Bad Beard

I’m Sam Schneider, aka Bad Beard. I sat down with Marc Altieri in his office at The Brand Amp to talk marketing, motorcycles, and where media is headed. Marc is a co-founder of The Brand Amp and has worked across powersports, including years as a core agency partner for Indian Motorcycle. We get into the real rules of social right now. Reach is pay to play. Viral moments without spend mostly come...

Sam sits down with Sean Kerr from Bikes and Beards at AimExpo 2025. Sean shares the path from small dealer in Pennsylvania to full-time YouTube creator with 2.4M subscribers, built on simple walk-around reviews that showed every scratch and scuff. You hear how those early sales videos turned into a full channel, why thumbnails matter more than ego, and why long-form storytelling beats quick trends...

Scott Sullivan from Rider Justice talks with me at AIMExpo 2025. He works as a motorcycle attorney in Denver and supports riders nationwide. Scott explains the mission behind Rider Justice and how they focus on safety, legal help, and rider education. He breaks down the hands-free driving law and the vulnerable user bill. Both laws aim to protect riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. Scott shares his...

Jake Edwards from Spite’s Corner joins the show. He talks about his start in film, his years with Yammie Noob, and the move to running his own channel full-time. He shares how he approaches reviews, news, and hands-on projects like his 1998 V-Max. Jake explains the challenges of creating for YouTube and the need to adjust while staying true to his voice. We compare YouTube and TikTok and talk abou...

Dump Truck sits down with me at AIMExpo 2025. He works as an MC, host, podcaster, and creator. His voice has represented brands like Jack Daniels and Harley-Davidson. He spent years traveling across the lower 48 states and built a strong presence in the motorcycle and entertainment worlds. He talks about his time in women’s roller derby, his recent work at the Colorado Motorcycle Expo, and his rol...

Oliver Jones joins me at AIMExpo 2025. You know him as The Cut Rate. He grew up in Baltimore and later moved to Long Beach. His path started in graphic design and fashion before motorcycles took over. Time in Japan pushed him toward custom building after seeing how common custom bikes were on the street. Oliver builds bikes to ride. Not for display. He works with metal, breaks things down, and reb...

This episode of the Bad Beard Podcast features Sam Schneider speaking with Adam VanderVeen , Marketing Director for Triumph Motorcycles North America. VanderVeen shares his path into motorcycling and his work shaping Triumph’s presence across the United States. He grew up in Milwaukee and built a career through several creative and industry roles. He started with a video production company, moved...

Austin Herring of Snow Story Productions joins Sam Schneider to talk about how short-form vertical filmmaking is changing Hollywood. They unpack his path from small-town theater to Los Angeles, the rise of mobile storytelling, and how creators can stay ahead of the next shift.

Sam sits down with Chris Litteral from Law Tigers live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph . Chris shares how motorcycles became the bridge between recovery, balance, and purpose. They talk about personal growth, the quiet power of consistency, and choosing family over the endless chase for success. A story about redemption, freedom, and the steady discipline it ta...

Sam sits down with Bobby Capo from Cigars.com at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph . They explore the culture and craft behind cigars—from flavor profiles and cutting styles to pairing cigars with bourbon and coffee. Bobby shares how he helped grow Cigars.com from its early days, his trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and the brand’s mission to blend edu...

Sam connects with Eric and Maximus from Culpeper, Virginia—three builders and business owners shaping their local moto scene—live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph . They talk about building community around bikes, running multiple motorcycle-centric businesses, and what it takes to keep power sports alive for the next generation. From custom builds and lounges t...

Sam reconnects with Adam VanderVeen from Triumph Motorcycles live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph . They talk about how Triumph’s vision goes beyond machines—focusing on storytelling, shared experiences, and the growing community that defines modern motorcycle culture. Adam opens up about building authentic partnerships, balancing corporate strategy with creati...

Sam hangs out with local legends Pistol Pete and Joel Brown live from Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph. They swap stories about Birmingham’s roots, the rise of Barber Motorsports Park, and how the event has evolved since the early wild days at “Ace Corner.” The conversation drifts from old-school stunts and local mischief to the tech and community that built the ci...

