Merrick Studios

•

Channel • 6 Shows

Music Commentary

Music Commentary

Updated Weekly
Marketing

Marketing

Updated Weekly
Basketball

Basketball

Updated Weekly
Sports

Sports

Updated Weekly
Marketing

Marketing

Updated Weekly
Management

Management

Updated Oct 30

4D AGO

Mickey Factz on Lyricism, Longevity, and Building Hip Hop’s First School

Send us a text This year-end episode of Mixed and Mastered is something special. Jeffrey Sledge sits down with Mickey Factz for a deep, unfiltered conversation that goes far beyond music. From growing up between Harlem and the Bronx to battling in schoolyards, interning at Def Jam and Loud, navigating the blog era, major-label deals, viral moments, and hard industry lessons—this is the full arc. Mickey breaks down the mindset of a true craftsman: lyricism, independence, evolution, and longevity. The conversation traces his journey from underground standout to cultural architect, including the creation of Pendulum Ink, hip hop’s first school dedicated to rap theory, business, and mental health—and his recent turn as a professor teaching hip hop at NYU. This isn’t just an artist interview. It’s a masterclass in survival, reinvention, and staying sharp when the culture keeps shifting. Mixed and Mastered with Mickey Factz. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod

4d ago

•

1h 4m
5D AGO

Owen Hanson (The Cocaine Quarterback): Fame, Fallout & the Fight Back

This might be the wildest story we’ve ever told on Unglossy — and that’s saying something. This week, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank sit down with Owen Hanson, better known as The California Kid or The Cocaine Quarterback. Once a USC walk-on turned national champion, Owen’s life took a sharp left turn from the football field into international drug trafficking, cartel money, federal prison, and headlines that sound fictional until you realize they’re not. Fresh off the Amazon Prime docuseries Cocaine Quarterback, Owen breaks his silence on what really happened — from how the documentary came together, to what it got right (and what it couldn’t fully show), to how you rebuild an identity when your name becomes a cautionary tale. This isn’t a glamorized crime story. It’s a raw conversation about ambition, ego, consequences, survival, and second chances. We talk life inside prison, hustling legally and illegally, the mindset it takes to endure a decade behind bars, and how Owen turned a mop bucket, protein powder, and sheer will into a legitimate business on the outside. From USC glory to federal time… and from rock bottom to redemption — this episode is about what happens after everything falls apart. No polish. No excuses. Just the truth. This is Unglossy. Send us a text Support the show

5d ago

•

59 min
DEC 11

Rocky Bucano on Legacy, Longevity & Building Hip-Hop’s Home

Send us a text From DJing the Stardust Ballroom at 15 to shaping Strong City Records, from Rowdy to Blackstreet, and ultimately to founding the world’s premier Hip-Hop Museum, Rocky Bucano’s journey is a masterclass in vision, grit, and cultural stewardship. In this episode, he sits down with us inside the soon-to-open, $100M+ museum rising on the Harlem River—where he breaks down his Bronx roots, the early record-pool grind, Teddy Riley’s first sessions, the MCA rollercoaster, his years shaping Gauchos basketball, and the 16-year odyssey to build Hip-Hop’s permanent home. It’s history, hustle, heartbreak, and triumph—told by the man who lived every chapter. This is Mixed and Mastered with Rocky Bucano. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod

Dec 11

•

38 min
OCT 22

Paul Stewart on Delicious Vinyl, Warren G Saving Def Jam, and Music Supervising from Poetic Justice to Snowfall

Send us a text On this week's Mixed and Mastered Jeff chops it up with Paul “DJ P” Stewart—Crenshaw-raised connector, A&R whisperer, and music-supervision ace. We hit his come-up at Delicious Vinyl (Tone Lōc, Young MC), managing The Pharcyde, and the day Coolio cut the bones of “Gangsta’s Paradise” in Paul’s living room. Then the Def Jam era: bringing in Warren G (triple-platinum lifeline), plus Domino and Montell Jordan (“This Is How We Do It”). Paul breaks down the Singleton years—Poetic Justice, Barbershop, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Hustle & Flow, Insecure, Snowfall—and the real differences between film and TV. We close on what’s next: his DR doc Heart of the City, a Dante Ross documentary, a major video-game project, and how he helps indie artists land their first syncs. Plug in for lineage, hustle, and receipts. This is Mixed and Mastered with Paul Stewart. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod

Oct 22

•

1h 2m
NOV 26

Dyana Williams on Breaking Barriers, Building Institutions & Owning Our Narrative

Send us a text In this powerhouse episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey sits down with the incomparable Dyana Williams — radio icon, cultural architect, co-founder of Black Music Month, longtime Philly International insider, and the heartbeat behind some of the most important stories in Black American music. From her Harlem and Bronx roots to her early days as “Ebony Moonbeams,” Dyana walks us through a five-decade career that includes: Breaking into radio at CCNY and WHURLearning under the legendary Frankie Crocker at WBLSWorking across TV at BET, VH1, and PM MagazineA front-row seat to Philadelphia International Records during its golden eraFounding the National Museum of African American Music in NashvilleHer lifelong mission to preserve, protect, and elevate Black music and its creatorsAnd of course… the origin story of Black Music Month, from the White House lawn with Jimmy Carter to official national recognitionDyana’s stories reach from the Apollo to the Oval Office, from D’Angelo to Teddy Pendergrass, and from Harlem stoops to global stages. It’s a living masterclass in culture, community, and the power of music to move the world. This is history told by someone who made it. Buckle up — This is Mixed and Mastered with Dyana Williams. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod

Nov 26

•

1h 14m
NOV 5

DJ Enuff on Protecting the Legacy From Biggie to the Heavy Hitters

Send us a text This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with a true New York legend — DJ Enuff, the man who helped bring hip-hop from the block to the world stage. From growing up between Harlem, the Lower East Side, and Brooklyn, Enuff breaks down how New York’s diverse sounds shaped his ear and his journey from neighborhood park jams to radio royalty at Hot 97. He shares early stories of club life in the Red Zone and the Tunnel, building the Heavy Hitters DJ crew, and his time as The Notorious B.I.G.’s tour DJ — including why he’s stayed solid in protecting Biggie’s legacy to this day. Plus, Enuff talks about breaking records before Shazam, discovering Kanye West knocking at his door, and what the next chapter of DJ culture looks like in the age of podcasts and social media. It’s history, hustle, and heart — straight from one of the architects of the sound. 🎙️ This is Mixed and Mastered with DJ Enuff. Support the show Mixed and Mastered is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio, and hosted by music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to the discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @MixedandMasteredPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at www.wearemerrickstudios.com/mixed-and-mastered-pod

Nov 5

•

1 hr
23H AGO

A Juniata Christmas: Effort, Lessons & the Doc Green

It’s the official Christmas episode of the Juniata Men’s Basketball Show, and it delivers a little bit of everything. Tom, Biz, and Coach Curley bring the holiday vibes early before Biz steals the show with a now-legendary Juniata-themed Christmas poem. The conversation shifts to a listener questions about a 44-year-old NFL quarterback comeback, and whether Coach Curley could suit up one more time if Juniata ever needed him. The guys then break down a tough loss to Bethany, focusing on late-game execution, rebounding, free throws, and the hard lessons a young team must learn to finish games. Jaden Bilger earns Player of the Game honors, and “effort” becomes the word of the week. The episode wraps with a full preview of the Doc Green Tournament, including a scouting report on Central Penn, a look at potential matchups with Stevenson and Franciscan, and a reminder of what it will take for the Eagles to turn the corner in the second half of the season. Holiday cheer, honest hoops talk, and a clear message moving forward: Be us. Go Eagles. Send us a text Support the show The Juniata Men's Basketball Show is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios and hosted by lifelong friends Tom Frank, Drew "Biz" Besket, and Head Juniata Basketball Coach Greg Curley. Got a question for the guys? Please contact us through Instagram @JuniataBasketballShow. Please subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, leave us a rating on apple and spread the word #EaglesNation. Juniata College basketball is part of the The Landmark Conference, an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III.

23h ago

•

51 min
AUG 21

Bun B: Culture, Burgers, and the Real Trill

In this powerhouse episode of Unglossy, hip-hop icon and cultural heavyweight Bun B (aka Bernard Freeman) joins Thomas Frank and Jeffrey Sledge for a deep, funny, and wildly inspiring conversation that spans decades — and industries. From his early days forming UGK with the late, great Pimp C to building Trill Burgers into America’s best burger brand (literally), Bun breaks down the milestones, missteps, and mindset that kept him both relevant and real. He talks about the origin of his rap name, the Houston culture that shaped him, what it really takes to build longevity in music and business — and why being trill isn’t just a brand, it’s a standard. You’ll hear stories that have never been told, like the day UGK signed with Jive, how Bun became a professor at Rice University, why Ridin’ Dirty was their first real album, and the honest truth about whether he’d ever run for mayor of Houston. And yes, there’s a surprise. Stay till the end to catch a major Unglossy announcement you won't want to miss. This episode is a masterclass in authenticity, entrepreneurship, and cultural leadership — from a man who’s done it all and still shows up hungry. 🎙️ Tap in. This is Unglossy. "Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio and hosted by Bun B, Tom Frank and Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to hear this thought-provoking discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation and support the show at https://unglossypod.buzzsprout.com/ Send us a text Support the show

Aug 21

•

1h 14m
DEC 13

Trill in Real Time: Inside the Making of TrillStatik 5

This week on Unglossy, we get rare, front-row access to hip-hop happening in real time. Tom and Jeffrey go full fly-on-the-wall as Bun B and Statik Selektah build TrillStatik 5 from scratch—live, unannounced, and completely unscripted—during Art Basel weekend in Miami. From surprise guests walking straight off the street into the booth, to verses written, recorded, and sequenced on the spot, this episode pulls back the curtain on what creative chaos looks like when mastery meets momentum. Bun breaks down the pressure of rapping on every track, the communal energy of artists who simply love to rap, and why TrillStatik is about execution, not exploitation. You’ll hear stories involving Tony Sunshine, Termanology, Robb Banks, Bone Crusher, and a legendary Busta Rhymes phone call that turned into a masterclass in respect, legacy, and bars. No rollouts. No safety nets. Just craft, competition, and culture—captured as it happens. If you’ve ever wondered how real hip-hop gets made when the clock is ticking and the mic is hot, this one’s for you. This is Unglossy. "Unglossy" is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio and hosted by Bun B, Tom Frank and Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to hear this thought-provoking discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation and check out all our episodes at https://wearemerrickstudios.com/unglossy-pod. Send us a text Support the show

Dec 13

•

1h 10m
DEC 9

The Gauntlet, the Growth, and the Game Ahead

The crew opens this week’s show with a detour into the wild world of Division I college football—predicting the playoff field, reacting to championship weekend surprises, and giving their early verdict on Penn State’s new head coach. Then it’s back to Juniata hoops, where Tom, Biz, and Coach Curley unpack a demanding stretch against Catholic and Scranton. Coach breaks down the recurring second-half lapses, the defensive inconsistencies, and the bright spots emerging from young players stepping into bigger roles. The guys talk about the importance of the upcoming three-game home stand, the return they hope to see from Joe Bruce, and why these non-conference games matter for confidence and momentum. And yes—the Palestra Happy Hour planning committee officially convenes as the Philly alumni army begins to assemble. A packed episode filled with big opinions, honest assessment, and the belief that the next step is still right there for the taking. Just win, baby. Send us a text Support the show The Juniata Men's Basketball Show is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios and hosted by lifelong friends Tom Frank, Drew "Biz" Besket, and Head Juniata Basketball Coach Greg Curley. Got a question for the guys? Please contact us through Instagram @JuniataBasketballShow. Please subscribe to the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, leave us a rating on apple and spread the word #EaglesNation. Juniata College basketball is part of the The Landmark Conference, an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III.

Dec 9

•

52 min

Merrick Studios’ full-service live and virtual podcasting solutions empower “artists” of their trade to reach, educate and inspire new audiences with ease. Our thematic direction amplifies their message, production and editing capture and shape it, and hosting and distribution delivers truly engaging stories to thousands through a popularized medium that has become invaluable. Our expertise doesn’t end there, as marketing and monetizing podcasts grows them into hardworking, growth-oriented brand assets.

Website

Merrick Studios

Top Shows

Mickey Factz on Lyricism, Longevity, and Building Hip Hop’s First School

Owen Hanson (The Cocaine Quarterback): Fame, Fallout & the Fight Back

Rocky Bucano on Legacy, Longevity & Building Hip-Hop’s Home

Paul Stewart on Delicious Vinyl, Warren G Saving Def Jam, and Music Supervising from Poetic Justice to Snowfall

Dyana Williams on Breaking Barriers, Building Institutions & Owning Our Narrative

DJ Enuff on Protecting the Legacy From Biggie to the Heavy Hitters

A Juniata Christmas: Effort, Lessons & the Doc Green

Bun B: Culture, Burgers, and the Real Trill

Trill in Real Time: Inside the Making of TrillStatik 5

The Gauntlet, the Growth, and the Game Ahead

About

Merrick Studios

Top Shows

Top Episodes

About