Merry Sort of Christmas & Wendy Stuart

 As Christmas bears down on us all, this year seems rather muted. Some people are trying to find any joy during the end of this tumultuous year. There is some hope out there and it's just going to be a matter of all of us hunkering down and getting through this together in a sort of distant matter. 

Along those lines, Ric sits down with model and entertainer Wendy Stuart who will bring some cheer to your eggnog , if you know what we're saying. Wendy was a fixture at Studio 54 and other influential New York Clubs as well as her modelling work and a book she has written about her experiences. 

If that wasn't enough, she created a cooking show to keep herself busy through the pandemic. Not bad for a Covid-19 survivor. A story you will hear in this episode.

NEXT WEEK: The Exciting Conclusion of 2020 & Ian Guerin

 

It's Time for Shots & Rocky Kramer

 The time some of us have been waiting on has arrived. The vaccine is here. Naturally, there are those out there who have a problem with this. In this episode, Ric talks about just what manufactured outrage is surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Also in this episode, Ric sits down with Norway's Ambassador of Rock, Rocky Kramer. They talk about the Norwegian influence on the genre of rock and how the relationship between metal and classical music. 

Plus, more details about the Feed The Blues campaign through the Memphis Blues Society and Radio Memphis.

NEXT WEEK: Wendy Stuart Kaplan

Soho Johnny is Your Friend

 There are those people out there who do wonderful things. Not for themselves, but for others. It's not about ego, it's not about fame or fortune. It is a legitimate thing where certain individuals have the ability through clout, finances or whatever gift they can present which can bear down on the public at large for the greater good. One such individual is Soho Johnny. 

In this episode, he sits down with Ric to talk about some of the things he's into as well as an upcoming streaming event you can take part in (free) to see the magic come together for the benefit of others. All the details are right here. Also, Space X went to space, Covid-19 is still a thing and the return of your regular programming (sort of) to Radio Memphis.

NEXT WEEK: The Starlite Campbell Band

A Change is Going to Come

Protests and pandemics are all harbingers of things to come. If you spend any amount of time looking at the history of the world, you might see as societies have dealt with very similar things in the past, one valuable lesson that is always learned is that change can be and is often quite difficult. This difficulty with change is rooted in one simple notion and that being fear. 

Everyone who is not accepting of the reasoning behind any type of change are afraid. They are afraid that their lives won't be the same as they were. The fact is, they won't be. In this episode, Ric takes a look at what it means to go home and to know that you can never go back. Progress is fraught with adjustment and this is a good thing. The George Floyd protests are a fine example of that. This is necessary change. 

As is the changes that must come in our society in dealing with an illness we still no very little about. Granted, it is a lot on everyone's plate but, the good news happens to be we will all be better having gone through all of this together. Even if we have to drag the troglodytes with us. 

NEXT WEEK: This Protest is Brought to You By... 

Semper Pie & Meal Team Six

We are all getting weary of this pandemic, it seems. The truth is, we are weary from the coverage of the pandemic. There is a very loud minority of people out there who feel they are being put upon by having to stay at home or having to wear a mask when they go out in public. 

These people are going out to protest and they are doing so with assault rifles and are agitating an already nervous population. On top of this, we are getting information about the pandemic from so many different sources that it seems no one on the right page. One group says this and the other says that and both are pointing fingers at someone else. 

You would think all of this energy could be directed at something constructive like, trying to contain Covid-19. In this episode, Ric is exhausted and we may not even be closer to the end of this situation. It's all a matter of trying to get the madness to stop.

 

 

NEXT WEEk: Connection Interrupted

What, Too Soon?

For some sadistic reason, Memphis reversed its course with Covid-19 and decided to phase in a reopening plan. This has done nothing more than split the city right down the middle. About half the restaurants and businesses here want to go ahead and reopen.

The other half, not so much. As it has been said, the more prudent of those business owners have said something along the lines of, "The safety of my staff and customers is worth more than the sale of a sandwich." In this episode, Ric takes another look at what a post-pandemic world holds for all of us. He'll also layout the trail for you to follow which seems to lead straight back to simple greed.

Also in this episode, Ric elaborates on that pic he shared on his instagram page.




NEXT WEEK: Giant hornets, heavy hurricanes AND a continuing pandemic.

Jesus, The Economy

There is something happening out there that is bigger than all of us. Of course, we are talking about the pandemic. When these sorts of things happen, the best anyone can do is to go along with the flow and to do our best not to rock the boat too much. Especially when it comes to the idea that our actions have certain life or death consequences.

