Rory Van Grol & Greg Benoit talk with guests about how the values, philosophies, and sense of community found in hardcore punk has influenced the trajectory of our lived experiences in unexpected ways. It features organic discussions that illuminate how this music is the common thread that provides continuity throughout our lives and connects us to one another.
Common Thread - Episode 18, Part 2 (Tuna Tardugno)
This two part episode features a conversation with Tuna Tardugno. Tuna is a wrestler, a vinyl pricer at an independent record store, and the vocalist in the hardcore punk band Sweat.
The trio discuss Tuna's journey from Syracuse, NY to Los Angeles, and her work at Amoeba Records, which is the largest independent record store in the world. We also discuss her band Sweat and their new record and their recent southwest tour.
In part two we talk extensively about her experience as a wrestler, training at Knokx Pro Academy with wrestling legend Rikishi, her work as an analog/vinyl DJ, and the evolution of punk/hardcore culture, and the influence people like Ryan Hex and Barb from I Object had on her life.
The episode covers themes of community, mentorship, aging in punk, and maintaining integrity while navigating the challenges that arise during creative pursuits.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joe Bean Roasters
Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!
Lunchador Podcast Network
Check out all the shows on the Lunchador Podcast Network at Lunchador.org
Nights and Weekends
Check out Nights and Weekends on Lunchador!
https://feeds.captivate.fm/nightsandweekends/
25 Apr 2026
Common Thread - Episode 18, Part 1 (Tuna Tardugno)
This two part episode features a conversation with Tuna Tardugno. Tuna is a wrestler, a vinyl pricer at an independent record store, and the vocalist in the hardcore punk band Sweat.
The trio discuss Tuna's journey from Syracuse, NY to Los Angeles, and her work at Amoeba Records, which is the largest independent record store in the world. We also discuss her band Sweat and their new record and their recent southwest tour.
In part two we talk extensively about her experience as a wrestler, training at Knokx Pro Academy with wrestling legend Rikishi, her work as an analog/vinyl DJ, and the evolution of punk/hardcore culture, and the influence people like Ryan Hex and Barb from I Object had on her life.
The episode covers themes of community, mentorship, aging in punk, and maintaining integrity while navigating the challenges that arise during creative pursuits.
Mentioned in this episode:
Joe Bean Roasters
Visit joebeanroasters.com to get fresh roasted specialty coffee either by the bag or with a Perpetual Joy subscription!
Lunchador Podcast Network
Check out all the shows on the Lunchador Podcast Network at Lunchador.org
Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business
Check out Getting Real with Bossy: For Women Who Own Business on Lunchador!
https://feeds.captivate.fm/gettingrealwithbossy/
21 Mar 2026
Common Thread - Episode 17 (Colleen Butterfield)
Episode 17 features an interview with Colleen Butterfield. Colleen works in the green energy industry where she helps HVAC companies adopt green technologies with the goal of making environmentally friendly energy more affordable for the consumer.
The episode kicks off with a humorous discussion about insufferable LinkedIn influencers, Rory and Greg's brushes with reality television fame, and support group for people who have been abducted by aliens.
The bulk of the episode focuses on Colleen's career in green energy and her pervious job working at a green energy nonprofit. The three discuss inexpensive and practical ways individuals can reduce their energy consumption, their own experiences with green energy and homeownership, and how DIY and punk rock influenced their perspectives on the environment.
Mentioned in this episode:
ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH
THE ESL ROCHESTER FRINGE FESTIVAL, THE MOST ANTICIPATED FESTIVAL IN THE REGION, WILL ONCE AGAIN EXCITE AUDIENCES WITH NEARLY 650 PERFORMANCES SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 20TH . FROM COMEDY, DANCE, AND THEATRE TO JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLES ACROSS THIRTY-NINE VENUES ALL AROUND ROCHESTER. DON’T MISS AMAZING PERFORMANCES IN THE SPIEGELTENT INCLUDING THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CIRQUE DU FRINGE: CLAWS OUT, SHOTSPEARE, KIDS FRINGE, AND MORE. AND DIRECT FROM ITALY, SPHERE, A MIND-BLOWING OUTDOOR SPECTACLE FREE AT PARCEL FIVE SEPT. 19TH AND 20TH . ROCHESTERFRINGE.COM.
Lunchador Podcast Network
Check out all the shows on the Lunchador Podcast Network at Lunchador.org
Joe Bean Roasters
Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order!
https://shop.joebeanroasters.com
Connections with Evan Dawson
Connections with Evan Dawson - Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
Connections (https://common-threads-hardcore.captivate.fm/connections)
Who has been a guest on Common Thread
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Greg Bennick
Will Cleveland
Katy Otto
Rich Gaccione
Al Brown
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
10,018
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
3.2 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 59 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
32
Contact Common Thread
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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