This week on the Midwest Legends Podcast, musician, producer, and Doomtree crew member Aaron Mader (AKA Lazerbeak) joins Russell to dive into his experience coming up in the vibrant Minneapolis music scene. From growing up in Hopkins, Minnesota with a day job as a pizza delivery driver to working with big names in the music industry like Lizzo, Trampled By Turtles, POS, Doja Cat, and many more, Lazerbeak knows that the Midwest music industry is truly unique.

Tune in to hear how he accidentally named himself after a Transformer and (almost) lost 7k in the trash…

MVP and All-Star baseball legend Christian Yelich joins Russell this week on the Midwest Legends Podcast! Christian Yelich’s legendary status goes without saying. From being the first member of his family to play baseball to becoming the face of MKE baseball, Christian has already made history and he’s just getting started.

Don’t miss Christian’s take on Giannis heading to Miami, the iconic Cubs rivalry, and what he thinks makes Milwaukee so special!

Former NHL Player, Olympian, and Minnesota legend, Lou Nanne joins Russell on this week’s Midwest Legends episode! Lou has years of impressive accomplishments under his belt. Known as “the Godfather of Hockey,” although he would argue that title actually belongs to John Mariucci, Lou has undoubtedly made an impact on the hockey world. Coming from a small Canadian town, playing at the U of M, going from player to General Manager of the North Stars, attending the Olympics, and supporting his family along the way, Lou has just about done it all on and off the ice.

Tune in to hear Lou’s behind the scenes account of what actually happened during the historic 1980s Olympics with Herb Brooks and what the movie ‘Miracle’ got right and wrong…

The legendary Packers player Leroy Butler is back again for part two! This week, Leroy goes behind the scenes of his anxiety inducing draft experience when his dream of becoming an NFL player finally came true at the same time he realized he has no idea where Green Bay is. Leroy talks Russell through his accidental creation of the now iconic Lambeau Leap and his disbelief that a US President didn’t know what it was…

Don’t miss Leroy’s journey full of emotional moments, amazing accomplishments, and an enduring sense of humor throughout it all!

This episode was so good, it had to be a two-parter! You may know him as the inventor of the Lambeau Leap or for his run in the iconic Puntrooskie play, but in this week’s Midwest Legends episode Leroy takes Russell back in time to his life before the Packers. Leroy grew up with everything stacked against him. He grew up in the projects in Duval County, Florida, was raised by a hardworking single mother, and had a physical disability where he couldn’t run or jump like the other kids. None of that stopped him from achieving his biggest goal: playing in the NFL.

Tune in to hear this amazing journey of overcoming the odds from the entertaining and joyful perspective of Leroy Butler!

Midwest Legend? More like international legend! This week, star hockey player Laila Edwards gives Russell the inside scoop on her amazing journey from growing up in Ohio playing on the boy’s hockey team to winning gold at the 2026 Olympics in Milan. Laila takes us behind the scenes of the Olympics, sharing how she overcame the nerves to clinch the win over the iconic Canadian rivals in the game that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Not only has Laila cemented herself as a force on the UW Badgers Women’s Hockey team, but also as a great friend, leader, and Chipotle-lover off the ice. Tune in to hear what happened when another Cleveland Heights local, Travis Kelce, heard Laila’s family needed some extra help getting to the Olympics…

You won’t want to miss this episode!

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker and current sideline analyst Ben Leber joins Russell to discuss his journey from a multicultural childhood in Iowa to a professional NFL football player.

Ben talks about his supportive family, including two older brothers who inspired him to try football and how coaches along the way shaped the player he later became. After a trying rookie season in college, Ben reached a turning point where he chose to keep going despite the challenges of higher expectations. From that moment on, he’s embraced an incredible football career.

From the highs and lows of draft night to the legendary teammates he met along the way, Ben Leber tells Russell the inside scoop and the honest truths about his time in the NFL.

Noah Bakken, a motocross expert who is no stranger to performing impressive feats on two wheels, sat down with Russell to talk all things speed and spectacle.

Noah Bakken remembers his childhood growing up in a family of motorcycle lovers fondly. Despite his first ride on a PW50 when he was just three ending with him hitting a swing set, he fell in love with all thing’s motocross. Noah tells Russell all the behind the scenes of his most viral motocross tricks, including his awe-inspiring train jumping videos and his popular “Coffee Run” videos, with the third one already in the works! He and Russell discuss the trials of mastering such a dangerous sport, including two broken femurs. Noah remembers his win at Monster Jam as a highlight in his career, celebrating with his entire family. There’s no telling what he will accomplish in the motocross world next!

Tune in to hear Noah’s journey to becoming a Midwest motocross star with some twists and turns along the way.