The Breadcrumb Theory (Why We're Sponsoring NEPA Horror Fest)

The best thing anyone ever did for me was leave a trail of breadcrumbs out of NEPA.

Not in. Out.

And, not literally. But when you grow up in a place where there's… "not a ton to do," you learn to hunt for signs that there's a bigger world out there. You take a touring band stopping by Café Metropolis way more seriously. You take a weird movie at the video store you and your friends bond over like some lost scroll.

You take all the lessons about someone doing something cool who came from somewhere else. Then you start to process how you might do the same thing here. Or at least close.

Because each of those breadcrumbs weren't just instructions.

They were proof of possibility.

I didn't know what I'd do with that proof. Not exactly at least.

I made music - that never made me famous.

Oh well, and maybe, oh - thanks?

Because on my way to accomplish nothing of any grand substance, I did learn tons about structure and storytelling and marketing in ways I never expected to use.

What’s the kung fu lesson and why is it always the same? Wax on, wax off. You're learning something, even if you don't know what for yet, all the time.

So now I'm back in NEPA. My wife and I each left for twenty years, (re)met each other, and then we came back not despite the place, but because of what it could be for us, now.

We want to help bring the outside world in - not in an Amazon warehouse way, but in the way that Bobby Keller does with NEPA Horror Fest.

Bobby gets it.

Eleven years ago he started showing films - local ones, international ones - and now, this year (2025) they’re on the big screen at Circle Drive-In. Anyone can show up. Anyone can watch. Anyone can be inspired. It's a bat signal for every creative soul in attendance.

That's why Cultish Creative is sponsoring Horror Fest this year. Because breadcrumbs matter. Because someone showing up and doing something cool in your hometown can change your entire trajectory.

Because "you can do this too" is the most important message anyone ever receives.

Here’s my video explaining it, including a short commercial that I’m told will play on the big screen at the fest too. If you’re anywhere near NEPA, come say hi. If you're not, think about who's leaving breadcrumbs in your community. And if no one is, maybe it's your turn.