The Paradise Podcast

Ken and Jordan are back—and this one feels like momentum. With May the 4th right around the corner, the guys kick things off by gearing up for a full Star Wars celebration at Disney, including the chaos of reservations, lightsabers, and the reality that nothing ever goes exactly as planned… and that's part of the fun. But before the galaxy far, far away—there's real life. Ken shares an update on his return to running, building toward a full race season with early morning miles, mental battles on hills, and the slow realization that consistency beats everything. What starts as a fitness update turns into something deeper: how progress actually happens, and why your brain is usually the thing holding you back—not your body. From there, the conversation jumps into: The reality of Hawaii flooding and what it means for friends still on the island The growing obsession with optimizing routines (hydration, training, recovery) Whether hobbies eventually become lifestyles And how small wins stack into real change Then it's time to go full nerd mode. Ken gives his review of Project Hail Mary—a rare sci-fi film that actually delivers—balancing real science, humor, and heart in a way that feels fresh in a landscape full of recycled ideas. From there: The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer (and whether it actually hits) Superhero and sci-fi fatigue vs. what still feels new The struggle between nostalgia and originality in modern movies And a passionate (and slightly heated) take on Star Wars consistency, character choices, and consequences Finally, the episode lands where it always does—perspective. Whether it's training for a race, planning a perfect Star Wars day, or just trying to enjoy the moment you're in… this episode is about embracing the process instead of chasing perfection. Because paradise isn't something you schedule—it's something you build.

🃏 New Card Drawn: "The Big Game Breakdown" Jordan and I sat down to break down the Super Bowl (Yes... from a month ago) — the commercials, the halftime show, and the strange moment we seem to be living in where every other commercial suddenly has AI in it. We had mediocre beer commercials. Robots selling vodka. And somewhere in the middle of all that noise… the simple realization that the best Super Bowl commercials used to just make people laugh. This episode is a little nostalgia, a little cultural commentary, and a reminder that perspective matters when the hype machine hits full volume. Sometimes the real win isn't the flashiest play — it's just stepping back and seeing the whole field.

Ken and Jordan are back on The Paradise Podcast with a spoiler-ish review of Disney+'s Wonder Man — and it kicks off with a quick reset on what this show is really about: finding your "paradise" through nostalgia, passion, and the stories that keep you grounded. From there, they break down why Wonder Man works (and why it's going to frustrate people who only show up for 'splosions): the slow-burn reveal of Simon Williams, the peek behind the curtain of struggling-actor life, and a surprisingly solid commitment to character-first storytelling. They dig into Simon's "finicky artist" energy, the choice to drop all eight short episodes at once, and Jordan's take that the whole thing almost plays better as a single movie. They also hit the most polarizing detour (Doorman) and why it sticks out, the family episode (Pacoima) and how it reframes Simon, plus the Trevor Slattery angle — including how the show somehow makes Trevor… kind of work. Toward the end, Ken gets personal about the moments that hit harder than expected, and why stories tied to fathers, legacy, and purpose land differently when you're carrying real-life grief. Final verdict: not a must-watch for everyone — but if you want Marvel doing something different, this one earns your attention.

Ken is back on the mic with Wayde—one of the voices that helped inspire the original move to Hawaiʻi in the first place. But this time, Ken's checking in from Orlando, just minutes from Disney's Animal Kingdom… and somehow dealing with colder weather than Portland (because apparently Ken brought the chaos with him). From there, the conversation ricochets through the Masters of the Universe trailer hype, what it would take for He-Man to kick off a real 80s revival (Thundercats, MASK, and more), and why AI is about to blow up the entire movie pipeline—faster than anyone wants to admit. Then the tone shifts back home: jaw-dropping Kīlauea footage, "lava bombs" hitting like a black snowstorm, and the real talk on Maui's future—short-term rental rollbacks, lawsuits, crime, stalled rebuilding, and whether Hawaiʻi is approaching a point of no return.

Ken finally does the thing: he steps outside the Disney bubble and spends a day at Universal… and comes away both impressed and irritated. In this episode of The Paradise Podcast, Ken is joined by his cousin Mark (you've heard him on Gen-X Reverb) and his sister Karyn—his longtime "open-to-close" Disney ride-or-die partner—to compare notes on Universal vs. Disneywithout feeding the usual online feud. Mark brings a trip report from Universal Studios Japan, where Super Nintendo World is the main event: the pipe entrance reveal, the music, the details, the interactive Power-Up Band games, and food that feels like it actually got plated on purpose. He also breaks down the reality of crowds, timed entry stress, and why the Mario Kart ride can be both a must-do and a letdown (incredible queue… slower ride than you expect). Karyn shares her experiences from Universal Studios Hollywood and Islands of Adventure, including why Universal has always leaned more into big rides and thrill energy (and why she still braved Hulk and Dueling Dragons even as a non-coaster person). Then Ken drops his first-timer perspective from Epic Universe: one of his best coaster experiences ever with Stardust Racers, the chaos of wait times in Super Nintendo World, the overpriced Express Pass frustration, and why Universal's highs don't automatically erase Disney's strengths—especially when it comes to hospitality and the "whole day" experience. By the end, the verdict is simple: Disney and Universal aren't supposed to feel the same—and that's the point. One is where you chase magic, the other is where you scream your head off. Oh—and the crew officially books their next episode: a childhood throwback movie review of Condor Man. What about you? Are you Team Disney, Team Universal, or "why not both"? And do you want more theme park episodes like this?

Jordan (SykeBeats) is back in the booth!  Ken started off talking about an interview he did with Scott Becker from Becker's Healthcare on the QuickHITs podcast. Please check it out!  We talk about excitedment ... err, confusion about what Wonder Man is. We also discuss Project Hail Mary , if you haven't read the book I highly recommend it.  Then we discuss the meteoric rise of the Oregon Ducks football program, and the continued descent into obscurity of the Nebraska Cornhuskers    

What We Talked About This Week 🏈 Ducks vs. USC — The Road Trip & The Fans Jordan and I kick things off with our trip to the Oregon Ducks vs. USC game. We recap the hype on the drive down, the energy in the stadium, and the less-than-stellar Ducks fans we had to deal with along the way. 🌵 My Quick Trip to Phoenix I share the highlights from my recent visit to Phoenix and we get into a side conversation about wedding DJs — specifically what good ones actually do to keep the night moving and the crowd involved. 🎬 Our First Time Watching Avengers: Infinity War We remember our reactions, what hit us hardest, and why this movie still holds up as one of the biggest swings Marvel has ever taken. 📊 College Football Rankings & Nebraska's Future (…Yeah, It's Rough) We dive into the latest college football rankings and talk honestly about where Nebraska is heading over the next few years. Spoiler: it's not pretty. 🥃 Scotch Tasting Session I explain the scotch tasting experience I had earlier this year and really get to enjoy learning how to properly tast scotch  

After a long hiatus, The Paradise Podcast returns with a new purpose. Host Ken Booth opens up about the life changes that reshaped his view of "paradise". He discusses everything from personal loss to the hard truth about chasing a dream to move back to Maui. Joined by special guest and Paradise Podcast producer: Jordan (SYKEBeats), Ken reflects on the last few years and shares how creative freedom and forward momentum have become his new definition of paradise. The two talk sports, geek out over the biggest movies coming in 2026, and wrap things up with a classic sci-fi film recommendation that captures the spirit of rediscovery. Proof that paradise isn't a place on the map… it's a state of mind.

Spoiler Alert!  In this episode of The Paradise Podcast, Jordan and I dive back into the world of Star Wars: The Acolyte to finish our review of the series. We passionately dissect the good, the bad, and—let's be honest—mostly the bad. From plot twists that missed the mark to characters that left us wanting more, we leave no stone unturned in our final thoughts on this much-anticipated series. Tune in for an honest and lively discussion that every Star Wars fan needs to hear!

Aloha! Ken is back after a short hiatus, and boy, do we have a packed episode for you! First up, Wayde "The Poorman" Fishman and I start off talking about the bombshell news that's shaking up the Marvel Cinematic Universe—Robert Downey Jr. is making a comeback, but this time as Dr. Doom!  After geeking out over the MCU, we switch gears to discuss a pressing local issue: the economic and fiscal impacts of short-term rentals in Maui. Using findings from a recent study, we break down how proposed regulations could affect Maui's economy, housing market, and tourism industry. It's a deep dive into a topic that's crucial for our island community. I also want to thank all of you for your patience and support while I was away in Omaha helping my father. Your messages and well wishes mean the world to me. Don't miss this episode filled with exciting Marvel news and important local insights. Tune in, and as always, mahalo for listening! Wayde is the owner of Wayde's World Hawaii Jeep Tours, where he offers unique and personalized tours of Hawaii, showing visitors the hidden gems of the islands. He is also the co-host of the popular Living the Aloha Life podcast.