Welcome to Season 2 of The Kids Table! We’ve settled into our new space over at Gunnar’s Nashville HQ, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring you our first guest, Craig Susser! Craig pulls up a chair and proves that the restaurant business isn’t about food. It’s about people. From his early days getting humbled behind the bar at his first serving job to building Craig’s into one of the most talked-about rooms in LA and Nashville, Craig shares how relationships, loyalty, and emotional intelligence are what actually fill tables.

He walks through the deal that almost happened, the pivot that forced him to start over, and the risky bet that turned into a packed dining room. Along the way, the crew dives into presence, reinvention, reading a room, and why you can’t take a night off when it’s someone else’s big night out. This one is about passion, perspective, and building something that lasts longer than a trend.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now. 

YETI: Whether it’s a post-hunt toast or you just landed another in the boat, go bottoms up with the YETI Shot Glasses. Designed to stack and pack in a portable carrying container, four shot glasses are ready to deploy anytime you need to knock one back. 

LETS GET SOCIAL:

Gunnar:

Instagram - (https://www.instagram.com/gunnarfitness)

Facebook - (https://www.facebook.com/GunnarFitness)

Website - www.gunnarpeterson.com

Jen:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/jenwiderstrom)

Facebook - (https://www.facebook.com/JenWiderstrom)

Website - www.jenwiderstrom.com

Youtube - @ironjenn

The Kids Table:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/kidstablepod)

TikTok - (https://www.tiktok.com/@kidstablepod)

Craig Susser: 

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/craigsrestaurants)

Tiktok - (https://www.tiktok.com/@craigsla)

Website - (https://craigsnash.com/) 

About Craig Susser:

Craig Susser is the founder and owner of Craig’s, the iconic West Hollywood restaurant that has become one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable dining destinations. Known for its classic American menu, warm hospitality, and loyal celebrity following, Craig’s has established itself as a staple of the LA dining scene since opening in 2011.

Before launching Craig’s, Susser built decades of experience in the restaurant industry, working in management and operations at some of Los Angeles’ most prominent establishments. His deep understanding of service, consistency, and guest experience shaped Craig’s into more than just a restaurant—it became a cultural hotspot where Hollywood, business leaders, and longtime locals gather.

Under Susser’s leadership, Craig’s is known for its elevated comfort food, vibrant atmosphere, and meticulous attention to detail, as well as its strong vegan offerings that have attracted a wide range of high-profile guests. His commitment to hospitality and relationship-building remains central to the restaurant’s enduring success.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

Part two with Brett Bartholomew leans into the messy middle of communication, the part that shows up in relationships, leadership, and the everyday moments where things either connect or quietly fall apart. The crew talks about why the idea of being “self-made” doesn’t really hold up, how vulnerability can be a strength for A-type personalities, and why so many conflicts aren’t about what’s being said at all, but about power, control, and the fear of accountability.

The conversation moves between practical tools and personal stories, from Brett’s “keys to me” exercise to the marble jar metaphor that reframes how we think about time, priorities, and the people we keep close. There’s also a wider look at optimization culture and heroic standards, and why chasing perfection can pull you further away from being adaptable, grounded, and real. It’s thoughtful, funny, and quietly emotional in moments, the kind of episode that stays with you after the headphones come off and invites you to show up a little differently in the conversations that matter most.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

YETI: Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now. 

About Brett Bartholomew:

Brett Bartholomew is a strength and conditioning coach, author, consultant, and Founder of Art of Coaching™. His experience includes working with athletes both in the team environment and private sector along with members of the United States Special Forces and members of Fortune 500 companies.

Taken together, Brett has coached a diverse range of athletes from across 23 sports world-wide, at levels ranging from youth athletes to Olympians. He’s supported numerous Super Bowl and World Series Champions, along with several professional fighters in both professional boxing as well as the UFC.

As an advisor/entrepreneur, Brett has proudly served as a teammate and supporting partner in the strategic growth of two separate performance companies. He is a highly sought-after consultant and mentor for many world-wide. His work and expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets such as ESPN, FOX Sports, Inc. Magazine and Outside Magazine.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

Welcome back to The Kids Table, where the conversation starts with fitness and quickly turns into something much bigger. In part one of this conversation, Brett Bartholomew pulls up a chair to talk about the part of coaching nobody puts on a whiteboard: communication. From locker rooms to living rooms, the crew digs into what it actually means to connect with people, build trust, and show up as a steady presence in a world that feels louder, faster, and more distracted by the day.

They explore why great programs fall flat without great relationships, how first-principles thinking can change the way you lead, and why being “right” matters less than being received. Along the way, there are stories about misread body language, awkward feedback, love languages, and the fine line between passion and aggression. It’s part coaching clinic, part human behavior deep dive, and part group chat energy. Expect thoughtful insights, honest self-reflection, and the kind of conversation that sets the table for what’s coming in part two.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

YETI: Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

About Brett Bartholomew:

Brett Bartholomew is a strength and conditioning coach, author, consultant, and Founder of Art of Coaching™. His experience includes working with athletes both in the team environment and private sector along with members of the United States Special Forces and members of Fortune 500 companies.

Taken together, Brett has coached a diverse range of athletes from across 23 sports world-wide, at levels ranging from youth athletes to Olympians. He’s supported numerous Super Bowl and World Series Champions, along with several professional fighters in both professional boxing as well as the UFC.

As an advisor/entrepreneur, Brett has proudly served as a teammate and supporting partner in the strategic growth of two separate performance companies. He is a highly sought-after consultant and mentor for many world-wide. His work and expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets such as ESPN, FOX Sports, Inc. Magazine and Outside Magazine.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

To kick off 2026 at The Kids Table, we’ve pulled the moments from 2025 that still make us laugh, pause, and learn along side of. This compilation episode is a highlight reel of The Kids Table at its most unfiltered, pulling together the stories, side tangents, and conversations that stuck with us long after the mics were off.

You’ll hear late-night honesty, ridiculous inside jokes, deep reflections on friendship, fatherhood, balance, and why success is usually closer than people think. There are reminders about community, doing the work, and not taking yourself too seriously, mixed with the chaos and chemistry that built this show in the first place. It’s not about one lesson or one takeaway. It’s about the moments that shaped the year and set the tone for what’s next. Welcome to 2026.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

YETI: Whether it’s a post-hunt toast or you just landed another in the boat, go bottoms up with the YETI Shot Glasses. Designed to stack and pack in a portable carrying container, four shot glasses are ready to deploy anytime you need to knock one back.

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to https://www.trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪https://www.youtube.com/@TheCastCollective)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

To send 2025 out right, we grabbed our favorite listener questions of the year and stitched them into one big Kids Table hang. You will hear trainers asking how to turn a side hustle into a real career, new moms wondering how to juggle strength and cardio, and coaches trying to play nicely with high school programs while still doing their job.

In between, the three of them unpack sleep, longevity, heavy lifting for women, body composition after forty, and what to do when imposter syndrome starts whispering in your ear. It is equal parts tough love, practical strategy, and the kind of honest perspective you rarely get in a perfectly filtered fitness world.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

YETI: Whether it’s a post-hunt toast or you just landed another in the boat, go bottoms up with the YETI Shot Glasses. Designed to stack and pack in a portable carrying container, four shot glasses are ready to deploy anytime you need to knock one back. 

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

Garth Bouldin is proof you do not need a massive platform to be a massive presence. He is Gunnar’s next door neighbor, the owner of Gateway Tire, and the kind of guy who makes you believe customer service and character still matter.

What starts as a funny story about Gunnar outbidding him for the property next door turns into a real conversation about trust, relationships, and why people come back for the person long after the sets and reps, or the tires and brakes, are handled. Garth breaks down how he thinks about time, follow through, and taking care of people without needing to be asked twice. The crew also gets into purpose, patience, and what happens when your identity is tied to having somewhere to go and something to work toward. It’s funny, grounded, unexpectedly thoughtful, and a reminder that the basics still work: show up, do what you said you would do, and take care of people.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

YETI : Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now. 

Garth Bouldin:

Personal Instagram - (https://www.instagram.com/garthb12)

Gateway Tire Instagram - (https://www.instagram.com/gatewayoffroad)

Garth’s Radio Show!

High School Power Hour:

Airs every Friday Night from 9-11pm on 104.5 the Zone

Direct Link - (https://omny.fm/shows/high-school-power-hour)

X - (https://x.com/HSpowerhour)

Instagram - (https://www.instagram.com/hspowerhour/)

About Garth: 

By day, Garth Bouldin is a mild-mannered executive, keeping Gateway Tire in Franklin humming with happy customers. But after that, he’s one of the staunchest supporters of high school athletics in Williamson County.

Bouldin has combined his work and his passion. Gateway Tire, along with The Trophy House and WAKM-AM (950), sponsors a player of the week award in football and basketball, and follows that up with a player of the year award for county athletes. This will mark the sixth year for the awards.

When he moved to Williamson County 24 years, the landscape was different, with far fewer schools and teams. Now the presentation of weekly awards allows Bouldin and his business to continue to recognize the entire county, even though it has grown.

Bouldin himself has become a local celebrity of sorts in the process. He appears often on Terry Merrell’s Thursday sports-talk show on WAKM-AM radio during the football and basketball season, and on many Friday nights can be found helping Merrell and color analyst Stormy Mitchell fill up the football half-time periods with insightful observations and thoughts.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

Your questions, our hot seat. In this Q& A episode, we break down HIIT fatigue, why most people are under-recovering instead of overtraining, and how to cycle heavy lifts, isometrics, and bodyweight work when life gets busy. We debate the Smith machine, talk through real paths to “success” in the industry, and show how body composition can change at 40 and beyond with basic habits done well. Expect straight answers, training ideas you can steal, and the reminder that consistency and curiosity beat perfection every time.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

YETI: Whether it’s a post-hunt toast or you just landed another in the boat, go bottoms up with the YETI Shot Glasses. Designed to stack and pack in a portable carrying container, four shot glasses are ready to deploy anytime you need to knock one back. 

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

This week’s episode starts with fake sick days and somehow ends up in breakups, burnout, and why trainers should stop pretending they have perfect balance. Gunnar, Luke, and Jen talk through the messy, funny, very human moments that actually shape a healthy life. If you have ever faked an illness, questioned a relationship, or wondered why your kid can outsmart you, this feels like the right table to sit at.

From travel fatigue to emotional resets to the expectations people place on fitness professionals, nothing is off-limits. The crew also revisits the late-night hangs, family dynamics, and early friendships that built the foundation for this show. Honest, warm, and full of the kind of perspective you only get from real life, this one captures exactly what The Kids Table does best.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show!

YETI: Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

This week, The Kids Table takes a step back into the early days of lockdown: the makeshift gyms, the six-foot sticks, the CPR tests, and the cul-de-sac friendships that kept everyone afloat when the world shut down. Gunnar, Luke, and Jen break down how they trained, coped, and kept people moving with zero equipment, no certainty, and a whole lot of chaos swirling around them. They revisit the strange blend of humor, fear, and unexpected community that shaped that year.

They also get honest about the work side: how trainers scrambled when gyms closed, what shifted permanently in fitness culture, and why cheering for your friends carries more weight than cheering for pro athletes. Between stories of masked-up workouts, neighborly antics, and the odd celebrity drop-in, they land on the same truth: people need people. This episode is equal parts nostalgia, humanity, and the reminder that showing up for each other matters long after the world goes back to normal. Oh and it’s also a reminder that you maybe shouldn’t hand the phone to Dolph Lundgren with your drunk dad on the other line.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

YETI: Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)

This one is for anyone who wants the truth behind transformation. Jen brings on Sarah Gilbert to revisit their season of The Biggest Loser, recap the recent documentary, and talk through what it got right, what was missed, and what the cameras never showed. They unpack how the show worked, where it went wrong, and how a real relationship can protect people inside a machine built for ratings. Sarah talks about losing over 100 pounds, going home without cameras, finding her footing again, and redefining success as a parent and a human. The crew breaks down key claims from the film around aftercare, safety, and the scale, then share tools that last, accountability you can actually keep, and the freedom of not letting a number run your life. This episode is for the Biggest Loser lovers and its skeptics.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the show! 

YETI: Stay hydrated with the YETI Rambler + Chug Cap. Ice stays ice, water doesn’t leak, and it’s so light, yet still so durable. It’s the bottle that keeps up. Find it at YETI.com or hit up a YETI retail store near you.

TRAINHEROIC: Trusted by top coaches since 2012. Plans start at just $10/month– And you get your first 14 days free. Head to trainheroic.com/thekidstable to start your free trial now. 

Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)