Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast
Welcome to the Fireworks Brigade Pyro Podcast! The idle chit-chat and mischievous banter offered in this pyromaniacs podcast are provided by Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker.
Episodes
November 6, 2025 • 40 mins
Episode #179: The Truth of It
Hosts: Johnny Starr & Ron the Banker
When it comes to fireworks, we’ve long established that Johnny Starr has a “buying problem”. It’s October and that means Johnny is in China trying to scratch the itch. Johnny takes the time to chat about what he’s seen and what he expects for the 2026 selling season. There’s also some discussion about tariffs and new products. This episode was recorded via Zoo...
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October 27, 2025 • 86 mins
Episode #178: Demurrage
Hosts: Johnny Starr & Ron the Banker
It’s Halloween and what can be scarier than a demurrage invoice? Stay on the road, keep clear of the moors, avoid the tool shed and get that container out of port! This episode has some tricks and a special treat. Follow Johnny as he does a deep dive into container programs. The pros and the cons of buying an entire container are clearly discussed. This episode was ...
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October 20, 2025 • 48 mins
Episode #177: NFA Expo, Night 4 - Your Agent in China
Hosts: Mr. Terry T. Winkle, Your Agent in China & Louie
Special Guests: Mr. Terry T. Winkle, Your Agent in China & Louie
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded during the National Fireworks Association’s annual Expo in Rogers, Arkansas. This episode took place in the hotel lounge after the demo on night 4. Terry Winkle has been in the firewo...
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October 2, 2025 • 62 mins
Episode #176: NFA Expo, Charity Auction
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Special Guests: Louie & Steve Kozar
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded during the National Fireworks annual Expo in Rogers, Arkansas. This episode took place from the banquet hall during the live auction. If you like our podcast, you’ll love our YouTube channel!
Let's Talk Pyro
CONTACT US
Fol...
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September 12, 2025 • 79 mins
Episode #175: NFA Expo, Night 3 (Part 2)
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Special Guests: Steve Kozar & Paul Catucci, Pyro Junkie
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded during the National Fireworks annual Expo in Rogers, Arkansas. This episode took place from the lounge of the Embassy Suites after a day of trade show and an evening of demos. There’s a lot of pyro discussion, discourse an...
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September 12, 2025 • 41 mins
Episode #174: NFA Expo, Night 3 (Part 1)
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Special Guests: Keith Chua, JinLing & Chuck Decker, Uncle Sam
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded during the National Fireworks Annual Expo. This year’s event took place in Rogers, Arkansas and this episode was recorded from the lounge of the Embassy Suites after a long day of attending the trade show and an even...
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September 7, 2025 • 66 mins
Episode #173: Fireworks Can't Be Canceled
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
For over a decade John and Ron have read countless stories written by all kinds of folks that are eager to cancel fireworks. Very rarely do you come across a story in support of fireworks and all the good comes as a result of the industry. John and Ron take the time to discuss some valid reasons why fireworks need to be celebrated and not cancele...
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August 11, 2025 • 38 mins
Episode #172: PGI 2025
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
John and the guys are in Iowa experiencing the joys of PGI while Ron’s back home taking care of the administrative duties. The guys take some time virtually to discuss what’s going on in the markets and at the convention. If you like our podcast, you’ll love our YouTube channel! Some topics covered in this episode are:
Some of the Topics Discussed
Intro
Firewor...
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August 1, 2025 • 50 mins
Episode #171: Johnny’s Shelf of Joy
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded in the warehouse of Starr Fireworks in Fargo North Dakota. It’s Independence Day 2025 and the guys take some time to report on fireworks industry trends in real time. If you like our podcast, you’ll love our YouTube channel! Some topics covered in this episode are:
Some of the Topic...
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July 3, 2025 • 44 mins
Episode #170: Borrowed Time
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded in the warehouse of Starr Fireworks in Fargo North Dakota. It’s the middle of retail week and the guys take some time to report on fireworks industry trends in real time. There’s some talk about the China tariffs, fireworks safety and what would you do to stay 18 years old! If you like our pod...
