Stick Lounge Podcast
Joe and Hampton dive deep into local business owners, groups, events, and whatever else we decide too!
Back to the Future Brunch, Bottomless Mimosas & 6,800 Dancers!! | Patrice Thorell & Melanie Sartin
Send us Fan Mail
🎙️ We sat down with Patrice Thorell, president of the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, to talk all things Bayside Brunch!
Join us for a full-spread, self-serve brunch at Anthony's HomePort in Des Moines on Sunday, November 1st at 9:30 AM — and this year it's Back to the Future themed! Expect a DJ spinning 80s music, live music, a costume contest, bottomless mimosas, a paddle raise, and a silent auction packed with donated items to bid on — from cruises to local restaurant gift cards to a cabin getaway on Heron Island...
Cassie Almost Died, Hamp Pretended to Be White & We Shot the Reptilians!
Send us Fan Mail
Cassie's back! Joe, Hamp, and Cassie reunite for a full-trio Stick Lounge banter episode — and it goes off the rails fast.
Hamp comes in hot with stories: the phone call where he had to "be the white guy," the great monkey-statue debate, and somebody actually calling the cops on his truck (this week's Hot as Fish Grease). Then it's Paranormal Corner: a glowing orb spotted over Snohomish, WA, a bold prediction that alien life will be confirmed by 2030, the general who vanished right...
The Race on Your Ballot Nobody Talks About | Harry Steinmetz Interview
Send us Fan Mail
Ballots are out — and there's a judge race on yours that almost nobody talks about. This week I sat down with Harry Steinmetz, candidate for King County District Court Judge (Southwest District, Position 4), to talk about what the job actually is, what voters get wrong about judges, and why he's running.
Harry is an Administrative Law Judge with the state Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, a former private attorney and health care advocate, an 18-year small business owner, and Des Moines' Deputy Mayor — where he's worked on downtown and marina revitalization, permit...
The Battle You Don’t See: Sage’s War With Her Mind
Send us Fan Mail
In this powerful episode of The Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Sage and her mother, Meegan, for a raw, honest conversation about navigating severe mental health challenges as a family. Sage has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and together they walk us through the long, difficult road toward getting her the proper care, medication, and support she needed.
Sage opens up about the hallucinations that once dominated her daily life — from the unsettling presence of an old woman who appeared and...
Escaping Abuse, Finding Freedom — The Light House Story
Send us Fan Mail
In this powerful episode of The Stick
Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hamp sit down with the incredible team from Light House North West, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of abuse rebuild their lives from the ground up.
For 13 years, Light House North West has
provided a safe haven for women, men, and children escaping dangerous
situations — offering housing, schooling,
job placement, and permanent residency tailored to each individual’s
needs. Their approach is deeply personal, meeting people exactly wher...
Inside the Chamber of Commerce: What They Do, Who Runs It, and Why It Matters
Send us Fan Mail
The Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
The Stick Lounge welcomes the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce!
Joe and Hamp sit down with Chamber President Tracy Buxton and Board Member Michelle Faucette‑Ray to dig into how the newly formed Chamber is shaking up local business life in Des Moines, WA.
From the hurdles of starting a small business and navigating city red tape to the perks of Chamber membership — like ribbon‑cutting ceremonies, grand‑opening spotlights, and community events — this episode dives d...
Catfish, Coast to Coast, & Chaos!!
Send us Fan Mail
Joe and Hamp are back in the studio after weeks of remote chaos — and they’ve got stories that’ll fry your brain and your catfish! Hamp is now the official 2026 Catfish Fry Cook‑Off Champion, proudly showing off a massive trophy at his Creole Soul restaurant. The guys break down every sizzling moment of the competition, shouting out Seattle Music Is Real and all the restaurants brave enough to face Hamp’s legendary batter.
Then Joe flips the switch to Paranormal Corner, where things get h...
Food Truck Lies, Catfish Battles & MK Ultra!!
Send us Fan Mail
Joe and Hamp are BACK in the Stick Lounge Studio — finally! After weeks of going mobile (Live at Creole Soul, Live at the Bayside Ball, and even a wild “swapcast” with Seattle Music Is Real), the crew returns home to break down all the recent remote episodes and the madness behind them.
This week, Hamp gears up for the Catfish Fry Cook Off, where he’ll be throwing down against multiple restaurants in a battle hosted by Seattle Music Is Real and hip‑hop art...
Time Travel, UFO’s and Hamps Spoon War!!
Send us Fan Mail
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, the crew is back with another rollercoaster of chaos, conspiracies, and Creole Soul catastrophes.
We kick things off with Hot As Fish Grease, where Hamp is heated — and rightfully so. Turns out some of the help at Creole Soul has been throwing away his custom black silverware. Not the cheap stuff either. Forty premium spoons… gone. Vanished. Buried somewhere in a landfill like they were evidence in a mob case. Hamp is ready to file a missi...
Stick Lounge Podcast Live at Creole Soul!!
Send us Fan Mail
The Stick Lounge crew goes live in Hamps restaurant Creole Soul! We cover everything from Hamps issues with his "regularity", his off the cuff comments at Walgreens, to Cassie's potential run ins with bigfoot, and even get some UFO and alien stories from the crowd!! Thanks to everyone who came out! Enjoy!
Also make sure to check out Stick Lounge on all our platforms!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571618356907
https://www.instagram.com/stick_lounge/
https://www.tiktok.com/@stick.lounge.podc?lang=en
...Bigfoot Migration, Sea Serpent Sighting, Alien Files Released & Hamp’s Constipation Saga
Send us Fan Mail
Intro 00:00:32
Top Comments 00:03:00
Cross-Culture Chaos 00:17:00
Hot as Fish Grease 00:24:42
Paranormal Corner 00:39:38
Alien Update 00:46:12
Outro 01:17:37
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hamp dive headfirst into the ongoing saga of Hamp’s surgeries — and this time, it’s not the stitches or the pain that’s got him fired up. Nope… it’s constipation. In a brutally honest and hysterical Hot As Fish Grease segment, H...
Hamp Snaps, Scientists Vanish & Joe Drops NASA Receipts!
Send us Fan Mail
Creole Soul Chaos, Family Scams & “Is Space Even Real?” — Stick Lounge Gets Spicy
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe, Hamp, and Cassie dive into one of the wildest mixes of real‑life drama and cosmic confusion yet.
The crew kicks things off with an update from Creole Soul, where business is still booming and the pressure is still on. Hampton and Cassie break down how they’re keeping up with the nonstop demand, the long hours...
Viral Catfish Madness, UFO Anomalies & Hidden Government Bunkers!
Send us Fan Mail
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, Cassie from Creole Soul jumps into the chaos with Joe and Hamp — and things get wild fast.
Hamp’s viral catfish has officially blown up the internet, and Creole Soul is slammed. It’s just Cassie behind the bar and Hamp running the entire kitchen solo… so if you stop by, BE PATIENT! In Hot as Fish Grease, the crew breaks down the perks and the pressure of going viral — and the impatient customers who don’t get that it’s a two‑person o...
Catfish Goes Viral, Idaho Goes Wrong & Politicians Talk Aliens
Send us Fan Mail
Louisiana Catfish Fame, Idaho Furniture Fails & Alien Breeding Programs?!
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hamp are flying solo — and somehow that makes the chaos even better.
First up, Creole Soul is officially going viral. Hamp’s Louisiana catfish has blown up on social media, and people are driving in from everywhere just to get a plate. Business is booming, the bar is packed, and Hamp is finally getting the culinary respect he deserves.
Then it’s time for Hot as Fish Grease, and of cou...
Disappearing Scientists, Alien.gov & Hamp’s Pod‑From‑Hell Story
Send us Fan Mail
Hamp’s Back (Again), Furniture Fiascos & UFO Files Vanish?!
This week on The Stick Lounge Podcast, Hampton is officially back in the studio — fresh out of yet another surgery. This time the doctors sliced him open from elbow to hand trying to fix the nerve damage caused by the last surgery. Poor Hamp. We’re rooting for you, brother.
But he’s here, he’s healing, and he’s catching us up on life in Idaho… which is already giving him enough material for a whole season.
We’re also jo...
