The Real Rat Podcast

Luke Hristou is joined by former zag - freshly retired from his overseas career - Eric McClellan, to discuss: growing up in Austin and being a late bloomer in basketball, committing himself to the game, how positive reinforcement helped put him on the college radar, his time at Gonzaga, transition to the pros, what makes Spokane such a hoops haven, and more!

Luke Hristou is joined by producer Brennon Poynor to discuss: slowing down the podcast to focus on script writing and filming for the Real Rat Series, ideas for the podcast going forward, Brennon's experience as a podcast producer, the landscape of podcasting currently... and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by lifelong hooper and assistant coach for Spokane Community College Women’s basketball team, Greg Marshall, to discuss: Greg’s background, balancing family, career, and coaching with his own love for playing hoops, and what has him excited for his first year helping previous guest (Britt Kennedy) as they head into their season at SCC.

Luke Hristou is joined by entrepreneur Christian Jones to discuss: Christian's athletic roots and early connection to Spokane, why he decided to later bring his Vintage Clothing Store and brand "4am" to Spokane, what it's been like since opening the store, and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by another Spokane hoops legend and head Women’s basketball coach at Spokane CC, Brittany Kennedy, to discuss Britt’s storied basketball journey that included winning three HS state titles, college, and pro basketball… her path from player to coach, what has her excited for her second year at SCC, and much more!

Host Luke Hristou, introduces the first ever "REAL RAT RAMBLE," which includes three new segments:

1. "The Pickup Rundown" (Best stories/insights from recent pickup hoops)

2. "Random Thoughts" (Takeaways from the Steph Curry Documentary -- Underrated)

3. "Texts from Mietus" with Special guest: Rob Howe (The top brain busters from one -- John Mietus -- and our attempt to answer the unanswerable).

Luke Hristou is joined by Spokane hoop legends and genuine Real Rats, Jazzy + Jade Redmon, to discuss: both Jazzy + Jade’s background… the ups… the downs, their bond as sisters, and lifelong commitment to basketball… and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by on-air personality at KXLY/Spokane, Sean Widmer, to discuss: how he ended up in the world of broadcasting and radio, "Zagman's" cameo in the recent Steph Curry Documentary, all things Spokane hoops, the road to Hoopfest ‘24... and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by gym rat and Spokane hoops legend, Eric Beal, to discuss: the basketball journey that took him all over the world, some Hoopfest/Spokane hoops stories, why, “life is simpler in the gym”... and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by hoops/movie lover and manager of Spokane's Magic Lantern Theater, Joe Sheehan, to discuss: Joe’s background and deep connection to Spokane, the community-centered project responsible for the very building we recorded from, and finally… how it all comes full circle by way of the Real Rat Theater Premiere!

Luke Hristou is joined by longtime stuntman, actor, and co-producer of the Real Rat Pilot, Jerry Buxbaum, to discuss: Jerry’s fascinating background, how he got his start in the entertainment industry, the journey that led to starting Mystery Ridge Movie Ranch with his wife Amanda in Coeur D'Alene, and finally… his experience filming the Real Rat Pilot and seeing it come full circle at the Premiere.

Luke Hristou is joined by "on-screen" sister in the Real Rat Pilot, Molly Maloney, to discuss: Molly’s background as a swimmer and how that shaped her mentality, her path from law to acting, the challenges she faced along the way, and finally… her experience filming the Real Rat Pilot and reaction to seeing it come full circle at the Premiere.

Luke Hristou is joined by lifelong friend, 12-year professional basketball player, and Real Rat special cameo guest, Michael Stockton, to discuss: his background, some of our adventures together over the years, his continued improvement as a basketball player, and finally – his involvement in the Real Rat Pilot.

Luke Hristou is joined by former Gonzaga basketball player and current strength + conditioning coach at Gonzaga, Mike Nilson, to discuss: Mike’s background, his continued passion for the game of basketball, his lifelong learning around strength and conditioning, and of course, some of his Real Rat stories playing hoops in Spokane!

Luke Hristou is joined by our first female hooper and Spokane native, Marenda "Ren" Cohen, to discuss: growing up as a coach's daughter, playing on a storied Spokane basketball team, her path to coaching, filming the Real Rat Pilot, and much more!

Luke Hristou is joined by Real Rat castmate and athlete-turned-actor, Darnell Handcox, to discuss: his path from football to acting, his experience filming the Real Rat pilot, and much more!

On this episode of Spokast, we're excited to chat with Luke Hristou, local filmmaker and producer of the upcoming independent pilot, Real Rat. Luke shares his three-year journey in bringing this project to the screen, and the inspiration behind the down-to-earth story of an aging athlete whose life has always been simpler in the gym.

Luke Hristou is joined by Real Rat castmate and longtime acting coach, Rick Ibarra-Rivera, to discuss: how he stumbled into acting, his time in Los Angeles before moving to Spokane, and his experience playing "Coach" in the Real Rat Pilot.

Luke Hristou is joined by the man behind the camera, DaShawn Bedford, to discuss: his background, love of hoops, and his many, valuable contributions to the Real Rat pilot.

Real Rat creator, Luke Hristou, is joined by his best friend since kindergarten, Real Rat collaborator, and genuine gym rat – Houston Stockton.

Join creator Luke Hristou of the upcoming independent pilot, "Real Rat," as we go behind the scenes, discuss what's next for the series, and of course - talk hoops with the real gym rats of Spokane, WA, and beyond!