Inside the National Comedy Center: Preserving Comedy, Lucy & Desi, and the Art of Making Us Laugh

Inside the National Comedy Center: Preserving Comedy, Lucy & Desi, and the Art of Making Us Laugh

On this episode of Road Gang Radio, hosts Lindsey Lawler and Jimmy Mac welcome Gary Hahn, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the National Comedy Center and the Lucy Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York. Designated by Congress as the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy, the National Comedy Center is more than a museum—it’s a living archive celebrating comedy as a true art form. Gary takes us inside the Center’s groundbreaking interactive exhibits, its vast digital archives, and the delicate balance between honoring comedy’s history while keeping visitors laughing. The conversation explores: Why comedy deserves preservation alongside opera, art, and film The National Comedy Center’s role as the country’s official comedy archive Digitized collections from legends like George Carlin, Joan Rivers, Richard Pryor, and Johnny Carson How personalized “sense of humor profiles” shape each visitor’s experience The Saturday Night Live exhibits and the craft behind comedy writing Lucy and Desi’s lasting impact on television, production, and American culture Why comedy is both serious work and a source of joy This thoughtful, funny, and insightful discussion highlights how laughter helps define who we are—and why preserving comedy matters for future generations. Learn more or plan your visit: https://comedycenter.org

Inside Chicago’s Hidden Maritime History | Madeline Crispell on Nemo Nation

On this episode of Nemo Nation, hosts Dave Nemo and Jimmy Mac welcome Madeline Crispell, Curator of the Chicago Maritime Museum, for a fascinating deep dive into Chicago’s overlooked maritime past and its lasting impact on American transportation, commerce, and culture. Madeline explains how Chicago became one of the busiest ports in the world during the 19th century, connecting the Great Lakes, Erie Canal, Mississippi River, and Gulf of Mexico into a continent-spanning trade network. The conversation explores how waterways shaped migration, music, industry, and even modern highways that still follow ancient travel routes. The discussion also covers powerful and lesser-known stories from the museum’s exhibits, including the tragic Eastland Disaster, World War II aircraft carriers on Lake Michigan, historic shipwrecks, and Chicago’s role in shipbuilding and maritime innovation. Madeline walks listeners through what visitors can expect when they step into the museum—from hands-on artifacts and model ships to rotating exhibits, lectures, research resources, and community programs. Whether you’re a truck driver, history buff, researcher, or lifelong learner, this episode highlights how transportation on water and land has always been deeply connected—and why Chicago’s maritime story still matters today. Learn more about the Chicago Maritime Museum at https://chicagomaritimemuseum.org

Exploring the Mothman Legend with Steve Ward | Road Gang Radio

Join Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler on Road Gang Radio as they sit down with Steve Ward, longtime paranormal researcher and expert on the Mothman legend. Steve shares his decades-long fascination with unexplained phenomena, from early UFO sightings in Michigan to the famous Mothman encounters in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966. Learn about the history behind the Silver Bridge disaster, the eyewitness accounts, and the researchers who shaped the Mothman legacy. Steve also talks about his work at the Mothman Museum, the annual Mothman Festival, and his podcast, The High Strangeness Factor. Dive into the world of "high strangeness," where paranormal events converge, and hear what might be behind one of America’s most mysterious legends. Visit the Mothman Museum: https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGc1T3E2Z3M3dlYxME5EaVU2eVR6MzJsUk53UXxBQ3Jtc0traXV4a2xaRHNtWTVudFZTeEFYRXJSZG1aQmlvZ3BNclQ1NFppVURHTFJrV2ZfS2dOYlNsQ1VNUElZMTA2dEt4X045elliaWFWd2ZFNGMyWl9td0IybmdXaDV0MlhFd3hmQUpONjF6Z1IyMHZXV2lwWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mothmanmuseum.com%2F&v=3miZeqmefio] Follow Steve Ward on Facebook at The Phantom Menagerie Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!

