After a short break, I'm back behind the mic with some honest reflections. In this episode, I open up about my absence over the past couple weeks, the career crossroads that have me questioning the future of the podcast, and the internal debate of whether to keep going. But it’s not all heavy—because this week, I’m heading to EPIC Universe and I’m beyond excited. I share what it means to experience attractions tied to the I.P.s that shaped my childhood, and how that kind of magic might just be the spark I needed. Finally, I lay out some thoughts on what’s next for The Bearded Baldcast, how I want to evolve it, and what you can expect if I continue forward. If you’ve ever faced doubts about chasing your passion, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I take you along for the ride (literally) as I recount my trip to Oregon—from smooth TSA experiences (yes, you read that right) to airport food adventures. But not everything was sunshine and easy boarding; I have some thoughts about the prehistoric relic working at the Dallas airport TGI Fridays who is now officially on my crap list. 🦖💀

Speaking of sunshine, this vacation has been all about soaking up the rays and fighting my natural state of translucency. I talk about embracing the sun like it owes me something and making the most of every golden moment.

And of course, what’s a trip without some theme park love? 🎢 Eddie and I finally secured our Universal annual passes, which means a whole new world (or at least, a few themed lands) of adventures ahead. Tune in for the details, the drama, and the occasional rant.

🔥 Listen now for:✔️ TSA actually being...easy?!✔️ Airport food hits & misses✔️ The Jurassic-era TGI Fridays employee 🦕✔️ Sunbathing: A necessary battle against ghostly complexions✔️ Universal annual pass excitement!

🔊 Hit play and let’s go! 🎧✨

In this episode of The Bearded Baldcast, we kick things off with some exciting news—the launch of the brand-new website! Make sure to check it out, subscribe, and dive into The Bearded Blogcast, where I’ll be sharing even more thoughts, hot takes, and rants in written form.

Next, we get into a topic that hits close to home: JD Vance and his time in the Marine Corps. As a fellow Marine veteran, I discuss why I find him embarrassing and how his politics don’t align with the values many of us stood for in service.

Then, it’s time for some fun—vacation planning! Oregon is on the horizon, and I talk about what I’m looking forward to on this upcoming trip.

Finally, we dive into the future of theme parks, covering Disney’s expansion plans and the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe. What’s coming, what I’m excited for, and what this means for the theme park wars—it's all in this episode!

Tune in and let’s talk about it all on The Bearded Baldcast!

In this episode of The Bearded Baldcast: A Wes Side Story, I take you along for a date day with Eddie, packed with all my favorite (and least favorite) things. We start with my deep-rooted obsession with bookstores—specifically, a trip to Books-A-Million, where I once again prove that I have absolutely no self-control when surrounded by shelves of stories. Then, we make the dreaded stop at Hobby Lobby, where I question why a craft store needs to be aggressively Christian and why I keep subjecting myself to the experience.

Of course, no date day is complete without food, and I make the case for why Culvers is the undisputed king of fast food. From there, we dive into my latest hyperfixation—Grease: Live—because let’s be honest, it deserves more love. And speaking of musical theater, I check out the current Wicked stage performers and reflect on how the Norwegian cast’s viral rendition of Defying Gravity on TikTok absolutely rocked my world.

Join me for a chaotic but passionate ride through books, burgers, Broadway, and the bizarre realities of craft store culture!

In this episode of The Bearded Baldcast: A Wes Side Story, I’m getting real about how this constant exposure is eroding our mental health, how patriotism has been twisted into a game of dominance, and how masculinity has been warped into something toxic. I’ll talk about my own experience with PTSD, how it’s shaped the way I see the world, and why I refuse to believe that destruction is the only way forward.So, if you’re feeling weighed down by everything happening in the world, if you’re looking for a way to reclaim your own humanity, or if you just need a reminder that there’s still beauty left in all this chaos—this episode is for you. Because I believe we can be better. I believe we can choose something greater than violence. And I believe, now more than ever, that in a world obsessed with destruction, the most revolutionary thing you can do is create.

Stay safe. Stay human. And most of all—keep creating.

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.

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!

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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