Mad Props with Chris Schnabel
Welcome to Mad Props with Chris Schnabel! We’re all about giving mad props to individuals in various industries while diving into their inspiring journeys. From the NBA to civil rights and beyond, we chat with people from diverse backgrounds. Produced by Chris Schnabel Music by Kyle Scott Edited by Chris Schnabel. Let’s celebrate success stories together!
Pokémon Sports Games Are FINALLY Here… Just Not From Nintendo
What if Pokémon had its own football game, baseball game, or tower defense game? Well, fans are making it happen, and Chris Schnabel is checking out three Pokémon-inspired games that bring some seriously creative ideas to life.
On this episode of Mad Props, Chris explores Pokémon All-22 Football, Pokémon All-22 Baseball, and PokéDefense, breaking down where these games came from, how they work, and why they're so much fun for Pokémon and sports fans.
First up is Pokémon All-22 Football, a fan-made experience that lets you build a footbal...
Dante Marchitelli on Becoming the Voice of the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have a new voice, and Dante Marchitelli is joining Mad Props to talk about nearly 30 years with the organization, his journey into sports broadcasting, and what comes next for one of the NBA's most exciting young teams.
Host Chris Schnabel, a lifelong Orlando Magic fan, sits down with Dante Marchitelli, the newly named television play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic following the retirement of legendary broadcaster David Steele.
Dante shares what it means to take over one of the most recognizable broadcasting positions in Orlando sports, how he first joined the Magic...
Building the Ultimate Cartoon Baseball Team
What happens when you randomly draft a baseball team using cartoon characters, superheroes, anime legends, and video game icons?
On this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel takes on a completely different kind of baseball challenge: building a full starting lineup using randomly generated fictional characters.
From Nintendo favorites like Kirby and Luigi to Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America, every pick presents a new challenge. Chris has to decide which character fits each baseball position, balancing speed, strength, athleticism, fielding ability, and even supernatural powers.
And not every character is...
Predicting the ENTIRE 2026 MLB Postseason
The 2026 MLB Postseason is here, and Chris Schnabel is breaking down his entire playoff bracket on Mad Props — from the Wild Card round through the ALCS, NLCS and World Series.
Which teams are actually built for October? Which contenders could fall apart early? And who will emerge as the unexpected postseason hero nobody sees coming?
Chris goes through every Wild Card matchup before laying out his path through the American and National League brackets. In the AL, he explains why he believes the Yankees' dominant starting pitching could overcome questions surrounding their lineup and eventually se...
Jim Obergefell on the Love Story That Changed American History | Original Air March3rd, 2021
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel throws it back to March 3, 2021, when civil rights activist Jim Obergefell joined the show to share the deeply personal story behind Obergefell v. Hodges and his unexpected path into civil rights advocacy.
Jim takes Chris back to 2013, when his longtime partner, John Arthur, was dying from ALS. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, Jim spontaneously proposed to John after nearly 21 years together.
Because they lived in Ohio, where their marriage would not be legally recognized, the couple chartered a...
How E. L. DuBois Turned Her Life Into Stories That Matter
Welcome to Mad Props. Today, we are joined by author and filmmaker E. L. DuBois at Comicpalooza in Houston for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, Hollywood, filmmaking, the Ransom series, and using entertainment to tell stories that actually mean something.
E. L. opens up about how her own experiences with trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, homelessness and survival eventually pushed her toward storytelling. Rather than presenting recovery as a simple happily-ever-after, she wanted to create stories that reflected the complicated reality of surviving trauma and rebuilding a life afterward.
That journey eventually led...
Chris Answers Your Questions: Spider-Man, Yankees, Nintendo & Mad Props
No guest this week — Chris Schnabel is opening up the Mad Props mailbag and answering your questions about the podcast, sports, Marvel, Nintendo, favorite guests, behind-the-scenes stories and more.
Chris kicks things off with his thoughts on Spider-Man: Brand New Day and why taking Spider-Man back to a more street-level story is exactly what he wanted to see from Tom Holland's version of the character.
From there, the mailbag goes everywhere.
Chris looks back at more than five years of Mad Props, including the interviews he immediately knew were special, guests wh...
Scott Koblish on Deadpool, Marvel & a Life in Comics | From June 22, 2022
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel throws it back to June 22, 2022, when legendary comic book artist Scott Koblish joined the show to talk Deadpool, Marvel, comic book movies, his career as an artist, and a lifetime spent in the comic book industry.
Chris originally met Scott at Lilac City Comic Con in Spokane, Washington, where Scott drew Chris and Mary as Deadpool. A few weeks later, Scott joined Mad Props for what became Episode 40 of the podcast.
Scott dives into his years working on Deadpool and why the character gives...
Debi Derryberry on Jimmy Neutron, Monster High & Making Music
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actress and musician Debi Derryberry for a conversation about Jimmy Neutron, Monster High, voice acting, music, conventions, and a career that has spanned decades of animation and entertainment.
Known around the world as the voice of Jimmy Neutron, Debi takes Chris behind the scenes of landing one of Nickelodeon's most recognizable roles, from auditioning for the original project to seeing Jimmy Neutron grow into a movie, television series, and character that fans still love decades later.
But voice acting is only...
A Werewolf Hiding at a Furry Convention?! Robert Saucedo Explains
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with writer Robert Saucedo at Comicpalooza in Houston to talk about Where Wolf, Curse of the Werewolf, horror-comedy, independent comics, monster movies, Texas storytelling, and the process of bringing a graphic novel to life.
Robert explains the wild premise behind Curse of the Werewolf: a reporter goes undercover at a furry convention to stop a werewolf from eating everyone.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Robert shares how his love of monsters, horror, comics and animation helped shape a series he...
Perri Kitei Got Hit by a Foul Ball While Broadcasting… TWICE
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes sports broadcaster Perri Kitei for a conversation about her journey into play-by-play, working with the Portland Sea Dogs, breaking into sports media, and the viral foul ball moments that put her in front of millions of baseball fans.
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Perri went viral after being hit by a foul ball while calling a Portland Sea Dogs game — and somehow, it wasn't even the first time it happened. The clips spread across MLB, ESPN, CBS Sports and social me...
History Helms on YouTube Success, History, Music & Creative Storytelling
https://sfdfoundation.org/
https://www.khq.com/fires/how-to-help-those-affected-by-the-spokane-area-fires/article_330d25f9-930b-4e5a-ad4f-e33d01861768.html
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes YouTuber History Helms for a conversation about the art of making history entertaining, building a successful YouTube channel, and turning historical events into engaging stories that millions of people want to watch.
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History Helms discusses how his YouTube channel came to life, why he chooses the topics he...
Gia Skova on Comics, Quantum Physics & Hollywood
Welcome to Mad Props! Host Chris Schnabel sits down with actress, filmmaker, model, stunt performer, and comic creator Gia Skova for one of the most fascinating conversations the show has ever had.
From creating comic books and starring in action films to discussing quantum physics, time travel, creativity, discipline, and the future of technology, Gia brings an incredibly unique perspective shaped by both art and science.
The conversation explores everything from filmmaking and storytelling to personal growth, health, daily routines, and how she approaches building ambitious creative projects.
<...My First Major Celebrity Interview: Rev Run (Run-DMC)
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel revisits one of the most important interviews of his career—a throwback conversation with Rev Run of Run-DMC.
Originally recorded in 2012 during Chris' college radio days at WNHU 88.7, this interview marked one of the very first major celebrity interviews that helped launch his career as a broadcaster and interviewer.
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Rev Run sits down to discuss leadership, family, work ethic, faith, hip-hop, and the lessons he's learned throughout his legendary career as a fo...
Defending the WORST Hot Takes on the Internet
Welcome to Mad Props. Chris Schnabel is joined by new co-host Chandler Williams for a completely different kind of episode: defending the indefensible.
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Chris and Chandler are given random hot takes with no preparation and must defend them as if they genuinely believe every word they say.
Nintendo should sue more people? Ads should come back to Netflix? Spoilers make movies better? Microtransactions are healthy for gaming?
No matter how terrible the opinion is, they have to...
Beserat Debebe on Ethiopian Mythology, Comics & Storytelling
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with comic creator Beserat Debebe, founder of Ethan Comics, to discuss creating original superheroes inspired by Ethiopian mythology, publishing independent comics, preserving African history through storytelling, and bringing new voices into the comic book industry.
