The Holy Ghost Notes Podcast

On episode one hundred and fifty of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim realize they've hit a milestone episode number and reflect on how the podcast has impacted them over the years. Tim tees up the topic of writer's block — a timely and relevant to both of them. Tim shares about his recent motivation and steps he's taken to make music a regular part of his life again. The guys then discuss the topic of “earning love” serving as a good reminder to everyone that God's love isn't something you earn.

On episode one hundred and forty seven of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt gives a quick tour update and the guys describe and explore how it feels to perform live. Then, in a topic recommended by Adam Gray, Matt and Tim talk about the importance of drumming dynamics and what goes into progressing in that ability. Finally, they discuss the power of forgiveness and Matt shares a recent interaction that offended him.

On episode one hundred and forty six of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim take a deep introspective look at their podcasting careers and comment on some aspects they've improved upon over the years. The guys talk about having discipline when it comes to practicing drums and Matt proposes a unique hypothetical that inspires Tim to share about placing more importance on his drumming. Matt divulges an embarrassing realization he made while watching a video of a performance and Tim emphasizes the role weakness and failure have to play in being human.

On episode one hundred and forty five of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim settle a 7-year debate while talking about Matt's recent visit over Tim's house and Tim's tendency to “nerd-out”. The guys decide to kick things off with their faith topic of Investment and how investing into your relationships is essential. They shift slightly to their drum topic, “Go Hard”, which dives into focusing on the difficult drum techniques, patterns, or otherwise, in order to reap the rewards.

On episode one hundred and forty four of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim talk about taking on challenges then transition directly into the episode topics without hesitation. Tim confuses Matt while attempting to describe the 80/20 rule in drumming, but they manage to pull it together. Similarly, Tim presents the idea of the 80/20 rule as it pertains to various aspects of life, and the guys hone in on a few valuable points. Matt challenges Tim with a riddle and is taken aback by Tim's answer.

On episode one hundred and forty three of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim chat about the changing of seasons and the rewarding feeling of accomplishment before getting into their topics. The first, they share the “hardest” things they've had to experience and/or overcome in their drumming careers. Second, Matt tells a story about a friend who's trying to turn his life around and suggests that he needs to start by deciding to do the next right thing- to which, Tim sums up with a Disney song.

On episode one hundred and forty two of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt shares about an unexpected set-back during the filming of his double bass course and Tim talks about modeling healthy behavior when it comes to reacting to set-backs and things in life that seem "unfair". The guys shift focus and talk about embracing the game-changing drumming practice of patterns and sticking, and utilizing it to take drumming to the next level. Finally, Tim tees up a timely topic based on the posture of your heart, which both Matt and Tim find very relevant.

On episode one hundred and forty one of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim have way more energy than normal and channel that energy into a productive rant about how you can't take advice from just anyone. They find a natural segway into their drum topic, revisiting double bass in light of Matt's recent course. From there, the guys shift into the topic of health, where they weigh the balance of mind, body, and soul.

On episode one hundred and forty of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt talks about the double bass course he's been working on then talks a little about the recently re-recorded Thrill Seeker album while busting Tim's chops. The guys chat about the ever-relevant topic of “Just Do It” encouraging everyone (especially themselves) to stop putting off the thing you want to do. Similarly, they approach the topic of procrastination as it pertains to “squeezing your faith in” when its convenient. Tim brings up the Eisenhower Matrix and encourages everyone to organize what's most important in order to better prioritize and succeed.

Yule tide greetings! On episode one hundred and thirty nine of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim have their friend, Adam Gray on the podcast to cap off the year yet again. The trio talk about big noses, deviated septa, and SlipKnot's new drummer. Adam opens up about the passing of his wife, Teagan and the struggles that have come alongside that loss. Though they share many a laugh, this episode is not your typical Christmas episode. It's real conversation about real life, and it's not necessarily wrapped up nicely with a bow.

On episode one hundred and thirty eight of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt has the stomach bug but the duo still manage to maintain their episode release streak. Matt jumps right into the drum topic- teeing up the upcoming Christmas Burns Red show in Lancaster. He talks about the humble beginnings of the annual Christmas event, the prep work that goes into it, and ultimately, the teamwork required to pull it off. Tim lobs a timely question into the air around “preparing your heart” and the what meaning that phrase may take amid the hustle and bustle of the season. The two discover the importance of re-centering the mind and making space for what's most important.

On episode one hundred and thirty seven of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim catch up after a busy month and turn their tangent into a topic; talking about the importance of being present and how some simple adjustments can make all the difference. Further pivoting from the norm, they visit their drum topic second and talk about their goals for the fast approaching new year.

On episode one hundred and thirty six of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim squeeze in an episode around midnight after Matt's show in Destin, Florida. Matt and Tim fulfill the obligatory "small talk" with an unexpected guest cameo, then head into their topic where they reminisce about their early days of drumming and comment on some surprising similarities as they have in the past. Next, they talk about the importance and benefits of trusting God in any circumstance.

On episode one hundred thirty five of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim kick it off by talking about how the podcast has evolved over the years and their passion for keeping it going. Tim jumps into the drum topic of learning other people's drum parts and Matt shares his two cents while bringing in some alternative perspectives. They also talk about how to measure success. Then the guys talk about being guilty about mistakes and how to approach feeling of guilt and shame.

On episode one hundred and thirty four of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim update each other on some recent "highlights", then head into their drum topic discussing the qualities they look up to in their drumming role models. Without missing a beat (no pun intended), Matt poses the question, "Can people change?" and brings up the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar, sparking a conversation around various examples of change.

On episode one hundred and thirty three of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim inadvertently switch gears last minute and step directly into the topic of time management and prioritizing things that may not appear as important at surface level. They follow it up by answering some of the “most asked” drumming questions according to Google.

On episode one hundred and thirty two of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim talk about how practicing drums or spending time doing something that is life-giving to you creates purpose in your life and effects your mentality. In a similar, yet separate topic, the guys attempt to uncover their inner-most motivations that inspire them to wake up each morning and take hold of the day. Things get a little quirky, but ultimately ends on a powerfully important tangent about living out your purpose.

On episode one hundred and thirty one of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt talks about the busyness of the season and shares about his recent experience seeing Creed. Tim kicks off a conversation about the power of music and how that power can be displayed. Then the guys round out the episode with a deep conversation around acknowledging God's hand at work in the mundane periods and Tim opens up about some struggles in his life.

On episode one hundred and thirty of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim skip the chit chat and dive directly into their drum topic where they each share what they believe to be their personal drumming weaknesses and strengths. This leads to a discussion about vulnerability and the benefits of recognizing where you have room for improvement. They continue into their faith topic centered around the impact of physical well-being. Matt shares a personal anecdote about a recent doctor's visit that highlighted the effects of drumming on his body as well as the importance of caring for yourself.

On episode one hundred and twenty nine of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt mentions the assassination attempt on former president Trump which and Tim talks about how it's important not to let the political landscape dictate your mood and to be respectful. Then the guys work through what happens when you step away from playing drums for an extended period of time and how it can affect both your playing and your mentality. Finally, the guys round it out with the topic of selflessness and how important and beneficial it can be to you and those around you.

On episode one hundred and twenty eight of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim talk about the beauty (and the trials) of fatherhood and nearly derail their topics while getting into a conversation about couples/relationships. They head into their drum topic about taking the appropriate steps to hit goals- a topic inspired by Tim's career as a strategist in marketing. Matt shares a story of a recent interaction and sheds light on some crucial points. Then, Matt reads a passage from 1 Timothy that talks about the love of money. This spirals into a truly eye opening and thought provoking conversation about the approach to work/life balance and the pursuit of wealth.

On episode one hundred and twenty seven of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim catch up briefly and then quickly pivot their drum topic last minute to talk about how the environment you play (or practice) drums in, can make a difference in the way that you play. The guys also list some ways to inspire unmotivated players to sit down and play. Matt proceeds to read definitions of love given by children. This inspires a conversation around innocent love and the simplicity, but also the complexity of love itself.

On episode one hundred and twenty six of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim host their first guest in 2024, Timothy Molloy, drummer of Our Last Night. They chat about the recent covers only tour that Matt attended and how it differed from their other tours in many ways, as well as Timothy's start with Our Last Night and how the band has challenged him as a drummer. Timothy speaks into the importance of who you surround yourself with, the band's workflow, and the difference between playing their originals vs. covers.

