Verbal Shenanigans

Today, we bring two very unique guests to the show. "For over 40 years, the Gipsy Kings have been the soundtrack to our most vibrant memories. At the heart of that journey is today’s guest—a composer and virtuoso who is now carrying the family torch alongside his sons, Mikaël and Cosso.We’re talking about his incredible 2026 tour, the stories behind his classic hits, and the making of his latest record. It is an absolute honor to have on the show, Tonino Baliardo! Were also hanging out with the visionary behind one of the most awarded breweries in the country. From a single neighborhood pub in 2010 to a multi-location juggernaut that just swept the 2026 awards circuit, his journey is a masterclass in growth and quality. We’re talking beer, business, and what’s next for Breakside. We dive into his viral beer that used bear poop as an ingredient. Today, we welcome, Scott Lawrence. This week is full of crazy stories from Scott’s nasty aunt, Burlew’s bee experience, a weird guy at a dog park, and astronaut banter. A great week.

What an honor it is to chat with this week's guest. He has walked the boards of Broadway with Marlon Brando, shared the screen with Lena Horne, and as the President of Warner Bros. Television, he was the architect behind the shows that defined a generation—from Wonder Woman to The Dukes of Hazzard. He’s a man who didn't just witness entertainment history; he shaped it. In February of 2026, he released the definitive account of a century well-lived, titled 'And It Only Took 100 Years'. Joining us to discuss the secrets of the studio, the courage of a secret life with his partner of 67 years, and the art of the 100-year hustle, it's the one and only, Alan Shayne. Scott gets a finger in the pooper, he encounters a big chested mannequin, Mike is presented with 100 years of life scenarios, we hear about the 9/11 musical, and Mike has some bad news to share. Just another week of Verbal Shenanigans.

Today we bring you a special episode with our pal, Jonathan Antoine. With the release of his brand new album, "Speaking to You", we present our 5th interview with our favorite tenor. In this unique episode, we dive into what went into the album, the process of making it, and the excitement of putting it out to his loyal fans. But, that's not all. IT wouldn't be a Verbal Shenanigans show without having some fun with Jon as we put him through a ridiculous game of "Je-Opera-dy". Make sure to go check out Jon's new album, "Speaking to You" today! An all time fun episode

He’s the only guest we’ve ever had who can look at a Victorian-style colonial and immediately calculate the 'bounce-to-gutter' ratio. He’s the man turning every backyard into a stadium and every roof into a highlight reel. Joining us to discuss the quirky, unique sport of Roofball, it’s the Commissioner himself, Adam Willis! We also find some hilarious stories that Scott wrote as child, we learn some unique sports rules, and play a new game involving events in history. A great episode. Have a listen!

He’s the only guest we’ve ever had who can look at a Victorian-style colonial and immediately calculate the 'bounce-to-gutter' ratio. He’s the man turning every backyard into a stadium and every roof into a highlight reel. Joining us to discuss the quirky, unique sport of Roofball, it’s the Commissioner himself, Adam Willis! We also find some hilarious stories that Scott wrote as child, we learn some unique sports rules, and play a new game involving events in history. A great episode. Have a listen!

It’s not a Dirty Little Secret we always got a great guest. Nickolas Wheeler of the All American Rejects will Swing Swing on by the cast to talk about their new album Sandbox coming out in May. We chat about the quick turnaround from high school to music career, burnout, his music studio, and much more. Check out Sandbox, the bands first album in 14 years after our interview. We get real weird as usual this week as we learn that Mike had a pet turtle named Gonzo, Mike has some new animal encounters, and Scott's puts Mike through a game called "American Rejects". A great episode. Have a listen!

Most people know our next guest as the ultimate drinking buddy from 3 Sheets, Drinking Made Easy, and Chug. But behind the bar tabs and the frequent flyer miles, is one of the sharpest minds in the game. From pioneering the 'travel-log' genre on TV, to building a sustainable apparel powerhouse, to touring breweries throughout the country doing comedy, and even finding time to rescue numerous animals. He’s a comedian, a CEO, and a guy who definitely knows where the best dive bar in the world is hidden. Joining us today is our good friend, Zane Lamprey. Make sure to check out Zane's new book, Glass Half Full: How Optimism and Humor Landed Me the Best Job in the World, today! We also chat about the world ending, the mystery of Jim Carey, Scott has an interesting audition, and we play a game where Mike must decide animals' fates called "Noah's Raft". Have a listen!

Do not fiddle around, no need for violins, we won’t string you around, best bow-lieve we got another great guest. Michelle Winters is one of Atlanta's most versatile and unforgettable musicians playing rock, classic, or Celtic music on her violin. We chat about her musical journey, unique encounters playing at the airport, and being in the finale of Stranger Things. Check her out with "Celtic Woman" tribute band, Cailini this St Patrick’s week along with our interview. We dive into the USA hockey drama, Burlew thinks he’s god yet again, and Mike and his dead meet a sea lion. Have a listen!

You need not worry about us bombing tonight, as we got an expert to stop that. Former FBI Master Bomb technician, Barry Black, comes back on the show to promote his book Hazardous Devices : Memoir Of An FBI Bomb Technician, Account and Sniper. We relive his career investigating Oklahoma City, Waco, Atlanta Olympic bombings, his trainings, and the technology in case work. Check Barry’s book out after listening to our interview. We also talk about regrets, Mike debuts a new voice, Michael Jordan may be a creep, and we play a game called Protoganist or Atlantagonist.

