Verbal Shenanigans

On this episode of Verbal Shenanigans, we sit down with festival pioneer Kevin Lyman, the founder and visionary behind the legendary Vans Warped Tour. Kevin breaks down how he built North America's longest-running touring festival, we hear some amazing band stories, and learn what it is like to take on something as big as the Warped Tour.. We pull back the curtain on the chaotic logistics of live event production, his strategy for ...

We love our guests, but he hates everything about you. Guitarist and music producer Dave Fortman comes on the cast as we chat about his music playing for the band Ugly Kid Joe including covering the iconic song Cats in the Cradle. We get into touring as well as his producing career working bands like Slipknot, Mudvayne, and Evanescence. A great chat down music history, check this one out.

We also chat about the Clancy trial, Mike ...

Today, for the second time, we welcome the original Survivor winner,  Richard Hatch, to the show.  We discuss everything from Richard's court case, fighting for justice over 20 years later, participating in other reality shows, and his new book, Reality Matters: What You , Owe Yourself.  Richard is always very open, funny, and a smart guy to chat with.  Have a listen!

We also dive into Burlew's encounter with a...

Growing up, you may have found yourself chanting this man’s name in front of your tv. Today, we get the pleasure of bringing that man, the Notre Dame legend,Daniel Ruettiger, aka Rudy, onto the podcast. We dive into his life of being one of fourteen children, his journey to get to the college, the play, the movie, and most importantly the message. A great interview from one of sports’ most inspirational figures. 

He swapped fixing pipes in North Devon for towing into 80-foot avalanches of water in Nazaré, Portugal. He's a Red Bull big-wave charger, a disaster survivor, and one of the toughest surfers on Earth.  Today, Andrew Cotton joins us on the show to discuss all things surfing, his road to becoming a professional, and the reality of life as a big wave surfer.  A great interview with a great guy.  Check it out!

Burlew ge...

This week's guest is an absolute warrior who has logged over thirty professional MMA fights, served his country in the United States Marine Corps, and went on an absolute tear in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to capture the World Bantamweight Title.  Whether he’s trading bare-knuckle shots in the Squared Circle or reflecting on life outside the ring, he’s as real and authentic as they come.   We get ...

Today on Verbal Shenanigans, we’re joined by David Watson, the founder of Redemption Club. After serving nearly a decade behind bars across three different countries, David took absolute ownership of his failures, completely overhauled his mindset, and walked out to build a brand centered on second chances, accountability, and continuous growth.  With an upcoming documentary and movie, this isn't the last time you'll hea...

Our next guest is an absolute titan of the reggae-rock scene, a community builder, and a man whose voice has served as the ultimate soundtrack to summer for over twenty-five years. As the co-founder and charismatic frontman of Pepper, he helped pioneer a massive, high-energy 'Kona dub-rock' sound that exported Hawaiian sunshine straight to global festival stages. But he’s also a musical visionary behind the scenes, championin...

Of all the stunts she has done, our next guest most insane feat is probably coming back on the show. She is a former world-class gymnast, a former fighter, a champion fitness competitor, and an elite stunt performer. From throwing punches in and X-Men, to surviving apocalyptic chaos in Fear the Walking Dead, she is a true master of cinematic violence and high-stakes choreography. Stunt woman Rochelle Okoye returns to the podcast to...

Who’s your daddy? Well we got three contestants who will be fighting to show you which Father Know’s Best. It’s Verbal Shenanigans first ever Father Day game (yeah we know it’s the 4th of July…sorry). Burlew pits Scott, Dom, and Harry in a game that test’s their knowledge in mulch, confess their sins as naughty children, and crack dad jokes amongst this gauntlet to prove who is the #1 Dad. In or...

Our guest keeps yelling for Brains…but he ain’t gonna find any with our two hosts. This week the gang brings on actor Allan Trautman to talk about working with Jim Henson and the Muppets, his acting career, and performing as the legendary Tarman in Return of the Living Dead. Incredible acting career and an entertaining interview this week on the podcast.  Check it out!

Burlew talks about arson, the World Cup is u...

Our guest this week is a foundational architect of alternative rock and one of the most wonderfully unhinged guitar heroes to ever pick up the instrument. As the co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary, boundary pushing Butthole Surfers, he spent the 80s and 90s melting brains with his chaotic, psychedelic riffs and timeless tracks like 'Pepper.' But his genius didn't stop on stage—behind the studio glass as a producer...

Folks, we’ve talked about heckling on this show before, but today’s guest has turned it into an actual art form. He is the creator of TrevsChirps, and he has single-handedly revolutionized how fans interact with pro athletes. Instead of booing, he’s out here throwing players completely off their game by yelling out deeply personal compliments and oddly specific praise from the front row. It is chaotic, it is whole...

Our next guest is an absolute titan of modern guitar. She is a Berklee College of Music graduate who went from tearing up the solo underground to sharing stages with icons like Steve Vai and Guthrie Govan. Whether she is shredding animated metal riffs on tour with Dethklok, holding down the stage with Danny Elfman, or shooting 10-foot flames out of her guitar in Las Vegas for Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE, her precis...

Some of our favorite interviews are with upcoming artists whose work we love.  Today is exactly that.  In this episode of Verbal Shenanigans, we rock out with Sean Sullivan and Bryson Willoughby from Mojo Thunder, the Kentucky four-piece redefining the modern Southern rock sound. We dive into the band's creative chemistry, their blending of high-energy classic rock riffs with modern alternative grit, and the relentless hu...

In today's episode, we bang on a trashcan with the incredible Jim Jinkins. If you grew up in the 90's, Doug was probably on your television in the living room. We dive into everything from Doug's origins, the legacy of Doug, Jim's visions, and even what Doug would be like in present day.  Is there a real Patti Mayonnaise?  Who is the real Skeeter?  Truly, a special episode of the show.   Make sure to check ...

We are not gonna dance around the subject. We choreographed another great interview to lock step into. From Broadway, to film, to the Super Bowl, Vincent Paterson has directed and worked on choreography with the biggest names in entertainment. We discuss working with legends like Michael Jackson and Madonna, to Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, his work in decades of dance, and creating a union to assist others to get credit for thei...

For the 3rd time, our guest today is a visual artist, a graphic designer, and the powerhouse bassist for Atreyu, Porter Mcknight.  Porter is a down to earth, genuine person, who has great insights into what keeps a band together, how much he appreciates the fans, and what it takes to keep the band staying creative and together after all these years.  We get into everything from recording in Japan, to moving to Germany, to...