We all know the hypothetical “we should get together next time you’re in town” statements that you make when you reconnect with old friends. Despite the unlikelihood of follow-through from such conversations, that’s exactly how Danny Jacobs and Darren Grodsky, the creators of the popular podcast How to Destroy Everything, are making their way back home to St. Louis.
Randy and Jeff Vines, the founders of STL Stylehouse, have known Jacobs and Grodsky since kindergarten. They went to the same school and even attended summer camp together. Despite going their separate ways over the years, their friendship remained intact.
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The four reconnected in Los Angeles, where Jacobs and Grodsky now live. The Vines brothers mentioned hosting an event whenever they were back in St. Louis. What started as a passing idea turned into reality.
“We had been talking to people, and they would coincidentally mention the podcast, having no idea we knew them, ” says Randy. “That’s when we realized how popular the podcast was and how broad their reach had become.”
“It started as one of those, ‘Hey next time you’re in town, we should do something’ [ideas]. And then they actually made good on that,” adds Jeff.
The chart-topping podcast explores the life of Jacobs’ father, Richard Jacobs, a narcissist whose toxic actions left a trail of destruction in his wake. The series dives into Richard’s unfathomable behavior, while capturing Danny’s raw and emotional reactions as he processes his childhood trauma.
“I think the podcast has resonated with so many people because everyone knows someone like Richard Jacobs. It’s relatable, and the quality of production and the dialog is really engaging. It just caught on,” Randy says.
Hosting How to Destroy Everything live at STL Stylehouse is just another way Randy and Jeff continue to champion their love of St. Louis. “We’ve always loved the city,” Jeff says. “We thought it was full of character and grit and soul, but there weren’t any cool T-shirts that reflected its unique identity, so we started making our own. The rest is history.” Running STL Stylehouse and being able to host events that enrich the culture of the city reinforce the pair’s love for their home.
How to Destroy: A Live Show will be held at STL Stylehouse on February 13 at 7 p.m. The live event will mark the end of season one and will conclude with an exclusive Q&A with Jacobs and Grodsky.
The event sold out almost immediately, but fans who missed out can tune into the livestream for Patreon supporters. If you’re not currently a Patreon member, you can sign up to gain access and be part of the experience.
For those with a ticket, doors open at 6 p.m. at STL Stylehouse (3159 Cherokee).
