Mad Props with Chris Schnabel

Schnabel Studios

5.0 (4)
Society & Culture
Updated Weekly

Welcome to Mad Props with Chris Schnabel! We’re all about giving mad props to individuals in various industries while diving into their inspiring journeys. From the NBA to civil rights and beyond, we chat with people from diverse backgrounds. Produced by Chris Schnabel Music by Kyle Scott Edited by Chris Schnabel. Let’s celebrate success stories together!

5d ago

Dante Marchitelli on Becoming the Voice of the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have a new voice, and Dante Marchitelli is joining Mad Props to talk about nearly 30 years with the organization, his journey into sports broadcasting, and what comes next for one of the NBA's most exciting young teams. Host Chris Schnabel, a lifelong Orlando Magic fan, sits down with Dante Marchitelli, the newly named television play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic following the retirement of legendary broadcaster David Steele. Dante shares what it means to take over one of the most recognizable broadcasting positions in Orlando sports, how he first joined the Magic in 1998, and why the opportunity to become the team's television voice means so much after spending nearly three decades with the franchise. Chris and Dante also dive into the broadcasters who shaped their love of sports, including John Sterling, Joe Castiglione, and other legendary voices who made watching and listening to games unforgettable. From iconic baseball calls to the personalities behind national television broadcasts, the two explore why great announcers become such an important part of a fan's connection to their favorite team. The conversation turns to the Orlando Magic's future, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, the team's young core, the importance of developing a winning culture, and whether Orlando can take the next step toward becoming a legitimate NBA championship contender. Whether you're an Orlando Magic fan, an NBA fan, an aspiring sports broadcaster, or someone who appreciates the voices behind professional sports, this episode offers a look at the career of Dante Marchitelli and the next chapter of Orlando Magic basketball. Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow the Orlando Magic Website: https://www.nba.com/magic Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props & Introducing Dante Marchitelli 01:42 – Chris Schnabel's Orlando Magic Fandom 04:30 – Yankees vs. Red Sox & Sports Rivalries 07:30 – Why Orlando Magic Fans Are Different 10:40 – Becoming the New Voice of the Orlando Magic 12:10 – Legendary Sports Broadcasters & Iconic Calls 18:00 – NBA Broadcasting, Streaming & Sports Fandom 23:50 – Dante's Journey to the Orlando Magic 28:30 – Orlando Magic Fans Around the World 30:00 – Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner & the Magic's Future 34:20 – Larry Bird, Michael Jordan & Career Highlights 36:10 – Final Thoughts & Mad Props Outro
Oct 8

Building the Ultimate Cartoon Baseball Team

What happens when you randomly draft a baseball team using cartoon characters, superheroes, anime legends, and video game icons? On this episode of Mad Props, host Chris Schnabel takes on a completely different kind of baseball challenge: building a full starting lineup using randomly generated fictional characters. From Nintendo favorites like Kirby and Luigi to Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man and Captain America, every pick presents a new challenge. Chris has to decide which character fits each baseball position, balancing speed, strength, athleticism, fielding ability, and even supernatural powers. And not every character is exactly an All-Star... It's fantasy baseball meets Super Smash Bros., Marvel, anime, and classic cartoons in a ridiculous experiment that asks one very important question: could this team actually win a baseball game? Whether you're a fan of Mario Baseball, Nintendo, Marvel, Dragon Ball, The Simpsons, cartoons, or baseball, this episode brings all those worlds together for a different kind of Mad Props challenge. Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production Chapters 00:00 – The Cartoon Baseball Challenge 01:14 – Chris Explains the Game and Draft Rules 04:01 – Drafting the First Fictional Baseball Players 07:01 – Finding the Right Positions for Superheroes 10:00 – Captain America, Kirby & Building the Infield 13:10 – The Roster Gets More Complicated 16:28 – Building a Better Team with New Characters 20:21 – Reviewing the Completed Baseball Roster 21:24 – Creating the Perfect Batting Order 25:10 – ChatGPT Evaluates the Lineup 27:49 – Rethinking Player Positions & Team Strategy 29:41 – Final Roster
Sep 30

