Milestones and Memories: The Dirty Little Glover Boys Strike Again

We just hit 1,000 subscribers, filmed new podcast episodes, and have a fiction series in the works. You heard it here first.

The Dirty Little Glover Boys, all grown up. Photo by Clay Benfield, Clayviation Films

Last Sunday afternoon, my brother Dennis and I sat down with Clay Benfield of Clayviation Films to do something we haven’t done before — tell our stories together, on camera, as The Dirty Little Glover Boys all grown up. We walked down memory lane, reliving the past and our shared experiences.

The Bond of Brothers: Milestones and Memories that Last a Lifetime

We filmed several segments for the new Chat Rat Chronicles podcast. Some covered territory from Barefoot and Bulletproof. Others? Nostalgic stories that never made the memoir — the kind of tales that only surface when two brothers get talking and the lifelong memories start flooding back.

When the stories start flowing, the hands start moving. That’s how you know we’re back in Picher.

Clay’s camera captured something raw and real. The laughter. The long pauses. The moments when we looked at each other and realized how lucky we are to still remember.

And you’ll be the first to know when these episodes go live.

We Just Hit 1,000 Subscribers 🎉

I have to pause here and say this: Thank you.

One thousand people have raised their hand and said, “Yes, this story matters. These memories matter.”

That’s not just a number. That’s a community. That’s a movement taking shape.

Celebrating Milestones and Memories Together

Dennis, still grinning like the troublemaker he’s always been

We couldn’t have reached this milestone without you. But here’s the thing — there are thousands more families out there fighting memory loss, thousands more small-town kids who grew up barefoot and fearless, thousands more people who need to know they’re not alone in this fight.

Help us reach the next 1,000. Forward this post to one person who needs to hear this story. Share it with someone who’ll understand.

The Waitlist Keeps Growing

Speaking of milestones: we’re approaching 750 people on the Barefoot and Bulletproof waitlist. Several have already requested multiple signed copies before the book even has a publisher.

That kind of early support? That’s what gets publishers to pay attention. That’s what turns a manuscript into a movement.

If you haven’t joined the waitlist yet, add your name here. You’re not just reserving a book — you’re casting a vote that these stories deserve to be heard.

More Video Content Coming Your Way

Remember those short clips we’ve been releasing over the past couple months? The ones that give you a taste of Picher, of our family stories, of what it means to resist oblivion?

Clay just sent me 14 more clips from our earlier filming sessions. My ROAR Creative team is working right now to get them ready for you.

When they drop, please share them. Tag your friends. Help us amplify these memories beyond our circle.

Every share is an act of resistance against forgetting.

What’s Next: Book 1 of 5

Eric—there’s more to the story. Much more.

Many of you have been asking: “What are you writing next?”

Here’s the answer: I’m writing fiction. Book 1 in a 5-book series that I think you’re going to love.

The inspiration came from Don Maass, one of the leading literary agents in fiction. After reading my work, he called my writing “muscular, heartfelt, and damn impressive” and encouraged me to tackle fiction next.

So, I am. And it’s been pure creative joy.

More details coming soon. But I wanted you — my first thousand — to be the first to know the direction I’m heading.

A Shoutout to the Picher Gorillas

To every Picher Gorilla who’s called, texted, emailed, or commented over these last several months: Your words have carried me forward.

You’ve reminded me why this work matters. You’ve shared your own stories of chat dust and childhood chaos, of family members lost to dementia, of small towns that deserve to be remembered.

You are the heartbeat of this movement. Thank you.

🦍 How You Can Help Right Now

👉 Share this post with someone who grew up in a small town that’s been forgotten or to a friend fighting memory loss in their family
👉 Join the waitlist if you haven’t already — publishers are watching
👉 Follow Clay Benfield and Clayviation Films on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok— his work is bringing these stories to life
👉 Watch for the new clips — and share them when they land

Amplifying Milestones and Memories Through Storytelling

The Chat Rat Chronicles episodes are coming. More video clips are coming. The memoir is moving toward publication. Book 1 of the fiction series is taking shape.

But none of it matters if the stories don’t travel beyond this circle.

Be loud. Be proud. Help us ROAR.

Thank you for being subscriber number 1 through 1,000. Let’s go get the next thousand together.

Roar on,
Eric

P.S. — Seriously, thank you. This milestone belongs to all of us.

Photo Credits: All images by Clay Benfield, Clayviation Films

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