Best Fuel The Geek Podcasts (2025)

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Vintage Deluxe Reverb vs D25 JL — What’s the Difference? 29:01

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5d ago29:01

29:01

65' Deluxe Reverb vs D25JL | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 47 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey nerd out on vintage Fender amps and put a 1965 Deluxe Reverb (blackface) up against Joey’s Revv D25 JL. We dig into what makes tweed / brownface / blackface / silverface circuits feel different, why bias-vary tremolo hits different than opto trem, a…

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Five Years of Reinvention Rebels: 5 Bold Lessons from Betting on Myself at Midlife 10:34

6d ago10:34

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Five years, countless stories, and endless reinventions. 🎙️ In this special anniversary episode, I’m celebrating the journey of Reinvention Rebels — sharing five bold lessons I’ve learned about courage, consistency, and betting on myself at midlife. Let's Celebrate! 🎉 🎉 Five Years of Reinvention Rebels: 5 Bold Lessons from Betting on Myself at Midl…

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Does Vintage Gear Really Sound Better… or Are We Lying to Ourselves? 27:40

12d ago27:40

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Fuzz Faces | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 46 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey get fuzzy with a table full of legendary and boutique fuzz face pedals — from an original Arbiter England Fuzz Face to custom builds from Dominion Fuzz and DanDrive. They talk about why old carbon-zinc batteries make fuzz pedals sound different, how small tweaks ch…

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How to Adult in the Grocery Aisle: The College Guide to Survival 26:10

18d ago26:10

26:10

Send us a text This week, we’re tackling the ultimate college conundrum: how to eat healthy without selling a kidney or surviving on peanut butter toast. From grocery store hacks and freezer-friendly produce to mastering the mysterious art of the microwave, we cover it all. Learn how to turn your mini-fridge into a nutrition powerhouse, conquer the…

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We Found the ‘Scrungiest’ Klon Ever Made! 24:51

19d ago24:51

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This week, Joey and Derek dive into one of their favorite pedal brands — Mythos Pedals — and talk about the story, the sounds, and the friendship behind them. Joey shares how his connection with Zach Broyles (founder of Mythos) goes all the way back to the very first Brothers Landreth show in Nashville, and how that led to his own signature Mjolnir…

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Midlife Reinvention at 58: How Laureen Let Go, Reimagined Aging, and Reclaimed Her Authentic Self 34:08

20d ago34:08

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💜 Episode Description At 58, Laureen found herself in the middle of an unexpected transformation — an empty nest, menopause, and an allergic reaction that ended decades of hair dye. What began as loss became liberation. In this intimate conversation, she shares how she let go of old conditioning, reimagined what aging can look like, and reclaimed h…

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The Secret Weapon You’ve Been Ignoring! 26:54

26d ago26:54

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EQ Pedal Shootout | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 44 This week, Joey and Derek go deep on one of the most underrated tools on your board — EQ pedals. What started as a “clean boost side quest” turned into a full-blown shootout between classics, mods, and a few surprises. The guys compare the legendary Boss GE-7, the XTS and Analog Man mods, the bargain-bi…

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Off the Menu: Outtakes Edition 21:17

28d ago21:17

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Send us a text Welcome back to The Sader Digest, the health and wellness podcast where we try to sound smart… and often fail spectacularly. In this “Outtakes Edition,” we’re serving up a buffet of our finest bloopers, caffeine-fueled tangents, and questionable life choices—because why let all our worst moments go to waste? You’ll hear Brad spiral i…

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Slide Guitar Secrets You Were NEVER Told (Until Now)! 32:42

1M ago32:42

32:42

The Rock Slide | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 43 This week, Joey and Derek dive deep into the world of slide guitar — and if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to actually play slide in tune, this is the episode for you. Joey breaks down everything from basic open E tuning and muting technique to vibrato tips that make your playing sing. The guys also check…

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The Power of the Pause: How Slowing Down Fuels Your Midlife Reinvention 11:00

1M ago11:00

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✨ Episode Description Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do in midlife isn’t doing at all...it’s pausing. In this episode, I share how an unexpected weekend with my closest friends reminded me of the beauty of slowing down, accepting help, and finding clarity through connection. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this one’s your invitation to take…

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Why Guitarists Are Obsessed with THESE Pedals! 25:00

