Bingel's Smorgasbord

About Bingel's Smorgasbord

A smorgasbord is a wide variety of food, likewise life is a wide variety of people and cultures! Join Matt Bingel as he hosts this exciting podcast as every week, he chats with people about not only their careers, but what makes them, them!

Publisher

Matt Bingel

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

22 May 2026

Latest episode

31 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   31 Oct 2026

   The Crew & A Friend III | Episode 18

   We're back with all new episodes! On this episode, Matt Bingel, Matt Hammer, Andi Cohen & Alix Arrigo discuss what's been happening since we've been off, and what's ahead for the podcast for the rest of the year and heading in 2027! We have a lot of great episodes to come! You'll also be hearing about some behind the scenes of how Bingel's Smorgasbord operates, especially in terms of reaching out to people, and some of the ideas that we have for future episodes! Like and subscribe for more! Check us out on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord (https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556571931983 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556571931983) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bingelssmorgasbord (https://www.tiktok.com/@bingelssmorgasbord)

2. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Todd Newton (Game Show Host)

   Game show fans will find plenty to enjoy in this episode. Matt sits down with Emmy Award-Winning host Todd Newton to discuss his career in radio, television, and live stage hosting. Here's what they get into: His job performing physically demanding puppetry as "Mr. Frog" on Gator Tales. Learning the craft on St. Louis radio and the art of "hitting the post" over song intros. How an unannounced walk into MTVs LA studios led to a 10-plus year run at E! Entertainment Television. Working alongside Joan Rivers and hosting "Wild On!" How he landed the hosting gig for Hollywood Showdown in 1999 Newton shares his thoughts on game show hosts, calling Bob Barker the "Statue of Liberty" of the industry – a singular, untouchable standard. Then, he shares his "Mount Rushmore" of game show hosts! He names his "Mount Rushmore" of game show hosts and recalls shooting the Whammy! pilot on the same day as original Press Your Luck host Peter Tomarken's pilot in 2002. Newton also talks about hosting Family Game Night on The Hub and winning an Emmy for it. He promotes his book, "Chug and Chow," which showcases 50 local eateries and dive bars across America, with all proceeds going to local food banks. All sales proceeds directly help local food banks provide meals to families in need. Find Todd Newton at: Instagram: @ToddNewtonOfficial The Price is Right Live Tour & Tickets: priceisrightlive.com (http://priceisrightlive.com) Website: toddnewtononline.com (http://toddnewtononline.com) Book: Chug and Chow (Available on Amazon, proceeds benefit food banks) Proceeds benefit food banks) Like, share, and subscribe to Bingel's Smorgasbord for more great conversations.

3. 

   12 Sept 2026

   ReactingDad (Content Creator) | 16

   Today, we welcome ReactingDad, a TikTok reaction content creator with more than 100,000 followers! We discuss his rapid rise to fame through music reaction videos, specifically his focus on millennial rock mashups and the emotional connection he builds with his audience. Plus, we also discuss generational differences (he's a Millennial, Andi & Matt are early Gen Z), and the . Plus, we take a look at the labor-intensive nature of being a content creator, detailing his strict posting schedule and the challenge of balancing digital work with his responsibilities as a husband and a father, as well as overcoming social media algorithms. Finally, we discuss 90s media, mainly SpongeBob! If you're wanting to make it in content creation, this episode's for you! Follow him on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reactingdad_ (https://www.tiktok.com/@reactingdad_) Follow the podcast on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/ (https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bingelssmorgasbord (https://www.tiktok.com/@bingelssmorgasbord)

4. 

   5 Sept 2026

   Marcelo Bottaro (Puppeteer, Teacher & Artist) | 15

   On this episode, we welcome Marcelo Bottaro, a puppeteer, artist and teacher! Matt & Marcelo discuss his multifaceted talents as a cartoonist, voice actor and art teacher, highlighting his childhood passions for animation & cartoons! He also reflects on the huge influence of The Muppets & Jim Henson, sharing personal stories, including meeting Muppet Performer Bill Barretta (Dr. Teeth among others)! He also opens up about overcoming childhood adversity and his dedication to inspiring his students through art! Note: this episode may contain topics which may be a bit disturbing to some. Please be advised of this. CHECK OUT MARCELO'S PAGES! Puppet Instagram: http://instagram.com/figmentsinc (http://instagram.com/figmentsinc) Cartoon Instagram: http://instagram.com/bottarocartoons (http://instagram.com/bottarocartoons) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcelobottaro27 (https://www.tiktok.com/@marcelobottaro27) YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@MarceloRBottaro (https://www.youtube.com/@MarceloRBottaro) Marcelo's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/MarceloBottaro (https://www.patreon.com/cw/MarceloBottaro)

5. 

   29 Aug 2026

   The Crew & A Friend II (Andi Cohen, Matt Hammer, Gary Roof Jr., Alix Arrigo & Corinn Kramer) || 14

   We enjoyed it so much, we're doing it again! It's The Crew & A Friend II! We reflect on past episodes, including with Bob Stutt & Jocelyn Stevenson, which range from daycare teachers to professional puppeteers. Of course we share personal anecdotes, including Alix Arrigo's recent trip to the Jim Henson Creature Shop in New York and our friend Corinn's friendship with Andi. This episode captures the dynamic between the crew as they joke with each other, discuss baseball, and address the logistical challenges of creating content. Finally, we also share some ideas about the end of the year, including some potential holiday themed episodes coming at the end of the year! Finally, we emphasize our commitment to exploring a wide variety of cultures and careers!

6. 

   22 Aug 2026

   Jocelyn Stevenson (Co-Creator; Fraggle Rock, Author: The Waterubas)

   On this episode, we are very excited to welcome Jocelyn Stevenson, co-creator of Fraggle Rock! She's also the author of the book series, The Waterubas, a book series teaching children about environmental stewardship. Jocelyn explains her creative process, including how the elemental nature of these Waterubas mirrors the qualities of water, such as acceptance and persistence. Matt also opens up to Jocelyn about his brother, as there's a character in The Waterubas with cerebral palsy. Matt & Jocelyn discuss representation of disability in literature. Matt also shares his experiences taking care of a non-verbal brother. Matt & Jocelyn also reflect on the legacy of Fraggle Rock, and describe that the modern series, "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock", as an expansion of Jim Henson's vision, not merely a reboot. For more info about The Waterubas and where you can purchase a copy of Books 1 & 2, visit https://thewaterubas.com/ (https://thewaterubas.com/)

7. 

   15 Aug 2026

   Peter Schaeublin (Deputy Fire Chief; Salem Fire Department)

   On this episode, it's all about fire safety as we welcome Peter Schaeublin, Deputy Fire Chief of the Salem Fire Department! Peter provides insight about the requirements of being a firefighter, and the civil service testing process. Peter also debunks a myth about firefighters, as 90% of a firefighter's work involves medical aid and general community assistance. Most of it, however, is all about public safety, especially the importance of functional smoke detectors and the life-saving benefits of sprinkler systems in residential buildings. Plus, being in Salem, we also talk about the tourism, especially in the Fall, and how the fire department manages all of those people touring the city during the busy Halloween season. Finally, we discuss Salem's 400th anniversary and the celebrations surrounding it. You'll learn all sorts of things about fire safety and the realities of fire services!

8. 

   8 Aug 2026

   Bob Stutt (Puppeteer; Fraggle Rock, Under the Umbrella Tree) | Episode 11

   On this episode, we welcome Canadian puppeteer Bob Stutt! You may know him from his work on the original "Fraggle Rock", but most of you may know him as the puppeteer of Iggy Iguana on Under The Umbrella Tree! Matt & Bob talk shop about puppetry, including the "triangle", an arrangement between the puppets eyes and nose to establish a clear point of focus. Also, Bob shares a story of how, during filming of the 1982 special The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show, Bob got to hold Kermit while Jim Henson checked lighting, you better believe he knew how special of a moment it was. And we, of course, talk about Under the Umbrella Tree! Particularly the 1993 special "Baseball Fever', part of which was filmed at the Skydome! And you'll also hear about a different special that Iggy was in, "The Biggest Little Ticket", filmed in front of a live audience! Plus, Bob also shares some of his work on Fraggle Rock, including how heavy the Last of the Lilly Creatures was! And doing a Traveling Matt segment at the CN Tower and using a camera with a lens that is half a mile long! Plus, there may or not be a special treat too for you in this episode! Watch the whole thing to find out what it is!

