Listen Now

Episode 049 Mike Folmer, Florida Skateboarding "Hall of Famer" and my friend for 40 plus years. Mike is just a great all around skateboarder from a very influential time in the history of skateboarding. He was a member of the legendary Sims Skateboards team, and 1978 to 1983 were his most prolific years with several Pro Model decks. One of the legendary few to ever get a Skateboarder Magazine Front Cover.  Anytime I've seen him skating then or since, he is still smooth, fluid and stylish as ever. Definitely one of the raddest Miller Flips around, he'd do them on anything big and small. Mike dabbled in lots of things after his skate career, and settled on Vintage Clothing. Always a bit of a vintage buff, Mike always had vintage furniture, vintage cars, and was heavily into the vintage vibe of the Rockabilly Scene... as the years progressed Mike learned the ins and outs of buying and selling vintage goods like t-shirts, jeans, skateboards, buttons, jackets, sweatshirts and lots more. Today you can find him at @shopskaterdaterdude on instagram, or skaterdaterdude on EBAY We talk about his personal history growing up in Florida, what it's like to be from Florida Vs. California and much more. Hope you enjoy learning a little about this Skate Legend and awesome human..

Episode 048 Ken Hada, Skateboarder, Podcaster, Historian, Photographer, Dad, Creator Ken is the behind the "I had a Conversation Podcast" which lists art=drumming, skateboarding and photography as it's headline. I have done an episode of podcast with Ken, and you can find that podcast along with others such as Lizzie Armanto, J. Grant Brittain, Julie Kindstrand, Amelia Brodka, Ray Zimmerman "MRZ", Kim Cespedes, and even his good friend actor John Stamos. Ken is a Skatopia Skatepark OG. The Original one in Buena Park, CA.... A place I spent many hours myself in my teens. We became more acquainted in the last decade or so as Ken started promoting Skatopia Reunions and historical information on Skatopia.net a website he built and maintains. Ken was always at the ladies events documenting, and I think we shared a mututal stoke watching the ladies skate scene come on strong in the last decade or so and Ken took many great pics as the ladies scene was progressing.. Hope you enjoy that fact that I Had Conversation with Ken.... You can find Ken's podcast at www.ihadaconversation.com

Episode 047 Steve Caballero, A legendary Player in the history of Skateboarding We have a great chat about Steve's unique and amazing career in skateboarding including having two sponsors VANS and POWELL PERALTA for more than 30 years, which is certainly rare in the history of skateboard sponsorships. We discuss the changes Steve witnessed in Pro Skateboarding over the years, and some of the challenges that have come up along the way. We discuss how strange it was to us both when amateurs started getting paid, and what is feels like to be a Team Manager as opposed to a rider and much more. We talk about collectibles and opportunities we missed or lost, skateboarding's Big 5, and how I ruined skateboarding in the early 90's (I promise it wasn't me). We talk stickers and how important they are to us and our culture. We also discuss the days when I sponsored Steve and he rode for my Standard Trucks Brand during the 90's, that was a great honor for me back then, and it was timed well for both of us at that time. Our conversation is unplanned and organic, the way I like them. I hope you will enjoy it and learn something new and different about somebody you already know about, but maybe not in the context you will listen to here. Thanks for listening.    

Episode 046 Oscar Lorretto Jr. Adaptive Skateboarder/Activist/Consultant and Damn Nice Dude Oscar is rad... He was born without a left leg or hands, so life definitely gave him some challenges, but he found the greatest outlet of all....SKATEBOARDING.... and while that has been great for him, he's been of even more help to others. What he has done to inspire people of all ages and different types of disabilities is amazing. He worked for many years with Adaptive Action Sports, and now is an Independent consultant helping others form organizations, run events, etc.... He is also on the board of directors of The Sheckler Foundation, and on the board of USA Skateboarding, which is the US Olympic Skateboarding Committee. He is actively trying to work towards getting adaptive skateboarding (prosthetics, wheel chairs etc....) into the Paralympic Games. He has also helped and worked with The Poseiden Foundation (we are both advisory board members), Bridge to Skate, Grind for Life and more....  I Need to do a podcast with Mike Rogers from Grind for life too, don't I? Basically, after you see Oscar skate, realize he has a full time job editing in the television industry, and gives back to others, you should check yourself when you decide to whine about how rough you have it.. Be inspired by Oscar, overcome your own obstacles, and hit a few obstacles on your skateboard too... Hope you enjoy Oscar, he really is a rad dude!!!  

Episode 045 Chuck Dinkins Florida Skateboarding Hall of Famer, East Coast Legend, Epic Human Chuck is pure skateboarder. We first met back in the 80's and Chuck has been blasting off walls, jump ramps, pools, and ditches ever since. He has even become quite into slalom, something I keep threatening to try some more... We talk about Chuck's life as a military kid and moves around the country until finally settling in Florida where he has been for some time now. Chuck was a pro for Walker Skateboards, owned by Bruce Walker, one of the coolest humans ever to work in the skateboard business. We talk products, generational changes, shit that irritates the hell of of us, competition, traveling doing demos and sleeping on couches across America and much more.. Hope you enjoy. I was stoked catching up with Chuck, and if you know him you love him, and if you don't you'll see why we do... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 044 David Rogerson AKA: Shitbird One mans Story, is another mans Controversy. Self Proclaimed Jim Gray Shittalker David sits down and rambles with me. David like many before and after him learned the hard way, the skateboard industry eats it's own, and if you aren't a heavy insider you get eaten even harder. David founded a great skate wheel brand Speedlab Wheels, now owned and run by Alan Keller and family. He went on to produce "Pray for me, the Jason Jesse film" and talks about that a bit. He spent early years working within the SF Skate Mafia, and shares his viewpoints on that. He is definitely ADD as hell as his mind goes deep in many directions I was learning quickly, so there are many tangents he drifts off into. David and I had talked off and on over the last several years, but I learned so much doing this podcast, and in our conversation at lunch before, that I never knew. My podcasts are intended to let people with a place in the history of our culture talk and be heard, I don't put words in their mouth and I don't edit what's said. So, if you are offended, I am sorry and Birdo, Jason Jesse, Leticia, Fausto's Family, Jim Muir, Biker Gangs, and anyone else offended, if you got something to say or retort, you are welcome to come on the podcast too, or back on if you've already been on. He also gives props to some who don't get enough props, like the legendary Dan Wilkes, and Scott O'Bradovich who I already did a podcast with.. There are many rad people in skateboarding that you don't know about but should. David picked me up in his recently acquired 1970's Red Porsche and took me to lunch before we recorded this, and nearly got killed in it on the way home, as he got clipped and spun out on the freeway on his was back up north. I've been threatening to come skate his Wally Holliday built backyard pool for over a decade now, and maybe I'll do that and record part 2 after the fall out. As always, thanks for listening. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 043 Ron Allen Legendary OG Street Skater, Artist, Musician, and Great Friend Ron and I talk about his early days in Visalia, California and the path to pro skateboarding, company ownership, how and why he became MC Intelligence after a near death experience. He has had a great life of skateboarding being a main force on H-Street, and eventually into doing his own brands, Fun Skateboards, Life Skateboards, and American Dream Incorporated (Relaunched recently).. check out @americandreamincorportated and help a skater owned brand stay strong. You can also find Ron at @Ronallensk8 on Insta and follow his path. I consider him one of my truest of friends, and we have a great conversation about many things including skateboarding, and our crazy industry, racism, liability, the olympics, and about the changes in skateboarding over the years and how we both value competition and what it did for us as skaters. I've witnessed Ron rapping on the fly and he's pretty damn good, he puts out a positive message as a human and prefers positivity over negativity, which isn't always easy when in the skateboard business. I have great respect for Ron, and few people can put a smile on my face more than he can. I hope you enjoy our conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sal hails from Baton Rouge Louisiana where he started riding BMX until it went in a direction that no longer interested him, and with a little luck, found himself with a skateboard to ride, and has never looked back. Soon, he found himself touring with skateboarding greats like Danny Way and Ron Allen, filming all around the country, and living a dream. His early sponsors include H-Street, Plan B, Tracker Trucks, and Spitfire. Those dreams come to and end for most and for him, he just took what he had an moved forward on new projects of his own. He's been the man behind Aesthetics Clothing and Skateboards, Elwood, 23 Skateboards and more. He's lived in New York and helped run the Zoo York brand at it's peak, and much more. He's got