Best Joe Zappa Podcasts (2025)

1
Dweezil Zappa: Navigating Musical Legacy and Creative Freedom 1:19:16

Play Pause

5d ago1:19:16

1:19:16

Greg Koch sits down with guitar virtuoso Dweezil Zappa for a fascinating deep dive into musical authenticity, technical mastery, and the challenge of preserving a legendary legacy. Their conversation reveals the extraordinary dedication required to perform Frank Zappa's intricate compositions, with Dweezil candidly sharing his 14-year journey to tr…

1
The Cluely Marketing Playbook 25:30

6d ago25:30

25:30

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa dive into the tenets of the Cluely marketing playbook, focusing specifically on lessons for adtech and martech founders and marketers. In short: Tell a provocative story about heroes and villains, leverage the CEO as chief evangelist, and capitalize on social channels. Also, Joe shares a big idea for scaled adtech compani…

1
Episode 274 - Cedric The Entertainer 1:07:46

6d ago1:07:46

1:07:46

Today on Breaking Bread Cedric the Entertainer joins us at the table! Cedric talks The Kings of Comedy, being the life of the party, and even busts out a few tunes. Tom may or not be considering stealing Cedric's look. Enjoy! Factormeals.com/papa50off and use code papa50off to get 50 percent off plus FREE shipping on your first box.Text PAPA to 640…

1
Deftones Live Performance & New Single Review w/ Vince Romero - Ep 280 1:13:49

8d ago1:13:49

1:13:49

With the help of Vince Romero, we talk about our discovery of Deftones, how many times we’ve seen Deftones live, and review/rate our most recent experience catching Deftones live on their 2025 arena tour. We close out the episode reviewing Deftones first single in five years: My Mind is a Mountain. To join us on the upcoming Private Music album rev…

1
Tom Bukovac: Strings, Stages, and Psychotic Bengal Cats 1:41:50

12d ago1:41:50

1:41:50

There's something uniquely captivating about listening to two master musicians simply talk shop. When Nashville session legend Tom Bukovac (affectionately known as "Uncle Larry") sits down with Greg Koch for this episode of Chewing the Gristle, their conversation unfolds like a masterclass. Bukovac pulls back the curtain on the Nashville session sc…

1
Everything About Boards with Aperiam Partner Corey Ferengul 48:07

13d ago48:07

48:07

Serial CEO and board member Corey Ferengul joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to teach the audience everything they need to know about boards, especially from the founder's perspective. When do you assemble a board? Who should be on it? How do you structure it? What types of questions are great for boards? How do you prepare for updates? And how does…

1
Episode 273 - Gabby Reece 1:03:41

13d ago1:03:41

1:03:41

Today on Breaking Bread Gabby Reece joins us at the table! Gabby is a former professional volleyball player and Tom has a lot to learn. Her advice on saunas and talking to strangers has changed his life for the better. Today they talk weight loss tips, sleeping separation, and more. Enjoy! Follow Gabby Reece @gabbyreece Text PAPA to 64000 to get tw…

1
Tyler Bryant 1:04:34

19d ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Tyler Bryant's musical journey embodies the purest essence of artistic dedication. From the moment he left his tiny Texas town of 1,700 people at age 17, armed with nothing but talent and determination, his singular focus has been creating authentic music that resonates. That unwavering commitment has evolved into a Grammy-winning career spanning p…

1
Mobian CEO Jonah Goodhart on Another Bite at the Adtech Apple 48:05

20d ago48:05

48:05

Jonah joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to discuss the key factors that allowed his company Moat to exit for $850M to Oracle and how he's approaching GTM differently this time around with his marketing measurement company Mobian. Joe, Eric, and Jonah riff on the Mobian story in real-time, and Joe scintillates the audience with a detour into French p…

1
Episode 272 - Kerri Kenney-Silver 1:11:42

20d ago1:11:42

1:11:42

The week on Breaking Bread Kerri Kenney-Silver joins us at the table! She talks starring in the hit show The Four Seasons (based on the 1981 film), the audition process, and working with Steve Carrell. Tom and Kerri also trade stories of almost getting kidnapped and much more. Enjoy! Catch Kerri in The Four Seasons streaming now on Netflix! Go to W…

