It's time to delve into some Grand Rapids people's history, folks! Garret chats with local author, activist, and historian Jeff Smith about the publication of his latest book, RADICAL GRAND RAPIDS: PLACES, DATES, ACTIONS, AND PEOPLE, what motivated him to document the history of various working class and leftist struggles in Michigan's Furniture Ci…

In an episode that will make the listener involuntarily say "NICE" aloud for everyone to hear, Garret once again gets the chance to chat with Chicago writer, podcaster, teacher, and non-profit leader Ben Tanzer, about his latest novel, THE MISSING, thoughts on Psychological Fiction, adventures in book touring, and why Garret recommends that writers…

Being the master of excitedly talking about events that happened nearly a full month earlier, Garret chats with Grand Rapids comedian and podcaster Stu McCallister about his show, LMNOPodcast, celebrating its 1000 episode (last month)! They also talk about Stu's radio career before the podcast, the blandness of Free Beer and Hot Wings, and why it's…

This month, Garret heads out the farm--a QUAKER farm, in fact--to meet up with farmer, activist, counselor, and performance artist Scot Miller, to talk about The Sandhill Project--its beginnings, mission, core values, and how it operates--, his coming to the Quaker faith, and his friendship and experiences performing with trashpunk legends LOSER CA…

2024 IS HERE! And while this year is *inevitably* going to be garbage, #powerfulGSP is here bring you some fun, with the first episode of the new season featuring writer, photographer, and tic-tac-toe champ Barry Graham, where him and Garret discuss his new poetry book, THE END OF PARALYSIS, his approach to photography, why everyone should self-pub…

It's a beautiful Fall day in Chi-Town, so Garret meets up with writer and poet Dan Denton to talk about his new novel, THE DEAD AND THE DESPERATE, living the camper life, and how he thinks the current autoworker strike will end. Plus, they are joined by Chicago poet and busker Westley Heine! Recorded at the Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Chicago on Saturday…

Spooky season wraps up on #powerfulGSP with an epic interview with one of Garret's favorite comic book creators, JT Molloy! They chat about JT's series, THE SAPPHIRE SPECTRE, how JT got into Punk Rock, and they discuss the ups-and-downs of modern day Spider-Man! Record via phone between Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago on Wednesday, October 25th,…

Much to Garret's surprise, famous shock jock Anthony Cumia makes a special appearance on #powefulGSP from his *PROBABLE* death bed. Also, since its been eight months since he's been on, Zach Elmblad and Garret do a sort of pseudo-end of the year review, going over their respective trips to the Netherlands and New York, discuss their most recent pod…

Fall is finally here, which means, among other things, it's time to BICYCLE without having to endure the oppressive summer heat! Garret celebrates this occasion by chatting with writer and world traveler Robert Downes about his epic guide to Michigan bikes trails, BIKING NORTHERN MICHIGAN, how he got into long-distance bicycling, the many U.S. stat…

With spooky season less than a month away, #powerfulGSP is proud to bring you this short, but sweet, conversation with Todd LaRosa, owner of the ANATOMY OF DEATH MUSEUM, where him and Garret discuss the origins of the museum, how he goes about procuring his various morbid items, his own personal ethos when it comes to displaying and selling, and th…

#powerfulGSP is back in the game, as Garret chats with fellow comic book enthusiast and Street Fighter Christopher Meeuwes about his new business venture, THINGS TO ASTONISH, what he looks for in collectables, the art of comic restoration, how they both got into comic books, and Garret frets about his realization that he's developing "old head" ten…

Record Store Day may have officially come and gone, but it's ALWAYS Record Store Day at Dodds Record Shop! Garret chats with its owner, Reverend Charles Preston Smith, about his personal history in music - from his obsession with 80's metal to the founding of the PotatoeBabies -, the various transitions and stages of the shop itself, including it's…

In the midst of enjoying another wonderful SXSW, journalist, raconteur, and enlightened dumbass Robert Dean returns to #powerfulGSP to talk about his new essay collection, EXISTENTIAL THIRST TRAP -including how he felt switching from writing fiction to nonfiction, how nostalgia effects his work, and why he will not write about New Orleans in his up…

