Bad Beard

I’m Sam Schneider, aka Bad Beard. I sat down with Marc Altieri in his office at The Brand Amp to talk marketing, motorcycles, and where media is headed.

Marc is a co-founder of The Brand Amp and has worked across powersports, including years as a core agency partner for Indian Motorcycle.

We get into the real rules of social right now. Reach is pay to play. Viral moments without spend mostly come from controversy.

Marc also gives me straight business advice on scaling Bad Beard without losing what makes the brand work. He breaks down why multiple skill sets matter, and why being the same person on camera and off camera wins long term.

Topics we cover

• Building brands in powersports and beyond, and why agency work stays behind the curtain

• Indian Motorcycle’s modern run and what it takes to grow trust in a legacy brand

• Social platforms, algorithms, and why paid media drives distribution

• AI, creativity, authenticity, and what changes next

• VR concerts, the metaverse, and what is already being built

• The future of motorcycles, risk, and the generational shift

Guest
Marc Altieri, The Brand Amp

• The Brand Amp: www.TheBrandAmp.com

• Bad Beard: www.BadBeard.com

If you want more episodes like this, subscribe and tell me who I should sit down with next.

Sam sits down with Sean Kerr from Bikes and Beards at AimExpo 2025. Sean shares the path from small dealer in Pennsylvania to full-time YouTube creator with 2.4M subscribers, built on simple walk-around reviews that showed every scratch and scuff.

You hear how those early sales videos turned into a full channel, why thumbnails matter more than ego, and why long-form storytelling beats quick trends for real connection. Sean also talks family, faith, and boundaries, plus why TV offers with low pay and forced drama no longer appeal.

The two swap stories on:
• Honest reviews and test rides
• Algorithm traps, viral clips, and mismatched audiences
• Adventure bikes, Harley turbo builds, and a 70-bike collection
• A rocket powered Harley project
• The return of the Orange County Choppers Miss Geico supercharged bike
• Beard oil dreams for riders, product ideas, and brand money versus free gear

Hit play for a straight talk hang between two bearded moto nerds who love cameras, long rides, and honest work.

Scott Sullivan from Rider Justice talks with me at AIMExpo 2025. He works as a motorcycle attorney in Denver and supports riders nationwide. Scott explains the mission behind Rider Justice and how they focus on safety, legal help, and rider education.

He breaks down the hands-free driving law and the vulnerable user bill. Both laws aim to protect riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. Scott shares his own crash story and why strong insurance coverage matters.

Scott explains how he found purpose in representing riders after starting his law career in 1998. Motorcycle cases now make up most of his work. He also talks about a stunt accident he went through and the lessons he took from it.

Rider Justice helps riders on two or four wheels. Scott offers direct support and points people toward the right help when needed.

Jake Edwards from Spite’s Corner joins the show. He talks about his start in film, his years with Yammie Noob, and the move to running his own channel full-time. He shares how he approaches reviews, news, and hands-on projects like his 1998 V-Max.

Jake explains the challenges of creating for YouTube and the need to adjust while staying true to his voice. We compare YouTube and TikTok and talk about creators who have used their platforms to support the community. Jake shares his goals to build more bikes, travel more, and grow with the motorcycle world.

Dump Truck sits down with me at AIMExpo 2025. He works as an MC, host, podcaster, and creator. His voice has represented brands like Jack Daniels and Harley-Davidson. He spent years traveling across the lower 48 states and built a strong presence in the motorcycle and entertainment worlds.

He talks about his time in women’s roller derby, his recent work at the Colorado Motorcycle Expo, and his role at the One Moto show in Las Vegas. He explains how these events connect custom culture with the industry side of motorcycles.

We talk about his podcast I Speak Good and his solo show Dump Truck Approved. He explains the work behind building a brand alone and why staying true to your own voice matters.

Dump Truck shares his story from Louisiana and Mississippi to the Navy. He explains how the name Dump Truck became part of who he is.

We talk about growth, risk, and the experiences that shaped us. We also reflect on events like El Diablo Run and Escape to Hazard County and how they helped build community.

Oliver Jones joins me at AIMExpo 2025. You know him as The Cut Rate. He grew up in Baltimore and later moved to Long Beach. His path started in graphic design and fashion before motorcycles took over. Time in Japan pushed him toward custom building after seeing how common custom bikes were on the street.

Oliver builds bikes to ride. Not for display. He works with metal, breaks things down, and rebuilds with intention. His design background shapes his style and gives his work a look you recognize fast. Many of his bikes have been taken on long cross-country trips.

He earned major respect in the community with multiple Born Free wins. He also worked with Harley-Davidson on custom projects that helped inspire later production ideas. He treats every build as a learning process. His drive comes from passion and curiosity.

You find his work on Instagram and YouTube under The Cut Rate. He talks about staying true to your own vision and ignoring trends. His presence at AIMExpo shows how connected he is with the industry and how he keeps creating new opportunities.

This episode of the Bad Beard Podcast features Sam Schneider speaking with Adam VanderVeen, Marketing Director for Triumph Motorcycles North America. VanderVeen shares his path into motorcycling and his work shaping Triumph’s presence across the United States.

He grew up in Milwaukee and built a career through several creative and industry roles. He started with a video production company, moved into parts and accessories marketing, and helped develop the “box and sleeve” retail packaging system during his time at Harley-Davidson. His career also included managing Milwaukee’s entertainment district and running a lifestyle magazine before returning to the motorcycle world.

VanderVeen explained how he started riding later in life and how that experience shaped his approach to marketing and connection with riders. He described Triumph’s current momentum, noting strong growth for 2024. The launch of Triumph’s first dirt bike and the success of the new 400cc road bikes have broadened the brand’s reach for new and returning riders.

He talked about Triumph’s expansion across categories. Modern classics. Adventure bikes. Naked roadsters. Each one built around Triumph’s goal of producing motorcycles that riders enjoy and feel comfortable on. Their “For the Ride” identity guides this approach.

At AIMExpo 2025, Triumph focuses on connecting with prospective dealers across North America. VanderVeen also meets with journalists, industry partners, and creators. He highlighted Triumph’s broader involvement in motorcycling culture, including their ownership of OSET Electric Trials Bikes and their sponsorship of the Vana Motorcycle Film Festival, where filmmakers showcase stories centered on riding. Triumph provides the grand prize motorcycle for the festival.

VanderVeen also hosts the “For the Ride” podcast, where he features rider stories and people shaping the community.

Austin Herring of Snow Story Productions joins Sam Schneider to talk about how short-form vertical filmmaking is changing Hollywood. They unpack his path from small-town theater to Los Angeles, the rise of mobile storytelling, and how creators can stay ahead of the next shift.

Sam sits down with Chris Litteral from Law Tigers live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph.

Chris shares how motorcycles became the bridge between recovery, balance, and purpose. They talk about personal growth, the quiet power of consistency, and choosing family over the endless chase for success.

A story about redemption, freedom, and the steady discipline it takes to rebuild a life that truly matters

Sam sits down with Jimmy Cundiff, a Southern-born former Hollywood agent who climbed from the William Morris mailroom to representing major talent and now works with Triumph Motorcycles to connect brand and entertainment culture.

They talk about the evolution of the entertainment industry, building trust in a business built on deals, and how authenticity and Southern roots carried Jimmy through decades in Los Angeles. From representing stars to introducing Triumph to the screen, Jimmy shares lessons on mentorship, integrity, and creative longevity.

Filmed live inside The Isle of Triumph during the 20th anniversary of Barber Vintage Fest.