SHT Talk Tavern

Mark and Dave are back at the Tavern, and this week they're unpacking the September trip to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina — a vacation that ended with something permanent. In Episode 019, Mark tells the full story of walking into the Salty Sailor tattoo parlour on Ocean Isle and making a decision he can't undo: getting the SHT Logo tattooed on his upper thigh. Dave has questions. Mark h...

Mark thinks he’s judging straight American whiskey. Dave has other plans. One of the five “bourbons” isn’t bourbon at all. Dave quietly swapped in Don Julio 1942 tequila and sat back to watch. What follows is unfiltered tavern chaos: sniffing, sipping, ranking, second-guessing, and Mark slowly realizing something is very wrong with one of the glasses. Expect honest tasting notes, plenty of banter,...

In this episode of SHT Talk Tavern, Mark sits down with two men who retired one year ago to get real, unfiltered advice on the retirement transition and how to mentally prepare for life after work. One guest returned to consulting in the same field he left, creating a flexible post-retirement career on his own terms. The other fully stepped away, enjoying everyday life at home with his wife while...

In this thoughtful episode of SHT Talk, hosts Mark and Dave sit down with neighborhood sage Jeffrey for a raw, honest conversation about life after 50.Drawing inspiration from Dylan Thomas’s famous line “Do not go gentle into that good night,” they dig into the big questions many men face in midlife and beyond:Are men over 50 actually fulfilled? What does true career fulfillment look like once the...

Dave and Mark are back in the kitchen (and the tavern) for Part 2 of the viral watermelon ice cream challenge. Last time they dove in head-first. This time they actually followed a refined recipe, measured things (mostly), and tried to get the texture right. Spoiler: it went better… until they decided “better” wasn’t quite finished. At the end of the episode they crack open a bottle of rum and tur...

In this episode of SHT Talk (StagsHead Tavern Podcast), hosts Dave and Mark take on the viral social media watermelon ice cream challenge. They freeze a watermelon, cut it in half, and use the frozen half as the mixing vessel for their ice cream mixture. No fancy machines—just a hollowed-out frozen watermelon, cream, and pure summer chaos. Watch (and listen) as the duo blends, scoops, and tastes t...

What happens when you hit 50 and suddenly decide it’s time to get inked? In this episode of SHT Talk Tavern, Dave and Mark sit down with two friends who have each gotten multiple tattoos in the last two years — all after turning 50. From the motivation behind their tattoo journeys to the pain, planning, placement regrets (and wins), and how it feels to walk into a tattoo shop as a middle-aged adul...

Join hosts Mark and Dave at the StagsHead Tavern for a hilarious and flavorful pickle tasting adventure on SHT Talk ! In this episode, the duo samples a lineup of popular national pickle brands including Josh's Pickles , Dill Daddy Pickles , McClure's Pickles , Mount Olive Pickles , and Claussen Pickles . From crunchy dill to bold garlic flavors, they compare taste, texture, and spice leve...

In this episode of SHT Talk , Dave sits down with Mark to dive deep into the full origin story of the Stagshead Tavern. From the very first spark of the idea to the day the doors opened, Mark walks us through the wild journey of bringing this rustic gem to life. They discuss the real talk on funding — how the project was financed, the unexpected hurdles, and the creative solutions that kept it mov...

In the latest episode of SHT Talk Tavern, hosts Mark and Dave sit down with legendary North Carolina folk musician and songwriter David Childers . From his deep roots in the Southern folk and Americana scene to his raw, poetic storytelling, David Childers brings a lifetime of music and wisdom to the table. In this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up about his major musical influences, the craft...

Get ready for chaos and laughter in this hilarious episode of SHT Talk at the StagsHead Tavern! Mark & Dave go head-to-head in a high-stakes trivia contest where every wrong answer comes with a fiery penalty — a big bite of ultra-spicy Vindaloo Curry or zesty Thai Larb. Watch grown men struggle through burning mouths, watery eyes, and unstoppable laughs as they battle it out on everything from...

In this gripping episode of SHT Talk, Mark & Dave host a U.S. veteran who shares his firsthand encounter with a Sasquatch while stationed at a base in Louisiana. This military veteran's detailed account will leave you questioning what's really out there in the woods. Tune in for one of the most compelling Sasquatch / Bigfoot stories we've ever featured on the show!

Mark and Dave discuss their cigar journey, likes and dislikes, and the meaning of it all

Mark and Dave finally get to the mass-market root beers. Is there a clear favorite chosen over all the brews?

Mark and Dave are at it again, tasting a Northeast soda concoction.

Mark & Dave discuss the merits of Black Licorice. Were our dads onto something?

Mark & Dave host some special guests to discuss some woo-woo

Second in the root beer review series. Mark & Dave make some new discoveries about root beers they have never tried. @SHTTalktavern

Mark & Dave kick things off by going down memory lane and reminiscing about root beer and remembering how good it was, or was it?