SOJcast

So long and thanks for all the dish(es)

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:15:00 +0000

Having fans is great, and we feel incredibly blessed with the success the SOJCast has enjoyed. At last count we were approaching 17,000 listens; that’s really astounding for a couple of guys who like food.

Unfortunately, success can sometimes bring unintended consequences. In our case, the Sons of Joy have ended up with a fan who’s much, much too dedicated. A stalker.

We have been pursuing all the legal remedies at our disposal, but even if we win our case, the future of the SOJCast was very much in question. For the last few months, since we went silent, we have been contemplating how we might be able to carry on podcasting without sharing the private details of our lives. It seems like the success that we enjoyed was a direct result of our openness with our listeners. We have come to the painful conclusion that the SOJCast can’t continue in any form that would meet our standards of excellence. As much as we enjoy talking about food and interviewing neat people, the risk that we place on ourselves and our families is simply too great.

We’ll keep looking at our situation and see if we can’t find other ways to entertain you. Until then here's some parting food porn to enjoy (don't think for a moment we've given up on that).

We thank you for listening and for all your support.

A delightful triumvirate of tacos

Cuban sandwich (Tampa-style)

Korean BBQ

Tandoori-buffalo wings

Mashed Potato Hamburger

Some sort of breakfast, with eggs, fried chicken, potatoes and a slice of mellon

Some of the finest fish Lake Michigan offers, lightly battered and fried.

Garlic-butter clams

Rare Prime Rib

Poutine that would make any Canadian weep. Made in the USA.

Someone left a poached egg on this hot dog, how thoughtful!

Wild Board Bacon

The freshest trout around (they were swimming an hour earlier)

Pizza with brussels sprouts? Don't judge.

Pizza topped with Mac & Cheese

Debris Po' Boy

Shrimp remoulade Po' Boy

Oysters on the half shell

Grilled oysters with garlic and cheese

Iberian Ham sandwich

Ribeye with mushroom sauce

Carolina BBQ, ribs, pulled pork, brisket

Catfish tacos

24 - The Taste

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:14:00 +0000

Episode 24

Special Guest: Chef Diane DiMeo from The Taste

This week we reflect on what we did for Easter. Once the kids are too old to hunt for eggs, life is a little more mundane.

Ron's Roost

Imagine the Easter eggs a 14' chicken would lay.

Dishwashers (the machines) are the signs of progress here at the SOJCast. What happens when they go out? A lot of eating over the sink. We wonder if our guest Chef Diane DiMeo ever eats over the sink.

Interview with Chef Diane DiMeo (12:30)

This was an awesome interview. Listen to what it's like being a woman and a kick-ass chef. Chef Diane offers up hard-won wisdom and insider info on Chopped and The Taste. Catch up with Chef Diane Dimeo:

Website: Chef Diane Dimeo's Web Page

Facebook: Chef Diane Dimeo on Facebook

Twitter: Follow Chef Diane Dimeo on Twitter

Diane's Fermented Products: Bootleg Farms

Hooves and Teats

Food Porn (43:00)

Mark's Selection:

Nada Mexican Restaurant

You can put Crispy Pork Belly in a taco?!?

Baja Fish Tacos

Tacos!

fried hake "baja style" + guacamole + lime cabbage + pico de gallo

guacamole + pickled peppers & onions + guajillo diablo salsa + cilantro

Stacey’s selection:

Szechwan Garden

In order to ensure delivery, Stacey ordered enough to feed all the people in the Szechwan province.
General Tso's chicken and Beef and Broccoli were top notch. Best of all: no plates to clean!

This week the SOJCast is sponsoring

Women Helping Women

Women Helping Women serves Southwestern Ohio as a unique provider of crisis intervention and support services for direct and indirect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.

23 - Fish Tails

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:18:00 +0000

Episode 23

We have our second ever co-co-host. Mark’s son Oren. He’s a fisherman and after all the fish stories we got this month, we wanted some professional help.

Also he attends the media's latest darling: Florida Gulf Coast College. Go Eagles!

FGCU is not only where they were hiding an amazing basketball team, they also have an on-campus sushi bar. Did your college? How about alligators and snakes? They have them too. Did you know they treat their freshmen like royalty? They do, and maybe this is why they win.

We also have a number of fishing questions that Oren answers. He was good enough to take time away from shore fishing on beaches filled with bikini clad co-eds. What dedication!

This is a tarpon. They sure are shiny.

Food Porn (29:00)

Oren’s selection:
120 Bites of Peanut Butter Mayhem

Paula's crazy creation!

After 120 bites of luxurious peanut butter, we needed something salty and savory.

The Slaughterhouse Sandwich

The Slaughterhouse is a KFC Double-down inside of a Wendy's Baconator.

Probably best to enjoy this during your college years while you still have a high metabolism

Mark's Selection:
The Amish Buffet on Highway 64
Curiously enough it was not the Amish Buffet that was full of Amish. It turns out they all hang out at the McDonalds next door!

Can you see all the beef in that gravy? Oh yeah.

It's a buffet. Seconds is sorta mandatory. Spaghetti and mash potatoes? Don't judge.

