This week, DT Carel, host of the YouTube show SpaceCastle joins me to dive into the sounds that defined 2025! Join us as we break down 20 essential tracks that span punk, rock, hip-hop, alternative, pop & beyond.From explosive hooks and high-energy anthems to unexpected collaborations and boundary-pushing tracks, we unpack what makes each song stand out and why they helped shape the musical landscape this year.Tune in as we guide you through a year’s worth of sonic highlights that’ll have you hitting repeat well into 2026!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, I’m hanging out with Jaret Reddick, the lead singer, guitarist, and all-around creative engine behind Bowling For Soup, as he looks back on three decades of pop-punk chaos, catchy hooks, and perfectly timed humor.We get into how the band balances goofy songs with genuine heartfelt moments, why “Belgium” keeps reinventing itself, and how BFS ended up becoming a Radio Disney staple. Jaret talks about the band’s wide-ranging covers—from Miley Cyrus to Hanson to Taylor Swift—our shared love of power ballads (including his personal top three), and how he wound up becoming the voice of Chuck E. Cheese.We also dig into the impact of the band’s Grammy nomination, collaborations with Blues Traveler, The Dollyrots, and Bret Michaels of Poison, the long-running “Stacy’s Mom” misconception, and the real story behind “1985,” SR-71, and Butch Walker. Jaret also breaks down what it was like writing a song for Alexa Bliss and teaming up with WWE for the music video.Whether you’ve been blasting BFS since the ’90s (when they had horns) or you’re discovering their world for the first time, this episode delivers laughs, nostalgia, and a glimpse at what’s next for the band in 2026 and beyond!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, we get 'For Real' with Eric Hirshberg, the former CEO of Activision and Deutsch LA, whose world is now centered around music. Known for leading iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Skylanders, and Destiny, Eric shares how music has run alongside his career and ultimately inspired his new single, “For Real,” the second of his collaborations with GRAMMY-nominated soul artist Aloe Blacc (their first was 2024’s “I Love Not Drinking”).We dive into how Eric blends his folk and Americana roots with Aloe’s soulful style, creating music that feels authentic for both artists while carrying a message about stepping back from negativity and the pressures of social media.Our conversation also offers a glimpse into Eric’s upcoming 2026 album, More Is Not The Answer, and how “For Real” sets the tone for what’s to come. Along the way, we explore the songs that define him and his unique perspective on building a creative life that bridges technology, business, and music.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, we’re celebrating two timeless soundtracks with the legendary Paul Williams, the award-winning songwriter behind Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and The Muppet Movie, including the beloved classic (as well as my favorite song of all time) “Rainbow Connection.”Paul shares the stories behind these unforgettable soundtracks & the films they’re connected to, his creative partnership with Jim Henson, and what it’s like bringing heart, humor, and hope to generations through music.We also dive into his work as President of ASCAP, his collaborations with Daft Punk, Portugal. The Man, Willie Nelson, Jason Mraz, and more, along with stories from Phantom of the Paradise and another Muppet holiday classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol.If you grew up loving The Muppets, know every step of Carrots the Dancing Horse’s routine, or find yourself rocking out to the Riverbottom Nightmare Band every holiday season, I promise this episode is as sweet as honeysuckle on the vine, ma!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on the songs that shaped my love of music — as well as the person who made it all possible, my father, who we sadly lost to pancreatic cancer earlier this year.In this episode, I’m diving into 20 tracks that I’m eternally grateful & thankful for. Each one is tied to a moment, memory, lesson, or simply a staple of the famed “Friday Night Music Night” events I would enjoy with my parents growing up.The songs he shared with me growing up, taught me how to listen to music — and, now in hindsight, also taught me how music can truly bridge generations.I love you Dad.If this episode resonated with you, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, so hopefully one day we can end this horrible disease once and for all.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
