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PODCAST · comedy

Lower the Bar

by Sam Manual & Gabe Trevino

Join two 1st generation friends as we attempt to crack wise and discuss pop culture, growing up in immigrant households, and discuss geo-political issues at a 3rd grade level. Disappointing our parents since the mid to late 70's.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 3, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Lower the Bar 113 - Sam's trip to St Louis, Eclipse, fantasy draft

    This week's episode Sam about his trip to the St. Louis and his experience watching the eclipse earlier this year. The guys talk about the nerdiest version of sports. They end the show with some improv fun about a fantasy comic book draft. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so…

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  2. Lower the Bar 112 - L.A. County Fair - Inhumans Review

    This week's episode Gabe tells Sam about Augie's wedding from the audience side. The guys talk about the L.A. County Fair and collectibles. Same and Gabe review Marvel's Inhumans and other comic books shows season openers. They end the show with some improv fun. If you have any stories you like…

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  3. Lower the Bar 111 - Augie's Wedding and Ice Cream debate

    This week's episode is another episode without Sam who was sick when we recorded this one. In this episode Augie tells use about shower beer. Augie and Gabe poorly debate what counts as "ice cream". Augie tell us about his recent wedding including a guest who became unwelcome at a certain point....

  4. Lower the Bar 110 - Jugueton Juan

    In this episode we meet Juan Velasco; an Ecuadorian who came to Los Angeles via Argentina. He tells us about making the move from Ecuador to Argentina and then to the U.S. Once in the U.S. he tells us about getting some early jobs. We ask Juan the Lower the Bar questions and end the show with…

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  5. Lower the Bar 109 - Sweet Swi Takarabe

    We are back after a little hiatus, though Sam was sick so Gabe is flying solo on this one. We meet friend of the show Kathy "Swi" Takarabe. We find about Swi growing up in the Midwest in a less than diverse area. Swi tells us about here college years and about moving out to Southern California to...

  6. Lower the Bar 108 - Comic Con and the Heat

    In this episode Gabe share about some summer traveling he did. He talks about the 100 degree plus weather in Reedley (a small town near Fresno). Gabe also tells up about being able to go Comic Con this year. Augie shows up at the end of the episode and updates us on his wedding planning and to…

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  7. Lower the Bar - 107 Jaunty Jake Newton

    This week our guest is Jake Newton, an actor and singer of the band Sleeping Wolf. Jake grew up in Oakhurst, CA. A small town in the central Valley of California. Jake tells about growing up in a small town. He tells about how his family went from having decent money to living paycheck to…

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  8. Lower the Bar 106 - Sam Surgery Update CW review

    The file has been corrected and is now downloadable. In this episode, Sam gives up an update on his surgery a little over a year ago. Sam also tells about the movie 'The Big Sick' and the Netflix special 'Homecoming King' and how he relates to them. Gabe and Sam review the last season of the CW...

  9. Lower the Bar 105 - Wonder Woman Review

    This week we find out why Sam's dad wanted a full body picture of him. Then Sam and Gabe review Wonder Woman, there are major spoilers. The guys end the podcast with some improv fun. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so on Facebook or email us at [email protected]…

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  10. Lower the Bar 104 - Wondrous Will Gatlin

    This week we meet Will Gatlin. Will grew up all over from from Belgium to New Jersey to Bahrain to Virginia. Will tells us about a scripted Podcast he sold. We ask Will the Lower the Bar questions and the guys end the with some improv fun. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so…

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  11. Lower the Bar 103 - Bermuda - Superhero Physique

    In this week's episode Augie gives us an update on his wedding plans and how he "auditioned" his wedding DJ's. Gabe tells about his recent trip Bermuda to go to a friends wedding. The guys then talk about an article regarding the modern action star physique. Gabe and Sam end the show with some...

  12. Lower the Bar 102 - Melissa Hieman

    This week we meet Melissa Heiman. Melissa grew up in New Mexico and tells us about the annual Albuquerque (hot air) Balloon Fiesta. Melissa talks about studying in France and moving back to New Mexico and started doing improv there. She eventually makes here way to So. Cal. We ask Melissa the…

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  13. Lower the Bar 101 - Stand-up, Arcades and extreme sports

    For those paying attention, yes we went from episode 99 to 101. We have something special planned for episode 100, but it may not be about a month or so. In this week's episode Sam and Gabe start out by talking about arcade games. The Gabe and Sam then start share stories about each of their...

