The Badass Cult Podcast

Saddle up! On this episode Micah Thunder (@micah.thunder), the Korean Cowboy, joins the Bad Ass Cult (don’t worry, there are puppets and zero emotional support). Expect tales of songwriting sobriety, family sock theatrics and the art of building beds and ballads at the same time. Micah’s journey through healing, puppet gifting and rodeo clown wisdom proves that sometimes all you need is a red nose...

Comedian Hannah Joy (@hannahjoycomedy) joins the Badass Cult podcast to talk duck lips, throwing ass on stage and why her DMs are open unless you have ponytail secrets or adult braces. Hear how a theater kid from Dallas conquered Albuquerque’s comedy scene, analyzes every laugh and is looking for love everywhere but dating apps. Also birthday twin excitement, Hello Kitty noodles and why you don’t...

In this episode Marion Carrillo (@themore_themarion) shares the wild and weird realities of life on the road as a touring musician from sleeping nude in a van with a cavalry saber for self-defense (safety tip - no one wants to fight a naked man with a sword) to accidentally making the most popular song on his new album NOT the single. The crew debates the Albuquerque music scene’s lone-ranger ment...

Musician, artist, and ex-radio host Michael Moxey (@secret.eagles.music) joins the Badass Cult Podcast, declaring this moment the "pinnacle" of his career (eat your heart out, SiriusXM). Between chips, beer, and stories about meeting rock legends and getting fired right after winning "Best Morning Show," Michael details the highs and lows of a creative life in Albuquerque plus how he once ended up...

Abel Zapien..,foodie, guitarist, and custom amp builder, joins the Bad Ass Cult Podcast to talk shop on Albuquerque's best sandwiches, the craft of guitar amps, and his journey from blues jams to country music with the Waylon Bailey Band and Levi Dean & the Mesa Rats. Abel shares how building community starts with good food and music, reveals the learning curve from blues to country guitar, an...

Welcome to the musical multiverse with return guest @levideanmusic where dogs nearly dethrone children as love gurus and long-term relationships are harder than writing 50 songs about your feelings. Levi drops a killer rendition of “Long Love” (think poetry with bonus breath control) and apparently the only thing sweeter than his lyrics is how fast his kids can pancake him at football. There’s deb...

Artist, chicken rancher, and hoodie entrepreneur Sokwa returns with hot takes on art, awkward stories about armpit-sniffing, and existential dread. The crew debates the true meaning of selling out, how artists survive bad markets, and what happens when you accidentally become a local art icon. Expect plans for upcoming events, thoughts on DIY art workshops, and a masterclass in functional egg apro...

This episode, June Opal crashes the Bad Ass Cult Podcast bringing the sticky ambition of a comedy triple-threat (make that quadruple—she makes jewelry, too). The crew debates intro songs, blackmail-by-mic, and why catching your worst off-air moments is peak podcasting. June breaks down how she makes stubbed toes sound positive and why letting surprise slides loose onstage is good for everyone’s ab...

Be sure to check out this special 3-peat episode where indie music, existential crises and ancient McDonald’s spirits blend into one big, sweaty, cat-hesitant jam session. The cult welcomes back our good friend and first ever guest, Sunyote Wild (@sunyotewild), to celebrate life’s most important rituals: talking about musical gear we barely understand, debating whether adopting a cat is worth the...

Join the Badass Cult Podcast as Brian Lambe (@magicofbryanlambe) brings the magic, the puppets, and a masterclass in juggling both comedy and actual balls (air or otherwise). We riff on everything from feral cats and frosty Santas to cow tongues at FFA camp, with pit stops in Claymation specials, musical theater, and non-consensual magic. Plus: what happens when you hand a soundboard to comedians,...

Meet Troy, a guitar Jedi, gear non-hoarder, and self-professed sympathetic psychopath (don’t worry—it’s in the haiku). Whether he’s engineering a record in his living room, swapping Red Sox trivia, or organizing musical clutter from the mid-2000s, Troy brings a blend of kindness, wisdom, and 'just good enough' vibes. On this episode, the group tackles big topics like creativity, finding enough, an...

Standup comedian Traye Holland joins the Badass Cult Podcast to talk haunting open mics, comedy cults, dating app disasters, and why he can’t resist free rubber bands—or sock puppets. Join Traye for laughs, weird stories, book reviews and painfully real advice about bombing, belonging, and being the funniest guy you know (with 1,699 rubber bands to spare). @trayehollandcomedy

JD Nash joins the Bad Ass Cult Podcast for a hilarious, heartfelt romp through hats, aliens, cancer survival, cheap gigs, and custom puppets! From UFOs over New Mexico to the secret lives of beaver hats, JD and the hosts riff on music, mindset, loss, and life’s weirdest moments. Expect epic stories, accidental wisdom, and a puppet version of JD Nash. Tune in for laughs, deep thoughts, and maybe a...

