
Why? The Podcast
Naked skydivers. Jeopardy champions. Rodeo clowns. Suzi Quatro. Professional mascots. Competitive eaters. Astronauts. Cherry Vanilla. Renaissance fair kings. Benjamin Franklin. Olympic Curlers. Mandalorians. Gay erotica writers. Mermaids. Fruit cake tossers. Martha Wash. Dolphin Lovers. Hair collectors. Strippers. And satanists. We've talked to them all. On Why? every week we talk with another guest leading a fascinating life.
Episodes
340 episodes
Why? Epsiode 338- Boxing Ref Jack Reiss
Refereeing any sport is hard, but boxing? You try keeping a level head and pay attention to the right things with the lights, the judges, the cameras, the crowd... oh, and two people hitting each other very hard.Jack has taken his experi...
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Season 1
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Episode 338
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44:34

Why? Epsiode 337- Dog Sledding
Alex Therriault might have it all figured out. He's turned his love of animals and dog sledding into a successful business and racing career.Coming from a family of dog sledders, Alex still races and now offers tours and trips for peopl...
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Season 1
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Episode 337
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35:33

Why? Episode 336- The Unique History of Baseball Rubbing Mud
It's the only mud that's been used in major league baseball for almost 75 years- there's something about Lena Blackburne's Baseball Rubbing Mud. We talked with Jim Bintliff, the third-generation of his family to farm, harvest and supply...
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Season 1
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Episode 236
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33:00

Why? Episode 335- Tribute: Saturday Morning Cartoons' Greatest Hits
This week it's another installment in "Tribute: A Tribute to Tributes," where we discuss another tribute album. This time it's one of the most 90's tributes ever made- featuring Liz Phair, Sublime, Sponge, Matthew Sweet and the Butthole Surfers...
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Season 1
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Episode 235
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43:58

Why? Episode 334- New Year, Same Us
Welcome to 2025. Please your wipe your feet. This week we thought we'd take a moment, sans guests, to discuss the pressing issues of the moment- namely, the new movie about Bob Dylan. And because we're us, there is a tangent or two...
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Season 1
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Episode 234
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31:41

Why? Episode 333- Redd Kross
When we started Why's sister podcast, Rock n' Roll Grad School, top of our dream list of guests was Redd Kross. We have been longtime fans of the band, and dreamed of discussing their work, along with that of Donny Osmond, Cheap Trick and the V...
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Season 1
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Episode 333
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43:55

Why? Episode 332- Christmas
It's our annual Christmas celebration, where we exchange gifts, complain and play music you probably haven't heard in a while. Enjoy!
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Season 1
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Episode 332
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34:49

Why? Episode 331- Naked Wanderings with Nick and Lins
Several years ago, Nick and Lins decided to chuck it all and do what made them happy. And that was traveling around the world, exploring all the places for nudists to go and experience life. They've parlayed that love of naturism into a job, wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 331
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47:16

Why? Episode 330- Movie Madness in Portland, OR
Movie Madness is a one-of-a-kind video store. Containing over 90,000 movies on a variety of formats, it is also the home to an amazing collection of film memorabilia. We talked with Matt Parnell, the the managing director and head curator for t...
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Season 1
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Episode 330
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38:38

Why? Epsiode 329- Naked at the Museum
This week, our guests are from across the pond. As members of British Naturism, Ed and Keith worked together to organize a naked night at the Dorset Museum. And the event was a rousing success with amazing press coverage. (Ed and Keith had just...
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Season 1
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Episode 329
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31:43

Why? Episode 328- The CDC Museum
Wait... the CDC has a museum? They sure do. And it's a fascinating collection of items that show the width and breadth of the work the Centers for Disease Control has been doing for almost a century. We talked with Mary Hilpertshauser, the CDC ...
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Season 1
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Episode 328
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45:30

Why? Episode 327- Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson
We're not the first people to point out that Johnathan Lee Iverson did what so many of us have considered doing, but it's really true. As the ringmaster at Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey, Johnathan Lee Iverson learned his craft from some ...
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Season 1
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Episode 327
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40:26

