Mysterious Goings On
J. Alexander Greenwood
Every week author J. Alexander Greenwood talks about writing mystery, thriller, suspense, horror and other genre fiction. Join Alex for plenty of writing-related topics, as well as interviews, guests and some stuff that has nothing to do with anything.
- 7 minutes 18 secondsWe Before Me: How Identity Starts Thinking for Us
In this episode, Alex reads his latest essay from All the Fits That's News — a piece that starts with a Star Trek argument and ends somewhere considerably less comfortable.
The essay traces what happens when group membership stops being a background feature of how we live and starts running the cognitive show. Drawing on Henri Tajfel's social identity theory experiments from the 1970s, it looks at how we sort ourselves into groups, absorb those groups into our sense of self, and then quietly let them do our reasoning for us — in politics, in media, in workplaces, and yes, in fandom.
Also: Sting, sunk cost fallacy, and at least one book Alex wishes he could take back.
Referenced in this episode:
Henri Tajfel and social identity theory — foundational research in social psychology on group behavior and in-group favoritism
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine — still the best of the lot
Sting / The Police — inventive, worth your time, not above criticism
Sunk cost fallacy — the tendency to keep investing in something because of what you've already put in, rather than what it's actually returning
---
Book J. Alexander Greenwood for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and live conversations!
J. Alexander Greenwood speaks on work, writing, media, and the systems people navigate every day, drawing on real-world experience as a writer, communicator, and podcaster.
If you’re interested, you’ll find everything you need here: jalexandergreenwood.com.
---
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes! Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
5 April 2026, 2:33 pm - 10 minutes 5 secondsThe Heat Travels Slowly
In this episode of Mysterious Goings On, Alex shares his latest essay, “The Heat Travels Slowly.”
The short version: "when I was five, my aunt told me not to touch the iron. I touched it anyway. The longer version is about why that kind of direct, immediate feedback no longer applies to most of the decisions that actually matter, and what happens when the consequences of bad choices arrive so slowly and indirectly that nobody connects them to anything."
Watch Alex perform this episode on video here.
If you’re not yet a paid subscriber, now is a good time. Paid subscribers get early access to new essays before they go public, plus content that doesn’t hit the free tier. There’s a discount running right now, just click here.
Alex will be LIVE at True Crime GenreCon in Kansas City on April 11!
Book J. Alexander Greenwood for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and live conversations!
J. Alexander Greenwood speaks on work, writing, media, and the systems people have to navigate every day, drawing from real-world experience as a writer, communicator, and podcaster.
He appears at conferences, universities, book clubs, professional associations, and with organizations looking for something more grounded than a generic motivational talk. Formats include keynotes, panels, workshops, classroom conversations, and podcast or interview appearances. Engagements can be virtual or in person.
Common topics include Radical Competency and workplace dynamics, independent publishing and author entrepreneurship, podcasting and storytelling, public relations and crisis communication, writing craft and the creative process, building a sustainable creative career, and true crime and the ethics of storytelling. Talks are tailored to fit the audience and the moment.
For most speaking engagements, Greenwood charges a nominal speaking fee. Events requiring travel should also cover related expenses. Media interviews and podcast appearances are typically handled separately.
If you’re interested, you’ll find everything you need here: jalexandergreenwood.com.
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes!
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
22 March 2026, 1:26 pm - 15 minutesStop Pretending You're Powerless
Cross-posted from All the Fits That's News. In this episode:
When Friendships End (And Nothing Went Wrong) - Most friendships don’t explode. They run out of gas. Why the seasonality of relationships isn’t failure, it’s just life doing what it does.
Being Right Isn’t Enough. Being Effective Matters - Outrage doesn’t change behavior. Money does. Why closing your wallet might be the most honest response to a system built on making you feel powerless.
Both pieces ask the same question: what happens when we stop pretending we can’t choose?
Check out ResistandUnsubscribe.com for easy ways to take action.
Alex will be LIVE at True Crime GenreCon in Kansas City!
Book J. Alexander Greenwood for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and live conversations!
J. Alexander Greenwood speaks on work, writing, media, and the systems people have to navigate every day, drawing from real-world experience as a writer, communicator, and podcaster.
He appears at conferences, universities, book clubs, professional associations, and with organizations looking for something more grounded than a generic motivational talk. Formats include keynotes, panels, workshops, classroom conversations, and podcast or interview appearances. Engagements can be virtual or in person.
Common topics include Radical Competency and workplace dynamics, independent publishing and author entrepreneurship, podcasting and storytelling, public relations and crisis communication, writing craft and the creative process, building a sustainable creative career, and true crime and the ethics of storytelling. Talks are tailored to fit the audience and the moment.
For most speaking engagements, Greenwood charges a nominal speaking fee. Events requiring travel should also cover related expenses. Media interviews and podcast appearances are typically handled separately.
If you’re interested, you’ll find everything you need here: jalexandergreenwood.com.
---
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes! Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
8 March 2026, 3:52 pm - 43 minutes 31 secondsLynette M. Burrows on Dystopia, Defiance, and the Stories We Need
What do you get when a writer builds a dystopian world that feels uncomfortably close to the one we already live in? A trilogy worth paying attention to.
Alex sits down with Lynette M. Burrows author of the Fellowship Dystopia series, for a conversation that covers a lot of ground; from the moral weight of violence in fiction to the long, sometimes painful arc of developing a protagonist worth following across multiple books.
Lynette talks about Miranda, the heart of her series, and how that character evolved in ways that surprised even her creator. They get into what it means to write about agency and justice when the world you're depicting keeps rhyming with current events — and why that's not always intentional, and not always comfortable.
The conversation also touches on Robert McKee's storytelling techniques and their influence on storytelling craft, the way real grief finds its way onto the page whether you invite it or not, and why the physical design of a book still matters in an era when everyone claims print is dying.
Good dystopia holds a mirror up. This conversation is about what happens when the reflection stares back.
Connect
- Listen to Lynette's first appearance on the show here.
- Listen to her second appearance here.
- Visit her website here.
- Buy the books here!
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes!
Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber! If you’ve enjoyed the audio essays and want to her (and see!) more of them, there are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
Announcer: Mary McKenna.
Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
15 February 2026, 5:45 pm - 10 minutes 10 secondsThe Business of Selling Motion Instead of Momentum
Alex explores the complexities of navigating a creative career, particularly in writing and podcasting. He discusses the pervasive influence of the Author Services Industrial Complex, which capitalizes on authors' anxieties rather than genuinely helping them succeed. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the local nuances of podcasting and marketing, warning against the pitfalls of outsourcing these tasks to firms that lack a deep understanding of the creator's unique voice and audience.
---
Book J. Alexander Greenwood for keynotes, panels, podcasts, and live conversations!
J. Alexander Greenwood speaks on work, writing, media, and the systems people have to navigate every day, drawing from real-world experience as a writer, communicator, and podcaster.
He appears at conferences, universities, book clubs, professional associations, and with organizations looking for something more grounded than a generic motivational talk. Formats include keynotes, panels, workshops, classroom conversations, and podcast or interview appearances. Engagements can be virtual or in person.
Common topics include Radical Competency and workplace dynamics, independent publishing and author entrepreneurship, podcasting and storytelling, public relations and crisis communication, writing craft and the creative process, building a sustainable creative career, and true crime and the ethics of storytelling. Talks are tailored to fit the audience and the moment.
For most speaking engagements, Greenwood charges a nominal speaking fee. Events requiring travel should also cover related expenses. Media interviews and podcast appearances are typically handled separately.
If you’re interested, you’ll find everything you need here: jalexandergreenwood.com.
---
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes! Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
24 January 2026, 7:56 pm - 9 minutes 16 secondsThe Long Apprenticeship I Didn’t Know I Was In
On the Season 17 Premiere, Alex reflects on Robert Greene's book 'Mastery' and its profound impact on his understanding of personal growth and the writing craft.
He discusses the concept of the long apprenticeship, the importance of recognizing one's true self, and the influences that have shaped his journey as a writer. Alex emphasizes the value of dedication and the gradual process of mastering a craft, while also looking forward to the new year with optimism and clarity.
