A little appetizer before your Thanksgiving meal…a special holiday episode of Verbal Shenanigans. We bring in friends old and new to play Thanksliving. Scott, Harry, and Dom show off their knowledge and thankfulness as Pilgrim Mike puts them through a series of question, trivia, and …hand turkey drawings? Assisting us will be fan and friend of the show Kelley Warner to judge the boys in determining who is will be thankful they are the winner.

Along with the game we speak with artist and author Jennifer Palmer. Jennie has worked on designing floats, costumes, and balloons at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade for over a decade. We hear the behind the scenes work, the science, and aftermath stress to make magical visuals for this yearly tradition. Prep for the next holiday by getting her book Milo’s Christmas Parade.

Avoid talking politics and play this episode at the family dinner table with your loved ones

Just when you think you are out, we pull you back in with another amazing guest. Louis Ferrante went from doing heist work for the Gambino family, to jail, to becoming a best selling author. We talk about his mob life, his reform, the mob’s role from then to now in the world, and real life versus Hollywood when it comes to the mob. Fascinating and entertaining interview to listen to.

We also figure out if Mike could survive prison, Scott tries to figure out actual mobster's names, and we find out what Mike's job would be in a crime family.  Have a listen!

We shoot for the skies every week to entertain everyone, and this week we aim for the Cosmos. One of the most historical brands in US Soccer history is the New York Cosmos. From Pele to Beckenbauer, the brand is a fixture in US futbol culture, and next year the team returns. Leading the way is CEO Erik Stover who joins the show to talk about the work in bringing the team back, coming to Patterson, NJ, and the goals to team success.

We also chat about yet another Burlew dog encounter, Scott's discusses his day with the Cosmos staff, and Scott finds a new interest.  Have a listen!

For the 2nd time, Fergal Lawler, the drummer of the Cranberries joins us on the show.  We dive into everything from the MTV Unplugged performance which was just released on November 7th, the history of the band, memories of Dolores, and more.  Fergal is a great guy and an even better conversation.

We also dive into voting, Mike feeding a giraffe, and dive into some death chat.  Have a listen!

As the moon falls on an another Halloween, we have one more spooky guest to give…and it's not Burlew in another vampire outfit. Special effects makeup artist, Todd Tucker, tells his story of going from a hair metal band to being a makeup artist on a Steven Spielberg movie. We chat on him founding his makeup studio Illusion Industries, acting and creating looks on horror show and movies like Charmed, Hook, Dracula, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  We also talk about the full circle moment with his latest movie, Rockbottom, where Todd had to create an original soundtrack with rock legends from Quiet Riot and Dokken.  Have a listen!

We also learn about another interesting body encounter from Mike, and Scott has quite an interesting experience at a CPR class.  Check it out!

It's here folks! The 2025 Halloween Extravaganza has arrived.  And it is everything we love to do here at Verbal Shenanigans.  First, friends of the show, Dom and Harry, join us to compete in a grueling game entitled "Escape from Burlewsferatu".  The guys must navigate through 3 nights of Halloween themed questions to avoid being killed by his Lordship, a gross vampire with an aching back, Burlewsferatu!  Lot of fun.  Listeners be weary!

Next, we step into the shadows of Hollywood with this year's Halloween guest, Mark Steger, the actor, performance artist, and choreographer renowned for bringing some of modern horror and sci-fi's most iconic creatures to terrifying life. Steger pulls back the curtain on his unique career, discussing his process for embodying nonhuman characters like the Demogorgon in Netflix's Stranger Things ,the Pale Lady in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and what it's like working with Tool.  A great Halloween episode.

Our guest today is the man who literally holds the keys to some of the most iconic music in history. Mark Linett is a three-time Grammy-winning producer and audio engineer, he's worked with legends like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, and Randy Newman. But you know him best as the sonic architect for The Beach Boys' incredible catalog—the one who gave us the definitive stereo mix of Pet Sounds and meticulously brought The Smile Sessions to life.  A great guest all around.

We also dive into what scared us when we were young, kinks, and play a game where Mike must decide if he has the same brain as Scott's 5 year old.  Have a listen!

We sit down with a true living legend, Parks Bonifay. From being the youngest person ever to waterski at just six months old to becoming arguably the most influential wakeboarder of all time, Parks has redefined water sports. We dive into his decades-long career—covering X-Games gold, pioneering new tricks, the wildest Red Bull stunts, and his time with the Jackass crew. Hear the untold stories from the water and beyond that cemented Parks' unparalleled legacy. This is a must-listen for any fan of action sports and a rare look inside the mind of an icon.

We also get back on track and talk about the Riyadh Comedy Festival, Burlew finds Scott's hate list, and we bust out some Bear News!  Have a listen!

Between being in Thursday, L.S. Dunes, and touring my My Chemical Romance, I'm not sure how Tucker Rule found the time to chat with us.  Tucker is a killer drummer, great guy, and an awesome story teller.  We dive into everything from the life balance involved with being with 3 awesome bands, the mentality of drumming in everything from boys bands, to Dancing with the Stars,  to heavy music, and to simply navigating life as an artist and father.  Check out Tucker on My Chemical Romance's tour today!

We sucked ass this week.  But, we did talk about cheese, lemon sharks, and Diddy, so there is that.  Have a listen!

Another great show for you this week. We not just whistling Dixie, but our guest may. This week we talk with two time world champion, the whistling diva Carole Anne Kaufman. We get into the work and competition in musical whistling. We chat about the whistling community, the work, the different styles, and the upcoming documentary Whistle. Carole was a joy to talk with and you can check her out at the Masters of Musical Whistling International Festival and Competition October 3rd through the 5th in Hollywood, CA. Go to www.mastersofwhistling.com after you listen to our interview.

We also dive in Mike's love of lollipops, Mike returning to visit his cow friend, and Scott has some stories about some interesting side gigs.  Have a listen!