Before the main interview, Chris is joined by Josh Allen, founder of Montana Dog Food Co., to discuss premium freeze-dried dog food, canine nutrition, and why healthier ingredients can make a difference for your pets.
Beserat shares the story behind Ethan Comics, how a personal challenge inspired...
Billy West on Futurama, Voice Acting, Comic Cons & His New Memoir
Welcome to Mad Props! Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor Billy West for an unforgettable conversation about one of the greatest careers in animation history.
Known as the voices behind Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg, Stimpy, Doug Funnie, Red M&M, Buzz the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Elmer Fudd, and countless other iconic characters, Billy shares the incredible stories behind his legendary career.
Topics include:
• The origins of Futurama and creating Fry
• Doug, Ren & Stimpy, and Nickelodeon history
• How Pr...
Live from Comicpalooza!
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel takes the stage at Comicpalooza for his first-ever live panel, The Art of the Interview.
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Recorded live at Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas, Chris pulls back the curtain on how Mad Props grew from a small podcast recorded over Zoom during the pandemic into a show with over 16,000 YouTube subscribers and conversations with legendary voice actors, creators, musicians, athletes, and entertainers.
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy that built Mad...
Sam Marin on Regular Show, Animation & Creativity
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Check out Montana Dog Food Co. https://montanadogfoodco.com/
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor, animator, and creator Sam Marin for a deep dive into his career in animation, his journey with Regular Show, and his creative projects beyond Cartoon Network.
Known as the voices of Benson, Pops, and Muscle Man on the beloved Cartoon Network series Regular Show, Sam shares how he met creator J.G. Quintel at CalArts, how the...
Author Kate Pentecost Talks Horror, Writing Novels & Building New Worlds
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes author Kate Pentecost for the first installment of the Comicpalooza interview series, recorded at Comicpalooza.
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Kate Pentecost is the author of Elysium Girls and That Dark Infinity, known for blending fantasy, horror, mythology, and unforgettable storytelling. During this live conversation from Comicpalooza, Kate discusses her journey into writing, the publishing industry, horror storytelling, creative inspiration, gaming concepts, music, and the future of interactive storytelling.
The conversation explores:
• Growing up wi...
Catherine Cavadini Talks Powerpuff Girls and Voice Acting
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes legendary voice actress Catherine Cavadini, best known as the voice of Blossom from The Powerpuff Girls, for a conversation about animation, voice acting, conventions, and the lasting legacy of one of Cartoon Network's most iconic series.
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Catherine shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of Cartoon Network, working with creator Craig McCracken, recording alongside Tara Strong and E.G. Daily, and helping bring one of animation's most beloved superheroes to life.
<...J.M. DeMatteis Talks Spider-Man, Comic Writing & Creative Purpose
What makes a great comic book story timeless?
Welcome to Mad Props. Today, host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary comic writer J. M. DeMatteis to talk about storytelling, creativity, spirituality, comics, and the emotional depth behind some of the most iconic comic book runs ever created.
Known for legendary works like Kraven's Last Hunt, Moonshadow, and his unforgettable runs on Spider-Man, Batman, and the Justice League, DeMatteis dives deep into the philosophy behind writing emotionally grounded stories that connect with readers across generations.
The conversation explores:<...
Grey DeLisle on Voice Acting, Songwriting, Touring Europe & Social Media Culture
Come watch our panel at Comicpalooza: https://bit.ly/MadProps-Comicpalooza
Grey DeLisle is one of the most iconic voice actresses in animation and ALSO a full-time touring musician and songwriter?
We sit down with legendary voice actress and musician Grey DeLisle to talk about balancing voice acting, music, motherhood, touring Europe, social media, conventions, creativity, and the evolving entertainment industry.
Grey opens up about:
Voicing iconic characters like Daphne Blake, Azula, Vicky, and MandyTouring Europe while balancing family life and parentingRediscovering songwriting during the pandemic after...Mad Props Mailbag: Talking YouTube Rabbit Holes, Guests, Sports Media & Comicpalooza
Welcome to Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel opens up the mailbag and answers listener-submitted questions about the podcast, his career, sports media, dream guests, behind-the-scenes stories, favorite interviews, and what it takes to keep Mad Props growing.
