A Queer, Non-binary Poet, Storyteller, Comedian, and Event Organizer

An Actor, Director, Caregiver, Teacher, Superman Fanatic & Son of a Magician

Meet Matthew Gretzinger, who was an actor, director, caregiver, teacher, Superman fanatic & son of a magician who played Ronald McDonald. Matthew unfortunately passed away in 2024, but we are joined by two of his closest friends: Roark Littlefield and Bryan Enk. Roark and Bryan were kind enough to take some time to remember Matthew for this first ever memorial edition of Friend Check. Listen along as we remember our friend, Matthew who was talented and kind and will be forever missed.

A Bad Ass New Mexican-Artist-House Manager-Retail Manager-Theater Person with Cool Ass Glasses

A Bad Ass New Mexican-Artist-House Manager-Retail Manager-Theater Person with Cool Ass Glasses Meet MK Riddell as she shares her journey from Peoria to Bowling Green State University, where she pursued a master's degree in theater, to her current role as a house manager at a group home in New Mexico. We discuss MK's experiences at Huron Playhouse, where she worked as a cook, and her career transition into working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also get to hear a little about MK's very unique digital art. Listen now to get to know this lovely woman! Friend Check is a project of History For Jerks. www.historyforjerks.com

A Bearded, liederhosen owning actor, father, husband and fraternity member

A Bearded, liederhosen owning actor, father, husband and fraternity member Meet Brian McCartney, a successful actor who has been on Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med, as well as films and the stage. Listen to tales of Joe’s first meeting of Brian in Chicago where Brian was the “dad” of his friend group. Find out about how Brian was wooed by a young college classmate at Bowling Green State University with pie who became his wife. Hear stories of the theater, beer enjoyment, being in a nerdy fraternity where he earned the nickname Squeaky, as well as stories from childhood and playing football and singing in the choir in Toledo, Ohio. Other topics discussed include: The Edmund Fitzgerald, Egg Sandwich Experts, Municipal Brew Works in Hamilton, Ohio, and more! Friend Check is a project of History For Jerks. www.historyforjerks.com

A Queer, Non-binary Poet, Storyteller, Comedian, and Event Organizer

Meet Adrian McQueen Parrish, a queer, non-binary poet, storyteller, comedian, and event organizer. Join us as we explore Adrian's personal journey, including his experiences with religion, education, and creative pursuits. In this episode, we delve into Adrian's coming out as queer and non-binary, his transition from a conservative background to a more progressive identity, and his involvement in various creative projects such as podcasting, storytelling, and stand-up comedy. The conversation also touches on topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, and the impact of living in diverse communities on personal growth and perspectives. Friend Check is a project of History For Jerks. www.historyforjerks.com

A Software Developing Comedian Photographer Cook

Addy Kapur episode: Recorded December of 2024. Addy Kapur is a software developer, a photographer, a father, a husband, a native Delhiite, a comedian and a cook. Listen as we get to know Addy Kapur who met Joe in 2019 at the Queen City Comedy Experience Festival while photographing the Nate Bargatze show and meet and greet. Follow along as we learn about Addy’s journey from the vastly populated Delhi where he was forced to play basketball because of his height to Silcon Valley in the late 90’s where highways and bars were new to him as he discovered computers, and on to Michigan where he learned about the Michigan/Ohio state rivalry before coming to Charlotte and trying his hand at stand up comedy where he entered Joe’s realm. We discuss the art of stand up comedy, performing in rural North Carolina, learning to cook and more! Friend Check, where a middle aged man scours his Facebook friend list to reconnect with each person and ask….Are we ACTUALLY friends? Why are we Facebook friends? Who actually ARE you? What stories do you have? Should we STAY Facebook Friends?