Podcast
"It's Not Fascism, Except in Every Single Way"
Stephan Kesting and Jeff Shaw are joined by Tyson LaRone (the "Warrior Philosopher" from TikTok) to look at the rise of fascism in modern times.
Fighting Matters
Podcast
Podcast
Teddy Roosevelt Was a Jiu-Jitsu Badass
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ uncover the forgotten history of Jiu-Jitsu in America, and how none other than President Theodore Roosevelt played a pivotal role in its rise.
Podcast
How Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" Will Cripple BJJ
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan of BJJ Mental Models and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ examine the sweeping consequences of Trump’s newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” and how it threatens the future of Jiu-Jitsu in America.
Podcast
🧬 Real Talk: What Science Says About Gender Differences
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Stephan Kesting of Grapplearts and Jeff Shaw of Bellingham BJJ sit down with clinical psychologist, author, and BJJ black belt Dr. David Ley to challenge everything you think you know about gender.
Podcast
⚖️ BJJ, Law, and the First Amendment
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ and attorney/mediator Andrew Burcham for a deep dive into the legal minefield of free speech, particularly how it intersects with combat sports culture and the internet.
Podcast
🎙️ Giles Garcia Unleashed: Jiu-Jitsu's Voice of Reason
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Stephan Kesting (Grapplearts), Jesse Walker (Rough Hands BJJ), and the incomparable Giles Garcia (Ronin Grappling) for a raw, unscripted deep dive into the political and cultural fault lines running through the…
Podcast
Is the USA Becoming a Handmaid's Theocracy?
Stephan, Jesse, and Shelby are joined by Eva Schubert from the popular Villains and Virgins Podcast to discuss tactics used by all authoritarian states regardless of whether they are theocratic, fascist, or communist in nature.
Podcast
What Jiu-Jitsu Gets Wrong About Masculinity
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models is joined by Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ, Mike Mahaffey of Old Bastard BJJ, and mental health advocate David Figueroa-Martinez to challenge the outdated definitions of masculinity still thriving in the Jiu-Jitsu world.
Podcast
🥋 Jiu-Jitsu Is a Platform. Use It.
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models sits down with Mike Mahaffey of Old Bastard BJJ and Jesse Walker of Rough Hands BJJ for a raw conversation about why it matters—now more than ever—for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to speak out.
Podcast
🦠 Why MRSA is so dangerous for grapplers
We're doing this episode in light of Ben Askren's battle with MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Podcast
Extremist “Active Clubs” Are Infiltrating Jiu-Jitsu
Neo-Nazis are infiltrating Jiu-Jitsu—and most of us don’t even know it’s happening.
Podcast
Jordan Klepper's Investigation into the MMA and MAGA Connection, with Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas just appeared on The Daily Show with Jordan Klepper to talk about how the UFC has become a tool of radicalisation for the MAGA movement, so we invited him onto Fighting Matters to dig a little deeper.
Podcast
☠️ The Dangerous Rise of Bro Science in Jiu-Jitsu
In this episode of Fighting Matters, Steve Kwan and Stephan Kesting are joined by scientist and author Kristi Charish to investigate how Jiu-Jitsu became a hotbed for pseudoscience, supplement scams, and influencer grifts.
Podcast
Jiu-Jitsu and Intimate Partner Violence, feat. D'Juan Owens
Jesse Walker, Jeff Shaw, and Steve Kwan are joined by longtime martial artist, educator, and activist D’Juan Owens.
Podcast
💬 The BJJ Community Is Split on Jay Rod
🎙️ Jay Rod was removed from B-Team. The community response was just as revealing as the offense.