Love, Lies & Rock Ballads: Valentine’s, The Halftime Show, and Kool-Aid Politics

02/17/25 • 24 min

This week on The Bearded Baldcast: A Wes Side Story, we’re covering a little bit of everything—just like a chaotic Valentine’s Day dinner where the restaurant overbooks and your steak comes out well-done.

First, we talk about Valentine’s Day, the holiday that forces us all to decide between grand romantic gestures or aggressively ignoring overpriced chocolates. Then, it’s all about the Super Bowl Halftime Show—was it legendary or just another overhyped spectacle? (And no, I don’t care what your uncle on Facebook said about it.)

Next, we dive into the awkward reality of friends who drank the Kool-Aid on President Trump—how do you even navigate those conversations without your blood pressure spiking? Do you just smile and nod? Send them a history book? Move to a remote cabin in the woods? We’ll talk about it.

And finally, we close things out with a deep dive into Broadway’s cast recording of Swept Away—because if there’s one thing that can make sense of all this chaos, it’s some damn good storytelling set to music.

Buckle up, because this one’s got love, politics, rock ballads, and a whole lot of opinions. Let’s do this!

Buckle up, because this one’s got love, politics, rock ballads, and a whole lot of opinions. Let’s do this!

Previous Episode

Abracadabra, VA Shakeups & Movie Mania: A Wickedly Good Time!

Hold onto your wigs and broomsticks, because this episode of The Bearded Baldcast: A Wes Side Story is packed with magic, mayhem, and some mildly dramatic opinions.

First up, I dive into Lady Gaga’s latest single, "Abracadabra", which—spoiler alert—is an absolute serve. Think high-drama dance battles, red leather couture, and choreography that makes me question my own coordination. Gaga is back, and she’s bringing the magic with her.

Then, we shift gears to the latest shakeups at the VA under President Trump—and while I never thought I’d say this, it looks like the VA is actually making some positive changes? (I know. I had to sit down too.) Veterans deserve better, and for once, it seems like things might be moving in the right direction.

But don’t worry, it’s not all serious talk. I’m also airing my cinematic frustrations—because honestly, can Hollywood please stop feeding us reheated leftovers? Not every movie needs a sequel, prequel, or reboot. However, hope is not lost, because this summer’s lineup is stacked! The new Jurassic Park has me ready to dodge imaginary dinosaurs in my living room, and I can’t wait to see what other blockbusters will have me throwing my popcorn in excitement.

And of course, we cap it all off with my sheer excitement for Universal’s Epic Universe and the “Wicked” trailer debuting during the Super Bowl. Did I know what was happening in the game? No. Did I act like I cared just to get to the Wicked trailer? Absolutely. It’s basically sports for theater kids, and I have zero regrets.

If you’re loving The Bearded Baldcast, do me a favor—share this episode with your friends, post about it, and help spread the word! More listeners = more episodes, and trust me, I’ve got opinions to share. 🎧✨

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Next Episode

Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way: The Truth About Leadership & Ownership

Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s not about power. It’s about earning respect, making tough decisions, and taking full ownership of your journey. In this episode of The Bearded Baldcast: A Wes Side Story, I break down what leadership really takes—the failures, the lessons, and the mindset shifts that separate great leaders from those who just hold a title.

I’ll share personal experiences from my time in the Marine Corps, working in prison operations in Iraq, and leading in high-stakes situations in Afghanistan, where bad leadership meant life-or-death consequences. I’ll also talk about how my time in retail and Disney leadership showed me that not every leader is a mentor and why mentorship only works if you take ownership of your own growth.

We’ll cover:
🔥 Why you have to follow before you can lead
🔥 How bad leadership can destroy a team
🔥 The power of calculated decision-making under pressure
🔥 My leadership mantra: ‘Teach, Don’t Task’
🔥 Why no one owes you anything on your leadership journey

If you want to lead, you have to earn it. This episode will challenge you, push you, and maybe even piss you off—but it will make you better. Tune in, take notes, and start owning your leadership journey today.