Ever wondered what it really takes to grow a small or medium-sized business? In each episode, we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and secrets of innovative leaders in the SME world. From overcoming challenges to celebrating wins, this is your inside look into what drives success in today’s fast-paced business landscape. 🔑 Key insights 🌟 Real stories from real business owners ⚡ Actionable advice for entrepreneurs & leaders 💡 Fresh perspectives on industry trends Hosted by Adam Kene, th ...
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Adam Kene Podcasts
Jay Chandrasekhar & Hayes MacArthur interview celebrities and other interesting people about shenanigans.
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Stop Reacting, Start Anticipating: The Power of Foresight with Athena Peppes
52:04
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52:04Behind the SME with Athena Peppes, Futurist and Economist, Advisor at BossUp.AI and Director of Futures at Beacon Thought Leadership What if you could see disruption coming and turn it into opportunity? In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene, speaks with Athena Peppes — futurist, economist, and former Accenture strategist — about how sma…
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How Curiosity (Not Control) Drives Real Growth — with Mike Jones
56:35
56:35
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56:35Behind the SME with Mike Jones, CTO of LoveHolidays From turning a £5 million turnaround story into a £2.2 billion exit to steering a travel brand through the chaos of COVID, Mike Jones has built a career on turning complexity into clarity through technology, leadership and curiosity. In this episode of Behind the SME, Mike shares 30 years of lesso…
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Lessons in Leadership from Nicole Spencer: Curiosity, Courage & Culture
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46:46Behind the SME with Nicole Spencer, MD of RMC & Board Member at FESPA UK From navigating self-doubt at breakfast in a room full of technical jargon, to earning respect and building trust as a new face in the factory, Nicole shares how humility, curiosity, and grit have shaped her leadership journey. In this episode of Behind the SME, Nicole unpacks…
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Safety, Sleep and Showing Up: Rethinking Leadership for Human Performance
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53:55Behind the SME with Steve Peralta, Co-Founder of Unmind, cultural advisor, and leadership coach. From redefining psychological safety as a strategic advantage, to exposing why leader well-being is the single biggest predictor of business performance, Steve brings a refreshingly human perspective to the future of work. In this episode of Behind the …
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Mindset, Machines and Momentum: An Experts Formula for Scaling SMEs
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49:43
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49:43Behind the SME with Steve Morris, Senior Leader at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). From helping startups transform Tupperware-box prototypes into world-ready products, to guiding 800+ SMEs a year through automation, funding, and growth - the MTC is quietly powering some of the UK’s most exciting manufacturing success stories. In this epi…
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Balancing Act: Growing a Business While Growing a Career with Erika Robinson
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32:59Behind the SME with Erika Robinson, UK General Manager at Constant Contact and Founder of PICNIC. From building a thriving soft play business while raising two small children, to leading the UK arm of a digital marketing company, Erika Robinson’s career has been shaped by curiosity, grit and a love for small business. In this episode of Behind the …
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Finding Your Voice: From Door-to-Door Sales to TEDx and the Power of Public Speaking with Alex Merry
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1:00:00Behind the SME with Alex Merry, Founder of TEDxClapham and Public Speaking Coach at MicDrop From knocking on doors as a sales rep to helping leaders own global stages, Alex Merry’s journey is rooted in storytelling, tenacity and a mission to make ideas worth sharing truly heard. In this episode of Behind the SME, Alex reunites with host Adam Kene –…
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(Almost) Golfing with Dennis Quaid, Kissing Ed Sheeran & Pitching Scripts | Brent Morin
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1:05:59
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1:05:59Brent Morin sits at the Mustache Tales chair to share some of the most incredible stories from show business. From the time he wasn't invited to play golf with the one and only Dennis Quaid, working as a PA with Conan O'Brien, or when he became friends with Ed Sheeran after the two shared a kiss on live TV, Brent lived through the many faces of TV …
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From Burnout to Breakthrough — Building Brands That Matter with Lyndsay Mason
