Episodes

  • Sarge Part 1

    Sarge Part 1
    Oct 9 2023
    In this episode, I interview my friend, Sarge, also known as James Robinson.

    Sarge is an 80-year-old Vietnam vet and a jazz musician. His wisdom goes well beyond his years. There aren't many of his ilk left in the world, and he should be heard and respected. Now, one does not simply have a quick chat with Sarge. His stories take time to develop and are full of teachable, and often funny, moments. In the first half of the interview, he tells the story of his connection to Malcolm X. Also, his friend James Hunter was at the recording, but didn't want a microphone. You may hear him chiming in on the sideline.

    Sarge's Battalion
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Mobile_Construction_Battalion_Seven

    Abyssinian Baptist Church
    https://abyssinian.org/about-us/history/

    Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    http://www.dbonhoeffer.org/

    A Great Day in Harlem (Photo)
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Great_Day_in_Harlem_(photograph)

    A Great Day in Harlem (Documentary)
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109934/

    Summer of Soul (Documentary)
    https://www.npr.org/2021/07/13/1015347905/summer-of-soul-questlove-1969-harlem-cultural-festival

    Tommy Simmons
    https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/norwichbulletin/name/thomas-simmons-obituary?id=19323944

    The Other Malcolm - "Shorty" Jarvis (Book)
    https://www.amazon.com/Other-Malcolm-Shorty-Jarvis-His-Memoir/dp/0786440570/

    The Baldies
    https://newyorkcitygangs.com/?page_id=192

    Hoyt-Schermerhorn Department Store
    https://untappedcities.com/2014/05/02/daily-what-remnants-of-a-lost-department-store-in-brooklyn-hoyt-schermerhorn-subway-station/

    Henry Adler
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Adler
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    1 hr
  • Cedric Mayfield: Sax Appeal

    Cedric Mayfield: Sax Appeal
    Apr 19 2023
    In this episode, I interview my friend and bandmate, Cedric Mayfield.

    Ced is a reed instrumentalist, a master of the clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, soprano sax, and flute. He got his start in the Air Force Band and then moved to New London CT to be in the Coast Guard Band.

    In addition to getting to play with him with the Franklin Brothers Band, I had the pleasure to record an album for him and his band, Epitome.

    He's got a great story, and the music.. well... it speaks for itself!

    Cedric Mayfield's Bio
    https://www.uscg.mil/Community/Coast-Guard-Band/personnel/mayfield/

    New London Big Band live at Birdland
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbuuTCDAsFU

    Things We Said Today (Franklin Brothers Band)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRP8bwGRMFo

    Epitome - Appreciation
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q6R8GN/

    100 Days 100 Nights (Nichelle Rollins)
    https://youtu.be/CAu-z3pvLu0

    Franklin Brothers Band Live Videos
    https://franklinbrothersband.com/#video
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    56 mins
  • Jonathan Stark: Definition of a Genius

    Jonathan Stark: Definition of a Genius
    Mar 23 2023
    Carl talks to Jonathan Stark, an innovator and deep thinker who in 2011 discovered how to pay for Starbucks products with a picture on his phone. He is a champion of value pricing. If you are an independent provider of your services for an hourly rate, you need to listen to this. Jonathan's method has changed my life for the better, and my customers have never been happier.

    Jonathan Stark: Value Pricing Bootcamp
    https://jonathanstark.com/vpb
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    55 mins
  • Randy Judkins: Who's the Bigger Fool?

    Randy Judkins: Who's the Bigger Fool?
    Feb 23 2023
    In this episode, I interview my old friend and funny guy, Randy Judkins. Randy is a unique inspirational speaker and has presented his creative programs on laughter, change, stress, self-esteem, and teamwork for professional groups, schools, and companies in over 25 U.S. states, Canada and Europe. Randy has appeared in a handful of television commercials and independent films in his native state of Maine. Randy has instructed at the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey's Clown College in Florida and has served as a character consultant for Tri-Star Pictures. The Juilliard School of Drama in New York City hired Randy to teach a series of master classes in character and physical comedy. In 2002, he founded the comedy trio, the Maine Hysterical Society. They have been called 'The best variety comedy act in New England'. He guides specialty food tasting, and walking tours in downtown Portland, and has co-guided professional hiking tours in Acadia National Park.Randy served as Master of Ceremonies twice for the Patrick Dempsey Challenge Banquet for Hope and Healing, [and cycled the 100-mile course the next day]. At one time he ran in the Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race while juggling three balls the entire 6.2 miles. He finished the race in under an hour and he did not drop a ball. Randy Performing in 1979https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4um9RTVQclE Down East Jugglinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbXSPIdNNKY Clementine (Carl performing with Randy)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghSEn66X6BM Spinning Plateshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifzydlr98w0 Tony Montenarohttps://mimespokenhere.com/ Benny & Denise Reehl on the Today Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP3mt8N6ir4 Oddfellow Theaterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uTlX_tB9Ow The Wizards of Oddhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdPw3lSQc18 Maine Hysterical Societyhttps://www.facebook.com/people/Maine-Hysterical-Society/100063447228651/ Now you're talking Down East OFFICIAL Music Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_o8bP8nU-9A Bert & Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t451Ruf4XDI Bert & I: Which Way to Millinocket?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6V2Ew1M0sE Bert & I: Which Way to East Vasselboro?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jn61NUd0q8
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    50 mins
  • Dan Greef: Separated by a Common Language

    Dan Greef: Separated by a Common Language
    Feb 23 2023

    In this premiere episode, I interviewed my good friend Dan Greef from England.

    I met Dan in 2018 through the Keto community and we became good friends.

    I asked him to define a handful of British slang (and a couple of non-slang) words and phrases, and hilarity ensued.

    I shared a song (New England in the Wintertime) that I wrote in 2001 (I think) inspired by being in a cozy house with family and a group of friends at a low-key New Year's Eve gathering in Connecticut. The forest was blanketed with several inches of snow while the fire roared inside. It was magical.

    New England in the Wintertime

    We found ourselves in peril out where the best relief is just to freeze

    The snow hangs on the gallows. The nuthatch wings to a warmer gentle breeze

    Where evergreens stand like soldiers amid the smell of comrades set ablaze

    And tiny bombs of white fire rain down upon us from the canopy

    The backlit woods before us, we lead our horses into paradise

    The blood-red moon adores us. The souls of old friends keep us occupied

    The path will always be here if only covered by the fallen snow

    We come to Roselyn lake and the cold air scrapes our faces to the bone

    The ice has thinned in places. My horse reminds me and sticks to the shore

    The stillness is disarming. We start to believe there is no danger here

    The evening sun is falling. It melts away in crimson and golden tones

    At dusk, we reach the cottage. Our bodies beaten from the wind and snow

    We'll ring the bell at midnight. Its tarnished bones will come to life again

    There's nothing better than to be with friends In New England in the wintertime

    Dan's Website:
    https://deliciouslyguiltfree.com/
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    45 mins