Episodes

At the first What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Listener Appreciation Party, everyone gets their own booth Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, “Midwestern Concepts” Continuing my transition away from the protracted intense pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia that my successful rhizotomy has brought me. In this episode, I explore Midwestern Concepts such as the work of the artist Marc Fischer and holding a listener appreciation party/convention at a hotel ballroom in Chicago. I think the thi...

NO MORE PAINKILLERS: After successful surgery, I’m off of painkillers for the first time in seven years. Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, “No More Painkillers” It’s a big day for me because I’m finally free of trigeminal neuralgia pain after successful rhizotomy surgery last month. It’s been seven years that I’ve been battling the disease and it feels like a major victory. Shoutouts to Jersey Girl who told me about the Superfest Disability Film Festival happening in Berkeley & Sa...

Artist Gary Cannone was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2013 Welcome to the Gary Cannone Interview Special Gary Cannone Interview Special live and direct, in the fleshh, 100% active and happening. Thank you for tuning in to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, the Godcast, the Dad bodcast. 💪🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼 Gary Cannone is a Los Angeles-based artist who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2013. His work examines being an artist with multiple sclerosis through his absurdist sense of humor. Ga...

I made it through surgery- artist Gary Cannone preview- Helen Garner on fate- awkward dinner party conversation. Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, “Body Horror” Cool episode! I made it through a surgery with all the hallmarks of body horror: zombie anesthesia, facial electricity and a burning nerve. David Cronenberg will be perfect to direct the movie version. Plus, artist Gary Cannone interview preview- Helen Garner on impositions- an awkward dinner party conversation. We are run...

I am getting ready for surgery. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6, Episode 34, “Pre-op” In this episode I’m getting ready to go into Stanford next week for surgery to help with trigeminal neuralgia. In the meantime, the kids are playing soccer, there’s heat dome, and the podcasts that kids are making. Shout outs to mom who wrote in to make a correction that she was not actually a Registered nurse But I tell people that she was so so I guess if you’re one of them watch...

I went for a walk with Koko and I got more than I bargained for Welcome to Season Six, Episode 33, “Wheelchair Tipped Over“ My wheelchair tipped over. I was on a walk with my daughter but it didn’t seem to scare her too much– we went to the swings and she had a good time. My name is John Hoppin, don’t wear it out. My wheelchair tipped over https://twitter.com/johnhoppin/status/1567558019155906560 deplatforming hits home Death of a Statesman My wife was like, “I don’t think I knew that Gorb...

I went for a walk with Koko and I got more than I bargained for Welcome to Season Six, Episode 33, “Wheelchair Tipped Over“ My wheelchair tipped over. I was on a walk with my daughter but it didn’t seem to scare her too much– we went to the swings and she had a good time. My name is John Hoppin, don’t wear it out. My wheelchair tipped over https://twitter.com/johnhoppin/status/1567558019155906560 deplatforming hits home Death of a Statesman My wife was like, “I don’t think I knew that Gorb...

I went for a walk with Koko and I got more than I bargained for Welcome to Season Six, Episode 33, “Wheelchair Tipped Over“ My wheelchair tipped over. I was on a walk with my daughter but it didn’t seem to scare her too much– we went to the swings and she had a good time. My name is John Hoppin, don’t wear it out. My wheelchair tipped over https://twitter.com/johnhoppin/status/1567558019155906560 deplatforming hits home Death of a Statesman My wife was like, “I don’t think I knew that Gorb...

I said something ableist to someone I admire Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6 Episode 32, “Disability Consciousness” In this episode, I reflect on the time I said something ableist to someone I admire, the drummer in deerhoof, what I might say (or not) now that I’ve spent some time working on my disability consciousness. I hope I might come up with something better. Also, Botox, falling and the first law of success, “Do You!” Disability Consciousness One time I ate with ...

Misunderstanding at the bathroom Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season Six, Episode 31, “Conference Call On Steroids” In this episode, the lady was pretty loud on the phone when she hosted her conference call on steroids. S6e31 I’m learning how to use adobe character animator Misunderstanding at the bathroom misunderstanding Using the bathroom at Trader vics The bathroom at Embarcadero/ Ferry building john john sat in the wheelchair I’m woozy Since I increased dosage, I’ve...

In this episode I battle face pain to go to a birthday dinner, take a family train trip, and have a date at the movies. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6, Episode 30, “Birthday Dinner.” In this episode I battle face pain with varying levels of success to go to a birthday dinner at Trader Vic’s, take a family trip to the Embarcadero, and have a date at the movie theater. Shout outs Shout outs to Jersey Girl who used to work with Judy Huemann Birthday Dinner at Trader ...

In this episode I battle face pain to go to a birthday dinner, take a family train trip, and have a date at the movies. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6, Episode 30, “Birthday Dinner.” In this episode I battle face pain with varying levels of success to go to a birthday dinner at Trader Vic’s, take a family trip to the Embarcadero, and have a date at the movie theater. Shout outs Shout outs to Jersey Girl who used to work with Judy Huemann Birthday Dinner at Trader ...

