BBQ Therapy

The BBQ Therapy Podcast features Bill Heyen of Triple H BBQ in a powerful episode focused on discipline, preparation, and mental toughness in competition barbecue.

Host Tavis Bryant and Bill discuss the realities of competing, learning from tough cooks, and staying focused when the pressure is high. This conversation explores what separates good cooks from great pitmasters and how barbecue builds resilience both on and off the p...

n this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, Jordan Kirkpatrick of Janky Leg BBQ joins host Tavis Bryant for a raw and real conversation about competition BBQ, creativity, and embracing imperfection.

 Jordan ‘Janky Leg’ Kirkpatrick of Janky Leg BBQ—a KCBS Grand Champion, 2023 Team of the Year winner, and one of the most respected voices in competitive BBQ. Born in Benton, Illinois, Jordan rose through the Kansas City-style competi...

The BBQ Therapy Podcast continues with Cary Chasteen of Hold Your Horses BBQ, “Today on BBQ Therapy, we’ve got a pitmaster whose name you don’t forget and whose results you can’t ignore. He started the 2025 season started with a perfect 180 score, but Cary’s story goes deeper: from cooking with his dad in Griffin, Georgia, to mastering both BBQ and poker, to mentoring the next wave of competitors. He’s got the calm of a card shark,...

In this episode of the BBQ Therapy Podcast, host Tavis Bryant of Ya-Go HAM BBQ sits down with Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ for a deep dive into competition barbecue, pitmaster mindset, and the mental grind behind consistent success.

We’re joined by a name that needs no smoke signals to be recognized—Travis Clark of Clark Crew BBQ. From a humble start in 2012 to winning 60 Grand Championships in 258 competitions , two Team of t...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, Tavis sits down with Gabe Treviño, the pitmaster behind Smokin Volts BBQ, one of the most electric (literally and figuratively) teams in the modern BBQ circuit.

Gabe shares how a backyard hobby turned into a competitive obsession, the lessons he’s learned traveling the KCBS circuit over the USA, and the heart behind the Smokin Volts brand. From dialed-in ribs to big-energy brisket cooks, Gabe brin...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, Tavis sits down with Chef Phillip Dell—a Chopped Champion, culinary educator, world-class pitmaster, and the force behind some of the most balanced, technique-driven barbecue coming out of Las Vegas.

Chef Dell opens up about his journey from bodybuilding to fine dining, from high-pressure TV competitions to teaching the next generation of cooks and pitmasters. We talk flavor principles, competitio...

In this special episode, I sit down with Alonzo and Sabrena Cantu of Gulf Coast Smoke — one of the most entertaining, authentic, and fast-growing names in today’s BBQ community. From YouTube to competition cookoffs, this powerhouse couple brings rhythm, energy, and finesse to everything they touch.

We explore how Gulf Coast Smoke started, their growth on social media, their seasoning line, their BBQ philosophy, and how they use ...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, I talk with Kell Phelps, publisher of The National BBQ News Magazine and a driving force behind NBBQA, one of the most important organizations in all of barbecue. Kell has spent more than two decades telling the stories of pitmasters, supporting competitors, and elevating BBQ culture worldwide.

We dive deep into the origins of the BBQ News, what it takes to cover this industry faithfully, and why ...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, I sit down with Kurt Mueller — the fire, flavor, and fierce work ethic behind Ironhead BBQ. Kurt is known for his no-nonsense approach, his signature Ironhead style, and the way he brings passion to every cook, And Quality is 

We dive into Kurt’s BBQ journey, how Ironhead BBQ was built, what drives him today, and the lessons he’s learned turning a love for smoke into a serious brand. If you’re a p...

Today, I’m honored to sit down with a chef whose story is one of resilience, reinvention, and pure creativity. From Chicago, Mike Krohn has built Healthy2HogWildFood, a platform where barbecue collides with Italian tradition. He’s been featured on Fox 32 Chicago, has collaborated with major brands, and—get this—he’s doing it all with one arm.

But beyond the fire and flavor, Mike and his family have also traveled the world, eaten in ...

This week I talk with Luke Short of RB3 BBQ —  we’re joined by a man who’s built a name for himself one rib at a time—Luke Short-Sr. Known for his fierce flavor and consistent presence on the Rib Cookoff Association circuit, Luke has become a standout competitor in one of the fastest-growing formats in barbecue. Whether he’s behind a pit or sharing stories from the road, his passion for ribs and competition cooking shines through e...

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, I chat with Luke Darnell from Old Virginia Smoke (based out of Bristow, VA) — heavyweight in the world of competitive BBQ—Luke Darnell, the fire behind Old Virginia Smoke. With titles like the 2016 World Food BBQ Champion and the 2021 American Royal Chicken Champion, over 36 GCs and RGCs, and one of the best chicken cooks in KCBS history, Luke is a force. Alongside his wife Kim, Luke has built not ju...

In this special edition of BBQ Therapy, I take you behind the scenes of my trip to the American Royal, the largest and most legendary BBQ competition in the world. Instead of chasing footage or trying to capture every moment on camera, I made this trip about something even more important — people.

I spent the weekend walking the grounds, shaking hands, sharing stories, and building real connections with pitmasters, teams, and BB...

In this bonus episode

 we’re turning up the heat with the voices behind Black Smoke Barbecue Podcast — a collaborative crew that’s doing big things for the BBQ community. This isn’t just about ribs and brisket — it’s about culture, storytelling, and representation.

Black Smoke Barbecue is a platform that lifts up voices from all corners of the pit—from backyard grillers and food truck warriors to competition cooks and content cre...