Addiction, Disorder, and the System
Send us Fan Mail
Positive Awakenings Series — Featuring Nurse Practitioner Wendell Sylvester
This week, Joe and Counselor Dekel Zuhri return with another powerful installment of the Positive Awakenings Series — and their guest, Wendell Sylvester, brings a lifetime of experience, insight, and honesty to the table. A seasoned Nurse Practitioner with years in the medical field, Wendell opens up about the moments that shaped him, the challenges he’s faced, and the realities he’s witnessed firsthand.
What begins as a conversation about Wendell’s upbringing quickly expands into a wide‑ranging, eye‑opening discussion. We...
Diamonds, Drinks, and Des Moines!
Send us Fan Mail
This week on the Stick Lounge Podcast, we’re rolling out the red carpet for a very special episode!
Joe sits down with Richard Waldron, Vice President of the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, and Ted Pickett, the musical talent headlining this year’s Diamond Ball.
The guys dig into everything you need to know about the Legacy Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser — the Diamond Ball, a night packed with silent auctions, paddle raises, great food, drinks, and...
From Tailgates to Alternate Realities
Send us Fan Mail
Joe and Hamp dive into Hamp’s big move to Nampa, Idaho—from adjusting to small‑town living to realizing just how expensive it is to furnish an entire house after buying one. New appliances, new furniture, new everything… Hamp’s wallet is already begging for mercy.
Then we slide into Hot as Fish Grease, where Hamp vents about Idaho drivers tailgating him like he stole something. His solution? Stick his Black arm out the window—something that instantly made everyone back off, considering there aren’t many Black folks in his new...
Alien Disclosure: The Truth Is Out!
Send us Fan Mail
This week on the Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hamp kick things off with a wild recap of a party at Hamp’s bar, Creole Soul — and let’s just say the age‑old phrase “the customer is always right” does not survive this episode. In fact, sometimes… they’re straight‑up assholes. The guys have stories.
Then it’s time for Hot as Fish Grease, where Hamp is furious — but this time, the smoke is aimed at himself. Why? Because he managed to soak his entire fully‑clothed body with freezing water while try...
Positive Awakenings — Episode 2, Mwiche Lupambo
Send us Fan Mail
Joe and Counselor Dekel Zuhri return with another powerful installment of the Positive Awakening Series, and this week they’re joined by Marriage and Family Therapist Mwiche Lupambo for a conversation that’s as honest as it is inspiring.
Mwiche shares her remarkable journey from Zambia to the United States — a path filled with challenges, cultural adjustments, and the determination to pursue her calling in mental health. She opens up about the moment she realized she was experiencing depression herself, and how, in...
Cut Off by Grandma, Chased by Aliens
Send us Fan Mail
This week on the Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hamp are broadcasting from… Hamp’s temporary residence. Yes, the Stick Lounge is Hamp’s in‑between‑homes crash pad, and Joe wastes no time joking about “breaking in” to record. Don’t worry — it’s only until Hamp closes on that mysterious new house in Idaho.
Then the guys dive into the Seattle Seahawks’ massive Super Bowl win, and the big news: they’re working on getting a team member on the show...
When the System Fails Women: The Endo Crisis
Send us Fan Mail
This week, the Stick Lounge crew sits down with two incredible Endo Warriors, Angela and Michelle — women who have been battling endometriosis for most of their lives. After years of being dismissed by doctors, enduring multiple surgeries, and fighting through a world full of disbelief, they’re stepping up to share their stories with honesty, strength, and purpose.
Their message to young girls and women everywhere is simple but powerful: “You’re not alone. This is real.”
We also break down Washington State Senate Bill 5985<...
Chaos, Conspiracies & Compact Cars!
Send us Fan Mail
This week on the Stick Lounge Podcast, Joe and Hampton kick things off with Project Anchor — the wild claim that on August 12th, gravity is supposedly going to shut off… and NASA is in on it. Is it science, satire, or straight-up internet madness? The guys dig in.
Then it’s time for Hot as Fish Grease, where Hamp reveals that someone actually called the police on him for where he’s been parking his VW Beetle. A Beetle. The smallest car on Earth. How...
The Stick Lounge Podcast x Positive Awakenings — Episode 1
Send us Fan Mail
This week, Joe sits down with Dekel, the founder of Positive Awakenings, for a powerful and eye‑opening conversation about mental health, healing, and what it really means to ask for help. Together, they unpack one of the biggest questions people struggle with: When is therapy the right choice?
