Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast

By Steve Koehler and Lyndal Scranton

What's Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast about?

Two regular guys talking to the biggest names in BBQ. Tips, techniques, recipes. We even cook against some of the best in the business in KCBS and SCA on occasion.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast episodes:

05.15.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 260: Kyle Matuszewski; Brad Colter, Breana Via
Episode 260 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast takes us to the Phoenix area to visit with Kyle Matuszewski, owner-operator of Your Behind BBQ restaurant in Florence. Kyle is a long-time competitor on the Steak Cookoff Association and KCBS trails...
05.08.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 259: Chris Schafer, Richard Fergola
When we’re asked about BBQ restaurant recommendations in the St. Louis area, Heavy Smoke BBQ always is at the top of our list. On Episode 259 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with Chris Schafer, the...
04.30.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 258: Brad Leighninger
One of the greatest to light a pit - and a great friend of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Show since the beginning on local, low-powered radio - joins us for an extended conversation on Episode 258. Brad Leighninger just passed...
04.24.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 257: Eric Coley
On Episode 257 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with one of world’s hottest pitmasters. Eric Coley from Alabama’s Poppa Pig BBQ is leading the KCBS Team of the Year standings with three Grand Championships and...
04.17.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 256: Jon Wade of Optimus Swine BBQ
Jon and Jason Wade of Optimus Swine BBQ out of Williamsburg, Virginia have one of the hottest competition BBQ teams around. Since moving into the KCBS Master’s division a couple of years ago, the Wades have seven Grand Championships and...
04.10.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 255: Burnt Trees BBQ, Richard Fergola
Based in north central North Dakota, Burnt Trees BBQ has a long haul no matter where it goes for a competition. But the husband-wife team of Nick and Shannon Holman is almost always a contender when it arrives, with its...
04.04.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 254: Leonard Aberman, Jeff Cohen from Baseball & BBQ
There are dozens of options available these days for BBQ-themed podcasts, unlike just a few years ago when the options were relatively limited. One of the longest-running shows is Baseball and BBQ, with co-hosts Leonard Aberman and Jeff Cohen. Combining...
03.27.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 253: Sean Ludwig & Ryan Cooper
Welcome to Episode 253 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, where we’re joined by the founders of America’s foremost weekly digital news authority on live-fire cooking. It’s been a while since we visited with Ryan Cooper and Sean Ludwig from...
03.20.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 252: Craig Verhage; Pirates of BBQ Bay
Spring has officially arrived, which means there are BBQ competitions across the land each weekend from now through early November - not to mention hundreds of thousands of backyard cooks are firing up backyard smokers and grills. On Episode 252...
03.12.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 251: Joel Fleetwood, Nick Davis, Joe Osbrink
It’s another guest-filled show on Episode 251 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Leading off is Joel Fleetwood of Meat Rushmore BBQ, which won three Grand Championships in 2023 on its way to an 11th-place finish in the KCBS Team...
03.05.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 250: Sterling Smith, Richard Fergola
On Episode 250 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with two of competition BBQ’s top pitmasters - and most-colorful characters. First up is Richard Fergola from Fergolicious BBQ and marketing director of Proud Souls BBQ and...
02.27.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 249: Harry Soo
It’s been more than a decade since we first saw Harry Soo on the groundbreaking television show BBQ Pitmasters. People still come up to Harry to talk about his experiences, especially after re-runs of the show air on the cable...
02.21.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 248: Bill Gillespie
On Episode 248 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a virtual trip to New England and talk it over with one of America’s most-accomplished competition pitmasters for nearly two decades. Bill Gillespie of Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ has Grand...
02.13.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 247: Phillip Breeden, Richard Fergola
The Kansas City Chiefs are the world champions of football, again! We’ll talk about that, plus championship BBQ on Episode 247 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Leading off our guest lineup is Phillip Breeden of LC BBQ out of...
02.06.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 246: Megan Day, Jonathon Indermuehle
Word is there’s a big football game coming up. On Episode 246 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Show Podcast, we do our best to bring you both football and food perspective from both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco...
01.31.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 245: Paul Keltner, Richard Fergola
There’s a lot of championship talk on Episode 245 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, beginning with pitmaster Paul Keltner of Rooters ’n Tooters BBQ out of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee. Paul knocked off a Grand Championship at the 61-team KCBS...
01.24.2024
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 244: Tim Scheer; Smoke 'n Magic BBQ
After a few weeks off, we are back to fire up Season 6 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast! We want to thank our listeners and sponsors from the beginning, way back in 2016 when we started the show on...
12.19.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 243: Bill Purvis, Richard Fergola
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! We hope it’s a great holiday season and a celebration of family, friends and great food! Episode 243 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast is our finale of Season 5 and it’s...
12.12.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 242: Travis Clark
It’s always an entertaining and opinionated conversation when we get together with Travis Clark, whose Clark Crew BBQ is a former American Royal World Series of BBQ and Jack Daniels World BBQ Invitational Grand Champion, along with a two-time KCBS...
12.05.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 241: Paul Buob, Thomas Gearhart, Craig Verhage
On Episode 241 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with two of the candidates for the upcoming Kansas City Barbeque Society Board of Directors election. Paul Buob from Smokin’ Ghost BBQ and Thomas Gearhart of Mudville BBQ tell...
11.28.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 240: Bill Heyen, Grill Guys of Missouri
After we not only survived, but thrived with our Thanksgiving Weekend cooking adventures we now turn our attention to the stretch run for the final month of 2024. In one of the final big BBQ competitions of this year, Bill...
11.21.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 239: John Lindsey, Ronald Burns
Happy Thanksgiving Week! It’s Episode 239 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast and we visit with two of the best cooks in the country for lots of last-minute Turkey Day tips. John Lindsey of All Qued Up BBQ and Ronald...
11.14.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 238: Robby Royal, John Shirey
You might know Robby Royal of Rescue Smokers from his days on the groundbreaking television show BBQ Pitmasters, or perhaps the Michael Simon program BBQ USA on Food Network. Whatever the case, Robby is still winning big on the circuit...
11.07.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 237: KCBS Chicken champ Norris "Syd" Sydnor
When he first tested the competition BBQ waters in 2018, Norris “Syd” Sydnor of Good Googly Good never envisioned being a points chaser or contending for any Team of the Year honors. But when he began having big-time success in...
10.31.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 236: Jordan Kirkpatrick, Chase Willard
In a down-to-the-wire KCBS Team of the Year battle, Jordan Kirkpatrick and Janky Leg BBQ came through in clutch fashion. Needing a Grand Championship on the season’s final weekend to leapfrog Brad Leighninger and Gettin’ Basted, that’s exactly what Janky...
10.25.2023
SPECIAL EDITION Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 235: Rod Gray
The Kansas City Barbeque Society has released a 16-page report in the aftermath of the scoring errors and subsequent audit following the American Royal World Series of BBQ Open. The link to the full report is posted here: KCBS CEO...
10.24.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 234: Boggs Hog BBQ, Richard Fergola
The husband-wife team of Greg Boggs and Karryl Boggs - Boggs Hog BBQ out of Audubon, New Jersey - had one career KCBS Grand Championship in 64 career competitions prior to last weekend. And what a weekend it was for...
10.17.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 233: Ercole Chila
One year after winning KCBS Team of the Year honors for the first time, Ercole Chila and Uncle Pig’s Barbecue Pit has brought home a Jack Daniels World BBQ Invitational championship home to New Jersey. Ercole joins us on Episode...
10.10.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 232: Jordan Kirkpatrick, David Ellis
The American Royal World Series of BBQ Open results saga continues to be a big story and on Episode 232 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with the two pitmasters most affected by the initial scoring mistakes that...
10.04.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 231: Carey Bringle "Peg Leg Porker"
Episode 231 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast was to be an American Royal special, reviewing the event and visiting with the Grand Champion of the Open. But major technical issues delayed the awards and has prompted KCBS CEO Rod...
09.26.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 230: Darren Warth, Joe Gera
The American Royal World Series of BBQ is special to many pitmasters, none more so than Darren Warth. A three-time American Royal Open Grand Champion with his Iowa Smokey D’s BBQ, Darren is ready to chase No. 4 this weekend...
09.19.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 229: "Dr. BBQ" Ray Lampe, American Royal preview
It’s always a blast to talk open-fire cooking with BBQ Hall of Famer Ray Lampe, better known as “Dr. BBQ.” This is especially true as the American Royal World Series of BBQ nears and on Episode 229 of the Tailgate...
09.13.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 228: Richard Fergola, Norris Sydnor
Richard Fergola has accomplished a lot of awesome things in competition barbecue, but had never won his hometown KCBS event. That all changed last weekend as Fergolicious BBQ earned Grand Championship honors at Smokin’ on the Trails in Gardner, Kansas....
09.06.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 227: Sean Young, Aaron Huentelman
On Episode 227 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk to the man behind the upcoming Saluting With Smoke BBQ Festival, Sept. 15-17 in Yorkville, Illinois. Sean Young, an Army veteran who is brutally honest about his life struggles...
08.29.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 226: Brad Leighninger, Kevin Green
It might go down in competition BBQ history as the “Basted Triple” or whatever clever phrase you’d like to use. But if Brad Leighninger and Gettin’ Basted win a fourth KCBS Team of the Year, last weekend will be a...
08.23.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 225: Chris Davis, Shane LeClair
Chris Davis of Crossed Rifles BBQ from Schertz, Texas, knocked down the Grand Championship at last weekend’s prestigious Red Raiders Challenge in Lubbock with a huge score of 713.16. We visit with the Marine Corps veteran on Episode 225 of...
08.15.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 224: Aaron Stoffer, Alan Larrimore
On Episode 224 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, it’s a review of the KCBS World Invitational where it was a weekend to remember for Aaron and Christy Stoffer of Man Meat BBQ. Aaron joins me to talk about the...
08.08.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 223: B'Mackin BBQ, Fine As Swine BBQ
On Episode 223 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we take a trip to southern California to visit with one of the top teams on the West Coast. It was quite a 48-hour period last week for B’ Mackin BBQ...
08.01.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 222: Richard Fergola, JP Parran
Richard Fergola has been on the competition BBQ grind, cooking three KCBS doubleheaders over the last three weekends. We discuss that mental aspect of that, plus much more with the pitmaster of Fergolicious BBQ and Marketing/PR director of Proud Souls...
07.25.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 221: Curt Wallace, Roger Crawford
On Episode 221 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we talk it over with Curt Wallace from Smoked & Furious BBQ out of Oklahoma City, the No. 4-ranked team in this week’s KCBS Team of the Year standings. Curt tells...
07.18.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 220: Joel Fleetwood, John Lindsey
Anyone who’s attempted competition BBQ knows how hard it is to win a grand championship, no matter the sanctioning body. Joel Fleetwood and his Meat Rushmore BBQ team is fresh off an impressive rarity, KCBS Grand Championships on back-to-back weekends....
07.11.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 219: Fred Robles, Lynette Stokes
In addition to being one of America’s great pitmasters, Fred Robles wears many other hats in the BBQ world. The 2019 American Royal World Series of BBQ Open Grand Champion runs his own butcher shop (Rio Valley Meats) in Weslaco,...
07.05.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 218: July 4th review and Kosmo
On Episode 218 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, the guys recap their holiday cooking and other adventures and take a dive into the archives to find one of the most-popular guests of our time in podcast form. So iconic...
06.27.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 217: Christie Vanover, Richard Fergola
We head into the long July 4th holiday weekend with a bang on Episode 217 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Leading off is a conversation with Christie Vanover, whose website GirlsCanGrill.com is one of the top sources for BBQ...
06.20.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 216: Byron Chism, Nick Davis
Byron Chism has cooked BBQ all over the world and won 39 Grand Championships along the way. But Chism, who will be inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame this fall during the American Royal World Series of BBQ at...
06.13.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 215: O.G. Bandits, Carl McBee
On Episode 215 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we visit with the family team fresh off one of the biggest prizes in competition BBQ. The O.G. Bandits out of Oak Grove, Missouri, led by Josh Farley and Ashton Smith,...
06.06.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 214: Bill Heyen, Nick Barrick
On Episode 214 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, we catch up with 2021 American Royal World Series of BBQ Invitational Grand Champion Bill Heyen, whose Triple H BBQ picked up their second Grand Championship of 2023 last weekend in...
05.31.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 213: John Lindsey, Joshua DeWitt
On Episode 213 of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast we catch up with John Lindsey of All Qued Up BBQ about his latest happenings, of which there are many. John leads off by telling us about his role as one...
05.23.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 212: John David Wheeler, Larry Krauck
Those of us who love BBQ can agree there are few things in life better than a perfectly cooked baby back rib. But outstanding Ribs haven’t been good enough - compared to Pork Shoulder and Whole Hog - to win...
05.17.2023
Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 211: Richard Fergola, John Zervoulakos
It’s National BBQ Month and there’s a ton going on to celebrate the occasion at Proud Souls Barbecue and Provisions Kansas City. Richard Fergola, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Proud Souls, stops by Episode 211 of the Tailgate Guys...

What's Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast episodes:

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 260: Kyle Matuszewski; Brad Colter, Breana Via

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 259: Chris Schafer, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Epsiode 258: Brad Leighninger

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 257: Eric Coley

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 256: Jon Wade of Optimus Swine BBQ

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 255: Burnt Trees BBQ, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 254: Leonard Aberman, Jeff Cohen from Baseball & BBQ

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 253: Sean Ludwig & Ryan Cooper

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 252: Craig Verhage; Pirates of BBQ Bay

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 251: Joel Fleetwood, Nick Davis, Joe Osbrink

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 250: Sterling Smith, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 249: Harry Soo

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 248: Bill Gillespie

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 247: Phillip Breeden, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 246: Megan Day, Jonathon Indermuehle

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 245: Paul Keltner, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 244: Tim Scheer; Smoke 'n Magic BBQ

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 243: Bill Purvis, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 242: Travis Clark

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 241: Paul Buob, Thomas Gearhart, Craig Verhage

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 240: Bill Heyen, Grill Guys of Missouri

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 239: John Lindsey, Ronald Burns

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 238: Robby Royal, John Shirey

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 237: KCBS Chicken champ Norris "Syd" Sydnor

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 236: Jordan Kirkpatrick, Chase Willard

SPECIAL EDITION Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 235: Rod Gray

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 234: Boggs Hog BBQ, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 233: Ercole Chila

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 232: Jordan Kirkpatrick, David Ellis

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 231: Carey Bringle "Peg Leg Porker"

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 230: Darren Warth, Joe Gera

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 229: "Dr. BBQ" Ray Lampe, American Royal preview

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 228: Richard Fergola, Norris Sydnor

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 227: Sean Young, Aaron Huentelman

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 226: Brad Leighninger, Kevin Green

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 225: Chris Davis, Shane LeClair

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 224: Aaron Stoffer, Alan Larrimore

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 223: B'Mackin BBQ, Fine As Swine BBQ

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 222: Richard Fergola, JP Parran

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 221: Curt Wallace, Roger Crawford

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 220: Joel Fleetwood, John Lindsey

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 219: Fred Robles, Lynette Stokes

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 218: July 4th review and Kosmo

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 217: Christie Vanover, Richard Fergola

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 216: Byron Chism, Nick Davis

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 215: O.G. Bandits, Carl McBee

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 214: Bill Heyen, Nick Barrick

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 213: John Lindsey, Joshua DeWitt

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 212: John David Wheeler, Larry Krauck

Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast, Episode 211: Richard Fergola, John Zervoulakos

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