The Yonder Boys

05/07/2024

G.B. Veerman - Husband, Father, Mentor, Partner, Friend, Yonder Boy. Eternally

Yesterday, July 3, the world lost one of the best ones. After too short a battle with cancer, Greg passed, comfortably in his sleep.

I (Geoffrey) had the good fortune of spending Greg’s last few years on earth, working closely with him on this podcast. It was a labor of love. There was no money in it and very little glory. But we both believed. We believed that there was a better way to live, work and get around in our communities. And like all passionate ad-folk, we believed that our powers of persuasion could help accelerate that “better way.”

When this podcast was first conceived, I knew Greg had to be my partner. His intellect, his charm, his gift of gab and that velvety smooth voice of his. He would be the ballast to my manic energy, just as he had been since the day we met, back in 1993, at the Willamette Week. I, the nervous but eager intern. Greg, only one year older, and already a seasoned columnist with good hair, and playing weekend gigs in a cool indie rock band.

Jealous? Sure. But that didn’t stop me from getting to know him, becoming life-long friends, taking a similar career path and ultimately, talking shop and life, once a week, as partners in pod-casting. Greg even got our OG Portland people in the mix - Rick Pinchera on the artwork and Pete Miser on the 1s and 2s.

The Yonder Boys opened new and exciting doors for us, the latest being our annual trip to co-host the CHARGE - Powering Energy Brands conference, just two months ago in May. Greg wasn't feeling great, but in true Veerman form, he carried us, making our guests feel welcome, engaged and smarter for being involved. We ate well and drank too much and for a brief moment, we forgot about the reality ahead of him.

Shortly after returning home, Greg's condition took a bad turn. He knew. I knew. We all knew. But he kept sending me news about this sustainable world we dove into, right up until a few days ago.

For anyone who knew Greg, these last few weeks have been gut-wrenching. Knowing we were about to lose him and there was nothing any of us could do.

So, dear listeners, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye. Thank you for tuning in and for being a part of this little community we formed. The mission continues and you may even hear from me (Geoffrey) again, in some other format, but for now, let's do as Greg would want us to do and just enjoy every last ride.

See you down the road, my friend. Yonder Boys out!

15/05/2024

Just in time for the CHARGE Energy Branding Conference in Houston comes Episode 22 — a look at the essential nature of Mom and Pops and a chit-chat with a friend we made at last year's event, Elaine Kwok of Peak Power in Tornoto, Canada. Watch this space....

03/05/2024

Will Ferrell, Netflix and GM pushing on a Stage. - New Interview up.

‎Show The Yonder Boys, Ep Ice Cream and River Dips - Apr 24, 2024

26/04/2024

New website. New mission. New episode (and it’s only been two weeks since the last episode)! What is this fascinating media juggernaut all about? Glad I asked.
We’re about creating that people are stoked about through the power of mass communication. Can two ad guys with many opinions make the difference? Probably not, but it’s a fun ride anyway. Hop on.
Love,
-G.B. Veerman & Geoffrey Abraham

18/04/2024

Ever wonder what a "stroad" is? Trust us, you don't want one. Jordan Deffenbaugh breaks it down for us on the latest episode.
https://youtu.be/-r5AdhPmO3g Geoffrey Abraham G.B. Veerman

Our guest, Jordan Deffenbaugh, currently in a run-off for Sioux Falls City Council defines a "stroad" and why they are no good for cities on our latest epis...

11/04/2024

Ep. 20 - New Mobility tech is coming, but are we ready for it?
G.B. Veerman and Geoffrey Abraham are back at it, talking about what works, what doesn’t, and will the people ever adopt a better way forward? Our special guest, Jordan Deffenbaugh (currently in a run-off for Sioux Falls city commissioner) tells us a little about , why municipalities can’t run on a Ponzi Scheme and what a “stroad” is - trust us, you don’t want one. Let’s ride! General Motors Rivian Waymo

‎Show The Yonder Boys, Ep Keeping up with the Transportation - Apr 9, 2024

08/03/2024

Rivian in the news today. Smaller = more affordable = more buyers? We likey.

14/02/2024

New Episode Out! Flag on the Play - A Super Bowl EV Advertising Extravaganza.
Greg and Geoffrey bring in Matt Cramp, executive creative director and one of the masterminds behind last year’s Cadillac Lyriq ad featuring a young, Edgar Scissorhands.

We also chat what’s good in the world of EV communications (Rivian) and whats not so good (Hertz/Tesla) and (Ford Lightening/Mach-E).

And finally, the boys call into question Bidens 630 million dollar gamble. If he builds an EV charging infrastructure, will they come?

28/12/2023

It's not X-Mas. It's not New Years. You're off work but there's nothing to do. You're lost. Here's an idea...Tune in to the latest YONDER BOYS Episode 18 - "Gaming the System." We break down the latest from , false range claims outed by the and one mile of in the Motor City. Then we're joined by behavioral scientist Shirin Oreizy with Next Step to show us how we can "game' ourselves into do the right thing. And finally, we wrap it all up with a scorching rant on the 15-Minute Conspiracy Theories - Greg is on fire. Do not miss this one. And as always, big thanks to for our art and music.
Happy holidays from your Yonder Boys.
https://lnkd.in/gYHfacqJ

01/12/2023

At long last, the Yonder Boys, G.B. Veerman and Geoffrey Abraham are back. Joined by our old friend and EV journeyman, Chet Parsons, we're here to explain the slow down in EV demand and what the carmakers need to do reboot. Check it out, Ford Motor Company General Motors Rivian Toyota USA

After a little hiatus, the Yonder Boys are back and we're joined by old friend and EV journeyman, Chet Parsons. Together, we get to the bottom of why EV dema...