Ricky's Big World

Ricky Bartlett

Welcome to Ricky's Big World, the podcast that blends mouth-watering food, Southern charm, and the unique perspective of Ricky Bartlett - double-leg amputee, radio host, and actor. Recoded live from Pizza World Iowa's vibrant kitchen, join Ricky for entertaining tales, laughs, and a glimpse into Southern culture. Whether you're a fried chicken enthusiast or seeking a good chuckle, Ricky's quick wit and infectious personality make each episode a joy. Ricky's Big World is a podcast that's as irresistible as a hot slice of Pizza World's famous pizza!

  1. 08/20/2025

    POOL LIFT FROM HELL?! Gators, Hot Tubs & Summer Chaos | Ricky’s Big World Ep. 60

    Drop us a message Ricky’s funniest summer episode yet. 🤦‍♂️ From why he refuses pool lifts (“like a ladle frying a noodle!”) to a legit hot-tub horror story, gators at the pool, beach struggles with prosthetics, and a refrigerator-derby (yes, really)… it’s pure chaos and Southern storytelling gold. Stick around for: YMCA vs public pools, octopus foot nibbling (!), the time teen Ricky cut cable lines (then “fixed” them), getting out of a speeding ticket, and why he won’t accept free meals for “service.” Tell us in the comments: your worst pool/hot-tub/beach story. We’ll read the best ones on one of the next episodes! Subscribe for new episodes every Monday! Timestamps: 0:00 Cold open: “ladle, lift… and fry the fat man” 0:45 Theme — back in the Pizza World “caverns” 1:03 Kicking off summer topics (+ butter vs. margarine) 1:29 The adaptive pool float & Ricky’s “90° rule” 2:34 The real issue: getting out of the pool 3:16 Pride vs. devices: “no little seat, no rascal” 4:03 The pool-lift analogy that broke Roxanna 6:04 How Ricky actually exits the pool (roly-poly chaos) 7:43 No guests allowed during “the pool spectacle” 8:04 The Shamu transfer (and why it’s better) 8:53 Gator at the pool: “drive-thru water window” 11:33 Roxanna fully loses it 11:54 Fishing—then an octopus eats her toes?! 13:22 Ice cream & the legend of “sweet sweat” 14:35 Why Ricky avoids Disney in summer 15:14 Kids + Grandpa’s pool 15:33 YMCA vs. public pools (“Tinkle Tank”) 16:39 Hot-tub horror: hair soup & dingle… nope. 18:49 Ocean? Absolutely not. 19:16 Beach + prosthetic legs = sand nightmare 20:29 Specialized swim legs (but still: sand) 21:15 Chuck-E-Cheese ball pit mishap 22:00 Windex & Listerine “country medicine” 24:14 “Pour some tussin on it” (growing up broke) 25:30 “We’ve had some doozies” 25:43 Drag racing & refrigerator derby (Kenmore wins) 27:08 Teen prank: cutting rich folks’ cable 28:54 Security camera karma 29:21 Climbing the pole to give free cable back 30:08 Speeding ticket—and how the legs helped 31:15 The “good table” restaurant hack 32:28 Handicap parking & saving it for worse days 32:56 “Thank you for your service” & stolen valor ethics 34:25 Amputation dates (Friday the 13th!) 35:05 Wrap-up: be interesting, y’all 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickysbigworld/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091682322790 • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickys.big.world 🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXseBMJhOAmXLZ4TJXC • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rickys-big-world/id1742834652 #RickysBigWorld #SummerStories #PoolFails #HotTub #AmputeeLife #SouthernStorytelling

    36 min
  2. 07/14/2025

    Is My Neighbor a Vampire?

