2 Degrees of Bob

Today's guest survived hepatitis and a failing liver while in South Korea to show his art and begin a year-long residency. Instead, he moved back home to heal and help his parents. We met Peyton about 10 years ago when we were both living in New York City. Now we're each hunkered down in Texas small towns, trying to make our art and survive the doomscrolling chaos. He joins us for a chat in The Cave, our backyard home office oasis in Elgin. Follow Peyton on Substack here.  And check out his art here on Instagram.  FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

Today's guest arrived on planet Earth exactly 13 years after our host was born. Besides being a fellow June 12th baby, Carlos spent 25 years working as an animator for various video games before transitioning into fine art, comic books and graphic novels. Before moving to New Orleans, he spent a number of years in Austin, where he caught a ride one night from Austin's favorite cab driver 15 years ago on his way to a Radiohead concert. He's been a Barstool Poetry fan ever since. To see Carlos's work go to: website — https://www.carlosmendieta.com/ Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/carlos.mendieta.54 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/a.wake.ink/ New Orleans gallery — https://whereyartworks.com/ FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

Talking lawsuits, vaccines, mental health, trans documentaries and his career as an NBC hotshot in TV distribution with Chris “Smocko” Smith, fellow UCLA alum and former bartender at the S.F. Saloon in West L.A., birthplace of Barstool Poetry. We chat for over two hours and somehow never get around to hearing about the genesis of  “Smocko.” You can read Smocko's Substack here. FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

Today's guest won the Best Director prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival for his first feature film, Fishing Without Nets. But we met when he was 16, during my Vagabond Bob days—circa 2003—when I showed up for Sunday dinner in my VW bus to the Arlington, VA home he shared with his writer single mom, who ended up insisting I stay for the week. We discuss his road to Sundance glory, his late mom's new book—The Unluckiest Lucky Couple—and the time we spent together in San Quentin.  FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

About a decade ago my new friend, Kyle, and I launched our podcast — Hi Neighbors — out of my apartment in Brooklyn. He and his friend, Peyton, even inspired two of the main characters in Green Thumbs. But instead of playing fictional Kyle, our friend with no acting experience took a smaller role as Rex, the cannabis salesman, who claims "I just like to help people out." We catch up with our friend, who's back living in NYC. FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

In May, today's guest and my little sister Jeni will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. After our chat, you'll probably understand why I'm so happy he's still around.  FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

It's been nearly 50 years since I was lead singer of the band that was called by Chuck Barris "maybe the worst act we've ever had on The Gong Show." This podcast is an attempt to heal the scars. But, hey, at least JFK's brother-in-law was able to constrain himself from gonging us. FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

Forty summers ago I took a solo mountain bike trip from Manhattan Beach, CA to Boston, MA. A couple weeks into my adventure — on an empty two-lane highway in rural eastern Colorado — I met a fellow ill-prepared adventurer who was also mountain biking solo across America with no helmet and little advance planning. Leroy, who was from Plains, GA, and knew the Carter family, hit the road every day in green army cut-offs and a white wife-beater. I spent nearly two weeks on the road with this character, who never met a stranger he couldn't win over with his disarming curiosity and drawling Southern charm.  FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

In 2000, Tiger Woods was in the midst of one of the greatest runs in the history of sports, let alone golf. Days after winning the Canadian Open — after making one of the greatest shots of his career on the 72nd hole — Tiger was contractually obligated by one of his sponsors, EA Sports, to talk video games with a journalist. I was freelancing for USA Weekend and got the call. It did not go well. I'm getting uncomfortable just thinking about it. FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

Nearly 16 years ago—in the days before Uber and Lyft—a documentary dream job of mine fell through and I ended up getting a job driving a cab in Austin, TX. I soon grew to love the city, the people and the idea of starting a cab-centric podcast called Rideo, which would feature recordings of some of my cab rides. A decade and a half later, these are the first two rides I've ever shared in a podcast.  FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, we're posting this conversation with our old SAE fraternity brother, who tells us how a highly-recruited kid from Michigan turned down the legendary Bo Schembechler to play football at UCLA. (Meeting the great John Wooden on his recruiting trip probably helped.) FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE

FEEDBACK? CLICK HERE Nearly 10 years ago Joe Masi wanted to do something every day that scared him. After Molly showed me a video he posted on Facebook in which he was singing on the subway—which had always terrified Joe—I knew I had to meet the guy AND write a Green Thumbs role for him. Today's episode was initiated when Joe asked me to be on his podcast, Collective Conversations, which you most definitely need to subscribe to and check out.  Joe is a soulful, wise man doing good things in the world. This episode is my chance to answer a few questions instead of my usual role of the listener. To see the Green Thumbs trailer click here.

