The Grit City Podcast

This week’s segment is with Erik, GCP’s Tacoma Sports expert! He discusses the haps on sports in the community and Jeff and Scott chat about Oktoberfest, Washington State Horror Convention guests, movie night, slugs, and saying goodbye to summer. 01:18 – Jeff welcomes new listeners, talks about how his week has gone, and what got him through the week. He reflects on the first scary game he played, shares that Derek and his wife are visiting Japan, and Scott talks about going to Oktoberfest in Puyallup. He expresses his wish for the wiener dog races to be longer, compares the different types of owners of the racers, and the food he enjoyed there. 10:24 – Jeff talks about his son and his girlfriend being in the middle of the storm in Florida, the coming together of communities in the storm, and Lieutenant Dan making it through both hurricanes on his small sailboat. Erik shares the great news of the Tacoma Rainiers setting the Pacific Coast League record for stolen bases in a single season, the Dockyard Roller Derby Season opener, and the Tacoma Star season schedule being released. 18:38 – Jeff talks about some of the cast from The Lost Boys attending Washington State Horror Con, meeting the cast back in the day, and friend of the podcast, Ken Carlson, attending the event. He talks about the new things Ken is up to, Scott expresses his love of Ken’s series Dead Drift, and Jeff encourages listeners to support the local vendors. 30:16 – Scott shares what he loves about conventions, talks about scrolling through old episodes, and Jeff reveals GCP plans for a movie night with Patrons and listeners. Jeff shares what movie genre is in the lead, Scott talks about the tragic engagement with his backyard banana slugs, and Jeff talks about being a proud subscriber of AARP.

On this episode, Scott and Jeff welcome new listeners and chat about Oktoberfest, horror movies, scary games, and Mount Adams's increased activity. The podcast also includes the next installment of Derek’s, aka The Sometimes Geek, Gaming series, which recommends horror games to enjoy as we approach the spooky season. 01:42 – Scott welcomes new GCP listeners, thanks all of the listeners who continue to support the podcast, and Jeff encourages people to start their own podcast. Scott shares where listeners can get the new coloring book, Jeff speaks to the Patron-only version of the coloring book, and Scott discusses what sold his wife on going to Puyallup’s recent Oktoberfest celebration. 13:25 – Scott shares what drove him to shut off his Facebook, they highlight the reasons people make the choice to turn off social media, and Jeff talks about Facebook trying to separate business from personal use. Scott expresses the importance of social media tiered business marketing fees, talks about how Patron has enhanced the features offered to customers, and Jeff shares his love of practical horror movie effects. 27:51 - Derek reviews the horror games Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology series, Resident Evil Remix, Resident Evil Village, Dead Space, Silent Hill 2, and The Evil Within Series. He recommends other horror-themed games people might enjoy that are less story-based and more multi-player focused including Dead by Daylight, Phasmophobia, and Outlast. 43:30 – Derek shares where listeners can find him online, Scott shares his love of the game Fortnite, discusses the recent Mount Adams six earthquakes in September, and the different apps people can get for earthquake alerts. He talks about having a volcano expert on the podcast in the past, the limitations to living in the city, and people in the community preparing for disasters.

This episode stars the first of The Cooper Vortex series, featuring clips from The Cooper Vortex podcast episode and conversations with Bruce A. Smith. Direct from The Cooper Vortex Podcast: Bruce A. Smith is a legend in the Vortex. He's the author of DB Cooper and the FBI: A Case Study of America's Only Unsolved Skyjacking, and the force behind The Mountain News. You may have seen him on Discovery's Expedition Unknown and most recently in the BBC/HBO documentary The Mystery of DB Cooper. Jeff and Scott also chat about the local Puyallup cat café, Jeff’s neighborhood adventures, and the DB Cooper Conference coming up in November. 01:18 – Jeff kicks off this Caterday Night recording, introduces the Catffeinated café that recently opened in Puyallup, and the pet adoption temptation that comes with visiting a place like that. He talks about the recent morning action in his neighborhood, assisting the lady who was in the accident, and having flashes of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation during the event. 12:08 – Jeff explains the instance where the lady had to make the drive of shame, where he and his wife went for the anniversary dinner, and life lessons they witnessed while enjoying their meal. He talks about Rustin Way giving off Venice Beach vibes, enjoying the lemon tart dessert, and encourages listeners to be nice to their significant others. 21:47 – Scott talks about enjoying attending the boxing event at the Emerald Queen, suggests hitting up a Rainier’s game with Patrons, and Jeff shares his excitement for DB Cooper. They jump into the Cooper Vortex conversation with Bruce, Bruce talks about the redactions in the flight transcripts, and the fact that it was forty hours after the event that the investigation started. 31:43 – Bruce talks about the revitalization of the investigation into the DB Cooper case, gives props to FBI agent Larry Carr for supercharging the investigation in 2007/2008, and what lead him to start The Mountain News. He talks about using it for the Cooper Platform, and the overlap of between his DB Cooper work, journalism, and storytelling. Special Guest: Cooper Vortex.

