Best Jonny Strange Podcasts (2025)

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Life Inside the Grateful Dead’s Inner Circle with Dennis McNally 1:09:12

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5d ago1:09:12

1:09:12

This one was a big deal for me. My guest, Dennis McNally, isn’t just a reknowned author, music historian, and publicist, he’s someone I’ve long considered somewhat of a “celebrity” in my world. From 1984 to 1995, Dennis was the Grateful Dead’s publicist and part of the band’s inner circle. He’s written five books, including the classic Long Strange…

1
50 Years of Love & Friendship with John “Dino” DeNatale 56:23

20d ago56:23

56:23

My friendship with John “Dino” DeNatale began in kindergarten over 50 years ago in the early 1970’s in Huntington’s own Flower Hill School. In this episode, John and I look back on our five decades of connection, the memories that shaped us along the way, and the big-picture lessons that we’ve learned and carried forward to this day. At the heart o…

1
Shooting Star: A Tribute to Jonny Staib 1:20:12

1M ago1:20:12

1:20:12

It’s a tall order to try to capture the true color and the complete character of my cousin, Jonny Staib, in one conversation. Which is why I chose to invite four guests on this episode of Exploring the Energy to help me paint the full picture of this amazing human being. I’m proud to introduce a select few of his closest friends and family - includ…

1
Saddle Up with Kim & Gregg Carlin 42:33

2M ago42:33

42:33

What a treat hosting one of the best and most beautiful couples I know, Kim & Gregg Carlin. Kim, being a southern girl and all, kicks off our conversation by sharing her love of country music and explains why she gravitates to the likes of Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith, George Strait, and Willie Nelson. She comes clean explaining that she’ll be at Ma…

1
Trusting the Universe with Robyn Pray 53:20

2M ago53:20

53:20

My relatively new friendship with Robyn Pray is undoubtedly a result of the universe connecting the two of us. Here’s how that happened and why this episode means so much to me. In the summer of 2023, I received a very kind and somewhat mysterious note from a name that I didn’t recognize, though I did recognize the sender’s address - Keeseville Fre…

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A Fireside Chat with Villanova Wildcat Peter Russell 1:07:06

2M ago1:07:06

1:07:06

I was honored and proud to host yet another member of the Villanova Wildcat Crew, my friend Peter Russell. To say that Peter and I have a few things in common would be an understatement and it wouldn’t do our friendship justice. First and foremost, we both appreciate energy, and we embrace the people that exude positive energy, starting with two of…

1
Truckin’ to Charleston with Lilly Jo Staib 43:52

2M ago43:52

43:52

Now in their 20’s and all having left the nest, it’s not often I get to spend extended one-on-one time with my daughters. This is why this episode is so special to me. A few weeks ago my youngest daughter, Lilly, and I embarked on a 12+ hour roadtrip from our home town of Greenlawn, Long Island to Charleston, South Carolina where Lilly will join he…

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Podcaster, Author, Entrepreneur, Music Lover, Family Man, Friend & Neighbor - Dan Pashman 1:00:57

3M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

The title may be a bit of a giveaway, but unlike all previous episode show notes where I share a preview of the content, in this very special episode, I invite listeners to learn about my guest, Dan Pashman, by tuning in and finding out Dan’s amazing story for themselves. In other words, I’ll keep you in suspense! Join us, and let’s see where the e…

1
Inaugural Episode, Live from U.S. Brews with Gunny & Nud & Company 1:01:40

3M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

It was intentional and by design that the official rebrand of the podcast from Grateful Dad & Friends to Exploring the Energy w/ Anzo & Friends kicked off at a local, music-centric brewery, aptly named, U.S. Brews. What better place to explore the energy?! In the inaugural episode, I’m joined by U.S. Brews owner & founder, Brian “Gunny” McGunnigle …

1
Unpacking The Notes With Jason Darby 1:08:11

4M ago1:08:11

1:08:11

I've known Jason Darby for over 45 years, and while we've long shared a deep bond through our love of family, golf & tennis, and music, I was still surprised by the depth of his knowledge when it comes to the guitar—and especially his passion for legendary players like Eddie Van Halen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Keith Richards, to name a few. Our conver…

