Life Unraveled Podcast

Matt Vernon of Primate Jiu Jitsu is on the show to talk about owning an academy, coaching, competing, being a jiu jitsu dad and husband, phases of his learning evolution and much more. We also break down a controversial match that went viral in the BJJ community which took place right here in Arkansas. ****In the midst of moving studios, swapping to a new mac and changing a few settings in zoom, t...

Johnny is described by people who know him well as someone who "can tell you almost anything about the natural world and our relationship to it." Johnny talks about writing, going back to college at age 40, working for himself, some of his favorite publications, Aldo Leopold, and his involvement with the non-profits The Conservation Hawks and the White River Water Keeper. This was truly a great ep...

Eddie Fyvie is a resident of New York State where he own and operates two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies. He is on the show to discuss NY covid regulations, other business closings, his decision to reopen his business, NY politics and education. Eddie talks about his training volume pre lockdown, his recent CJJ match with former guest Jams Partridge, training with Rickson Gracie and a time in his l...

Josiah Evants of Midtown Coffee is back for the VERY FIRST EPISODE IN THE NEW STUDIO! On the show we talk coffee, current events and an upcoming trip he and his wife have to the Grand Canyon to hike rim to rim. Always a good time talking with Josiah!

Many people know Stephen Koepfer simply as "Sambo Steve" due to his contributions to the Sambo community in the United States and abroad.  Before he transitioned to operating his martial arts academy full-time, Steve worked in Pediatric Oncology. Before that he had a background in advertising, graphic design, visual arts and massage therapy. We talk about his thesis and other publications.  Steve...

This is the first episode in a series titled "Rebels, Reconstruction and Revisionism: The Confederate Lost Cause and the American Civil War Through Cinema" where Brian, Thurman and Julie explore the "Lost Cause Myth" and its prevalence in cinema over the years. In this episode we discuss the 1939 film "Gone with the Wind," as well as DW Griffith's controversial "Birth of A Nation"

Jesse was the very FIRST guest on the podcast! He is back on the show to talk about his recent move to Nebraska, a trip to island amid as the pandemic was ramping up and screenshare commentary of his documentary "Natty Parks."

Jams is on the show to talk about his recent run at Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds, starting his academy, Brothers Jiu Jitsu as well as some of his views on coaching, competing and staying ahead of the curve in the Jiu Jitsu world.

Mike Bidwell is the creator of BJJ After 40 and owner of Flo Life BJJ in Colorado. Mike is one of the most innovative jiu jitsu instructors on the planet. Known for his discovery of moves like the "Cryangle" , the "Hair Choke" and the "Ninja Roll Choke", Mike also has an incredible story about staying a jiu jitsu brown belt for 13 years. On this episode we talk about his sources for creativity, tr...

Martial artist, BJJ Black belt, firefighter and adventurer, Stephan Kesting has inspired thousands with his content over the years. Stephan is on the show to talk about what Jiu Jitsu looks like in the future, coming to Arkansas to train for his job as a firefighter many years ago, getting his kidneys removed and a transplant as well as what a recent weeks long trip he took through the canadian wi...

Bair is back on the show to talk about life as a stand-up comedian while living in LA during the lockdown. Listen as we riff on comedy, history, podcasting, ronatime and much more. It's always a pleasure having Bair on the show!

Marie is a PhD candidate at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She is on the show to talk about her research concerning massive resistance and southern politics.  

Jeff Woods is back on the podcast for breakdowns of four iconic Marcelo Garcia matches and rolling with Johnny Hendricks and Eddie Bravo as well as commentary on Jiu Jitsu in relation to Law Enforcement Training.

Michael Mullinax is the owner of Rogue Martial Arts in Owasso, OK. He is currently a brown belt under Piet Wilhelm of Triton fight center and recently moved to a much larger new location for his academy. Mike and I have known each other for several years and it was great catching up. One of us had some connectivity issues and it cuts off abruptly at the end. We look forward to talking with Mike ag...

"Difficult Days Ahead: The Casualties of 1968 and the Dream Today."

Thomas Longacre is a professional fighter, lifelong martial artist and martial arts academy owner. On this episode we talk about his martial arts and native American heritage, how he acquired the nickname "Thunderkick", fighting full contact in Chuck Norris's organization, training and fighting under Dale "Apollo" Cook and much more. Thomas has fought professionally on TV on numerous occasions inc...

Danny Dring is back for his third episode to talk about his long history of training and friendship with the martial arts legend Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Awesome history and stories as always. Thank you for listening.

Tanner Rice is on the show to talk briefly about his decision to reopen his jiu-jitsu academy amid the forced covid-19 lockdown. We get the story of his dad training and the fact that he and three of his brothers are all Brazilian Jiu -Jitsu black belts. He talks about staying in Manaus Brazil for several months, how he prepares physically and mentally for compeitions and the controversial topic o...

Ken Primola has given a lot back to the jiu-jitsu community over the years and has been an active competitor most of his life. Ken was one of my jiu-jitsu heroes when I was first starting out as a coach and academy owner. We have the complimentary covid conversation, talk about differences in East Coast and West Coast Jiu-Jitsu and much more. Tons of great dialogue here. Thanks for comong on the s...

Joey Perry is the owner of JPMAA in Jonesboro, AR. and member of the Ernie Reyes West Coast Martial Arts Association. On this episode, learn how we met and listen as Joey talks about being an entrepreneur, changes he had made to his business over time, how he got involved with martial arts, his connection to UFC and business star, Alan Belcher, plans and changes for his martial arts academy, as we...

On this episode Jonathan and I talk about how we met and how he first got into martial arts. From a Karate Brown who saw UFC 1 to Pro Fighter and world class MMA/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Judo instructor, Jonathan talks about what it was like fighting in the 90s, when he got into coaching and working as a LEO in Memphis, TN.

Mark is the co-owner of 501 Martial Arts in Conway, AR. Mark goes into some of his early background in training traditional martial arts as well as his study with numerous martial arts instructors all across the country in Kali, June Fan JKD, Muay Thai and Savate. We talk differences in dutch style and traditional muay thai and much more. Thank you for listening.

Ari is the founder of one of the most popular Jiu-Jitsu YouTube channels ever created, Submissions 101. Ari is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Keith Owen (a recent guest of the podcast) and a 5th Degree Black Belt in Japanese Jiu Jitsu (Goshin). He is also the owner of Fiece Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Victoria BC. Ari is a Cop and co-founder of Invictus LEO Jiu Jitsu Col...

The "East Coast King" is back! Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt and NY Open Champ is back on the podcast to talk about and break down his recent pro wrestling match as "Colton Cash!" It is always good catching a talk with big sexy!

Hope is back! Hope is an on air radio personality at KWKK as well as a social media manager and influencer. Brian and Hope talk about their rona routines, concert cancellations, the books we are reading and listening right now, philosoophy and a wide array of other topics. It is always a pleasure talking with you on the show and I look forward to having you back in the NEW studio in the future!