The Swear Word

Brandon Swear
  • 4.5 (4)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

This is the show for the chili head community by the community! ”The Swear Word” is where fiery host, Brandon Swear rolls out new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday night at 8:00 (ct) and takes you on a spicy adventure. Scorching interviews with fellow Chili Heads, mouth-watering product reviews, and everything from the world of hot! Like spicy food? Want to know what it's like to eat some of the hottest products and challenges in the world and uncover what is going on in the minds of the creators? This is the place for you!

  1. 5d ago

    Bringing Texas Clay Soil to Life | Cheap & Free Ways to Make Plants Thrive |TSW ep 197

    Bringing Texas Clay Soil to Life + Cheap & Free Ways to Make Plants Thrive If you garden in Texas, you know the struggle. Clay soil can be sticky when wet, hard when dry, drain poorly, and make it difficult for roots to thrive. The good news? Improving it doesn’t have to be expensive. In this episode of The Swear Word, Brandon Swear breaks down practical, affordable ways to improve Texas clay soil, including compost, wood chips, expanded shale, mulch, cover crops, watering techniques, and organic matter. You’ll learn: Why Texas clay behaves the way it does How free or inexpensive wood chips can help Using expanded shale and compost to improve heavy clay How mulch protects soil and conserves moisture Better watering practices for clay soil Why you shouldn’t work clay when it’s too wet How cover crops can improve soil over time Where gypsum can help and where it can’t How better soil can lead to healthier pepper plants We’ll also connect soil health back to growing peppers, hot sauce ingredients, and the plants behind the world of hot. The bigger lesson? Healthy soil is a process, not a quick fix. Improve the structure, feed the biology, protect the surface, manage your water, and give it time. Whether you’re growing peppers, vegetables, herbs, flowers, or simply trying to make your Texas yard easier to work with, there are plenty of practical ideas here to put to work. ⸻ 🔥 THE SWEAR WORD The Swear Word explores the world of hot from capsaicin, hot sauce, and chili peppers to spicy food, gardening, food science, competitions, challenges, producers, growers, entrepreneurs, and the people behind the industry. Hosted and produced by Brandon Swear, the podcast features conversations with pepper growers, hot sauce makers, competitors, hobbyists, co-packers, entrepreneurs, and other people helping shape the spicy food community. If you’re into hot sauce, peppers, capsaicin, spicy food, gardening, food science, or learning something new, subscribe and become part of Swear Nation. 🌶️ JOIN SWEAR NATION Get closer to The Swear Word with exclusive content, first looks, spicy product codes and opportunities, merch discounts, and access to the private Discord community where members can help shape future content. 🛍️ REP THE SWEAR WORD Support the independent podcast and grab official The Swear Word merchandise. Every purchase helps support the production, equipment, research, and resources behind the show. 💼 SPONSOR THE SWEAR WORD Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you’re a hot sauce company, pepper grower, spicy food brand, gardening business, food company, outdoor brand, kitchen product, or another business looking to reach an engaged audience around the world of hot, let’s talk. Opportunities can include podcast mentions, host-read ads, video branding, social promotion, dedicated content, and customized campaigns. 🌐 Learn more, join Swear Nation, shop merch, or explore sponsorship opportunities at TheSwearWord.net Subscribe, follow, leave a review, and share this episode with another gardener, pepper grower, chilihead, or hot sauce fanatic. From soil and seeds to peppers, sauce, science, and the people behind the world of hot this is The Swear Word.