9. 

   1 Aug 2026

   10: Aurora Desmond (Musician)

   On this episode, we welcome Aurora Desmond, an independent goth and dark wave trans musician! We explore her musical evolution from classical to The Beatles. We also explore a shared passion for Prince, discussing his albums and some of his best work, including "1999" & "Sign O' The Times". And we also discuss another shared passion, The Muppets! We share our favorite Muppet projects, including the recent Muppet Show special, The Jim Henson Hour, The Storyteller & Fraggle Rock! Aurora also shares a story about her childhood Kermit doll. Finally, Aurora views her transgender journey through the lens of being on the autism spectrum and understanding her identity! Note: Her Instagram is @ofmermaids_ AURORA'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ofmermaids_/ (https://www.instagram.com/ofmermaids_/) OUR INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/ (https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/)

10. 

    25 Jul 2026

    Debra Schwartzberg Levy (Rachel; The Circle Season 7)

    On this episode, we welcome Debra Schwartzberg Levy, who was Rachel on Season 7 of the reality TV show "The Circle"! Join Matt Bingel and his co-hosts Andi Cohen & Matt Hammer, as talk about what went down that season! You'll also hear all about the behind-the-scenes of The Circle, including the psychological support, the physical isolation in the game and tactics used! And you'll hear about how one night while in "The Circle", there was a fire drill, how did they pull that off without being seen? Tune in and find out!

11. 

    18 Jul 2026

    8: Jake Deffinbaugh (Podcast Host; Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show)

    On this episode, we welcome fellow podcaster and dear friend Jake Deffinbaugh! We celebrate Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show's 5th anniversary as we share our favorite guests and moments. A little fun fact: Matt was a co-host on Jake's show for 3 and a half years! Plus, a deep dive as to what goes into podcasting and we share our tips on how to become a great podcaster. These tips include being yourself, maintaining professionalism, not becoming a fanboy, and treating the guests with respect and authenticity. Plus, we also share some things we grew up with, like classic PC Games like Blue's Birthday Adventure, Blue's Treasure Hunt and Sesame Street's 1995 PC Game "Let's Make A Word". Finally, Jake shares a powerful quote from a Mister Rogers' interview with Charlie Rose back in 1997. How does the quote Jake uses tie in to the podcasting world? Tune in and find out!

12. 

    11 Jul 2026

    7: Skorpio Smith (Up & Coming Puppeteer)

    On this episode, we welcome up and coming puppeteer Skorpio Smith! Skorpio has only been puppeteering for 9 months, but his expertise would make you believe he's been doing this for years! We talk about the biggest misconceptions of puppetry and tips on being authentic on social media and public performance. Plus, we emphasize the value of the global puppetry community, especially from the UK and Australia. Plus, you'll see lots of puppets, mainly to demonstrate improv skills, vocal technique and the physical demand of bringing characters to life. It's a whole lesson in the artistry and technicalities of puppetry on this episode of Bingel's Smorgasbord!

13. 

    26 Jun 2026

    6: Meet Frankie Sartori (Daycare Teacher)

    On this episode, we welcome Frankie Sartori! Frankie's a daycare teacher! We talk a lot about VHS tapes, Disney Sing Along Songs and meeting puppeteer Noel MacNeal! Plus, you'll also learn about Frankie's original job trajectory before he became a teacher, it may surprise you! And speaking of teaching, you'll also hear Frankie tell stories about helping children reach milestones that they never did before, and how rewarding it is, not just for the child, but for the teacher as well. You'll learn about the Big Bad Wolf's real name, along with other fun facts that Frankie knows! Plus, Frankie talks about mental health and the biggest, easiest misconception of mental health.

14. 