Not all ’80s hair bands were defined by Aqua Net & eyeliner. There were countless hooks, killer guitar work, and songs that still resonate decades later. In this week’s episode, I break down 10 tracks that defied the stereotypes, exceeded the expectations and continue to remind us why ’80s hard rock still goes to 11!Thank you to Jay Sweet for sending in this week’s playlist concept.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, I’m pulling the plug—literally. Join me as I curate a playlist of 10 incredible unplugged performances where artists & bands strip songs down to their core, revealing a whole new level of emotion, energy, and meaning. These acoustic takes prove the fact that sometimes less really is more.Thank you to Patreon Mixtaper Cactus Pete for sending in this week’s playlist concept.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This episode takes on a fiendish playlist challenge: Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon — The Music Edition.The rule is simple to explain but devilish to pull off: every song in the playlist connects to the next through a shared musician collaboration — guest features, one-off duets, session players, and more. Each track comes from a different primary artist or band, all leading toward the final destination: Kevin Bacon.Expect surprising crossovers, session-player breadcrumbs, and collaborative threads that reveal just how small — and yet connected — the music world really is. Connecting Kevin Bacon through movies might seem easy, but doing it through music? That’s a whole different level of challenge.Thanks to Matt Kennedy of XRadioX for submitting this week’s concept! Tune in, and then let me know how you’d connect the musical dots through your Six Degrees playlist!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
As we gear up for the return of My Weekly Mixtape next week, we’re throwing it back to this season 1 episode where I was joined by modern rock powerhouse Emily Wolfe, to co-curate a playlist celebrating the women who defined ’90s rock.From grunge and alt-rock to chart-topping anthems, these female artists broke boundaries and inspired generations. Join us as we rediscover the songs that still sound as fierce and fearless today as they did three decades ago!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
In case the title isn't a complete spoiler, My Weekly Mixtape is coming back for a brand new season this November! Considering season one lasted nearly 2.5 years and 150 episodes, I decided to post this episode to update everyone as to what's been going on in my life the last several months, as well as introduce a new episode format, that I'll need all of the fellow mixtapers' help to bring to life!I thank you all for your patience, love and understanding as I've dealt with the loss of my father. Your actions & kindness have meant the world to me during the most difficult time of my life.As things are starting to settle down for my family, I'm looking forward to introducing this new era of My Weekly Mixtape with all of you! I am extremely grateful to each and every one of you, and I thank you for joining me for this next chapter of MWM!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show & the amazing Patreon Mixtapers, and hearing their stories about what song made them each fall in love with music.Guests appearing (in no particular order):Barry Kerch & Eric Bass of Shinedown, Ed Toth of The Doobie Brothers / Vertical Horizon, CJ Pierce of Drowning Pool, Tim Foreman of Switchfoot, Cody Hanson of Hinder, Chris Ballew of The Presidents of The United States of America, Steve Bowman of Counting Crows, Paul Williams, Chris Vos of The Record Company, Doug Aldrich of The Dead Daisies, Paul Jackson of Blackberry Smoke, Jon Loree of Tantric & Smile Empty Soul, Jim Loughlin of moe., Don Jamieson of RockStrap & VH1’s That Metal Show, Coco Kinnon of Winona Fighter, DT Carel of SpaceCastle, Carrie Cunningham, Jim & Lindsay Butler of Children of the 80’s, Sean Faust, Bob Spear, Jay Sweet, Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad / There Can Only Be One, Zack Derby of NeatCast, Kevin Brown of The Tom Petty Project, Leah Jones of The Struts Life, Sylvan Groth & Jesse Jackson of Perfectly Good Podcast, Greg Vorob of Reel Reactions, Dave Zalatoris of Beer In Front, and last (but certainly not least!) several of the incredible Patreon Mixtapers: Chad Lamasa, Brandon from VA, Philip Bergman & Tom Hutchinson.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show & the amazing Patreon Mixtapers, and hearing their thoughts on what they consider to be the perfect album, and why! Guests appearing (in no particular order): Barry Kerch of Shinedown, CJ Pierce of Drowning Pool, Tim Foreman of Switchfoot, Cody Hanson of Hinder, Chris Ballew of The Presidents of The United States of America, Chris Vos of The Record Company, Doug Aldrich of The Dead Daisies, Paul Jackson of Blackberry Smoke, Jon Loree of Tantric & Smile Empty Soul, Jim Loughlin of moe., Don Jamieson of RockStrap & VH1’s That Metal Show, Coco Kinnon of Winona Fighter, Carrie Cunningham, Jim & Lindsay Butler of Children of the 80’s, Sean Faust, Bob Spear, Jay Sweet, Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad / There Can Only Be One, Zack Derby of NeatCast, Sylvan Groth & Jesse Jackson of Perfectly Good Podcast, and last (but certainly not least!) several of the incredible Patreon Mixtapers: Chad Lamasa, Philip Bergman & Tom Hutchinson.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
You wanted the best, you got the best! This week, my guest curator is comedian Don Jamieson, co-host of Rock Strap & VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show, and he's bringing the heat with his ultimate dream concert setlist for the hottest band in the land: KISS! From iconic anthems to deep cuts, Don takes us on a pyro-filled ride through what his perfect KISS show would look like. Don't miss this rock 'n' roll fantasy come to life!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week’s guest curator is Jay Sweet and we’re back for a second round of fictional bands, stemming from various movies, TV shows, cartoon and pop culture moments throughout the decades.Be sure to check out Vol. 1, to get the complete fictitious experience! 🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week’s guest curator is Jay Sweet, my former Tunestiles Podcast co-host, and we're crafting a playlist filled with all of our fictional bands, stemming from various movies, TV shows, cartoon and pop culture moments throughout the decades. You may want to turn this one up to 11, just sayin'!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
In this throwback episode, I’m joined by Bill Manspeaker of the outrageous Green Jellÿ for one of the most fascinating—and NSFW—interviews I’ve ever recorded.We dive deep into the band’s wild history, including their Guinness World Record for the most band members (with over 900 members worldwide at the time of recording!), their chaotic appearance on The Gong Show, and the infamous moment Joey Ramone called them the worst band The Ramones ever played with.Bill shares behind-the-scenes stories about producing the Cereal Killer VHS and soundtrack one video at a time, and how the band once held the record for the highest-debuting rock single in UK chart history.We also explore the band’s ties to Tool, their legal battle over the name Green Jellö, and their collaboration with Marvel Comics on Carnage Rules.Other unforgettable moments include recording “I’m the Leader of the Gang (I Am)” with Hulk Hogan, working with (or without) Metallica in regards to the breakdown in “Electric Harley House (Of Love),” working on music videos for 2Pac, Marilyn Manson, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, touring with KISS during their 1997 reunion, and performing at the Gathering of the Juggalos alongside Insane Clown Posse.And don't be alarmed, of course we discuss the cultural phenomenon known as “Three Little Pigs.”🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week, moe. percussionist Jim Loughlin joins the podcast to unveil his ultimate 12-song dream concert setlist, featuring his favorite bands & artists (some of which might surprise you). We also dive into moe.’s setlist strategy, Jim’s top five moe. songs to perform live, and get an update on the long-awaited studio release of “Bear Song,” first discussed in our “Circle of Giants” album dive. 🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
Fire up the VCR — this week’s mixtape takes you straight back to when MTV ruled the world! This week, I’m teaming up with Jim & Lindsay Butler, co-hosts of Children of the 80’s to rewind to the golden age of MTV and MuchMusic. Together we’re building a playlist packed with 12 of the most iconic 80s music videos — the songs, the style, and the visuals that defined a decade.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week’s guest curator is Jay Sweet, my former Tunestiles Podcast co-host, and together we’re building a playlist packed with the best comedy and novelty songs—from the silly and absurd to the dark, clever, and totally NSFW tracks that have kept us laughing for decades.If you love funny songs, parody hits, or music that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this episode is your jam. Get ready for a hilarious, nostalgia-filled mixtape featuring the tunes that prove laughter really is the best medicine. 🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact
This week I'm joined by Sylvan Groth & Jesse Jackson, co-hosts of Perfectly Good Podcast for a deep dive into the legendary songwriting catalog of John Hiatt.Together, we're curating The Ultimate John Hiatt Playlist—a carefully crafted mix of fan favorites, underrated deep cuts, and timeless classics that highlight the brilliance of one of Americana’s most respected songwriters. Whether you're a longtime listener or just discovering his brilliance for the first time, this episode serves as both a celebration and a primer on his remarkable career.From critically acclaimed albums like Bring the Family and Slow Turning to newer classics from his New West Records' releases, we shine a spotlight on Hiatt’s storytelling, soulful vocals, and genre-spanning influence across rock, blues, folk, and country.If you're looking for a John Hiatt starter guide, or just want to hear a trio of passionate Hiatt fans wax poetic over one of America’s most criminally underrated songwriters, this episode is for you!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog: https://myweeklymixtape.com💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon): https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape🌐 Connect on Social: https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media📧 Email the Show / Contact: https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact