THE PLUG W/ JUSTIN JAY

T.J. Miller is a standup comedian and actor who has appeared on Silicon Valley, Deadpool, Transformers, and numerous comedy specials. Although he’s had a taste of Hollywood success, lately he’s chosen a different path. Rather than chasing acting roles on the west coast, he’s made the conscious choice to live in New York City and continue to tirelessly refine his skills as a Manhattan standup comic. This week we sit down to discuss why being a respected comic is more important to him than being recognized as a great actor. We'll also find out what being a philosophy major taught him about comedy and what happens when you spill a drink on someone at a party wearing a gold-sequined tuxedo. Don't miss this special episode recorded live at Newsstand Studios in Rockefeller Center. *This episode was recorded prior to the WGA and SAG strikes. The Plug w/ Justin Jay wholeheartedly supports the efforts of actors and writers and stands in solidarity with its union members. To learn more please see the links below.. https://www.sagaftrastrike.org/ https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike-hub Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Andersen is a Surfing Hall of Fame inductee and a 4 time consecutive world champion. As a teenager, she left behind a troubled home life in Florida to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional surfer. By 25, she was ranked the best female surfer on the planet. With her aggressive yet elegant style, she helped transform the entire perception of female competitive surfing. This episode we sit down to discuss the emotional challenges of being the subject of a documentary film about your life, we hear some hilarious behind the scenes stories from her years on tour, and we learn how opening the door for an entire generation of female surfers didn't necessary translate to massive economic success. Tune in for a compelling story of perseverance and determination from this true icon of the sport. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Ament plays bass in Pearl Jam and is a founding member of the band. He’s also been an avid skateboarding since he was a teenager. He's self-financed the construction of over 27 skate parks across his home state of Montana. It’s a source of immense gratification for him, and he often visits these parks in person to sweep the concrete, skate with the kids, and witness firsthand the impact that he’s made. This week we sit down to chat about his new band Deaf Charlie, his experience traveling with Pearl Jam vs a side project, and why he's going on a 1200 mile skateboarding mission with kids that he met at one of his skateparks. Plus, find out who Jeff gives his Plug of The Week to. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Mannion is a music and portrait photographer who has shot an astounding 300 album covers. He’s worked with virtually every prominent name in hip-hop from Jay Z to DMX, Eminem to Nas. His portrait of DMX dripping in crimson blood stands as one of the most iconic images ever taken of the late rapper. In this episode we discuss how to keep the momentum of a successful photography career going when magazines are approaching extinction, and the demand for album packaging has basically been reduced to a thumbnail on a music streaming app. We also discuss his time assisting for Richard Avedon, and hear some on-set stories from his shoots with Gucci Mane, Nipsey Hussle, Mos Def, and many more. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dante Ross is a music producer and pioneering hip-hop A&R executive. During his time at Tommy Boy and Elektra Records he played a pivotal role in the success of acts such as De La Soul, Brand Nubian, Busta Rhymes, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, MF Doom, Everlast, and Old Dirty Bastard. In his new autobiography titled "Son of The City," he recounts with vivid detail his formative years growing up on Manhattan's Lower East Side and his involvement with the vibrant subcultures of skateboarding, punk rock, and hip-hop. Tune in for a captivating conversation with one of the most enduring and influential figures from the golden age of hip-hop. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dick Cavett is a trailblazing tv host who played a defining role in shaping the talk format during the late 1960s. His show eventually became the favored place for legends like Ali, Lennon, Brando and Hendrix to a sit down for a compelling long-form conversation rarely seen on television today. This week we sit down to find out how a humble small town boy from Nebraska went from a comedy writer to Groucho Marx and Jerry Lewis to become an icon of television and one of the most revered talk show hosts of all time. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devendra Banhart is a prolific artist and musician who has earned a reputation for his genre-defying sound. Drawing from an incredibly diverse range of influences, he’s released 10 studio albums and cultivated a loyal fanbase spanning from Santiago to Silverlake. In this episode we sit down for a chat with this Texas-born, Venezuela-raised, and San Francisco educated singer about psilocybin mushroom trips, sneaking backstage at a Guns and Roses show in South America as a teenager, and how skateboarding videos from the 80’s influenced his musical tastes. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Perez-Shadi directed the iconic music videos for House of Pain's "Jump Around”, The Beastie Boys' "Gratitude”, and he’s collaborated with streetwear brands like Supreme, Stussy, and Billionaire Boys Club. For over three decades, David has been a prominent figure in downtown New York, documenting hip-hop, skateboarding, and graffiti for over three decades. In this episode, we'll dive into David's journey from a shy bike messenger from the Bronx to becoming the go-to photographer for some of the coolest brands and artists in the game. We’ll also hear some fascinating behind-the-scenes tales from his most chaotic shoots and learn what happened when the RZA went missing during a big budget video.  Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tinker Hatfield is widely considered to be one of the most influential sneaker designers of all time. During his time at Nike, he's collaborated with legendary athletes like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant to create some of the most iconic and beloved sneakers of all time, from the Air Jordan to the Air Max. He is quite literally the Michael Jordan of Jordans. In this episode, we chat with Tinker about how design, performance, cutting-edge materials and marketing have helped create an entire subculture where sneakers are commodities sold for thousands of dollars. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Florence is a big-wave charger from the North Shore and brother to 2X world champion surfer John John Florence. In the past few years, Nathan has made a name for himself by tackling some of the biggest and most consequential waves on the planet. But it's not just his surfing that's earned him a following. He’s also known for his compelling social media content, providing fans with an inside look at his life as a pro surfer and adventure-seeker. Join us as we chat with Nathan about what lessons he’s learned from his brother, some skills he's acquired to survive a wipeout at Pipeline, and why we might have reached a tipping point of chaos in the lineups on the North Shore. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Clinch is one of the most sought after music photographers in the business. He’s shot iconic photos of music royalty from Tupac to Springsteen to Johnny Cash. This episode we discuss what it takes to get consistently compelling photos out of extremely famous people. We also hear what Willie Nelson and Merl Haggard do on the back of their tour bus, and what happens when you shoot at San Quentin prison and leave a $2000 lens behind. Don’t miss this candid conversation with the man behind some of your favorite rock photos. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat O’Connell starred in the classic surf film Endless Summer 2 and competed on the world tour. He eventually transitioned into executive leadership positions at Hurley, the World Surf League, and he is currently president of John John Florence’s brand Florence Marine X. Needless to say, Pat has a unique perspective on the culture and the business of surfing. In this episode, we discuss some of the challenges of building a successful brand, hear how the North Shore has changed, and learn why competitive surfing will never be the new golf. Don’t miss a candid conversation with this industry insider and Momentum Generation alum. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damon Way is a designer, brand marketer, and the co-founder of DC Shoes. With the help of his brother, pioneering skateboarder Danny Way, DC become one of the most sought after skate brands of the 90’s. Under Way’s guidance, DC was one of the first streetwear brands to successfully implement artist collaborations and limited edition releases into their product line. In 2004, DC was sold to Quiksilver and the brand slowly lost much of its luster without his creative control. In this episode, we sit down to discuss whether skateboarders or surfers have better style, why the music that we listen to no longer defines our identities, and why Toyota Prius headlights are so damn ugly.  Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Shiflett plays guitar in the Foo Fighters and hosts the podcast Walking The Floor. This episode, we sit down for our second in-depth conversation with the Santa Barbara native. It’s been a year of extreme highs and lows for him - he got inducted into the Rock and Roll of Hall of Fame, but also had to endure the tragic death of close friend and bandmate Taylor Hawkins. We discuss the differences between flying a private jet to play sold out stadiums vs the smaller intimate shows that he’s been playing to promote his upcoming solo album. Don’t miss checking out some behind the scenes stories from this rock veteran on this special episode with our first repeat-guest on The Plug Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Corporan was the manager for original Supreme store in NYC from 1996-2004. This episode, we sit down for some behind the scenes stories about what actually went down in the legendary back-room of the store as we go for a deep dive on the history of the brand. We also discuss his close relationship with the late great Jake Burton, and hear about Alex's recently released 10 year anniversary edition of his ode to NY skateboarding, FULL BLEED. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MC Serch made his mark in the rap duo 3rd Bass with classic hits such as The Gas Face, Brooklyn Queens, and Pop Goes The Weasel. In 1994, he executive produced the iconic debut album Illmatic by Nas. Since then, he has continued to be a major force behind the scenes in the music industry. Listen in as we hear about his insane encounters as a young battle rapper in Far Rockaway, Queens, his first experience traveling to LA while having a hit put on his life by MC Hammer, and how his continued emphasis on learning, personal growth and surrounding himself with positive people has affected his entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this season 4 premiere episode with one of the most enduring figures in hip-hop. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Hawk is the most recognizable skateboarder on the planet. This episode, we discuss his experiences with Jackass, the joys and challenges of fatherhood, and how dominating contests as a teenage skateboarder left him feeling like an outsider amongst his peers. We also chat about Tony's documentary film "Until The Wheels Fall Off” which chronicles his amazing evolution from a lanky adolescent skater to a global action sports sensation. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan McGinness is a critically acclaimed artist with works in the permanent collection of the MOMA. He uses icons, logos and public symbols to explore the power and influence they have on our visual language. Tune in as we discuss how he once destroyed his studio with pigmented fish oil for a conceptual party, and how he got 50 naked people to show up his studio to have their bodies covered in neon paint.  Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Fathers Day episode - Jasper Jay is a bright and inquisitive 1st grader with an extremely mature grasp of language, and a deep appreciation for humor. He’s been forced to endure a lot over the past few years, but throughout the disruptions of a global pandemic, persistent mask wearing, active shooter drills and the death of a grandparent, he’s remained optimistic and compassionate. It’s the only reality that he’s ever known, and he’s ok with it. This week we sit down for a special Father’s Day conversation and peer into the mind of this wildly imaginative 6 years old. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trevor "Trouble" Andrew is a professional snowboarder, musician and the artist behind the wildly successful Gucci Ghost motif. This episode we discuss how Trevor appropriated the logo from one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world, and instead of receiving a cease and desist order, he was instead offered an official collaboration with Gucci. We also get deep on NFTs, the punk-rock DIY spirit, and his family life. Don’t miss the fascinating story from this must-talented creative juggernaut.  Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/ https://justinjay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices