Anthem - "Sham Pain" by Five Finger Death Punch Erik is one of those guys that I almost immediately claimed as a family member from the day I met him. He's one of the funniest dudes I've ever met, but this show will be a side of Erik I saw very rarely. His story is one of personal accountability, but I hope we also find self-love and value in it as well. My Vegas people, keep an eye out for my boy Erik. Everyone else, I hope you enjoy this story from Erik.

**Mother's Day Special** Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's of all the entities out there. There were many folks who reached out to me wanting to hear more from my mom after episode 1. Well, here it is, on the perfect day for it. 10 years to the day that I met my mother in person, she's going to bare her soul for you today. This is emotionally heavy and shares a lot of our deepest parts of ourselves but I think the message behind all of it is something everyone should hear on this day. Please remember what's important. I love you. -Jo

Anthem: https://open.spotify.com/track/3nhzT3hZ7aXS9pW1vdtig9?si=lnPpb55HSaeKqGb15gTFzA Whiskey Grin - "Saturday's Child" Welcome back to The Journey.  I’m happy to have you back along for the ride with me as we have a really special guest here with me tonight.  Sometimes in life, people are placed in a time in your life that is so important, you always remember where you were when it happened.  For me, this is one of those special people that I’m forever linked with and we mention it very early on in this show.  Episode 5 brings you Steamed Hams Except it’s Jo talking to Kit Tidwell, 30 Year Toms River High School North English Teacher.  Yeah, it’s a long title, but I think it’s worth it for those who get it.  We talk about hospice, education, the differences over the last 20 years pre and post pandemic and I make a very hard argument for why homework as a whole should be abolished. IG: __ur_personal_jesus

Anthem: "Superman" by Goldfinger Episode 4 of The [Jo]urney is not for children. Parental discretion is advised. What makes a group of friends last? Is it a common interest in a hobby? Is a common interest in multiple hobbies? Is it the ability to put together a performance art piece that lasts nearly a decade? Is it the trust between them to put on a show while risking their bodies for that same art? The truth is, who knows what made a group of kids who met in home-room of high school in 1998 still be so close after 25 years. This is a peeling of the onion for so many who knew we were all "those wrestling weirdos" but didn't really know what we were doing. What we were doing was building a legacy and, moreover, a brotherhood. To those of you who are IN this friend group, start lining up for episodes. We've got so much to talk about. For those of you who are NOT and still want to weigh in on this crazy stuff, other crazy stuff, or ANY crazy stuff... now is the time. Dates will fill up quickly. Let's talk. Find me on Instagram: __ur_personal_jesus (that's two underscores to start with)

Check out Connor's podcast, The Phantom Zone: https://phantomzonepodcast.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR0LSOFf-EDkyAfw6HgjJ9pVVEsqCKXy1dECo9Hwl1UzhFvg-9DZxCA96Og So, it's been a few weeks. That's what happens when life gives you a job change, the flu and scheduling conflicts. Anyway, Connor McGraw is a childhood friend of mine who has had the unenviable task of trying to keep me up on pop-culture references over the last... this lifetime. Tonight we're going to talk about the genesis of this show, his podcasting history, and dive down a long rabbit hole of professional wrestling, video games, movies and all the hilarious side quests we find ourselves going down. Whether it's video games about schizophrenia, movies about extraordinary gentlemen, or "hauntings and supernatural shit" this episode has got a lot of everything for you. Anthem: "Sun Doesn't Rise" by Mushroomhead Want to get in on the [Jo]urney? Find me on Instagram @__ur_personal_jesus or email me The420journeypod@gmail.com

Anthem:  "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane.   "Tell them a hookah smoking caterpillar has given you the code." PARENTAL WARNING:  First 20 minutes are adult themed about recreational mind-altering substances.  Parental advisory is advised.   Adult themes aside, Bill is one of the inner-circle of friends that have known me for almost twenty years.  He and I have fought together (and each other which we DON'T EVEN COVER), smoked together and tonight we discuss our own vices and where we see the future of psychedelic drugs going.  After the adult conversation, it switches on a dime to football and we hear what Bill thinks the Dallas Cowboys should be doing in the upcoming years.  Bill plays GM of the Dallas Cowboys for the futures of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, the 2023 NFL Draft and much more.  We discuss quite a bit about the history of wide-receivers in Dallas as well. In the "High Note" you'll hear about Bill's wife Ashley.  Dual-threat entrepreneur of a photography business and her own baking company.  Links below to the websites, socials and more.  Mine too!  Follow us all! * Ashley Halas's artisan cookie company Sweet Sage Co - https://www.sweetsageco.com/ * Follow Sweet Sage Co on IG - @sweetsage.co * Ashley Halas Photography - https://www.ashleyhalasphotography.com/ Follow ME on IG - __ur_personal_jesus

As with any journey, it is best to start at the beginning.  After all, starting at the end is the easy and cheap way of doing things.  Anything worth truly feeling will be worth the journey to get there.  So where did my journey begin?  February 10th, 1984 I came into this world.  What happened after was a whirlwind of decisions adults around me would make and create an interesting, very obvious void in my life for over 25 years.  Today, on the first episode, you will hear from my mother.  I hope this intimate look behind the curtain of what has gone on between us for the last 10 years since we connected will serve as a starting point for what this show will be about.  I promise this is just the first of many episodes with my mother so if you're interested in asking some questions about what we went through, what we've said to each other, the things that lined up and the things that didn't... and what happens when they don't.   I thank you again for coming on this journey with me.  It takes a ton of courage and I am only able to do it because I feel the support I do from those that have shown me their love.  I'll never forget you for this nor will I ever take that for granted.   Anthem:  "The Memory Will Never Die" - Default

This episode is more a creator episode for me to make the landing spots for the upcoming shows.  However, it also set an opportunity for me to tell you exactly what kind of environment, atmosphere and content you can expect here.  I go over the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of this project and some early rules of engagement for being a guest.  I hope you enjoy this and I thank you so much for taking 15 minutes out of your day to take a walk on this journey with me.  I hope for great things in the future.  Until our journeys meet again. Anthem:  "Push" by Matchbox 20 "Said I don't know if I've ever been good enough. I'm a little bit rusty and I think my head is caving in. And I don't know if I've ever been really loved by a hand that touched me.   And I feel like something's gonna give. And I'm a little bit angry." Feel that way?  Leave me a comment if this song hits different now than it did in the 90s.   Are you interested in scheduling an appearance?  Let's talk!   IG:  __ur_personal_jesus Email:  The420journeypod@gmail.com Other social media to come!