Third Coast Podcast

Episode 291 "Pursue Progress Persistently" Ft. Glen "Stormin" Norman Jr. 18.06.2026 59Min.

On this episode of Third Coast Podcast, Joseph Dewayne Willis caught up with Glen "Stormin" Norman Jr. for a conversation that goes far beyond fitness and the octagon. In recognition of Juneteenth, We discusses the significance of the holiday. Highlighting the long road to freedom and equality in America. We dive into Glen’s passion for personal training and entrepreneurship. Glen breakdown what it truly means to change the lives for his clients both physically and mentally. The conversation shifts to his upcoming MMA fight as he reflects on the progress he's made since his last bout and lessons learned. Now Glen preparing for the next challenge inside the cage. This episode is a mix of history, motivation, discipline, and personal growth that reminds us all that success is built one day at a time. This show was recorded locally in Oakdale, Louisiana 71463.

Episode 290 "Two Director's, One Vision" Ft. Avai and Mitch 02.06.2026 57Min.

Joe travels out of town to sit down with filmmaker Avai D'Amico and Mitch Laing for a conversation about filmmaking, creativity, and the future of the industry. Avai shares her experiences working in the Texas film scene and offers insight into the challenges Avai talks about the rewards of bringing stories to life on screen. Mitch provides an update on the upcoming BCU installment, Rules That Apply to Abduction, discussing the production process and what audiences can expect from the latest chapter in the growing universe. The group also dives into the impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, exploring both the opportunities and concerns surrounding the rapidly evolving technology. To wrap things up, everyone shares the films that inspired them personally and helped shape their passion for storytelling. From behind-the-scenes experiences to discussions about the future of cinema, this episode is packed with insight for film fans and aspiring creators alike. This show was recorded in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Episode 289 "Dressed to Impress" Ft. Lighting Larry Martin 12.05.2026 51Min.

On this week's show, Joe sat down with Lightning Larry Martin III. Larry shares the journey that led him into the wrestling business and explains how his love for pro wrestling started at a young age. He always wanted to be more than just someone in the crowd. Dreaming of one day becoming part of the action and entertainment side of the industry. Larry talks about the inspirations that helped shape his style as an announcer and breaks down the importance of mic presence, confidence, timing, and charisma in professional wrestling. He explains how a strong voice and personality can completely change the atmosphere of a match and help create memorable moments for fans. The conversation also touches on the pressure of performing live in front of energetic crowds and learning how to command attention in an arena. The crew also discusses Larry’s signature suit choices for events and why presentation matters in the wrestling world. Larry elaborates on the importance of looking sharp, standing out, and treating every event like a major production. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 288 "Director Cut" Ft. Mitch & Sherina 24.03.2026 1Std. 35Min.

On this week's episode, Joe and Kobi sit down with Mitch and Sherina from Open Heart Productions for a deep dive into the world of independent filmmaking. Mitch breaks down his vision for a ten film series under the BCU in collaboration with Green Apple Productions. Micth gives us a look at the bigger picture behind the scenes. The crew reflects on the journey from filming The Rake Investigation all the way to their latest project, Honeyhole. Sharing stories, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Sherina opens up about how she first got involved with Sea of Madness and her transition into acting in Bog Anthology. Mitch also gets real about the obstacles that come with being a director, from production hurdles to bringing a creative vision to life. It’s an inside look at indie film, passion projects, and the grind it takes to make it all happen.

Episode 287 "Lagniappe" 16.03.2026 1Std. 19Min.

On this week's show, Joe and Kobi bring a little extra to the table. The guys dive into the many different styles of boiling crawfish, sharing their favorite methods, hacks for making your boil spicier, and tips on how to get every last bit of meat out the craw. Kobi talks about his first experience riding B.A R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco. Joe shares stories from cooking during training at the National Training Center, located at Fort Irwin in the California. That conversation spins into experimenting in the kitchen, including mushroom-infused salts. To wrap things up, the guys talk about upcoming events and festivals around Louisiana. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 286 "Hidden in Plain Sight" Ft. Aaron Simon 02.03.2026 57Min.

On this week’s episode, Joe sits down with Aaron Simon from Train Wreck Method for a wide-ranging conversation that goes off the rails in the best way possible. They dive into the band’s recent shows across Louisiana, the new material they’ve been working on, and the wildest thing Aaron has ever witnessed at a live event. The conversation takes a turn into the origins of Bitcoin, the growing buzz around hydrogen water bottles, and even the unique world of chiptune music. Recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana, this episode blends live music stories, tech talk, and a little organized chaos...Just the way we like it.