In this episode I battle face pain to go to a birthday dinner, take a family train trip, and have a date at the movies. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6, Episode 30, “Birthday Dinner.” In this episode I battle face pain with varying levels of success to go to a birthday dinner at Trader Vic’s, take a family trip to the Embarcadero, and have a date at the movie theater. Shout outs Shout outs to Jersey Girl who used to work with Judy Huemann Birthday Dinner at Trader ...

Doors are being installed at our house- I went to see the surgeon- I had a nightmare about Thanksgiving. Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season Six, Episode 29, “Doors Of Perception.” In this episode, the door men are at my house installing the Doors Of Perception. They are noisy, but because I’m feeling better, I don’t have to whisper anymore. I was still feeling pretty tough yesterday when I went to see the surgeon to discuss RF Rhizotomy surgery. “If the doors of perception we...

I can’t talk at a full volume but I can whisper about Judy Heumann on PBS and Terry Wahls’ diet study. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 6 Episode 28, “The Whisper Episode.” In this episode, I can’t talk with my full voice because it makes my trigeminal neuralgia flare up. So I whisper, more or less. Go on a journey with me through a study about MS & diet, a talk by disability activist Judy Heumann, LOL One of my family was on social media saying “So there are reports o...

Small electrical slashes and flashes come back Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 27, “The Return Of Trigeminal Neuralgia” Small electrical slashes and flashes come back, but a lot quieter since I had micro vascular decompression In this episode, the return of trigeminal neuralgia: TN discomfort came back. PLUS, Masonic Auditorium accessibility review, autonomous vehicles for disabled riders, and accessible furniture. Great minds think alike, stupid ones too I sa...

My friends came over and I got some much-needed support. PLUS, more adventures in Cooking While Disabled. Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 26, “We Had A Barbecue” When in doubt, grill it out In this episode, my friends came over to have a barbecue and I got some much-needed support. PLUS, more adventures in Cooking While Disabled. Gangnam Style was 10 years ago on July 15, 2012 Record review: “Gospel drone trance screaming blues minimalism” Reverend Charlie Jac...

Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 25, “Are You Here By Yourself?” are you here by yourself? People keep asking me, “are you here by yourself?” I’m not sure when I should have someone with me when I go somewhere alone. Whether I’m OK to go or.. Didn’t even want too say anything but what did I tell you- he dumped that nerd and he’s going to the prom with Kelly. I went to the butcher shop and I got some good looking red snapper filets. Anthony B Getting snapper re...

Going places in my chair- Hit my head again- Barbecue using the tray method- The Pepper Show is back. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, “Fourth of July” In this episode, we take stock of the busy Fourth of July holiday week that was full of wheelchair rolls, head injuries and new grilling setups. Plus, we got a new Pepper Show! Statistical shout outs to places far and wide and thick and thin where people listen to the show. Have you heard of the disorder where people take s**...

Using touchless pickup at Walmart with mixed results. Unexpected comments provide food for thought. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 23, “I Admire You.” In “I Admire You”, I went to Walmart again. Which means that I like it, maybe. People made unexpected comments to me this week, so I dealt with those as best I could. Hoppin Hot Sauce is back in business. At the Royal Shakespeare Company, disabled actor is playing Richard III, a first. It’s a disabled role oft...

I didn’t want them. They’re big and ugly. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 22, “ADA Bars Keep Me From Falling.” In the new episode, I have to admit that ADA bars have been useful. Tune in because this episode features sound effects. The guy who taught me to do production was really into sound effects, that was pretty much his only feedback. “Pretty good. You could add a couple of sound effects,” he’d say. ADA grab bars keep me from falling over. My mom is th...

A reporter for KCBS News reached out and interviewed me about supply chain, multiple sclerosis, and Hoppin Hot Sauce. Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season Six, Episode 21 “I was on KCBS” The media onslaught continues!! You might remember that on last week’s episode, I made the paper here in San Leandro. A reporter for KCBS News reached out and interviewed me about supply chain, MS, and Hoppin Hot Sauce. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xo-ejNtFDM Also in this...

In the new episode of What’s The Matter With Me?, “I Made The Paper,” I did just that I made the paper! We were in the San Leandro Times last week. My kids loved it, it’s good for business, and you know me, I love getting myself out there and in front of people. The best is when I can demonstrate how people with MS can accomplish their goals. “(He) has multiple sclerosis which he says makes it difficult to work in a kitchen environment. ‘But that didn’t stop me from cooking,’ Hoppin said.” Sh...

My son is getting bullied and I had botox. Plus, the Sam Kinison Auto Parts Jingle Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season Six, Episode 19, “Bullies and Botox.” Shout outs to mom who drove me to Botox and nagged me the whole time. But, she apologized, and said she liked the Why Be Normal? episode Trigger warning: At the end, I’ll do all the stuff about needles. You’ll be half an hour closer to death when this episode is finished My son is interacting with some bullies at school ...