Women Who Shaped Trucking: ATHS & Women In Trucking Join Forces | Road Gang Radio Interview

On this episode of Road Gang Radio, host Dave Nemo sits down with ATHS Executive Director John Gravley and Women In Trucking President & CEO Jennifer Hedrick to discuss a groundbreaking new partnership between the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) and Women In Trucking (WIT). Together, they explore how this collaboration aims to uncover, preserve, and elevate the often-untold stories of women who shaped the history of trucking—from early pioneers like Luella Bates to the countless mothers, daughters, and grandmothers who kept America moving. John and Jennifer share how their organizations plan to amplify women’s contributions through storytelling, historical preservation, and shared initiatives such as featuring WIT content in Wheels of Time magazine. This conversation highlights why including women’s voices isn’t just overdue—it’s essential to telling the full story of the American trucking industry. Learn more: https://www.aths.org [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEd2VkVuYTVQSllEVGM0MHhrNVZ6YnNOSjZuQXxBQ3Jtc0tteWdYZm10MW9tVHhKa0xTbF9ic2Qxekc1amxwMW5MTk5oSUlITXVxN3FIbjIwMl96NFk0TXpONkpCc3hkeHU1akk5cUdpMzZ6Q0R3TjNoYUVrYmlhNmxvT01NaE5YcGxsSFJYZmk5dUVXUTRjdmF1SQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aths.org%2F&v=Sb2JdaouiyA] https://www.womenintrucking.org [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHpvMmVlQnY2aWJodjA1QUxfZDhBNXNvUjhjUXxBQ3Jtc0tra0gwOTUxQ3llNUt5RkJsRjFQQ2I3bnJRUk9TU21ieHdwdUUxYld4SWpsZGtoVEs5NVBLY011N3NreE01RXBvRXZmaFFHd2JTVGpXSmF1TTc4a0YxUWVyMm1XMWRvbEpYaHBNVWlYaUJ6Q193OFNZcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.womenintrucking.org%2F&v=Sb2JdaouiyA] Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!

Elle Townley on Road Gang Radio: Holiday Music & “Perfect Christmas” | Road Gang Radio

Join Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler on Road Gang Radio as they chat with rising Texas country singer-songwriter Elle Townley. Elle shares the story behind her new holiday single, “Perfect Christmas,” co-written with Steven McClintock, and talks about the inspiration to bring hope and joy during the holidays. She also teases her upcoming music video, premiering on November 21, and reflects on her journey as a Young Artist of the Year finalist for the 2025 Texas Country Music Association Awards. Elle discusses her past hits, including “Taking Off My Halo,” and what it’s like blending retro country style with modern storytelling. Learn more about Elle Townley: https://elletownley.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEdvTDlXOFEtWUVrRzN4cTFEUnFMc0oxWXRJd3xBQ3Jtc0ttMGltTFZRS2tuSEpoVzVZcFF0NDZRRS11SjRwd2s5T2p5SWM0bDJfaTBzTjhLdHFiaENrY0kwX1hxMHhWVkxLLWkxcTZ1cnRtV0hWeWdkT3pVUExXQnBSLVhFXzZYUHVmZUItTGZNbDAtUGhTQTZwTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Felletownley.com%2F&v=N4MKYYjcUJg] Follow Elle on Facebook:  / elletownleymusic  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0lKeUU3SDVnRTBIWUhUcVk5bVMwa1U3VWVnUXxBQ3Jtc0ttU1NYRDlkLXpWZjRpaHhKeWYtU2tLeU00Vmkxc25Weng2d2hjTUwyVGpHUzFOYl8xenFoVUhtclRCMHdoM1dURDVZOFZxQTl1aTZiNjdRaU43TWlXUWdhYmhKTi1tWmN6ZDliMlYwQmFEeWlaNDJfOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FElleTownleyMusic&v=N4MKYYjcUJg] Follow Elle on Instagram:  / elletownleymusic  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGRDdTdiRmRtMFFtakl0dkJ6ekZHaWRFbmxBd3xBQ3Jtc0tsdDFTdFhOd3JsTUFjNGxwRHJpbnBuYVhtWnBxUUZNSHNWdGs5ckFKWk9oakk1M0MySVRjd28xNjB1NHc4bkxUVDhQeFpZbFN2ZVExd2h1RUVLZ1ZBSWVRMXJKenZHZXYwLXpnbHowRTFCS29LXzVhbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Felletownleymusic&v=N4MKYYjcUJg]  Subscribe to Elle on YouTube:    / @elletownleymusic  [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1XHQ5N2QUTIrfiS87D_35A] Follow Elle on TikTok:  / elletownleymusic  [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWpiekxWUnpMMnkzS2JvOFJTS3p5QlVTZnVMQXxBQ3Jtc0ttT0FFamZpcVR0RXctN2ZOdDlsTzV5dG4xaS1IWlNWV09Ta3kyVGxUczhIRFotRTFoYWY3VVJCV0w5eVRyVEQ0eDBZem54NDNnbHBxak81SmZoUERkbjV1ajMxcWlRMzE2NXc4Tmg1MFhtOWJiM3k2Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40elletownleymusic&v=N4MKYYjcUJg] Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!