Takeaways
- Mastery is about the long apprenticeship we often overlook.
- Robert Greene's work offers depth rather than shortcuts.
- The false self accumulates from societal expectations.
- Mastery is a gradual process of devotion and practice.
- Writing is a craft that requires consistent effort.
- Influences shape our understanding and approach to craft.
- Personal growth is intertwined with the mastery of skills.
- Life experiences contribute to our unique perspectives.
- Recognizing one's life's task is crucial for fulfillment.
- The journey of mastery is ongoing and ever-evolving.
Chapters
00:00 The Long Apprenticeship Begins
01:28 Understanding Mastery and the False Self
04:06 Influences and the Craft of Writing
05:55 Reflections on Life and Learning
07:22 Looking Ahead: A New Year and New Insights
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Celebrating 10 Years and hundreds of episodes! Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 25% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in 25% off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
8 January 2026, 3:30 am - 6 minutes 48 secondsA Modest Holiday Wish
In this reflective piece, Alex challenges the conventional narrative surrounding the holidays as a time for renewal and optimism. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of acknowledging personal loss and the complexities of life. He advocates for clearer thinking, honest conversations, and modest wishes that focus on competence and responsibility rather than empty optimism.
Alex's message is a call to embrace the nuances of life, recognizing that real change comes from attention and effort rather than mere belief.
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
23 December 2025, 6:10 pm - 5 minutes 16 secondsTend Your Garden, But Don’t Forget the Gate
In this episode, Alex reads his essay, “Tend Your Garden, But Don’t Forget the Gate,” originally published on his Substack, All The Fits That’s News. The piece explores the limits of the old Stoic maxim, “Don’t complain, don’t explain,” and how silence, when taken too far, becomes a form of avoidance rather than strength.
Alex reflects on a difficult period in his professional life, when keeping everything bottled up nearly broke him. He discusses the value of choosing the right people to confide in, why venting is not weakness, and how discernment, not emotional shutdown, was the point the Stoics were getting at all along.
10 Years. Hundreds of Shows. Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
I’m excited to share a limited-time offer: 50% off your first 12 months as a paid subscriber. It’s my way of making it easier for you to support the work I do here—essays, commentary, and cultural critiques delivered without gatekeepers, ads, or algorithms getting in the way.
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 50% offer, which ENDS on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in half off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
12 December 2025, 6:01 am - 7 minutes 26 secondsRapping About Spotify Wrapped
Alex takes a look at this year’s Spotify Wrapped for Mysterious Goings On and talks through what the numbers say about a small, strange, independent show that refuses to behave like a big studio podcast.
He points out which episodes surprised him, where listeners are tuning in from, and even what kind of music and audiobooks the audience seems to love.
There’s curiosity, a little pride, and plenty of thanks to the folks who keep pressing play. If you’re a fan, or just podcast-curious, this one gives you a peek behind the curtain, and maybe a nudge to support the show or pick up one of Alex's books while you’re at it.
10 Years. Hundreds of Shows. Alex needs a coffee. Or ten: Become a paid subscriber!
Thank you for listening. How about checking out All the Fits That’s News?
I’m excited to share a limited-time offer: 50% off your first 12 months as a paid subscriber. It’s my way of making it easier for you to support the work I do here—essays, commentary, and cultural critiques delivered without gatekeepers, ads, or algorithms getting in the way.
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 50% offer, which ENDS on Dec. 31, 2025.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in half off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
7 December 2025, 4:32 pm - 48 minutes 15 secondsCevin Soling Makes Bedtime Stories Dangerous Again
What happens when a children’s book is written for adults who know better? Filmmaker and author Cevin Soling joins Alex to talk about his brilliantly twisted storybooks that hide sharp social commentary behind bright illustrations and dark comedy.
His Rumpelville Chronicles wrap heavy themes in playful visuals, inviting adults to laugh, cringe, and think at the same time. Soling’s been poking at cultural absurdities since childhood, and his books pull no punches:
• “The Jolly Elf” skewers bureaucracy through a murderous elf and a town more interested in TV rights than survival.