This makes for an interesting observation on our society. In this episode, Ric takes a look at how certain religious aspects are being dealt with. There is a pastor who will more than likely wind up in jail for his reckless actions and yet there is another who is demanding you turn over your stimulus money to him. And to what end?

Also, Kim Jong-Un, his sister with the resting bitch face and what might happen after the virus goes away.



NEXT WEEK: The rise of the video conference.

The Things We Lost in The Flood

There was a terrible flood in the Radio Memphis studios. It did some damage. It also brought a few things to mind. In this episode, Ric tells what happened at the Radio Memphis studios last week that could have been absolutely devastating.

Also, for your Easter, if you actually went to a church today, you may be in trouble with the Department of Justice. Which brings to mind how things are going to change after the pandemic is behind us, and it will be. Virtual churches could be a real thing that sticks around. If Houseparty is any indication, it probably will be a thing.

And speaking of Houseparty, Ric shows up late to the party. But at least he brings his own dip.



NEXT WEEK: A life without professional sports.

General Toxicity

Thanks to the pandemic, some people are becoming a bit more toxic than normal. In this episode, Ric tells you about an uneasy encounter with someone in his neighborhood which was a direct result of the current situation. People tend to fall into a few categories. There are those who are pretty freaked out, there are those who trying to be reasonable about all of this and then there are those who feel none of this applies to them. When you take a scroll through Facebook, it is pretty apparent as to which category everyone falls into.

Also, Ric takes a look at what a possible future will be like on the other side of this pandemic and the idea of social distancing sticking around is something he can certainly get behind.



NEXT WEEK: The flow of the news cycle.

Stay The F At Home

There is something to be said for social distancing. The whole idea, of course is to stay away from others. Seems simple enough. Perhaps too simple. Some tough lessons are being learned all around the world because of that so-called simplicity.

There is is this strange notion some people like to lean toward in that the suggestions of staying home and socially distant don't apply to them. For an example, see Italy and Spain. Certain governmental inactions have seemingly contributed to the problem by not being tough enough on the whole simple idea of staying the f at home.

Also, Ric visits an important grave (socially distant, of course) and his observations regarding the reactions of those on social media while offering an activity for those at home. Learning to spell.



NEXT WEEK: Just how toxic can Facebook get?

Everyone is An Epidemiologist

Everytime there is some sort of big breaking story on the minds of society at large, it appears through social media that everyone is now an expert in whatever the topic of the day is laying before us. All of these people are laying out their solutions. "What you ought to do is...", "What needs to be done is ...", etc. It's kind of an amusing thing if you look at this with the jaundiced eye that comes from witnessing such matters.

There is a problem though, most of these so called "experts" offer stuff with zero basis in fact or science. They simply want to point out how wrong everyone else is compared to their own "superior" intellect. Sure, the whole world is on lock down because it decides the narrative you want to cast. Stop it. Plus, the bright side of quarantine.



NEXT WEEK: It got mighty quiet in the anti-vax camp.

Cabin Fever

With all of the talk of the Covid-19 rampaging around the world, there are a fair number of folks who have decided to hide out in the homes to work and try to keep some normalcy as much as possible. With that, we have that internet to keep us company. And thankfully so.

Plus we have the wonderful world of streaming media. This is going to be a good time for that, frankly. With more people staying in, more people are looking for something to entertain themselves with. Notwithstanding the inevitable January baby boom, there are tons of options. Including one that may actually help your favorite musicians.

In this episode, Ric will tell you about a pretty cool site that might come in handy for the house bound entertainer and fan.



NEXT WEEK: Social media is infected... with idiocy.


NOTE: For details on the Stage It site. GO HERE.

Sick of Covid-19

The novel coronavirus is everywhere. Where the real epidemic can be found is in the headlines. There is a LOT of misinformation out there. Also, there is a lot of emotions tied up in this story. Everything from panic to apathy mixed with a fair amount of ignorance for added kick.

In this episode, Ric takes a look at what is happening out there and how all of the emotional coverage of this situation is sitting with the general public. Hint: Not too well. A point is proven in this episode in that whenever something becomes politicized, it becomes worse for everyone involved, whether you have chosen to be or not.

Also in this episode, the Girl Scouts are out trying the old hard sell on the cookes and it leads to Ric's unpopular thought.



NEXT WEEK: Video watching and podcast listening is about to get REAL popular.

Stay tuned...