Bad Etiquette

Arguably the most mature, refined, and "normal" episode we've done together. Kale visited last Summer, laid down this great conversation, and sad to say I haven't seen him much since. He's been a constant in my mind, heart, and upbringing. Stephen King wrote the line "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12"-The Body  Kale was one of these friends at 12 that I will be thankful for as long as I live. We're 30 now.  Who we grew up to become had many influences, one being his father Tom who passed away 07/31/24. I'd like to dedicate this episode and attribute part of who I am today is thanks to Thomas and his son, my childhood bestfriend, Kale. 

A little over a year ago I was asked to be the Best Man for Lou's wedding; it was a flattering albeit stressful undertaking until I realized all I'll have to do is be there. I think. I mean that's the least you could do as a friend which is still too much to ask for people these days. However Lou isn't an ordinary do-nothing bitch. The positive pressure you feel around him is a standard that seems to be lost in most social circles. Without being unrealistic, he demands the best of you in subtle ways, not-so-subtle-ways, and everything in between. Not one to let his friends get away with the bare minimum you will be activated to potential or be well on your way. He occupies himself constantly I don't know how he finds the time to hang out because I know quite a few do-nothing-bitch-ass friends that don't do half the things he does and still can't find the time to call. Oh well we might all be created equal BUT we certainly do not develop equally. Enjoy the conversation. Read, study, workout, learn a new skill, train your passions, you're much better than this. Just give it a chance. 

A few weeks ago my friend Nate took me out fishing for the first time on his dinghy. While it wasn't as erotic as it might sound I had a blast nonetheless. I caught my first fish and he caught about ten or twelve. We talked during the whole thing embracing the quiet morning, spotting our friend and podcast alumni Palmdale, discussed Nate's future plans for therapeutic fishing lessons for veterans with post-traumatic stress, humble beginnings catching sticks, and a fair amount of stigmatized subjects to ponder. 

For our dedicated listeners you'll recognize this familiar face. Going all the way back to a world before this hellish cyber dystopia we call reality; my very first guest episode that i'm not even sure is still available anywhere I was joined on a folding stool in my bedroom by Phil. His charm, vulgarity, and verbal counter-strikes were immediately welcomed to your ears. Setting the precedent of political incorrectness, passion, and pure fun. Five years later worlds away and we're graced by his prescence for more dialogue, distatse, and heart. Skateboarding, white children's upbringing, firearms, homeless solutions, answering all of your guest questions inside this episode. Sit back, relax, tune-in, and watch the world burn. 

We're lucky enough to know people that are closer to you than family. Some families are so intertwined with yours it would be remiss to not mention them in tandem. Garrett's family is my family. And mine is his. We're not blood relatives but that's the only thing separating us from one another. I'm proud to bring you an additional conversation that's brought me closer to understanding someone I've known for so long. I hope you get to know me a little better with each passing episode. I know I'm learning who all of you are piece by piece.  Authenticity is a quality I strive for. Garrett embodies this. You'll get roughly an honest interaction from me, but you'll always get the real fucking deal from Garrett. From our family to yours please enjoy this edition of the Bad Etiquette Podcast.

When a friend suggests someone they know to be a guest on the podcast I'll be the first to admit its met with apprehension; however this one was a no-brainer. Daniel was so easy to speak with. A member of the Los Padres Forest Association, co-owner of TaylerMade Training, and outdoorsmanship to envy, Wildman Dan tells me about wine making, butchering livestock, hunting, playing guitar for Downhour, hanging out with The Bad Crowd, interfacing with local homeless, and dogtraining. Can't wait to have him around more. Enjoy the first guest of 2024!

Over the past few months I've had multiple recorded episodes fail to launch. Whether personal choice, guest apprehension, or the dreaded ever-present technical difficulties.  This was the second attempt with my friend and recently discovered relative Matthew.  Always punctual, always professional, and willing to record he was someone I knew i'd have a good conversation with let alone the two that stretched over 5 hours together. Matthew is a twin, born premature, with Cerebral Palsy although you'd never guess a single one of these facts. Never one to let anything slow him down, especially me interrupting, he came by to christen the new podcast set-up and blaze through and epic sequel conversation to recover the lost episode plagued with techincal failure. 

