HODGEPOD with Rob Fredette

Host Rob Fredette sits down with Levi Coovert — a Seattle-based musician and sports journalist — to discuss Levi’s path into country music with rock and pop influences, songwriting during COVID, stage performance, recording and production, and his musical inspirations from the Beatles to U2.

The episode also covers Levi’s sports coverage in Washington, his love for the Mariners and Seahawks, pop culture influences, and where listen...

Rob Fredette interviews Todd Graves about his journey from playing professional golf to coaching and building Graves Golf Academy around Moe Norman's single plane swing. Todd explains how Mo's biomechanics simplified ball-striking, his time at the University of Oklahoma, life on tour, and the hands-on teaching approach he now uses at his Edmond academy and online.

The episode also covers Todd's use of AI to craft his new book The I...

Host Rob Fredette interviews Los Angeles–based actor, writer, producer, and muralist Nate Mayes about his journey from Arkansas to Hollywood, his acting training, and his passion for creating powerful public art.

Nate discusses auditions and coaching, memorable mural imagery (including a striking hands-and-explosion piece), his love for gritty Southern and Western roles, an upcoming psychological Western short film, and where to fo...

Former underground steroid dealer Ryan Root tells the story of his rise, conviction in Operation Cyber Juice, and the four-plus years he served in prison.

After using his time to study biochemistry and business, he built a legitimate hormone replacement therapy (HRT) clinic and a wellness brand focused on optimization, genetic testing, and education.

This episode explores addiction, the science behind testosterone, the medical stig...

Rob Fredette interviews British-American actor Kayne Harrison about his journey from voiceover work and odd jobs to landing a role in Netflix's" Resort to Love". They discuss filming during COVID in Mauritius, his background as a plumber and accountant, his influences and favorite films, voiceover and audiobook work, upcoming indie projects including a dark comedy-horror, and his thoughts on AI and the acting life. A Great Conversa...

On this episode Rob Fredette talks with Tegan Toftley, a 55-year-old trans woman who began her transition at 48. Tegan shares how transition helped relieve lifelong gender dysphoria, anxiety and chronic migraines, and how her family, work and personal life changed through the process.

The conversation also dives into pop‑culture favorites—from The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman to desert rock, MTV and 1980s music memor...

On this episode of HODGEPOD author Eric Magun discusses his debut thriller "Thank God for the Sinners" — a gritty spy story about double agent Rick Price, stitched with punk‑rock memories and a companion playlist.

Eric shares his years living in China and Southeast Asia, his indie filmmaking background, the book’s raw themes of trauma and espionage, and its recent award wins, plus a peek at the sequel in progress.

RECORDED OCTOBER ...

Rob Fredette and returning guest Marshall Garvey revisit memorable World Series moments to spotlight lesser-known players whose clutch performances were crucial to their teams' championships.

From Brian Holton's pivotal relief innings in 1988 to Billy Hatcher's record-smashing 1990 series, the episode celebrates the "lightning in a bottle" heroes who, despite brief careers or faded fame, left an indelible mark on baseball history.

...

Rob Fredette sits down with singer-songwriter Ricky Rebel to trace his journey from child roles in films like Anastasia, Apollo 13 and Austin Powers to touring with Britney Spears and Destiny's Child, and being signed to labels tied to Michael Jackson and Madonna.

They discuss his songwriting process and knack for hooks, high-energy stage work, fitness and Pilates, collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane, and his u...

Rob FreDette chats with Rashad Woods, host of The Tron Podcast: "The Randomness of Nothing". They discuss Rashad's journey to starting a podcast, his love of history and documentaries, and how he interviews entrepreneurs, creators and fascinating people from all walks of life.

The episode covers podcasting tips and process—from vetting guests and editing to staying authentic—while touching on martial arts, music, nostalgia and the ...

Rob Fredette sits down with multi-instrumentalist and producer Candice Raiford to trace her musical journey—from childhood talent shows and learning instruments by ear to mastering violin, cello, clarinet, piano and more.

They discuss her creative process, notable experiences with artists and music videos, game-show moments, and upcoming performances in London, offering an intimate look at how she crafts music across genres and pla...

Journalist Lori Tucker-Sullivan explores the untold stories of wives and girlfriends of rock stars in her book " I Can't Remember If I Cried-Rock Widows on Life, Love and Legacy" . Drawing on 22 interviews (14 in the book), she reveals the human side behind fame—grief, devotion, legal battles, and the struggle to protect legacy.

Through intimate conversations and personal reflection, the episode examines how music, youth, and relen...

Join Michael Bollinger, BPACC’s artistic director, as he previews the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center’s 27th season. The lineup opens October 10 with an outdoor Shakespeare production and includes country legends, tribute acts, family shows, arts‑education performances, and the must‑see Booker T. Jones.

Highlights include Music & Theater by the Lake, Darcy Lynne& Friends (sold out), T. Graham Brown, Artrage...

Rob Fredette interviews novelist Amanda Cockrell about her historical fiction " Are You or Have You Ever Been?" which explores the Hollywood blacklist, House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings, and the personal and professional fallout of McCarthy-era accusations.

The episode covers real-life stories—Dalton Trumbo, Michael Wilson, and the Hollywood Ten—alongside Cockrell’s dual-timeline novel set in Ojai, focusing on a...

G.A. Sallee, an Iraq War veteran and first-time author, discusses his debut fictional true-crime novel "True Crime, Fact or Fiction", in which podcaster Scott Townsend publishes cold cases and becomes the target of a killer. The episode covers the book's plot, key characters like Detective Adelina Alvarez, and Sallee’s writing process.

The conversation also explores themes about the ethics of true-crime entertainment, the editing a...

Rob Fredette interviews cinematographer-turned-author Robert Gantz about his decades in film and music videos, his time shooting commercials and movies in Hollywood and France, and the decision to retire and write his first novel, "Dead Wings". A noir-style crime thriller.

The episode covers Gantz’s work on high-profile music videos and films, the gritty realities of the industry, and his writing process for a pulp-noir thriller ab...

Rob Fredette sits down with boundary-pushing rock artist C.J .Shaman to explore his musical journey — from small-town Arizona roots and 80s MTV influences to his raw outlaw-soul sound and the personal story behind the single "El Diablo."

They discuss C.J.'s evolution through genres, memorable live shows, studio life, sobriety, fatherhood, and upcoming projects including a Nashville recording and global rollout for El Diablo de Ocho...

In this episode Rob Frenette interviews Shannon Grace about her journey from a successful tech and entrepreneurial career to becoming an energy healer. Shannon shares her experience with anxiety, being laid off, discovering reiki and pure bioenergy healing, and how somatic work can free trapped emotions that show up as physical illness.

The conversation also offers simple, practical tools for everyday stress relief—meditation, grou...

Rob Fredette was joined by author Marshall Garvey to explore the memorable 1985 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. They discuss Garvey’s book Interstate 85 with player interviews, the famous Denkinger call, unexpected heroes, and the series’ lasting legacy.

The episode blends game recaps, personal anecdotes from players, behind-the-scenes details, and the broader nostalgia of 1980s baseball, offeri...