Savage Addiction
"Springfield Truck 10, respond to XXXX W. XXXXXX St. for a possible J4, with an unsecured domestic situation in progress" "Truck 10 copies, en route. Truck 10 will stage upon arrival, Dispatch, please notify when scene secured by PD" "Truck 10, update, there is no domestic, that was a child crying [...]
Under The Sea & Into The Soul
Ink & Time Today Facebook gently reminded me that precisely one year ago I walked into Hearts of Fire Tattoo shop to get some artwork committed to my body. It's my take on a mermaid kissing an old-school deep sea diver, and while the artwork's original, the design [...]
Lift With Your Heart, Not Your Back
One year ago today I wrote this essay right here. It was about embracing your inner weirdo, forging forward through failure and a promise to be by your side as we stumbled through 2016. It was a story not of false hope but that through it all, we'd grow together. [...]
For Every Man, A Sheila
"For last years words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice" TS Elliot Love, always The way he looks at her when we're talking ABOUT her. The way that he describes his often broken past, the triumphs and shortfalls, his kids, his [...]
A Muse Me
"Spend your years/ Spend your time/ With all these tears/ Not all were mine"* N. Rateliff, "Thank you" Gratitude and ego. Forever there is a balance to strike, these two dogs growling and circling in our minds, and in equal measure I've written about both. And, like lunar cycles, we [...]
L’eggo My Ego
SO much good is afloat. So much for which to nod our heads humbly and be grateful. According to something written down somewhere gratitude is one of the highest forms of passion, for the person that lives from a grateful standpoint is one without limits and limiting factors. I think [...]
Everywhere Signs
Like a scene from some Norman Rockwell painting of the Midwest, I was sitting on the porch stoop enjoying some watermelon while lightning bugs began their twilight mating rituals, tiny Vegas signs beckoning members of the opposite sex with bright lights and the promise of a good time. It should [...]
To Soar Again For The First Time
"Did she push you off the cliff after taking the picture?" -"Something like that, but not" "You're still alive, that's what matters. Although, knowing you, you'd just figure out how to fly on the way down, anyways." It was singularly the kindest thing I'd heard in a while [...]
Fire In The Soul & A Heart On The Run
"So, a fireman walks into a tattoo joint called "Hearts of Fire"....." And thus begins a joke that has never been told. Mostly because it's not a joke, but partly because the journey, like so many before, is unpredictable at best. It began so long ago, and the path has [...]

- The Rocket Sled To Hell: A Talk With Lane Waldenby Uli Gulje on September 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Lane Walden is a retired firefighter from the Springfield Fire Dept. who has a unique perspective on just about everything. In this episode we discuss his early years, the Academy at "The Turdatorium", working out of old firehouses and the importance of some traditions while flying the middle finger to busywork.
- A Hair Appointment On The Moon: talking With Tony Kelleyby Uli Gulje on September 1, 2023 at 5:42 pm
Tony Kelley is a former Battalion Chief for the Springfield Fire Dept., a former coworker, and despite his best efforts, a current friend. In this conversation recorded a while back we talk about leaving the fire service, the current political scene and Tony's unabashed love for convenience store pizza. Enjoy!
- For The Love Of Red Flags....A Convo With 6' Katie The Shady Ladyby Uli Gulje on August 8, 2023 at 4:55 pm
WARNING: SUPER GRAPHIC AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT SHOW SO, today I sat down with one of my very best friends, the one & only 6' Katie The Shady Lady and we get so very deep into the relationship weeds. We talk about dating apps, upside down pineapples, bizarre sexual behaviors, what I mean by the term "a turtle's butthole" and the virtues of sleeping alone. we even delve into our favorite porn titles, so let's hope your mom isn't listening. This one is a doozy.....so buckle up, buttercup and let's get ready to get dirty.
- The Regal Legal Beagle Eagle.....A Conversation With Doug Carterby Uli Gulje on August 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
He makes a mean biscuits & gravy meal, has a fear of crossing bridges at night and is one of the kindest people you could ever hope to meet. Doug Carter is an attorney, an aficionado of Yacht Rock and a dear friend of mine. Today on the show we talk about stuff you should know, legally.....ie: your estate, what probate is and why Air Supply should be played at your wedding. Along the way he tells of his path towards a career in the law while I enjoy some box wine. Please enjoy the show!