This man is an enigma. Ever since the moment we met he has subverted every expectation and social interaction we've ever shared. I truly love original people like Taaffe. Often times I'm just leaning on the bar at Cold Coast Brewery and I'm greeted with a non-sequitur that has me either laughing, infuriated that I hadn't thought of it first, or questioning the seams of what we call reality. Over the past year I've learned new and interesting things about this man but I'm terrified that it's only scratching the surface. Enjoy the ride we take in this episode and a cameo from his lovely wife Sarah. 

If you've ever skated in Lompoc you know Ryan "Palmdale" Walters, he is synonymous with the skateboarding scene and one of the best to represent a once great individualist pursuit on the Central Coast. He's been a shoe-in for the podcast for years and I FINALLY got to sit down across from him to have a wonderful conversation. Only the best people in life seem to be so self-deprecating, it drives me nuts. Ryan is exactly that type of person. No matter how much love he gets he'll humble himself with a quick jab aimed at his own persona. Perhaps that's part of his charm and is why he is so universally (in my opinion) respected by his peers. I've watched his transformation from skate-rat to family man and I don't know many friends I'm so genuinely happy for. Take a moment out of your day to find the Palmdale in your life and text them to let 'em know they fucking rock. Enjoy us knuckleheads talking shit. 

After a year away from the solo-episode I sat down in my new studio/office to get the lead out.  It's always my intention to make rants and complaints as enjoyable as possible, hopefully even one day extracting material from these off-the-cuff proceedings, we all know people who complain at length and just exhaust our well-being.  I promise to never exhaust you for too long. Not to brag but it's become quite a skill to talk shit uninterrupted for many, many, minutes at a time. Take note of when my first break is I surprised myself. Perhaps this is all too late but I expressed some grievences I'd been sitting on. Catharsis was acheived and I had an epiphany by the end of this episode. Simply being: I have to be myself, only myself, authenticity is purity. I've strayed to far from who I am. Course correction has taken place and you, the listener, shall witness. Enjoy!  

Fellow podcaster Sophia Lynn let me infiltrate her dwelling on Easter Sunday to chat about being a Peer Support Specialist, homeschooled vs public school, men's mental health, winning "Nickelodeon Rock's Your School", playing an electric violin, being a horsegirl, and cute dogs arrive. Be sure to check out her podcast on Spotify "Nobody Likes You..." 

Ben joins me in my secret living room lair while the podcast studio is being constructed, we chat about the Phat Jam 7 Skate Contest, the new skatepark in opening soon in my hometown of Nipomo, rehabbing our back/knee injuries, Ben's love for physical therapy, nearly becoming a father, living in Seattle, why we hate Reels on IG, the legendary Blake, Mr. Bungle/Mike Patton, living in a world that hates cops, and advocating for the future Santa Maria skatepark. 

Tiff sits down with me in the blue room of local rehearsal space and live entertainment venue Stages letting me pick her brain about her first time doing stand-up, being a music teacher, why the hell she chose to be in Lompoc, Covid vaccines, and The Circus Starts at Midnight.

Many years ago I met a video rental store clerk, Noah, in the small town of Nipomo, California. Fate would reunite us for a wild and fun conversation orchestrated by none other than the man behind the curtain Jonathan Lopez. Mixing and mastering 99% of all my podcasts this man has been working on Noah's album from music project known as DEAD MAGIC. It wasn't easy being the least talented man in the room during this hilaious dialogue but it will be easy for all of you to listen and enjoy!

A few months ago a familiar name from my social media accounts approched me about doing stand-up for show he would be hosting at the local live music venue/rehearsal Stages. It was a successful night of laughter and meant a great deal to me; so I knew I had to get this man on the podcast, try to pick his brain, and maybe get to know him as a person. We got to talk about stand-up, forgery, scabies, goth kids, etc All in all it was a great conversation bringing me closer to our oldest guest yet. Please enjoy the quick wit of this geriatric Casey Fera. 

Fan-Favorite of the show Kale invites me in and makes the best old fashioned I've ever had before we get down to the dirty, offensive, sense violating, discussion that's alwasy promised when you're talking to this lothario of lust and liquor. Everybody needs someone like him in their life and everytime I witness his social anarchy it reminds me to be a little more authentic, push the envelope, and forget to care what people think. After what I can only quanitfy as my entire life his influence bleeds into the spirit of this show and what I originally set out to do by starting a podcast. Saying the wrong thing at the right time, especially with the right person, will always be my favorite kind of moments to share. Please enjoy the explicit, unfiltered, and unwavering Kale Nickelson. 

My friend Jason Elliott is the owner of Allegiant Futness and Gracie Barra Santa Ynez Valley, my jiu-jitsu coach, co-host of the Mat Brain Podcast, and finally got to sit down for an episode of the Bad Etiquette Podcast and share details of his life and fatherhood for your listening pleasure.

Weeks into the fifth Sober October Kyleigh and I discuss our clearer thoughts, social anxiety, breaking old cycles, relationships with grief, my favorite brewery, feeling more present, and some important self-reflection. 

This was originally a conversation that I deemed unworthy of releasing but since I accidentally sent this to the mixmaster J-LO himself instead of the correct recording you all will get to listen to what me and Kyleigh sound like when we're drinking and less than awesome contributing members of society. Stay tuned and keep your eyes out for part two where the real intended episode of whimsical catharsis and self-reflection is captured for listener's pleasure!

The Mat Brain Podcast has returned! I sit down with my Jiu Jitsu coach, Jason Elliott, at his new gym Allegiant Fitness in Solvang, California to catch up after almost a year away. We discuss preparing for IBJJF Worlds, rest-stop altercations, my back injury recovery, falling in love with Montana, saving a trucker's life, exercising self control, the dangerous addiction harming young men, and we recap the 2022 ADCC, 

After business hours I sit down with Central Coast hairstylist and photographer Ruby Villalobos to discuss the origins of her career, have a whiskey, childhood reflections, surrounding yourself with interesting people, failing our punk roots, comfort movies, hard lessons learned, and plenty more hidden deep in our conversation waiting for you to discover. 

Lead vocalist Kevin Lietz of the Lompoc local favorite pop-punk band Yearbooks sits down with me while on leave from the ARMY to chat about almost being my first guest on video, why he joined, male insecurities, MMA fighters we don't care for, starting music with his brother, (listen closely and you'll hear music throughtout being made), foreskin, military optics, living outside California, good cops vs bad cops, while I sit and enjoy his service member accent. 

Thanks to this man for giving me the courage to ask you all for donations towards the video camera. I'm excited to show you what really goes on in this show. Corporal Navarro invited me into the back of his Tacoma outfitted for travel and told me some amazing stories including acute cirrhosis of the liver, sweeping for IED's in Afghanistan, international ladies of the night, helping a gunshot victim,  and why he joined the Marine Corps. Dive into this week's episode and escape with us as we overlook the beautiful Lompoc Valley. 

Every group of friends has at least one person that is truly loved in a benevolent way, they're the warm center to any good friendship. To Orlando's friends, in my opinion anyways, he is just that very guy. He was kind enough to join me in my truck one afternoon to record this and talk about his recently released album(Can't Connect), ditching cardio for weightlifting, his creative process, and of course the raunchy juicy bits I won't mention here.   

A solo journey into the ramblings of a film-noir obsessed narrator contending with the bad drivers of the Central Coast, outrageous gas prices, cruise control pros and cons, clueless victims of the pandemic, personal mantras, and misleading headlines. Anti-heroes and misanthropy ahead. 