From breaking the stigma around seeking support to challenging the generational beliefs that keep so many people silent, Joe and Dekel dive deep into why therapy is still misunderstood — and why that needs to change. They explore how different cultures view m...
Medical Mix‑Ups & Mummies in Peru
Send us Fan Mail
Hamp is back under the knife… but not for the reason you think. A knee replacement somehow turned into nerve damage in his hand, and let’s just say somebody seriously dropped the ball. Hamp is Hot As Fish Grease and ready to talk about it.
Then Joe fires up Paranormal Corner and takes us all the way to Peru, where the Nazca Lines, ancient mysteries, and those newly discovered tridactyl mummies crank the weird meter to max.
A medical mystery, a paranormal deep di...
Fees, Ferries, and Freaky Forest Audio
Send us Fan Mail
00:00 Intro
02:15 Hamps trip to Vashon
07:14 Hamps lost on the ferry
08:50 Hot As Fish Grease!
39:45 Hamps C-Pap
44:41 Paranormal Corner
51:25 Sierra Sounds
Everything’s Got a Price… Even Sasquatch?
Joe and Hamp are fired up this week as they break down why everything seems to come with a fee these days — including that wild new 95% tax on nicotine products. Plus, Hamp somehow manages to get lost on the ferry, and the guys have thoughts.
Then it’s time for Pa...
2026 Kickoff: Bad Drivers, Big Plans, and UAPs
Send us Fan Mail
New year, new vibe at The Stick Lounge!
Hamp and Joe are kicking off 2026 with a refreshed format that keeps the interviews you love but adds a whole lot more personality, chaos, and pure fun. This season, they’re mixing in new segments that let them roam wherever their curiosity (or irritation) takes them.
🔥 Hot As Fish Grease — Hamp vents about the everyday nonsense that pushes him to the brink.
👻 Paranormal Corner — Joe dives headfirst into the strange, the une...
The Hidden CEO of Your City: Kathrine Caffrey Breaks It Down
Send us Fan Mail
Ever wonder who actually runs your city behind the scenes?
Or how major local decisions get made long before they hit the news?
In this episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Des Moines City Manager Kathrine Caffrey for a deep dive into the engine room of local government. Kathrine breaks down what a City Manager really does, how she found her way into public service, and why this role is so critical to a city’s success.
We exp...
Leading a Small City! A Conversation with Mayor Traci Buxton
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton. After six years on the city council and two years as mayor, Traci is finishing her final year in office. We look back at key projects she’s helped lead and explore her hopes for the city’s future.
Traci also shares how she first stepped into public service, what it really takes to thrive in local politics, and why women have historically faced barriers in this space. We dig...
“Love Is in the Hair”: The Annie Fisher Story
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Annie Fisher — owner of AFH (Annie Fisher Hair Salon). Annie shares how she first fell in love with doing hair, despite being told it wasn’t a “real career” and was simply something to do until she figured out her life’s direction.
She opens up about the challenges she faced, the resilience she built, and the bold decision to move her young family to Seattle, where she eventually opened her own salon. O...
Blades, Bikes, and Belly Laughs with Clover Creek!
Send us Fan Mail
In this lively and heartfelt episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, hosts Joe and Hampton welcome Jeff Armstrong, a seasoned professional whose career has spanned mechanics, machining, and construction. Jeff recently took a bold step into entrepreneurship by launching Clover Creek Sharpening Services, his own knife sharpening business.
Together, the hosts and Jeff reflect on his many years in the trades, sharing comedic and insightful stories from the job site. Jeff also dives into what inspired him to start sharpening knives professionally, while op...
Ghosts, Gadgets & the Science of Touch!
Send us Fan Mail
What happens when a scientist with nine patents in energy storage joins forces with a veteran ghost hunter with 30 years of paranormal experience? You get a groundbreaking conversation that blends hard science with haunted history.
In this episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Ross Allison, founder of AGHOST and Chad Goodwin to explore the frontier of parascience—where data meets the dead. From custom-built instruments that measure unseen forces to firsthand accounts of ghostly encounters, this episode dives deep into the question: Can they prove that...
