On Carlson Drive, a dusty little dirt road of memories from the wit and whimsy of storyteller Wendy Bonifield, is a podcast that invites you to settle in, pull up a chair, and get to know Wendy and her family as she takes us on a journey of stories. Featuring accounts of life, love, and family as well as conversations with the characters who bring them to life, On Carlson Drive takes a look at the tales we tell and the people we get to know through the stories they share.
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Every family has them—the things you do without really thinking about why. In this episode, we explore tradition… not just the formal, meaningful kind, but the everyday, often silly patterns of behavior that quietly shape family life. From declaring “Everybody be quiet!” into an already quiet room, to quoting lines from The Princess Bride like second nature, these are the inherited and customary…
So what’s it really like to be married to a musician? In this episode, Wendy tells the stories that live just behind the music—from a tiny cowboy singing on a chair, to pianos played at all hours, to a wedding arrangement written at the very last minute (of course). “I’m With the Band” is a fond, funny look at life alongside Randy’s musical journey: early talent, unlikely recording sessions, road…
Once upon a time, old people complained too much. Then one day… surprise! — you throw your back out picking up a sock and a decades-old scar decides to snack on your bowels. Welcome to adulthood. In this episode, Wendy takes you along on an unexpected hospital adventure filled with paperwork, fruit cocktail, night nurses, and a crash course in pain, patience, and perspective. Along the way, she…
In this episode, Wendy's daughter, Grace, reflects on a grandmother known less through shared stories and more through fleeting moments—glances, gestures, and the soft presence of a woman living with dementia. While others remember Ruth as a vibrant writer, advocate, and force of personality, Grace explores the version she knew: gentle, distant, and deeply human. Through images, metaphors, and…
Turns out, not all storytellers talk nonstop around the dinner table. In this episode, Wendy wrestles with what it means to be a storyteller—not the off-the-cuff kind, but the slow, thoughtful kind who writes, revises, and listens closely. She shares how her grandchildren, a summer on Lake Michigan, and small moments of wonder sparked a new chapter of creativity: writing children’s books rooted in…
What started as “just band” turns into a deeply personal reflection on British-style brass banding, Salvation Army roots, and a six-generation musical legacy that stretches back to England. From cornets instead of trumpets to family mentors, competitions, and the joy of making music together, this episode explores how tradition, humility, and love for the craft matter far more than being the best.…
From popcorn-and-movie nights to summer movie marathons and Oscar parties, this episode reflects on how films shaped family life, conversation, and connection in a house full of girls. It’s a gentle meditation on why some of us crave bright, hopeful stories while others like to dive deep into darker themes—and how both approaches can coexist under one roof. Along the way, there are favorite films,…
D.I.Y., home makeover, fixer upper...whatever you call it, we're right there with you. Sometimes you either like to do the work or you need to do the work yourself. And we've had our share of projects around the house. In this episode, Wendy talks about the many do-it-yourself house work that we either chose to do or was forced on us. Wendy is joined by her husband Randy as they relive some of the…
Have you ever looked in the mirror and said, "Whoa. I look like my mom"? A picture of Wendy's aunt's hands calls to mind the ones who have gone before and serves as an opening for a flood of memories. Then, join Wendy and her Aunt Nancy as they talk about the threads that weave a family together, including the keeper of names and teller of bad jokes. Come take a walk with us On Carlson Drive.…
Just in time, OUR CHRISTMAS EPISODE drops! This one is about telling stories and a reminder that who is listening really matters. And in response, Wendy crafts a special Christmas story for the little ears that we know are tuning in (and picking up a lot more than we realize). The conversation that follows is one where we set up a microphone to see what we might be able to catch with Wendy and her…
