Exploring the Energy with Anzo & Friends – Details, episodes & analysis

As much as unexpected and tragic loss tests the human spirit, sometimes it can become the catalyst for good.  And that is exactly the mission that my friend, Erik Larson, has embraced after suddenly losing his best friend, Greg Kline, in August of 2020.

Greg had a motto that he lived by, Get Busy Living, and Erik embodies all that is about getting busy living.  But now, he’s also embodying getting busy GIVING.

Erik Larson, who many refer to as “The Swede” because of his Scandinavian good looks and impeccibly styled blond hair, decided he had a story to tell.  A story of his three nephews, who become wildly successful in the business of crypto currency, but the oldest brother, Billy, isn’t satisfied with materialism and modern “things of this world” and decides to travel the world in search of his true purpose in life.  Ultimately he discovers that purpose in a life devoted exclusively to God.  And in one of the most remote areas of the world no less - Mt Athos, Greece - where orthodox Christian monks have been serving God for over a thousand years.  This otherworldly devotion requires the avoidance of “distractions” such as money, women, and even family. 

The Swede shares how Billy, now known as Brother William, embraces his new reality, all the while his brothers, his mother, and his girlfriend know nothing about his whereabouts or the new life he now lives.  They become determined to find Billy and to “save him” from a life that has every sign of being a cult.

Based on a true story, Cold Storage includes it all.  Wealth, family, mystery, love, faith, and in the end, peace.

Erik wrote Cold Storage, available in print and soon in audio, to support his new Get Busy Giving nonprofit foundation.  As quoted on his website www.getbusygiving.net, Get Busy Giving is inspired by:

“...seeing what real generosity looks like. Our town has rallied around families in need, supported local causes, and lifted people up in ways that pushed us to do something of our own. So we built Get Busy Giving, a nonprofit run by six grateful friends who want to turn inspiration into action. Our mission is to support causes that matter, build connections, and encourage others to step up for their neighbors.  Greg Kline’s saying, “Get Busy Living,” reminds us to live with purpose and heart. Get Busy Giving is our way of carrying that spirit forward.

All proceeds from Cold Storage and related merchandise go directly to Paws of War, supporting the life-changing bond between rescued dogs and those who serve in the military and first responders.”

The 6 grateful friends referenced above include Greg & Melissa Kline’s three children - Tommy, Mikey, and Gracie - and Erik & Meredith Larson’s three children - Anna, James, and Jack.  Together they comprise Get Busy Giving’s board of directors.

And to steal one more line from Erik’s website:

"So shines a good deed in a weary world."      -Willy Wonka

So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

www.getbusygiving.net

getbusygiving@getbusygiving.net

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75EQYtN4axmGWGIpK0iA6p?si=HwSv9dsdRb2YC8yWVyFIBA&pi=od6v0bOgSDOyZ

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Huntington, Long Island - home to so many of the amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends and family - continues to create new bonds and new friendships.  In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I could not be more grateful for those connections. 

Thanks to a few of those lifelong friends, I’ve been recently connected to a fellow Huntingtonian, a fellow music-lover, fellow golfer, fellow genuinely happily married man and fellow father-of-three daughters.  A friend that truly gets what it means to Get Busy Living.  I’m proud and fortunate to call my guest, Rich Gray, a new friend and I’m excited to share our conversation. 

Our conversation covers ground dating back to the early ‘80’s in New York City when Rich was Lead DJ “spinning records” at the successor dance club to Studio 54, Danceteria, where he helped fuel the shift from disco to more alternative dance music.  As fate would have it, Rich met a woman at Danceteria who would ultimately turn out to become “the future Mrs. Gray”, though if you ask Janet, aka Mrs Gray, there may be some debate as to when exactly their fate was sealed ;)

Rich shares insights into music and a lot of bands that I have never heard before, which is one of the things I love most about Exploring the Energy, namely getting enlightened to new and wider horizons of music.  In the words of our beloved Billy Campion… “Hey man, there’s a lot of music out there.” 

So join us, and let's see where the energy takes us!

Cotton Fields / Credence Clearwater Revival

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cotton-fields/1440950503?i=1440950717

Don't Go Back to Rockville / R.E.M. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-go-back-to-rockville/1442454230?i=1442454641

Cousin Dupree / Steely Dan

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cousin-dupree/297597608?i=297597647

Roadhouse Blue / Doors https://music.apple.com/us/album/roadhouse-blues/511578072?i=511578100

Saint of Circumstance / Grateful Dead https://music.apple.com/us/album/saint-of-circumstance/663697282?i=663697477

You're the Best Thing / Style Council https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-the-best-thing-12-inch-version/1851028801?i=1851029447

Christmas Must Be Tonight / Goose

https://music.apple.com/us/album/christmas-must-be-tonight-live/1667827844?i=1667828935

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The title may be a bit of a giveaway, but unlike all previous episode show notes where I share a preview of the content, in this very special episode, I invite listeners to learn about my guest, Dan Pashman, by tuning in and finding out Dan’s amazing story for themselves.  In other words, I’ll keep you in suspense!

Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

Anything’s Pastable https://www.sporkful.com/anythings-pastable/  

The Sporkful https://www.sporkful.com/

Mission Impastable https://www.sporkful.com/tag/mission-impastable/  

Born to Run https://youtu.be/_uh5jg1_tmA?si=DQpCGMNGAT7bcr1W  https://music.apple.com/us/album/born-to-run/310730204?i=310730214

So Many Roads https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-many-roads-live-in-chicago-july-9-1995/307938974?i=307939172  

Hello in There https://music.apple.com/us/album/hello-in-there/1018524551?i=1018524558

Crash into Me https://music.apple.com/us/album/crash-into-me/388136111?i=388136331

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It was intentional and by design that the official rebrand of the podcast from Grateful Dad & Friends to Exploring the Energy w/ Anzo & Friends kicked off at a local, music-centric brewery, aptly named, U.S. Brews.  

What better place to explore the energy?!

In the inaugural episode, I’m joined by U.S. Brews owner & founder, Brian “Gunny” McGunnigle and Paul “Nud” Schmitz, with special cameo appearances by Kevin “Camper” Campion, Billy “Vic Thrill” Campion, and Billy “Mad Larry” Ryan.  We start by sharing the story behind the rebranding of the podcast and why I chose energy as the new theme and why “IFE” has become one of my mantras in life.

Next, Nud takes us back to the early 1970’s when he discovered his love of music by catching the Allman Brothers in our hometown of Huntington and how that love evolved into him becoming a musician in his own right.  He describes how he became part of Huntington’s own, Old #7 Band, along with “Hollywood Bob” Campion and how that friendship has lasted a lifetime. 

Then we let Gunny tell his story of how he gave up corporate America to follow his passion by opening up U.S. Brews Bottle Shop and how that leap of faith is fueling his soul.  He opens up about the journey and the blood, sweat and tears that he’s put into making USB what it is today - a vibrant, family friendly, music-centric brewery that the community has come to call home.

Finally, we share the mics with previous podcast guests Kevin Campion, Billy Ryan and Billy Campion so they can provide even more color behind the making of USB.

Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

U.S. Brews Bottle Shop & Kitchen https://usbrews.com/

Statesboro Blues https://music.apple.com/us/album/statesboro-blues-live-at-the-fillmore-east-first-show-1971/1440828148?i=1440828157

Suddenly https://music.apple.com/us/album/suddenly/286725737?i=286725771

Ripple w/ Sturgill Simpson https://youtu.be/p23bFRa0O0A?si=rGZxqWsT8P1wI3pS (edited) 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

I've known Jason Darby for over 45 years, and while we've long shared a deep bond through our love of family, golf & tennis, and music, I was still surprised by the depth of his knowledge when it comes to the guitar—and especially his passion for legendary players like Eddie Van Halen, Nuno Bettencourt, and Keith Richards, to name a few.

Our conversation kicks off with a trip down memory lane, back to the late ’70s on the Bay Hills Beach tennis courts, where a young Jason was my tennis “pupil.” From there, we fast forward to discussing what makes these guitar icons so extraordinary. Jason shares his insights into their unique styles and explains why he's spent so much time studying their technique and artistry in his personal pursuit of mastering the axe.  

