Episode 194 Mandela Barnes

Episode 197: Cristian Strehlow – The Soundtrack to 680 Million Streams In this episode, Chris sits down with Cristian Strehlow, the creative force behind some of the most recognizable lo-fi and instrumental beats on the internet. With over 680 million streams across his various aliases, Cristian’s music has become the backdrop for countless TV shows—including major hits like RuPaul’s Drag Race. Cristian shares how his journey began in Milwaukee and how a pivotal track on Chillhop in 2018 became his big break, opening doors to collaborations and opportunities across the globe. Now based in California, Cristian reflects on building a career in music, the evolution of the lo-fi genre, and what it’s like hearing his work on television. Tune in for insights on creative hustle, the power of streaming, and what it takes to stand out in today’s music industry!

In this powerful episode, Chris sits down with Hansel Canady, owner of Hancan Barbershop and the official barber for the Green Bay Packers—including head coach Matt LaFleur and many of the team’s biggest stars. But Hansel’s journey is about so much more than fresh fades and celebrity clients. Hansel opens up about his childhood in Chicago, including the traumatic experience of being jumped and beaten so badly he was put into a coma. He shares the challenges of moving to Green Bay, facing racism in school and the community, and the struggles that led him down a path of selling drugs and serving prison time. This episode dives deep into Hansel’s story of resilience—finding his first job as a felon at a gas station, graduating from beauty school, and building his business from the ground up by handing out business cards to every customer who walked through the door. Hansel’s raw honesty and determination will inspire anyone who’s ever faced adversity or dreamed of a second chance. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about redemption, hustle, and the power of believing in yourself—no matter where you start.

Episode 195: Chad Vandegriffe – From Backyard Soccer to the World Stage Join us for an inspiring conversation with professional soccer player Chad Vandegriffe! Chad shares his journey from kicking a ball around as a kid to competing at the highest levels of the sport. He opens up about his early days in soccer, the nerves and excitement of trying out for pro teams, and what it’s like to win major awards and travel the world as an athlete. Chad dives into the lessons he’s learned about the intricacies of the game, the stories behind his impressive jersey collection, and the realities of getting older as a player. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and inspiration. In this episode: Chad’s introduction to soccer as a kidThe challenges of pro team tryoutsWinning awards and traveling the globeLearning the deeper strategies of the gameCollecting jerseys and the stories behind themNavigating the ups and downs of a long careerAdvice for young athletes and more! Listen now and get inspired by Chad’s passion, perseverance, and love for the beautiful game.

In this episode of Passion Pod, I sit down with Wisconsin’s former Lieutenant Governor, Mandela Barnes, for an inspiring and candid conversation. Mandela shares his backstory and the pivotal moments that shaped his political journey, from growing up in Milwaukee to becoming the state’s first Black lieutenant governor. He opens up about his favorite memories campaigning alongside Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and Governor Tony Evers, offering behind-the-scenes stories and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. We also dive into what Mandela is working on now, his thoughts on term limits, and his vision for the future of Wisconsin and beyond. Whether you’re passionate about politics or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and a few laughs along the way. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode! Connect with us: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial YouTube: Passion Pod

Episode 193 – Benjamin Percy: Writing Legends, From Wolverine to Star Wars This week, Chris sits down with Benjamin Percy—a powerhouse storyteller whose pen brings iconic characters to life. Ben writes the legendary Wolverine and Punisher comics for Marvel, crafts stories for Star Wars, and even dives into the world of Predator comics. He’s also the mind behind several acclaimed novels and the director of a chilling horror short film. Tune in as Ben shares his creative process, what it’s like shaping the destinies of fan-favorite heroes, and how he balances writing for comics, novels, and film. Whether you’re a comic book superfan, a Star Wars enthusiast, or just love a good story, this episode is packed with inspiration, behind-the-scenes tales, and creative wisdom. Don’t miss: How Ben approaches writing for legendary franchisesHis journey from novelist to comic book writerStories from the set of his horror short filmAdvice for aspiring writers and storytellers Hit play and get inspired by one of the most dynamic voices in modern storytelling!

Get to know Fullermoe, the creative force behind some of the most iconic streetwear merch in the game! In this episode, Chris Johnson sits down with Fuller to talk about his journey from up-and-coming designer to working with major stars like Lizzo, Childish Gambino, New Found Glory, Miley Cyrus, Wu Tang Clan, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, Eminem, and more. Fuller shares: How he developed his one-of-a-kind streetwear style The wild stories behind designing merch for music legends What it’s really like collaborating with A-list artists His creative process and inspiration Tips for aspiring designers looking to break into the merch world And so much more! Whether you’re a streetwear enthusiast, music fan, or just love hearing creative journeys, this episode is packed with inspiration and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

Episode 191: Comrade Tripp In this episode, Chris sits down with comedian Comrade Tripp for a candid and hilarious conversation about his journey into the world of comedy. Comrade shares how he got his start, his lifelong love for Pokémon, and how going viral online gave his career a major boost. They also dive into his pivotal role in growing the comedy scene in Minnesota and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re a comedy fan, a Pokémon enthusiast, or just love a good underdog story, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this episode! Tune in for laughs, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of Minnesota’s rising comedy stars. — Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out more episodes at passionpod.org! #ComradeTripp #PassionPod #Comedy #MinnesotaComedy #Pokemon #GoingViral

🎨 Passion Pod Ep. 190: Brent Schoonover — The TRUTH about Drawing for Marvel! 🦸‍♂️ Join Chris Johnson for an exclusive interview with acclaimed comic book artist Brent Schoonover! In this episode, Brent pulls back the curtain on the comic book industry and shares his incredible journey from discovering comics as a kid to drawing for some of the biggest names in the business. Tune in to hear Brent discuss: His introduction to comics and early inspirations Earning a college degree in comic book illustration Drawing Toy Story comics and how that opened new doors Breaking into DC and Marvel, and what it’s really like working for them Creating his own comic book series, Devil’s Highway Designing iconic cereal box art for Count Chocula How comic book artists actually get paid (the real truth!) Why the Incredible Hulk is his all-time favorite superhero And so much more behind-the-scenes insight! Whether you’re a comic book fan, aspiring artist, or just love a great creative story, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into the world of comics with Brent Schoonover.

🎬 Episode 189: Making Movies in the Midwest with Ramon Swift Sloan In this inspiring episode of Passion Pod, host Chris Johnson sits down with Milwaukee-based independent film director Ramon Swift Sloan. Together, they dive into the unique challenges and rewarding triumphs of making movies in Wisconsin and the greater Midwest—far from the glitz of Hollywood. What you’ll hear in this episode: Ramon Swift Sloan’s journey as an independent filmmaker in Milwaukee, WIThe realities and opportunities of producing films in the MidwestPractical tips for aspiring filmmakers and creatives looking to break into the industryHow community, resourcefulness, and passion fuel Ramon’s projects and success Whether you’re a film buff, a creative, or just love stories about people pursuing their passions, this episode delivers real insights and inspiration from the heart of the Midwest film scene. 🔗 Discover more: Listen and watch on all platforms: passionpod.org 👕 Shop exclusive merch: passionpod.org/merch 💡 Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/passionpod 📸 Instagram: @passionpod 🎥 TikTok: @passionpodofficial #IndependentFilm #MidwestMovies #RamonSwiftSloan #WisconsinFilm #PassionPod #FilmmakerInterview #Podcast

What does it take to keep pushing the boundaries in snowboarding? In this episode, pro snowboarder Joe Sexton opens up about his journey from riding handrails to running Public Snowboards, his role as Competition Director for the Red Bull Heavy Metal snowboard contest series, and what goes into creating legendary events. Joe also shares his favorite snowboarding videos, the scariest trick he’s ever landed, and the stories that shaped his career.