Your Dark Companion Podcast

Mike Rhyner welcomes a new voice into the Sunset Lounge universe — and it’s one that knows more about dirt than just about anyone alive.
Howard Garrett, better known as the Dirt Doctor, joins the show to talk about his transition from decades of terrestrial radio into the podcast world, and the unlikely path that led him there. What starts as a conversation about gardening quickly turns into a deeper discussion about health, industry resistance, bad science, and why doing things the “normal” way doesn’t always mean doing them the right way.
Howard explains how his entire career changed the moment he realized he didn’t want toxic chemicals anywhere near his young daughter — a decision that pushed him toward organic gardening long before it was fashionable. He breaks down why synthetic fertilizers damage soil over time, how organic methods actually save money, and why healthier soil leads to fewer pest problems instead of more.
Along the way, Howard shares stories of pushback from the landscaping industry, getting canceled for challenging the status quo, and why no university in America teaches the organic approach he’s spent decades perfecting. From fire ant control using dry molasses to curing tree problems others say can’t be fixed, the Dirt Doctor makes a strong case for doing things naturally — and smarter.
It’s practical, eye-opening, and occasionally rebellious… just the way Mike likes it.
Dirt Dr.mp3
Chapters
00:00:00 – Lightning strikes, chaos, and a proper Your Dark Companion return00:01:58 – Mike introduces the Dirt Doctor00:02:50 – Leaving terrestrial radio and entering the podcast world00:03:19 – Howard’s background: Marines, landscaping, and Camp Lejeune00:05:10 – From golf courses to organic advocacy00:05:40 – The moment everything changed: protecting his daughter00:06:10 – What “organic” really means (and what to stop doing)00:06:45 – Why organic works better — including financially00:07:08 – The myth that organic costs more00:07:56 – Why no universities teach the organic approach00:08:21 – Teaching outside the system: classes, radio, podcasts00:09:19 – Tree care, oak wilt, and solving “unsolvable” problems00:09:53 – Learning the organic method from early pioneers00:10:53 – Industry backlash and being labeled a renegade00:12:21 – Why professionals stick with broken systems00:12:41 – Cutting costs by improving soil health00:13:30 – Saving water and money with organic landscapes00:14:28 – Why soil never “wears out” organically00:15:09 – Fire ants, dry molasses, and accidental breakthroughs00:16:57 – When skeptics become believers00:17:33 – Natural pest control that actually works00:18:17 – Consulting, contractors, and organic holdouts00:19:36 – Transitioning from radio to podcasting00:20:10 – Learning a new medium and reaching new audiences00:21:18 – Helping people live healthier through better dirt00:22:25 – Final thoughts and welcoming the Dirt Doctor aboard
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Show Notes

Mike Rhyner welcomes a new voice into the Sunset Lounge universe — and it’s one that knows more about dirt than just about anyone alive.

Howard Garrett, better known as the Dirt Doctor, joins the show to talk about his transition from decades of terrestrial radio into the podcast world, and the unlikely path that led him there. What starts as a conversation about gardening quickly turns into a deeper discussion about health, industry resistance, bad science, and why doing things the “normal” way doesn’t always mean doing them the right way.

Howard explains how his entire career changed the moment he realized he didn’t want toxic chemicals anywhere near his young daughter — a decision that pushed him toward organic gardening long before it was fashionable. He breaks down why synthetic fertilizers damage soil over time, how organic methods actually save money, and why healthier soil leads to fewer pest problems instead of more.

Along the way, Howard shares stories of pushback from the landscaping industry, getting canceled for challenging the status quo, and why no university in America teaches the organic approach he’s spent decades perfecting. From fire ant control using dry molasses to curing tree problems others say can’t be fixed, the Dirt Doctor makes a strong case for doing things naturally — and smarter.

It’s practical, eye-opening, and occasionally rebellious… just the way Mike likes it.

Dirt Dr.mp3

Chapters

00:00:00 – Lightning strikes, chaos, and a proper Your Dark Companion return
00:01:58 – Mike introduces the Dirt Doctor
00:02:50 – Leaving terrestrial radio and entering the podcast world
00:03:19 – Howard’s background: Marines, landscaping, and Camp Lejeune
00:05:10 – From golf courses to organic advocacy
00:05:40 – The moment everything changed: protecting his daughter
00:06:10 – What “organic” really means (and what to stop doing)
00:06:45 – Why organic works better — including financially
00:07:08 – The myth that organic costs more
00:07:56 – Why no universities teach the organic approach
00:08:21 – Teaching outside the system: classes, radio, podcasts
00:09:19 – Tree care, oak wilt, and solving “unsolvable” problems
00:09:53 – Learning the organic method from early pioneers
00:10:53 – Industry backlash and being labeled a renegade
00:12:21 – Why professionals stick with broken systems
00:12:41 – Cutting costs by improving soil health
00:13:30 – Saving water and money with organic landscapes
00:14:28 – Why soil never “wears out” organically
00:15:09 – Fire ants, dry molasses, and accidental breakthroughs
00:16:57 – When skeptics become believers
00:17:33 – Natural pest control that actually works
00:18:17 – Consulting, contractors, and organic holdouts
00:19:36 – Transitioning from radio to podcasting
00:20:10 – Learning a new medium and reaching new audiences
00:21:18 – Helping people live healthier through better dirt
00:22:25 – Final thoughts and welcoming the Dirt Doctor aboard

Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: 
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445

The Old Grey Wolf: 
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579

To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Thanks to our monthly supporters
  • Matthew Kamper
  • W hammons
  • B Smith
  • Robert Stoolfire
  • Thaddeus D. Matula
  • Rachel W
  • Scott Lewis
  • John Clayton
  • cody SIMS
  • John Gilbert
  • Robert Saunders
  • Kiffer
  • Sidney Long
  • Pattie Rhyner Davidson
  • David
  • Ashlea Bullington
  • James Corona
  • Gordy
  • John C Caffey
  • Joe Lindsey
  • Cam
  • Jillian Wright
  • Harry Perdomo
  • David Moore
  • Becca Moore
  • Mike Rhyner
  • Becca Moore
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Creators and Guests

Host
Mike Rhyner
Mike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.

What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?

"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike likes to draw on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."