HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette

Curiosity Unleashed: How Rashad Woods Built The Podcast 'The Randomness of Nothing'-EPISODE 142

Rob FreDette chats with Rashad Woods, host of The Tron Podcast: "The Randomness of Nothing". They discuss Rashad's journey to starting a podcast, his love of history and documentaries, and how he interviews entrepreneurs, creators and fascinating people from all walks of life.
The episode covers podcasting tips and process—from vetting guests and editing to staying authentic—while touching on martial arts, music, nostalgia and the global reach of independent shows. Visit www.tronpodcast.com to learn more.
RECORDED OCTOBER 12, 2025
www.tronpodcast.com
 

From Last Chair to Center Stage: Candyce Raiford's Musical Rise- EPISODE 141

Rob Fredette sits down with multi-instrumentalist and producer Candice Raiford to trace her musical journey—from childhood talent shows and learning instruments by ear to mastering violin, cello, clarinet, piano and more.
They discuss her creative process, notable experiences with artists and music videos, game-show moments, and upcoming performances in London, offering an intimate look at how she crafts music across genres and platforms.
RECORDED JULY 18, 2025

After the Encore: Rock Widows on Love, Loss, and Legacy with Author Lori Tucker-Sullivan-EPISODE 140

Journalist Lori Tucker-Sullivan explores the untold stories of wives and girlfriends of rock stars in her book " I Can't Remember If I Cried-Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy" . Drawing on 22 interviews (14 in the book), she reveals the human side behind fame—grief, devotion, legal battles, and the struggle to protect legacy.
Through intimate conversations and personal reflection, the episode examines how music, youth, and relentless touring shaped these relationships and the lasting impact of loss on fans and families alike.
www.lorituckersullivan.com
RECORDED SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
"I Can't Remember If I Cried-Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy" can be purchased on Amazon and Bookshop.org
Please give a listen, follow and share.

Theater by the Lake & Big Names: BPACC's 27th Season Preview-EPISODE 139

Join Michael Bollinger, BPACC’s artistic director, as he previews the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center’s 27th season. The lineup opens October 10 with an outdoor Shakespeare production and includes country legends, tribute acts, family shows, arts‑education performances, and the must‑see Booker T. Jones.
Highlights include Music & Theater by the Lake, Darcy Lynne& Friends (sold out), T. Graham Brown, Artrageous, Mandy Barnett’s Patsy Cline tribute, The Nutcracker, the Phil Collins experience, and youth productions. BPAC is intimate and family friendly—visit BPACC.org or call the box office for tickets and details at (901)-385-5588.
RECORDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
www.bpacc.org
 

Author Amanda Cockrell of the Novel "Are You or Have You Ever Been?" — Inside the Red Scare of 1950s Hollywood- EPISODE 138

Rob Fredette interviews novelist Amanda Cockrell about her historical fiction " Are You or Have You Ever Been?" which explores the Hollywood blacklist, House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings, and the personal and professional fallout of McCarthy-era accusations.
The episode covers real-life stories—Dalton Trumbo, Michael Wilson, and the Hollywood Ten—alongside Cockrell’s dual-timeline novel set in Ojai, focusing on a star’s ruined projects, a contested will, and parallels between 1950s blacklisting and today’s political climate.
Recorded September 19, 2025.
https://www.amandacockrell.com
Are You or Have You Ever Been?" is out December 2!
My parents were screenwriters so this is a book close to my heart. For some background on the Hollywood blacklist see the section above, "About the Blacklist."
Elizabeth Sydney's film career spanned the Golden Age of Hollywood and barely survived Sen. Joe McCarthy's infamous Red Scare hunt for Communists that produced a blacklist that shattered careers. Some of her costars and writer friends weren't so lucky. Now she wants to be buried in her back yard and the will is invalid if she doesn't get her way. A combustible assortment of industry friends, family, former lovers, a man no one has hitherto heard of, half a dozen charitable beneficiaries, and an ungovernable horde of media descend on the small California town where she retired and picked out a spot in her oak grove. As they try to break the will, her reasons begin to surface in the story of an old betrayal of friends by friends and by the country's own government.
 