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49:05Behind the SME with Lyndsay Mason, Founder and CEO of For The Creators. From climbing the corporate ladder to launching two purpose-led businesses, Lyndsay Mason’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention and relentless curiosity. In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Lyndsay to hear how growing up in an entrepreneurial household sha…
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Counting Crows' New Album, Playing SNL, and Rockstar Life | Adam Duritz
1:10:16
1:10:16
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1:10:16Reigniting the Mustache Tales Podcast, legendary musician Adam Duritz, from the Counting Crows, stops by just before his new tour to discuss the songs from the new album: 'Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!' Adam remembers the countless parties at his house (that he never attended), how that inspired a movie he did with Broken Lizard, how hard it…
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Why Most Products Flop — And How to Build One That Doesn’t
47:46
47:46
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47:46Behind the SME with Tom Parsons, Founder of Aetha Design. From Dyson engineer to launching his own design studio, Tom Parsons has always believed great products come from asking the right questions. In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Tom, Founder of Aetha Design, to explore what it takes to build a purpose-led product agency, why s…
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Human-First Strategy: Tom Kennard, CEO of Pragma Holis
56:46
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56:46Behind the SME with Tom Kennard, CEO of Pragma Holis. What happens when a consultancy puts people before process — and still delivers world-class outcomes? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Tom Kennard, co-founder and CEO of Pragma Holis, a strategic consultancy that's rethinking how businesses approach transformation. With a back…
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Rethinking Entrepreneurship: George Hosegood, Founder & Director at Trailpoint
45:12
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45:12Behind the SME with George Hosegood, Founder & Director at Trailpoint. What does it really take to build a successful business – and what happens when you do things differently from the start? In this episode of Behind the SME, we speak with George Hosegood, a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Turvec, a leader in active travel infrastructure, befo…
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Mastering Sales Strategy: Stuart Lotherington, Managing Director at SBR Consulting
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50:39Behind the SME with Stuart Lotherington, Managing Director at SBR Consulting. What makes a high-performing sales team – and how can SMEs build one? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Stuart Lotherington, Managing Director of SBR Consulting, a specialist consultancy focused on developing world-class sales capabilities for businesses…
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Marketing and Management: Will Newland Founder & Managing Director at SoBold
31:18
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31:18Behind the SME with Will Newland, founder and MD of SoBold. What happens when you skip the corporate ladder and go straight into starting your own company? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Will Newland, founder and MD of SoBold, a high-performance WordPress agency working with enterprise clients across healthcare, finance, real e…
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Building a Legacy: Tim Gray’s Journey with Dairi-Pak
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47:38Behind the SME with Tim Gray, Owner & Managing Director of Dairi-Pak. What does it take to build a business that stands the test of time? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Tim Gray, the driving force behind Dairi-Pak, to explore how he’s shaping the future of sustainable packaging. Tim has spent decades navigating the evolving lan…
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Building a Beauty Brand: Arabella Dupont’s Leap from Publishing to Entrepreneurship
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47:50Behind the SME with Arabella Dupont, Co-Founder & Director of The Bridal Beauty Co. How do you turn years of industry expertise into a thriving business? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Arabella Dupont, former Conde Nast Brides editor turned entrepreneur, to uncover the journey of launching and growing The Bridal Beauty Co. Arab…
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From Big Banks to SMEs: Former Banking Exec, Jonathan Beebe, on Investment, Leadership & Growth
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47:30
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47:30Behind the SME with Former Banking Exec, Jonathan Beebe What happens when a senior banking leader transitions from global finance to advising SMEs? In this episode of Behind the SME, we sit down with Jonathan Beebe, a former Barclays and Merrill Lynch executive who now serves as an advisor, investor, and non-exec across multiple businesses. Jonatha…
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Network TV, Show Business and Drinking with Grandma! | Michael Rowland
1:06:38
1:06:38
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1:06:38Animal Control and Stand-up star Michael Rowland is the second guest of the year on Mustache Tales. Michael joins the show to tell his stories on the behind the scenes of hit TV show 'Animal Control', his work as an actor, comedian and sharing a place with an older roommate in Vancouver. Watch now!By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Building, Scaling and Exiting: The Entrepreneurial Journey with Niama El Bassunie
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43:59Behind the SME with Niama El Bassunie, Managing Partner of Baobab Network In this episode, we sit down with Niama El Bassunie, a trailblazing entrepreneur who built and exited a successful B2B marketplace in Africa and is now backing the next generation of founders at Baobab Network. Niama shares her journey — from starting WaystoCap, navigating th…
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Sports Illustrated, Acting & Organ Donations | Brooklyn Decker
1:13:09
1:13:09
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1:13:09To start 2025, Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur welcome the acting and modeling star Brooklyn Decker to discuss her trajectory from the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazines to acting on TV and Film...with a quick reroute to discuss organ donation and transportation. Don't miss it!By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Resilience and Purpose: Lessons from Starting a Business with Jordan Relfe
52:54
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52:54Behind the SME with Jordan Relfe, Co-founder of Lifeproven In this episode of Behind the SME, Adam Kene sits down with Jordan Relfe, Co-founder of Lifeproven, to explore the challenges and rewards of building a purpose-driven business in the real estate sector. From navigating the early days of entrepreneurship to embedding ESG principles in the pr…
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From Big Four to SME COO: Sage Lakhani on Leadership, Teams, and Values
41:58
41:58
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41:58Behind the SME with Sage Lakhani, COO of Kene In this episode of Behind the SME, Adam Kene is joined by Sage Lakhani, COO of Kene, whose career journey has taken her from working at PwC to leading high-performing teams in the SME space. As a Chartered Tax Adviser, Sage brings deep expertise in tax solutions, process optimisation, and team managemen…
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Leading with Purpose: Lessons from 30+ Years of SME Leadership with John Wyer
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47:01Behind the SME with John Wyer, Founder and Co-owner of Bowles & Wyer In this episode, Adam Kene speaks with John Wyer, Founder and Co-owner of Bowles & Wyer, about his 30+ years of experience leading a successful landscape design and build business. John reflects on navigating crises, redefining business identity, and the powerful role of culture i…
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Turning Customer Insights into Action: Lessons in Product and Partnership
51:47
51:47
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51:47Behind the SME with Hugo & Rupert, Co-founders of Pockla In this episode, Hugo and Rupert, co-founders of the AI-powered marketing tech platform Pockla, share their entrepreneurial journey. They dive into the importance of deeply understanding customer needs through discovery calls, rather than focusing solely on product-building. They also discuss…
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In this timely bonus episode, Adam Kene and Catalina Lohmeier dive into the Autumn Statement and discuss its implications for SMEs. From increased National Insurance contributions to adjustments in R&D tax incentives, we examine the ripple effects on payroll, productivity, and overall growth for small and medium-sized businesses. Join us as we unpa…
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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Connectd with Roei Samuel
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47:16Behind the SME with Roei, Founder of Connectd In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Roei, who founded his first successful tech company at just 15 years old, scaling it to 6-million monthly users before being acquired in 2018. Roei shares valuable lessons from his experience, including the critical role of timing in busi…
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Welcome to Behind the SME Our host, Adam Kene, introduces Behind the SME, a podcast designed to provide real, actionable insights for small and medium-sized businesses. Unlike the typical focus on big corporations, this show gets into the nitty-gritty of how SMEs operate on a daily basis. Adam shares his passion for learning from the experiences of…
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Underwater Explosions, Navy SEAL Training and a True Mission | Cole Petrie
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57:10Jay and Hayes welcome the CEO of Higher Ground, Cole Petrie to discuss his life journey from being a Navy Seal to his impactful work that is changing the life of Veterans, First Responders with Visible and Invisible Disabilities, Children and Adults with developmental, cognitive and Physical Disabilities.…
