Time to Spare!

Because nothing goes better than bowling and conversation.

January 19, 2024

One day last spring, I had the idea that it would be cool to create a podcast in which I go bowling, one-on-one, with somebody. After a few games, we grab a bite to eat and have a conversation in the alley snack bar. We talk about bowling and anything else my guest wants to explore. I record the conversation and it becomes a podcast.

I mentioned this idea to family members and friends at work. Everybody thought it sounded like fun, so I started fishing for a podcast title. A lunchtime brainstorming session at work led me to Time to Spare. 

Not too long after that, Donna and I had a Memorial Day weekend getaway, courtesy of Jimmy and Lizzy, in Front Royal, Virginia. After a lovely afternoon of driving along Skyline Drive and hiking the Stony Man Trail, we hit up the the Royal Family Bowling Center. We bowled a few games, then ordered a pizza and recorded a conversation that was meant to be the prototype for Time to Spare. 

Around the same time, I commissioned two talented singer/songwriters, Mike and Sean Fisher, to write and record theme songs for a potential bowling-related podcast called Time to Spare. 

Mike and Sean both understood the assignment. I knew they would.

After that, life got in the way. I shelved many thoughts and ideas for months on end.

Lately though, Time to Spare has been calling out to me. It was a snowy day for me today, during which I was preparing the self-evaluation for my 2023 workplace performance review. 

This professional assessment seemed to naturally lead to a review of my creative life from last year, which was energetic and interesting at first, but then tapered off considerably by the end of September. 

In short, today I had time to spare to think about Time to Spare. And I decided that, nearly eight months later, it’s still a good idea. Therefore, while it’s not technically a podcast yet, I have created a Soundcloud playlist, comprised of Sean’s theme, the conversation between Donna and me, and Mike’s theme. It is decidedly lo-fi and lo-tech, but certain aspects of this venture shine through:

·       I love bowling and talking with my wife, and I’m certain I’d enjoy bowling and talking with other people as well. 

·       Sean and Mike’s songs are fantastic.

·       You can’t beat bowling alley ambience.

·       Your funnel fries are ready.

Because of all this, I’ve decided to unleash this idea. I invite you to check out the Time to Spare Soundcloud playlist below! Give it a listen and maybe someday you and I can go bowling. That is, when you have Time to Spare!