Welcome To The Suburbs Podcast
It’s like hanging out with two great friends on a road trip through life as they navigate ridiculous detours, side trips and pop culture experiences. Their humor and undeniable chemistry, comes from a two-decade friendship, infused with Greg’s experience as a touring comic and sketch comedy writer and Andy’s career as an audio engineer for acts as diverse as John Mellencamp, Aerosmith, and Bob and Tom. Laughter Supplied Snacks Not Included
Ride along with two great friends on a road trip through life as they navigate ridiculous detours, side trips and pop culture experiences.
Their humor and undeniable chemistry comes from a two decade friendship, infused with Greg’s experience as a touring comic and sketch comedy writer and Andy’s career as an audio engineer for acts as diverse as John Mellencamp, Aerosmith, and Bob and Tom.
Laughter suppled, snacks not included.
Theme song “Let’s Hunt” courtesy of Jimi Ryser
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 52 of *Welcome to The Suburbs Podcast*! This week, we dive into Greg and Keely’s unforgettable cottage renovation adventure. What some saw as a teardown, Greg and Keely envisioned as a charming retreat with endless potential. Endless being the key word
The 86-year-old, 600-square-foot cottage sat on an acre of land with lake access. Its charm? Questionable. The roof leaked, the furnace was dead, and the water system had… let’s call it ”personality.” Harold, the previous owner, left behind decades of eccentricities: cobwebs thick enough to trap a bobcat, an elaborate system of fish tanks and bird cages, and a shed that critters turned into a luxury Airbnb.
The shed, full of duct-taped tools, leaking buckets, and solidified fertilizer, was a time capsule of Harold’s resourceful yet quirky approach to life. Outside, the overgrown flower beds were buried under layers of mulch, quilts, and car floor mats, while piles of tree parts and hidden concrete added to the chaos.
As the renovation uncovered layers of Harold’s life, Greg and Keely faced unexpected challenges and found humor in the absurd. It’s a story of determination, grit, and—most importantly—a reminder that every project tells a tale.
Don’t miss Andy’s hilarious commentary and wisdom in this unforgettable episode. Tune in to *Welcome to The Suburbs Podcast: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly—Greg’s Cottage Renovation*.
www.suburbspodcast.com
I honestly was laughing my ass off. omg so funny! You two are really great together!
Patti P., Indianapolis, IN
Really funny stuff. The timing between you two was excellent
Jim M. – Indianapolis, IN
Laugh out loud through the entire episode!
Bruce J., Lebanon, NJ
Fun stuff to hear! Engaging, enjoyable and most importantly entertaining!
Dobie M, Chicago, IL
Awesome! The dog part at the end put the cherry on top!
Kent C, Tulsa, OK
- S 2 EP 52: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly—Greg’s Cottage Renovation
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 52 of Welcome to The Suburbs Podcast! This week, we dive into Greg and Keely’s unforgettable cottage renovation adventure. What some saw as a teardown, Greg and Keely envisioned as a charming retreat with endless potential.
The 86-year-old, 600-square-foot cottage sat on an acre of land with lake access. Its charm? Questionable. The roof leaked, the furnace was dead, and the water system had… let’s call it “personality.” Harold, the previous owner, left behind decades of eccentricities: cobwebs thick enough to trap a bobcat, an elaborate system of fish tanks and bird cages, and a shed that critters turned into a luxury Airbnb.
The shed, full of duct-taped tools, leaking buckets, and solidified fertilizer, was a time capsule of Harold’s resourceful yet quirky approach to life. Outside, the overgrown flower beds were buried under layers of mulch, quilts, and car floor mats, while piles of tree parts and hidden concrete added to the chaos.
As the renovation uncovered layers of Harold’s life, Greg and Keely faced unexpected challenges and found humor in the absurd. It’s a story of determination, grit, and—most importantly—a reminder that every project tells a tale.
Don’t miss Andy’s hilarious commentary and wisdom in this unforgettable episode. Tune in to Welcome to The Suburbs Podcast: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly—Greg’s Cottage Renovation. Click here to listen
Cottage Bathroom Before.
- S2 Episode 46: April Wine, Crows Feet, Foreigner When Foreigner Was Foreigner
Welcome to another hilarious and nostalgia-filled episode of Welcome to the Suburbs Podcast! This week, we’re taking a trip down memory lane with stories about concerts, classic rock, and aging gracefully—or not so gracefully.
Andy and Jennifer hit the road to Nashville, Indiana, this fall to see April Wine in concert. Along the way, they encountered what they dubbed faux po pos: police cars in construction zones with their lights on but no officers in sight. Just a clever deterrent? You decide.
The night kicked off with Sweet, known for their hit “Love Is Like Oxygen.” The irony wasn’t lost on anyone as many concertgoers arrived equipped with oxygen tanks, walkers, and canes. It begs the question: Is Flomax the unofficial sponsor of aging rock fans?
Meanwhile, Greg reminisced about smuggling Southern Comfort into concerts in the hood of his parka back in high school and college. He fondly called it a “baby bird waiting for a worm—tequila not included.” Andy chimed in with a shocking confession: he once snuck a camera into a concert! Greg’s own attempt at playing paparazzi during a Foreigner show led to his camera’s temporary imprisonment in “concert jail,” alongside bags of confiscated pot and liquor.
As for Foreigner? Andy had to ask: Was it real Foreigner or fake Foreigner? Greg replied, “Foreigner when Foreigner was Foreigner.” Did it feel like the first time? Spoiler alert: No.
Tune in Now
Want more laughs and classic rock throwbacks? Stream S2 Episode 46: April Wine, Crows Feet, Foreigner When Foreigner Was Foreigner https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124861/episodes/15921963-s2-episode-46-april-wine-crows-feet-foreigner-when-foreigner-was-foreigner.mp3
- Season 2 Episode 51
Part 1: What happened at the concert, stays at the concert, unless it’s COVID. Then you take it home and share. Greg was at the John Hiatt show, took a look at the age of the crowd filing in, then said, “based on the age of this crowd I bet everyone sits during the show.” John Hiatt superfan shot him the stink eye as she parked her walker to take a toke of oxygen. One toke over the line sweet Jesus.
Part 2: Greg and Keely were sharing appetizers at restaurant in Chicago recently when Greg shot down a bad oyster. He googled, how long does it take to get sick from bad oysters? The answer: Up to 48 hours. Then spent the rest of the trip “on the clock” as he analyzed his stomach then looked at his watch hoping the other shoe didn’t drop, along with everything he had for dinner. Andy wasn’t so lucky. Either was Jennifer. He asked for water. She threw it at him.
Part 3: Naming plants. Witch Hazel, St John’s Wart, Toad Lilly. Were all of the good names gone by the time they got to those? The guys talked about Greg and Keely’s Airbnb. None of the neighbors were happy their new purchase would become a short-term rental. Their mind went to a home that attracted police action. Greg’s mind went to, sexy cop role play. Furry handcuffs anyone? What if you used those and then had an allergic reaction to the fur? One minute you’re under arrest, the next minute you’re under duress with hives and wheezing. Where’s the chic from the Hiatt concert? I need some oxygen!
Part 4: the guys talk about Darwin at work. In the satellite communities around Indy, building codes for swimming pools have changed because too many people died from jumping off their roof into the pool but missed. Studies show that 70% of the time alcohol played a role in those deaths. Socker! Click here to listen to the full episode
- Season 2 Episode 47: Becoming A Float in A Small-Town Parade
Part 1: Horrible Bosses: Everyone has probably worked for at least one. Greg and Andy met while working for one, Jeff. His billowing voice would shout commands over the intercom, followed by his extension 202! That extension number became synonymous with trouble, similar to how 911 is used without good intent. If Greg heard Andy Symons, 202, he knew Andy would be fed to the lions.
High-volume profanity, blood pressure checks, and receptionists who quit during lunch on their first day of work were daily treats. The week after Thanksgiving, Andy was fired. Greg developed that haunting feeling some of you have experienced. The sense of dread on Saturday afternoon that work was waiting came Monday morning. Shortly after that feeling became regular, he began working on an exit strategy. Later that spring, he sprung for freedom. The sky seemed bluer; the grass flowers bloomed, and birds sang as he began the drive to his new workplace. So, I started discovering the latest work environment, including another horrible boss.
“Working for narcissists is one of Greg’s spiritual gifts” – Keely
Part 2: The Black-Tie Affair: Being fitted for a tux recently reminded Greg of Senior Prom and his tragic look: A white tux fitted with an awkward, fish-out-of-water existence and a prom date with parents who longed for her to come down with a case of the flu before he picked her up.
Andy wore a powder blue tux, fluffy bow tie, and cummerbund.
Life happens on the way to being fitted. A trail that led through massive road construction, giving him over an hour of windshield time to relive that failed prom night.
Part 3: Caught in a Small-Town Fair: Have you ever taken a wrong turn and ended up lost? One fall day, while driving their daughter home from fall break from IU, Greg and Keely took a left-hand turn that put them squarely in the middle of a small-town fair. Pulling slowly forward, put them in a congested midway of fairgoers, elephant ears, taffy, and the tilt-o-whirl. Greg became the scrambler as he searched for an exit. What happens next? That is part of the fun of listening to Season 2, Episode 47 of Welcome to the Suburbs Podcast. Click here to listen to episode 47. Click here to start at the beginning
- Watch out! Papaw’s coming in hot.
It’s time for Season 2, Episode 49 of Welcome To The Suburbs Podcast: Watch out! Papaw’s coming in hot.
Did you know that if you pay a little extra when you get a traffic ticket, the state won’t report it to your insurance company? Doesn’t that feel like payola? The only thing missing is that you’re not paying cash to a guy wearing a pinkie ring at a clandestine location near the river. Then again, maybe guys named Johnny 2 Knuckles have Venmo accounts these days. I’m slightly out of touch with mob protocol in this digital age.
Jennifer had experimental joint surgery on her toe. The joint wasn’t something they fished out of a bowl of chicken knuckle soup. It was actually titanium. Lesson learned, don’t have that type of surgery over a holiday weekend. Her trip to the ER for pain meds included stepping around puddles of bodily fluids from someone who tried giving advice to a kid who jumped the line at Meijer. Ok kidding. Just love the opportunity to call back jokes from previous episodes.
Razor scooter rental is a part of life in many cities. Greg and Keely tried to rent them on a recent visit to St Pete; the only scooters left had seats. They were available because no one wanted to look that tragic. Keely, who’s more secure, couldn’t care less what people thought. Greg felt he needed white driving gloves, a clutch purse, and a rain bonnet. If he was riding one in plain view. Etiquette on where you leave the scooter once you’ve completed your rental seems to vary depending on the city. I’ve seen them in Indy on bridge rails, park paths, and up trees. They seem to be abandoned rather than returned. In St. Pete, there were specific corrals near intersections designated for the return, and you had to check in with a photo of the scooter at the corral. That eliminated my idea of saving money on Christmas gifts for the grandkids.
It’s time for season 2, Episode 49 of Welcome To The Suburbs Podcast. Watch out! Papaw’s coming in hot. Click here to listen.
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