What's The Matter With Me? Podcast
228 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsHey everybody my name is John, I’m 45, disabled wheelchair user, husband, parent, community radio DJ, small business owner, podcaster with multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia. I made the What’s The Matter With Me? podcast to share what I’m going through.
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Episodes
I Went Back
December 09, 2021 19:15 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MBI went back to the gym and only some people wore masks. Guess who? PLUS, Dad Bod Rap Pod, “People With Disabilities” movie review. The time has come for the entertainment industry to audition and cast actors with disabilities to play leading roles portraying disability... American society no longer finds it acceptable for white actors to play black, Asian or Hispanic characters. It is equally unacceptable and offensive for able-bodied actors to be cast... in the roles of characters with dis...
A Success
December 01, 2021 17:54 - 12 minutes - 16.7 MBThanksgiving was a success. Movie review: “I’m No Longer Here.” The gym is mask-optional. People are likers; they want to like things. Thanksgiving was a success. Movie review: “I’m No Longer Here.” The gym is mask-optional. People are likers; they want to like things.
Thanksgiving 2021
November 24, 2021 19:18 - 12 minutes - 16.9 MBThe Plastication was yesterday. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I’m trying to delegate and avoid stress. The Plastication was yesterday Thanksgiving is tomorrowI’m trying to delegate and avoid stress
Supply Chain
November 13, 2021 00:08 - 18 minutes - 24.8 MBWe ran out of Original Flavor. I made vaccine appointments for the kids. I’m putting together a CD marathon for the radio. We ran out of Original Flavor on hoppinhotsauce.com I made vaccine appointments for the kids I'm putting together a CD marathon for the radio
Halloween Trip
November 03, 2021 23:00 - 16 minutes - 22.2 MBWe celebrated Halloween with our friends and their kids. Some things had changed, but it’s not too bad. Plus, cheating guacamole. Everything changes, people get older Newsletter about a new episode New song: "Running for their lives"
Immunosuppressed
October 22, 2021 23:18 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MBA meeting with my doctor brings me new understanding. I am on immunosuppressants. I am more likely to catch Covid-19 even though I am vaccinated. I got a new primary care physician Got the flu shot Had a meeting with my doctor that convinced me that I am an immunosuppressed person Been playing "Hamilton" tunes on the piano Making dark, creepy music
Advancing
October 14, 2021 22:29 - 16 minutes - 22.9 MBI went to the radio station, to the independent living center and joined the gym. I’m beginning to advance. I went to the radio station, to the independent living center and joined the gym. I’m beginning to advance.
Recession
October 09, 2021 00:34 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBEverything is receding like the ocean after the wave has crashed and it’s pulling your feet. The gym, hot sauce, supply chain- things are in recession. Everything is receding like the ocean after the wave has crashed and it’s pulling your feet. The gym, hot sauce, supply chain- things are in recession.
Driving
September 30, 2021 20:23 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MBI moved past my fear of driving by breaking it down into small steps and listening to my inner Phil Jackson.
Barbecuing
September 24, 2021 21:44 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBI miss having barbecues and I’ve got to get over it. Cat meowing in the middle of the night. Children are like lice. BEGIN TRANSCRIPT JOHN HOPPIN: Check check check. Check Czeckoslovakian. What's The Matter With Me? This one is about barbecuing, but first: I woke up in the middle of the last night. And when my cat is meowing at the door in the middle of the night, I'm like that makes sense for a cat. Stupid cat!Shoutout to all the cult members, and all the people who are on the fence too. A...
Cato’s Ale House Hang
September 16, 2021 00:07 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBHearing the sound of missing teeth. Night driving. Hanging out at Cato's Ale House felt like a win. Notes i went to the dentist he gave me false teeth to wear until they start implanting thingstheyre aesthetically convincing,theyre uncomfortablecant really eat with them, and eating is the purpose of life.. so i question their appropriatenesscan't drink wine with them - taste/tongue movement i went to catos ale housei drove there at night, it's just 15 minutes up 580 .. it was scaryi got th...
Joke Book
September 07, 2021 18:11 - 8 minutes - 11.2 MBThe joke book wraps up with a bang. Another cult episode!
Teeth Knocked Out
August 26, 2021 17:58 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MBMy teeth are knocked out, Val Kilmer’s new film "Val", Representing the disabled body
Vacation
August 02, 2021 18:29 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBWe're going on a family vacation and it's something to be proud of. What if this was a religious or cult podcast?
Amazon Seller Quickbooks Integration
July 24, 2021 00:08 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode, Where's your head at? I need to record my activity as an Amazon seller in Quickbooks. It's creating stress.I ran into a lady at the gym and forgot her name. Her name rhymed with her husband's and was ambiguously gendered. Listen to the episode to hear how it all went down. BEGIN TRANSCRIPT JOHN HOPPIN: Where's your head at? It's here. Hey where's your head at? It's here. On my, on my neck. On top of my neck. In some ways in retrospect it seems so simple to write a massiv...