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Photography, Nature & Spiritual Connections | Kene Sperry
1:42:42
1:42:42
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1:42:42On this episode of Mustache Tales, learn what’s behind the stunning black and white photography of Kene Sperry and how the photographer discusses his philosophy on how everything in nature is interconnected. Kene talks about his artistic process of working with light and composition to create photographs that challenge the way we see familiar lands…
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Modern Family, Directing Comedy & the Future of Entertainment | Jason Winer
1:27:51
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1:27:51On the first day of July, Mustache Tales welcomes Jason Winer, the director of Modern Family’s pilot. From his early days working on a short film with Hayes to directing comedies on TV networks, Jason shares stories of the behind the scenes of movies and television, the casting proccess of Eric Stonestreet as Cameron and what he expects for the fut…
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Rescuing Dogs, Climbing Mountains & Silicon Valley | Thomas Middleditch
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1:05:12Get ready for the next episode of Mustache Tales, where Jay and Hayes welcome Thomas Middleditch for a chat about improv, climbing Kilimanjaro, and a story of the time Hayes rescued a dog, told by none other than Hayes’ daughter herself.By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Top Chef, Food Industry, and Pregnancy Pillows | Michael Voltaggio
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1:00:25On this episode of Mustache Tales Jay and Hayes welcome Michael Voltaggio, chef, restaurateur, author, and winner of Top Chef season 6. Listen as they discuss the backstage of the food industry, Mike's passage through the reality show, Hayes' awfulness as a waiter, and what pregnancy pillows have to do with all of that.…
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Sports Stories, Football and the NFL Draft | Mike Roos
1:05:29
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1:05:29NFL Star Mike Roos joins Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur to tell the tales from his life. Since his early days in Estonia where he was born to his journey in sports like basketball, soccer and finally football. Learn how Mike ended up appearing in two Broken Lizard movies and if he stills follows the NFL Drafts.…
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Animal Control, New Zealand TV & Auditions | Grace Palmer
1:03:31
1:03:31
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1:03:31Jay and Hayes travel around the globe and land in New Zealand to connect with actress Grace Palmer. The star of Animal Control shares the stories of how she auditioned for different American TV shows while living in New Zealand, the cultural differences from around the world and how it is life starring on a Fox Hit TV-Show.…
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Apples Never Fall, Community & TV Shows | Alison Brie
1:09:43
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1:09:43Hollywood star Alison Brie joins our hosts Jay and Hayes on this week’s Mustache Tales. The star of hit shows like Community, Glow and her newest project ‘Apples Never Fall’ shares backstage stories with Jay, what is the feeling of working with Annette Bening and most importantly…Why don’t the hosts of Mustache Tales have mustaches? At all.…
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High School Narc, Justin Fields & Going to the Movies | A Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur Conversation
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1:17:17On this week’s episode, our hosts sit for a conversation about some good ol’ High School stories, the effort to make people go back to cinema rooms and an in-depth conversation about the Chicago Bears situation after Justin Fields left the team. Don’t miss it.By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Stand-Up Comedy, HBO Specials and Acting | Rory Scovel
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1:09:53Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur are back for another Mustache Tales episode. On today’s episode, comedian Rory Scovel joins our hosts to discuss his latest HBO special ‘Religion, Sex and a Few Things in Between’ and also share fun stories of his adventures in live stand-up stages. The trio shares stories in acting, comedy and their opinion on…
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Sean Penn, New York and Camera Work | Joe Collins
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1:05:29Joe Collins has been literally behind the scenes of movies featuring the biggest stars in Hollywood. On today’s episode of Mustache Tales, Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur welcome Joe for a conversation on life on the set while making movies, the movie scene in the 90s, and discussing fond memories of the time they shot Super Troopers 2 and be…
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How to Live Longer, Grow Limbs and Modify DNA | Dr. Greg Bailey
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1:01:25On the first Mustache Tales of 2024, a different type of guest for a different subject. Jay and Hayes welcome Dr. Greg Bailey, founder and executive chairman of ‘Juvenescence’, a company focused on finding drugs or natural products that will modify how long you live healthy. A chat about day-to-day practices that will improve your quality of life, …
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Tik Tok, Internet Success and Fortnite Emotes | Adam Rose
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1:12:19Adam Rose joins Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur on the latest episode of Mustache Tales to dive into his internet success that started on TikTok. The actor shares his journey to millions of followers on social media, iconic sketches in a blue cardigan and even how he got his viral dance to be a Fortnite Emote!…
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Life Before Hollywood & College Adventures | A Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur Conversation
1:27:49
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1:27:49Football, fights, and sacred ash! Jay and Hayes take you on a rollercoaster journey as they discuss the unpredictable twists of adolescence. Get ready for a hilarious and insightful conversation about life and its ways with our two hosts!By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Michael Jackson, Friends and Getting High on Camera | Doug Benson
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1:04:08Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur return with another Mustache Tales episode. This time, the guest Doug Benson shares stories from early in his career to highlights (quite literally) when smoking weed with celebrities on camera. From dancing in a Michael Jackson video to acting with Jennifer Aniston on Friends, Doug has stories that will make y…
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The Departed, Jennifer Aniston and Los Angeles | Kristin Hahn
1:20:15
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1:20:15Hollywood producer Kristin Hahn joins the Mustache Tales guest line-up for a fun conversation on the most curious stories - from ghost encounters in her apartment to meeting Jennifer Aniston in LA and reading and working on the first scripts of the successful 'The Departed', directed by Martin Scorsese . It's an episode that you don't want to miss.…
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The Wild Origins of Jackass featuring Jeff Tremaine
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1:09:13The genius behind 'Jackass’, Jeff Tremaine, teams up with hosts Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur to talk about the origins of the movies, the wildest adventures of the cast, Johnny Knoxville famous tricks and also producing Motley Crue’s movie ‘Dirt’. If you are a fan of pranks and stunts, make sure you don’t miss it.…
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From Dukes of Hazzard to Psych with James Roday
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1:02:08Today, hosts Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes McArthur sit down with James Roday to go over his career, jumping from the time he was cast on Dukes of Hazzard - and met Burt Reynolds - to the work in Psych after almost giving up on TV and Film. A conversation about the behind the scenes of showbusiness filled with great stories and laughter. Don’t miss i…
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Join hosts Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur in this exclusive podcast episode as they explore the turbulent life and remarkable redemption of former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf. Discover the untold stories, triumphs, and struggles that shaped one of the most talked-about players in football history. Ryan Leaf bares it all, from his rise to NFL s…
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Outer Banks, Directing Shows & AI Jokes | Josh Pate
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57:23It's a montage of Hollywood stories! In this episode, hosts Hayes MacArthur and Jay Chandrasekhar sit down with special guest Josh Pate, creator and director of the famous Netflix hit ‘Outer Banks’. From stabs in the hand to shooting a plane crash in the Barbados or AI impersonating comedians, join us as we unveil these hilarious, shocking, and hea…
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Hockey, Lacrosse & Superstitions | Scott MacArthur
1:29:53
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1:29:53From owl inspired goalkeeping to acting next to Aaron Paul on Breaking Bad’s ‘El Camino’ movie, Scott MacArthur had one unique life journey. Tune in as he shares his passion for sports, animals and acting in another episode of Mustache Tales.By Jay Chandrasekhar
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Beerfest, Showbiz & Celebreties | A Jay Chandrasekhar and Hayes MacArthur Conversation
1:10:06
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1:10:06Backstage passes, beer tales, and musical magic await on "Mustache Tales"! Jay and Hayes share amazing celebrities stories featuring Bill Murray and Willie Nelson. Learn how a trip to Australia inspired the creation of hit film ‘Beerfest’ and the differences between directing for Streaming Services and Networks.…
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