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Jul 13 / Greg

Why Am I Joel – Fuelneve: Voice, Grief, Humor, and the Art of Failing Less

This week on Why Am I, I talk to Joel—better known online as Fuel Neve. He’s a writer, voice actor, and humorist whose viral social commentary often disarms toxic ideas with heart and wit. We talk about learning to “fail less,” using humor to heal, and the unexpected gift of emotional rock bottom. Joel opens up about losing his father, becoming a parent, and why bravery, empathy, and curiosity shape who he is today. We also dig into TikTok, storytelling, haunting basements, Kevin Smith, Jurassic Park hot takes, and the art of sneaking into people’s hearts and minds with laughter.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

Jul 6 / Greg

Fantasy Restaurant Justin – Library Punk

Welcome to the Fantasy Restaurant, where anything you’ve ever craved is on the menu. In this warmup episode, Justin from Library Punk joins Greg to order up a literary feast — from Redwall berry flights to vegan duck with tofu head. It’s nostalgia, nerdery, and texture-forward food fantasy in full force.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

Jun 29 / Greg

Why Am I Justin – Library Punk

In this episode of Why Am I, we sit down with Justin from Library Punk to explore how librarianship, leftist critique, and punk rock intersect. We talk about moving across the country, parasocial podcasting, career pivots, and organizing for systemic change — all through the lens of a library worker who just might be your favorite quiet radical.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

Jun 8 / Greg

A Very Useful Engine — A Story About Parenthood, Poop, and Thomas the Tank Engine

In this darkly funny personal essay, I reflect on the chaos and compromises of parenting through the lens of a family trip inspired by our toddler’s obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine. It’s got trains, rain, and an unforgettable roadside bathroom situation. Think David Sedaris meets wooden railroads. Watch as I recount two pivotal moments in our family’s journey with Thomas, complete with backward train rides and a showdown at a gas station that no longer sells gas. If you’ve ever traveled long distances with a child under five, this one’s for you.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

Jun 2 / Greg

Why Am I Meg Gustafson – What is it about 80s design that just won’t die?

In this episode of Why Am I, I sit down with Meg Gustafson—curator of 80s aesthetic magic and creator of @HammyWhammyOfficial—to talk nostalgia, Memphis design, mid-century burnout, and the deeply emotional connection we form with our spaces. From mall guides to neon preservation, this is a candid look at how architecture, fashion, and music shape us.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

May 4 / Greg

Fantasy Restaurant Joanna Cohen

Step into the Fantasy Restaurant with soap opera writer Joanna Cohen as she builds her dream meal—from Prosecco in a tulip flute to tuna sliders from a Nantucket food truck. We talk taste, texture, and the subtle art of simple pleasures. This is more than a menu—it’s a memory.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)

Apr 27 / Greg

Why Am I Joanna Cohen – Tales Behind Soap Opera Writing

In this “Why Am I” episode, writer and soap opera veteran Joanna Cohen explores identity, motherhood, nostalgia, and her unlikely path from sports journalism to daytime TV. She opens up about journaling, growing up in NYC, and writing real human emotion into soap scripts. It’s deep, funny, and refreshingly candid.

🔗 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that chase the story behind the person.

Youtube version here:

If you want to support the podcast you can do so via https://www.patreon.com/whyamipod (this gives you access to bonus content including their Fantasy Restaurant!)