Shady Characters

Thatch Creative

In this series, we step out of the spotlight and into the shade - to have conversations and uncover real stories behind topics like brand-building, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism, music and entertainment, and the interesting characters who shape them.

  1. She Didn’t Follow the Market. She Built Her Own.

    APR 24

    She Didn’t Follow the Market. She Built Her Own.

    She Didn’t Follow the Market. She Built Her Own. Nicole Bowyer did not start with a polished brand or a clear roadmap. She started with a vision, a small budget, and a willingness to figure things out as she went. In this episode, the founder of Coco on the Go breaks down what it actually looks like to build a brand from the ground up, long before the wins start showing up. From hand labeling her first pieces at home to traveling internationally in search of the right fabrics, Nicole shares the messy and unfiltered early days of entrepreneurship. What began as a passion for design and a desire to empower women through confident and versatile clothing evolved into a premium athleisure brand now found in luxury spas, resorts, and fitness clubs across the country. We get into the real decisions behind the brand. Why she chose quality over margin early on. How she differentiated in a crowded athleisure market. What it takes to stay consistent when growth is slow and uncertain. She also talks about navigating partnerships, breaking into major retail, and balancing her own brand while taking on private label opportunities. Beyond business, Nicole opens up about the reality of juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship, staying organized under pressure, and maintaining the discipline it takes to keep moving forward. This is a candid conversation about resilience, brand building, and playing the long game to create something meaningful and make it last.

    52 min
  2. Short-Lived Blast: The Story Before Korn...and After

    APR 17

    Short-Lived Blast: The Story Before Korn...and After

    Short-Lived Blast: The Story Before Korn… and After Before Korn, there was LAPD. Before the tours, the fame, and the legacy, there were a group of kids from Bakersfield trying to figure it out as they went. In this episode of Shady Characters, Fieldy and Richard Morrill take us back to the beginning. They share how they met, the early bands they played in, and the chaotic journey from local shows to getting signed just months after moving to Hollywood. It is a story filled with cramped apartments, relentless gigs, and the kind of blind confidence that only comes with being young and all in. But this is not just a story about what happened. It is also about what almost happened. Richard opens up about the moment he chose to leave the band and join the military, walking away from a path that could have led to global success. What follows is an honest reflection on identity, timing, and redefining what success actually means. While Fieldy’s path led to decades on stage, Richard’s took a different route grounded in family, reinvention, and perspective. Throughout the conversation, they revisit the evolution of LAPD, the transition that eventually became Korn, and the reality that bands, like people, grow and change. They talk about ego, mistakes, and what it means to look back on those early years with clarity instead of nostalgia. What makes this episode hit is the contrast. One path leads to arenas and global recognition. The other leads to something quieter, but no less meaningful. Both are honest. Both are real. At its core, this episode is about friendship that lasts decades, the unpredictable nature of success, and the idea that sometimes the biggest wins in life have nothing to do with fame at all.

    48 min
  3. Get Me the Ball: The Vizzi Brothers on Building a Movement Through Sports

    MAR 19

    Get Me the Ball: The Vizzi Brothers on Building a Movement Through Sports

    Get Me the Ball: The Vizzi Brothers on Building a Movement Through Sports Matt and Tim Vizzi sit down with Shady Characters to share the origin story behind Get Me the Ball and the deeper mindset that now fuels everything they do. What started as a hype song inspired by Tim’s comeback from a devastating college back injury has grown into a full-blown movement rooted in resilience, confidence, and refusing to accept limits. In this episode, the Vizzi brothers open up about their bond as brothers, best friends, and business partners, and how that relationship became the foundation for Next Gen NFL Flag, OC Vision, and the broader culture they are building through youth sports. They talk about starting small during the shutdown era, organizing grassroots scrimmages, handing out flyers by hand, and building a league that now serves more than a thousand athletes while creating unforgettable experiences for kids and families alike. The conversation goes beyond sports. Matt and Tim share how they think about storytelling, mentorship, identity, and the responsibility of creating spaces where young athletes feel seen, challenged, and inspired. They break down the tunnel entrances, championship moments, and community-first atmosphere that have made Next Gen feel different, and why they believe healthy competition, strong energy, and real relationships can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. This is a conversation about brotherhood, belief, vision, and what happens when you build with heart, stay true to your values, and keep climbing.

    1h 5m
  4. Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of the Acjachemen Nation

    MAR 13

    Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of the Acjachemen Nation

    Legacy, Leadership, and the Future of the Acjachemen Nation In this episode of Shady Characters, Nathan K. Banda, Tribal Chairman of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, sits down for a deeply personal and important conversation about identity, leadership, and legacy. Nathan shares his journey back into tribal leadership, what it means to serve his people, and how family continues to shape the way he leads. From raising three daughters to carrying forward the work of his mother and ancestors, he opens up about the responsibility of protecting culture while building a stronger future for the next generation. The conversation explores the history of the Acjachemen people in Orange County, the significance of Putuidhem as the mother village, the importance of language preservation, and the emotional weight of traditions that have endured for centuries. Nathan also reflects on the mission, the sacred role of the bell ringers, the meaning behind cultural resources and ancestral sites, and why telling the tribe’s story from their own perspective matters now more than ever. This episode is a powerful reminder that history is not something distant. It is living, personal, and still unfolding. Nathan brings clarity, heart, and purpose to a conversation about what it means to honor the past while fighting for recognition, sovereignty, and a stronger future for the Acjachemen Nation. If you want, I can also give you a few alternate title options that feel more emotional, more editorial, or more click-worthy for YouTube and podcast platforms.

    51 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

In this series, we step out of the spotlight and into the shade - to have conversations and uncover real stories behind topics like brand-building, creative thinking, entrepreneurialism, music and entertainment, and the interesting characters who shape them.

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