EduPunx Podcast

Latest Episodes:

60: Top Albums of 2018 (with Casey & Scott) Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to season three of the EduPunx Podcast!!
Before we jump back into the world of punk education and the DIY scene, we’re gonna have a full-fledged chat about the top albums of 2018 - as chosen by Craig and two of his friends, Casey Arn and Scott Hayden. All three are in an ongoing 2-3 year long text thread that is all music all the time - and some political banter as well - which is expected. But this discussion is nonstop music! AND you get to hear a bunch of songs from our top albums of the year!

We will be back next week with THREE record label owners to discuss their paths to creating their labels and what they look for in bands and how to sustain something that can be pretty challenging as if grows - or, in one label’s case, intentionally maintain a modest size.

This episode contains the following songs from our top albums of the year (in order):
- “Night Shift,” Lucy Dacus
- “Show You A Body,” Haley Heynderickx
- “Caution,” Tiny Moving Parts
- “Upside Down,” The Story so Far
- “The Aftermath,” Rolo Tomassi
- “What Have We Done,’ Can’t Swim
- “High Pressure,” Turnstile
- “Bellyache,” Spanish Love Songs
- “Calm E,” Culture Abuse
- “Friday Forever,” Trophy Eyes
- “Julia (or, ‘Holy to the LORD’ on the Bells of Horses),” mewithoutYou
- “Lich Prince,” Foxing

ART OF SURVIVAL UPDATE:
We've officially rebranded The Art of Survival and launched a revamping of our website - artissurvival.com! Check out the MANY resources we have available and please feel free to read our stories and share your own!

We are also excited to announce a brand new Patreon account - so if you would like to support our work, please check out your options of how to do so! Even $5/month can go a long way!

Check out the link here:
https://www.patreon.com/artofsurvival

And if you haven't noticed, we're dedicating ourselves to the music scene moving forward - so if your band/venue would like to work with us, please reach out!

ConnectEDU Network:
We are proud contributing partner to the ConnectEdu Network. The ConnectEDU Network connects the unique perspectives and expert insight of higher education through podcasting. If you’re affiliated with higher education – from professor to director of marketing – you’ll be able to find a podcast that fits your style. Our podcasts are produced and hosted by passionate and innovative members of the field, all fueled by the excitement of the future of higher education.
- You should check out all of the Network’s content creators and podcasts right now if you’re looking for some new education-based pods!

And you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Don't forget, Android users - we are now on the Google Play Store!!
- We're also FINALLY on Stitcher, so head over there if that's your preferred platform!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Thanks so much for tuning in - we will be back next week with a cool giveaway announcement and a brand new episode with THREE people!!

X: Craig updates y'all on his condition & the podcast future! Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

In which Craig discusses his healing process from a recent accident and gives a preview of the upcoming season of the EduPunx podcast.

Hey folks!

Just wanted to share a big time update on my condition - including the original post I share about the incident - which can be found by clicking here!

Since the incident, I have done a quite a bit of healing - I’ve always been moved into a carbon fiber cast, which is much more enjoyable than the plaster cast I had for three weeks! A big positive if that I do not need surgery! So just a few more weeks and hopefully they will remove the cast and I can start PT.

The bigger issue, as I discuss in the episode, if the brain stuff - the mental trauma that this incident has put me through. I think of the incident everyday. I think of it nonstop when we drive, when I drive, and whenever I see a cyclist. I think of all the what-ifs and what could have happened. It’s terrible, but this is my life now.

Many folks have asked about legal stuff - and yes, I have two lawyers managing everything for me. My medical bills have even already been covered, which is fantastic!

During the episode, I even take a moment to thank the great folks at Timbuk2 for replacing my backpack that was damaged in my recent accident. they worked with Katy to get it to me and were super supportive in knowing their product quite literally saved a customer’s life. they EVEN gave Katy a new pack for being such a supportive partner!
I’ll be a Timbuk2 supporter for life because I owe them mine. can’t wait to crack this open once I have full use of both hands! make sure you visit their page and timbuk2.com for some sick deals during the holidays!!

Lastly, wear a helmet. Life comes at you fast.
Thanks for all your support! We will be back soon!

MUSIC NOTES:
- This week we shared the song, “Laughing (while you’re smiling)” from the new World’s Greatest Dad album, “Get Well Soon,” which came out in May!
- You can get a vinyl copy of the album through Deep Rest Records!
- World’s Great Dad release one of my favorite albums this year, which is why I wanted to give it some time on the podcast because I haven’t had the chance to do so yet. “Better Off Dead'“ is hands down one of my favorite songs of the year. This new school emo act is certainly taking off - so get into them NOW!
- Also, all of the band’s music is already available FOR DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

59: Nicole Mazzeo (Pleasure Pie) & DIY Sex Positivity Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

Nicole Mazzeo runs the DIY sex-positive organization, Pleasure Pie. While Nicole was once located in Boston, she now resides oversees - in the Netherlands - which makes this our second international conversation of the year! We actually had this conversation at the beginning of October - before the podcast was corrupted, and before I was hit by a car last week. So it’s good to know that a lot has changed between then and now. But the conversation is full of fun reflection and perspectives on sex education, destigmatizing sexual health, and what it takes to be incredibly neurotic and keep up with so many projects.

Pleasure Pie is a small activist organization based in Boston, MA. Its efforts center around sex positivity, body positivity, and positivity about other good things. It makes alternative sexuality education materials (including zines, illustrations, and publications) and experiences (events, conversations, and workshops). Make sure to dig around pleasurepie.org to learn more about the fantastic work that Nicole and her crew do. And visit the Pleasure Pie Etsy shop as well and get yourself, or your students, a bunch of goodies!

MUSICAL NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Typesetter LP, “Nothing Blues,” which came out in October! You can get a digital copy of the album through 6131 Records!
- Typesetter is a vibrant indie emo act with the energy and sardonicism of bands like Tiny Moving Parts and Mom Jeans, to more elegant moments reminiscent of Foxing or Crash of Rhinos.
- In this episode, we played the songs,
- Also, all of the band’s music is already available FOR DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- This week, you got to learn about the ConnectEDU Network, of which this podcast is now a contributing member!
- ConnectEDU Network connects the unique perspectives and expert insight of higher education through podcasting. If you’re affiliated with higher education – from professor to director of marketing – you’ll be able to find a podcast that fits your style. Our podcasts are produced and hosted by passionate and innovative members of the field, all fueled by the excitement of the future of higher education.
- You should check out all of the Network’s content creators and podcasts right now if you’re looking for some new education-based pods!

And you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

58: Francesca Impastato (Macseal) & the Representation of Queer Women Drummers Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

We’re back after a month away with a chat with Macseal drummer, Francesca Impastato. Francesca is a graduate of Berklee College of Music - where she focused on drums and music business, as well as instrument repair - of which, she has a fantastically misogynistic story to share. Francesca began drumming at the age of 5 - and not just hitting the drums with sticks, but actually finding the rhythm and beat and playing from there. One could say she was born to play the drums.

Francesca and I sat down in my practice space in Allston, Mass on Sunday while a jam band was rocking out above us to chat about everything that came to our minds. It was great timing because Francesca was only in Boston for a short period of time before heading down to New York to prepare for Macseal’s weekender tour. So we hope you dig this conversation - cuz we had a lot of fun having it!

MUSIC NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Macseal EP, “Map it Out,” which comes out Friday! You can get a digital copy or cassette of the album through 6131 Records!
- Macseal is a brilliant new school indie emo band that has made a big wave through multiple DIY tours up and down the east coast and across the country. The band is poised to be a big hit with a full-length album on the horizon in another year or so!
- In this episode, we played the songs, “Sure thing, Shelly,” “Harry,” and “Next to You.”
- Also, all of the band’s music is already available FOR DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- Table-Turned is a DIY record-of-the-month club. Subscribers select from two genre options and receive a record each month for that genre, including some “classics” as well as albums they may have missed.
- The current genre selections are Garage Rock and Ska-Punk, and for the next month, you can start your monthly vinyl subscription for $160, which gives you a FREE MONTH, after that it becomes $175 for the year.
- Table-Turned was recently featured in Paste magazine AND in The Hype Magazine!
- To learn more and/or to start your subscription, visit Table-Turned.com!

And you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back soon with a special extra episode!
Up the punx!
Let's get to work.

57: Dustin Ramsdell - the Higher Ed Geek Oct 10, 2018

Show notes

Dustin Ramsdell is the Higher Ed Geek. Dustin hosts a podcast called The Higher Ed Geek Podcast - and he runs the ConnectEDU podcast network. He also works in the eduTech realm - where he is the Student Affairs Lead for Noodle Education. Like me, Dustin got his start wanting to be in secondary education, but eventually found his way into student affairs - which he left not long ago. Yet, their paths have crossed over the years, and while Dustin has (temporarily) left traditional college campuses, the two used this opportunity to catch up!
This is a special week because Dustin and I decided to team up for a dual-episode! So you get to hear me interview Dustin on this podcast and if you’d like (and you SHOULD), you can head over to HIS podcast and listen to him interview me about all of the things I geek out for! We hope you enjoy this double-header podcast week!

ADVERTISING NOTE:
- This week, we hyped up Dustin Ramsdell's podcast, the Higher Ed Geek Podcast! Dustin used to host the Student Affairs Collective Podcast and he's been off on his own for over a year now, seeking out the geeks in the field of Higher Education!
- The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is live on all streaming sties, so give him a follow, and subscribe to the podcast - and in the meantime, while you wait for it to launch, you can peruse Dustin's site to see all the cool stuff he has done throughout his career so far.
MUSIC NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Slow Crush album, “Aurora,” which came out on September 28 through Holy Roar Records! If you’re in Europe, you can get a vinyl copy, CD, or digital copy of the album through Holy Roar or for folks like me in AMERICA, you can get your copies through Deathwish Records!
- Slow Crush is a fantastic fuzzy shoegaze band from Belgium - the band has been building on its impressive 2017 EP, “Ease,” which gained them a great amount of attention in the scene and now they’ve fully immersed their listeners in even more lush and inviting tunes.
- In this episode, we played the songs, “Glow,” “Aurora,” and “Tremble.”
- Also, all of the band’s music is already available FOR DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!
And don’t forget to join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

FRAGILE BIRD - “Be Patient”
I also shared that I recently released my first new solo song through my new performance moniker, Fragile Bird. You can check out the live one-take music video I recorded with my friend Matt Hamer here!

You can also download a digital copy of the song by visiting MY bandcamp page!

The song is about the loss of my father and how that loss actually helped me control a massive eating disorder I have had for many years.

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Don't forget, Android users - we are now on the Google Play Store!!
- We're also on Stitcher, so head over there if that's your preferred platform!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back next week with a new episode!

56: Dylan Slocum (Spanish Love Songs) - From Collegiate Baseball to Punk Rock Gigs Oct 04, 2018

Show notes

Dylan Slocum is the lead singer and guitarist for the punk rock band, Spanish Love Songs. Dylan grew up playing baseball and was even a collegiate pitcher - which gave him a fascinating look into the college experience from the standpoint of a student athlete. Dylan and I broke down the lack of self-care that exists for a majority of student athletes, and how Dylan eventually developed his own path through education and even the punk rock realm.

Dylan and I sat down in my kitchen after a hefty Red Robin meal and got right down to business. The conversation often meanders through various life experiences - including exploring education options and opportunities throughout college while eventually finding worth in making music. And then there’s a slight detour into a cheesecake taste test (not brought to you by Cheesecake Factory)!

Spanish Love Songs is on the rise right now and the band is doing some really great stuff, so make sure to check them out beyond this interview! Enjoy!

MUSIC NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Spanish Love Songs album, “Schmaltz,” which came out in March through A-F Records! You can get a vinyl copy, CD, or digital copy of the album through A-F Records or on the band’s website!
- Spanish Love Songs is a fantastic punk rock band from Los Angeles - they’ve been crushing it over the last few years and everyone in the band is fantastic. So please support them!
- In this episode, we played the songs, “Buffalo Buffalo,” “The Boy Considers His Haircut,” and “Bellyache.”
- Also, all of the band’s music is already available FOR DOWNLOAD on their bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT OUR SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- This week we hyped up Half Access - which is the nonprofit founded by our eighth guest, Cassie Wilson. Half Access was started with the purpose of amassing as much venue accessibility information as possible to inform venues across the country and the world about how to better construct and renovate spaces to accommodate the needs of disabled music goers.
- Half Access has launched a brand new website! Visit HalfAccess.org to sign up for updates from the organization. You can also reach out to Cassie and volunteer your time to supporting the cause of making music venues for inclusive and accessible so that our communities can truly thrive.
And as always, you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Don't forget, Android users - we are now on the Google Play Store!!
- We're also on Stitcher, so head over there if that's your preferred platform!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back next week with a new episode!

55X: James & Craig left the microphone on and just kept talking Sep 30, 2018

Show notes

James Ikeda is a high school History teacher, DIY musician, and an all-around brilliant human being. James is the type of person to have a lot of projects and ideas and energy to do cool creative work outside of the classroom. This extra episode features a special look into the friendship and shared sense of humor between Craig and James. The microphone was turned on to start recording the second segment of the episode, and instead they both got distracted just flew into many topics and even some ASMR occurred! Hope you dig this fun bonus episode!

MUSIC NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from James’ new LP as The Michael Character called, "That’s Why I Call Him Zachy," which comes out on September 27!
- The Michael Character is a brilliant folk punk educator who will play your living room, basement, or laundry room - this episode features the song, “Literally My Masters Thesis,” which is off of his previous album, “Fame Swoll.” And yes, it’s literally his Masters thesis.
- The new LP comes out September 27, BUT all of his music already available FOR FREE DOWNLOAD on his bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT THE NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back soon with a special extra episode!

55: James Ikeda (the Michael Character) - the Folk Punk Educator Sep 27, 2018

Show notes

James Ikeda is a high school History teacher, DIY musician, and an all-around brilliant human being. James is the type of person to have a lot of projects and ideas and energy to do cool creative work outside of the classroom. He also does some great work in the classroom - but through a much different approach. That’s the thing about James - he’s able to do both; the bit of being an authentic professional teacher, and the bit of being an authentic punk musician. And as you’ll learn in this conversation, everything is a bit.

So James came over to Craig and Katy’s place to sit down and chat for a couple of hours - it’s a lively, fun, and highly informative conversation that has many twists, turns, laughs, and inside jokes that develop over the course of the chat. We hope you enjoy this one - and know that there is A LOT more! So stay tuned because in a few days, we will share an extra episode that demonstrates what happens when Craig and James left the microphone on.

MUSIC NOTE:
- This week we shared tunes from James’ new LP as The Michael Character called, "That’s Why I Call Him Zachy," which comes out TOMORROW - Sept 27!
- The Michael Character is a brilliant folk punk educator who will play your living room, basement, or laundry room - we played the song, “Go For Broke,” which is off of his previous album, “Fame Swoll,” as well as the song, “28,” which is the single from the new album.
- Also, all of his music already available FOR FREE DOWNLOAD on his bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now!

As always, you can CHECK OUT THE NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

And you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back soon with a special extra episode!

