Best Griffo Podcasts (2024)

1
One Woman vs The World: The LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag Origin Story Part 3 (Season 3; Ep 3) 31:26

21d ago31:26

31:26

2024 is the year for women who have been pushed aside. Did you know that a woman was the catalyst behind creating the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag? No? Well, here we go, go go. Many enduring symbols that establish an instant understanding and define a diverse community are intrinsically linked with controversy, confusion, and ill-informed backstories dictat…

1
One Woman vs The World: The LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag Origin Story Part 2 (Season 3; Ep 2) 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

2024 is the year for women who have been pushed aside. Did you know that a woman was the catalyst behind creating the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag? No? Well, here we go, go go. Many enduring symbols that establish an instant understanding and define a diverse community are intrinsically linked with controversy, confusion, and ill-informed backstories dictat…

1
One Woman vs The World: The LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag Origin Story Part 1 (Season 3; Ep 1) 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

2024 is the year for women who have been pushed aside. Did you know that a woman was the catalyst behind creating the LGBTQ+ Rainbow Flag? No? Well, here we go, go go. Many enduring symbols that establish an instant understanding and define a diverse community are intrinsically linked with controversy, confusion, and ill-informed backstories dictat…

1
Rumi Missabu: A Cockette Gets Arrested (Season 2; Ep 4) 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

Rumi Missabu was born in Hollywood, took a bus to San Francisco, made a wrong turn, got lost, and was too stubborn to ask for directions. The first place he lived after he ran away was in a water tower with a lesbian poet. Rumi was an original member of the late 1960s San Francisco hippie performance troupe, the Cockettes. The Cockettes were high-a…

1
Michela Griffo: Don't Call Me Queer! (Season 2; Ep 3) 27:52

3M ago27:52

27:52

Michela Griffo ran away from home when she was 16 years old. In 1969, her planned heterosexual marriage ended due to religious differences. Her life was changed! Following this, she embraced her true lesbian identity and fell in love with an Eileen Ford model. After her friend nearly died from a botched abortion attempt, Michela threw herself into …

1
Perry Brass: Don't Call Me Daddy! (Season 2; Ep 2) 28:44

4M ago28:44

28:44

Do not call Perry Brass “daddy” unless you are at a leather bar! Perry is an author, editor, and OGL (Original Gay Liberationist) known for his contributions to queer literature, including editing and publishing the Gay Liberation Front’s magazine, Come Out. In 1972, he co-founded the Gay Men’s Health Project, which evolved into the Community Healt…

1
Martha Shelley: Out In The Sunshine (Season 2; Ep 1) 24:35

4M ago24:35

24:35

Martha Shelley was born in New York City to grandparents who escaped Eastern Europe pre-Holocaust, and she attributes much of her good fortune to luck, willpower, intelligence, and, most importantly, keeping both eyes on the prize. Inspired by the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements, Martha found herself in the heart of feminist fervor in N…

1
Season 2 Trailer 1:07

4M ago1:07

1:07

The QueerCore Podcast is coming at you hot and better than ever! Join us in Season 2, where we feature pioneering members of the New York City Gay Liberation Front. Oh yes, we will also have a multi-series, massive exposé on the hidden origins of the LGBTQ Rainbow Flag!By The LGBTQ History Project

1
Layto: Dropping Out Of College, Creating Core Creative Team, TikTok Triumphs, and alternative psycho 1:44:38

7M ago1:44:38

1:44:38

On this episode of Grounds For Success, which also happens to be our last episode for season 1, we have the artist Layto! From almost becoming an English major with dreams of law school to successfully strumming his way into the music industry—this episode is packed with a real-world story of how surrounding yourself with the right team can change …

1
Jack Griffo: The Thundermans Return, Funny Auditions, Kid Baron, and The Ups and Downs of Hollywood 2:06:42

8M ago2:06:42

2:06:42

This week on Grounds For Success we have Jack Griffo, best known for his role as Max Thunderman in the hit TV show, The Thundermans, but is also the front man of his band, Kid Baron. In this episode, we explore his career trajectory, from his early acting days in Orlando to a recent movie shoot in the midst of the pandemic, and filming the new The …

1
Hunter Hayes: Chart-Topping Journey, Career Cultivation, Navigating the Music Industry, and Red Sky Revelations 1:17:54

8M ago1:17:54

1:17:54

This week on Grounds For Success we a deep dive into the world of a music industry prodigy's life, Hunter Hayes, a chart-topping multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. This episode will take you on a roller-coaster ride of pure wisdom through Hunter’s journey, revealing his struggles, breakthroughs, and beautiful re…

1
Aukoustics: Galantis, Dolly Parton, JVKE, Cheat Codes, lovelytheband, and Secs On The Beach 2:03:04

8M ago2:03:04

2:03:04

On this week's episode, I have my great buddy, Aukoustics, AKA, Secs On The Beach. This podcast covers how a ten-year-old self-taught pianist from Worcester, Massachusetts has become a multi-instrumentalist producer and songwriter working with artists like Galantis, Dolly Parton, Cheat Codes, JVKE, and so many more. Join us as we talk about his inc…

1
Devin Oliver: I See Stars, Coping Through Distraction, Healthy Competition, and Then Vs. Now 2:01:11

8M ago2:01:11

2:01:11

Get ready for a killer episode with my good friend, Devin Oliver, frontman of the band I See Stars and the man behind his solo project, shYbeast. With the charisma of a born performer and the wisdom of a seasoned artist, he delves into his life story, tracing his path from an early age with a difficult parent dynamic, to his long and rewarding care…

1
Niki DeMar: Ruining Your Life, Independence From Gabi, Finding Fulfillment, and Queer Identity 1:31:30

9M ago1:31:30

1:31:30

On this Grounds For Success Podcast, Niki DeMar, a veteran content creator on YouTube and music artist, and I talk about ruining our lives, as well as so many other great topics. Join us, as we travel through her personal journey, shedding light on how the evolution of her priorities shaped her career trajectories. I discover how Niki’s childhood, …

1
2004 Dave Matthews Band Chicago River incident 26:01

9M ago26:01

26:01

On August 8, 2004, a tour bus belonging to the Dave Matthews Band dumped an estimated 800 pounds of human waste from the bus's blackwater tank through the Kinzie Street Bridge in Chicago onto a passenger sightseeing boat sailing in the Chicago River below. STORYTELLER Gina Palm BAND Fiddle - Sam Hyson Piano - Matt Griffo Drums - Mike Amandes Bass -…

1
Siiickbrain: How To Transform Adversity Into Art, Authenticity, Modeling, and Skrillex 2:12:41

9M ago2:12:41

2:12:41

This week on Grounds For Success I have the most vulnerable and open talk I've had on this podcast with my guest, Siiickbrain. From a conservative upbringing to battling agoraphobia and an eating disorder to going on tour with Bring Me The Horizon, she has overcome difficult obstacles in a spectacular fashion which became the rocket fuel for her ar…

1
Bardo: Beauty School Dropout, Passion, Producing, and How to Cope With OCD Anxiety & Depression. 2:15:07

9M ago2:15:07

2:15:07

I've been looking forward to releasing this episode for a while now! One of my good buddies and closest collaborators, Bardo, from the band Beauty School Dropout is on this week. We journey through Bardo's ascent from a music-crazed youth in San Luis Obispo to his present day self touring with Blink 182 and getting ready to drop their monster singl…

1
Royal & the Serpent: 4 Keys To Success, Overwhelmed, Demi Lovato, Resilience, and "You Are Enough" 1:49:13

9M ago1:49:13

1:49:13

Have you ever wondered about the journey behind a hit song? This week I talked with Royal & the Serpent. We had an intimate look into her life, her mind set on her art, and so much more. We did a deep dive into how her hit song "Overwhelmed," came to be and all of the work that went into making it a success. Royal doesn't just reveal the raw emotio…

1
Midi Jones: The Greatest Rags To Riches Story, Do Whatever It Takes, and How To Create Success 1:58:43

10M ago1:58:43

1:58:43

This week's podcast is a gold rush of wisdom and inspiration as we hear from the incomparable, Midi Jones, an incredible music producer who got his production chops from the EDM world. Believe me, when I say, you won't want to miss this one; the incredibly successful producer shares his remarkable journey from rags to riches - a testament to his re…

1
Yasmine Yousaf: Krewella's Story, Failing Forward, and Personal Growth 2:13:03

10M ago2:13:03

2:13:03

Join my electrifying conversation with Yasmine Yousaf from one of the most influential electronic groups, Krewella. Be prepared to dive into the gripping world of music, success, and personal growth as we chart the course of Krewella's start, and evolution, from their beginnings to their meteoric rise in the EDM world. We will talk about their earl…

1
Q&A With Austin Seltzer: Mix Engineering, Success, and the Power of Problem-Solving 1:23:16

10M ago1:23:16

1:23:16

What happens when you cross paths with an old friend and a storyteller, Sy Huq, for a unique Q&A? Well, you get an episode packed with stories of our shared history, laughter, and some wild insights into the world of music, success, and technology. Strap yourselves in as we journey back to the inception of our friendship, which started eight years …

1
The Crystal Method: From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Longevity 1:29:48

10M ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Hey Coffee Drinkers! Ever wondered how some iconic artists maintain their longevity in the music industry? Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I chat with Scott of the legendary The Crystal Method. We dive into the creative process behind their distinctive sound, exploring the influence of Scott's upbringing, the music of his childhood, rave cultur…

1
Chance The Snapper & Alligator Robb, a Chicago Tale of Two Lives Saved 38:10

10M ago38:10

38:10

Chance the Snapper is a four to five foot long alligator that was found swimming in the Humboldt Park lagoon, in Chicago, Illinois, on the evening of July 9, 2019. The animal was named after Chance the Rapper in an online poll conducted by the Block Club Chicago news website,beating other suggested nicknames such as Ruth Gator Ginsberg, Croc Obama,…

1
Kira Kosarin: Balancing Success, Time Management, and Mental Health 1:38:01

11M ago1:38:01

1:38:01

Hey Coffee Drinkers, Welcome to the first episode of Grounds For Success! Get ready to be inspired by the incredible Kira Kosarin, a talented actor and artist/singer-songwriter who has achieved amazing success in her career, but is a wealth of knowledge in so many aspects of the entertainment industry. In this episode, we chat about her unique back…

1
When Charna Met Del Close - A story of the creation of long from improvisation 31:19

1+ y ago31:19

31:19

CHARNA HALPERN Charna Halpern (born June 1, 1952) is founded the ImprovOlympic, now known as iO. Upon iO's founding, in 1983, with partner Del Close, she began teaching Harold to many students in the Chicago theater community. Many prominent comedians performed at iO, from Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mike Myers, She and Close co-authored the book Truth …

1
Halley's Comet and the Panic of 1910 14:34

1+ y ago14:34

14:34

In 1910, Halley’s Comet was due to pass close by Earth — and everyone from religious fanatics to news reporters stoked the fires of a global panic, believing it was the end of the world. Samba/Bossa Nova Band (Chambered Electric/Acoustic Guitar) Mercedes Sara Landazuri (Ukulele Bass) Adam Haus (Percussion) Leo Peña 18" bass drum 14" snare Hi hat Ri…

1
The Curse of the Ghost of Colonel Sanders and the Japanese Kansai-based Hanshin Tigers baseball team 15:32

1+ y ago15:32

15:32

The Curse of the Colonel refers to a 1985 Japanese urban legend regarding a reputed curse placed on the Japanese Kansai-based Hanshin Tigers baseball team by the ghost of deceased KFC founder and mascot Colonel Sanders. The curse was said to be placed on the team because of the Colonel's anger over treatment of one of his store-front statues, which…

1
The Story of Y2K - The Year 2000 Problem - The Millennium Bug - The Y2K Glitch - The Y2K Error 17:40

1+ y ago17:40

17:40

When complex computer programs were first written in the 1960s, engineers used a two-digit code for the year, leaving out the "19." As the year 2000 approached, many believed that the systems would not interpret the "00" correctly, therefore causing a major glitch in the system STORYTELLER Jonald Reyes BAND Piano, Organ - Matt Griffo Drums - Mike A…

