My First Major Celebrity Interview: Rev Run (Run-DMC)
Mad Props with Chris Schnabel
07/20/26
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Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel revisits one of the most important interviews of his career—a throwback conversation with Rev Run of Run-DMC.
Originally recorded in 2012 during Chris' college radio days at WNHU 88.7, this interview marked one of the very first major celebrity interviews that helped launch his career as a broadcaster and interviewer.
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Rev Run sits down to discuss leadership, family, work ethic, faith, hip-hop, and the lessons he's learned throughout his legendary career as a founding member of Run-DMC, television personality from Run's House, author, entrepreneur, and father.
Following the interview, Chris reflects on what it was like conducting one of his earliest interviews, how his interviewing style has evolved over the past decade, and the behind-the-scenes story of how this opportunity helped shape the future of Mad Props.
In this episode:
• How Rev Run defines true leadership
• The importance of humility and listening
• Why family comes before career
• Becoming a reverend
• Building a strong work ethic
• Raising respectful children
• Advice for young people chasing success
• Thoughts on Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z and modern hip-hop
• Chris reflects on his first major interview
• How this interview helped launch his podcasting career
Whether you're a fan of Run-DMC, hip-hop history, leadership, or behind-the-scenes stories about broadcasting and interviewing, this episode offers a fascinating look back at where it all began.
Follow Rev Run
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revwon
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
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Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props & Throwback Introduction
02:19 – Throwback to Rev Run on WNHU
02:45 – What Makes a Great Leader?
03:26 – Family, Fatherhood & Communication
04:08 – Becoming a Reverend
04:29 – Developing a Strong Work Ethic
04:51 – Raising Respectful Children
05:17 – Advice for the Next Generation
05:35 – The Future of Hip-Hop
05:58 – Drake, Jay-Z, Kanye & Eminem
06:47 – Chris Reflects on His First Major Interview
08:10 – Landing the Rev Run Interview
10:03 – Looking Back at the Questions
11:37 – How Interviewing Has Changed
13:18 – Other Early Celebrity Interviews
15:03 – Why This Interview Still Matters
16:27 – Outro
Previous Episode
Welcome to Mad Props. Chris Schnabel is joined by new co-host Chandler Williams for a completely different kind of episode: defending the indefensible.
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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.
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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
Next Episode
Welcome to Mad Props! Host Chris Schnabel sits down with actress, filmmaker, model, stunt performer, and comic creator Gia Skova for one of the most fascinating conversations the show has ever had.
From creating comic books and starring in action films to discussing quantum physics, time travel, creativity, discipline, and the future of technology, Gia brings an incredibly unique perspective shaped by both art and science.
The conversation explores everything from filmmaking and storytelling to personal growth, health, daily routines, and how she approaches building ambitious creative projects.
Topics include:
• Creating her comic book universe
• Bringing comics to life on screen
• Acting and filmmaking
• Performing her own stunts
• Quantum physics and time travel
• Artificial intelligence and the future
• Creativity and artistic inspiration
• Discipline, routines and productivity
• Exercise and maintaining balance
• Reading, learning and lifelong curiosity
• Advice for aspiring creators
• What's next for Gia Skova
Whether you're a comic book fan, filmmaker, science enthusiast, or someone looking for motivation to pursue ambitious goals, this episode offers an incredible mix of creativity and inspiration.
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Follow Gia Skova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giaskova/
Website: https://giaskova.com/
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
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Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introducing Gia Skova
01:36 – Gia's Journey Into Acting & Comics
03:56 – Creating Her Comic Book Universe
06:52 – Quantum Physics & Time Travel
10:18 – Science, Curiosity & Big Ideas
13:04 – Building Stories That Matter
16:05 – Comic Books, Fans & Conventions
20:29 – Creativity Outside of Work
23:31 – Reading, Learning & Personal Growth
27:40 – Advice for Aspiring Creators
31:11 – Health, Fitness & Daily Discipline
35:02 – Building Confidence & Staying Motivated
40:09 – Filmmaking, Action Movies & Doing Her Own Stunts
44:10 – Future Projects & What's Next
48:38 – Final Thoughts
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