Best Club Random Studios Podcasts (2025)

1
Why Playing It Safe Kills Brands ft. Mike Cessario | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:17:08

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8h ago1:17:08

1:17:08

Shane sits down with Liquid Death Founder/CEO Mike Cessario to talk branding, politics, and the power of provocation. They dive into how Liquid Death turned Internet hate into a billion-dollar water brand, why execution matters more than ideas, and how cultural tension fuels marketing breakthroughs. Cessario draws parallels between brand-building a…

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Steve Vai | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:26:44

1h ago1:26:44

1:26:44

Billy Corgan sits down with Steve Vai for a wild ride through arenas, rehearsal rooms, and beehives. They swap stories about outlandish ’80s stage antics, the “gunslinger” spirit of guitar duels, and how obsession, not discipline, fuels mastery. Vai breaks down his early passion for composing, his years with Frank Zappa, the hire wire act of replac…

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S1 E97 Celebrating 815 Day in Rockford with short stories! 1:00:55

4d ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Everyone has experienced Rockford, Illinois in a genuinely original way. Whether you’re 22 years old or 92, you have a very unique short story. To help celebrate 815 Day (August 15th, 2025), your host Tim Larson has collected snippets from longtime friends and complete strangers. This is the ultimate Storytellers Studio podcast episode. See much mo…

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The Dark Side of Deterrence & Nuclear Science ft. Taylor Wilson | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:41:15

6d ago1:41:15

1:41:15

Shane and nuclear-physics prodigy Taylor Wilson on the past, present, and future of atomic science, how Cold-War close calls, and today’s aging launch warning systems, make accidental nuclear war scarier than a deliberate attack, why Russia’s hypersonic torpedoes and cheap Ukrainian drones both reveal the same uneasy truth: deterrence math is being…

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Danny Elfman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:09:52

7d ago1:09:52

1:09:52

In this episode Billy Corgan sits down with musical visionary Danny Elfman. Together they trace his journey from the underground theatrics of the Mystic Knights to fronting Oingo Boingo, and on to scoring over 100 iconic films including Batman, Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Danny opens up about his unconventional path into compos…

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The Quantum Chip That Might Change Everything ft. Julian Kelly | Shane Smith Has Questions 59:01

14d ago59:01

59:01

Shane Smith sits down with Julian Kelly, Senior Director of Hardware at Google  Quantum AI and architect of the groundbreaking Willow chip, to map out the next frontier of computing. Kelly explains how Google’s 100 plus qubit processors now complete benchmark tasks in minutes that would outlive the universe on today’s fastest supercomputers, why er…

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Elliot Mintz | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:22:40

16d ago1:22:40

1:22:40

In this conversation, I sit down with Elliot Mintz, the man who became John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s closest confidant during their most radical and reclusive years. Elliot shares how a single radio interview turned into hundreds of late-night calls, secret meetings in Ojai, and a front-row seat to Lennon’s life after the Beatles. We talk about govern…

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S1 E96 - WLS Unwound Radio Reunion show 1:40:01

15d ago1:40:01

1:40:01

The Big 89 WLS radio celebrated the 65th anniversary of the Musicradio format of the 60's and 70's. They were the Rock of Chicago! In addition to an epic party, Ted Gorden Smucker gathered the finest radio announcers of that era for a roundtable conversation and on-air excerpts from the past. It was a beehive. Scott Childers hosted the show. Guests…

1
Inside the WILD World of Independent Journalism ft. Andrew Callaghan | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:48:12

22d ago1:48:12

1:48:12

Shane  Smith sits down with Channel 5 and All Gas No Brakes founder Andrew Callaghan. They discuss Andrew’s hitchhiking origins, his first full-length interview with Hunter Biden and they unpack the rise and fall of All Gas No Brakes, the birth of Channel 5’s “global newsroom,” and why a single bad real-estate deal turned a Louisiana lawyer into th…

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Paul Williams | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:33:21