1
John McLaughlin & the Mahavishnu Orchestra with author Walter Kolosky 57:59

21d ago57:59

57:59

In this month's episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we speak with Walter Kolosky, author of the new book Mahavishnu Memories. Kolosky's latest is his third book, charting the career of the remarkable jazz fusion guitarist, John McLaughlin. This book chronicles all the live concerts of the original iteration of McLaughlin's mighty Mahavishnu Orchest…

1
The Regulars w/ Rabib Hasan - Ep 279 1:23:40

22d ago1:23:40

1:23:40

Singer/guitarist Rabib Hasan joins us on Episode 279 with Musically Meditated Podcast. Rabib talks about his early musical journey in Virginia/DC, his move to Philadelphia, his time in TAGABOW, his love for The Replacements & Wipers, and The Regulars' new EP that just dropped by Julia’s War. Please support The Regulars here: https://linktr.ee/the_r…

1
Joe Bonamassa Returns 1:09:44

26d ago1:09:44

1:09:44

Guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa returns to Chewing the Gristle, bringing his characteristic wit and wisdom as he prepares for an ambitious European tour season. This conversation between two master guitarists reveals the realities of sustaining a music career with both artistic integrity and business savvy. Bonamassa takes us behind the scenes of his…

1
Big Happy CEO Jonathan Frohlinger on Building a Creative Business 40:04

27d ago40:04

40:04

Big Happy CEO Jonathan Frohlinger joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to discuss how he got a mobile creative tech business off the ground, learnings in GTM and hiring from his agency days, and what an adtech moat looks like in the AI era. Plus, Jon shares some news: Big Happy's expansion from mobile to DOOH.…

1
Episode 271 - Steph Tolev 1:01:41

27d ago1:01:41

1:01:41

This week on Breaking Bread Steph Tolev joins us at the table! Tom and Steph discuss her new -first ever- Netflix special and the importance of not looking wet. They also dive into social media trolls, bar fights, and body ailments. Perhaps the most wild development: Tom might start wearing jumpsuits. Enjoy! Check out Steph's new Netflix special Fi…

1
Episode 270 - Jameela Jamil 1:03:20

1M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

Today Jameela Jamil joins us at the table for a bonus episode! She talks getting discovered, the power of saying "yes", and how she almost killed herself with RAID. Enjoy! Check out Jameela's podcast Wrong Turns, wherever you podcast. -------------- 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:32 Patreon Shoutout 0:00:55 Lighter space 0:04:03 How scary is the world? 0:08:00…

1
Ben Eller 1:03:34

1M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Greg Koch welcomes YouTube guitar sensation and touring musician Ben Eller (Uncle Ben) to the Gristle fire for a conversation that meanders from lighthearted Waffle House tales to profound insights about musical authenticity. Ben shares how his guitar journey and popular YouTube channel were born from simple boredom - first as a homeschooled kid wi…

1
Duration Media CEO Andy Batkin on a Hybrid Approach to Adtech GTM 23:21

1M ago23:21

23:21

Duration Media CEO Andy Batkin joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa to discuss why and how his company evolved from a focus on viewability to curation and combining old-school sales and marketing tactics with more modern approaches.By Joe Zappa & Eric Franchi

1
Episode 269 - Fortune Feimster 1:03:02

1M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Today Fortune Feimster joins us at the table! At this point, 6 years into the radio show, she's basically Breaking Bread family. These old pals discuss ADD, going through tough times, and whether or not they would feel comfortable sharing a bunk bed (one member of this duo is definitely more into it). Enjoy!Check out Fortune in Fubar S2 now streami…

1
Mike Irish 1:08:30

1M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

What happens when two guitar virtuosos reunite after years apart? Greg Koch welcomes his former mentor Mike Irish to Chewing the Gristle for a masterclass in musical wisdom that spans far beyond technique. Mike Irish, who taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point when Greg was a student, shares his refreshingly inclusive teaching philosop…