Straight from R&B jams to boutique luthiery mayhem, Perry (“Unga”) with the High Desert Luthiery Invitational spills on breaking guitars, breaking the rules, and why you should always check your attitude—and your fingers—at the door. Come for the custom builds and stay for the sock puppets, funeral-worthy workbenches, and a no-asshole policy stricter than a Guitar Center return line. @unga_woo...

Stage manager, bandit, accidental circus ringleader—meet Margarita Wilds! Born with bonus fingers and hypermobile hands, she bends reality (and her pinkies) both backstage and behind a blue drum kit. Margarita keeps burlesque festivals running smoother than a fresh tattoo while dodging wardrobe critiques, wrangling props, and sneaking in tech rehearsal marathons. She’s Crash Bandits’ singing drumm...

Violett Femme joins the Badass Cult Podcast in an episode that’s equal parts flamingo feather and Faraday bag. We dive into the glamorous double life of an introverted-extrovert: needing both riotous protest and a good nap. Listen in as the crew swaps stories of activist street cred, modern youth raising hell (and protest signs), and turning Violett’s house into the neighborhood’s unofficial bunke...

On this episode of The Badass Cult Podcast, the crew welcomes PaulyNino (@paulynino)—car-obsessed ex-musician, king of weird automotive (and panda) facts, and genuine trendsetter—who went from motivational ski-mask videos to TikTok automotive stardom (with a detour into regular napping and hating swollen BMW nuts). Paul spills the oil on how he’d rather inspire the next viral creator than chase tr...

Tim Chivalette crashed the Bad Ass Cult Podcast for the Season 3 premiere wielding jokes about pyramid schemes, Irish-Italian guilt, and his questionable status as Jesus (spoiler: not Jesus). He regaled the crew with tales of family insanity, surprise marriage proposals with bonus fire alarms, and the legendary "Chiv luck" curse. As a self-proclaimed Leo, Tim can't resist the spotlight—whether he'...

Musical magicianand creative mind Ken Easton @southpaw.sounds.nm of local bands Hooks and the Huckleberries @hooks.and.the.huckleberries , JD Nash and the Rash of Cash @jd_nash_music , and Jimmy Deveny @jimmy.deveney.theholdfastunion and the Hold Fast Union stops by to chat about working as a musician in Albuquerque, and espouses some of that young gun wisdom on our old asses.

The big cheese at the New Mexico Brewer’s Guild, Ebbie Edmonston swings by and we dive deep on beer bacteria, burnout, and brews. We got to share some tasty Flock of Moons beers, sample some collectible fan favorite beers, and hear from Ebbie about all the local events she helps organize and execute around the state in her role as executive director for the guild. @ebbieboo. @nmbrewersguild

Oh shit, this episode features Josh Lee, lead guitarist for killer local band Hooks and the Huckleberries. But wait there’s more! When he’s not strolling his way through that catchy riff or solo you know him for, he’s karate chopping you into submission with his martial arts expertise. And when he isn’t putting you into a choke hold, he’s helping local bands rise up beyond local with his substanti...

Oh shit, this episode features Josh Lee, lead guitarist for killer local band Hooks and the Huckleberries. But wait there’s more! When he’s not strolling his way through that catchy riff or solo you know him for, he’s karate chopping you into submission with his martial arts expertise. And when he isn’t putting you into a choke hold, he’s helping local bands rise up beyond local with his substanti...

Neighborhood homies Paul and Travis join us from Albuquerque’s finest group of musical mayhem and madness, Dust City Opera (@dustcityopera). With multiple albums and awards to stand on, they sat down with a half cult to talk about Albuquerque music and arts, their local music venue La Sala (@lasalahouseconcerts), and cultivating engagement among their fans. Enjoy the haboob.

What’s in a name? Well when you’re THE Rusty Rutherford then it’s rust. Listen to local comedian, professional photographer, and wrestling enthusiast give the run down on his hustle through a world of performance and entertainment, and how roasting your friends doesn’t pay great. @rustarhymes2 @rustycreative2

New New Mexicans Billy and Bella bring their old soul energy to the cult living room for talks on UFOs, jungian psychology, and playing music here in Albuquerque and nearby. Catch them around town playing their original music, check out Bella’s art, and listen here lads. https://billyandbellaband.com/