54: Dawn Graham & DIY Zine Culture Sep 19, 2018

Show notes

Dawn Graham is a punk educator, a zine creator and distributor and one of my favorite people! Dawn works with Boston young adults as they interact with and learn more about current technologies. They’re an endlessly talented and devoted creator of zines - and you get to hear all about how they found their gateway into zines at a very young age. So zines are in Dawn’s blood!

Through Stay Kind!, Dawn tables and distributes their own work as well as the work of others that they support and want to share knowledge and creativity of throughout their travels and distribution work.

Craig and Dawn sat down early on Saturday morning to chat about all things punk, zines, and education - there are plenty of laughs, critical analysis of the current political climate, and just overall good hangs. Hope you dig this chat as much as we did!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- This week we hyped up No More Deaths (No Mas Muertes), which is an organization that is incredibly important right now with the bullshit going on at the US/Mexico Border.
- No More Deaths is a humanitarian organization based in southern Arizona. The group began in 2004 as a coalition of community and faith groups, dedicated to stepping up efforts to stop the deaths of migrants in the desert and to achieving the enactment of a set of Faith-Based Principles for Immigration Reform.
- The group is utilizing volunteers who hike through the desert trails and leave water, food, socks, blankets, and other supplies. Under the direction of our medical team, volunteers provide emergency first-aid treatment to individuals in distress.
- Finally, No More Deaths is currently working on legal defense projects for folks migrating into America, while also documenting the abuse and human rights violations that occur while being detained by US Border Patrol.
- Please consider donating (either money, supplies, or time) to No More Deaths - No Mas Muertes today!

MUSIC NOTES:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Just Friends LP, "Nothing But Love,” which came out on June 13 on Counter Intuitive Records.
- Just Friends is a California-based ska punk band that blends all sorts of genres to ensure that ska isn’t a pigeonholed term for them!
- The LP is currently available FOR FREE DOWNLOAD on the Counter Intuitive Records bandcamp site, so you have no reason to not download this album right now! You can also snag a vinyl copy of the album through the same bandcamp page!

As always, you can CHECK OUT THE NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!
Don’t forget that you can now join our Facebook community by CLICKING HERE!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back next week with a new episode!

53: Andi Macone & Recovery through Fitness Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Andi Macone is the New England Youth & Young Adult Program Manager for Phoenix Multisport, which is an active sober community dedicated to supporting those in recovery from addiction and substance use disorder. Andi is also Craig's former colleague at UMass Boston. The two have had a wonderfully supportive relationship over the last two years. Both are also in recovery, so this conversation focuses on recovery, fitness, and how it can be hard to stay in control of our lives when responsibilities begin to stack up.

Craig recently started attending classes at The Phoenix (primarily at the suggest and support of Andi) and has already felt incredibly welcomed by the community. From CrossFit and climbing, to hiking, running, cycling, yoga and more, The Phoenix believes in fostering human connections in mental, physical and spiritual fitness is a powerful way to rebuild wounded bodies and spirits, and restore hope. The only membership fee is 48 hours of continuous sobriety. Ever since beginning at the Phoenix, Craig cannot stop sharing how much the community is creating a renowned sense of purpose for his recovery and fitness goals.

MUSIC NOTES:
- This week we shared tunes from the new Snow Roller album, "Y2K," which comes out on September 28 through Slang Church and Near Mint.
- We featured the songs, "Bus 23," "Kings of Hartford," and "Mr. Longo" on this episode!
- Near Mint is releasing the physical copies of the album, so if you want a vinyl copy, a test pressing, or even some shirts, visit wearenearmint.com to get some today!
- Two of the singles are currently available FOR DOWNLOAD on his bandcamp site, but you can stream the entire LP in a matter of weeks, so get your preorder today!

As always, you can CHECK OUT THE NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Don't forget, Android users - we are now on the Google Play Store!!
- We're also on Stitcher, so head over there if that's your preferred platform!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Thanks so much for tuning in and we will be back next week with a new episode!

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