1
How AI Disruption Will Affect Advertising Jobs and Romanticizing the Open Web 21:45

1M ago21:45

21:45

First, Eric shares a prediction from Anthropic's CEO on AI-fueled labor disruption and examines how that will affect jobs in advertising, media, and adtech. Then, Joe shares his critique of romanticizing the open web and clarifies three things adtech companies should be thinking about when considering the future of the open web: what consumers want…

1
Episode 268 - Justin Willman 1:06:22

1M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

This week Justin Willman joins us at the table! It's magical! Justin shares how he got his start in magic after breaking both his arms, how he builds out his tricks, and reveals if he plants audience members. Enjoy! Check out Justin's new Netflix special, Magic Lover - out now! Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus F…

1
Albert Castiglia 1:03:24

2M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

When blues powerhouse Albert Castiglia crossed paths with Bill Murray, neither could have predicted the musical partnership that would follow. In this captivating conversation with Greg Koch, Castiglia pulls back the curtain on how a Hollywood legend became his unexpected bandmate through a series of serendipitous connections that began with Murray…

1
Are Ads or Micropayments the Future of the Open Internet? 24:42

2M ago24:42

24:42

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa discuss whether micropayments will overtake ads as the default monetization model for the open internet as well as OpenAI's big hardware bet and its implications for advertising. Plus, Joe provides three marketing tips on staying the course, when to respond to criticism, and how the advertising echo chamber works. Finally…

1
Yoko Ono - Her Life & Art with Biographer David Shiff 57:57

2M ago57:57

57:57

John Lennon once described Yoko Ono as the world’s most famous unknown artist. “Everybody knows her name, but no one knows what she does.” She has only been important to history insofar as she impacted Lennon. Throughout her life, Yoko has been a caricature, a curiosity, and, often, a villain—an inscrutable seductress, a manipulating con artist, an…

1
Episode 267 - Michael Kosta 1:18:23

2M ago1:18:23

1:18:23

This week Michael Kosta joins us at the table! What could be better than a pro tennis player turned comedian?! Michael and Tom discuss the absurdity and beauty of living in big cities, eating trash standing up, why Butterfingers needs new publicity. Enjoy! Check out Michael Kosta’s new book: Lucky Loser and catch him on The Daily Show! For Last Bot…

1
(A Tribute to Deftones) For the Song You Saved w/ Robert "Woody" Nelson - Ep 278 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

Robert “Woody” Nelson of Change in the House of Pods joins us for the third time on Musically Meditated. Woody talks about the Deftones community, the future of his podcast, and For the Song You Saved (A tribute to Deftones). Please listen to this episode to get the full scoop about Woody’s awesome musical fundraiser idea, and with Deftones as the …

1
Dave Hill 1:04:00

2M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Dave Hill seamlessly blends virtuosic guitar playing with razor-sharp comedy, creating an entirely unique performance experience that defies categorization. In this captivating conversation with Greg Koch, Dave reveals the unexpected path that led him from his Cleveland roots as a rock musician to becoming a multifaceted comedian, author, and perfo…

1
LUMA Recap and the 4 Big Advertising Trends 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa break down what happened at DMS by LUMA, highlighting four trends: the Outcomes Era, AI transformation, the war for the open internet, and the explosion of creators. They dive deep into how open internet adtech companies can position themselves against the walled gardens by leaning into transparency and whether creators r…

1
Episode 266 - Carol Leifer 1:16:36

2M ago1:16:36

1:16:36

The incredibly talented Carol Leifer joins us at the table! Everything Carol touches seems to turn to gold - Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and now Hacks. Carol shares behind the scenes stories of writing for each of these hit shows. She also discusses why kids can absolutely not be at her stand up shows. Enjoy! Check out Carol's new book How to W…

