Common Folk

Hosted by Ben Evers

Episodes

Language

About the show

Based out of the Midwest, everyday, hardworking, blue-collar folks put a 'common sense' spin to an array of topics that include: starting a business, raising kids & current events.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

1 hr 5 min

Tech Takeovers and Galactic Guests

Are we alone, and is tech taking over? This week on The Common Folk Podcast, Ben, Morgan, and Andy tackle a trio of massive, mind-bending topics. First, the crew digs into the massive boom of local data center construction and what it means for our infrastructure. Then, they look at the rapid rise of AI and the real-world chances of a digital takeover. Finally, the team dives deep into the wild claims of four alien races reportedly living among us. It is a heavy, conspiracy-filled lineup, but the crew keeps it honest, unbiased, and upbeat. Tune in for some grounded perspectives on a truly crazy world!Show Notes & LINKS ⬇️https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) ) PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) ) PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

56 min

Aliens, Assassins, and Acreage: A Common Folk Reality Check

High emotions are the new normal, but on Common Folk, we prefer a cooler head. This week, the crew dives into the official "Disclosure Day" and what the newly released UFO files actually tell us. We also discuss the sobering news of the third assassination attempt on the President at the Correspondents' Dinner and the growing "moon travel blowback". Finally, we bring it back home to the local level to talk about why your HOA is still fighting you over backyard pet chickens. It’s national headlines met with local common sense.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

49 min

More Than a Game: The Evolution of Esports with Miles & Mike'l Severe

Is your kid "just playing video games," or are they training for a college scholarship? This week, the Common Folk crew sits down with Miles and Mike'l Severe to demystify the booming world of esports. Miles takes us through his life in the world of esports—from a high school gamer to a college player and now a high school coach. Join Ben, Morgan, and Andy as they explore what esports has become, where it’s headed, and why this "new" industry is more grounded in tradition than you might think.Show Notes and LINKS ⬇️https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 9 min

The Juan Deere Face-Off | Travis Linden’s Legal Battle at Freedom Farms

This week, Travis Linden of Freedom Farms returns to the show under some heavy fire. After receiving a formal cease and desist from John Deere, Travis joins the crew to explain how a "play on words" shirt turned into a legal battle with a manufacturing giant. We’re diving into the details of the notice, Travis’s stand against the outsourcing of American manufacturing, and what his next move is in this David vs. Goliath fight.Show Notes & LINKS ⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@FreedomFarmsMo 🚜https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...) PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

38 min

Clear Water, Cloudy Answers: Big Ag & Iowa’s Growing Concern | PART 2

The Common Folk crew is joined by Joy Van Wyngarden — aka “Joy of All Trades” — for a lively but important discussion on Iowa’s water. While Joy brings the energy, the topic stays serious as the group explores how agricultural practices may be impacting water quality and what that could mean for communities across the state.It’s a mix of insight, concern, and real talk about where things stand — and where they could be headed. This is Part 2Show Notes and LINKS ⬇️Joy of All Trades : https://www.instagram.com/_joyofalltrades_/ 🌻https://www.youtube.com/@EWG 🌳https://www.youtube.com/@iowadnr 🌊https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 29 min

Clear Water, Cloudy Answers: Big Ag & Iowa’s Growing Concern

The Common Folk crew is joined by Joy Van Wyngarden — aka “Joy of All Trades” — for a lively but important discussion on Iowa’s water. While Joy brings the energy, the topic stays serious as the group explores how agricultural practices may be impacting water quality and what that could mean for communities across the state.It’s a mix of insight, concern, and real talk about where things stand — and where they could be headed. This is Part 1 of 2Show Notes and LINKS ⬇️Joy of All Trades : https://www.instagram.com/_joyofalltrades_/ 🌻https://www.youtube.com/@EWG 🌳https://www.youtube.com/@iowadnr 🌊https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

56 min

Moon Missions, Giant Teens, and Alien Hybrids

Buckle up—this week, the Common Folk crew is aiming for the stars but hitting a few weird detours along the way. Ben, Morgan, and Andy start with the buzz surrounding NASA’s Artemis II launch, but the conversation quickly spirals into the unexplained and the unusual.The episode explores everything from questions about the original moon landing to a humorous debate on why high school athletes seem to be getting bigger every year. The conversation also dives into the frustrations of rising energy costs and the wild theories surrounding alien-human hybrids. If you’ve ever wondered if there is more to the "official" story, this episode is for you.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

49 min

Recruiting the Past: Does This Poster Still Work?

Andy brought a "gift" to the studio this week: an old military recruitment poster from their high school days. Seeing those bold images again sparks a deep dive into the way we view the Armed Forces then versus now. The crew explores the fine line between inspiring the next generation and vintage marketing. Grab a seat as Ben, Morgan, and Andy tackle the big questions with their signature common-sense spin. Is it a timeless source of American pride, or is it just clever propaganda from a different era? The crew breaks down how their perspectives on service, patriotism, and "the sell" have shifted since graduation.Show Notes and LINKS ⬇️https://barnowl.tech/ 🦉 PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://rockroosterfootwear.com/🥾 PROMO Code: farmfocusedhttps://farmfocused.com/ 🐴 PROMO Code: commonfolkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

49 min

From Saints to Suds: The Common Folk St. Patrick’s Special

Dust off your best green gear and grab a cold one—the crew is diving deep into the luck of the Irish! In this episode, Ben, Morgan, and Andy trace the roots of St. Patrick’s Day from its origins as a religious feast to the global party it is today.But why is the holiday such a massive deal in the middle of the Great Plains? The team explores Nebraska’s surprising Irish history, from the "Irish Capital" of O’Neill—home to the world’s largest shamrock—to the 19th-century immigrants who helped build the state's railroads and communities.Expect plenty of laughs, some fascinating historical deep dives, and maybe a few green beers along the way. It's a grounded, honest look at a holiday that’s about much more than just four-leaf cloversAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

51 min

Death of the Human Element? MLB’s Robot Revolution

Is baseball losing its soul or finally getting it right? This week on the Common Folk Podcast, the crew tackles MLB’s official move to implement the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System for the 2026 season. Ben is firmly in the "keep it human" camp, arguing that the beauty of the game lies in the drama of a missed call and a manager’s heated ejection. Meanwhile, Andy and Morgan dive into the logistics: can a machine truly account for a hitter's height in real-time, and will a 15-second challenge window actually speed up the game?. Grab a cold one and join the debate as we ask: are we ready for a strike zone that never blinks?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy