BarBend Podcast

BarBend is one of the most recognized media brands in the strength world, covering weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, strongman, and everything in between. Their podcast, hosted by co-founder and editor David Thomas Tao, brings the same breadth to audio format with weekly interviews featuring top athletes, coaches, and influencers from across strength sports. With 285 episodes and a 4.9 rating from 187 reviews, the show has built a loyal following. Conversations run about 25-30 minutes and cover a lot of ground: how to build muscle with kettlebells, balancing life as both an athlete and a coach, whether CrossFit competitors should try strongman, and deep-dive profiles of competitors preparing for major events. Tao is a skilled interviewer who keeps things moving and asks questions that reveal something beyond the standard talking points. The podcast pulls from BarBend's extensive reporting network, which means guests often include athletes and coaches you would not find on other shows. Note that new episodes slowed in late 2023 and early 2024, but the existing catalog remains a strong resource. If you follow strength sports competitively or just appreciate the culture around heavy lifting, this show captures that world well.