Predicting the ENTIRE 2026 MLB Postseason

The 2026 MLB Postseason is here, and Chris Schnabel is breaking down his entire playoff bracket on Mad Props — from the Wild Card round through the ALCS, NLCS and World Series. Which teams are actually built for October? Which contenders could fall apart early? And who will emerge as the unexpected postseason hero nobody sees coming? Chris goes through every Wild Card matchup before laying out his path through the American and National League brackets. In the AL, he explains why he believes the Yankees' dominant starting pitching could overcome questions surrounding their lineup and eventually set up an ALCS matchup with the Cleveland Guardians. Over in the National League, Chris makes the case for Atlanta making a deep postseason run despite entering October as an under-the-radar team. He also breaks down Milwaukee, the Dodgers and why pitching could ultimately decide which teams survive October. That leads to the World Series prediction: New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves. Chris explains why the Yankees' rotation could be their biggest advantage, why Atlanta's combination of pitching and hot bats makes them dangerous, and what could determine a potential six or seven-game World Series. Finally, it's time for the annual Chris Taylor Award — Mad Props' prediction for the unlikely player who suddenly becomes an October hero. Chris makes one selection from each of his World Series teams: Austin Wells for the Yankees and Mauricio Dubón for the Braves. Plus: World Series MVP predictions, the biggest potential postseason upset and the one prediction Chris thinks he may seriously regret. It's October. Let's talk baseball. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: @MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel?themeRefresh=1 Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production Chapters 00:00 – 2026 MLB Postseason Preview 01:28 – American League Wild Card Predictions 05:14 – National League Wild Card Predictions 09:30 – Predicting the AL Playoff Bracket 12:10 – Predicting the NL Playoff Bracket 15:16 – ALCS & NLCS Predictions 16:39 – World Series Prediction 19:12 – The Chris Taylor Award 21:20 – Final MLB Postseason Predictions 22:32 – Final Thoughts
Sep 24

Jim Obergefell on the Love Story That Changed American History | Original Air March3rd, 2021

Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel throws it back to March 3, 2021, when civil rights activist Jim Obergefell joined the show to share the deeply personal story behind Obergefell v. Hodges and his unexpected path into civil rights advocacy. Jim takes Chris back to 2013, when his longtime partner, John Arthur, was dying from ALS. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, Jim spontaneously proposed to John after nearly 21 years together. Because they lived in Ohio, where their marriage would not be legally recognized, the couple chartered a medical jet to Maryland and were married aboard the plane on the tarmac at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. They simply wanted to spend John's remaining days as husband and husband. Days later, civil rights attorney Al Gerhardstein explained that Ohio would still list John as unmarried on his death certificate and would not recognize Jim as his surviving spouse. Jim and John decided to fight back. What began as an effort to have their marriage recognized eventually reached the United States Supreme Court as Obergefell v. Hodges. Jim walks Chris through that journey, John's death, the emotions surrounding the Supreme Court case, and how a couple who never considered themselves political became part of a landmark moment in American civil-rights history. The conversation also explores what happened to Jim's life afterward, his transition into activism, his work with Family Equality, Equality Vines, and why he came to view equality as something that cannot apply to only one community. Jim also discusses the power of personal stories to change minds, why his and John's story resonated with people who held very different political and religious beliefs, discrimination in America, and the lessons he learned after unexpectedly becoming an activist. The episode closes with Jim's advice for anyone who finds themselves facing an injustice they never expected to fight: don't automatically shy away from the moment simply because you never imagined yourself becoming an advocate. Originally aired March 3, 2021. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: @MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome & The Story Behind This Throwback 02:22 – Jim Obergefell Joins Mad Props 02:49 – The Love Story Behind Obergefell v. Hodges 05:33 – Taking the Fight to the Supreme Court 10:10 – Becoming an Unexpected Activist 13:43 – Looking Back on the Historic Decision 17:05 – How Jim's Life Changed After the Case 20:20 – Family Equality, Equality Vines & Advocacy 21:27 – Fighting for Equality Beyond One Community 26:19 – Why Discrimination Still Exists 33:22 – Jim's Advice for Future Advocates 35:41 – Final Thoughts & Mad Props Outro
Sep 16