This week the SOJCast is sponsoring The Way Home Rescue Alliance

They take animals from kill shelters and give them a place to stay until you adopt them!

Like them on FB and give them a few bucks, or better yet - Adopt a new friend.

22 - SOJCast: Impossible

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:23:00 +0000

Episode 22

Special Guest: Robert Irvine from Restaurant Impossible

This week the SOJCast doesn't have a sponsor. Instead, we are sponsoring the Freestore Foodbank.

We spend a lot of time talking about food here at the SOJCast but it's vital to remember that not everyone has access to food, even here in Cincinnati. That's where the Freestore Foodbank comes in.

Don't forget there's still time to get your entry in the March Writing Contest here.

We extended the deadline to March 25, so what's your excuse? Your favorite team won't make the Final Four anyway. Cash prizes, trophies and other great stuff.

Lex-Con is host to such greats as Billy Dee Williams, Margot Kidder and Charity Parkerson.

The SOJCast got on the road and went to bring Charity some Abby Girl cupcakes and some GiGi's cupcakes so she can decide which was best. We suspect future food porn in the making...

Taco Bell troubles call The Wolf, or Mark, whichever. He'll talk you through it. Don't forget the Verde sauce. You were warned. We also lament the loss of Taco Viva.

That Clint Eastwood spoof of a commercial has been saved on the internet here

If you remember Taco Viva, drop us a comment. We love to commiserate.

Interview with Chef Robert Irvine (14:15)

A SOJCast impossibility becomes possible as the Food Network's Chef Robert Irvine does an interview while driving. Always cool under pressure, Chef Robert does not crash his car. He talks Restaurant Impossible, how to get your kids to eat vegetables (without bribery of ANY kind), the charities he supports, and his favorite food. You'll never guess what it is. You'll have to listen. He also tells us what his ultimate restaurant deal breaker is and the one dish he makes better than anyone else. You'll never guess that one, either.

Find out what question we were afraid to ask, but did it anyway. Chef Irvine was kind enough to let us leave it in the broadcast. Take that, Anne Burrell!

Watch his television show: Restaurant Impossible!

Visit his website: http://chefirvine.com

Follow Robert Irvine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertirvine1

In keeping with the philanthropic tone of this week's episode, please visit the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports all of our wounded warriors.

Food Porn (39:00)

Stacey’s selection:
Red State BBQ

It was so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture. Like all good BBQ joints, when they are out of something, they won't have any more for hours. We enjoyed the pulled pork and brisket but when's Rib and Chicken Day?

Good thing Laura got a picture of hers:

Mark's plate: Pulled Pork, Brisket, Green Beans and Corn Pudding.

Mark's Selection:

Django's Western Taco

If you’re in Northside, definitely stop by Django’s. The Jalapeno and Bacon Cornbread as mind boggling. The bean dip was unimaginably delicious. Also try some of their tacos. On display here are Al Pastor (Marinated Pork, Pineapple, mint), Chicken (salsa verde) and Beef (horseradish crema and cilantro)

See that empty plate? That was the bean dip.

21 - Biggest Loser

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:13:00 +0000

Episode 21

Special Guest: Emily Joy from Biggest Loser

The SOJCast announces its first writing contest: The SOJys.

Cash prizes, trophies and other great stuff. Claim your seat at the SOJCast table and join us if you win. Why not enter?

Read the details of the March Writing Contest here.

Deadline ~~March 21~~. EXTENDED to March 25

Speaking of fish and lent, did you know the Filet-O-Fish was invented here in Cincinnati? We did.

Interview with Emily Joy from Biggest Loser (13:50)

Emily started the interview out by making us something very “un-food porny.” It was so awful-looking we relegated its picture to the bottom of our post. Go check. Seriously. Despite its strange appearance, she maintained that it was delicious and offered a virtual “high five” to vegans everywhere.

Learn about the secrets of reality TV. Did you know in Hollywood a week might mean 16 days? Whoa.
Don't believe everything you see on reality TV. No! Say it isn't so.

We did not ask Emily if she was single... okay we did but not like that…

Are you one of those people who eats to live?
Emily hates you. (Ok, not really - but we all think you're hooked on the goofballs)

Emily turns us on to Slutty Brownies - they are not young girls with emotional problems, but they are sinful! Not in the way our sponsor would approve of, but pretty darn close...

Also hear tales of the Danish Puff and a Peanut Butter and Fluff sandwich

Food Porn (featuring Emily Joy) (38:45)

Mark’s selection: Embers

The Cowboy Bone-In Ribeye

Short Rib Ravioli

Oreo Stuffed Donut

Stacey’s selection: Whole Foods Pizza
It was so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture. Also he needs to check who’s running the counter before he orders, otherwise he might end up with another goat cheese on cardboard. Hmmm

Emily chooses: Panera's Spinach Power Salad

Special Shout-Out from Emily to:

Total Nutrition Technology

And very special thanks to Angela and Megan from TNT!
Why not follow Megan on Twitter? @Megan_TNTgetfit

Hey Emily - This is not food porn!

