Verbal Shenanigans

#544- The 2025 Christmas Spectacular with Al Ridenour

Well.  It is here!  The 2025 Christmas Spectacular has arrived and it is jam packed with Christmas cheer.  First, Scott, Mike, Harry, and Dom take a trip down memory lane and receive gifts from the 1984 Sear's Christmas catalog.  Then, a true Christmas miracle occurs.  The guys participate in a game entitled "The Santa Clause 4" where they must compete to see who is the next Santa.  You won't believe who joined the show to judge the answers.  The big man from the North Pole himself, the one and only, Santa Claus!  Listen as the guys compete and help raise money for charity. A must listen for the holiday season.
For more info on the best Santa around, make sure to visit www.SantaPeteNj.com 
Our Christmas episodes wouldn't be complete without a unique Christmas guest.  This year, we are joined by a man who has spent a lifetime excavating the bone-chilling folklore of the Alps and the arcane traditions of the past. He is the preeminent authority on the Krampus, the host of the hauntingly brilliant Bone and Sickle podcast, and the author of the definitive guide to the winter’s darkest spirits. Please welcome... Al Ridenour."
 For more info on Al and his work, make sure to visit https://www.alridenour.com/
 

#543- Jonathan Antoine Returns, Shirtless Pizza Parties, and the Inconvenience Draft

Christmas is near, so here is our first present to our listeners.  For the 4th time, our favorite tenor, Jonathan Antoine joins us on the show.  We hear all about his new album, what he has been up to his, his Christmas traditions, and more.  We also play a new game called "Tenor More, Tenor Less."  Jonathan remains one of our favorite people to chat with.  Check out this silly, laid back, and informative interview. Merry Christmas Fantoines!
 
Mike once again attempts to defend Diddy, Scott gets angry at a shirtless kid in a pizza parlor, and we play a game of "The Inconvenience Draft" where we ruin the Christmas season for one another.  Have a listen!

#542-Ricky Watters, Mikey Hygiene, and ItsAWnDrflLife

As we are in the middle of  both football and the holiday season, our guest runs in to talk about his amazing career and his great stocking stuffer book for your kids. Ricky Watters is a 49'ers, Seahawks, and Eagles' legend, has won a national championship, a Super Bowl, and is now the author of the children’s book,  ‘A Gift Called Shane’, which tells the story of the adoption of his youngest son, from the  perspective of his older sibling.  We chat sports, writing, and family in this week’s interview.
 
Mike rants about his very interesting day, he spreads hygiene to the less fortunate, and Scott has too much bourbon on Thanksgiving.  Have a listen!

#541-Scott Leonard, Fat Goalies, and Pouring Problems

Our true crime podcast is here to solve the biggest mystery of all time. D. B Cooper? Lindbergh baby? No, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. A person who perused her for years is member of Rockapella Scott Leonard. We chat with Scott on his music career bringing him to Japan, the formation of the band, working on the game show, and continuing to make music with the band.
We also chat about fat goalies , reflect on the Thanksgiving episode, and participate in what we call the December reflection. Have a listen!

#540-The Inaugural Thanksgiving Special with Jennifer Palmer

A little appetizer before your Thanksgiving meal…a special holiday episode of Verbal Shenanigans. We bring in friends old and new to play Thanksliving. Scott, Harry, and Dom show off their knowledge and thankfulness as Pilgrim Mike puts them through a series of question, trivia, and …hand turkey drawings? Assisting us will be fan and friend of the show Kelley Warner to judge the boys in determining who is will be thankful they are the winner.
 
Along with the game we speak with artist and author Jennifer Palmer. Jennie has worked on designing floats, costumes, and balloons at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade for over a decade. We hear the behind the scenes work, the science, and aftermath stress to make magical visuals for this yearly tradition. Prep for the next holiday by getting her book Milo’s Christmas Parade.
 
Avoid talking politics and play this episode at the family dinner table with your loved ones

#539- Louis Ferrante, The Empty Oil can, and the Pressed Ham

Just when you think you are out, we pull you back in with another amazing guest. Louis Ferrante went from doing heist work for the Gambino family, to jail, to becoming a best selling author. We talk about his mob life, his reform, the mob’s role from then to now in the world, and real life versus Hollywood when it comes to the mob. Fascinating and entertaining interview to listen to.
 
We also figure out if Mike could survive prison, Scott tries to figure out actual mobster's names, and we find out what Mike's job would be in a crime family.  Have a listen!

#538-Cosmos CEO Erik Stover, 3rd Dog Sagas, and What is Horse Adjacent?

We shoot for the skies every week to entertain everyone, and this week we aim for the Cosmos. One of the most historical brands in US Soccer history is the New York Cosmos. From Pele to Beckenbauer, the brand is a fixture in US futbol culture, and next year the team returns. Leading the way is CEO Erik Stover who joins the show to talk about the work in bringing the team back, coming to Patterson, NJ, and the goals to team success.
 
We also chat about yet another Burlew dog encounter, Scott's discusses his day with the Cosmos staff, and Scott finds a new interest.  Have a listen!

#537- Fergal Lawler of the Cranberries, Giraffe Feedings, and Mortality Dilemmas

For the 2nd time, Fergal Lawler, the drummer of the Cranberries joins us on the show.  We dive into everything from the MTV Unplugged performance which was just released on November 7th, the history of the band, memories of Dolores, and more.  Fergal is a great guy and an even better conversation.
 
We also dive into voting, Mike feeding a giraffe, and dive into some death chat.  Have a listen!

#536- Todd Tucker, The Pumpkin Pancake, and the Heavy Heimlich

As the moon falls on an another Halloween, we have one more spooky guest to give…and it's not Burlew in another vampire outfit. Special effects makeup artist, Todd Tucker, tells his story of going from a hair metal band to being a makeup artist on a Steven Spielberg movie. We chat on him founding his makeup studio Illusion Industries, acting and creating looks on horror show and movies like Charmed, Hook, Dracula, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  We also talk about the full circle moment with his latest movie, Rockbottom, where Todd had to create an original soundtrack with rock legends from Quiet Riot and Dokken.  Have a listen!
 
We also learn about another interesting body encounter from Mike, and Scott has quite an interesting experience at a CPR class.  Check it out!

#535-The 2025 Halloween Extravaganza with Mark Steger

It's here folks! The 2025 Halloween Extravaganza has arrived.  And it is everything we love to do here at Verbal Shenanigans.  First, friends of the show, Dom and Harry, join us to compete in a grueling game entitled "Escape from Burlewsferatu".  The guys must navigate through 3 nights of Halloween themed questions to avoid being killed by his Lordship, a gross vampire with an aching back, Burlewsferatu!  Lot of fun.  Listeners be weary!
 
Next, we step into the shadows of Hollywood with this year's Halloween guest, Mark Steger, the actor, performance artist, and choreographer renowned for bringing some of modern horror and sci-fi's most iconic creatures to terrifying life. Steger pulls back the curtain on his unique career, discussing his process for embodying nonhuman characters like the Demogorgon in Netflix's Stranger Things ,the Pale Lady in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and what it's like working with Tool.  A great Halloween episode.

#534- Mark Linett, Tweed Undergarments, and "Who will win?"

Our guest today is the man who literally holds the keys to some of the most iconic music in history. Mark Linett is a three-time Grammy-winning producer and audio engineer, he's worked with legends like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, and Randy Newman. But you know him best as the sonic architect for The Beach Boys' incredible catalog—the one who gave us the definitive stereo mix of Pet Sounds and meticulously brought The Smile Sessions to life.  A great guest all around.
 
We also dive into what scared us when we were young, kinks, and play a game where Mike must decide if he has the same brain as Scott's 5 year old.  Have a listen!

#533- Parks Bonifay, The Juggalo Turtle, and Flotato

We sit down with a true living legend, Parks Bonifay. From being the youngest person ever to waterski at just six months old to becoming arguably the most influential wakeboarder of all time, Parks has redefined water sports. We dive into his decades-long career—covering X-Games gold, pioneering new tricks, the wildest Red Bull stunts, and his time with the Jackass crew. Hear the untold stories from the water and beyond that cemented Parks' unparalleled legacy. This is a must-listen for any fan of action sports and a rare look inside the mind of an icon.
 
We also get back on track and talk about the Riyadh Comedy Festival, Burlew finds Scott's hate list, and we bust out some Bear News!  Have a listen!

#532- Tucker Rule, Cheese Teeth, and 60 minutes of garbage

Between being in Thursday, L.S. Dunes, and touring my My Chemical Romance, I'm not sure how Tucker Rule found the time to chat with us.  Tucker is a killer drummer, great guy, and an awesome story teller.  We dive into everything from the life balance involved with being with 3 awesome bands, the mentality of drumming in everything from boys bands, to Dancing with the Stars,  to heavy music, and to simply navigating life as an artist and father.  Check out Tucker on My Chemical Romance's tour today!
 
We sucked ass this week.  But, we did talk about cheese, lemon sharks, and Diddy, so there is that.  Have a listen!

#531-Carole Anne Kaufman, The Lollipop Daddy, and the Persnickety CPR Douche

Another great show for you this week. We not just whistling Dixie, but our guest may. This week we talk with two time world champion, the whistling diva Carole Anne Kaufman. We get into the work and competition in musical whistling. We chat about the whistling community, the work, the different styles, and the upcoming documentary Whistle. Carole was a joy to talk with and you can check her out at the Masters of Musical Whistling International Festival and Competition October 3rd through the 5th in Hollywood, CA. Go to www.mastersofwhistling.com after you listen to our interview.
 
We also dive in Mike's love of lollipops, Mike returning to visit his cow friend, and Scott has some stories about some interesting side gigs.  Have a listen!

#530- Marcelo Balboa, The Love Boomerang, and Futbol vs Football

For the 4th time, we are thrilled to bring back US soccer legend, and now Emmy award winning broadcaster, Marcelo Balboa, back on to the podcast.  We dive into everything from the excitement of the growing MLS, the expectation of the US men's team, the problems with youth soccer, and even a trip down memory lane with some gear talk.  Check it out!  
 
We also hear listen to some classic Burlew clips, Mike's dog almost dying in his blanket, and play a new game called Futbol vs Football.  Have a listen!

Scott and Mike Like Football

Here is a little bonus content for our fellow football fans from two arm chair quarterbacks.  Every year, we give a prediction on both Giants and Commanders upcoming year, and give our Super Bowl picks for the season. 

#529- Marc Raimondi, Revisiting the Ninja Turtles, and Dante Gush

Don't turn your back on this podcast, You might wind up in a body bag! Tonight, we talk with ESPN reporter and author Marc Raimondi. Along with his coverage of MMA and the Atlanta Falcons, Marc wrote the book Say Hello To the Bad Guys : How Professional Wrestling's New World Order Changed America. We go in depth into wrestling stories, the effects on everything from fashion to politics, and deep dive into all sports.
 
We also talk about the Charlie Kirk assassination, Scott checks out the original TMNT movie, and Mike gets another dog??  Have a listen!

#528-Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, and the Burlew's 500th Episode Celebration

I know we're out there, somewhere out there.  But today, we reel it in to interview the frontman of Our Lady Peace, Raine Maida.  Our Lady Peace has been making music for over 30 years and continue to change their sound and experiment musically.  Raine is a very unique, up front, and honest guy, who gave us a great interview about the history of the band, the secrets to the band's longevity, his charitable work, and more.  To conclude their year long 30th anniversary celebration, check out their new version of “Whatever (Redux)”, where proceeds donated to mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.
 
And then there's a guy who thinks he's Superman...Michael Burlew.  Today, we celebrate Mike's 500th episode with the show and get all sorts of strange, from bathtub pics, to a cacopohany of voices, to some good old Burlew trivia, we had a blast celebrating.  Have a listen!

The Games of Verbal Shenanigans

End of summer and Labor Day caught up with us, so today we put together a flashback to some ofthe great games we've played over the last year.  The games are a huge part of the cast, so here are 3 that made us chuckle.  Back to your regularly scheduled program next week!
 
Game 1 :"Is it Blind or is Melon" from episode 515 with Christopher Thorn
Game 2 : But Stuff" from episode 516 with Monique Powell of Save Feris
Game 3: "Par-tners" from episode 499 with Whit Watson

#527 - Helloween's Andi Deris, The Heckle Hole, and Mike's Bath Water

Today, the metal gods shine down on the podcast as we welcome Helloween frontman, Andi Deris to the show.  For over 30 years, Andi has helped make Helloween a global metal act with legions of loyal fans.  Andi is laid back, funny, and honest guy, who gave us a great interview about the longevity of the band, his life in music, his woodworking talent, and a peak into the new album, "Giants and Monsters", coming out this Friday, 8/29/25.   A real pleasure to have on.  Have a listen!
We also talk about an unique gig Scott had, a hypothetical bank robbery, and selling Mike's bath water.  Check it out!