Absolute TALK!

We end the year with a newbie, but a goodie as Jessie Lopez and Ariel Peck join the pod for a great chat! They have some amazing, individual dance journeys that you wouldn't believe growing up. Also, what was that one moment that sparked the start of Ariel's photography career? Plus, how did they first meet and what makes their west coast swing teaching dynamic unique? And we'll even get into a couple of their dance routines that are amazing in very different ways genre-wise. If you want to check out Ariel's website, go to ari-photography.com

We've made it!!! It's the 200th episode of the pod that says it all, It's Absolute Talk! Today, Aric Lemieux a.k.a. DJ 911 and I wrap up our deep dive into the legendary music of the G.O.A.T. of parodies, Weird Al Yankovic! We'll look at his hilarious tracks from "Word Crimes" to "Polka Face" and everything in-between. Also, thank you for supporting this show since the very first episode in 2018. Without it, none of this would be possible, and I'm very grateful for all of it.

With only a few episodes left, and close to the big milestone, we get "Weird" today! Joining me is Aric Lemieux a.k.a. DJ 911 as we look back at the music of the greatest parody musician of all time. This week, we look at the first few decades of the music and videos of Weird Al Yankovic from "My Bologna" to "Eat It", all the way to "All About the Pentiums." The 200th Episode of Absolute Talk will air next week.

With only a few episodes left, we give you on episode 198 the sixth and final installment of Bonus Audio Extras. They are clips from previous interviews that were never used in their respective episodes. We have soundbytes from guests including Alyssa Schoeller, Angelique Early, Victor Loveira, Renee Wasko, Lou Colella, Zack Ruggiers, Tara Trafzer, and a little bit of StreetHype from Tony Tucker.

With only five episodes left, it's Episode 197 and Mark Bolter is back to talk about our favorite football team, THE NEW YORK GIANTS!! This was before the losing streak for what it's worth, but we share our favorite memories of big blue. Also, what's on our mind these days from Twitter to dance, and everything in-between.

We are only four episodes away from episode 200 in the final season of the show! Today, we're back with more of Victor Loveira sharing his time in Australia. This week, he shares if anything was different from his first event to the second and third times there including the culture down under. Plus, what else is on his mind and what are his favorite memories of the past?

It's been a long time coming, but Victor Loveira is back to talk the land down under! He shares how he got the chance to finally go to Australia and what the culture was like there. Plus, he holds nothing back on several other topics and stories of recent times you have to hear.

Hey, we are finally back with a new collection of clips from past interviews that didn't quite make the cut! Joining me for this installment are Isabel Nunes-Siraco, Alyssa Schoeller, Renee Wasko, Emily Rose, Maria Ford, Vania Estes, "Tomdog" Morse, and Carl Coleman.

Today is Halloween, but it seems like it's horror is spread around from politics to sports. I'll talk about that, and what's in store coming up for the podcast. Don't forget to follow the hashtag #absolutetalkpodcast on Facebook.

One of my favorite, long-time west coast swing dance pros, Angelique Early, is on the podcast this week! She's a fantastic teacher of different trades whether it's dance or education, but was that what she wanted to do growing up? Also, how did West Coast Jamn start as well as who were the first pros she got to learn from? Those are a few of the topics and stories we got to share with more you'll find from this very chill chat. For more about the group, check out westcoastjamn.com

Today, we continue my fun conversation with the awesome Brad Whelan, famous for his great photography, emceeing, and more! We'll look back at how he got his start on the mic and what he has learned along the way. Plus, how did he first start learning west coast swing dancing along with the first pros he got to learn from? And what prompted him to move to Australia that has been the move of a lifetime? So much you have to hear with more stories on the way!

What a better way to kick off our return to Mondays than with my guest, West Coast Swing Photographer and Emcee, Brad Whelan!! We'll dive into how he got started in photography, meeting his fiancee Rachel, along with other hobbies and interests growing up. Plus he shares a scary moment that took place one night at a dance event in Germany that could've been a lot worse.

Rounding out our adulting month, Alyssa Schoeller reflects back on her high school days that you don't wanna miss that really became a head-scratcher. Plus, we finish reading random questions that were written and drawn at random. It is a fun month that we were proud...I guess you can say, to bring to you in the month of September.

So this week amongst other random questions, what were our favorite toys we played with growing up? Alyssa Schoeller and I answer that along with other possible highlights of our youth...and maybe even a teaser for next week?

This week, Alyssa Schoeller and I discuss the people we personally know that would be great for reality TV. That along with more random questions we have drawn on this "Mature Audience" month.

Alyssa Schoeller is back this month as we draw random questions on a variety of topics including one that involves the consequences of tequila. All that and more that's for a mature audience only, so be warned.