some new projects coming up with his BMX roots, but personally will always be searching out a thrill on his skateboard. At 49 years old, I watched him still casually busting out backside airs in a pool just a few weeks ago. Through his various brands and relationships, he's sponsored many people who've gone on to make quite a splash in skateboarding, like Fucking Awesome's Jason Dill amongst others. Sal is deep in the skateboard culture and has a great respect for it. On the day we recorded (twice--oops), Sal found himself with myself and legendary skate photographer and music man "O" Otis Barthoulameu as O dyed some wheels for him and we were chatting while the Rit Dye boiled. Sorry for the background noise, this is just the reality of doing all this on the fly. If you are a fan of Sal, you will enjoy hearing his perspective. As always, I learn new things everyday from these conversations, and am happy to share them with my 3 listeners worldwide. Thank all 3 of you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 041, featuring Salman Agah On a random Bike Riding quest I find myself in downtown LA and hungry, so of course I headed to Pizzanista. Not expecting Salman to be there, but I got lucky, so said lets chat and catch up and record a Podcast, so we did. Salman as you know is a legendary skateboarding, who I consider to be the driving force behind "Switch Skating", and definitely the first guy I even saw do a whole run backwards. We talk about that, why he started PIZZANISTA, how lucky we are to be skateboarders, and how a cool babysitter helped him satisfy his early skate cravings which linger to this day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 040, featuring Otis Barthoulameu AKA "O" @otiserie @gnarcake I had a nice chat with O as we all know him as we were custom dyeing some Powerflex Wheels for a special Gnarcake Otisserie Limited Edition of Powerflex 5 wheels which will be available soon. We talk music, skateboarding, Tracker, Transworld, Thrasher, Indy, and a whole lot of random shit between boiling wheels, and sneaking off to have coffee. Hope you enjoy O, he is a one of a kind musician, skateboarder, photographer, and all around fun and creative human. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 039 The Picturebooks Band, featuring Fynn Grabke and Philip Mirtschink with Special Guest Claus Grabke! The Picturebooks is Fynn Grabke and Philip Mirtschink. They are skaters from Germany, and they are managed and produced by Claus Grabke, legendary pro skater and musician/recording studio owner and much more. I love these guys. They are more like family than friends. For over a decade now, they've made my Costa Mesa Office/Warehouse their US Headquarters when they are here. We've shared countless meals, deep conversations, family time, skating, and lots of crazy excursions to make music videos, and I've enjoyed many of their shows while they've been here. We discuss what's it's like to grow up with a musician father deep in the music lifestyle and business and lots about skateboarding and it's influence on them. Bottom line, I love these guys, and think you will too. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 038 Matt Baran, Skateboarding Architect... Ok how about Matt Baran, very talented skateboarding architect. Matt is a Southern California Raised skater, now living in Nor Cal in the Bay Area running his Architecture Design Firm, Baran Studio Architecture. We met on Instagram where I frequently post houses I like with the Hashtag #ThisIsNotJimsBeautifulHouse and Matt saw some of the posts, made a comment on a few of them. After a little snooping and a couple chats, here we are talking to a skateboarder with a very real and impressive portfolio. So, we had a chat about Architecture and Skateboarding, and how one tied into the other to create the life Matt now enjoys. In this crazy pandemic world, we did this interview via zoom, and it's 98% clear, but I apologize for the occasional fuzzy sound. Hope you enjoy Matt, and if you need a really rad house designed, or want to build some cool apartments of the future, hit up this creative skater... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 037 Frankie Hill, OG Street Destroyer joins me with a special guest appearance by his 5 year old daughter Frenchie. Frankie and I chat about his experiences and viewpoints from his days growing up skating and being sponsored first by Dogtown, and eventually Powell Peralta. We talk about growing up and learning to cruise so you can skate for a long time. He shares an experience that took him out for a long time, and how in hindsight its so much easier to understand, and lessons were learned from it that all up and coming skaters should hear. To me Frankie was one of the first street skaters who went really big, and opened up the door for all the crazy stuff that happens today. Hope you enjoy our chat, and thanks for listening. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 036 Jim Fitzpatrick, IASC Founder, Early World Skate Traveler, Bones Brigade Intelligence Operative In 1964, Jim hopped on a plane, equipped with 12 MAKAHA skateboards, his surf stuff, and headed to Europe, being one of the first to expose much of Europe to the sight of an American Production Skateboard. The Makaha Exhibition Team, which he was a part of did just that, random exhibitions to promote this new activity. Competition Teams came later as this was before skateboard competitions had emerged. From his early skate days, we discuss the crazy yet incredible story of how he was hired by Powell, sight unseen, picked up and flown to a skate contest in Savannah, Georgia, and ended up being part of the Powell Bones Brigade crew with such duties as it's intelligence report. The story is very interesting and funny. After his Powell days, Jim formed IASC, the International Association of Skateboard Companies, of which I was a proud board member of, and the first official meeting was held in my conference room. Jim went on to be the early spark for public skateboard parks, culminating in the adoption in 1997 of SB 1296 (California State Senate Bill 1296) which gave cities the liability protection that allowed them to build skateboard parks. I sat in the California Senate Judicial Committee 6-7 years later to promote and push the vote to make that law permanent in 2006 which was made via SB 1179. These bills and laws set the precedent for the nation and the world to begin the massive growth of public skateparks. Jim also is the one who suggested they include language stating the parks should be unattended (no pad nannies), and skateboarders should all thank him greatly for this one, as it has avoiding millions of hours of harassment at skateparks. This show is a good listen for anyone who appreciates knowing how their skate history came to be and the players that were involved. Jim definitely did his share to benefit skateboarding, and I am thankful for his hard work that I've got to enjoy for a couple decades now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 035 Micaela Ramirez, Founder Poseiden Foundation The Poseiden Foundation’s Mission is to inspire all youth through life-changing experiences to pursue their passions and to accomplish their dreams through Skateboarding. Through empowerment, love, and support, we change the mindset of society by raising awareness of at-risk youth and homeless children within our community. Micaela and I met over a decade ago and became friends, I have always been a friend and advisor to her and while I do sit on the advisory board for Poseiden, I am just here for guidance and and advice when needed, Micaela and the crew handle things quite well on their own. Micaela's big annual event "Ladies Day at the Berrics" has been taking place for 12 years, and I've been lucky enough to have been to most of them and watched it grow from a small event to an amazing event for hundreds. With a worldwide pandemic and large gatherings not taking place, this year Poseiden's efforts have changed to virtual, and they will be holding a Worldwide Game of Skate with Skaters from all over the world competing and leading up to the finals to be broadcast in conjunction with the Berrics. Follow @poseidenfoundation on Instagram for more info. Hope you enjoy Micaela, and please help if you can. Spread the word, make a donation, it all helps at risk youth, and helps female skateboarding to continue progressing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 034 Donnie Spada, Skateboarder, Friend, Musician, and Band Support Superstar Donnie is a member of the world renowned Sad Posse, the skate crew/gang that controlled the chaos at the world famous Sadlands in Anaheim, California. They took over, had the place wired, ripped, and created a little chaos too at one of the greatest skate spots of all time.... We met in the early 80's and have have skated off and on over the years. In the last few years, he introduced Old Man Roll Out, and got some of us old fat washed up dudes off our chairs and into the parks while the kids were in school. Through skateboarding and skateboarders he found his way into the music business and has worked with many bands, most notably, NO DOUBT and PEARL JAM, but as you will hear, he has done work with many others. We discuss how skateboarding led him to this and how it has taken his across the world and he's been able to see many countries and cultures. He says his job title is something like Backline Tech or (Roadie) but I think he's rad so I'm calling him a Raddie instead and Band Support Superstar!! During the Covid Chaos, Crisis, Catastrophe, or Coup, (depending on your political viewpoint, or size of your brain), he has been laying low, and playing with his own band Loose Trucks and having fun. They were recently on the famous Rodney on the Rock show which is cool, because we had all grown up listening to it. Hope you enjoy our chat, I sure enjoyed catching up.. Thanks Donnie! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 033 Kent Dahlgren, Skateboarder, Hacktivist, Skatepark Advocate, Socially Conscious Human Kent is one of the most fun and interesting people I know. We met through skateboarding both being skatepark advocates and that relationship together helped the Public Skatepark Development Guide Publication come together, and bonded a great friendship. Kent is one of the original members of the group that built Burnside Skatepark in Portland, and advocated for it's legitimacy, and went on to help found and run Skaters for Public Skateparks. This is definitely an interesting listen as you'll hear about Kent's skateboarding roots, and his present focus with his company 214Alpha in helping communities achieve financial and social self sufficiency, and the complexity and simplicity of it all amazes me. Basically, Kent is smarter than you and me. This is probably the only podcast you'll hear the all these words in the same conversation.. Skateboarding, Skatepark Advocacy, Little Rock Arkansas, Guerrilla Gardener, Skaters for Public Skateparks, Tony Hawk Foundation, Skaters for Portland Skateparks, Non Monetary Capital, Community Building, Self Governance, Algorithm, Elasticity, Enoughness, Growth and Diversity, Hyper Local Governance, and much more. Hope you enjoy listening and knowing that there are Skateboarders are at the forefront of technology to help society at large. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 032 @ChrisClicksDigital AKA: Chris Dangaard SKATEBOARD PHOTOGRAPHER and my friend. I met Chris a few years back and we clicked right away (good pun huh?). I liked his style and how honest, gentle, and real he was for a big dude who looks like he could just thump you and knock you out, and he probably could, but as we discuss "we're too old for that", LOL. I posted a few of his pics on my personal and Powerflex Wheels pages, and sat back and watched as he slowly got invited into the scene and past the invisible barriers of entry. It took lots of work, but he stayed dedicated and put in lots and lots of miles and hours. His talent stands for itself and I am stoked to get to hang out with him often. I see him now fielding calls from the likes of Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, and so many of the upcoming rippers. He has been an integral connection for me and Powerflex Wheels and I am stoked to see him getting more and connections daily. Our chat is about the challenges of getting anywhere in skate photography, changing times, adapting to the new world, who is a dick and who isn't, etc.... Just kidding, everyone knows who the dicks are, you don't need to hear it from us. I hope you enjoy the conversation and getting to know Chris a little more and we both agreed, we didn't heckle each other anywhere near enough, maybe because that's what we do everyday... Enjoy!! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 031 Jesse Parker, Longboarder OMG! He's a Rebel who skates everything on 38 Inches of Wood!! Been skating all around with Jesse for ages. He seems to shows up everywhere I go and rips everything. He rides a longer board than you do. He has a Gravity and a Pope Skates Longboard Model (that's right, he's got two) and at over 38" he does slappies, and wall rides better than I can on my smaller sized board. We talk stereotypes, skate spots like Sano Land Ditch, Indian School, Kona skatepark, Steve Olson, Andy McDonald, Dave Hackett and his hairy chest, and our mutual love for Brad Edwards (RIP). We also talk crazy skatepark designs with neck high handrails, we google skate stoppers, discuss pads, injuries, experiences, the public's lack of real knowledge of skateboard manufacturing etc... Jesse wanted to thank his sponsors Gravity, Pope Skates, Clayer Brand and fellow longboard skater Tib's Parise, Socco Socks, Shark Shivers Bearings, Posuer Mfg, Duck Foot Beer, Tracker Trucks, Powerflex Wheels, Priority Longboard Crew, and whoever else he forgot to tell me... Jesse is a lifelong skateboarder, and just happens to ride a longer board, so to me he's just a skateboarder. Hope you enjoy our conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 030 Mark Kowalchuk, CANADIAN, Artist, Skater, Friend, and THE MAN who named this show. I met Mark a few years back at Volcom. He was doing lots of art for them and just got along great and we've been friends ever since. We've done some Guest Model skateboards together for ArtSchool Skateboards, his skateboard brand, he's helped me with Powerflex Graphics, and he even accidentally named the show. Today he does work for the Berrics, Fallen Shoes, Clayman LTD, and many more.... We did this chat via Zoom he was in Canada, and I was in Space! Ok, well my mind was but my body was in Costa Mesa. Check @Mark_Kowalchuk on instagram and see lots of really amazing art he has done... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.