Putting Myself Out There
July 14, 2021 22:23 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MBTalking about putting myself out there. I realized I always put myself out there. I mean, you're listening to it... Goes along with one of my biggest fears... losing the ability to express myself. I was on the radio yesterday morning and it got me thinkin'. I've always put myself out there- ever since I was a teenager and probably before that. Just to have something to belong to. We go over a timeline of examples. I'm getting more disabled and things are getting harder for me. My biggest fe...
On The Zon
June 25, 2021 23:09 - 11 minutes - 15.6 MBThank you for tuning in to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast In thise episode, "On The Zon," we discuss: The barbecue worksThe sauce is on AmazonI fell at the gymWhat is Jeff Bezos’ phone number?
Rickety Exercise Bike
June 13, 2021 19:24 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MBMy first workouts since coronavirus are a mixed bag. Just got to put my head down- probably everybody feels the same way. Shout outs to Nami Rocky came over and we had veal ossobuco and saffron risotto
At The Cobbler
June 03, 2021 00:41 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBAt the Cobbler Working on my brace. PLUS: summer camp, driving, Flip A Coin Day Koko's At Camp Koko's finally at Summer Camp. The frustration of being a disabled father during Covid-19 was intense. I have two hands but one isn't very useful, leg is the same, so doing projects with either kid has been difficult. It feels like we're about to turn a corner. Getting My Confidence Back I have been trying to get back the ability to drive again. I've been driving little drives every day. But ye...
Crossing Boundaries
May 21, 2021 20:21 - 14 minutes - 19.8 MBGoing outside of my comfort zone Crossing Boundaries Going outside my comfort zone In this episode of the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast, "Crossing Boundaries," I'm going outside my comfort zone. I printed the Amazon shipping label- I'm going to try selling some Hoppin Hot Sauce on Amazon, to tie my product to a strand of hair on the giant beast that is Amazon.I submitted my poetry to a poetry journal for the first time since high school.Some friends came over and I cooked the right a...
Cooking While Disabled
May 03, 2021 22:30 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBCooking While Disabled Dinner on a Wednesday night Dinner on a Wednesday night Cooking Yotam Ottolenghi's Confit Leeks With Lentils, Lemon and Cream, something I would've enjoyed causes me to re-evaluate the way I cook. In this episode, I read two consecutive entries in the "What I had for dinner last night," journal. The first is from the night I made the leeks, and the next comes from the following day, after having cooked a more successful meal and having a discussion with my therapi...
Crip Camp
April 29, 2021 18:12 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBOscars movie review. PLUS obscenity, ancient dramaturgy, jottings & more.. In this episode, responding to 2021 Academy Awards best documentary nominee, "Crip Camp." PLUS: Obscenity, Ancient Dramaturgy, Jottings & more.. Poet Michael McClure makes an appearance. In the Jotting notebook, the power of autosuggestion.
Paratransit Certified
April 22, 2021 17:31 - 8 minutes - 11.5 MBIn this episode, I get certified for East Bay Paratransit. I'm fully vaccinated, and I'm ready to go back to the gym and the radio station after more than a year off due to Covid-19. Paratransit will help me get there. Shout outs to my art teacher, who steps in and gives me a little validation. I read some things I wrote down.
Oedipus Complex
April 16, 2021 18:08 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBI got a letter from a psychiatrist In this episode of What's The Matter With Me? Podcast, I receive a message from a psychiatrist who identifies some of the hurtful things my son was saying a couple episodes ago in Won't Be Ashamed as relating to the Oedipus Complex. She thinks maybe he's having Oedipal thoughts as he begins to identify with me, and that makes a lot of sense. She wanted to know what comics I buy my son- it's The Comic Garage's Super Box. He just got a new one yesterday, an...
We Got Vaccinated
April 09, 2021 01:30 - 10 minutes - 14 MBIn this episode, we got vaccinated for Covid-19 at the Oakland Coliseum after hearing VP Harris had gotten involved there. The kids went with us, we drove up, it was easy, and when it was over it was a big relief. Plus, What I Had For Dinner Last Night and more.
Spring Vacation Is A Hoax
April 06, 2021 01:17 - 9 minutes - 13.6 MBSpring Vacation Is A Hoax Or At Least Seems That Way In this episode, it's spring break and the concept of family vacation appears warped and unrecognizable after a year of pandemic. spring vacation is a hoax, at least it feels that wayI haven't got the coronavirus vaccine yet, but I willI keep a journal about, "What I had for dinner last night..."We're getting ready for grilling season
Won’t Be Ashamed
March 26, 2021 18:15 - 13 minutes - 31.9 MBFor being who I am Won't Be Ashamed For Being Who I am Won't Be Ashamed For Being Who I Am Adventures in Disability Shaming In this episode, my son tells me that he wants a new dad, one that isn't disabled, who doesn't use a wheelchair or a cane, and who is able to cross the stream by balancing on a fallen eucalyptus tree. I think it may be more-or-less normal for a kid to wish they had different parents, but it felt especially heavy that my kid was trying to hurt my feelings for having m...
Proceedings Churn Onward
March 17, 2021 23:33 - 10 minutes - 24.5 MBFacial lightning returned sometimes Time change was rough after 1 year of covid lockdown Giant glass chandelier arrived Outdoor furniture came Heating system repair right now Sleep apnea machine is imminent Mostly no one listens to this
I moved
March 07, 2021 02:39 - 9 minutes - 12.9 MBI moved to San Leandro. Season 5 has begun. I'm unpacking slowly and starting to plug in to the community.
Interview: Ligia Andrade Zuñiga
January 02, 2021 19:11 - 50 minutes - 69 MBInterview Thoughtline Interview In this episode of the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast, we're presenting an interview with newly-elected San Mateo School District Board Member Ligia Andrade Zuñiga, who is a disabled wheelchair user. I interviewed her because I thought it was remarkable for a disabled woman to win an election. It originally aired Monday, December 28th from 6-7PM.on KFJC 89.7FM on the Thoughtline public affairs program. This material was developed to bring under-represente...
Interview
December 22, 2020 22:53 - 6 minutes - 9.37 MBInterview someone and learn about them In The Habit We're nearing the end of four seasons on the podcast. Like I said last time, I'm thinking of changing or stopping it. For now, I'm still in the habit. I recorded an interview with the activist Ligia Andrade Zuniga that I hope to air on KFJC. Reflecting on the mental health epidemic that accompanies the coronavirus epidemic, the podcast takes an unexpected turn. It comes back on track at the end, courtesy of the words of Marc Maron. Cya...
Relocation
December 12, 2020 19:54 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBLots of boxes I'm thinking about changing this. Did I accomplish what I came for? I started this podcast with a determination to try and understand who I was as a disabled person, to grow my disability consciousness. Now that I am on the cusp of relocation, I wonder, did I accomplish what I came for? Let me know what you think via the Contact form. This episode quotes from the first episode of What's The Matter With Me? Podcast, "Trying."
Changing My Home Bookstore
December 01, 2020 02:50 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBI'm going to a new place Things are changing, from my home bookstore to the restaurants I'll eat at. I feel positive about it, but I'm having anxiety in the face of so much change. I think what I mean by "home bookstore" is the bookstore where I'll go most often, every week or so.
Updates
November 21, 2020 23:11 - 6 minutes - 8.75 MBHave you heard the news? Updates to a few recent episodes. Recorded in the backyard New Support Good And Bad
New Support
November 17, 2020 23:14 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBmoving to san leandro After two of my friends message me I realize that with my move to San Leandro, my support group will evolve. Which I manage not to mention in the episode, is totally scary! I recorded most of the episode in the backyard, mostly off-the-cuff. The audio track features airplanes and windchimes. STAY TUNED for extended shout-outs.
Awards
November 08, 2020 23:17 - 5 minutes - 8.13 MBWe son some awards. Bad news first: the kids are bad, they run away. Hoppin Hot Sauce won some awards. This week's episode takes place in a cable car.
Good and Bad
October 30, 2020 00:38 - 5 MBBoth Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery. What's The Matter With Me? Podcast SETTING: Shopping Mall, Spooky Castle, "Run In The Wild" by Hot Mops. The BAD: Trigeminal Neuralgia came back. The GOOD: Halloween is coming. BEGIN TRANSCRIPT JOHN HOPPIN: What's the Matter With Me? What's up? You are tuned into the What's the Matter With Me? Podcast. It's the real deal. This is it. I'm inside. I'm in the hou...
Computer Repair
October 17, 2020 02:29 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBI got my computer back from the shop, and I'm back up and running againShout-outs to Etan RechraI made some production work for KFJC, featuring my buddy Jack Tar JOHN HOPPIN: All right, what's up? Thank you for tuning in to What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. Let me find my notes. It's good when you have notes. When you make a podcast, you want to put together some notes ahead of the time. Or not, I guess. To each his own, or her own. I think that's what qualifies as a meandering introduct...
Big Relief
October 04, 2020 19:13 - 6 minutes - 14.7 MBThank you for tuning in to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. It's kind of loud outside today, so I put myself in an auto body shopCedar Room reordered Hoppin Hot SauceKFJC Fundraiser is happening nowMy telemedecine appointment was a big reliefI bought some music from Sahel Sounds' bandcamp page JOHN HOPPIN: Thank you for tuning in to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. My name is John, I'm 41 years old, husband and father of two. Small business owner, radio DJ, podcaster. And, I ...