On episode one hundred and twenty five of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt records while on vacation from outside of his friend's house in SC. The guys talk a lot about the Our Last Night after Matt recently attended their live show. Then, they come up with a drum topic on the fly and discuss how to keep drumming in your peripheral even when you're away from the kit for a period of time. Tim kicks off the faith topic centered having nothing left to give, inspired by the popular CCM song, Gratitude. They talk a little bit about some misconceptions and dig into how physical belongings mean very little in the grand scheme of things.

On episode one hundred and twenty four, Matt is on the bus en route to Daytona, Florida to perform at a festival and Tim shares a convicting thought he was chewing on earlier in the day. The guys talk about the difference between an amateur and a pro, and compile a list of differentiators. Finally, they chip off a tip of the iceberg with the topic of “you make your life what it is” and tease a part two.

On episode one hundred and twenty three of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim realize they blew right past their five year anniversary and get a little nostalgic about their poor choice in hair styles years back. Tim drops a bomb on Matt when he plays an AI generated metal song that sounds similar to August Burns Red. The guys talk about the advancements of AI in the music industry and balance pros and cons. Then they come in hot with the topic of Jesus versus Culture, as Tim reads a list of familiar cultural beliefs that contradict the teachings of Jesus.

On episode one hundred and twenty two of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim power through various sporadic interruptions and still manage to have a fun and memorable conversation. Matt, recording from the city of love (Paris, France) talks a little bit about the European tour and the trip he has planned with his wife and baby daughter. This kicks off a tangent about travel and how worthwhile it can be. The drum topic “hits on” the idea that you're a better musician than you may think you are. Matt then tees up the faith topic of “waiting on the Lord”. Tim breaks down the phrase and the duo proceed to analyze the meaning and how it applies to life.

On episode one hundred and twenty one of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt records from Bristol England and talks about the current European tour. Tim shares about his new baby girl and the changes in life that have come as a result. Then the guys dive into their drum topic about “showing your cards”. Matt makes reference to a recent experience where requested a drum lesson even as a seasoned pro. Tim approaches it from the perspective of a content creator who has forgotten the time and effort behind the published end result. They close the topic with a fun exercise. Finally, with Easter quickly approaching, the guys decide to discuss Easter; the traditions, the message, the meaning, and ultimately how it changes our fate.

On episode one hundred and twenty of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt talks about his recent experience on the Emo's Not Dead cruise and tells some tales from the voyage. Tim talks about life in limbo, as he and his wife await the arrival of their third child. Next, the guys hit on five “friendly reminders” for drummers (though many apply to musicians in general). Then Tim kicks off the topic of "leading by example" after recent instances (brought on by parenting) got him thinking. Matt references Gladiator (which is something he's never done before) and sheds a different light on the conversation.

On episode one hundred and nineteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim chuckle about a funny moment Matt had with a friend/drum student and Matt inadvertently tees up one of their topics by talking about enjoying some time with his wife instead of focusing on some important tasks. Matt talks a little about the Emo's Not Dead cruise that August Burns Red is about to embark on, then transitions into the drum topic about playing drums for yourself first, before playing for anyone else's approval. Tim chimes in with a recent thought about what “the dream” is for himself as an artist/musician in 2024. Then, Tim gets deep and talks about an idea that someone in distress only needs 8 minutes of undivided attention from a friend to feel a little better. Tim opens up about a difficult situation he's been struggling with and Matt lends some great perspective.

On episode one hundred and eighteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim randomly talk about how being more “disagreeable” or “strong-willed” can benefit you in many cases, and Matt shares a lesson on double bass that he learned. Tim gives Matt a hard time for not watching a video he sent and tees up the drum topic by talking about a recent drum cover he did for his friend's birthday. The guys talk about finding the reason for playing (and continuing to play) drums. They round out the episode by exploring the rather deep topic of the “Good Old Days”. What made those days good? Would it be the same if you knew they were the good old days when you were living them?

On episode one hundred and seventeen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt throws out a challenging hypothetical scenario and Tim shares his thoughts about seasons and how quickly life can change. The guys swiftly transition into their drum topic focused around the idea of the most important part of the drums being YOU, the drummer, and how that translates to the approach. Finally, Matt shares about a men's retreat he attended recently and the topic of identifying your calling through three simple indicators- Talent, Opportunity, and Passion.