• “The Bomb That Followed Me Home” turns a walking bomb into a cuddly pet, highlighting how normalized violence has become.Influenced by James Thurber and Tom Lehrer, Soling blends humor and critique with a light touch, creating stories that feel whimsical on the surface and subversive underneath.
Soling has written about outsiders, power, education, and cultural blind spots for years through books like “The Student Resistance Series,” “The People Who Fell,” and his satirical, surreal fiction that pokes holes in our neat little myths about society. So it tracks that when an esteemed anthropologist labeled a long-unseen tribe as “despicable,” Cevin didn’t buy it. He packed up, headed out, and tried to see the truth for himself.
Enjoy this fast, funny conversation about why absurdity makes the best mirror. DO NOT MISS IT.
Thank you for listening. How about checking out All the Fits That’s News?
I’m excited to share a limited-time offer: 50% off your first 12 months as a paid subscriber. It’s my way of making it easier for you to support the work I do here—essays, commentary, and cultural critiques delivered without gatekeepers, ads, or algorithms getting in the way.
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 50% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in half off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
28 November 2025, 6:01 am - 33 minutes 46 secondsDouglas Bales on Rock ’n’ Roll Truth, Glory, and the Grind
What keeps an artist going when fame never quite shows up? For songwriter, drummer, and now novelist Douglas Bales, the answer is simple: the people who actually listen.
In this episode, Douglas joins Mysterious Goings On to talk about his 40-year journey through the garage shows, the smoky clubs, the late-night drives, and the long odds that define a life in music.
We get into what it really feels like to be onstage in front of an audience that finally gets you, why validation matters more than fame, and how the highs of performance stay with you long after the amps cool down.
Douglas also unveils his new novel, Rock ’N’ Rolla Coaster, a gritty, funny, and painfully accurate look at band life from the inside. If you’ve ever plugged in, turned up, or dreamed of chasing the roar of the crowd, this one’s for you.
In this episode:
The rush of live performance and the emotional hangover that The rush of live performance and the emotional hangover that follows
- Why fame is the exception, not the rule
- How musicians measure success (hint: it’s not album sales)
- The truth behind the “rock star dream”
- What inspired Rock ’N’ Rolla Coaster
- How a lifetime of gigs shaped his fiction
- Alex mistakes Rutherford B. Hayes for James Garfield
If you love the music but also the story behind the music, Douglas Bales delivers both. Tune in, turn up, and ride the coaster.
Listen to Doug's first appearance on the show here.
Thank you for listening. How about checking out All the Fits That’s News?
I’m excited to share a limited-time offer: 50% off your first 12 months as a paid subscriber. It’s my way of making it easier for you to support the work I do here—essays, commentary, and cultural critiques delivered without gatekeepers, ads, or algorithms getting in the way.
If you’ve enjoyed the essays and want to see more of them, here are two simple ways you can help:
- Become a paid subscriber. Paid support keeps this work sustainable and helps me devote the time and energy it deserves. If you’ve subscribed before, please consider re-subscribing under the new system and take advantage of this 50% offer.
- Spread the word. If a paid subscription isn’t right for you right now, you can still make a big difference by sharing posts with friends, on social media, or anywhere you think they’ll resonate.
👉 Join today and lock in half off your first year.
Your support—financial or otherwise—is what keeps this going. The best work is still ahead, and I’d love for you to be part of it. —Alex
CONNECT:
- All the Fits That's News on Substack (Free or Paid)
- Alex's Author Website
- Contact Alex about advertising/sponsorship here.
- Buy a Book!
- Going to Killing City...Alex's True Crime Podcast
Enjoy this episode? Please leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice, and don't forget to subscribe for more literary journeys! LEAVE A REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS
Announcer: Mary McKenna. Original theme music "Mysterious Goings On" by Jamie Green. Want your own cool score for your podcast or website? Contact Jamie at Greenhouse Consulting. Check out Jamie's interview on the show here.
This Mysterious Goings On Podcast episode was recorded and mixed at Green Shebeen Studios in beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. Copyright 2025, all rights reserved. No reproduction, excerpting, or other use without written permission.
21 November 2025, 6:33 am - More Episodes? Get the App