PRCShow

Follow PRCShow
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Humorous thinker/talker, interviewer, musician. The PRC Show was created to entertain, make me a better person, and do something creative and constructive. My dream guests are: Terry Gross, Zach Galifianakis, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Brad Mehldau.

Paul Cooley Jr.


    • Jan 16, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from PRCShow with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from PRCShow

    PRC Show Episode 58: Reading Parting the Waters 013

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 79:57


    Chapter 15 Hoover's Triangle and King's Machine Old Sourpuss gets a mention (WEB DuBois), Kennedy and Hoover battle, Mob and Sex Scandal, Shuttlesworth in jail, triple church bombing, King gives a negative speech, we learn more about who Jack O'Dell is, more on the tension and rivalry in the Civil Rights movement organizations, Who is Harry Wachtel, Wiretapping of Stanley Levison, NAACP Convention, a racist coroner acts as a psychiatrist, does King go back to jail? Intro Music: The Staple Singers “Freedom Highway” (1965).

    PRC Show Episode 57: Reading Parting the Waters 012

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 61:00


    Albany Georgia, mass arrests! Youth lead the charge, SNCC. We learn about the Albany Movement to end segregation, and it's origin. Tension between King, SNCC, NAACP. We are introduced to a smart sophisticated police officer, Laurie Pritchett, non brutal. Is King a distraction to the Albany Movement? Does he help or hurt? And do we have victory or failure in Albany, and how does this compare to Montgomery? All that and more in another great episode, and several short musical breaks by original music by Paul!

    PRC Show Episode 56: Parting the Waters 011

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2022 78:47


    Chapter 13 Moses in McComb, King in Kansas City We go deeper into the south, the deep deep south and try to do some voter registration. It does not go well. There is a debacle at the black National Baptist Convention which stains King's reputation, and tragically there is violence in Mississippi resulting in a murder. Intro music by the Staple Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 55 Reading Parting the Waters 010

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2022 93:35


    Chapter 12 The Summer of Freedom Rides Maybe our best episode yet! More details on the Freedom rides, but thankfully less violent, back and forth contention between MLK and RFK!! Who says “they don't even believe in the atom bomb,” we see a showdown between State Government and Federal Government, we learn about challenges to Martin Luther King from students, and maybe some disappointments, possibly the funniest line in the book about genitals, what liberal Republican rich white political figure lavishes King with praise and assistance, and makes a movie about King. Is Gabe sympathetic to Governor Patterson? No, he is not. Heroic effort from Fred Shuttlesworth, parting the crowd!

    PRC Show Episode 54: Reading Parting the Waters 009

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 81:42


    Chapter Eleven: Baptism on Wheels This is a sad and violent chapter, and exhibits both the best and worst of humanity. A chapter without King, but about SNCC activists and the Freedom Rides in May of 1961. Tidbits we learn in this chapter: Who used the excuse that he had to help a friend move furniture and avoid a major civil rights action (Freedom Ride)! What city has the worst hospital in the world at this time! Was there a conspiracy by a local government, Ku Klux Klan, to beat civil rights activists for 15 minutes. What does Japan think of white supremacy violence? What minor character could I see myself being. All that and more, and shout outs too John Seignthaler, James Farmer, James Bevel, John Lewis, Albert Bigelow, Simeon Booker, James Peck, Genevieve Hughes, Herbert Harris, Selyn McCollum, Susan Wilbur, Sue Harmon, Jim Zerg and and all the Freedom Riders and of course Diane Nash! Intro music by the Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 53: Reading Parting the Waters 008

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 63:34


    JFK is the president. We start with a terrible fumigating incident to civil rights activists. King goes on TV to debate a segregationist dumb newsman. We learn about another great Pennsylvania civil rights leader, from Uniontown PA, what was the name Journey of Reconciliation's name is changed too…(this is an easy one), why does Daddy King get booed, learn about the The Bathroom Incident, and a good discussion about why this highlights the lie of racism. John Lewis leadership. We go over more on John Doar and voting rights, and why it's so difficult to prove legal discrimination, also what famous civil war's grandson who fought for the union side, is not great on civil rights or as he would put it “Racial Matters.” MLK doing some organizing some jujitsu! All that and more on another great episode. Sorry no musical break this episode. Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 52: Reading Parting the Waters 007

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 66:49


    Chapter 8 Shades of Politics Who almost get's blackmailed, who I think is a slimy, but on the right side of history, we meet DSA founder Michael Harrington, we are going to learn about another saint type figure who is not religious, but is spiritual, and another Robert Graetz type character, a man doesn't know what he's getting into, and some NBC corruption, not the TV network, the National Baptist Convention. Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 51: Reading Parting the Waters 006

