The Pieces pod has been defunct for almost exactly a year now, and you can probably guess why. This pandemic has me, and I assume everyone else, doing our best to Pick Up The Pieces. That journey starts now, with my guest Ashlesha, whose friendship has rejuvenated muscles in me that I thought might be dormant for good. It's a good ol' fashioned Pieces' talk on childhood, art, creativity, inspiration, and mental health. I'm biased, but I think it's worth listening to. Before Ash, I wasn't sure if or when I'd say that about one of these again. Join us, won't you.

Ashlesha Sathe, A Creative, A Giver, An Artist

I sat down with my best friend Emma Mundorff, who learned in the last minute of our conversation what this podcast is called. We talk about Emma's identity as a reader and writer before delving into the evolution of that identity: from Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket-loving kid, to anxious high-schooler, to high-achieving college graduate, to assistant marketing manager at a university press that apparently shall not be named (I won't stand for it). Then, anxious adult Emma makes an appearance as she attempts to name things she's good at and pin down her hopes for the future.

Emma Mundorff, Punk as Hell

In the most Borat voice possible I present to you...my wife, Felyx Floyd. For the first part of this two-part very special episode, we begin by reminiscing about the first time we attempted something like this over five years ago. Then, we dive into our thoughts on the nature of nature and her thoughts on the nature of her childhood experience. We conclude part one by touching on the triumph of turning trauma into purpose, the deep love and passion that trauma can obscure, the last times we felt truly, purely childlike, and the way in which support systems are paramount.

Felyx Floyd (Part 1); Revolutionary, Tree Hugger, Lover

CONTENT WARNING: SCHMALTZ

We pick up part two of our conversation with Felyx recounting her turbulent post-high school years and the trouble she had finding her footing. This leads us to a conversation about the overwhelming obligation we have felt to be okay for and supportive of other people. I then tell Felyx the commas that *I* would have given her, we spend time discussing the pitfalls of living to survive, and we highlight the importance of taking care of yourself and living according to the goals *you* set yourself. The schmaltz comes next, wherein we wax poetic about what a gift it is to bring out the best in each other, and the ways in which our relationship has progressed from immature (in the most literal sense) to mature. We finish with Felyx relaying the whats and whys behind her revolutionary goals, and I manage to behave only slightly like an asshole in the meantime.

Felyx Floyd (Part 2); Revolutionary, Tree Hugger, Lover, Floyd

The first of hopefully-more-but-hopefully-not-too-many-more Pieces Podcast: Pandemic Editions features a sitdown with burgeoning acting force, Titus VanHook. Sure, he's family, so I have to describe him that way. But, he's family, so who would know better than me? Best to just trust me. Or better yet, hear it from the man himself. Titus and I sit down to have a wide-ranging conversation stemming primarily from a single topic -- identity -- and the ways in which discovering acting has helped him to explore his. We share similar, though not parallel, relationships with our identities,  and I think ultimately we both want the same thing: moments of clarity and confidence. Hell, who doesn't?

Titus VanHook; Man of Service, Actor, Creator

What's more quarantine than doing a solo version of my interview podcast? There's a lot going on in the world and a lot of people are trying to make sense of it. I figured now was as good a time as any to try to make sense of who I am by talking through my feelings about the national news of the past week. I explain why it's precisely events like this that often result in me feeling a little more alive than I usually do. And when I feel more alive, I feel I have more perspective. Here is my perspective.

Kyle Floyd, Communicator, Teacher, Writer, Leader

You read that right, the #Krynterview is finally upon us! I sat down with my fiancee's longtime best friend for a wide-ranging talk, covering everything from animism to trauma to the importance of intent to existing on a spectrum to Conan O'Brien to voice acting to...hell, just listen.  This conversation is representative of mine and Kryn's relationship, and a good example of why I am so proud to call her both a friend and an inspiration. Meet us where we're at, and we'll do the same.

Kryn Rivera; Witch, Animist, Artist

My latest guest looks and sounds a lot like my first, because he is. I welcomed back Herman Grewal, aka Skepsys, to the podcast to talk about the newly-released final album from Zoetic Minds. Herman took on the impossible task of eulogizing his producer, friend, and creative partner Zack Richard aka Ziggid, who tragically passed before the album could be completed.  While we certainly pay tribute to the genius of Ziggid and the indelible impact he made on both of us, we also talked music, man. Hip Hop. Join us as we review Margin of Error (now available wherever you listen to music) track-by-track, diving deep into the process of putting together a work that is both beautiful as a piece of music and poignant as a message.

Pieces Podcast Episode 11 - Skepsys, Margin of Error

What? The Commonwealth Chronicles. That's what.

The Commonwealth Chronicles

Not to be confused with Russell Jones, Old Dirty Bastard, as that would be impossible.  My good buddy Tom just tries to be an all-around good guy and to not to be an asshole, but given his Bostonian-and-Irish-centric journey, he's more successful certain times than others.  But the effort is there, and the work is put in to maintain an honest perspective -- one gained through decades of work and marriage, two kids, a divorce, and a hell of a lot of camping, hiking, fishing, and now golfing.  That leads us to today, when Tom is retired and Has Time. So now, he tries his hardest not to fall into the Lazy Trap, and he Has Opinions On Things.  Through it all, he's trying to stay as true to himself and to life as possible, and I enjoyed throwin' a couple back and talking to him about those efforts.

Kyle Christopher Floyd

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