Bradford Trojan & Friends

Welcome to the MidLife Crisis Hotline! The calls are coming in, the lines are lighting up, the crises will be averted! Because we have each other. Join me in the new series where guests and I wax the nostalgic, deconstruct our lives, and find relief in the human condition's movement through space and time. We use this show as a chance to connect and expand our capacity to live life to the fullest. Turn the midlife crisis into a midlife opportunity.

Devin is a talented guitar maker, guitar player, singer, and all around great guy! He hails from the Bellingham region of Washington state. Come in as we explore the depths of our existence and why we are here. No biggie!

I'm Baaaaack! Long time no listen. No podcast, no cry! I sit down with my buddy to discuss the rapid fire pace of our lives and some possible solutions/support to sloooooow things down. We also get into some fun 80's nerdage movie references. Plus alittle behind the scenes on some of the equipment I use for the gearheads out there.

Jonathan is a gifted photographer, educator, meditation practitioner and gentle fellow human being. Plus he took the photo for the podcast!

It is fun to be back. Look for more monthly episodes and the new mini series show coming up soooon! (Lots of long vowel usage this description)

Long time no hear! I miss you all. Sniggling around with this little nugget-o-sode and digesting the current state of the show. Sharing a fun story about David Duchovny and my early film experience. 

Toby Leaman is a powerhouse of a singer, songwriter and bass player. You may know him best as one of the lead singers and bass player of famed rock group Dr. Dog. I have known Toby for 23 years and have watched his amazing growth and evolution as a songwriter. We paddle through really fun memories and his times at West Chester, Raccoon, early years of Dr. Dog, his new solo work, plus much more. He is a hoot and holler to hang with and has great insights into the world of music. 

Remember to like, rate, review my podcast on Apple. You can even take the podcast on a date with you if you love it that much. 

Gabrielle is a phenomenal musician, songwriter, performer and music teacher. She has quite an interesting past growing up in a cult and how she found music as a fantastic way to connect with her greater sense of self. Her past groups have included All Soul Sisters, Sister Solace, Silver Thread Trio and Chaparral Kirtan Band, as well as her long standing solo career.  Gabby is a lovely soul. She and I always have great conversations when we hang out. 

Nathan has years of ears under his belt. Listening to what he has created is a long list of some remarkable albums and recordings. He has worked most notably with Dr. Dog as engineer and producer. His Loveland Studios in Tucson, AZ recorded many musicians over many years. He now owns and operates Hi-Dez Recording in Joshua Tree, CA. We will sum up the experience while bouncing around some memories and mixing down some good vibes. 

Mike Dixon is a force of nature. He has created an amazing situation in Tucson as a transplant from Washington state. Mike is one of few people in the world working in the world of lathe cuts. If you don't know what that is, then this episode will catch you up to speed. And by speed, I mean we will cover all moods during the show going from 33 to 45 to 78 rpm(really powerful moments). He is also owner and operator of PIAPTK (People In A Position To Know Records) where he has released hundreds of fantastic albums, singles and more from highly acclaimed artists. 

 Eric is a classically trained, award winning, and critically acclaimed American actor, director and producer. He has appeared in numerous indie films, TV series and shows. And he shot and killed me many times before we became friends! We talk about his journey into acting, the philosophy of the art form, future of film and our screen time together in the indie features "Tombstone Rashomon" and "Revenge of Zoe."

Name drops, inside jokes, outside puns, upside downs, Sharon Curley is my Aquarian sister. We are born 2 days apart of the same year in the same city. She is a weaver of webs that have connected such amazing friends in my life and other's lives. Together, we jump in the sillies and reflect back on stories from our past together and her jobs as wardrobe and costume designer for movies, her amazing handmade album art for t shirts, a writer of horoscopes and much more. She is also an avid lover of lava lamps.

Circus clown vaudevillian extraordinaire! Clay performs around the world for refugee children and families. He has toured with Patch Adams. He is the founder of the Emergency Circus and he is the creator and owner of the Sh’zambulance (formally known as the Jambulance): a converted ambulance that tours the states performing music and clowning at Childrens' Wards, Homeless Shelters, Senior Centers, Prisons, Orphanages, and more. Clay is a Tucson native and now resides in New Orleans. He was also a founding member of the theatrical group Parasol Project in Tucson. And there is a crazy story at the end of the show so you just have to tune in!

Gavin Troy is a phenomenal visual artist. Enough said. But wait, there is more to the story. He also has a storied career in skateboarding and was involved deeply in the 2nd wave of skateboarding in the 70's and 80's. We discuss all of this and 80's punk rock, his time growing up in central Arizona, photography, competing in skateboarding tournaments, and what fuels the creative process. This episode  is Troy & Trojan!

Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Punk Rock, Las Vegas, Vedic Astrology, Vagus Nerve....just a slew of what is to come in this episode. What fun we will have as we merrily roll along life's lazy river. 

Josh has a storied career as a native from Las Vegas with degrees as an Acupuncturist, Ayurvedic practitioner and Vedic astrologer. 

We take some brief time to review our band history together(The Brambleberries, The A.M., and  Kirtan groups). Mainly, Will discusses his extensive musical training in India and tells some amazing stories about his time in the classical Indian music scene. Pretty wild stuff! If you have ever wanted to understand the deeper roots of ragas, this show is for you.

Will we get into some deep topics? Will we talk the talk? Will we laugh out loud? Yes, yes, and yes! Will Duncan a man of a thousand lives. He is a dear friend and gifted teacher. Normally, i can think of some quick witted ways of delving into my guest's character, and for this episode I am going to highlight how great the Will Duncan is by borrowing the bio from his website:

Will Duncan has taught throughout the world including Asia, Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and throughout the United States.  He is a lecturer, meditation teacher,  yoga  instructor,  retreat leader, and lavender farmer. At the age of 14 he met his teacher, Murray Rogers, and began a 23 year apprenticeship with him studying the world’s scriptural traditions as well as a systematic approach to meditation. In 2010 Will completed 7 years of training in the open and higher teachings of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon completion he entered a traditional 3-year meditation retreat where he engaged in silent and solitary deep practice from 2010 - 2014. Upon completion of retreat Will was asked to begin teaching by his lamas.
Following in all of his teacher’s footsteps, Will’s passion is in bringing to life the relevance and living profundity of the scriptural traditions.  Deeply devoted to the Mahayana and Bodhisattva ideals of the cultivation of limitless compassion, Will draws on various traditions to shed light on the potential and urgency of waking up into our day-to-day lives.
Known for his down-to-earth humor and ease, Will teaches by way of inquiry and lively discussion pushing students to think clearly for themselves and to uncover their own insights.

Enjoy the time together with us. 

Ash Ritter and I hang on the porch with herbal teas galore and romp through her past. She is a master herbalist and has such extensive training and unique experience with plant medicine. We spend time talking about where she grew up and her artistic, musical family, her father's music past and him drumming on Purple Majesty, the first record produced by Joey Ramone! We discuss some fun plant medicine friends such as chamomile, schizandra berry, yarrow and more. Check out her candy of the month club and get some! 

Me and my yonkey-yonk Geoff Sobelle break bread over the world wide web of wonder.  The man , the myth the mogul, Geoff Sobelle has had a storied career in the theatre world as a company member of Pig Iron Theatre, founding member of Rainpan 43, along with collaborations out to wazoo. You absolutely need to see him perform in this very life.  We have been friends almost 20 years and here's to another 20!

Time to O.D. on some Doug O'Donnell! Let's do it together. Doug and i stepped into the wayback machine and had some fly by nights and dum dum day-trippings. Doug is a humble fellow and a gleaner of the finest pop and sub cultural phenomenons. He is a founding member of Dr. Dog as well as a found hound of The Overtones, Doublehorse!, York Street Hustle. He also brings some insights into the legendary Sloppy Joe and the Cruise. Come together right now. 

Wagdog, as I know him, came by for a visit and we got to squalking! One of the first guys I met when I moved to Tucson back in 2003, we have slowly gotten to know each other over the years and worked together on many musical puppet projects. He was a founding member/puppeteer of Tucson Puppet Works and a very knowledgable brain on Permaculture. I also think Eric is one of the wittiest people I know. Pull up a throne and let's get to the goods. 

Scott and I are bumbling our way to you like a couple bees buzzing your brow. I have known this buddy for 23 years to the day. Scott McMIcken is a multi talented songwriter, musician, producer, artist and funny funball. If you haven't heard his band Dr. Dog then you now have a chance to catch up on a 20 year back catalog of tunes. He also has an extensive solo career and is a founder of Press On Records.  What a mega-sode we got here. Unedited, unadultered, undying! 

My old friends Matt Tarditi, Erik Price, Adam Bozarth, and I all reminisce and wax nostalgic on our time growing up as tweens in the early 90's. This was the time of shopping malls, Exhilarama, the cineplex, Sega Genesis, ball tag, and play-o all day-o! Join us in the fun on this belated swan song to the 1990's.

Two of my favorite brothers join me for a cannonball run through the past. We get into where they grew up, the origins of music, Philadelphia time at New Planet collective. And get a load of their amazing band names from days of future past: Anal Sausage, Hiroshima Nagasaki, and Make a Rising. Jesse was storyboarder/writer on the epic cartoon "Adventure Time" and art director on "Midnight Gospel." Justin is an inspired rock climber, woodworker, musician, artist, and he's single and ready to mingle(at least the time of writing this). 

Eliza is a multi-talented instrumentalist, vocalist, funny person and maker of amazing quilts. She has toured with musicians such as Strand of Oaks, Grace Potter, Iron and Wine and more. You are going to love her!  Need i say more?

We are taking a dive and a doggy paddle into some fascinating world music with Matt Moon Nelson. Matt and I have played for years together in the folk-kirtan group Chaparral Kirtan Band. He is a kind, warm hearted man and one of the people in charge of Arizona Trails and gives some cool insight into the history of the organization. Matt also has some incredible stories of working with the reburial programs of Native American tribes. And he is an amazing radio DJ on KXCI’s Global Rhythm Radio. 

Jonas is a fine, feathered friend. He cuts to the quick and slows it when need be. We are talking about his time in the Philadelphia legendary band The Teeth. The history of the band and their escapades. We also discuss his time in the subsequent band Purples and his touring with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. We continue on with the late 90's/early 00's Philadelphia area music show series. 

We get into the meaty (substitute) questions and continue on the late 90's/early 00's Philadelphia area music show series I have been harvesting. John was one of my first college buds! We talk about our punk rock histories, West Chester University, and playing in bands together: Unleash the Bastards and Traffic Jam. Plus his stint in Its Turbo Time! He asks me the hard hitting questions too! Check it, don’t wreck it . Part 2 of 2.

We get into the meaty (substitute) questions and continue on the late 90's/early 00's Philadelphia area music show series I have been harvesting. John was one of my first college buds! We talk about our punk rock histories, West Chester University, and playing in bands together: Unleash the Bastards and Traffic Jam. Plus his stint in It's Turbo Time! Check it, don’t wreck it . Part 1 of 2.

Jason Milci is a super sweet soul with a honey glazed heart. A powerhouse on bass guitar in the band Shooda Shook It and artist extraordinaire. He is a fantastic visual artist and master craftsman. We talk about early days of musical discovery, his growing up in Connecticut and Tucson, writing and recording, and many more blips and blops.

What more can you say about Walter Benjamin Smith? A lot! An extremely talented painter, artist, comedian and rabble rouser, he and I caught up a lot in the summer of 2020 and now we put it on record. He tells me his story of his time at PAFA, 90's punk and working at our favorite macrobiotic restaurant. Find him here:

Me and Marty talk about one of our favorite handheld games as a kid. Epoch Games "Dracula" and more in this fun filled bonus gem.