We also take time to talk about the greatest joys in his life: his wife of 25 years, Trish, and their three incredible kids — Kaleigh, Peyton, and Patrick. The Darby family's list of achievements is too long to cover in one episode, but I’d be remiss not to mention Trish’s legendary run at St. Bonaventure, where she set all-time soccer scoring records and became the first (and only) female soccer player inducted into the university's Hall of Fame. Sorry, Trish—I had to brag a little. :)

Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

Circa Fall 1982, I first met Mike Rice in Huntington High School’s 9th-grade math class, where we became fast friends and “partners in crime.”   In fact, it turns out it wasn’t until we sat down on this Thursday afternoon in February ‘25, some 43years later, that we discovered our connection goes back as far as 1974, when we shared the same kindergarten class in Flower Hill Elementary School.Fast forward to 2025, Mike (aka “Sketch”) brings us back to his early days growing up “south of 25A” In Huntington and being inserted into the Huntington Bay party scene and the broader edginess of what was becoming a melting pot at HHS.
Sketchy then shares his journey from being a summer intern at ABC News to covering the turmoil abroad in Tiananmen Square in the ‘80’s.Next up, Mike’s 2-year residency in Japan…. as an Elvis impersonator.  Wait.  What?We then dive into more modern day life, and it’s safe to say that Sketch and I have barely scratched the surface.Join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

https://music.apple.com/us/album/rocks-off/1440872228?i=1440872593

https://music.apple.com/us/album/aja/1706428459?i=1706428462

https://music.apple.com/us/album/burning-love/388127843?i=388128626

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

My friend of 50+ years, Justin Rubin, joins me and shares his recent experience facing the L.A. Wildfires and how the fires have affected his closest friends in the surrounding areas, and how L.A. is rising to the occasion as they enter the rebuilding process.  

He relives his journey of his early days at Canterbury School when his world was rocked by the loss of his brother, Greg, from a brain tumor in 1984, followed by the loss of his sister, Carolyn, in 2004 from the same type of brain tumor that took Greg, exactly 20 years ago to the day.  He describes how he has coped with the losses and how music helps heal his grief.  We dive into lighter notes including his love of all genres, and he explains why “if it doesn’t suck, then I’m into it.”  We close out the conversation by learning what his wife, Tara, and 3 young adult “children” are up to in 2025.

Join us, and let’s see where this energy takes us!

*Recorded on February 13th, 2025

Hello Sunshine / Bruce Springsteen https://music.apple.com/us/album/hello-sunshine/1459884961?i=1459885035

Jeremy / Pearl Jam https://music.apple.com/us/album/jeremy-live-mtv-unplugged/1530957891?i=1530958222

Elephant / Jason Izbell https://music.apple.com/us/album/elephant/644761037?i=644761044

Fire On The Mountain / Grateful Dead https://youtu.be/fStQUpqVLM8?si=rBdzZJ-LucTP3tUJ

Orange Sky / Alexi Murdoch  https://music.apple.com/us/album/orange-sky/20782605?i=20782599     

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

Grateful Dad & Friends would not exist if it weren’t for my guest, Will Retherford, who founded and owns the Tulsa-based production company, Citizens of Sound. 

I have my friend Lawrence Zarian - who some of you may know from his regular appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show or from his podcast, You Are Beautiful With Lawrence Zarian - to thank for connecting us.  Although it’s my GUESTS who are the focus and who provide the content, Will does the behind-the-scenes heavy lifting by recording every episode in real-time, mixing, editing, and publishing each GD&F episode.  He makes the audio sound clean, crisp, and as Bobby liked to say, “just exactly perfect.”

As their website claims, Citizens of Sound “originated from the infamy of the 2020 Global Pandemic as a solution for people seeking to grow their businesses, engage with their communities, pitch their stories, and share voices of hope in a strenuous time. We are all citizens of our wonder-filled pale blue dot.”

I invited Will to be my guest to share the story of, among other things, his involvement in the church, his love of music, his talents in making music, and ultimately his journey in podcast production.  

I’m eternally grateful to call Will Retherford my producer, my friend, and most recently guest.  Thanks Will, you rule!  I also want to thank his wife, Charis, who designed the Grateful Dad & Friends™ logo.  Thanks Charis!  Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Will’s “righthand woman”, Leslie Dinsmore, who does an amazing job herding cats, coordinating the scheduling of our guests, locking in recording dates, and planning the release schedule.  Thanks Leslie!

Join us, and let’s see where this energy takes us!

​​Easy / Lionel Richie - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9rao8ee4392r9qq6aosj9/Lionel.mov?rlkey=2el36ng56oyja578fwdx2ko5h&st=wjaxav5r&dl=0

Tulsa Time / Eric Clapton & Sheryl Crow https://youtu.be/Q62bXCLpIE4?si=BBUusHDumNhe-U93

Silly Love / Bon Iver https://music.apple.com/us/album/skinny-love/947059824?i=947059829

I Know How You Get / Mk.Gee https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-know-how-you-get/1376936989?i=1376937002

Memory Bank / Saynt Ego https://music.apple.com/us/album/memory-bank/1730910642?i=1730910646

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

Love really IS in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day.  On today’s episode, I’m joined by the love of my life, my bride Ms Margs, and our friends, Lindsey Janes and Will Derasmoto, to celebrate their love and to toast to their recent engagement!
 
The conversation includes the story of how, despite the age gap and despite being in different phases of life during the early days of their relationship, they became the couple that they are today.  Similar to Margs and my story, in VERY short order, Lindsey & Will pulled off “The Trifecta” by adopting their first dog, getting engaged, and buying a house!

They share their mutual love of ALL music, including the likes of Bob Segar, Fleetwood Mac, Zach Bryan, and The Hollies.  And we wrap up with a game of “Tried & True Trivia w/ Andy & Margs” and finally Margs and I share our “Top 10 Lessons Learned From 28 Years of Marriage.”

Join us, and let’s see where this energy takes us!

Kentucky Derby Announcers Calling Mage to Win! https://youtu.be/ZH02-Yuw2gE?si=6h4Erygzg2RSVPWv

Night Moves / Bob Segar https://youtu.be/ePCiVK5Jjos?si=O5VOBFXWHFMiFOwN

Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress (REMIX) / Moonlight https://youtu.be/F0GbfUyjyKE?si=hpN8asELZT_lEnK2

Silver Springs / Fleetwood Mac https://youtu.be/eDwi-8n054s?si=dYfQYycxU9cehJcR

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

The Energy Train keeps rolling with an unforgettable guest: Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf. A dynamic personality with boundless energy, Fetts is a man of many talents—insane athletic ability, a battery that never quits, a wildly successful career, and his most important role of all - husband and proud father of three.

In this episode Fetts opens up about his journey, sharing how he overcame dyslexia to earn a spot at Cornell University, where he played Division 1 tennis and met his wife, Erica, on their very first day of freshman year.

He reveals the mystique of Cornell’s legendary Barton Hall, describing why this historic gymnasium has become such a magical venue for live music. Fetts also takes us on a journey across the country, recounting his post-college adventures with Erica as they embraced the ski bum lifestyle before settling into careers as a successful entrepreneur and a pediatric E.R. doctor.

Our conversation dives deep into the shared joy of music. While Fetts humorously admits, “I don’t know the name of any song or any lyrics,” he paints an infectious picture of his and Erica’s passion for dancing and their ongoing quest to relive the magic of their college days on the dance floor.

From his fearless approach to sports—“I hate sucking at anything”—to his larger-than-life energy, Fetts brings a wild ride of stories, laughter, and inspiration.

Join us, and let’s see where this energy takes us!

The Way It Is / Goose w/ Dave Matthews

 https://youtu.be/zD9iQdz4CIg?si=JRZW3jZYyxC1obIF

Heartbreaker / Led Zeppelin

https://youtu.be/meByGYfL9b4?si=qA6GRVlCaWQwvbGc

Cruiser / The Cars

https://youtu.be/dMjJTzcyN8w?si=OxjScSzYK0eKcGQ4

Scarlet Begonias / Grateful Dead

https://youtu.be/YFt7DobqbfI?si=u03EDPaADahuXw-Y

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