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Conversations with Big Rich
Big Rich Klein
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Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.
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Goatbuilt founder Drew Burroughs on Episode 112
Yesterday
1 hr 41 mins
Goatbuilt founder Drew Burroughs on Episode 112
Based in the hub between Chicago and Milwaukee, Drew Burroughs is making a name for Goatbuilt, not just in off-road, but in the Midwest manufacturing hub. Drew found his way into off-road through the Polygoats at San Luis Obisbo and hasn’t turned back. Listen in on Episode 112 on any of your favorite podcast channels or even on YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe!4:22 – I’ve been working on helicopters for as long as I can remember17:35 – I bought a Jeep, and then I bought a magazine, that was the start…24:52 – introduced to the Polygoats34:25 – I got keys to the shop43:12 – they were spraying garlic and fish oil53:28 – that’s my introduction to the industry1:08:18 – let’s make this thing in a machine shop1:18:19 – you can just buy it and weld it together1:28:27 – there’s so much stuff built hereWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. Support the show
Yesterday
1 hr 41 mins
No stranger to hard work, Clifton Slay is back in off-road, on Episode 111
Welcome back to the off-road industry, Clifton! For the last twelve years, Clifton Slay has dedicated his life to other pursuits, now it’s time to return. Founder of Poison Spyder Customs, Clifton shares how that began and his history prior to. Jumping back in with both feet and his new venture, Hoplite VentureTrek, we can’t wait to see where it goes! 6:26 – Shout at the Devil!16:26 – it was either art school or the military31:53 – connecting to Steve Remore38:09 – what we needed didn’t exist48:14 – it was like a sonic boom!53:22 – the pulse of Poison Spyder was function and style1:03:49 – it’s hard to watch because there’s no learning curve1:14:16 – I made some catastrophic mistakes1:32:57 – Medic Clifton and Valkyrie1:42:36 – the next step back to off-roadWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.Support the show
May 19 2022
1 hr 52 mins
Work ethic should be his middle name, Nate Hunt, on Episode 110
No wonder Nate Hunt is so good at what he does for Jackson Motorsports and Events, he had work ethic drilled into him from a young age. Listen in as Nate tells us how he landed the job, what life was like between naps and where he likes to spend his time now. Great listen, good stories, good people – our favorite kind of podcast!3:06 – meet farm boy Nate12:21 – third in my class, on the podium18:10 – You’re only as good today as your practice25:06 – those tires have been sitting on a concrete barn floor28:56 – “I got seven trailer loads of tires coming in that need unloaded”38:15 – I thought I was being hazed or something52:28 – the people who made my career1:08:11 – mapping the Baja 1000 race courseWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Support the show
May 12 2022
1 hr 41 mins
King of the full-size GMCs, Stephen Watson on Episode 109
Stephen Watson of Off Road Design shares growing up in rural Colorado to wheeling experiences all over the country. The King of Full-Size, especially GMC’s, Stephen has a storied history. Listen in on your favorite podcast app, or dive in on YouTube – wherever you are, we’ve got your content ready for you.5:21 – learning how to steer at 3 or 4 years old14:02 – the magic is less when you know how things work27:53 – I think there would be more value for most people by just spending more time outdoors36:45 – I think he was scared I’d end up being a welder47:21 – all I needed was gas and tires58:46 – people miss the experience of going to seeing things work1:04:13 – working on the squares1:21:45 – makes it easy to assume you need it because somebody built it1:29:29 – the start of the race hangover 1:38:37 – we got bit by the Hammers bugWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.Support the show
May 5 2022
2 hrs 11 mins
Classic over-achiever, Tom Yash, shares his life on Episode 108
Tom Yash brings a ton to the table for any industry company he works for. He’s got all the classic over-achiever qualifications we can all relate to. Never satisfied with just one thing, he’s always building and growing. Loved this interview, Tom is a great guy, easy to be around, and always up for a beverage or two. We appreciate his participation in Dirt Riot and his contributions to 4Low Magazine.3:55 – teacher called me a hammerhead8:44 – who here knows how to drive a stick?11:35 – “you bought yourself a plastic coffin!”20:49 – we don’t pay for our friends, we pay for our beer31:19 – my first trip to Compton, I’m reading street signs, I’m like, I heard this in a rap song.41:48 – oh, that’s Brad, he can do what he wants46:17 – holy cow, which vehicle am I going to build?1:05:34 – I hit the front-edge and the leading edge of the box truck, felt like I ripped the whole box off1:10:45 – is the juice worth the squeeze? We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Apr 28 2022
