In this one-on-one episode of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt sits down with comedian James River for a wide-ranging conversation. They dive into the craft of comedy, debate the impact of Reaganomics and the fateful decision to let Wall Street gamble on mortgages, and share their love for the late Norm Macdonald. Insightful, irreverent, and unapologetically funny, this episode is perfect for anyone who loves smart comedy and big-picture conversations about culture and economics.

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On episode 40 of Good Times, Noodle Salad, Matt and Paige sit down with musician Josh Story for one of the most honest and heavy conversations we’ve had yet.

Josh opens up about his battle with cancer and the physical toll radiation took on his body — from the unexpected side effects to the long-term impact on his strength, energy, and identity. As a lifelong musician, one of the hardest blows was losing the ability to sing the way he once could. We talk about what it feels like to have a core piece of yourself altered, and how you begin redefining who you are when your abilities change overnight.

Beyond music, Josh shares what it’s like running a day center for adults living with mental illness — the emotional weight of that responsibility, the purpose it brings, and how his own health battle reshaped the way he approaches compassion and leadership.

The conversation also turns toward the brighter parts of life: getting married, having kids, and learning how to adjust expectations while still showing up as a husband, father, and creative. Josh talks candidly about adapting his life to meet his post-treatment reality — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and how resilience isn’t always loud… sometimes it’s just continuing to move forward.

This episode dives into:

• The hidden havoc radiation can cause
• Identity loss and rebuilding after illness
• Fatherhood during crisis
• Marriage under pressure
• Music, creativity, and adapting when your body won’t cooperate
• Finding purpose in service to others

It’s vulnerable. It’s real. It’s heavy at times — but it’s also hopeful.

Episode 40 is about strength that doesn’t look like strength.

Listen, share, and as always — thanks for hanging out with us.

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Episode 39 of Good Times, Noodle Salad features special guests King Norman for a loose, three-hour conversation that drifts between music, comedy, culture, and real-life habits.

The crew gets into favorite stand-up comedians and how comedy influences performance, timing, and confidence on stage. There’s plenty of band talk too — writing, rehearsing, gigging, and what it actually takes to keep a group moving forward while balancing work and real life.

They also wade into the controversies surrounding Dan Schneider and the broader discussion about accountability in entertainment, including the legal case involving Drake Bell and his conviction for attempted endangerment of a child. It’s an honest conversation about media narratives, fame at a young age, and how public opinion shifts over time.

Add in a real discussion about quitting cigarettes — the mental battle behind it and what finally pushes someone to make a change — and you’ve got another wide-ranging episode of Good Times, Noodle Salad that goes wherever the conversation takes it.

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