Season 6 of #powerfulGSP has begun, and we start it out with a bang by interviewing the "Top G" himself, ANDREW TATE! Afterwards, Zach Elmblad and Garret once again discuss hustle culture, how their holidays went, Garret's return to Toronto after a two year exile, and they go off on a British columnist who believes that A.I. is good because it puts…

Another year has passed, which means another season of #powerfulGSP has finished, which also means it's time for the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Garret is joined by Zach's longtime friend and fellow traveler Kevin Charron to talk about the holidays, his adventures around the world, having Chinese babies forced into his arms for impromptu photos, and conclud…

It's the SPOOKIEST episode of #powerfulGSP yet, as Garret and Zach Elmblad discuss various SPOOKY subjects, including Kalamazoo bike lanes, paper plants that make everything around you smell like death, Alex Jones' infamous 9/11 episode of Infowars, and Garret tells the horrifying tale of PATRIOT TOM! Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo (ghost …

Do YOU have work tomorrow? If so, you'll want to listen to this episode of #powerfulGSP during it to help the time fly by! Garret chats with Grand Rapids comedian and filmmaker Grant Stiles about his debut film, PINUS--from purchasing the camera used to film it from Best Buy, themes covered throughout, and the ups and downs of creating ones very fi…

On this monumental episode of #powerfulGSP, Garret has on someone he truly considers one of his "favorite people": Jake Flores , comedian and co-host of the shows POD DAMN AMERICA and WHY YOU MAD. They talk about Jake's recent tour with legendary 90's rock band Eve 6, his work process when it comes to stand up comedy and podcasting, the hilarity of…

On this episode of #powerfulGSP, it is advised that you sit back, relax, and enjoy the sweet, soothing sounds of the ever-lovable Zach Elmblad strumming a guitar, as him and Garret reminisce about Nu Metal and the early 2000's, their mutual recent adventures in Indiana, and, in a new segment called PAGING DR. ELMBLAD, Garret gives an update on his …

As his healing factor works overtime to fix his numb lip, Garret talks to fellow Grand Rapids writer, podcaster, and musician Joe Bielecki, aka NoiseMakerJoe, about his podcast, Writing the Rapids, his first novel, TIRED, his numerous pages on Bandcamp, and how his life has changed since the birth of his first child. Recorded via phone in Grand Rap…

THE WORLD HAS BEEN SAVED FROM THE BRINK OF DESTRUCTION...all because the ever-lovable Zach Elmblad has finally returned to #powerfulGSP ! Garret and Zach chat about their about their recent summer adventures, the latest Alex Jones news, their mutual love of Steve Wallis and other camping/adventuring Youtubers, and Garret details how May was a bad m…

A sweltering May day in Michigan gets even hotter as Garret talks with podcaster John Paul Zigterman, co-host of Beep Beep Lettuce and Work Stoppage, about his music project, Luminaire--origin, the creative process, the influence of retro videogames, and future aspirations--as well as reminiscing about the good ol' days of file sharing, growing up …

For the first time in #powerfulGSP history, a full-blown band is on the pod! Nathan and Tim, of the Texas duo Fire Ant Season, chats with Garret about their latest EP, BAD HABITS, various aspects of the folk-punk scene (with IMPRESSIONS), the sadness that comes with recording, and how stepping on a single ant hill while on the way to shoplift from …

This episode of #GSP covers all things "BAD"--by which I mean...B-Movies! Garret hangs out with Nick Villaire, founder and host of B-Movie Euphoria, to talk about the monthly events history and aspirations, their first experiences with B-Movies, what elements make for a good B-Movie, and Nick lists off his Top 5 films. Recorded at the East Grand Ra…

It's a new year, new season--a NEW #GSP! After going over how 2022 is basically 2020 all over again--with Omicron, another possible World War III situation, and other apocalyptic stuff-- Garret and Zach discuss Zach's upcoming employment change, as well as the future of Elmblad Media Group, their mutual history of dealing with sex offenders at thei…