20d ago1:33:21

1:33:21

In this episode of TMO, Billy Corgan sits down with songwriting legend Paul Williams for a free‑wheeling conversation that spans astrology, Williams’ nomadic childhood and early hormone therapy, his breakthrough at A&M Records, and the creation of “We’ve Only Just Begun”, sessions with the Wrecking Crew, trading quips with Johnny Carson on The Toni…

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Inside LA’s Wildfire Crisis & Political Fallout ft. Karen Bass | Shane Has Questions | Vice News 1:14:25

28d ago1:14:25

1:14:25

When wildfires, homelessness, and immigration collide, Los Angeles becomes a focal point for America’s biggest debates. In this candid, hourlong sitdown, Shane Smith presses L.A. Mayor  Karen  Bass on everything from her controversial trip to Ghana during the Palisades inferno to the missing billions earmarked for homelessness relief. Bass pulls ba…

1
Rick Springfield | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:15:08

29d ago1:15:08

1:15:08

Billy Corgan welcomes Grammy‑winner Rick Springfield for an unfiltered tour through five decades of reinvention: the bubble‑gum‑pink days in the Aussie psych outfit Zoot to Rick’s audacious spin on “Eleanor Rigby,” the labyrinth of visa nightmares and fine‑print contracts that nearly derailed him, his detour into acting that stretched from The Six …

1
Inside LA’s Fire Disaster & Political Chaos ft. Rick Caruso | Shane Has Questions 52:41

1M ago52:41

52:41

Rick Caruso breaks down the harsh realities behind LA’s wildfire devastation, exposing how political failures, broken systems, and poor leadership turned a preventable disaster into a full-blown crisis. From the incompetence that left reservoirs empty to the private firefighting efforts that saved his village while others burned, Rick explains why …

1
Micky Dolenz | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:19:14

1M ago1:19:14

1:19:14

Billy Corgan welcomes Micky Dolenz for a conversation that peels back the curtain on a lifetime in show business. Dolenz explains why he always kept “Micky the TV drummer” separate from the real man, explains how the Monkees were a cast before they were a band, surviving the show’s cancelation and watching the Monkees phenomenon roar back when MTV …

1
Joe Mantegna | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:27:10

1M ago1:27:10

1:27:10

Billy Corgan sits down with Joe Mantegna to trace his journey from singing Beatles tunes in his Chicago high-school band The Weasels, playing clubs with acts like Neil Diamond and Chicago, to dodging mob-run venues, goth “Judas” cult fans, and finally finding his groove in theatrical productions of West Side Story, Hair and Godspell. He recalls tin…

1
Gavin Rossdale | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:30:35

1M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

Billy Corgan sits down with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale about Rossdale’s transition from a quiet London childhood and Kings Road punk scene to forging Bush’s blues-free, down-tuned sound. They trace the Pixies’ and Steve Albini’s influence on the breakout album Sixteen Stone, the grunge-era label hurdles, and the craft of matching raw lyrics with …

1
The Spiritual Journey Behind Creativity & Art ft. Rick Rubin | Shane Has Questions | Vice News 1:26:47

2M ago1:26:47

1:26:47

Rick Rubin dives deep into the essence of creativity, exploring its spiritual roots and the role of sensitivity in artistic expression. From his reflections on nature as the perfect balance to his thoughts on art as a universal language, Rick discusses how every piece of art — whether it’s music, painting, or writing — connects us to something grea…

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S1 E95 STEVE SCORFINA - Early legacy member of REO Speedwagon 1:18:15

2M ago1:18:15

1:18:15

Steve Scorfina and Kathleen Sullivan had only met your host Tim Larson two weeks prior to the recording of this episode. They were all attending a charity event at the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois. One conversation led to another very quickly and the next thing ya know Tim was photographing the REO Speedwagon Legacy Reunion Concert in the…

1
Paul Stanley Pt 2 | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 58:27

2M ago58:27

58:27

In Part 2 of this candid conversation, Paul Stanley reflects on 50 years of KISS. Together they dig into the legacy, the criticism, the creativity, and the brotherhood behind the band. From the idea of a KISS biopic and their unmasked Vegas shows to Paul's Soul Station, songwriting, and his admiration for icons like Robert Plant and Steve Marriott.…

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Jordan Peterson on Academia, the New Right, & Saving the West | Shane Has Questions 1:25:22

2M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

In this wide-ranging conversation, Shane Smith presses Dr. Jordan B. Peterson on everything from academia’s groupthink and campus protests to benzo withdrawal, love in the face of terminal illness, and the geopolitical shadow of China. Peterson fires back—sometimes reflective, sometimes raw—laying out why he believes voluntary self-sacrifice, not p…

1
Paul Stanley Pt. 1 | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:02:56

2M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Billy Corgan sits down with KISS co-founder Paul Stanley, for Part 1 of a two part conversation that traces the 1998 Halloween “Psycho Circus” reunion at Dodger Stadium to the sold-out “End of the Road” farewell at Madison Square Garden. Paul opens up about old rifts, the fresh spark Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, brought to the band and how starrin…

1
Robby Krieger | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:24:28

2M ago1:24:28

1:24:28

Billy Corgan sits down with legendary Doors guitarist Robby Krieger for an engaging conversation about music, legacy, and the evolving mythology of one of rock's most iconic and shadowy bands. Diving into Krieger's latest musical venture, Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages, and stories from his memoir, Set the Night on Fire. Robby shares songwritin…

1
ICE, Asylum, and Why the Border Crisis Isn’t What You Think 45:05

3M ago45:05

45:05

John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE under President Obama, explains why both Republican and Democratic leaders have struggled to manage the border, why immigration reform keeps hitting roadblocks, and what real, workable solutions could actually look like. This conversation goes beyond politics — it reveals the human stories and the complex…

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Zakk Wylde | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:28:39

3M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

Billy Corgan sits down with legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde to discuss their shared love of classic rock influences like Sabbath, Hendrix, and Elton John, and the challenges of forging an original sound in the shadow of greats like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. Zakk opens up about his time with Ozzy Osbourne, the evolution of his playing style, …

1
My Life as an Economic Hitman with John Perkins 57:02

3M ago57:02

57:02

John Perkins was once an economic hitman — a chief economist helping powerful corporations and governments entrap resource-rich countries in massive debt. Loans disguised as development aid ended up enriching the elite, while ordinary people paid the price. He shares the moment that made him question everything, the “death economy” fueled by short-…

1
Susan Olsen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:14:14

3M ago1:14:14

1:14:14

In this wide-ranging conversation, Billy delves into Susan Olsen’s life before, during and after The Brady Bunch. They trace her path from six-year-old Gunsmoke guest to Cindy Brady, unpacking the Brady casting process, on-set dynamics, the short-lived Brady Bunch Variety Hour, and the realities of childhood fame—stage fright, typecasting, and why …

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Mark Laita - Soft White Underbelly | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:13:42

3M ago1:13:42

1:13:42

Billy Corgan sits down with Soft White Underbelly creator Mark Laita for a probing, in‑depth talk about why Laita documents society’s “invisible” people. Laita traces the project back to his Chicago‑area upbringing, teen fascination with street life, and long career as an ad and music photographer. He describes approaching subjects without judgment…

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S1 E94 MARK FINNEGAN - Vets Roll trip to Washington, DC 47:07

3M ago47:07

47:07

Mark Finnegan has directed a caravan of veterans to Washington, DC since 2010. You'll hear about the logistic magic and also that of Bill Hunter. The emotional floods are overwhelming and the partnerships are incredible. Mark lives the passion for our military heroes and you can hear it in his voice. Recorded at Finnegan's RV Center in South Beloit…

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Al Jourgensen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:22:59

3M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

Billy Corgan sits down with musical trailblazer Al Jourgensen for an unvarnished dive into four decades of boundary‑pushing music. Jourgensen walks through Wax Trax’s cash‑on‑the‑table sessions, the house‑mix side hustles at Chicago Trax, he unpacks leaving Arista via bankruptcy, reclaiming control on Twitch, and bringing Paul Barker back for what …