1
The Radium Girls 18:49

2y ago18:49

18:49

The Radium Girls were female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting watch dials with self-luminous paint. The painting was done by women at three different factories, and the term now applies to the women working at the facilities: one in Orange, New Jersey, beginning around 1917; one in Ottawa, Illinois, beginning in the …

1
Bret Hart & The Montreal Screw Job - WWF Wrestling incident 19:56

2y ago19:56

19:56

The Montreal Screwjob was an infamous unscripted professional wrestling incident that occurred on November 9, 1997, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view at the Molson Centre. Vince McMahon and his employees covertly manipulated the outcome of the match between Bret Hart, the reigning WWF Champion, and Shawn Michaels. Storyteller Chris Hanley BAND: C…

1
Music vs Brazil's Military Dictatorship - Bossa Nova Style 26:09

2y ago26:09

26:09

Most Brazilians believe their national identity is closely tied to the country’s music, as it unites those of all social backgrounds and creates a place of refuge from real life. However, as the dictatorship gained more control and became increasingly strict during the mid-1960s, innovation and creativity in art greatly diminished. One key figure i…

1
The Case of Aileen Wuornos - American Serial Killer 23:08

2+ y ago23:08

23:08

Aileen Wuornos is an American serial killer who murdered at least seven people in 1989–90. Her case drew national attention to issues such as the relationship between gender and violence and the legal treatment of acts of self-defense by women. Storyteller Sharron Palm BAND: Charlie Malave (vocal, guitar, electronic drums, synth) Matt Griffo (piano…

1
The Brunost Cheese Fire - A Norwegian Food Disaster 18:34

2+ y ago18:34

18:34

About 27 tonnes of caramelised brown goat cheese - a delicacy known as Brunost - caught light as it was being driven through the Brattli Tunnel at Tysfjord, northern Norway in 2013. The fire raged for five days. Told by Asgeir Døhl Dybvig from Oslo, Norway. BAND: Charlie Malave (vocal, guitar, electronic drums, synth) Matt Griffo (piano, vocal) Lil…

1
Mercy the Coyote gets in trouble in Chicago 11:06

2+ y ago11:06

11:06

A coyote bit a little boy, Chicagoans wanted the coyote dead, but Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in suburban Barrington, IL stepped in to show everyone Mercy. Listen to the unedited podcast and help support the episodes at --> https://www.patreon.com/mattgriffo

1
Super Massive Black Holes and LIGO 27:19

3+ y ago27:19

27:19

Cosmic science. Black holes and how we know about them thanks to multiple scientists and LIGO (The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory). Listen to the unedited podcast and help support the episodes at --> https://www.patreon.com/mattgriffo

1
Keith St Clare's Vanguard (Season 1; Ep 8) 16:54

3+ y ago16:54

16:54

In 1967, ex-military man Keith St Clare became editor of "Vanguard," a radical pre-Stonewall queer magazine that fearlessly explored taboo areas of queer culture and adamantly rejected the idea of "assimilation."By The LGBTQ History Project

1
Sink Your Teeth Into Jayne County (Season 1; Ep 7) 17:26

3+ y ago17:26

17:26

A quick bite of Jayne County, America's first openly-transgender rock star whose foul-mouthed, unapologetic music inspired artists like David Bowie, Patti Smith and the Ramones. Jayne has always bucked convention to be herself.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
The OG Cigar Smokin' Daddy, Jack Fritscher (Season 1; Ep 6) 14:11

3+ y ago14:11

14:11

In 1977, Jack Fritscher, an ex-seminarian, became editor-in-chief of Drummer magazine, and helped spread the once underground cultures of leather, cigar fetish, and BDSM to the wider world. This is the first of our new mini episodes called Quickies.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
The Theater of the Ridiculous (Season 1; Ep 5) 33:17