  14. Lower the Bar 99 - Shine on Sierra Kane

    The week we meet Wisconsin native Sierra Kane. We hear about how she got interested in acting at a young age and how she came out to Los Angeles and the many twists and turns along the way. We ask Sierra the Lower the Bar questions and end the show with some improv fun. If you have any stories…

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  15. Lower the Bar 98 - Beau Brown of the 7 Foot Vlog

    This week we meet Beau Brown of the 7 Foot Vlog on YouTube. Beau is 7 feet tall and talks about growing up in Southern California and how he got into YouTubing. Beau also shares a problem with his eligibility in playing college basketball. We ask Beau the Lower the Bar questions and the guys end...

  16. Lower the Bar 97 - Hernia Surgery and Las Vegas Raiders

    This week's episode we find out that Augie would watch Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour to learn the dance moves by watching it over and over again. Augie also tells us about his recent hernia surgery. Sam Gabe and Augie talk about the Raiders moving to Las Vegas. The guys end the with some…

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  17. Lower the Bar 96 - Debonair Darryl Delaney

    In this episode we meet Darryl Delaney. He tells us about growing up in Ohio as the 'golden child' in his family with NHL dreams. His fall back was trying to get on Mad TV. Darryl tells us about how he made it out to L.A. and how he found a knack with puppets and YouTube sketches. We ask Darryl…

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  18. Lower the Bar 95 - Logan Review

    In this episode Sam tells us of a recent Golf trip with his dad and someone named Jose, but he is not latin nor pronounces it the way you are probably reading it. Gabe and Sam then review Logan. Since the movie has been out for a while there are massive spoilers in this review. The guys end the...

  19. Lower the Bar 95 - Sensational Sethward Allison

    In this episode we meet Sethward Allison. He tells us about growing up in Canyon, TX, being the Mascot in Jr. High and the 'feud' between the track athletes and football player at this high school. Sethward tell us about how he made it out to L.A. and the struggle of finding his voice. We ask…

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  20. Lower the Bar 94 - Rain, Valentines, Cheating on Dentist

    Hey friends, we have shorter episode to finish up some of the topics Augie teased in the last episode. Augie and Gabe talk about the recent rain in California. They also talk about Valentines Day and how Augie doesn't believe in it. Then we hear how Augie cheated on his dentist. If you have any...

  21. Lower the Bar 93 - Ghosted-Ikea-App

    This week we are with out Sam's, but Gabe and Augie try to muster on. Augie shares about a time is was 'ghosted' by an ex. They guys take about the new Ikea in Burbank, CA which is largest Ikea in the U.S. They guys talk about some of the apps on their phones and end the show with some improv…

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  22. Lower the Bar 92- Spicy Food-Pranks-Outloud App

    In this week's episode Sam's, Gabe and Augie talk about eating some of the hottest foods, wings, hot sauce, peppers. Then they guys talk about various pranks they witness or hear about. In lieu of impov, Augie tells us about a great new app called Outloud which is play list that the crowd at a...

  23. Lower the Bar 91- Radiant Rita

    In this episode we meet Rita Outtrim. We hear about Rita growing up in Texas and got into acting at a young age, but then focused on music and singing. We ask Rita the Lower the Bar questions then end the show with some improv fun. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so on…

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  24. Lower the bar 90 - Juggalos, Celebrity sighting, documentaries

    In this week's episode Augie airs out some of Gabe's dirty laundry. Sam brings up that fact that the FBI has labels the Juggalos as a voilent gang. Gabe shares about a celebrity siting in Reedley. Sam also shares about documentary about cults. The guys ends the show with some improv fun. n. If…

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  25. Lower the Bar 89 - Keen Kara Morgan

    In this episode we meet Kara Morgan. She is the sister to Timmy Morgan who was on episode 27. Hear about Kara growing up in Dillsburg, PA and made it out to Los Angeles. Kara tells about her Opera singing training. We ask Kara the Lower the Bar questions then end the show with some improv fun. If...