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 55:05


    Chapter Seven: The Quickening SNCC! Back to some action after the slog of chapter six. We are going to learn what is a “Sit in.” What is SNCC and who really started it?What Mayor in the South actually, comes across as good? King's Legal Troubles. Who Paul thinks is the best looking civil rights activist, and who is also a fearless an unsung hero! What celebrity introduces JFK to MLK. All that and more and spend the year 1960 with us in this episode. Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 50: Reading Parting the Waters 005

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 101:52


    Chapter Six: A Taste of the World The Montgomery Bus Boycott is over, and King is firmly a national figure. In our longest episode yet, we learn who says “I don't mind your criticizing my ideas. But I don't like your criticizing my words, because I'm better at words than you are,” where in the world did MLK meet Vice President Richard Nixon, and what his thoughts on Nixon where, what Civil Rights leader starts early on preaching to chickens and cries when they are dinner, who is my Septima Clark, what main character is attacked by a sharp object first, and who is attacked second and almost dies, and what song is playing in the background and why! All that some communist talk, a trip to India, and much more! Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 49: Reading Parting the Waters 004

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 77:41


    Reading Parting the Waters Episode: 004 Chapter Five The Montgomery Bus Boycott Bus Boycott Part 2! We get more into the Bus Boycott and see how it ends, learn new characters like Bayard Rustin, learn who was asking for a better type of segregation, who is the first metro sexual in Montgomery Alabama, what FAKE NEWS incident almost ruins the Bus Boycott, and what character reminds me of the movie Forrest Gump, and more on who are the unsung hero's of the boycott, who started it. That, some Ike talk, some of my music and much much more! Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 48: Reading Parting the Waters 003

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 61:03


    Reading Parting the Waters Episode: 003 Chapter Four, The First Trombone Bus Boycott Part 1! Branch takes us down into Montgomery Alabama where King establishes himself as the pastor of Dexter Ave Church. Bus Boycott background, origins and start of it. Learn what MLK adopts from his dad to help his Church increase revenue, what character Branch describes as offsetting psychopaths a notch in humanity's balance sheet, who should get credit for initiating the Bus Boycott, and who is the greatest Lutheran of the 20th century. Your letters and much more in this richly packed episode. Intro music by The Staples Singers “Freedom Highway 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 47: Reading Parting the Waters 002

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 34:58


    Chapter 3: Neibuhr And the Pool Tables. Episode 002 Reading Taylor Branch's Parting the Waters. Paul and Gabe go over chapter three, focusing on MLKs intellectual theological journey. We discuss the social gospel and Reinhold Niebuhr and King's struggle with his own beliefs. Is Niebuhr a jerk? We remark on King's time in Eastern Pennsylvania at Crozer. Our beloved old sourpuss comes back into the picture. That and some marxist talk and name changing and much much more! Intro music by The Staple Singers “Freedom Highway” 1965.

    PRC Show Episode 46: Reading Parting the Waters 001

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 77:49


    Episode 001 Reading Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch. A dive into the Civil Rights movement. Paul and Gabe discuss chapters one and two. A pre history to the civil rights movement. Find out what character throws themselves out of the window twice, who get's criticized for selling vegetables in church, along with fish, what historical Black intellectual will be named Old Sourpuss, who we love and agree with...and an explanation on why some people have letters as first names, that and much much more.

    PRC Show Episode 45: Empire of Pain Brief Comments

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 25:39


    Brief discussion about Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. New songs I recorded, one electronic, one rock, instrumental of course. Update on upcoming series we'll be making.

    PRC Show Episode 44: Dragon Talk with a 5 year old

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2020 4:06


    Short mini episode. Dragon talk with a 5 year old. Can the 5 year old take the tough questions about dragons. Listen for under 4 minutes and find out!

    PRC Show Episode 43: A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead Episode: 0005

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2018 50:19


    Paul, Jake, Greg, and Liam are back from Iceland to discuss Radiohead's follow up album to their genre bending Kid A: Amnesiac. Is this just a bunch of B sides from Kid A or is this much much more? Greg talks louder, and there may actually be more insightful comments than past episodes. Enjoy track by track commentary for Amnesiac, along with some thoughts on Johnny Cash, Rick Rubin, and of course U2.

    PRC Show Episode 42: A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead: Episode 0004

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2018 64:42


    Paul and Jake and special guests Greg and Liam join us to talk about Kid A, Radiohead's best album? We talk about their change in direction and discuss if this is only headphone music. That and much more including two songs by me to open and end the show, along with my 3 year old son singing about dinosaurs.

    PRC Show Episode 41: A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead: Episode 0003

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2018 62:32


    Paul and Jake talk about Radiohead's landmark album OK Computer, along with the Radiohead's connection to Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and a Radiohead cover song by Gillian Welch.

