Shows
Ohio Skateboard ConnectionLuke McKayeOriginally hailing from the Wheeling, WV area, my latest guest has established himself as a talented go-to photographer throughout the Midwest and beyond. After some early success in the industry in LA, Luke stepped away from skating for nearly a decade to pursue a career that was ultimately unfulfilling, before jumping back in harder than ever about a year ago. Currently residing in Colerain, Ohio, Luke has been published in numerous magazines, including Thrasher, Transworld, Lowcard, Skate Jawn, CCS, Bliss, Focus, Slam, Stepdad, Downward, Skate Boner, and Rare Breed. Luke’s tireless work ethic has seen him become a ris...
2025-11-182h 06Ohio Skateboard ConnectionJohn Sims - "Dudleyclips"John Sims discovered skateboarding while living abroad in Germany in a military family. When he moved back to Westerville in 1992, he quickly fell into a developing scene in Columbus after meeting lifelong friend Matt Smith. Soon, he would start filming and editing full length videos to capture the progression of both friends and rising stars in the local scene. Since 2017, his Instagram account “Dudleyclips” has archived in extraordinary depth a massive catalogue of clips from his time as a filmer and the footage he compiled. The account provides a comprehensive window of the Columbus skate scene from 93-97: the spots...
2025-10-023h 08Ohio Skateboard ConnectionMatt Williams- Troy City Skatepark UniteOn the outskirts of Dayton, Matt Williams is trying to put his hometown of Troy, Ohio on the map with a much needed skatepark upgrade. A skater since 1987, Matt has founded and organized Troy City Skatepark Unite, whose sole mission is to raise funding and support for a professional concrete skatepark on the site of their dated prefabricated setup. On September 20th, Matt and his team of volunteers will be hosting a skate jam in Troy, filled with giveaways, prizes, auction items, live music, vendors, artwork, and much more. This should be one of the premiere events of the...
2025-09-042h 41Ohio Skateboard ConnectionScott TutakScott Tutak has been a part of nearly every iteration of skateshop in Toledo since beginning at Breaking Away in 1989. He will soon be celebrating the 30th anniversary of starting his own shop, Just Skateboarding, back in 1996. He has also worked as a rep for Podium Distribution, Crailtap, and Alien Workshop. He has held it down for the Northwest scene longer than damn near anyone, advocating for countless kids and friends in an area that often gets overshadowed. Join us in this wide-ranging interview where we discuss the many key figures and stories that help tie Toledo into the br...
2025-07-312h 26Ohio Skateboard ConnectionTim SimmonsTim came of age in Gahanna, Ohio during the ‘85 skate boom, and quickly developed into one of the Columbus scene’s most memorable prodigies. A Sunsports disciple and team rider, Tim won the famed skatepark’s inaugural contest series in 1990. He would eventually be discovered there by Steve Caballero and Powell-Peralta team manager Jim Fitzpatrick. In one of the most memorable stories told on the podcast to date, Tim was later invited out to the Santa Barbara headquarters by Jim, rubbing elbows and seeing the inner workings of the iconic brand at the end of their dominance. In 1993 he was in...
2025-06-263h 15Ohio Skateboard ConnectionGabrielle BrownfieldRepresenting the Canton scene, Gabby is a true artist who has been a pioneer in Ohio for women’s skateboarding. She grew up around skating from the moment she entered the world, thanks to her father and fellow Canton legend Dale. Gabby started to get serious around the age of 11, skating rabidly at the beloved indoor park Evolution. She quickly learned an old school bag of tricks that stood out and set her on a path to competing and placing in several national contests, including the famed Combi Pool in Southern California. A master of inverts, Gabby has focused on...
2025-06-051h 35Ohio Skateboard ConnectionChris HigginsChris is one of the most friendly and familiar faces in the Columbus scene. A skate lifer, he has taught hundreds of kids and adults how to confidently skateboard, often seen doing lessons and camps at Skate Naked (RIP) and other local parks. His enthusiasm and positivity is unmatched, a true role model for countless youth. Chris has been fortunate enough to travel all over the country and world to skate with his wife Megan. Along with many crazy travel stories, Chris talks about growing up in Kent, working at Sunsports, moving to California to work at the Vans p...
2025-05-062h 17Ohio Skateboard ConnectionTravis Monroe- Advocate Skate WorksLaunched in January 2023, Advocate Skate Works is a non-profit organization operating out of Lakewood, Ohio, where they passionately serve the Northeast Ohio skate community. Travis and his wife Maddie have helped put quality gear into the hands of thousands of skaters throughout Ohio and beyond. Working with companies such as Vans, Quasi, Baker, NHS, and Thrasher, Advocate Skate Works distributes complete skateboards and shoes at numerous skate-related community events. Their tireless work has aligned with the mission of introducing skateboarding to kids of all backgrounds, and not letting the high cost of entry be a barrier to enjoying a...
2025-04-031h 59Ohio Skateboard ConnectionTony HeitzTony Heitz is an encyclopedia of Cincinnati skate history. He’s been involved in skateboarding for over 40 years in several capacities both locally and nationally. He was a rider for Basic Skateboards in the early 90s, co-owner of Habitat Skateshop in Dayton, and Anonymous in Cincinnati. Additionally, Tony worked as Team Manager for Alien Workshop, Habitat, and Seek from 2002-2007. A natural storyteller, Tony knows everyone in skating and remembers vividly all the key details of the early scene in Ohio. It was an honor to hear his story and get the opportunity to share it here with everyone. Loo...