1M ago25:00

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Fairfield Circuitry | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 42 This week we’re diving into some truly weird and wonderful pedals — including a Fairfield Circuitry ring modulator, tilt EQ, and more. These Canadian-made pedals have a cult following for good reason, and we’re putting them to the test to see just how wild (and surprisingly musical) things can get. Fr…

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Purple Goes Blue: Beans, Balance & the Birth of the Purple Zone 18:42

1M ago18:42

18:42

Send us a text Ever wondered how to live to 100 without moving to a sun-soaked island in Greece? In this laugh-filled finale of our Blue Zone series, Alex and Brad try to bring the secrets of long life to—wait for it—Worcester. From flipping the food pyramid under an olive tree to replacing your PSL with a nap and a handful of beans, this episode p…

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This MIGHT Be the [COOLEST] Guitar You’ve Never Played 🎸 21:20

2M ago21:20

21:20

Veritas Portlander | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 40 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek & Joey sit down with a stunning Veritas Portlander custom build — a guitar that blends boutique craftsmanship with unique player-focused specs. From a wenge neck and custom burst finish to the kind of details only a small shop can pull off, this Portlander has us …

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Dating After 50 and the Power of Reinvention: A Conversation with Laurie Gerber 45:53

2M ago45:53

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What if reinvention in midlife isn’t a total life overhaul but a choice to change your mind and bet on yourself? In this candid conversation, Laurie Gerber, dating coach, shares how being fired, reworking a marriage, and reframing menopause led her to reinvent life — and dating after 50 — with unapologetic positivity. Expect practical mindset shift…

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Purple Goes Blue: The World Tour of Longevity (Part 1) 15:28

2M ago15:28

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Send us a text Brad and Alex jet around the globe exploring the famous Blue Zones — those rare places where people live long, happy, and suspiciously goat-filled lives. From California’s plant-powered Adventists to Costa Rica’s “plan de vida,” from Sardinia’s red wine to Okinawa’s purple sweet potatoes, the guys uncover the secrets to a century-lon…

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Our Best-Selling Amp Just Got Better | D20 MK2 & JL 29:05

2M ago29:05

29:05

Revv D20MK2 & D20JL | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 40 It’s new amp day! Derek and Joey plug straight into the brand-new Revv D20 MK2 and the D20 Joey Landreth Edition — no pedals, no frills, just pure amp tone. Both amps take everything players loved about the original D20 and make it even better: - More headroom thanks to larger transformers - Bright sw…

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Microbiome: Epigenetics, Fiber, Antioxidants Oh my! 17:11

2M ago17:11

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Send us a text Brad is back. But more importantly Alex is back. And yes — the long-awaited Sader Digest Season 2 is here (still in our makeshift “studio,” but hey, we roll with it). In this episode, Brad and Alex dive headfirst into the mysterious world of the gut microbiome, aka the trillions of tiny tenants living rent-free inside you. Think of y…

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Why Does This Pedal Sound BETTER Than Modern Gear?! 24:46

2M ago24:46

24:46

Mutron 3 Plus | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 39 What happens when Joey plugs into a real Mutron 3 Plus? You get legendary envelope filter tones that shaped Jerry Garcia, John Mayer & beyond—plus plenty of unexpected laughs along the way. From funky low-pass sweeps to high-pass half-cocked wah tones, the Mutron 3+ proves why it’s one of the most iconic pe…

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Midlife Reinvention: From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust -- Build Your Boldness Muscle 12:52

2M ago12:52

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Have you ever felt stuck between self-doubt and self-trust? In this week’s solo episode of the Reinvention Rebels podcast, I’m diving into how we can build our boldness muscle—one small step at a time. I know a little about midlife boldness because I’m in a season of practicing it myself. I’m doing some things scared and learning to trust my own vo…

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This Guitar Might Be TOO Good…Collings I-35 33:44

2M ago33:44

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Collings I-35 LC | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 38 Welcome back to The Golden Age of Gear! 🎸 This week Joey and Derek take a deep dive into one of Joey’s most played and most beloved guitars—the Collings I-35 LC. From its stunning figured top and unique finish checking, to its upgraded Ron Ellis pickups (the same set Bill Frisell uses 👀), this guitar has…

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The ULTIMATE Clean Boost Pedal Showdown – 7 Go Head-to-Head! 24:47

