HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette

Friendship, Family and Faith with Shari Flowers Bruns and her inspirational and powerful message of EPISODE 87

Welcome to another captivating episode of the HODGEPOD Podcast! In this episode, host Rob Fredette sits down with Shari Flowers Bruns  who talks about friendship, family and faith during a life altering period in her life. Shari's message is powerful.
Shari talls about her radio days, recounting her experiences in small-market stations and major cities like Memphis and Baton Rouge. She shares intriguing stories and the evolution of radio through the decades with Rob.
The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Shari opens up about her late husband Hank Bruns and the impact of his passing on her life. She discusses how her faith and resilience helped her navigate through the loss and find new meaning in life. Quite powerful and inspirational.
Shari also reveals the incredible journey of her son, Mason, from high school football to becoming a preferred walk-on at LSU, leading to a historic national championship season.
This episode is filled with laughter, memories, and inspiring life lessons. Shari's story is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, family, and faith.
RECORED AUGUST 24, 2024
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The Rhythm of Connection: Exploring Reggae's Influence on Modern Music-EPISIODE 86

Join Rob Fredette on this engaging episode of the HODGEPOD podcast as he sits down with special guest Joe Zegarelli to dive deep into the world of music. This episode switches gears to explore the rich history and enduring influence of reggae music. Discover how reggae's syncopated melodies and anti-establishment vibes have shaped genres like rock, pop, and hip-hop.
Listen as Joe Zegarelli, a DJ and music producer from Charlotte, NC, shares his insights on reggae's evolution, its pioneers like Bob Marley and King Tubby, and its unexpected connections to modern-day bands and artists. From the birth of dub music to reggae's therapeutic effects, this episode is a melodic journey through time and sound.
Perfect for music lovers and curious minds alike, tune in to uncover the rhythmic threads that connect past and present, leaving an indelible mark on the music we enjoy today.
RECORDED AUGUST 8, 2024
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Joe has a website www.ClassyRhythms.com
Social media websites: Instagram: @Fvngi.wav and Soundcloud is Fvngi.
 

Remembering the King: The Day Elvis Presley Died. Episode 85

Join Rob Fredette on this special encore episode of HodgePod as we revisit the chaotic days following Elvis Presley's death on August 16th, 1977. This episode features original news coverage from Memphis, Tennessee, capturing the pandemonium and the immense outpouring of grief from fans and celebrities alike.
Relive the detailed reports from major news outlets including NBC, CBS, and BBC, and hear personal anecdotes from locals who experienced the event firsthand. Discover fascinating statistics about Elvis's monumental impact on music, and enjoy a trip down memory lane with facts about his record-breaking career.
Don't miss this heartfelt tribute to the King of Rock and Roll, whose legacy continues to captivate the world.
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Exploring the Legacy of the Memphis Red Sox with Dr. Keith B. Wood-EPISODE 84

In this episode of the HODGEPOD podcast, host Rob Fredette welcomes back Dr. Keith B. Wood, author of "The Memphis Red Sox, A Negro League's History." As the podcast's first-ever guest, Dr. Wood returns to share fascinating insights into the history of the Memphis Red Sox, a prominent Negro League team in Memphis, Tennessee.
Keith discusses his extensive research process, the significance of the Martin brothers' ownership, and the cultural impact of the Memphis Red Sox on the community. You will learn about legendary players, the team's innovative practices, and the broader context of Negro League baseball during a pivotal era in American history.
Join Rob and Keith as they delve into the rich heritage of the Memphis Red Sox and their lasting influence on the world of baseball. 
HODGEPOD can heard on Apple, Spotify, IHEART, Audacy, Tunein and the Podbean app and all podcast platforms.
The Memphis Red Sox, A Negro League's History." can be purchased on Amazon and on the link below.
 Please check it out.
https://www.keithbwoodauthor.com
 
Recorded July 26, 2024
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From Punchlines to Primetime: A Writer’s Journey with Late Night Legends. EPISODE 83

Welcome to HODGEPOD, hosted by Rob Fredette. In this episode, Rob speaks with Ben Alper, a renowned writer who crafted jokes for late-night icons Jay Leno and David Letterman. Hailing from Boston, Ben shares his journey from freelancing jokes to working with comedic legends, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of late-night television.
Discover how Ben's career began with joke newsletters and evolved into writing monologues for some of the biggest names in comedy. Ben also discusses the differences between writing for Leno and Letterman, the challenges of crafting timely jokes, and his experiences working remotely in the entertainment industry.
In addition, Ben talks about his book, "Live from the Beginning of Time: Late Night Comedy Monologues Through the Ages," a unique collection of hypothetical monologues spanning historical events. The episode wraps up with a nostalgic chat about the charm of Boston and its vibrant culture.
Don't miss this insightful and entertaining conversation with one of late-night TV's unsung heroes!
RECORDED JULY 9TH, 2024
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HODGEPOD can heard on Apple, Spotify, IHEART, Audacy , TuneIn Radio App and the Podbean App.