Mmmm chlorophyll

__________________________________________________________________________________

This week's SOJCast is sponsored by:

The Sinner's Series

by Charity Parkerson

20 - Strange Voices

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:57:00 +0000

Episode 20

Interview with Amber Jerome-Norrgard and Scott Morgan (25:30)

Join us as we interview Amber and Scott. Learn the secrets to good writing and whether or not Amber was raised by pirates. They also take some time and talk poetry and the Four Paws Project.

The Quillective Project's mission is to turn the power of the written word into an instrument of compassion, hope, and generosity by putting that power directly in the hands of organizations that share our principles. The 2013 Quillective Project is Four Paws, a poetry anthology featuring bestselling authors Scott Morgan, Ben Ditmars, Amber Jerome-Norrgard and Robert Zimmermann, with a "fourword" by Russell Blake.
100% of all proceeds from the sale of Four Paws will benefit The Dallas Humane Society's no-kill shelter, Dog & Kitty City.

Four Paws on Facebook
Quillective on Facebook

You love dogs and cats, right? Then what the hell are you waiting for? Buy it now!

Amber and Scott even favor us with some vegan food porn. Say what?!? Yes, that’s right, a SOJcast first. Vegan food porn. Will their descriptions of the plant world’s bounty be enough to sway you to join their cause?

Amber’s website: http://amberjeromenorrgard.com/
Like and subscribe to her FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberJeromeNorrgard?fref=ts
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmberNorrgard

Scott’s website: http://www.write-hook.com/
Like and subscribe to his FB fan page: https://www.facebook.com/scott.morgan.18007218
Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/write_hook

Food Porn (58:00)

This week we have a food porn showdown! Which restaurant had a finer crispy chicken, named for the ruthless General Tso, who apparently batter-fried his victims and doused them in a spicy sauce?

Szechuan Garden - Park Hills, KY

Spicy Talk - Redmond, WA

Why not buy yourself some plane tickets and try them yourself? Better yet, have a colossal road trip, you're bound to find some more gems along the way...

See you next time, if the world isn't destroyed,

19 - The Unexpected

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:13:00 +0000

Episode 19

Food Porn and Interview with Mike Harwood (owner of Whack Burger) (29:30)

Learn the secrets (or maybe not) of the mysterious and delicious Whack Burger.

A WhackBurger being built. Mesmerizing isn't it?

Mike explains the importance of fresh ingredients. We were shocked to learn the meat comes from our neighbor Heringer Meats just across the street. Did you know that Whack Burger has 14 burgers on the menu? Have a look. We get to ask why Whack Burger has a wall of comic (not that we were complaining). Listen and learn.

We even talk about our idea for a burger contest here in Covington. Is Mike on board with the idea?

The wall of comics. How many Spiderman(s) can you find?

18 - Careful Planning gone wrong

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Episode 18

Sponsored by:

Careful Planning Gone Wrong

This week's Xombee Guy is ...

In this week's Trailer Trash blog

Trailer Trash #18

Interview with Charity Parkerson ()

Charity's website:
Like and subscribe to her FB fan page:
Follow her on Twitter:

Food Porn featuring Charity Parkerson (:00)

Charity also reopens old wounds with the Pineapple of Discord.

See you next time, if the world isn't destroyed,

17 - Traditions

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Episode 17

Sponsored by:

Traditions

SOJcast 17 is all about traditions: the widespread conventional ones and homegrown family ones.

Current Events (15:30)

Did you know that Stacey's mother was coming for Thanksgiving? Of course you did, we told you so in SOJcast 16. Well she came. Listen as we discuss her curious habit of speaking her mind. A mom without a filter! We also discuss the less traditional Thanksgiving Mark attended. Whose turkey was most moist? Listen. Learn. Brine.

Are you like Xombee Guy? Had a little too much family for Thanksgiving?

We start our discussion with the idea that millennials bristle at many traditions, while others have quietly crept into their subconsciousness. Do you agree? Is this the generation that will do away with all but our most hallowed traditions or are we just stirring the pot (of hot oil)?

Here's some of the traditions we discuss - how many are self-explanatory?

Mexican Friday
Sausage Fest
Movie Night with Grandma
Backwards Birthday
Deep Fried Friday

What are some of your traditions that you've invented? We have a big calendar next year and Arbor Day needs help.

Food Porn (31:00)

Deep Fried Friday (also called Unbelting Day in Canada)

Two guys and two Fry Daddies. Such is the stuff of legend.

Meatballs, meet hot oil. Oil, to your task.

While everyone had a hand in the deep frying, in actual fact Laura was the Iron Chef in residence. Her culinary skills would cause Alton Brown to weep salty tears.

Laura's (aka Lauren's) corn dogs were wonders to behold - and wonders to eat!

Here's a selection from the menu on Deep Fried Friday:

Cheddar Cheese
Corn Dogs
Ravioli - Meat and Cheese
Meatballs
Cincinnati-style Chili (Gold Star as point of fact)
Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwiches
Bananas
Cookie Dough
Candy Bars

The Prime Rib didn't fit in the Fry Daddy, so it went in the oven. Kinda sad right? Nah...

