Ep. 145 w/ KENT YOSHIMURA of NEURO (Neuro Gum & Neuro Mints)

Ep. 145 w/ KENT YOSHIMURA of NEURO (Neuro Gum & Neuro Mints)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991122/fan_mail/new] In this episode of the Son of a Blitch Podcast, host George Blitch sits down with Kent Yoshimura to learn more about the history and success of Neuro [https://neurogum.com/], the brand that makes Neuro Gum & Neuro Mints. We begin by tracing back to the origins of the company, back to a dorm room in UC San Diego, almost 18 years ago. It started as a personal experiment, as Kent was training seriously in martial arts while studying neuroscience, trying to get clean energy and sharp focus without the sugar, dyes, and unnecessary additives and crashes. That search led him into early nootropics research and self-testing ingredient stacks, then into an unexpected partnership with Ryan Chen, a standout track athlete whose life changes after a snowboarding accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. The same cognitive support Kent builds for himself helped Ryan regain momentum in school, and together they found a bigger opportunity: turn proven tools like caffeine, L-theanine, and B vitamins into something accessible, portable, and normal enough to use every day. A key turning point was the format they chose. Early versions were pills in a Ziploc bag, effective but awkward and not exactly travel-friendly. "I swear, officer - these are clean energy capsules!"  They choose functional gum and mints because the category is familiar and very easy to take with you, on the go.  We discussed the challenges of moving into a space that has typically been dominated by larger named manufacturers and brands. They found a smaller, family run facility that would deliver their unit orders to them, and to this day, they use the same company, becoming their biggest client, by far, in the process.  We also talk about the experiences that Kent and Ryan had in scaling the business. Many people may know them from their initial appearance on Shark Tank [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dViu8lAQN0] and their return visit [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7z_Ew_o_PQ&t=4s], as well as the social buzz from their viral campaigns on TikTok, or mentions from the massive fans of all their products. By continuing to improve upon their products, working with the right partners and building the incredible team around the brand, it is not an accident that they are leading this space and continuing to grow each year with new products, flavors, and dominating the E-commerce and retail spaces. The episode also digs into values-driven branding: partnerships and philanthropy are tied to real convictions, including ocean conservation support and a myriad of Beast Philanthropy related projects.  Here are a handful of their current Gum & Mint products for you to choose from: Energy & Focus [https://neurogum.com/products/energy-caffeine-gum] Extra Strength Energy & Focus [https://neurogum.com/products/energy-focus-extra-strength-gum] Memory & Focus [https://neurogum.com/products/memory-and-focus-gum] Sleep & Recharge [https://neurogum.com/products/sleep-recharge-meltaway-mints] Calm & Clarity [https://neurogum.com/products/neuro-mints-gaba-l-theanine-calm-and-clarity-mints] Their current flavor line up is: Peppermint, Spearmint, Cinnamon, Wintergreen, Watermelon (Limited Edition) and variety packs! Make sure to visit Neurogum.com [https://neurogum.com/] today to place your orders, and be sure to follow Neuro [https://www.instagram.com/neurogum], Kent Yoshimura [https://www.instagram.com/kentaro/], and Ryan Chen [https://www.instagram.com/ryan.ryc] on their socials for the latest ness and updates! To learn more about the host, George Blitch, visit SonofaBlitch.com [https://www.sonofablitch.com/] and follow him on Instagram: @thesonofablitch [https://www.instagram.com/thesonofablitch/]

Ep. 144 - LaMonica Garrett - On Leading An Action Thriller, “Man of War” & Season 3 of Lioness

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991122/fan_mail/new] LaMonica Garrett joins George Blitch to unpack Man Of War, his first leading role in a major motion picture, and the wild way it came together. While filming a brutal, heat-soaked Lioness finale (for season 2) in Fort Worth, he gets an unexpected call from director William Kaufman: the original actor is injured, production in Europe is close, and an answer is needed fast. Garrett reads the script in hours, commits immediately, and is on a flight to Europe days later. The result is an action thriller built on urgency, performance under pressure, and the kind of preparation that defines modern military movies: learning character stakes while also learning the mechanics, movement, and muscle memory of an AK-47.   Man Of War centers on Michael Connor, a former Navy SEAL and CIA operative whose adopted daughter and niece is abducted as Russia invades Ukraine. The hook is familiar but the intention is not: the story doesn’t simply glorify a one-man wrecking crew. Garrett describes Connor as a reluctant hero, rough around the edges, and almost aggressively uninterested in anything beyond the rescue mission. That hardness becomes the starting point for the film’s real arc, where another character pushes back with empathy and moral urgency. The movie keeps the spotlight on civilians, the crossfire, and the fallout, aiming for a war film perspective that treats human cost as more than background texture.   One of the most powerful parts of the conversation is how the production’s emotional authenticity was shaped by people who lived it. On set in Bulgaria, several actors had fled Ukraine and were displaced by the real war. Garrett recalls conversations that reframed scenes, including a moment with an actress bearing a visible scar tied to drone strikes. Seeing the final cut later brought those stories rushing back, and he notes how audiences reacted emotionally to images of chaos, loss, and the violence that lands on ordinary families. For listeners interested in filmmaking, acting craft, and responsible storytelling, this is a clear example of how context and lived experience can change what an action movie feels like. The conversation expands to Lioness (Season 3), promising bigger scale and “foreign soil” energy, plus upcoming projects including the Western Blood On The Promontory and a return to Bulgaria for a sci-fi dystopian film. Man of War begins streaming on Amazon Prime & Apple TV on July 3rd, 2026 Lioness, seasons 1 & 2 are available now, and season 3 begins on August 2nd, 2026 Make sure to follow "LaMonica Garrett" on all socials to learn about his upcoming work and release dates!

Ep. 143 - The Boxmasters - Billy Bob Thornton & J.D. Andrew Celebrate Their 21st Album, 20 Years Together & The Morro Rock Tour

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991122/fan_mail/new] Today, George Blitch joins the two founders and main songwriters from The Boxmasters, J.D. Andrew and Billy Bob Thornton. With their 21st album “In the Bay” newly released and the Morro Rock Tour underway, we begin by discussing the first handful of shows and how this album took shape.  Billy describes spending time near Morro Bay while his daughter attends Cal Poly, with long quiet stretches overlooking the bay that turned into melodies, lyrics, and the beginning ideas for an album. Back home, he and J.D. begin shaping those sketches into finished songs and realize a strong Brian Wilson influence was creeping into the writing. Instead of fighting it, they lean in, using more adventurous structure and harmony while staying unmistakably The Boxmasters. They were not chasing “Pet Sounds,” but honorably paying respect to a songwriter whose ideas and songs still echo and impress.   They also pull back the curtain on how a long running band stays productive. You tend to learn a thing or two, after being in a band for 20+ years! Planning matters because labels need lead time, but their process is always rolling, with songs waiting in the wings. They shout out their artist focused label, Thirty Tigers in Nashville, and explain how they keep releasing music that is intentionally not mainstream. They play what they love. That includes “Better Velvet,” a limited vinyl project made with Brad Davis that leans more Americana and singer-songwriter, proving their sound can shift record to record without needing a rebrand as it has for 20+ years, now! They even tease another upcoming release with a darker, classic rock edge and hints of Pink Floyd influence.   Live, The Boxmasters chase the feeling of the arena rock shows they grew up loving, even in clubs, theaters, and amphitheaters. The set list stays mostly consistent so the band can hit hard, build momentum, and avoid mid-show lulls, with tweaks made when the rhythm of the night demands it. They discuss iconic venues, dream stages, and how different rooms change the energy, especially seated theaters where audiences sometimes need permission, or a little prodding to stand, let loose, and enjoy a live rock band, at its best.  Their approach is simple: play the best live show every night, whether it’s 300 people or 25,000, and treat the audience as a true partner, while “blowing the cobwebs out of every room!”   Get the new album “In The Bay”, check out Morro Rock Tour - now through August 8th - and learn more about The Boxmasters:   TheBoxmasters.com [https://theboxmasters.com/home] Learn more abou the host, George Blitch at:   SonofaBlitch.com [https://www.sonofablitch.com/]   IG: "thesonofablitch [https://www.instagram.com/thesonofablitch/]"

Ep. 142 - Chief Arvol Looking Horse - White Buffalo Teachings, Prophecy, & World Peace & Prayer Day