On episode one hundred and sixteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt kicks off the first episode of the new year with a story about getting booed on stage during his drum solo. After a brief tangent about Tim's new IEMs, the guys proceed to address new drummers (and/or drummers who would like to get back into drumming this year) with advice on how to succeed and stick with it. Tim transitions topics by sharing his New Years resolution while in the same breath, expressing his disdain for the idea of waiting for the first of the year to “start fresh”. Then Matt opens up about a bad habit he worked to break.

On episode one hundred and fifteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt gets excited about Christmas and starts drinking olive juice straight from the jar and shares a magical moment that happened while recapping the most recent tour. The guys talk about the many, many Christmas services that happen at churches in the area and refocus on what's important during the holiday. Then they spend some time applauding the drummers who have volunteered or devoted their time to preparing and leading at church Christmas services. This turns into a motivational conversation around taking a step forward and being bold. Tim asks what Matt's least favorite Christmas song to play is, and they head into their next topic of "Christmas memories". Matt challenges Tim to share an awkward Christmas memory then proceeds to carry (and drop) the weight of the conversation. The episode finishes out with a couple messages from HGN listeners. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Matt and Tim!

On episode one hundred and fourteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt catches us up on the Rescue and Restore anniversary tour and the upcoming (now recent) Christmas Burns Red shows preceding his homecoming. The guys talk about “giving it your all” or “going big” when it comes to drumming. This idea, being rooted in caring less about what other people might think, is perhaps contrary to what many teach. Tim interludes their next topic by confessing his shortfalls in being consistent with reading the Bible. Matt and Tim discuss the importance and benefits of instilling Bible reading as a frequent habit.

On episode one hundred and thirteen of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim talk about the upcoming Emo's Not Dead cruise that August Burns Red will be playing on. This leads them to question whether or not ABR is an “emo band”. Matt updates us on the Rescue and Restore tour thus far and tells a little about his experience being away from his family. After catching up, the guys each share 5 mistakes that drummers make and talk about what to do to avoid making them. As per usual, they round it out with a second topic, this time, inspired by the Thanksgiving season. Despite discussing it in the past, they approach the topic of “thankfulness” from a slightly different angle.

On episode one hundred and twelve of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim remember drumming legend and friend, Aaron Spears, after his unexpected passing. They reminisce about their first time hearing Aaron play drums and what made him stand out as a drummer, then talk about who he was as a person and how his character far outshined his success as a musician. Matt shares some stories of moments with Aaron, and the guys share some laughs and shed some tears in his honor. They finish out with a clip from Aaron's episode (32) on the podcast.

On episode one hundred and eleven of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim joke about recording in the “Eleventh Hour” and elude to a comical video that they posted about it a while back. Matt talks about rehearsing for the Rescue and Restore anniversary tour in the old barn, which serves as a segue into their topics. They start by talking about the importance of focusing on both your drumming strengths and weaknesses, and how the only way to truly grow and improve as a drummer is to work on those weak points. Matt equates drumming to wallpaper removal, prompting Tim to assuage his guilty conscience. Next, the gents talk about putting family first and what that means to each of them. They land on the provoking idea of truly being present and getting rid of the distractions.

On episode one hundred and ten of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt compliments Tim a couple times and that dovetails into talking about being cheap, or rather, “value conscious” when purchasing razors and coffee. Matt shares about his time at the UK Drum Show with Mike Johnston and they “hit on” the topic; when math becomes magic within the realm of drumming. Tim has trouble articulating his case study and the guys find humor in all of the mispronunciations throughout the episode. Finally, the guys have an in-depth discussion around prioritizing, setting goals, and how to be creative with your limitations.

On episode one hundred and nine of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt shares some exciting news and the guys are surprised by a couple unexpected guests which serves as a nice set-up for the topics. Matt kicks off the drum topic of "Teaching" and shares his experience, his approach, and a number of important tips to help both experienced drum teachers, and aspiring drum teachers be the best they can be. Then the guys switch gears and hit on the topic of "fatherhood". Matt approaches the topic from the perspective of a new dad and talks about the feelings and thoughts he's been experiencing since the birth of his daughter. Tim comes at it from a spiritual point of view and relates it to his understanding of God as a Father, after having a few years to process and reminisce. They both share the same sentiment; that being a dad is the most rewarding experience.

