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We are back! In Episode 69, Ken and Carson bridge the 6,000-mile gap between California and Austria to debrief Carson's recent business trip to Shanghai, China. What started as a last-minute trip for the automotive industry turned into a deep dive into one of the most consumerist cities on earth. Carson breaks down the complex reality of modern China, from the "Great Firewall" that blocks your favorite apps to the cashless society where Visa and MasterCard are useless. We discuss the insanity of the Chinese auto market, where 100+ brands are in a price war so deep the government had to step in. Plus, we get into the shopping. Carson takes us inside the "fake" markets where goods are hidden in secret suitcases , and a second-hand luxury warehouse featuring 12 aisles of Louis Vuitton bags.

In this episode:

• The Visa Struggle: Why it's easy for Europeans but a hassle for Americans.
• Tech & Payments: Surviving without Google and why you need Alipay to buy anything.
• The "Fake" Market: How vendors use secret suitcases to hide counterfeit luxury goods behind invisible walls.
• Shanghai Disney: Why the tickets are only $50, the obsession with a pink bear named Lotso, and the Zootopia craze.
• Cost of Living: Taking a premium EV taxi for two hours for only $12.
• The Malbon Haul: Carson’s "streetwear golf" shopping spree.

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In this heartwarming special episode, Ken reconnects with lifelong friend Mike Pardo to celebrate a bond that has lasted nearly 50 years. The two reminisce about their glory days at Cabrillo High, sharing hilarious stories of lifting Mike’s wheelchair into the back of a Pinto wagon to cruise Ocean Avenue 1and relying on him to be the designated beer buyer at local pubs. Mike opens up about how meaningful it was to be treated as "one of the guys" despite living with cerebral palsy, while Ken’s son Carson calls in from Austria to trade notes on coaching European football, the realities of Austrian "peasant food," and the enduring power of friendship across generations.

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On Episode 67 of At Witt's End, Carson recounts his epic solo trip to a festival 10 years in the making: SAIL Amsterdam. After a Reddit post sparked a fascination in 2016 and a global pandemic canceled the family's plans in 2020, Carson finally made the journey to the world's largest nautical festival.

Join us as Carson details his adventure, starting with a unique trip from Austria on the Nightjet sleeper train in a claustrophobic "capsule pod." He then dives into the festival, which coincided with Amsterdam's 750th birthday, describing the incredible "SAIL In" parade where thousands of boats escort majestic tall ships from around the world into the harbor. Hear about boarding a massive Peruvian naval vessel, witnessing a pink Cadillac Eldorado cruise the canals on a pontoon, and the fun local tradition of passing beer up to sailors in buckets.

Was this once-every-five-years event worth the decade-long wait? Tune in to find out!

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In this deep-dive interview, Ken and Carson Wittwer unpack the phenomenal rise of the Austrian College Sports League (ACSL) with its founder, Lawrence Gimeno. From scoring three-point lines in car-painted jerseys to negotiating with universities and energy-drink sponsors, Lawrence reveals every twist and turn of building Austria’s answer to the NCAA. Whether you’re a hoops fanatic, a gridiron fan, or an entrepreneur hungry for startup lessons, this episode delivers insider stories on branding, community-building, and turning a personal passion into a continental movement.

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In this episode of At Witt's End, Ken and Carson welcome NHL alum Gilbert “Bert” Dionne, a member of the last Montreal Canadiens team to win the Stanley Cup in 1993. Bert shares his journey from a small town in Quebec to the NHL, discusses family dynamics, overcoming language barriers, and the impact of his legendary brother Marcel Dionne. Dive into Bert’s candid stories about the highs and lows of professional hockey, the transition to life after the rink, and his enduring love for the game.

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In this special episode of At Witt's End, Ken recounts his once-in-a-lifetime experience at the long-awaited Metallica concert in Blacksburg, where Enter Sandman shook Lane Stadium — and the Richter scale. Carson breaks down the band's ties to Virginia Tech and how this show was decades in the making.

The duo also dives into Austrian football heartbreak as Carson recaps a tough playoff-path loss and previews a high-stakes upcoming matchup. From metalheads and military cadets to turkey legs and tailgates, it's a transatlantic chat about music, culture, and college-town energy.

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In Episode 63 of the At Witt's End Podcast, Ken and Carson reconnect across continents, with Ken in the relocated Northern California garden studio and Carson from sunny Upper Austria. They dive deep into Carson’s latest football victory with JKU Astros against the MedUni Serpents, highlighting an impressive kicking performance, defensive turnovers, and hilarious commentary mishaps that had Carson mistakenly labeled as a fishing enthusiast. The hosts also discuss unique ACSL team mascots, speculate on future team expansions, and Ken's recent relaxing getaway to Hawaii. Wrapping up the chat, they reflect on wild NIL changes reshaping college sports and touch on the latest exciting developments from Formula 1 racing.

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In this wide-ranging episode, Ken and Carson cover everything from cherry blossoms and spring showers to mud-soaked football games in Austria. Ken recounts an intense and eye-opening tour of a massive meatpacking plant (5,000 cattle a day!), then switches gears to the quirky “Lineman Rodeo” in California — think utility pole climbing instead of bull riding. Carson shares the muddy madness of a scrimmage with the Goldwörth Raccoons, breaks down the recent ACSL basketball championship, and dives into his experience with AI-powered coding tools. There's also talk of music festivals, Metallica's connection to Virginia Tech, and even some March Madness picks.

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