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What:

The World’s TOUGHEST Men & Women – at their most VULNERABLE.
Their stories of triumph. Their falls from grace. And… their climb back, to the top. To LIFE.

Introducing 2020’s most outrageous and though-provoking new podcast, Rick Bassman’s Talking Tough. Featuring the WORLD’S TOUGHEST men and women, at their most-vulnerable.

The leaders of The Hells Angels and the Navy Seals, of the Crips street gang, and of our nation’s most-under-fire police departments.

Each of these amazing individuals have risen to the very top of his or her world, and crashed to the bottom in spectacular fashion.

The most-notable collection of guests ever assembled for a Podcast’s inaugural season, from WWE

Superstars and UFC Legends, hear the stories of how they rose to the pinnacles of their chosen professions, to Holocaust Survivors and former Child Soldiers, transitioning from a “normal” life, to the most-horrific existence that life can bring.

Talking Tough peels back the surface of these seemingly TOUGHEST of men and women, going deep to reveal the vulnerability beneath… the failures, the pain, the shame, and ultimately… the strength, the resilience and the heart which enabled them to fight their back to the top. To life.

Equal parts entertainment and inspiration… the most outrageous and though-provoking podcast of 2020… Rick Bassman’s Talking Tough!

Who:

Just a small sampling of Guests on “Season One” of Talking Tough:

From LAPD Sergeant DEON JOSEPH –who looks like he walked off the pages of a superhero comic book—and has become known as the “Angel of Skid Row,” managing the nation’s toughest police beat with a heart of gold…” to 6’6”, 300 lbs. RUSTY COONES, the world’s most-respected and highest-ranking Hell’s Angel who runs the country’s biggest Toys for Tots drives… to true patriot RICHARD MARCINKO, the storied Founder of the Navy’s elite Seal Team Six… to “Wolf Pac” Founder KALA ALEXANDER, who “runs” Hawaii’s North Shore with an equal measure of benevolence and iron fist, and also runs Hawaii’s most notable Foundation for childhood cystic fibrosis… TALKING TOUGH examines the steely exterior of its Guests, and goes deep with them into their hearts and souls.

AZIM KHAMISA is the pinnacle of the immigrant-makes-good story. Once in America, he worked hard, and accomplished his greatest dream when son Tariq was admitted to a major university. Tariq was murdered in a gang initiation ritual in cold blood shortly after he began his studies. His murderer, TONY HICKS, was the first minor in California sentenced to life in prison as an adult. Azim remained bedridden for a year, contemplating suicide. He got up, reached out to Tony’s family, and befriended Tony’s grandfather, PLES FELIX. Together, they founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, to combat youth violence. Then for nearly three decades, Azim campaigned for Tony’s parole. Released from prison in 2019, Tony now works side-by-side in the Foundation.

Pro Wrestling, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Legends, KURT ANGLE, BUTTERBEAN, MARK COLEMAN, MARK KERR, JAKE “THE SNAKE” ROBERTS and KEN SHAMROCK have all lived in the very brightest of spotlights, achieving fame and fortune in and out of the ring and the cage. Living the epitome of the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle, each crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, and fell to a horrible bottom. And each has come back to life, peeling away the layers of life’s superficiality, to find true purpose, hope and inner-peace.

Similar and shared experiences allow Rick to go deep with his Guests on TALKING TOUGH. Although each interview covers the “fun” stories that made he –or she-- the “Tough” person they are perceived to be, TALKING TOUGH focuses equally –and even more so—on what went wrong. The stories of despair and loss of hope. Of shame. And ultimately, of taking responsibility. To emerge in a new life characterized by hope, forgiveness, truth, accountability, peace, love, and ultimately… inspiration.

Why:

In 2020, people worldwide are suffering more and more. Divisiveness and lack of regard for one’s fellow human have reached a zenith. And seemingly, has becoming acceptable. Yet simultaneously, there is a surging groundswell toward spirituality and service. Never before have two such polar opposites risen to the current levels. TALKING TOUGH aims to be a small example of this “battle;” the battle –and ultimately the victory-- for the BAD to become GOOD. Through examples of the TOUGHEST men and women revealing the depth of their VULNERABILITY, TALKING TOUGH aims at its “target” audience–certainly those who are looking to be entertained by larger-than-life stories—but more so, those in despair. And TALKING TOUGH aspires to hit its target, with a genuine message of hope, spirit and inspiration.

The Producers

Rachel Sartoris
Rachel Sartoris has been an Executive Producer and Producer of live events and video production for more than 20 years. Working with entertainment and corporate clients, as well as live broadcast award shows, international film festivals, film premieres and events at ComicCon. Rachel brings passion, knowledge and experience in production to the Talking Tough team.

John Poz
John Poz from the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling:
Since debuting in January 2015 and named one of RollingStone.com’s “18 Pro Wrestling Podcasts To Follow”, The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling has become a strong content provider in the podcast medium. TMPT conducts the most in depth interviews in the entire genre of Professional Wrestling. TMPT also co-hosts shows, Triple Threat Podcast with “The Franchise” Shane Douglas: and “Taking You to School” with Dr. Tom Prichard as well as “JJ: The JJ Dillon Podcast” and "The University of Dutch" with Dutch Mantell. Follow @TwoManPowerTrip on Twitter for Episode Previews and Show Coverage. Subscribe on YouTube for Interview Highlights and BEST OF Clips.