Shaffer RULES Podcast – Episode 5: “Bourbon, Ball, Q-Tips, and Bad Impressions”

Episode 5 is a full-on grab bag, in the best possible way.

We kick things off with a conversation about bourbon: what we’re drinking, what we like, and why it somehow always leads to stronger opinions than expected.

From there, we jump headfirst into college football, breaking down the transfer portal, NIL, and the ever-evolving playoff system, what’s working, what isn’t, and why the sport feels fundamentally different than it did just a few years ago.

Things take a sharp turn into the mundane when we tackle an age-old household debate: Kleenex vs. Q-tips. Which actually cleans better? Why does every Q-tip box refuse to reseal? And how do you end up finding random Q-tips in places they have no business being? Fair warning, we’re officially boycotting Q-tips, lol!

We also talk about new and old movies we’ve been watching and dive into how CGI has evolved over time, when it enhances storytelling, when it distracts, and why practical effects still matter.

Later, we compare notes on some of the most iconic voices of all time, followed by what can only be described as our best attempt at a Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) impression. Results may vary! hahaha!

We wrap up the episode with a word from our sponsor…who doesn’t know they’re our sponsor yet.

As always, it’s a little chaotic, highly opinionated, and very on-brand.

Listen in. Because these are the rules. Shaffer RULES!!!

Usually, the Shaffer RULES Podcast leans into humor, chaos, and the lighter side of life, but this episode marks a shift in tone.

Episode 4: “The Dismissal” is the first in a new monthly series of special episodes focused on deeper, more serious conversations. No bits. No distractions. Just an honest discussion about experiences that leave a lasting impact.

In this episode, Corey reflects on being dismissed from his job and opens up about the emotional aftermath that followed. Through that experience, he walks through the five stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and how each stage showed up in real time, both personally and professionally. He then discusses how this experience led to a renewed perspective on life, an awakening that reshaped his priorities, his outlook, and how he views what truly matters moving forward.

Dismissal can take many forms: being let go, written off, or told, directly or indirectly, that you’re no longer needed. Sometimes it happens quietly. Sometimes it’s abrupt. But no matter how it occurs, it often reshapes how you see yourself, your work, and what comes next.

This episode is a candid conversation about loss, identity, perspective, and what it means to move forward when the decision wasn’t yours to make.

This is “The Dismissal.”

Brian and Corey reflect on the holidays, covering smoking meat, bourbon of the week, and the good, bad, and awkward parts of family time.

The conversation quickly goes off the rails talking about the spit valve on a trumpet, leading Brian to share a marching band fail from his freshman year in Florida, Corey reads the newspaper, and discusses where his dogs do their business, haha!

They also talk about upgrades to their new studio setup (including a future Jerome Bettis cutout), Corey’s latest auction finds and the characters that come with them, the music they’ve been jamming to, and Corey’s unexpected, but passionate discussion about capes.

The episode wraps with the concept of fake commercials and the debut of their newest ridiculous product concept: “Anchor Punch.”

As always, it’s a laid-back, laugh-filled episode that goes absolutely nowhere—and everywhere—at the same time…Shaffer RULES!

In Episode 2 of the Shaffer RULES Podcast, it’s Corey’s birthday, and the celebration delivers exactly what you’d expect: hilarious stories, unexpected twists, and plenty of moments that could only happen to Corey and Brian.

The two jump into a wide-ranging conversation that includes everything from AI mishaps to crazy band memories, plus the real story behind the podcast’s name. Brian opens up about an unintentionally embarrassing moment involving AI-generated song lyrics, where a simple songwriting experiment quickly goes sideways and turns into a story he probably wishes he could take back and recounts a wild trip to Chicago with his former band, (kaj).

Corey brings his own stack of unforgettable stories, including the true origin of the phrase “Shaffer RULES,” and a wild moment at an Aerosmith concert where he was unexpectedly approached by an undercover cop. The way he tells the story makes it one of the standout moments of the episode. The two also share funny pet stories, dive into other off-the-wall topics, and spend plenty of time laughing at themselves and each other.

It’s an episode filled with personality, nostalgia, and the kind of real, unfiltered banter that defines the “Shaffer RULES” Podcast.

Episode 1 – The Inaugural Episode: Sports, Stories, and Total Chaos

Welcome to the very first episode of the Shaffer RULES Podcast, where longtime friends Brian and Corey kick things off the only way they know how—by diving headfirst into sports, swapping ridiculous stories, and letting the conversation go wherever it decides to go.

In this debut episode, we bounce from topic to topic and dig into some of our favorite random topics, including going to Pittsburgh Penguins games, we revisit unforgettable moments from our college years, and relive the glory (and the disasters) of fraternity life. Brian also breaks out some stories from his days playing in his former band, (kaj).

We also look ahead at where this podcast is going—brainstorming future segments, discussing the random stuff we want to explore, and setting the tone for what the Shaffer RULES Podcast is all about: real conversations, hilarious detours, and unfiltered stories from two friends who've been talking like this for years.

If you’re into sports, music, nostalgia, or just hanging out with two guys who love to riff, you’re in the right place. Let’s get this thing started.