 

True Crime, Fact or Fiction: A Podcaster's Race to Survive with Author G.A. Sallee -EPISODE 137

G.A. Sallee, an Iraq War veteran and first-time author, discusses his debut fictional true-crime novel "True Crime, Fact or Fiction", in which podcaster Scott Townsend publishes cold cases and becomes the target of a killer. The episode covers the book's plot, key characters like Detective Adelina Alvarez, and Sallee’s writing process.
The conversation also explores themes about the ethics of true-crime entertainment, the editing and self-publishing journey (release October 1), and how personal experience and disciplined writing shaped the novel.
"True Crime, Fact or Fiction" will be released October 1st 2025 and  can be found at all book stores. Walmart, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
RECORDED September 20, 2025.
 

Lights, Camera, Redemption: Robert Gantz on Hollywood and His New Novel "Dead Wings"- EPISODE 136

Rob Fredette interviews cinematographer-turned-author Robert Gantz about his decades in film and music videos, his time shooting commercials and movies in Hollywood and France, and the decision to retire and write his first novel, "Dead Wings". A noir-style crime thriller.
The episode covers Gantz’s work on high-profile music videos and films, the gritty realities of the industry, and his writing process for a pulp-noir thriller about a down-and-out cameraman pulled into a dangerous scheme. Dead Wings is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Bookstores and  in multiple formats. 
Sit back and listen Robert's film career, his first novel and great movie talk.
https://www.robertgantzasc.com
RECORDED AUGUST 26, 2025
 
The book is a noir-style crime thriller set in Los Angeles and published in July 2025. 

El Diablo & Desert Grit: C.J. Shaman’s Outlaw Rock Story- EPISODE 135

Rob Fredette sits down with boundary-pushing rock artist C.J .Shaman to explore his musical journey — from small-town Arizona roots and 80s MTV influences to his raw outlaw-soul sound and the personal story behind the single "El Diablo."
They discuss C.J.'s evolution through genres, memorable live shows, studio life, sobriety, fatherhood, and upcoming projects including a Nashville recording and global rollout for El Diablo de Ocho.
RECOREDED AUGUST 28, 2025.
His latest album, El Diablo De Ocho: The Devil of Eight, is a powerful exploration of conflict, redemption, and personal transformation. With eight gritty, guitar-driven tracks, the album cements C.J.'s place as a rising force in modern rock—one that honors its roots while carving out a sound all his own.
HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.
hodgepodallin@yahoo.com
Connect with C.J. below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRKHBXkzMVWcKF0Dom_0xg
https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-j-shaman-3b2987138/
https://soundcloud.com/user-260605909
https://open.spotify.com/album/1Aj9XAwqKGFTFszPEoOdrR?si=9HYX3ItQiOBd4Jla6oTtQ

Shannon Grace, the Graceful Healer discusses Simple and Practical Tools for everyday Stress -EPISODE 134

In this episode Rob Frenette interviews Shannon Grace about her journey from a successful tech and entrepreneurial career to becoming an energy healer. Shannon shares her experience with anxiety, being laid off, discovering reiki and pure bioenergy healing, and how somatic work can free trapped emotions that show up as physical illness.
The conversation also offers simple, practical tools for everyday stress relief—meditation, grounding, breath work, movement, and building community—along with how healing work can help people reclaim inner peace and evolve into a healthier, more empowered version of themselves.
RECORDED JULY 15, 2025
Shannon can be found at:
Instagram: @the _graceful_healer
www.thegracefulhealer.com
Email: shannon@thegracefulhealer.com
HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.
hodgepodallin@yahoo.com

I-70 Showdown: Inside the 1985 Royals-Cardinals World Series-EPISODE 133

Rob Fredette was joined by author Marshall Garvey to explore the memorable 1985 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. They discuss Garvey’s book Interstate 85 with player interviews, the famous Denkinger call, unexpected heroes, and the series’ lasting legacy.
The episode blends game recaps, personal anecdotes from players, behind-the-scenes details, and the broader nostalgia of 1980s baseball, offering a fresh look at an underrated championship.
https://marshallpgarvey.com
Marshall's book "Interstate '85 The Royals, The Cardinals and the Show-Me World Series"
Publisher-University of Missouri Press
You can find the book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble
 
RECORDED AUGUST 21, 2025
HODGEPOD can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN RADIO AND THE PODBEAN APP.
hodgepodallin@yahoo.com