As a hard-working hip hop and ballet dancer, Tony Tucker is thriving in both music videos on his YouTube channels and for other recording artists! Today, he shares about his experience in a couple of them, "Test Me" by John Doss, and "Sugar My" by Jann Klose, and how those opportunities came about. Links to videos are available in the song title, and for Tony's YouTube channel here.

This week we find out more on what inspired Tony Tucker to start his own YouTube channels. Not only that, we look back at some of his favorite performances of the past including a few notable dancers along the journey. If you want to see his old channel click here, and for his newest one click here.

With the success that he has as both a hip hop and now ballet dancer, how did he get his start in that performing art? That and how I first learned of the "Streethype" master himself was a pretty interesting story you'll have to hear later. If you want to check out one of his early YouTube channels, the link is right here.

The summer continues to roll on into August with the amazing "Streethype" dancer Tony Tucker! With the success that he has had over the years, why is the time now to move down from New England to South Carolina? The answer to that will amaze you.

Weird title, yes. But is that what Alyssa Schoeller and I depend on for enjoyment? All this did make the "Final Cut" if ya know what I mean. Also, check out her website alyssamayphoto.com for all the great photos you can order!

Alyssa Schoeller and I are back for more of this great chat! We wonder what celebrities best describe us and our personalities, and the answers may surprise you. Also, check out her website alyssamayphoto.com for all the great photos you can order!

You're wondering why our next guest doesn't like the 90s? Returning this month is dancer and photographer Alyssa Schoeller telling us more. We knew that she didn't like 90s Country music, but what caused the floodgates to open this time? Also, check out her website alyssamayphoto.com for all the great photos you can order!

We're already halfway through the year and the time is now to make the major announcement affecting the show. What it is? You'll have to tune in.

With me forgetting to bring enough equipment, what better way to bring in summer than with Passin' Da Mic! Today, myself along with the returning Saya Suzaki take turns with the microphone answering some random, fun questions that I had wrote down. No spoilers here, you have to hear to believe, but the answers were definitely priceless!

Wrapping up our conversation with Aya, she shares with us the worst experience ever with a dentist that's just mind-boggling. Also, where she has traveled over the years and where she would like to travel to next? Don't forget to follow the hashtag #absolutetalkpodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

Aya and I are back this week, and she brought some amazing knowledge on a variety of subjects. Some include her findings on nutrition that really made sense. Also, what's the process like for getting treated medically to the outdatedness of books, and why this is troubling in this short episode?

Hey, so we're mostly shooting the breeze this month on a variety of things. Joining me is my friend Aya as we talk about the podcast that almost happened and why it didn't. Don't forget to follow #absolutetalkpodcast on facebook.

In honor of May the 4th, we complete the deep dives into the Star Wars trilogies. Today, myself along with Lou Colella and Zack Ruggiers react to the original trilogy, Episodes 4-6 which were the very first movies released in the franchise. What did we think of "A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi"? You'll have to tune in to find out.

For this episode, it's just me going off on what's happening in the world today. And later on, I give you what to expect on the docket for the month of May. This will be one wild yet quick ride!

We "GO HOME" as Eddy V, Lou Colella and I put a bow on the world of professional wrestling or "Sports Entertainment" in 2021! What were our most enjoyable storylines as well as our favorite entrances to watch? Also, what were the most shocking moments in wrestling last year that left us excited...and maybe speechless?

Eddy V, Lou Colella, and myself are back this week to continue to grapple the topics of wrestling this past year. What did we think were the ABSOLUTE WORST moves made by wrestling companies back then? And who did we consider the best tag teams that shined in the business in 2021?

Today marks the 4-Year Anniversary of the podcast, Happy Anniversary Bay Bay!! We continue on this week as Eddy V, Lou Colella and I pull no punches on our deep dive into wrestling with 2021! Who did we think shine the brightest, and who really stunk up the ring that will have us debating? Plus, we remember those who we have lost this past year including some favorite memories of these great wrestling legends.

No April Fool joke about it, it's time to reflect back on a crazy 2021 in the wrestling world! Returning to the podcast are die-hard wrestling fans Eddy V. and Lou Colella, holding nothing back. This week, what were our matches of the year, breakout stars, best and worst pay-per-view events?

Kicking off The New Millennium, our GREATEST Irish rock band U2 turns back to their musical roots. Carl Coleman and I close out this month reflecting at their momentum-changing album, "All That You Can't Leave Behind," that really brought back an old yet newly impressive sound to the band once again. Not only that, we'll share our favorites from the other studio albums that continued defining how original their songs are all the way to today.

The times were changing as our favorite Irish band U2 took on the mainstream world of the 1990s. This week, Carl Coleman and I chat about the ever-evolving music of "Achtung Baby," "Zooropa," and "POP" as well as why some were both hits and misses in our opinions. Plus, we talk about both the ZOO TV and PopMart tours from the craziness of their production, to the struggles of another.

This week, Carl Coleman and I deep dive into the amazing collection of tracks from the 1980s created by the amazing band U2. We'll share our favorites from each of the studio albums including, "Boy," "October," "The Unforgettable Fire," and "The Joshua Tree." And not only that, we discuss probably their greatest touring album "Rattle And Hum" with our most enjoyable songs and highlights that came out of it.

We are celebrating St. Patrick's month with the greatest rock and roll band to have come out of Ireland! Join me and Carl Coleman as we start this deep dive this week by looking back at how the band was formed. Plus, he shares his experiences from the U2 concerts he went to along with some of the amazing facts that go into production for one of their shows.

Today, we conclude our chat with the amazing dance pro Arjay Centeno! This week, he shares how he started his weekly dance group "Super Swing Tuesdays" as well as how he ultimately decided on The Brix as the landing spot. Plus, how did he and Bridget meet, the inspiration for the name of their son Slater, and what does the future hold for him with the dance? Also, don't forget to check out arjaycenteno.com

This week we continue to look back at Arjay Centeno's dance journey from past to present! We'll share our favorite memories working/teaching with dance pros Jennifer DeLuca and Malia Jameson from over the years. Also, what's the one competition dance that he and Jen had that's so incredible, that we're still talking about today? Link to that video is available below. Arjay and Jen Fedora Dance Plus, don't forget to check out arjaycenteno.com

Today, what was the one BIG decision Arjay made that led him to his successful profession? Also, we talk about his time working/teaching with fellow west coast swing dance pro Melissa Rutz. Not only that, he shares his memories of his first dance event and first place in competitions. Plus, don't forget to check out arjaycenteno.com

This month, west coast swing dancer superstar Arjay Centeno joins the podcast for a fun chat! Today, we look back at the musical instrument that he mastered the most growing up in his early years. Also, who was the one BIG celebrity that he got to play for in concert and what were his favorite types of musical pieces to play? Plus, don't forget to check out arjaycenteno.com

Are you ready for an amazing kickoff to the fifth season of Absolute Talk? Joining me to start the year is my dancer friend Emily Rose as we chit chat about her dance journey. Plus, she has some very strong opinions and stories from her personal experiences in life to some of her favorites in pop culture. NOTE: This conversation is very adult-contented making it not appropriate for children as a precaution.

Tune in to this trailer to find out more!

What a way to conclude our fourth season of Absolute Talk than with the very long-awaited return of west coast swing dancer icon Kristen Shaw! There's no theme to this episode, all we did was just talk shop and whatever else we had on our minds. Stay tuned as well, I will announce officially when the new season of the podcast will begin. So kick back, grab a drink and join us for this incredible ride from the first second to the last!

Welcome back as Carl Coleman and I continue right where we left off discussing rock tracks and albums from 30 years ago. Not only that, what was the one-hit wonder that we considered to be the dirtiest but desirable? Plus more of arguably the BOOM of grunge and a who's who of bands that really made an impact that year more than any other at that time. 

Can you believe it's been 30 years since the boom of grunge music? Or even the incredible Black Album of Metallica, as well as the success of one of the great acoustic songs of all time? Well 1991 was a year for a ton of great rock songs that set the world on fire! Carl Coleman is back to share his insights on the tracks that made it possible for us fans along with some memories that go beyond the chord.

We're back again this week to conclude our replay of International Coffee Day! Myself along with Krissy Roussel, Mark Albino, and Emma MacSweeney taste test more types of coffee as we go darker into the brew. Don't forget to follow the hashtag #absolutetalkpodcast on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest updates on the show.

Missed our fun Facebook Livestream? Here's the first part of the audio replay celebrating International Coffee Day back on October 1st. Joining me are Krissy Roussel, Mark Albino, and Emma MacSweeney to talk shop and taste test coffee such as Chocolate Mocha from McCafe, French Vanilla Cappuccino, Donut Shop Regular and more! Get ready for a caffeine-filled experience worth enjoying from the first drop to the last!

We kick back this week with fellow west coast swing and lindy hop dancer Renee Wasko to find out how she got interested in those two genres. Also, what's she currently studying to be in the medical field and what she's been up to during this crazy pandemic? Also we share some takes and talk shop while her cat Alexander tries to take over the podcast one paw at a time!

Clearly Halloween was a time to mess with my livestream, so I recorded a new 15+ min episode about some of the new tech that's out recently. On top of that, what have I been up to and what are my future travel plans for the rest of 2021. Plus I have a very important shoutout to start the show to a very close friend of mine who means a lot to me.