THIS PODCAST STRIKES FIRST!

2025 Year in Review

As 2025 winds down, we felt it was time to reflect upon the year...  Many interesting (and wonderful) things happened, and we do not take that for granted.
Thank you all (again) so much, for taking the time out to listen to this humble little podcast.  See you in 2026!
Anytime you want to contact us, we are here: thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

Two Punk Kids And Some Microphones: A Conversation With Brian Baker

There's something to be said for having conversations with people who have made a positive impact in your life in some way: The more opportunities we have to do it, the less separate we become from each other.  We value wisdom and the mass range of experiences; and ideally, the more we converse with those who have inspired us, the more human they become.
It's not unlike someone who donates a kidney, donates blood for crucial transfusions, or sat with you and listened when you were feeling at your lowest.  Music is no different.  
Obviously we do this podcast because Bad Religion is one of our all-time favorite bands; but we want to also humanize the experience.  Whether someone got into them yesterday or has been into them since 1981, all of us are misfits who connect with this band in our own ways.  However, we can't forget that we also have very human experiences- which is why we connect to the music.  
And who comprises of Bad Religion?  A group of humans, who have very human experiences.  jamilah always says they're "imperfect people who make perfect music."
So as we've had teachers, graduate students, preacher's kids, ginormous fans and newbies alike (and more) on this podcast- and we hope this continues-   our door will (also) always be open to the people who inspire all of us in this journey- the band.  
Because guess what?  They are humans too.  
The human who so kindly spent part of his day with us this time is Brian Baker- a man who, if we named every band he was in, it would probably go over the word limit.  To start, he is associated with three bands who have been cited as among the most influential bands in punk/hardcore:  Minor Threat, Dag Nasty and (of course), Bad Religion.  He played on stage with Carlos Santana's band when he was 12.  He is a survivor.  And in this latest iteration of his journey, he is a published author of a photography book.  
In this conversation, Brian and jamilah speak about a wide range of topics:  the power of seeing kids starting their own scenes, the joy of going to shows, support during sobriety, Phil Upchurch & Steve Cropper (RIP), The Denny's Grand Slam, the importance of literacy (and being a good listener), tattoos and more!
Shoutout to Christina and Victoria.
Thank you once again for listening!
To get Brian's book, The Road, go to:  https://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/the-road/
jamilah's piece on George Carlin:  https://jamilah1.substack.com/p/people-say-they-love-george-carlin
Where you can find the 'Bumblebee' song: https://teodorasfist.bandcamp.com/album/one-day-i-slipped-and-fell-on-a-thought
If you have any queries, comments or critiques, send them here: thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

The Drum Episode!!!!!!

In the continuation of the series highlighting our favorite things about the band's respective instruments, we finally have an episode about the drums.  In doing this episode, jamilah heard some things that made her choices even more difficult, but fun.
What are some of your favorite things about BR drums?  Let us know!   thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

The Wisdom Of Not Knowing: A Conversation With Jay Bentley

We are conditioned to see the concepts of both wisdom and 'not knowing' as diametrically opposed, as they are defined in the narrowest of terms.  In a spiritual sense (which may seem paradoxical, given that this is a podcast about Bad Religion), the two concepts fit perfectly.
Anyone who listens to this podcast with some regularity has heard jamilah speak about Jay Bentley as being a major bass inspiration.  Much of her perspective has been primarily based on this; that said, the couple of times they've briefly met, there was no significant mention of the bass- so it's clear there was a more compelling person beyond the instrument.  
The hunch was absolutely correct.  jamilah did have an opportunity to sit down with Jay (who is indeed, a compelling, kind and thoughtful person) to discuss some Bad Religion (obviously!!!!!!); even in discussing the band, there was an abundance of wisdom in allowing things to flow without knowing what is coming next, addressing learning from mistakes and finding purpose in the midst of more significant matters.  They also discussed the experience of reconnecting with music, the acceptance of not being the center of the world, accepting impermanence, lessons learned from martial arts, and setting realistic goals.
Many, many thanks to Christina for being the connection to this connection.  
Thank you for listening!  
To visit Natalia Fabia's site, go to:  https://www.nataliafabia.com/
If you have any questions or comments (or further words of wisdom) for us, contact: thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com
 

A Few Words From Brian And Jay, Plus Some Pinkpop Talk (ft. Chris Warne)

It has been an adventure of sorts for jamilah, as she saw Bad Religion three times in one week (on their tour with Dropkick Murphys and the Mainliners).  Much fun was had (stormy weather and all), as she met some wonderful people- including Brian Baker and Jay Bentley, who were kind enough to give some words of encouragement to the people.  
On the episode with jamilah is New Zealand-based Chris Warne, who speaks with her about BR's appearance at the Pinkpop Festival in 1995.  In the conversation there's some drum and songwriting appreciation, they talk about Brian Baker being severely underrated, as well as Neil Finn (of Split Endz and Crowded House).
Thank you for listening!
To hear Chris' podcast (240 Gigabytes Of Neil Finn), go to: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2058297
To listen to Chris' band (Cowboy Dan), go to: https://cowboydanmusic.bandcamp.com/
If you have any questions or comments (or if you want to send some extra words of encouragement) contact us at: thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

jesse and jamilah see Bad Religion in concert (again): An Impromptu Episode!!!!

On August 9, 2025, in exactly one year, three months and one day later, jesse and jamilah saw Bad Religion (this time with Dropkick Murphys and the Mainliners) at Pier 17 in NYC.  Given the cancellation of last autumn's tour, jamilah had been waiting excitedly for this mini tour.  So of course, she wanted to record any first impressions jesse (in particular) had- did he still think they were mid as a live band?  
This episode was recorded immediately after the show (with two very tired people who were running on very little sleep), so thoughts (obviously) were not fully formed, and surely, some things were wrong.  Once jamilah attends the following two shows in New Jersey next week, there most likely will be an episode with some actually coherent thoughts.  
(Intro: Performance from MTV's Most Wanted, 2 February 1995, hosted by Ray Cokes)
Thank you for listening!
If you have any questions or comments (or if you went to this show), we're at:  thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

Discussing Bad Religion's Music With A 'Stranger than Fiction' Fan (feat. Amanda H.)

Because this is a Bad Religion podcast, it can be assumed that the only people who generally (or predominately) would be on the episodes would be those who are giant fans or appreciators, and know a lot of things regarding the band.  While we obviously love when this happens (and welcome it at all times); one of the things we've been open about is welcoming folks on who know very little, or nothing at all.  Given that jamilah is a longtime appreciator, it is always wonderful to hear perspectives from new ears.During a weekend of Metallica-related events, jamilah sat outside of a bar with Amanda, when the bartender put on a mixed soundtrack of Metallica (of course) and Bad Religion.  Both of them were singing along, so it was figured that Amanda was a giant fan of BR.  It was discovered that while Amanda is indeed an appreciator of the band; however, she was only familiar with Stranger Than Fiction, as well as Greg Graffin's third solo album, Millport. 
So of course...  she had to be on an episode. 
Amanda and jamilah also discuss Ozzy Osbourne's passing, the Punk In The Park controversy (and petition), lyrical admirations, musical similarities and more.
Thanks for listening! 
If you have any questions or comments for us, go to:  thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

Our Favorite Moments On The Bass, with Paul Hodgert

While Bad Religion is one of jamilah's favorite bands (obviously); Jay Bentley is one of her biggest bass inspirations.  Listening to the songs as a whole is one thing, but listening to what the bass actually does in the songs is another- and Paul Hodgert, fellow bass player (and old school BR 'true' (aka bigger fan of the earlier parts of the catalog)) spent some time with her to talk about their favorite Jay (and Paul Dedona) moments, as well as what makes Jay Bentley such a crucial part of the experience.
The list isn't complete (again, obviously), and they realized after the fact the number of songs they missed.  They also talk about Mel Brooks and satire, Black Sabbath, jazz' connection to punk, and more.
Other songs in this episode:
-Paul Hodgert, Flat Earth Pilot (Paul Is Dead, 2024)-Paul Hodgert, I'm So Tired (Paul Is Dead, 2024)-Joan Jett & Greg Graffin- Let's Do It (Laguna Tunes, 2000)
Thanks for listening! 
If you have any questions or comments for us, go to:  thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com

jesse And jamilah Watch 'Decades: 1980s – Season 1, Episode 1'

After a few years of conversation, curiosity and anticipation; on the 2nd of June Bad Religion's official Youtube channel premiered the first episode from the first (of two) season(s) of the 'Decades' series, aired in 2020- at the time when concert venues were shut down to the public.   
jamilah (of course) has seen this before but she wanted to share this moment with jesse, particularly to see if he'd change his views on BR as a live band.  Has this episode changed his mind, or is he still not convinced of their greatness? 
Thanks for listening- and watch along with us if you'd like!
jamilah's piece on Punk Rock Bowling, mentioned in the episode:  https://theonewomanapollo.com/2025/06/06/punk-rock-bowling-and-reconnecting-to-my-roots/
If you have any questions or comments for us, go to:  thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com    
 
 

Some Of Our Favorite Oozin' Aahs!

(Currently, jamilah is in Las Vegas, Nevada for Punk Rock Bowling, but she recorded this quick episode right before packing to go.)
Harmonies and background vocals are an integral part of Bad Religion's sound in many ways- so much that they are famously (of infamously, depending on whom you speak to) known on the albums as the 'Oozin' Aahs'. While they are beloved in the BR community, jamilah doesn't necessarily hear a lot of people talking about them... Hence, this episode, which of course was incredibly difficult to do.
Thanks for listening!  We would love to hear what some of your favorite Oozin' Aahs moment are!  Let us know at: thispodcaststrikesfirst@gmail.com