World renowned new school tattoo artist and 2-time Ink Master contestant Jesse Smith sits down with Chris Johnson on the Passion Pod for one of the most in-depth conversations he's ever had. From getting busted for graffiti in Germany at 17, to selling Flash up and down the East Coast, to getting the call that changed his career forever — this one covers it all. Jesse opens up about why he thinks Ink Master cast him as the "one trick pony" from day one, the real drama behind the cameras, getting flown to Australia with 50 people on a waitlist overnight, building Loose Screw Tattoo, running the Richmond Tattoo Convention through COVID and personal tragedy, and the fictional world of Carkayous — the universe behind every tattoo he creates. Plus timeless advice for artists, clients, and anyone building something from scratch. One of the best we've ever done. Don't skip this one. 🎙️ Passion Pod — Where passion meets conversation. 📲 Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

What happens when a funny rapper keeps going long after a "reasonable person" would quit? You end up with Justin Bieber sharing your music and selling out shows across the country. 🎤 In this episode, Chris sits down with Scoochie Boochie (Michael Ribbens) — the comedy rapper behind viral hits like Carbutt and I Have Sex — to talk about blowing up on social media, building a fanbase from nothing, life on tour, concept albums, the Bible, and why keeping your sailor hat on is always the right call. Topics covered: Going viral with Carbutt and gaining 10K followers mid-flightHow Justin Bieber & SZA sharing his content changed everythingQuitting his architecture tour job to rap full-timeWhy comedy rap is harder to sell than it looksLonely Island, Bible lore, mustaches & more 🎙️ Passion Pod — Real people. Passion-driven careers. Unfiltered stories. 📲 Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA 🌐 passionpod.org

Green Bay Packers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler sits down with Passion Pod for one of his most candid interviews yet. From growing up in extreme poverty in Jacksonville to creating the most iconic celebration in NFL history — the Lambeau Leap — LeRoy holds nothing back. In this episode: 🏈 Brett Favre's off-field memories & the Pack Attack TV show 🏈 How Deion Sanders gave him his nickname "Roy Lee" 🏈 The untold story of replacing Deion at Florida State 🏈 Reggie White's impact on the Packers' Super Bowl run 🏈 Battling anxiety, dyslexia & claustrophobia throughout his career 🏈 His new book Locker Room Therapy, Leap 36 Vodka & his upcoming documentary If you love football, real stories, and people who lived life on their own terms — this one's for you. Subscribe & Follow Passion Pod: 🎙️ YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/passionpod 🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053 🌐 Website: passionpod.org

Comedy magician Wes Barker aka Stuntmagician joins Passion Pod to talk about viral YouTube success, America’s Got Talent, Pen & Teller, TV shows, live performance, and hilarious magic fails. If you love comedy, magic, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes stories from a professional magician, this episode is for you. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

In this episode of Passion Pod, Chris Johnson sits down with stand up comedian Ashley Gavin for a candid conversation about comedy, internet fame, podcasting, public backlash, and what it takes to keep going after a career-changing moment. Ashley shares stories from cruise ship comedy, touring, building an audience online, and how her perspective on stand-up has changed over time. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

In this episode of Passion Pod, Chris Johnson sits down with DC comic book artist Doug Mahnke for a wide-ranging conversation about his career in comics, creativity, and storytelling. Doug shares behind-the-scenes stories from working on Batman, The Mask, Green Lantern, Superman, and more, along with how he broke into the comic book industry and built a career spanning more than 30 years. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA

What’s the difference between hallucinations and delusions—and what does schizophrenia actually feel like day to day? In this episode, mental health advocate and influencer Kody Green (aka “The Schizophrenic Hippie”) shares his story of addiction, incarceration, diagnosis, medication, and recovery—plus the often-misunderstood “positive vs. negative symptoms,” stigma, and how families can support a loved one in psychosis. Featuring: Kody Green aka The Schizophrenic Hippie (motivational speaker, podcaster, author of Minds Over Meetings). Follow Passion Pod + Kody: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial YouTube: Passion Pod Facebook: Passion Pod

Former college baseball player turned baseball influencer Ryan Ellingson joins the Passion Pod at Kwik Trip in La Crosse, Wisconsin to share how he went from travel ball and college baseball to building a creator career—landing brand deals with MLB, the Minnesota Twins, and getting sent to MLB All-Star Week, including on-field access for batting practice just feet from Shohei Ohtani. We also talk Twins fandom, baseball culture, and what it takes to turn baseball content into a real business. Follow Chris / Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial Facebook: Passion Pod YouTube: Passion Pod

Legendary underground rapper R.A. the Rugged Man sits down at First Avenue in Minneapolis for a raw, hilarious, and heartfelt interview. We talk touring with Atmosphere/Slug, signing a major-label deal as a teen, getting blackballed from shows, the story behind “Uncommon Valor,” wild concert moments, and his passion for filmmaking (including Bad Biology and Suicide Disco). If you’re into underground hip hop, rap history, and real artist stories—this one’s for you. Follow Passion Pod: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial Facebook: Passion Pod Website: https://passionpod.org

Tommy G is a Milwaukee-based documentary maker with over 3 million subscribers on YouTube, and his work takes you everywhere—from Grand Theft Auto stories and street-level chaos to investigating some of the worst prisons in the United States… and even exposing Scientology for what it is. In this conversation, we get into what it really takes to tell stories that hit hard: earning trust, walking into uncomfortable places, staying safe, and keeping your humanity when the internet only wants the “craziest clip.” Tommy’s got that rare mix of curiosity + courage, and I think you’re going to leave this episode feeling fired up to chase the stories you’re meant to tell. If you’re into documentaries, investigative storytelling, or just hearing how someone builds something massive by following their obsession—this one’s for you. Watch the full episode, and let me know your favorite moment in the comments. Subscribe for more Passion Pod interviews with people who turned their passion into a real-life career. Listen to Passion Pod on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Passion Pod / Chris: Instagram: @passionpod TikTok: @passionpodofficial Facebook: Passion Pod