Since 2014, Anthony LaMarca has served as the multi-instrumentalist in The War On Drugs.&nbsp;He has also released five albums as The Building.&nbsp;He also engineers and produces albums for other artists at his Youngstown, Ohio studio, Peppermint Productions.&nbsp;Along with his partners Dean Anshutz and Peppermint founder Gary Rhamy, they also archive and reissue recordings from the studio's more than fifty year history. We talked about his love of polka music and why Youngstown, Ohio is special. Don't miss this one!

Anthony LaMarca--Multi-instrumentalist of The War On Drugs and The Building!!

Award-winning author Jane Rubin’s powerful new novel&nbsp;Over There—the final installment in her best-selling&nbsp;Gilded City&nbsp;trilogy—illuminates a little-known chapter of Jewish-American history with striking relevance for today. Set during World War I,&nbsp;Over There&nbsp;follows a family of Jewish doctors and nurses who serve with courage and compassion amid the horrors of trench warfare, advancing medicine while grappling with displacement, rising antisemitism, and questions of identity in a country they were still learning to call home. “More than 250,000 Jewish Americans answered the call to serve in 1917,” says Rubin. “Their stories deserve to be remembered—not just as history, but as inspiration.” The novel speaks directly to today’s climate of global conflict, xenophobia, and renewed antisemitism, offering a deeply human portrait of Jewish resilience and patriotism. Rubin’s characters, drawn from earlier books&nbsp;Threadbare&nbsp;and&nbsp;In the Hands of Women, reflect the immigrant journey from arrival to assimilation, service, and sacrifice—stories that echo in Jewish communities to this day.With&nbsp;Over There, Rubin brings Jewish heritage, wartime service, and untold family narratives into sharp, urgent focus—offering a timely conversation for Jewish listeners today. Give this one a listen!

Jane Rubin--Epic Trilogy Author of Jewish History in Turn of the Century Medicine!!

A proudly queer comedian and artist, Louie Pearlman has been fueling the NYC comedy scene since 2002. His original sketches starring the Sesame Street Muppets are featured at <a href="https://www.americandream.com/venue/sesame-street" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sesame Street Learn and Play</a> in the American Dream Mall, NJ. As a writer for <a href="https://wondery.com/shows/the-sesame-street-podcast-with-foley-and-friends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sesame Street Podcast</a> and the Webby Award winning <a href="https://www.audible.com/podcast/Ready-Set-Ride-with-Elmo/B0CS72P3V2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ready Set Ride with Elmo,</a> he engages young audiences with humor and creativity.&nbsp;An esteemed instructor at <a href="https://www.secondcity.com/new-york" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Second City NYC</a> and <a href="https://www.louiepearlman.com/#improvclasses-section" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improv for Life</a>, Louie nurtures future performers, with his classes featured on <a href="https://people.com/is-work-my-whole-personality-how-an-improv-class-helped-my-mental-health-11722762" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">People.com</a>.&nbsp; He also produces, directs, performs, and writes for <a href="https://www.storypirates.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Story Pirates</a>, (<a href="https://us.tonies.com/products/story-pirates-tonie?variant=45406434263191" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">where he has appeared on a Tonie!</a>) captivating listeners and audiences nationwide.&nbsp; Co-creator and co-writer of the musical <a href="https://www.joeyronmusical.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joey and Ron</a>, Louie’s writing work extends to <a href="https://archiecomics.com/archiecomicsyarnstories/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Archie Comics</a> and articles for Gizmodo and Elmore Magazine.&nbsp; Louie's energy is infectious! Give this a listen!

Louie Pearlman--Renaissance Improviser, Teacher and Sesame Workshop Writer!

Bethany Hall&nbsp;is Creative Director of Comedy Initiatives at the Center for Media &amp; Social Impact. Additionally, she serves as the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of GoodLaugh at CMSI where she leads the Comedy ThinkTanks and is the comedy architect for creative comedy initiatives. Hall is also proud to be the Creative Director of the Yes, And...Laughter Lab. She is a writer, producer, and comedian who spent years as a cast member on ‘The Chris Gethard Show’ on TruTV. She co-created and EP’d the series, ‘Thanksgiving’ now on Amazon Prime. In 2023 Hall made her staged works directorial debut at the Kennedy Center in DC. She Executive Produced ‘By Us For Us,’ an original comedy by Color of Change, has performed at Bonnaroo, SXSW, ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’ and as the TGS writer, Bethany, on NBC’s ‘30 Rock’. She has done so much and has a great story to tell. Don't miss this one!