  26. Lower the Bar 88 - Augie is back

    In this week's episode we are joined with our silent producer Augie Lopez. He shares about his recent engagement and brings up something that happened at his place while he was out of town. Augie also tells about how he tried to borrow a kid for a Christmas card picture and many other things. The...

  27. Lower the Bar 87 - Empowering Emily Greco

    In this episode we meet Emily Greco. Emily is an actress who grew up in Colorado Springs. We hear about her growing up the child of 2 educators. Emily made her way to L.A. with a quick 8 year stop in the San Francisco Bay area. We also find out how many dates she went on before she got engaged to...

  28. Lower the Bar 86 - Kindred Keston

    In this episode we meet Keston John. Keston is an actor who grew up in Orlando, Florida. Sam and Keston talk about briefly talk basketball and then talk more about growing up in Orlando. There is definitely some Gator talk. Keston talks about doing plays in high school. Keston tells us about…

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  29. Lower the Bar 85 Christmas-Infomericals-Tim Allens Santa Clause

    A few week behind on publishing our Christmas episode, but here it is. In this episode Sam and Gabe talk a Christmas and about the laser light show decorations that have recently become popular. Gabe and Sam talk infomercials and the guys find out what would happen if instead of casting Tim Allen...

  30. Lower the Bar 84 Star Wars-Conspiracy Theory

    In this episode Sam and Gabe talk a little Star Wars, mostly about an off screen affair that happened between Hans Solo and Princess Leia. Then Sam and Gabe talk conspiracy theories which leads to us finding out what would happen if Gabe was cast in the movie 'Conspiracy Theory' instead of Mel...

  31. Lower the bar 83 - Thanksgiving and Dr Strange

    In this episode Sam and Gabe talk Thanksgiving...after a few digressions. The guys review Marvel's Dr. Strange and end the podcast with some improv fun about a Dad and his son at Thanksgiving. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so on Facebook or email us at...

  32. Lower the bar 82 - Noteworthy Norm Johnson

    This week we meet Norm Johnson, legitimately voted best smile at Pasadena High School. Born and raised in So Cal, Norm talks about growing up in Pasadena. Norm also talks about growing up playing sports and how he got into acting. We ask Norm the Lower the Bar questions and finish off the podcast...

  33. Lower The Bar 81 - Notorious Nathan Scoggins

    In this week's episode we meet Nathan Scoggins or Scroggins as he has been mistaken as. Nathan and Gabe are long time friends, so we hear about who they met. Nathan is a writer/director; we find out how he went from growing up in Rhode Island to living in Los Angeles for over 10 years making...

  34. Lower the Bar 80 - Timeless and Running Man

    In this week's episode we find out that Sam used to host Pampered Chef parties. Gabe and Sam talk about the show Timeless and other shows that involve time travel. The guys bring back an old segment, what if you were in the movie? We find out what would happen if Sam was in Running Man instead of...

  35. Lower the Bar 79 - Nifty Nathan Davis

    In this week's episode we meet Nathan Davis. We hear about Nathan growing up in a small town in Illinois that is not near Chicago. Find out about how his high school class got the school to do their first musical. Nathan went to a small Christian college and we find out Sam's has a connection to...

  36. Lower the Bar 78 - Clowns, S.H.I.E.L.D, Suicide Squad

    In this week's episode Gabe and Sam talks about the clown phenomenon; if you haven't heard there are stories people dress like clowns walking out the woods and showing up in other strange places. This reminds Sam of friend's college prank. The guys then talk, Agents of SHIELD, Suicide Squad, and...

  37. Lower the Bar 77 - Zesty Zora Part 2

    Here is part 2 of our episode of Zora. Find out how he comes clean about his social experiment of pretending to be a Ugandan national who moved to the U.S. to go to college. We end the show with some improv fun. If you have any stories you like to share, please do so on Facebook or email us at...

  38. Lower the Bar 76 - Zesty Zora Part 1

    We have another monster episode that is being broken into 2 parts. In part 1 we meet Zora Bikangaga. He was born in Freson, CA then moved north of the bay area in a less than diverse town. Hear about being 1 of 2 African American kids in school. Zora also tells us about a social experiment he did...

