Why Am I

Former jewel thief Bryan Sobolewski committed over 20 robberies alongside his father and brother. In this episode of Why Am I, we dig deep into what pushed him to that life…and what brought him back. From his chaotic childhood to finding redemption through comedy and nonprofit work, Bryan shares a brutally honest and surprisingly funny look at guilt, change, and the choices that shape us. We also explore how easy it can be to say “that could never be me”… until life lines up just right.

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I head into the piney woods of East Texas for a family reunion… held in a cemetery. Since the mid-1800s, families have gathered at Antioch Cemetery on the third Sunday in October to argue about upkeep, share a potluck, and remember. My Uncle Bobby walks me through headstones, East Texas sawmill history, dry-county bootlegging, Civil War migrations from Alabama to Texas, faith, forgiveness, and what it feels like to sit beside your own name on a stone. It’s part history tour, part family lore, and a meditation on how traditions survive.

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Step into the Fantasy Restaurant with Ben E. Wood, where the menu is fueled by nostalgia and imagination. From banana milkshakes the size of his head to crispy chicken wing triangles, Ben’s meal is equal parts comfort food and childhood memory. Add in diner all-day breakfast, a “cheese number,” and a mountainous banana cream pie for dessert, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind feast.

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Step into the world of pinball like you’ve never seen it. David van Es blends his lifelong love of movies, pinball, and film production into immersive machines that let you live inside your favorite stories. From Star Wars to Labyrinth to Dune, David shares how pinball can become more than a game—it’s a way to connect, imagine, and build community.

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Dawn Meyerriecks has spent her career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and service. From building systems that shaped modern defense to guiding innovation in intelligence, she’s proven how curiosity and courage can change the world. In this episode, we explore her journey, her lessons, and the impact of mentoring the next generation.

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Canadian musician Ben E. Wood joins Why Am I to talk about his fourth album, the haunting creative process behind it, and the deeply personal journey through mental health challenges that shaped it. We discuss making art in recovery, what it’s like to “write an album with ghosts,” the importance of local arts, and how to support friends who may be struggling.

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Joel joins me in the warmup exercise for the Why Am I Podcast called the Fantasy Restaurant. This guy puts together a meal that is rich in nostalgia and full of flavor. Oh yeah, don’t forget to bring your own padlock 😉

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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.

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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.

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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.

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