“Being There: Stories from the Road Where We Keep the Rubber Side Down”

What Do You Think About This?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599407/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Being There, I read “What Do You Think About This?”, written by my father, Gene McCalmont, in 2004. Set in the old rail yard of Chama, New Mexico, the story follows a brief but unforgettable conversation between the author and an aging railroad worker named Eloy. As steam engines roll into the station and tourists gather with cameras, Eloy reflects on work, age, usefulness, and the changing world around him. What unfolds is more than a story about railroads. It’s about identity — and the realization that a person’s value cannot be measured only by what they do for a living. Quiet, thoughtful, and deeply human, this is one of the more reflective episodes of Being There. 🎧 Listen now on Buzzsprout or wherever you get your podcasts.

Tres Cervezas

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599407/fan_mail/new] This week on Being There, I read “Tres Cervezas,” a story written by my father, about a motorcycle trip into Big Bend country in 1967. Three young riders. Old motorcycles. No money. No real plan. What starts as a rough ride through West Texas turns into an unforgettable night in Boquillas, Mexico—complete with tacos, tequila, cold Carta Blancas, and the kind of unexpected friendships that seem to belong to another era. But underneath the humor and adventure is something deeper: a reflection on how much the world has changed, and how certain memories remain frozen in time. It’s funny, honest, nostalgic, and very human. 🎧 Listen now on Buzzsprout and all major podcast platforms.

Who let the dogs out?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599407/fan_mail/new] Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out into the midday sun, but it is here that one often finds that moment of truth when he is reminded of his own mortality and the limits of time. It is how one chooses to move forward that makes all the difference!

Jalapeno Jelly

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599407/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Being There, I read “Jalapeño Jelly,” a deeply reflective piece written by my father, Gene McCalmont, during a particularly difficult season in 2003. Set against a cold motorcycle ride through East Texas, this story weaves together moments of loss, grief, family, and quiet resilience. It moves through the passing of loved ones, unexpected tragedy, and the emotional weight of a year that tested everything—while still holding onto glimpses of joy. What emerges is a simple but lasting perspective: life is a balance. The sweetness and the heat. The joy and the pain. Much like the taste of jalapeño jelly itself. This is one of his more personal writings—and one that continues to resonate in a very real way. If you’ve ever gone through a season where everything seemed heavy, but still found small moments that carried you forward, this one will likely stay with you.

That’s gotta hurt

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599407/fan_mail/new] A moment’s inattention is all it takes to ruin a perfectly good day. No matter how much he knows about riding, the author admits to forgetting the basics from time to time.