In this episode of pplpod, we step into the cage with John "Big John" McCarthy, widely considered one of the greatest and most recognizable referees in combat sports history. We explore his journey from serving as an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department to officiating the lawless early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, starting with UFC 2 in 1993.

Join us as we discuss how McCarthy helped save the sport by creating the Unified Rules of MMA and the story behind his iconic catchphrase, "Let's get it on". We also cover the origin of his nickname—given to him by UFC co-founder Art Davie after McCarthy forcibly lifted him into the air—and his life after refereeing, including his work as a commentator for the PFL and co-host of the Weighing In podcast.

In this episode of pplpod, we step into the ring to profile Jonathan Fatu, better known to the world as Jimmy Uso. As a member of the legendary Anoa'i family and son of Hall of Famer Rikishi, wrestling was in his blood, but his journey to the top was anything but a straight line.

Join us as we break down the career of one-half of the greatest tag team of the modern era. We discuss:

• The Rise of The Usos: From their debut in 2010 to reinventing themselves with the "Day One Ish" attitude, eventually setting the all-time record for a tag team championship reign at 622 days.

• The Bloodline Saga: We analyze Jimmy’s pivotal role in WWE’s most cinematic faction, his emotional "Civil War" against cousin Roman Reigns, and the dramatic split that forced him to fight his own twin brother, Jey, at WrestleMania XL.

• Controversy and Comebacks: We touch on his personal struggles with legal issues and injuries, and how they paved the way for his massive face turn and reunion with the original Bloodline.

• The 2025 Reunion: We cover the latest chapter in his story, where Jimmy and Jey reunited to capture the World Tag Team Championship once again in late 2025.

Tune in for a deep dive into the life of the man who went from the spotlight to the penitentiary and back again.

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life of "Big Bill" Lister (Weldon E. Lister), the honky-tonk singer nicknamed "Radio's Tallest Singing Cowboy" for standing over 6-foot-7.

Tune in to hear the incredible story of Lister’s relationship with country legend Hank Williams, Sr., for whom he served as an opening act in 1951. We detail how Lister was given a demo recording of "There's a Tear in My Beer" by Williams, only for Lister's wife to discover the long-lost tape in their attic nearly 40 years later.

We discuss how this discovery led to the massive 1989 hit featuring a "virtual" duet between Hank Williams, Jr. and his late father, which won a Grammy and multiple CMA awards. Finally, we cover Lister's departure from music in the 1960s to become a master firearms engraver, and his eventual return to the recording studio in the 1980s.

On this episode of pplpod, we look back at ¡Ask a Mexican!, the syndicated satirical column that transformed from a 2004 spoof in the OC Weekly into a cultural phenomenon. We discuss how author Gustavo Arellano tackled reader questions regarding Mexican-American customs, labor, and immigration with a politically incorrect wit, famously addressing his readers as "Dear Gabacho". Tune in to learn about the column's critical acclaim—ranging from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies awards to a Latino Spirit award—and the principled stand Arellano took in 2017 that led to his resignation from the paper that owned the column's trademark.

What happens when citizens decide that moral criticism of terrorism isn’t enough? This week on pplpod, we dive into the history of ¡Basta Ya! (Enough is Enough!), the Spanish grassroots organization formed to oppose ETA terrorism and defend the rule of law.

Join us as we explore how this diverse civic initiative united people across political ideologies to support victims of violence and uphold the Spanish Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country. We cover the group's massive mobilization efforts—including the 100,000-person demonstration in San Sebastián—and their opposition to the political proposals of President Juan José Ibarretxe.

Finally, we look at the organization's international recognition as a recipient of the 2000 Sakharov Prize and discuss their decision to dissolve in 2007 after declaring that the threat to Spanish citizens had diminished.

In this episode, we explore the history behind T-Ski Valley's "Catch the Beat," a groundbreaking 1981 track that captures the post-disco Bronx era of rap. We discuss how the artist—originally known as Tyrone—went from setting up a breakbeat section in Brad Osborne's store to recording at Blank Tape Studios, the same location used by disco acts like the Salsoul Orchestra.

Join us as we break down:

• The Production: How producer Brad Osborne and T-Ski Valley utilized a sample from Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat" to create an early rap favorite.

• The Reception: The song's rise as a "huge hit in the black community" and its placement in the East Coast Dance Music Top Ten in 1981.

• The Legacy: From its 1984 success on the UK disco charts to being sampled in over 82 recordings—including tracks by will.i.am—and its 2002 "Old School" remix by Dimitri from Paris.

"There’s not a soul out there" who hasn't heard that opening synthesizer riff. This week on pplpod, we are diving deep into ABBA’s 1979 disco masterpiece, "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)."

Join us as we explore how a demo originally titled "Rubber Ball Man" transformed into a gothic tale of loneliness and sexual frustration, heavily inspired by Donna Summer’s "Hot Stuff." We discuss the song's complicated release history, including why it topped the charts in Europe and Japan but was cancelled in the United States due to the "Disco Demolition" backlash.

Plus, we break down the track's enduring legacy—from its status as a gay anthem to the rare moment Benny and Björn allowed Madonna to sample it for "Hung Up." We also touch on covers by Cher and the A-Teens, and uncover a "nerdy" Easter egg that hid inside the Linux operating system for years.

On this episode of pplpod, we unwrap the career of Ron Reis, a 7'2" giant who had one of the most memorable—and bizarre—runs in WCW history. We trace his journey from playing NCAA basketball at Santa Clara University to the squared circle, where he was trained by legend Big John Studd.

Join us as we break down his infamous 1995 debut at Halloween Havoc, where he broke out of a block of ice as "The Yeti" to apply a double-bearhug on Hulk Hogan. We also discuss his confusing repackaging as The Super Giant Ninja, his tenure as the outcast "Reese" in Raven’s Flock, and his later career on the independent circuit. Whether you know him as a mummy, a ninja, or a grunger, this is the story of professional wrestling’s most versatile giant.

In this episode of pplpod, we explore ¡Ciaütistico!, the 2005 debut album from XXL—a collaborative project between the Italian experimental rock band Larsen and the American band Xiu Xiu. Recorded in Turin, Italy, this post-rock album features vocals from Caralee McElroy and Jamie Stewart, including a notable cover of Adam and the Ants' "Prince Charming". We take a look at the tracklist, from "Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw" to "Distorted Duck," examining this unique experimental rock effort released on Important Records.

This week on pplpod, we travel to the small Castilian town of Villar del Río to discuss Luis García Berlanga’s 1953 satirical masterpiece, Welcome Mr. Marshall! (¡Bienvenido, Mister Marshall!).

Join us as we unpack how a village decided to don fake Andalusian costumes and hire a flamenco star to impress visiting American diplomats, hoping to secure a piece of the Marshall Plan pie. We explore how this absurdist comedy managed to slip biting anti-Francoist social criticism past the censors by disguising itself as a critique of the United States.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Great Masquerade: Why a Castilian village redecorated itself with stereotypes to appeal to American visitors.

• Surreal Dreams: Breaking down the characters' anxieties, from the Mayor’s Western bar brawl to the Priest’s jazz-fueled run-in with the KKK and the Committee on Un-American Activities.

• Cannes Controversy: The story of how actor Edward G. Robinson reportedly blocked the film’s award at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival due to McCarthy-era fears of "anti-Americanism".

• Production Secrets: How Berlanga filmed in Guadalix de la Sierra using real villagers who, in one famous scene, ignored the script to ask for the things they actually needed.

Tune in to find out why the American motorcade never stopped, leaving the town with nothing but debts and decorations.