In this guest-free episode of The Cody Kai Cast, Cody and Kai sit down for an unfiltered, wide-ranging conversation—joined throughout by producer Josh Cabaza—covering everything from collective trauma and media fear cycles to food systems, influence culture, propaganda, and what the “American Dream” even means anymore.
The trio unpack how events like 9/11 and COVID reshaped society, why fear is such a powerful tool for control, and how public perception is manufactured—from advertising and PR to modern social media narratives. Along the way, the conversation veers into food science, marketing psychology, generational power, and the quiet shift from “creating” to “influencing.”
Despite the heavy topics, the heart of the episode stays true to CKC’s core philosophy:
we’re not here to influence—we’re here to have real conversations with cool people.
No guests. No agenda. Just curiosity, humor, and honest dialogue.
🎙️ Hosts: Cody & Kai
🎛️ Producer / Third Mic: @joshcabaza
📍 Recorded in Austin, TX
D Madness doesn’t just play music — he channels it.
From Kill Tony to C-Boy’s every Tuesday, to writing music without ever seeing it, this episode dives into how he and Ter’ell Shahid create live, improvised music like it’s breathing.
We talk creating without rules, what it’s like becoming recognizably famous overnight, taking 15 photos in Buda on a random night, and why D still laughs about never being able to see any of the pictures anyway.
If you love soul, jazz, Austin music, or watching musicians build something in real time — this one hits deep.
Blowing up on Kill Tony & adjusting to fame
Why Tuesdays at C-Boy’s are never the same twice
Playing free vs. playing for "the job"
How D Madness experiences performance without sight
Music as recipe, improvisation as cooking
Why an audience should witness creation, not replication
In This Episode:
Comedian Michael Ridley sits down with Cody for one of the wildest, rawest CKC episodes yet — covering everything from starting comedy straight out of jail, clean comics vs. “clean brands,” crypto, AI insanity, dating in 2025, culture wars, assimilation, conspiracies, testosterone, China, Cuba, politics, modern masculinity, and why the world feels like “the United States of Dissonance.”
If you’re into stand-up comedy, truth-telling, and unfiltered conversations — this is the episode.
The Cody Kai Cast leaves the studio and dives straight into the chaos of a live fashion event for the first-ever CKC live podcast, recorded on-site at the Moda Magic Fashion Show & Multimedia Event in Austin, TX.
Cody and Kai set up beside the runway with a rotating cast of creatives, including Amplify EDM founder Kay Coté, who breaks down artist development, the right way to use AI as a tool (not a replacement), and how she helped shape the sound of the night.
They’re later joined by Samantha Anne, founder of LuxeArt Agency and the event coordinator behind Moda Magic, to unpack what it really takes to pull off a high-production fashion show—and why relying too heavily on AI visuals can actually hurt your brand in a time when audiences crave authenticity.
The night ramps up with DJ Runner (Cody A.), who talks about being brought in through Amplify, navigating Austin’s fashion-meets-nightlife scene, and playing to a room full of designers, models, and creators.
Between technical difficulties, wild outfits, crowd energy, and pure improvisation, this episode captures CKC at its most raw and alive—a petri dish of musicians, designers, DJs, artists, and fashion creatives, all colliding in real time in the Live Music Capital of the World.
Drummer, emcee, and groove architect Austin Baker (@austinbakertx) sits down with Cody and Kai to talk about the real hierarchy of musicianship — entertainer first, musician second, and everything else third. From quitting alcohol to staying booked in the Austin scene, Austin breaks down what separates players who gig from players who get it.
🎙️ Topics include:
How ego kills gigs (and how to leave it offstage)
Finding balance between showmanship and musicianship
Sobriety and being “light in dark environments”
Why “serving the song” is the only rule that matters
Austin’s philosophy on groove, purpose, and staying booked
📍Recorded in Austin, TX
🎧 Stream the full episode on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
#CodyKaiCast #AustinBakerTX #DrummerTalk #LiveMusicATX #Podcast
University of Michigan-trained pianist, composer, and vocalist Alexia Benson joins Cody Kai Cast for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of being a woman in music, the line between confidence and narcissism, and the burnout that comes from chasing perfection.
From debating Louie C.K.’s take on sexism and the “lizard-brain” roots of bias to riffing on Nick Cage, Bowie, Björk, and the art of improvisation, this episode dives deep into creativity, ego, and the pursuit of authenticity.
🎧 Highlights
🎹 Life at music school & classical-to-improv transition
💡 Narcissism vs self-belief in the arts
👩🎤 Being a woman composer in a male-dominated scene
🎬 Scoring films (including one for Nicolas Cage’s brother)
⚡ Burnout, social media & why “balance” beats perfection
👉 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@CodyKaiCast
📲 Follow on Instagram: @codykaicast
🎵 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: Cody Kai Cast
In this unfiltered episode of Cody Kai Cast, singer-songwriter Elena Diaz (@frcollective / @elenadiazmusic) joins Cody, Kai, and Josh for a wild ride through art, ego, and the absurd future we’re all hurtling toward.