1
Seth Rosenbloom 1:05:37

2M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Seth Rosenbloom, the fiery young blues guitarist from Massachusetts, brings his wealth of musical knowledge and performing experience to the Chewing the Gristle podcast. What begins as a gear chat about Two Rock amplifiers quickly evolves into a fascinating exploration of musical authenticity and the hard realities of making a living as a performin…

1
SWYM Messaging Workshop with CEO Ravi Patel 38:07

2M ago38:07

38:07

Joe Zappa and Eric Franchi workshop to SWYM story in real-time, unearthing with Ravi Patel how to describe SWYM's differentiated approach to its eponymous mission: helping advertisers to stop wasting their money. They discuss the many curation / quality plays out there and how SWYM differs as well as the evolution from ad buying 1.0 to 2.0 to (now)…

1
Episode 265 - Mike Birbiglia 1:10:51

2M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

This week on Breaking Bread Mike Birbiglia joins us at the table! Two Italian comedians in one booth - what could go wrong?! Tom and Mike share old Comedy Cellar stories, discuss thoughts on the Pope, and whether or not they would feel comfortable sharing a sleeping bag. Enjoy! Check out Mike's new special The Good Life on Netflix May 27th. Thank y…

1
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) Rock Legend Series #16 - Ep 277 57:49

2M ago57:49

57:49

Part 16 of the Rock Legend Series focuses on vocalist and guitarist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. We talk about Chris’s upbringing, musical journey, death, and his impact on the music industry. Follow us at: https://instagram.com/musically_meditated Contact: [email protected]

1
Daniel Kimbro 1:07:04

2M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

What does it take to become a musical chameleon who commands respect across diverse genres? Daniel Kimbro delivers a masterclass in musical versatility on this episode of Chewing the Gristle. From his beginnings in a family folk band called Mountain Soul to his current status as bassist for Jerry Douglas and session player on Eric Clapton records, …

1
Retail Media Messaging Workshop with Kevel CEO James Avery 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

Kevel CEO James Avery joins Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa on the pod to discuss how Kevel has evolved over the years, the current retail media landscape, and what the space will look like in five years. Also, Eric and Joe do a deep dive on Kevel's story, and the three workshop the company's messaging in real-time.…

1
Episode 264 - Atsuko Okatsuka 1:01:52

2M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

This week Atsuko Okatsuka joins us at the table! It's never a great sign when Ira Glass informs you that you have a story worth telling, which is exactly what happened to Atsuko. She discusses life in Japan, being kidnapped by her grandma and moving to the US. She also shares how she found out she wasn't married to her "husband." Enjoy! Check out A…

1
How to Turn Your Value Prop into a Story 26:55

3M ago26:55

26:55

Joe rants at Eric about how to turn a company's value proposition into a compelling story that brings more customers and those who influence them into a company's circle. Also, Joe and Eric cover how to optimize for a team of smart folks who make complicated things simple, the value of playing long-term games with long-term people, and the emerging…

1
Episode 263 - Aaron Weber 1:03:00

3M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

The hilarious Aaron Weber joins us at the table! Fresh off his first ever special and fresh off a flight from Nashville, Aaron sits down with Tom to discuss comedy, football, and belly buttons. Typical table talk. Enjoy! Check out Aaron Weber's special Signature Dish right here on YouTube! -----------0:00:00 Intro0:00:45 Welcome and suitcases0:02:0…

1
The Rise & Fall & Rise of The Zombies with Robin Platts on Reading Is Funktamental 57:58

3M ago57:58

57:58

Six decades after they stormed the British and American charts in 1964, The Zombies are possibly more popular than ever. Their biggest hits, ‘She’s Not There’, ‘Tell Her No’ and ‘Time of the Season’ have been played more than 14 million times on U.S. radio alone. Praised by critics, discovered by a new generation of fans, and inducted into the Rock…

1
Kaleidoscope Crux w/ Max Binet - Ep 276 1:32:44

3M ago1:32:44

1:32:44

Episode 276 features guitarist, vocalist, audio engineer Max Binet of the band Kaleidoscope Crux. Max and I talk about his Louisiana roots, his musical background, NOLA sludge, gear and new Kaleidoscope Crux EP “Through the Portal”. Through the Portal drops August 11 Julia’s War, Pleasure Tapes, and Candlepin Records. We close out the episode with …