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A Conversation with Mr. Michael “Sketchy” Rice 1:09:50

5M ago1:09:50

1:09:50

Circa Fall 1982, I first met Mike Rice in Huntington High School’s 9th-grade math class, where we became fast friends and “partners in crime.” In fact, it turns out it wasn’t until we sat down on this Thursday afternoon in February ‘25, some 43years later, that we discovered our connection goes back as far as 1974, when we shared the same kindergar…

1
Heart-to-Heart With Fellow Canterbury Saint, Justin Rubin 1:16:22

5M ago1:16:22

1:16:22

My friend of 50+ years, Justin Rubin, joins me and shares his recent experience facing the L.A. Wildfires and how the fires have affected his closest friends in the surrounding areas, and how L.A. is rising to the occasion as they enter the rebuilding process. He relives his journey of his early days at Canterbury School when his world was rocked b…

1
A Look Behind The Curtain With Will Retherford 48:48

7M ago48:48

48:48

Grateful Dad & Friends would not exist if it weren’t for my guest, Will Retherford, who founded and owns the Tulsa-based production company, Citizens of Sound. I have my friend Lawrence Zarian - who some of you may know from his regular appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show or from his podcast, You Are Beautiful With Lawrence Zarian - to thank for…

1
Love Stories - With Lindsey & Will and Anzo & Margs 1:08:24

8M ago1:08:24

1:08:24

Love really IS in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day. On today’s episode, I’m joined by the love of my life, my bride Ms Margs, and our friends, Lindsey Janes and Will Derasmoto, to celebrate their love and to toast to their recent engagement! The conversation includes the story of how, despite the age gap and despite being in different phases …

1
Riding The 2025 Energy Train With Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf 52:21

8M ago52:21

52:21

The Energy Train keeps rolling with an unforgettable guest: Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf. A dynamic personality with boundless energy, Fetts is a man of many talents—insane athletic ability, a battery that never quits, a wildly successful career, and his most important role of all - husband and proud father of three. In this episode Fetts opens up about …

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Ringing In 2025 With Film Producer and Music Lover, John “Johnny Gowanus” Hennegan 1:16:11

9M ago1:16:11

1:16:11

Kicking off Season 4 and ringing in 2025 with a cool cat that has widened my musical lens TENFOLD, Mr. John “Johnny Gowanus” Hennegan. Although I’ve known John since the early 80’s and we’ve run with the same group of guys over the years, I had zero clue just how broad his taste in music is, so a big shoutout to Erik “Swede” Larson for suggesting I…

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A Conversation With Another “Wise Old Owl,” My Friend, Mr. Tom White 49:28

9M ago49:28

49:28

Similar to Season 2, Episode 1 when I sat down with Doug “Pops” Smith, who I like to refer to as a “Wise Old Owl”, in this episode I have the pleasure of connecting with a friend that I consider in the same first-class league, Mr. Tom White. Tom and I met when I first called on the five-generation Italian food products company, Pastene & Co, solici…

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SAY YES. DON’T WAIT. A tribute to Rainer Jenss with Tim “Tmac” McGuire 1:20:37

10M ago1:20:37

1:20:37

I don’t always subscribe to the notion that “everything happens for a reason,” but as the universe would have it, the recent loss of a mutual friend, Rainer “TITAN” Jenss, has reconnected me with a gentleman that I am now proud to call one of my closest friends and confidants, Tim “Tmac” McGuire. Among many of his distinguished designations, Tmac i…

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Love Is Real, Not Fade Away with John Macario 1:17:55

10M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, show the ones you love just how much they mean to you, and share your appreciation and gratitude for the gift of life, the gift of love, and the gift of energy that we all share. Thank you ALL for the gift of YOUR love and our collective friendship. Nobody embodies the mindset of gratitude more so than my friend, John…

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A Rare and Different Tune with Beau Carino 55:54

11M ago55:54

55:54

To those that know him, the man needs no introduction. For those that don’t, his name is Beau Carino and he’s the founder of one of Long Island’s hottest live music venues, Beau’s Bar, in the village of Greenlawn. For nearly 20 years, Beau has attracted some of the finest talent in the area, ranging from young guns like Dog In A Pile to veteran gui…

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Life, Loss and Love, with Austin Koerner and Hope Staib 56:34

11M ago56:34

56:34

With the exception of a select few cameo appearances by my previous guests’ significant others, this is the first episode where I sit down start-to-finish with a young couple, none other than my daughter, Ms. Hope Staib, and her significant other, Mr. Austin Koerner. Hope and Austin share their story, and their musical tastes and interests, and the…

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Rocking Against Hunger, The Extraordinary Story of Syd Mandelbaum 1:19:27

12M ago1:19:27

1:19:27

S3, E6 begins with the story of the Mandelbaum family in the late 1930’s and 40’s, and includes the harrowing tale of those family members who miraculously survived the holocaust, and the tragedy of those family members who didn’t. He describes the day his Aunt Regina saved his mother from certain death during the Nazi “selection process” in 1942 a…

1
Completing The Trifecta With Billy Campion 1:01:34

12M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

To complete the “Campion Brothers Trifecta”, I was beyond stoked to host Mr. Billy Campion, otherwise known as Young & Tender Willoughby, or The Captain, and in later years, Vic Thrill. For those that know Billy, founding member and front man for The Bogmen, you’re in for a real treat in this episode. For those that don’t know The Bogmen, or Vic Th…

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Texas Talk with Mark Hamer 1:27:06

1y ago1:27:06

1:27:06

On S3, E4 of Grateful Dad & Friends, I’m proud to host a friend who could easily have a career in radio, one of my closest music, golfing, and paddle tennis wingmen, Mr. Mark Hamer. Mark takes us back to his Texan roots and shares how and when he discovered his love of “music with an edge”, including The Clash, Traffic, Talking Heads, Mott the Hoop…

1
One More Saturday Night With The Peer Family 1:00:26

1y ago1:00:26

1:00:26

On the final day of Dead & Company’s 30-show residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to sit down with Huntington natives and fellow Deadheads, brothers John and Tommy Peer and Tommy’s son Thomas Peer. We spent our time together reminiscing about the multigenerational Peer + Staib family bond, the Huntington shenanigans that we shared to…

1
In High Gear At The Sphere With Paco Keville 49:35

1y ago49:35

49:35

In my second trip of the summer to catch Dead & Company at Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to host my friend of 40+ years, fellow Canterbury “Saint” (term used loosely), avid Deadhead, and all around amazing human being, my cohort Paco “Pac” Keville. By the grace of God, Pac has recovered from a near-death car accident only a few short weeks pri…

1
My Friend of the Devil, Tommy Mills 55:51

1y ago55:51

55:51

To kick off Season 3, I’m joined by lifelong friend and fellow Deadhead, Tommy Mills, with a special cameo by his better half, Ms Karin Mills. Karin proved to be an integral part of my conversation with her husband in that she served as “fact checker” for the tales being told, and I’m proud to report that Karin confirmed that all but one of the rep…

1
Season Two: A Look Back 10:10

1y ago10:10

10:10

BIG thanks to all my guests on Season 2, it was an honor and a privilege to have hosted each of you! I loved my field trips to record the remote interviews in Charlotte, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas as well. Special shoutout to the Citizens of Sound team behind the scenes that help me create each episode of Grateful Dad & Friends - Will & Charis Reth…

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Going Full Circle With John Buckholtz 1:02:02

1y ago1:02:02

1:02:02

In the closing episode of Season 2, I have the privilege of hosting fellow Huntington native and fellow Deadhead (and the only friend I know that calls me “Enzo”:), Mr. John Buckholtz, who I call Johnny B. Together we cover our glory days in the early ‘80’s at the The Bay Club on the shores of Huntington Bay and we share how we’ve stay connected ov…

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Chiming In From Sin City With Garvin Hammer 40:07

1+ y ago40:07

40:07

On Day 2 of my recent pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the Dead & Company shows at Sphere, I sit down with the person that I have proudly seen the most concerts with over the years, fellow Canterbury School alum and lifelong Deadhead, Mr. Andrew “Garv” Hammer. Garv and I take a walk down memory lane revisiting life at boarding school, exploring the bond…

