Best Branson Smith Podcasts (2026)

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FHFH 589 // Weekend 13 Shutdown Shift // In Bussi We Trussi 45:11

Play Pause

6h ago45:11

45:11

Last show of 2025! Thank you for listening and here's to another year! Love you guys (and gals)! Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter.By Tim Branson, Mike Rogerson, Allen Roberts, Jay Wong, Matty Kalagian, Craig Smith

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How Did Deliveroo Become Worth £2.9Bn? 34:22

8h ago34:22

34:22

What starts as a side idea quickly becomes a full-scale obsession. For Will Shu, that obsession turned into Deliveroo, and it began with him delivering meals himself, learning the business from the pavement up. In this episode, Will takes us inside the early days of building a food delivery company from scratch, including the mistakes no one sees, …

1
FHFH 588 // The Script // Week 13 31:51

3h ago31:51

31:51

Another solo Allen show in that mysterious void of time between Christmas and the New Year. Hope everyone had time with loved ones, friends, and a well-deserved W! Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter. || FHFH T…

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A Home Between Cliff and River – Jeremiah Johnson 1:11:45

9d ago1:11:45

1:11:45

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith trace Jeremiah Johnson’s journey from escape into solitude, through an accidental gathering of strangers that becomes a real family, and how its loss traps him in a cycle of violence he never truly recovers from.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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How Five Guys Franchised The UK & Europe 47:51

7d ago47:51

47:51

What happens when a career built on spreadsheets collides with a gut-level belief in great food? John Eckbert’s path to becoming CEO of Five Guys is anything but conventional, and it nearly didn’t happen at all. In this conversation, John unpacks the improbable steps that took him from banking into the heart of one of the world’s most recognisable …

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The Decker Girls 1:00:59

14d ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Travis Decker was described as an active father who loved his three daughters. Everything seemed normal when he picked the girls up for a scheduled visitation on May 30th, 2025, but Travis did not return the girls on time. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the tragic murders of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker. Days later, police found their bod…

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FHFH 587 // The Script // Week 12 28:28

4d ago28:28

28:28

It's an Allen solo show! Just wanted to make this one short and sweet to get in, get out, and get you back to your week! Not much meat to the week, so try not to sweat it too much and enjoy the time with loved ones Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag an…

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83) Russ Cochran of West Plains 49:39

5d ago49:39

49:39

Previously released on our Patreon, the life story of physicist, academic, comic book publisher, historical preservationist and Tarzan enthusiast Russ Cochran of West Plains, Missouri

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FHFH 586 // Weekend 11 Shutdown Shift // Lindgren Injuries 1:17:25

10d ago1:17:25

1:17:25

Murry Christmas and stay safe if you're traveling the next few days. Love and appreciate all you listeners! Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter.By Tim Branson, Mike Rogerson, Allen Roberts, Jay Wong, Matty Kalagian, Craig Smith

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The Family Elf That Became a $100M Christmas Empire 52:00

13d ago52:00

52:00

Before it became a worldwide holiday staple, The Elf on the Shelf was simply a Pitts family tradition, one that Christa Pitts helped turn into a cultural phenomenon through grit, creativity, and unshakeable belief. In this episode, Christa looks back on the early days of being rejected by every publisher, the decision to self-publish with her famil…

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Don't Think You Ain't Wagering – Meek's Cutoff 58:50

18d ago58:50

58:50

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith explore how the quiet persistence of women’s work—and a single act of moral courage—reshapes a frontier story built on male bravado.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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Andre Jones 1:11:03

21d ago1:11:03

1:11:03

Andre Jones was an 18-year-old from Jackson, Mississippi, who was arrested at a sobriety checkpoint days before he was supposed to start his freshman year of college. Shortly after his arrest, Andre was found hanging in a prison shower. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the death of Andre Jones. Officials said Andre ended his life because he was …

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Mini-sode: Skinner/Jarry and Quinn Hughes Trades 38:24

11d ago38:24

38:24

Thought we'd save everyone everyone a mega-sode, but give the discussion around these trades the room to breathe. Sorry about two episode notifications in a single day, but let us know if you liked or disliked us doing it this way!By Tim Branson, Mike Rogerson, Allen Roberts, Jay Wong, Matty Kalagian, Craig Smith

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FHFH 585 // The Script // Week 11 48:10

