The Hardest Podcast to Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The two podcasts of the Jack White universe collide for a special cross-over episode you never thought you'd need!

James and Paul Kaminski from The Third Men Podcast join Ryan to discuss their podcasting journeys, their respective fandoms, and of course, Hello Operator, the only single off the 2000 alum De Stijl album.

A key staple in The White Stripes' legacy, "Hello Operator" is arguably the best example of their primal, stripped-down blues sound, complete with a Meg White "drum solo" and a harmonica break that comes blasting out of nowhere!

Follow and listen to The Third Men Podcast - James and Paul have been covering all things White Stripes, Jack White, Third Man Records, and everything in between for nearly a decade! 

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz

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Have you been to the broken bricks, girl?

Ryan and Matt gather to break down Broken Bricks off their debut album. A rumpus, fast-paced punk track that's barely 1:45, and seemingly the only White Stripes original song with lyrics not written by Jack White.

They discuss the poetry behind the song, it's big return as a Jack White solo live track, and much more! 

Listen to Matt play drums in Terrifying Girls' High School , check out the Hot Action Podcast, and be sure to check out the film Thanks to the Hard Work of Elephants.

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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Meg pointed at a screwdriver across the room and told Jack it would make a good song title. 

Screwdriver is the topic of discussion this week. Hotel Mira's Mike Noble becomes the first two-time guest of the podcast as they dive into arguably the White Stripes' oldest songs. From its jam-session beginnings, to it being another one of the band's "North Star" live songs, this blues riff and simple but catchy lyrics have been at Jack's side ever since.

Screwdriver has followed the band onto national television, countless releases, and still being performed live to this day.

Mike Noble plays bass in the tremendous Hotel Mira. Listen to their new album "Pity Party" and catch them in a packed room on their upcoming North American tour beginning October 6 in Saskatoon, SK.

Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap

Artwork: Catlin Likely

Intern: Amanda Schultz

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod

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Ryan and Gigi discuss "White Moon", the beautiful piano track off 2005's Get Behind Me Satan.

Only played four times live, there is one performance of the song that every fan remembers. Serving as the final scene of their 2010 documentary "Under Great White Northern Lights", the song and performance perfectly encapsulates all that is special about Jack and Meg White.

Listen to Gigi Marie's new album All Things Night & Beautiful and be sure to check her out live.

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

The White Stripes' live staple. Their best cover, and perhaps the most important b-side in their discography?

Andrea and Ryan discuss the White Stripes' cover of the Dolly Parton classic. They look at the song's history and origin, and marvel at the song's vulnerability.

The Stripes' cover took on a new identity live and is the shining example of the band's creativity and sheer power.

Based in Vancouver, BC, Andrea Woo reports extensively on substance use, mental health, and the intersection of health and climate change for the The Globe and Mail.

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

Little Cream Soda was one of the few premeditated things The White Stripes did, being their sixth and final "Little" song that found their way on each of their albums. 

Ryan and Sam discuss Little Cream Soda's early origins on the Elephant tour, the song's abbreviated live history, and some of the lyrical themes in this heavy driving track by the White Stripes.

They also discuss the Icky Thump-era White Stripes, and where they were at creatively entering their sixth album. 

You can listen to Sam weekdays on X 92.9 FM in Calgary, Alberta.

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

Did trouble-making youth outside the gas station inspire this song? Yes. Yes they did.

Hardcore drummer and film producer Matt Kerr joins the podcast to discuss "I Think I Smell A Rat" off of 2001's White Blood Cells. 

The song is a live staple, a personal favourite of Jack White, and one of the most unique songs in the White Stripes' catalogue. Ryan and Matt discuss the song's origins as old interview quotes provide insight into the song. 

Listen to Matt play drums in Terrifying Girls' High School , check out the Hot Action Podcast, and be sure to check out the fantastic film Riceboy Sleeps.

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

Short song, long conversation.

Ryan's joined in his little room with Andrew Zuber to discuss "Little Room", the short but impactful track off 2001's White Blood Cells.

The two discuss the challenges and struggles of the creative process, and how the White Stripes carried this song with them for some of the biggest moments of their career as the band's popularity continued to rise.

Ryan also suggests Jack White's inspiration for this simplistic song might be found in his favourite song, Son House's "Grinnin' in Your Face."

You can listen to The Zubes each and every Wednesday on A.E. Double Dudes, available on the Wrestling Brain Twitch stream or podcast feed.

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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Alan Cross joins Ryan on this episode to discuss the title track off the White Stripes' final album, 2007's Icky Thump.

They discuss the state of the band following the release of the Raconteurs' debut album 'Broken boy Soldiers', and look at why 'Icky Thump' was ultimately their final album following the grueling touring schedule they took on in 2007.

They also reflect on the 2008 documentary "It Might Get Loud" and share their thoughts on Third Man Records in Nashville.

You can listen to Alan Cross on The Ongoing History of New Music and Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry

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

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