What Am I Making Podcast #006 - Abigail and Barry Hummel of 'Pops on Hops'

I love listening to Barry and Abigail Hummel talk about records and beer. Certainly, it helps that there are few things in this world I would rather do than talk music over a pint. But the real joy of Pops on Hops is the connection and conversation between a daughter and her dad. 

On each episode , the Hummels choose a record, and then pair it with a flight of beer from a specific brewery and Barry and Abigail go through the record track by track and talk about their feelings, impressions and attachments to the songs. What begins as a conversation about music and beer often leads to deeper discussions and a connection between a parent and child that is palpable, and beautiful.

As the father of two adult daughters, Pops On Hops might seem tailor made for a dude like me. While I do fit the demo pretty perfectly, there is truly something here for everyone. Some of my favorite moments on the pod came as Abigail and Barry discussed songs or records that I had no feelings about at all. The honesty of the two of them as people, listeners, and family is genuine, and really lovely. And yeah, it helps a little that Abigail’s favorite band is REM. 

During our discussion we hit upon the quest to make nerds of our kids, the power of encouragement and the generational cost of devaluing art. We also talk about the power of making a commitment as it relates to your creative output and the vulnerability of sharing something you love and the fears of how that might backfire. Most importantly, we discuss the art of bullshitting your way there until you have it figured out. Something at which I have thousands of hours of practice.

These are two truly wonderful people. Their podcast is fantastic. I am humbled to have been a guest on their show more than once, and to get to call them my friends. Enjoy this conversation. I sure did.

Cheers,
Matty C