Shady Characters

About Shady Characters

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.

Publisher

Thatch Creative

Category

arts · business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Aug 2025

Latest episode

17 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

43 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Jul 2026

   The Crash Changed Everything | Thomas Craig

   The Crash Changed Everything Thomas Craig was building his dream career as a commercial pilot when everything changed in an instant. After leaving a successful career at Oakley to pursue aviation, Thomas found himself fighting for his life following a catastrophic plane crash that left him with severe burns, broken bones, months in the hospital, and an uncertain future. The recovery would test him physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways he never imagined. In this episode of Shady Characters, Thomas shares the incredible story of surviving the crash, waking up weeks later in a hospital bed, and learning how to rebuild his life one small victory at a time. Along the way, he opens up about overcoming negative self-talk, embracing the philosophy of becoming one percent better every day, and shifting his perspective from chasing destinations to appreciating the journey itself. The conversation explores resilience, identity, purpose, and the stories we tell ourselves that ultimately shape who we become. Thomas also shares how his experience inspired him to create the Sick Burn Podcast, where he highlights extraordinary people who have overcome life’s greatest challenges and reminds us that every person has a story worth hearing. This is not just a story about surviving a plane crash. It’s a conversation about finding meaning through adversity, redefining success, and discovering that some of life’s greatest transformations begin after everything falls apart.

2. 

   10 Jul 2026

   More Than a Restaurant - How Trevor Baird Built a Community Around Hospitality

   More Than a Restaurant - How Trevor Baird Built a Community Around Hospitality What does it really take to build a restaurant people return to again and again? For Trevor Baird, it starts with much more than great food. In this episode of Shady Characters, Trevor shares the journey of transforming a struggling restaurant in the historic San Juan Capistrano train depot into Trevor’s at the Tracks, one of Southern California’s most beloved dining destinations. Along the way, he opens up about betting on himself, surviving the financial realities of the restaurant industry, navigating the uncertainty of COVID, and continually reinvesting in both his business and his community. The conversation explores why hospitality is ultimately about creating memorable experiences, not simply serving meals. Trevor discusses the importance of leading from the front, staying grounded by doing the work alongside his team, and building a culture where authenticity matters more than titles. Tim and Evan also dive into Trevor’s passion for sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and operating two working farms that support his restaurant. They explore his commitment to environmental stewardship, his involvement with local nonprofits and community organizations, and how success has given him a platform to create impact far beyond the walls of his restaurant. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative leader, restaurant owner, or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful hospitality, this episode is filled with lessons about taking risks, building something with purpose, and creating places where people genuinely want to gather. Because in the end, the most successful businesses don’t just sell products. They create experiences that become part of people’s lives.

3. 

   29 May 2026

   No Paper Nights and the Art of Being Invisible

   Most people think tour security means being big, intimidating, and ready to throw someone out. Mehdi Rabii has spent 22 years proving that the real job looks nothing like that. It is logistics, empathy, advanced planning, and the kind of situational awareness that never really turns off, not at a show, not at a school recital, not anywhere. In this episode of Shady Characters, Tim and Evan reconnect with Tim’s longtime friend to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to keep a world-class touring act safe. Mehdi has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Queens of the Stone Age, Ozzy Osbourne, Paramore, The Offspring, Swedish House Mafia, and Twenty One Pilots, and he walks through everything from building out security perimeters for arena shows to navigating real Al-Qaeda threat assessments, managing rogue drones in RF-heavy environments, and carrying a 90-pound client on his back for a mile after a rough afternoon in Cancun. He also opens up about the personal cost of being gone, two broken relationships and a lifestyle that most people flame out of fast, and why he is finally starting to slow down, water his garden in the morning, and enjoy the honey from the bees in his backyard. The best night on tour? No paper. Not a single incident report.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Shady Characters

Guest appearances

Books guests

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