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This episode is special. First off, it’s the 40th episode! Yes, the ole podcast is over the hill and has finally entered it’s forties. This episode is also special because I got a chance to have a conversation with a local hero of mine, Ricky Bright. Ricky is the owner and operator of The Upper Bout a guitar shop and repair shop in Champaign, IL. The store opened up in 2013, and it has consistently been one of my favorite places in town to visit and send people to. It’s a beautiful space with an amazing story run by one of the kindest and most thoughtful entrepreneurs I know. During the show Ricky and I get philosophical on life, work, capitalism, and (most importantly) our love of guitars. Ricky is a wealth of wisdom and there are so many nuggets of gold in this episode for anyone that loves music, small business, and community-first commerce. I’m really excited for you to hear this one and I hope you’re enriched by it as much as I was. If you’d like to learn more about The Upper Bout follow them on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. You can buy a guitar online at theupperbout.com.  If you’re local to Champaign county and need a repair, upgrade, or restoration, The Upper Bout provides custom luthier services as well. If you want to help me hit 100 subscribers, please visit russrev1ews.com.

A lot of people don’t know this, but I LOVE comedy. I got to see Mitch Hedberg before he passed away in high school and it changed my life. Comedy is amazing, and, while I might be funny, I’m no comedian (and trust me…I've tried). Thanks be to God for my friend Mike Heath who is a comedian and has been grinding at the craft for almost 1/2 a decade! Ironically, while we’re discussing comedy (which is full of laughs) we actually have a super sincere conversation around what it’s like trying to make it as a comedian, which I would argue is one of the hardest jobs you can pursue as a human. Mike is a sweetheart and I’m so glad he gave me some of his time to talk all things comedy. I hope you enjoy the episode too!  Special shout out to Nateland for inspiring Mike and me! Here’s the link to Dusty Slay’s comedy advice podcast that Mike mentioned. If you’d like to support Mike’s comedy journey, please follow him on Instagram and YouTube. If you’d like to see Mike live please check out his calendar at miketonyheath.com/shows. If you want to help me hit 100 subscribers, please subscribe.

***Editor’s Note: I recorded this off-site in Chicagoland, and my settings got all out of whack. So the podcast sounds a little weird. I apologize, but I did want to say that the content is great! I hope you’ll soldier through the audio issues and give it a listen.*** If you know anything about the NFL, you know that the Bears and Packers have the oldest rivalry in the league. Their all-time record is currently at 109-98-6 (Packers lead but hopefully Caleb and company will level that out soon). Needless to say, no love is lost between the fans of these two franchises, which is why I made the insane decision (as a Bears fan) to invite a Packers fan, my old roommate Evan, to preview the upcoming NFL season. I gotta say, it was a delight. Too many people are getting into fist-fights over sports and hopefully me and Evan can inspire you all to non-violence and enjoyment of sport as a game.  In the episode we answer a few NFL mailbag questions (5:05), we review Evan’s experience of being a Packers fan in Illinois (11:18), we preview the 2026 NFL season overall and zoom in on the NFC North (29:35), we dabble in sports "investing" (49:14), and we wrap up the episode sharing our “second” favorite fantasy players at each key position, because (tbh) you never get your first pick right (53:48). It’s an action packed episode and I hope you enjoy it.  If you want to explore the possibility of buying a very expensive watch reach out to Evan at tickingtimehomme.com. If you want to help me hit 100 subscribers, please visit russrev1ews.com.

We did it Joe! That’s right people, me and Caleb managed to sneak in a very timely review of Disney’s latest D23 expo and snuck it in (1:07:46) to what was already a JAM-PACKED review of the latest from Disney Incorporated. We review Mickey cartoons (10:10), we review Legoland (18:09), we review the dismal state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (24:41), we briefly review the ideal length of a cruise (34:27), and then we do a deep-dive into Spider-man: Brand New Day (41:35). People are saying this is the D23 of podcast episodes – packed with content but not a lot of it is meaningful or worthwhile! Relevant Links: russrev1ews reel on Legoland Caleb rev1ews an EPCOT Trash CanThe ICONIC review of the Star Wars Hotel by Jenny Nicholson – sorry I couldn’t remember her name.If you want to explore the possibilities of a Disney vacation with Caleb. Start the process with a free consultation at GetawaysByCaleb.com. If you want to help me hit 100 subscribers, please visit my Linktree at russrev1ews.com.