Bryan Lawhorn is a man of many talents. Not only is he a talented musician, music producer and master storyteller, but he's also one of Elgin's favorite real estate agents and an excellent source for local history. And he's been in multiple Austin bands over the years, including his latest group, Cash Price. Occasionally, Bryan even finds himself slumming it by playing bass in our little cover band, Pink Moth. Thanks, Bryan.

After 6 months away from the podcast mic, your host shows up to explain where he's been the last 6 months. 

Before he became an award-winning standup comedian, Frank Castillo was a high school student in Mr. Bob's social science class in Temecula, CA. Instead of ridiculing his substitute teacher, Frank wrote the following poem about the odd sub: A MAN, HIS GUITAR AND A FAITHFUL VW BUS...OKAY, WELL MAYBE JUST THE FIRST 2 In a time when everything was repetitive.  and there was not more adventure in the world.  People would get up, go to work, eat, and have the occasional old people sex.  There was a calling.  a calling for someone to make and adventure in this adventure less world.  and someone took that call.  unfortunately he didn't want the job so they got the next best guy.  and he was busy too.  so then there was bob.  and his bus.  he is a lone ranger.  traveling the world.  Creating the magic that wasn't there.  Making the last great adventure.  Hitting all the cities in his way never looking back.  The endless roads are his home.  Meeting people and making a difference in their lives.  Spreading the words of wisdom.  Ok well he's still working on the last part.  Sparking the imaginations of the future.  hearing the peoples call, words, lives, dreams.  Inspiring the young. and helping the old.  Paying it up. Just a man and his dreams.  a scholar of the future.  He is a prophet, or a moses without the jesus powers.  Still with a few drinks in him he could walk on water.  Or awkwardly dance it.  He is a socrates of his time.  instead with a guitar and no long beard.  So this is for him.  and his bus.  May he someday run into you.  And change your life.  Because he has changed mine. 

Steve Lazar and I first worked together on a one-act play I wrote in the early '90s. "The Monkey Bar Express," staring Steve as a frustrated actor who hijacks a city bus, was gonna give us a little Hollywood momentum. When that didn't come to fruition, Steve continued working in construction, eventually becaming an acclaimed, self-taught, designer/builder in the Manhattan Beach, CA area. And then he decided to roll the dice and reinvent himself a couple years ago by moving to Utah. His first spec house nearly broke the guy. This is an inspiring journey worth checking out. And when you're done listening, click on the link below to get a look at the stunning house that Steve designed and built on a mountainside outside of Park City. STEVE'S UTAH HOUSE: https://show.tours/video-13450deercanyon/player SPEQL8 SIZZLE REEL: https://vimeo.com/390262523?fl=pl&fe=sh

I picked up today's guest hitchhiking on a lonely, dark road one night in southern Oregon back in October of 1997. Alwin de Jonge was a 21-year-old from Holland who loved Clint Eastwood movies and was looking for an adventure when fate put him and his thumb on the road for four months. This is the first time we spoke since parting ways in San Francisco 28 years ago, when I offered to let him stay at my place in L.A.—even though I wouldn't be there. 

Molly's Uncle Rick moved to Elgin 50 years ago without a plan. Luckily, the man can spin a yarn.

It's been about 7 years since we recorded this conversation with Green Thumbs star Fred at our dining room table in Crown Heights. Talking fine dining at Estela, future projects, cutting his hair and the craft of acting. 

According to my first ChatGPT post-Zoom summary: Bob and Larry discussed technical difficulties, personal experiences, and shared interests during their meeting. They explored topics ranging from health challenges and personal growth to consciousness, alien theories, and creative pursuits. The conversation also touched on their past collaborations, future aspirations, and mutual appreciation for their friendship and support.