Tuesday Appointment
September 26, 2020 21:18 - 9 minutes - 12.9 MBTuesday Appointment KFJC fundraiser begins todayMy kids are with my mom and my stepdad DaveYesterday I sent some hot sauce to a new local accountI'm going to have a video meeting with my neurologist on Tuesday JOHN HOPPIN: Yes. Thank you for tuning into the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. My name is John. I'm 41 years old, a husband, father of two, small business owner, radio DJ, podcaster, and I have multiple sclerosis, so I made this podcast to share what I'm going through. You proba...
Writing Fundraiser Scripts
September 18, 2020 23:28 - 9 minutes - 13.7 MBThe annual fundraiser is coming up at KFJC starting at the end of the month.I've been recording fundraiser spots for about 6 years. my first one was about a person taking a taxi. I do one or two a year. I always enjoy writing, and every good spot starts with the script.This year, I wrote four, and I read them in this episode, along with an older one from 2016 that resonated with me.Writing these scripts has been a positive creative outlet. BEGIN TRANSCRIPT You are tuned into the What's The ...
Under a Martian orange sky
September 12, 2020 00:35 - 4 minutes - 11.1 MBGet The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery. I saw the surgeon who performed my microvascular decompression surgery.I went to my Ukrainian dentist a couple of weeks ago, she is the one I called, “The Iron Curtain.” I am not in trigeminal neuralgia pain anymore , and my life has changed for the better.Now that I can shave my face, I've been wearing a mustache.I am a lot happier.
Touchbase
September 06, 2020 00:17 - 11.4 MBStill under lockdown. Touching base with the podcast, stirring the pot. John John broke the power button on my computer so it's at the tech support In a week it will be six months of the coronavirus shutdown Shout out to Brian and Katie Mom's birthday today. Oysters and cake 4th week of school Backgammon The comic garage 10 comics a month 21.99 Spanish posters, letters, numbers, colors, feelings Maps of the world English motivational kindness posters about being a buddy not a bully ...
Using Our Voice Makes It Stronger
August 08, 2020 00:51 - 13 minutes - 18.3 MBDisabled voices are just like regular voices, just like anybody. Using our voice makes it stronger, and it's doubly true for disabled people who've been disenfranchised, and hidden away, and censored. Begin Transcript JOHN HOPPIN: What these people said really impacted me and really moved me, so I wanted to talk about this. Welcome. Thank you for tuning in. Welcome to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. My name is John. I'm 41 years old, husband, father of two, small business owner, ...
Compounded Trauma
July 19, 2020 22:34 - 11 minutes - 16.1 MBCompounded trauma is when things make us upset, because they remind us of traumatic situations that we've experienced before, causing us to relive them. When I feel this way, naming the feelings I am having, and explicitly connecting them, can be a way to overcome them. The thing is, my wife likes creepy stuff. I don't like watching surgery. When the scalpels come out, I check out of the movie. Thank you for tuning in to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. This episode is about compoun...
To overcome isolation, we need to put ourselves out there
July 05, 2020 18:13 - 6 minutes - 9.03 MBWe all need to put in effort to get ourselves out there, because it can be hard on your mental health to be so isolated. It's important to be part of a community, and be involved, and have exchange with people. I've been spending a lot of my creative effort trying to keep my business open. Crippled crisp review is two disabled Dutch comedians eating potato chips together. I have begun producing radio shows in my home Studio. The first one will air Thursday. People are experiencing part o...
Day 67: New Brace
May 21, 2020 00:31 - 6 minutes - 15.6 MBDay 67 COVID-19 self isolation I'm working in the garden, while wearing my new AFO brace in this episode of the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast.
This time is important
May 17, 2020 23:05 - 2 minutes - 5.86 MBTwo months into coronavirus self-isolation, I'm thinking about how this is an important time, one that we'll remember forever and that our kids will also remember. In this episode of the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast, I'm thinking about the importance of this time.
Principle of Non discrimination
April 25, 2020 18:12 - 18.6 MBWelcome back to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. Day 42 of Covid-19 Coronavirus quarantine finds me thinking about the value of disabled life. What is the Principle of Non discrimination? The principle of non-discrimination seeks “to guarantee that human rights are exercised without discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and fa...
Acceptance
April 04, 2020 21:21 - 3 minutes - 7.93 MBDay 23 of self-isolation I'm going to try practicing some acceptance to get through this terrible experience of confinement, which is worse than usual. Begin Transcript JOHN HOPPIN: You are listening to the What's The Matter With Me? Podcast. My name is John. I'm 40 years old, husband, father of two, small business owner, radio DJ, podcaster, and I have multiple sclerosis. So I made this podcast to share what I'm going through. Let's see. Last episode, recap: I was just rambling about str...