Verbal Shenanigans

On December 23, 2020, twenty-one-year-old Tyler Kobe Nichols was randomly murdered in a knife attack after getting a haircut just blocks away from his family’s Brooklyn home.   This senseless murder changed Tyler's family forever.  Today, we are joined by Tyler's mother, Sherma Chambers, his cousin, Kareem Eusebe, and photographer, Spencer Ostrander.  Together, they have documented the void left in Tyler's family, the healing process, and the start of The Long Live King Kobe Foundation.  We dive deep into their story and purpose, and many aspects of creating this new, powerful book.  Coming out on May 10th, Long Live King Kobe is a must read for everyone.  The power of healing is something special, and Sherma, Kareem, and Spencer have certainly provided a great example of just that.    

Back today with a veteran in the hip hop community, Lyrics Born.  Born in Tokyo and then growing up in the bay area, Lyrics brings fresh perspective into his music and outlook on life, the industry, and his career.  For close to 30 years, Lyrics has worked with just about everyone.  We discuss everything from Lyrcis' early years, life during Covid, standing out as an Asian artist, and his new album Mobile Homies: Season1.    Have a listen!   We also dive into the terrible life of a conartist comedian we know, code named, Mark Smith.  You might not believe what you hear!  

We are back with another savory episode of Verbal Shenanigans.  Today, we are joined by Chef Dennis Littley.  Dennis worked his way through the culinary world to eventually building a large following for his at home cooking tutorials, his wealth of recipes, and his unique perspective on food.  We learn about Dennis's journey, his influneces, and the reason for his true love of cooking.  Hungry?  Go check out Dennis's work!   After Burlew fires shots at a loyal listener, we discuss Will Smith, the Oscar's goodie bags, and play a game where we figure out celebrity slap origins.  Have a listen!

Our guest knows how to ride a bull, while our hosts are generally full of bull. This week the guys chat with International Gay Rodeo Association Hall of Famer Wade Earp. We find out what’s it like being a cowboy and a descendant of Wyatt Earp, how dancing led to his rodeo career, being featured in the documentary Queens and Cowboys, and the reactions traveling in the gay rodeo.   We also talk about the time we tried to sponsor a NASCAR, guests canceling on us, and we discuss all of the animals you can go out and ride.  Have a listen!

Submitted for the approval of the Shenanigaverse, I call this episode : The Tail of the endless Podcast. We welcome you all back this week with an interview with Jason Alisharan, AKA Frank from Are You Afraid of the Dark. We get the low down on how Jason joined the Midnight Society, his choice to leave acting, and his work now producing, writing, and creating JA Films.   We also talk about the Book of Boba Fett, Batman, and play a ridiculous game of Would You Rather, with questions to see if Mike can become Scott's best friend.  Have a listen!

As the Winter Paralympics come to the end, we chat with an amazing Summer Games . Swimmer, Anastasia Pagonis, comes on our show to discuss her life story. We learn about her dealing with loss of vision at a young age, her training in the pool, using her social media to teach people about her condition, and winning gold in Tokyo. Anastasia loves life, her family, and her buddy Radar.   It was a great interview. Listen to the whole thing (including a possible challenge in the future)   We also talk about baby fights, weirdos in the gym, and Mike reads podcast erotic fan fiction.  Have a listen!

Fresh off the set of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, we are joined one of The Roots' members, Stro Elliot.  Stro is a renowned musician, producer, and performer.  He has performed with the likes of artists such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Beastie Boys, and Run DMC.  You can  also catch Stro every night playing along side The Roots.  Make sure to check out Stro's latest album, Black and Loud, where he reimagines classic songs by James Brown.  Stro was great guest.  He is  an extremely cerebral, intelligent, and humble talent.    We also talk about Ukraine,  a failed contest, hear a crazy story from comedian Joe Conte, and learn about the time Mike choked.  Have a listen!

We are back with former actress, model, and Playboy playmate, Deborah Driggs.  We chat with Deborah about her life as a model, her quick success, posing in Playboy, and the challenging of reinventing herself later in life.  Deborah was funny, laid back, and full of great stories.     We also discuss Mike's latest Disney escapades, building a droid, and relive a story about perfoming live at a male revue on Superbowl Sunday.

We are joined by the creator of Hydroflask, Travis Rosbach.  Travis has lived a really unique life where he has spent time as a boat captain, a commercial airline pilot, and an entrepeneur.   Prior to his sale of the company, Hydroflask  went on to become the number one water bottle in the world. Travis now advises, consults, and provides sourcing fo vairous industries and individuals with The Tumalo Group.  Travis was a great interview.  He provides lots of funny stories, business insight, and just an overall great conversation.  Check it out!   We also talk about how much we'd sell the podcast for, a man washing his ass after a comedy show, and we delve into some Verbal Shenanigans relationship advice.  Have a listen!

As the years have gone by, we continue to talk to musicians that we never thought we'd get a chance to talk to.  Today is one of those days.  We are joined by leadsinger and keyboardist of Styx, Lawrence Gowan.  Gowan has been with the band for over 20 years and continues to entertain Styx's loyal fanbase on the regular.  We chat about everything from what is what like join such an established band, the band's legacy, maintaining the ability to be a front man, and even his role in a movie called Wolfcop.  Yes, Wolfcop.  Lawrence really was a great guest, with lot of insight into the music industry, a great sense of humor,and lots of great stories.  Go check out Styx on tour today!   We also talk about the Washington Comanders, the Brian Flores situation, and Mike reveals some new origin stories for some famous bad guys.  Have a listen!

Back today with another fantastic musician to chop it up with.  Today, we are joined by Kevin Whelan of the very popular New Jersey band, The Wrens, and now frontman of the newly formed Aeon Station.  Kevin has waited over over a decade to release these wrens recordings and now we finally have them, along with new releases, under the name Aeon Station.  Kevin was a really sweet, funny, and instrospective interview.  Make sure to check out his new album, Observatory, today!   We also review our year, and choose some of favorite interviews from 2021.  We hand out our annual "Verbies" as we reflect on some our best, worst, and unique interview of the year.  Have a listen!

We are back with another really fun episodeof the podcast.  First, we are joined by guitarist and vocalist of long time indie rock band, We Are Scientists.  It's been nearly 20 years since the band's formation. and they continue to push forward with brand new music on their great new album, "Huffy".  We chat with Keith about the longevity of the band, the new album, how time was spent during the pandemic, and even give him a quiz to test his science knowledge.  Keith is a funny, talented, and laid back guy.  Make sure to go check out their new album today! We also talk about Scott's heating and plumbing nightmare, and then play a new game in which Mike must pick a "kink' that he could see himself getting into.  Another really fun week on the show, Have a listen!

We have returned to entertain you and so has our guest. Musician MacKenzie Grant joins us as she just announced her return to music after a 15-year break with the upcoming release of her sophomore album Wonder World via BlackBird Record Label. The album was inspired by her time spent over the past decade working as a school counselor in a high-poverty and high-trauma preschool. MacKenzie tells us her original journey in music, her break and coming back, and music life with a family.   We also talk about us cursing celebrities, Spider Man, and hear all about Mike's previous life of being asked to swing, to marry someone for a green card, and possbile entry into the adult film industry.  Oh yes, have a listen.

Happy New Year everybody.  Today, we start the year off with a great interview with Nathan Gray, lead singer of the post hardcore/ punk band, BoySetsFire.  Today, Nathan is off and running with his new solo project, with his band The Iron Roses and their new album, Rebel Songs.  We had a great discussion about Nathan's roots, coping with his childhood of sexual abuse, and his creative process.  A truly great start to the new year.    We also talk about creating an awful search engine, the passing of Betty White and John Madden, and we play a great game where Scott must guess the value of celebrity's Cameo's.

Back with our last episode of the year, and we are joined by Kendra Erika, and up and coming pop musician with lots of talent.  Kendra recently released "Gemini" and "Pure Love" on all streaming services and peaked in the Top Ten on the Billboard Dance charts.  Kendra continues to push herself creatively and put out new music.  Have a listen!   We also play our yearly tournament where Scott must choose one celebrity to bring back.  Who will win this year?  Norm?  Hank Aaron?  Dmx?  Find out this week on Verbal Shenanigans.

Merry Christmas everyone!  We are back with this year's Christmas episode and it's a good one.  We are joined by comedian Mike Sicoli.  Mike and Mike face off in a grueling, 7 round battle to see who can win the role as head elf in a game called "Elf Auditions".  The guys are tested on humor, Christmas history, and the hottest gifts of the holiday season.   Who will win?  Have a listen and find out!

We know you miss us…sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles. But we are here to entertain, so grab a glass of milk (or nog) and listen to our half-baked show. Tonight we are joined by Steve Lewis, the owner and (best title ever) The Sublime Prince of the Esoteric Order of Cookie for Gideon’s Bakehouse. We ask how a person in comics and graphic design, works on dream of building the best cookie for 15 years, gambles on himself, to become a phenomenon in Orlando. We go over the work to keep up the demand, the amazing goth bookstore designed stores, and becoming one of the hugest draws at Disney Springs.    We also talk about our experience with hunting, Scott's vending machine and kitten salvaging, and chicken thighs and cakes.  Have a listen!

We hope to satisfy you over the next 90 minutes. Tonight we speak with Geoffrey Giuliano from the huge international hit Squid Game playing VIP #4. We discuss working on the set, finding out he had a nude scene, the explosion of success, and his thoughts on returning for season 2. We also discuss his music biographies, being the second Ronald McDonald on our show, and being stuck with no money in India for six months. Geoffrey was very animated and was quite a conversation.   We also talk about Scott's sons explosive accident, putting feathers in your cap, and we play a round of "Overrated".

Alright Fantoines, we are back with the man himself, Jonathan Antoine.  Jonathan is an amazing opera singer, but an even more amazing guy to talk to.  We sit down with Jon for the second time to clown around, have him answer some ridiculous questions, and talk about his upcoming Christmasland tour and Platinum edition album release.  Once again, we had an absolute blast with Jonathan, and already cant wait to have him on again.  Check it out!   We also get insight into how much Mike loves eggnog, look into Scott's neurotic notes, and play a game where we learn about what a liberal or conservative Thanksgiving dinner looks like.  Have a listen!

We are joined today by the very friendly, very talented, and very cerebral, Ben Liebsch of You, Me, and Everyone We Know.  We talk about so much of Ben's life, which is filled with tragedy and personal turmoil, yet also with many amazing experiences and adventures within the music industry.  Ben and his band have been making music for the better part of the last two decades and are happy to bring their new album, Heavy, to listeners everywhere.  Have a listen as we try to unpack Ben's life and hear all about what keeps him moving forward.  Great interview.  Check it out! We also talk about Mike's love of a Buc-ee's, delve into more of Mike's god complex, and hear a whole new round of Bear News.  Have a listen!