Rory and Greg interview Raph Copeland, who founded Knifetwister Records using the prize money he won in a pool tournament. Knifetwister is unique in that is works with bands from all across the hardcore, punk, and metal spectrum. In a fun throwback, Knifetwister is also a web-based fanzine with written interviews.

Raph and Knifetwister Records operate just outside of New York City. We hear a little bit about how Raph came to find punk music in the late 1980s and 90s. We discuss Knifetwister's recent release, a compilation benefiting the homeless called "Not In Our City." "Not In Our City" features tacks from bands in NYC including Rebelmatic, and No Call No Show among others.

Raph talks about how punk rock has influenced the trajectory of his life, his career working in the tech industry, his role as a parent, and his interest in lock picking.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mind of Magnus

Check out Mind of Magnus at magnusapollo.com, and leave him factoids at 585-310-2473! https://mind-of-magnus.captivate.fm

Lunchador Podcast Network

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ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH

THE ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL, THE MOST ANTICIPATED FESTIVAL IN THE REGION, WILL ONCE AGAIN EXCITE AUDIENCES WITH NEARLY 650 PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH . FROM COMEDY, DANCE, AND THEATRE TO JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLES ACROSS THIRTY-NINE VENUES ALL AROUND ROCHESTER. DON’T MISS AMAZING PERFORMANCES IN THE SPIEGELTENT INCLUDING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CIRQUE DU FRINGE: CLAWS OUT, SHOTSPEARE, KIDS FRINGE, AND MORE. AND DIRECT FROM ITALY, SPHERE, A MIND-BLOWING OUTDOOR SPECTACLE FREE AT PARCEL FIVE SEPT. 19TH AND 20TH . ROCHESTERFRINGE.COM.

Joe Bean Roasters

Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Greg and Rory catch up and after the holiday season and review their favorite record releases and shows from 2025. The two also discuss high points from the first year of Common Thread Podcast.

Mentioned in this episode:

Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business

Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador! https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/

ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH

THE ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL, THE MOST ANTICIPATED FESTIVAL IN THE REGION, WILL ONCE AGAIN EXCITE AUDIENCES WITH NEARLY 650 PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH . FROM COMEDY, DANCE, AND THEATRE TO JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLES ACROSS THIRTY-NINE VENUES ALL AROUND ROCHESTER. DON’T MISS AMAZING PERFORMANCES IN THE SPIEGELTENT INCLUDING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CIRQUE DU FRINGE: CLAWS OUT, SHOTSPEARE, KIDS FRINGE, AND MORE. AND DIRECT FROM ITALY, SPHERE, A MIND-BLOWING OUTDOOR SPECTACLE FREE AT PARCEL FIVE SEPT. 19TH AND 20TH . ROCHESTERFRINGE.COM.

Joe Bean Roasters

Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Lunchador Podcast Network

Check out all the shows on the Lunchador Podcast Network at Lunchador.org

Rory Van Grol and Greg Benoit are back after a brief hiatus! This episode of Common Thread features an in-depth conversation with Greg Bennick, the vocalist of the legendary Seattle hardcore band @trialseattle. Greg Bennick is also an accomplished speaker, author, and filmmaker.

The interview kicks off with a conversation about Bennick’s book, “Reclaim the Moment - Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now,” which is a book about how to use authenticity and human connection to facilitate personal growth “Reclaim the Moment “ serves two audiences, people who want to retrain their mind to be more focused on possibilities and mentally present in the moment, and people who want to improve their workplace dynamics and community leadership skills."

The conversation shifts to discuss the two Gregs mutual interest in the life and works of Ernest Becker. Becker is an anthropologist who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “The Denial of Death,” a book that proposes that all individual and collective actions, including the entirety of human civilization, are a defense mechanism against our awareness of our own mortality. The two Gregs discuss how Becker’s ideas have influenced their life choices, and their personal “immortality projects.”

Rory and Greg also discuss Bennick’s nonprofit work with @onehundredforhaiti and the @portlandmutualaid, Bennick’s work producing documentary films like “Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality” and the Bane documentary @holding_these_moments, and a biography on Ernest Becker that he is currently writing.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lunchador Podcast Network

Check out all the shows on the Lunchador Podcast Network at Lunchador.org

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY! https://behind-the-glass-gallery.captivate.fm

Joe Bean Roasters

Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH

THE ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL, THE MOST ANTICIPATED FESTIVAL IN THE REGION, WILL ONCE AGAIN EXCITE AUDIENCES WITH NEARLY 650 PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH . FROM COMEDY, DANCE, AND THEATRE TO JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLES ACROSS THIRTY-NINE VENUES ALL AROUND ROCHESTER. DON’T MISS AMAZING PERFORMANCES IN THE SPIEGELTENT INCLUDING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CIRQUE DU FRINGE: CLAWS OUT, SHOTSPEARE, KIDS FRINGE, AND MORE. AND DIRECT FROM ITALY, SPHERE, A MIND-BLOWING OUTDOOR SPECTACLE FREE AT PARCEL FIVE SEPT. 19TH AND 20TH . ROCHESTERFRINGE.COM.