How E. L. DuBois Turned Her Life Into Stories That Matter

Welcome to Mad Props. Today, we are joined by author and filmmaker E. L. DuBois at Comicpalooza in Houston for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, Hollywood, filmmaking, the Ransom series, and using entertainment to tell stories that actually mean something. E. L. opens up about how her own experiences with trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, homelessness and survival eventually pushed her toward storytelling. Rather than presenting recovery as a simple happily-ever-after, she wanted to create stories that reflected the complicated reality of surviving trauma and rebuilding a life afterward. That journey eventually led from her memoir into fiction. E. L. explains the inspiration behind Ransom, her paranormal series set against the isolation of West Texas, and how her love of Batman, horror, thrillers, action movies and dark humor influenced the universe she created. She also discusses her writing process, building playlists for her books, creating antiheroes and why she has little patience for filler in the stories she consumes or creates. Chris and E. L. also dive into the realities of being an independent author, the importance of social media, maintaining creative control when Hollywood becomes interested in your work and why she has been unwilling to simply hand over the rights to her stories. This interview is also the final installment of Mad Props' Comicpalooza interview series. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props & E. L. DuBois 02:17 – Comicpalooza, Hollywood & Celebrity Stories 09:24 – Social Media & Life as an Independent Author 13:56 – Turning Real-Life Experiences Into Stories 17:31 – Creating Ransom & the West Texas Horror Universe 22:09 – Survival, Advocacy & Life After Trauma 25:02 – Hollywood Stories & Meeting Celebrities 29:21 – Maintaining Creative Control in Hollywood 33:26 – Writing, Comfort Shows & Creative Inspiration 38:19 – Audiobooks, Movies & the Stories That Shaped Her 47:57 – Journey & Using Film to Tell Difficult Stories 50:09 – The Power of Impactful Storytelling 53:13 – Final Thoughts & Mad Props Outro
Sep 9

Chris Answers Your Questions: Spider-Man, Yankees, Nintendo & Mad Props

No guest this week — Chris Schnabel is opening up the Mad Props mailbag and answering your questions about the podcast, sports, Marvel, Nintendo, favorite guests, behind-the-scenes stories and more. Chris kicks things off with his thoughts on Spider-Man: Brand New Day and why taking Spider-Man back to a more street-level story is exactly what he wanted to see from Tom Holland's version of the character. From there, the mailbag goes everywhere. Chris looks back at more than five years of Mad Props, including the interviews he immediately knew were special, guests who surprised him, embarrassing production mistakes, episodes that never made it to air, the interviews that required the most preparation and the guests he still keeps in touch with today. Want your question featured in a future Mad Props mailbag? Send it to madpropspod@gmail.com or reach out @MadPropsPod on social media. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadPropsPod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to the Mad Props Mailbag 02:29 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day 04:48 – Favorite Interviews & Mad Props Stories 06:26 – Can the Yankees Win the World Series? 08:23 – Production Mistakes & Surprising Guests 12:03 – Building the Perfect Yankees Team 13:46 – Underrated Mad Props Episodes & Podcast Growth 15:24 – Interview Preparation & Behind the Scenes 19:35 – Guests Chris Still Keeps in Touch With 22:13 – Sports, Yankees & Orlando Magic 25:37 – When Mad Props Became a Legitimate Show 28:01 – The Mad Props Episodes That Never Aired 28:53 – Nintendo NEEDS a New Mario Baseball 30:19 – Chris' Personality & Growth as an Interviewer 32:46 – What Happens With Guests Before Recording 33:32 – Interviewing Childhood Icons 34:50 – Dream Guests & "How Did I Book Them?" 36:53 – Outro
Aug 31

