In this episode of HotDadRadio, we sit down with longtime Detroit Red Wings photographer Mark Hicks to hear how he went from motocross racer to capturing some of the most iconic moments in hockey history. Mark shares how a chance trade of gigs in 1988 led him to the Red Wings, where he built a career documenting playoff runs, rivalries, and milestone achievements. We cover: Mark’s early days working for free before turning photography into a thriving side hustle into a main-gig business selling his photography. The evolution of professional sports entertainment and strategies for reviving baseball and hockey for new audiences. (Hint: It involves keeping the bat.) Life behind the glass—documenting rivalries, concussions, and unforgettable playoff series. Coaching youth and college hockey, and how lessons from the Red Wings shaped his teams’ success. His surreal trip to the White House during a Stanley Cup visit, where he was escorted out—then brought back in to meet President Bill Clinton. The business of sports photography, from licensing to the changing economics of stadium ownership. Personal stories about balancing a corporate job at Ford Motor Company while chasing his passion for photography. We also talk content creation, podcast planning, and the future of live streams during hockey season. Whether you’re a Detroit Red Wings fan, a sports photography enthusiast, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from the world of professional sports, this episode is packed with insights, history, and plenty of humor.
In this chaos-fueled episode of Hot Dad Radio, Josh, Derek, and Ryan (plus a muted Paul Blart cameo) spiral from steak-sizzling ASMR to an unfiltered takedown of tech titans, third-party politics, and ketamine-fueled billionaires. They debate Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg, geek out over The Social Network 2, and unpack the wildest Hunter Biden interview quotes. Somewhere in the mix, there’s heartfelt tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a Hulu binge recommendation (Missing Persons Unit), deep dives into forgotten sitcoms (Listen Up with Jason Alexander), and an impromptu plan to stream them for charity. Add in a sprinkle of music league hype, Veep quotes, and soapbox moments about slowing down your news consumption, and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts political bar fight, pop culture rabbit hole, and group therapy session. It’s Hot Dad Radio: unfiltered, unpredictable, and unapologetically all over the damn map. Ask ChatGPT
Josh, Derek, and Ryan swap Garfield stickers, roast Derek’s music league flop, and dive into the absurd: Elon Musk’s Tesla meddling, Hunter Biden’s presidential “what if,” Aaron Sorkin taking on The Social Network sequel, and the passing of Malcolm Jamal Warner. They also plot a fantasy football league, charity stream, and a nostalgic binge of Jason Alexander’s Listen Up.
HotDadRadio — Episode 17: Boneless Wings, Basement Vibes & Bachelor Party Glamping This week, your favorite silly geese dive into everything from Nintendo Switch 2 hot takes, Drake’s post-beef bar buzz and AI’s weird Spotify data sharing. Josh tells all about his brother’s glamping bachelor party in Michigan, Derek unpacks his feelings during an Andrew McMahon concert, and Ryan dreams of being immortalized on a Magic: The Gathering card. There’s also classic rock confusion, church band rivalries, trivia wins (sort of), and a cursed necklace heist from a very emotional event. Segments: 🎮 Nintendo Switch OLED Review 🎤 Andrew McMahon Live Recap 🌲 Glamping + Bachelor Party Shenanigans 🖌️ Depressed Monsters Gold Spike Mural Project 💾 AI Privacy & Spotify Discord Data 🧙 Magic, Marvel & Murals 🍗 All-You-Can-Eat Wing Regrets 📚 Productivity Hacks Using AI 🎶 Concert Updates & New Music Plans Where to Find Us: Weekly Streams: Hot Dad Radio's Twitch Stream – Fridays 8pm pst Join our community on Discord: [dm for the link] Follow our Shenanigans on IG: @HotDadRadio For some spicy content...dm us.
Noodlin’ with Josh & Caitlin Burt (@caitsly): AI, Actors, and Apocalypse-Proof Business Advice In this live-recorded (as in while we were eating dinner at a restaurant downtown Plymouth) episode of Noodlin’ with Josh, I'm joined by actor and business development pro Caitlin Burt for a spicy, outdoor deep-dive into the weird world of AI and how it’s impacting everything from creative industries to corporate meetings. Expect hot takes, real strategies, and a few rogue Frank’s RedHot references. We explore: How to use ChatGPT without getting spoon-fed feel-good nonsense. What generative AI can’t do (and why that matters). The two possible futures for creatives in an AI-powered world. Real-time workflows for automating meetings, notes, and calendars. Whether AI-generated movies will be the next Western or the next mistake. Plus: trolling etiquette, bad tips, and a waitress who may be 23 but serves like she's been at it for 30 years. I cannot iterate enough that this episode was recorded while seated outside patio at a restaurant in a busy metro-Detroit suburb. Take that into as much consideration as you'd like. This episode is packed with philosophical noodling, tactical prompts, and more that enough chaos to keep things interesting.
Episode 16: HotProtestRadio or Delete Your Duplicates, Defund the Two-Party System, and Maybe Text Your Dad Back In this slightly-too-honest episode of Hot Dad Radio, Josh and Derek accidentally make a political podcast while trying to fix a broken episode (classic). Between fighting off headaches, duplicate RSS feeds, and rogue Apple privacy settings, the guys spiral into a full-blown convo on voter turnout, third-party fantasies, weaponize rubber-necking and digital surveillance. We talk about: 🛠️ Technical glitches that would make your grandpa smash an iPad 🗳️ Why Tennessee voter turnout feels like trying to start a band on Craigslist 🇺🇸 Third-party politics, the ghost of Ross Perot, and building a movement on zero dollars and delusional optimism 📱 Apple Intelligence (lol), surveillance states, and the horrifying realization that yes, TikTok is watching 💥 LA protests vs. media exaggeration: fire emoji ≠ full-blown revolution Also featuring: Planned Parenthood donations, Josh's mom maybe running for office, Derek beefing with his Congressman via email, and the possible invention of the Hot Dad Party™—patriotic, chaotic, and proudly unelectable. This episode is for the high-functioning hedonist who wants a little civic engagement with their existential dread. Subscribe, scream into the void, and send this one to your group chat of armchair activists and emotionally unavailable creatives. 🔥 Follow @HotDadRadio on all the things. We’re watching the watchers. Kinda.
We're rad and so are you. If you want to get in touch leave a comment on spotify, a review on apple, or dm is on Insta at @HotDadRadio. Get after it.
I don't think SEO is going to help with this one. We go FAR and wide. Buckle up.
What's the worst job you've ever worked and why is the answer always "a kitchen"? They attract the weirdest, horniest, most confusing people we've ever met. We wonder why quite a bit. PLUS, not to bury the lede, but Ryan has some cool news ;)
May 30th at the Swan Dive in Las Vegas, NV - THAT'S ALL YOU GOTTA KNOW! I mean, it will make more sense when you listen to this sprawling, Hunter S. Thompson-stylized interview with Depressed Monsters creator Ryan Brunty. Depressed Monsters Emo Night, follow @VegasRyan & @NoodlinwithJosh on IG for more info!
Does anyone even read these? Let me know. This is a tesssssst. Let me know @EatMoreTinyTrees on IG.
In this episode, the Hot Dad Radio crew gets meta—like, Sims-level meta. Josh, Derek, and Ryan dive into the art of capturing fleeting thoughts and turning them into something more permanent: soft paper to hard drive, voice to transcript to prompts. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how ideas become content in the Hot Dad universe. We also wax philosophical about how life feels a lot like The Sims—equal parts chaotic, hilarious, and occasionally glitchy. And if that’s not enough, we tease something big: our first live taping of Hot Dad Radio is coming soon, and Ryan is dropping the official event details any day now. Whether you're here for the tech-talk-meets-therapy-vibes or just want to hear some dads get way too introspective about their recording process, this one’s for you. Follow @HotDadRadio for updates on the live show, new episodes, and more nonsense you didn’t know you needed.
*The New Avengers What if your favorite Marvel villains got bored of being evil and tried playing hero instead... and actually started liking it? In this thunderously chaotic episode of Noodling with Josh, we dive helmet-first into the gloriously messy history of Marvel’s most morally confused superteam: The Thunderbolts. From their shocking 1997 debut—where they tricked the entire Marvel Universe and the readers—to their black-ops days under Norman Osborn, we’re talking betrayals, redemption arcs, and enough costume redesigns to fill a convention center. We’re skipping the MCU and going straight to the source material: juicy, twisty, surprisingly emotional comics that made readers question if bad guys can actually go good... or if they’re just really good at pretending. If you’ve ever wondered why Venom was on a government payroll, how Deadpool ended up in a red-themed murder squad, or what happens when supervillains start doing community service, this episode is your new best friend. 💥 Let’s get morally ambiguous, baby. 📲 Slide into my DMs with your Thunderbolts theories, lineups, or hot takes @EatMoreTinyTrees or @HotDadRadio.
So I'm not in the business of holding on to content; I love to record, publish, and learn based on feedback. This is an older episode, as in last week, not because I was holding onto it for any precious reason, but I truly forgot to press upload. SOOO, there's a chance it's already out of date by the time you listen...but hey, still need that feedback - LMK HMU PLZ BB! @EatMoreTinyTrees @HotDadRadio
*we were legally required to put this. In this sprawling, laughter-filled episode of HotDadRadio, the crew dives into everything from childhood sports trauma to scuba mishaps and suspect cranberry-sauce alibis. Derek opens up about cosmetic procedures, Ryan praises Detroit, and Matthew unknowingly crashes the recording with some morbid deep-sea tales and improvised voice impressions. Expect a wild ride through topics like video games, taboo academic debates, AI-generated critiques, and whether men deserve flowers (they do). There’s talk of The Rehearsal, Robocop timelines, and a secret word challenge you won’t want to miss. Plus: next steps for the pod, sketch comedy prep, old lost recordings, and a movie box office bet that might cost someone a charitable donation. It’s the perfect blend of chaos, comedy, and catharsis—just how we like it. 🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcasts—now including YouTube Music for Android fans.
In this episode of Noodlin’ with Josh, we dive deep into the weirdly intimate relationship between a person and their workspace. Josh opens up about the joys and hazards of life spent behind multiple monitors, light stands, microphones, and an apartment floor that’s slowly surrendering to his sitting habits. It’s part ergonomics rant, part love letter to his highly customized home studio—and part existential spiral into career relocation anxiety. From tales of testing toys with mommy bloggers during his time at Zappos and Exploding Kittens, to ruminations on marketing burnout and the fantasy of starting over in a new city, Josh explores what it means to stay grounded (or not) when your career—and your chair—are both showing signs of wear. Whether you're obsessed with your desk setup, considering a big move for work, or just vibing with the chaos of creative life, this episode blends tech talk, memory lane, and mid-career reflection in the most Josh way possible. 🎧 Topics include: Why his desk setup could be a sci-fi prop Ergonomic guilt and worn-down floors Microphone obsessions and audio neuroses Marketing nostalgia (Zappos, Exploding Kittens, etc.) The very real fear of relocation An open invite for you to be a guest and reflect on your own moves—career or otherwise 👉 Leave a comment on Spotify (he can’t delete them) 📞 Call in to share your relocation story—Josh wants to hear it 🎙️ Theme music incoming
Noodlin' on Interviews, or "Help, I’m Unemployed (and Other Interview Adventures)" Hey friends, welcome back to Noodlin’ with Josh! Today's episode is one part job hunt therapy session, one part AI love letter, and all parts honest reflection on surviving the interview process. After my mom’s gentle nudge ("you should do more of those podcast things"), here I am—filling up terabytes of cloud storage with voice memos and serving up the goods on unemployment, job applications, and the absolute thrill (and anxiety) of interviewing. I’m diving headfirst into the trenches of job hunting, and trust me: the struggle is real. Ever try updating your LinkedIn after months (or years!) of neglect? Spoiler alert—it’s way easier when you’re not scrambling post-layoff. Lesson learned. Plus, I'm giving you my hottest tips on leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to polish up your resume, refresh your online presence, and even turn old notebooks into context-rich, career-enhancing gold. AI isn't here to replace your voice—just amplify it. Think of it like having a digital version of yourself: slightly terrifying, but undeniably helpful. Then we're going full nerd on marketing funnels, why I prefer fueling big brand-awareness ideas at the top rather than crunching numbers at the bottom, and the not-so-secret secret to managing people smarter than you (spoiler: hire them). And yes, I’m still obsessing over that elusive career sweet spot—where passion meets paycheck and networking feels less like work and more like recharging my extrovert batteries. Speaking of which, if you're up for a mock interview or just want to chat career paths, slide into my DMs (@eatmoretinytrees or @HotDadRadio everywhere else). Let’s talk, let’s learn, and let’s keep noodlin’.
Welcome to The Everything Episode — where the tangents are frequent, the topics are global, and the vibe is pure HotDad chaos. In this Seinfeld-esque session, Josh, Derek, and Ryan jump from dreams of Tokyo living to the realities of uprooting your life, exploring what it really means to start over in a new country. But honestly? We talk about everything... and nothing… all at once. If you’re into conversations that feel like a late-night hang with your funniest friends — this one’s for you. 🔗 Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us @HotDadRadio on every corner of the internet.
🎙️ HotDadRadio: Bitterness is Not a Crime Guest: Sarah Llewellyn | Episode: "Noodlin' w/ Josh" In this introspective and emotionally sharp episode, Josh sits down with the brilliant Sarah Safuto for a raw conversation about navigating unemployment, reclaiming your identity, and staying soft in a world that encourages avoiding bitterness. Together, they unpack the conflicting voices we carry inside — the wiser, nostalgic grandparent and the confused child torn from bliss. They reflect on how pain doesn’t have to be the enemy. In fact, when we stop resisting it, it burns off the illusion of burdens. One standout moment? Josh and Sarah riff on the idea that "advice is a form of nostalgia" — a poetic reminder that when we share what we've learned, we’re just fishing old experiences from the trash, cleaning them up, and trying to make them worth something again.
On this episode of HotDadRadio, hosts Josh and Derek break down the latest box office projections for three of the year’s most interesting films: Minecraft, The Amateur, and Warfare. From family-friendly video game adaptations to gritty action thrillers, we dive into what industry analysts are predicting for opening weekends and long-term performance. Will Minecraft build on its blockbuster debut? Can The Amateur find an audience? And is Warfare set to help or hurt a24? Tune in for hot takes, data-driven insights, and a little dad-fueled banter. Follow us on social @HotDadRadio for more movie talk and episode updates!