    Drop us a message Ever wondered if vampires secretly live among us? Ricky sure does! In this hilariously spooky episode, Ricky dives deep into some chilling stories about his mysterious neighbors in Louisiana—are they just night owls, or could they actually be vampires? Roxanna pulls a sneaky prank with a surprise teleprompter script, leaving Ricky hilariously flustered. Plus, Ricky shares a creepy encounter from his past involving an old mansion and strange disappearances. Grab your garlic and tune in—this one's full of laughs, chills, and southern charm! Timestamps: 00:00 - Roxanna’s Sneaky Teleprompter Prank 03:31 - Ricky Gets "Complimentary" (Hilarious Prank Reaction) 08:02 - Taste Test: Louisiana Seafood vs. Pizza World 09:31 - Revisiting the Vampire Discussion 10:51 - Meet Lucretia: Ricky's Suspected Vampire Neighbor 15:22 - Characteristics of Modern Vampires 18:42 - Late-Night Spying & Creepy Mailbox Encounters 22:02 - Neighborhood Halloween: Suspiciously Popular? 26:24 - Vampire Costumes or Everyday Attire? 31:43 - Ricky’s Chilling Vampire Encounter from the Past 35:59 - Auntie Wig’s Vampire Club Story 37:14 - Vampire Legends and the Counting Rice Mystery 38:42 - Ricky’s Hilarious Warning to Vampires Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell for more laughs and mysteries from Ricky’s Big World! 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram:   / rickysbigworld   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...  • TikTok:   / rickys.big.world      🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on:  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXse... • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    39 min
  3. 07/07/2025

    Truck Snobs & Pizza Chaos: Ricky Hunts His Dream Ride!

    Drop us a message This week on Ricky’s Big World, Ricky is on a mission to find the ultimate truck, but not just any truck, because he's officially a self proclaimed "truck snob." Between his hilarious vehicle demands and questionable rental car adventures, Ricky shares what it truly means to hunt for your dream ride. Meanwhile, Pizza World is buzzing with excitement during its soft reopening, testing online orders and pushing their limits, all thanks to Ricky's "help." Plus, Ricky goes Facebook Live mid-podcast, resulting in delightful chaos you don't want to miss! In this episode: 🚘 Ricky’s ridiculously specific criteria for buying the perfect truck. 🍕 Behind-the-scenes chaos during Pizza World’s soft opening. 📱 Ricky’s spontaneous Facebook Live mid-show! 😴 Near misses and staying awake on long drives, sunflower seeds vs. gum debate. 💬 Relationship criteria and bizarre stability tests (like keeping a car 5+ years). Buckle up for laughs, pizza pandemonium, and find out if Ricky finally finds the truck of his dreams! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Back to Pizza World 1:06 - Soft Opening Chaos & Community Love 2:35 - Ricky's Obsession with Trucks Begins 6:04 - Surprise Facebook Live! 8:01 - Leather Seats & Truck Preferences 12:53 - Ricky’s Dream Truck Wish List 16:31 - The Legendary 2-Million Mile Toyota Truck 20:03 - Explosive Truck Breakdown Story 24:01 - Car Preferences & Stability in Relationships 31:36 - Ricky’s Friend's Unique Dating Criteria 35:33 - Ricky’s Near Miss Driving Incident 36:50 - Staying Awake: Gum vs. Sunflower Seeds 38:27 - Wrap Up & Ricky’s Truck Plea Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram:   / rickysbigworld   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...  • TikTok:   / rickys.big.world      🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on:  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXse... • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    39 min
  4. 06/23/2025

    Louisiana’s Vampire Blood Banks & Eating Pasta from a Pizza Dough Bowl?!

    Drop us a message Is Louisiana secretly catering to vampires after hours? Ricky dives deep into local legends and supernatural folklore from the heart of Louisiana, including the notorious Rougarou, real-life vampire stories, and haunted treasures hidden deep within the swamps. Plus, watch Ricky’s hilarious reaction to tasting Pizza World’s newest creation, a pasta-filled pizza dough bowl! This episode is packed with humor, mystery, and a mouth-watering food review you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to support Ricky and get the latest episodes! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Ricky teases vampire blood banks in Louisiana?! 0:44 - Welcome back to Ricky’s Big World! 1:09 - Ricky tries the magical Pizza World dough bowl for the first time 2:54 - Ricky’s reaction: is the dough bowl really that good? 6:41 - Origin of the Pizza World dough bowl idea 9:07 - Ricky talks Louisiana’s unique culture and folklore 9:40 - Legend of the Rougarou (Louisiana werewolf) 13:38 - Marie Laveau: The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans 14:11 - Louisiana’s Honey Swamp Monster 15:22 - Myrtles Plantation: One of America’s most haunted places 17:15 - The mysterious Casket Girls and vampire legends 20:19 - Why Louisiana is a supernatural hotspot 22:24 - Ricky reveals secret vampire blood banks and local beliefs 27:16 - Are Louisiana’s ley lines responsible for paranormal activity? 28:32 - Most haunted states in America 31:24 - Ricky’s chilling personal ghost story in South Dakota 37:31 - Folklore of the trickster spirits: The Fifolet 38:49 - Pirate Jean Lafitte and hidden treasures in Louisiana swamps 41:43 - America’s oldest bar and its ghostly connections 43:44 - Closing thoughts and Ricky’s humorous goodbye 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram:   / rickysbigworld   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...  • TikTok:   / rickys.big.world      🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on:  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXse... • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

    44 min
  5. 06/02/2025

    Robots, Anime, and Ugly Houses: Shows We're Actually Watching

    Drop us a message In Episode 55 of Ricky’s Big World, Ricky and Roxanna dish on their current TV obsessions, from anime hits like Castlevania and Avatar to quirky finds like Electric State featuring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt. They dive into the fun chaos of game shows, the hilarious honesty of HGTV's Ugliest House in America, and the addictive drama of Claus. Plus, Ricky shares his wild experience auditioning for Don't Forget the Lyrics. It’s a real, unfiltered chat full of laughs, hot takes on Hollywood remakes, and some TikTok talk! Timestamps: 0:07 - Intro and teaser about romance "fae" novels 0:42 - Soft opening fun and joking about food 2:17 - Ricky’s binge-worthy anime recommendations (Castlevania) 3:06 - Discussion on Electric State starring Millie Bobby Brown 5:11 - Ricky’s favorite game shows, especially "The Floor" hosted by Rob Lowe 11:04 - Favorite cooking shows: Next Level Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef, Nailed It, and Is It Cake? 11:45 - Roxanna discovers "Ugliest House in America" hosted by Retta 15:14 - Ricky’s humorous audition story for "Don't Forget the Lyrics" 18:31 - Roxanna’s recent binge: "See" starring Jason Momoa and "Ted Lasso" 22:21 - Throwbacks and classics like Gilmore Girls, I Love Lucy, and Carol Burnett Show 24:38 - Hollywood remakes and thoughts on "Snow White" controversy 27:15 - Popular book-to-screen adaptations from BookTok, especially ACOTAR 30:29 - Exploring different TikTok "sides": BookTok, MomTok, FightTok 34:07 - Ricky discusses importance of representation for disabled community 36:02 - Ricky shares humorous personal experiences at airports and movie theaters 37:40 - Ricky’s take on oversensitivity and "woke" culture 39:07 - Closing thoughts and humorous farewell 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram:   / rickysbigworld   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... • TikTok:   / rickys.big.world   🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXse... • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe to Ricky’s Big World for more authentic, unfiltered conversations!