  2. Sep 2

    League of Fire Rules Explained: What Every Competitive Chili Eater Needs to Know | TSW ep 196

    Competitive chili eating is growing and as any sport grows, the rules become increasingly important. In this episode of The Swear Word, Brandon Swear takes a detailed look at the League of Fire contestant rules for competitive pepper eating competitions, breaking down the rules contestants need to understand before stepping onto the stage. From age requirements, waivers, sobriety, gloves, milk, sunglasses, earbuds and what contestants can bring with them, to pepper preparation, chewing requirements, time limits, vomiting, spitting, accidental pepper expulsion and the rules surrounding withdrawal, we go through the regulations that help create a fair and consistent competition. Brandon also breaks down the League of Fire Speed Round, including how multiple peppers are handled, weighing the peppers, the five-minute time limit, what happens if nobody finishes, and why contestants are prohibited from crushing, squeezing, flattening, tearing or otherwise manipulating peppers during the race. But this episode isn’t just a rule-by-rule reading. It’s also a conversation about why rules matter when a new sport is developing. Competitive chili eating combines extreme peppers, capsaicin, endurance, strategy, spectators, judges, event organizers and increasingly large audiences. As the sport expands, clear rules and consistent expectations become important not only for contestants, but also for event organizers, sponsors, spectators and the future credibility of competitive pepper eating. Brandon shares his thoughts on which rules are straightforward, which ones have interesting implications for competition, and why having clearly defined standards can help protect the integrity and growth of the sport. We also look at the balance between competition, entertainment, fairness and safety. Competitive chili eating is supposed to be entertaining, but when contestants are pushing their bodies through increasingly intense pepper challenges, having clear boundaries matters. If you’re a League of Fire contestant, competitive chili eater, pepper enthusiast, hot sauce fan, event organizer, chilihead, or simply someone curious about what actually happens during a professional pepper eating competition, this episode gives you a practical look at the rules behind the spectacle. And because rules can change, make sure you check the official League of Fire website and Facebook page for the most current version of the contestant rules. This episode reflects the rules available at the time of recording, and contestants should always review the current official rules before competing. Then the conversation turns back to the community: What rules do you think competitive chili eating needs as the sport continues to grow? Are the current rules fair? Are there rules you would change? Are there rules you think should be added? And what would it take for competitive pepper eating to continue developing into a recognized, organized and sustainable sport? Join the conversation and let me know what you think. 🌶️ THE SWEAR WORD Hosted by Brandon Swear 🔥 Hot Sauce • Peppers • Competitive Eating • Food Science • Chilihead Culture • Community • Curiosity Subscribe, follow, rate and review The Swear Word, and help more people discover the conversations happening around the world of hot. 📰 Join the newsletter: TheSwearWord.net 👕 Grab official merch and support the show 🔥 Become part of Swear Nation 🤝 Sponsorship opportunities are available for brands looking to connect with a passionate spicy-food and chilihead audience. And a huge thank you to the current sponsors supporting The Swear Word and helping make these conversations possible. Keep asking questions. Keep pushing boundaries. And keep bringing the heat. I’m Brandon Swear, and from everything from the world of hot… this has been The Swear Word.

  3. Aug 19

    🌶️ Does Hot Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated? | Storage Science by Sauce Type | TSW: ep 195

    Does hot sauce actually need to be refrigerated, or is the fridge just taking up valuable space for no reason?In this episode of The Swear Word, Brandon Swear breaks down one of the most common questions in the hot sauce and spicy food community: how should you store hot sauce after opening it?The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.”Different sauces have different storage needs depending on acidity, pH, water activity, sugar content, fresh ingredients, fermentation, processing, packaging, and whether the bottle has been opened.We’ll look at what really happens to hot sauce when it lives in your pantry versus your refrigerator... and why refrigeration can affect more than just food safety.🌶️ In this episode, heres whats covered:• Why many high-acid, vinegar-based hot sauces can be shelf-stable• The role of pH and acidity in hot sauce safety• Why pH 4.6 is an important food-safety threshold• What refrigeration actually does to flavor, color, aroma, and shelf life• The difference between vinegar-based, fermented, fresh, fruit-based, thick, high-sugar, oil-based, and creamy sauces• Why homemade hot sauce deserves different consideration than commercially produced sauce• What happens to live fermented hot sauce at room temperature• Why garlic, fruit, vegetables, sugar, and oil can change the storage equation• Whether refrigeration actually protects capsaicin and heat• How contamination from utensils and repeated bottle use can affect your sauce• How to store a hot sauce collection for the long term• Warning signs that your sauce may no longer be safe or enjoyable• When the best answer is simply: follow the manufacturer’s instructionsOne of the biggest takeaways is that “safe” and “best quality” aren’t always the same thing.A classic vinegar-heavy sauce may be perfectly capable of sitting on the counter after opening, while refrigeration can help preserve its color and flavor for longer. A fresh, low-acid, fruit-heavy, oil-based, or homemade sauce may require much more caution.And if you’re a hot sauce collector, sauce maker, pepper grower, or just someone who has accumulated an unreasonable number of bottles in the refrigerator…this episode is for you.We’ll separate food-safety science from internet myths, look at the different categories of hot sauce, and give you practical guidelines you can actually use.So…Are you a counter person or a refrigerator person?Do you refrigerate everything?Or do you believe hot sauce belongs on the counter where it can be grabbed whenever the craving strikes?Let Brandon know what you do and why.🌶️ Keep the heat. Store it smart.🔥 Visit The Swear Wordhttps://theswearword.netBecome part of Swear Nation by subscribing, joining the newsletter, checking out merchandise, recommending future guests, and exploring previous episodes.⸻SponsorsPodVision.ioHelping creators, businesses, and brands launch professional podcasts and video content. Website: Podvision.io WebDXNeed a website, marketing automation, lead generation, CRM integration, SEO, or digital marketing strategy? Visit WebDX to learn more. Website: Webex.oneInterested in sponsoring The Swear Word? Sponsorship opportunities are currently available through our website.I’m Brandon Swear, and from everything from the world of hot, this has been The Swear Word.#HotSauce #HotSauceStorage #FoodSafety #SpicyFood #Chilihead #HotSauceLovers #FermentedHotSauce #PepperCommunity #FoodScience #TheSwearWord

  4. Aug 12

    MSG & The Science of Craveability: Food, Hot Sauce & Spicy Snacks | TSW: Ep 194

    Episode SEO Summary: In this episode of The Swear Word, Brandon Swear explores the science behind MSG, umami, food additives, flavor enhancers and the growing concept of food craveability. The conversation examines how food science has transformed the way manufacturers create flavor, consistency and consumer appeal — and what that means for the foods we eat. The episode breaks down monosodium glutamate (MSG), how it interacts with umami taste receptors, the history of its discovery, common misconceptions surrounding MSG safety, and why ingredients such as yeast extract, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are used in modern food products. Brandon then brings the conversation into the world of hot sauce, capsaicin and spicy food, examining how flavor enhancement intersects with heat, savory flavor, snack foods and the sensory experience of eating spicy products. The deeper question isn’t simply whether MSG or other flavor enhancers are “good” or “bad.” It’s whether modern food science is simply improving flavor or increasingly optimizing food for maximum palatability and repeat consumption. The episode explores the difference between natural ingredients, food science, clean-label products and engineered craveability, while considering where consumers and food producers might reasonably draw the line. This is a conversation about MSG, umami, food science, flavor engineering, processed foods, ultra-processed foods, hot sauce ingredients, spicy snacks, capsaicin, food cravings and the future of flavor — with plenty of room for listeners to form their own conclusions. Key topics: MSG, monosodium glutamate, umami, flavor science, food additives, flavor enhancers, food cravings, craveability, hot sauce, spicy food, capsaicin, spicy snacks, processed food, ultra-processed food, clean-label products and food manufacturing.