16 - Thanksgiving

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Episode 16

Sponsored by:

Thanksgiving

We depart from our normal format to discuss Thanksgiving in SOJcast 16. You might say it's one big food porn episode but you'd be wrong if you did.

We discuss some Thanksgivings that were less that fantastic:

Learn about why Florida Thanksgivings were awful things in the 1980s.
Listen to strange tales of post-modern alienation in "Divorce Thanksgivings"

We also discuss some that were, in fact, fantastic:

If you get the chance to visit a Dominican/Italian home for Thanksgiving - don't you miss it.
How about a ginormous Midwestern Thanksgivings where the whole town attends? Oh my, yes.

We discuss our recent family dinner which was nearly a Thanksgiving, for all intents and purposes. It was at an Italian restaurant that will remain without a link (it wasn't so good). Stacey had some apothic wine which leads Erin to accuse the Sons of Joy of picking her up from day care drunk as skunks We must defend our honor and refute the charges!

Turns out we were just tossing umbrellas around like they were Springfield rifles. People often mistake this behavior for drunkenness or mental illness.

It looked exactly like this - but with umbrellas.

Also learn who got sick at dinner, threw up in a roadside bathroom but made a full recovery and was eating a Whack burger at midnight.

We reveal the fact that Stacey's mother is coming for Thanksgiving. But how many people will really show up? How many Thanksgiving orphans can we accommodate? Have you ever been a Thanksgiving orphan? Leave some comments!

Have you ever deep fried a turkey? How about a prime rib? a hot dog? a Reuben? We share some of our deep frying lessons. Safety first!

Deep Fried Reubens

Feeds one, unless you are kind and want to share

1 lb of corned beef (from your favorite local Deli - ours is Izzy's)
1 jar of Thousand Island Dressing
1/2 lb of sauerkraut (make your own if you can)
2-3 tubes of Pillsbury biscuit dough (plain)

Take a biscuit and flatten it. Add a pinch of corned beef, a pinch of sauerkraut and a splash of Thousand Island dressing. Stretch the dough over the contents and pinch the biscuit shut. Make up as many reubens as you plan to cook before you start cooking them.

Fill vessel with enough peanut oil to cover reubens. Heat oil to 350 degrees (you can use a stovetop pot and a 3-4 cups oil if you aren't deep frying a turkey).

(Carefully!) Slide the biscuits into the hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
Serve Hot!

Happy Thanksgiving World!

In conclusion we take a moment to give thanks for the people who mean the most to us.
We certainly hope you do the same.

15 - Needless Distraction

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:11:00 +0000

Episode 15

Sponsored by:

Second Chances

What do Richard Nixon, Abraham Lincoln and Grover Cleveland have in common?

Join in for some electoral logo fun!
Why is there a Log Cabin and a Chicken on the ballot?
Why is the Kentucky ballot mired in pre-civil war iconography?
Listen and learn.

Current Events (11:15)

Learn why someone typed "There's a bee in my ass" and ended up on the Xombee Guy website.

Also Stacey talks about how he was Left for Dead in the latest installment of Trailer Trash with a Girl's Name.

Interview with Mary O Paddock (20:00)

We talk writing and spinach with Mary Paddock and discuss the creation of her new book The Fassen Files. Mary talks us through the world of indie publishing and explains where she got her book covers.

Food Porn (51:10)

We follow the proclamation of Charles Joy @ThanosRules and return to Cancun - together. In fact we went on Halloween.

Did it win Stacey over? If Montoya's closes would Stacey go to Cancun instead? Listen and learn.

It turns out that Cake is "the Needless Distraction"

We also discuss the restaurant next door to Cancun. Guru Indian Restaurant.

Stay tuned as we discover the strange and mysterious Tandoori Buffalo Wings

Also learn the about the affections of the bus boy...

Paddock's Spinach Lasagna

Feeds six sturdy men of the Ozarks

Mere mortals may want to adjust the amounts.

6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 15 oz container ricotta or 2% fat cottage cheese (drained)
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons minced garlic
6 cups pasta sauce
18 or so lasagna noodles
4 cans (15 ounce cans) spinach (well drained)
1 teaspoon black pepper, cracked if you've got it
pinch of red pepper flakes

Set aside a cup of the sauce as well as a cup or so of mozzarella cheese in advance for the topping.

After making sure the spinach is drained (cannot emphasize this enough) mix with the ricotta/cottage cheese as well as the remaining sauce, the parmesan cheese, and the seasonings. Mix well. After that layer your noodles, filling, and cheese like you would any other lasagna, ending with noodles and sauce. Do not apply the cheese yet as it will stick to the aluminum and you’ll lose everyone’s favorite part. J

Cook covered with aluminum foil for about an hour, uncovering in the last fifteen minutes to add the last of the mozzarella.

Some notes—

The charm of this recipe is how flexible it is. It originally called for no-boil pasta, but my crew hated the texture (Personally I prefer the whole wheat noodles, but half of the men don’t like them). I’ve used a variety of pasta sauces ranging from homemade (with homegrown tomatoes) to store brand and while the homemade was better (of course) I noticed that the leftovers didn’t stick around any longer either way. I’ve tried fresh and frozen spinach, but the crew tells me that canned is better. If you go the route of using fresh or frozen, be sure to cook it in advance. A side note—Fresh parsley is very different than the dried stuff and good for you too. If you’ve got a local farmer’s market consider getting it there or grow your own in a pot on a windowsill. You’ll never go back. The same applies to garlic.

14 - Halloween-o-rama

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Episode 14

Sponsored by:

Halloween

Our first annual Halloween SOJcast, what could be better?
How about the first annual Xombee Guy Halloween strip?
You got it:

Current Events (1:00)

As the east coast of America is pounded by the Frankenstorm. We discuss other storms that have shaped American history. When you hear the line "Give Queen Elizabeth a nautical spanking..." it will seem perfectly natural.

Last week was the Microsoft Surface launch. We discuss our "unboxing" experience and talk about whether or not we could actually write a book on this thing.

In fact, last week's co-cohost Charles Joy, also reviewed a Surface on his Podcast. Why not check it out here.

Halloween-o-rama (13:00)

We discuss our favorite Halloween memories. Turns out they were not the hot, sweaty, southern Halloweens of our childhoods.

Listen as we discuss the fatherly task of sorting candy for the kids, at least until they are old enough to sort it themselves.

Also learn the Oct 30 tradition at Stacey's house.

Scary Book/Movie talk (31:00)

Is The Tell-Tale Heart scarier than Misery?
What makes a book (or movie) scary?

We discuss some of our recent fears like falling off a cruise ship or falling from a great height.

What scares you and why?

Food Porn (47:10)

Halloween Meatloaf

Start a tradition

2.5 pounds ground sirloin
1 pound lean ground pork
1.5 bottles of Heinz chili sauce
2 whole eggs
3/4 of a medium white onion, finely minced
1 cup of quick or old fashioned oatmeal

Combine ingredients in a VERY large bowl

Place in a baking pan (or several)

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Use the remaining 1/2 bottle of chili sauce on top if loaf (or loaves)

Feeds a small army

Pumpkin Seeds

Delight in some pumpkin seeds, don't throw them away!

Remove the seeds from your pumpkin.

Wash them thoroughly. Remove any pulp.

Drizzle olive oil on the seeds and mix (optional)

Arrange seeds in a single layer on a baking pan

Bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees.

Salt to taste.

Feeds one hungry dude.

13 - Superheroes eat tacos too

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Episode 13

Sponsored by:

Super Heroes

In a SOJcast first, we have a co-co-host (through the magic of Skype).

Charles Joy

@ThanosRules, mastermind behind the wildly successful podcast - Stacks of Comics.

Spoiler Alert! he sounds like Kevin Smith!

How did Charles receive such an honor?

Was this because he was the first person to leave a comment last week? Listen and find out!

Comic Savant, Podcast Powerhouse, and the Prophet of Purple.

Charles had just come back from the Women of Wonder Day 2012

Interview (formally at 17:30 but really the fun starts at the beginning)

Our first ever SOJcast interview. Give a big round of applause for Charles (louder please, its the internet).

Last week we covered literature, this week we cover comic books. We are nothing if not versatile.

Lar deSouza Original - Captain Marvel as Texas Ranger

Questions asked:

What's the origin myth of Stack of Comics?
If someone wanted to start back into comics, where would they start?
Who's your favorite superheros, lady superheros and super villains?
Best comic movies
Worst comic movies
Comic book food porn
What is a 'con'?
Are comics really shackled by legal and issues and wrangling?

The bottom line is we all recommend that you check out your local comic store. They can be your spirit guide into comics. It's not scary at all.

http://www.comicshoplocator.com

Food Porn (52:45)

Mexican Standoff!

In another SOJcast first, Stacey and Mark disagree about a restaurant? No way!

Someone ate a fajita inside of a pineapple. No kidding.

Hear the story of Cancun Mexican Restaurant.

Who loved it Who hated it?

We leave the final decision to Charles because he lives in Texas.

We agree to Charles' decree and we will go back (together) and try it again.

The meal in question

What's the litmus test for a good Mexican restaurant? \

A Taco? Salsa? Fajitas?

The Best things we ate this week:

Okay, well maybe Charles didn't eat it this week but he describes in loving detail Jalapeno Ranch Dip.

Delicioso Jalapeno Ranch Dip

12 - Training Wheels

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:14:00 +0000

Episode 12

Sponsored by:

First Cars

First cars come in all shapes and sizes. Ours looked something like the two images above. What was your first car? Leave us a comment. Go ahead, rub it in.

Updates (3:22)

Mark's mom comes to visit. They set off for a pleasant train ride to a pumpkin patch and end up in a maelstrom of political campaigning. True story! Mark also had dinner with legendary cartoonist Chris Hart.

Stacey was off galavanting with Jamaican goats. More precisely he went on a Caribbean cruise. Loads of medication prevented sea sickness. Take that Ahab! He also faced the perils of tubing and climbing waterfalls without a safety net.