Sam sits down with Matthew Gottardi—union grip, knife maker, and all-around craftsman—live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph. They talk about Matt’s journey from working film sets in Atlanta to hand-forging custom knives under MG Knifeworks, how he balances passion with steady union work, and what it takes to stay creative through life’s ups and downs. A real con...

Sam sits down with Joshua Kelly Winders—photographer, writer, and full-time nomad—live from Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary at The Isle of Triumph. Joshua shares how he built a life traveling the country in his RV, capturing motorcycles, riders, and real moments through his lens. They talk about creative burnout, photography styles, risk-taking, and how curiosity keeps you growing in both a...

Sam sits down with his brother Tim Schneider live at Barber Vintage Fest’s 20th anniversary inside The Isle of Triumph. They talk about family, patience, and purpose—how Sam built the Bad Beard Show, what it’s like growing something without feedback, and how Tim’s perspective in business and fatherhood mirrors the long game of creative work. A rare, honest family conversation about ambition, grati...

Sam sits down with his dad, Steve Schneider—aka Mr. Beard—live at Barber Vintage Fest inside The Isle of Triumph. They talk about work, family, resilience, and what it means to chase purpose at every age. Steve shares lessons from decades in the building trade, why staying curious matters, and how to keep believing in yourself through the ups and downs. A heartfelt father-son talk about support, p...

Sam sits down with Brian Ballard, founder of A&J Cycles, recorded live at Barber Vintage Fest inside The Isle of Triumph. Brian shares how his small New York shop grew into a trusted Triumph parts and custom brand with customers around the world. They talk about balancing passion with a full-time career, family life, the flat-track racing scene, and what it means to build bikes that last. A gr...

Sam sits down with Bill-E Smith of Billy-E's Bacon at Barber Vintage Fest inside The Isle of Triumph. Bill-E shares how he left the corporate food world to handcraft small-batch bacon that travels anywhere—from restaurant kitchens to motorcycle saddlebags. They talk about cooking, chasing dreams at 55, building a life around good food, and how bacon became a bridge between community, craftsman...

Spotify Video Description: Sam sits down with Brock Gill—magician turned motorcycle adventurer—at Barber Vintage Fest. Brock shares how he rode through all 50 states in 50 days on his Triumph Scrambler, meeting strangers, giving away envelopes of $50, and rediscovering what unites America. They talk about burnout, generosity, near-misses on the road, and how grace shows up when you slow down to li...

Sam Schneider, known as Bad Beard, talks with Kelly Yazdi in a wide-ranging conversation about life on two wheels, creative work, and navigating difficult challenges. The discussion is rooted in fairness and sincerity, highlighting Kelly’s story without speculation or gossip.

This episode features a conversation with Nick DeKay, a film stunt performer and aspiring director. Nick shares his journey from racing motorcycles and cars in Atlanta to breaking into the film industry. He discusses the challenges and rewards of stunt work, the impact of film incentives on Atlanta's industry, and the evolving landscape of filmmaking, including the rise of vertical content and AI....

I travel to Richmond, Virginia to check out John Ryland's new Classified Moto Compound. Location and Purpose : The visit takes place at the Branch Museum of Design in Richmond, Virginia, where the speaker's bike, named Frank, is part of an exhibition titled "Ruined," showcasing the work of builder John Ryland from Classified Moto. Background Story : The speaker's bike, Frank,...

Judging the Best Build at MotoCraft (Canada) with Stacy Mayfield & Craig Rod Smith of the Haas Moto Museum. We talk what makes a winner beyond looks: the builder’s story, passion, grit, and imagination. Craig breaks down why he loves bare metal and aluminum bodywork, how personality shows up in a bike, and why clever takes on common engines and exposed metalwork stand out. It was a blue-sky da...

On-site at Base 31, Hangar 6 (Prince Edward County, Ontario), host Sam Schneider (aka Bad Beard) sits down with Cecilia and Darren from The Moto Social to unpack why MotoCraft is a milestone for Canada’s motorcycle scene. What’s inside:Why MotoCraft is a first-of-its-kind Canadian festivalDemo rides, diverse vendors, food, and rare/unique bikes celebrating moto historyHow The Moto Social grew from...