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Back On The Grind: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Pepe Bandit
A podcast for people who found meaning the hard way, where we explore life, music, and the stories that bring us closer. I’m Pepe Bandit: DIY label owner, coffee roaster, Jungian coach, and folk punk felon. I’ve spent my life in the folk punk and DIY underground, and I’ve spent time in prison. Now I sit down with musicians, artists, and people rebuilding their lives for honest, unpolished conversations about what we’ve lost, what we’ve learned, and what we’re still working out. Expect interviews and personal stories on folkpunk, prison, addiction and recovery, spirituality, Jungian psychology, relationships, and personal authority: taking responsibility for your own life. Some past guests include Lomes of Pigeon Pit, Pat (The Bunny) of Friends In Real Life, April of Apes Of The State, Ceschi of Codefendants, The Taxpayers and Jeffrey Lewis. There’s no reason to do this alone. We can learn from each other, survive our failures, and celebrate the wins when we put in the work.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago1h 0m
Art, Nature & the Friends Who Shape Us w/ Crigler #83
Michael Crigler is an artist behind much of the artwork for DIY Bandits, Back On The Grind Records, Stay Free Coffee and other projects I worked on. He's also a longtime, dear friend and mentor.We start with how a conversation about album art turned into a friendship, including a phone call back when I was angry at the world and he offered another way to look at it. From there we get into what it means to choose compassion over rage, how that shaped my time in prison, and how he approaches creative work: trust, mistakes, nature, and the balance of order and chaos. We also get into the artwork for the Pat The Bunny and Ceschi friendship LP and the Looms / Trash Boat And The Ambush 7", wild places, slowing down, and the rules we use when things fall apart. The song at the end is 'One Of Us - Freaks,1932' by Trash Boat And The AmbushSignup for my news letter. One email a month or less about upcoming records, building a punk club, music suggestions and other fun things I sharehttps://pepeba.kit.com/newsletterSupport the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (there’s a join for FREE option)patreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Michael Criglerinstagram.com/michaelcriglerart/Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago7 min
Bonus Episode - Friendships After Sobriety w/ Early of Recovery Demystified
A short bonus episode in the middle of the friendship series. Early is an addiction recovery coach and host of the Recovery Demystified podcast, they speak directly to anyone questioning their relationship to substances and wondering what social life looks like beyond the bar. They acknowledge how lonely and painful that stretch can be, then share three tips for building a sober social life!Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (there’s a join for FREE option)patreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Recovery Demystified / Earlyrecoverydemystified.com/secular-addiction-recovery-coaching/instagram.com/recoverydemystified/Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago58 min
Understanding Friendship Pt.1 w/ Folk Punk Dad & Pepe Bandit #82
In this conversation, Pepe Bandit and Folk Punk Dad explore the multifaceted nature of friendship, discussing its importance, the challenges of making friends, and the dynamics that evolve over time. They delve into the impact of school environments on friendship formation, the role of alcohol in social interactions, and the need for a clearer understanding of what constitutes a friendship. The discussion highlights the emotional support and trust inherent in friendships, while also acknowledging the complexities and nuances that can arise throughout different life stages. Hear about themes such as trust, vulnerability, and the importance of acquaintances. They discuss how friendships evolve from companionship to deeper connections, the significance of social interactions in adult life, and the effort required to build lasting relationships. The dialogue emphasizes the value of shared interests and community in fostering friendships, while also reflecting on personal experiences of moving and integrating into new social circles.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods• patreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Folk Punk Dad:instagram.com/folkpunkdad/linktr.ee/folkpunkdadGet Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Oct 1, 20261h 1m
Running, Magic, DIY Music & Coffee Roasting w/ John Cozz #81
Pepe Bandit sits down with fellow coffee roaster and DIY lifer John Cozz of Cozz Coffee for a wide-ranging conversation on running, magic, and lessons learned. They trace parallel paths through coffee roasting and DIY music — Pat the Bunny, Jeffrey Lewis — and the value of just knocking on doors or sending the email to make things happen. John talks about growing up with a magician father and how that shaped his creative instincts, while Pepe shares his own story of going for his first-ever run on the morning he was sentenced to prison. The back half gets into the real mechanics of building a small coffee roastery — cash flow, the 80/20 rule, moving too fast — then Pepe shares a high-stakes history in the marijuana trade that led to prison in the first place, including cartel members and a genuinely hair-raising run-in with a cop in the California mountains.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (there’s even a FREE option)patreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Cozz coffee:instagram.com/cozzcoffee/cozzcoffeeroasting.com/patreon.com/BackontheGrind/posts/john-cozz-on-152903606?l=zh-CN (this is the full episode with John on Patreon)Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 17, 202611 min
Bonus Episode: Jesse Sendejas (Days N' Days / Escape From the Zoo) On 1 Year Sober & New Solo Music!!!