Jamaican Death Falls!

Luckily Stacey got to hold hands with a sweaty man who saved him from almost near certain peril (maybe).

SOJ History (23:00)

Read the story of our first cars here: Training Wheels

Reviews (35:00)

Love in the Time of Dinosaurs by Alexandria Constantinova Szeman
This is a collection of short stories and poetry that we delighted in reading. When confronted with beautiful language and Old Testament references, it's best to just luxuriate in the prose. Clearly a book for fans of literature and good writing everywhere. It's not often that we find stories that take such magical but unflinching examinations into the lives of famous characters like Lot's wife, fictional footnotes like Ahab's wife and even nobodies like Auggie Vernon.

Follow Alexandria Szeman - @Alexandria_SZ on Twitter and read more about at her page here.

Grab an copy on Amazon. or read some more excerpts.

This book is so good, we are extending an invitation to Alexandria to be interviewed on a future SOJCast. That's a SOJCast first!

Food Porn (50:45)

Stacey climbs aboard the floating feast that is a modern cruise ship (Freedom of the Seas). Check your stateroom for towel monkeys or towel elephants (they will wear your shades). Also they have been known to steal your towels.

14 decks of floating feasts with a Johnny Rockets on the top deck. Nice. Italian, Steak, Indian, Chinese, Buffets, take your pick. Your Macedonian waiter will be happy to assist you further.

The Best things we ate this week:

Tartufo. A dessert so good, Stacey forgot to take a picture before he zoomed through the thing. Happily for us, it was a cruise ship and he was able to just order up another.

11 - The Refugee

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Episode 11

Sponsored by:

Caller ID

This week we discuss the pitfalls of not having Caller ID. A technology that we all take for granted today. Watch some classic sitcoms and then consider how different they would be if the cast had Caller ID. Seinfeld - we're looking at you. Better yet, listen to this week's SOJCast.

Project Updates (6:00)

Getting up at the crack of dawn, perhaps even before that, has been working pretty well. The book grows in pages as the tree does in leaves. This week we also record the SOJCast before the sun rises.

Did you hear Stacey's story of a competent public official? If only all politics really were local.

It's also that time of year when Parent/Teacher conferences happen. Was Stacey's trip a brow beating from the faculty or a victory lap for the 'rents?

SOJ History (21:00)

Read the story of The Refugee

Reviews (44:00)

eWomen are Lunatics (eDating Advice from the Bubbameistah) by Maura Stone
It's a terrific book of dating advice from your Yiddish Grandmother. Surprisingly hilarious!
Of course you should date online, you're such a catch.

Follow Maura Stone - @MauraStone on Twitter and at her Blog

Grab an copy on Amazon.

Food Porn (52:30)

Stacey gets ready to head off on vacation and leave his low carb lifestyle on the shore. But this week we are still toughing it out with animal flesh. Chickens in particular.

The best meal of the week goes to our chicken wing feast at Hooters. We were there for the wings... seriously, we were. No, really. Usually we just take them home. The Chicken Wings.

Also restaurant karma comes full circle and we get a giant table!

50 wings. Medium, wet and naked. That just doesn't sound right!

We also spend some time reminiscing about our favorite chicken wing restaurant of all time (that is no more). Buffalo's Original Wings 'N Rings in Tallahassee, FL. They had awesome chicken wings and served carrots with their blue cheese!
We loved it so much we saved a coupon for more than 20 years. If you ever use a time machine and go to the beginning of 1989, feel free to use our coupon. You'll be glad you did - time machine gas is really expensive, or so we hear.

10 - Puppy Love

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:11:00 +0000

Episode 10

Sponsored by:

Dogs

Ever wonder what the SOJ dogs look like? Really? That's odd.
Anyway, here's the crew:

Jake

Sophie

Kodos

Enough already with the cuteness.

Project Updates

Our new format or More of what you want when you want it.
Pirates surround Studio Z!
Stacey gets an earful of Yiddish curses from TTWGN
Our desktop Ballista Update. Spoiler Alert: It works.

Our Desktop and our Ballista. It must be our Desktop Ballista!

SOJ History

Read the story of Ouzo the Dog and Puppy Love.

Reviews

PGB by Christina Fifield-Winn
Follow CF Winn - @KafeCastro on Twitter

Thirty toothbrushes for thirty days. It will all seem perfectly normal, you just wait.

Grab an e-copy on Amazon.

Food Porn

Boi Na Brasa

The best thing you can do on your low carb diet. Just don't blame us if you get the meat "sweats"

One of many, many plates. Notice green is facing up!

9 - Reindeer Dogs

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:13:00 +0000

Episode 9

Sponsored by:

Alaska!

Current Events

Fall comes to the Midwest. This means its time to cover the pool, level the backyard and salt the earth.

We discuss Mark's Alaskan Get-a-way:

Where's the Kenai Peninsula exactly and was it near that Exxon-Valdez oil spill? It sure was:

Fall colors come to Alaska first. Take that Maine!

A brief history of gold in Fairbanks at the Davidson Ditch

Gold Dredge #8

Would you trade gold for a 1974 Fiat? Someone did...