3M ago24:47

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Boost Shootout | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 37 Looking for the best clean boost pedal? We lined up some of the most talked-about boosts — Mythos Luxury Drive, Keeley Katana, Revv Tilt Boost, Heuristic Tilt EQ, Non-Human Audio Roughcast, XTS GE-7 Mod, and NRG Pumper — and put them through a good old-fashioned shootout. Some are transparent and loud, som…

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Too Late to Reinvent? Sheila Agnew Proves You Wrong at 74! 43:55

3M ago43:55

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What if your boldest chapter begins after 65? At a time when many people are winding down, Sheila Agnew chose to bet on herself and step into an entirely new path — becoming a personal trainer at 65 and inspiring older adults to embrace strength, confidence, and possibility. Now, at 74, Sheila is thriving! She's living proof that it’s never too lat…

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The WEIRDEST Pedals We’ve Ever Played! 23:21

3M ago23:21

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This week on Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek check out some of the most creative and unusual pedals we’ve ever come across — all hand-built by Pete’s Pedals. What looks like vintage gear pulled from a basement? Actually brilliant pedal designs. We’re talking: 📞 A rotary phone turned dual overdrive & boost (with a real preamp tube!) 👽 A theremin …

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This AMP [Might] Out-Tone My Vintage Fenders! 29:56

3M ago29:56

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McNeil B100 Amplifier | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 35 This week on Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek dive into something truly unique from Joey’s collection — a hand-built McNeil B100 amplifier from Boston-based builder Brian McNeil. What starts as a story about two new dads bonding over amps quickly turns into tales of blown fuses, near-electrocution…

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Reinvention at Midlife: “What If It Works Out?” 11:56

3M ago11:56

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What if the thing you’ve been dreaming about doesn’t fall apart…but actually works out? So often in midlife, we get stuck in a cycle of “what if it fails?” thinking. What if people judge me? What if I’m too old? What if I’m not ready? But here’s the game-changing question I want you to hold close: What if it works out? In this solo episode of Reinv…

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FYF Half-Tank #2: It's Blabberin' Time 56:40

3M ago56:40

56:40

Send us a text We nerds have been lucky enough to have not one, not two, but THREE awesome superhero epics to sink our teeth into in just the first half of 2025. The latest MCU installment landed first in the form of "Thunderbolts*", followed by "Superman" — the début of James Gunn's all-new DCU. Now Marvel's latest has arrived in the form of "Fant…

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Is This $5K PRS [REALLY] 5x Better Than the $1K PRS? 29:45

3M ago29:45

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PRS DGT Core Model VS PRS DGT SE | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 34 It’s the most goldenest day on Golden Age of Gear — we’re putting the legendary PRS DGT Core Gold Top up against its budget-friendly sibling, the PRS DGT SE Gold Top. Both look stunning, both play great… but one costs five times more than the other. We dive into every detail — neck feel, …

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Beyond the Label: Allergens, Celiac, and the Power of Safe Dining 18:33

3M ago18:33

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Send us a text Did you know your immune system can throw a full-blown temper tantrum over a peanut? Or that a crumb of gluten can trigger an autoimmune attack in someone with celiac disease? In this episode, Bradley Shannon—Director of Culinary Development and Nutrition at Holy Cross—dishes out the real scoop on food allergies, the science behind I…

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Episode #233: The Weird & Wonderful World of Snoop Dogg 1:19:46

3M ago1:19:46

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Send us a text He goes by many names: Snoop. Snoop Dogg. Snoop DOGGY Dogg. Snoop Lion. Even what his mama called him — Calvin Cordozar Broadus Junior. But no matter what name you use, one thing's for sure: Snoop Dogg is a renaissance man; a one-G entertainment empire who does it all, and does it well. He's an MC. He's an actor. He's a comedian. A r…

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Why Are Guitarists Paying $1,000 For [THIS] Delay Pedal? 32:02

3M ago32:02

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Memory Man | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 33 This week on The Golden Age of Gear, Joey dives headfirst into analog delay heaven with the vintage Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man — modded by none other than Analog Man. Sent over by Evan of Pedals to Metal, this iconic delay quickly goes from “loaner” to “might never leave the studio” status. We explore …