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Going Old School With Geoff Shaffer 46:14

1+ y ago46:14

46:14

Somehow, it took 8 months and 23 episodes of Grateful Dad & Friends before I was succesful in securing an interview with a Canterbury prep school friend. In Season 2, Episode 10, I have the pleasure of sitting down with the first friend I met at Canterbury back in the fall of 1983, lifelong Deadhead and all around amazing human being, Mr Geoff “Sha…

1
Campfire Chronicles with Chris Campion 1:15:26

1+ y ago1:15:26

1:15:26

The man needs no introduction, but for the few that don’t have the pleasure of knowing him, I’ll go out on a limb and introduce my friend. On Season 2, Episode 9, I proudly host Mr. Christopher John Campion, aka Campy, aka Old Sea Dog, aka Lights, aka America’s Guest, aka Marketing Genius, aka Jermaine Jackson. For any Huntington native, the Campio…

1
A Visit With Mom 55:43

1+ y ago55:43

55:43

After a little nudging to get her past her hesitation to be on a guest on my admitedly music-centric podcast, I was honored to host none other than my mother, Ms. Edie Staib. Mom shares her story of how Al Staib swept her off her feet back in 1960 despite her being engaged to her high school sweetheart at the time, and how they were married less th…

1
From One Musician To Another w/ Mike “Comfort" O’Rourke 1:02:40

1+ y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Mike “Comfort” O’Rourke to the world on Episode 7 of GD&F. Back in the early 1980’s, I was “Kathy and Tom’s little brother, Anzo” to Comfort but over the years he and I began to forge our own connection through our mutual friends, a shared love of music, and the occasional paddle tennis game. Comfort takes us …

1
Searching For The Sound With Dave & Rusty 49:31

1+ y ago49:31

49:31

Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, these two gentlemen have become my newest wingmen, and although we’ve yet to meet in person we’re quickly bonding through our comradary and our shared love of music. Listen as Dave Dulaney takes us back to his first show in ‘74 and shares his recollections of the Grateful Dead’s legendary Wall of Sound, and …

1
Carving out time with Carly Staib 47:11

1+ y ago47:11

47:11

I was fortunate to share some very special quality time with my gracious and beautiful niece, Ms Carly Marie Staib. Carly recalls her recollections of “Loud Music Fridays” with the family, her first concert seeing “Uncle Billy” Joel, a Taylor Swift concert with Dad, and later Dead & Company. She explains how she faced and CONQUERED an unexpected an…

1
Diving in with Dudley 47:56

1+ y ago47:56

47:56

Join my BFAM Chris Kline aka Dudley and I as we share war stories from back in the day, including “Black Wednesday” in 1983, summers “dragging hose” the late ‘80’s, backpacking through Europe in late 1990, discovering “The Meadows” in the early ‘90’s, and recapping a few of the countless laughs we had along the way. Dudley reveals that in addition …

1
Tasty Tidbits With Bobby Rogan 1:02:44

1+ y ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Fellow avid golfer and devoted music lover, Bobby Rogan, joins me in the studio and recalls how the music of the 70’s shaped his musical tastes before he evolved into a Deadhead. We touch on the “glory days” on the golf course and we highlight how golf and music connects us through thick and thin. Bobby explains how he is facing a recent and unexpe…

1
Long Strange Trip with Kevin Campion 57:41

1+ y ago57:41

57:41

There are few Huntington families that are as musically gifted and universally loved as the Campion family. In Episode 2, I’m privileged to sit down with Kevin Campion, lifelong Deadhead and current lead singer for Huntington’s own Soghat. Kevin takes us back to the late 70’s when he got on the bus, and explains how today he pays tribute to his lat…

1
A Conversation With A Wise Old Owl…aka “Pops” 54:24

1+ y ago54:24

54:24

Season 2, Episode 1 of Grateful Dad & Friends kicks off with a conversation with a gentleman who is a true treasure to me, and who reminds me of my own father, His name is Doug Smith. To those who know him best, his real nickname is Pops, but for the sake of adding context to the conversation, I consider him as wise as they come and therefore will …

