Cody Kai Cast

What happens when one of the most iconic guitars in music history isn’t on display—but sitting in storage? In this episode, Cody and Kai are joined by Nico Little and 17-year-old blues guitarist Rhys John Stygal to unpack the strange reality that Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny” is currently offstage while awaiting approval to be displayed at Austin’s new flagship Guitar Center. The conversation expan...

In this guest-free episode of The Cody Kai Cast , Cody and Kai sit down for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation—joined throughout by producer Josh Cabaza —covering everything from collective trauma and media fear cycles to food systems, influence culture, propaganda, and what the “American Dream” even means anymore. The trio unpack how events like 9/11 and COVID reshaped society , why fear is...

Pianist Ernie Lopez sits down with Cody & Kai for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the craft, grind, and internal battles behind becoming a real musician in Austin. From childhood piano lessons to jazz school to playing for thousands, Ernie breaks down: 🎹 Why building relationships matters more than talent 😤 How haters and jealousy shape your journey 💭 The psychology behind confiden...

D Madness doesn’t just play music — he channels it. From Kill Tony to C-Boy’s every Tuesday, to writing music without ever seeing it, this episode dives into how he and Ter’ell Shahid create live, improvised music like it’s breathing. We talk creating without rules, what it’s like becoming recognizably famous overnight, taking 15 photos in Buda on a random night, and why D still laughs about never...

Comedian Michael Ridley sits down with Cody for one of the wildest, rawest CKC episodes yet — covering everything from starting comedy straight out of jail, clean comics vs. “clean brands,” crypto, AI insanity, dating in 2025, culture wars, assimilation, conspiracies, testosterone, China, Cuba, politics, modern masculinity, and why the world feels like “the United States of Dissonance.” If you’re...

The Cody Kai Cast leaves the studio and dives straight into the chaos of a live fashion event for the first-ever CKC live podcast , recorded on-site at the Moda Magic Fashion Show & Multimedia Event in Austin, TX. Cody and Kai set up beside the runway with a rotating cast of creatives, including Amplify EDM founder Kay Coté , who breaks down artist development, the right way to use AI as a too...

What happens when a drummer’s solo lands on SportsCenter’s Top 10 — and he doesn’t even realize it? 🥁 In this episode of Cody Kai Cast , Austin drummer Donovan Miller (@donovan.miller.music) breaks down the story behind his viral “Big Drums” moment that made @espn’s highlight reel. From his Minneapolis church roots to cutting his teeth in Kansas jazz school and finally finding his home in Austin’...

Drummer, emcee, and groove architect Austin Baker (@austinbakertx) sits down with Cody and Kai to talk about the real hierarchy of musicianship — entertainer first, musician second, and everything else third. From quitting alcohol to staying booked in the Austin scene, Austin breaks down what separates players who gig from players who get it . 🎙️ Topics include: How ego kills gigs (and how to leav...

University of Michigan-trained pianist, composer, and vocalist Alexia Benson joins Cody Kai Cast for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of being a woman in music, the line between confidence and narcissism, and the burnout that comes from chasing perfection. From debating Louie C.K. ’s take on sexism and the “lizard-brain” roots of bias to riffing on Nick Cage, Bowie, Björk, and...

In this unfiltered episode of Cody Kai Cast , singer-songwriter Elena Diaz (@frcollective / @elenadiazmusic) joins Cody, Kai, and Josh for a wild ride through art, ego, and the absurd future we’re all hurtling toward. From the line between self-expression and self-delusion , to AI running entire governments , to the kind of “art” that probably shouldn’t exist but somehow does , this one is part co...

In Episode 33 of Cody Kai Cast, Cody sits down with Austin soul powerhouse Tomar Williams (@tman14g) of Tomar & the FCs (@tomarandthefcs) — fresh off their track going double platinum . Tomar opens up about his journey from the Texas gospel circuit to becoming one of the most electrifying frontmen in modern soul. He shares stories of songwriting grind sessions, how honesty makes the best lyric...

In Episode 32 of Cody Kai Cast, we sit down with Kaylyn (@kaylynluvscats) alongside producer Josh Cabaza to dig into some of the heaviest and most important conversations of our time. From her personal journey through political and spiritual transformation, to raw discussions about men’s mental health, cancel culture, 9/11, conspiracy blind spots, and the price of speaking uncomfortable truths — t...

In Episode 31 of the Cody Kai Cast , Cody and Kai sit down with hip-hop/R&B duo Uncle Roy (@iamuncleroy) and Spice (@spicyindian) — the creative forces behind @haveyouheardus . From their roots at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC to sharing the stage with Sir Woman, Roy and Spice dive deep into: 🎶 The real process of writing and jamming — from kitchen table vibes to fully produced trac...

