This week Bernie interviews Stephanie and Rafe Grigar, hosts of Worst Foot Forward, as they share how their relationship and podcast grew out of deep, real-life conversations about healing. Stephanie describes her path from hairstyling and motherhood into psychology, neuroscience, and hypnotherapy, while Rafe traces his journey through faith, music, creativity, and therapeutic work that reshaped his sense of purpose. Together they discuss trauma, forgiveness, generational patterns, and parenting with honesty and grace, aiming to normalize therapy and offer listeners hope and practical perspectives for growth.
https://www.instagram.com/whatthelightshowedme
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worst-foot-forward/id1852284178
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In this episode, Bernie chats with his longtime friend and fellow guitar tech Brandon Deaton. Brandon talks about supporting artists on the road, the importance of problem-solving under pressure, and building trust through preparation and consistency. He also shares insight into his current role with Cody Johnson and what it’s like watching an artist grow from clubs to arenas and stadiums.
https://www.instagram.com/bdeaton1
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This week, Lisa and Bernie sit down with guitarist and solo artist Courtney Cox. Courtney shares her journey from a self-taught teen in Essington, PA to an internationally touring musician with The Iron Maidens and now Burning Witches. She discusses some of the risks she’s taken, such as moving to L.A., relocating to Germany, and stepping into new musical roles, all in pursuit of authentic creativity. Courtney also talks about her upcoming solo album, her love of performing, and the excitement surrounding Burning Witches’ latest release Inquisition.
https://www.instagram.com/ccshred
https://www.instagram.com/burningwitchesofficial
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This week, Lisa and Bernie sit down with Sebastien Grainger, lead singer and drummer of Death From Above 1979 and member of American Lips. Seb opens up about DFA1979’s early tours, the vocal discipline that keeps him performing at his best, and the organic, collaborative process behind the new American Lips album On Strike!. He also shares updates on upcoming DFA material, his wife Eva’s forthcoming photo book capturing the band’s early years, and how he continues to stay inspired more than two decades into his career.
https://www.instagram.com/dfa1979
https://imawomanyramachine.com
https://americanlips.bandcamp.com/album/on-strike
http://deathfromabove1979.com/
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This week, Bernie and Lisa sit down with Dallas-based manager and Ann Arkey Productions founder Tami Thomsen. Tami discusses her journey growing up in Omaha and finding her way into the Deep Ellum music scene. She breaks down what it really takes to manage bands, adapt to an ever-changing industry, and advocate for women behind the scenes. Tami also dives into her work with Amplified Minds and the growing network of mental health resources for musicians.
https://annarkeyproductions.com/
https://www.visitdallas.com/creatives-care-dallas/
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On this week’s episode, Bernie sits down with Blake Parish, lead singer of the Fort Worth–based rock band Royal Sons. Blake digs into his musical upbringing and his journey from Hanna Barbarians to Royal Sons. They also talk about how sobriety shaped the new album and break down the video for the band’s latest single, “Matador.”
https://www.instagram.com/royalsonstx
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In this week’s episode Bernie sits down with toy artist Fritz Grondy, the creative mind behind Throwaway Toyz. Fritz explains how he rescues broken and forgotten toys and rebuilds them into bizarre, beautiful new characters. He shares how a lifelong obsession with toys grew into a unique blend of art, storytelling, and upcycling.
https://www.instagram.com/throwaway_toyz
https://www.tiktok.com/@toyfritz0
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In this episode, Bernie sits down with backline tech and stage manager Brandon Oliver. Brandon shares his journey from Houston punk bands and oil-and-gas day jobs to touring the world with artists like Lukas Nelson, Blondie, and Cyndi Lauper. He talks about how networking, attitude, and attention to detail turned side gigs into a lifelong career, and the wild moments that came along the way.
https://www.instagram.com/brandon_guitar_tech
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In this episode, Lisa and Bernie sit down with Dallas-based concert photographer Vera Hernandez. Vera, also known as Vicious Velma, talks about her journey from shooting small punk shows with a borrowed camera to capturing major artists on big stages. Vera shares how an accidental black-and-white setting shaped her signature style, the rush of photographing chaotic mosh pits, and the sense of family within the Dallas DIY punk community.
https://www.instagram.com/vicious_velma
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This week, Lisa and Bernie welcome Suzanne Rydz, founder of NEAT, to share her journey from a career in theater and dance to becoming a professional organizer. She explains how creativity, empathy, and a love of structure shape her approach to organization. Suzanne reflects on the unexpected and sometimes unbelievable items she’s discovered while helping clients bring order to their spaces. She also offers practical advice for tackling clutter one step at a time.
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In this episode, Bernie chats with Grammy-winning producer and keyboardist for The Waterboys, Brother Paul Brown. Brother Paul shares stories of his humble beginnings, discovering music in unlikely places, overcoming hardship, and the powerful lessons learned from mentors who shaped his journey. He also reflects on how fate, faith, and gratitude continue to guide his life and music today.
www.instagram.com/bro_paul1963
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This week Lisa and Bernie catch up with singer-songwriter, author, and painter Josh Ritter. Josh shares stories from his Idaho roots, the hymns and records that shaped his musical voice, and the creative spark behind his new album, I Believe in You, My Honeydew. He also opens up about balancing songwriting and fatherhood, maintaining mental health on the road, and the joy of collaborating with his longtime band, the Royal City Band.
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This week Lisa and Bernie chat with Macy Addis and Eli Dykstra of Nashville’s Backhand Blue about their journey from the O’Keefe Music Foundation to forming their own band. They share how they collaborate in the studio, balancing Eli’s riffs and production with Macy’s lyrics and melodies. The pair reflect on opening for Nothing More and Sleep Token and the impact of that experience. They also dive into the success of their single “Decay” and preview their upcoming release “Digging My Grave.”
instagram.com/backhandblueofficial
facebook.com/backhandblueofficial
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This week, Bernie sits down with filmmaker and photographer Shawn Hudgins to talk about his transition from corporate tech to the world of music videos. Shawn shares stories from their early days in Dallas, the chaos of filming young musicians, and the creative lessons that keep his passion alive. He also shares insights on learning by doing, the importance of great audio, and the projects he hopes to take on next.
https://okmusicfoundation.org/
https://ww.youtube.com/@OKeefeMusicFoundation
https://www.instagram.com/okeefe_music_foundation
https://www.facebook.com/OkeefeMusicFoundation
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In this episode, Bernie sits down with author and music journalist Jude Warne to talk about her new book Lowdown: The Music of Boz Scaggs. Jude shares how her New York upbringing and musical family shaped her love of writing, and how she approaches music as a “celebrator” rather than just a fan. She dives into Boz Scaggs’ career, from his early days with the Steve Miller Band to the success of Silk Degrees and beyond, and reflects on her research and interviews with collaborators like Steve Lukather and David Paich.
https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/lowdown-products-9780915864768.php
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This week Bernie catches up with producer, songwriter and southpaw guitarist John Marlin. John tells us about growing up in Ennis, TX, cutting his teeth as a sideman, and eventually landing gigs with Bart Crow, Granger Smith, and now Pat Green. He reflects on the balance between chasing creative opportunities in Nashville and being a present dad, and how his current gig with Pat Green offers the best of both worlds.
https://www.instagram.com/johnmarlin
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In this episode, Bernie sits down with his longtime friend Tommy Roberts, co-owner of Tone Shop Guitars. Tommy reflects on his early days working in big-box shops, the leap into starting Tone Shop, and the importance of fostering a welcoming, musician-centered environment. They explore the shop’s reputation with vendors, rare gear stories, and the rise of their Martin Custom Shop program. It’s a conversation about community, passion, and creating a space where people feel at home.
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This week Bernie reconnects with longtime friend Brett Pirozzi to relive wild memories from their 30 years of friendship. Brett talks about his early days in Bile, being featured in Strangeland, and unforgettable tour moments with bands like Skid Row, Kiss, Tesla, and Gwar. He also opens up about his new band Messiah Nine, his radio show Vintage Metal Meltdown, and reflections on how the music industry has changed.
facebook.com/share/19EXeWyzW3/
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In this episode, Bernie chats with Todd “Dammit” Kerns, bassist for Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Todd shares stories from his early days, his deep love of music, and how playing multiple instruments shaped his career. He opens up about band dynamics, tone chasing, and what it’s like to work alongside legends like Slash and Myles. They also dive into his Canadian rock band Toque, how it started as a passion project and grew into something bigger, plus his love of rescuing cats and why staying busy keeps him grounded.
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This week, Bernie sits down with Brian “Damage” Forsythe, celebrated guitarist for Kix and Rhino Bucket. Brian opens up about the origins of his nickname, his signature tone, and his enduring love for simple gear setups, especially his go-to P90 pickups. He reflects on the highs and lows of a career that’s spanned decades, shares behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road, and talks about life after Kix.
https://www.instagram.com/forsythe.brian
https://www.facebook.com/brian.forsythe
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