BBQ Therapy

This week on BBQ Therapy , Tavis Bryant sits down with John Maguire of the PIT LIFE BBQ Podcast to talk barbecue media, storytelling, and the relationships that fuel the BBQ community. As a podcast host and content creator, John has spent years highlighting pitmasters, brands, and the personalities behind the smoke. We discuss the evolution of BBQ podcasting, how content creation has changed the i...

Mike Krohn returns to BBQ Therapy, and a lot has changed since his first appearance. In this episode, host Tavis Bryant catches up with the creator of Healthy2HogWild to discuss an incredible year filled with new opportunities and exciting projects. Mike shares what it's like cooking on television, launching his own Italian Chili Garlic Grilling Sauce, writing his upcoming cookbook Smoke, Fire...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy , we’re joined by Tex Hill of Dress Blue BBQ for a conversation centered on service, discipline, and the healing power of barbecue. Tex’s journey combines military values with running a restaurant and serving the community. Tex talks about how BBQ became an outlet, the lessons he carried from the service into restaurant life, and why authenticity matters in both life...

On this episode of BBQ Therapy , Tavis Bryant talks with Brian Leigh of B.T. Leigh’s Sauces and Rubs about building a respected BBQ brand through flavor, consistency, and passion for the craft. Brian’s products have earned attention across the barbecue world, but behind the business is a story built on hard work and dedication to quality. We discuss the process behind developing sauces and rubs, t...

A bonus episode of BBQ Therapy Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most inspiring young pitmasters in barbecue—Jacey Blurton of BBQ Bugsy. At just 13 years old, Jacey has already accomplished what many cooks spend decades chasing. Known throughout the BBQ community as “BBQ Bugsy,” she started cooking at a young age and quickly developed a passion that has taken her from local contests to some of t...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy , host Tavis Bryant sits down with Jerry Belcastro of the Pizza Cookoff Association to talk about the explosive growth of competition pizza and the community forming around live-fire cooking. What started as a passion project has grown into a movement bringing pitmasters, pizza makers, and backyard cooks together across the country. Jerry shares how the Pizza Cookoff...

This show has never been about brisket times or trophy counts. It’s about the people behind the fire. Chef Blackwell Smith, founder of Lucky Cajun, didn’t just create a seasoning—he created purpose in a package. Built on real ingredients, fresh-ground spices, and deep-rooted heritage, Lucky Cajun represents more than flavor. It represents respect—for the food, for the culture, and for the people a...

This episode is a little different. During Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, I had the opportunity to step in as a guest host for Blowin’ Smoke on a Doublewide, interviewing some of the biggest names—and some soon-to-be household names—in competition BBQ. Over two days in Memphis, we talked with pitmasters, champions, rising teams, industry leaders, and passionate BBQ peo...

Clean grill, clean BBQ—it’s that simple, but it’s often overlooked. In this minicast, we break down why a clean pit isn’t just about appearance—it’s about flavor, consistency, and respect for the craft. Old grease, leftover ash, and buildup don’t just sit there… they affect your cook. We get into the discipline behind maintaining your equipment, how small habits separate average from great, and wh...

Partnership in BBQ isn’t easy. It’s built in the smoke—through long nights, early mornings, pressure-packed turn-ins, and the kind of trust you can’t fake. Josh “JDQ” DeWitt and Jeremy “J Dub” Williams of JDQ BBQ know that better than anyone. In this episode, we break down what it takes to build something together . From competition success to growing JDQ Seasonings into a respected brand, this co...

This one might get you yelling at your speakers. In this episode of BBQ Therapy Sports Edition, Tavis Bryant is joined by Joel Fleetwood, Jordan Kirkpatrick, and Brad Colter as they dive headfirst into some of the hottest sports takes in the game today. From controversial opinions and bold predictions to debates that could divide an entire fan base, nothing is off limits. Some takes you'll agr...

Some people follow flavor. Others create it. Derrick Todd is the founder of Pool Boy Rubs & Seasonings—a brand built on one simple idea: trust your taste. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to stand behind your flavor. The patience it takes to develop something authentic. The confidence required to put your name on it. And the journey of turning personal passion into a brand t...