Chris talks about the evolution of Mad Props, how the podcast got its name, the early days of interviewing guests, and the moments that helped shape the show into what it is today. He also shares stories about past guests like Rob Paulsen, Phil LaMarr, Carlos Alazraqui, Julius Thomas, Ava Bunn, Jordan Ta’amu, Momo Sanogo, and more.
...From Rocko to Reno 911: Carlos Alazraqui Breaks Down Voice Acting
What does it take to create some of the most iconic voices in animation?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor Carlos Alazraqui—known for bringing characters like Rocko, Denzel Crocker, and roles in Reno 911! to life.
Carlos dives into:
How he created voices for Rocko, Crocker, Lazlo, and moreThe improv and real-life inspirations behind iconic charactersWhat it’s like hearing your voice come out of characters fans loveWhy nostalgia hits so hard for fans (Rocco, Spyro, Fairly OddParents)They also talk...
NASA Engineer Turned Author, Zach Taylor
What’s it like to work at NASA… and then go write a novel about rockstars?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with NASA engineer and author Zach Taylor to dive into two completely different worlds—space exploration and storytelling.
Zach shares:
How he became a NASA engineer and what the job is really likeThe pressure behind working on missions that impact human spaceflightWhy space exploration still matters (and what’s holding it back)The reality of NASA funding, missions, and long-term goalsHis journey into writing...Life After Football, Momo Sanogo
What happens when the game ends?
In this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel sits down with former Ole Miss standout and UFL champion Momo Sanogo to talk about the reality of life after football — from chasing NFL opportunities to making the difficult decision to step away from the game and build a new career.
Momo opens up about:
His journey through college football at Ole Miss and LouisvilleThe transition from XFL to UFL and winning a championshipThe emotional side of walking away from footballFinding purpose outside of sportsBreaking in...Most Electric Moments in Baseball
The MLB season is here—and this might be the most unpredictable, chaotic, and exciting year baseball has seen in decades.
In this solo episode of Mad Props with Chris Schnabel, Chris breaks down everything you need to know heading into the new MLB season: from the rise of baseball’s next generation of superstars to bold predictions, sleeper teams, and the biggest storylines shaping the future of the sport.
This episode dives deep into the evolution of baseball, including the impact of the automatic ball-strike system, skyrocketing player contracts, and loom...
I Played on an NBA Court
Play on an NBA court? That’s exactly what happened.
Welcome to Mad Props. Today, host Chris Schnabel shares his unreal experience playing pickup basketball on the official Orlando Magic court at the Kia Center during the Court of Dreams event hosted by the Sixth Man Show Podcast.
From being a lifelong Magic fan to stepping onto the same floor as legends like Dwight Howard and today’s stars, this episode breaks down the full journey—how the opportunity came together, what it felt like walking through the tunnel, and the moment...
Actress and Comedian, Ava Bunn
Comedian and actress Ava Marie Bunn joins Mad Props with Chris Schnabel to break down her rise from sketch comedy and one-woman shows to landing a breakout role in the Scrubs reboot.
In this episode, Ava shares the full journey—from grinding in live comedy and creating character-driven performances to navigating auditions, social media growth, and stepping onto a major TV set. She dives into what it’s really like seeing yourself on screen, balancing stand-up with acting, and building a career in comedy without a traditional roadmap.
If...
Comic Creator, Kyle Higgins
Comic creator Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black, Black Market Narrative) joins Mad Props with Chris Schnabel to break down the future of comics, creator-owned storytelling, and multimedia adaptation.
In this episode, Kyle shares how Radiant Black is redefining modern comics through innovative storytelling, transmedia strategy, and a creator-first approach. From Comic-Con networking to balancing art vs. business, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to build a lasting IP in today’s entertainment landscape.
If you’re into comics, storytelling, filmmaking, or building your own creative brand, this...
Quarterback, Jordan Ta'amu
Mad Props host Chris Schnabel sits down with Jordan Ta’amu — quarterback for the DC Defenders and former NFL QB — for a fun, competitive, and behind-the-scenes conversation that blends football, friendship, and everything in-between. From Hawaii to Ole Miss (SEC) to the pros, Jordan breaks down his journey, his mindset, and what it’s like navigating pro opportunities across leagues — plus stories from the road, gaming battles, and the real competitive edge that fueled a championship run.
Jordan Ta’amu: Jordan Ta...
