Exploring the Energy with Anzo & Friends
by Andy Staib
Welcome to Exploring the Energy with Anzo & Friends, a series of conversations with host and lifelong music lover, Andy "Anzo" Staib, and his friends and family. Together, they explore the common threads that bond them all together - namely their shared love of music, family, friends, life, loss, and love. The show was born from the notion that music helps keep us all connected throughout our collective long strange trip. We all have a story to tell, and here are a few of those stories. So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! #IFE #NFA
Episodes
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Kerry Irvine Through the Dark and Into the Light
Recently, on a glorious Friday afternoon in lower Manhattan, my lifelong friend Kerry Irvine and I sat together in her art studio on the 80th floor of 3 World Trade Center. The 360 degree views were as stunning as Kerry’s collection of paintings that adorn the walls of the 31,000 square foot…
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Two Peas in a Pod with Karen & Chris Reilly
To know Chris Reilly is to love him. And he is most certainly loved by so many and considered family to so many, especially to the Staib family. As my girls like to say, "Mr Reilly is my favorite". And thanks to Chris, I've had the good fortune to know his sister, Karen, who I now consider a…
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The Age of Joe Faria, with special guests Joe Jr and TJ Staib
As of the date of this interview with the Joe Faria Sr & Jr father-son duo and my nephew TJ Staib, the Faria & Staib connection runs 14+ years deep between Joe Jr and TJ, over 36 years deep with Joe Sr, and over 40+ years with Joe Sr's wife, Danielle (Saladino) Faria, and me. Safe to say we all…
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Greetings from The Greek with Paul “Pablo” Bauer & Rachel Whitley & Co
What a treat gathering this tribe to celebrate Jerry Garcia’s birthday at the iconic Greek Theater in Berkeley, California with Dark Star Orchestra. And gathering this tribe was no small feat, with my guests and I representing California, South Carolina, New York, and Hawaii, all under one roof...
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Team McAuley with Sean, Tim, and Alec "Big Al" McAuley
What an honor to have the McAuley patriarch Alec "Big Al" McAuley and his two sons, Sean & Tim, in the studio for a trip down memory lane about music, sports and sports legends, and most of all, about love & family. The spotlight was on Big Al by design, and he did not disappoint. He brings us…
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Back in the Studio - with Matt “Pooch” Kiernan & Friends
After a brief hiatus, it's great to be back! I'm joined by my friend Matt “Pooch” Kiernan and his band of brothers - Bernie “Bonzo” Kiernan (his actual brother), Scott “Deece” DeSimone, and Gary “needs-a-nickname” Catania. Matt and I recently become fast friends through our mutual love of music,...
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Grateful Fred's Visionary & Founder – Stephen McMennamy
This one-on-one conversation was a while in the making, and so well worth the wait. Being a longtime customer of Grateful Fred and a fellow Deadhead, I’m honored to have hosted the founder of what I consider to be one of the premier Grateful Dead product producers in the country, Grateful Fred,...
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Reconnecting with John “Spiff” Macario
My friend, John Macario, returns to the show and we pick up right where we left off back in late 2024 when he first shared his amazing story. It’s been 19 months since John lost the love of his life and fellow Deadhead, Meg, at age 52 to complications following a liver transplant. We catch up on...
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ACE - A Tribute to Bob Weir, Part II with Ted “The” Bahr & Paul “Nud” Schmitz
In Part II of the continuing celebration of Bobby Weir and his life well-lived, I’m joined by lifelong Deadheads, Ted “The” Bahr and Paul “Nud” Schmitz. Nud kicks off the conversation by sharing his thoughts on Bobby’s one-of-a-kind “rhythmic-lead” style, and how this unique approach to the…
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ACE - A Tribute to Bob Weir, Part I with Tim McGuire & Kevin Campion
Bobby Weir - October 16th, 1947 - January 10th, 2026 This one hurts, and feels very much like the closing of a chapter. Yet at the same time, we CELEBRATE. We celebrate the amazing life of founding member of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, and we kick off with two lifelong Deadheads - both…
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Get Busy Living. Get Busy Giving. with Erik “The Swede” Larson
As much as unexpected and tragic loss tests the human spirit, sometimes it can become the catalyst for good. And that is exactly the mission that my friend, Erik Larson, has embraced after suddenly losing his best friend, Greg Kline, in August of 2020. Greg had a motto that he lived by, Get Busy...
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The Gray Club Chronicles with Rich Gray
Huntington, Long Island - home to so many of the amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends and family - continues to create new bonds and new friendships. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I could not be more grateful for those connections. Thanks to a few of those lifelong friends…
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The Great Debate with The Boys From Bergen
In somewhat of an unconventional "studio" setting - namely a gutted former restaurant under renovation and equipped with only a table, a few folding chairs, a cooler of beer and an extension cord - 6 fellow music lovers travelled from across the Eastern Seaboard to Downtown Huntington to discuss...
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Life Inside the Grateful Dead’s Inner Circle with Dennis McNally
This one was a big deal for me. My guest, Dennis McNally, isn’t just a reknowned author, music historian, and publicist, he’s someone I’ve long considered somewhat of a “celebrity” in my world. From 1984 to 1995, Dennis was the Grateful Dead’s publicist and part of the band’s inner circle. He’s...
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50 Years of Love & Friendship with John “Dino” DeNatale
My friendship with John “Dino” DeNatale began in kindergarten over 50 years ago in the early 1970’s in Huntington’s own Flower Hill School. In this episode, John and I look back on our five decades of connection, the memories that shaped us along the way, and the big-picture lessons that we’ve...
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Shooting Star: A Tribute to Jonny Staib
It’s a tall order to try to capture the true color and the complete character of my cousin, Jonny Staib, in one conversation. Which is why I chose to invite four guests on this episode of Exploring the Energy to help me paint the full picture of this amazing human being. I’m proud to introduce a...
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Saddle Up with Kim & Gregg Carlin
What a treat hosting one of the best and most beautiful couples I know, Kim & Gregg Carlin. Kim, being a southern girl and all, kicks off our conversation by sharing her love of country music and explains why she gravitates to the likes of Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith, George Strait, and Willie...
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Trusting the Universe with Robyn Pray
My relatively new friendship with Robyn Pray is undoubtedly a result of the universe connecting the two of us. Here’s how that happened and why this episode means so much to me. In the summer of 2023, I received a very kind and somewhat mysterious note from a name that I didn’t recognize, though…
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A Fireside Chat with Villanova Wildcat Peter Russell
I was honored and proud to host yet another member of the Villanova Wildcat Crew, my friend Peter Russell. To say that Peter and I have a few things in common would be an understatement and it wouldn’t do our friendship justice. First and foremost, we both appreciate energy, and we embrace the...
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Truckin’ to Charleston with Lilly Jo Staib
Now in their 20’s and all having left the nest, it’s not often I get to spend extended one-on-one time with my daughters. This is why this episode is so special to me. A few weeks ago my youngest daughter, Lilly, and I embarked on a 12+ hour roadtrip from our home town of Greenlawn, Long Island…
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Podcaster, Author, Entrepreneur, Music Lover, Family Man, Friend & Neighbor - Dan Pashman
The title may be a bit of a giveaway, but unlike all previous episode show notes where I share a preview of the content, in this very special episode, I invite listeners to learn about my guest, Dan Pashman, by tuning in and finding out Dan’s amazing story for themselves. In other words, I’ll…
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Inaugural Episode, Live from U.S. Brews with Gunny & Nud & Company
It was intentional and by design that the official rebrand of the podcast from Grateful Dad & Friends to Exploring the Energy w/ Anzo & Friends kicked off at a local, music-centric brewery, aptly named, U.S. Brews. What better place to explore the energy?! In the inaugural episode, I’m joined by...
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Unpacking The Notes With Jason Darby
I've known Jason Darby for over 45 years, and while we've long shared a deep bond through our love of family, golf & tennis, and music, I was still surprised by the depth of his knowledge when it comes to the guitar—and especially his passion for legendary players like Eddie Van Halen, Nuno...
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A Conversation with Mr. Michael “Sketchy” Rice
Circa Fall 1982, I first met Mike Rice in Huntington High School’s 9th-grade math class, where we became fast friends and “partners in crime.” In fact, it turns out it wasn’t until we sat down on this Thursday afternoon in February ‘25, some 43years later, that we discovered our connection goes...
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Heart-to-Heart With Fellow Canterbury Saint, Justin Rubin
My friend of 50+ years, Justin Rubin, joins me and shares his recent experience facing the L.A. Wildfires and how the fires have affected his closest friends in the surrounding areas, and how L.A. is rising to the occasion as they enter the rebuilding process. He relives his journey of his early...
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A Look Behind The Curtain With Will Retherford
Grateful Dad & Friends would not exist if it weren’t for my guest, Will Retherford, who founded and owns the Tulsa-based production company, Citizens of Sound. I have my friend Lawrence Zarian - who some of you may know from his regular appearances on The Kelly Clarkson Show or from his podcast,...
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Love Stories - With Lindsey & Will and Anzo & Margs
Love really IS in the air as we approach Valentine’s Day. On today’s episode, I’m joined by the love of my life, my bride Ms Margs, and our friends, Lindsey Janes and Will Derasmoto, to celebrate their love and to toast to their recent engagement! The conversation includes the story of how…
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Riding The 2025 Energy Train With Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf
The Energy Train keeps rolling with an unforgettable guest: Dave “Fetts” Fetterolf. A dynamic personality with boundless energy, Fetts is a man of many talents—insane athletic ability, a battery that never quits, a wildly successful career, and his most important role of all - husband and proud...
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Ringing In 2025 With Film Producer and Music Lover, John “Johnny Gowanus” Hennegan
Kicking off Season 4 and ringing in 2025 with a cool cat that has widened my musical lens TENFOLD, Mr. John “Johnny Gowanus” Hennegan. Although I’ve known John since the early 80’s and we’ve run with the same group of guys over the years, I had zero clue just how broad his taste in music is, so a...
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A Conversation With Another “Wise Old Owl,” My Friend, Mr. Tom White
Similar to Season 2, Episode 1 when I sat down with Doug “Pops” Smith, who I like to refer to as a “Wise Old Owl”, in this episode I have the pleasure of connecting with a friend that I consider in the same first-class league, Mr. Tom White. Tom and I met when I first called on the…
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SAY YES. DON’T WAIT. A tribute to Rainer Jenss with Tim “Tmac” McGuire
I don’t always subscribe to the notion that “everything happens for a reason,” but as the universe would have it, the recent loss of a mutual friend, Rainer “TITAN” Jenss, has reconnected me with a gentleman that I am now proud to call one of my closest friends and confidants, Tim “Tmac” McGuire....
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Love Is Real, Not Fade Away with John Macario
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, show the ones you love just how much they mean to you, and share your appreciation and gratitude for the gift of life, the gift of love, and the gift of energy that we all share. Thank you ALL for the gift of YOUR love and our collective friendship. Nobody embodies...
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A Rare and Different Tune with Beau Carino
To those that know him, the man needs no introduction. For those that don’t, his name is Beau Carino and he’s the founder of one of Long Island’s hottest live music venues, Beau’s Bar, in the village of Greenlawn. For nearly 20 years, Beau has attracted some of the finest talent in the area,...
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Life, Loss and Love, with Austin Koerner and Hope Staib
With the exception of a select few cameo appearances by my previous guests’ significant others, this is the first episode where I sit down start-to-finish with a young couple, none other than my daughter, Ms. Hope Staib, and her significant other, Mr. Austin Koerner. Hope and Austin share their...
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Rocking Against Hunger, The Extraordinary Story of Syd Mandelbaum
S3, E6 begins with the story of the Mandelbaum family in the late 1930’s and 40’s, and includes the harrowing tale of those family members who miraculously survived the holocaust, and the tragedy of those family members who didn’t. He describes the day his Aunt Regina saved his mother from…
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Completing The Trifecta With Billy Campion
To complete the “Campion Brothers Trifecta”, I was beyond stoked to host Mr. Billy Campion, otherwise known as Young & Tender Willoughby, or The Captain, and in later years, Vic Thrill. For those that know Billy, founding member and front man for The Bogmen, you’re in for a real treat in this...
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Texas Talk with Mark Hamer
On S3, E4 of Grateful Dad & Friends, I’m proud to host a friend who could easily have a career in radio, one of my closest music, golfing, and paddle tennis wingmen, Mr. Mark Hamer. Mark takes us back to his Texan roots and shares how and when he discovered his love of “music with an edge”,...
