Life Unraveled Podcast

Join us for a long-awaited conversation on martial arts, self-defense, and life as I sit down with my friend and jiu-jitsu black belt, Ryan Stephens, affectionately known as 'Coach Thanos.' After years of anticipation, we finally got the chance to delve into various topics ranging from training methodologies to personal insights. I found myself genuinely engrossed, and it was tough to bring our di...

Richard Bresler, a sixth-degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Rorion Gracie's first student in LA, shares insights into some of the most historic events in martial arts. A quick online search reveals articles and photos of Richard alongside Hélio Gracie at UFC1 or training at the original Gracie Academy with notable members of the Gracie clan or the notorious Dirty Dozen (the first Jiu-Jitsu...

Chris Burns is a long time student and second degree black belt under Master Rickson Gracie. He is back on the show to talk about his recent travels, teaching, training, and more!

Scott Burr is a third-degree black belt under Master Rickson Gracie and Steve Maxwell, and is the co-author of Worth Defending: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Saved My Life, Richard Bresler's bestselling memoir of his over 40 years' involvement with the Gracie family and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Scott and I discuss some of his strategies for writing, interviewing, and publishing, as well as how so...

Jim Ginter is a lifelong martial artist, multi-art black belt, owner of Maximum Martial Arts in Flagstaff, AZ, a business guru, and an all around great guy! I know Jim through the Superfoot System and my martial arts instructor and multi time former guest on the podcast, Danny Dring. Jim shares Superfoot stories, business ideas, training with Chris Burns. Jim has a lot perspective from spending 40...

Steven Hiscoe is the Owner and Chief Instructor of Hiscoe Jiu-Jitsu in Chilliwack BC. Sensei Steve is a lifelong martial artist and a 9th degree black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu. He is also a veteran police officer with over 30 years of experience and has been a use of force instructor for over 20 years. Steve also actively trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and we have a great conversation about all thing...

"Big John" Johnston is the owner of Iron Clad Martial Arts in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Big John has trained with the veritable who's who in MMA and alongside of of the biggest stars in from the Spike/Early TUF era of the UFC. John is on the show to share about his training methodologies, businesses, fighting career as a pro heavyweight, and much more. Thank you all for listening.

Chris Burns is an Australian-American Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and Owner/Head Instructor of Zero Point Jiu Jitsu. Chris is currently assisting Rickson Gracie with his second book and works with Master Rickson on the regular basis and is actively engaged in preserving the art and spreading the concepts of Invisible Jiu Jitsu throughout the Jiu Jitsu community at his academy, as well as through t...

Dr. Totten is an assistant history professor at the University of Arkansas and an expert on the American Civil Wa and is back on the show for a deep dive on higher education, as well as the war in Ukraine.   Dr. Totten completed his Ph. D. in History at the University of Arkansas in 2020. His current project, “A Suspected Democratic Regiment: The Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers in the American Civ...

Justin is back on the podcast for video breakdowns of his divisions from this last Master's worlds. We watch both purple and brown belt Master 3 Super Heavy.

We are continuing to work our way through the Floyd catalog with a live listen of the 1977 album Animals on vinyl. Personally, this is my favorite Pink Floyd album. Check back for our comparison to the 2018 remix, which just came out in 2022 as well as future Music Unraveled episodes over some of the biggest bands in rock and roll history.

My long time friend and continued collaborator, Thurman Storing is back on the show for a live listen and review of Pink Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets album on Vinyl and in Mono. Look for our breakdown and comparison of the Original Pink Floyd Animals album and the 2018 Remix. (which just came out in Oct 2022). Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the show!

Ray Trower is a professor of Psychology, former colleague and valued friend. He is finally making his first appearance on the show for a talk about vinyl, and all things music. We look forward to having Ray back on the show in the future!

Traye McCool is a former colleague, historian, college history professor, and member of the US Army Reserves who is finally making his first appearance on the show! It was great getting to sit down and catch up with my friend and talk a little about history and current events. We discuss issues surrounding the upcoming election, gun control, law enforcement training, and more. Enjoy the show.

Zane is back on the show to discuss MMA, the benefits of training martial arts and maintaining your fitness, life as a martial arts academy owner, singing in a band, and more. Zane is the owner of Championship MMA in Van Buren, AR. And has an extensive background in martial arts, particularly Jeet Kune Do. It has been awesome connecting with Zane and getting to train with him these last couple of...

It was awesome getting to sit down and catch up with the Pirate Professor, Mr. Billy Reeder! Billy is back on the show for a chat about his recent move to the Florida keys, his take on the evolution of technology, news and social media platforms. We also riff on links between the last election cycle and previous election cycles such as 1860 and 1968 as well as discuss what potential outcomes of th...

In this episode Thurman, Julie, and Brian review The Civil War, A Film by Ken Burns. The nine-part documentary was streamed to 40 million viewers when it first premiered. We will be analyzing some of the controversies surrounding the film and the prevalence of Lost Cause mythology woven into the narrative.

Our good friend Jeff Woods is back on the podcast. Tune in for a focused discussion over writing. Woods is going to share some of his personal writing strategies and what he has changed over the years. Jeff Woods is a Professor of History at Arkansas Tech University and Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do.