LeisureSociety & CultureEducationSelf-ImprovementExplicit

The Cracked Cauldron Podcast

Ed Bolden-Greer

Welcome to The Cracked Cauldron, a podcast hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob A. Garner. In each episode, Ed and Jacob will have free-flowing conversations about horror, life, culture, and personal growth. Expect to hear from storytellers, authors, horror experts, life gurus, thought leaders, and influencers. The Cauldron is a place where concoctions of a lot of ideas are brewed down to potions that are sometimes important and useful, sometimes eccentric and bizarre, but always just what you need. The Cauldron Podcast may contain explicit language and thematic elements not suitable for all audiences; listener discretion is advised.

Play

Open in

23 episodes
Avg 52 min
English

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S5 · E11
Sunday · 49 min
Season 5 Episode 11 – Drag Queens and the End of Physical Money
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 11 – Drag Queens and the End of Physical Money Release Date: September 6, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: This week inside The Cracked Cauldron, Ed and Jacob tumble through a gloriously chaotic brew of everyday disasters, Appalachian updates, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the heat is unbearable and the coffee hasn’t kicked in. Ed battles a cursed fire pit, a publishing labyrinth, and the existential dread of missing knobs, while Jacob confesses his donut crimes, his nicotine bias, and his ongoing war with mismatched deadbolts. Together they wander through outlaw storage‑unit flea markets, the strange modern disappearance of physical currency, the politics of bar smoking bans, and the eternal mystery of why Congress moves faster when it shouldn’t. There’s drag competitions, Appalachian Horror Fest news, anthology announcements, and a reminder that even in the middle of chaos, there’s always room for a good story, a good laugh, and a good curse‑breaking ceremony. The Cauldron bubbles over in all the best ways. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E10
September 3 · 54 min
Season 5 Episode 10 – Ollie Walks In, Ed Needs a Nap
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 10 – Ollie Walks In, Ed Needs a Nap Release Date: August 31, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Jacob drops a rare conspiracy theory, Ollie makes his first on‑air appearance, and Ed tries to wrangle a conversation that swings from mistranslated Jurassic Park shirts to the absurdity of UFC 250 on the Capitol lawn. What begins in chaos settles into a thoughtful look at how neighborly connection has faded, why making friends after 30 feels impossible, and how phones, fear, and constant connectivity have reshaped community. They share childhood stories, condo-life realities, online friendships forged in Phasmophobia, and highlight Jacob’s Empowerment Through Self‑Defense classes and the upcoming Frank & Con weekend. A fast, funny, human episode about the strange ways we drift apart and the small ways we still find each other. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E9
September 3 · 46 min
Season 5 Episode 9 – Hot Dog Hallway & Other Disasters
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 9 – Hot Dog Hallway & Other Disasters Release Date: August 31, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: This episode opens in the way only the Cauldron can, slipping immediately into a moment that feels half chaotic and half intimate as the hot dog hallway joke sets the tone for everything that follows. The conversation moves with that familiar real-time looseness shaped by a canceled guest, a Squonk confession that lands with strange emotional weight, and Ed’s recovery update that keeps threading through the hour with its mix of frustration and quiet resilience. Knoxville life drifts through the room, from CreepyCon prep to surprise award news to the uneasy feeling of too many cameras watching the city. Appalachian Horror Fest rises in the middle of it all, the Numbers Game stirs up its usual confusion, and the episode settles into that warm, lived-in space where humor, honesty, and exhaustion blend together without ever needing to be polished. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E25
August 17 · 57 min
Season 5 Episode 8 – Inside CreepyCon 2026: Booth Life, Birthday Chaos, and Brew Crew Magic
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 8 – Inside CreepyCon 2026: Booth Life, Birthday Chaos, and Brew Crew Magic Release Date: August 4, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob dive into a post‑CreepyCon debrief filled with birthday surprises, chaotic con stories, and plenty of laughs. From alien‑print Hawaiian shirts to chocolate‑covered espresso beans, the duo recount their favorite moments, shout out the Brew Crew, and reflect on the behind‑the‑scenes hustle of running a booth. They play their signature question game, swap vacation preferences, talk Knoxville happenings, and close out with a couple of “Am I the Asshole?” discussions that spark some honest conversation about boundaries, family dynamics, and calling out bad behavior. It’s a laid‑back, funny, and very Cracked Cauldron kind of episode. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E7
August 17 · 51 min
Season 5 Episode 7 – The Great Galactic Connect-the-Dots (Part 2)
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 7 – The Great Galactic Connect-the-Dots (Part 2) Release Date: July 25, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob catch up on life, new studio gear, and a correction demanded by their friend V before diving into their “dumb questions” game. They introduce a new ongoing challenge where Jacob must guess a hidden numerical rule sealed in an envelope. The second half is pure Jacob: alien theories, space‑folding travel, bacteria as Earth’s true rulers, and a biblical‑flavored AI conspiracy. Ed keeps him grounded while teasing Appalachian Horror Fest 2026. The episode ends with Jacob’s first correct guess and an invitation for listeners to solve the rule themselves. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E6
July 25 · 54 min
Season 5 Episode 6 – Bad Dating Advice
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 6 – Bad Dating Advice Release Date: July 25, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob crack open the Cauldron for a chaotic, funny, and unexpectedly heavy brew of real‑life misadventures. From bureaucratic nightmares and medical recovery to conspiracy chatter, award wins, and the strange comfort of routine, the conversation spirals through frustration, friendship, and the absurdity of modern life. It’s messy, honest, and sharply human, you know the kind of episode where you laugh, wince, and nod along because somehow everything feels a little too familiar. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E5
July 25 · 1 hr 1 min
Season 5 Episode 5 – Tired
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 5 – Tired Release Date: July 14, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob tumble into an unfiltered conversation about exhaustion, modern life, and the strange ways people try to fix themselves. From back injuries caused by violent sneezes to the rise of “sleep‑maxing,” the duo explores stress, culture, propaganda, and why everyone seems so damn tired these days. Blunt humor, sharp insight, and a little chaos, all the classic Cauldron energy brewed fresh. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E4
July 10 · 1 hr 4 min
Season 5 Episode 4 – The Great Galactic Connect-the-Dots (Part 1)
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 4 – The Great Galactic Connect-the-Dots (Part 1) Release Date: July 9, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: In this wild, hilarious, and surprisingly thoughtful episode of The Cracked Cauldron, Ed and Jacob dive headfirst into ancient alien lore, modern UAP conspiracies, mysterious scientist disappearances, and Jacob’s lifelong dream of being lovingly abducted and probed by extraterrestrials. From Ezekiel’s “wheels within wheels” to Los Alamos secrets, galactic mapping, moon bases, and the possibility of alien DNA in humans, this episode blends history, humor, and high‑octane conspiracy energy. Buckle up, Jacob’s tinfoil hat is on tight, Ed’s trying to keep the ship steady, and the brew crew is in for one hell of a cosmic ride. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S5 · E3
July 3 · 35 min
Season 5 Episode 3 – FrankenCon 2026
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 3 – FrankenCon 2026 Release Date: July 2, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: A lively, chaotic recap of a weekend spent deep in the world of horror fandom at FrankenCon 2026, this episode blends personal stories, con‑floor antics, unexpected encounters, and the warm camaraderie that defines the Brew Crew. Ed and Jacob bounce between humor, reflection, and pure convention madness as they unpack long days, memorable characters, and the strange joy of being part of a growing creative community. It’s conversational, messy, heartfelt, and unmistakably Cracked Cauldron. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved. FrankenCon 2026 Big Scary Show Harriet Tubman Demion Slayer Photos
S5 · E2
June 24 · 1 hr 17 min
Season 5 Episode 2 - We Were All the Weird Kid
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 2 - We Were All the Weird Kid Release Date: April 27, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob take a long, chaotic walk through their high school years: the weird kids, the weirder teachers, the clubs, the pranks, the trauma, the nostalgia, and everything in between. What starts as a lighthearted memory lane detour turns into a raw conversation about safety, power, identity, and the moments that shaped them. It’s messy, funny, honest, and very, very human. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved. # weirdkids, #CrackedCauldron, #highschoolmemories, #teacherscandals, #growingupqueer, #AppalachianHorrorFest, #JKRowlingboycott,
S5 · E1
June 17 · 39 min
Season 5 – Episode 1 – Lighting the Fire for Season Five
Episode Credits Season 5 Episode 1 – Lighting the Fire for Season Five Recording Date: 03/31/2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob settle back into the studio to talk about staycations, aging out of reckless drinking, and the strange comfort of slipping into old rhythms with the people who know you best. They welcome the Brew Crew into Season 5 with updates on upcoming conventions, giveaways, and the return of their favorite game of dumb questions. They tease new topics for the season, from UFOs and propaganda to dragons, high school memories, and the mysteries of the djinn. Season 5 begins right here. Pull up a chair, Brew Crew. The conversation starts now. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.
S4 · E21
June 9 · 50 min
Season 4 Season Finale
Episode Credits Season 4 Season Finale Release Date: April 14, 2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: In this wide‑ranging conversation, Ed and Jacob catch up after a chaotic week of travel, allergies, and life updates. From birthday surprises and witchy gifts to cruise plans, tattoo stories, and the ongoing growth of Jacob’s self‑defense classes, the episode settles into the familiar mix of humor, honesty, and cultural commentary listeners love. The two dive into everything from social media oddities to convention planning, imitation in the creative world, and the strange corners of internet culture. As the conversation deepens, they explore heavier topics, global conflict, misinformation, shifting political narratives, and the human cost of war, all through their signature blend of curiosity, candor, and compassion. With plenty of laughs, a few sneezes, and a look ahead to the season finale and the newly confirmed next season, this episode captures The Cauldron at its most unfiltered and most human. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E19
May 24 · 58 min
Season 4 – Episode 19 – Sneezes, Sorbet, and Appalachian Hospitality
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 19 – Sneezes, Sorbet, and Appalachian Hospitality Release Date: 03/10/2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob return to the Cauldron in an episode that swings wildly and hilariously, between allergy‑induced misery, cruise ship chaos, political absurdity, and the creeping dread of modern geopolitics. From Ed’s “literal wall of pollen” attack when he lands back in Knoxville to Jacob’s fear of falling off a cruise ship while dressed like a Shining twin, the episode starts unhinged and only escalates from there. Then the tone shifts as they unpack the escalating war, AI‑guided missile failures, political hypocrisy, and the unsettling feeling that no one actually knows what’s going on. It’s messy, funny, chaotic, thoughtful, and deeply human, exactly the kinda thing the Brew Crew was built for. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E18
May 24 · 42 min
Season 4 – Episode 18 – No Crowns! No Clowns!
Season 4 – Episode 18 – No crowns! No Clowns! Release Date: 06/14/2025 (Special Report – Out of Sequence) Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob break their hiatus to dive straight into one of the most explosive weekends in recent American politics: the nationwide No King Protests. From Knoxville’s massive turnout to the surreal disaster of Trump’s birthday military parade, the Cauldron boys unpack the chaos, the courage, and the cultural shift unfolding in real time. Listeners also get humor, storytelling, and the debut of the new G‑Spot studio, plus Madam V’s chaotic July Horro’scopes. It’s sharp, funny, furious, and deeply human, exactly the kind of episode the Brew Crew expects from The Cracked Cauldron. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E16
May 5 · 1 hr 4 min
Season 4 – Episode 17– Nephilim, Valentines, and Other Bad Decisions
