In a “Not For Nothing…” first, Kyle and Ethan go on a double date with two people that Kyle feels you should know. Nick and Jené are a married couple that Kyle has known since early summer 2021. Instantly, it was clear that they were going to be fast friends. And in this first double date between friends, we discuss what it means to cultivate new and existing adult friendships. So, grab some wine and join us on this evening with friends and wine.

After a brief summer hiatus, “Not For Nothing…” is back with a brand new episode! What are we talking about? What else? Our summer vacation. Along with friends of the show, Michelle Cassel and Florent Cornillac, Kyle and Ethan traveled to the East Coast to visit Michelle’s hometown of Baltimore. While there, they made pit stops in Bethany Beach, Delaware, and in Washington, D.C. Kyle is, once again, joined by Ethan Hamm to discuss all that and more in the first episode of Autumn!

Kyle is joined by filmmaker Florent Cornillac to discuss his philosophies of filmmaking, his journey to becoming an artist, and his experience of enjoying other people’s art as an artist. When Flo and Kyle get together, they usually wind up back in the conversation about movies they have seen, or movies they want to see. Kyle also bestowed upon Flo the joy that is “I Love Lucy.” Flo had never heard of the show, but now he is a true convert. And just as Kyle has made Flo a convert to classic television, Flo has brought Kyle to many movies he has never experienced before. In this episode, enjoy a little shop talk between two artists .

Welcome back to the conversation. Today, Kyle and Sarah Cooper talk all about the ways we turn art into more art. Starting with taking straight plays or movies and turning them into musicals, and continuing through the things no one asked for and continue to do. Who sang it better? Lucille Ball or Angela Lansbury? Whose idea was it for Carrie Underwood to play Maria Von Trapp? Was Sweeney Todd a true story? All this and more in today’s episode of “Not For Nothing…”

Kyle and bestie, Sarah Cooper, continue their discussion of Sarah’s favorite rock songs that she has wanted to share with her best friend. Kyle wanted to shine a spot light on the types of conversations that he and Sarah have very regularly in which they unpack the art, moments in pop culture and politics, and even the goings-on of their favorite news-makers. They look at things from different angles, they discuss its position in the bigger picture of the story of us, and they discuss how it can affect people in different ways. This could very well be one of the most quintessentially Kyle conversations this show has ever seen.

Kyle is exploring the nature of the things we choose to share with our friends. In this episode, he is joined by best friend of the show, Sarah Cooper to discuss the ways they share content with one another. To give a prime example of the nature of their sharing, Sarah has given Kyle a list of eight rock and roll songs to listen to and then they are going to discuss them right here on the show. In a very first attempt at a more interactive experience for the listeners, the list is provided right here in the show notes. That way, you can follow along and be an active part of the conversation. The first half of the eight-song list will be discussed this week and next week, Kyle and Sarah will pick up with the second half. Happy listening! 1. Black Sabbath - “War Pigs”2. Alice Cooper - “Only Women Bleed”3. Ozzy Osbourne - “Mama, I’m Coming Home”4. Alice Cooper - “Stolen Prayer”Below is the link to the Spotify playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kXN83SyG5M5ZfKnrRGo8y?si=xCIJ2NkfRZu9iDoghBpyDw&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1

Kyle is talking to his friend Joseph Titizian about all things Disneyland. Summer is in full swing and Disneyland is fully open. So, people are flocking to it in droves. So, what better way for Kyle to prepare for his long-awaited return to his happy place than to talk to an expert who also happens to be a close friend. Kyle and Joseph talk about aesthetic choices, history, missteps, and triumphs. These two self-proclaimed Disney nerds will get you in the mood for a summer sojourn to the place where magic happens. Joseph also runs a delightful Instagram blog that is a wonderful love letter to Disney fans of all ages. You can follow along or join in the fun by following @exploringthedisneyworld on Instagram.

At the midway point of 2021, Kyle takes a pause to check in with Ethan. The two discuss how they have done so far in the follow-up to 2020. The verdict? It has been a year that has progressed at break-neck speeds, but everyone is succeeding. After every great disaster in history, there is always a renaissance. And the 20s of the 21st century are no exception. The time has come to lay it all out on the table and place your bets on the future, because the future looks bright!

Mandy Shunnarah is a writer, book blogger, and vintage seller. She is originally from Alabama, but now Columbus, Ohio is her home. She is also a bisexual woman who is married to a man. Not surprisingly this, among other things, gives her a complex relationship with Pride Month festivities. Mandy also tells the story of the Black Pride 4, four queer people who showed up at Columbus Pride holding Black Lives Matter signs and ultimately wound up in jail. She delves into the divisions and problematic behavior of the organization Stonewall Columbus, and how, through their misguided behavior, a more inclusive group began to organize and is bringing a brighter future for the Pride festivities of Columbus.Later in the episode, Mandy gives us a first taste of her upcoming book, “Midwest Shreds: Skaters and Skate Parks in Middle America.” Her recent research tour of skate parks across middle America is chronicled on her social media.@offthebeatenshelf@midwestshreds@fixedbaroque

As Pride month progresses, Kyle continues the conversation about what Pride means to others. This week, librarian, Alyx Kim-Yohn comes to the show. Alyx and Kyle have been friends from a distance for years. They share a best friend in common, Friend-of-the-Show Sarah Cooper. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing quarantine have given them a chance to deepen their friendship, and so Kyle did the only natural thing to do, bring them on the show! Alyx is a librarian who identifies as non-binary and their pronouns are They/Them/Theirs. In this episode, we explore the nuances of being non-binary from Alyx’s perspective, the importance of representation, and the importance of respect. Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Alyx has now lived in Columbus, OH, and Nashville, TN before settling back down in Huntsville. They have a unique perspective on Pride in three distinct cities and the differences are stark.