Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch

Cue up WWE Tough Enough on Peacock and watch episode 1 of season 5 with A.J. as he shares his insights, thoughts, behind-the-scenes stories, and a whole lot of cringe as the episode plays out. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, and more!

Tough Enough co-executive producer and WWE production guru Doug LeBow returns to discuss the final few episodes of the show, the live finale before Raw, how he knew Andy was going to win, and more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, and more!

Doug LeBow, WWE production guru of over 14 years (1992 - 2006) and Tough Enough's co-executive producer, dissects his early education in pro wrestling, what brought him to Tough Enough, how he acted as WWE's eyes and ears during the show, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, and more!

Tough Enough story producer Tim Davis joins Tough Talk this week to discuss what a story producer does on a reality show, how his wrestling background won him over with the cast and crew, moving on to WWE Legends House and Lucha Underground, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Former independent pro wrestler and my close friend Jon Orton shares his experience watching the show from the point of view as a former wrestler, as my friend, and more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Trainer Bill DeMott discusses how he became involved, the strings being pulled, his arrival to and departure from NXT, life outside of wrestling, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Ryan Howe discusses dealing with the unfortunate "Skidmarks" nickname, getting roughed up by Booker T, winning a promo battle to save himself, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Jeremiah Riggs, who made it all the way to the final three with almost zero pro wrestling experience, pulls no punches about his time on Tough Enough. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Tough Enough contestant Eric Watts relives the good, the bad, the ugly, and how it affected him then and now. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Meg Barry helped cast Tough Enough, Real Housewives, Top Chef, Big Brother, Project: Runway, and dozens of other massive reality shows. She breaks down the casting process from her perspective, helping the TE cast as the show was filming, and what casting producers are looking for when scouting prospects. Follow her casting IG @MegBarryCasting for all of her reality show casting calls. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Tough Enough executive producer Eric Van Wagenen sheds light on every step of the show, from casting to filming to the follow-up season that didn't happen. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Pro wrestler and pro wrestling analyst Simon Miller of WhatCulture weighs in on Tough Enough as he saw it happen. Also, musings and motivation...because it's Simon Miller! Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. 

Zaki relives his time on Tough Enough, his elimination, and why be broke up with pro wrestling. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

Ariane Andrew (Cameron in WWE) discusses her brief but memorable run on Tough Enough and how it became a launch pad for so much more. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

After reliving his pro wrestling path in episode 02, contestant Mickael Zaki explores his TE experience. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

Tough Enough finalist Luke Robinson dives into the controversy surrounding why he didn't win, the strings behind pulled behind the scenes, and so much more. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

Contestant Mickael Zaki tells A.J. about his journey in pro wrestling right up to Tough Enough. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more. Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

Tough Enough contestant Martin Casaus joins A.J. to take a deep dive into the TE casting process. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pics and vids from Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during filming, and more! Follow Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch on Twitter, IG, and Facebook, all @TheToughTalkPod.

Here's what's in store for you in the upcoming Tough Talk podcast! Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch and check out the "Money Talks" tier to find out how to get early and ad-free episodes, access to exclusive podcast content, pictures and videos from the events surrounding WWE Tough Enough from my own personal collection, entries from the journal I kept during my time shooting WWE Tough Enough, and more! Follow me on all the things - Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch are all @AJKirsch. Facebook is @iAmAJKirsch. Thanks for checking it out!