Brother Jack’s Soapbox: Recent Episodes
Brother Jack
This is Brother Jack talking about all things related to what he does. We talk about folk music, songwriting, being a creative, and black coffee.
Grab a snack and pour out your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
- Soundtrack for Riding a Bike
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This one is all about our song called Bleeding Time.
It also introduces a new series called Brother Jack’s Woodshed.
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Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
- Oddballs, Old Friends, and Weird Folk
- Kissing Tree
- Windows
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Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
Today features some of my favorite songs because it’s my birthday!!!
- Where I Go
- Chicken Skin Shake
- Bleeding Time
- Boom Boom Ticka Ticka
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Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
This installment features the music from our release Coffee Music, Vol. 3.
- Agoraphobia
- Nostalgic
- Grief
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Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
This installment features the music from our release titled, Coffee Music, Vol. 2.
- Pedal Down
- Surprise Me
- The Hand Song
show notes
Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
- A Chance
- Shadowlands
- Beautiful Grace
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Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
- Joyous Noise
- Kissing Tree
- Rivers of Light
show notes
Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
- Bleeding Time
- Agoraphobia
- Boom Boom Ticka Ticka
show notes
Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
Blue Ribbon
Coyotes
Grief
show notes
Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
I am drinking water from a glass that has an annoying soap residue ring. It’s clean, it just doesn’t look like it.
- Hen House
- Pancakes
- Boom Boom Ticka Ticka
show notes
Grab a snack and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
I am drinking whiskey in a jar.
- Whiskey in the Jar
- Wild Rover
- Mr Malarkey
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Pop some popcorn and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
I am drinking a cup of coffee from a dirty diner coffee mug. The coffee is so weak that my pancakes are embarrassed to be associated with it.
- How Do You Hold Your Coffee Cup
- Sacrament of Coffee
show notes
Pop some popcorn and pour your favorite libation. It's time for a bootleg concert with Brother Jack.
I am drinking a cocktail made of chicken stock and bitters from a broken hour glass.
- Bleeding Time
- Agoraphobia
- Chicken Skin Shake
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This is the first episode in a new series. It is an exclusive concert. You will only hear this performance right here.
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I've always wanted to write a Christmas song but all the good material has been used. Every year I try a handful of ideas but nothing has worked. This year is different. I have to give credit where credit is due. This song was my cat's idea. She gave me the idea while I was cleaning up a little pile that she made for me. The pile was comprised of some chewed up ribbon, partially digested kitty kibble, shards of tinsel and a clump of cat fur. Thanks Maggie. Here is the New Song Nooner about my new song called Cat in the Christmas Tree.
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. Traditions are how we mark time and celebrate moments. This is a new Thanksgiving tradition for me. I hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving tradition and have a slice of pie today in honor of my favorite holiday.
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I love songwriting. This episode is all about how I wrote my song called The Hand Song.
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We have a new project that just came out. It is called Coffee Music, Vol. 3. It's three acoustic tracks in a philosophical style. Today's episode features two different New song Nooners related to the project. The New Song Nooner series is a songwriting session with a demo version of the new song. I record them whenever I write a new song. You will hear the birth of Agoraphobia and Nostalgic. Enjoy this explanation of how the soup is made.
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My most popular episodes have been the shows that include my kids. I understand. They are far more engaging, better public speakers, and much cuter than Brother Jack. In this episode I interview my 4 year old twins about Halloween.
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This is how I wrote my song called The Graveyard Song. It's another songwriting session where I break down the nitty-gritty details on how the song got it's legs.
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I love songwriting. I love talking about songwriting. I love hearing other people talk about songwriting. This episode is a deep exploration of songwriting. This is how I wrote Shadowlands.
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I recorded this way back near the beginning of the "Great Shutdown of 2020." I have some doubts about putting it out into the world. It feels like it was a different lifetime. I remember those early naive days. The major online retailers were prioritizing essential household goods as a result of the strange toilet paper shortage. This made it difficult to get my hands on the truly essential goods...new ukulele strings.
