As much as unexpected and tragic loss tests the human spirit, sometimes it can become the catalyst for good. And that is exactly the mission that my friend, Erik Larson, has embraced after suddenly losing his best friend, Greg Kline, in August of 2020.

Greg had a motto that he lived by, Get Busy Living, and Erik embodies all that is about getting busy living. But now, he’s also embodying getting busy GIVING.

Erik Larson, who many refer to as “The Swede” because of his Scandinavian good looks and impeccibly styled blond hair, decided he had a story to tell. A story of his three nephews, who become wildly successful in the business of crypto currency, but the oldest brother, Billy, isn’t satisfied with materialism and modern “things of this world” and decides to travel the world in search of his true purpose in life. Ultimately he discovers that purpose in a life devoted exclusively to God. And in one of the most remote areas of the world no less - Mt Athos, Greece - where orthodox Christian monks have been serving God for over a thousand years. This otherworldly devotion requires the avoidance of “distractions” such as money, women, and even family.

The Swede shares how Billy, now known as Brother William, embraces his new reality, all the while his brothers, his mother, and his girlfriend know nothing about his whereabouts or the new life he now lives. They become determined to find Billy and to “save him” from a life that has every sign of being a cult.

Based on a true story, Cold Storage includes it all. Wealth, family, mystery, love, faith, and in the end, peace.

Erik wrote Cold Storage, available in print and soon in audio, to support his new Get Busy Giving nonprofit foundation. As quoted on his website www.getbusygiving.net, Get Busy Giving is inspired by:

“...seeing what real generosity looks like. Our town has rallied around families in need, supported local causes, and lifted people up in ways that pushed us to do something of our own. So we built Get Busy Giving, a nonprofit run by six grateful friends who want to turn inspiration into action. Our mission is to support causes that matter, build connections, and encourage others to step up for their neighbors. Greg Kline’s saying, “Get Busy Living,” reminds us to live with purpose and heart. Get Busy Giving is our way of carrying that spirit forward.

All proceeds from Cold Storage and related merchandise go directly to Paws of War, supporting the life-changing bond between rescued dogs and those who serve in the military and first responders.”

The 6 grateful friends referenced above include Greg & Melissa Kline’s three children - Tommy, Mikey, and Gracie - and Erik & Meredith Larson’s three children - Anna, James, and Jack. Together they comprise Get Busy Giving’s board of directors.

And to steal one more line from Erik’s website:

"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka

So join us, and let’s see where the energy takes us!

www.getbusygiving.net

getbusygiving@getbusygiving.net

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75EQYtN4axmGWGIpK0iA6p?si=HwSv9dsdRb2YC8yWVyFIBA&pi=od6v0bOgSDOyZ

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

Huntington, Long Island - home to so many of the amazing people that I am lucky to call my friends and family - continues to create new bonds and new friendships. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I could not be more grateful for those connections.

Thanks to a few of those lifelong friends, I’ve been recently connected to a fellow Huntingtonian, a fellow music-lover, fellow golfer, fellow genuinely happily married man and fellow father-of-three daughters. A friend that truly gets what it means to Get Busy Living. I’m proud and fortunate to call my guest, Rich Gray, a new friend and I’m excited to share our conversation.

Our conversation covers ground dating back to the early ‘80’s in New York City when Rich was Lead DJ “spinning records” at the successor dance club to Studio 54, Danceteria, where he helped fuel the shift from disco to more alternative dance music. As fate would have it, Rich met a woman at Danceteria who would ultimately turn out to become “the future Mrs. Gray”, though if you ask Janet, aka Mrs Gray, there may be some debate as to when exactly their fate was sealed ;)

Rich shares insights into music and a lot of bands that I have never heard before, which is one of the things I love most about Exploring the Energy, namely getting enlightened to new and wider horizons of music. In the words of our beloved Billy Campion… “Hey man, there’s a lot of music out there.”

So join us, and let's see where the energy takes us!

Cotton Fields / Credence Clearwater Revival

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cotton-fields/1440950503?i=1440950717

Don't Go Back to Rockville / R.E.M. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-go-back-to-rockville/1442454230?i=1442454641

Cousin Dupree / Steely Dan

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cousin-dupree/297597608?i=297597647

Roadhouse Blue / Doors https://music.apple.com/us/album/roadhouse-blues/511578072?i=511578100

Saint of Circumstance / Grateful Dead https://music.apple.com/us/album/saint-of-circumstance/663697282?i=663697477

You're the Best Thing / Style Council https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-the-best-thing-12-inch-version/1851028801?i=1851029447

Christmas Must Be Tonight / Goose

https://music.apple.com/us/album/christmas-must-be-tonight-live/1667827844?i=1667828935

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357

In somewhat of an unconventional "studio" setting - namely a gutted former restaurant under renovation and equipped with only a table, a few folding chairs, a cooler of beer and an extension cord - 6 fellow music lovers travelled from across the Eastern Seaboard to Downtown Huntington to discuss and debate a subject that has been the hot topic among the group for over 6 years. "What are the Top-5 greatest American rock-&-roll bands of all time." Key word - American.

No Stones. No Beatles. No U2. No Led Zeppelin (#sorrymeyers). The criteria as to what makes a band authentically American was that every band member, without exception, must have been born in the United States. No Metallica (#sorryhanna).

After the rules of engagement were spelled out, the conversation that ensued over the next 50+ minutes was as spirited and riveting as any I've hosted in any prior episode. Enjoy the energy that flowed amongst my co-host, Rob "Monkey Man" Diestel, and his "Boys from Bergen" - Nick Halaby, Lewis Meyers, and Matt Hanna. Special cameo appearance at the end by our sound engineer, none other than founding member and frontman of Huntington's own Bogmen, Billy Campion. Thanks again for herding us cats and taking such good care of us, Billy!

So join us, and let's see where the energy takes us!

Midnight Flyer / Eagles
https://music.apple.com/us/album/midnight-flyer/635765828?i=635765933

The Boys of Summer / Don Henley
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-boys-of-summer-remastered-2024/1761230483?i=1761230752

Everyday People / Sly & the Family Stone
https://music.apple.com/us/album/everyday-people/193125445?i=193126391

Truckin' / Grateful Dead
https://music.apple.com/us/album/truckin-live/307793560?i=307793566

Kokomo / Beach Boys https://music.apple.com/us/album/kokomo/1617206809?i=1617208420

Don’t Believe the Hype / Public Enemy https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-believe-the-hype/1440837788?i=1440837952

Crosseyed & Painless / Phish
https://music.apple.com/us/album/crosseyed-and-painless/396463671?i=396463832

The Weight / Aretha https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-weight/934618187?i=934618225

Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd https://music.apple.com/us/album/free-bird-live-at-the-fox-theater-1976/1413948379?i=1413948706

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983015048745357