In this episode of BBQ Therapy, we’re joined by Chef Ray Sheehan — one of the most respected educators and competitors in barbecue. Ray’s journey blends culinary precision with pitmaster passion, and he’s spent years teaching others how to cook with confidence, purpose, and consistency.

We talk about Ray’s path from competition BBQ to coaching and judging, how he helps cooks understand flavor profiles, and why mastering the fundamentals is more important than chasing trends. If you’ve ever wondered how to level up your BBQ mindset and your results, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical wisdom from one of the best teachers in the game.

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bbq therapy, chef ray sheehan, barbecue podcast, competition bbq, pitmaster interview, bbq education, bbq mindset, bbq coaching, grilling tips, smoked meat, low and slow, backyard bbq, bbq techniques, pitmaster life, bbq community

This episode of BBQ Therapy features the legendary Steph Franklin of Simply Marvelous BBQ, one of the most influential figures in competition barbecue.

Today, I'm honored to sit down with a true innovator in the world of barbecue rubs. With over 30 rubs created by him. My guest is Stephan Franklin-better known as the man behind Simply Marvelous

BBQ.

Steph's story is one of

transformation: from cooking during his graduate studies, to winning more than 25 GC's and RGC's, to building a rub line loved around the world, to catering unforgettable events.

He's been inducted into the California BBQ Association Hall of Fame, partnered with Snake River Farms on exclusive rubs, and continues to shape the flavor game in both competition and backvard BBQ.

🔥 BBQ knowledge. Real talk. BBQ Therapy.

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, We’re talking with The Fleetwoods of Meat Rushmore BBQ, a team that started as four friends looking for an outlet for their competitive drive. Fast forward to today, they’ve gone from backyard cookouts, to national competitions, to now opening their very own restaurant inside Kansas City International Airport.

We’re going to dig deep into how it all started, their rise through the competition ranks, their big wins, and what it means to share championship-level BBQ with travelers from all over the world. 

If you love real stories, real BBQ, and real people, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen, learn, and get inspired.

🔥 Welcome to BBQ Therapy.

This episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast features Ashton Smith and Josh Farley of O.G. Bandits BBQ, a team that truly embodies what BBQ is all about—family, community, and championship flavor. From Oak Grove, Missouri, they’ve built a reputation for incredible cooks, created sauces and rubs that capture competition flavor for the backyard, and continue to leave their mark on the BBQ scene.

They were crowned Grand Champions at the 2023 Made for KC BBQ Championship, they’re featured at the Kansas City Airport, and they’ve built a brand that’s pure heart and authenticity.

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In this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, Bre Via and Brad Colter of Smoke ’n Magic BBQ  a remarkable couple whose love story and BBQ journey are fire and flavor rolled into one. Brad Colter and Bre Via—better known as Smoke ’n Magic—met at a BBQ competition in 2020. Not only did sparks fly, but so did their passion for competition cooking.

Since then, they’ve become KC BBQ legends—winning the inaugural Made for KC BBQ Championship, launching their own eatery at Kansas City International Airport, and building a line of sauces, rubs, and even a Bloody Mary mix.

Pitmasters, parents, and partners in life—Brad and Bre prove BBQ isn’t just about smoke and meat, it’s about family, community, and a little bit of magic.

An insightful episode for BBQ teams, couples, and collaborative pitmasters.

The BBQ Therapy Podcast features Bill Heyen of Triple H BBQ in a powerful episode focused on discipline, preparation, and mental toughness in competition barbecue.

Host Tavis Bryant and Bill discuss the realities of competing, learning from tough cooks, and staying focused when the pressure is high. This conversation explores what separates good cooks from great pitmasters and how barbecue builds resilience both on and off the pit.

2021 American Royal Invitational Grand Champion, holder of 19 Grand Championships, 12 Reserve GCs, dozens of 700+ scores, 30+ category wins, and a relentless consistency that’s hard to match. husband,father ,Illinois farmer, and competition BBQ addict who even teaches in the pit live. Bill, welcome.”

A must-watch episode for anyone serious about competition BBQ and personal growth.

n this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, Jordan Kirkpatrick of Janky Leg BBQ joins host Tavis Bryant for a raw and real conversation about competition BBQ, creativity, and embracing imperfection.

 Jordan ‘Janky Leg’ Kirkpatrick of Janky Leg BBQ—a KCBS Grand Champion, 2023 Team of the Year winner, and one of the most respected voices in competitive BBQ. Born in Benton, Illinois, Jordan rose through the Kansas City-style competition scene to win the 2023 American Royal Open, and he’s still chasing greatness. But behind the trophies are stories of resilience, mentorship, and the love of cooking. Today, we’re pulling back the foil and getting into the man behind the smoke.”

The BBQ Therapy Podcast continues with Cary Chasteen of Hold Your Horses BBQ, “Today on BBQ Therapy, we’ve got a pitmaster whose name you don’t forget and whose results you can’t ignore. He started the 2025 season started with a perfect 180 score, but Cary’s story goes deeper: from cooking with his dad in Griffin, Georgia, to mastering both BBQ and poker, to mentoring the next wave of competitors. He’s got the calm of a card shark, the precision of a surgeon, and the heart of a teacher. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the wins, the near-misses, and the mindset that keeps him steady when the smoke gets thick.”

In this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, host Tavis Bryant of Ya-Go HAM BBQ sits down with Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ for a deep dive into competition barbecue, pitmaster mindset, and the mental grind behind consistent success.

We’re joined by a name that needs no smoke signals to be recognized—Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ. From a humble start in 2012 to winning 60 Grand Championships in 258 competitions , two Team of the Year titles, and claiming trophies at both the American Royal and The Jack, Travis has built one of the most dominant careers in BBQ history. H is e maxed out KCBS points by July, earned over 800 awards, and later brought that same intensity to the restaurant world—partnering with Famous Dave to open his flagship Clark Crew BBQ in Oklahoma City, and now expanding to Tulsa. Today, we’re digging into what drove the rise, what broke him down, and what the smoke revealed along the way.”

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, Tavis sits down with Gabe Treviño, the pitmaster behind Smokin Volts BBQ, one of the most electric (literally and figuratively) teams in the modern BBQ circuit.

Gabe shares how a backyard hobby turned into a competitive obsession, the lessons he’s learned traveling the KCBS circuit over the USA, and the heart behind the Smokin Volts brand. From dialed-in ribs to big-energy brisket cooks, Gabe brings fire, passion, and a whole lot of honesty about what it really takes to climb the leaderboard.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitor looking for inspiration, this episode will charge you up.

⚡ Topics We Cover:

• The origin story of Smokin Volts BBQ

• What it takes to grow a competitive BBQ brand

• Trials, wins, and wisdom from the circuit

• Ribs, brisket, and the cooks that built his confidence

• How community fuels the journey

• Staying grounded while leveling up

🎧 ABOUT BBQ THERAPY:

BBQ Therapy is the show where pitmasters open up about their craft, their journey, and the power of barbecue to bring people together. Hosted by Tavis Bryant.