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Reinvention, Intuition & Midlife: Ronnie Ann Ryan on Strengthening Your Intuition for Bold Moves 33:30

3M ago33:30

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What if the secret to your next bold move isn’t outside of you, but within? In this empowering episode, intuitive coach and reinvention guide Ronnie Ann Ryan shares how tuning into your inner wisdom can be the key to navigating midlife reinvention with more ease, confidence, and clarity. Ronnie knows firsthand the power of trusting the signs, build…

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Seeds of Change: Breeding Flavor into the Future of Food (Part 2 of 2) 16:04

4M ago16:04

16:04

Send us a text Forget bland broccoli and tasteless tomatoes—this episode is all about sparking a vegetable revolution from the ground up. Brad (FINALLY) shares the stories and insights fresh from the UMass Chefs Conference, where chef Dan Barber issued a delicious challenge: What if we bred crops for flavor, not just profits? From the tiny honeynut…

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Mark Sampson’s Final Amp Design — A True Masterpiece 22:42

4M ago22:42

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Badcat Era 30 | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 32 This week on Golden Age of Gear, we’re diving into something truly special — the Bad Cat Era 30. Designed by the legendary Mark Sampson (Matchless, Badcat), this EL84-powered amp is his final masterpiece before his passing, and it absolutely rips. Derek and Joey put the Era 30 through its paces, blending th…

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Is This the Coolest Tele You’ve Never Heard Of? 23:41

4M ago23:41

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This week, Derek and Joey take a deep dive into Joey’s newest Lumiere Tele-style guitar, handcrafted in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From its minimalist blackguard-inspired look to its incredibly resonant yellow pine body, this guitar has a vibe all its own — even if the headstock sparks some strong opinions. Along the way, they chat about everything f…

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Midlife Reinvention Plot Twist? Bet on You! (Even as You Figure It Out) 13:58

4M ago13:58

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Have you ever felt the nudge to try something new…but weren’t sure you were ready? In this solo episode, I’m sharing what it really looks like to bet on yourself in midlife — even when you don’t have it all figured out. Reinvention isn’t about having the perfect plan, it’s about trusting the next right step, embracing the unknown, and showing up wi…

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This $90 Pedal BLEW Away My Tube Screamer! 28:08

4M ago28:08

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Maxon OSD9 | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 30 This week on the Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek go down the rabbit hole with a vintage sleeper: the Maxon OSD9 Overdrive Soft Distortion. Fresh from the same Toronto trip that turned up the legendary MXR Blue Box, Joey picked up this oddball overdrive after years of eyeing it in the case at Capsule Music. …

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Is This the Ultimate Forever Guitar? 21:28

4M ago21:28

21:28

Tom Anderson Raven | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 29 This week on the Golden Age of Gear, Joey and Derek dive into a custom-made masterpiece: the Tom Anderson Raven. Derek walks us through the story behind this stunning silver sparkle Raven, built to his specs after Tom Anderson reached out for a trade that ended with a dream guitar. From the unique neck…

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How Janet Taylor Reinvented Herself Through Midlife Caregiving—One Organized System at a Time 39:34

4M ago39:34

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What happens when life throws you into a caregiving role you never expected? For professional organizer Janet Taylor, it meant putting her business on hold, stepping up for her beloved mom, and discovering a new layer of strength, purpose, and reinvention. In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, Janet shares how she navigated the intense, emotiona…

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Seeds of Change: Luther Burbank, Flavor’s Forgotten Pioneer (Part 1 of 2) 13:50

4M ago13:50

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Send us a text Long before chefs were hoping to breed vegetables for flavor (Dan Barber we are looking at you!), one eccentric plant lover in California was reshaping the future of food—seed by seed. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Brad digs into the life and legacy of Luther Burbank, the 19th-century horticultural legend who brought us the Russ…

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This Vintage Guitar Store Find Was Too Good to Be True! 24:09

5M ago24:09

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Vintage MXR Blue Box Fuzz | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 28 In this episode of Golden Age of Gear, Joey takes us on a trip to one of Canada’s most legendary guitar shops, Capsule Music in Toronto, for a day of crate digging and unexpected discoveries. Fresh off a Soul Coughing show (hence the now well-worn band shirt he refuses to wash), Joey, his brothe…

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The Best-Sounding JCM800 We’ve Ever Heard? 24:34