Project Updates

Stacey recounts the story of his bout with tonsillitis and use of the spit bowl. Some folks in the twitterverse doubted it was a factual account. Listen: it's a true story. We promise.

We also discuss our new writing schedule. We might need a rooster!

Remember: "Books are measured in pages, not in fragments of ham."

Reviews

Stacey sings the praise of Mary Paddock.

Martian Buffaloes and mermaids, oh my!

Grab an e-copy of Sing on Amazon.

Or better yet, have them mail you a copy in paperback.

Food Porn

A Senora reindeer dog - it just boggles the mind.

If you favorite pizzeria doesn't come with a fat dog to beg for your crusts, maybe you should move to Alaska.

Panorama Pizza in Cantwell, AK

We discuss a bit about Halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska. Home of Jewel and Mrs. America 2012.
This is what a halibut looks like, expect they might weight over 300lbs!!!

The Best things we ate this week:

How's this for accessible: Fresh Eggs.

Okay, I know you probably don't have access to eggs this fresh. That should make you mad.

Consider getting yourself some hens. No, Seriously - hens.

Eggs laid the day before by chickens 10 feet away

8 - Honesty and bad garlic

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Episode 8

Sponsored by:

Honesty

Current Events

A Gym class where you fail if you don't hit your ideal BMI?
What's become of our public schools?

Restaurant: Impossible

The Roberts clan gets to hang out with Robert Irvine on the muddy banks of the Ohio river. Celebrity stalking at its finest.

Project Updates

Every wonder why this is called a SOJcast?
The origin story of The Sons of Joy is finally here. Listen and learn.

As for updates, honestly, we didn't get anything done.
Are we sorry for that? We are.
We discuss our ideas on resetting our target date. Feel free to hold us to this!

Reviews

We kinda review The King of Kong. Sorta.
Watch it. It's dramatic.

Food Porn

Another week without carbs. (grumble)
So, uh, chicken, it's chicken then. Yeah.

The Best things we ate this week:

Ms. Laura's Chicken Salad Recipe:

Chicken breast
Mayonnaise
A hard boiled egg
Chives
Celery
Jane's Krazy Mixed Up
Pepper

Exactly how much of those is a mystery, yo. If only she would write a food blog...

Buffalo Wings with garlic (this was good garlic)

The good and bad of chicken wings at Tom and J's in Hollywood, FL (formerly Wings and Curls - new name, same great wings). A mistep with garlic that had grave gastronic consiquences doesn't stop Mark from going back twice in one week. Blue cheese with poppy seeds is extra fun for mandatory drug testing. The curly fries sure look good - and to the best of our recollection they were, in fact, good.

We also recall that our high school physics teacher, Mr. Donate, enjoyed Rickey's wings, which is just down the street from Tom and J's, plus it is featured in the King of Kong!

7 - For want of a leg

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:37:00 +0000

Episode 7

Sponsored by:

Lowered Expectations

Current Events

Mitt Romney picks Paul Ryan as his running mate. We reflect on how picks are made and a brief history of how VPs were picked in the old day. Would you believe it was even more fractious than today? We also talk about the times when the VP actually assumed the mantle of the presidency.

Also America wins the Olympics and lands an SUV on Mars. Take that, everyone who's not America!

Don't forget to try your hand (and arms) at landing the Mars Rover Landing on the Xbox with Kinect

Project Updates

After spilling our collective guts to you in SOJcast #6, we are happy to report that we are getting back to it. Check out Stacey's blog Trailer Trash with a Girl's Name which is also linked on our site. While working on a special scene in which our characters must cut off someone's leg, we decided we should try to understand how this works.

Graphic Content Follows! It's only pork but its still kinda gross

In our earnest desire to understand the mechanics of dismemberment, we pay a trip to our local butcher (and raise the suspicions of local authorities) and create a "leg" from pork.

Kids, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. We are professional authors.

Our homemade leg. "Before"

We learn that jeans are surprisingly effective against a cleaver.

The tissue beneath the denim isn't exactly pristine but the cleaver is deflected from cutting the jeans.
Of course once the jeans are out of the way, well that's another matter....

Our leg after the cleaving

Reviews

No reviews this week. We suck.

Food Porn

What happens when you go to a restaurant and don't order your favorite item?
Say it ain't so. Lowered carbohydrates means lowered expectations.

Outback with no blooming onion?

Montoya's with no cheese dip?

The Best things we ate this week:

Oh, and a food porn section without any pictures of food? Really?
Please address all complaints to our sponsor.

6 - Productivity or a lack thereof...

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:55:00 +0000

Episode 6

Sponsored by:

Productivity

Current Events

We cover the SOJcast hiatus during which Stacey and kin tour the southern states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Mark returns to The Matador and doesn't get into a fight with the locals not to mention he guest hosts on Stack of Comics.

Plus, Vice President Joe Biden, confesses to Stacey that money is what wins elections (we do our best to conceal our shock).

Project Updates

Xombee Guy reaches a landmark - 52 countries in 20 weeks. The internet allows you to take what you create make it available worldwide. Does that make you more or less productive?
Does technology help you be more productive or does it just mean you must produce more?