Episode 285 "Built Different" Ft. Kalvin and Ralph 15.02.2026 43Min.

On this week's show Joe sits down with Kalvin Hackney, professional MMA fighter and owner of Hackney Fitness & MMA, for a deep conversation about his fighting career and the journey that led him to build his own gym. Ralph shares what it was like training under Kalvin for his first MMA fight and the discipline it took to prepare for competition. Kalvin breaks down what truly sets Hackney Fitness apart from other gyms, explaining how the culture is built around faith, family, and accountability. The group also discusses the importance of proper nutrition, with Kalvin doing a deep dive into how fueling the body correctly impacts performance, recovery, and everyday life. This episode was recorded in Pineville, Louisiana at Hackney Fitness.

Episode 284 "Forged at Hackney Fitness" Ft. Darrian and Owen 08.02.2026 38Min.

On this week's show, Joe traveled to Hackney Fitness & MMA to sit down with Darrian Hayes and Owen Elkins for conversation centered around training, fighting, and growth. The group dives into their recent fights and lessons learned inside the cage. We talk about those experiences shaping the way they coach others in the gym. Owen breaks down how the nickname “Silverback” came to be. We discuss gym culture, mindset, and what’s coming next for the Hackney Fitness team as they continue to push forward. This episode was recorded in Pineville, Louisiana.

Episode 283 "Community First" Ft. Ben Jones 30.01.2026 1Std. 22Min.

On this week's show, Joe and Kobi were joined by Ben Jones for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in community and personal growth. Ben broke down the community projects he’s been involved with around Oakdale and what giving back really means to him. We also talked about his recent trip to Mississippi deer hunting and sharing stories from the woods. We elboate on how hunting has become a personal tradition. Ben opened up about his journey through the VA hospital system in Arkansas, his recent decision to join the American Legion, and how that chapter has shaped him. To wrap things up, Ben shared his creative passions from painting to writing his second part of his book. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 282 "Cage Side" Ft. Andrew Griggs 24.01.2026 1Std. 6Min.

On this week's show, Joe is joined with Andrew Griggs, a longtime Louisiana MMA figure with over 20 years of experience covering the local fight scene through in-depth interviews, photography, and video work. We broke down how his passion for MMA started after earning his black belt and how that love for the sport turned into documenting fighters and their journeys inside and outside the cage. Andrew shared some of the wildest and most disrespectful things he’s heard fans yell at MMA events. He gave insight into his personal approach to interviewing fighters with respect and authenticity. He reflected on what it meant to be inducted into the MMA Hall of Fame. We also talked about the evolution of Louisiana MMA and the relationships he’s built with fighters over two decades in the game. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 281 "Memory Lane" 18.01.2026 1Std. 6Min.

On this week's show, Joe and Kobi reflect on 20 years of friendship built on long road trips, small town memories, and plenty of questionable teenage decisions. They swap stories from their younger days, laugh through the chaos, and talk about how those experiences shaped their bond. The conversation also dives into their favorite podcast recordings over the years, behind the scenes moments, and why the show means more to them than they ever expected. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 280 "Through a Father's Eyes" Ft. Charles Willis 04.01.2026 54Min.

On this week's show, Joe is joined with Charles, for one of the most personal conversations we’ve had on the show. We opened things up with a little New Orleans Saints football to get the ball rolling before diving deep into what it was like for him becoming a father all those years ago. He opened up about growing up in Oakdale before cell phones. Charles descried drive-in movies, packed arcades, and restaurants forgotten in the past. We wrapped it up by going down a rabbit hole with a conspiracy about your eyes and how much of reality we actually see. This is a real mix of nostalgia, life lessons, and mind-bending conversation on this week's episode recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 279 "Saddle Up" Ft. Sage and Joshua 23.12.2025 49Min.

From the rodeo grounds to the grind it takes to stay competitive, this week Joe was joined by Sage and Joshua from Lafayette. Sage is a competitive barrel racer who broke down everything from personal training to how she conditions and trains her horses for high-level competition. We talked about traveling to different rodeos across Louisiana and beyond. Sage breaks down the struggles that come with the sport, and the dedication it takes to keep chasing wins. Sage also shared her future goals and her dreams to accomplish in the barrel racing world. Joshua gives update on his mma journey going into 2026. This show was recorded locally in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 278 "Hard Hits,Warm Heart's" Ft. Waylon Bailey 13.12.2025 1Std. 4Min.