Scott Koblish on Deadpool, Marvel & a Life in Comics | From June 22, 2022

Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel throws it back to June 22, 2022, when legendary comic book artist Scott Koblish joined the show to talk Deadpool, Marvel, comic book movies, his career as an artist, and a lifetime spent in the comic book industry. Chris originally met Scott at Lilac City Comic Con in Spokane, Washington, where Scott drew Chris and Mary as Deadpool. A few weeks later, Scott joined Mad Props for what became Episode 40 of the podcast. Scott dives into his years working on Deadpool and why the character gives artists and writers a level of creative freedom that characters like Superman and Spider-Man simply can't. He discusses the challenge of making comedy work in comics, his work on The Secret History of the War on Weed, and creating new characters without the restrictions that come with decades of established continuity. The conversation expands into The Boys, Umbrella Academy, X-Men, Justice League, Marvel and DC as Scott and Chris discuss how superhero storytelling has evolved beyond traditional comic books. Scott shares his perspective on comic book movies, adaptations that improve upon their source material, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and the incredible transformation of superhero entertainment from older television adaptations to the modern era. Later, Scott reflects on the late George Pérez and the enormous influence Pérez had on him both personally and professionally. He shares memories of their relationship, Pérez's impact on generations of comic creators, and what it meant to spend time with one of his heroes near the end of Pérez's life. Originally recorded June 22, 2022. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Scott Koblish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkoblish/?hl=en Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome & The Story Behind This Throwback 03:00 – Scott Koblish Joins Mad Props 04:53 – Traveling the World Through Comic Conventions 13:17 – Drawing Deadpool & Why the Character Is Unbreakable 15:28 – The Secret History of the War on Weed 17:09 – The Boys, X-Men & Breaking Superhero Rules 24:10 – Comic Book TV, Movies & Adaptations 28:23 – How Superhero Movies Changed Comic Book Culture 31:04 – Comics, Mythology & Why Superheroes Endure 38:47 – How Scott Koblish Became a Comic Book Artist 47:36 – Remembering the Legendary George Pérez 56:53 – Scott's Current Projects & What's Next 59:26 – Outro
Aug 24

Debi Derryberry on Jimmy Neutron, Monster High & Making Music

Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actress and musician Debi Derryberry for a conversation about Jimmy Neutron, Monster High, voice acting, music, conventions, and a career that has spanned decades of animation and entertainment. Known around the world as the voice of Jimmy Neutron, Debi takes Chris behind the scenes of landing one of Nickelodeon's most recognizable roles, from auditioning for the original project to seeing Jimmy Neutron grow into a movie, television series, and character that fans still love decades later. But voice acting is only part of Debi's story. She shares how her career began with a love of singing and playing guitar, moving to Nashville to pursue country music, working as a session singer, and eventually finding her way into voiceover. Debi continues to make music today through her country band Honey Pig and her children's music, including the Debi Derryberry Kids YouTube channel. They discuss children's music and YouTube, performing songs in character, conventions, interacting with fans, collectibles, Funko Pops, the unusual vocal techniques voice actors need to master, and why the voice acting community has remained so close. Whether you grew up with Jimmy Neutron, Monster High, Nickelodeon, animation, or simply want to know what life behind the microphone is really like, this episode offers a look inside the career of one of animation's most recognizable voices. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb Follow Debi Derryberry Website: https://debiderryberry.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debiderryberry YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebiDerryberryKIDS Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C3JTRR3?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Follow Mad Props Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod Follow Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel YouTube: @Chris.Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props & Introducing Debi Derryberry 07:01 – Auditions, Home Studios & the Modern Voice Actor 11:48 – Debi's Music Career & Moving to Nashville 18:02 – Building Debi Derryberry Kids on YouTube 25:06 – Singing as a Voice Actor 26:19 – How Debi Found Voice Acting 32:53 – Conventions, Fans & Iconic Character Voices 38:06 – How Debi Became Jimmy Neutron 41:09 – Final Thoughts

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

Welcome to Mad Props with Chris Schnabel! We’re all about giving mad props to individuals in various industries while diving into their inspiring journeys. From the NBA to civil rights and beyond, we chat with people from diverse backgrounds. Produced by Chris Schnabel Music by Kyle Scott Edited by Chris Schnabel. Let’s celebrate success stories together!

Creator

Schnabel Studios
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

138
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Schnabel Studios
Show Website

Mad Props with Chris Schnabel