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We just celebrated the Autumn Equinox and it is officially fall. This is my absolute favorite time of year. I love apple cider, crunchy leaves, and fuzzy sweaters. In this episode I am sharing two separate pieces of fall related material. When I write a new song, I record a demo version and post it to Instagram. I call this series "New Song Nooners" because they are new songs and I always post them at noon. I recently wrote two brand new songs that have an autumnal vibe. This episode contains both New Song Nooners. You can hear "My Favorite Old Sweater" and "Windows." I am really excited about these songs and I think you are going to enjoy them.
Show Notes
I've got a story for you this week. It's all about Uncle Leroy, a birch tree, Grandma, and the fictitious time that my band played for 37 hours straight. If you think this story would be great in a written format, email me and let me know.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
We started a new series called Pull Up the Covers. Each episode will include a cover song and a fictitious bed. I learned a new skill for this series. I use a green screen to create some video magic and place myself on random beds I find on the internet while performing songs I rip off from other people. Don't worry, it's not as sleazy as it sounds. You are going to love it.
This series can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Check out the show notes for links.
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/36-introducing-pull-up-the-covers
We put out a song about pancakes and people seem to like it. As a result, a lot of the extra content we have been making is focused on pancakes and pancake accessories. I decided we would ride the pancake train until it reaches the end of the line or completely derails in a fiery crash. In my search for more and more pancake related content, I determined to interview my two youngest kids about our shared love of pancakes. Upon beginning the interview, they informed me that they both prefer waffles.
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/35-my-kids-are-talking-trash
A great way to stay connected is to share a meal. We started a new series that includes some dinner music and a hypothetical question to spark some conversation. It also includes dinner with my live studio audience. Check out the first episode of Mealtime Melodies.
If you are headed to the future in a time machine, what are you going to wear?
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/?p=13056
Every superhero has an origin story. It's the back story about how they got their superpowers. This is Brother Jack's origin story.
We are all superheroes. We all have alter ego's and secret identities. We have parts of ourselves that show up and help us succeed in different circumstances. Are you showing up in the most important moments as the best version of yourself? Who is the character living deep inside that will help you be a better you?
Enough of the mushy stuff, you should try being Brother Jack. Let's hear your best imitation. Here we go..."Brothers and Sisters, we are gathered here today..."
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/33-all-about-brother-jacks-character
Bleeding Time is my favorite song that I've written in a long time. It's all about the disorienting sense of time during the Great Shutdown of 2020. Days drag on forever and months are blinking by in a moment.
This episode includes our New Song Nooner for Bleeding Time. It provides the songwriting process and the first demo version of the song.
The bonus segment this week is the second installment of our soapbox series. I rant and rave about our need for honest-to-goodness, bona fide experts.
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/32-all-about-time-and-experts
Here is one more stack of pancakes.
This episode features a New Song Nooner segment all about the song "Pancakes." The New Song Nooner series broadcasts initially to Instagram. It includes some songwriting ideas about a song and the first initial demo version of the song. You will hear the earliest version of "Pancakes.". It hasn't changed much.
For our bonus segment, we are including the first installment of our new Soapbox series. Today, I rant about wearing masks. Being belligerent about wearing masks is a totally cool and fun thing to do, right?
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/31-more-pancakes-and-some-public-urination
If you listen to this episode, you will be a pancake expert. If you really listen and absorb it all, you will know everything there is to know about the humble flapjack. This episode features a new installment of Brother Jack Can't Shut Up and it's everything I know about pancakes. There is also a segment from a new series. This is the first episode of Cooking with Brother Jack...in less than a minute. We might need a better name for that series but I wanted to do a cooking segment, obviously about pancakes. It's on Instagram where the videos can only be a minute long. So, we had to make those pancakes quick and dirty. I think you will enjoy this. Thanks for joining me on the old soapbox.
https://brotherjackslostcause.com/30-all-about-the-flapjacks/
I am Brother Jack and this is my soapbox. I am a musician, songwriter, entertainer, and a stay at home dad. On this platform we share all the things on which I am working. You’re going to love it. Thanks for joining me up here on my soapbox.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
Mrs Brother Jack was making fun of my smooth dance moves. She said, “what is that, the chicken skin shake?” So I wrote a song about my fancy moves. Now, I am waiting for it to become the latest dance sensation. I know that it will never be as awesome as the Hokey Pokey but I am proud of this new song. In this episode, you will hear the original demo version of the song and a songwriter session breaking down the writing. This episode also features an exclusive listen to an alternative studio version of the song. Grab some elbow room and get ready for some dancing. You are going to love the Chicken Skin Shake!
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This is a birthday message from Brother Jack. No, today is not my birthday. I recorded this on my birthday and you get to hear it, today. It’s all about my hairstyle choices. We all have options in life and hairstyle is one more decision on the ever-expanding list. I’ve always been an “all or nothing” kind of guy.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This episode is about a dream that I had. It’s also about a job. I guess it is also about finding purpose in our work in general. It’s also about a snake. Mostly, it’s about a dream.
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This is another installment from our Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up series. I go on and on and on about writing songs for kids. It’s all about our song Fox and Coyote from the Weird Folk record.
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This is the last episode in our second Getting Started series. During this series I talked about all of the limitations that I encounter when I am starting a new project. I made this series to help me prioritize the creative work that is the most important. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned through this process is that limitations are essential. Even if they are artificial or self-inflicted, I need limitations. Self imposed rules force me to focus on the most important part. I hope this helps you too. Let me know what self imposed limitations you use to get more work done.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This episode is another installment of our Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up series. In this episode, I go on and on and on about leftovers. The current global crisis has caused me to be more aware of the food we use. I need to be more thoughtful about our food consumption. We try to be good stewards of our food resources but we waste a lot. This episode about leftovers might help me do a better job. Brothers and sisters, eat your leftovers!
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
I made a song called the Sacrament of Coffee. It was recorded on a pump organ. I love the sound of a pump organ. This episode chronicles my adventure to acquire a pump organ. Mrs Brother Jack is still not happy about the pump organ.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This one is a Malarkey story. It’s about a confrontation between Mr Malarkey and the legendary Saint Patrick. I’m talking about the honest to goodness, religious superhero. Saint Patrick brought Christianity to all the old Druids. That was a tall task and here we have an equally tall tale about Mr Malarkey’s chickens and some dirty old snakes.
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I am a stay at home dad. I love the perfect cup of coffee. My kids have dedicated themselves to destroying everything I love. They come up with new ideas everyday to distract me from my Sacrament of Coffee. My release for the month of March is all about the daily spiritual quest for a hot cup of coffee. This episode is all about writing the Sacrament of Coffee.
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The word malarkey means nonsense or meaningless talk. I resemble that. I think we all have alter egos or personas that we embody to help us accomplish certain things. Mr Malarkey helps me be a better entertainer. It’s not acting or fake. It’s an amplification of a distinct part of myself. I want to be a good storyteller. Mr Malarkey helps me tell better stories.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
We all have fears. They can be paralyzing. If we allow it, they will consume us and take over. The only way to conquer the fear is to start moving. Stop thinking about it and start moving. Just keep moving.
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This is another installment of our Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up series. Listen, as I go on and on and on about my inability to quit. It’s not a noble character. It’s not genius, boldness, or braveness. Most people have a switch inside that makes them stop when facing devastating failure. I don’t have that switch. If I get an idea, regardless of how impractical or ridiculous, I just keep going. It’s not perseverance. It’s heroic stupidity.
This episode is all about a song called Sacrament of Coffee. Make sure to follow us on Spotify or any of those places to hear if we succeed with out heroic quest.
This episode is from our series where I pick a topic and talk on and on and on about that topic. We call it Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up. It seems like an appropriate title. This installment is all about Valentine’s Day. We talk about candy hearts, school parties, beekeeping, murderous mobsters, and the brief period of time that Uncle Leroy spent sober. Grab some honey, it’s Valentine’s Day.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
Training should never be a barrier to entry at this point in history. It’s not hard to learn something new. Although, is it nessecary to become an expert at your new skill? I think it’s more beneficial to learn a lot of skills than to master one thing. The truth is that I hate to practice. I’ve found that being a little bit weird makes up for not practicing. If you can’t be good, be interesting.
