Few names in surfing carry the weight and reverence of Gerry Lopez. Known for his effortless style and grace at the Banzai Pipeline, Lopez redefined what it meant to surf one of the world’s most dangerous waves—with poise and poetry. He's a two-time Pipe Masters winner, but his legacy doesn’t end in the barrel.

In this episode, we sit down with the man they call Mr. Pipeline to talk about his unique dual role in the newly released book Surfer Stories—as both a subject and a storyteller. Alongside guest Claudia Lebenthal, the book’s editor and creative force, they reflect on Gerry’s enduring influence and the intimate portrait he paints in his essay on fellow legend Garrett McNamara.

Lopez also shares what five decades of yoga have taught him about flow—on waves and in life—and how staying grounded, along with his mantra of “keep paddling,” has helped him navigate challenges far beyond the lineup.

And finally, we dig into the decision that raised eyebrows in surf circles: Gerry’s partnership with Costco to release an affordable line of signature Wavestorm soft-top surfboards.

Don’t miss this conversation with one of the most respected and compelling figures in the history of surfing.

You can find Surfer Stories, edited by Claudia Lebenthal, wherever you get your books.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

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Kai Lenny is a professional big-wave surfer and one of the most respected watermen on the planet. He’s mastered stand-up paddling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and foiling—pushing the limits of what’s possible on waves of consequence. Over the course of his career, he’s won the SUP Race World Championship, the KSP Kiting World Championship, the Sunset Beach SUP Pro, and the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge.

After the devastating fires in Maui in 2023, he founded the Positively Kai Foundation to help assist residents affected by the fires.

So how did he strike up a friendship with one of the richest and most polarizing tech figures in the world? And what aspect of Mark Zuckerberg surprised him the most?

We’ll find out as we sit down for a chat with one of the most esteemed and multi-talented athletes in the world of extreme sports.

His list of sponsors includes:

 Red Bull, Nike, Hurley, GoPro, and TAG Heuer.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

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Brian Bowen Smith is one of Hollywood's most sought after celebrity photographers. His work can be seen on billboards, books, movie posters and magazines. Brian has a keen understanding that shooting pictures of high-profile subjects requires more than just technical proficiency with lighting and composition. There’s a psychological skill involved in being able to read the room, navigate egos, and capture a compelling picture despite the sometimes unpredictable emotional state of his subjects.

Through years of experience, he’s mastered the ability to meet each celebrity where they are, and adapt to their energy in order to get the perfect shot. It’s a delicate balancing act that involves equal parts artistry, problem-solving, diplomacy and psychological intelligence. 

So why was Madonna’s offer to have him shoot her new album cover rescinded? How did he get Warren Beatty’s cell phone number after shedding a tear? We’ll find out as we sit down for a chat with a guy behind the lens who has no shortage of LA stories. 

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Randall Poster is a highly sought-after music supervisor for film and television who has worked closely with legendary directors like Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Martin Scorsese, and countless others. He’s helped craft some of Hollywood’s most iconic soundtracks, including Rushmore, The Wolf of Wall Street, Boyhood, and over 100 feature films. His knack for utilizing timeless classics and for finding the perfect deep cut to enhance storytelling has made him one of the most celebrated and sought-after supervisors in film and television.

So, why does he believe that the Beatles are kryptonite for a movie’s music? What does it take to actually license Led Zeppelin for a soundtrack? We’ll find out as we sit down for a conversation with the Grammy Award winning music supervisor who’s responsible for curating some of the most unforgettable musical moments of the past two decades.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Tinker Hatfield is considered to be one of the most influential sneaker designers of all time. During his time at Nike, he's collaborated with legendary athletes like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to create some of the most iconic and beloved sneakers of all time, from the Air Jordan to the Air Max. He is quite literally the Michael Jordan of Jordans. In this episode, we chat with Tinker about how design, performance, cutting-edge materials and marketing have helped create an entire subculture where sneakers are commodities sold for thousands of dollars.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Stacy Peralta is a true pioneer of skateboarding.

In the mid 1970s, journalist and artist Craig Stecyk began chronicling of a group of young rebellious skaters from the streets of Venice and Santa Monica. Blending surfing’s fluid style with aggressive innovation, Stacy Peralta and a handful of other skateboarders would become known as the Z-Boys—a name that would leave an indelible mark on skate history.

After a successful career as a pro skater, he co-founded Powell Peralta Skateboards—one of the most iconic skate brands of all time. He later directed several acclaimed documentaries, including Dogtown and Z-Boys, Riding Giants, and Bones Brigade: An Autobiography, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures.

Recently, he began a new chapter as a fine art painter, drawing inspiration from the objects that shaped his life. His still-life paintings capture vintage decaying skateboards, worn-down trucks, clay wheels, and other skate artifacts—items that many people might consider junk. But to him, they hold a deeper meaning and significance. Just as the Z-Boys had the vision to transform abandoned pools and cracked asphalt into skate-able terrain, he’s once again found beauty and value in what others discard.

Don’t miss this conversation with Skateboard Hall of Fame member and true icon of skate culture. 

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Michael “Kaves” McLeer is a Brooklyn-born painter, recording artist, graffiti artist, author, tattoo artist and creator of Brooklyn Pop - an astounding immersive experience celebrating the borough of Brooklyn. The exhibit is an astounding collection featuring hip-hop memorabilia, graffiti, movie collectibles, historical artifacts, and personal items celebrating the neighborhood that shaped him.

In this episode we discuss his path from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks in Bay Ridge, to becoming a renowned graffiti writer and founder of the rap/punk rock group Lordz of Brooklyn. We also chat about the neighborhood gangsters growing up, why free Adidas tracks suits sometimes fell from the sky above Verranzano Bridge, and how Brooklyn based movies and television like The Warriors, Saturday Night Fever and Welcome Back Kotter played a key role in developing self-identity and career goals. 

Throughout his career he’s designed exclusive visuals for Audemars Piguet, Jaguar, NIKE, Rockstar Games, WWE, MTV, ADIDAS, Van’s Warped Tour, and created logos & graphics for world-renowned artists such as the Beastie Boys and Metallica.

Kaves' energy and thirst for creative expression took him to the world of acting and filmmaking. In 2006, Kaves created, produced and directed The Brooklyn Way, a multi-episode docu-series about his family’s life. From 2011 to the present day, Kaves has been featured in short and feature films including The Many Saints of Newark, Gravesend, The Humdinger, Star and The Eulogy.

The Brooklyn Pop interactive installation is open to the pubic at Industry City. See link below for details.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Brooklyn Pop

https://thebrooklynpop.com/

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Josh Carter is one half of the musical duo Phantogram. Alongside his partner Sarah Barthel, they’ve released 5 LPs and collaborated with some of the most acclaimed names in the music industry from Big Boi to The Flaming Lips. Phantogram's music blends a foundation of heavy beats with atmospheric, genre-defying elements inspired by artists ranging from Sparklehorse to Sonic Youth to David Bowie. The result is a unique fusion of electronic textures and rich, introspective melodies.

Their latest album, Memory of a Day is available now. 

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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This week’s episode with Nathan was originally recorded in January 2023, following the conclusion of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. We’re re-releasing our conversation with Nathan Florence as a tribute to his extraordinary performance last week in the Pipe Masters.

Not only did Nathan claim the title of 2024 Pipe Masters champion, but he also stepped up to provide a grassroots live stream of the event. Then, just days later, Nathan competed in the 2024 Eddie Aikau and delivered an impressive performance, including the event’s final wave, where he charged a massive shore break barrel with his hands raised in triumph as the crowd erupted in cheers.

So, we want to give a huge congratulations to Nathan for being the newly crowned 2024 Pipe Masters champion and for an amazing season...

Nathan Florence is a big-wave charger from the North Shore and brother to 2X world champion surfer John John Florence. In the past few years, Nathan has made a name for himself by tackling some of the biggest and most consequential waves on the planet. But it's not just his surfing that's earned him a following. He’s also known for his compelling social media content, providing fans with an inside look at his life as a pro surfer and adventure-seeker. Join us as we chat with Nathan about what lessons he’s learned from his brother, some skills he's acquired to survive a wipeout at Pipeline, and why we might have reached a tipping point of chaos in the lineups on the North Shore.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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Cey Adams is a New York City-based painter, designer, and the founding Creative Director of Def Jam Recordings. Emerging from the downtown graffiti scene alongside iconic artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, Adams began his career tagging subway cars and creating graffiti murals. Immersed in the vibrant art and music culture of the era, he connected with The Beastie Boys, collaborating with them to design their first logo, t-shirts, and singles. Around the same time, he began working with music producer Russell Simmons at RUSH Artist Management, where he created logos and merchandise for their roster of artists. This led to his tenure with Simmons and Rick Rubin at Def Jam, where Adams designed some of the most iconic album covers of hip-hop's golden era, including works for Public Enemy, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, and many others.

As a highly respected designer and painter, Adams has collaborated with global brands such as Levi’s, Mattel, The Recording Academy, Apple, Bacardi, IDEO, Foot Locker, Converse, YouTube, and Google. In 2019, Pabst Brewing Company commissioned Adams to reimagine their iconic Pabst Blue Ribbon logo, resulting in a design featured on 150 million cans distributed nationwide.

In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of collaborating with marketing departments, artists, and photographers during his time at Def Jam. Adams shares his perspective on why he considers The Beastie Boys one of the most influential, creative, and self-driven groups of their era. We also explore the power of branding, the significance of logos, and the tension between art and commerce when a downtown DIY ethos collides with corporate culture.

Tune in for a conversation with this trailblazing artist who helped shape the visual identity of hip-hop.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com

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