"Pepito" joins the cast! From Teaneck, NJ to the top of the world. Today’s guest is a world-class talent who redefined what it meant to be a modern striker. Whether he was finding the back of the net in the Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A, he did it with a style and intelligence that was purely his own. We sit down and discuss the journey to Parma at 12 years old, playing for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, reaching a "flow state" at the top of his game, the resilience to battle through multiple surgeries, and now life as a dad, the Head of Soccer for the Cosmos, and the transition from player to coach. Let’s get into it with the one and only, Giuseppe Rossi. We also discuss the fake outrage over the halftime show, discuss a former guest linked to the Epstein Files, dive into a true Olympic controversy, and discuss holidays decorations left up for way too long. A great week of the show.

How do you find your own voice when you’re raised in a world built on silence? Rita Gigante is the daughter of one of the most powerful mob bosses in history, Vincent Gigante, but her life’s work is about exposure, healing, and light. As a professional psychic medium and author, she helps people navigate the very things her upbringing tried to hide: the truth. We’re diving into the history of 'The Chin,' the reality of the Genovese legacy, and how she transformed a life of secrets into a mission of healing. A must listen interview with Rita Gigante. We chat it up about a man with an interesting item up his bum, we delve into the Epstein files, give some Superbowl predictions, and bring up a classic story of Hunkamania. Have a listen!

Eddie Schwartz is the definition of a "songwriter's songwriter." While you might not recognize his face in a crowd, you have definitely screamed his lyrics at a karaoke bar, in your car, or at a stadium. As the man behind Pat Benatar’s "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," he didn't just write a song; he wrote an anthem for an entire generation. We chat with Eddie about all things music and here some amazing stories from over 40 years in the music industry. A great listen. We also completely go off the rails as usual as Mike feuds with Sydney Sweeney and defends Kanye, Scott must play a game called MLK Timecop, and Mike fails to let to let the audience know what he was doing for an entire episode. Have a listen!

Don’t pretend that we’re dead, join us for another amazing interview on the podcast. We are joined by bassist Jennifer Finch, as L7 celebrates its 40th anniversary. We talk about her music with the band and her side band with Courtney Love, the punk and grunge scene in LA & Seattle, why she left the band, and her photography that documented the music scene in the 70’s through the 90’s. A great interview. Scott runs into an interesting mechanic, we chat about the upcoming enhanced games, Burlew can barely pay attention, and Scott puts Mike through the “Good Feels” tournament. Another fun week. Have a listen!

How long could you survive on a single breath? For most of us, the answer is measured in seconds. For Vitomir Maričić, it’s nearly half an hour. In June 2025, Vitomir shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest voluntary breath-hold, staying submerged for a staggering 29 minutes and 3 seconds. But breath-holding is just one facet of this extreme athlete’s life. From performing 240kg squats underwater to walking over 100 meters on the pool floor in a single breath, Vitomir joins us to discuss his insanely fascinating life from freediving, to teaching, to numerous amazing athletic feats. A fantastic interview. We also dive in the conspiracy of earth losing gravity on August 12th, Mike debates attending an event where a douchebag with dandruff may be punched, and we celebrate the past year by choosing some of our favorite interviews in this year's Verbie Awards have a listen!

Red Peters is a world-renowned songwriter, comedian, and the go-to authority for original comedy music. Best known for his frequent appearances on The Howard Stern Show and The Dr. Demento Show, Red has spent decades blending high-end musical production with low-brow humor. As the host of the legendary Red Peters Comedy Music Hour on SiriusXM and the creator of two best-selling comedy albums, Red continues to be a leading voice in the world of adult-themed musical parody and folk-horror tradition. Today, Red joins us to talk about his career, the state of comedy, and his latest release "The Fart That Ruined Christmas". Have a listen! We also talk about Mike disgusting Christmas gift, Scott's has a weird bathroom experience, Cinnamon Toast Crunch gets weird, Mike farts on a volleyball court, and find out what holiday Mike must create a special episode out of. Another weird week of Verbal Shenanigans.

Some people say this show is a Never Ending Story. But, today we bring back one of our favorite guests back to our story, and that is Limahl! You may know Limahl as the frontman of Kajagoogoo, you may have listened to his "One Wish for Christmas" this holiday season, or you may remember him as the singer of "Never Ending Story", but we now know him as a great humble, funny guy who gives a great interview. We dive into everything from Limahl's current music projects, his legacy of music, and even the shock of "Never Ending Story" exploding once again in Stranger Things. A fantastic interview. We also dive into Mike's visit to the Creel House, we give our thoughts on the Stranger Things finale, and play our yearly game of "God Complex", where Scott must bring a celebrity who passed in 2025 back from the dead. Listen and see who came out victorious. Fresh of his release of "One Wish For Christmas" , we are joined by the former lead of singer of Kajagoogoo and singer of "The Never Ending Story", Limahl. We discussed Limahl's early career, The Never Ending Story, his career's ups and downs, and his plans for the future.

As the holidays keep rolling, we keep the Christmas spirit steam rolling with another Xmas guest. Composer and musician Tom Sharpe is an award winning musician performing for the Tom Sharpe Ensemble and Dennis DeYoung of Styx. During the holidays he is the percussionist for Mannheim Steamroller, the number one selling Christmas artist of all time. We chat with him about the tour, the band’s Christmas following, and also a chance encounter with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra We also take a look at Cam Skattebo's Christmas list, Burlew almost dies, and the guys exchange gifts! Have a listen.

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/

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!

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!