  5. Jul 22

    Expanding Horizons | The Future of The Swear Word, Community, Value & Growth | The Swear Word Ep193

    Nearly three years ago, I pressed record on what would become The Swear Word. I didn’t know where the journey would lead, who I’d meet, or how much I would learn along the way. I simply knew I had a passion for the spicy food community and wanted to create something that educated, entertained, and brought people together. Today, we’re having one of the most personal conversations I’ve ever shared on the podcast. This episode isn’t about the hottest pepper, the newest hot sauce, or the latest spicy challenge. Instead, I’m pulling back the curtain to discuss where this podcast has been, where it’s going, and why the future of The Swear Word is expanding beyond peppers while remaining firmly rooted in the community that made it possible. Throughout this conversation, we explore: 🌶️ How a passion for peppers grew into a mission centered around curiosity, education, and personal growth. 🎙️ The story behind nearly three years of producing The Swear Word independently—including the time, sacrifices, financial investment, and lessons learned while balancing family, business, and content creation. 🧠 Why future episodes will continue exploring peppers, hot sauce, gardening, capsaicin science, festivals, growers, makers, and reviews—while also diving into health, mindset, longevity, business, psychology, current events, nutrition, technology, and the many subjects that help us become better people. 🤝 Why respectful discussion, lifelong learning, and healthy curiosity are becoming more important than ever. 🌱 The future vision for The Swear Word, the role of the Swear Citizens community, sponsorship opportunities, listener-driven topics, and how you can help shape upcoming episodes. This episode is both a reflection on the journey so far and a roadmap for what’s ahead. Whether you’ve been listening since the very beginning or you’ve only recently discovered the podcast, I hope this conversation gives you a better understanding of why I continue creating these episodes and the value I hope they bring to your life. Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode, purchased merchandise, become a Swear Citizen, supported a sponsor, recommended a guest, or simply believed in this community. Your support has helped make this journey possible. The spicy community will always be home—but curiosity has no limits. 🔥 Join the conversation! • What topics would you like me to explore in future episodes? • Which guests should I invite onto the show? • What has been your favorite episode so far? I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. ⸻ 🌐 Official Website: https://theswearword.net/ Become a Swear Citizen, grab official merch, recommend future guests, join the newsletter, and learn more about upcoming opportunities. 📢 Interested in sponsoring The Swear Word? I’m actively looking for brands that align with the values of curiosity, education, quality products, gardening, peppers, outdoor living, health, and the spicy lifestyle. Visit the website or reach out through social media to start the conversation. Thank you for being part of this incredible community. — Brandon Swear #TheSwearWord #Podcast #HotSauce #ChiliHeads #PepperCommunity #Capsaicin #Gardening #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Health #Curiosity #SmallBusiness #ContentCreator #FortWorth #SpicyFood

  6. Jul 8

    Copper in the Garden: Benefits, Risks, Electroculture, Hydroponics & Pepper Growing Explained | 192

    Copper has been used in agriculture for centuries, yet it’s also one of the most debated topics in modern gardening. From copper fungicides and slug barriers to copper pipes, wire, electroculture, and hydroponic systems, there are countless claims about what copper can and can’t do. In this episode of The Swear Word, Brandon Swear takes a balanced, science-informed look at copper’s role in gardening, separating established research from internet myths while acknowledging where questions still remain. Rather than promoting miracle solutions or dismissing traditional practices outright, this episode focuses on understanding how copper actually behaves in soil, water, and around plant roots so growers can make informed decisions. Throughout this conversation you’ll learn: 🌱 Why copper is an essential micronutrient for peppers and other plants and how too much can become harmful. 🦠 How copper works as a fungicide and why it has remained an important tool in agriculture for more than a century. 🌎 What happens when copper enters your soil, how it interacts with beneficial microbes, earthworms, fungi, and why soil biology matters. 🧪 How soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient availability influence copper uptake and long-term soil health. 🌶️ The truth about copper pipes, copper wire, copper rods, electroculture, and other popular gardening trends circulating across social media. 🏡 Practical uses for copper in raised beds, in-ground gardens, container gardens, and greenhouse production. 💧 Important differences between outdoor growing and indoor hydroponic systems including DWC (Deep Water Culture), Flood & Drain (Ebb & Flow), NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), and Aeroponics. ⚖️ How copper compares to galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, brass, PVC, HDPE, wood, and other commonly used garden materials. ✅ Best practices for using copper responsibly while protecting long-term soil health and maximizing pepper production. Whether you’re a backyard gardener, commercial pepper grower, hydroponic enthusiast, homesteader, master gardener, or simply curious about the science behind growing healthier plants, this episode provides practical information that can help you better understand one of gardening’s most misunderstood tools. At The Swear Word, my goal is simple: bring together the pepper-growing, hot sauce, and chilihead community while exploring everything from cultivation and plant science to products, interviews, and the incredible people behind the world of heat. 🌶️ Questions for the Community: • Have you used copper in your garden? • Have you tried copper tape, copper fungicides, or electroculture? • Have you noticed benefits or drawbacks? • What gardening myths would you like us to explore in a future episode? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Your experiences may help shape a future episode. ⸻ 🔥 Visit The Swear Word https://theswearword.net Become part of Swear Nation by subscribing, joining the newsletter, checking out merchandise, recommending future guests, and exploring previous episodes. ⸻ Sponsors PodVision.io Helping creators, businesses, and brands launch professional podcasts and video content. Website: Podvision.io  WebDX Need a website, marketing automation, lead generation, CRM integration, SEO, or digital marketing strategy? Visit WebDX to learn more. Website: Webex.one Interested in sponsoring The Swear Word? Sponsorship opportunities are currently available through our website. ⸻ If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with another gardener, grower, or chilihead. Your support helps more people discover everything from the world of hot. #TheSwearWord #PepperGrowing #Gardening #PepperPlants #Capsaicin #Hydroponics #OrganicGardening #VegetableGardening #SoilHealth #RaisedBeds #ContainerGardening #ChiliPeppers #HotSauce #PlantScience #GardenTips If you have read this far you are amazing! Much love, Brandon Swear🔥❤️‍🔥 ————————

  7. Jul 1

    Pest Resistance in the Garden: Lessons from Pepper Fields for Organic & Conventional Growers |TSW191

    🎙️🔥 Welcome to The Swear Word Podcast! Episode 190, join your host Brandon Swear for a Blazin conversation. Pests getting harder to control no matter what you spray or use? You’re not imagining it—pest resistance is real and affecting pepper growers everywhere. In this deep-dive solo episode, we break down how resistance develops (in simple terms), the hidden costs to your crops/time/money, pitfalls of overuse for both organic and conventional systems, and practical prevention strategies that actually work at farm and backyard scale.Topics include: IPM (eye-pee-em), rotating modes of action, beneficial insects, resistant varieties, soil health, scouting, and real-world tactics for Phytophthora (FYE-toff-THOR-uh), thrips, aphids, and more.Whether you grow peppers commercially, in containers, or in a community garden, walk away with actionable steps to build resilient systems this season.Share your pest battles in the comments—we read them!#PepperGrowing #IPM #OrganicGardening #PestResistance #SustainableFarming #BackyardGarden #MarketGardeningKeywords: pest resistance, pepper plants, integrated pest management, organic pest control, conventional farming, Phytophthora, beneficial insects, crop rotation, gardening tips.----more----🎙️ About The Swear Word PodcastThe Swear Word explores the world of peppers, capsaicin, hot sauce, growers, science, culture, and the stories behind the burn. New episodes feature deep dives, expert conversations, and real talk for chiliheads at every level.📌 Available On:YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Rumble🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on hot sauce, peppers, capsaicin science, gardening, and chilihead life.New episodes every TuesdayAvailable on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Rumble & all major platformsMerch, community & more at TheSwearWord.net ----more----👀 Missed the episode? No worries! Hit play now and catch up on the spice-filled reviews. ----more----Official The Swear Word website: https://theswearword.net/ Are you a citizen of the Swear Nation yet?Hey spicy product makers! Sponsorship is now open! Check out the monthly or annual sponsorships https://theswearword.net —Sponsors—In need of a website that is a good representation of you and your company? Want to streamline your business flow with automations, gain leads, nurture your potential clients and new ones? Check out Webdx.one let them know that Brandon sent you for discount!Podvision.io if you need help getting your brand started or don’t know how or where to start. Let’s go as you can contact me now directly about PodVision.io! If you have read this far you are amazing! Much love,Brandon Swear🔥❤️‍🔥🔥🎥 #TheSwearWord 🔥🎙️ #SpicyWorldUnleashed #ChiliHeadsUnite #hotornot #EverythingFromTheWorldOfHot #hotsaucelover #hotsauceaddict #spicyfoodlover🔥 #burningchoices #chilihead #spicyreviews #superhot #Saucegauntlet #pick5cut5 #the5 #swearwordmerch #smallbatchsauce #uniquesauces #podcasting #dfw #fortworth #hotsauce 🔥 capsaicin science, Scoville heat units, spicy food tolerance, chilihead culture, building spice tolerance, chili eating challenge.—————————