1
Is It POSSIBLE for Jeff Green to Crush it on LinkedIn? 38:52

3M ago38:52

38:52

Eric Franchi and Joe Zappa discuss POSSIBLE joining the ranks of adtech’s tentpole events, how many brands were there, the two ways to approach events (spontaneous connections or maniacal planning), brand-startup connections, and Joe Zawadzki’s recognizable floppy hair. Plus, Joe analyzes The Trade Desk CEO Jeff Green’s LinkedIn presence and explai…

1
Episode 262 - Ike Barinholtz 1:20:48

3M ago1:20:48

1:20:48

This week Ike Barinholtz joins us at the table! He's a renaissance man! He writes, acts, AND cooks. He's so skilled, his talents rubbed off on his father who starred in Jury Duty. Tom and Ike discuss the future of Hollywood, possibly starring in a movie together, and share their favorite recipes! Enjoy! Go to WildGrain.com/PAPA for free croissants …

1
The Next $1B Commerce Media Business with PayPal Ads GM Dr. Mark Grether 32:40

3M ago32:40

32:40

Dr. Mark Grether joins the pod to talk about the four components of a massive commerce media business, how to maximize the opportunity for advertisers, why he joined PayPal to build their commerce media network after building Uber's ad business to $1B in revenue, and how AI is changing commerce media for advertisers, media owners, and consumers.…

1
Episode 261 - Ed Helms 1:06:58

3M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

This week comedian, banjo player, and history buff Ed Helms joins us at the table! Ed and Tom discuss some of history's biggest snafu's and the fact that somehow, we always make it through. Ed also shares about some of the biggest moments in his career: The Daily Show, The Hangover, and let's face it, probably his appearance on this podcast. If you…

1
From Brand Safety to Suitability with Michael Bishop and Rich Raddon 30:19

3M ago30:19

30:19

OpenAds CTO (and former Moat engineer) Michael Bishop and Zefr CEO Rich Raddon join Eric and Joe to discuss the evidence-based case (or lack thereof) for brand safety, why we should shift our mindset from safety to suitability and contextual targeting, the link between suitability and performance, and how AI is changing the space. Plus, Michael dro…

1
Episode 260 - Keegan-Michael Key 1:19:48

3M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

This week Keegan-Michael Key joins us at the table! Keegan and Tom take a deep dive into the history of comedy, sketch vs improv, and evergreen jokes. Don't worry they talk about other things too like: bats, aura rings, and living in trees. Enjoy! Check out Keegan's audio book, “The History of Sketch Comedy,” out now! -------------------------- 0:0…

1
AI, Work Productivity Gaps, and Customer Experience with Crosshatch CEO Soren Larson 48:44

3M ago48:44

48:44

Friend of the pod and Crosshatch CEO Soren Larson joins Eric and Joe to discuss how AI is transforming venture scaling and bootstrapped business building, the hot sectors of adtech, and how LLMs will change the customer experience. Plus, Soren is now a car guy, and Joe presses Eric on the dark secrets of VC secret society.…

1
Episode 259 - Tim Dillon 1:01:51

3M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

This week Tim Dillon joins us at the table! Good news, he has an opinion on everything: NY vs LA, the stock market crash, Joe Rogen's influence on the election, and much more. Enjoy! Check out Tim's new Netflix special on 4/15, "I'm Your Mother". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00:00 Intro 0:0…

1
The OpenAI Ad Opportunity, Second-Time Founders, and Reading Your Coworkers 48:31

4M ago48:31

48:31

OpenAI says it won’t build an ad business. Joe and Eric say it will — and it’ll be massive. Plus, how AI is boosting margins, why adtech disproportionately rewards second-time founders, and what Eric’s Enneagram type reveals.By Joe Zappa & Eric Franchi