Cody Kai Cast

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...

When the candles are lit but the crowd’s sittin’ tight, what does a bass god do? Jimmy Blazer (@jimmyblazer) of @blkodyssy breaks down what it really means to read the room—and still leave with their attention and their appetite. From ambient jazz dinner sets to full-blown sonic pivots, this episode dives into performance psychology, artistic adaptability, and what separates a player from a profes...

In this unfiltered and captivating episode of the Cody Kai Cast, Cody dives deep with rapper Coota Brown (@cootabrown41) and drummer Alvin Evans (@allu_muziq) of Nether Hour (@netherhour). They explore everything from heartbreak-fueled creativity (11:20) to how the DNA of Austin’s music scene is shifting (27:45) and the unexpected Asian food violence (50:45) that everyone’s too polite to mention....

Alvin Evans talks to Cody and Kai about being invited to join Nether Hour, moving to Austin, and what it means to keep growing as an artist.✅ Subscribe for more stand-up comedy podcasts, interviews with comics, and behind-the-scenes stories every week.📲 Follow Cody Kai Cast on Instagram: @codykaicast🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Alden Schaub (comedian, author, and Kill Tony alum) sits down with Cody for an unfiltered deep dive into the real life of a stand-up comic in today’s comedy scene. From writing dirty jokes that kill to surviving brutal bombings on stage, this episode pulls no punches.👀 What You’ll Learn:How to write viral stand-up comedy materialThe truth about bombing at open micsComedy club politics & gatek...

Comedian George Anthony (Netflix's Mo Amer, The Willful Ignorance Podcast) joins Cody Kai Cast for a brutally honest, no-holds-barred episode that blends laughs with truth bombs.🎙️ Topics Include:Why Trump still makes sense to some comediansThe comedy double standard in political cancel cultureOur terrifyingly polite AI overlords (and how to survive them)Navigating the stand-up scene in Austin...

Comedian Jimmie Dreams joins the Cody Kai Cast for a brutally funny, insight-packed episode where nothing’s off limits—from childhood trauma to bombing in front of five people eating tacos.💣 What You’ll Hear:How Jimmie turned pain into punchlinesWhy comedians are the real therapists (whether we want to be or not)The highs, lows, and absurdities of the Austin comedy sceneWhat makes a joke worth re...

No guest. No rules. Just Cody and Kai talking shit, dropping gems, and accidentally offending three different demographics in one sentence. We cover:Why men in podcasts are the new horoscopesThe secret to confidence (hint: it's delusion)Women who love emotionally unavailable men—until they actually meet oneOur Mount Rushmore of comedic traumaThe difference between a healthy boundary and just b...