In this special recap episode of BBQ Therapy , host Tavis Bryant takes listeners inside the unforgettable experience of Memphis in May — one of the biggest stages in barbecue. From walking the grounds and connecting with legendary pitmasters to stepping into the spotlight as a guest podcast host, this episode captures the energy, pressure, and passion that make Memphis in May unlike anything else...

Today, we step inside a legacy. From a small-town butcher shop in Highland, Illinois, founded in 1969 by Alfred Korte and Don Richter… to a 54,000-square-foot powerhouse known across the country—Korte Meat Processing is more than a business. It’s a symbol of craftsmanship, consistency, and community. With the world’s largest drying room, award-winning sausages, and a reputation as “The Best in the...

The pit does more than cook meat—it builds you. In this minicast, we break down how time behind the smoker shapes patience, discipline, and mental toughness. Every long cook, every mistake, every adjustment—it’s all doing something deeper than just producing good BBQ. This episode connects the dots between the fire and real life. How learning to manage heat teaches you to manage pressure. How wait...

Everybody sees the trophies. They see the pitmaster, the turn-ins, the wins, and the spotlight. But behind many great teams is someone holding everything together when nobody’s watching. Today’s guest is Kim Darnell of Old Virginia Smoke—a respected force in competition barbecue and the steady presence behind one of the sport’s most accomplished teams. This conversation goes beyond the stage and i...

Self-doubt shows up everywhere—on the smoker, at competitions, and in everyday life. In this minicast, we break down what self-doubt really is, where it comes from, and how it quietly holds people back from leveling up. Whether you’re second-guessing your cook, hesitating to enter your first competition, or questioning your direction in life, this episode puts it all on the table. Real talk, pract...

Darren Warth isn’t just a champion—he’s a cornerstone of modern barbecue. A Hall of Famer. A multi-time world champion. The pitmaster behind Smokey D’s BBQ. With wins at the American Royal (3x), The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and countless grand championships across the country, Darren’s name lives in the GOAT conversation. But this episo...

🔥 Is BBQ just food… or can it actually heal the mind? In this solo episode of BBQ Therapy, host Tavis Bryant dives into the real mental health benefits of barbecuing—and why the grill can be more than a cooking tool. It can be therapy. From reducing stress and building stronger social connections to creating mindfulness, purpose, and joy, this episode explores how barbecue helps us slow down, rec...

Some names in barbecue are respected for wins. Others are respected for what they’ve built. Brandon and Michelle O’Guin represent both. In this special two-part conversation, we sit down with two of the most accomplished and influential figures in barbecue today. From competition success with Ain’t It The Life BBQ… to leadership roles at the world-famous Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue...

On this episode of  BBQ Therapy , we sit down with Clint Cantwell of AmazingRibs.com — one of the most trusted voices in barbecue science and storytelling. Clint blends journalism, testing, and passion to help cooks understand the “why” behind great BBQ. We talk about his work with Meathead Goldwyn, the importance of myth-busting in BBQ, and how knowledge leads to better, more confident cooks. Thi...

In this special crossover episode of BBQ Therapy , we’re joined by Greg Rempe — the voice behind The BBQ Central Show , the longest-running BBQ and grilling podcast in the world. Greg has spent years connecting the barbecue community, spotlighting pitmasters, and shaping the way BBQ media is done. We talk about the evolution of BBQ podcasting, how the industry has changed, and what makes a great p...

🔥 NBBQA Conference Recap | What I Learned, Experienced & Loved 🔥 I just got back from the National Barbecue & Grilling Association (NBBQA) Conference, and this one was packed with value, connections, and real BBQ growth. In this video, I’m breaking down my full experience — the good, the great, and a few things I’d tweak — from the classes and instructors to the food, networking, and beh...

On this episode of BBQ Therapy , we’re talking with Paul Buob of Smokin Ghost BBQ — a pitmaster known for flavor, focus, and a relentless drive to improve. Paul’s story is about building something from the ground up and letting results speak louder than hype. We get into how Smokin Ghost developed its signature style, the mindset it takes to stay competitive, and the lessons Paul learned from mist...

In this powerful episode of  BBQ Therapy , we’re joined by Ardie Davis — also known as Remus Powers — one of the true legends of judging competition barbecue. With decades of experience, Hall of Fame honors, and a legacy built on innovation and leadership, Ardie helped shape modern BBQ judging as we know it. We talk about the early days of competition, what’s changed in the sport, and what still m...