Verbal Shenanigans

#307-Luke Aikins

Today, we get extreme.  Well, really we interview a man who takes extreme to a new level.  Luke Aikins joins the show today, and man was he interesting. Luke is a professional skydiver, BASE jumper, pilot, and aerial photographer.  He is also a Redbull athlete.  Oh yea, he is also the first person to jump out of a plane and land without a parachute.  Luke was a terrific interview.  We discuss his skydiving origins, his career, and where his career has taken him.  Great interview.  Have a listen!
 
We also talk about Scott's old man transformation, social awkwardness, and the future of Halloween.  Give us a follow would ya!
 
 

#306-Charles Baker

Boom! Another amazing episode formed out of the ethos tonight.  We are joined by Charles Baker, aka, Skinny Pete of Breaking Bad.  Charles was an amazing interview, and just a downright, genuine dude.  We talk about how he landed the role of Skinny Pete, what is was like to work with Vince Gilligan, his love of acting, and how he is staying motivated during quarantine. Such a blast.
We also talk about an exposed racist Scott went to school with, talking in baby voices, and We once again visit the ridiculousness of Florida.

#305-Josie Cotton

Back again with what has been a tremendous run of amazing guests, with plenty more to come.  And, today is no different,  We are joined by Josie Cotton.  Josie is a singer and songwriter who has made her name with catchy 80's tunes and her love of B-movies.  We talk all things music, writing, and her love of cats and B -Movies.  Check it out!
We also talk about virtual comedy shows, Scott's accident, and Mike's first marathon.  Have a listen!

#304-Kevin Eastman

Oh baby, do we have a good one for you.  If you are  somewhat close to our age, you are probably familiar with our guest tonight.  You may have watched the show over and over again, you may have loved the comics, or you may have slept in those iconic Ninja Turtle bed sheets.  Today, co creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, joins the podcast.  Kevin was extremely interesting, funny, and humble.  We talk the early days of the turtles, the several generations of fans, the personalities of the turtles, and even a new project, "The Last Ronin".  Such an honor.  Have a listen.  
 
We also talk about interactions with the police, Covid sports coverage, and the awfulness of the MLB.  Check us out!

#303-Sean Kanan

As the podcast turns, Scott’s wife is pregnant, Mike’s wife is in love with our guest, and Mike is brain dead... at least we think so with some of the stuff he says. On our show, soap opera actor Star Sean Kanan chats with the guys on his new series Studio City. We dive into his early acting playing Mike Barnes in Karate Kid III, the work loads in acting on a soap, and we are joined by Mike's wife, Izzy, as she “fan boys” with Sean on his time on General Hospital. Check out his show on Amazon Prime after listening to our podcast.
 
We also talk about the quarantine blues, our poorest moments in life, and Zoom calls gone bad.  Have a listen!

#302-Bruce Vilanch

Up, across, or diagonal, whatever direction, take Verbal Shenanigans for the win. We get the pleasure tonight to speak with comedy writer Bruce Vilanch. The fun loving, glasses wearing person you see on TV is who we got to enjoy to speak with on the show. Bruce tells how he went from a newspaper critic to a writer for Bette Midler. We chat about the differences In writing for the major awards (Emmy’s, Grammys, Tony’s) to working as an on air personality for the Hollywood Squares. We even had an amusing discussion on him working on the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. Bruce is a great talent, and a genuinely good guy.  Have a listen!
 
We also talk Scott's new love of the stock market, house chores, and hear an amazing story by young Michael Burlew entitled "Inderella".  

#301-Dyson Knight, Baha Men

We work hard to come up with the most interesting, entertaining questions on our show. Tonight, we are concentrating on the most asked question of 1998. Singer Dyson Knight of the Baha Men joins the podcast to discuss his music. We learn about his father musical upbringing as an 8th degree obo player, discuss the differences in his solo career and in the band, and of course we chat about the bands huge hit “Who Let The Dogs Out”. Dyson was a delight to chat with and an enjoyable interview to listen to.
 
