The Hardest Podcast to Podcast

Jack White's guitar playing can be summed up in two eras: before "Ball and Biscuit" and after "Ball and Biscuit."
Ryan is joined by author and guitar historian Brad Tolinski to break down one of the White Stripes' defining songs. Jack and Meg finally took their shot at the blues, and the result was nothing short of monumental.
Together, they explore, at the time, the band's unofficial rule against guitar solos, how Jack ultimately gave in to the temptation to let loose on guitar, and why "Ball and Biscuit" immediately became such a pivotal song for the White Stripes, and for Jack White's legacy as a guitarist.
Brad Tolinski was the editor-in-chief of Guitar World magazine for over twenty-five years. He is also the author of Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen, and has a new book coming out July 23, 2026, Blow by Blow: The Jeff Beck Story.
Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap
Artwork: Catlin Likely
Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz
Bonus content is available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod
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We've got money, and a little place to fight now.
Rob Harvilla joins the show to discuss one of the White Stripes' biggest songs and most memorable music videos. Stuck all the way down at track 9 of 2003's Elephant, this song absolutely explodes off side 2 while Jack White tells the story of a young child who just can't find their place in a new family.
Rob Harvilla hosts the incredible podcast 60 Songs That Explain The 90's,. He is a senior staff writer at The Ringer and has been a professional rock critic for over two decades, writing for The Village Voice, SPIN, and Deadspin.
Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap
Artwork: Catlin Likely
Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz
Bonus content is available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod
Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod
LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod

Next week's episode and additional bonus content is currently available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod
The silly and adorable finale of 2003's Elephant is full of whimsy, colourful lyrics, and accusations of abusing painkillers!
Brothers Matt and Charlie Kerr join Ryan this week to discuss the only The White Stripes song that featured someone other than Jack White and Meg White on lead vocals. They dive into the fun lyrics, how this song came to be, and how it stuck around to close out such a significant record.
Charlie Kerr is the lead singer of Hotel Mira. Catch them on stage this summer across western Canada, Idaho, California, and Washington State. Matt drums in Terrifying Girls High School, and is a celebrated film producer. 
Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap
Artwork: Catlin Likely
Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz
Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod
LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod

He'd like to hypnotize you on the telephone...
Ryan is joined by Dwight live in his backyard hammock as they discuss this fast and furious deep cut off 2003's Elephant. They discuss the original origin of the song, how they test drove a potential studio with this track, and it's short life as part of the White Stripes' live set.
Editor's note: I was incorrect, Jack White WAS in The Hentchmen, playing bass on their 1998 album Hentch-Forth.Five.
Be sure to check out Dwight performing with The Zolas on their upcoming tour, and be sure to listen to Dwi's latest album Holy Moly!
Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap
Artwork: Catlin Likely
Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz
Exclusive bonus content is available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod
Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod
LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod

Ryan is joined by Ben Blackwell to discuss one of the White Stripes' biggest singles and share his experiences with the band as they wrote and recorded 2005's Get Behind Me Satan.
Whether it's spilling the literal beans on the band's order at Xochimilco in Southwest Detroit, or how an A-list celebrity could have graced the vinyl cover of Get Behind Me Satan, Ben provides amazing insight into this era of the White Stripes.
Ben Blackwell is the co-founder of Third Man Records and the official White Stripes archivalist.  Be sure to catch The Dirtbombs playing with Iggy Pop in Oakland California at the Mosswood Meltdown, hosted by JOHN WATERS! 
Hosted and produced by Ryan Schaap
Artwork: Catlin Likely
Assistant Editorial Producer: Amanda Schultz
Exclusive bonus content is available to our monthly backers at Patreon.com/hardestpodtopod
Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/hardestpodtopod
LinkTree: linktr.ee/hardestpodtopod