Bethany Hall--Executive Producer, Creative Director and Improviser!!

A native Rhode Islander, Amy is a mild-mannered health data analyst by day, shamelessly bold improviser by night&nbsp;Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a multitude of classes and workshops with Groundlings School, Impro Theatre, Freestyle Love Supreme Academy, and numerous other instructors from London to Los Angeles.&nbsp;Currently, she can be found coaching and performing at Kismet Improv in Pawtucket, playing on stage in the fast-paced high energy games of The Bit Players in Newport,&nbsp;and taking tarot-inspired improv to various festival stages with Whatever Fate Decides. You can follow her work and performance dates here: &nbsp;<a href="http://kismetimprov.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kismetimprov.com</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bitplayers.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bitplayers.net</a> She also has a couple of special shows coming up in NYC at The PIT LAB --&nbsp;October 19, 6pm NYC Sketchfest'25 "Tell Me More" and November 8, 8pm "Shotgun Improv." Enjoy this one!

Amy Kahn--Mistress of Short Form Improv and Taker of Risks!!

For the past 15 years, George has served as the Dean of the Orthodox Church in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Earlier in his career he was senior engineer at the National Research Nuclear University and a manager in the research laboratory for Russia Research Institute of Information Technologies, in Moscow.&nbsp;How does a scientist become a man of the cloth? You can find out through this episode!&nbsp; Atomic Shepherd is his newest book, his 20th. He has had nine novels and 11 books on theology published. He is a member of the Writer’s Union of Russia, and has had over 100 journal or newspaper articles published. Atomic Shepherd was shortlisted by the Dostoyevskiy Literary Award. He has been interviewed by Russian TV’s First Channel, Spas, and Culture, as well as numerous Moscow radio shows.&nbsp;Zavershinskiy resides in Spain but holds dual citizenship in Ireland and Russia. He is fluent in Russian, Spanish, French, English, and Ancient Greek. For more information, visit: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557319811295" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557319811295</a>&nbsp; Give this a listen!

George Zavershinskiy--From Nuclear Scientist to Orthodox Priest to Author!!

Superchunk&nbsp;is an American&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rock" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">indie rock</a>&nbsp;band from&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_Hill,_North_Carolina" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chapel Hill, North Carolina</a>, consisting of singer-guitarist&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_McCaughan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mac McCaughan</a>, guitarist&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Wilbur" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jim Wilbur</a>, bassist&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ballance" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Laura Ballance</a>, and drummer Laura King. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superchunk#cite_note-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[1]</a>&nbsp;The band is known for its energetic, high-velocity style and strong&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIY_punk_ethic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">do-it-yourself ethic</a>. McCaughan and Ballance founded the successful independent record label&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merge_Records" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merge Records</a>&nbsp;in 1989 as a way to release music from Superchunk and music created by friends, which has expanded to include artists from around the world and records reaching the top of the&nbsp;Billboard&nbsp;music charts. Superchunk released a string of full-length albums and compilations throughout the 1990s. After releasing their eighth studio album in 2001, the band went into a period of reduced activity. In 2010, the band released a new studio album,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majesty_Shredding" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Majesty Shredding</a>, and followed it up in 2013 with their tenth studio album,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Hate_Music_(album)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">I Hate Music</a>. Their 13th album, Songs in the Key of Yikes, comes out this year. Superchunk's music has been described as&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punk_rock" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">punk rock</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superchunk#cite_note-18" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_rock" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">indie rock</a>. Superchunk's early influences included&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzcocks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buzzcocks</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sonic Youth</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Jr." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dinosaur Jr.</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hüsker Dü</a>.&nbsp;The band would eventually incorporate elements from such bands as&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_from_the_Crypt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rocket from the Crypt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_Like_Jehu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drive Like Jehu</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polvo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Polvo</a>. Jim Wilbur and Laura King met with me to discuss success, what's good in music and much more. Give it a listen!

Jim Wilbur and Laura King from Superchunk--Driving Indie Legends from Chapel Hill!!