Why? Episode 326- Theme Park Entertainment
When you want to talk theme park entertainment, you want to talk with Dewey Joe Beene. Starting as a teenager at Six Flags in Oklahoma City, he took to the stage, performing multiple shows a day, and now as an adult, he's consulting and produci...
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Season 1
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Episode 326
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30:59

Why? Episode 325- The 501 Definitive Records of the '90s
What records define the '90s as a decade to be remembered? Is it NSync? Nirvana? What about hip-hop?Thankfully, music writer and editor Gary Graff is here to muddy the water and start all sorts of disagreements with his new book, "501 E...
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Season 1
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Episode 325
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42:19

Why? Episode 324- Matthew Sweet
Last week, the great musician Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke while on tour. Thankfully he will recover, but it will be a long hard road. A GoFundMe has been started to help raise money to cover the insane cost of the work he will have to go th...
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Season 1
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Episode 324
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47:47

Why Episode 323- Instagram Goalie Coho Connie
If you've seen Coho Connie's videos, you'll remember them. Between her great goaltending, she keeps things interesting with a one-of-a-kind running commentary that really has to be seen to be believed. (To say nothing of the crow she sometimes ...
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Season 1
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Episode 323
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37:28

Why? Episode 322- Actor/Filmmaker Mark Finnell
Actor and filmmaker Mark Finnell has had a fascinating career. We had the opportunity to talk with Mark prior to the screening of his documentary about Detroit performance artists Satori Circus screening at the Beaver Island Film Festival.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 322
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30:54

Why? Episode 321- DJ Lance Rock
What can we say about the great DJ Lance Rock? He's great. From his work on Yo! Gabba Gabba! To his work behind the turntables, Lance is wonderful. And we had a great conversation with him about all the joys of music.
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Season 1
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Episode 321
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41:36

Why? Episode 320- Author Pete Thron
Best-selling writer Pete Thron knows of what he speaks. As a police officer in New York city, he wracked up over 100 solo arrests. Now, he's back with his latest #1 best seller. In Deep Cover, Pete tells the riveting story of two ...
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Season 1
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Episode 320
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1:23:18

Why? Episode 319- The Art of Gary Grimshaw
Gary Grimshaw was a concert poster artist (among other things) and is perhaps best known for his work promoting shows at Detroit's legendary Grande Ballroom. We sat down with his widow, Laura, to talk about his art and the unforgettable music.
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Season 1
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Episode 319
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32:57

Why? Episode 318- Author Ross Warner on Cheap Trick
If you're like us, you need more Cheap Trick in your life. Thankfully, Ross Warner is here with his new book, American Standard: Cheap Trick from the bars to the Budokan and Beyond. It's a look at one of the great American bands a...
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Season 1
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Episode 318
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38:00

Why? Episode 317- Frogmore Stew
We say we're not a political podcast. And we're not. But, this time of year, let's be honest, it's something a lot of people are talking about. And for those in South Carolina who are interested in the candidates and the issues, they have a new...
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Season 1
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Episode 317
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37:03

Our new show- Tribute: A Tribute to Tributes
Here we go again, starting a new music show to go along with all our other shows. "Tribute- A Tribute to Tributes" is a study, analysis and celebration of the tribute record. From Leonard Cohen to Victoria Williams to Big Star to F...
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Season 1
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Episode 316
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46:09

Why? Episode 315- The Knoxville Sunsphere
First off, there is no place really like the Sunsphere. Built for the World's Fair, the sphere is a unique landmark with loads to see.And, it's just going to get better and better. For more information (and tickets)
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Season 1
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Episode 315
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28:15

Why? Episode 314- The Beaver Island Film Festival
Beaver Island is one of the most beautiful places in the US, with fascinating stories to boot.This year, the island is kicking off their inaugural film festival. We sat down with reluctant executive producer (and film festival producer)...
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Season 1
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Episode 314
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35:12