1 hr 24 mins
WE Rock Spotter, Russell Battles, making great decisions on Episode 107
Making good decisions for his family, work, and team, Russell Battles brings patience and discipline to the sport of rockcrawling and life. Listen in on your favorite podcast app or on YouTube. Always good to hear from our friends, a little history, a little present, a bit of the future. 7:48 - …the scout went down the road12:45 – First phone call to Marlin Crawler15:40 – know exactly what you want and don’t let them tell you can’t20:15 – in Abu Dhabi, we were doing something that had never been done in the world before29:48 - I got into wheeling with some of the best crawlers in the world33:27 – meeting Old Man Charlie, “is this Carnage Canyon?”40:32 – we got beat up a little bit 44:07 - put your faith in your driver Big thanks to our sponsors, Maxxis Tires and 4low Magazine.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Apr 21 2022
1 hr 10 mins
Low-voltage electronics and off-road, with Mike Stump on Episode 106
Mike Stump – from off-road to electronics, back to off-road with electronics. Yep, we all come full-circle. Give Episode 106 a listen on your favorite podcast channel – or YouTube! Yep, we release on YouTube now at the same time as we release everywhere else – be sure to Subscribe to the channel: Big Rich Klein.7:49 – they gave me lots of candy13:28 – we’re going to have beachfront property!20:00 – just call me Push Start23:30 – I was kinda a liability.42:24 – the first black diamond coilover kit47:34 – at what point do you let go of the throttle?54:50 – a funny story with Roggy (aren’t they all?)1:05:59 – it was a sh*t show1:22:43 – learning all the idiosyncrasies about LEDsWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Apr 14 2022
1 hr 50 mins
Competitive newcomer, Skip Scott, on Episode 105
The start of the 3rd season of the podcast sees off-road newcomer, Skip Scott, share his story of how he got started with off-road, competition, and this new phase of life. It’s important to remember that all histories matter, new and old, all tell the history of off-road. Thanks for joining us Skip.5:37 – let’s get the hell out of this Burg!11:37 – we’re communicating, sir!17:53 – no one wants to hear your ideas26:02 – I want somebody to want me and to be valuable33:37 – I’m free39:32 – that little dog changed my life right there.45:01 – solving the puzzle is what keeps us in it53:40 – I have a bit of an advantage I didn’t have last year1:15:25 – drivers want to do more than they should, spotters are the reasonable ones1:22:56 – you are the most important person in our lives because you are the future We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Apr 7 2022
1 hr 30 mins
Season Two Recap for Episode 104
It's been an awesome two years of podcasting at Conversations of Big Rich. In this episode we share the stats and some highlights.102 guests: 91 men, 11 women8114 minutes of content52,000 downloads with over 4 million minutes listened toEpisodes mentioned:Bob Bower – Episode 55 and 56Jack Bettio – Episode 75Emily Miller – Episode 29Larry McRae – Episode 15Rob Bender Park – Episode 8Charlie Melchner – Episode 4Then enjoy a replay of Episode #1The first, the pillar episode of the Big Rich podcast is live! In this episode Shelley interviews Big Rich about the beginning of rock crawling for him. It’s a perseverance story, a succeed at all costs, a bootstrapping, I want this so bad, I’ll do whatever it takes. Almost twenty years later, WE Rock is still strong. Come along for the journey, see where it all began.Season 1, Episode 1 with Big Rich Klein7:20 Who yells “What’s the name of your club?” to guys he’s never met before?16:56 Cease and desist ordered delivered at his very first rock crawl24:32 You want how much money? How a county judge helped us out.30:13 Why we needed a 'Noise Study' at a gun range33:39 The penalty for being trashy42:32 The birth of WE Rock, but not without some controversy52:31 No sleeves allowed! Reno Rocks is off the hook54:31 Debacle in Farmington 200964:39 The Taj Mahauler lives74:36 Dirt Riot is born82:44 2020 begins, here's what it looks like85:34 How 4Low Magazine comes with 20 years of plans92:14 The history of off-road and why it matterSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Mar 31 2022
1 hr 58 mins
Epic Phil Norvold of Max-Bilt fame on episode 103
Let’s do Epic Sh*T! You will laugh out loud with us on this episode of Conversations with Big Rich. Guest, Phil Norvold, founder of Max-Bilt Offroad is a natural storyteller, come along for the adventure that starts with a pizza. We talk Max-Bilt, leading, Epic Willy’s Adventure, and Mo-hab!6:39 – I liked taking things apart, if they went back together that was a bonus!13:04 – not only did I fix a problem, I made somebody’s day22:55 – old is cool32:07 – good thing your middle name isn’t Lester34:09 – there is this pilgrimage to Utah, it’s probably like Burning Man…43:16 – thanks for worrying enough for the rest of us53:37 – he rations out two handfuls of salted peanuts for four of us58:59 – no matter what, it’s going to be better1:04:07 – there’s no good stories on the easy path1:07:36 – Let’s do Epic Shit! We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Mar 24 2022
1 hr 29 mins
Off-road videographer, Crazy Doug Hayduk, on Episode 102
Crazy Doug with some crazy stories. Shooting golf clubs, racing down ski hills on wheels, blood boosting, cocoa leaves, Baja, rockcrawling. If it includes adventure, this episode has it. Join Doug Hayduk and Big Rich for Episode 102.5:28 – I won the hill climb three years in a row.9:53 – I was charge with solving the welding cracking problems on titanium14:41 – mountain bikers were a little more counterculture20:36 – I always thought the ultimate opportunity was to use my engineering in sporting goods28:32 – we were verbally promised bonuses, that didn’t work out39:46 – gravity carts, like soapbox derby on mountains48:39 – I’m a legend in Park City52:25 – All I knew was Baja racing was badass, right?1:18:34 – It’s really satisfying having friends that will shake your hand and do something for you We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Mar 17 2022
1 hr 22 mins
Warn’s PR Manager, Andy Lilienthal, on Episode 101
Hooked on cars since age 2, Andy Lilienthal is now Warn Industries Strategic Communications Manager. That seems like a mouthful, what you need to know about Andy is that he’s a cars and community kinda guy. He can talk about them, write about them, and work on them. Our kind of human. Listen in as Andy gives us some background on how he got to this point in his career.2:44 – Hot Wheels were my jam.7:34 – people swap sides of the desk all the time from editors to PR people11:27 – united by horsepower25:50 – basically, I was a toy tester32:45 – there was a new way to talk to your customer45:23 – the kindness of strangers1:00:43 – this industry is full of lots of really awesome, passionate people1:05:22 – we’re competing in the 2022 ARCA 5000 rally, a time-speed-distance rally through Canada and Alaska We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Mar 10 2022
1 hr 20 mins
Modern Jeeper, Corey Osborne, on Episode 100
A renaissance man, Corey Osborne keeps re-inventing himself and his ideals by learning everything he can. From corporate suit to off-road guy, Corey brings the CTI trailer to the masses for conversation and insight. Join him at Modern Jeeper online or one of their many adventures.3:57– It’s a demented curiosity…13:43 – are you sure this is something you want to do?21:37 – so that’s why you have a yellow Jeep!27:54 – …literally having a party for a year and a half straight!32:22 – you ought to do something you enjoy38:59 – from “that’ll never work” to just over 9000 rigs on the CTI trailer43:23 – “you can only say no twice” – you have to be available49:50 – my most horrible experience off-road, followed by my second worst experience1:05:03 – I want to be inspired, I want to be inspirational1:15:17 – Modern Jeeper is really about the adventure side1:23:03 – the educational side of the off-road industry is going to be important We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Mar 3 2022
1 hr 34 mins
Alan Woodson of Axis Fab on Episode 99
Alan Woodson of Axis Fabrication, an OG rockcrawler, dishes dirt with Rich on Episode 99. A true east coast competitor, Alan shares his love of travel and building with all of us.3:13– growing up in a big, little city11:17 – Scott bailed me out19:14 – Full Disclosure: I did something to deserve the ability to not have my license39:13 – let me tell you about how I met Charlie48:07 – anything west of Tennessee is just a different mentality56:12 – I’m definitely doing Axis Fab59:42 – I think people that build and break barriers in the off-road world, it’s a lot like being an artist1:05:17 – I didn’t come to that conversation with an open mind We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Feb 24 2022
1 hr 28 mins
IH8MUD founder, Brian “Woody” Swearingen, on Episode 98
IH8MUD founder, Brian “Woody” Swearingen, was on the internet before most of us knew what it was. Driving one of his 8 vehicles on the hardest core trails, you find Woody wherever the people are. Check out this episode number 984:05– we mowed seven days a week, every hour that we could9:56 – I basically scrubbed floors and cleaned toilets in a suit and tie for years11:13 – the better you are at continuing to learn new thing, the better you will be18:33 – I laid in the driveway under the truck and my friend would sit in the drivers eat and yell through the holes in the floor29:45 – The links on I8MUD go back to 200236:03 – you’re officially white trash when you put your clothes in white trash bags40:52 – I’m just going to leave a check on your counter54:41 – I just stand back and see what things need to be done that nobody else is doing We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Feb 17 2022
1 hr 12 mins
Rusty's Off-Road, Rusty Megois talks strategy and friendships on Episode 97
Work seems to be the only word in Rusty Megois’ vocabulary. Owner of Rusty’s Off-Road in Rainbow City, Alabama, Rusty shares the friendships that have helped him through the changes in the industry.3:12– a neighbor started fueling the fire for being outdoorsl8:34 – I try to push my guys to do more and do better14:50 – I just brought more knowledge that I was acquiring on the west coast back home26:37 – and thank God, along came the XJ Jeep Cherokee36:52 – I understand you have a building where projects go to die…41:40 – if I can’t have too many Jeeps, then she can’t have too many diamonds1:04:25 – right now the biggest thing we’re adding is more robots for welding1:25:28 – we all work way too damn much We want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Feb 10 2022
1 hr 35 mins
Multi-faceted, Poly Dave Schlossberg tells his story on Episode 96
Multi-faceted, Poly Dave Schlossberg tells his story on Episode 96. Bringing the energy, experience, and education to build things that are more than the sum of their parts, Synergy and Poly Performance are running at full steam. Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.4:24 – …he wrapped his whole house in tin foil15:04 – I had passed out and spilled some Goldschlager on my chest, and this bear…18:34 – I kinda subscribe to the philosophy that there’s always an angle, right?21:09 – just got to follow the wind, there are doors open28:01 – I made sure little Johnny left with more than just a skateboard34:17 – I can speak Hillbilly, so I’d get on and help these guys…38:25 – if I could sell a pair of shocks a day, I’d be set for life53:00 – guys want to sit in their underwear and order parts from their living room while they’re pounding beers and watching NASAR, you know what I’m saying?1:07:19 – as long as my guys want to work, I’ll be there to open the doors.1:19:04 – there’s no silver bullet and magic, you’ve got to put in the workWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Feb 3 2022
1 hr 20 mins
East coast native, engineer Scott Trimarco on Episode 95
Knowing what you want to do from first grade. Priceless. Meet Scott Trimarco, the pump guy. Scott is the man when it comes to hydraulic steering pumps – high flow applications is where his product thrives. Listen in to hear how all that came about. Scott’s Custom Offroad.www.scottscustomoffroad.com 10:28 – I want to design cars15:18 – she’d make shirts with the pocket upside down…23:03 – oh, yeah, I lived on Pirate32:03 – you get one free day36:25 – I borrowed garages for forever40:36 – I never made a square Toyota driveshaft49:10 – the fire department got there before we could evacuate54:56 – I’m done with these pumps, I can come up with something betterWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app. Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Jan 27 2022
1 hr 26 mins
Living life on his own terms, Randy Ellis on Episode 94
Living life on his own terms, Randy Ellis, on Episode 94. From tearing up trucks to building them, Randy is chasing sunshine in Mexico now on Simplify. Listen in as Big Rich and Randy share what it was like in the Phoenix desert when rockcrawling was still new.5:06 – vroom, vroom dad14:04 – at 16, I started flipping cars17:56 – If you boys are going to play, you got to learn how to fix ‘em23:02 – I messed up so many things, but that’s how you learn32:35 – you started out building your own everything38:52 – we learned real quick to put on a show46:23 – we started building parts for everybody53:22 – the name of my baby girl is SimplifyWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Jan 20 2022
1 hr 7 mins
Christian Hazel of MotorTrend Group on Episode 93
Classically trained guitarist to self-proclaimed Jeep guy, Christian Hazel of MotorTrend Group on Episode 93. There’s a lot about Christian you wouldn’t guess by his outward appearance. Rock-n-roller, scientific editor, long-distance commuter, listen in to find out where his story began and where he is now with all the changes MotorTrend had undergone.3:53 – that’s the kind of spirit Boston has8:31 – my heart and soul were in this other genre of music13:47 – I just got up and walked out of that class20:21 – I’m not hanging my success on the shoulders of someone else28:17 – the world is my oyster out here31:03 – in anything you’re trying to do successfully, you can’t fake it36:17 – I wasn’t a huge Jeep guy, but I took to it like a duck to water49:35 – I tried to infuse bucket list things into the event1:14:08 – what a company does or does not spend with us holds no sway in our decision makingWe want to thank our sponsors Maxxis Tires and 4Low Magazine.www.maxxis.comwww.4lowmagazine.com Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast app.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BigRich)
Jan 13 2022
1 hr 21 mins
