Terrapin Crossroads Podcast

James talks to long time Life Magazine Editori-In-Chief Bill Shapiro about how being a life long Deadhead has impacted his career, having access to Life Mag's legendary archives, championing young and unknown artists, and how a cold call led to co-authoring a children's book with Keith Richards.

James talks to his friend and former Daily Beast colleague Olivia Nuzzi to discuss their shared love for music and art, the lack of collective experience, pivoting to video, how living in a simulation may not be what you think, Purple Mountains and the Mount Rushmore of final albums, growing up in New Jersey, creative processes, writing, cultural criticism, and making things just for the sake of making things.

Susana Millman has spent more than half of her 86 years documenting the Grateful Dead and the scene around them. As an insider - she was introduced to now husband, the band's long time publicist by their mutual friend Jerry Garcia - her photos are less splashy rock and roll posturing and more intimate, breathy snapshots of those moments between moments. We caught up with her on the eve of her very first solo photographic exhibit to discuss how she got into photography, what it was like to be behind

Indie folk legend Eric Johnson sits down for a wide ranging talk including growing into his songwriting, the trials and tribulations of being an eternal indie artist, darkness before the dawn, wisdom from nearly 30 years in music, playing in The Shins and Califone, managing expectations and seizing opportunity, being a lifelong deadhead, learning to let go, what producers do, and more. Check out Fruit Bats' latest album The Landfill on Merge Records and find them on tour NOW

Snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, these are individualized pursuits, practiced in nature or natural settings. Humanity adapting and playing with whatever lays ahead, in it for the experience over some sense of personal glory. At their core these are improvisational activities,  art forms all their own, and as such intersect seamlessly with music. Professional freeskier, artist, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler knows this. He lives this, and in doing so his art flows

Ruban Nielson isn't your average rock star, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra isn't your average rock band. Straddling punk, soul, indie rock and a heavy dose of funky, groovy psychedelia, UMO is your favorite band's favorite band. For all their live show's bombast, Ruban, the band's frontman and nucleus, is surprising soft spoken and thoughtful. We discuss what it's like to grow and evolve within your art and life, finding community amongst fans, why art is about the journey not the end product, AI and

We talk to Vanity Fair Deputy Editor and lifelong Deadhead Claire Howarth on the future of journalism, AI, returning to the groove and writing about it, the most babalicious member of Phish, the surveilance state, jam band subreddits, shakedown nostalgia, and more. Check out her Phish MSG feature by clicking here.

Introducing the Terrapin Crossroads podcast.    Crossroads features conversations with interesting people whose lives are influenced or inspired by the Grateful Dead or the community and culture that grew around them.    Hosted by  James Joiner, Crossroads' weekly conversations chart the ever-expanding influence of our favorite Bay Area band. Expect the unexpected via human stories across a variety of mediums including music, art, fashion, design, politics, and more.   You don't have to be a