Old Man Strength

What happens when two educators turn a love of craft beer and political conversation into a podcast? Chris Shipley and guest co-host Bill Blank welcome Ryan and Tyler from Pints & Diplomacy for an unfiltered episode of Old Man Strength.

From small-town Iowa roots and coaching baseball together to sharing beers with political candidates, the guys explain how their podcast began and why they want to bring more honest conversation to Iowa politics. They tackle attack ads, public education, political division, their experiences interviewing Rob Sand, and their case for legalizing recreational marijuana in Iowa.

Plus, Ryan’s “Pork Month Baby” claim to fame, Bill’s unforgettable Jesse Jackson story, and plenty of laughs between the hot takes. Pull up a chair—this conversation comes with opinions.

LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio. Sponsored by KnoPros Remodeling, Jenny Farrel RE/MAX Concepts, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions, and Revelton Distilling Company.

Former Kansas Jayhawk and NBA veteran Scot Pollard joins Old Man Strength for a conversation that goes far beyond basketball.

Scot takes us back to growing up in a basketball family, losing his father at just 16 years old, being recruited by some of the biggest programs in the country, and why Roy Williams ultimately convinced a California kid to call Kansas home. He shares stories from his years with the Jayhawks before diving into his NBA career, including the unforgettable Sacramento Kings teams and the controversial 2002 Western Conference Finals against Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers.

Then we head off the court. Scot pulls back the curtain on his experience competing on Survivor, including the strategy, relationships and reality of how contestants can be portrayed once the show is edited.

But the most powerful part of Scot's story came years later.

Scot opens up about his battle with heart failure, the long road that eventually led to a heart transplant, and how receiving a second chance at life completely changed his perspective. He discusses the realities transplant families face, his health today, and the work being done through Pearls of Life to support organ donation, transplant education and families going through the process.

From Allen Fieldhouse and the NBA playoffs to Survivor and ultimately fighting for his life, this is a story about family, resilience, perspective and making the most of the bonus days we're given.

Old Man Strength is sponsored by KnoPros Remodeling, Jenny Farrell RE/MAX Concepts, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, and Revelton Distilling Company — LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.

What happens when life forces you to start over?

This week on Old Man Strength, Chris Shipley and Aaron Wall sit down with Melissa Merrifield—entrepreneur, marketing leader, founder of the Des Moines Whiskey Festival, and the self-proclaimed "Biz Boss."

Melissa shares the defining moments that reshaped her life and career, from burnout in corporate America and personal adversity to taking ownership of life's toughest lessons and building a thriving business rooted in authenticity. It's an honest conversation about resilience, leadership, second chances, and why your greatest setbacks can become the foundation for your greatest successes.

If you've ever wondered what comes after life's biggest challenges, this episode is for you.

Sponsored by Styled by JJ Boutique, Jenny Farrell RE/MAX Concepts, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, and Revelton Distilling Company.

LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.

Caitlin Clark is a needle-mover who’s brought unprecedented attention, ratings, and revenue to the WNBA—but the conversation around her has turned into a toxic stew of social media outrage, double standards, and cultural flashpoints.

In this episode of Old Man Strength, host Chris Shipley is joined by Heather Burnside, Iowa State legend Marcus Fizer, and die-hard Hawkeye fan Bill Blank for an unfiltered discussion. They dig into the physicality of the pro game versus college, whether the league and its referees were ready for this moment, the loud minority online, race and sexuality dynamics, the delayed Nike signature shoe, Commissioner Kathy Engelbert’s handling of the boom, and why so many new fans (and critics) still don’t understand what they’re watching.

No scripts. No filters. Just real talk from sports to culture.

Sponsored by Styled by JJ Boutique, Jenny Farrel REMAX Concepts, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, and Revelton Distilling Company.LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studio.

Aaron Lombard joins Chris Shipley live from the Williams Syndrome Association Convention in Buffalo, New York (2026) for a powerful, real-talk episode of Old Man Strength.

Aaron shares his journey as the older sibling to his sister Courtney “Coco,” growing up in New Orleans, navigating a late diagnosis in the early 80s, moving the family to Phoenix, and stepping up as a fierce advocate. From the challenges of the special needs system and red tape to the life-changing impact of WSA conventions and Zoom “Dream Team” calls, this conversation is full of perspective, humor, and heart.

They dive into sibling dynamics, step-parenting twins with Williams Syndrome, the importance of community and support, baseball roots (including Aaron’s work with Oakley and Ken Griffey Jr.’s HBCU Classic), and why advocacy and awareness matter — especially around DEI and resources for families.

Raw, honest, and inspiring — this one will make you laugh, think, and appreciate the strength it takes to show up for family.

LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.

Sponsors:Powered by Revelton Distilling Company • Iowa Beef Steakhouse • Styled by JJ Boutique • Jenny Farrell – RE/MAX Concepts

Full episode on YouTube & all podcast platforms.Leave a review, share with someone who needs to hear it, and consider supporting the Williams Syndrome Association.