Kill Tony Golden Ticket winner Ric Diez (@sadmanric) joins the Cody Kai Cast for an unfiltered deep dive into comedy, pain, and the wild contradictions of show business. In this episode, Ric talks about: Why his comedy tackles the subjects nobody wants to hear about. How crowds he hates sometimes give him his best sets. The absurd genius of Michael Jackson buying The Beatles’ catalog. Caitlin Clar...

Episode 29 of Cody Kai Cast dives deep into the craft, chaos, and chemistry of live guitar with two Texas standouts: Matt Muehling (Kill Tony Band, We Da Homies) and Will Owen Gage (Mike and the Burnalls). From playing Madison Square Garden and Vegas with Bruno Mars’ Pinky Ring band, to holding down Austin’s most electric stages at C-Boy’s, Matt and Will unpack what it takes to balance professiona...

In this episode of Cody Kai Cast , Austin-based guitarist and frontman Nico Little of Nico Little and the North Americans (@nlnaofficial) sits down with Cody to talk about the grind of Austin’s music scene, surviving the algorithm, and the thick skin it takes to pursue art. Nico shares stories about sneaking backstage with Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder , trading lessons with Austin legends like G...

Comedian Xavier Cardona (@xaviercardonaofficial) lands on Cody Kai Cast fresh off a New York run to talk shop: why reps beat years , how to do crowd work with purpose (not filler) , and what it really means to read the room . From Austin’s nightly mic grind (“open gyms, 24/7”) to Village Underground and the Cellar ecosystem, Xavier breaks down calibration vs. pandering, being in on the joke , and...

In Episode 26 of Cody Kai Cast, acclaimed Austin musician Paul Deemer sits down with Cody and Kai for his first-ever public conversation about his exit from Kill Tony . In this candid and unfiltered interview, Paul opens up about the lessons learned from years on one of the most popular live comedy shows, the value of relationships over money, and how to protect your creative energy in an industry...

In this no-fluff, high-impact episode of Cody Kai Cast, Austin hip-hop legend Tee Double drops a full-on masterclass in music, ownership, and creative freedom. From publishing plays to long-term vision, this conversation is a blueprint for any artist or entrepreneur trying to build something that lasts.🎤 Topics covered:Why your catalog is your Fort KnoxThe long game of licensing, publishing, and...

Cody and Kai celebrate one year of the Cody Kai Cast with their best month yet! From shoutouts to past guests including Steve, Deas, Joel, and more, to Kai’s dad Mark Steines winning an Emmy, this episode blends comedy, music, and raw honesty. The guys reflect on betrayal, consistency, community, and what it takes to keep grinding. Plus: hot takes on the algorithm, Bruce Willis nostalgia, Tyce’s r...

On Episode 23 of the Cody Kai Cast, drummer Michael Davila (@drummeroftomorrow) sits down with Cody and Kai to talk shop, swap war stories, and confess to stealing groove secrets from the Austin drum elite. From broken pinkies and cosmic timing to the sacred art of not overplaying the shuffle, Michael dives deep into what it really means to grow as a musician—and as a human. Whether it’s embracing...

In Episode 22 of the Cody Kai Cast, drummer Joel Turcotte (@joelturcotte) drops surgical takes on overrated legends, why “pocket-only” drummers need to hush, and how art evolves past nostalgia. We dive into:Why John Bonham might not be in the GOAT conversation anymoreThe myth of “staying in the pocket” as a virtueRespecting musical restraint vs. hiding behind limitationsThe unforgivable sin of usi...

On Episode 21 of the Cody Kai Cast, we sit down with venue owner, bassist, and community builder Stephen Sternschein (@therealstarshine), the mind behind Austin's iconic venues Empire Control Room (@empireatx) and The Parish (@parishatx). From creating judgment-free jam environments to unlocking creative chemistry, Stephen shares insight into what makes live music—and the people in it—come ali...

Episode 20 of the Cody Kai Cast brings the rhythm and the real talk with Austin-based drummer, bandleader, and all-around entertainment machine Austin Baker (@austinbakertx). From his cutthroat days at Texas State’s music program to leading show-stopping bands across Austin, Austin pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to make it in the music world—and still have fun doing it. In this e...

In Episode 19 of the Cody Kai Cast, we sit down with Grammy-nominated saxophonist, arranger, and Kill Tony band member Carlos Sosa for a high-energy, no-holds-barred conversation about life on the road, building a legacy, and the wild cross-section of music and comedy that is Austin, TX.Carlos talks playing with James Taylor, Jason Mraz, Zac Brown Band, and how he went from touring the world to be...