11d ago48:10

48:10

Welcome to Week 11, have you finished all your Chrismahanukwanzakah shopping? The Jarry/Skinner and Quinn Hughes trades will be uploaded in a separate audio track for everyone to listen to at their own pace Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime vi…

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82) Ozarks Caves as Cold War Bomb Shelters 56:49

19d ago56:49

56:49

A sequel of sorts to our Wonderland Cave episode (44), we look at the planned use of caves in the Ozarks as bomb shelters during the Cold War. Also, a short history of Fantastic Caverns in Springfield, Missouri, and we read a couple of listener emails and reviews

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FHFH 584 // Weekend 10 Shutdown Shift // Water Fowler 1:16:48

14d ago1:16:48

1:16:48

Another week, another Shutdown Shift, and another mailbag! Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter.By Tim Branson, Mike Rogerson, Allen Roberts, Jay Wong, Matty Kalagian, Craig Smith

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Slow Time Family Labor – The New Land 1:22:38

27d ago1:22:38

1:22:38

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith explore how The New Land reveals the frontier not as mythic violence but as decades of labor, loss, and quiet perseverance.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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How The Grand Tour & Clarkson's Farm Were Born | Andy Wilman 33:23

27d ago33:23

33:23

From Top Gear to The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Andy Wilman has spent decades redefining what car television can be, and learning a few hard lessons along the way. In this episode, Andy opens up about the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour, the legal and creative gymnastics of building something “like Top Gear, but not Top Ge…

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The Mary Morris Murders 55:09

28d ago55:09

55:09

In October 2000, two women named Mary Morris were murdered days apart in Harris County, Texas. Authorities have said they haven’t found a link between the cases, both of which remain unsolved, but the families say the coincidences are too suspicious to ignore. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the Mary Morris murders. The body of Mary Lou Morris …

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How AI Cut Healthcare Burnout by 70% 47:31

1M ago47:31

47:31

In this episode, a16z GP Julie Yoo sits down with Peter McCanna, CEO of Baylor Scott & White Health, to break down how one of America's largest health systems is transforming from a supply-driven "walled castle" to a customer-centric ecosystem, and how it's achieving a 10% operating margin while most hospitals struggle to stay in the black. They ge…

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FHFH 583 // Weekend 9 Shutdown Shift // Seguin the Blues 1:05:22

21d ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Allen and Jay lay out the last weekend in the single digits for the 25-26 season. Time flies when you're having fun Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter.By Tim Branson, Mike Rogerson, Allen Roberts, Jay Wong, Matty Kalagian, Craig Smith

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How The AJ Vs. Jake Paul Fight Was Made | Frank Smith 58:02

26d ago58:02

58:02

From delivering coffees at 14 to becoming CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith has lived every side of the fight game. In this episode, Frank reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, from his first “final warning” as a teenager to leading global events watched by millions. He shares the unexpected twists behind major fights like Ant…

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There's No Living with a Killing – Shane 1:10:36

29d ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith trace how Shane creates a double image of masculinity: the domestic father who builds a home, and the gunfighter who sacrifices himself so that home can exist.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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Randy Leach 1:01:13

1M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

17-year-old Randy Leach was reported missing on April 16th, 1988, after he failed to come home from a high school party. Thirty-seven years later, neither Randy nor the car he was driving has been found. There have been many rumors in this case, from drug deals gone wrong to satanic cult activity, but few real leads for investigators to follow up o…

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FHFH 582 // The Script // Week 9 53:30

30d ago53:30

53:30

Allen and Jay review the script for week 9 and hang their heads at the Fox injury. Hopefully this episode can point you in the direction of a replacement Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter. || FHFH Twitter || …

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81) An Interview with Hope Ray & Jameson Hall of Handshake // The 19th Century Missouri Salt Industry 1:51:31

1M ago1:51:31

1:51:31

In a podcast first, we conduct an interview. Hope Ray & Jameson Hall are the co-owners of Handshake, a restaurant opening on December 6, 2025 in the Fayetteville Public Library. They tell us their origins, both as people and as business partners, and the pros and cons of opening a private business in a public space, among other things. After the in…

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FHFH 581 // Season-so-far Surprises 1:08:20

1M ago1:08:20

1:08:20

Allen and Jay stand in awe of where some of the teams are this season and how it's not exactly where we expected. They also revisit some of the powerplay controversies from the pre-season and see how they're shaking out Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailb…

