Tough Talk with A.J. Kirsch
A tell-all podcast ten years after season five of WWE Tough Enough, hosted by WWE Tough Enough season five contestant A.J. Kirsch. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch and check out the "Money Talks" tier to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus episodes, exclusive pictures and videos from myself and other Tough Enough contestants, entries from the journal I kept during my time shooting WWE Tough Enough, and more! Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and follow me on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch, all at @AJKirsch. Facebook is @iAmAJKirsch. Thanks for checking it out!
Episodes
19 episodes
18 Watch-along episode 1
Cue up WWE Tough Enough on Peacock and watch episode 1 of season 5 with A.J. as he shares his insights, thoughts, behind-the-scenes stories, and a whole lot of cringe as the episode plays out. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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49:31
17 Co-executive producer & WWE production guru Doug LeBow part 2
Tough Enough co-executive producer and WWE production guru Doug LeBow returns to discuss the final few episodes of the show, the live finale before Raw, how he knew Andy was going to win, and more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram,...
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1:28:22
16 Co-executive producer & WWE production guru Doug LeBow
Doug LeBow, WWE production guru of over 14 years (1992 - 2006) and Tough Enough's co-executive producer, dissects his early education in pro wrestling, what brought him to Tough Enough, how he acted as WWE's eyes and ears during the show, and a...
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1:56:37
15 Tough Enough story producer Tim Davis
Tough Enough story producer Tim Davis joins Tough Talk this week to discuss what a story producer does on a reality show, how his wrestling background won him over with the cast and crew, moving on to WWE Legends House and Lucha Underground, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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2:39:44
14 The viewers' perspective with Jon Orton
Former independent pro wrestler and my close friend Jon Orton shares his experience watching the show from the point of view as a former wrestler, as my friend, and more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Pa...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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3:19:43
13 Bill DeMott brings the heat
Trainer Bill DeMott discusses how he became involved, the strings being pulled, his arrival to and departure from NXT, life outside of wrestling, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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2:37:39
12 Ryan Howe's uphill battle
Ryan Howe discusses dealing with the unfortunate "Skidmarks" nickname, getting roughed up by Booker T, winning a promo battle to save himself, and a ton more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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3:06:58
11 Jeremiah Riggs lets it all hang out
Jeremiah Riggs, who made it all the way to the final three with almost zero pro wrestling experience, pulls no punches about his time on Tough Enough. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch t...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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2:35:05
10 Eric Watts relives the good, bad, and ugly
Tough Enough contestant Eric Watts relives the good, the bad, the ugly, and how it affected him then and now. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-le...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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2:25:57
09 Casting producer & talent producer Meg Barry
Meg Barry helped cast Tough Enough, Real Housewives, Top Chef, Big Brother, Project: Runway, and dozens of other massive reality shows. She breaks down the casting process from her perspective, helping the TE cast as the show was filming, and w...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:27:36
08 Executive producer Eric Van Wagenen
Tough Enough executive producer Eric Van Wagenen sheds light on every step of the show, from casting to filming to the follow-up season that didn't happen. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKir...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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2:12:47
07 Simon Miller weighs in on Tough Enough
Pro wrestler and pro wrestling analyst Simon Miller of WhatCulture weighs in on Tough Enough as he saw it happen. Also, musings and motivation...because it's Simon Miller! Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.P...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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2:45:19
06 Mickael Zaki breaks up with pro wrestling
Zaki relives his time on Tough Enough, his elimination, and why be broke up with pro wrestling. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus epi...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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2:35:44
05 Ariane Andrew's launch pad
Ariane Andrew (Cameron in WWE) discusses her brief but memorable run on Tough Enough and how it became a launch pad for so much more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and a...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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2:16:08
04 Mickael Zaki explores his TE experience
After reliving his pro wrestling path in episode 02, contestant Mickael Zaki explores his Tough Enough experience. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, fu...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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2:51:43
03 Luke Robinson pulls back the curtain
Tough Enough finalist Luke Robinson dives into the controversy surrounding why he didn't win, the strings behind pulled behind the scenes, and so much more. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKi...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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2:14:35
02 Mickael Zaki's path to Tough Enough
Contestant Mickael Zaki tells A.J. about his journey in pro wrestling right up to Tough Enough. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus epi...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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2:30:24
01 Martin Casaus dissects the casting process
Tough Enough contestant Martin Casaus joins A.J. to take a deep dive into the TE casting process. Follow @TheToughTalkPod on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Go to www.Patreon.com/AJKirsch to get early and ad-free episodes, full-length bonus e...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:40:30