Episodes

Episode 12: “Supermoms and Barry White”
Interviews with author and attorney Natashia Deon and live TV director JonathanX. Band Pixie and The Party Grass Boys perform.
Dave shares his thoughts about character development in commercial voice over acting. Dave interviews author and attorney Natashia Deon about her first book, her new book, and the Los Angeles literary scene. Eric and Dave chat about American folk music and the band Pixie and The Party Grass Boys, who perform their singles “For You,” “Home” and “Lullaby” during the show. Dave interviews live TV director Jonathan X about what it’s like to direct in real time.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Guest: Natashia Deon
Guest: JonathanX
Musical Guest: Pixie and the Party Grass Boys
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Guitars, mandolin, banjo, violin
3:20 Eric and Dave talk about American folk music
8:47 “For You” by Pixie and the Party Grass Boys
14:00 Natashia Deon
28:55 “Home” by Pixie and the Party Grass Boys
38:58 Jonathan X
53:18 “Lullaby” by Pixie and the Party Grass Boys

Episode 11: “Debriefing Failures Successfully”
A talk with Eric, music creator for the show. Interview with playwright Peggy Medina. Chats with Alex Smith about science and working at NASA.
Dave breaks down his take on the concept of failure, and elaborates on how keeping a positive mindset spins him closer to new, better and different outcomes. Eric shares about his music and the people he wrote the episode’s songs with: Pete Minn and Aidan Hawkin. Dave and Playwright Peggy Medina catch up on Latin life in East LA. Dave interviews Alex Smith, who previously worked at NASA, and now has a remote job where hacking is a union of art, data, positive thinking and sustainability.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Guest: Peggy Medina
Guest: Alex Smith
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
5:51 - Eric Nash
16:29 - Peggy Medina
33:22 - Alex Smith

Episode 10: “The Artistic Process”
Interviews with rock band The Hailers. Amanda Fletcher talks about her work as a writer. Dave follows up with Simon Cole.
This episode opens with a discussion about Mariposa, California’s native Miwok indigenous peoples, and the town’s long-lived newspaper. Interviews with The Hailers lead members April and Robert. Dave and Eric talk about their music. Writer Amanda Fletcher talks about her work as a writer and tells the story of her journey. We wrap up with Simon Cole talking about age-ism in Hollywood and how upside down it is.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Guest: The Hailers
Guest: Amanda Fletcher
Guest: Simon Cole
Instruments: Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, instruments used by musical guests
4:31 April and Robert of The Hailers
26:44 Amanda Fletcher
41:00 Simon Cole

Episode 9: “Friends from Work”
Interviews with Eric Nash about music, Amanda Fletcher about writing, and Simon Cole about directing commercials.
Dave and Eric talk about how they met, and Eric tells us about his professional successes and many concert tours. Amanda Fletcher talks about PEN America’s mission, history and programs. Director Simon Cole reveals some of his secrets to making iconic commercials.
7:23 Eric Nash interview
22:16 Amanda Fletcher interview
42:53 Simon Cole interview

Episode 8: “Talks With Animals”
Dave talks about talking with animals. All the animals. And about being touched by magic, and knowing nature as a friend.
Dave’s been in the mountains for a while now, and he’s befriended the local coyotes, turkeys and even wasps. He shares his insights on living in harmony with nature, and tells intriguing stories about how animals react when they know you mean no harm. This episode explores the idea that we are not separate from nature; we are part of it, and treating our surroundings with respect is a form of self-respect.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Electric, acoustic, classic guitars with mods

Episode 7: “Be Like Water”
Change is the only constant in life. Going with the flow and being fluid is key. Being positive offers us choices and joined together, we as a people are unstoppable.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Electric guitar, baritone guitar

Episode 6: “Nature and Art”
Ancient humans weren't stupid; they were artists.
Dave solo riffs in this episode… about the evolution of art and its role in human life, and our connection to nature and its role in human health. He then shares his unique views on standing up against fascism, the hoarding of personal wealth, and mental illness.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash Intro/Outro
Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Baritone Guitar, electric and acoustic. Soundscapes.

Episode 5: “Time Equals Vision”
Dave recounts his visit to Los Angeles and the Pen America Fellowship reading.
Dave settles into life outside of Yosemite National Park, but he’s still working in LA, helping writers at Pen America in Los Angeles learn to read their work professionally. A toothache and a water heater failure threaten to set Dave back, but he approaches the problems with his usual attitude: persistent, and positive. Guest Simon Cole drops in to hang out at the ranch.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Guitars: Acoustic, electric. Soundscapes.

Episode 4: “Working With Thor”
Dave’s first night in the Sierra Nevada mountains, he was greeted by rain - and a harrowing situation.
Things don’t always go according to plan, but Dave finds that his failures and catastrophes always lead him to unexpected success. Keeping a positive attitude leads Dave to a meeting with a working class hero. Finally in his new home in the mountains, Dave contemplates his move, and remembers what it’s like to be surrounded by nature’s warm embrace.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd
Instruments: Guitars, electric and acoustic. City soundscapes, Country soundscapes.

Episode 3: “Planning My Escape”
Hollywood is a terrible place to get old. Dave had to get out.
Dave needs a plan. He has to get out of Los Angeles before he’s kicked out of his apartment for not being able to afford rent. Deciding to leave LA marks the beginning of Dave’s eventual migration out of the United States to Europe. Host: David A Thomas Jr. Music: Eric Nash Intro/Outro Music: Joe Rudd Instruments: Guitars; Baritone Electric, acoustic, electric. Soundscapes of the city, country, storms and quiet.

Episode 2: “Pay It Forward”
The superpower of sharing, the bliss of giving back, and the happiness that comes from mentoring the young.
This episode is a story about passing on musical knowledge to the young, and fostering talent by sharing hard won insights into what it’s like to live as an artist. Whether it’s pottery, painting or building, we are all artists in some way.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Music: Eric Nash
Guest musician: Orbel Babayan
Instruments (mentions): bazooki, oud, tambourine, ukulele, banjo, Tamburi, Bazuk

Episode 1: “Prelude to Pansophy”
Host Dave Thomas gives some backstory on Pansophical Podcast's creation and what you'll hear when you listen in.
Dave's had a really interesting time on this planet, full of tragedy and triumphs. He has decided to start paying forward all that he’s learned about life, and that's what this podcast is all about.
Host: David A Thomas Jr.
Guitar: Eric Nash
Instruments: Acoustic and electric guitar