Life Unraveled Podcast

Join us for a long-awaited conversation on martial arts, self-defense, and life as I sit down with my friend and jiu-jitsu black belt, Ryan Stephens, affectionately known as 'Coach Thanos.' After years of anticipation, we finally got the chance to delve into various topics ranging from training methodologies to personal insights. I found myself genuinely engrossed, and it was tough to bring our discussion to a close. I'm eagerly looking forward to having Ryan back on the show for more captivating conversations. Recently promoted to first-degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ryan is the driving force behind Gray Beard Forge MMA, a thriving martial arts and fitness hub nestled in Conway, Arkansas. At 'The Forge,' our mission transcends physical fitness; we strive to foster a sense of camaraderie among our members, especially veterans, first responders, and their supporters. Through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, MMA, and fitness classes, we aim to cultivate not just physical prowess but also mental resilience and spiritual well-being. In line with our commitment to serving those who've served, we're proud partners of the We Defy Foundation, dedicated to empowering veterans through martial arts training. With a background that spans continents and a former stint as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, Ryan is deeply passionate about supporting veterans and enriching the martial arts community, both locally and abroad. For more information or to contribute to our cause, visit our website at GrayBeardForge.org or donate online using the link provided. Join Ryan for a class at Gray Bear. They are located at 3150 Vail Avenue, Conway, AR 72832. You can reach out to them through their website or via phone at 501-358-6960.

Richard Bresler, a sixth-degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Rorion Gracie's first student in LA, shares insights into some of the most historic events in martial arts. A quick online search reveals articles and photos of Richard alongside Hélio Gracie at UFC1 or training at the original Gracie Academy with notable members of the Gracie clan or the notorious Dirty Dozen (the first Jiu-Jitsu black belts in the United States). Rorion stated that Richard "is undoubtedly one of the pillars of Jiu-Jitsu in America." In this podcast episode, Richard discusses his life on and off the mats, along with insights into his and Scott Burr's 2020 publication, "Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life." I first encountered "Worth Defending" on Audible during my travels back from California in mid-2023. Inspired by the recommendation from friend Jack Taufer, I promptly purchased the book and completed it just as I was arriving home after the last leg of my flight. Whether you're into martial arts or jiu-jitsu or not, "Worth Defending" offers an exceptional read or listen for anyone. With 298 five-star ratings on Amazon, including 157 detailed reviews, it is highly acclaimed. Pick up your copy at: https://richardbresler.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Worth-Defending-Gracie-Jiu-Jitsu-Saved/dp/B08NDZ2SFC

Chris Burns is a long time student and second degree black belt under Master Rickson Gracie. He is back on the show to talk about his recent travels, teaching, training, and more!

Scott Burr is a third-degree black belt under Master Rickson Gracie and Steve Maxwell, and is the co-author of Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life, Richard Bresler's bestselling memoir of his over 40 years' involvement with the Gracie family and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Scott and I discuss some of his strategies for writing, interviewing, and publishing, as well as how some of his past and present projects came together. We discuss his involvement in editing Robert Drysdale's book, Opening Closed Guard, as well as the book he is currently working on with one of the first American Black Belts in Jiu-Jitsu, Chris Haueter. From stories about meeting and training with some of the most significant living minds in Jiu-Jitsu to private lessons with Master Rickson Gracie, there was no shortage of great conversation to be had! It was a pleasure sitting down with Scott for this podcast, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scott's writing at www.ScottBurrAuthor.com or on Facebook @ScottBurrAuthor; more information about his Jiu-Jitsu travels as well as seminar, group class, and private lesson booking information can be found at www.EnclaveJiuJitsu.com, or on Facebook and Instagram @EnclaveJiuJitsu.

Jim Ginter is a lifelong martial artist, multi-art black belt, owner of Maximum Martial Arts in Flagstaff, AZ, a business guru, and an all around great guy! I know Jim through the Superfoot System and my martial arts instructor and multi time former guest on the podcast, Danny Dring. Jim shares Superfoot stories, business ideas, training with Chris Burns. Jim has a lot perspective from spending 40 years on the mats training in the martial arts. This was truly a great conversation and I hope to have Jim back on in the future! Check out Jim on social: ginter@maximummartialarts.net maximummartialarts.net https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063656228682

Steven Hiscoe is the Owner and Chief Instructor of Hiscoe Jiu-Jitsu in Chilliwack BC. Sensei Steve is a lifelong martial artist and a 9th degree black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu. He is also a veteran police officer with over 30 years of experience and has been a use of force instructor for over 20 years. Steve also actively trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and we have a great conversation about all things martial arts. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the show.

"Big John" Johnson is the owner of Iron Clad Martial Arts in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Big John has trained with the veritable who's who in MMA and alongside of of the biggest stars in from the Spike/Early TUF era of the UFC. John is on the show to share about his training methodologies, businesses, fighting career as a pro heavyweight, and much more. Thank you all for listening.