We also talk about Scott being at mad at Mike, Scott's first baby appointment, and reflect on what has happened since the start of this show.

#300-Butterbean and Tom Verni

Tonight, we find out if it is harder to last four rounds with our guest or 300 episodes with us. Verbal Shenanigans smashes pass a new milestone with a huge guest. Eric “Butterbean” Esch gives us a few minutes on the show talking about his humble starts going pro while still building mobile homes, his biggest fights in the ring, crossing over from boxing to kickboxing and wrestling, and some of the stuff he has been into after his fighting career.
We also bring on our good friend, former NYPD detective, Tom Verni.  Tom is a really important voice that should be heard.  We discuss everything about the George Floyd case, from what was wrong with the arrest, to the effect it will have on policing and the country.  Tom is a really genuine guy and one of our favorite guests.  Catch him on CNN or on ID discovery.  
 
We also talk about our idea for a movie called SpaceJail, play a game involving our toughest guests, and celebrate 300 episodes of Verbal Shenanigans.  Thank you to anyone who has supported us along the way.

#299-Ruthie Foster

Today, we are joined by blues and folk singer/songwriter, Ruthie Foster.  Ruthie has been making amazing music for several decades and continues to bring her flavor of the blues to the masses.  Ruthie has been nominated for several grammy's and continues to innovate and create new music.  Make sure to check out Ruthie's latest release, "Live at the Paramount."
We also discuss the horrendous case of George Floyd, play a game involving various heroes and villains, and hear about another weird encounter Mike had on the internet.   

#298-Mike Reynolds

Today, we are joined by Michael E. Reynolds.  Mike is an American architect who is based out of New Mexico. He is well known for his construction and design of "earthships".  Earthships are completely sustainable passive solar houses.  Mike has challenged the status quo  and has gone on to build amazing green homes out of things like tires, bottles, and cans. Mike was funny, unique, and remarkably smart.   Check out Mike and his journey in the documentary "Garbage Warrior."  Go check out an earthship today!
We also butcher English, talk about Covid, and hear all about Mike's grandma stealing his baseball cards.  
 

#297-Toby Brusseau

The Verbal Shenanigans guarantee we will always entertain and fight to uncover the biggest conspiracies (guarantee voided in most states and countries). Tonight we investigate the flat earth with producer Toby Brusseau. Toby produced the documentary of “Mad Mike” Hughes, who built a homemade rocket to prove the Earth was flat. Hear how Toby got in touch with Mike, the stories on the production of the show, his relationship and thoughts on Mike, and his thoughts on the flat earth theory. We later dive into the tragic second attempt that ended in the passing of Mike. Check out the movie “Rocketman : Mad Mike’s Mission to Prove the Flat Earth” and listen to this interview”
We also talk ridiculous running outfits, the trustworthiness of news, and whether or not The Walking Dead exists anymore.

#296-Jack O'Halloran

We are back!  And today, we are joined by well known former boxer and actor, Jack O'Halloran!  You may recognize Jack from his time in the ring with the likes of George Foreman, his role on Dragnet, or portraying Non in the Superman movies.  We discuss Jack's acting career, his time in boxing, his family's mob connections, and his new book.  Check it out!
We also talk about a really boring interview, learn about a show Scott shortly obsessed over, and we put Burlew to the test on a dickering challenge. 
 

#295-The Buckleys

Today, we go down under yet again!  From Australia, we are joined by three young siblings who make up the band, The Buckleys.  The Buckleys didn't realize they were entering a contest at a festival and ended up winning. And then they get signed to INXS's label, Petrol Records.  The Buckleys were fun to talk to.  We talked about how they are surviving the pandemic, what it is like playing with your family, their writing process, and more.  They just recently released a new animated video for their song "Breathe".   Go check em out!
We also talk about Mike's mom insisting on waking him up, his parents taking Grandma to see Deepthroat, and Mike tells us a crazy story about a creepy member of the bigfoot community.  Have a listen!

#294-David Howard Thornton

In these uncertain times, we need to we stay calm and at ease. Let Verbal Shenanigans help you out with by chatting with a murderous clown. Tonight we talk with David Howard Thornton, AKA Art the Clown from the Terrifier movie series. We dive into David background in entertainment, what it’s like on the set of a gruesome horror movie, and  when he realized the popularity of the movie and Art. David was a pleasure to joke around with. Listen to hear about the upcoming sequel as well an amusing conversation on what would Art’s voice sounds like.
 We also talk about UFC, Mike Tyson, hear Mike mispronounce words, and learn about the history of the diaper!

#293-Cliff Barackman, Finding Bigfoot

We have had some great guests this year, so our next guest has some big shoes to fill, or should we say BigFeet??? Tonight’s guest is Cliff Barackman, a researcher from the TV Series “Finding Bigfoot”. Cliff tells us what drew him into the field of Sasquatch exploration. We chat about filming the show and meeting his wife, some of the many adventures he has been on, how close has he come to seeing Bigfoot, and his thoughts on other mystical creatures. Check out our interview and go visit Cliff at the North American Bigfoot Center and museum in Oregon.
 
 
Scott also shares a story about an exploding toilet bowl, how he is losing it during the quarantine, and some more of Burlew's amazing inventions.  

#292-Larry Hankin

Oh, you have certainly seen our guest along the way.  From classic movies like Escape From Alcatraz, to comedic performances in Billy Madison and Seinfeld, to Home Alone, and even classic television like Breaking Bad, Larry Hankin has done it all.  We talk to Larry about anything and everything ranging from his early years as a stand up comic opening for Miles Davis, to working with amazing directors like Clint Eastwood and Vince Gilligan, living with dyslexia, and his new book.  What a fascinating man.
 

#291-Jamie Linn Watson

Today we chat with comedian and actress Jamie Linn Watson, better known as the Sprintern in the Sprint commercials. Jamie gives us her background in her performance and improv career, chats about the audition process for the commercial, and her first meeting with Paul (AKA the “Can You Hear Me Now” guy). We also dive into the drawbacks of fame as we chat about the internet’s fandom for her feet and how a Mike Hard Lemonade ended her “modeling” career. Enjoy Jamie’s bubbly personality as we hope you can hear our podcast now
 
We also talk about the glory days of basketball, we make horrendous dog puns, and Scott's quarantine anniversary.  Check it out!

#290-Toby Philpott

Sometimes, genuine conversation brightens your day.  After a bad day, our day was brightened by talking to Toby Philpott. Toby is an English puppeteer, best known for his work in motion picture animatronics during the 1980s in such films as The Dark Crystal and Return of the Jedi.Toby was insightful, genuine, and hilarious.  We talk about everything from puppeteering  Jabba the Hutt, Toby's early career in street performance, and what it was like to work for Jim Henson.  Such a fascinating interview.  
 
We also talk about a brutal interview loss, get an update on Scott's boozy friend Steve, and we look into the most isolated jobs.  Check it out!

#289-Coach Jim Johnson Returns

We are joined by returning guest, Coach Jim Johnson.  You may remember clips of Coach Johnson on ESPN when he put his autistic manager, J-Mac into a basketball game and he shot the light out.  Since then, Coach has gone on to become an accomplished author, motivational speaker, and advocate for inclusion.  We discuss Jim's work with teaching leadership, we get an update on J-Mac, and we talk basketball.  Have a listen!
 
We also talk about Scott's drunk friend "Steve", Scott's high school teacher who assigned projects on serial killers, and more elementary school memories.  

#288-Doug Cosmo Clifford

Oh, no big deal,we are just chatting with legends today. We have the pleasure of talking with Doug "Cosmo" Clifford, drummer for the one and only Creedence Clearwater Revival.  We talked about everything from the early days of Creedence, to playing 25 years with Revisited, what Woodstock was like, and more.  We also talk about Doug's re release of his  album,  Magic Window, a solo album he recorded in 1985 and updated in 2020 on April 17, 2020.  Doug was open, passionate, and a true honor to interview.  Check it out!  
 
 
We also talk about having to pee in emergencies, some strange show connections, and a possible mysterious death of a comic.