5M ago24:34

24:34

Marshall JCM800 50W CSA Edition | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 27 This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re cranking up one of the most iconic amps of all time — a 1986 Marshall JCM800 50-watt CSA edition — and asking the important question: Is this the JCM800 that could convert the haters? This particular amp isn’t stock — it’s been lovingly modded and…

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Seed Oils: Supervillain or Scapegoat 17:14

5M ago17:14

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Send us a text Are seed oils trying to kill you… or just help you crisp your Brussels sprouts? In this solo episode, Brad dives deep into the bottle to unpack why seed oils have gone from heart-healthy hero to internet villain. Is it the omega-6s? The industrial hexane bath? The TikTok fearmongering? Probably all three. We’ll break down the science…

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Midlife Private Parts: Dina Aronson & Dina Alvarez on Reinvention, Visibility & Owning Your Story 34:40

5M ago34:40

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What happens when two bold midlife women stop asking “Who am I to do this?” and start asking “Why not me?” You get Midlife Private Parts—a revealing, empowering new anthology that explores the raw, real, and often unspoken truths about midlife womanhood. In this episode of Reinvention Rebels, I’m joined by the dynamic duo Dina Aronson and Dina Alva…

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The Reverb & Tremolo Pedal That Surprised Us! 25:39

5M ago25:39

25:39

Keeley Zoma | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 26 This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re diving into the brand new Keeley Zoma—a reverb and tremolo unit that might just be a sleeper hit. Joey and Derek (or should we say Doey and Jarek?) sit down to explore what makes this deceptively simple pedal so inspiring to play. From lush plate reverbs to beautiful…

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No Finish Line: Mary Newell on Running, Reinvention & Defying Age at 74 43:47

5M ago43:47

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What would you attempt if you stopped letting age define your limits? 💥 At 74, Mary Newell isn’t slowing down—she’s speeding up. Three years after she first joined us on the podcast, Mary is back and more unstoppable than ever. Since our first conversation in 2021, she’s continued to challenge what’s possible in her 70s, racking up more achievement…

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We Built the JHS NotaDumble – Is It Actually Any Good? 25:36

5M ago25:36

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JHS - NotaDumble | Golden Age of Gear Ep. 25 We hopped on the hype train and put together two JHS NotaDumbles to see what this IKEA-style DIY overdrive is really all about. Spoiler: It sounds surprisingly good—and it’s one of the easiest kits we’ve ever assembled. In this episode, Derek and Joey dive deep into the NotaDumble, compare it to real Dum…

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The Impossible-to-Find Fuzz Pedal Everyone Wants! 22:58

6M ago22:58

22:58

Chicago Iron Octavian | Ep. 24 - Golden Age of Gear This week on Golden Age of Gear, Derek and Joey dive deep into one of Joey's most prized pedals: the Chicago Iron Octavian. It’s not just a killer sounding fuzz—this was the first expensive pedal Joey ever bought, and it's been with him ever since. The Octavian is a faithful clone of the legendary…

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Age Boldly: How Rachel Lankester Is Flipping the Script on Midlife and Menopause 38:00

6M ago38:00

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Age Boldly: Rachel Lancaster on Midlife, Menopause & Magnificence What if a midlife diagnosis could change your life for the better? At 41, Rachel Lankester was told she was in early menopause—and it rocked her world. But instead of letting it define her, Rachel turned this life-altering news into fuel for transformation. Her journey became the spa…

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What Moves Holy Cross: Inside Campus Rec with Jamie Shannon 31:20

6M ago31:20

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Send us a text In this energizing episode of The 'Sader Digest, Brad sits down with his better half—Jamie Shannon, Director of Campus Recreation at Holy Cross—to talk treadmills, team spirit, and why you don’t want to spill Gatorade on the gym floor. Jamie shares behind-the-scenes updates on an exciting equipment refresh at “The Jo,” including new …

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Dann Huffs Session Secret Weapons 47:11

6M ago47:11

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James Tyler Studio Elite with Dann Huff | Ep. 23 - Golden Age of Gear This week on The Golden Age of Gear, we’re thrilled to welcome a truly legendary guest — guitarist, producer, and friend, Dann Huff. With a career that spans decades and includes work on some of the biggest records in the world, Dann’s influence on modern music is impossible to o…