I'm very proud to bring you this episode this week around, a somewhat dark and strange story was brought to my attention and I had to interview this man to get the gritty details! Max is one of the nicest people I've sat down with for a podcast. It's all smiles as we dart around like a Tarantino movie explaining his toxic relationship ending (for the better) and his business as a local photographer. A genuine soul can be heard through this conversation and you know it ain't coming from me. Domestic Violence, Rage Piss, gaslighters, and more. 

A staple in the Central Coast skateboarding scene, all out rail-conqueror, and man-behind-the-lens of the recent videos "Fuck Your TV", "Secret Vol. 3" Shane Marriott invited me over for a nice talk about his tattoo collection, solo trips, local skate heroes, what camera equipment he prefers, sobriety, our late friend CJ Paz, and more. 

You might recognize her pouring drinks at our favorite local watering hole The Wicked Shamrock Irish Surf Pub when she's not sitting down to discuss her silversmithing passion (@feralsilver), being homeschooled, unapologetic self-expression, polyamory, and how to get away with murder in this wonderful episode. Be on the lookout for a future installment with her where I hopefully remember to ask about her truck being stolen, chopped, and recovered. Listen, enjoy, and visit her at the bar and buy me a drink!

There is nothing better than sitting down with your lifelong friend only to learn new things about them, see different sides of their personality, and connect through crude, vulgar, and off-color jokes. You'll hear in this episode how Kale harnessed the spirit of the podcast and why he is one of my favorite people in this bizarre clusterfuck we call reality. As always; listeners beware.

The solo episode has returned (kind of) as I rant to Kyleigh off-mic about our 2021 recovery, dealing with healthcare bureaucrats, side-effects of new medication, my new archery hobby, World Carnivore Month, fainting at the doctor's, real food vs fast food, Yellowstone season 4, big butts, and the year ahead. 

Today we sit down with Justin Tomlinson, a marketing coordinator, Head of Design, manufacturing, and CEO of CUT'N'CURE CREATIONS (www.CutNCure.com), parent of Remington the dog, car enthusiast, and most of all my brother as we discuss homemade animal hospice, avoiding pink eye, misgendered dogs, distrust of our local school faculty, his eclectic encyclopedic knowledge, and us inevitably growing closer instead of growing apart. 

You may have just seen Sean this past weekend drumming for The Donda's at Tap & Cork or DJ-ing at the EOS Lounge or maybe caught the first part of this multi hour podcast well regardless he's back as we discuss the bootleg market, Soprano's spoilers, mental gymnastics in the pandemic, collecting vinyl, a chance encounter with a murderer, Nick Cave, more Kanye, and women inventors. 

Not sure if you can tell when or if it happens but Jason's violence molecule was activated and he mat murdered me after this episode was done recording. 

The Host of Moondog Radio, diehard Kanye fan, jazz musician, and sometimes DJ, Sean Causby (no relation) has me over and we discuss being pretentious white hipsters, South Park classics, Steven Segal shitting his pants, Adam Sandler movies, and a plethora of semi-related music trivia and hatred. 

This week we are addressing the fears of Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, balancing coaching and competing, losing at the gym vs losing in the real world, each of our local celebrity sightings, trying combat jiu-jitsu, and American vs Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Listener Discretion Advised in this instant classic edition as I try to harness the unedited, uncensored, chaotic storm of energy know as Nate "The Great" Eller. Viral Tik Tok star, Eagle Scout, drummer of multiple punk & metal bands, and least importantly my dear friend. Car accidents, being homeless, edibles vs. LSD, stolen vehicles, severed fingers, being robbed by drug dealers, and that's only in the first 30 minutes. Enjoy at your own expense. 

Kyleigh and I sit down in a beautiful park and recap the amazing night seeing Whitney Cummings, her dad's untimely passing in September, and the bizarre turns of events that made it possible. Enjoy the noisy outdoors in this healing episode of the Bad Etiquette Podcast. 

Brett returns to the podcast as we sit in his bachelor pad and discuss beard genetics, self-improvement vs selfishness, Yearbooks final(?) show, his exciting new band goodgrief, 100+ Days of sobriety, our contrasting lockdown experiences, and our favorite Ron White joke. 

Today's episode Jason and I try to get know each other better than just sweating into one another's eyes, watching animal kill videos, recap the Jiu Jitsu World League III competition, encouraging the listeners (THAT'S YOU) to come and try Jiu-Jitsu, our worst tattoos, and a great book recommendation. 

Jason and Dallas sit down for a quick chat after a long time away from the show and commentate a few matches on the Fight 2 Win 180 event, philosophy at the gym, out-of-context misunderstandings, and getting choked unconscious.

Recorded in O'Sullivan's Pub during rennovation ben and I sit down over a couple beers and talk about the survival of the Central Coast skate scene, The Rec, hating the YMCA, our late friend CJ Paz, Tampa Am, joining Hayley & the Crushers, legend of Nate the Great, having COVID, winning SLAP's One In a Million, and underrated skateboarders. 

JP sits down with me for the final episode in Oceanside to talk about his contagious charisma, working for Starbucks 15+ years, being a Nixon Custom Shop watchmaker, rude customers, the origins of Taekwondo, being replaced by machines, the deep roots of Star Wars in our lives, unlearning bad habits, and just plain ole hanging out with a friend fitting a watch to my wrist. 

A chance at redemption as me and Kyleigh record on top of Figueroa Mountain for a second time, the first one didn't take and we lost a lovely episode so six months later here we are interfacing with the wild around us, watching the sunset, letting the crickets annoy us, talk about missing persons in National Parks, villify litterbugs, Wizard of Oz horror stories, which super powers we want, and the mental illness of selfies. 

An evening with the house to myself I react to watching UFC 1, think back fondly to 88 Footwear, discover why Pacific Islanders are obese, dodge crackheads at CVS, recall camping at the Nude Bowl outside one of the most dangerous cities in America, using my fourwheel drive for the first time, cooking my first Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tip, and being scared shitless in a tent. 

Will McCarty joins me on my balcony one evening, as I enjoy a cigar and we talk about our hatred for skateboaring, the roles we play in the industry, the 27 club, shitposting, his deep voice, what GOMAD is, eating raw meat, and our denim rituals. 

Dive deep into my psychosis this week as I struggle with injury-induced depression, watching my first stand-up show in over a year, eating elk for the first time, possibly finding my new favorite action-flick, Hercules stealing MY joke, appreciating clean comedy, teasing future guests, and my record store purchases. 

Bruno was rolling through the neighborhood and stopped by the podcast to chat about wearing the wrong size skate shoes, me blocking him on Facebook, (Is) Skateboards, tragedy bringing us closer, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, hotel room finds, shoplifting tips, MMA, and knowing when to wrap up your stories. Overall a fun lighthearted conversation I'm happy we got to talk. 

We met at a small motel in an even smaller town and drank some beer and whiskey. It went very well. We talked about the podcast we've grown, what causes a man to get a Prius, I push through vocal fry, getting fired from our jobs, having supportive partners, what Jonathan doesn't like about the show, and things I can't write here. 

Happy Two Years Everyone! In this anniversary episode I squabble with my guest dryspell, recap my Valentine's Day, agree to a tattoo I can't pay for, life lessons from a ghetto skatepark, productive complaining, and overdosing on Redvines. 

This week I embrace my inner slacker, find out what it means to be politically gender neutral, make a case for animal based diets-while respecting vegan ones?? (you'll have to tune in for that one), recap my first drunken driving-range experience, and a date to the mountains with Kyleigh.

This episode is as long as Pai Mei's eyebrows with none of his wisdom. It has Bill, booze, bros, blunts, and bullshitting amongst a crew of longtime friends. Bury yourself alive in the conversational orgy of violence taking place.