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991122/fan_mail/new] Chief Arvol Looking Horse is the 19th generation keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe (chanupa) for the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota - the Great Sioux Nation. He describes being entrusted with the sacred bundle at age twelve, during an era when Native ceremonies were pushed into hiding and public prayer at sacred sites was not protected until the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.  Arvol speaks of the oral traditions of his people, the importance of respecting and listening to elders, and how prophecies have shaped a narrative in his life, and those around him.   He begins by telling the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman and the white buffalo prophecy, which is also covered in his book, White Buffalo Teachings, first published in 2001*. Looking Horse recounts how White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the sacred pipe and sacred teachings and ceremonies to the Lakota. Arvol goes on to explain that when the white buffalo returns, it will be a moment of great importance. In 1994, one was born in Wisconsin, and since, many more have been born, which is very significant to the times and challenges we face, globally.  That also ties into another discussion about World Peace and Prayer Day [https://www.worldpeaceandprayer.com/], which began in 1996, by Chief Arvol Looking Horse. WPPD is held on June 21, every year, on sacred sites across the world. He encourages people to go to their local, sacred sites - the places of importance to their own people, and pray for global healing, in our hearts, minds and of the Earth, itself, on the 30th anniversary of this sacred day. Looking Horse says we face a very important choice, as we are at the Crossroads: continued division that leads to sickness, viruses, disasters, and false leaders, or a spiritual uniting across nations and faiths. His phrase “all nations, all faiths, one prayer” is not about everyone adopting one religion; it is an invitation to return to your own language, your own traditions, and your own “medicine,” while recognizing relationship across boundaries.  The episode closes with guidance for youth: remember life as a circle, move forward with purpose, and protect the source of life rather than treating it as a resource. “Mitakuye Oyasin” As Arvol explains, "Mitakuye Oyasin" a concise prayer that acknowledges the sacred connection of all relations: two-legged, four-legged, winged, swimmers, crawlers, and the Earth itself. It means We Are All Related. We Are All One.  Learn more about World Peace & Prayer Day at: WorldPeaceandPrayerDay.com [https://www.worldpeaceandprayer.com/] Learn more about the host, George Blitch, at: SonofaBlitch.com [https://www.sonofablitch.com/] Instagram: "thesonofablitch [https://www.instagram.com/thesonofablitch/]" *George Blitch was a part of the group that first published Arvol's book, and then he and Harvey Arden published the 2nd printing under George's publishing company, HYT Publishing [https://www.haveyouthought.com/].

Ep. 141 w/ Bob St. Pierre - Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1991122/fan_mail/new] America’s grasslands are disappearing in plain sight, and the ripple effects hit everything from bobwhite quail and pheasants to pollinators, water quality, and the long-term health of working farms and ranches. We sit down with Bob St. Pierre, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer with Pheasants Forever [https://www.pheasantsforever.org/] and Quail Forever [https://quailforever.org/] to trace how a lifelong bird hunter and baseball guy chose a career in upland habitat conservation, and why he’s never looked back after more than two decades of building habitat-focused momentum.   We dig into what makes Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever different: a mission that prioritizes habitat over bird releases, and a chapter-driven model where local volunteers raise funds and then decide how to put those dollars to work in their own landscapes. That can mean supporting CRP enrollment, hosting landowner workshops, improving public access through walk-in programs, or funding hands-on projects that restore native prairie and functional grassland structure. If you’ve ever wondered where conservation dollars actually go, this conversation makes it tangible.   We also unpack today’s biggest habitat pressures, including woody encroachment from eastern red cedar and juniper, and the practical tools that reverse the trend: prescribed fire, removing invading trees, planting native grasses and forbs, and building pollinator habitat that benefits far more than upland birds. Then we shift into the community side of conservation with National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, the Concert For Conservation, and why reaching younger, more diverse audiences matters if we want a real legacy of wise land use.   If you care about quail hunting, pheasant hunting, bird dogs, grassland restoration, or simply leaving the land better than you found it, tune in, share this with a friend, and be sure to visits the sites, below, to sign up for newsletter updates. You can learn more at PheasantsForever.org [https://www.pheasantsforever.org/] and QuailForever.org [https://quailforever.org/]