That's So Rad!

In this episode, Travis and Danny sit down with Darren Robinson, founding guitarist of Phantom Planet, best known for "California"—the track that became the iconic, defining theme song for the hit TV series The O.C. Darren shares how he picked up guitar at 11, how the band took shape, and why he’s always felt more at home out of the spotlight. The conversation moves from music memories to 80s and...

Travis is joined by guest host Danny Smith and Mark Hewitt for a follow-up conversation that starts with tipping culture and quickly turns into a broader reflection on generational values, consumer habits, and what feels different about growing up then versus now. They also get into a nostalgic list of things from the 80s and 90s that have made a comeback and then each shares 5 things they want to...

Travis is joined by guest host Danny Smith and their friend Mark Hewitt for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up in the 80s and 90s, how the Xennial microgeneration got defined, and why that in-between generation still feels uniquely suited to bridge older and younger worlds. The episode moves from childhood technology to music culture, workplace habits, and the strange way the internet ha...

Travis and guest host Danny Smith continue their conversation about growing up in the 80s and 90s. This episode is packed with the kind of stories that instantly take you back: school bus chaos, dial-up internet, bad decisions, and the strange freedom of growing up in this era. They also dig into the school bus as its own kind of social ecosystem, where survival skills, humor, and chaos all mixed...

Travis sits down with Danny Smith for a wide-ranging part one conversation about Xennial identity, growing up in the 80s and 90s, and why so many childhood memories still feel oddly defining. They also talk about the online reaction to the earlier Xennial reel and the debate over microgeneration labels. The episode moves between nostalgia and reflection, asking what we gained from more freedom, mo...

Travis and Jeff continue their Xennial conversation with a focus on the decade of the 90s. They continue to discuss what it meant to grow up at the fault line between analog and digital life, and why that experience feels so specific to a small window of time. A recent Instagram reel Travis shared from the previous episode went viral with nearly 2 million views within a week! They discuss some of...

In this episode, Travis and his friend Jeff Elden dive into the distinctive experience of Xennials — those born roughly between 1977 and 1983 — a microgeneration (between Gen Xers and Millennials) bridging the gap between analog childhoods of and digital adulthood. They reflect on how shared cultural touchstones like the Oregon Trail game and childhood adventures shaped their view of the world, co...

In this episode, Travis takes us on a nostalgic, caffeinated journey through the iconic 90s soda, Surge. With a blend of humor and insightful history, he uncovers how this seemingly simple citrus soda became a rebellious cultural phenomenon, vanished, and then came roaring back thanks to passionate fans and clever marketing. He also shares about his own love of Surge and some stories around his en...

In this episode, Travis sits down with his 16-year-old son, Asher, to explore what makes him uniquely himself—his passions, faith, and perspective on life. From heartfelt reflections on Father’s Day and family moments to insights about gratitude and thoughts around the World Cup, this conversation is a rollercoaster of humor, wisdom, and genuine connection. Asher reveals his love for shoes, sports...

In this episode, Travis welcomes his friend, Danisha Keating, who shares about her journey of resilience in overcoming abuse, being in foster care, and finding herself eventually homeless. She never gave up and her courageous will to overcome led her to gaining her Doctorate in Psychology and now empowers others through her books, courses, social media presence, and speaking engagements. Growing u...

In this solo episode, Travis shares about the profound impact that people with disabilities have had on his life. He reflects on his father's battle with late-stage dementia and shares that despite all of the awful agony and loss, there were surprising moments of discoveries and seeing his dad in a new light. He also talks about an amazing guy who set a world record for doing the longest "wheelie"...

**There is some graphic content in describing the accident. In this episode, Travis is joined by John Thompson to talk about his story that riveted the world in the early 90s. John experienced a life-changing farm accident on his family farm in North Dakota in 1992, where he lost both arms due to a machinery incident. Despite the severity of his injuries, he survived thanks to his quick thinking a...

In this episode, Travis reads Aaron Gilbreath’s essay, "A Brief History of the Word Rad," which takes a fun and nostalgic look at the history of the word "rad," exploring its roots in skateboarding and pop culture and its enduring presence in American vernacular. Some of the cult classic films mentioned include the BMX flick "Rad," and the skateboarding movies "Gleaming the Cube" and "Thrashin'."...

