This episode starts exactly how you’d expect… and somehow still goes off the rails.

Joe Lavey kicks things off by introducing Chef Giuseppe to one of the most colorful characters in the family, his cousin Crazy Ed. And within about 30 seconds, it’s clear… Ed fits right in with the Lunatics.

What follows is pure chaos, in the best way.

From old-school Northeast Italian family stories to completely unfiltered commentary, this episode feels less like a podcast and more like you just got dropped into a family gathering you probably weren’t ready for.

We get into:

Growing up in loud, tight-knit Italian families

The kind of cousins every family has (whether you admit it or not)

Stories that definitely shouldn’t be told on camera… but are anyway

And the kind of energy that makes Lowcountry Lunatics what it is

Chef Giuseppe tries to keep things somewhat grounded… Joe keeps stirring the pot… and Crazy Ed? He just pours gasoline on the whole thing.

If you’ve ever sat at a table where everyone’s talking over each other, laughing too loud, and nobody really knows what’s coming next—this episode is for you.

Welcome to the family.

🎙️ Lowcountry Lunatics Podcast Real conversations. Real stories. Zero filters.

Nate Wieland played linebacker for the New England Patriots. It was a dream come true, but the road leading up to the draft and every day afterward, was not paved smoothly. The odds were slim to even make the draft and then came the injuries. In this revealing episode, the Lunatics discuss pivots, discipline and leadership under Coach Bill Belichick.

Get ready for one of our most flavorful episodes yet. This week on Lowcountry Lunatics, we sit down with Chris Candino, the mastermind behind TC Wheelers Pizza in Tonawanda, New York.

Chris has built a cult following by pushing Italian comfort food way past the limits—serving up insane creations like loaded stuffed banana peppers, over-the-top mac & cheese pizza, and dishes you won’t find anywhere else. But behind the wild menu is a real story of hustle, creativity, and surviving the chaos of the restaurant business.

We dive into how some of his craziest ideas came to life, what actually sells (and what totally flopped), and the behind-the-scenes madness that only restaurant owners truly understand. From late-night kitchen disasters to laugh-out-loud customer moments, this episode is packed with stories that are as entertaining as they are real.

If you love Italian food, creative entrepreneurs, or just want a raw and hilarious look inside the restaurant world—this one’s for you.