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 17 – Nephilim, Valentines, and Other Bad Decisions Release Date: 12/16/2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob wander from Valentine’s Day disasters to ancient giants, strange theories, and the blurry line between myth and memory. What begins as a simple conversation spirals into cryptid speculation, biblical lore, and one of the wildest bar encounters Jacob has ever had. Nothing is certain, everything is possible, and the Cauldron is bubbling over. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E17
May 1 · 39 min
Season 4 – Episode 16 – The World Moves Forward Anyway - Jesse Jackson Memorial
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 16 – The World Moves Forward Anyway - Jesse Jackson Memorial Release Date: 02/16/2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: In Episode 16 of The Cracked Cauldron, Ed and Jacob have a slow-burning conversation as they move from lighthearted banter into heavier reflections, letting the episode drift through personal updates, strange news, shifting political landscapes, and the uneasy sense of a country moving in the wrong direction. What begins as a casual check‑in gradually widens into a meditation on resilience, global progress, and the small sparks of hope that still break through even when the national mood feels dim. The result is an episode that wanders thoughtfully, never rushing, always circling back to the idea that forward motion is still happening somewhere, and that noticing it matters. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.
S4 · E15
April 26 · 41 min
Season 4 – Episode 15 – Dumb Junk
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 15 – Dumb Junk Release Date: 12/01/2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Jacob and Ed spiral through a chaotic, hilarious conversation sparked by a rogue leaf blower outside the studio. What starts as a simple catch‑up turns into a whirlwind of Magic: nostalgia, bizarre hobbies, deep‑water soloing disasters, D&D memories, cigar‑shop confessions, and the eternal mystery of why leaf blowers are so damn loud. It’s an unfiltered hangout episode full of stories, laughter, and the kind of friendship energy that makes The Cracked Cauldron feel like home. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E14
April 25 · 29 min
Season 4 – Episode 14 – AI Mania
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 14 – AI Mania Release Date: 12/01/2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: Ed and Jacob crack open the Cauldron for an episode that spirals into full‑blown AI Mania, equal parts curiosity, chaos, and “what even is the world doing anymore.” What starts as a conversation about tech quickly dissolves into rants about modern life, digital nonsense, and the general absurdity of existing in 2026. It’s messy, funny, a little unhinged, and exactly the kind of cathartic brew the Cauldron was built for. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E13
April 24 · 38 min
Season 4 Episode 13 – SNAP Benefits
Episode Credits Season 4 Episode 13 – SNAP Benefits Release Date: November 17, 2025 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: In this quietly unsettling installment of The Cracked Cauldron, hosts Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner explore a strange ripple moving through the community, whispers about delayed assistance, missing benefits, and an official silence that feels heavier than usual. Nothing is clear, and nothing is confirmed, but the unease is real. Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
S4 · E12
March 14 · 38 min
Season 4 – Episode 12 – Hot or Not
Episode Credits Season 4 – Episode 12 – Hot or Not Release Date: 01/27/2026 Website: Ravens Vail Podcast Network Description: On this week’s Cracked Cauldron, Ed Bolden‑Greer and Jacob Garner wade into the strange stew of what’s bubbling up in the world, and what probably should’ve been taken off the heat a long time ago. It’s a loose, lively conversation full of half‑serious observations, half‑playful grumbling, and the kind of “only on this show” energy that makes everything feel a little unpredictable. Trends, moods, moments, and mysteries all get tossed into the pot, and somehow it all comes out tasting just right. A vibe check, a reality check, and a little chaos served warm. Hosted by Ed Bolden-Greer and Jacob Garner Audio Engineering & Sound Design by Nick DeVan at Nicky D Sound Produced and edited by Jeryd Bolden-Greer Podcast theme music: “The Brew” and background music “Nadira’s Theme,” written by Jeryd Bolden-Greer and performed by The Coven Squared. Ravens Vail is a production of Small Raven Media. ©Copyright 2026. All rights reserved All rights reserved.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes