Dinerpod 39: Steven Mitchell

In this episode, Red Velvet goes via satellite to sit down with Steven Mitchell, the owner, promoter, and creative mind behind Elite Pro Wrestling (EPW). Stephen isn't just a man wearing many hats; he’s a survivor who has navigated the physical toll of the ring and a battle with brain cancer to build one of the most organized promotions on the independent circuit.

In this candid conversation, we dive into:

• The Origin Story: How a late-bloomer fan from the Attitude Era went from "backyarding" with metal pans to being trained for the pros in just four days.

• The Road to EPW: The wild, true story of how EPW was born out of buying a ring from Minnesota and a 10-hour white-knuckle drive with a truck bed full of steel the day of the show.

• Life in the Ring: Steven reflects on his recent retirement match—a brutal casket match against Jared Savage—and the "leap of faith" off a 12-foot ring that sealed the deal on his career.

• Building a Legacy: Why Steven prioritizes "guaranteed pay and professional footage" for his talent and his philosophy on molding characters like DD Jenks, Clayton Clark, and the Academy of Fire Arts.

• The "Cursed" Championship: The strange history of the EPW Heavyweight title and the innovative "Odyssey of the Elite" stipulation that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.

Whether you're a die-hard "smart mark" or just love a story about a father building a dream against the odds, this interview pulls back the curtain on the grind, the glory, and the heart of indie wrestling.

#wrestling #prowrestling #indiewrestling #promoter #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 38: This Past Weekend

Red Velvet is back in the studio — no guest this week, just a solo ride and a story that needed to be told.

After a fast and emotional trip to Georgia, Red breaks down the unforgettable weekend watching his son graduate from Infantry training and “Turn Blue.” From navigating the chaos of the Atlanta airport and questionable rental car decisions, to surviving Longhorn’s 20-minute “we’ll be right with you” delay (spoiler: we left), this episode has the laughs.

But it also has the heart.

You’ll hear about:

• The powerful Turning Blue ceremony

• A tear-filled moment with a soldier who had no family there

• Watching 18- and 19-year-olds board buses to their next duty stations minutes after graduation

• The legendary PX shake from Ms. D

• A blade engraving with meaning behind every detail

• And the wild airport sprint with approximately 45,000 bags of luggage

It’s funny. It’s emotional. It’s real.

This isn’t just a recap — it’s a dad watching his son grow up fast, serve his country, and step into manhood.

Plus, a quick thank you to the sponsors who make the show possible: Wabash Valley Plumbing, RJ’s Formal Wear, Varsity House Outfitters, and Ever Haute Co.

Hit play and ride solo with Red this week. 🇺🇸

#army #armynationalguard #military #militaryfamily #basictraining

Dinerpod 37: Brian Henry-North Putnam Baseball Coach

This episode of Dinerpod features an interview that is as much about life’s unexpected turns as it is about the diamond. Host Red Velvet sits down with North Putnam Cougars Head Baseball Coach Brian Henry to discuss his unique path to the dugout.

From his roots in "the town that time forgot" (Cambridge City) to a surprising stint as a trapeze catcher at an elite Pennsylvania summer camp, Coach Henry shares how he overcame a fear of heights and a rocky start at Ball State to find his true calling in education and athletics.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The "Circus" Background: How learning to fly and catch on a trapeze—and perfecting a legendary Eric Cartman impression—helped a shy kid find his voice and personality.

The Blue-Collar Journey: Coach Henry’s years grinding at FedEx, Cintas, and local glass shops while working his way back to a Master’s degree and a teaching license.

North Putnam Baseball Culture: Why Coach Henry believes in playing the "best nine" regardless of grade level and how his young roster is ready to turn last year's "battle scars" into wins.

The New MAC Conference: A look at the competitive landscape of the Monon Athletic Conference and why the new Tuesday/Wednesday series format is a game-changer for high school baseball.

"North Putnam feels like home... this is where I want to be."

Whether you're a Cougars fan or just someone who appreciates a story of resilience and "full-circle" moments, this conversation proves that the road to success is rarely a straight line.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing

RJs Formalwear

Varsity House Outfitters

Ever Haute Co.

#baseball #baseballcoach #highschoolbaseball #coaching #dinerpodsports