The Freddy and Friends Podcast

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, I sit down with designer and creative force Daniel Patrick, the founder of one of Los Angeles’ most respected luxury sportswear brands. Daniel shares the real story behind building his brand from scratch, from growing up in Sydney and walking away from rugby, to landing in LA with two suitcases and a thousand dollars, to painting an old Bronco as his first mo...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with extreme metal drumming pioneer James Payne, known for his elite foot technique, biomechanics-informed approach, and work with bands like Hiss From The Moat, Kataklysm, and major international tours. Freddy and James dive deep into the real mechanics behind speed, endurance, longevity, and the mental game of elite drumming. James shares h...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with drummer Greg Clark Jr., fresh off tour with Will Smith and coming off a jazz tribute run with Ledisi. From his roots in the D.C. church scene to high-pressure TV gigs with Ricky Minor and fusion shows with Stanley Clarke, Greg breaks down what it really takes to build a long, sustainable music career. They talk groove versus chops, negot...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with Lang Zhao. A drummer, composer, and educator whose path has taken him from Northeast China to Los Angeles. Lang shares his story of growing up in China’s early drum scene, moving to the U.S. to study finance before fully diving into music, and how classical training shaped his rhythmic language. Together, we dive deep into the craft and...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with actor, writer, musician, and filmmaker Steven Martini for a conversation that’s equal parts creative, grounded, and real. Steven opens up about his journey from starring in Major Payne to finding his purpose as a storyteller behind the camera. The two talk about what it means to collaborate, the lessons learned from early Hollywood exper...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with Dirk Verbeuren, legendary drummer for Megadeth, for a conversation that goes far beyond speed and technique. They dive into the mindset, discipline, and philosophy that fuel one of the most respected players in modern metal. From his early days with Soilwork to his evolution as Megadeth’s powerhouse drummer, Dirk shares his journey throu...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with master drummer Tobias Ralph for a deep and honest conversation about music, discipline, and the lifelong pursuit of groove. From playing with Adrian Belew’s Power Trio and Nena to performing at the Montreal Drum Festival, Tobias shares the stories, influences, and lessons that shaped his world-class career. The two explore the modern dru...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with restaurateur and wine importer Jordan Ogron for an unfiltered conversation about hospitality, business challenges, and finding balance in a demanding industry. From his early days as a teenage opera soloist to running some of Los Angeles’s most respected restaurants, Jordan shares stories that mix humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom....

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy reconnects with his longtime friend Lucas Lechuga, one of Miami’s top real estate brokers, a triathlete, bodybuilder, and entrepreneur. Lucas shares his incredible journey from Chicago’s trading pits to building Miami Condo Investments, the #1 Miami real estate website, while balancing fitness, faith, and entrepreneurship. Topics include: Losing his fi...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with drummer Darren Poindexter, whose journey has taken him from a small town in Virginia to playing Saturday Night Live with one of today’s hottest artists, Shaboozey. Darren opens up about: His chance meeting with Freddy on a flight, en route to SNL The thrill of touring with Shaboozey across major shows and festivals, from Fallon to Coache...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy welcomes his good friend Kevin Spring — celebrity stylist, cowboy, and entrepreneur — for his first-ever podcast appearance. Kevin’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and embracing unexpected opportunities. We explore: How his mother’s nudge toward beauty school set him on the path to becoming a top LA stylist Breaking into the elite Andy LeComp...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with Jeremy Strubel — a conscious chef and breathwork guide based in Venice, California. Jeremy’s story is one of transformation: from 18 years in high-pressure restaurant kitchens to creating holistic dining and wellness experiences that blend food, breath, and community. We explore: His culinary journey, from culinary school to L’Orangerie...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with drummer and educator JP Bouvet for a deep dive into drumming, teaching, and life. From winning the 2011 Guitar Center Drum-Off at just 21 to building his online school jpbouvetmethod.com , JP has become a leading voice in modern drum education. We cover: The breakthrough moment of winning the Drum-Off and how he turned fleeting attention...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, I sit down with Nathan Todaro — an entrepreneur, actor, producer, and health and wellness advocate whose journey spans from small business hustle to Hollywood and now holistic health. Born in Louisville, Kentucky with Sicilian roots, Nathan has worn many hats: from running a coffee shop and barbecue restaurant to selling on Amazon, before co-founding one11 Li...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, I sit down with Julian Black — restaurateur, musician, and creative force behind Alba Los Angeles and Cucina Alba in New York City. Julian shares his journey from growing up in LA to becoming assistant GM at Carbone in New York, running some of the most iconic dining rooms in the country, and now returning to LA to set new standards in food, service, and hosp...

In this episode of Freddy and Friends, I sit down with Louie Palmer — drummer, educator, and founder of Play Better Drums. Known for his technical precision and deep musical vocabulary, Louie opens up about his journey from London to Los Angeles, his influences, and how he’s navigating the changing landscape of the drumming world. We get into: Moving from London to LA and finding the right creativ...

In this episode of Freddy & Friends, I sit down with Grant L. Roberts, one of the most sought-after body transformation experts in Hollywood. He’s the man behind iconic physiques like Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, Kumail Nanjiani in Eternals and Nicholas Alexander Chavez in The Menendez Story — but this conversation goes way beyond fitness. We talk about: How he prepares actors to embod...

In this episode of Freddy & Friends, I sit down with my brother-in-law, Louis India, who made a bold decision most people only dream about — leaving the U.S. and building a completely different life in Vietnam. From his early days as a snowboard bum to navigating culture shock and burnout in Ho Chi Minh City, Louis shares what it really means to reject the rat race and prioritize peace of mind...

In this episode of Freddy & Friends, Dr. Alexander Rizk shares what led him to rethink the way modern medicine is practiced. We talk about: The problem with the standard doctor-patient relationship How the system is failing both patients and doctors What it means to actually listen — and why most healthcare doesn’t Balancing hustle with health, and what presence really means in medicine It’s n...

Cody Tarpley is a 3x Grammy-nominated, 11x platinum producer and mixing engineer with over 4 billion streams to his name — but what really makes his story powerful is the mindset behind it all. In this episode of Freddy & Friends, Cody opens up about: What it really takes to create music that moves people The emotional side of producing, mixing, and collaborating with artists Life after winnin...

Episode 4 of Freddy & Friends just dropped — and this one is a ride. I sat down with my good friend Stencil, someone I’ve known for years… and somehow barely knew anything about. Until now. We covered a lot, including: How he built a life in LA juggling 3+ jobs just to stay in the game The wild story of waking up to a stranger in his house His experience on Dennis Rodman’s relationship podcast...

In this episode of Freddy & Friends, I sit down with Guy Riggio — one of the most sought-after hairstylists in the entertainment industry. From his early days in New York apprenticing under Vidal Sassoon’s protégés to working on major film sets like Twilight and Blade, Guy’s career has spanned fashion editorials, red carpets, and some of Hollywood’s most recognizable names. We talk about: The...

In this episode of Freddy & Friends, I sit down with Jesus Perez, a gym owner who built his fitness business from the ground up — with no investors, no trust fund, and no shortcuts. We go deep on: What it really takes to open a gym in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in America How Jesus went client by client, hustle by hustle The power of staying focused, disciplined, and playing the l...

In this episode of the Freddy & Friends Podcast, I sit down with world-renowned drummer Thomas Lang to dive deep into the mindset, discipline, and technique behind one of the most iconic drumming careers of our time. We talk about: - The myth of talent vs. discipline - What separates good drummers from great ones - Stories from touring the world - His thoughts on modern drummers and the future...