    PRC Show Episode 40: Against Exercise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 44:33


    Paul and Chris discuss Mark Greif's article Against Exercise. Read it here: https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/3428-against-exercise-by-mark-greif Should we exercise? Do you want to live? Is spending our time exercising taking away from us thinking? Is exercise good or bad, yes that's what we talk about, seriously, this is a smart and funny talk. Thanks for listening. More "A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead" episodes coming.

    PRC Show Episode 39: A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead: Episode 0002

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2018 39:39


    The PRC Show is hijacked again for episode 2 of "A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead." Paul and Jake are back to talk about Radiohead and the band's second album, the Bends. Does Jake like Radiohead? Does Paul like every song they make? How different is The Bends from Pablo Honey? Much extemporaneous talk along with a track by track review of this highly acclaimed album.

    PRC Show Episode 38: A Complete Idioteques guide to Radiohead: Episode 0001

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 44:53


    The PRC Show is back, but get's hijacked by A Complete Idioteques Guide to Radiohead, Episode 0001 On this show we’ll be going track by track through all Radiohead’s official albums from Pablo Honey to a Moon Shaped Pool. Along with the history of the band, it’s impact on our lives, and much more extemporaneous oratory! Paul and Jake discuss early Radiohead, the bands first album and their thoughts on it.

    PRC Show Episode 37

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2018 7:17


    First show in over a year! I have a new computer and it works!

    PRC Show Episode 36: Book reviews with Frederica

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2017 45:31


    Recorded in late 2016, a talk with Frederica about the books we read and recommend in 2016.

    PRC Show Episode 35: Heavy Metal, Metallurgist Tony G.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2016 38:59


    Metallurgist Tony G. talks about his career in metallurgy, a little science on metals, and his start making manhole covers for the city of Buffalo at a radical hippy foundry collective in the 1970s! Also, update on my new lifestyle change, and a some sounds from my son. Sorry for the brief loud guitar playing at the beginning. Musical break: Rachel Grimes, "In the Vapor with the Air Underneath."

    PRC Show Episode 34: Marathon Running with Eric

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2016 51:06


    Talk with my friend Eric about Marathon expectations and my art, and a recap of the race. More McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom talk. Lower Dens musical break.

    PRC Show Episode 33: Now in Pittsburgh, Let's talk Antebellum.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2016 33:26


    The show has moved to Pittsburgh! Thoughts on mowing a lawn. Thoughts on racism, and starting to read James McPherson's Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Ear (Chapter 1). Music break by Mouse on the Keys (Aom).

    PRC Show Episode 32: Tax talk and balls in the air

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2016 26:06


    Paul attempts to do a show while his 10 month old son destroys his studio, a story about challenging a well paid coworker complain about taxes, and why babies are like K-9s.

    PRC Show Episode 31: Bernie Sanders Speech on Democratic Socialism

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2015 35:12


    I'm now 35! Some of Bernie Sanders's speech on Democratic Socialism, and thoughts on Pennyslvania's richest person, also a new original instrumental song.

    PRC Show Episode 30 FMLA is Over

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2015 23:49


    Back to work, FMLA is over, thoughts on Bernie Sanders, VOTE BERNIE SANDERS, sleep deprivation, live guitar playing, and my son interrupts the show to cry!

    PRC Show Episode 29: The 18 GOP Contenders, Sean Rowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2015 60:25


    An attempt at an encyclopedic compendium to all the 18 Republican presidential contenders, with PRC Show political expert Sean Rowley. Interruptions provided by my infant son.

    PRC Show Episode 28: I'm on FMLA

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2015 27:24


    Talk about FMLA with 9 year old Lanky Jim, The World Turned Upside down segment (17th century England), music break from Land of Talk, Book Sponsor.

    PRC Show Episode 27: Mark Golbach Vietnam War Conscientious Objector

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2015 71:31


    Conversation with Mark Golbach about becoming a Conscientious Objector during the Vietnam War, thoughts on American Sniper Chris Kyle, song by Joshua James, and some new tunes by me!

    PRC Show Episode 26: Assorted Chatting with Frederica

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2015 33:15


    Report back on being a vegan for several weeks, marathon training, Nation articles, infant bathing story, review of Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse Five and more.

    PRC Show Episode 25: Wishing Ill Will, Phyllis T, Josh Ferris

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2015 36:07


    Update on my new roommate, discussion about climate change dinialist Willie Soon, talk with voracious reader Phyllis T about the Ben Winters Sci-fi detective novels, and Josh Ferris weighing in on my views on Fox News personality Megyn Kelly; also 3 new background tracks along with a Monsters of Folk song musical break.

    PRC Show Episode 24: Happy New Year, Christmas Wrap Up.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2015 39:30


    Discussion with my friend Frederica about the non-fiction book The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum.

    PRC Show Episode 23: Lamaze, Police Brutality Protest, Kindle Voyage Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2014 50:25


    No guest this episode, but thoughts on my recent trip to a Lamaze class, my experience at a Harrisburg solidarity demonstration against racism and police brutality, and a review of the Kindle Voyage.

    PRC Show Episode 22: Brian Windhorst, on the move and his Safari Trip

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2014 58:10


    Talk with Brian Windhorst about living in New York City and leaving, his world travels, and especially his fascinating Safari trip in South Africa.

    PRC Show Episode 21: Josh Ferris, Should the Show Continue?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2014 37:00


    A Seinfeld-esk discussion with Josh Ferris about 1 year of doing the PRC Show with thoughts on painting and art, and future episode ideas; your emails and this show's sponsor.

    seinfeld josh ferris
    PRC Show Episode 20: Josh Ferris Jury Duty

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2014 44:41


    Conversation with Josh Ferris about his recent experience on jury duty from start to finish.

    PRC Show Episode 19: Careers We Choose, Anthony Faino, Mae Whitt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2014 88:33


    Two separate discussions with Anthony Faino and Mae Whitt about the careers we choose. Architect Anthony Faino answers questions about the impact of Bob Villa and the importance of Legos. Journalist Mae Whitt talks about the values and interests that drive one to choose their career, along with discussing with Paul why someone would want to be a nun. Also: thoughts on Ukraine, the deaths of Dr. Arnold Relman and Carlton Sherwood, along with new music throughout, and yours letters.

    PRC Show Episode 18: Marina Antic and Bosnia protests; Memphis horse carriage drivers.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2014 72:09


    PhD Marina Antic about the recent protests in Bosnia bit.ly/Mantic and her quest to go there and help out. A talk with Memphis horse carriage drivers www.carriagecomemphis.com

    PRC Show Episode 17 Diana Robinson Music Playing And Theory Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2014 40:58


    Discussion with Diana Robinson about playing the violin and music theory; summary of the Book of Revelation; poem by Kate Buckley, some statistics; and sounds and music.

    revelation music playing kate buckley diana robinson theory talk
    PRC Show Episode 16: 2013 Film Talk with Sean And Peter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2014 71:28


    2013 Films, American Hustle, Wolf of Wall Street, Blue Jasmine, Gravity, Carrie, Blue is the Warmest Color, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Frances Ha, Only God Forgives, Monsters U., Blue Caprice, To the Wonder.

    PRC Show Episode 15: Gabe Kramer, South Africa & Nelson Mandela

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2013 76:12


    Talk with Gabe Kramer about Nelson Mandela and South Africa, rant about ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council),and personal health talk (balls).

    PRC Show Episode 14: Josh Ferris, Letting go of the anger

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2013 33:28


    Conversation with Josh Ferris about anger and dealing with it regarding friends and or former friends and lovers. The World Turned Upside Down: Anabaptists.

    PRC Show Episode 13: Erin Kramer, Prisons and Shawshank Redemption

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2013 65:05


    Talk with Erin Kramer about having a parent in Law Enforcement, prison talk and the overall brutality of them, and is the film Shawshank Redemption irresponsible?

    PRC Show Episode 12: Casey Mednis (O'Hara), Josh Ferris, Motherhood & Adulthood

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2013 40:17


    Discussion with Casey Mednis about little kids and becoming an adult. More fast food talk with co-host Josh Ferris. And questions I'd like to ask god.

    PRC Show Episode 11: Sean Rowley, Rent or Buy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2013 38:12


    Talk with Sean Rowley about the pros and cons of buying or renting a house. World Turned Upside Down: 17th Century England. Neko Case thoughts and more...

    PRC Show Episode 10: Anthony Faino, TV Talk Breaking Bad or Perfect Strangers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2013 34:00


    Discussion with Anthony Faino about 1980s TV and the great theme songs. Discussion about how great Breaking Bad and how it could go wrong [no spoilers, do not worry], and a Perfect Strangers theme song tour. The World Turned Upside Down: Anti-Catholicism.

    PRC Show Episode 9: Josh Ferris, Homophobia, Russia, slavic backwardness?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2013 31:00


    Discussion with Josh Ferris about homophobia in Russia and are slavs more backwards? Also a new short segment: The World Turned Upside Down, 17th Century England and the English Civil War.

    PRC Show Episode 8 Sean Rowley, are right wing extremist really good

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2013 48:03


    Talk with Sean Rowley about right wing extremists and questioning if they are really good. Talk about PA representative Daryl Metcalf, the Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps.

    Claim PRCShow

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel