Creative Minds.

Unfiltered Stories.

Unexpected Truths.

In this series, we step out of the spotlight and into the shade - to have conversations and uncover real stories behind topics like brand-building, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism, music and entertainment, and the interesting characters who shape them.

FEATURED EPISODE

EP 008 - Mathew bowyer

He’s currently serving his federal prison sentence… Illegal bookmaker, jiu-jitsu dad, and unapologetic high-rolling gambler, Matt Bowyer pulls back the curtain on million-dollar Mondays, counting cards, and the FBI raid that upended his life. He talks losses, trolls, restitution, and why he’s turning chaos into purpose with his new book Recalibrate, a documentary, and motivational speaking. All while preparing for his prison sentence and focusing on family, mindset, and a legal comeback.

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  • EP 010 - Joe Scarnici

    EP 010 - Joe Scarnici

    Active-lifestyle photographer Joe Scarnici joins Shady Characters to unpack the craft behind nailing split-second moments—from touring 22 shows with Madonna to photographing Team USA medalists and high-stakes live sports. We talk anticipation vs. control, using psychology to direct portraits, learning video on the road, and why tennis (and even pickleball!) keeps him chasing the perfect frame.

  • EP 007 - Jeff Holmes

    EP 007 - Jeff Holmes

    Designer, musician, and community-radio music director, Jeff Holmes, joins the show to talk creative process, analog style, travel, and the surprising ways ideas find you. We also dig into vinyl reissues, theme-music-making, and why he built a life that leaves space to think.

  • EP 006 - Jes Stockhausen

    EP 006 - Jes Stockhausen

    A five-year van trip turned global creative lens: Oakley’s Jes Stockhausen shares how nomadic filmmaking, a Patagonian rescue dog, and a passion for the circular economy shaped his work… from surf helmets to an Oakley visor headed to the moon.

  • EP 005 - Brian Takumi

    EP 005 - Brian Takumi

    Oakley’s VP of Soul & Creative Brian Takumi joins Shady Characters to trace 28 years shaping the brand—from BMX roots to the iconic Square O, from wild Foothill Ranch culture to leading creative in a 200k-person matrix. He unpacks storytelling, “physics elevated to an art form,” and why AI is a tool—not the soul—of design.

  • EP 004 - Chris Stacey

    EP 004 - Chris Stacey

    Filmmaker Chris Stacey joins Shady Characters to share his journey from music videos and viral hits like Teach Me How to Duffy to feature films including The Blind. From selling his guitar to pay rent to seeing his work on thousands of theater screens, Chris talks legacy, creativity, and why saying “yes” shaped his career.

  • EP 001 - Evan Burgher & Tim DeBrincat

    EP 001 - Evan Burgher & Tim DeBrincat

    Tim DeBrincat and Evan Burgher of Thatch Creative join Tom Dioro to share their evolution from a small production shop to a full-service agency. They discuss storytelling, the creation of Shady Characters, and how family life inspires their creativity while keeping a personal touch in their work.