We also confess that we have not meet our productivity goals. We also make a SOJcast promise to get back on that horse and keep you up to date - for good or ill.

Reviews

We consider movie sequels and whether the people involved are bringing their 'A' game or if they are just phoning it in.
Ice Age: Continental Drift
A Bucket of Blood

Food Porn

NOLA Food porn but alas, no beignets :(

The Coffee Pot - New Orleans, LA. Breakfast the way it used to be with boudin balls!

Cajun Mike's - New Orleans, LA. Order whatever you want. It'll be great!

Try the "Cochon De Lait" or a burger

Another SOJcast visit to Lambert's Cafe ThrowedRolls.com in Folley, AL

The Best things we ate this week:

Homemade lasagna just to tease you. Unless you can talk Rob into making some for you.

The Double-Cheeseburger that bested all others. Denny's - Pensacola, FL (this particular Denny's)

The best. Soup. Ever. El Gaucho - Seattle, WA
Also home of the most expensive steak Mark has consumed ($142 USD)

Best. Soup. Ever.

The SOJcast also walks back (a little) our ideas on quality and value. A what point do diminishing returns kick in for food?

5 - Carpe diem

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:24:00 +0000

Episode 5

Sponsored by:

Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Laboratory

Current Events

Life isn't all sunshine and smiles. This week we consider the meaning of Carpe Diem as we look at some of the less fortunate events in the news. When Alligator boy lost his arm should we be thanking the History channel or blaming them? Also sad news from Comic-con

Project Updates

The death of the original SOJast. So it goes. The new SOJcast is here. Long live the SOJCast.

Reviews

We also look at Disasteroid! The Muon Kickstarter. Musical theater about the end of the world? What's not to love. We can't wait for them to give us a cool nickname! Consider supporting the live arts.

The heatwave finally broke but not before we took refuge in the movie houses. We discuss a couple of summer movies including Bernie and its amazing portrayal of East Texas, plus we talk about Amazing Spider-Man

Food Porn

AmerAsia in Covington, KY is a little bit of hipster paradise. Where, if you ask nice, they may describe fried rice to you at great length.
Sushi Dragon in Mississauga, Ontario

4 - The Rise and Fall of Rome

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:39:00 +0000

Episode 4

Sponsored by:

The Roman Empire

Current Events

There's a heat wave in America this week. Bloodsport at The Plaza! Living in the Klondike. Financial troubles at the Vatican. Our thoughts on improving the "Passing the plate".

Project Updates

Learning how to advertise on Google and Bing.

Reviews

The History of Rome Podcast
A discussion about what KickStarter is and why it's neat idea.

We also look at the Desktop Ballista project on Kickstarter

The Desktop Ballista

Food Porn

Montoya's Mexican Restaurant in Crescent Springs, KY

Morton's Steakhouse in Cincinnati, OH

Note how the steak dwarfs the gravy boat!

Finally, we make the case for quality, a discussion of value and the premium dinning experience.

3 - Zombie fatigue

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Episode 3

Sponsored by:

Stacks of Comics

We discuss the recent healthcare ruling by the Supreme Court, SuperPACs and money in politics plus a road-trip to Pensacola, FL.

In project updates we discuss our new stun gun (complete with test firing)

We also cover the Miami Zombie redux and a philosophical look into zombie fatigue, covering everyone from Lazarus and the Golem of Prague to Hatian zombies.

Food Porn
WhackBurger in Covington, KY

A Whack! Burger

Chow Tyme in Pensacola, FL

Lambert's Cafe ThrowedRolls.com in Folley, AL

The infamous roll, having been throwed and caught

Lambert's Fried Chicken

2 - Hatfields, McCoys and Elvis

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Episode 2

Sponsored by:

XombeeGuy.com

Current Events
Presidential Portrait Unveiling
The Return of George W. Bush
Panel Pals apology
Shout Out to @StacksofComics and @ThanosRules
Daddy got a new stun gun

Reviews
Locked Out (Zombie Bedtime Stories, #2) by Thea Isis Gregory
Full review by Mark Gosson at The Zed Word

Hatfields and the McCoys on the History Channel

Food Porn
Meatsplosion

Cheesy Mutant Ninja Burger

The Greyhound Tavern and Fried Chicken
The Matador

Bacon wrapped grilled jalapenos

In closing, we explain what happens when Wilford Brimley attacks and that calling someone Elvis is not an insult!

1 - Welcome to the SOJCast

authors@sonsofjoy.com (Mark Gosson and Stacey Roberts) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:25:00 +0000

Episode 1

The first ever SOJcast!

In this podcast we discuss:

Current Events
The Miami Cannibal
The History Bee
The Brain Bowl

Reviews
Locked in (Zombie Bedtime Stories, #1) by Thea Isis Gregory
Full review by Stacey Roberts at The Zed Word

Food Porn
Why we have a Food Porn section
The Urban Legend of Pizza Overdose
The House of Lin (sin)
Gumby's Pizza

A 20" Gumby's pizza