Why Am I

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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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.

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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.

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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.

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