The Hardest Podcast to Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Hardest Podcast to Podcast, we are joined by Josh Custodio to discuss "Black Math", the second track off 2003's "Elephant".

Ryan and Josh dive into the lyrics as Jack White sings about struggling to properly learn from teachers and authority figures. They also discuss the song's long-term live history, punk rock origins, and the song's relatively unknown official music video.

Josh Custodio is the host of the fantastic Wrestling Brain Twitch stream, and his Patreon does not disappoint either.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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The inaugural episode of The Hardest Podcast to Podcast has Hotel Mira's Charlie Kerr joining Ryan Schaap to discuss "I’m Lonely (but I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)", the quiet coda of 2005's Get Behind Me Satan.

Charlie reflects on The White Stripes' impact on his writing and approach to music, while Ryan realizes his 17-year-old self wrote this song off far too quickly. This song showcases Jack White's storytelling while encapsulating a key part in The White Stripes' evolution.

When you're done listening to this podcast, go listen to Hotel Mira's new album Pity Party.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

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This is the Hardest Podcast to Podcast.

Each Tuesday, host Ryan Schaap and a guest will dive into one random White Stripes song and shine a light on the band’s catalogue. Every song will be covered on this podcast. All eighty-seven album songs, forty-two singles and b-sides. We’ll even review the four remixes released by our favourite brother and sister duo from Detroit.

What’s our goal on this project?

We’re going to celebrate the band, and discover the impact they had on people. But we’re really working towards something fun as we work to get Jack White himself to join the show and discuss three hand-picked songs. Some that define the band, others that are a bit-less celebrated, and we will work hard in our quest to have Jack join us and discuss each of them. That’s right. This show’s lofty goal is to have Jack White join the show not once, but three times.

Seems like a fitting number.

What songs are reserved for Jack? We’ll never share that info. Well, there could be a hint here or there. Come along on this journey as we revisit and revel in all things White Stripes.

Hotel Mira's Mike Noble joins this episode of the Hardest Podcast to Podcast to discuss "My Doorbell", the third track off 2005's "Get Behind Me Satan". But before we can discuss this song, we need to discuss The White Stripes being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, class of 2025, their first year of eligibility.

Ryan and Mike discuss the song's simple but catchy structure, the incredible form it took live, and how versatile and malleable this timeless track became immediately upon release.

The also cover the incredible performance of the song on Later with Jools Holland in 2007 that saw Jack White, Meg White, and Jools Holland give the song a whole new life.

Mike Noble plays bass in the tremendous Hotel Mira. Listen to their new album "Pity Party" and catch them in a sold-out room across North America.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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A deep cut off side B of 2001's "White Blood Cells" is featured this week. Longtime broadcaster and music journalist Paul McLellan joins us to discuss "I Can't Wait."

Ryan and Paul dive into the themes of the song, Meg White's sick snare drum fills, and what this song represents during a very important timeframe of the White Stripes' history.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

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Clocking at 1:58 with a twenty-five second home recording intro, "Let's Build A Home" makes so much noise in so little time while leaving a lasting impression in the White Stripes' catalogue. 

Ryan and Dan discuss the adorable Gillis Family recording off the top of the song, count the song's lyrics (there aren't many), and look at the song's incredible live performance legacy.

From Under Blackpool Lights to Late Night with Conan O'Brien to a bowling alley in Saskatoon, this rowdy track off 2000's "De Stijl" absolutely delivers.

Dan hosts 'Islanders Anxiety', a podcast covering all-things New York Islanders from all angles.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

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A live favourite and one of the best cover songs in the White Stripes' catalogue, and it's not "Jolene"?!

Ryan and guest Jason Manning discuss the song brought to the table by Meg White, who felt the band should cover it, and how they turned the classic song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David into something incredible, unique, and powerful.

For the first time in this podcast's early existance, this episode has a lot to talk about regarding the official video for the song. Sofia Coppola's vision of Kate Moss pole dancing alone to this song came to life in 2003. 

For the past decade, Jason Manning has been a pillar of alternative rock radio in Vancouver. You can listen to him weekdays in Vancouver on 96.9 Jack FM

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

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A simple and stripped-down tale of someone longing to help a woman in distress, Apple Blossom is still being performed live, twenty five years later.

Fake Shark's lead singer Kevvy joins Ryan to discuss the song's simplistic recording in Jack White's living room, it's longevity in the White Stripes' live set, and it's second life after being featured prominently in Quentin Tarantino's 2015 film "Hateful Eight"

Listen to Fake Shark's new single "I'm With Stupid" and catch them on the Fake Bastards Tour with Johnny Manchild & The Poor Bastards across North America.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

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WAIT//LESS is fresh off opening for Jack White at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC. Allie Sheldan shares her band's story of getting hand picked by Jack White and all the positive things he is doing for up-and-coming bands.

Ryan and Allie discuss "The Big Three Killed My Baby", one of the White Stripes' heavier tracks, a song of protest against the big three motor companies that built up and tore down Detroit, Michigan. 

Listen to WAIT//LESS' latest single "Hot Girl" and look out for their debut album coming soon.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

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Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine? Meg Has No Faith in Jack's Lyrics.

Bryan Quinby joins us this week to talk about the frenetic track on 2003's "Elephant". The song is catchy, fast, and loud but almost did not see the light of day. 

They discuss Bryan's musical journey from Nu Metal to the White Stripes, look at the band's history in Columbus, and discuss Jack White's strange inspiration for a song that Meg, quite frankly, didn't like that much.

Follow Bryan on Bluesky and listen to Guys: A Podcast About Guys and the P.O.D. Kast.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod