The poet-warrior, artist, performer, activist, and founder of Taco Truck Theater pulls into the Ring Room and delivers the flavor. It gets a little spicy, and by the end, he wants Manny deported. Topics include an angry dog, a boycott bit, civic civility, the Cone of Uncertainty, restrooms, an award-winning doc, a question from Jude, DMT, performance influence, arrests, cocktail choices, a cultural question, amnesia, a screening, U.S. appetites, regrets, healing, Vida in New Orleans, shutdown re...
Feb 14, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 45
The Troubled Men bring the Happy Talk Band singer and owner of Siberia Lounge into the warmth of the Ring Room. The workers control the means of production, but they have no five-year plan. There's not even a five-minute plan. Topics include therapy, discounts, a hot streak, foley artists, theater of the mind, an Alaskan adventure, a road trip to New Orleans, a last straw, Arizona justice, Luke's job history, the Bye Byewater, elementary school volunteering, Valentine's candy, Pacino impressions...
Feb 07, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 44
The Troubled Men are put on the defensive as the New Orleans Chess Master in the red beret launches a blitzkrieg opening in the Ring Room. Hope is not a strategy, but it may be all they have left. Topics include a daughter's photos, Guinness World Records, life-changing events, parenting tips, Chuck Barris, Grace Slick, the Five Americans hit records, luck in life, the Iguanas' 9 Volt Heart, band alchemy, Francis Ford Coppola and the Godfather miracle, chess as salvation, playing Bobby Fischer, ...
Jan 31, 2019•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Back in the trenches, the Troubled Men summon renaissance man DC Harbold to the Ring Room for a full debriefing. The leader of Clockwork Elvis and owner of More Fun Comics spins tales of past campaigns as they nurse their wounds and resolve to soldier on. Topics include a low bid, a bad bet, a career change, a nickname explained, collectors and OCD, burlesque vs. stripping, wasp nest therapy, the Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, a royal wreck, a first girlfriend, Wilmington, bus ride detox, click...
Jan 24, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 42
The Tony Award-winning actor takes his chances with the Troubled Men. It gets a little punchy in the Ring Room, and a warning is issued following a clash of heads. The charm offensive is in full swing. Topics include a job opening, a New York sound check, king cake, origins and identity, musical theater explained, Road House, a not-so-secret membership, an untimely tribute, a Kennedy Center gig, a lost phone, John "Papa" Gros, an Arizona mystery, a monkey joke, the Golden Globes, religious ident...
Jan 17, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 41
The Troubled Men report to the Ring Room to recap the holidays and stare down the barrel of the new year. Things could be better. Topics include painkillers, a doctor visit, rehearsals, a video shoot, presents, parties, "the talk", local podcasts, Super Dave, The Odd Couple, a meth test, local crime, an app idea, Taco Bell, a McDonald's beatdown, resolutions, a severed brake line, added charges, leftovers, beans and rice, a parking ticket, Tivoli Place, a birthday party, the aging process, the L...
Jan 10, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 40
The Troubled Men collect themselves for the final sit-down of the year. They invite the veteran film director and writer to the Safe House for a good working over. Topics include Blue Velvet, post Xmas activities, video booth dynamics, small world connections, Rip Taylor, film self education, Ann Arbor, Repo Man, Fox Harris, Harry Dean Stanton, going method, Rocky, scratchers, Bobby Peru, The Ice Storm, Joan Allen, rejiggered priorities, holiday haze, a letter to Santa, traffic cameras, a bachel...
Jan 04, 2019•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 39
It was Alex's birthday, so René invited long time drummer Doug Garrison and fellow bandleader "Johnny" Jay Beninati for a special episode. They took a free associative journey through the memory labyrinth of Alex's time in New Orleans, on the road, and beyond. Topics include his arrival in town, Stanley and the Undesirables, the Panther Burns reconstituted, personal resolve, unearthing discarded artifacts, pearls of wisdom, the Clash tour, the 688 Club, the fractured aesthetic, the Asplundh tree...
Dec 30, 2018•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 38
The singer/songwriter/producer and guitar tone scientist recounts his years fronting the Killer Bees, his solo career, and his many other collaborations. He talks about being mistaken for Santa Claus, but there's no confusion about which list the Troubled Men are on. René's mic goes out early on, and he becomes the ghost of Christmas past. Act of God? Perhaps. Fortunately, there's plenty of Manny and Papa Mali to cover the spread. Topics include nerve damage, holiday destinations, a stage name e...
Dec 26, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 37
The holidays are weighing heavy on the Troubled Men as they work over college professor, musician, and haiku master Chris Pylant in the Ring Room. He finds out the hard way that getting a word in edgewise may be the greatest challenge of all. Topics include a daughter's first job, a harsh critique, the De Palma doc, local obits, Sensei Hayashi, stolen textbooks, touring, Laugh-In, Hee Haw, singing drummers, Caesar, Roman propaganda, faith, pancreatitis, karaoke, Hall & Oates, home haircuts, ...
Dec 20, 2018•Season 1Ep. 36
The Men square off in the Ring Room for a long overdue double dose of uncut Trouble. The head movement is impressive, but someone still winds up walking into a stiff jab. Topics include Downtown Abbey, Jumanji, pulling a googly, a kink uncovered, the Green Book film, award season, adult book stores, the L.A. Free Press, Eleanor Clift, prison porn, a license plate recall, harassing the natives, a New Mexican passport, a Bush holiday, Ghost Town Venice, Tim Green, condiment problems, anthemic gunp...
Dec 13, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. Dreams come true as the intrepid filmmaker finds his way into the mysterious Ring Room to discuss his new feature, "Laundry Day." It all comes out in the wash. Topics include Thanksgiving at the track, an inspirational effort, family fireworks, Randy's path to the movie biz, "Burning Annie" plot and production, the studio game, Checkpoint aversion, the making of "Laundry Day," the New Orleans ethic, the rising cost of living, a guest jo...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Racing season has begun, and the Troubled Men are chomping at the bit. They go all in with the veteran Rolling Stone, Crawdaddy, and Offbeat writer, author, sports journalist, and horse racing handicapper for the hot tips on everything from Dylan and Bob Marley to picking a horse by scent. It smells like another winner. Topics include vaccinations, the McRib, shower cap fashion, airport curlers, John's career path to New Orleans, losing the war on Christmas, CBGB, a blindfolded interview, Lennon...
Nov 29, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 33
It's cold outside, but the Troubled Men are sweating it out in the Ring Room. They are joined by the writer/director of the new film fest hit, "The True Don Quixote." No strangers to self-delusion, the Men can relate to this tale on a personal level. Topics include a webcam girl, a mystery unraveled, cabin fever, a funeral who's who, a white whale, holy water, Chris' journey from architect to screenwriter, the notebook game, immigrant labor, a gay tax, a mandatory haircut, vintage tile, the DMV,...
Nov 22, 2018•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 32
The Troubled Men fall back into the Ring Room with Debra Howell, medical illustrator, photographic manipulator, and municipal agitator. What profits a man to gain an hour and lose his mind? Time will tell. Topics include 1980s memories, Birmingham Mexicans, an unsoundman, a Dia De Los Muertos second line, Manny's stern warning, a shocking loss, dual identity, icons attacked, community activism, a land grab, a millage grab, Air B&B trouble, a mac & cheese fest, notes from a guest, modern ...
Nov 15, 2018•57 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Armistice Day is within sight as former military photographer and indy filmmaker Renso Amariz enters the free fire zone of the Ring Room to toast the shell shocked Troubled Men. Reparations will be required. Topics include Manny's birthday month, a video shoot, the "Bird" synopsis, aerial submarine hunting, the 6th Fleet, "The Local 504," cocktail looseys, a robot brothel, a strip club story, pitching shorts, "My Life In Dirty Movies," writing advice, a mockumentary, acting, inertia, guerrilla f...
Nov 08, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 30
All Hallows' Eve looms large as the Troubled Men invite Lynn Drury to a gabfest in the Ring Room. The great singer/songwriter and former barrel racer shows that sisters really are doing it for themselves. Topics include a panhandling prank, Bela's birthday, ball players, a graft maze, Jerry Clower and the talking dog, animal husbandry, horse heaven, Mondo Cane, the Mary Tyler Moore Show, odd jobs, giving up, bridge, civil disobedience, traffic cameras, stalkers, marriage, dachshunds, tattoo ques...
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 29
The Troubled Men are no strangers to the rackets, so it was a great honor to have a sit-down in the Ring Room with Carlo Nuccio, the Godfather of the Big Beat. He makes them an offer they can't refuse. Topics include a girl party, a vacation from the family, the Mod Squad, schizophrenia, L.A. stories, Raji's, Green On Red, the tablecloth trick, a world champ, the fight game, crazed sobriety, a card hustle, a question refused, boundary issues, the Breeders show, stage left, marital bliss, some fa...
Oct 25, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 28
The first hint of autumn is in the air, but the Troubled Men still can't wait to escape the filth of the outdoors for the cool, scrubbed-tile serenity of the Ring Room. They drag superstar music photographer and bandleader Rick Olivier into the fray for a no-holds-barred free-for-all. Topics include top spin, self-sabotage, a PiL field trip, the origin of "Rico," the White Castle accent, Nicholls State alumni, memories of Carl Bennett, spam sushi, the Manny Olympics, gear porn, tragedy porn, alt...
Oct 18, 2018•57 min•Season 1Ep. 27
The Troubled Men jump back into the Ring Room to go mano a mano for a couple of stiff rounds. Do they go the distance, or does a flagrant foul result in an early stoppage? Listen and find out for yourself! Topics include regrets, guest management, a SCOTUS infection, Miss Yolanda, an aggressive greeter, Ducky Boys, administrative bloat, room temp butter, a pig in a poke, Pat McLaughlin, the McLaughlin Group, the Portside Lounge, public corruption, Greg Meffert's tell-all, water torture, a black ...
Oct 11, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 26
The Age of Miracles may be over, but that doesn't stop the stigmata. The Troubled Men corner award-winning author Michael Tisserand in the Ring Room and sweat him for details on his biography of Krazy Kat cartoonist and New Orleans native George Herriman. It turns out to be an easy go, since these days, Michael does not give a fuck. Topics include Satan the Accuser, a holy hunch, a book thief, a dead cat bounce, McKenzie's Bakery, fluid identity, Herb Jeffries, Iron Eyes Cody, comics, Paul Morph...
Oct 03, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The Ring Room is so full of chattering wine heads you can barely hear yourself think. The Troubled Men power through the den to put musician and medical professional Steve Spitz on the hot seat. He has a charming hint of larceny about him and reveals from whence it springs. Topics include a fast, sod, complaining, Steve's grifter family vacation memories, Kelly Keller, a Circle Bar wedding blunder, the penalty box, a bartender's dilemma, career testing, the Crazy car, surgery insights, a heroic ...
Sep 27, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 24
After an involuntary hiatus due to some hurricane hysteria, the Troubled Men reoccupy the Ring Room. They are joined by the Zelig of rock 'n' roll, Mr. Dick Deluxe. It becomes obvious why **New Orleans loves Dick!** Topics include a band Airbnb, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Tempest Storm, early trans-racialists Johnny Otis and the Bronze Buckeroo, the Residents/Snakefinger, Clubfoot Orchestra, the shock of Devo, Cali punk memory lane, a cocktail mixup, listener feedback, hair tugging, Decadence Fest,...
Sep 20, 2018•58 min•Season 1Ep. 23
After two weeks in the trenches, Manny escapes the front lines of academia to the relative safety of the Ring Room. He is de-briefed over cocktails. Topics include textbook fever, fresh talent, campus fashion trends, a towel, 1970's TV detectives, making a new friend, the Geraniums' triumphant return, a senatorial encounter, stadium justice, the Stalker File, Play Misty For Me, desperate measures, Amy Winehouse, Intervention, blood test results, and much more. Subscribe, review, and rate on Appl...
Sep 07, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Manny has gone missing and may have fallen into enemy hands. While they wait for proof of life, the Troubled Men call in the reinforcements and forge ahead. Once more unto the breach! René is joined by Troubled alumnus Jeff Treffinger as they make a house call on real estate baron and poet warrior Brendan Gallagher. He's fresh off a brush with death and happy to be back in New Orleans singing with his longtime compatriots the Geraniums. It feels like the Holy Spirit, but it might just be the boo...
Aug 30, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 21
A short trailer for the Troubled Men Podcast featuring René Coman and the original Troubled Man for Troubled Times, Manny Chevrolet. They sort through the chaos over cocktails and tell tales out of school for their own amusement.
Aug 29, 2018•34 sec
Veteran podcaster Ian Wadley, aka Wadzilla, wades into the cultural swamp of the Ring Room. His successful Rock and Metal Podcast and Wadzilla's World radio show on Craniumradio.com have been making waves on the scene for a coon's age. He shows the Troubled Men no mercy. They discuss a postgame arrest, Manny and Ian bonding over the Raiders, door-to-door vacuum sales, Van Halen, David Lee Roth vs. Sammy Hagar, the Mentors and El Duce, the Pennsylvania grand jury report, a $4,500 nosebleed, the R...
Aug 23, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 20
It's another Thursday, and another 3 rounder in the Ring Room, but now it's bass player, real estate maven, and club owner Dave Clements's turn in the barrel. Things go downhill in a hurry. Topics include the waiting game, an audio haircut, the Scurlock incident, Dave's academic career, sea lice, Snake & Jake's Christmas Club Lounge, moments in N.O. history, the Circle Bar, the Troubled Men's personal physician, dating history, drummer Charlie Occhipinti, the Praline Man's short con, the wor...
Aug 16, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Coming off a string of scintillating guests, the Men meet in the Ring Room for an uncut dose of that Troubled magic. They discuss human resilience, chest hair, a police beating, code militaire, McSalad sickness, a ransomed daughter's return, a deacon's disgrace, the Pulitzer snub, a secret vacation, Central American ingenuity, New Wave Hookers revisited, the Happy Days porn connection, the Dylan porn connection, music biz heartbreak, loose shoes, a doctor visit, Underwear Day, and the boxer inci...
Aug 09, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Manny's been lit since lunch, but the Troubled Men forge ahead anyway. They're joined by old friend and co-conspirator Jeff Treffinger for a rendezvous in the Ring Room. Topics include Jeff's path to New Orleans, tall girls, St. Louis fashion, nose bleeds, TV binoculars, booty popping at City Hall, Tribe Nunzio, the salad days of the Mermaid Lounge, Keith Keller, the Geraniums, family sing-a-longs, and much more. Outro music:Sensible Shoes by the Geraniums Geraniums-Canada Dry [https://www.youtu...
Aug 02, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 17