Whatever stormed through the ‘90s and early 2000s with a relentless barrage of punk rock anthems fueled by disillusionment, isolation, and raw fury. Now, nearly 25 years later, original members Ben Wrecked (vocals/guitar)and Matt Fish (drums) are back, louder and sharper than ever, joined by Brett Moore (guitar) and Peter Woodward (bass/vocals) to resurrect one of the Midwest’s most fierce punk acts.&nbsp;Their latest album, Into Darker Days, marks the band’s first full-length release since 1997’s Youngsters (DSR 69), delivering 12 new tracks that hit with the same melodic urgency and unapologetic edge fans have always loved. Leaning into the existential unrest of today’s world, Whatever channels decades of frustration into a sound that’s both familiar and freshly ferocious. This isn’t a reunion. It’s a reckoning. Check this one out, and don't miss them on tour! September 18, 2025Marky Ramone plays the Ramones and Whatever...Beachland BallroomCleveland, OH<a href="https://app.opendate.io/e/marky-ramone-plays-the-ramones-september-19-2025-598040" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://app.opendate.io/e/marky-ramone-plays-the-ramones-september-19-2025-598040</a> October 18, 2025Whatever... and The GluttonsFive O'Clock LoungeLakewood, OH October 22, 2025Decry, Whatever.., The Situations, and Future ConfusionThe RedwoodLos Angeles, CA October 23, 2025Rhythm Collision, Whatever..., For Closure, and The Heart RaceThe SardineSan Pedro, CA October 24, 2025Dr. Strange Records Freaky FridayThe Radolescents, The Bollweevils, Whatever..., Rhythm Collision, and The MaxiesThe GlasshousePomona, CA<a href="https://dice.fm/event/nvbgq9-dr-strange-37th-with-radolescents-the-bollweevils-24th-oct-the-glass-house-pomona-tickets?pid=a1331df1&amp;_branch_match_id=1475983283770168345&amp;utm_medium=partners_api&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1a9ITTI1TE02MTZLMbUvyEyxTTQ0NjZMSTNUqytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsg1OTEssygQAK4FHYkgAAAA%3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://dice.fm/event/nvbgq9-dr-strange-37th-with-radolescents-the-bollweevils-24th-oct-the-glass-house-pomona-tickets?pid=a1331df1&amp;_branch_match_id=1475983283770168345&amp;utm_medium=partners_api&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1a9ITTI1TE02MTZLMbUvyEyxTTQ0NjZMSTNUqytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsg1OTEssygQAK4FHYkgAAAA%3D</a>

Whatever--Fiery Punk Band from Cleveland Reformed for this Moment!!

Katherine Davis-Gibbon is an award-winning children’s book author, publisher, certified yoga and Pilates teacher, and mother of two Generation Alpha kids. She founded Riverlet Press in 2021, as a platform for books that illuminate and enrich the child’s inner life. Her debut book, My Old Friend, Then, received praise from critics, teachers, therapists, and parents, as well as the following awards recognition: Distinguished Favorite in the 2022 New York City Big Book Awards; Finalist in the 2022 American Book Fest’s Best Book Awards; and Distinguished Favorite in the 2023 Independent Press Awards.&nbsp; Her forthcoming book, Words, is already receiving high praise from multiple outlets, including being selected as an Editor’s Pick by Publishers Weekly BookLife Reviews.Prior to becoming a children’s book author, Davis-Gibbon was a contemporary dancer and choreographer for many years, performing in New York City, St. Louis, Albuquerque, and throughout California. By day, she taught Pilates and yoga—initially at Performing Arts Physical Therapy, in Los Angeles, where she worked with a diverse clientele ranging from seriously injured people to Olympic athletes and Hollywood stars—and ultimately opening her own studio. She has a B.A. in Dance from Scripps College, a Pilates Teaching Certificate from Joseph Pilates’ lifelong protégé, Romana Kryzanowska, and more yoga certifications than she can count. You can find her books at her imprint, Riverlet Press, https://riverletpress.com.Don't miss this episode!

Katherine Davis-Gibbon--Epic Author, Publisher, and Pilates Expert!!

This episode, like all episodes of If This Is True, brings forth what drives creatives to do what they do. For more of this content and interaction, you can also go to my substack, coolmite25.substack.com.

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