Joe and Steve are connecting with Facebook friends to find out who they really are. Why are we friends? What was your high school mascot? Where have you lived? What do you do? Should we stay friends, or end it now? Everyone has an interesting story if you take the time to find out, and not just like their posts.
An Actor, Director, Caregiver, Teacher, Superman Fanatic & Son of a Magician
Meet Matthew Gretzinger, who was an actor, director, caregiver, teacher, Superman fanatic & son of a magician who played Ronald McDonald. Matthew unfortunately passed away in 2024, but we are joined by two of his closest friends: Roark Littlefield and Bryan Enk.
Roark and Bryan were kind enough to take some time to remember Matthew for this first ever memorial edition of Friend Check. Listen along as we remember our friend, Matthew who was talented and kind and will be forever missed.
1 Mar 2026
A Bad Ass New Mexican-Artist-House Manager-Retail Manager-Theater Person with Cool Ass Glasses
Host MK Riddell shares her multifaceted career journey from theater to supporting individuals with disabilities, revealing her unique digital art.
12 Dec 2025
A Bearded, liederhosen owning actor, father, husband and fraternity member
Actor Brian McCartney shares stories with the host about his career, meeting his wife, fraternity life, and growing up in Toledo, Ohio, in this interview episode.
23 Oct 2025
a queer, non-binary poet, storyteller, comedian, and event organizer
Adrian McQueen Parrish, a queer, non-binary poet, shares their personal journey of coming out, transitioning from a conservative background, and engaging in creative projects in an interview.
30 Aug 2025
A Software Developing Comedian Photographer Cook
Host Joe talks with software developer, comedian, and photographer Addy Kapur about his diverse journey and the art of stand-up comedy.
11 Jul 2025
A Drummer, A Girl-Dad & A Retirement Expert
Adam Cufr shares his experiences as a drummer, father, and retirement expert, discussing his personal journey and professional insights in an interview with Gruff and Joe.
18 Jun 2025
A Pharma Consultant Who Grew Up On a Farm
Adam Bianchi recounts his unique journey from growing up on a farm and attending UNC to becoming a pharma consultant, sharing stories about family, college adventures, and finding love in this interview.
17 May 2025
A People Development Consultant-Foodie Podcaster
Abby Elfman (Episode 7)
Recorded August of 2023.
Abby Elfman is a podcaster, an Atascocita Eagle, a UT San Antonio Roadrunner, a voice actor, an improviser and a People Development Consultant!
Listen as we get to know Abby Elfman who became Joe’s friend when they worked together on a sketch show in Charlotte back in 2019. We talk about deviant lifestyles, Abby’s foodie podcast, Amused Bouche, how Abby hosting a Somebody Feed Phil live show, Abby’s journey from a small town in Texas to Charlotte and more.
We also mention the tragic story of Zach Jones, who Abby knew in high school who tragically passed away from contracting rabies from a bat while he was sleeping in his own bed. Please visit https://zachjonesmemorial.com/ and see how you can help with awareness and remembrance if you feel so inclined.
Friend Check , where a middle aged man scours his Facebook friend list to reconnect with each person and ask….Are we ACTUALLY friends? Why are we Facebook friends? Who actually ARE you? What stories do you have? Should we STAY Facebook Friends?
17 Apr 2025
An Architect/Usher
Aaron Moody episode: Recorded March of 2023.
Aaron Moody is an architect and a volunteer usher at a performing arts center, and he volunteers at the Queen City Comedy Experience Festival to help things run smoothly, along with his wife Meg.
Aaron and Meg are super fun to be around, and they support the local comedy community in Charlotte whenever they can.
Listen as we get to know Aaron Moody as a Clemson alum, an architect, a volunteer usher, and a good guy to talk to. We talk global ADA regulations, religion, Netflix Special filming, meeting his wife, traveling to Antarctica to see Penguins have sex & more!
