Episode 217 R.A. the Rugged Man

Legendary underground rapper R.A. the Rugged Man sits down at First Avenue in Minneapolis for a raw, hilarious, and heartfelt interview. We talk touring with Atmosphere/Slug, signing a major-label deal as a teen, getting blackballed from shows, the story behind “Uncommon Valor,” wild concert moments, and his passion for filmmaking (including Bad Biology and Suicide Disco). If you’re into underground hip hop, rap history, and real artist stories—this one’s for you. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial Facebook: Passion Pod Website: https://passionpod.org

Tommy G is a Milwaukee-based documentary maker with over 3 million subscribers on YouTube, and his work takes you everywhere—from Grand Theft Auto stories and street-level chaos to investigating some of the worst prisons in the United States… and even exposing Scientology for what it is. In this conversation, we get into what it really takes to tell stories that hit hard: earning trust, walking into uncomfortable places, staying safe, and keeping your humanity when the internet only wants the “craziest clip.” Tommy’s got that rare mix of curiosity + courage, and I think you’re going to leave this episode feeling fired up to chase the stories you’re meant to tell. If you’re into documentaries, investigative storytelling, or just hearing how someone builds something massive by following their obsession—this one’s for you. Watch the full episode, and let me know your favorite moment in the comments. Subscribe for more Passion Pod interviews with people who turned their passion into a real-life career. Listen to Passion Pod on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Passion Pod / Chris: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial Facebook: Passion Pod

In this bonus episode we catch up with country music artist Chris Kroeze. Chris has been a guest on the show twice in the past, but it's been a couple of years since we last chatted. Chris has a brand new album titled "Even Rednecks Get The Blues". In this interview we get the inside scoop on all the new music. Chris also shares his favorite Wisconsin venues, which country stars have better beards than him, his most embarrassing moment on stage, and more.

In this episode of The Passion Pod, we sit down with tattoo icon and Ink Master fan-favorite Clean Rock One—widely known as one of the most televised tattooers in Ink Master history. Filmed at the Minneapolis Arts Tattoo Festival, Clean opens up about the real stories behind his name, his early days in graffiti, getting arrested, almost joining the army, and how tattooing became his life. We also get into the behind-the-scenes reality of Ink Master: auditions, casting, producer strategy, what it’s like living on set, how the critiques are filmed, how much contestants get paid, and why “doing great tattoos” isn’t enough to survive reality TV. Clean shares his favorite and least favorite Ink Master tattoos, what he wishes the show rewarded artistically, and how TV fame changed the kinds of clients he attracts. Plus: Clean talks about selling Golden Skull Tattoo in Las Vegas (and passing it to his son), building the Chrome Gypsy Compound in Kewanee, Illinois (a school turned into a tattoo shop/bar/arcade/event space), and his goal to turn it into a must-see art destination. Featured Guest: Clean Rock One Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial

Mark Longenecker is a renowned tattoo artist who became known worldwide after placing 4th on Season 5 of the hit TV show Ink Master. With over 30 years behind the machine, Mark is the owner of Endless Summer Tattoos in Cocoa Beach, Florida—and when he’s not tattooing, he’s usually chasing waves as an avid surfer and ocean lover. In this episode, we get into what it was really like competing on Ink Master, the very first tattoo Mark ever did on someone, and the path that led him into the industry in the first place. Mark also shares how he got hired to work for Jimmy Buffett, what it took to open his own shop, and how he developed his signature “Tropi Style” tattoos—pulling inspiration from traditional Japanese design and translating it into something uniquely his. We also talk about how Ink Master changed his life, what he’s learned from decades of tattooing, and the mindset it takes to keep evolving as an artist.

Corey “Thunder” Law takes you behind the scenes with the Harlem Globetrotters—recorded before their show at The Sonnentag Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on January 2, 2026. In this interview, Corey shares the full journey: his first dunk at 12 years old, becoming a college dunk star, the moment he dropped the ball in the NCAA dunk contest, and how he ultimately got drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters. We also get into what he learned from Globetrotter legends, world records, his all-time favorite Globetrotters, catching an alley-oop from Snoop Dogg, surprising a kid with cancer, and the wildest moments from traveling the world. Follow / connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/

Leon Ondieki is a viral content creator from Atlanta who’s built 9+ million followers across his platforms—and he’s only 23. In this episode, Leon breaks down how he went viral on TikTok in high school (one video hit 8 million views and gained 100,000 followers in a week), how he landed his first major brand deal with What Do You Meme, and how that first sponsorship helped him make $50,000 in a single month—money he used to buy his first car and pay for college. Leon also shares why he took a gap semester to focus on content full-time, what he’s learned from generating billions of views, and the strategies he uses to turn attention into real audience growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: What makes content go viral (and how to repeat it)How to convert views into followersSponsorship + monetization lessons from early winsPractical growth strategies you can apply to your own social media Follow Passion Pod: Website: https://passionpod.org Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial

34-time Guinness World Record holder Adam Winrich joins Passion Pod to break down the real world of professional whip cracking—how a whip crack breaks the sound barrier, what it takes to set Guinness records, and what it was like appearing on Conan and America’s Got Talent. Adam also shares wild travel stories (Australia, Italy, China), Renaissance festival life on the road, and how viral videos impact a performer’s career. Follow Passion Pod: Website: https://passionpod.org Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial YouTube: Passion Pod

Voice actor David Errigo Jr. (the current voice of Ferb on Phineas and Ferb) joins Passion Pod live from Twin Cities Con 2025. We talk about the Phineas and Ferb reboot, anime dubbing vs video game VO vs animation, union advocacy, character integrity, and an emotional convention story that reminded him why this work matters. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial YouTube: Passion Pod Website: https://passionpod.org Featured guest: David Errigo Jr.

Epic Lloyd and Nice Peter from Epic Rap Battles of History join Passion Pod at Twin Cities Con 2025 for a behind-the-scenes deep dive into how ERB became one of YouTube’s longest-running hit channels. We talk about: How ERB started (early YouTube + Maker Studios era)Writing and production process (quality over quantity)Collaborations with T-Pain, Weird Al Yankovic, Snoop Dogg, Key & Peele, Skrillex and moreTouring, burnout, budgets, and what it takes to keep creating at a high levelFavorite stories from the booth and the set Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial YouTube: Passion Pod Featured guests: Epic Lloyd & Nice Peter (Epic Rap Battles of History)