Bloomington Stories Podcast

Bloomington Stories

Josh Bennett and Chris Kupersmith
Home of Indiana University, rock quarries, corn fields, enchanted woods, and Injury lawyer Ken Nunn. Bloomington is a town that has its own term for its ability to lure one-time residents back: the bloomerang. There is something weirdly magical going on here and College town nobuddies, Josh Bennett and Chris Kupersmith, are going to get to the bottom of this place by listening to stories and riding every possible tangent along the way.
Jawin’ Away with Joel and Jonathan
Joel Washington is one of those superheroes of Bloomington who walks among us like he’s no big deal. His artistry is his superpower. In fact, for his decades of making colorful–sometimes almost psychedelic–pop art, he received the City of Bloomington Living Legend Award in 2021. We also found out that he’s not too shabby on a skateboard either, and he's been doing it long before the the City decided that skating was rad. Joel’s skater pal, Jonathan Prather, came along too. Jonathan is the owner of Rhett Skateboarding and an all-around awesome dude. Episode links: Presenting to Quincy Jones Skater Dater Skateboard (trailer) Thank you to our sponsors, Grethen and Ruth Nall and Bloomington Rentals and Realty for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to badknees WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Transcripts Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook YouTube Threads [email protected]  Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Jul 1
1 hr 36 min
Three Lil B**ches
Our guest, Asher Waite-Jones, greeted us in pajamas and immediately began making Josh feel slightly nervous–before we could even start recording. While we can never predict how successful an interview will be, this was certainly an auspicious beginning. You might expect a certain degree of decorum from a Staff Attorney in the Bloomington Office of Indiana Legal Services who, according to a Maurer School of Law blog, “runs the Expungement Help Desk, working alongside Maurer students to represent hundreds of low-income Hoosiers impacted by the criminal legal system.” But, as you know, we happen to specialize in bringing out the worst in people—even local saints like Asher. And he brought his A game: gossip about the ex, all kinds of sex jokes, and a real doozy of an imitation of one of our hosts. Thank you to our newest sponsors, Grethen and Ruth Nall and Bloomington Rentals and Realty for their support of the pod. And thanks as usual to badknees WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Transcripts Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook YouTube Threads [email protected]  Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Jun 1
1 hr 11 min
Hello, Hello, Hello John Wurster
Today’s story is about a band, a song, and a brush with fame that’s more cringe than cool. Thirty years ago, Bloomington danced to the electronic beats of Situation Grey, a college band known more for their covers than cutting-edge originality. Their lead singer—one of our hosts—dreamed of being an indie music maestro, but instead became the king of campus karaoke. Then, one fateful night in the early '90s, some indie rock royalty walked in. What followed was not the stuff of dreams, but the kind of anecdote you reluctantly share at parties. We're talking about the kind of story that gets trotted out at every party, the one guaranteed to elicit a polite chuckle and a sympathetic head tilt. Fast-forward three decades, and that same celebrity brings the story full circle with a digital-age jab that reignites a moment our singer wishes he could forget. In this episode, we peel back the layers of a memory marinated in both mortification and time, exploring the unexpected ways our past populates our present. Stay tuned, as we dissect the enduring echo of fifteen  minutes of shame that lasted thirty years. WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Transcripts Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook YouTube Threads [email protected]  Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.  
May 1
48 min
“Did You Guys Know I Was Gay?” with Smoove
Sara Gardner came to town/ Turned her bike into a crown/ Rode the bus to sororities/ For shits and giggles-what a tease!/ Went out west to use her math/ Stacked up cash and came on back/ Opened the doors to a rainbow space/ Stuck some fake teeth in her face/ Trolls the town, leaves some aghast/ And now she’s a guest on our podcast. Special thanks to Jon Hancuff for kicking off the episode. Sign up to follow him here! WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Transcripts Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Threads [email protected]  Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Apr 1
1 hr 9 min
Shoes on a Wire, Shirts on the Press, and Dogs on the Floor
Today we talk about T-shirts that make you feel like a loser and T-shirts that make you feel like today is your day. We also discuss Jim from badknees, T-shirt whisperer, and Chris Mott, killer artist. You even get to hear one of his songs, “All the Dogs,” from the PURPLE 7 album Jewel Finger. Find the link below. And while you're at it, go out and get yourself some street cred by pre-ordering one of our shirts, mugs, totes, or buttons by March 15! MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! PURPLE 7 album Jewel Finger Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Support badkneests.com Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook Threads [email protected] 
Mar 11
7 min
Hot Off the Press with Mike Conway
