Dylan Gilligan | Upstate Merch | Shirt Show 291

The turns have tabled, and our very own host has become our first guest of 2026. With Dewey Halpaus as our guest host, and Christina riding shotgun, bear witness as they pry uncomfortable truths, uncomfortable highs, and uncomfortable-er lows out of Dylan’s life journey. Please note, all this discomfort stems from Dylan’s visceral reluctance to talk about himself, and to be a spectator of this event is uniquely joyous. Like a demon being exorcised out of a possessed child, there is sweat, cursing, and a sense of euphoria waiting at the finish line. Topics of discussion include: Small town childhood, working odd jobs, coming up in the New York hardcore scene, finding screen printing, starting Merch Buttons, selling the button business and moving to Atlanta, learning sales, starting Upstate Merch, early business mistakes, partnerships, getting involved in the industry, how your favorite podcast came into existence, the future, listener questions, and the complete list of movies that make Dylan warm and fuzzy inside.