Comedian Ryan Goodcase—winner of the World Series of Comedy and featured at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival—joins Passion Pod for a hilarious and honest conversation about life as a stand-up comic. Hear Ryan’s behind-the-scenes stories, viral moments, and the ups and downs of building a comedy career. From embarrassing stage mishaps to real talk about social media, ticket sales, and creative pressure, this episode is packed with laughs and insights for comedy fans and aspiring creators.

Connect with Passion Pod:

Instagram: @passionpod

TikTok: @passionpodofficial

YouTube: Passion Pod

Website: passionpod.org

Follow and subscribe for more inspiring interviews with passionate creators and artists!

Episode 206 – 414 Big Frank: From Walmart to Viral Milwaukee Rap Star

Milwaukee rap artist 414 Big Frank has been lighting up the internet with his viral songs, dance videos, and big personality. His breakout hit “Backpack” put him on the map in 2022, and his latest single “There It Is” has already racked up over 2,000,000 streams on Spotify in just a few months.

In this episode of Passion Pod, Frank opens up about his wild journey so far — from clocking in (and stealing from) Walmart to becoming one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable rap voices. We dive into:

• How he found the beat for “Backpack” on YouTube and why he still has to split the money
• The story behind “There It Is” and going viral on social media
• His favorite celebrity encounters and Milwaukee rappers
• His most memorable performances and music videos
• Losing his Instagram account and getting arrested after committing a crime on IG Live
• The origin of the ski goggles he always wears
• What makes Milwaukee rap different from everywhere else

If you love authentic come-up stories, Midwest rap, and unfiltered honesty, this episode is for you.

Charlie Berens joins Chris Johnson for a deep dive into comedy, confidence, and the chaos of a busy creative career. In this episode, Charlie shares his most embarrassing moment on stage, his favorite memory of bringing his grandma up during a show, and what it felt like to step onto Lambeau Field for the first time. He also talks about his new animated movie on Netflix, why stand-up comedy is the most important part of his career, how he deals with imposter syndrome, and how he juggles touring, content creation, acting, and real life.

If you’re a fan of Charlie Berens, Midwest humor, stand-up comedy, or honest conversations about what it really takes to build a creative career, you’ll get a ton out of this episode.

🎣 T Fish: My Journey to Catch 1,000 Fish on Camera | Passion Pod Ep. 204 🎣

In this inspiring episode of Passion Pod, host Chris Johnson sits down with David Tiefenthaler—a dedicated fisherman, 7th grade English teacher, and long-time content creator from Wisconsin. David, known online as T Fish, has spent nearly a decade sharing his fishing adventures and expertise with the world.

After completing an incredible challenge of catching 50 different fish species in Wisconsin, David is now on a bold new mission: to catch 1,000 unique species of fish on camera, creating a video for each one. His journey blends education, adventure, and a deep love for the outdoors, offering both tips for fellow anglers and stories that spark curiosity about the natural world.

In this episode, David opens up about:

How an injury shifted his passion from running to fishing

The origins of his content creation journey

His favorite fish to catch (and why!)

Memorable fishing stories and lessons learned along the way

The challenges and excitement of setting—and chasing—big goals

Whether you’re a fishing enthusiast, an aspiring creator, or just love a great story about following your passion, this episode is for you!

Episode 203: Sam Demma — Inspiring Youth, Redefining Success, and Being Someone’s Taco

In this episode of Passion Pod, we sit down with Sam Demma, a world-traveling Canadian youth keynote speaker who has delivered hundreds of speeches to inspire and empower young people across the globe. Sam is the author of the self-help book Empty Your Backpack, a must-read for young adults looking to unlock their potential, and he’s just released his first children’s book, Be Someone’s Taco.

Join us as Sam shares his most memorable moments on stage, the life lessons he’s learned from speaking to diverse audiences, and how his perspective on life and success has evolved over the last few years. We dive into why success looks different for everyone, the importance of self-discovery, and the power of making a positive impact—no matter your age.

Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical advice, and a fresh take on what it means to live a life full of purpose and passion.

In this episode, Chris Johnson sits down with Wisconsin’s own Michael Perry—best-selling author of Population 485, celebrated music artist, and humorist known for his wit and wisdom. Mike shares what it was like growing up on a farm and how those rural roots shaped his creative journey.

Discover how Mike hustled his way into a writing career, taking every job he could find, and hear about his early influences—including a unique friendship with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Mike opens up about the inspiration behind his new book, Improbable Mentors, and the surprising story of why he turned down an invitation to appear on the Oprah show.

The conversation also dives into Mike’s relationship with PBS Wisconsin, where he crafts original comedy content, and his personal picks for favorite artists and music venues across the Midwest. From laughter to life lessons, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories and creative inspiration.