1
Carnie Wilson | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:42:14

4M ago1:42:14

1:42:14

In this episode, Billy Corgan sits down with Carnie Wilson for a frank, wide-ranging conversation that moves from childhood memories of blasting the family stereo with the Carpenters and Elton John to what it was really like growing up amid the Beach Boys’ orbit—falling asleep under control-room consoles while her dad and uncles spun out other-worl…

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S1 E93 FRED WINSTON - Chicago Radio Legend 1:03:20

4M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

It was a thrill to visit with Fred Winston in southwest Michigan. I have been a huge fan of his performances on Chicago radio for forty seven years (since 1978). He's very quick witted and an all around good guy. Don't worry. If you're not familiar with Fred since you live far away from Chicago, I will gladly bring you up-to-speed in the first fift…

1
Dean and Robert DeLeo | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:27:03

4M ago1:27:03

1:27:03

Billy Corgan sits down with Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert and Dean DeLeo for a frank, fast‑moving sweep across three decades of rock—scraping video budgets in the “last‑of‑the‑Mohicans” label era, MTV premieres, weathering addictions, lineup shocks, and even a near‑fatal on‑stage heart attack. Early rivalry dissolves into respect as Corgan applauds t…

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Dale Bozzio | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:31:10

4M ago1:31:10

1:31:10

In this lively and revealing conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with Dale Bozzio, lead singer of the hightly influential 1980s band Missing Person, to explore the remarkable journey that shaped her creative life. Dale candidly traces her start as a fearless spirit raised in Boston, recalling how Frank Zappa discovered her, encouraged her bold voc…

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S1 E92 DUNCAN GEDDES - Former Head Golf Pro at Aldeen Golf Club 54:41

4M ago54:41

54:41

Duncan and Tim Larson are connect eight ways to Tuesday. You'll find out how during the episode. Learn about The Masters at Augusta, Georgia, Norris Aldeen and the restoration of the golf course's famous barn. You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy this episode. After the exit of the show, listen for the song "Hooked on Hayward" referenced in the c…

1
Carrot Top | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:37:14

4M ago1:37:14

1:37:14

Billy Corgan chats with Carrot Top about the evolution of his unique brand of comedy, tracing the path from a shy kid fascinated by joke structure to a veteran headliner with nearly two decades on the Las Vegas stage. Carrot Top describes the early challenges of being dismissed by club owners and even his own father, as well as the thrill and press…

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S1 E91 TIM LARSON - Songwriting and Ai 1:01:02

4M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Your host Tim Larson decided about two months ago to try his hand at songwriting. Actually laying down his thoughts that were scribbled on many small sheets of paper over the previous year. With absolutely no musical skills, he sent the lyrics to London, England. The producers magically use Ai to combine genre, tempo and singer gender choices into …

1
Richie Sambora | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:05:54

4M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

In this candid, in-depth conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter Richie Sambora. Together they dig into how success comes at different speeds, the real story behind life in Bon Jovi, and the balancing act that happens once the show is over and you head back home to family. They talk about cutting tracks…

1
S1 E90 BOBBY ROTH - Veteran Hollywood Film Director 1:18:48

5M ago1:18:48

1:18:48

Bobby Roth and I met briefly just three hours before our conversation. He was conducting a Director's Panel at the Beloit International Film Festival in Wisconsin. He's made films and television shows for over fifty years. You will instantly recognize nearly the entire list. We agreed on an afternoon meeting time and location for recording this epi…

1
Who will win the Space Race? w/ Ashlee Vance & Jonathan McDowell | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:41:44

5M ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Shane Smith sits down with three of the brightest minds pushing humanity’s final frontier, space. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, author and space reporter and documentarian Ashlee Vance, and in-orbit manufacturing pioneer Delian Asparouhov pull back the curtain on the new era of private spaceflight, from cutting-edge rocket tech to factories flo…

1
S1 E89 JERRY SVEUM & DAWN STADELMAN - Beloit Art Center 29:17

5M ago29:17

29:17

Learn about the workings, volunteers and the community reach of the Beloit Art Center. There's never a shortage of appealing art in Beloit, Wisconsin. It's easy to be impressed. Jerry is a long time volunteer and the main gallery bears his name. Dawn is the CEO of this group who fills four galleries in this ever growing southern Wisconsin city. Rec…