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One More Saturday Night With The Peer Family
On the final day of Dead & Company’s 30-show residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to sit down with Huntington natives and fellow Deadheads, brothers John and Tommy Peer and Tommy’s son Thomas Peer. We spent our time together reminiscing about the multigenerational Peer + Staib…
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In High Gear At The Sphere With Paco Keville
In my second trip of the summer to catch Dead & Company at Sphere in Las Vegas, I was honored to host my friend of 40+ years, fellow Canterbury “Saint” (term used loosely), avid Deadhead, and all around amazing human being, my cohort Paco “Pac” Keville. By the grace of God, Pac has recovered from…
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My Friend of the Devil, Tommy Mills
To kick off Season 3, I’m joined by lifelong friend and fellow Deadhead, Tommy Mills, with a special cameo by his better half, Ms Karin Mills. Karin proved to be an integral part of my conversation with her husband in that she served as “fact checker” for the tales being told, and I’m proud to...
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Season Two: A Look Back
BIG thanks to all my guests on Season 2, it was an honor and a privilege to have hosted each of you! I loved my field trips to record the remote interviews in Charlotte, Hilton Head, and Las Vegas as well. Special shoutout to the Citizens of Sound team behind the scenes that help me create each...
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Going Full Circle With John Buckholtz
In the closing episode of Season 2, I have the privilege of hosting fellow Huntington native and fellow Deadhead (and the only friend I know that calls me “Enzo”:), Mr. John Buckholtz, who I call Johnny B. Together we cover our glory days in the early ‘80’s at the The Bay Club on the shores of...
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Chiming In From Sin City With Garvin Hammer
On Day 2 of my recent pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the Dead & Company shows at Sphere, I sit down with the person that I have proudly seen the most concerts with over the years, fellow Canterbury School alum and lifelong Deadhead, Mr. Andrew “Garv” Hammer. Garv and I take a walk down memory lane...
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Going Old School With Geoff Shaffer
Somehow, it took 8 months and 23 episodes of Grateful Dad & Friends before I was succesful in securing an interview with a Canterbury prep school friend. In Season 2, Episode 10, I have the pleasure of sitting down with the first friend I met at Canterbury back in the fall of 1983, lifelong...
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Campfire Chronicles with Chris Campion
The man needs no introduction, but for the few that don’t have the pleasure of knowing him, I’ll go out on a limb and introduce my friend. On Season 2, Episode 9, I proudly host Mr. Christopher John Campion, aka Campy, aka Old Sea Dog, aka Lights, aka America’s Guest, aka Marketing Genius, aka...
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A Visit With Mom
After a little nudging to get her past her hesitation to be on a guest on my admitedly music-centric podcast, I was honored to host none other than my mother, Ms. Edie Staib. Mom shares her story of how Al Staib swept her off her feet back in 1960 despite her being engaged to her high school...
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From One Musician To Another w/ Mike “Comfort" O’Rourke
I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Mike “Comfort” O’Rourke to the world on Episode 7 of GD&F. Back in the early 1980’s, I was “Kathy and Tom’s little brother, Anzo” to Comfort but over the years he and I began to forge our own connection through our mutual friends, a shared love of music, and...
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Searching For The Sound With Dave & Rusty
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, these two gentlemen have become my newest wingmen, and although we’ve yet to meet in person we’re quickly bonding through our comradary and our shared love of music. Listen as Dave Dulaney takes us back to his first show in ‘74 and shares his recollections...
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Carving out time with Carly Staib
I was fortunate to share some very special quality time with my gracious and beautiful niece, Ms Carly Marie Staib. Carly recalls her recollections of “Loud Music Fridays” with the family, her first concert seeing “Uncle Billy” Joel, a Taylor Swift concert with Dad, and later Dead & Company. She...
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Diving in with Dudley
Join my BFAM Chris Kline aka Dudley and I as we share war stories from back in the day, including “Black Wednesday” in 1983, summers “dragging hose” the late ‘80’s, backpacking through Europe in late 1990, discovering “The Meadows” in the early ‘90’s, and recapping a few of the countless laughs…
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About this show
Welcome to Exploring the Energy with Anzo & Friends, a series of conversations with host and lifelong music lover, Andy "Anzo" Staib, and his friends and family. Together, they explore the common threads that bond them all together - namely their shared love of music, family, friends, life, loss, and love. The show was born from the notion that music helps keep us all connected throughout our collective long strange trip. We all have a story to tell, and here are a few of those stories. So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us! #IFE #NFA
Hosted by
Andy Staib
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