Welcome to our new website!

Episodes

Home gyms (revisited) | The North Pull | w/Caffeine & Kilos
Nov. 17, 2021

Home gyms (revisited) | The North Pull | w/Caffeine & Kilos

In a bit of a mashup between a regular 50% Facts and one our shorter Topic Thunder episodes, we sat down with our friends from Caffeine & Kilos to take another swing the advantages and disadvantages of home gyms. We also hit on “do not disturb” on...
What’s a good protein source and why does everyone think it’s peanut butter? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Nov. 12, 2021

What’s a good protein source and why does everyone think it’s peanut butter? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Everybody loves peanut butter, or do they? Many people love it so much that they think it’s a great protein source, but it’s not relative to its calorie count. We talk about the allure of nut butters, what we like and don’t like, and which protein...
The Tillman Story: Documentary review
Nov. 11, 2021

The Tillman Story: Documentary review

The Tillman Story: Documentary review Pat Tillman, who walked away from NFL millions to join the Army and was later killed, is a legendary heroic figure. What was the real story of his death by friendly fire? This documentary reflects his family’s...
Should you be trying to get dates at the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Nov. 6, 2021

Should you be trying to get dates at the gym? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss the rights and wrongs of trying to get dates, or even talk to strangers, at the gym. Can you do it without throwing up red flags? Are there times that it’s ok, and times it’s really not ok? Our friend and gym member Dan Storniuolo...
Two physical therapists who powerlift explain why sometimes moving “wrong” is actually right
Nov. 3, 2021

Two physical therapists who powerlift explain why sometimes moving “wrong” is actually right

We’re lucky to have not one, but two physical therapy docs as members of our gym. We sat down with Emily Snee and Dominic Violi to discuss what it really takes to get back in the game, and the stuff that’s probably just a waste of time and money. It...
Foam rollers, mobility, etc.: What interventions actually helped us? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 29, 2021

Foam rollers, mobility, etc.: What interventions actually helped us? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We discuss which strategies for dealing with the aches and pains of both lifting and life have worked for us. We’ve seen both scams and actual relief. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of Caffeine and Kilos, and our gym manager, Kyle Castro....
How do you escape from a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series parts 2 and 3
Oct. 28, 2021

How do you escape from a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series parts 2 and 3

In this episode, we discuss the final chapters of The Way Down. These episodes cover the impact on the lives and families of the cult surrounding the Remnant Fellowship and diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara. Many former members detail the extent to which...
Should stringers be banned? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 22, 2021

Should stringers be banned? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

We take a lighthearted look at the world’s most minimal gym wear. Are stringer tanks a fashion statement or just a way to get around the rules that make you wear a shirt in the gym? Should they be banned, or should only some people be allowed to wear...
What happens when a diet guru launches a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series Part 1
Oct. 21, 2021

What happens when a diet guru launches a scary religious cult? | The Way Down docu-series Part 1

The author of the bestselling diet book The Weigh Down, Gwen Shamblin, appeared on national TV talk shows and sold her weight loss philosophy to people across America. Especially churchgoers. By 1999, she had essentially started her own Tennessee...
What sucks (and doesn’t suck) about home gyms? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 15, 2021

What sucks (and doesn’t suck) about home gyms? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

In this mini-episode, we share are thoughts and experiences with lifting in home gyms versus commercial gyms.  The pandemic forced a lot of people into home gym situations. Some people hated it, while others joined the ranks of long-time home gym...
Ba-dee-ya, Myers Briggs, and canceling Gruden?
Oct. 14, 2021

Ba-dee-ya, Myers Briggs, and canceling Gruden?

To what extent is “canceling” someone in 2021 just a way to take someone off the board? Does intent matter? And can people really be educated/rehabilitated? We take a look at the recent scandal around former Raiders’ head coach/GM John Gruden’s emails...
Who you gonna let yuck your organic yum? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 8, 2021

Who you gonna let yuck your organic yum? | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the show we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we discuss not so much whether organic food is better but whether we should pay any attention to...
More things people say without knowing what they mean w/ Dan Storniuolo
Oct. 7, 2021

More things people say without knowing what they mean w/ Dan Storniuolo

Dipping back into a kind of causal series we’ve been doing about common words are phrases that we use all the time, but we may not entirely understand: Do you really want someone to “break a leg?” Does “getting the upper hand” have anything to do with...
Does giving up “self love” equal “self improvement?” | The “no fap” trend | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)
Oct. 1, 2021

Does giving up “self love” equal “self improvement?” | The “no fap” trend | Topic Thunder (Mini-episode)

Welcome to another short Friday episode of the panel discussion segment we’re now calling “Topic Thunder with the Gossip Boyz” (subject to change). In this episode, we take on the “No Fap” trend which has guys (and maybe girls?) give up masturbation...
How do you make your first meet a success? w/ Sebastian Brambila
Sept. 30, 2021

How do you make your first meet a success? w/ Sebastian Brambila

Hey, powerlifting-specific content! We asked one of our gym members who had just competed in his first meet, the USAPL California State Championships, to talk about the experience. We also share our personal experiences and best practices. What...
Who are you really training to impress? |
Sept. 24, 2021

Who are you really training to impress? | "Topic Thunder" Mini-episode

We wanted to share a side project that we’re working on. It’s a panel show that mostly relies on opinions – some outrageous, some insightful, and some just well…funny. All packed into roughly ten minutes. We’re joined on the panel by Dean Saddoris of...
Documentaries about star athletes we didn’t know were trans (Part 2)
Sept. 22, 2021

Documentaries about star athletes we didn’t know were trans (Part 2)

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold:...
Documentaries about star athletes who were secretly transgender (Part 1)
Sept. 16, 2021

Documentaries about star athletes who were secretly transgender (Part 1)

We spend a couple of episodes talking about a couple of high profile (in their sports) transgender athletes through the lens of documentaries about their lives: “Transformer” about the life of powerlifter/bodybuilder Janae Kroczaleski, and “Untold:...
Do we need heroes?
Sept. 10, 2021

Do we need heroes?

Humans seek heroes. They probably always have, but is this a good thing? And who qualifies as a hero? Can you be considered a hero just because of your job title? Does performing a heroic act make someone a hero? Do heroes have to be perfect people in...
Anxiety self-help, carb cycling, conjugate versus progressive overload questions. | September Q&A
Sept. 4, 2021

Anxiety self-help, carb cycling, conjugate versus progressive overload questions. | September Q&A

Discussion about the book, "The Power of Now" and other approaches that help people with anxiety live in the moment. Viewer questions include our funniest gym moments, whether carb cycling is worthwhile, and making progress on the bench. We also talk...
Is sharing explicit content (of yourself) on social media going too far to make a buck ?
Aug. 26, 2021

Is sharing explicit content (of yourself) on social media going too far to make a buck ?

This is a conversation about the limits and challenges of monetizing a presence on social platforms. Last week the OnlyFans platform announced an end to explicit content. This week that decision was reversed. Since many personalities and creators in...
“Untold: Malice in the Palace” Documentary Review – How did the Pacers-Pistons brawl really start?
Aug. 19, 2021

“Untold: Malice in the Palace” Documentary Review – How did the Pacers-Pistons brawl really start?

The 2021 Netflix documentary “Untold: Malice in the Palace” unpacks some overlooked elements of a riot that broke out during an Indiana Pacers/Detroit Pistons in November 2004. The careers of Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Stephen Jackson,...
“Athlete A” Documentary Review – How did medals become more important than children?
Aug. 13, 2021

“Athlete A” Documentary Review – How did medals become more important than children?

The 2020 Netflix documentary “Athlete A” details the scandal that nearly destroyed USA gymnastics. Team doctor Larry Nassar sexually violated young women gymnasts for decades before a shocking number came forward to tell their stories of abuse – so...
What are algorithms and why do they rule our lives?
Aug. 11, 2021

What are algorithms and why do they rule our lives?

After a brief, unplanned break last week, we’re back to follow up on another of the words/phrases that people say all the time but not everyone understands. Nearly all the social media and streaming platforms we all encounter daily run on...