Longtime friend and New Zealand best-selling author, Erin Palmisano, joins Big Ben Kennedy for an episode of Snacking & Yakkin' that brings together friendship, writing, travel, and the heart of what makes a story memorable. From growing up in Maryland to running restaurants halfway across the world, Erin’s lived experiences fuel her novels and spark real conversations about creativity, change, and chasing dreams from one country to another.They don’t just catch up—they dig into the stories behind Erin’s books, “The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna” and “The Secrets of Maiden’s Cove.” Learn how a lockdown writing challenge led to a published debut. Hear the role Maryland, travel, food, and friendship play in Erin’s stories and how her family ties and memories infuse every page. Whether you love food, books, or just honest talk about life and loss, this episode will pull you in.And of course, no episode is complete without snacking! The two share laughs over white cheddar popcorn, missing ranch dressing, food nostalgia, and the power of a simple American snack when you’re living abroad.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to write and publish a book, or how memories of home shape your perspective, you’ll find plenty here to enjoy.Grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy a true meeting of friends, flavors, and stories. If Erin’s words make you want to visit Maryland, or just call your childhood best friend, tell us in the comments. And let us know if you’ve ever tried writing a novel (or just really, really missed ranch dressing). Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!Connect with Erin at: erinpalmisano.com and on social media at @authorerinpalmisano!

Laugh and snack with us as I sit down with Sara Meagan, a standout comic from Charleston, South Carolina, and winner of Charleston’s Funniest Person title. We talk about her journey from Walterboro to the Charleston comedy scene, dive into what makes her brand of comedy so real and relatable, and share laughs about stuffed crust pizzas, family roots, growing up, classic concert moments, life as a woman in comedy, and why snacks and stories go hand in hand. If you love honest and down-to-earth comedy with a woman’s voice at the center, this episode is for you.Share your favorite moment in the comments and connect with Sara Meagan on Instagram at @hate_the_h!

Step into a true reminiscing session packed with behind-the-scenes @MonsterJam stories, the wild road from high school theater to Las Vegas shows, and the honest moments that make life unforgettable. TV host, singer, actor and long-time friend Scott Jordan joins Big Ben Kennedy for a nostalgia-fueled ride! Hear how Scott moved across the country, navigated personal crossroads, built an entertainment career, and brought childhood dreams to Orlando, @UniversalOrlando and to the biggest stages. Laugh through tales of high school field trip pranks, crazy gigs, Wizard of Oz auditions, and how there’s no place like home (Glen Burnie). This episode is a celebration of where hard work, friendships, and a passion for entertainment can lead!Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks?

Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

We sit down for a feast of chicken wings and honest talk with comedian Michael Clayton on this episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’! If you love clever comedy, real conversation, and big laughs, you’re in the right place! We chew on everything from favorite childhood films (hello, Terminator 2 and Mrs. Doubtfire) to what it’s like bombing on stage. There’s chat about wrestling icons, horror movies that scared us silly as kids, and even some behind-the-scenes tales about breaking into stand-up. Plus, if you’re a hot sauce fanatic, stick around for talk of wild food challenges and spicy regrets. Listen for stories about growing up, making mistakes, and learning to see comedy as both craft and catharsis. Along the way, we get real about family, mental health, and the ups and downs that come with chasing what you love!

Jaylyn Bleuw joins Big Ben Kennedy for a wild session of Snackin’ & Yakkin’ where nothing is off-limits. Jaylyn, a standup comic with an unpredictable style, opens up about her comedy journey, wild nights in Pittsburgh and some chaotic military stories. The laughs keep coming as they talk about growing up with strict moms, awkward years in school, and snack-time nostalgia featuring Berry Blue Kool-Aid Bursts and J.R. Dippers. Things get real (and really funny) as they talks about family dynamics, mishaps at open mics, life as a pharmacy tech, energy drink disasters, and animatronic nightmares from theme parks—all in one episode.Stick around until the end for a dose of real talk and big laughs about romance, finding yourself, and making friends through standup and gaming. You can find Jaylyn on Insta at: @mightbe_jaylyn and on YouTube at: @JaylynBleuw

On this episode of Snackin’ & Yakkin’, Big Ben Kennedy grabs his unofficial tag team comedy partner Josh Milz for a buttery, salty adventure with Act II Buttery Kettle Corn and cold Cheerwine. Josh and Big Ben talk about breaking into booking shows, traveling outside South Carolina for gigs, epic mixtape fails, what counts as “grandparent candy,” and why fast food lore gets deeper the longer you talk about it. The nostalgia gets real—College hot plates, jorts, misadventure at Space Camp, mixed-up McDonald’s menu hacks, and questionable 90s fashion trends all get their moment.If you’re in or near Charleston, catch Josh at local clubs, Next Stop Comedy, Giggle Biscuit Productions and on social media at @milzellaneousFeel free to toss a comment about your own comfort snacks or sketchy McDonald’s orders!

Snackin’ & Yakkin’ welcomes Neil Chris from Comic Life Productions. Neil and Big Ben serve up gummy tales (hello, Haribo Twin Snakes), watching their figure (hello, Cherry Coke Zero) and real talk about building comedy shows from scratch. Neil spills on what it takes to keep a comedy room alive, shares stories about the gig hustle, booking headaches, and the low-key art of never wasting a free plate of food. It’s honest, fun, and just weird enough: late-night bookings, wild strip club bouncers, and being the only Puerto Rican in a sea of Charleston white folks!

Want more show and behind-the-scenes perks? Join the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon at patreon.com/snackinyakkin. Your support helps keep the snacks flowing and the mics on!

Traci Doutaz, also known as Doutaz Mania from the Lowcountry Highrollers roller derby team in Charleston, South Carolina, joins BIG Ben Kennedy for an open and moving conversation. Traci shares her fight with breast cancer, how roller derby led her to the doctor, and what it means to keep skating as a powerful female facing tough odds. This episode truly shines a light on strength, laughter, and finding community through the hardest battles.

Traci’s story is about more than illness—it's about family, friendships, and the guts it takes to go “All In”. You’ll also get a glimpse into the supportive and wild world of roller derby, where strong women push each other on and off the track. If you’re dealing with cancer, supporting someone who is you’re not alone. Traci asks anyone looking to help to support real people in need, not just giant pink ribbon charities.

Her GoFundMe link is below. All donations go straight to helping her with ongoing care and bills. Give this video a watch, share it with anyone who could use some hope or understanding, and check out the links below to support Traci and others fighting breast cancer. Subscribe for more true stories from powerful, inspiring guests.

Support Traci’s fight: https://www.gofundme.com/f/make-magic-for-doutaz

Find Lowcountry Highrollers info, merch, and upcoming bout dates here: https://lowcountryhighrollers.com

If this story helped you or made you feel seen, leave a comment below. Tell us how you or someone you know keeps fighting.

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