THE EPIC RETURN OF THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Garret celebrates the season by having a rollicking zoom conversation not only with Zach Elmblad, but comedian, podcaster, and writer T. Latimer as well, where they discuss Christmas traditions, the shitty weather they all must endure, Latimer's first novel YOUR MEMORIES MAY CONTAIN SPONSORED CONTENT, and t…

In the most egotistical episode of #GSP yet, Zach Elmblad patiently listens as Garret takes up the majority of the episode by ranting about his now-former landlord, almost getting bamboozled by yet another vanity press, and they quote-on-quote "celebrate" the 20th anniversary of 9/11 by reading a hilarious Ben Shapiro column from October 2004. Reco…

On a splendid Saturday afternoon, Garret calls in to Kentucky to talk to short story writer, novelist, and editor Sheldon Lee Compton about Compton's upcoming Collected Short Stories, the various things he has learned about himself and the craft of writing throughout his years, and why all the coolest writers read Breece D'J Pancake! Recorded via p…

The end of summer *apparently* means the return of #GSP! Garret and Zach talk about how their respective summers went, losing their homes, burning diapers, the end of the 20 year occupation of Afghanistan, and why the Insane Clown Posse are one of the greatest Indie acts of all time. Recorded at Elmblad Media Group studios, based within the Park Tr…

In honor of the prophesied season brought forth by Saint Chet Hanx coming true, Zach and Garret hang out and discuss Dendrophilia, encountering aliens during the daytime, cryptids, and Garret gifts Zach something that will truly satisfy the Caucasian Gods. Also guest starring: Zach's fan! (TLDR: Garret and Zach spend nearly two hours saying a bunch…

At long last, Garret finally gets the chance to chat with one of his literary heroes, writer and poet Noah Cicero, about the latters latest book, NOAH CICERO'S WILD KINGDOM, the truth about Las Vegas (spoiler alert: Mormons!), and Garret and Noah reminiscence about the people they knew that, depending on your view, either looked like Super Mario, S…

Working through their mutual exhaustion, Garret and Grand Rapids comedian Adam Degi come together to talk about the DEGI DRAFT--its creation, evolution, and notable moments--,returning to performing stand-up as the pandemic continues to rage, and Garret once again embarrasses himself with yet another pop culture reference that only he recognizes >_…

One year later, Garret and Zach meet up to reflect upon the COVID pandemic, and when things will go back to "normal", as well as discuss "December Man" shirts, anti-Chinese propaganda, and Zach details the up-and-downs of winter camping. Recorded at Elmblad Media Group studios, based within the Park Trades Center, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday,…

Ohio poet, writer, podcaster, and activist Dan Denton returns to #GSP to discuss the publication of his first novel, $100-A-WEEK-MOTEL, the success of his Lunch Bucket Brigade series, and his never-ending war with United States Patent and Trademark Office over the oh-so controversial name of his show, THE BLUE COLLAR GOSPEL HOUR Recorded via phone …

In what has been a long time coming, Garret finally gets Chicago writer, podcaster, and social worker Ben Tanzer on #GSP, where they discuss Ben's life in New York, his new book, UPSTATE, views on republishing past works, and what Chi-Town has been like under the shadow of COVID. Recorded via phone in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago on Wednesda…

Season four (NOT THREE) of #GSP starts out with a bang, as Garret and Zach reflect upon the demise of Family Video, purchasing pornography, what they were doing when a fascist coup attempt took place during the first full week of 2021, and they discuss why “motivational” people are hacks. Recorded at Elmblad Media Group studios, based within the Pa…

With the “DARK WINTER” finally upon us, Garret and Zach discuss the latest lock downs imposed by Governor Whitmer, the results of the 2020 Election, they read a rousing column by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., and Zach shatters Garret's entire perception of reality, as he makes Garret realize that he, in fact, LOVES imperialism! Recorded at Elmblad Me…

As the weather gets colder, and the pandemic once again heats up, Garret speaks with Grand Rapids comedian and podcaster Gerrit Elzinga—along with his dank wind chimes—over the phone about his new extended play, SLIGHT RETURN, the ethics of doing comedy show during Covid, his third podcast, SOMETHING SERIAL, and their favorite parts of the classic,…

“Technology is our friend,” claims songwriter, editor, and traveler Louis Rive at the very beginning of this international episode of #GSP--and he is ABSOLUTELY right, as Garret talks with him over Zoom about his career as a writer and musician, the founding of Talking Soup, getting fined in Spain for accidentally breaking the COVID quarantine, and…

Another summer has come and gone, so Garret gets on programmer, world traveler, and recent Kalamazoo transplant Jason Brown to talk all about his adventures— including rambling around Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, visiting Ukraine post-revolution, and living and teaching in China. Plus, Zach Elmblad pops in to tell us a delightful tale of the …

SWAPCAST TIME! Garret travels to Toledo to visit poet, activist, and union autoworker Dan Denton to talk about the birth of his podcast, THE BLUE COLLAR GOSPEL HOUR, the publication of his latest book of poems, the founding of Not A Duck in Any Row Studios, and discuss whether police “unions” are legit unions. Recorded at Not A Duck In Any Row Stud…

It's a very “Free Jazz”, “Postmodern” episode of #GSP this time around, as Garret and Zach Elmblad discuss Garret's failed writing retreat, Kalamazoo cops gassing peaceful protesters, the wonders of nature, and the question that has been on Garret's mind since the beginning of this terrible year: WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON HERE?!? Recorded at Elmblad Me…

From the EMG bunker, Garret and Zach discuss their respective experiences with the protests in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo following the murder of George Floyd, how COVID-19 has affected their lives since the last time they spoke, and they attempt to talk about some lighter subjects that make them neither want to punch a wall nor curl up into a ball…

The fun continues as Garret talks with more previous guests—writer Robert Dean, comedian Scott Ryan, and Legion of Nothing author Jim Zoetewey— on how they're enduring the virus that has not only shaped 2020, but will undoubtedly make this decade more awful than it already will be. Recorded throughout April and May 2020 via telephone. Intro Song: "…

As the apocalyptic Coronavirus plague continues to ravage the planet, Garret talks with previous guests—artist John Withee, and comedians Stu McCallister and Gerrit Elzinga—via phone about their lives during this pandemic, including their first realization of its seriousness, how it has affected their lives directly, and how they imagine a “Post-CO…

Risking it all for the glory that comes with podcasting, Garret visits multimedia artist Zach Elmblad in his bunker to discuss how the world has been changed by COVID-19, how the pandemic has affected their respective day jobs, Garret talks about his trip to Toronto right before the U.S-Canadian border was shut down, and they lighten the mood a bit…

Two guys with similar--yet, at the same time, vastly different--first names unite, as Garret sits down with Grand Rapids comedian Gerrit Elzinga to talk about career beginnings, his latest album, BULLET-BITER: THE EMCEE SESSIONS, meeting comedy icons like Chris Rock and Dave Attell in New York, and Garret gives an enthusiastic, rambling review of t…

At the beginning of the new decade, Garret once again meets up with the ever-lovable Zach Elmblad to reflect on 2019, lament on their personal high's and low's during the 2010's, discuss the wildfires in Australia and the threats to the Great Lakes, and Zach endures Garret's angry rants regarding the possibility of the U.S. invading Iran/World War …

A true O.G. guest returns to #GSP, as Kjartan Code takes the time to talk to Garret about his work with the Het Hat Club, the influence of Romani people on European culture, and the up's and down's of witnessing the ongoing revolution in Chile. Recorded at Elmblad Media Group studios, based within the Park Trades Center, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on …

In this particularly funky episode of #GSP, Garret chats with Kalamazoo DJ Joel Oliver about the joys of dance music, the rise of Dance Music Needs You, and the success story that is the "Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo meme page". Recorded at Elmblad Media Group studios, based within the Park Trades Center, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday, Nove…