Matters Not Podcast

About Matters Not Podcast

Matters Not is a front-porch podcast hosted by two blue-collar guys in their mid-30s to early-40s, living and working in Appalachia. The name comes from the saying, “It only matters until it doesn’t.” From work and family to culture and community, we dive into the ups and downs of everyday life with grit, honesty, and a touch of humor—just two friends figuring it out as we go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Matters Not Podcast

Category

education · society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Oct 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Save the Kids

   Chris, Buck, and Maegan sit down for a wide-ranging conversation that somehow manages to cover psychedelics, ancient civilizations, masculinity, self-reliance, AI, investing, the environment, and the meaning of life. The episode starts with plenty of chaos and stories about psychedelic experiences before moving into a conversation about ancient civilizations and discovering just how deep Buck has gone down some of those rabbit holes. They also revisit the early days of Chris and Maegan’s relationship, including the story of Chris fixing her water heater and earning some serious points in the process. A major theme throughout the episode is the idea of being self-made and learning how to figure things out. Buck talks about growing up without knowing how to do much of the practical stuff himself before eventually becoming someone who believes he can figure out almost anything. That leads into a broader discussion about masculinity and why the idea of certain activities being inherently manly or feminine can be so limiting. The group talks about everything from cigars and bourbon to ballet, gardening, and simply enjoying things without worrying about whether they fit some traditional definition of masculinity. The conversation takes another turn when Buck talks about the Golden Palace in Moundsville, West Virginia, it's incredible architecture, acoustics, stained glass, and rose garden. From there, the discussion somehow circles back into psychedelic experiences and the strange geometric imagery associated with them. The podcast is unexpectedly interrupted when two kids show up with a broken mini bike. The group stops recording to help them get home safely, leading to a conversation about children, strangers, and how different their reactions would be if it were their own kids in the same situation. The interruption becomes one of the more memorable moments of the episode and inspires more discussion about creating spontaneous content. The group also talks about AI generated music and videos, including how increasingly difficult it is to tell what is real and what is generated. That leads into a deeper conversation about AI taking jobs, particularly in medicine and blue collar work. Maegan explains where she believes human judgment and patient specific information still matter in healthcare, while the group discusses how AI could eventually handle more repetitive tasks across many industries. The conversation then moves into investing, FOMO, cryptocurrency, Nvidia, data centers, and the rapid growth surrounding AI infrastructure. Buck reflects on missed opportunities with Dogecoin and how constantly chasing the next big move caused him to lose money that he might have made by simply staying invested. Toward the end, the discussion becomes more philosophical. The group talks about humanity's impact on the planet, the fact that every civilization eventually ends, and the uncomfortable realization that nothing we build lasts forever. Rather than treating that idea purely as depressing, how accepting the temporary nature of everything can also be freeing. The group ultimately comes back to the importance of balance, enjoying your life, pursuing what matters to you, and not allowing outside pressure or constant exposure to negative news to control your mindset. As always, the conversation refuses to stay on one subject for very long. From cigars and psychedelic experiences to AI, investing, parenting, masculinity, existentialism, and rescuing kids on mini bikes, this episode of Matters Not is exactly what its name suggests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Mid

   Chris and Buck kick things off with the usual chaos, joking about whether their unexpected audience member can actually stay quiet long enough for them to record. From there, the conversation jumps all over the place in classic Matters Not fashion. Buck talks about his latest home decorating project, including cutting up a faux-fur rug to upholster furniture and his search for unusual artwork and taxidermy pieces. The discussion turns into a conversation about local art, West Virginia maps, future travel, and Buck's idea of taking a motorcycle trip through Vietnam with almost no planning. The guys also discuss the new version of The Grand Tour, initially skeptical about replacing the original trio before admitting that the new hosts have managed to capture some of the old show's adventurous spirit. One of the more interesting conversations starts when Chris tells Buck about discovering an old mining-company store display at a flea market. He gets an up-close look at company scrip, the currency once used by mining companies to pay workers, and hears stories about the harsh realities of life in Appalachian mining communities. The conversation leads into local history, October Sky, the Hatfield-McCoy feud, and the possibility of bringing the knowledgeable collector onto the podcast for an interview. Chris then discovers old recordings from one of his early podcasting projects, recorded roughly 15 -17 years ago. Listening back to his younger self leads to plenty of roasting, but also a surprisingly reflective conversation about how much he has (and hasn't) changed over the years. They revisit Chris's early podcast attempts, old coworkers, and even an old metal-fabrication channel introduction that took Buck nearly 45 minutes to record 45 seconds of content. The guys also revisit the ridiculous EAS commercial they recently created, laughing about all the failed takes and discussing the idea of making unsolicited parody style commercials for local businesses and friends. As the episode winds down, the conversation turns more personal. Buck talks about his uncertain future, possible union work, traveling for jobs, and his desire to experience something completely different, including working on an Alaskan crab boat. Chris suggests that Buck's personality may simply be better suited to life on the road than settling into one place. That eventually leads into a deeper discussion about what "home" actually means. Chris reflects on growing up around Cleveland and Lake Erie, moving to West Virginia, and realizing that West Virginia has become home even though he still feels a powerful connection to the lake and the place where he grew up. He talks about the strange feeling of seeing the lake after being away and how it represents years of memories, family, childhood, and identity. The episode closes with a reflection on how different generations experience the same places differently, including Buck watching his son take in the enormity of the ocean for the first time. Sometimes, the places we leave behind stop being home, but that doesn't mean they stop being part of us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   10 Sept 2026

   College VS Blue Collar

   Chris and Buck sit down for another wide-ranging conversation that starts with beer, aging, and the changing ways they look at drinking before unexpectedly turning into a deeper discussion about college, blue-collar work, career choices, and what it actually takes to build a good life. A chance encounter with a delivery driver who earned a master's degree in medical cannabis science and therapy sparks the biggest conversation of the episode. Despite spending six years in higher education, the driver is struggling to find work in his field and is currently working a job he hates simply to deal with his student loans. That leads Chris and Buck to question the traditional idea that college is automatically the best path to financial success. The two compare college careers with blue-collar opportunities, pointing out that skilled trades can sometimes provide significant income with far less time and debt invested in education. They also acknowledge that college can absolutely be worthwhile when it leads to a career with strong opportunities. The real issue, they argue, is making sure the education and debt actually make sense for the life someone wants afterward. That discussion leads into Buck's own decision to leave his longtime job. What started as a coin toss on the front porch eventually became the catalyst for Buck to walk into work, ask for more overtime, hear "no," and quit without having another job lined up. The guys reflect on how a seemingly ridiculous little decision can completely change the direction of someone's life. From there, they explore the idea that major accomplishments are built from countless small actions. Buck compares it to construction work: a massive structure is ultimately the result of thousands of individual tasks, bolts, welds, and pieces being put together. The same principle applies to life, careers, and personal growth. The conversation eventually turns toward entrepreneurship and the possibility of taking the next step professionally. Chris & Buck talk about the appeal (and the downside) of owning a business, especially the inability to simply leave work behind at the end of the day. They also discuss CMD Health & Wellness, Electric Arc Solutions, and the businesses they've watched grow from the ground up. The guys also get into Buck's plans for a future trip to Vietnam, his growing TikTok presence, the bizarre comments he's received online, and the unexpected audience his videos have attracted. The episode closes with more talk about the front porch, future plans, work, staying active as they get older, and the idea that neither of them has everything figured out and maybe that's perfectly fine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.