Join us for an inspiring conversation with veteran entertainer, entrepreneur, and high-energy performer Taylor Griswold! With more than 20 years of experience bringing smiles to audiences nationwide, Taylor shares what it takes to captivate massive crowds, build a live entertainment business, and spread pure joy through family-friendly fun.

In this episode, we dive into:Championship Mascot Roots: Winning the UCA National Mascot Championship as Auburn University’s beloved "Aubie the Tiger."The Big Leagues: Spending eight years running the court as the mascot and dunk team director for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons in front of 22,000 fans a night.National Spotlight: Taking the stage on major platforms including NBC’s America’s Got Talent, CBS, Fox Sports, and the NCAA Final Four.Building EPIC Entertainment: How Taylor combined magic, juggling, puppetry, and speaking to launch an Austin-based entertainment company dedicated to positive, clean community impact.The Heart of Entertaining: Proven lessons on connecting with kids, reading live audiences, and staying energized in high-pressure performance environments.Whether you are a sports entertainment enthusiast, an aspiring performer, or someone who loves uplifting behind-the-scenes stories, Taylor brings incredible insight into the craft of live performance.

Also talked about this time on America Got Talent.

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Charlie Bruno The Mascot Dude: @THEMASCOTDUDE all on social media platforms

What happens when real-life mascot and costume character performers watch the new 2026 horror movie Buddy?In this special review episode of The Joy Of Entertaining Podcast, host Charlie is joined by fellow performer Lucas Bradley to share their honest thoughts and reactions to the newly released horror flick. As performers who work in the character industry, we break down what we liked, what made us laugh, and what gave us the creeps watching a giant kids' TV unicorn turn into total nightmare fuel.

Inside this episode:

• Our overall thoughts and first impressions of Buddy (2026)

• The character from a performer's point of view: suit movement, presence, and vibes

• Favorite moments, funniest scenes, and the wildest scares

• Our final review and rating of the film

Have you seen Buddy yet? Follow the show, leave a rating, and let us know your thoughts!

Welcome to The Joy Of Entertaining Podcast, hosted by Charlie Bruno (The Mascot Dude). In this episode, we sit down with Carl Prior, former elite performer and founder of Get My Mascot.

Carl breaks down what it takes to perform at the highest level—from winning four national championships as Willy the Wolverine at UVU to the pro hockey ranks—and how he built North America's premier digital hub for the mascot industry.

🎬 PART 1: THE RETROSPECTIVEWe look back at Carl's standout performing milestones, exploring his early days at Park City High, his championship collegiate career, and the unique physical demands of professional hockey with the Utah Grizzlies.

💡 PART 2: THE BLUEPRINTCarl shares actionable wisdom for the next generation of entertainers. Discover the vision behind Get My Mascot and how performers can use industry resources, coaching, and job boards to level up their craft.

Connect:👉 GetMyMascot.com

#TheJoyOfEntertaining #MascotLife #GetMyMascot #MascotDude

In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Martinez, the Mascot Program Manager for the Indianapolis Indians. Jacob has spent nearly eight years with the organization, climbing the ranks from a part-time performer to Mascot Program Coordinator, and now leading the entire program.

Jacob shares his incredible journey of bringing joy to sports fans, climbing the entertainment ladder from inside the suit to managing the strategy behind the scenes.

But here is the ultimate twist: alongside his entertainment career, he is also a former Design Engineer who spent nearly five years designing valve groups and complex manifold assemblies!

Join us as we dive into:

Jacob's career evolution from performing on game days to managing and coordinating an entire professional entertainment program.

How he balances engineering precision with high-energy crowd entertainment.

The power of connecting with the community and creating unforgettable fan experiences.

Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into the art of entertainment!

#TheJoyOfEntertaining #SportsEntertainment #BehindTheScenes #MascotLife

On this throwback episode (The original episode aired in 2023 on The Mascot Support Group Podcast), we are diving into the sewers of New York City with a massive guest! We are hanging out with Kenn Scott, the man who brought Raphael to life in both Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and II.

We talk about what it was really like inside the suit, behind-the-scenes secrets from the iconic movies, and the absolute joy of entertaining millions of TMNT fans worldwide. Cowabunga!

Street Character's Top Dog: Glenn Street (Owner of Street Characters)

On this episode of The Joy Of Entertaining, I’m joined by a true leader in the mascot world, Glenn Street. While he’s been a guest on my other shows before, this is his first time joining me here!

What we talked about:

• Honoring a Legend: Giving "flowers" to our dear friend, Jon Absey.

• The Business: A deep dive into mascot marketing and the future of the industry.

• Mascot U: Discussing a possible return of this iconic training program.

• Street Characters: The legacy of Glenn’s incredible work.

Follow the Joy Of Entertaining Podcast @JOYOFENTPODCAST

The Joy Of Entertaining is energized by Adavanced.gg - Make sure to use our code MASCOTDUDE to receive 10% off when you check out

On this episode, we are hitting the tracks with a true icon of the industry: Constantine "DC" Abramson.

Most of you know him as the beatboxing, breakdancing Engineer from Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul, but his journey in entertainment runs deep. From his years as a high-level professional mascot to his work as an artist, Constantine knows exactly what it takes to bring a character to life and keep an audience smiling.

Follow the Show:

• Charlie Bruno The Mascot Dude: @TheMascotDude (All social media)

  Special Guest:

• Constantine "DC" Abramson: @dcbeatbox650 (Instagram)

Outside of the studio, we are taking big steps for a great cause, a great friend, mentor, and the OG Jazz Bear, Jon Absey.

Join Chaz The Party Gorilla and Friends for PurpleStride Las Vegas 2026 on April 25, 2026. Whether you join the team to walk with us or make a donation, every bit helps us end pancreatic cancer.

Get involved here: Chaz The Party Gorilla & Friends Team Page

Join the Team!

With over a decade of experience under her belt, Lindsay has become a powerhouse in the world of professional character work. Her career is a unique blend of high-energy performance and intricate costume fabrication, spanning from collegiate sports to the global music stage.

Lindsay’s most notable project—an unofficial, year-long labor of love building the character "Ned"—eventually caught the attention of the band twenty one pilots, leading to the suit being officially adopted by the band in 2023. This milestone, alongside her work for Punkerton Records and a successful two-year tenure as the Concordia Bulldog, has established her as a premier talent in the industry.

Based in Tucson, Arizona, Lindsay continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a "creator." In this episode, we step away from the traditional and get experimental. We dive into her "dream gig" on The Masked Singer and participate in a creative "What If" workshop, where we brainstorm and design bizarre, never-before-seen characters by merging three different animals into a single mascot concept.

Highlights of this episode include:

• The "Ned" Story: Transitioning from a fan-builder to having your work recognized by global music icons.

• The Builder’s Mindset: How 11 years of experience shapes the way you approach character design.

• A New Hybrid: A deep dive into our creative animal-mashup challenge.

• Future Ambitions: Why the scale and mystery of The Masked Singer is the ultimate goal for a professional builder.

Social Media:

Charlie and The Joy of Entertaining @TheMascotDude