To honor Jesse's one year of sobriety today, I invited him on the pod for a quick bonus episode.We talk about what this milestone means to him and some new comforts he gained as a result.Jesse's also been writing new solo music — and he's teaming up with Back On The Grind Records to bring it to vinyl. We close the episode out with a track from the upcoming album.Send some love to Jesse for making it this far. This community thrives the more we take care of each other ❤️Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (you can join for FREE)patreon.com/BackontheGrindGet Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 15, 202658 min
Going On Your First DIY Tour w/ Tape And Tears #80
Tape and Tears join Pepe Bandit to talk about their first DIY tour & everything that comes with learning it on the fly, from forgetting to count merch money until they were nearly out of gas, to the venues that never mentioned how or when they'd get paid. They dig into the community that carried them through it, from bands like Swamp Rats letting them crash on couches & jamming Mischief Brew songs in the living room, to the mentorship or generosity of Mike Wilson (from Harley Poe) & other people from the folk punk scene at large. The conversation opens into the origins of the band itself — Gilliana's mental health crisis while studying abroad in Berlin, the queer folk punk community there that pulled her back toward the music, & how "Tape and Tears" became both a band name & a way of holding pain & progress together. They close with practical tour wisdom (pack a cooler, eat before you're hangry) & a shared belief that showing up with heart matters more than sounding polished.Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods (there’s a join for FREE option)• patreon.com/BackontheGrind Connect with Tape And Tears:instagram.com/tapeandtearstapeandtears.bandcamp.com/musictapeandtears.com/ Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Sep 1, 202654 min
The Tragedy Of The Commons w/ Ruen #79
In this episode, Pepe Bandit talks with members of the band Ruen. They start with fire — how a century of replacing Portugal's natural forests with pine and eucalyptus monoculture has made wildfire season a recurring catastrophe across southern Europe — then dig into the punk, DIY, & squat subcultures of Portugal & the Netherlands. The rest of the episode is dedicated to their new concept album, The Tragedy of the Commons. You'll hear samples of songs as they explore land rights, enclosure &, resistance — including the present-day fight against lithium mining in Boticas — along with the influence of books like When the Wolves Howl & Re-Enchanting the World.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods (there's a join for FREE option)•patreon.com/BackontheGrindConnect with Ruen: instagram.com/weare_ruen weareruen.bandcamp.com/music Get Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Aug 15, 20261h 10m
Jimmy of The Looms Reflects on the Pigeon Pit Episode (personal authority, DIY shows, spirituality & much more) #78
Jimmy of The Looms joins Pepe to revisit personal authority, DIY shows, and spirituality from the earlier Lomes of Pigeon Pit episode. From there, they open into new territory: including how the things that upset us most in others are often things we haven't dealt with ourselves, the pull toward revenge instead of actually improving things, why anarchism might work at the level of a house show but strains under mass civilization, Jimmy's own path through Buddhism and monastery life, and a back-and-forth on Spinoza's determinism and what's left of a person once every external identity is stripped away.Support the podcast & get bonus episodes & goods•patreon.com/BackontheGrindconnect with The Looms:instagram.com/theloomsband/thelooms.band/thelooms.bandcamp.com/musicGet Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comBack On The Grind Records - For DIY, Folk Punk, Rap & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out...Send us questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong:Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Back On The Grind
A podcast for people who found meaning the hard way, where we explore life, music, and the stories that bring us closer. I’m Pepe Bandit: DIY label owner, coffee roaster, Jungian coach, and folk punk felon. I’ve spent my life in the folk punk and DIY underground, and I’ve spent time in prison. Now I sit down with musicians, artists, and people rebuilding their lives for honest, unpolished conversations about what we’ve lost, what we’ve learned, and what we’re still working out. Expect interviews and personal stories on folkpunk, prison, addiction and recovery, spirituality, Jungian psychology, relationships, and personal authority: taking responsibility for your own life. Some past guests include Lomes of Pigeon Pit, Pat (The Bunny) of Friends In Real Life, April of Apes Of The State, Ceschi of Codefendants, The Taxpayers and Jeffrey Lewis. There’s no reason to do this alone. We can learn from each other, survive our failures, and celebrate the wins when we put in the work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Back On The Grind as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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Back On The Grind publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
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Back On The Grind covers topics including Music, Education, Culture, Society & Culture, Self-Improvement, Comedy Interviews. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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