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Does anybody ever get to the end of the road and complain about having too much time? Does anybody ever say, “I wish my life had been shorter?” Is anybody ever satisfied with the number of seconds they spent on this earth? How are you spending your time today? I could do a better.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
I started this series to address all of the limitations I encounter when I am starting something new. Today we are talking about money. It doesn’t matter how much you plan ahead and prepare, there is never enough money to do everything you want to do. I guess the key is knowing when something is good enough. Good enough usually happens around the time I ran out of money. Let’s get started.
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This is the first episode in our new Getting Started series. It's all about the limitations that I encounter when I am starting something new. The first issue we tackle is the paralyzing abundance of choice that shows up when making important decisions. If I am making a record or ordering breakfast, an excess of options complicates the process. What are you having for breakfast? Time to get to work.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This episode is from our “Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up” series. I go on and on about picking songs. This episode is also part of the exclusive content that we put together for the Weird Folk album launch. This is behind the scenes content and you are going to hear it, right now. This episode also introduces a new series we are doing about limitations. This will be the second chapter in our “Getting Started” series and it's about the limitations we face with a new project. I guess this episode wears a lot of hats. I hope you enjoy it. Until next time, you all be fantastic.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
Everything that I attempt to do always begins with a failure. Sometimes they are more epic than others. Sometimes it requires many approaches before I figure it out. If it is worth doing, I figure it out, eventually. I am starting a new series to showcase my failures. Yes, this might be a bad idea. If it all goes poorly, I can do an episode about how I failed while trying to make a show about failing. This episode of the podcast is the first episode of my new series documenting my failures, enjoy my misery!
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Pick a holiday, any holiday. It’s a gamble, brothers and sisters. This whole time of year involves taking some chances. Pick your favorite tradition and see how it turns out. The only guarantee is that the store will run out of eggnog three days before Christmas and you will be out of luck until next year. Happy holidays from Brother Jack. Here’s hoping it is reasonably uneventful.
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This episode is another installment in our “Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up” series. I love doing these videos. It’s probably because I can’t shut up. I was watching our Thanksgiving installment and noticed the lamp sitting behind me. I love that lamp. It reminds me of my Aunt Ruth and it means a lot to me. This episode is all about that lamp.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
Every lifelong tradition starts with the first time. This is the first year you listened to Brother Jack’s Thanksgiving special. I am sure we will tweak it over the years and it will change and adapt. But 20 years from now, you will be sitting on the couch in your stretchy pants with your belly protruding from the second piece of pumpkin pie and you will have the family gathered around to listen to Brother Jack tell you everything he knows about Thanksgiving. In that moment, you will be glad that you listened the first time and started this tradition. Skip the shopping and listen another time because Brother Jack can’t shut up about Thanksgiving!
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My oldest daughter and I recently worked on a project together. We both lived through it. She folded some origami and we set it to a song from the latest record, Weird Folk. It was unbelievable making a video with my kid. I am so blessed that we had the opportunity to create together. In this episode we talk about the creative process and making this video together. I hope you enjoy the conversation we had on Brother Jack’s Soapbox.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This is another installment from our series where I can’t stop talking about a topic. It’s appropriately titled, Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up. The topic that I ramble on and on about this time is the lullaby. I argue with myself about the universal nature of the lullaby. Everybody sleeps. Try and stay awake through this episode.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This episode comes out on Halloween. I wanted to do something scary for the occasion. I decided to showcase The Graveyard Song. On this episode, I walk through the writing process behind this song.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
I recently acquired a pump organ and I wanted to tell you all about it. Here is everything I know about pump organs. It’s not much. Brother Jack can’t shut up.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
This is the first episode in a new series. Brother Jack Can’t Shut Up will be exactly what it sounds like. When Brother Jack starts talking, it’s hard to get him stopped. This first episode in the series features a story from Brother Jack about getting a rhythm stuck in his head. This nagging rhythm turned into his song Boom Boom Ticka Ticka.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
If something is worth doing, then it is worth doing the required paperwork. Every artistic endeavor has bureaucratic time requirements directly proportional to the amount of time spent on creating the project. I hate jumping through regulatory hoops but I love registering my work. The paperwork makes it all valid and substantial. Paperwork makes the world go around.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations
I should be podcasting, there is no real barrier to entry. I can’t decide what to talk about. What if nobody likes what I have to say? What if nobody listens? This episode is all about getting started with something new.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/brother-jacks-soapbox/donations