Chris Burns is an Australian-American Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and Owner/Head Instructor of Zero Point Jiu Jitsu. Chris is currently assisting Rickson Gracie with his second book and works with Master Rickson on the regular basis and is actively engaged in preserving the art and spreading the concepts of Invisible Jiu Jitsu throughout the Jiu Jitsu community at his academy, as well as through teaching seminars and offering private lessons.

Dr. Totten is an assistant history professor at the University of Arkansas and an expert on the American Civil Wa and is back on the show for a deep dive on higher education, as well as the war in Ukraine.   Dr. Totten completed his Ph.D. in History at the University of Arkansas in 2020. His current project, “A Suspected Democratic Regiment: The Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers in the American Civil War,” examines the relationship between northern communities on the home front and their volunteer units on the battlefront during the conflict. His work highlights the resistance from some army units towards emancipation as a war aim which subsequently strained the civil-military relationship during the Civil War.   Listen to Dr. Totten's previous appearance on the show: Video: https://youtu.be/43MeQ6owcl0 Audio: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3iguk-f1bc9d   https://fulbright.uark.edu/departments/history/directory/index/uid/eptotten/name/Eric+P.+Totten/

Justin is back on the podcast for video breakdowns of his divisions from this last Master's worlds. We watch both purple and brown belt Master 3 Super Heavy.

We are continuing to work our way through the Floyd catalog with a live listen of the 1977 album Animals on vinyl. Personally, this is my favorite Pink Floyd album. Check back for our comparison to the 2018 remix, which just came out in 2022 as well as future Music Unraveled episodes over some of the biggest bands in rock and roll history.

My long time friend and continued collaborator, Thurman Storing is back on the show for a live listen and review of Pink Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets album on Vinyl and in Mono. Look for our breakdown and comparison of the Original Pink Floyd Animals album and the 2018 Remix. (which just came out in Oct 2022). Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the show!

Ray Trower is a professor of Psychology, former colleague and valued friend. He is finally making his first appearance on the show for a talk about vinyl, and all things music. We look forward to having Ray back on the show in the future!

Traye McCool is a former colleague, historian, college history professor, and member of the Arkansas National Guard who is finally making his first appearance on the show! It was great getting to sit down and catch up with my friend and talk a little about history and current events. We discuss issues surrounding the upcoming election, gun control, law enforcement training, and more. Enjoy the show.

In this episode Thurman, Julie, and Brian review The Civil War, A Film by Ken Burns. The nine-part documentary was streamed to 40 million viewers when it first premiered. We will be analyzing some of the controversies surrounding the film and the prevalence of Lost Cause mythology woven into the narrative.

Our good friend Jeff Woods is back on the podcast. Tune in for a focused discussion over writing. Woods is going to share some of his personal writing strategies and what he has changed over the years. Jeff Woods is a Professor of History at Arkansas Tech University and Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do.

It was a true pleasure to sit down with Bill in the studio and talk about his life, travels, and his writing. Bill is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and taught courses in philosophy, religion, creative writing, art history, and humanities throughout his tenure at the University of the Ozarks. Bill is the author of Redgunk Tales: Apocalypse, and Kudzu from Redgunk, Mississippi, The Wild Women of Redgunk, Redgunk Tales: Tales form the Kudzu," and "Welcome to Redgunk: Tales from One Weird Mississippi Town." Visit his website williamreakin.com for a free story and more information about Bill and his publications. You can also purchase his most recent work which we will be discussing in detail on a future podcast here: https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Redgunk-Tales-Weird-Mississippi/dp/1590214781 Read what critics have to say about his stories: “....poetic and unusual....” — Publisher's Weekly “Eloquent and witty, thoughtful and even heart-rending. . . . Every time I've read a Redgunk story recently, I've come away thinking the most recent was better than what I had seen before. I'm coming to realize that it's not a question of better; each one has been good on its own. . . .Bill Eakin is a brilliant storyteller." —Kim Mohan, Amazing Stories "Redgunk is simultaneously a place of prosaic horror and impossible beauty...author William R. Eakin provides readers with plenty of swamp gas and a piercing view into the human soul." - A. M. Dellamonica, Science Fiction Weekly

Bair is back on the show to discuss life as a Comedian amid and post pandemic. From living in southern Cali chasing his dream when COVID began to what it has been like for him on the other side of things back in Arkansas now that shows are happening again. We unravel it all here on the podcast. It is always a pleasure hosting Bair on the show. Thank you all for watching and listening. Check out his page for more information and dates: https://www.facebook.com/BairTheComic/

Dwight Woods is the host of the JKD Dialogues Podcast. Woods is a longtime student of Dan Inosanto, one of Bruce Lee's first and students. He is also the head instructor of Unified Martial Art Academy in Miami. He is on the podcast today to talk about his podcast and his 40+ years of training in the martial arts. Enjoy and thank you all for listening!

It was an honor having Zane Isaacs on the show to discuss his life in the martial arts. We go into his background in Jeet Kune Do, coming up training with Arkansas MMA pioneer, Sifu Rodney Hitchcock, as well as his exposure to one of Bruce Lee's original students in Ted Wong. We riff on different styles and training methodologies, martial arts legends and myths, interpretations of techniques, phases/ranges of fighting, self-defense, modern MMA and much more. Zane is the owner of Championship MMA in Van Buren, Arkansas.

Josh Wilson is back on the podcast foor a talk about life, reading, writing and more. It is always great having Josh in the studio and there is never a shortage of great conversation. Join us for live for wherever the podcast goes!

We had to stop the live feed for a second, but we are back! Enjoy the conversation.

My good friend Thurman is back on the show for a podcast about nothing. Actually we are going to talk about a ton of cool stuff: Music, vinyl records, future podcasts, history and a ton of other common interests that we share. It is always great getting to sit down and have a conversation or a brainstorm session with Thurman.

Ari Knazan is back on the show along with chief Joshua McMillian to discuss the movement to make jiu jitsu training mandatory for all law enforcement officers. We discuss some of the barriers and problems preventing this from happening as well as the benefits and value associated with this change. Ari works in law enforcement, is founder of one of the most famous youtube channels of all time in Submissions 101 and the co-founder of Invictus. Chief McMillian is a 20 year LEO veteran and we are all lifelong martial artists. Learn more about Invictus here: https://www.invictusleo.com/

This episode we go insurrection unraveled and discuss the recent riot at the capitol.  This episode was recorded just before the inauguration.  

Chris and I have trained together for a number of years.  He is on the show to talk about his martial arts journey and his exposure to Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts by Arkansas martial arts legend Mr. Marc McFann.  It was great hearing Chris's stories and about his experiences on the mats throughout the years.   Congratulations on your recent promotion to brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pal! Well deserved!

"Big John" is on the show to share stories from his martial arts journey.  Big John has trained with some of the greatest instructors of our time throughout the years.  From becoming a full instructor under Paul Vunak to training with Guru Dan Inosanto and Ajarn Chai Sirisute, to earning his black belt in BJJ, Big John has had an incredible life on the mats. 

Brian, Thurman and Julie are back exploring Civil War films and the prevalence of the lost cause myth in digital media.  On this episode we discuss the films Glory and 12 Years a Slave.

John is back in the studio for a live listen of the new Puscifer album.  We live listen and provide commentary and feedback.  Enjoy and thank you for listening.

On this episode of After the Show, Thurman and Julie are back on to talk about the JFK assassination through film.  We analyze Oliver Stone's JFK as well as Martin Scorsese's the Irishman and talk about other appearances in popular culture and the impact this event has had on American culture. Read Thurman's Master's Thesis concerning the JFK Assassination here:https://orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2019/25/ Listen to his first appearance on the podcast after his defense here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bU9EChYXrU&t=1s

It was great catching up with Mark on the podcast!  He is on the show to talk about his journey in the martial arts, training at Jackson's in ABQ, meeting his instructor, Alberto Crane, owning an academy in California and the Jiu-Jitsu scene there pre and post pandemic.  We also talk about some values that make the culture unique at his academy and how he still finds the motivation to train, ride, ruck and stay active.  Mark is a fantastic black belt and instructor and it was an absolute pleasure having him on the show!

I have been looking forward to sitting down for a long forum conversation with Justin for a while now.  We work on campus together and are never at a shortage for great talks about history in passing.  It was great getting to finally sit down with him and talk about his life, education, surviving a brain tumor, his background and interest in history, civilian air patrol, the Vietnam War and much more.  Thanks for taking the time, Justin.  I hope we can do it again on down the road.

It is always great sitting down for a conversation with John.  John has been on the podcast numerous times and this is his first time back since the pandemic began.  We have future episodes planned to review season two of the Mandalorian on an episode of After the Show, and also a Music Unraveled live listen and review of the new Puscifer Album.  Be on the lookout for these episodes.  Thank you for tuning in.

It is great having Marie and Dr. Housenick back on the show to answer questions and do a breakdown of the 2020 election. Marie is a historian and PhD at the University of Arkansas and Dr. Housenick is a political science professor at Arkansas Tech University.

Dr. Totten is on the show to discuss recently earning his PhD from the University of Arkansas and his research and study of the Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers in the Civil War. Dr. Totten recently successfully defended his dissertation on "A Suspected Democratic Regiment: The Fourth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War."

Dr. Nate Chapman is a Sociology Professor at Arkansas Tech University and is on the show to discuss his recent book: Beer and Racism: How Beer Became White, Why It Matters, and the Movements to Change It (Sociology of Diversity). Beer in the United States has always been bound up with race, racism, and the construction of white institutions and identities. Given the very quick rise of craft beer, as well as the myopic scholarly focus on economic and historical trends in the field, there is an urgent need to take stock of the intersectional inequalities that such realities gloss over. This unique book carves a much-needed critical and interdisciplinary path to examine and understand the racial dynamics in the craft beer industry and the popular consumption of beer.  Thank you for taking the time to come on and share you research with us, Nate!