Beserat Debebe on Ethiopian Mythology, Comics & Storytelling

Mad Props with Chris Schnabel

07/06/26

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45m

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Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel sits down with comic creator Beserat Debebe, founder of Ethan Comics, to discuss creating original superheroes inspired by Ethiopian mythology, publishing independent comics, preserving African history through storytelling, and bringing new voices into the comic book industry.

Before the main interview, Chris is joined by Josh Allen, founder of Montana Dog Food Co., to discuss premium freeze-dried dog food, canine nutrition, and why healthier ingredients can make a difference for your pets.

Beserat shares the story behind Ethan Comics, how a personal challenge inspired him to begin creating comics, and why he believes African mythology deserves a larger place alongside Marvel, DC, manga, and other global storytelling traditions.

The conversation explores:

• Building Ethan Comics from the ground up
• Creating Jember, an Ethiopian superhero
• Ethiopian mythology and African folklore
• Independent comic book publishing
• The importance of diverse storytelling
• Marvel, DC Comics and independent comics
• Comic conventions and connecting with readers

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https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb

Follow Beserat Debebe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besrattt/
Website: https://etancomics.com/black-history-ethiopia-a-bond-of-resilience/?srsltid=AfmBOopqXqa-mJhYDlAiWpimliCbGH0RbntbRDBKT_Xop85Rqs0ZWfOX

Follow Montana Dog Food Co.
https://montanadogfoodco.com/

Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod

Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel

Videography by William Cornell

Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Mad Props
00:23 Josh Allen joins the show
00:55 The story behind Montana Dog Food Co.
16:14 Why pet owners can trust Montana Dog Food Co.
17:19 Beserat Debebe joins Mad Props
18:00 Creating Ethiopian superheroes
20:00 The origins of Jember
22:00 Jember's powers and superhero philosophy
23:30 Building an African comic universe
26:58 Growing Ethan Comics
30:30 Marvel, DC & independent comics
34:28 Comic conventions and connecting with readers
43:06 Where to find Ethan Comics
44:52 Final thoughts

Previous Episode

Billy West on Futurama, Voice Acting, Comic Cons & His New Memoir

June 29

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61m

Welcome to Mad Props! Host Chris Schnabel sits down with legendary voice actor Billy West for an unforgettable conversation about one of the greatest careers in animation history.

Known as the voices behind Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Dr. Zoidberg, Stimpy, Doug Funnie, Red M&M, Buzz the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, Elmer Fudd, and countless other iconic characters, Billy shares the incredible stories behind his legendary career.

Topics include:

• The origins of Futurama and creating Fry
• Doug, Ren & Stimpy, and Nickelodeon history
• How Professor Farnsworth and Dr. Zoidberg were created
• Becoming the Red M&M and Honey Nut Cheerios Bee
• Radio, Howard Stern, and the early days of broadcasting
• Classic animation and growing up on Popeye and Looney Tunes
• The future of voice acting and animation
• Childhood trauma, neurodivergence, and finding creativity through adversity

Whether you're a fan of Futurama, Ren & Stimpy, Doug, Space Jam, Looney Tunes, classic animation, or simply love hearing the stories behind iconic careers, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Join the Discord
https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb

Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Crosstown Nine sports hot takes
23:19 - Billy West joins the podcast
23:53 - From Boston radio to voice acting
26:08 - Landing Doug and Ren & Stimpy
29:34 - Becoming the Red M&M and Honey Nut Cheerios Bee
30:57 - Creating Fry and joining Futurama
34:04 - The origins of Professor Farnsworth and Dr. Zoidberg
36:10 - Futurama’s cancellations, revival, and working with Matt Groening
38:33 - Classic cartoons, conventions, and meeting fans
49:20 - The future of voice acting, Vice Versa, and Billy’s life story

Next Episode

Defending the WORST Hot Takes on the Internet

July 13

•

56m

Welcome to Mad Props. Chris Schnabel is joined by new co-host Chandler Williams for a completely different kind of episode: defending the indefensible.

Join the Discord
https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb

Chris and Chandler are given random hot takes with no preparation and must defend them as if they genuinely believe every word they say.

Nintendo should sue more people? Ads should come back to Netflix? Spoilers make movies better? Microtransactions are healthy for gaming?

No matter how terrible the opinion is, they have to find a way to defend it.

The conversation goes completely off the rails as Chris and Chandler debate:

• Why Nintendo should sue even more people
• Bringing ads back to Netflix
• Why spoilers actually make movies better
• Disney's obsession with live-action remakes
• Microtransactions in video games
• Posting entire concerts on Instagram Stories
• Why movie theater popcorn is worth $20
• Ending the four-day work week
• Clapping when airplanes land
• Retaking your driver's test every 10 years
• Reboots versus original ideas
• Charging airline passengers by weight
• Self-checkout versus cashiers
• Why every company needs a mascot
• Tipping culture
• Influencers becoming modern celebrities

Who won each debate? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod

Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props

02:57 – Nintendo Should Sue More People

05:17 – Ads Should Come Back to Netflix

08:51 – Spoilers Don't Ruin Movies

11:36 – Live-Action Remakes Are Good

16:01 – Microtransactions Are Healthy for Gaming

20:20 – Posting an Entire Concert on Instagram Is Great

23:24 – Movie Theater Popcorn Is Worth $20

28:05 – Four-Day Work Weeks Shouldn't Exist

30:01 – People Should Clap When Planes Land

33:16 – Everyone Should Retake Their Driver's Test

35:37 – Reboots Are Better Than Original Ideas

38:03 – Airlines Should Charge by Passenger Weight

40:14 – Self-Checkout Is Worse Than Cashiers

40:54 – The Random Amar'e Stoudemire Story

44:58 – Every Company Should Have a Mascot

47:18 – Tipping Culture Is the Best

50:37 – Influencers Are the Best Type of Celebrity

55:17 – Final Thoughts

Keywords

Mad Props Podcast, Chris Schnabel, Chandler Williams, defend the indefensible, hot takes podcast, funny podcast, comedy podcast, unpopular opinions, controversial opinions, Nintendo lawsuits, Nintendo hot takes, Netflix ads, movie spoilers, live action Disney remakes, microtransactions gaming, NBA 2K microtransactions, Instagram concert stories, movie theater popcorn, four day work week, clapping when planes land, driver's test every 10 years, movie reboots, airline passenger weight, self checkout, company mascots, tipping culture, influencer celebrities, funny debates, comedy debate podcast, podcast hot takes, ridiculous opinions, social media clips, viral podcast moments