Three guys. Zero filter. A whole lot of stories you weren't supposed to tell.
Lowcountry Lunatics is hosted by Chef Giuseppe (Joe Gallagher Jr. — New Haven → Charleston), Jamie Trasciatti (Detroit), and Joe Lavey Jr. the Fireman (Buffalo). Together they dive deep into Italian-American family life, faith, food, recovery, and the kind of raw, honest conversations most people are too afraid to have on mic.
From Sunday gravy to street fights. From addiction and incarceration to redemption and purpose. From Goodfellas references to real-life stories that are somehow wilder. Every episode is unscripted, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
Featuring guests from all walks of life — entrepreneurs, athletes, healers, convicts-turned-creators, and the occasional Sopranos connection.
Based in Charleston, SC. Rooted in the Lowcountry. Loud enough for everywhere.
Sponsored by Apastioli Specialty Foods, Roma Parfum, and Frontline Safety Supply.
This episode starts exactly how you’d expect… and somehow still goes off the rails.
Joe Lavey kicks things off by introducing Chef Giuseppe to one of the most colorful characters in the family, his cousin Crazy Ed. And within about 30 seconds, it’s clear… Ed fits right in with the Lunatics.
What follows is pure chaos, in the best way.
From old-school Northeast Italian family stories to completely unfiltered commentary, this episode feels less like a podcast and more like you just got dropped into a family gathering you probably weren’t ready for.
We get into:
Growing up in loud, tight-knit Italian families
The kind of cousins every family has (whether you admit it or not)
Stories that definitely shouldn’t be told on camera… but are anyway
And the kind of energy that makes Lowcountry Lunatics what it is
Chef Giuseppe tries to keep things somewhat grounded… Joe keeps stirring the pot… and Crazy Ed? He just pours gasoline on the whole thing.
If you’ve ever sat at a table where everyone’s talking over each other, laughing too loud, and nobody really knows what’s coming next—this episode is for you.
Welcome to the family.
🎙️ Lowcountry Lunatics Podcast Real conversations. Real stories. Zero filters.
13 Apr 2026
NFL Dreams & Getting Drafted w/Nate Wieland of the New England Patriots
Nate Wieland played linebacker for the New England Patriots. It was a dream come true, but the road leading up to the draft and every day afterward, was not paved smoothly. The odds were slim to even make the draft and then came the injuries. In this revealing episode, the Lunatics discuss pivots, discipline and leadership under Coach Bill Belichick.
30 Mar 2026
Chef Chris Candino: The Kitchen Wizard
Get ready for one of our most flavorful episodes yet. This week on Lowcountry Lunatics, we sit down with Chris Candino, the mastermind behind TC Wheelers Pizza in Tonawanda, New York.
Chris has built a cult following by pushing Italian comfort food way past the limits—serving up insane creations like loaded stuffed banana peppers, over-the-top mac & cheese pizza, and dishes you won’t find anywhere else. But behind the wild menu is a real story of hustle, creativity, and surviving the chaos of the restaurant business.
We dive into how some of his craziest ideas came to life, what actually sells (and what totally flopped), and the behind-the-scenes madness that only restaurant owners truly understand. From late-night kitchen disasters to laugh-out-loud customer moments, this episode is packed with stories that are as entertaining as they are real.
If you love Italian food, creative entrepreneurs, or just want a raw and hilarious look inside the restaurant world—this one’s for you.
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