In this episode, Oliver and Brayden sit down with actor Sheldon Austin to talk about the realities of breaking into the acting industry as a young performer. Sheldon shares how he went from background roles to landing parts in commercials, short films, and most notably, playing a guard on Amazon Prime Video’s Beast Games. He opens up about the audition process, how he got his agent, and the highs and lows of trying to make a name for himself in the entertainment world.

We also dive deep into what it’s like working on a massive production—how he prepared for his role, what filming on set was actually like, and whether the stacks of cash were really real. But beyond Beast Games, Sheldon gets real about the acting grind, why rejection is just part of the game, and how he stays motivated.

Plus, we get into his dream roles, his idea for a hilarious horror movie, and his take on whether acting is easier or harder to break into today compared to 50 years ago. Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a film nerd, or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is packed with laughs, insight, and some seriously inspiring moments.

Guest Socials

Insta - @SheldonAustinB

In this first solo episode of Season 2, Oliver and Brayden take listeners behind the scenes of This Dude Started Something, pulling back the curtain on their guest outreach strategy. From DMing reality TV stars and business moguls to tracking listener locations in real time, this episode is packed with hilarious banter, unpredictable conversations, and raw insights into how they’re growing the podcast.

Along the way, they explore insane guest ideas, debate the ethics of subwoofer-induced destruction, and even attempt to contact the CEO of Xbox. Will they land a dream guest? Or will their messages go unread forever? Find out in this chaotic yet entertaining episode!

*Also as soon as the EP ended we got in contact with Connor from Love on the Spectrum, we are now working with Netlfix to get him approved!! Hoping we can make it happen!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisdudestartedsomething/

Website - https://thisdudestartedsomething.com/

In this episode of This Dude Started Something, we sit down with the Hummus King himself—Chris Kirby, the founder and CEO of Ithaca Hummus. What started as a small stand at a farmers market has now turned into a multimillion-dollar brand found in over 10,000 stores nationwide. Chris takes us through his journey from burnt-out chef to entrepreneur, revealing the key moments that turned a single hummus flavor into a household name.

We get into the real grind of starting a food business—figuring out how to market a perishable product, the challenges of scaling production, and how going deep before going wide set Ithaca apart from the competition. Chris also shares his take on flavor innovation (spoiler: cinnamon butter hummus might be on the horizon), his passion for Bitcoin, and his latest project, Sat Chats, a show breaking down Bitcoin for beginners.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a food empire—or if you just love hummus—this episode is for you. Plus, stay tuned because we’ll hopefully be hopping on Sat Chats soon!

A huge thank you to Chris for coming on the show—go grab some Ithaca Hummus at your local grocery store (except Walmart… for now). And if you haven’t already, subscribe to Sat Chats on YouTube and follow This Dude Started Something for more inspiring stories.

In this special episode of This Dude Started Something, we sit down with childhood icon and Hollywood veteran Alexander Gould, best known as the voice of Nemo in Finding Nemo and Shane Botwin in Weeds. From the moment his voice echoed through minivans, living rooms, and theaters worldwide, Alexander became a part of millions of childhoods. But what happens after you grow up from being one of the most famous animated characters of all time?

Alexander takes us on a deep dive into his early start in Hollywood, reminiscing about his experience auditioning for Finding Nemo at just five years old and the long three-year process of recording the movie. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into how Pixar animated the film around his voice, how he recorded his lines alone without ever meeting his co-stars in the studio, and the unexpected call that led him to land the role of a lifetime.

We also explore his time on Weeds, where he played Shane Botwin for eight years, growing up alongside his character in one of television’s most daring and darkly comedic dramas. Alexander reflects on the challenges and perks of being a child actor, the reality of being recognized in public, and how his experiences shaped his outlook on Hollywood, fame, and life itself.

But where is Nemo now? Alexander has since pivoted from acting full-time to working as a software engineer and entrepreneur, founding a company that uses tech to track security guards and even developing his own Minecraft-inspired space game. We discuss how he transitioned from philosophy major to coder, his thoughts on AI in Hollywood, and whether he would ever return to acting full-time—or even voice an adult Nemo in a potential Finding Nemo 3.

Of course, we couldn’t let Alexander go without having some fun—so we put our acting skills to the test and re-enact a brand-new Finding Nemo scene, complete with an AI-generated script!

This episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and incredible insights. Whether you grew up watching Finding Nemo, binging Weeds, or are just curious about the life of a former child star turned tech entrepreneur, this one’s a must-listen!

🎤 Big thanks to Alexander Gould for joining us! Follow him on Instagram and keep up with his latest projects—whether in tech, acting, or the Minecraft-in-space game we’re all now waiting for!

🚀 Pixar, if you’re listening… It’s time for Finding Nemo 3! 🐠🎬

Insta: @alexandergouldreal

In this deep yet entertaining episode, Oliver and Brayden sit down with JB Copeland, the content creator behind the Sappy brand, who has amassed over 2 million followers with his introspective and emotion-driven content. JB opens up about his journey through personal struggles, addiction recovery, and learning how to regulate emotions as a man in today's world.

The conversation dives into mental health, self-awareness, and breaking free from societal norms that discourage emotional expression—especially for men. JB shares his philosophy on healing, self-trust, and embracing authenticity while discussing his upcoming podcast Sappy Hour, his creative process, and the meaning behind Sappy as a brand.

From hilarious takes on frat culture to reflections on anxiety, addiction, and self-love, this episode is a mix of raw wisdom and good vibes. Plus, JB reveals the best advice he’s ever received, what he’d say if he only had 10 minutes left to live, and his plan for expanding Sappy into fashion, scents, and more.

If you’re looking for inspiration, real talk, and a reminder that you already have everything you need within you—this episode is for you.

Insta- JB_Copeland

Tiktok- JB_Copeland

Today on This Dude Started Something, we sit down with Scott Taube, the genius behind Bad Cards for Good Golfers, a hilarious, unpredictable card game that’s shaking up the golf world. What started as a way to add some chaos and competition to a round of golf has turned into a massive business, with Scott selling tens of thousands of decks, partnering with major brands like Liquid Death and the PGA Tour, and racking up millions of views on social media.

In this episode, Scott shares the behind-the-scenes journey of taking a simple idea and making it viral, his wild Shark Tank audition experience, and how leveraging social media marketing has helped him grow a loyal community of golfers and content creators. We also talk about the power of making a product that people actually want to share, and why getting started—even before you have it all figured out—is the key to building something big.

And this isn’t the last time you’ll be seeing us together—This Dude Started Something will be collabing with Scott on some epic golf course content soon! Be sure to follow him on Instagram and TikTok (@badcardsforegoodgolfers) to see how he’s turning golf into the most fun, unpredictable game out there.

If you’ve ever had a crazy idea and wondered if it could turn into something huge, this episode is for you. Hit play, take notes, and get ready to start something.

In this episode of This Dude Started Something, we sit down with Silas Deane, a former DJ turned entrepreneur who unexpectedly found himself tackling one of America’s biggest social issues—prisoner reentry. After a chance encounter at a Louisiana jail, Silas discovered a shocking gap in the system: many inmates were being released with no resources, no ID, and no plan—virtually guaranteeing their return to prison.

Determined to create change, Silas taught himself to code, built a reentry platform connecting former inmates to jobs and resources, and scaled it so effectively that it was acquired by Tyler Technologies, a Fortune 500 company, when he was in his early 20s. Now, as a master's student at the University of Pennsylvania, he’s doubling down on reform with his new venture, 2Vita, bringing innovative solutions to the space.

We dive into his incredible journey—from almost working with Drake’s label, to scaling a tech startup with no experience, to what he’s building next. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, social impact, or just a crazy success story, this is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights:

• How Silas went from DJing frat parties to working with government tech
• The shocking truth about the U.S. reentry system and why it's broken
• How his startup helped over 500,000 former inmates stay out of jail
• The role of AI and technology in criminal justice reform
• Wild stories, unexpected moments, and why networking can change your life

Episode OUT NOW! Watch, listen, and learn how one idea can spark real change.

In this episode of This Dude Started Something, Oliver and Brayden sit down with professional DJ Sixten Franz, who has been making waves in the music scene from Melbourne to Europe. Sixten talks about how he got into DJing, starting from mixing beats on an iPad as a kid to playing at festivals in Germany and Ibiza. He shares insights into the business of DJing, finding bookings, and the importance of building energy in a live set.

The conversation gets into Aussie slang, the stereotypes Australians have about Americans, and a hilarious moment where Sixten accidentally starts picking up an American accent. The guys also discuss DJ culture in different countries, the hype-building techniques DJs use, and Sixten’s thoughts on remixing viral sounds. They wrap up with a deep dive into Australian football (AFL), pickleball, and the wildest gigs Sixten has ever played.

In this episode, we sit down with Luis Perez (@perezluisqb), quarterback of the Arlington Renegades, to talk about his unbelievable journey from competitive bowling to professional football. Luis shares how he went from never playing high school football to becoming a championship-winning QB, teaching himself the game through YouTube videos, and grinding his way through JUCO, the NFL, and now the UFL.

With the UFL season kicking off on March 29, Luis and the Renegades take the field on March 28 in their first game of the year. We dive into what he's expecting from the season, how spring football is evolving, and his personal goals for the future.

We also talk about his new book, The Spring King, releasing March 27, which details his underdog story, mindset, and journey through football. Plus, we help him come up with a signature touchdown celebration, talk about his biggest inspirations, and get his thoughts on the future of spring football vs. the NFL.

This one’s packed with inspiration, football insight, and some unexpected stories. Don’t miss it.

In this episode of This Dude Started Something, we sit down with Beast Games contestants Ava Redding and Ivy Odom. From surviving in Panama to high-fiving MrBeast, Ava and Ivy share the wild behind-the-scenes of the hit game show. They reveal what it was really like to compete in this social experiment that took the world by storm, including the thrills, the fears, and the secrets of life on the island. Expect laughs, memorable moments, and surprising insights as they dive into the nitty-gritty of their experiences, from the insane weather conditions to unforgettable interactions with MrBeast and the crew.

They also discuss their next big move—starting their own podcast, Ivy and Ivy Talk, where they’ll cover everything from hit TV shows to real life, and beyond. Check it out and get a peek into their post-Beast Games journey.

Listen now to hear all the laughs and real talk.

Follow Ava and Ivy: Instagram: @AvarRedding Instagram: @Ivy.Odom Podcast: @AvanIvyTalk