    39 min
  6. 05/26/2025

    She Built a “Hoe Finder” with a Broom: Auntie Wigs Strikes Again

    Drop us a message In this jaw-dropping episode of Ricky’s Big World, Auntie Wigs is BACK, and she’s built a homemade “hoe finder” out of a broom, a paper plate, and pure vengeance. Ricky recounts the chaos that erupted after Auntie Wigs’ trip to Louisiana went sideways, Monica disrespected her wig samples, and Uncle Pork Bottoms caught feelings for a NASA engineer. What follows is a full blown southern family meltdown featuring woodchippers, pork rind feuds, and weaponized synthetic hair. Meanwhile, Ricky reflects on his hard-headed daddy, a trip to Columbus, and why funerals on one side of the family are way too normal. This episode is full of chaos, love, betrayal, wigs, pork, and one very haunted broom. Timestamps: 0:00 – Auntie Wigs’ new invention: The Hoe Finder 0:47 – Ricky’s film clapper story and episode open 1:13 – Ricky’s daddy: health scares and stubbornness 4:45 – “You’re just like him”: Flesh disease parallels 6:11 – Auntie Wigs shows up unannounced 7:04 – Surprise! She’s already inside the house 8:13 – Who even are these people in her Cadillac? 9:01 – Why Ricky didn’t let her in: drama, pool toes, and gas money 11:03 – Wig politics and cruise gossip in the Bahamas 12:11 – A yelling match and a hang-up war 13:02 – Auntie Wigs vs. Monica: A NASA shade war begins 14:05 – She throws two sample wigs into a woodchipper 15:25 – Ricky’s family history and complicated parent math 17:00 – Uncle Pork Bottoms and the NASA engineer romance 19:09 – Pork rind empire updates + fair drama 22:16 – Uncle Pork Bottoms flips a rival’s table 23:34 – Makes over $100k in 25 days—no big deal 26:03 – Auntie Wigs confronts him over Monica’s looks 28:00 – Monica calls… and gets read like a fairy tale villain 29:24 – Wig samples get thrown out—revenge in full swing 30:02 – Uncle Pork Bottoms storms over in an Oldsmobile 31:04 – Auntie Big Toe joins the mix (and bedazzles her foot) 32:29 – Wigs named Delilah, Monica, Bobby Mullet & more 34:01 – Synthetic hair flies, birds gag, and Auntie Wigs plots revenge 35:47 – She grabs the hoe finder again. “I’m going to go FIND her.” 36:47 – Final chaos: Ricky’s cousin pours honey on himself for love 38:48 – Outro: No drama, no honey, no overdue debts allowed 📱 Follow us on Social Media: • Instagram:   / rickysbigworld   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...  • TikTok:   / rickys.big.world      🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on:  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXse... • Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Enjoying the show? Help us grow this chaotic universe: Subscribe & hit the bell so you never miss a meltdown Leave a review on Apple or Spotify Share this episode with someone who needs a hoe finder! Leave your wigs at the door and your gas money in the glove box, this family ain’t for the faint of heart.

    40 min
  7. 05/19/2025

    Ricky Gets a Personal Assistant & Spills All the Acting Tea!

    Drop us a message Ever wondered what REALLY happens on a big TV set? In this episode of Ricky’s Big World, Ricky reveals what it’s like to get the star treatment, including getting his very own personal assistant! From on-set pampering and hilarious mishaps to advice for aspiring actors, we’re serving up all the juicy behind-the-scenes tea. Plus: Ricky’s latest acting gigs, the reality of working with major networks, what it’s like filming with big stars, and how life changes when you have someone to fix your collar and spritz you with water between takes. (Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds.) Roxanna and Ricky also dig into the realities of showbiz for people with disabilities, how to avoid acting scams, and why representation matters. Check out Ricky’s voiceover demos, audiobooks, and the legendary ‘Drunk Wizard’ PSA at: https://studiobvox.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & This Week’s Big News 02:00 – The Personal Assistant Chronicles: Pampered or Problem? 06:00 – Acting Gigs: What Ricky Can (and Can’t) Say 12:00 – On-Set Secrets: Trailers, Makeup, and Living Like a Star 20:00 – Representation in Hollywood: Real Talk 30:00 – Acting Scams & Advice for Beginners 35:00 – Fan Questions & Our Not-So-Perfect Podcast Setup 41:00 – Closing Thoughts & Next Week’s Tease Subscribe on YouTube & Buzzsprout! 80% of you are watching but haven’t hit that button, fix it for the good of humanity (and representation in showbiz). Your click helps amplify disabled voices and keeps the podcast authentic, fun, and totally unfiltered. Links & Extras: Ricky’s Voiceover Studio: https://studiobvox.com/ Follow us for real stories, wild pizza debates, and behind-the-scenes laughs every week. We’ll leave the light on for you, just don’t bring any drama, because we’ve got plenty of our own!

    41 min

About

Welcome to Ricky's Big World, the podcast that blends mouth-watering food, Southern charm, and the unique perspective of Ricky Bartlett - double-leg amputee, radio host, and actor. Recoded live from Pizza World Iowa's vibrant kitchen, join Ricky for entertaining tales, laughs, and a glimpse into Southern culture. Whether you're a fried chicken enthusiast or seeking a good chuckle, Ricky's quick wit and infectious personality make each episode a joy. Ricky's Big World is a podcast that's as irresistible as a hot slice of Pizza World's famous pizza!