Part 2: Béla Fleck on the Banjo, His Journey, and Handling Success

Russillo is joined by Béla Fleck to discuss how he chose the banjo, his path to success, and what it’s like to have other artists look up to him. (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (4:03) How did you become proficient at the banjo? (6:30) When did you feel like you were taking this instrument in a different direction? (12:44) How did your plan differ from the outcome? (19:07) On the magic of performing live (27:02) What did playing with bigger bands do for your awareness? (29:27) What does it mean to you that other artists look up to you? (31:37) Do you have to be obsessed to reach greatness? Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Béla Fleck Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by David Pollack to share his thoughts on the SEC, preview LSU-Clemson, and break down his favorite QBs. Hear more from David Pollack on his show See Ball Get Ball. Then, Adnan Virk comes on to discuss his new book, how it felt being at the 2017 Oscars, and the feeling of chasing his white whale interview. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Wargon! (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (0:50) David Pollack joins the show (4:40) What do you expect from Carson Beck and Miami? (7:43) Do you expect Georgia to be improved? (10:24) Why Texas will win the SEC (12:41) Arch Manning breakdown (18:06) LSU-Clemson preview (21:44) Just how good is Clemson’s D-line? (23:02) What was the hardest thing to deal with as a player? (25:27) Did people have a hard time with Pollack's energy as a rookie? (28:10) Does Pollack like Drew Allar? (32:56) Does Pollack think that Penn State will win the Big Ten? (35:49) Three teams that David thinks are national title contenders (38:46) What are the chances that Arizona State can replicate last season’s success? (41:13) David is all in on Utah this year (45:37) Russillo welcomes in Adnan Virk (58:55) On Adnan covering the 2017 Oscars (1:05:43) What was it like talking to Paul Giamatti? (1:14:41) What was the most surprising thing about writing a book? (1:32:16) Life Advice! (1:36:46) A Cat-sitting Cat-astrophe (1:50:24) How do I get over my ex? Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: David Pollack and Adnan Virk Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Shopping. Streaming. Savings. It’s on Prime. Visit Amazon.com/prime to get more out of whatever you’re into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by Sheil Kapadia for the annual rankings of the top five at every position in the NFL! They go through each position and discuss what Josh Allen needs to do to be considered the best QB in the NFL. Then, Stanford Steve comes on to share the teams that could have the biggest variance this season, preview the biggest matchups of Week 1, and reveal the games he’d most like to attend this season. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Wargon! (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (0:40) Sheil Kapadia joins the show (1:11) Ranking the five best players at every position, starting with QB (4:28) Is Josh Allen the best QB in the NFL? (5:47) RB (11:10) WR (14:57) TE (19:31) O-line units (23:06) DT (26:58) DE (32:14) CB (36:24) S (40:39) LB (49:51) Russillo welcomes in Stanford Steve (52:12) Teams that have the biggest variance in college football (1:02:11) How should we feel about Dante Moore? (1:06:39) Thoughts on Ohio State–Texas (1:09:39) Notre Dame–Miami Preview (1:14:20) Don’t sleep on Texas A&M or USC (1:17:59) The game Steve most wants to go to this season (1:25:52) Stanford Steamers win totals (1:33:21) Is Ryen still a Bears fan? (1:42:41) Life Advice! (1:47:11) Should I kayak to work? (2:00:10) My ex-girlfriend demanded money from me Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Sheil Kapadia and Stanford Steve Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo gives a day-by-day account of his solo trip to St. Barts. Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by Rob Gronkowski to discuss why Bill Belichick will be appealing to younger players, explain why we shouldn’t write off the Chiefs, and share the young tight end he says reminds him of a young Gronk. Then, rapper Freddie Gibbs joins the show to reveal his rapping inspirations, explain what he has left to accomplish, and talk about life. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Wargon! (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (0:28) Russillo welcomes in Rob Gronkowski (5:26) Would Gronkowski have wanted to play for Coach Belichick coming out of high school? (14:30) How many people have asked Gronkowski about his relationship with Mike Vrabel? (20:05) What was it like starting a season after losing a Super Bowl the year before? (22:35) The Chiefs are still going to be a problem for the AFC (28:37) Tyler Warren reminds Gronkowski of a young Gronk (32:29) Freddie Gibbs joins the show (39:35) Biggest rapping inspirations (48:14) Strip clubs have the best food (1:10:05) On the Aaron Hernandez show (1:30:37) Life Advice! Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Rob Gronkowski and Freddie Gibbs Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo starts the show with thoughts on the Big Ten’s proposed College Football Playoff expansion. Then, Booger McFarland comes on to add his thoughts to the playoff expansion debate, reveal which new college QBs have the best chance to break out, and discuss the Colts' decision to name Daniel Jones as their starting QB. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Wargon! (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (2:13) This new playoff expansion proposal is worth complaining about (5:12) What would this new system have looked like last season? (9:17) College football shouldn’t feel like March Madness (10:48) College football is attempting to devalue its product (12:49) Booger McFarland joins the show (15:35) Do commissioners have the sport's best interest in mind or just their conference's? (19:29) Would the Big Ten have proposed this had they not won the last two titles? (26:53) New college QBs who could have the most success (36:35) On giving advice to a QB (39:34) What do you think of the Colts naming Daniel Jones as their starting QB? (43:38) Which QB would you rather have for the next three seasons? (47:19) On Russell Wilson’s limitations (50:19) Why Aaron Rodgers might just work in Pittsburgh (53:06) Who has the best defense in the NFL? (55:48) Which college football team do you think could struggle? (1:01:41) Should stars be skipping the preseason? (1:06:35) Life Advice! (1:10:00) Hotel checkout update (1:12:38) Face wash update (1:16:01) When can I stop going to church? (1:25:01) How do I deal with my HOA? Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guest: Booger McFarland Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by Mike Sando to break down his latest QB tiers and explain how they came to this consensus. Then, Domonique Foxworth joins the show to share why he’ll be rooting for Travis Hunter and discuss the intricacies of CBAs. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Kyle! (0:00) Welcome to the Ryen Russillo Podcast! (0:45) Russillo welcomes in Mike Sando. (1:42) Why was Josh Allen not a unanimous first tier? (7:25) On the youth of the QB position right now. (10:06) Do you think Jalen Hurts is ranked correctly? (18:20) Was it difficult to rank Jayden Daniels? (21:41) On Caleb Williams's concerning processing speeds. (25:54) Which franchise has the worst QB situation? (28:30) What surprised you most throughout this process? (32:57) Domonique Foxworth join the show. (37:36) Why does the NFL have so much parity? (44:13) What defensive unit do you trust the most? (46:00) What are your hopes for Travis Hunter? (50:28) Could Deion Sanders have played both ways? (52:43) What would be the worst part of owning an NFL team? (1:00:00) Which league has the best CBA? (1:12:00) Life Advice! (1:25:58) Help! I don't know the name's of my coworkers (1:33:46) The girl I like doesn't want to do long distance Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Domonique Foxworth and Mike Sando Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by Danny Kanell to discuss Penn State’s title chances, the uncertain QB landscape, and the SEC. Then, Bruce Feldman comes on to share the team he thinks is best, break down Arch Manning, and explain why we’re always bullish on new coaches. Plus, Life Advice with Ceruti and Kyle! (0:00) Welcome to The Ryen Russillo Podcast! (0:56) Danny Kanell joins the show (1:35) Biggest takeaways from the AP Top 25 (5:59) Is it now or never for Penn State? (13:55) What to make of Clemson this season (18:15) Can anyone surprise Clemson in the ACC this year? (23:45) Is the Big 12 as wide open as it seems? (34:33) Who will win the SEC? (41:16) Who is the best QB in college football? (51:07) Russillo welcomes in Bruce Feldman (57:14) What to make of Arch Manning (59:47) Are teams still figuring out the transfer portal? (1:03:48) Bruce shares his College Football Freaks List (1:05:31) The chance they would give Penn State to win title (1:14:16) Big 12 predictions (1:18:29) Why are we so positive about uncertainty on a coaching staff? (1:23:19) Carson Beck is set for a return to form (1:24:04) Rapid-fire questions (1:28:36) Life Advice with Ceruti and Kyle! (1:40:45) Childhood friend in prison asked for money (1:47:27) Is it OK that I used my wife’s razor? (1:55:21) My ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend just requested to follow me Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Danny Kanell and Bruce Feldman Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo is joined by Kyle and Wargon for a full episode of Life Advice questions! They share their advice on how to navigate the thermostat battle, whether to do lawn work for a neighbor, and whether a solo trip following a breakup is a good idea. Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russillo talks with Brock Purdy (0:26), Norman Powell (3:12), Matt Barkley (5:25), Andrew Whitworth (8:20), Ty Jerome (15:08), and Jesse Palmer (17:28) about their best recruiting stories. Check us out on YouTube for exclusive clips, livestreams, and more at https://www.youtube.com/@RyenRussilloPodcast. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Ryen Russillo Guests: Brock Purdy, Norman Powell, Matt Barkley, Andrew Whitworth, Ty Jerome, and Jesse Palmer Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, Mike Wargon, and Jonathan Frias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices