Beat Around The Bench Podcast

The guys kick things off with some hilarious memories about House of Pain's Jump Around and how it became the ultimate party anthem at college house parties and even makes entire stadiums literally shake at University of Wisconsin football games

Halloween candy showdown gets real as the crew debates their favorites from Snickers and Reese's to the controversial Almond Joy while Colton defends his love of coconut in every...

• Jess, Colton and Ross kick things off with a hilarious deep dive into their favorite food bowls, from Mexican rice bowls to Mediterranean cauliflower shawarma, proving that woodworkers know their way around both a workshop and a kitchen

• The guys get real about plywood selection for cabinet making and why choosing the right material can make or break your project, especially when you're dealing with painted versus st...

• Burger bonanza kicks off with Five Guys extra bacon recommendations competing against Kuma's Corner heavy metal burger joints serving half-pound pretzel bun creations named after metal bands while Goblin Cock burger combines Vienna beef hot dog toppings creating food comas lasting entire weekends

• Guest introduction welcomes Justin Hobart from Ambrose Design whose woodworking journey began working maximum security prison sixt...

• Salad showdown opens with Greek salads loaded with gyro meat competing against Caesar dressing anchovy mysteries while coleslaw divides the group between vinegar-based Carolina styles and mayonnaise-heavy Southern versions plus jalapeño variations that actually work

• New Patreon spotlight welcomes Greg Wally from Plat Valley Woodworks to the supporter family while Colton battles Centerpoint Energy over pole installations requirin...

• Chocolate confessions launch the show with dark chocolate sea salt pretzels competing against chocolate peanut butter fudge brownies while Jess describes Halloween ghost cupcakes involving Oreos with orange filling and brownie mix creating spooky treats that impressed his wife Ashley's seasonal decoration obsession

• Baby Charlie steals the spotlight making surprise camera appearances during Colton's solo dad duties while ...

• Fried food fantasies launch the show with cheese curds versus spicy chicken sandwiches while Jess drops knowledge about fried lasagna rolls from Dirty Dick's Crab House and Ross explores Scotch eggs plus Italian arancini balls from county fair adventures featuring fried butter on sticks

• Dovetail precision becomes the star as Ross tackles twelve jewelry cabinet drawers using his trusty 1998 Porter Cable router with digital ca...

• Crustacean talk kicks things off with crawfish boils described as eating cockroaches from ditches while Ross discovers Virginia Beach crab cakes the size of baseballs with zero filler that make landlocked Chicagoland versions look like sad breadcrumb sandwiches

• Colton finally pulls the trigger on shop electricity after writing Centerpoint a check though the five to eight week wait has him considering temporary power solutions wh...

• Frozen dessert dreams kick off the show with Mexican coconut ice cream bars rocket pops and fruit puree sticks because nothing says Labor Day weekend like arguing about which popsicle reigns supreme while your hands get covered in sugary goo

• Fall prep mode officially activated as the guys discuss seasonal shop changes with Ross dealing with spider and critter invasions while Jess gets excited about cooler weather meaning longer ...

• Jess makes his glorious comeback after getting knocked down by heat exhaustion that turned into full exorcist mode puking for 24 hours plus dealing with a plumbing leak that delayed recording because Florida construction never goes according to plan

• Sushi talk gets deep with grocery store Publix five dollar Wednesday deals and the eternal debate about cream cheese in sushi rolls while Ross admits he goes for the over the top dyn...

• David returns as their first repeat guest to share the wild story of how he fought to get his company back after selling just 15 percent to a partner whose lawyer secretly worked against him in what sounds like a business nightmare straight out of a thriller movie

• The heartbreaking loss of Speed the retired cop who was Davids right hand man at the shop in 2020 changed everything and forced them to completely rethink how they ope...

• Colton calls in from a Georgia Starbucks during his epic road trip back to Houston after inheriting his late grandfather's tools and a sweet John Deere riding mower from his grandmother's log cabin in the mountains

• The guys share stories about amazing meals from totally unexpected places including life changing biscuits from a Georgia gas station, incredible Cuban food hidden in a Florida flea market, and mind blowin...

Here's a fun summary of Episode 111 "Ironwood Maiden" from the Beat Around the Bench podcast:

• Seafood talk revealed Ross has a shellfish allergy that kicks in after handling more than a pound causing massive hand swelling but still loves Baja tacos blackened redfish and Greek bronzino while Colton goes for rare tuna steaks and Jess craves lobster crab shrimp pasta with creamy tomato sauce
• Jess survived the hottest d...

• Colton crushed his metal roof installation project getting thick 26 gauge material for forty four percent savings over Home Depot prices by negotiating in Spanish with his materialist place and completing the whole job in just two or three days
• The new Huffman shop is taking shape with plans for a square garage layout that will provide better wall utilization and center space plus discussions about adding a massive pole barn wor...

• Food talk kicked off with favorite pasta dishes featuring Jess loving lobster lasagna and steak gorgonzola pasta while Ross schooled everyone on orecchiette pronunciation and shared that Barilla has Spotify playlists timed perfectly for cooking each pasta type
• Jess struggled through another brutal week including failed coquina shell stucco work that had the customer's wife gasping and walking away after just one wall plus de...

• Big baby news as Colton and Crystal welcomed little Charlotte into the world weighing in at eight pounds one ounce and twenty two inches long with Colton getting hands on experience cutting the cord and helping with delivery
• Baby Charlie sparked some hilarious woodworking connections including discovering baby nail rotary tools that work just like Dremels and hospital bassinets that reminded Colton of motorcycle lift workbenches
• ...

• Ross just returned from a blazing hot New York City vacation where temperatures hit 102 degrees for three days straight making 74 degree Chicago weather feel almost chilly when he got back home
• Episode title Deep Purple Heart came from listener Lee Drummond of Dusted Knuckle Woodworks who suggested awesome band name wood species combinations and this one was absolutely perfect
• Colton spotted his neighbor Mo using a completely ins...

• The trio dove headfirst into cheese heaven, debating everything from snacking favorites (smoked gouda and sharp cheddar winning) to grilled cheese perfection, with Jess championing pepper jack for turkey sandwiches and everyone agreeing fake American cheese rules for grilled cheese.
• Colton shared major life updates from his move to the countryside outside Houston, complete with deer rescues, flooded shop plans, and last-minute p...

• The guys kicked things off with an epic potato discussion where Ross shared his genius combo of mashed potatoes with Gruyere cheese and tzatziki sauce while Colton described his wild Aloha Slut Potato creation on the griddle
• Ross got himself a brand new GMC Sierra 1500 truck and the crew dove deep into vehicle upgrades including tonneau covers bed extenders and roof racks with plenty of practical tips for truck owners
• Shop organi...

• The gang kicked off with a mouth-watering breakfast food challenge, debating favorites from Waffle House concoctions (Jess's infamous "slop on a plate") to fancy Eggs Benedict, with Ross revealing breakfast restaurants are cash cows due to cheap ingredients and high margins.
• Colton shared updates on his uncle's DIY sawmill project and his camper shell paint job at his father-in-law's auto body shop, noting ...