In the episode, Travis welcomes his friend Roosevelt Leggett to the podcast. Roosevelt blends his passions for technology, music, faith, and exploration to live intentionally and connect more deeply with others. The two discuss plenty of random things as well like Roosevelt's nicknames, origami, a crazy karaoke story, and the fear of being chosen out of the crowd for magic shows. This episode offe...

Travis welcomes his friend Wes Hardin on the podcast. Wes shares about a fun entrepreneurial idea for friends that he created with his wife. They then explore Wes's journey from being a science teacher to becoming a Physician Assistant and the motivation behind this journey. We shares candidly about his experiences with anxiety, and talks about how his faith and a perspective shift became a game c...

In this episode, Travis welcomes a very special guest! His brother Jeremy joins the podcast using an assistive speaking device. After a devastating car accident in 2009 left him initially pronounced dead, then at best vegetative with a traumatic brain injury, he's continued to defy so many challenges in front of him--including the greatest of all--despair. Jeremy was a collegiate All-American runn...

In this solo episode, Travis explores the incredible story of Paul Alexander, who spent 72 years living in an iron lung due to polio. The longest time on record that anyone has spent in an iron lung! His journey of perseverance, hope, and ingenuity offers powerful lessons on overcoming adversity and living a meaningful life despite impossible circumstances. His family played a crucial role in his...

In this episode of the podcast, Travis interviews artist Dave Sherrill, known for his whimsically fun and innovative art style under the name 'Dave Ruins Art.' They discuss Dave's journey from a self-taught artist to an internet sensation. He shares the story of how his reimagined pop culture scenes (from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and more!) suddenly catapulted him to international recognition...

In this episode of That's So Rad, Travis is joined by his friend Taylor Brown who is the founder of Cottonwood Construction. Taylor is known for his unique leadership style rooted in character, adventure, community, and resilience. His company is distinguished by its integrity-driven culture and commitment to sustainable growth. Taylor shares how choosing deep roots over seasoned experience transf...

In this episode of That's So Rad Podcast, Travis is joined by his brother Dan as they dive into a whirlwind of stories, random topics, and reminisce on notable memories from long ago and recent times. Dan and Travis also reflect on a life-altering car accident that occurred 16 years ago, which their brother Jeremy with a disabling traumatic brain injury. They discuss the profound impact of this ev...

In this episode of That's So Rad Podcast, host Travis reflects on the start of a new year, his trimmed up beard, the importance of storytelling, and the adventures that come with unexpected challenges like flat tires. Travis shares humorous anecdotes and reflections on life, including a memorable flat tire adventure in Asheville and the importance of being present in the moment. He emphasizes the...

In this heartfelt episode, Travis and his mom Kathy reflect on the year 2025, sharing personal stories, family dynamics, and Christmas memories and traditions. Kathy recounts her inspiring medical mission trip down the Amazon River, while both discuss the challenges faced by family members and friends throughout the year. They also share their favorite highlights for the year. They reminisce about...

In this episode of "That's So Rad," host Travis engages in a lively conversation with his youngest son, Dakota. They discuss family dynamics, Dakota's love for drawing, and all the random things that pop into a six year old's mind in a conversation. The episode is filled with humorous anecdotes, including Dakota's imaginative stories and his unique perspective on family roles. The conversation als...

In this episode of That's So Rad Podcast, Travis reflects on the journey of his podcast so far, sharing personal stories and highlights from past episodes. He talks about the power of short form content and the impact and reach the reels have had on social media--including one that went viral and another one that was liked by a starting NFL player on the Indianapolis Colts. Travis talks about the...

In this episode of 'That's So Rad!,' Travis talks with his high school classmate, Rachael Ormond, who he hasn't seen for nearly 30 years. They take a nostalgic trip back to growing up on farms and their high school days in Rugby, North Dakota. They share humorous anecdotes about their teenage years, including awkward school dances, 90s nostalgia, and random memories from their childhood and teen y...