  8. Jun 17

    A Captivating Peruvian Hot Sauce Company | Guest: William of Inka Shaman Hot Sauce | TSW: Ep 190

    🎙️🔥 Welcome to The Swear Word Podcast! Episode 190, join your host Brandon Swear for a Blazin conversation with special guest William of Inka Shaman Hot Sauce🔥! Tonight we learn about William’s entry into spice, inspiration for creating hot sauces, the branding, labeling, the journey of being in business, how Zest fest and other markets have gone, the newest hot sauces, life in Peru and what wonders it holds, tons of pepper talk, the future goals and much more. ----more---- 🎙️ About The Swear Word Podcast The Swear Word explores the world of peppers, capsaicin, hot sauce, growers, science, culture, and the stories behind the burn. New episodes feature deep dives, expert conversations, and real talk for chiliheads at every level. 📌 Available On: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Rumble 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on hot sauce, peppers, capsaicin science, gardening, and chilihead life. New episodes every Tuesday Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Rumble & all major platforms Merch, community & more at TheSwearWord.net  ----more---- 👀 Missed the episode? No worries! Hit play now and catch up on the spice-filled reviews.  ----more---- Official The Swear Word website: https://theswearword.net/  Are you a citizen of the Swear Nation yet? Hey spicy product makers! Sponsorship is now open! Check out the monthly or annual sponsorships https://theswearword.net  Inka Shaman Hot Sauce links: Website: https://inkashamanhotsauce.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/inkashamanhotsauce/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568404511612  Direct Link: Charapita : https://inkashamanhotsauce.com/product/charapita-chili-sauce/  —Sponsors— In need of a website that is a good representation of you and your company? Want to streamline your business flow with automations, gain leads, nurture your potential clients and new ones? Check out Webdx.one let them know that Brandon sent you for discount! Podvision.io if you need help getting your brand started or don’t know how or where to start. Let’s go as you can contact me now directly about PodVision.io!  If you have read this far you are amazing! Much love, Brandon Swear🔥❤️‍🔥 🔥🎥 #TheSwearWord 🔥🎙️ #SpicyWorldUnleashed  #ChiliHeadsUnite #hotornot #EverythingFromTheWorldOfHot  #hotsaucelover  #hotsauceaddict #spicyfoodlover🔥 #burningchoices #chilihead #spicyreviews #superhot #Saucegauntlet #pick5cut5 #the5 #swearwordmerch #smallbatchsauce #uniquesauces  #podcasting  #dfw #fortworth #hotsauce  🔥  capsaicin science, Scoville heat units, spicy food tolerance, chilihead culture, building spice tolerance, chili eating challenge. —————————

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About

This is the show for the chili head community by the community! ”The Swear Word” is where fiery host, Brandon Swear rolls out new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday night at 8:00 (ct) and takes you on a spicy adventure. Scorching interviews with fellow Chili Heads, mouth-watering product reviews, and everything from the world of hot! Like spicy food? Want to know what it's like to eat some of the hottest products and challenges in the world and uncover what is going on in the minds of the creators? This is the place for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Swear
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Brandon Swear
  • Show Website
    The Swear Word