Friend Check is a subseries of American Timelines, where a middle aged man scours his Facebook friend list to reconnect with each person and ask….Are we ACTUALLY friends? Why are we Facebook friends? Who actually ARE you? Should we STAY Facebook Friends?
17 Apr 2025
A Guy We Went To Middle School With
Aaron Crane
A guy we went to middle School with.
Aaron Crane episode: Recorded March of 2023.
Aaron Crane is a father, a husband, a Vice President of Operations, a Miami University Redhawk, a son of an elementary school teacher, and a guy we went to middle school with.
We haven’t spoken to him since 8th grade graduation, as his parents made him go to a different high school, and we lost touch. This is a REUNION episode.
Listen as we catch up and reminisce. We talk about a class reunion where a foreign exchange student gets dropped on his head, we reminisce about school days including getting paddled, food fights, roughhousing accidents, playing ding dong ditch, and being sentenced to cleaning a booger wall in high school.
Friend Check is a subseries of American Timelines, where a middle aged man scours his Facebook friend list to reconnect with each person and ask….Are we ACTUALLY friends? Why are we Facebook friends? Who actually ARE you? Should we STAY Facebook Friends?
9 Mar 2025
A Poet, Actor & Program Manager in Columbus, Ohio
Aaron Sinclair
A Poet, Actor & Program Manager in Columbus, Ohio
This episode features Aaron Sinclair, a poet, author, voice actor, actor and program manager in Columbus, Ohio. Listen along as we find out....WHO IS Aaron Sinclair????
Listen while Joe goes through his Facebook Friends list and "checks" in with each person that is willing to record an hour long conversation along with co-host Gruff.
Who are these people? Why are we Facebook Friends? Are we ACTUALLY friends? Should we remain friends?
16 Feb 2025
A comedian from South Bronx, the South South Bronx
This episode features AJ Foster, a comedian from the South Bronx, who now lives in Dallas, Texas. Listen along as we find out....WHO IS AJ FOSTER????
This was actually the first one we recorded in this format, so we were still trying to figure out how this is going to work.
Listen while Joe goes through his Facebook Friends list and "checks" in with each person that is willing to record an hour long conversation along with co-host Gruff.
Who are these people? Why are we Facebook Friends? Are we ACTUALLY friends? Should we remain friends?
16 Feb 2025
A Transitioning Improv Comedian Who Attended Duke University
This episode features April Kirby, a Charlotte Improv Comedian from Ridgefield, Connecticut who went to Duke! Listen along as we find out....WHO IS APRIL KIRBY????
Listen while Joe goes through his Facebook Friends list and "checks" in with each person that is willing to record an hour long conversation.
Who are these people? Why are we Facebook Friends? Are we ACTUALLY friends? Should we remain friends?
I have a theory that EVERYONE has a story to tell, so I want to hear my friends life stories, I want to know what high school they went to and what their mascot was. Are there any true cime or controversies from your hometown?
16 Feb 2025
A True Friend, A Stoner & a former Prince Albert Haver
A True Friend, A Stoner & a former Prince Albert Haver
The Gruff episode: Recorded August of 2024.
Steve Bishop aka Gruff from the Gruff & Loud Show is an Ohioan, a Stoner, a Damn Good Friend, and once had a Prince Albert.
Listen as we discuss the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio and how it affects Gruff's enjoyment. We also share our nostalgic reflections on our childhood, school experiences, and our creative collaborations and Gruff's body modifications, our time as night guards at Bowling Green State University, and potential future interactions.
Friend Check is a podcast by History For Jerks, where a middle aged man scours his Facebook friend list to reconnect with each person and ask….Are we ACTUALLY friends? Why are we Facebook friends? Who actually ARE you? What stories do you have? Should we STAY Facebook Friends?
Who has been a guest on Friend Check
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
MK Riddell
Brian McCartney
Adrian McQueen Parrish
Addy Kapur
Adam Cufr
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
40
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Friend Check
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Friend Check?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