    19 Jun 2026

    5: The Crew Comes Together! (Andi Cohen, Matt Hammer, Gary Roof Jr. & Alix Arrigo)

    You've seen the crew separately! Now see them together! To officially conclude our Meet the Crew series, we've invited everyone! We've brought back Andi Cohen, Matt Hammer & Gary Roof Jr., plus we welcome our dear friend, puppeteer, artist and content creator Alix Arrigo! This conversation goes all sorts of routes, including: favorite (semi-appropriate) quotes, a deep dive into pitcher Jacob Misiorowski’s high-velocity pitches (and his recent complete game shutout), judging markers and regional names for food, specifically how "Long Johns" in the Midwest are called "donut sticks" in other areas! Matt Bingel also shares anecdotes about his brother Michael, known for giving "yes or no" answers (mainly yes, 97% of the time). Also, Matt shows off a handmade birthday card that Alix made (yes, handmade) and you'll get to meet Matt's main puppet, Marty Monster, and Alix's main puppet, Terrance! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM The Smorsgasbord Page: https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/ (https://www.instagram.com/bingelssmorgasbord/) Alix's page: https://www.instagram.com/alixthequeenfluffy314/ (https://www.instagram.com/alixthequeenfluffy314/)

15. 

    12 Jun 2026

    4: Meet Gary Roof Jr.! (Comic Relief)

    We conclude our Meet The Crew series on this episode as we welcome Gary Roof Jr.! Gary is our comic relief! On this episode, we discuss the Cubs winning it all in 2016, from Gary's perspective, and how Matt Hammer and Gary met in person! Plus, you'll also hear about Matt's twin brother and his fixations. Finally, you'll hear some of Gary's favorite things he's said out of the blue, including wanting to go to West Africa solely to pet a giraffe! And you'll also hear our pitch for an elderly baseball league. Why? We still don't know.

16. 

    5 Jun 2026

    3: Meet Matt Hammer (Co-Manager)

    Continuing with our Meet The Crew series, we welcome Matt Hammer, co-manager! On this episode, we discuss a smorgasbord (quite literally) of sports, TV history, and behind the scenes stories. Chicago Cubs Lore: We discuss how thrilling it was to finally see the Chicago Cubs win it all in 2016 after 108 years, plus a look back at the close call that was the 1984 season. The Mets' historical losing streak: A breakdown of the New York Mets', truly, mind-boggling 12-game losing streak (Sorry Mets fans, we were just as baffled as you) The Return of NBC Sports: Our thoughts on NBC Sports returning to baseball and basketball coverage, including the return of John Tesh's iconic 1990 theme, "Roundball Rock." Survivor Mania: A deep dive into the cultural phenomenon of Survivor, from the staggering 51 million viewers who tuned into the Season 1 finale in August of 2000, to a modern debate: How well would the show survive if it moved solely to streaming? Behind the Scenes: Matt Hammer turns the tables and asks Matt about his twin brother and what they like to do together! There's lot of tracks to go through on this episode of Bingel's Smörgåsbord, just listen and dive right in!

17. 

    29 May 2026

    2: Meet Andi Cohen! (Production Manager)

    On this episode, we kick off our "Meet the Crew" series! We welcome Andi Cohen, who is a Production Manager for the podcast! You'll hear all about their vision for the podcast, and you'll also learn about Chiari malformation, Dissociative Identity Disorder, plus you'll hear the true story of how Andi and their friend got lost and accidentally found their group again! Finally, hear the wild question that Andi has for Matt! You'll know all about Matt & Andi's vibe as part of the Meet The Crew series!

18. 

    22 May 2026

    1: A Little About Me (Matt Bingel)

    Welcome to the Smorgasbord, come on in and grab a seat! On this premiere episode, our host, Matt Bingel, introduces himself and the vision for his podcast as a space for open conversation and storytelling where guests can discuss their professional path and career as well as whatever they want to talk about! Matt explains that the podcast will feature both entertainment industry pros and "regular people" to highlight the variety inherent in life, hence the Smorgasbord vibe. Plus, Matt shares his personal history, including his background in accounting, his love for classic game shows, and his deep connection to the puppetry community.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.