🔥 This week on the BBQ Therapy Podcast, we're joined by Jess and Joe Semack—the husband-and-wife team behind Motley Que, one of the most recognizable brands in competition barbecue.

Before the championship titles, award-winning products, packed cooking classes, and the honor of creating the "Best Sauce on the Planet," there were two people chasing a dream with nothing more than hard work, determination, and an obsession with great barbecue.

In this episode, Jess and Joe open up about what it really took to build Motley Que—from the long nights, financial risks, and sacrifices to creating a brand that's become synonymous with bold flavors and championship barbecue.

We also dive into the mindset behind "Feed Your Obsession," the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, balancing marriage with business, earning respect in the competition BBQ world, and why authenticity has always been at the center of everything they do.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔥 The origin story of Motley Que
🔥 Building a business as husband and wife
🔥 Competition BBQ and the lessons learned from failure
🔥 Winning "Best Sauce on the Planet" at the American Royal
🔥 Developing championship rubs and sauces
🔥 The philosophy behind "Feed Your Obsession"
🔥 Entrepreneurship, branding, and staying authentic
🔥 The future of Motley Que and the legacy they hope to leave

Whether you're a competition pitmaster, backyard BBQ enthusiast, entrepreneur, or someone building a dream alongside your partner, this conversation is packed with honest insights, practical lessons, and incredible stories from one of barbecue's most respected teams.

👇 Tell us in the comments:
If you could create your own signature BBQ product, what would it be?

👍 If you enjoyed this episode:
• Like this video
• Subscribe to BBQ Therapy
• Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode
• Share this conversation with another BBQ fan.

#BBQTherapy #MotleyQue #CompetitionBBQ #BBQPodcast #Pitmaster #AmericanRoyal #BBQBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FeedYourObsession #BBQLife

Tags

Jess Semack, Joe Semack, Motley Que, BBQ Therapy, BBQ Therapy Podcast, Competition BBQ, BBQ Podcast, American Royal, Best Sauce on the Planet, BBQ Rubs, BBQ Sauce, Championship BBQ, Pitmaster, KCBS, Canadian BBQ Society, Backyard BBQ, BBQ Business, Entrepreneurship, Feed Your Obsession, Smoked Meat, Grilling, Barbecue, BBQ Competition, Tavis Bryant

Alex Fei joins BBQ Therapy to discuss the innovative Roto Q 360 and how new technology is changing the way people cook barbecue.

We explore product development, innovation in outdoor cooking, rotisserie techniques, grilling, smoking, entrepreneurship, and what inspired the creation of the Roto Q 360.

Whether you’re a backyard griller or a BBQ enthusiast looking for new cooking methods, you’ll enjoy this conversation.

Subscribe for more interviews featuring innovators across the barbecue industry.

#RotoQ360 #BBQInnovation #BBQTherapy

Alex Fei,Roto Q 360,RotoQ360,rotisserie BBQ,BBQ innovation,BBQ gadgets,grilling,BBQ podcast,outdoor cooking,BBQ equipment,smoker,pitmaster,backyard BBQ,BBQ tips,BBQ Therapy,grill accessories,Tavis Bryant

🔥 BEHIND THE SCENES OF MAIN STREET SMOK’IN ON THE RAILS 🔥

What does it really take to build a BBQ competition and community event from the ground up?

Most people see the finished product.

They see the BBQ teams.
They see the crowds.
They see the music.
They see everyone having a great time.

But they don't see the phone calls, planning, problems, pressure, long days and countless decisions that happen behind the scenes.

In this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, host Tavis Bryant sits down with Taylor Johnson, who works in events and marketing for Smokin Brothers and Gateway Drum Smokers, to talk about the vision, execution and lessons behind Main Street Smok’in on the Rails.

Taylor stepped into the competition BBQ world without decades of experience running BBQ contests—and helped take the event beyond the competition itself by creating a larger community experience.

We talk about what it was like stepping into unfamiliar territory, learning as she went, dealing with problems in real time, leading a team, working with volunteers and sponsors, and watching the community finally come together.

But this conversation goes deeper than BBQ.

It's about leadership, taking risks, believing in an idea and figuring things out when you don't have all the answers.

In this episode:

🔥 Where the idea for Main Street Smok’in on the Rails came from
🔥 The vision behind making it more than a BBQ competition
🔥 Stepping into the competition BBQ world without years of experience
🔥 The challenges nobody sees behind the scenes
🔥 Handling pressure when everything starts happening at once
🔥 Leadership and solving problems in real time
🔥 The people who helped bring the event together
🔥 The moment Taylor realized, “We did it”
🔥 What the experience taught her
🔥 What she would do differently
🔥 And the big question: Would she do it again?

