In Episode 47 of the Cody Kai Cast, Austin artist and creative force Zeale joins Cody and Kai for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation about what it actually means to be an artist in public.

Zeale breaks down why cancel culture feels temporary, but real-world consequences—what he calls “murder culture”—are permanent, and how context, geography, and power change what artists can and can’t safely say. The conversation touches on Dave Chappelle, taboo, free speech, and why artists instinctively push toward forbidden ground the moment someone tells them not to go there.

From there, Zeale reflects on his background in battle rap, freestyling for hours with live bands, and how repetition, bombing, and pressure build real creative muscle. He explains why performance is about being in the arena, not the comment section—and why criticism, when it’s honest, can accelerate growth instead of killing it.

The episode moves fluidly between music, comedy, internet culture, and existential risk—touching on Kill Tony, audience judgment, creative ownership, and why sticking to your principles matters more than riding cultural tides.

This is a candid, funny, and thoughtful episode about risk, responsibility, and staying grounded while living in chaos.

Drummer Joel Turcotte joins Cody Kai Cast.

In Episode 45 of the Cody Kai Cast, comedian and Delaware State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton joins Cody and Kai for a wide-ranging, unfiltered conversation at the intersection of politics, comedy, power, and integrity.

Madinah breaks down her viral metaphor of “selling out as a virus,” explaining how political power quietly infects good intentions, why ego and access are more dangerous than money alone, and how even grassroots campaigns aren’t immune to corruption. She shares firsthand stories from inside the Delaware House, including some of her most difficult votes, the psychological toll of constantly blocking bad legislation, and the subtle ways politicians lose touch with the people who once kept them grounded.

The conversation moves fluidly between stand-up comedy, Kill Tony, media algorithms, Citizens United, assisted suicide legislation, Gaza, hunger strikes, Epstein-level power structures, and why comedians may be some of the most effective political philosophers of our time.

Dark, funny, uncomfortable, and honest—this episode is a rare look at what it actually means to try to stay human inside a system designed to reward surrender.

What happens when one of the most iconic guitars in music history isn’t on display—but sitting in storage?

In this episode, Cody and Kai are joined by Nico Little and 17-year-old blues guitarist Rhys John Stygal to unpack the strange reality that Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny” is currently offstage while awaiting approval to be displayed at Austin’s new flagship Guitar Center.

The conversation expands into blues mythology, tone obsession, heavy strings, analog vs digital recording, and the uniquely alive music culture of Austin—where legends still show up, history is felt, and the pursuit of sound never really ends.

For guitar nerds, blues fans, and anyone who appreciates the space between the notes.

In this guest-free episode of The Cody Kai Cast, Cody and Kai sit down for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation—joined throughout by producer Josh Cabaza—covering everything from collective trauma and media fear cycles to food systems, influence culture, propaganda, and what the “American Dream” even means anymore.

The trio unpack how events like 9/11 and COVID reshaped society, why fear is such a powerful tool for control, and how public perception is manufactured—from advertising and PR to modern social media narratives. Along the way, the conversation veers into food science, marketing psychology, generational power, and the quiet shift from “creating” to “influencing.”

Despite the heavy topics, the heart of the episode stays true to CKC’s core philosophy:
we’re not here to influence—we’re here to have real conversations with cool people.

No guests. No agenda. Just curiosity, humor, and honest dialogue.

🎙️ Hosts: Cody & Kai
🎛️ Producer / Third Mic: @joshcabaza
📍 Recorded in Austin, TX

Pianist Ernie Lopez sits down with Cody & Kai for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the craft, grind, and internal battles behind becoming a real musician in Austin.

From childhood piano lessons to jazz school to playing for thousands, Ernie breaks down:
🎹 Why building relationships matters more than talent
😤 How haters and jealousy shape your journey
💭 The psychology behind confidence vs self-doubt
🎶 What separates musical “skill” from musical feel
🤖 Why AI can’t replicate Sinatra
🔒 The death of privacy and why we need an Internet Bill of Rights
🔥 The moment he realized: “Not everyone wants you to succeed.”

This episode goes deep into art, ego, growth, mentorship, vulnerability, and the realities of building a career as a working musician.

D Madness doesn’t just play music — he channels it.
From Kill Tony to C-Boy’s every Tuesday, to writing music without ever seeing it, this episode dives into how he and Ter’ell Shahid create live, improvised music like it’s breathing.

We talk creating without rules, what it’s like becoming recognizably famous overnight, taking 15 photos in Buda on a random night, and why D still laughs about never being able to see any of the pictures anyway.

If you love soul, jazz, Austin music, or watching musicians build something in real time — this one hits deep.

• Blowing up on Kill Tony & adjusting to fame

• Why Tuesdays at C-Boy’s are never the same twice

• Playing free vs. playing for "the job"

• How D Madness experiences performance without sight

• Music as recipe, improvisation as cooking

• Why an audience should witness creation, not replication

In This Episode:

Comedian Michael Ridley sits down with Cody for one of the wildest, rawest CKC episodes yet — covering everything from starting comedy straight out of jail, clean comics vs. “clean brands,” crypto, AI insanity, dating in 2025, culture wars, assimilation, conspiracies, testosterone, China, Cuba, politics, modern masculinity, and why the world feels like “the United States of Dissonance.”

If you’re into stand-up comedy, truth-telling, and unfiltered conversations — this is the episode.

The Cody Kai Cast leaves the studio and dives straight into the chaos of a live fashion event for the first-ever CKC live podcast, recorded on-site at the Moda Magic Fashion Show & Multimedia Event in Austin, TX.

Cody and Kai set up beside the runway with a rotating cast of creatives, including Amplify EDM founder Kay Coté, who breaks down artist development, the right way to use AI as a tool (not a replacement), and how she helped shape the sound of the night.

They’re later joined by Samantha Anne, founder of LuxeArt Agency and the event coordinator behind Moda Magic, to unpack what it really takes to pull off a high-production fashion show—and why relying too heavily on AI visuals can actually hurt your brand in a time when audiences crave authenticity.

The night ramps up with DJ Runner (Cody A.), who talks about being brought in through Amplify, navigating Austin’s fashion-meets-nightlife scene, and playing to a room full of designers, models, and creators.

Between technical difficulties, wild outfits, crowd energy, and pure improvisation, this episode captures CKC at its most raw and alive—a petri dish of musicians, designers, DJs, artists, and fashion creatives, all colliding in real time in the Live Music Capital of the World.

What happens when a drummer’s solo lands on SportsCenter’s Top 10 — and he doesn’t even realize it? 🥁

In this episode of Cody Kai Cast, Austin drummer Donovan Miller (@donovan.miller.music) breaks down the story behind his viral “Big Drums” moment that made @espn’s highlight reel. From his Minneapolis church roots to cutting his teeth in Kansas jazz school and finally finding his home in Austin’s legendary funk scene, Donovan shares what it means to fill time and end up in prime time.

🎶 Topics include:

• Making @SportsCenter’s Top 10 without even knowing

• Why Austin musicians push each other instead of competing

• The lost art of dynamics and touch behind the kit

• How jazz training unlocks funk and feel

• Church drummers, clap stacks, and why live energy beats studio perfection

If you love live musicianship, Austin groove culture, and behind-the-scenes stories from the players who make the city move — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music
📍 Recorded in Austin, TX – The Live Music & Comedy Capital of the World

#CodyKaiCast #CKCEP38 #AustinMusicScene #DrummerLife #SportsCenter #PodcastClips #LiveMusicCapital #FunkDrumming #AustinPodcast