Passion Pod

Comedy magician Justin Willman — star of Netflix's Magic for Humans — joins host Chris Johnson at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire, WI, recorded live before his show.

They get into how Justin traveled with up to 14 doves and snuck them onto airplanes, what made him drop the name "Justin Kredible" for his real name, how he landed Cupcake Wars and nearly got his own Comedy Central variety show, and how he became the first magician to have a special on Netflix.

Also in this episode: his favorite memory with the Obamas, the story behind his viral wedding dance, a run-in with Weird Al, and the tricks and pranks that went spectacularly wrong.

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In Episode 237 of Passion Pod, illustrator Robb Mommaerts shares his journey from getting paid for his artwork and published in a newspaper during high school to building a career in graphic design, children’s books, games, and illustration. Robb discusses illustrating the first Hodag book, growing an audience on DeviantArt, working with Cryptozoic on Food Fight and Epic Spell Wars as R.S. Bixby, illustrating the Klawde Evil Alien Warlord Cat series, how he designs characters like Mummy Man, and more.

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Episode 236 of the Passion Pod features Richie Murphy—a football player and content creator who shares what it takes to pursue a professional career after college while building an audience online.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Richie and Chris discuss the realities of chasing big goals, creating content, dealing with criticism, and finding ways to make a living from your passion.

We talk about:

• Richie’s decision to pursue professional football after college
• How much clickbait is acceptable—and where to draw the line
• Handling trolls and negativity online
• How Richie makes money from his content
• His favorite Chicago Bears players
• His thoughts on the NFC North this season
• The best celebrations in football
• His best and worst plays
• The challenges of building a career around sports and content creation
• And much more!

If you enjoy inspiring conversations with people pursuing unique careers and passions, make sure to like this episode, subscribe to the Passion Pod, and leave a comment sharing your favorite football player or celebration.

Rapper Khary returns to the Passion Pod to talk about his journey from Rhode Island to New York and Los Angeles, working at The FADER, building an independent music career, creative evolution, skating, live performances, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with artists and creators pursuing their passions.

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Professional skateboarder Nicole Hause from Stillwater, Minnesota joins Chris on Passion Pod for an honest conversation about her journey through professional skateboarding, competing around the world, and building a career around her passion.

Nicole shares what it was like skating with Tony Hawk at just 13 years old, earning $30,000 from appearing in a Subway commercial, and street skating with the REAL Skateboards team. She also talks about designing her own Nike SB Dunk colorway, launching the hardware brand LOOP with her friends, and the experiences that helped shape her career as a professional skateboarder.

Nicole and Chris also discuss the challenges of tearing her ACL, the difficult road to recovery, and what it takes to keep moving forward after a major injury. Plus, Nicole talks about her podcast No Big Deal and the stories behind her life, career, and creative projects.

If you love skateboarding, inspiring career stories, professional athletes, or conversations about turning your passion into a life, this episode is for you.

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Pony Lawson has been tattooing almost 25 years — but his road to owning Mayday Tattoo Studio in Chicago started in a tiny Indiana town, involved dropping out of school, picking up his first machine at 14, and sleeping in his car on the streets of Chicago. This episode is a raw, unfiltered look at what it actually takes to build a career doing something you love when the odds are stacked against you.

Chris and Pony cover the full story: Ink Master Season 16 behind the scenes, judging drama, favorite canvases, and the tattoos that stood out most. They also dig into Pony's signature gold and chrome tattoo style — including the viral butt plug tattoo, the origin of his gold balloon dog work, and why he thinks certain styles are the hardest to master. Plus, Pony breaks down his YouTube show Ultimate Tattoo Battle, his deep Robocop obsession, and his honest takes on the best and worst of Ink Master overall.

If you love tattooing, unique career stories, or just want to hear from someone who's truly earned their place in the industry — this one's for you.

Subscribe so you never miss a new episode of Passion Pod.

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Tom Richmond is one of the most recognized caricature artists alive. For over 20 years he's been a staple of MAD Magazine, drawing parodies of shows like Stranger Things, The Sopranos, and Lost. He was the president of the National Caricature Network, author of the definitive caricature guide The Mad Art of Caricature, and has worked for everyone from Scholastic to Sports Illustrated Kids.

In this episode, Tom talks about starting out at Six Flags, the long road to breaking into MAD, what it was like when JJ Abrams called him personally, why Aerosmith killed a Disney project over vanity, and what AI really means for illustration careers.

What we cover:

40 years of caricature and freelance illustration

Behind the scenes at MAD Magazine

Celebrity stories: Brian Cranston, James Gandolfini, Aerosmith

Turning down Weird Al and working with Jeff Dunham

The CNN History of the Sitcom Times Square billboard

His new podcast for cartoonists and his sold-out book Clap Trap

Tom Richmond's work: tomrichmond.com

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Deanna James — 2-time Ink Master contestant (Seasons 10 & 14) and owner of Eden Body Art Studios — sits down with Chris Johnson on the Passion Pod for a raw, inspiring conversation about turning a passion into a career.

From oil painting classes at Hobby Lobby to tattooing paintings on skin worldwide, Deanna opens up about surviving a brutal apprenticeship, the truth behind Ink Master, building a 15-person non-tattooing staff at her Dallas studio, and why she spent years tattooing mastectomy nipple restorations for free.

If you're an artist, aspiring tattooer, or anyone chasing a passion-driven career — this one's for you.

In this episode:

The reality of tattoo apprenticeships & hazing culture

Behind the scenes of Ink Master Seasons 10 & 14

How to build a tattoo business that actually works

Overcoming health struggles, rejection & public criticism

Why gatekeeping in creative industries is holding everyone back

🎙️ Passion Pod | New episodes weekly

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Chris Johnson sits down with tattoo icon and 3-time Ink Master champion (and current judge!) DJ Tambe at the Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. DJ gets candid about his road to sobriety, what it was really like competing on Best Ink and Ink Master, the hardest judging decisions he's ever had to make, getting paid $50,000 by Subway, living in a house with 20 tattoo artists, and what it felt like to finally get the call to be a judge.

If you love tattoo culture, comeback stories, and behind-the-scenes TV drama — this one's for you.

Follow DJ Tambe: @DJTambe

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