1
Season One A Look Back 7:17

1+ y ago7:17

7:17

Before I recap Season 1 of Grateful Dad & Friends and provide a brief glimpse of Season 2, it may prudent to share why I launched this podcast in the first place. The purpose of GD&F is to be a gift. A gift to my guests, and a gift to their friends and family. Let me explain…. A few years back, on my way to Lake Champlain, I was driving with my par…

1
Bringing It Home With My Girls 38:34

1+ y ago38:34

38:34

Well, it doesn’t get much better than wrapping up the first season of Grateful Dad & Friends by sitting down with the four most special women in my life - Margs, Hannah, Hope and Lilly. The ladies share their earliest recollections of music, and my daughters reveal some secrets about how they really felt about Grateful Dead music way back when. We …

1
Flashback to ‘72 with Richard Sutton 1:18:44

1+ y ago1:18:44

1:18:44

In Episode 11 of GD&F, lifelong music-lover Richard Sutton gives us a firsthand peek into the buildup to the Grateful Dead’s August 27th 1972 benefit concert in Veneta, Oregon to help save the nearly bankrupt Springfield Creamery. In what would turn out to be one of the Dead’s most legendary performances, Richard was behind-the-scenes working with …

1
On the road with DSO keyboardist, Rob Barraco 1:15:00

1+ y ago1:15:00

1:15:00

What a treat to have Long Island native and longtime keyboardist for Dark Star Orchestra, Rob Barraco, join me on Episode 10 of Grateful Dad & Friends! We cover when Rob “got on the bus” in ‘72, through his musical collaborations with among others, Freddie Jackson, The Zen Tricksters, Phil & Friends, The Other Ones, The Dead, and Dark Star Orchestr…

1
Connecting with my confidants TJ Staib & John Gulino 45:32

1+ y ago45:32

45:32

In Episode 9, I sit down with two of my closest confidants - my nephew and DWS wingman, TJ Staib, and our COO and friend, John Gulino. We explore the backstory of how in less than five years TJ evolved to become the president and 5th-generation in our family’s 159-year legacy, DWS Printing & Packaging. We retrace John’s lifelong love of music and d…

1
Exploring the Energy w/ Kathy Staib and Rainer “TITAN” Jenss 44:51

1+ y ago44:51

44:51

In Episode 8, I had the extremely privilege of having the true definition of “friends + family” join me in the studio, namely my friend Rainer Jenss aka TITAN, and my sister Kathy Staib. Learn about TITAN’s year-long trip around the world with his family, his insights into what makes music the common bond among friends and family, his battle agains…

1
The Ryan Brothers Get Busy Living 1:22:21

1+ y ago1:22:21

1:22:21

Hosting my two guests on Episode 7 of GD&F was a HUGE treat for me, and those guests are brothers, Brendan and Billy Ryan. I grew up only a pitching wedge away from the Ryan family and have known them my entire life. I admire Brendan & Billy on many levels, but mostly because they are simply amazing human beings. The musical talents that they explo…

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Ted Talk (nope, not that Ted Talk ;) 50:22

1+ y ago50:22

50:22

My guest on Episode 6, Ted Bahr, is in many ways to me a true inspiration on how to follow your vision and create the life of your dreams. After working in corporate America for more than a decade, then building (and selling) two start-up companies, Ted decided it was time to start a new chapter and weave his passion for music and his appreciation …

1
Introducing "Monkey Man" 34:34

1+ y ago34:34

34:34

I like calling my closest friends by their nickname and my guest on Episode 5, Rob Diestel, is no exception. Rob and I share many bonds, and one of them is a LOVE of the Rolling Stones and Monkey Man from the Stones’ 1969 release, Let It Bleed. Rob isn’t just “Rob” to me, he’ll always be Monkey Man. But there’s more to the story than that. Find out…

1
A conversation with Cornell Bouse, also known as “Keith” 46:29

2y ago46:29

46:29

Technically, this gentleman is my cousin-in-law, but to me he’ll always be more a brother than a distant relative. Sit back and enjoy our conversation as we uncover Cornell’s many interests, talents, and his unique musical tastes. Talents that include being a skilled handyman, an automobile aficionado, a defense attorney, real estate expert, and le…