Rick Bassman's Talking Tough

As a young boy in the Sudan, EMMANUEL JAL saw his family murdered before his very eyes by rebel “soldiers.” He was kidnapped, forcibly addicted to drugs, and turned into a killing machine. He is now a world-respected peace activist, and a recording artist on-the-rise promoting love wherever he goes. And, Emmanuel is daily expanding his ever-more-popular meditation system. He lives to promote a message of tolerance, and has recruited notables such as Richard Branson, Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter to his “We Want Peace” cause.

The iconic Jake “The Snake” Roberts needs no introduction; his fame precedes him and his life has been an open book. Jake’s story lends itself perfectly to the flavor of Talking Tough. At a time where he truly seems to have taken stock of his life, Rick and Jake have a conversation that may go deeper than ever into the man behind the myth.

Having left an indelible mark worldwide as an actor and fashion model, Kala is best-known and respected as the Founder –and chief enforcer—of Hawaii’s notorious Wolf Pac, and as the Founder of the Maui Ola Foundation, which teaches surfing to children with cystic fibrosis.

Whether peeling down the face of a 50’ wave or taking visitors out on the deep blue on one of his boats, Kala has earned the well-deserved reputation as equal parts iron fist and equal parts benevolent steward of the Hawaiian way of life.

On Talking Tough, Rick talks with Kala about weathering several lifetimes worth of gut-wrenching loss and tragedy, and emerging on the other side with an unparalleled enthusiasm for doing the right thing, and for life.

David “Tank” Abbott is the true, street-brawling, original “tough guy” of the UFC. Becoming an icon for what the populace perceived as his thuggish, bullying ways and anti-hero persona, we learn on Talking Tough that Tank was just “being myself.” But we also learn that Dave Abbott –the person—is soft-spoken, incredibly introspective, and truly cares about his friends, and humanity.

Rick and Tank talk about:

their experiences together, in which Rick characterizes him as always reliable, intelligent and professional

the definition of “being tough”

lots of drinking stories

why Tank was –and is—always filling to fight on a moment’s notice

details of Tank’s recent, near-death medical travails –including twice having actually “died”—and an exploration of whether the experience has changed him

the public’s perception of Tank Abbott, and Dave Abbott’s perception of himself

turning down WWF’s offer to fight in The Brawl for All at Wrestle Mania, and the story of how –and why—he went to WCW

Rick’s conversation with Tank perfectly illustrates the concept of TALKING TOUGH… “The Worlds’ TOUGHEST Men (and Women) at their most VULNERABLE,” and proves the old adage that “you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

From construction worker, to the biggest TV star in America, and back to construction worker. And happier for it.

That’s as good a description as you’ll get on the enigmatic –and somewhat reclusive-- Evan Marriott, who gained overnight fame, and fortune, as “Joe Millionaire.” Named VH1’s “Reality Superstar of the Decade,” Evan lived an idyllic childhood in Virginia, moved to California to work in construction, and by accident was thrust into the spotlight. And thus, his life unraveled. Achieving fame and fortune, and then seeing most of that go away, Evan found a return to the simple life, and happiness.

Evan and Rick, longtime friends with an easy rapport, talk about:

Expectations, disappointment and ultimately, acceptance

Money, how we take it for granted, and its real value

Was “Joe Millionaire” the ladies’ man that people believed him to be?

Friendship

Why simple is best

Mark Kerr, known variably as “The Smashing Machine” and “The Specimen,” is a very definite contradiction in terms. On one hand, as the one-time “baddest man on the planet,” Mark looked like comic icon Hellboy, come to life. And he lived that life in a self-imposed hell of his own making, which was painfully chronicled in the cautionary, eponymous documentary, “The Smashing Machine.” On the other hand, Mark is an incredibly cultured, deeply introspective and highly intelligent individual, which has made him more sensitive than most to life’s highs and lows.

On Talking Tough, Mark and Rick talk openly about:

Drug use, and abuse

Irresponsibility, and accountability

Tall tales from the days of UFC and PRIDE

Successful fatherhood

The “comeback” each has made in his life, which includes Mark partnering with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who will portray Mark in an upcoming, major motion picture

Ultimately, owning up to being a man, and a responsible citizen

Rick and Mark have a long-lasting and deep connection, which is reflected in this exceptionally candid conversation.

From portraying pop culture phenomenons like Mortal Kombat’s Motaro and the iconic Malibu of The American Gladiators, to a hellish descent to addiction and near-suicidal depression, and ultdimaely, a phoenix-like rise from the ashes, DERON McBEE has been there and done that. Beneath the massive, Viking-like exterior lies a deep intellect and an even deeper soul.

On the Talking Tough Podcast, Rick and Deron explore:

What it means to succeed, and especially, to fail

Coming back from the abyss

Overcoming addiction, and reaching to others to be of service

The loss of Deron’s wife at an early age, and raising his children on his own

Spirituality vs religion

Recorded on Valentine’s day while both were going through break-ups with his significant other, Deron and Rick (half) jokingly refer to their conversation as “Lovelorn-Tough Guys-pour-their-shattered-hearts-out-but-we-truly-love-the-fairer-sex-anyways Valentine’s Day interview...

Now a successful Minister and certified Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Counselor, Deron hosts "The Issues of Life Podcast with host Deron "Malibu" McBee, where he and his guests discuss the current affairs, and dealing with addiction and recovery and from a decidedly Christian world view.

Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant DEON JOSEPH looks like he walked off the pages of a superhero comic book. Known as the “Angel of Skid Row,” Deon manages the nation’s toughest police beat with a heart of gold.

On the Talking Tough Podcast, Rick talks with Deon about:

His true feelings about the people on Skid Row, and his personal relationships with them

His upbringing, which included living with a father who was engaged in a life of crime

His family’s turnaround, and their turn to a spiritual life

The palpable danger of patrolling Skid Row

His belief that every person has hope, no matter how far they’ve fallen

His hopes for humanity

From http://www.deonjoseph.org/about... Officer Deon Joseph is a law enforcement consultant who has worked for the LAPD for over 24 years, twenty-two of those years in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row community. From patrolling the streets or providing a shoulder for the community to lean on to meeting with public figures and advocating for change, Deon is driven to create an environment conducive to change for the homeless and those trying to reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction. He is an honest, faithful, passionate and caring man – traits he pours into his daily life and activities.

Introducing 2020’s most outrageous and thought-provoking new podcast, Rick Bassman’s Talking Tough.  Featuring the WORLD’S TOUGHEST men and women, at their most-vulnerable.

The leaders of The Hells Angels and the Navy Seals, of the Crips street gang, and of our nation’s most-under-fire police departments.

Each of these amazing individuals have risen to the very top of his or her world, and crashed to the bottom in spectacular fashion.

The most-notable collection of guests ever assembled for a Podcast’s inaugural season, from WWE Superstars and UFC Legends, hear the stories of how they rose to the pinnacles of their chosen professions, to Holocaust Survivors and former Child Soldiers, transitioning from a “normal” life, to the most-horrific existence that life can bring.

Talking Tough peels back the surface of these seemingly TOUGHEST of men and women, going deep to reveal the vulnerability beneath… the failures, the pain, the shame, and ultimately… the strength, the resilience and the heart which enabled them to fight their back to the top.  To life.

Equal parts entertainment and inspiration… the most outrageous and thought-provoking podcast of 2020… Rick Bassman’s Talking Tough!