I’m back baby. And during my summer hiatus I realized should just keep copying Bill Simmons and maybe one day I’ll get to have him on as a guest. He got to interview Letterman, so dreams do come true. Speaking of dreams, I’ve always wanted to do a mailbag episode, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than my friend, Hillary Campbell, to answer listener questions with. We also finally make good on our promise to talk about Wicked 2. We had a lot of fun discussing these interesting queries, and I hope you enjoy it too! Many thanks to Caleb, Cousin John, Ernest, Emiliee, Megan, Rylee, and Joshua for your questions.  This will be a recurring format, so if you question didn’t get answered yet, it will! I promise! Speaking of questions, if you would like to submit a question to the mailbag, please visit my Linktree at russrev1ews.com and while you’re there follow the pod?!

I’m unfortunately one of those people that has a compulsive need to tell everyone it’s my birthday. I find it annoying when other people do it, but somehow it’s very charming when I do it. Go figure. Anyways, today is my birthday and I wanted an episode I could actually listen to with my fellow Disney Daddy, Caleb Hayworth. So we got together and did an EMERGENCY POD reviewing Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s controversial new rule that permanently restricts bus and boat access from Disney Springs for non-resort guests. Is it just a sincere crackdown on bad actors or is it an over-reaction against the thrifty and curious? As you might’ve guessed, I defend the Proletariat Disney fans, while Caleb sides with the Bourgeoisie Disney capitalists (29:49). Before that, I reveal the new podcast art to Caleb (5:45), and we answer the first ever mailbag question by reviewing Pixar’s latest sequel, Toy Story 5 (16:10). Also, shout out to Tom Hanks, who I share a birthday with! Your role in TS5 was hard to justify! If you don’t want to feel like you’re trespassing at Walt Disney World, you should probably book a vacation with Caleb. Start the process with a free consultation at GetawaysByCaleb.com. Want to see me and Caleb open up some Disney trash? Check out the reel on YouTube. If you want to help the birthday boy hit 100 subscribers, please visit my Linktree at russrev1ews.com.

Nothing says, “summer” like taking a break. And that’s exactly what I’m doing! I’m taking a break and I’ll be on a hiatus from now until early August. In honor of this absence I wanted to try recording an episode by myself. I’m not sure if it’s good, but YOLO right? Bill Burr’s entire podcast is solo and he’s done well for himself? The episode is mainly broken down into two parts. At the top of the show I wax philosophical about rest, breaks, monetization, the art of criticism, and what my goals and hopes are for the pod moving into year 2 (00:43). For the second half of the pod I do a little “reviewing” (gotta stay true to the brand) and share about some of the best things I’ve watched so far in 2026 (17:25).  If you want to submit a question to the A.M.A. mailbag or you’re wanting to help me hit 100 subscribers, please visit russrev1ews.com and see what’s going on there. I’ll miss you all! H.A.G.S.

Oh boy! Me and GetawaysByCaleb.com are back together again for the SEVENTH time – oh thank Heaven! – and we finally make good on our promise to review Magic Kingdom as we share about our time visiting during Disney After Hours (27:38). Before we get into all that I spend some time sharing why Twitter/X is the worst (1:47), we hear an update on Caleb’s travel concierge work (4:11), we convince Jim to do an Alaskan cruise with Disney Cruise Line (8:29), we discuss whether or not russrev1ews should become a “DISNEY ONLY” podcast (12:31), we do a quick Disney Dump™ (16:40), and then we wrap up with our review of Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom (27:38). It’s a jam packed episode – similar to how I felt after eating a McDouble from the Disney McDs at 2:00am. If you like what you hear please subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com. If you’re interested in learning more about taking your own magical Disney vacation, please book a free consultation with Caleb at GetawaysByCaleb.com.

The two-dude bookclub is back for it’s last dance with Victor Hugo’s ineffable classic, Les Misérables. Join me (russ) and Mick as we review the final tome and wrap up our experiences with this amazing piece of literature. No surprises, but we talk about death a lot. Fun! Needless to say, this episode is an emotional roller coaster, and I hope you enjoy it! To find the episodes for volumes, one, two, three, and four please visit russrev1ews.com.

Aw jeez guys. We did it. 1 year. In the books. Join me and Jim as we celebrate my 1 year anniversary by reviewing what it’s like being a “amateur hobby podcaster.” For this episode I had over the reigns to Jim and he interviews me. It made me uncomfortable but then I remembered how much I love the sound of my own voice ;-) I think I’m allowed to say it’s a GREAT episode. Hope you enjoy!  Many thanks to Megan+August, Mickey, Caleb, Amanda, Spicy Tim, Rudy, Hillary, Casey, Cousin John, Neighbor David, Dave-man, Mike, Jeanette, Jim, the Duke, Bestie Tim, and Vermont Tim for helping me verbalize the desire to be a podcaster. So many Tims!?   And a very special thanks to my first fan, Kim! We’re 99.9% sure she’s not A.I. If you want to be friends with Jim like me, well, good luck. He’s busy. But your best bet is find him at the local neighborhood BBQ! If you like what you hear (or don’t tbh) please subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.  Looking forward to year 2!

It’s hard to believe that Caleb and I have recorded six episodes now, but it’s true! And I have to say, this one is my favorite so far. It’s a brand new concept™ I’m calling “The Disney Dump” where basically we dump our hearts and our souls and share about all the various Disney happenings we’re excited about. For the inaugural dump, Caleb reviews one of the newest ships in the DCL fleet, the Disney Destiny (10:39), we talk about my favorite Disney hobby, pin collecting (55:34), and we react to the news of Disney Co. finally hiring a new CEO and CCO (1:07:00). We also learn about the podcast’s first #1 fan (5:03) and Caleb gives us an update on the travel agent side hustle (7:02). It’s a full and fun episode, and I hope you enjoy. If you’re interested in learning more about taking your own magical Disney vacation, please book a free consultation with Caleb at GetawaysByCaleb.com. If you like what you hear (or don’t tbh) please subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.

So I’m an idiot and thought the baseball season started on April 1st (like a normal person). It does not. It started last week (on NETFLIX™ coool!). Hopefully my tardiness doesn’t dissuade you from listening as me and, the best man from my wedding, Timothy R. Miller, preview the upcoming 2026 Major League Baseball season (11:27). We also spend some time looking at our favorite team, the Chicago Cubs and their hopes for ‘26 (44:06). We also do a little “System of a Down mini-rev1ew” (3:50), which is as sweet as SUGAR! This episode has been challenged by ABS and they say, “IT’S A BALL!” Hope you enjoy. Tim is anti-social media, so good luck finding him. Learn more about me (the aforementioned russ) and subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.

As the band Muse once said, “M-m-m-m-m-m-m-march mad-madness.” That’s right folks one of the best sporting events across all the land kicks off this Thursday (March 19, 2026) as the NCAA March Madness tournament commences. I am joined once again by my “college” experts Mike S. and Jeanette S. as we look at the madness from a macro and micro perspective. It’s a fun conversation around college basketball, and near the middle of the show (38:48) we give our predictions for each region. Jeanette also told me I should have an “official” podcast brakcet group. So…if you would like to join the “official” russrev1ews™ tournament™ bracket challenge™ group on ESPN.com, please click here. If you want to follow along Jeanette’s literary jounrey, please subscribe at instagram.com/jeanettesjots. Learn more about me (russdie) and subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.

Would you all scream “hooray” for Hollywood’s biggest night and join me for this special episode of russPrev1ews or maybe better yet russpred1cts?! During the show myself and Evan “The Duke” Jarzynski do our best to predict the Oscars winners for 7 major categories during the upcoming 98th Academy Awards (22:24). Before we dive into our guesses, we spend a little time talking about Evan’s experience with watching movies and awards show culture in general (10:30). It’s a great show and nobody gets slapped! If you want to connect with Evan about watches and watch culture please visit tickingtimehomme.com and follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/tickingtimehomme.  Learn more about me (russdie) and subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.

I gotta be honest. I was sick when we recorded this one, and, thusly, I was kind of in my feelings. And I think uhmandaplz was also in her feelings (or at the very least she didn’t want to provide me with free therapy – which is fine). What’s also fine is this amazing episode where uhmandaplz makes her glorious return to the inter webs! During this emotional episode we review uhmanda’s hiatus from micro-influencing (7:14) and we spend a majority of our time discussing one of our favorite topics – video games (23:45). And in classic uhmanda/russdie fashion we talk about all the random games we played in 2025. Hopefully it’s not too boring, but if it is, just fall asleep to it, so I can still get the listening analytics? If you'd like to connect with Amanda, please visit linktr.ee/uhmandaplz. Learn more about me (russdie) and subscribe to the pod at russrev1ews.com.