Episode 7- Part 1: Spatchcocks, Smoked Bourbon, and BentCarrot.com Part 1 kicks off with the guys recording on a big sports night, bouncing between game chatter and their usual “how did we get on this topic?” energy. They slide into everyday debates like why musicians default to wearing black, then detour into nostalgia before settling in for the real substance. Food and drink take over next: the bourbon of the week is Southern Tier Smoked Bourbon, followed by smoker talk—pork chops, chicken quarters, and the simple seasoning philosophy that keeps things easy and repeatable. That naturally leads to a surprisingly helpful breakdown of spatchcocking and why it’s the fastest path to evenly cooked chicken. From there, the episode spirals into peak internet absurdity: drug commercials, side effects, and an unforgettable rabbit hole featuring bentcarrot.com that turns into a whole bit. They bring it back to music with a “favorite song of all time” question, spotlighting Brian’s favorite all-time song, Billy Joel’s “Summer, Highland Falls,” and teasing the idea of recording his own version. Stay tuned for Part 2! #ShafferRULES #ShafferRULESPodcast

Episode 6 – Part 3 Ashtrays, Idiots of the Week, and Betting on Yourself Part 3 opens in classic Shaffer RULES fashion, by accidentally discovering that ashtrays might actually be an age-appropriate hobby. From handmade elementary school ashtrays (which would absolutely not fly today) to granite cigar ashtrays and repurposed barn lightning rods, the conversation turns into a surprisingly thoughtful take on collecting, cigars, and why pairing bourbon with the right smoke can completely change the experience. That segues into hobbies, side hustles, and the realization that the podcast itself might be the most “age-appropriate” hobby of all. Then things take a sharp turn into one of the most unhinged stories of the episode: Idiot of the Week. Corey breaks down a real-life Whatnot auction meltdown where a $24 jewelry purchase spirals into a jaw-dropping, multi-paragraph oversharing saga involving buyer’s remorse, family tragedy, prison sentences, cancer, property taxes, and canceled auctions. It’s a masterclass in how not to handle losing an auction, and a perfect example of why boundaries matter when running a side business. From there, the episode shifts into something deeper. Corey reflects on Whatnot becoming a legitimate second income stream, the grind behind making it work, and how side hustles can turn into real opportunities, if you’re willing to commit. The back half of Part 3 gets real. Brian opens up about hitting 50, being done working for “the man,” and finally betting on himself. The guys talk candidly about corporate burnout, being a Swiss Army knife employee, getting pushed out of “forever jobs,” and the difference between surviving and actually being happy. There’s honesty about fear, money, stability, and why taking the shot now matters more than waiting for perfect timing. The episode closes with wild car-business stories, drunk salesmen, demo cars destroyed in days, repossessions gone sideways, and the kind of characters you only meet in dealerships, before wrapping up a long, loose, but unexpectedly meaningful session. Part 3 is funny, raw, and reflective, equal parts chaos and clarity, and a fitting close to Episode 6. #ShafferRULES #ShafferRULESPodcast

Episode 6- Part 2 picks up right after the break with refreshed drinks, refreshed attitudes, and the kind of derailments only Shaffer RULES can pull off. The guys start by talking nostalgia and Hollywood’s obsession with rebooting everything, Greatest American Hero getting a remake, and why some updates are fine (after 40 years)… while others should be illegal. They hit The Fall Guy movie, name-check classic 80s TV crushes, and then take a hard turn into why certain remakes (looking at you, The Crow) are absolute disasters, plus a wild reminder of what happened on the original film set. From there, Brian fires up the timer again and throws out a real question: what are “age-appropriate hobbies” in your 40s/50s? That spirals into a surprisingly useful, hilarious segment: smoking meats, pork butt lessons, the stall, wrapping strategy, when smoke stops mattering, and why cooking is basically chemistry. There’s also a quick detour into cast iron steak perfection, “Tuna Helper without the tuna,” and the birth of a potential Breakfast Club (because retirement energy is real). Next up: What annoyed you this week? We get road rage stories featuring an unhinged tailgater doing makeup while driving, followed by a full townie rant, complete with a small-town Family Dollar parking lot war, ticketing drama, and plans for a future speaker system to mess with customers from an office upstairs. Walmart catches strays too, because of course it does. The back half shifts into something more real: a quick check-in on the recently released of “The Dismissal” episode and the bigger vision for the show, expanding beyond the usual chaos into monthly serious specials, broader topics, more guests, and eventually a larger Shaffer RULES podcast “umbrella” (including live sessions and watch-alongs). And finally: the Guy on the Corner update. A listener pushes for the interview, sightings are confirmed (including a Walmart appearance), and the plan evolves into boots-on-the-ground “man on the street” content, handheld gear incoming, mini-doc dreams loading… even if winter makes it a little harder to chase the story. Part 2 is equal parts ridiculous and real, exactly the balance this show is starting to own. Part 3 begins up after the break. #ShafferRULES #ShafferRULESPodcast

Episode 6- Part 1 kicks off exactly how Shaffer RULES should, an unplanned, completely unnecessary deep dive into fish sticks, air fryers, and why childhood food memories never live up to reality. From there, Brian and Corey crack Modelos, sip pear-wood smoked Buffalo Trace, and debate what actually makes a good smoked bourbon. The conversation rolls into nostalgia with “Find of the Week,” featuring vintage arcade and toy collectibles, including an ’80s Stomper truck and a Super Pac-Man faceplate, plus stories about collecting, reselling, and the thrill of auction hunting. The guys break down how live auctions have changed, why online bidding dominates, and share some unbelievable steals (and painful misses). The episode closes with a timed, no-nonsense Steelers discussion: Mike Tomlin stepping down, what it means for the franchise, coaching contracts, draft picks, and the reality of where the team stands without a clear quarterback. Loose, honest, and completely off the rails, Part 1 ends right as the timer (and bladder) runs out. Part 2 picks up after the break. #ShafferRULES #ShafferRULESPodcast

Shaffer RULES Podcast – Episode 5: “Bourbon, Ball, Q-Tips, and Bad Impressions” Episode 5 is a full-on grab bag, in the best possible way. We kick things off with a conversation about bourbon: what we’re drinking, what we like, and why it somehow always leads to stronger opinions than expected. From there, we jump headfirst into college football, breaking down the transfer portal, NIL, and the ever-evolving playoff system, what’s working, what isn’t, and why the sport feels fundamentally different than it did just a few years ago. Things take a sharp turn into the mundane when we tackle an age-old household debate: Kleenex vs. Q-tips. Which actually cleans better? Why does every Q-tip box refuse to reseal? And how do you end up finding random Q-tips in places they have no business being? Fair warning, we’re officially boycotting Q-tips, lol! We also talk about new and old movies we’ve been watching and dive into how CGI has evolved over time, when it enhances storytelling, when it distracts, and why practical effects still matter. Later, we compare notes on some of the most iconic voices of all time, followed by what can only be described as our best attempt at a Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) impression. Results may vary! hahaha! We wrap up the episode with a word from our sponsor…who doesn’t know they’re our sponsor yet. As always, it’s a little chaotic, highly opinionated, and very on-brand. Listen in. Because these are the rules. Shaffer RULES!!!

Usually, the Shaffer RULES Podcast leans into humor, chaos, and the lighter side of life, but this episode marks a shift in tone. Episode 4: “The Dismissal” is the first in a new monthly series of special episodes focused on deeper, more serious conversations. No bits. No distractions. Just an honest discussion about experiences that leave a lasting impact. In this episode, Corey reflects on being dismissed from his job and opens up about the emotional aftermath that followed. Through that experience, he walks through the five stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and how each stage showed up in real time, both personally and professionally. He then discusses how this experience led to a renewed perspective on life, an awakening that reshaped his priorities, his outlook, and how he views what truly matters moving forward. Dismissal can take many forms: being let go, written off, or told, directly or indirectly, that you’re no longer needed. Sometimes it happens quietly. Sometimes it’s abrupt. But no matter how it occurs, it often reshapes how you see yourself, your work, and what comes next. This episode is a candid conversation about loss, identity, perspective, and what it means to move forward when the decision wasn’t yours to make. This is “The Dismissal.”

Brian and Corey reflect on the holidays, covering smoking meat, bourbon of the week, and the good, bad, and awkward parts of family time. The conversation quickly goes off the rails talking about the spit valve on a trumpet, leading Brian to share a marching band fail from his freshman year in Florida, Corey reads the newspaper, and discusses where his dogs do their business, haha! They also talk about upgrades to their new studio setup (including a future Jerome Bettis cutout), Corey’s latest auction finds and the characters that come with them, the music they’ve been jamming to, and Corey’s unexpected, but passionate discussion about capes. The episode wraps with the concept of fake commercials and the debut of their newest ridiculous product concept: “Anchor Punch.” As always, it’s a laid-back, laugh-filled episode that goes absolutely nowhere—and everywhere—at the same time…Shaffer RULES!

In Episode 2 of the Shaffer RULES Podcast, it’s Corey’s birthday, and the celebration delivers exactly what you’d expect: hilarious stories, unexpected twists, and plenty of moments that could only happen to Corey and Brian. The two jump into a wide-ranging conversation that includes everything from AI mishaps to crazy band memories, plus the real story behind the podcast’s name. Brian opens up about an unintentionally embarrassing moment involving AI-generated song lyrics, where a simple songwriting experiment quickly goes sideways and turns into a story he probably wishes he could take back and recounts a wild trip to Chicago with his former band, (kaj). Corey brings his own stack of unforgettable stories, including the true origin of the phrase “Shaffer RULES,” and a wild moment at an Aerosmith concert where he was unexpectedly approached by an undercover cop. The way he tells the story makes it one of the standout moments of the episode. The two also share funny pet stories, dive into other off-the-wall topics, and spend plenty of time laughing at themselves and each other. It’s an episode filled with personality, nostalgia, and the kind of real, unfiltered banter that defines the “Shaffer RULES” Podcast.

Episode 1 – The Inaugural Episode: Sports, Stories, and Total Chaos Welcome to the very first episode of the Shaffer RULES Podcast, where longtime friends Brian and Corey kick things off the only way they know how—by diving headfirst into sports, swapping ridiculous stories, and letting the conversation go wherever it decides to go. In this debut episode, we bounce from topic to topic and dig into some of our favorite random topics, including going to Pittsburgh Penguins games, we revisit unforgettable moments from our college years, and relive the glory (and the disasters) of fraternity life. Brian also breaks out some stories from his days playing in his former band, (kaj). We also look ahead at where this podcast is going—brainstorming future segments, discussing the random stuff we want to explore, and setting the tone for what the Shaffer RULES Podcast is all about: real conversations, hilarious detours, and unfiltered stories from two friends who’ve been talking like this for years. If you’re into sports, music, nostalgia, or just hanging out with two guys who love to riff, you’re in the right place. Let’s get this thing started.