If you have a turntable you should just buy the LP, it's great.  Or check them out on Spotify, etc!

Speaking of streaming media services - Follow/Like Joel and Steve on your podcast purveyor of choice!  If you're feeling saucy/generous - leave a review!  Follow on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter #Plover

Is This Thing On? Joel and Steve actually see each other in person!

After 37 episodes recorded over Zoom - Joel and Steve are finally able to get together in person!  They cover everything from how nice it is to see each other, to the Eightfold Path (and how they are trying and failing and trying to be on it), dogs, chickens, Phish, Get the Damn Vaccine you Idiots and More!

Follow/Like/Subscribe on your preferred podcast purveyor! Follow on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter  #SimplesAndSkyscrapers

Sometimes You Find Onions In The Garage

Joel and Steve reconnect over an experience that Joel had in his garage that day - finding relics from the past that bring up more feelings than anyone should have while performing a routine task.  So they process that, then discuss things that are actually important - like where to get ice cream and resentments over/at beloved restaurants!

Be sure to subscribe/hit that 'Like' button at your preferred podcast purveyor!  Follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter #StepIntoTheFreezer

Happy Birthday Mr. President!!

Joel and Steve get together for a few minutes to celebrate Joel's birthday, and to talk about fessing up.

 

This is a 'short stuff' episode, Joel and Steve will be back in full force next week! 

 

Be sure to Follow/Like on your podcast purveyor of choice!  Follow Joel and Steve on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, email at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter  #41IsTheNew35

MUSIC, THEATER and WRITING - OH MY!! Joel and Steve talk with Anne DeAcetis

Joel and Steve get to chat with Joel's CalArts alum pal Anne DeAcetis! Anne is an accomplished professional musician, actress and writer - they get to talk about all of the things!  Anne is the vocalist for a band called Bell Helium - they have a new record out, check that out at https://bellhelium.bandcamp.com/, or wherever you listen to music!

See more about Anne at her website:

https://www.annedeacetis.com/

Be sure to subscribe/like/follow Joel and Steve on your podcast purveyor of choice!  Follow on Instagram @TryingToBeBetterPodcast, and please please please email Joel and Steve at ttbbpodcast@gmail.com!

#TootYourHooter  #Blue50th