- A Degenerate's Delight....A Conversation With Shawn Washburnby Uli Gulje on August 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
He's the owner of local hot spot breakfast pub "Early Bird", teller of tall tales and a man who once got tipped a boat by a loyal customer. Tune into this hour and a half of life in the restaurant industry complete with cocktails. Cheers! If you like the show you can support it here: https://bit.ly/UliWhoPatreon
- Hup, Erik, Hup!by Uli Gulje on July 11, 2023 at 12:00 pm
It's time for a reunion of friends on the podcast! Today I get a chance to talk to one of my closest friends of 35yrs., Mr. Erik Van Wingerden; we met as freshmen at Cate School, a college prep boarding school in Carpinteria, Ca., and have remain bonded since then, even when we don't see each other for years at a time. I really enjoyed his visit to The Ozarks, and appreciated him taking the time to sit down and ramble with an old friend. Music on the break is by none other than Mr. Bob Marley, a little "One Love" in keeping with Erik's take on life! Cheers! Find the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, wherever you're downloading shows; if you'd like to support the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. If you'd like to FINANCIALLY support the show, you can do so HERE. Thank you so much!
- Lassoed Joy....A Conversation w/ Jeff & Kellyby Uli Gulje on June 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Oh boy.....the phenomenon of Ted Lasso has left the building and if you're a fan you're likely as bummed as us that it's happened. Today I sit down with my friends Kelly Cardin and Jeff Butler to dissect one of the best shows ever to hit the airwaves. Along the way, we talk about Cormac McCarthy's passing, rage Tweeting, Jason Isbell's new album and Jeff's desire to constantly divide his fire crew's loyalties. It's a fun one....enjoy! Music on the break provided by the one & only Jason Isbell, "King Of Oklahoma" from his latest album "Weathervanes". I do not own the copyright to this music. If you're enjoying the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. If you'd like to •financially• support the show you can do so HERE. Thank you!
- Vaya Con Dios, Dylan! A Final Conversation With The Food Scientistby Uli Gulje on June 16, 2023 at 8:27 pm
My good friend Dylan Page is headed home, back to North Carolina. He's gonna be closer to family, friends, and his roots and for that I cannot blame him. Sure gonna miss that guy, though. So here's a final podcast with my guy, complete with some Yellowcard (I do not own the rights to the song) and some fun musings. Cheers, amigos, and smooth sailing!
- Toxicity, Trauma & Gen X: A Conversation W/ Michael H.by Uli Gulje on June 9, 2023 at 4:15 pm
WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SUBJECT MATTER REFERENCING SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER SENSITIVE TOPICS This is a tough one today...my good friend Michael came by the studio to talk about a very precarious subject: toxic relationships. We were both slightly nervous about broaching the material since we, as Gen X'ers, were told that we just don't air our laundry. But we both feel this is an area that needs to be addressed.....because there are more of us out there than we might think. Strong language, strong topics and some pretty sensitive conversations. Buckle up. If you'd like to support the show, please consider signing up and subscribing, spread the word! If you'd like to financially support the show, you can do so HERE. Thank you!
- Low-Level Conspiracy Theories With Jeff Butlerby Uli Gulje on June 1, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Butler's back! Tune in to episode #201 to get my good man's take on Ukraine, Grant Wistrom, the best cheeses in life, staged moon landings and Ron DeSantis' special flavor of populism. Along with some humblebrags, we have a lot of fun along the way. It's always fun to have Jeff on the show, I think you'll enjoy it too! Musical break provided by The Avett Brothers (I don't own the rights, just bought the song) "Head Full Of Doubt". If you're enjoying the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review! Please share with your friends, if you think they'd enjoy perspectives from all kinds of folks who have stories to tell. If you'd like to FINANCIALLY support this show, you can help out right HERE. I really appreciate it!
Connect