Before the Sky Took Him: Eternal Motion Pictures in Focus
Send us Fan Mail
In this cinematic episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with the visionary duo behind Eternal Motion Pictures — David and Allan — two lifelong friends whose childhood passion for filmmaking blossomed into a creative powerhouse. They take us behind the lens to share how their early wonderment evolved into a collaborative journey of storytelling, technical mastery, and artistic growth.
We explore:
• 🎥 How they make their indie films look so polished on a tight budget
• 💡 Where their story ideas come from — and how they bring them to lif...
From Biotech to Community Leadership — A Conversation with Pierre Blosse
Send us Fan Mail
In this inspiring episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Des Moines City Council candidate, Pierre Blosse, a scientist-turned-entrepreneur and passionate community advocate whose journey spans continents, industries, and impact.
Born in Nantes, France and raised in California’s Bay Area, Pierre Blosse shares how a love for science led to degrees in Genetics and Plant Biology from UC Berkeley and a unique Master of Business and Science in Biotechnology from KGI. After nearly a decade at DuPont Pioneer in Iowa, they foun...
Policy, Progress, and Politics: A Conversation with Kevin Schilling
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, The Stick Lounge Podcast welcomes back Kevin Schilling, Mayor of Burien and candidate for state legislature. Kevin shares his journey from growing up in Des Moines as a fourth-generation Washingtonian to serving his community through AmeriCorps, city council, and now mayoral leadership. We dive into his early education, global experiences, union roots, and academic achievements at WSU, Columbia, and LSE. Kevin also discusses his legislative priorities—from housing and mental health to climate action and government accountability—and reflects on what drives his pu...
Plugged In: Randy Hansen & Lori Lowenstein Jam with Stonehouse Wednesday
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, the Stick Lounge Podcast welcomes back the legendary Randy Hansen—this time joined by his close friend and fellow musician, Lori Lowenstein. Together, Randy and Lori front Stonehouse Wednesday, blending Randy’s original compositions with Lori’s melodic vocals and evocative lyrics.
We dive into the story of how their musical partnership began, the journey they’ve shared, and the incredible artists and bands they’ve crossed paths with along the way. Trust us—some of the names dropped in thi...
Years of Pain, One Diagnosis. Lily's Story
Send us Fan Mail
In this powerful episode of Stick Lounge Podcast, we sit down with Lily to hear her story—a journey that began when she was just 12 years old. For years, Lily experienced unexplained symptoms that left her in pain and confusion. Despite countless visits to doctors, she was repeatedly dismissed, told she was “fine,” and made to feel like it was all in her head.
It wasn’t until a series of unexpected events led her to discover endometriosis—a condition that affects millions of women but...
Ghost or Gray? Joe's Creepy Encounter!
Send us Fan Mail
🎃 Special Halloween Episode: "Ghost or Gray?" 👻
On this hauntingly special episode of the Stick Lounge Podcast, we embrace the magic of our favorite season—Halloween! Think crisp autumn air, crunchy leaves underfoot, pumpkin-flavored everything, and of course… a classic ghost story.
But this tale hits close to home. It’s a chilling encounter from Joe’s childhood in Nevada—an experience that still leaves him wondering. Was it a ghost? Something else? Maybe even something not of this world?
Tune in and decide for yourself. We hop...
Purple Haze & Tribute Days! A Conversation with Randy Hansen
Send us Fan Mail
Stick Lounge Podcast had the pleasure of sitting down with legendary guitarist Randy Hansen and his longtime manager, Kevin Fillo. This unforgettable interview was a blast! Randy treated us to a personal performance right in the Stick Lounge, gifted former Des Moines Mayor Matt Pina a custom guitar, and shared incredible stories from his life, his tours, and the many fascinating people he’s met along the way.
Randy is not only an extraordinary talent—he’s also just a genuinely great guy...
"Pain Is Not Normal!" Talking Endometriosis with Dr. Brooke Winner.
Send us Fan Mail
Stick Lounge Podcast sits down with Dr. Brooke Winner. Dr. Winner is a fellowship-trained, board-certified, high-volume minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon. She is the founder of Full Spectrum Fibroid and Endometriosis. A quote from Dr. Winner, “I founded this clinic after hearing the exact same heartbreaking stories over and over from my patients. At first it made me sad, and now it just makes me mad. Women deserve so much better.” Dr. Brooke Winner came to us through a series of other interviews. My daughter had been struggling with...