1
Corey Feldman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:15:17

5M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

In this episode, Billy Corgan welcomes Corey Feldman for a raw, often eye-opening conversation that transcends Corey’s iconic 80s filmography and exposes the deeper realities of life in the spotlight. Feldman shares intimate stories of survival—addiction, broken industry promises, and tabloid oversimplifications—while describing his unshakable crea…

1
What are the Next Moves for the Left w/ Faiz Shakir | Shane Smith Has Questions 57:43

5M ago57:43

57:43

Shane sits down with Faiz Shakir, Bernie Sanders' former campaign manager and executive director of More Perfect Union—to ask the question on everyone’s mind: How can Democrats truly rebuild? From reclaiming a genuine grassroots base to tackling the big-money stranglehold on politics, they dig into what it’ll take to inspire working-class Americans…

1
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:35:11

5M ago1:35:11

1:35:11

In this candid conversation Billy Corgan sits down with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo who lay bare the real stories behind 45 years of music, marriage, and refusing to play by anyone else’s rules. They reflect on their Roman Catholic upbringings—incense, confessions, and all—and how that shaped them as restless creatives unwilling to settle. From th…

1
Stock Market Wipe Out Explained | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:21:54

5M ago1:21:54

1:21:54

Shane dives deep into today’s economic turbulence with two of the most respected voices in the field: former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and global affairs strategist Ian Bremmer. Together, they unpack how tariffs, shifting global alliances, and stock market jitters are reshaping our economic landscape. Summers offers an inside view of wh…

1
Howie Mandel | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:14:36

5M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

Billy Corgan welcomes Howie Mandel for a revealing conversation that looks beyond the spotlight. Howie candidly discusses living with ADHD, OCD, and germophobia—often mistaken for comedic quirks—and explains why stand-up remains his most honest outlet, despite its nerve-wracking edge. They explore how childhood experiences drove Howie’s need for co…

1
S1 E88 KAT WILLIAMS - International Women's Baseball Center CEO 45:45

5M ago45:45

45:45

Kat Williams and her group are spearheading the monumental project of bringing an International Women's Baseball Center to Rockford, Illinois. The Rockford Peaches at Beyer Stadium put Rockford on the women's sports map in the 1940's. The world zeroed in on that compass in 1992 through the film A League of Their Own. Learn about the past and the fu…

1
Bryan Johnson | Shane Smith Has Questions 1:35:10

5M ago1:35:10

1:35:10

Shane Smith and tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson—the mastermind behind the burgeoning “Don’t Die” movement and hit Netflix documentary— dissect one of humanity’s oldest obsessions: longevity and the possibility of extending life indefinitely. As Johnson lays out his plan to build a radical new ideology, part religion and part nation-st…

1
Diane Warren | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 52:05

5M ago52:05

52:05

Billy Corgan sits down with legendary songwriter Diane Warren for an unfiltered conversation about her relentless work ethic, creative process, and groundbreaking career. Warren opens up about her daily routine, the organized chaos of her longtime writing space ("The Cave"), and her strong preference for working alone. They explore how the music in…

1
Wolfgang Van Halen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 59:10

6M ago59:10

59:10

Billy Corgan sits down with Wolfgang Van Halen for a candid and far-reaching conversation about music, identity, and forging a creative path in the long shadow of one of rock’s greatest legends. Wolfgang opens up about his drive to earn every opportunity on his own merits, reflecting on the dual realities of carrying a famous name and longing simpl…

1
Sharon Osbourne | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan 1:34:12

6M ago1:34:12

1:34:12

Billy Corgan sits down with the iconic Sharon Osbourne—manager extraordinaire, TV personality, and the formidable force behind Ozzy Osbourne’s enduring career. Sharon opens up about her incredible life in show business, starting with childhood memories of her father, notorious music impresario Don Arden, and all the mischief and magic that came wit…