3+ y ago33:17

33:17

From the mid-1960s through the early 80s, a shocking, unapologetic new genre turned the art form of theater on its head. Three original performers of the "theater of the ridiculous"- Agosto Machado, Tony Zanetta, and Ruby Lynn Reyner, recount their wild, glitter-coated days in the spotlight.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
Jewel's Catch One Community (Season 1; Ep 4) 30:14

4y ago30:14

30:14

In 1973, Jewel Thais-Williams opened The Catch One, the longest-running Black queer discotheque in America and the seed for a strong community she has nurtured through the past five decades.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
Dr. Donald Kilhefner, The Most Dangerous Gay Activist Alive in America (Season 1; Ep 3) 39:21

4y ago39:21

39:21

From his work with the Gay Liberation Front to co-founding the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Radical Faeries, Dr. Donald Kilhefner is a true pioneer in LGBTQ liberation.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
The Joy of Reverend Troy Perry's Salvation (Season 1; Ep 2) 35:32

4y ago35:32

35:32

The spiritual journey of Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, the first LGBTQ church in America, and a lifelong fighter for same-sex marriage and equal rights.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
The Long, Strange Trip of Rumi Missabu (Season 1; Ep 1) 32:32

4y ago32:32

32:32

An original member of the psychedelic drag performance troupe, The Cockettes, Rumi Missabu spent most of his life lost in obscurity until a long and winding road led him back to the spotlight.By The LGBTQ History Project

1
The Story of Streeterville - A Chicago Legend 26:45

4y ago26:45

26:45

This is a Story about Cap Streeter, a drifter who schemed his way into creating what is now one of the most expensive parts of Chicago. Steph Charaska (Storyteller) BAND: Drake Shrader (vocals) Holly Souchack (vocals) Mary Hynes (vocals) Lexi Alioto (vocals) Arne Parrott (guitar) Matt Griffo (vocal/piano/bass) Dan Krackhardt (cajon) Support the Sho…

1
The Waitangi Day Protest Dildo 23:02

4y ago23:02

23:02

The woman who threw a dildo at Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce on New Zealand's national day. Listen to the unedited podcast and help support the episodes at --> https://www.patreon.com/mattgriffo

1
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal 20:58

4+ y ago20:58

20:58

In 2019, a scandal arose over a criminal conspiracy to influence undergraduate admissions decisions at several top American universities. The investigation into the conspiracy was nicknamed Operation Varsity Blues. Listen to the unedited podcast and help support the episodes at --> https://www.patreon.com/mattgriffo

1
Jane Fonda The Activist 12:41

4+ y ago12:41

12:41

Jane Fonda has had a life full of activism and has now begun “Fire Drill Fridays.” The protests, which Fonda refers to as "Fire Drill Friday," are to show support for a Green New Deal and bring awareness to the ways in which climate change affects other parts of human life, such as women's rights, access to drinking water and global militarism. It'…

1
The Vantablack Feud - Anish Kapoor vs. Stuart Semple & The Chicago Bean 22:57

4+ y ago22:57

22:57

An art feud over color between Stuart Semple and Anish Kapoor. They have been feuding since 2016 when Kapoor received exclusive rights to the Vantablack pigment, said to be the blackest shade of black ever created. In retaliation, Semple created the "pinkest pink" paint pigment and banned Kapoor from purchasing it, shortly followed by his Faze colo…

1
Paul McCartney Goes to a Tokyo Jail for a bag of cannabis 17:14

4+ y ago17:14

17:14

In this episode comedian Ron Ervin tells the story of Paul McCartney getting arrested in Tokyo in 1980. Listen to the unedited podcast at and help support the episodes at --> https://www.patreon.com/posts/32302553

1
Cleveland Balloonfest ’86 20:15

4+ y ago20:15

20:15

Balloonfest '86 was a 1986 event in which the United Way of Cleveland in Ohio set a world record by releasing almost one-and-a-half million balloons. The event was intended to be a harmless fundraising publicity stunt, but the balloons drifted back over the city, Lake Erie, and landed in the surrounding area, and caused problems for traffic and a n…

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