This is the story behind the event—the part most people never get to see.

This is BBQ Therapy.

Everything BBQ. The smoke, the stories and the people behind it.

🎙️ Host: Tavis Bryant
🎤 Guest: Taylor Johnson
🔥 Event: Main Street Smok’in on the Rails
🏆 Podcast: BBQ Therapy

Subscribe to BBQ Therapy for conversations with pitmasters, BBQ competitors, content creators, industry leaders and the people helping shape the world of barbecue.

#BBQTherapy #BBQPodcast #MainStreetSmokinOnTheRails #BBQ #Barbecue #SmokinBrothers

What does it mean to carry a legacy that's more than 160 years in the making?

In this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, host Tavis Bryant sits down with Eudell Watts IV, founder of Old Arthur's Barbecue Sauce, to explore one of the most remarkable stories in American barbecue.

Long before barbecue became a booming industry, Arthur Watts was building a reputation as an extraordinary pitmaster. Born into slavery in 1837, his skill, determination, and craftsmanship created a legacy that has been preserved by generations of the Watts family. Today, Eudell Watts IV is honoring that history while introducing Old Arthur's Barbecue Sauce to a new generation.

This conversation goes far beyond barbecue.

We discuss the responsibility of carrying a family legacy, the emotional weight of preserving history, building a business without sacrificing authenticity, the true origins of American barbecue, entrepreneurship, leadership, and why storytelling is just as important as the food itself.

Whether you're a backyard griller, competition pitmaster, entrepreneur, historian, or someone who simply loves hearing incredible stories, this episode offers a powerful perspective on resilience, purpose, and legacy.

In this episode:

• The incredible story of Arthur Watts and the origins of Old Arthur's Barbecue
• Growing up with one of barbecue's oldest family legacies
• The pressure of preserving history while building a modern business
• Turning family tradition into a nationally recognized barbecue brand
• Entrepreneurship, branding, and protecting authenticity
• Why the history of American barbecue matters
• Leadership, family, purpose, and generational stewardship
• The future of Old Arthur's Barbecue Sauce

If you enjoy authentic conversations about barbecue, food culture, business, and the people shaping the industry, be sure to subscribe to the BBQ Therapy Podcast.

👍 Like the video
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite part of the conversation
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#BBQTherapy #OldArthurs #Barbecue #BBQSauce #Pitmaster #BBQPodcast #AmericanBarbecue #FoodHistory #Entrepreneurship #Legacy #SmokingMeat #BBQLife #BlackHistory #Grilling #TavisBryant

Greg Hastie and Devin Holt join BBQ Therapy to discuss everything fire management, BBQ equipment, charcoal, smokers, grills, and helping barbecue enthusiasts become better cooks.

We talk about choosing the right equipment, maintaining consistent temperatures, common mistakes backyard cooks make, competition barbecue, and how American Fire and the Kansas City BBQ Store has become a destination for BBQ enthusiasts.

Whether you’re buying your first smoker or looking to improve your cooks, this conversation is full of practical advice.

Subscribe for more BBQ conversations every week.

#KansasCityBBQStore #AmericanFire #BBQTherapy

Tags

Greg Hastie,Devin Holt,American Fire,Kansas City BBQ Store,charcoal,BBQ equipment,BBQ podcast,smoker,grill,fire management,competition BBQ,BBQ tips,pitmaster,BBQ supplies,backyard BBQ,offset smoker,pellet smoker,BBQ Therapy,Tavis Bryant

David Bouska of Butcher BBQ joins BBQ Therapy to discuss the products and techniques that have influenced competition barbecue around the world.

David shares his BBQ journey, developing the famous Butcher BBQ injections, cooking championship brisket, judging competitions, and helping cooks improve their barbecue.

If you’ve ever wondered how the pros prepare brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken, this episode is full of practical advice and insider knowledge.

Subscribe for more interviews with championship pitmasters.

#ButcherBBQ #CompetitionBBQ #BBQTherapy

Tags

David Bouska,Butcher BBQ,brisket injection,competition BBQ,BBQ podcast,brisket tips,KCBS,BBQ rubs,BBQ injections,BBQ secrets,smoked brisket,pitmaster,BBQ Therapy,barbecue,BBQ competition,Texas BBQ,BBQ education,Tavis Bryant

🔥 This week on the BBQ Therapy Podcast, we're joined by Kathy "BBQ MOM" Trainor—a passionate advocate, educator, competition BBQ enthusiast, and the Executive Director of Inclusive BBQ Events.

Known throughout the barbecue community as BBQ MOM, Kathy has spent years proving that barbecue is about much more than great food. It's about family, friendship, community, and creating opportunities for everyone to feel welcome around the pit.

In this episode, Kathy shares her journey into competition BBQ, how her family became deeply involved in the barbecue world, and the inspiration behind founding Inclusive BBQ Events, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing people together through cooking, education, and community outreach.

We also talk about:

🔥 How Kathy earned the nickname "BBQ MOM"
🔥 The welcoming spirit of the BBQ community
🔥 Kids Q and why introducing children to barbecue matters
🔥 Building confidence and life skills through cooking
🔥 What goes into organizing successful BBQ events
🔥 Funny competition stories from the road
🔥 Why food has the power to bring people together
🔥 And the friendly competition happening this year as Kathy goes head-to-head against her husband on the BBQ circuit!

Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster, a backyard griller, or someone who simply loves hearing great stories from amazing people, this conversation is packed with inspiration, laughter, and plenty of barbecue wisdom.

👇 Tell us in the comments:
What does BBQ mean to you?

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to:
• Like this video
• Subscribe to BBQ Therapy
• Share this episode with a fellow BBQ fan
• Turn on notifications so you never miss a new conversation.

#BBQTherapy #BBQPodcast #CompetitionBBQ #Barbecue #Pitmaster #KidsQ #Community #InclusiveBBQ #BBQLife #SmokingMeat #BBQFamily

Selling great BBQ is only half the battle—getting customers to come back is where marketing makes the difference.

In this masterclass episode of BBQ Therapy, Annella Kelso, Head of Email & BBQ Marketing at Snake River Farms, breaks down how email marketing, storytelling, and brand strategy help build customer loyalty and drive business growth.

Whether you own a BBQ restaurant, food truck, catering business, sauce or rub company, create BBQ content, or compete on the BBQ circuit, this conversation is packed with practical marketing insights you can apply immediately.

We discuss email marketing strategies, customer psychology, brand building, content creation, and how to turn attention into long-term loyalty.

🔥 Subscribe to BBQ Therapy for more conversations with the people shaping the world of barbecue.

#BBQTherapy #SnakeRiverFarms #EmailMarketing #BBQMarketing #SmallBusiness #BrandBuilding #Barbecue

Tags

Snake River Farms,Annella Kelso,American Wagyu,Wagyu brisket,prime brisket,competition BBQ,BBQ meat,BBQ brisket,premium beef,BBQ podcast,pitmaster,brisket tips,BBQ cooking,smoked brisket,beef grading,backyard BBQ,BBQ Therapy,Texas BBQ,Tavis Bryant

⸻

What does it take to win one of the biggest championships in barbecue?

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, we’re joined by Ryan King of Kings BBQ, the 2025 Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Ryan shares his journey through competition BBQ, the hard work behind earning one of the sport’s most prestigious titles, and how he’s grown Kings BBQ through his food truck, catering business, and award-winning line of rubs and sauces.

Whether you’re a backyard griller, competition pitmaster, or simply love great barbecue stories, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and championship-level insight.

🔥 Subscribe to BBQ Therapy for more conversations with the biggest names in barbecue.

#BBQTherapy #KingsBBQ #RyanKing #JackDanielsBBQ #CompetitionBBQ #Pitmaster

Ryan King,Kings BBQ,competition BBQ,KCBS,pitmaster,BBQ podcast,BBQ Therapy,brisket,pork ribs,BBQ competition,smoked meat,BBQ tips,backyard BBQ,BBQ interview,barbecue,cooking BBQ,championship BBQ,smoker,offset smoker,Tavis Bryant

Rob McMurtrie of LifeSpace US joins BBQ Therapy to share an incredible story of leaving South Africa, starting over in Texas, and building a successful business in the barbecue industry.

We discuss entrepreneurship, family, risk, resilience, outdoor living, premium grills, South African braai culture, and how barbecue brings people together across cultures.

Rob shares the challenges of starting from scratch, lessons learned in business, and why passion and perseverance matter more than comfort.

If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, barbecue, and building something meaningful, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with leaders across the barbecue world.

#LifeSpaceUS #Braai #BBQTherapy

Tags

Rob McMurtrie,LifeSpace US,LifeSpace,South African braai,Texas BBQ,BBQ podcast,outdoor kitchens,entrepreneurship,BBQ grills,premium grills,braai,BBQ lifestyle,backyard BBQ,BBQ interview,BBQ Therapy,outdoor living,Tavis Bryant