Sharin' a Tale of a Whale w/Vickie Griffin | Ep 54 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

Sharin' a Tale of a Whale w/Vickie Griffin | Ep 54 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

A cross-country van adventure, whale facts, Alaska stories, and oatmeal cream pies. Yeah, this one goes everywhere. On this episode of Snackin' & Yakkin', BIG Ben Kennedy sits down with Vickie Griffin, a fellow medic with a whole lot of stories and one serious road trip behind her. Vickie spent 2025 chasing a new life on the road, building out her tiny van, heading west, and ending up in Alaska with a front-row seat to whales, glaciers, bald eagles, sea lions, prairie dogs, the Badlands, Yellowstone, Route 66, and the kind of sights that make you stop talking for a minute and just stare. She tells the story the way it should be told, with the funny stuff, the wild stuff, the practical stuff, and the parts that make you say, "Wait, you did what?" If you've ever thought about living tiny, traveling solo, or just wanted to hear what Alaska really looks like through somebody's eyes, this episode is packed with it. About this episode's presenting sponsor: MDM Travel specializes in turning dream vacations into unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning a relaxing cruise, an all-inclusive resort getaway, a family adventure, or a custom vacation package, MDM Travel provides personalized service and expert guidance every step of the way. With a focus on making travel simple, stress-free, and tailored to your needs, MDM Travel helps clients explore the world with confidence while creating memories that last a lifetime. Visit mdmtravel.com to plan your dream trip today!

Grillin' Dogs The Dirt Road Way w/Coach Chef Frank of Dirt Road Grub | Ep 53 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

Big Ben Kennedy is snackin' & yakkin' with Coach Chef Frank of Dirt Road Grub, and this one gets wild fast. We're talking beef brisket hot dogs from Charlotte, NC based company Gleezy, with a twist, and a whole lot of talk about coaching, teaching, cooking, bourbon, and building something real from the ground up. Coach Chef Frank came through ready to work. He brought the history, the hustle, and the flavor. We talk about his journey from juvenile justice to the classroom to coaching, why middle school kids are at that fork in the road, and how food became another lane for him to build in. Then we get into those Gleezy dogs, the Carolina-style sauce, the toasted bun, and the Dirt Road way of doing things. And yes, there's a French toast sausage roll situation in here too, because apparently normal was not invited. If you like food talk with real stories, low-country energy, and a host who will absolutely lose his mind over a good hot dog, this episode is for you. Follow Coach Chef Frank on fb: @dirt.roadgame insta: @dirtroadjerk tiktok: @coachcheffrank

Chattin' Charleston & Crab Dip w/Devin & DJ Dukes of Shrimp City Report | Ep 52 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

Devin Dukes and DJ Dukes of the Shrimp City Report stopped by Snackin' & Yakkin' for a long one, and this one goes everywhere in the best way. Charleston podcasting, Best of Charleston 2026, Wikipedia rabbit holes, old encyclopedias, brisket, wrestling, ghosts, the Battery, the RiverDogs, and yes, a whole lot of snackin' and yakkin'.The Shrimp City Report is a Charleston podcast built around local people, local stories, and the kind of conversations that actually sound like Charleston. Devin and DJ break down how they got started, why the name fits, and how they've turned their show into a catalog of the city's food, music, art, sports, business, and all the weird little corners that make this place what it is.We also get into what it takes to keep a local show moving, how they find guests, why long-form conversations still matter, and what they want Shrimp City Report to become next. There's talk about MLW, Danny McBride, Bobby Hartin, the Charleston Battery supporters group The Regiment, and why Lewis Barbecue keeps ending up at the top of the list. If you know, you know.And of course, there are dips. Crab dip, shrimp dip, PBR, Old Bay, and enough side talk to keep the whole thing moving. It's one of those episodes that starts with food and ends up being about Charleston, community, and trying to build something people actually care about.

Lovin' Some Chewies w/Chasity & Nate Brown of Daddy's Girls Bakery | Ep 51 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

Sweet treats, big laughs, and a Charleston bakery that knows how to show up. This week on Snackin' & Yakkin' with BIG Ben Kennedy, Chasity and Nate Brown of Daddy's Girls Bakery drop in with the goods, the stories, and a whole lot of family pride. We talk about how Daddy's Girls Bakery started at home in 2016, how the shop opened during the pandemic, and why a bakery named after their daughters makes perfect sense once Nate explains it. We also get into the hustle, the neighborhood, the airport kiosk days, the barber shop and beauty salon route, and what it means to build a black-owned bakery in Charleston with real roots in the community. And yes, the snacks are the star of the show. Ben tries Charleston Chewies, cheesecake, cake, and more, and let's just say the Chewies are doing serious work. Soft, rich, buttery, brown-sugar goodness with a little Southern attitude. There's also talk of their custom cakes, bento box designs, cake decorating classes, ice cream, and the future plans they've got cooking, including an ice cream bike and an ice cream truck. If you love baked goods, local business stories, and a conversation that moves from food to family to pure Charleston energy, this one is for you. Support local. Support black-owned. And if you're near Reynolds Avenue, you already know where to go next. Follow Daddy's Girls Bakery: Instagram: @daddys_girls_bakery Facebook: @daddygirlsdesserts TikTok: @daddysgirlsbakery Visit them at: 2021 Reynolds Avenue, Suite B102, Charleston, SC

Drinkin' Up The Laughs w/Sam Pagano | Ep 50 | Snackin' & Yakkin'

Sam Pagano from Low Tide Brewing joins BIG Ben Kennedy for a wild, funny, beer-filled hang on episode 50(!) of Snackin' & Yakkin'. This one has everything, a brewing deep-dive, Charleston heat, food truck talk, ocean paranoia, and a very serious debate about Bruce the shark from Jaws.Sam shares how he got to Low Tide Brewing, what it took to grow into a bigger operation, and why the new Johns Island expansion is such a big deal. He also breaks down the brewery setup, the draft-first focus, and the food truck lineup that keeps the taproom fed and happy.Of course, no episode of Snackin' & Yakkin' stays on the rails for long. The snack stack gets weird in the best way, with Bigs dill pickle sunflower seeds, summer sausage, boiled peanut chaos, and way too many bathroom-adjacent thoughts for one studio. The beer lineup brings the good stuff too, including Aloha Beaches, Divot Maker, and the fan-favorite Blue Quencher.If you like craft beer, Charleston stories, ridiculous side quests, and two guys who can turn a sunflower seed bag into a full conversation, this one is for you.Check out Sam, Low Tide Brewing and keep up with the new buildout! Follow @gabagool65 & @lowtidebrewing