In this episode we welcome legendary guest David Gans, a multi-talented musician, journalist, and host of The Golden Road on SiriusXM. The conversation dives deep into Gans' life and career, including his experiences in the Grateful Dead community, his evolution from music journalism to radio, and his reflections on the Grateful Dead's lasting cultural legacy. Gans shares personal stories about his surgery recovery, his recent travels to Las Vegas for Dead & Company's final run, and a vacation in Hawaii. He also talks about his involvement in writing the book Playing in the Band and his journey in curating and hosting a Grateful Dead-themed radio show.

The episode touches on the improvisational essence of Grateful Dead's music, Gans’ approach to interviewing legendary musicians, and the impact of Dead & Company's recent performances, particularly their collaboration with John Mayer. He discusses the importance of preserving the Grateful Dead's culture and community, how the band's music will continue to thrive through new generations of musicians, and shares insights on teaching his Stanford course on the band's music and culture. For Deadheads and music enthusiasts alike, this episode offers an enriching conversation on the ongoing influence of one of the most iconic bands in music history.