On episode one hundred and eight or Holy Ghost Notes, Matt is only days away from having a new baby girl as Tim wraps up “back to school week” and shares some exciting news. The guys talk about using earplugs for sleeping and talk a little about the IEM company, Ultimate Ears, and their experience with both the products and the company. After a longer than average intro, they head into their drum topic; touching on the importance of spending time watching (or observing) how other drummers play and how it can benefit your own drumming in many ways. Matt talks about staying home from August Burns Red's Australian tour which inspires the topic of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Through many a divergence from the root topic, in typical fashion, they uncover many parallels that round out the discussion.

On episode one hundred and seven of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim rant briefly about Tim's studio progress, what we may picture someone looking like without seeing them based on their voices, size small deep v-neck tees that they never should've worn, a worship song Tim's been writing, and realizing their flaws and pride, prior to getting into their topics. After many a joke and tangent, they head into their drum topic on "taking your time" when learning and perfecting drum parts and/or rudiments. They also discuss being open to learning and staying humble, despite how long you've been playing or how popular you've become for your playing. Finally, they approach the topic of "The Main Character Syndrome", as Tim coins it. They hit on the idea of consistently (and incorrectly) associating yourself with the main character in the stories of the Bible, rather than perhaps a secondary character who actually teach you something about yourself.

On episode one hundred and six (not five) of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim discuss their worst hair styles and chuckle about how brutal some of the Old Testament stories are.  The gents approach the topic of ‘pressure' with force and they illustrate it as a necessity when it comes to truly perfecting your craft. They proceed to take on the topic of ‘finances' and realize quickly that it's a more faith-based topic than they had initially thought.

On episode one hundred and five of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim record at the crack of dawn and Matt shares of his recent door hanging zeal. The guys chat about prioritizing, and naturally transition into their requested drum topic on coping with leaving the music industry. Tim tells a little bit about his music background and where his head was at when he ultimately “called it quits”, then Matt adds his perspective as a career musician. This leads into the topic of how to deal with failure. The duo coast on some cookie cutter ideals, then dig into how your identity plays a big part in facing failure head on.

On episode one hundred and four of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim talk about Tim's studio progress, Matt's vacations, ABR's upcoming tour with Ice Nine Kills, and talk about Tim's "work voice" then joke about his agreeable personality. Matt narrowly avoids getting himself into trouble and then kicks off their drum topic, "Trust Yourself". They talk about how in many cases, we are responsible for the pressure we feel when drumming. The guys talk about improv scenarios versus practiced scenarios and how it's important to trust your own abilities and relieve the pressure. Tim reads James 1:9-11 and Matt shares about when this verse resonated with him for the first time, asks some challenging questions and speaks about God as a judge.

On episode one hundred and three of Holy Ghost Notes, Tim records from his new house for the first time and Matt tells about a moment that threw him for a loop while buying paint. The guys then struggle to agree on some definitions prior to hitting on their drum topic; fills. They touch on their approach to fills, some iconic fills, and laugh about stating the obvious. Tim shares about a recent experience that inspires telling the story of the Good Samaritan, and dovetails into conversation around identifying the needs around you and obeying the calling on your life.

On episode one hundred and two, Matt and Tim talk about home renovations and being observant before Matt steps away to address a flooding washing machine. Tim kills some time remotely troubleshooting what the issue with the machine might be while pretending to know about these things, and the guys head into their drum topic upon Matt's return. Tim shares about his plans for the new drum studio space as Matt encourages him not to wait on the buildout. They follow suit and head into their faith topic around the Beatitudes as told in Matthew 5, prompted by a sermon that Matt's pastor preached the Sunday prior. The guys begin to realize the flaws in their instinctive approach to the scripture and carry on a meaningful conversation challenging that mindset.

On episode one hundred and one, Tim shares about his recent move and the nostalgia that set in while cleaning his old house one last time. Then the guys talk about the importance of "checking yourself" or examining the state of your emotions prior to a performance or a rehearsal and how your emotional state can show through. Matt tells a story that ushers them into the topic of stress. Then, Tim shares about a number of things going on in his life and how he's gained perspective through the anxiety surrounding all of it.

On episode one hundred of Holy Ghost Notes, Matt and Tim celebrate their 100th episode and reminisce by listening and reacting to "favorite" clips from various episodes chosen specifically by the Inner Circle community. Matt reads a note that he had been saving and a special guest sneaks their way onto the episode.