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The Importance of Purpose & Finding Your Why 20:11

1M ago20:11

20:11

In this week's notebook I discuss the importance of not just finding your why, but acting on it. I share the unexpected panic I felt travelling back from my interview with Robert Lewandowski because of the thought I might miss my flight home. That rising fear revealed something important: when your purpose shifts, your reactions shift too. For me, …

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The Inside Story of Europe's First Budget Airline | easyJet Founder 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou joins us from Monaco to revisit the moment easyJet was created, beginning with the 1994 launch, where he persuaded his father to back his idea for a new kind of airline. He reflects on the early years of bold marketing stunts, legal battles with British Airways, and a fierce rivalry with Ryanair that pushed him to keep cost…

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The Future of Healthcare Payments: CMS Chief of Staff Stephanie Carlton 26:53

1M ago26:53

26:53

A labor and delivery nurse who ran Senate healthcare policy now manages $1.7 trillion in federal health spending—and she runs her team like a startup. Steph Carlton, Chief of Staff and Deputy Administrator at CMS, reveals the OKRs driving Medicare and Medicaid, why they're killing social determinants funding while building consumer health apps at s…

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Blood, Kin, and the Frontier Father – The Searchers 1:13:42

1M ago1:13:42

1:13:42

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith take a journey into the West’s darkest myth—where family, race, and vengeance shape the American imagination.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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Maura Murray 1:08:30

1M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

21-year-old Maura Murray went missing from Haverhill, New Hampshire, on February 9th, 2004, moments after crashing her car in the snow. Over twenty years later, there is still no trace of her. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the infamous missing persons case of Maura Murray. This case has drawn nationwide attention. Amateur websleuths on the in…

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80) Lizzie Rubart Gibson - Fruit Modeler 47:43

1M ago47:43

47:43

This week we talk about Lizzie Rubart Gibson, a woman who received international acclaim for her clay model fruits, used in science classes across the country. We also discuss an old Harrison Boys stomping ground in Pilot('s) Knob. Gus's computer is dying so in case you think something is wrong with your listening device, it's actually on our end. …

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Anything Above Zero Compounds 14:18

1M ago14:18

14:18

In this week's notebook, I talk about the fear I felt going into an interview with footballing superstar Robert Lewandowski, why we should enjoy our struggles, celebrate ourselves, and actively seek fear, not run from it. If you're currently feeling paralysed by fear or dissatisfied with everyday life, this episode's here to remind you that life's …

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FHFH 580 // Weekend 7 Shutdown Shift // Eetu, BBQ? 1:19:26

2M ago1:19:26

1:19:26

Allen and Jay celebrate the absurdity of fantasy hockey life and reach into the mailbag Give us a follow and a like and please give us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify You can submit questions to our mailbag anytime via our Discord Channel or Twitter. || FHFH Twitter || FHFH Discord || FHFH Patreon || FHFH YouTube ||…

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A Review of Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America by Joanna Dee Das 53:22

1M ago53:22

53:22

Sharp and Ray review the wonderful, new book Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America by Joanna Dee Das. This was an earnest (and first) attempt at a book review on the podcast, but it ultimately turned into an extended conversation about Branson, The Ozarks, and how different aspects of culture are viewed from the per…

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Which Country Will Win The AI race? | Microsoft UK CEO 39:38

1M ago39:38

39:38

How does someone go from tinkering with computers in a small Manchester bedroom to leading Microsoft UK’s AI revolution? For Darren Hardman, it began with curiosity, hard work, and a lesson that changed his outlook forever: success isn’t about working more hours, it’s about working with purpose. In this episode, Darren shares the defining moments t…

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I Don't Get Mad Anymore – One Battle After Another 1:17:37

2M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

Jim Groom and Michael Branson Smith dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s absurdist epic One Battle After Another, tracing how a botched revolution, an absent mother, and a very tired dad collide into a father–daughter story about surviving the fallout of ideology.By Jim Groom, Michael Branson Smith

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How to Build This Generation's Big Pharma Company 41:04

2M ago41:04

41:04

Drug discovery has doubled the flow of candidates, but approvals remain roughly flat. The constraint is development, not discovery. In this episode, a16z General Partner, Jorge Conde talks with Formation Bio cofounder and CEO Ben Liu about building a modern pharma company around clinical execution. They discuss Formation Bio’s hub-and-spoke model f…