In this raw and reflective episode of Old Man Strength, Chris Shipley sits down with Sean Roberts — the longtime voice of Des Moines sports radio at KXNO. Sean opens up about his unlikely journey from the Chicago suburbs with Navy dreams to Grandview University baseball and broadcasting, rising from board op to afternoon host and Program Director.

He shares the shock and surprising relief of the recent end of his KXNO chapter, how meeting his wife Kaylee at Beer Can Alley changed everything, raising their son Miles, and the powerful life lessons from his late father — including the unforgettable sixth-grade baseball benching story that taught him about being a teammate over being the star.

Sean talks old-school vs. modern parenting, what “Old Man Strength” really means, and why supporting local advertisers is the key to keeping real sports talk alive in Iowa.

Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios and powered by Revelton Distilling Company.

Sponsored by: Revelton Distilling Company, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, Jenny Farrell – RE/MAX Concepts, and Styled by JJ Boutique.

Drop a comment with your favorite Sean Roberts memory or what you want to hear from him next. Full episode links and more at 3 Beards Media.

#OldManStrength #SeanRoberts #KXNO #DesMoinesSportsRadio #IowaRadio #Fatherhood #OldManStrengthPodcast

In this candid, no-filters episode of Old Man Strength, hosts Tim Johnson and Chris Shipley sit down with Ross Eveland, Democratic candidate for Story County Supervisor, for a real conversation about local government, why he’s running, and the issues that actually affect everyday Iowans.

Ross shares his rural roots growing up on a century farm near Oskaloosa, his time at Iowa State, and the path that led him through substitute teaching, Instacart/Walmart deliveries, and umpiring baseball and football (including college games). He explains what county supervisors actually do — managing budgets, secondary roads, planning & zoning, and property taxes — and why he believes competitive races and representation from outside Ames are essential, especially after recent district changes.

The conversation dives deep into the issues Ross is prioritizing:

• Expanding mental health services and first-responder training in rural Story County
• Improving roads, bridges, and infrastructure
• Tax rate transparency and fiscal responsibility
• Strong opposition to large data centers and their impact on water, electricity rates, farmland, and long-term local jobs
• Cutting through partisan noise to actually listen to constituents

Ross also opens up about the importance of checking in on friends and family for mental health, the critical shortage of sports officials, and why everyday people should consider running for local office to give voters real choices on the ballot.

Recorded live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios and powered by Revelton Distilling Company. Sponsored by Iowa Beef Steakhouse, Jenny Farrell with RE/MAX Concepts, and Styled by JJ Boutique.

If you care about local government, rural Iowa issues, or just want an honest conversation about what county supervisors actually do, this one’s worth your time.

Subscribe to Old Man Strength for more unfiltered talk from Three Beards Media. New episodes weekly.

Join Tim Johnson and Chris Shipley LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios for Episode 7.10 of Old Man Strength with Iowa media legend Maxwell Schaffer.

From his early days as a pipsqueak in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to becoming a radio staple for over 42 years, Maxwell shares his journey through theater, music, family moves, and building a life in Iowa. They dive into the evolution of radio (from spinning vinyl disco records to digital and AI), the lost art of going out to experience live theater and local music, and what he wants to be when he "grows up" — producing plays and acting.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:Revelton Distilling Company, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage, US FEX Shipping, Jenny Farrell at REMAX Concepts, Styled by JJ Boutique

LIVE from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios. Real talk, no filters.

In this episode of Old Man Strength, Chris Shipley is joined by Bill Blank as they sit down with former professional baseball player, Iowa State Representative, and Congressional candidate J.D. Scholten.

J.D. shares his incredible journey—from growing up with a coach for a dad, starring at Nebraska and reaching the College World Series, to pitching independent ball in Canada and the Netherlands, and then making history in his mid-40s by becoming the oldest player in Sioux City Explorers history and the only active state legislator to play pro baseball. He recounts the wild story of his game-worn hat surviving a bus fire and ending up in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The conversation dives deep into politics, including his 2018 campaign against Steve King that shocked the district, the current state of the Democratic Party in Iowa, campaign finance reform, public education vs. vouchers, healthcare access, and why rural Iowa has shifted so dramatically. J.D. also opens up about family, motivation, authenticity in politics, and what’s next after deciding not to seek re-election.

Raw, honest, funny, and full of real talk—no scripts, no filters. This is Old Man Strength at its best.

Sponsored by:

• Revelton Distilling Company
• We Will Pizza
• Styled by JJ Boutique
• Jenny Farrell Team at RE/MAX Concepts
• Iowa Beef Steakhouse
• US Fex Shipping AI
• Kyle Lehman at WinTrust Mortgage

Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.

Listen now for baseball stories, political insight, and old-school Midwest grit.

Turn it up and lock in.

We go old school with Aaron, Tim and Chris discuss their ailments as old men, the lessons they try to teach their kids from their experiences and discuss the best shows they are currently watching. Sponsored by Revelton Distilling, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, Kyle Lehman at Wintrust Mortgage, Jenny Farrell REMAX Concepts, Styled by JJ Boutique, We Will Pizza, Live from the AKC Andrew Downs Studios.