From the line between self-expression and self-delusion, to AI running entire governments, to the kind of “art” that probably shouldn’t exist but somehow does, this one is part comedy, part cultural exorcism.
Expect laughs, chaos, and moments of real truth — whether it’s about the glory and ego of being on stage, or the AI chatbot that might secretly be your therapist-slash-overlord.
🎧 Topics include:
The ego vs. empathy balance in art
Albania’s new AI government minister
“Slam Frank” — the world’s worst musical idea
AI ethics, encouragement, and control
How audience connection fuels performance
💡 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on music, culture, and madness.
🎶 Full episodes every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
#CodyKaiCast #ElenaDiaz #frcollective #AIethics #PodcastClips #ComedyPodcast #AustinPodcast #MusicianInterviews #ChatGPT #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeFreedom #PodcastLife
In Episode 33 of Cody Kai Cast, Cody sits down with Austin soul powerhouse Tomar Williams (@tman14g) of Tomar & the FCs (@tomarandthefcs) — fresh off their track going double platinum.
Tomar opens up about his journey from the Texas gospel circuit to becoming one of the most electrifying frontmen in modern soul. He shares stories of songwriting grind sessions, how honesty makes the best lyrics, and what it really takes to survive and thrive in the music industry.
We talk about the band’s breakout moment with “Tippin’ on 4-4’s”, how classic bars like “Worry about your own sht”* come to life, and why live performance is still the heartbeat of music.
🎙️ Topics include:
The real hustle behind songwriting and band chemistry
Lessons from gospel, hip hop, and soul that shaped Tomar’s voice
The magic (and grind) of Austin’s live music scene
Tomar’s philosophy on authenticity and staying grounded
Going double platinum and what that milestone means today
🔥 Whether you’re an artist, a fan of raw storytelling, or just someone who loves good music — this conversation is pure fuel.
In Episode 32 of Cody Kai Cast, we sit down with Kaylyn (@kaylynluvscats) alongside producer Josh Cabaza to dig into some of the heaviest and most important conversations of our time. From her personal journey through political and spiritual transformation, to raw discussions about men’s mental health, cancel culture, 9/11, conspiracy blind spots, and the price of speaking uncomfortable truths — this episode doesn’t hold back.
Kaylyn opens up about finding faith, why people get triggered by conviction, and how social media shaped (and warped) her early life. We also dive deep into Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the aftermath, and what it reveals about free speech and societal fractures.
🎙️ Topics include:
Growing up conservative → liberal → finding faith again
The real impact of cancel culture and censorship
Men’s mental health and suicide crisis
9/11 narratives, Building 7, and cultural memory
Conspiracy culture, Israel/Palestine, Epstein files, and “winners writing history”
Why alcohol is a liar, and what sobriety reveals
🔥 CKC isn’t about echo chambers — it’s about raw, unfiltered dialogue. Buckle up for an episode that pushes every boundary.
In Episode 31 of the Cody Kai Cast, Cody and Kai sit down with hip-hop/R&B duo Uncle Roy (@iamuncleroy) and Spice (@spicyindian) — the creative forces behind @haveyouheardus.
From their roots at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC to sharing the stage with Sir Woman, Roy and Spice dive deep into:
🎶 The real process of writing and jamming — from kitchen table vibes to fully produced tracks
💬 Why the comments section is both comedy and chaos, and how artists navigate it
🌎 Music as a way to bring joy, balance, and healing in a world full of noise
🤝 The challenges of collaboration, ego, and growth while staying true to your voice
🎤 Wild stories about Thundercat, Blues on the Green, and the Austin music scene
This episode is full of laughs, wisdom, and raw truth about what it means to make music for love, not just for the algorithm.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with Austin’s rising talent.
Kill Tony Golden Ticket winner Ric Diez (@sadmanric) joins the Cody Kai Cast for an unfiltered deep dive into comedy, pain, and the wild contradictions of show business.
In this episode, Ric talks about:
Why his comedy tackles the subjects nobody wants to hear about.
How crowds he hates sometimes give him his best sets.
The absurd genius of Michael Jackson buying The Beatles’ catalog.
Caitlin Clark, clickbait athletes, and the WNBA’s love-to-hate problem.
Touring Europe, grinding through Texas stages, and learning how to turn pain into punchlines.
This isn’t surface-level “comic banter.” It’s raw, funny, and brutally honest—exactly what makes Ric one of the sharpest voices breaking through today.
🎧 Full episode now streaming everywhere:
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
Episode 29 of Cody Kai Cast dives deep into the craft, chaos, and chemistry of live guitar with two Texas standouts: Matt Muehling (Kill Tony Band, We Da Homies) and Will Owen Gage (Mike and the Burnalls).
From playing Madison Square Garden and Vegas with Bruno Mars’ Pinky Ring band, to holding down Austin’s most electric stages at C-Boy’s, Matt and Will unpack what it takes to balance professionalism, improvisation, and raw emotion in music.
We talk shop on:
🎸 The eternal debate — groove vs. chops, pocket vs. flash.
🎸 Why professionalism and dependability are as vital as talent.
🎸 The intensity of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dimebag Darrell.
🎸 The magic of improvisation with We Da Homies.
🎸 Matt’s legendary “25 or 6 to 4” solo with Grooveline Horns.
🎸 How money changes a musician’s relationship to the art.
Whether you’re a guitarist, music nerd, or just someone who loves seeing passion turn into craft, this episode is a front-row seat to the mindset of modern guitar heroes.
#CodyKaiCast #MattMuehling #WillOwenGage #TheKillTonyBand #WeDaHomies #MikeAndTheBurnalls #GroovelineHorns #AustinMusic #GuitarPodcast #MusicianLife #Improvisation #CKCEP29
In this episode of Cody Kai Cast, Austin-based guitarist and frontman Nico Little of Nico Little and the North Americans (@nlnaofficial) sits down with Cody to talk about the grind of Austin’s music scene, surviving the algorithm, and the thick skin it takes to pursue art.
Nico shares stories about sneaking backstage with Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, trading lessons with Austin legends like Gary Clark Jr., and the raw realities of chasing music dreams in the live music capital of the world.
This episode blends music, comedy, and honesty—from the pressures of being compared to icons like Stevie Ray Vaughan, to navigating haters online, to Nico’s philosophy on putting in the reps like it’s a gym.
Whether you’re an aspiring musician, a fan of Austin’s exploding music scene, or just someone who loves unfiltered conversations about art, hustle, and resilience—this one’s for you.
🔥 Topics include:
Nico’s story of sneaking backstage with Clapton & Stevie Wonder
What makes Austin the true live music AND comedy capital
Handling criticism and online hate while staying authentic
Gary Clark Jr.’s impact on the Austin community
Comedy x Music parallels (Kill Tony, crowd work, timing, thick skin)
👉 Subscribe for more raw convos at the intersection of music, comedy, and culture.
#CodyKaiCast #NicoLittle #AustinMusic #GaryClarkJr #StevieWonder #EricClapton #LiveMusicCapital #AustinComedy #MusicianLife #PodcastClips
Comedian Xavier Cardona (@xaviercardonaofficial) lands on Cody Kai Cast fresh off a New York run to talk shop: why reps beat years, how to do crowd work with purpose (not filler), and what it really means to read the room. From Austin’s nightly mic grind (“open gyms, 24/7”) to Village Underground and the Cellar ecosystem, Xavier breaks down calibration vs. pandering, being in on the joke, and why there’s no practice room in comedy—only stage time.
What’s inside:
Austin as a 24/7 comedy gym (more reps, faster growth)
Crowd work as a tool to segue—Patrice O’Neal’s influence, Big Jay/Nate Jackson shout-outs
Reading the room: switching the “set list,” calling audibles, and seamless transitions
NYC notes: Blue Note nights, Village spots, the Cellar walk-in culture
Edinburgh Fringe chaos (the infamous “cheese” show) & audience psychology
Social media vs. stage readiness: followers ≠ 15 clean minutes
If you’re serious about stand-up craft—reps, flow, and fearless riffing—this episode is a blueprint.
🎧 Watch/Listen: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music
#XavierCardona #CodyKaiCast #StandUpComedy #AustinComedy #CrowdWork #ComedyCellar #ComedyMothership #EdFringe #ComedyPodcast #ReadTheRoom
In Episode 26 of Cody Kai Cast, acclaimed Austin musician Paul Deemer sits down with Cody and Kai for his first-ever public conversation about his exit from Kill Tony. In this candid and unfiltered interview, Paul opens up about the lessons learned from years on one of the most popular live comedy shows, the value of relationships over money, and how to protect your creative energy in an industry that will burn you out if you let it.
From petty impulses to career pivots, from Siddhartha to Harry Potter, this is a conversation about purpose, restraint, and the people who make the journey worth it.
🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
In this no-fluff, high-impact episode of Cody Kai Cast, Austin hip-hop legend Tee Double drops a full-on masterclass in music, ownership, and creative freedom. From publishing plays to long-term vision, this conversation is a blueprint for any artist or entrepreneur trying to build something that lasts.🎤 Topics covered:Why your catalog is your Fort KnoxThe long game of licensing, publishing, and passive incomeWhat Led Zeppelin taught us about generational wealthHow to stay independent and successfulThe “loop your art” hustle and why streaming doesn’t sleep🎧 Episode 25 is now live on:YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music#TheMasterclass #TeeDouble #CodyKaiCast #MusicBusiness #HipHopPodcast #CreativeOwnership #AustinMusic #TerranyJohnson #PublishingDeals #LegacyMoves #IndependentArtist #StreamingRevenue
Cody and Kai celebrate one year of the Cody Kai Cast with their best month yet! From shoutouts to past guests including Steve, Deas, Joel, and more, to Kai’s dad Mark Steines winning an Emmy, this episode blends comedy, music, and raw honesty. The guys reflect on betrayal, consistency, community, and what it takes to keep grinding.Plus: hot takes on the algorithm, Bruce Willis nostalgia, Tyce’s return, and the philosophy of showing up even when life sucks. This is the realest hang on the internet—equal parts laughs, perspective, and unfiltered CKC energy.📌 Topics include:Kai’s Emmy-winning dad Mark SteinesBuilding a thriving creative communityConsistency over everythingWhy blues, struggle, and music are inseparablePodcasting lessons from the trenchesTyce’s comeback and Hot Daddy Summer vibes
On Episode 23 of the Cody Kai Cast, drummer Michael Davila (@drummeroftomorrow) sits down with Cody and Kai to talk shop, swap war stories, and confess to stealing groove secrets from the Austin drum elite.
From broken pinkies and cosmic timing to the sacred art of not overplaying the shuffle, Michael dives deep into what it really means to grow as a musician—and as a human. Whether it’s embracing detours, calling out overplayers, or bowing to the gospel of the Clap Stack, this episode brings laughs, lessons, and zero fluff.🎧
Featuring stories about JT Coldfire, James “Animal” Adkins, and the rise of Istanbul cymbals in Austin's kit culture.
🛑 Restraint is a groove, and ego is a snare.
#CodyKaiCast #MichaelDavila #DrummerOfTomorrow #DrummerPodcast #ClapStackOrigin #AustinDrums #ShuffleGods #JTColdfire #DrumTalk #PodcastForMusicians #NoOverplaying #GrooveMatters
In Episode 22 of the Cody Kai Cast, drummer Joel Turcotte (@joelturcotte) drops surgical takes on overrated legends, why “pocket-only” drummers need to hush, and how art evolves past nostalgia.We dive into:Why John Bonham might not be in the GOAT conversation anymoreThe myth of “staying in the pocket” as a virtueRespecting musical restraint vs. hiding behind limitationsThe unforgivable sin of using neck pillows on flightsA spicy Joe List roast with no apologies 😈Whether you’re a musician, a comedy junkie, or just here for the strays—this one delivers.🎙 Hosted by Cody O’Dell (@cody.odell) & Kai Steines (@kai_steines) 🎧 Subscribe for new drops every week.🔗 Follow on IG @codykaicast#Podcast #DrummerTalk #JohnBonhamDebate #CodyKaiCast #CodyKaiClips #CodyKaiCult #DrummerLife #ModernDrummers #MusicPodcast #JohnBonhamDebate #DrumCulture #PocketDrumming #ChopsOverClout #DrummersOfInstagram #ComedyAndMusic #UnpopularOpinions #HotTakeCentral #PodcastClips #RhythmSectionRants #StickTalk #GrooveWars #LegendsVsNow #DrummerHumor #CallOutCulture #TruthBombs #DrumHeadsUnite #ShredOrDead #PodcastVibes #ChopCheck #OldSchoolVsNewSchool #MicDropMoments #DrumCommunity #RantAndGroove #PodcastTruths #MusicHotTakes #CodyKaiUnfiltered
On Episode 21 of the Cody Kai Cast, we sit down with venue owner, bassist, and community builder Stephen Sternschein (@therealstarshine), the mind behind Austin's iconic venues Empire Control Room (@empireatx) and The Parish (@parishatx). From creating judgment-free jam environments to unlocking creative chemistry, Stephen shares insight into what makes live music—and the people in it—come alive.We talk improv, the art of the “yes,” and how a great jam session is less about perfection and more about presence. If you’ve ever wanted to peek inside the spirit of Austin’s music scene—or understand what happens when ego steps aside and groove takes over—this one’s for you.🔑 Topics:• The ethos of jam communities• The improv mindset in music• Flow state and group chemistry• Running venues in Austin• Why “no” kills creativity🎧 Full audio streaming on Spotify, Apple & more.🎤 Hosted by Cody O’Dell & Kai Steines📍 Recorded in Austin, TX👇 Subscribe & follow for more unfiltered convos from the heart of Austin’s creative underground.#StephenSternschein #EmpireATX #ParishATX #CodyKaiCast #JamBands #ImprovMusic #AustinVenues #LiveMusicAustin #CreativeSpaces #MusicPodcast