On this week's episode, Joe is joined with Waylon Bailey for a wide ranging conversation that blends martial arts, family, and the hoilday season. We break down the differences and similarities between Jujutsu and TACT. We diving into injuries, knockouts, pressure points, and the conditioning it takes to perform at a high level. We also laugh about how wild winter weather can get in Louisiana. We share childhood Christmas memories that still stick with us today. As parents, we talk about the joy of experiencing Christmas through our kids and how that changes everything. We wrap things up by looking ahead at what’s coming up for Waylon in 2026 and what the future holds. This episode was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 277 "Pick up that Penny" 30.11.2025 1Std. 21Min.

On this week's episode, Joe and Kobi reunite on the mic for the first time in six months and the energy comes back instantly. We kick things off by talking about how the U.S. stopped printing the penny and into how its value might change over time. We also break down the viral “6–7” trend and how it originally came from a basketball interview. We also take some time to share our personal favorite collectibles and talk about why certain items hold so much meaning for us. We shift into a conversation about life in California, comparing everyday differences to what we’re used to in Louisiana. This show was recorded late night at Zanders on Fête Du Void grounds in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 276 "Bayou Born, Hollywood Bound' Ft. Hick Cheramine 23.11.2025 1Std. 33Min.

On this week's show, Joe sits down with Louisiana actor Hick Cheramie to talk about his journey from lower Lafourche Parish to working on major film and TV sets across the country. Hick shares what it was really like on set for projects like Emancipation, Mayfair Witches, The Family Business: New Orleans, Money Plane, and more. Hick’s breaks down the roles he’s played and unexpected moments that happen behind the scenes. Hick’s elaborates on his recent lead role as an Vampire Hunter upcoming flim "South of Night". We also dive into his appearances in national TV ads, including spots that aired multiple times during the Super Bowl, and how those experiences pushed his career forward.This conversation dives into his growth as an actor, personal growth in his life, and how staying rooted in southern Louisiana keeps him grounded as his career continues to grow. This episode was recorded locally in Oakdale, Louisiana on the Fête Du Void grounds.

Episode 275 "Comedy on the Bayou" Ft. Jay Moody 09.11.2025 1Std. 2Min.

In this episode, Joe sits down with Lake Charles comedian Jay Moody to dive into his unique approach to stand-up and his signature style, “stoner swamp comedy.” Jay shares how he develops new material, his writing process, and how he keeps his sets fresh. The conversation also takes a musical turn as Jay talks about his lifelong passion for playing bass and electric guitar—something he’s been doing for over 20 years. It’s a laid-back, heartfelt chat full of laughs, creativity, and real conversation. This show was record in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 274 "Canceling Flights" Ft. Dustin and Shaine 01.11.2025 1Std. 4Min.

On this week show, Joe is joined with Dustin Davison Jr. and Shaine Ferrier for a laid-back and heartfelt conversation. Dustin opens up about carrying on his late brother’s Jake's legacy through the Canceling Flights clothing line. He talks about how the brand has grown and all the different styles plus merchandise they offer. The group dives into talks about cooking, hunting, fighting, and blending deep stories with plenty of laughs. Along the way, we get to learn more about the friendship between Dustin and Shaine as the trio swaps memories and good times in true Louisiana fashion. This show was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 273 "Mr. Showtime" Ft. Joshua Dunbar 23.10.2025 31Min.

In this episode, Joe is joined with Lafayette MMA fighter Joshua Dunbar. Joshua shares how he first got into mixed martial arts, the grind of training across multiple weight classes. He breaks down what it takes to stay sharp both in and out of the cage. He also talks about his role as a coach at Flash MMA, where he’s helping train and inspire the next wave of Louisiana fighters. From local shows to long-term goals, Joshua opens up about discipline, mindset, and representing Lafayette every time he steps into the cage. This show was recorded in Oakdale, Louisiana.

Episode 272 "Basslines in Motion" Ft. Stemmily 17.10.2025 14Min.

Recorded live at Fête Du Void in Oakdale, Louisiana, Joe is joined with New Orleans based DJ Stemmily. She talks about her journey through the Louisiana electronic music scene. She shares her experiences performing at The Void multiple times and how this year’s Skidder Stage stood out as a wonderful production. Stemmily reflects on the beginnings of her DJ style and how she developed a sound that blends drum and bass with a wide range of bass music. She also discusses collaborating with NOLADAB for live performances and how their creative chemistry pushes her sound further. To close, she gives a sneak peek at her upcoming release “Seduction (Liquid DAB)”, which will be available on all streaming platforms on October 25.