Bloomington Stories snags interview with media maven, Mike Conway! Hold onto your fedoras, folks, because Bloomington Stories has just landed the interview of the century! Fresh off the press, we've got the lowdown on our chat with none other than Dr. Mike Conway, the head honcho over at the esteemed Indiana Broadcast History Archive (IBHA)! This sharp fella isn't just another suit, mind you. Dr. Conway's practically a walking encyclopedia of news! Back in the day, this ace reporter wore every hat imaginable in the bustling world of television newsrooms – from sharpshooting photographer to the smooth-talking anchorman himself! But before he was the kingpin of the IBHA, preserving Indiana's media legacy, Dr. Conway was just a bright-eyed young buck at IU, spinning tunes on the college radio station (WIUS, now known as WIUX) and chasing the big stories. We even got the exclusive scoop on his daring hitchhiking adventure in the 80s, where he trekked across the country with a petition straight for the desk of the one and only David Letterman! Talk about moxie! So, grab your best listening ears, Bloomington! This episode is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes secrets and historical insights! Don't miss it! Also, BIG NEWS: WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Show Links: History of IU Radio Indiana Broadcast History David Letterman Interviews Transcripts Support:  Support Bloomington Stories Contact & Follow: Instagram Facebook Threads [email protected]  Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Mar 1
1 hr 10 min
Trash Talking with Bethany Robinson
Salvage yard. Does that phrase make you think of goats or ducks? Baby dolls? Unicycles? Barges? Field trips? The January 6 Insurrection? Hugging? Our guest, Bethany Robinson, is the vice president of JB's Salvage, a classic Bloomington business on the west side of Bloomington. We had the pleasure of getting the history of this salvage yard that her father, J.B. Robinson, started decades ago and built into a thriving business before he passed away. We also get to ask her all the questions about the weird shit that happens at a salvage yard. Come along and listen to stories about a place where stuff goes to die–and eventually get reborn. At the beginning of the episode we talk about the podcast Down in Bloomington. Check it out! BIG NEWS: WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Support Bloomington Stories Transcripts Contact & Follow: [email protected]  Instagram Facebook Threads Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Feb 1
1 hr 9 min
Tales from the Gulch with Miles and Alex
We take a conversational stoll through our town, this time joined by fellow podcasters Alex and Miles from “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Gulch.” We talk about our shared love for Bloomington (the Gulch), but also our common experience of defending the decision to stay here. These Hoosier Alan Lomaxes tell us about Nighthawk, a local caped crusader, and his direct action crew. We also get to hear about Humor the Clown, who is actually a mime. Along the way, we talk about Reggie Miller, Farm Aid, Alex’s last name, Miles’ alter-ego, Premiles, and, of course, John Mellencamp. We even get a guest appearance by Sushi the cat, and an original poem by Alex. This episode is a love letter to Bloomington to close out 2023. BIG NEWS: WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Support Bloomington Stories Transcripts Contact & Follow: [email protected]  Instagram Facebook Threads Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Jan 1
1 hr 7 min
California Sober with Freda Love Smith
According to her recently published book, I Quit Everything, Freda Love Smith quit everything. But she does still talk, and we can prove it. And when she did do stuff, she played drums with The Blake Babies, Juliana Hatfield, Antenna, Gentleman Caller, Sunshine Boys, and Mysteries of Life among other 90s darlings. She wrote Red Velvet Underground, a cookbook/ memoir. However, once again we have no interest in lingering on our guest’s remarkable accomplishments but prefer to bring out the worst in them. So get ready to hear about Ricky’s Cantina, robotripping, and roughing up a local celebrity. PS The related articles on Freda’s Wikipedia page are “Erzulie, Family of Voodoo spirits,” “Felix da Housecat, American DJ and record producer,” and “Debra L. Shapiro, American scholar.” BIG NEWS: WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Support Bloomington Stories Transcripts Contact & Follow: [email protected]  Instagram Facebook Threads Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Dec 1, 2023
59 min
Nailin' It with Rusty Peterson
Rusty Peterson is the drummer in our band, The ShackUps, and the mysteriously sexy voice behind the Bloomington Stories intro. He is also a master carpenter and owns Rusty Peterson Construction. But we don’t like to dwell on the things people are good at. In this episode, Rusty tells us about his experiences with nature, nudity, yoga cults, 10 gallon buckets of dumpster pie, and sinking boats. If you don’t believe us, why don’t ya just take a listen for yourself, ya lil bitch. BIG NEWS: WE HAVE MERCH! Designed by Chris Mott and sponsored by badknees. Check it out! Support Bloomington Stories Transcripts Contact & Follow: [email protected]  Instagram Facebook Threads Content Warning: It is never our intention to hurt or offend people, and we plan to be mindful about not punching down. We are always open to feedback about this because we want to keep growing and evolving until we croak. However, we do like to joke around and we are middle-aged, so our sense of humor may not be for you.
Nov 1, 2023
1 hr 3 min
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