TRUE CRIME: Co-Hosts Dan Szematowicz and Andrew Iden of the True Crime podcast DEVIANT on serial killer Israel Keyes-EPISODE 82

Co-Hosts Dan Szematowicz and Andrew Iden of the True Crime podcast DEVIANT joined me on HODGEPOD to talk about their current series of serial killer Israel Keyes. DEVIANT is one of the top podcasts on Apple in the New and Noteworthy category. This podcast is a seven episode series.
THIS IS A MUST LISTEN PODCAST.
DEVIANT is produced by Cold Open Media.
It is known that Israel Keyes murdered four people there may be many as eleven and could be more. Keyes traveled around the United States which made him hard to find.
Rob, Andrew and Dan discussed:
- How Deviant can look back at the wiring of Keyes and keep it from happening again.
- Serial killer Israel Keyes cross country killing spree and he operated from 2001 to 2012.
- How Keyes was different versus how normal people process right and wrong.
- Law Enforcement arresting Keyes in Lufkin, Texas in 2012.
- Interviews with law enforcement and people who grew up with Keyes.
- Other things that Keyes did that will make you say What The?
- Did Keyes leave clues of more murders he may have committed before he committed suicide
   prior to trial in 2012.
- The interrogation tapes that are an integral part of this fascinating podcast.
- Other facets of this story
RECORDED ON JULY 18, 2024
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COLLEGE BASKETBALL: CLAYTON TRUTOR AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "BOSTONBALL" JOINED HODGEPOD TO TALK ABOUT RICK PITINO, JIM CALHOUN AND GARY WILLIAMS-EPISODE 81

Author Clayton Trutor returned to HODGEPOD about his book "BOSTON BALL" RICK PITINO, JIM CALHOUN, GARY WILLIAMS, AND THE FORGOTTEN CRADLE OF BASKETBALL COACHES (2023) published by University of Nebraska Press.
Clayton and Rob talked in detail about all three coaches in Boston at the same time in the early 1980's.
  Pitino
-Rick Pitino's years at BU and how he had to sell the program in Boston, a pro sports dominated  
  city.
-Building the team in an image that was infectious, his BU players special bond to this day.
 Calhoun
-Jim Calhoun building the Northeastern program from 1972 to 1986
-The BU and Northeastern rivalry
-Northeastern being disrespected by the media.
Williams
-His Boston College team that played in the brutal Big East in the early 1980's against the like of
 Georgetown, Syracuse , St. Johns and Villanova.
-BC players that who maximized their talent 
-BC, BU, Northeastern players playing the Boston Celtics in pickup games. Larry Bird , Robert 
  Parish, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Dennis Johnson were mixing it up with college players.
-Rob and Clayton also talked the Flutie Effect for BC and the final play against Miami in 1984.
-The Celtics winning the NBA Championship and Bill Walton.
RECORDED JUNE 19, 2024
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GLOBAL RACE FOR SUSTAINABILITY ENDS JULY 20TH WITH CYNTHIA BURELSON. LEARN ABOUT THE RACE IN EPISODE 80

The Global Race for Sustainability is in midstream and ends July 20, 2024. Cynthia Burleson joined HODGEPOD to talk about these keys areas for this initiative.
The link is below to register to run or walk. Cynthia explains all the important points and discusses some of the 17 initiatives.
www.issnow.earth
https://raceroster.com/events/2024/89269/global-race-for-sustainability
RECORDED JULY 11, 2024
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JFK (1991) ZO RICHARDSON OF "LOOK BACK CINEMA-THE PODCAST" JOINED HODGEPOD TO TALK OF THIS MOVIE DIRECTED BY OLIVER STONE-EPISODE 79

Zo Richardson of Look Back Cinema-The Podcast joined HODGEPOD to talk the movie JFK directed by Oliver Stone and starring Kevin Costner as the lead actor. This movie had an all star lineup of actors.
Kevin Costner (Jim Garrison), Tommy Lee Jones( Clay Shaw) , Joe Pesci (David Ferrie), Kevin Bacon( Willie O'Keefe), John Candy(Dean Anderson), Jack Lemmon(Jack Martin), Walter Matthau ( Senator Long), Vincent D'nofrio( Bill Newman) , Sissy Spacek(Liz Garrison) , Michael Rooker (Bill Broussard) Wayne Knight (Numa Bertel), Gary Oldham ( Lee Harvey Oswald), Donald Sutherland(Mr. X) ,Jay O Sanders ( Lou Ivon). Some of these actors were in roles we were ands are not accustomed to seeing and this made the movie extraodinary.
Rob and Zo covered:
-The reaction to the movie in 1991
-Tremendous scenes explaining Jim Garrison's struggles
-How this movie still resonates today.
-The cast and some of the characters. Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and Joe Pesci.
-Oliver Stone's different look at the JFK assassination off the Warren Commission.
RECORDED JUNE 19, 2024.
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The Beatles and British Invasion-Gene Popa Author of the book " British Invasion '64 The Year That Changed Rock & Roll Forever joined HODGEPOD-EPISODE 78

Author Gene Popa joined HODGEPOD to talk about his book "British Invasion '64 THE YEAR THAT CHANGED ROCK & ROLL FOREVER. Published by BearManor Media and can be purchased on Amazon, www.bearmanormedia.com , www.boulderbookstore.com
If you love The Beatles, British Invasion and music from the 1960's this episode is for you.
Gene and Rob discussed:
-The actual start of the British Invasion.
-The Beatles hitting the United States by storm.
-Other British rock and roll bands that like The Dave Clark Five who you could say     gave The Beatles a run for the money.
-Was there a rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones?
-Other recording artists and groups in the U.S. in 1964
-Why 1964 is the pivotal year for Rock and Roll.
-Other great tidbits about The Beatles, British groups.
-Meeting Elvis Presley for the first time.
RECORDED JUNE 19 , 2024
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