Tune in for:

• Growing up on a Wisconsin farm
• Mike’s first steps into writing and storytelling
• Building a career by saying yes to every opportunity
• Friendship and collaboration with Justin Vernon
• Behind the scenes of Improbable Mentors
• Turning down the Oprah show
• Creating comedy for PBS Wisconsin
• Midwest music, venues, and more

Episode 201: Embracing the Okayest—Hunting, Humor, and Community with Eric Clark & Tyler Mieden

Join Chris Johnson as he sits down with Eric Clark and Tyler Mieden, the passionate duo behind the Okayest Hunter brand. In this episode, Eric and Tyler open up about their very first hunting experiences and the serendipitous way they met, leading to the birth of a brand that celebrates authenticity in the hunting community.

Discover the story behind Eric’s "Where to Hunt" app and how it evolved into a podcast, plus the surprising impact of online shaming that inspired the Okayest Hunter movement. The conversation gets real about the power of positive messages from fans who finally feel seen and supported, thanks to Okayest Hunter’s mission.

Expect plenty of laughs as Eric and Tyler share their funniest hunting mistakes, poke fun at industry gimmicks, and reflect on the joy of not taking themselves—or hunting—too seriously. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or just love a good story about turning challenges into community, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace your own “okayest” moments.

Tune in for:

• First hunting stories & how Eric and Tyler met
• The evolution from app to podcast
• How online shaming sparked a movement
• Messages from fans who found confidence through Okayest Hunter
• Gimmicks, goofs, and the funniest hunting mistakes
• And much more!

How do you go from quitting the sport you love to becoming a full-time professional bowler? Kelly Whipple’s journey is all about resilience, rediscovery, and rolling with the punches—literally.

Kelly, a Sheboygan, Wisconsin native, first picked up a bowling ball at age 3, but it wasn’t until a coworker at McDonald’s convinced her to join the middle school team that her true bowling journey began. Despite a rocky start, Kelly’s relentless practice paid off—culminating in a high school state championship and a standout collegiate career at UW Whitewater, where she was named D3 Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

But the path wasn’t always smooth. After her worst season as a junior, Kelly nearly walked away from the sport. Instead, she started a bowling Instagram to rediscover the fun, connected with new coaches, and made a stunning comeback her senior year. Now, as a full-time pro bowler, she’s turning heads on the lanes and online.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Kelly’s early years and the unlikely McDonald’s moment that brought her back to bowling
• The grind from middle school beginner to high school state champ
• College bowling highs and lows: awards, setbacks, and comebacks
• Living with and caring for her grandparents while chasing her dreams
• How hating to be bad at anything fueled her growth
• Getting sponsored by Kwik Trip and navigating funny online comments
• Bowling through the pandemic (including some epic Wii Bowling)
• The astonishing comeback that changed her pro career trajectory
• Almost becoming an insurance agent—and why she didn’t
• Using social media jobs to level up her own brand
• What it really means to be a professional bowler
• How to choose the right bowling ball, and so much more

If you’re into stories of perseverance, reinvention, and chasing your passion—this episode is for you. 🎳

From summer camp curiosity to global disc golf pioneer—Terry Miller, aka “The Disc Golf Guy,” shares how a childhood passion became a lifelong career. Terry opens up about discovering the sport as a kid, competing professionally in college, and the Gary Vee spark that pushed him to launch his vlog and personal brand. He walks us through the leap of faith—quitting his IT job at Kohl’s—to pursue disc golf full-time, and the five-year grind it took to make it sustainable.

We dig into:

• Early days: falling in love with disc golf at summer camp
• The Gary Vee book that inspired his content journey
• Quitting corporate IT to chase the dream
• Building The Disc Golf Guy brand and podcast (10+ years running)
• Helping pioneer live disc golf coverage and media standards
• Favorite memories traveling the world for the sport
• The patience, resilience, and community that made it all possible

If you care about turning passion into a career—or you’re part of the disc golf community—this one’s packed with insight, heart, and history.

Episode 198: Grant Anderson – The Journey of a Brewers Relief Pitcher

In this episode, Chris sits down with Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Grant Anderson for an inside look at the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of his baseball journey. Originally from Texas, Grant opens up about growing up with his twin brother—also a pro ballplayer—and the sibling rivalry and support that shaped his early years.

Grant shares his favorite memories from high school and college baseball, the thrill of being drafted by the Seattle Mariners, and the tough moments that nearly made him walk away during his time with the Texas Rangers. He talks about the life-changing trade to the Brewers, how the coaches in Milwaukee have helped him elevate his game, and why the support of his family has been the key to his perseverance.

Hear what makes this Brewers team so special, plus Grant’s favorite memories from his career so far. Whether you’re a baseball fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with inspiration, behind-the-scenes insight, and heartfelt moments.