2025-03-132h 23Ohio Skateboard ConnectionNoah Utterback- Cleveland FingerboardingToday we’re discussing all things fingerboarding with Noah Utterback. Holding down the Cleveland scene, Noah grew up in West Denison and currently lives in Parma with his wife. Noah is a member of Ohio’s own @cvlt_board_co where he is anticipating his own pro model later this year. Noah helped launch the first annual Fingerjam event in Cleveland in 2024, which he hopes will continue to be an annual event for the community. Additionally Noah can be found at USAFBL sanctioned contests across the nation, and is a major advocate for the growth of the hobby in Ohio...
2025-01-222h 13Ohio Skateboard ConnectionBill MinadeoHailing from Westerville, Ohio, Bill is one of the most renowned and accomplished skatepark builders in the world. Along with his company California Skateparks, Bill has played a crucial role in developing, designing, and constructing some of the largest and most state-of-the-art skateparks around the globe, including both Olympic courses and largest-in-the-nation Lauridsen Park in Des Moines, as well as local favorites Tuttle and the remodel of historic Dodge in Columbus. He has travelled the world and helped spread stoke and interest in skateboarding in some of the most fascinating countries in the world, and has given countless skaters...
2024-12-272h 05Ohio Skateboard ConnectionJohn DrakeJohn is a Generation One street skater that first picked up a board in 1985. Against the odds on the shores of the Ohio River, John came out of working class Chesapeake, Ohio which lies directly across the water from Huntington, WV. Along with Ron Patrick from Iguana Skates, John developed his skills from the jump ramp era to scouring the Tri-state for contests and demos, eventually landing in a burgeoning Dayton skate scene that included Rob Dyrdek, Mark Heintzman, and John Buchanan. As Alien Workshop started its infancy, John left Assault Skateboards to join the Mothership in 1991, staying in th...
2024-11-263h 00Ohio Skateboard ConnectionNick AccursoMy latest guest is Cincinnati OG Nick Accurso. Nick has been skating since 1986- around the time street skating was born. Representing the west side of Cincy, "Fat Nick", as he’s known, played a key role in several extremely influential projects in Cincinnati underground culture. From Art Director for Strength Magazine, to co-owning Anonymous Skateshop from 1999-2012, and co-founding groundbreaking hip hop and graffiti event Scribble Jam. Filmer, entrepreneur, designer, photographer, and family man are just some of the many hats he’s worn. He even had a photo published as a young man in Thrasher shot by Giov...
2024-10-312h 01Ohio Skateboard ConnectionEvan Walker- Cincinnati Skatepark ProjectEvan is currently heading up the effort to get the first ever proper public skatepark built in the City of Cincinnati. Despite its long history and impact on the National skate scene, Cincinnatians have never had a legit park to call their own. Evan is working hard to change that. The city is now on board with a plan to build on a location in Camp Washington in 2025, accepting final bids from qualified builders before moving to the design phase.
Together we talk about growing up in Orange County, being at the premiere of The End, meeting...
2024-10-161h 37Ohio Skateboard ConnectionKristian SvitakIt’s not everyday you get to spend hours talking to one of your skateboarding heroes, but Kristian Svitak happens to be one of the most humble and generous guys in the skate industry, and we are lucky to call him one of Ohio's own. Hailing from Garfield Heights, no one has ever repped Ohio harder than him. Kristian was part of a memorable era of skateboarding that re-introduced a new generation to punk rock music, individualism in both fashion and trick selection, and a predisposition for throwing down some of the gnarliest hammers in skate history. Kristian’s fearless and...
2024-09-263h 18Ohio Skateboard ConnectionKenny BucholzKenny was a monumental figure in the Columbus Skate Scene, owning and operating the pivotal skate shop Sunsports with Nick Garcia from 1997-2006, and working there as far back as 1989. He also managed the fabled indoor skatepark in Whitehall until it closed its doors in 1994, watching a generation of local legends develop their skills as young kids. His friendly and approachable attitude was noticeable to any kid who ever picked up a skateboard in Central Ohio. “Uncle Kenny” played a crucial part in sponsoring numerous local rippers, bringing legendary demos to Columbus, and providing a central hub for all thin...
2024-09-111h 47Ohio Skateboard ConnectionDave CoyneDave was generous enough to be my first former pro on the podcast, and I couldn't think of a nicer guy to do it. Hailing from Bridgeport, Ohio, Dave went pro for Maple Skateboards in the year 2000, following breakthrough parts in the independent San Diego video "Trouble Shooters", Maple's "Black Cat", and the landmark "The Storm" by Osiris, one of the most discussed and memorable videos of the era. Dave has also skated for several smaller companies such as Germ, Effort, and Sound skateboards. He has never slowed down from skating, still putting out ripping footage to this day...
2024-08-201h 27Ohio Skateboard ConnectionKenny MollicaOur first episode!
Today I chat with Kenny Mollica, from Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Kenny was an early skateboarding pioneer in the 1970's. He was a local at the legendary Apple Skatepark in Columbus, riding for Sims Skateboards, and rubbing elbows with legends such as Rob Roskopp, Bill Danforth, Steve Olson, Duane Peters, Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, and Bill Ferguson, among many others. Along with being an accomplished vertical and and pool skateboarder, Kenny was a top ranked slalom competitor and World Champion in the earl 00's. He tells his story on our first podcast.
2024-07-301h 43Ohio Skateboard ConnectionTrailerA new podcast dedicated to telling the history of skateboarding in Ohio by the skaters and artists who made it.
2024-07-2200 min