Voice Actor, Phil LaMarr
Phil LaMarr joins Mad Props with Chris Schnabel for a wide-ranging conversation on voice acting, animation, and building one of the most versatile careers in entertainment.
Phil is best known for his iconic roles as Hermes Conrad (Futurama), Samurai Jack, Green Lantern (Justice League), and his on-screen role in Pulp Fiction, but his career spans decades across animation, television, film, video games, and live action.
In this episode, Phil breaks down how he got into voice acting, the discipline behind sustaining a long-term career in Hollywood, and what separates good voice actors from great ones...
Voice Actor, Rob Paulsen
Legendary voice actor Rob Paulsen joins Mad Props with Chris Schnabel for a deep-dive conversation covering Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), Jimmy Neutron, A Goofy Movie, and more. Rob shares stories from 40+ years in voice acting, plus his love for sports, hockey, the Detroit Red Wings, fandom culture, and the real impact of animation on generations of fans.
This episode blends voice actor interview, animation history, 90s cartoons nostalgia, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros animation, Disney, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories — plus Rob’s perspective on creativity, kindness, and longevity in entertainment.
Mascot Trailblazer, Dave Raymond
Welcome to Mad Props! Chris is joined by Mascot Trailblazer and original Phillie Phanatic Dave Raymond! Learn stories from the Phanatic, how he changed what a mascot is, and the power of happiness! #phillies #sports #podcast #philadelphia #mascot #baseballTry Audible today, head to https://www.audibletrial.com/madpropspod to start your 30-day free trial and get reading 📖Subscribe and follow for more captivating stories!Making Magic by Pat Williams:https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Making-Magic-How-Orlando-Team/dp/0941263118About Dave Raymond:Dave Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, is a trailblazer in sports entertainment and one of the creators of the mod...
Story Time.
Welcome to Mad Props! Chris discusses his latest shoots with Aaron Judge and Chet Holmgren, as well as his assisted shoot with Dak Prescott. 🎙 Follow Mad Props:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspodX: https://www.x.com/madpropspodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod🧼 This episode is brought to you by Neakasa. Clean your space today at neakasa.com using code MadPropsPod.📚 Try Audible free: https://www.audibletrial.com/SchnabelStudios📺 Produced by Chris Schnabel & Hannah Robertson🎬 A Schnabel Studios ProductionChapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Updates
03:45 - Behind the Scenes of Recent Shoots
...
Champion.
Welcome to Mad Props! Chris discusses the end of his time with the United Football League and his role as part of the championship-winning team. 🎙 Follow Mad Props:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspodX: https://www.x.com/madpropspodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod🧼 This episode is brought to you by Neakasa. Clean your space today at neakasa.com using code MadPropsPod.📚 Try Audible free: https://www.audibletrial.com/SchnabelStudios📺 Produced by Chris Schnabel & Hannah Robertson🎬 A Schnabel Studios ProductionChapters:
Theater Kids and How Embarrassing Chris Is
Welcome to Mad Props! Hannah and Chris discuss the Tony Awards, the aggressiveness of people from different states, and whether they suffer from embarrassment.
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🧼 This episode is brought to you by Neakasa. Clean your space today at neakasa.com using code MadPropsPod.
📚 Try Audible free: https://www.audibletrial.com/SchnabelStudios
📺 Produced by Chris Schnabel & Hannah Robertson
🎬 A Sch...
Chris's Birthday Episode
Chris turns 32 in this special birthday episode of Mad Props!
📱 Follow Mary:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mutti_moves/
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🧼 This episode is brought to you by Neakasa. Clean your space today at neakasa.com using code MadPropsPod.
📚 Try Audible free: https://www.audibletrial.com/SchnabelStudios
📺 Produced by Chris Schnabel & Hannah Robertson
We've Reached the Century Mark!
RaeAnn returns to the mic for our milestone 100th episode. Join hosts Chris Schnabel and Hannah Robertson as they reflect on the evolution of the Mad Props Podcast, their journey as co-hosts, how social media has changed podcasting, traveling through Austria, learning German, and celebrating you — our amazing fans who’ve supported us since day one.
Whether you’re a longtime listener or brand new, this episode is packed with personal stories, laughs, and real talk about life, content creation, and growth.
Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 - Celebrating Episode 10002:50 - The Evolution of Mad Props Podcast06:01 - The...
