Part of the Experience

"We‘re Gonna Do Part of the Hot Ones Experience" — We turn up the heat in this episode as Russell, Hayward, and Nathan take on a full-blown Hot Ones style wing challenge in honor of Oxford’s upcoming Hot Sauce Festival. The crew surprises Russell for his birthday, sparking stories between tears, laughs, and a lineup of fiery sauces (yes, even The Bomb). Along the way, Russell shares wild tales—from punk rock days and disc golf glory to goat encounters and a legendary rotten potato incident.

"Then I Realized I Hate This" — In this episode, we sit down with Chad Smith to hear the remarkable story of how a health crisis, a cross-country move, and a leap of faith led him from Vermont and Boston to Oxford. Chad opens up about his wife’s life-saving transplant, his decades of experience in design and construction, and how he’s found new purpose in a small town through disc golf, community, and creativity. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and deeply human conversation about change, support, and starting over.

"I Made These Awesome Chrome Fangs" — Tommy joins us in the studio to reflect on a remarkable journey that took him and his family from coast to coast in the aftermath of the Covid era. He shares vivid stories from his days in the early ’90s music scene with his band As Yet Untitled, delves into his dental career, and recounts some wild celebrity encounters—like crafting fangs for Al Jourgensen. From band practice in Sacramento to life next to an alpaca ranch in the mountains, this episode is a ride through unexpected turns and unforgettable tales.

"I’m Just Gonna Live Here on This Boat Forever" — With fire season ramping up, Joe joins Russell and Chad to share the origin story of Ember Flash Aerospace—the groundbreaking company he co-founded that's changing the game in climate disaster response. He reflects on his winding journey across multiple states (and even life aboard a boat) before finally settling in Oxford. Along the way, the conversation drifts into fire response tech, the potential of AI, and a shared appreciation for Waterworld. Joe also recounts the time he scaled a water tower, while the crew dives into topics like being proudly anti-sleeping in, crokinole, and the unmatched greatness of pontoon boats.

"Just Imagine if People Were Pets" — Russell and Chad settle into the studio for their first podcast without a guest. They kick things off with a lighthearted chat about pets before touching on a range of topics, from poison ivy and stitches to Native American culture and mountain men. Chad shares his journey to Oxford, and the two of them reminisce about what brought them to the Oxford Disc Golf Club. They dive into their shared love for disc golf, highlight Russell's recent tournament win, and wrap up with a reflective look at the podcast approaching its one-year anniversary.

"I'm A Logistics Guy" — Giovanni joins Russell and Chad in the studio to reflect on his remarkable 30-year career spanning two branches of the military and law enforcement. From his roots in Delaware to his current internship with the city of Oxford, he shares insights from his journey—highlighting the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and his admiration for his wife, Pat, Oxford's police chief.

"I‘ll Tell You Another Band I Can‘t Stand" — Ron returns to the studio to chat about his music podcast, Stuck in Rotation, and his session series spotlighting bands from North Carolina’s vibrant music scene. Russell and Ron reminisce about their shared experiences in the industry, swapping stories about everything from failed stage dives to hardcore fans in the pit. The guys also discuss their involvement in planning the Next Door Music Festival, share their least favorite mainstream bands, and unite in their mutual distaste for jam bands like The Grateful Dead.

"You Will Look at Me, Sidestep, and Run As Hard as You Can Into a Fence" — In this seasonally-inspired episode, Jeremy joins the podcast to share his journey as the owner of PAC Whitetails, a thriving deer farm in Oxford. From his roots in Virginia to his career as an electrical engineer, Jeremy dives into his path of professional growth and his passion for wildlife. Along the way, we explore hilarious stories of encounters with deer and goats, thoughts on live car races, growing gardens, and getting electrocuted.

"Can I Be the Little Spoon" — Dylan joins us at Next Door Studio to chat about his adventures working events and festivals for Tobacco Wood Brewing, all while poking fun at Russell's trash opinions. The conversation explores their passion for skateboarding and sports, diving into the highs and lows of playing, spectating, and dealing with the aches of getting older. Other highlights include prank phone call shenanigans and Dylan taking the ice dressed as a farm animal during a Hurricanes game intermission.

"The Only Agency Responsible for Everything and in Charge of No One" — As Western North Carolina continues to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation, this episode takes a thoughtful, reflective tone. Doug, a seasoned professional with over 30 years in emergency services, joins us to share his journey and insights. He delves into the history, evolution, and critical phases of emergency management, weaving in personal stories from his tenure as an Emergency Management Director. Paired with Russell’s recent experiences as a volunteer on the ground, this conversation promises to be both informative and impactful, shedding light on the resilience and dedication required in times of crisis.