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June 28, 2025 • 57 mins
Episode #169: The Deeper I Go; The More I Cry
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
This episode of the Fireworks Brigade - A Pyro Podcast was recorded in the warehouse of Starr Fireworks in Fargo North Dakota. It’s the start of retail week and the guys are getting ready for the 4th of July. There’s some talk about the China tariffs and fireworks safety. They also talk about quiet quitting and Rob Berk’s pinball shipping pro...
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June 4, 2025 • 75 mins
Episode #168: Now I Got a Fivehead
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
The season is approaching fast, the dealer show is in the rear view mirror and Johnny is gearing up for the sales season. To make things even more interesting, the fireworks industry is facing a significant challenge due to the tariffs currently imposed on our products. Ron and John take some time to talk about what we’ve learned and what’s expected as ...
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May 13, 2025 • 54 mins
Episode #167: Starr Fireworks Dealer Show - Pre Show
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
John and Ron hosted a Starr Fireworks Dealer Show - Pre-Show, live from the Starr Fireworks showroom in Fargo, North Dakota. John has just returned from China, and after the serious talk about the recent China tariffs, the guys talk about their surroundings. After a showroom artwork tour, they discuss some of the fireworks showcased at...
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April 15, 2025 • 79 mins
Episode #166: China Tariffs Threaten America’s Fireworks
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Guests: Stacy Schneitter Blake, President of the National Fireworks Association | Steve Houser, Past President of the National Fireworks Association
The fireworks industry is facing a significant challenge due to the tariffs currently imposed on our products. These tariffs threaten our businesses, livelihoods, and the long-sta...
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March 25, 2025 • 69 mins
Episode #165: Give Them All Corned Beef
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
Guest: Hello Louie
It’s St. Patrick’s Day and the guys are in Chicago. The fireworks business is starting to heat up. The 4th of July is a few short months away and it’s starting to get exciting. As discussed many times, the fireworks industry is slow to move so it’s not often that there’s a new product to premiere! John and Ron do their best to...
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February 18, 2025 • 73 mins
Episode #164: Loteria
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
It’s Super Bowl weekend and the guys are back in Cabo San Lucas Mexico for some much needed rest & relaxation. Louie joins Ron and John at the Casa Starr table for some fireworks discussion. If you like the podcasts, please subscribe and check out our YouTube channel. Some topics covered in this episode are:
Some of the Topics Discussed
Fireworks Update
Super Bo...
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January 29, 2025 • 73 mins
Episode #163: We All Have to Have an Expert
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
It’s January and the inauguration is over. President Trump is in office and Ron and John get together to recap recent events and discuss what this means to the industry of fireworks. This episode was recorded at the Pyro Podcast studios in suburban Illinois. If you like the podcasts, please subscribe and check out our YouTube channel. Some topi...
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December 25, 2024 • 85 mins
NOEL NOAB Episode #10: Surprise! Ron the Banker and Johnny Starr
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
The rack’s been secured, wired for ignition, and ready to launch! Considering most people in the fireworks industry are hyper-stressed in June and July, they tend to relax and smell the potassium nitrate during the holidays. During this downtime, we get to know 9 important and influential people in the fireworks industry. S...
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December 24, 2024 • 25 mins
NOEL NOAB Episode #09: Ed Vasel, Dominator Fireworks & Vice President of the NFA
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
The rack’s been secured, wired for ignition, and ready to launch! Considering most people in the fireworks industry are hyper-stressed in June and July, they tend to relax and smell the potassium nitrate during the holidays. During this downtime, we get to know 9 important and influential people in the firew...
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December 23, 2024 • 20 mins
NOEL NOAB Episode #08: Steve Houser, Red Rhino Fireworks
Hosts: Johnny Starr and Ron the Banker
The rack’s been secured, wired for ignition, and ready to launch! Considering most people in the fireworks industry are hyper-stressed in June and July, they tend to relax and smell the potassium nitrate during the holidays. During this downtime, we get to know 9 important and influential people in the fireworks industry. Some gues...
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