Scott and Jeff discuss otters in the news, Tibbitts@FernHill, and GCP coloring books. Long-time friend of the podcast, Suzanne Akerman, kicks off her series at Peaks and Pints with September's Drinking for Conservation, supporting Washington Wild. Washington Wild is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and restore wild lands and waters in Washington State through advocacy, education, and civic engagement. Founded in 1979 as the Washington Wilderness Coalition, Washington Wild has been instrumental in protecting nearly 3 million acres of Wilderness in Washington State. 03:18 – Jeff talks about the otter attack in Bremerton, the gang of otters running around in New York, and they discuss their odds against otters on land. Jeff turns it over to Suzanne Akerman recording from Drinking for Conservation, Suzanne talks about the history behind Drinking for Conservation, and Lindsey from Washington Wild shares the type of conservation work they do. 17:15 – Suzanne explains the history behind the giant white bucket they bring along to the events to give people other ways to donate, encountering people who are new to Drinking for Conservation, and attendees share what brought them to the event. She gives info on what people can find in the take-home selection at Peaks and Pints, and encourages people to follow Drinking for Conservation for future events. 30:12 – Jeff talks about his amazing experience at Tibbitts@FernHill, the reservation process, and the plates he enjoyed with the five-course meal. He shares the prices, ability to bring your own drinks, and his recent visit to his favorite local dispensary. Scott discusses the benefits of using the Petals app and dorks out on other things he likes to track. 50:19 – Jeff talks about ordering the coloring books, Scott discusses the benefits of coloring, and plans for how listeners can buy one. He talks about the alcohol loopholes Mormon wives have found, how people with passports don’t have to get the Real ID, and Jeff shares why people worldwide may not stamp your passport. Special Guest: Suzanne Akerman.

Jeff and Scott kick off the episode talking cannabis and podcasting then rolls into this weeks segment with Joshua Turner. This time, Josh discusses why it’s the best time to be a musician, including his musical journey, the change of the musical landscape, starting the band We Wept, and why here and now is the best time to put music out. He talks about how people are paving new ways for creating and performing music and challenges people to ponder on what they can do to be part of this amazing time in the music industry. 01:45 – Jeff poses ideas for a new GCP song, Scott talks about toting computers to friends’ houses for LAN parties, and Jeff expresses other things that make up life. Scott talks about the game he plays trying to match people to their cars when visiting the cannabis store, the Washington State Fair in town, and Jeff talks about pre-rolls being the most popular style of cannabis throughout the state. 15:13 – The guys talk about the importance of enjoying marijuana only in privacy, Jeff talks about what his amazing wife left him to cook while she was out of town, and what flagged him that she was going to be gone for the weekend. Scott gives a shout-out to I Love Tacos, Jeff introduces the rollout of GCP segments, and this week’s host. 30:13 – Josh talks about moving from Hollywood to Seattle, the changes in the musical landscape, and starting the band We Wept. He talks about why right now is the best time to be a musician, speaks to the endless possibilities related to putting music out in this day and age, and what was the hardest thing about letting go of yesterday's requirements for making music. 44:22 – Jeff shares recent adventures in his neighborhood, binging the show Disjointed, and Scott gives his review of Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War on Netflix. He talks about his love of Ancient Aliens, they discuss the original paranormal and reality TV series Ghost Hunters, and Jeff shares what GCP has rolled out for their patrons. Special Guest: Joshua W. Turner.

This time Jeff and Scott discuss Jeff’s adventures with his grandkids, public transportation, concerts, and Erik gives an update on some of Tacoma’s upcoming sporting events. 01:20 – Jeff and Scott kick off the podcast chatting about their previous episode, Scott talks about taking his visiting family to Crypticon, and Jeff talks about his amazing grandkids.  He talks about doing senior portraits in Tacoma for his grandson, how he accommodated the family during their stay, and places he got pics at in downtown Tacoma.  10:17 – Jeff discusses the amount of food high school kids consume, sharing the Sonics Guy mural in Tacoma with them, and they chat about the cool places in Tacoma to explore.  Scott talks about the recent beautiful days in the PNW, Jeff shares Lemmy’s adventures, and the jam sessions he got to have while the kids were visiting. 20:57 – Jeff talks about the grandkids getting in their first car accident while traveling to Tacoma, Scott talks about the packed public transportation recently in Seattle, and Jeff talks about Pink's recent visit to Tacoma.  Jeff expresses his love of watching concerts at the Gorge, Scott chats about his recent visit to Crater Lake, and his plans to get a Point Defiance Zoo membership. 30:26 – Jeff shares his favorite Galactic Druid Treats treat, gives information on where people can find them in the area, and turns it over to Eric’s Sports segment.  Eric gives an update on the haps of Tacoma sports, Jeff talks about the upcoming Patron stuff, and putting the finishing touches on the GCP Adult coloring book.

After their summer break, GCP has returned!! Jeff and Scott kick the episode off by discussing what they were up to during the break and the exciting things coming up during the fall. Derek also gives an update on gaming, including PAX and past conventions. 00:08—Jeff and Scott kick off the return episode, Jeff talks about the summer ending, and they wish Justin good luck on his break from the podcast. Scott talks about how much he loved being outdoors this summer, Jeff talks about being re-introduced into normal society after starting his new job, and what he was up to while being out of work. 9:54—Jeff shares where the D.B. Cooper conference is happening, Derek talks about what he’s been up to over the summer, and he reflects on his memories of past visits to PAX over the years. He talks about the different celebrities he’s run into, various comic book creators he’s met at past events, and this year's decision to go after his trip to Japan. 18:11—Derek reflects on the amazing opportunity he got to try out BioWare’s game Shadow Realms, what has since happened to the game, and Jeff talks about the guest list at this year's PAX. He talks about the Japanese version of Rick and Morty, some of his other favorite cartoons, and celebrates one of his pictures getting banned from Instagram.

Join the guys as they honor the memory of Louie G, dive into Jeff's thrilling experience at the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show, and explore Justin's public transit escapades. Plus, don't miss a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT about the future of GCP! 04:20 - Justin reflects on the passing of Louie Galarza, the former bassist for ANTIHERO and founder of the beloved all-ages concert venue and pizza shop, Louie G's. They discuss his profound impact on the local music scene and his positive influence on countless lives in the South Sound area. 09:00 - Jeff recounts his and Scott's thrilling adventure at the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show. He shares the excitement of the games they played and their hilarious attempt to grab lunch at Zeek's Pizza. 27:45 - Justin describes his recent escapade through Tacoma using public transit for the first time in ages, offering insights and anecdotes from his journey. 41:22 - Justin, Jeff, and Derek make a special announcement about the Grit City Podcast, revealing personnel changes, updated summer plans, and more developments on the horizon!

This week the guys are joined by friends of the show Rusty McClintock (Comedian | RCF Exteriors & Remodeling) and Ken Carlson (Artist, Director, and General Artistic Badass)! They catch up with a chat about Justin's new house projects from RCF, Ken's recap from Crypticon 2024, pet ownership, video game hangups, exercise problems, and more! 02:30 - The gang enthusiastically welcomes back Rusty and Ken to catch up on the latest happenings in their lives. Justin can’t help but gush over the incredible renovation work RCF Exteriors has done on his home and the Brass Kraken Studios. The conversation then shifts to the joys and challenges of handyman work, highlighting Justin's playful aversion to DIY projects. 22:00 - Ken reveals that he recently watched Thelma & Louise for the first time. The gang dives into a lively discussion about the movie before branching out to chat about various other films and TV shows, including the live airings of the FOX sitcom ROC. 33:00 - The conversation shifts to video games, debating whether looking up tips online counts as 'cheating.' They then take a nostalgic dive into retro games and the experience of playing them with emulators. 53:00 - The gang explores the concept of 'smash rooms' and the cathartic process of getting rid of trash, leading Justin to share his unique 'Donate-Trash-Smash' method. They circle back to more gaming discussions before wrapping up with a talk about upcoming projects and where listeners can find them! Thanks again to Ken and Rusty for the lively chat and a fantastic time at the Union Club! FOR MORE GCP Website: https://www.gritcitypodcast.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gritcitypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritcitypodcast/ Special Guests: Ken Carlson and Rusty.

GCP invites podcasters Shea & Jody from the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes podcast to discuss podcasting, Tacoma life, and the Union Club! 00:00 - GCP welcomes Shea & Jody by popping a few cold ones, talking about their Juneau beers! Shea & Jody are hosts of the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes podcast, discussing Pacific Northwest history. They share how their bond formed during a 9-day Alaskan cruise and camping trip, leading to their podcasting journey. The gang marvels at Shea and Jody's extensive research, particularly using Newspapers.com, and discusses favorite Tacoma episodes, including the Top of the Ocean, Ray Gamble, and the Maury Island Incident. 20:00 - 20:00 - GCP talks about one of their most popular episodes featuring Mark Sargeant, a well-known Flat Earth advocate, and how the 'Coaster Questions' segment originated. Shea and Jody share their own experiences with Mark and discuss the backlash from that episode. They tease the upcoming discussion about the Union Club. 40:32 - Returning from the break, the gang delves into the history of the Union Club, where they are recording. Shea and Jody highlight the club's beginnings in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including President Taft's visit to Tacoma. This segment showcases the depth of their research and their signature irreverent humor. Special Guest: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes.

This time, the crew discusses gaming, wild animals, An Evening with John Cusack, movies filmed in Tacoma, and local sports! 00:00 – GCP welcomes this episode by discussing gaming, recent bear sightings in the area, and other wild animals the crew has seen. Derek talks about running into wild bison, Justin reflects on getting into a drunken argument with raccoons, and Scott talks about having a pet scorpion. He talks about watching free-range bulls fight, and they ponder when Tacoma’s cocaine bear will appear. 17:33 – Erik shares an exciting encounter, running into a black bear cub in his neighborhood. Jeff adds to the thrill with a story of a deer recently visiting his neighborhood, and Justin's exclamation of his love for sausage adds a humorous touch. Derek takes a moment to appreciate the live listeners, and they all eagerly discuss the upcoming screening of 'Say Anything' with John Cusack, diving into the details of where the movie was filmed. 34:21 – Justin shares other movies that were filled in Tacoma, how people can get more information about the event, and Justin talks about screenings he’s sat in on with directors. Justin talks about their upcoming recordings at the Union Club, who they’re going to be hanging with, and his recent deck renovation. 52:24 – The crew wraps up the episode with a sense of anticipation, discussing strategies for claiming yard dominance, Erik's potential strength to carry each of them, and his enlightening explanation of Bike Polo. They share their excitement for 2nd Cycle's plans to make it a monthly event, and Justin's discovery of Sig Brewing's collaboration with Bob’s Java Jive adds to the buzz. The crew eagerly makes plans to visit Java Jive, discussing their mode of transportation with enthusiasm.

The crew discusses the aurora borealis, Crypticon adventure, Jeff’s Capades, and much more! 00:16 — Justin sets the stage by wishing Happy Mother's Day to our listeners who are mothers. Jeff stirs up anticipation for the hot aurora borealis medicine, and Justin shares the best way to witness the breathtaking northern lights. He also hints at the upcoming anniversary of Mount St. Helens, Jeff's reflections on living through it, and Derek discusses the intriguing Ape Caves story. 23:43 — Jeff reads about what people visiting Ape Caves can expect to see, Justin talks about when the capes were named, and Jeff talks about the type of skinwalker he would be. Justin presents the newest pop quiz with Emily from Uneasy Events, talks about Creepy Things, and dives into their Crypticon Adventure. 45:11 — Scott expresses his gratitude for the Crypticon party rooms being open during the day, and shares Brogan's exciting encounter with a hidden vile treasure. Jeff regales us with his story of Brogan hanging out with the legendary Billy Zane, and his insightful conversation with the director of Joe Daunte. Justin opens up about his nervousness when meeting stars, and the engaging podcasting panels he hosted at the show. 65:49— Scott talks about prepping his visiting family for Crypticon and the amazing events there, and Derek talks about his and Christina’s experience there. Justin kicks off Jeff’s Capades. They make plans for next year, and Justin talks about how he celebrated his birthday.

This best-of is a replay of the crews conversation with local comedian and podcaster Casey McLain from episode 265. During that episode, he chatted with the guys about comedy, podcasting, and The Pacific Northwest. Follow him on his socials for information on his upcoming performances! 04:51 – Justin kicks off the show by sharing how listeners can tune into live recordings of the show, introduces Casey, and Casey talks about the demographics of his pet t-shirt sales. Justin talks about having stream accounts for both of his cats, how he follows other Justin Robinsons on Twitter, and Casey shares how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted him when it started. He talks about how he was able to share comedy during the pandemic and the difficulty it is now to get back into theaters post-COVID. 21:04 – Justin reflects on his and Scott's trip to Spokane, Casey talks about getting booked on the GCP comedy shows back in the day, and one of the worst gigs he did at O'Malleys in Tacoma. He talks about getting paid in drinks, shares a story about an experience at the Lusty Lady back in the day, and Scott talks about the recent tech layoffs. Casey talks about how common it is to get bumped in comedy, Justin shares his love of being interactive with comedians behind the stage, and Casey talks about recording the show at Summit City in Indiana. 39:29 – Justin expresses how he loves comedy even if he disagrees with what they may be saying, Casey shares the wisdom of Joe Rogan, and Justin talks about how upset people were at GCP for interviewing Flat Earther Mark Sargent. He shares the aspect he loves about podcasting, Casey talks about the evolution of his sports podcast, and they discuss what it's like to be around multiple comics. Casey talks about the sports teams he likes to follow, growing up in the area, and how Tacoma has changed over the years. 55:16 – Casey shares his love of the diversity in Tacoma, Justin talks about the areas in Tacoma where he's lived, and the different types of fantastic food in the area. He explains what line dancing is, Casey reflects on the Big Whiskey Saloon in Tacoma back in the day, and gives recommendations for people visiting Tacoma to try. Justin talks about his love of The Parkway Tavern, Casey talks about his favorite place in Tacoma for breakfast, and talks about his special coming out soon. Special Guest: Casey McLain.

This Friday Night Grit, the crew discusses Crypticon, upcoming guests, car problems, public transportation, moon talk, Over The Moon Café, and AI music. 01:34 – Derek reflects on harassing Discord live stream during the recording of the last episode, each expresses their love of partying, and Justin shares their excitement for the upcoming Crypticon. He talks about the 13th-floor parties happening at the event, they discuss the celebrities attending this year, and Justin discusses upcoming GCP guests. 24:25 – Justin talks about the shindig happening after they record at Union Club at the end of May, the upcoming Static-X and Seven Dust concert, and his recent car troubles. He shares the incredible journey the event took him on, gives appreciation to his grandpa for fixing cars as a kid, and Scott talks about baby Kei trucks. 45:36 – Justin and Scott make plans to be train-to-Seattle buddies, Justin reflects on his past nerd rage, and they give their reviews of the card game Exploding Kittens. Derek talks about him and his wife getting back into board games, Justin dives into moon talk, and shares his experience at the Over The Moon Café. 72:45 – Justin talks about the amazing love notes on the tables at the café, getting emotional while reading them, and highly recommends people check the place out. He expresses his love of that area in Tacoma, the dress attire of the restaurant, and Jeff talks about loving the excuse to dress up while on a cruise.

This time the crew discusses 4/20 partakings, Fallout, GCP Coloring Book, Jeff’s Capades, Crypticon, and much, much more! 01:23 – Justin kicks off the episode reflecting on recording the day before, what they did post their 4/20 recording, and Derek talks about binge watching Fallout. Justin talks about the bonuses Patrons get, how Discord has been a savior for the podcast, and he gives a rundown of his weekend events. He talks about watching his favorite band of all time and the last time he saw them play live. 15:22 – Justin talks about the kick-ass present the GCP Patron and friend, Klackwax gave him, his visit to 7 Seas Brewery, and encourages listeners to give feedback on the new Grit City Pop Quiz. Jeff talks about creating the GCP color book and plans to do a digital copy for the Patrons, and they dive into Jeff’s Capades. 31:28 – Jeff talks about the luck penny that was left at his door, Justin encourages people to always report events to FIRST 311, and speaks to how knowledge is power. He talks about the haps at Crypticon, the various panels he’ll be a part of over the weekend, and Scott talks about the hearse show that’s there. 45:18 – Derek speaks to the truth behind the Pax Plague, Justin reflects on refereeing KY Jelly Wrestling matches, and plans for the upcoming Putt Stuff Two. He announces when the Northwest Pinball and Arcade show is going on, talks about what people can expect when going to the Tacoma Porchfest Event, and Scott reflects on who was the best player on his golf team.