  39. Lower The Bar 75 - Escape Room

    In this week's episode Sam talks about a recent work trip to Texas and the escape room he did while there. Gabe also share his experience in doing an escape room. Gabe and Sam talk about some Olympics highlights. The guys end with some improv fun about a couple of Latinos talking about doing an...

  40. Lower The Bar 74 - Riveting Ryan Self Part 2

    We jump right into part 2 our show with Ryan Self. Ryan tells us about working on the SyFy show Hunters as the assistant to the show runner. We get a peak behind the curtain of how Hollywood works in this interview. We ask him the Lower the Bar questions and finish up with a an improv on about…

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  41. Lower The Bar 73 - Riveting Ryan Self Part 1

    In part 1, of this episode we meet Ryan Self. Ryan and Sam are from the same area so they had a lot to say about growing up in St. Louis. Ryan tells us about his journey to LA and how he met Seth Rogen just before moving to Los Angeles. Then Ryan tells us about a less than ideal living situation...

  42. Lower The Bar 72 - Miss Cleo Warcraft

    Augie, Gabe and Sam start this episode talking about Miss Cleo passing away and get into talking about things we believed at some point that weren't true. Sam and Gabe review the movie Warcraft and the guys end the show with some improv fun about two brothers and one just found out the other is...

  43. Lower The Bar 70 - The Miller Sisters Part 2

    We had 2 guest for the first time and things went long so we broke it into 2 episodes. Please check out Amanda Miller web show Ghosts 'n Stuff Inc by clicking here. Also check out their social media FB/GSIwebseries and twitter @GSIseries. In part 2 we will ask them both the lower the bar…

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  44. Lower The Bar 70 - The Miller Sisters

    We had 2 guest for the first time and things went long so we broke it into 2 episodes. Please check out Amanda Miller web show Ghosts 'n Stuff Inc by clicking here. Also check out their social media FB/GSIwebseries and twitter @GSIseries. In part 1, we Amanda and Briana Miller. Amanda is a voice...

  45. Lower The Bar 69 - Enriched by Eric Reeser

    In this episode we meet So Cal native Eric Reeser. Eric tells us about his childhood and going to a boarding school. Sam, Gabe and Eric also go in-depth talking about imrpov. Eric also shares about his time working at Enterprise Rent-a-Car and being a new father. We ask Eric the Lower the Bar...

  46. Lower The Bar 68 - Tacos again, Camping, Yard Sales, Juggers Sport

    In this week's episode it happened again, we talk tacos. Then Sam, Gabe and Augie talk about camping and yard sales. Sam introduces us to the weird sport called Jugger inspired by the 1989 movie The Salute of the Jugger (released as The Blood of Heroes in the US). The guys end the show with some...

  47. Lower The Bar 67 - What scared you as a kid and X-men Apocalypse

    In this week's episode Sam, Gabe and Augie talk about things that scared them as kids, the clown from movie based on Stephen King's 'It', sharks, tornadoes etc. Gabe and Sam review the movie X-men Apocalypse, there are SPOILERS FROM THE 45 MINUTE MARK TO THE 60 MINUTE MARK. If you haven't seen…

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  48. Lower The Bar 66 - Kind Katie Self

    In this episode we meet Katie Self. Katie is a So Cal native and tells us she was smitten with her now husband at young age...maybe too young of an age. We ask her the Lower the Bar questions and Sam, Gabe and Katie ends with some improv fun about a man asking for a daughter's hand in marriage.…

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  49. Lower The Bar 65 - Cookie debate Round 2-Butterflies and Dogs

    In this week's episode we are visited by Augie's better half, Melissa. Melissa heard Augie and Gabe questioning her choice in cookies 2 episodes back and is on this show to defend herself. Please let us know what is your favorite type of cookie. Gabe shares a story of what happened when his son…

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  50. Lower The Bar 64 - Lovely Lynn

    In this episode we meet Lynn Braswell, wife of Dan Braswell who was a guest on the show about a month ago. Lynn tells us how they got together from her side and gives some practical advice about using roommates as training grounds before you get married. We hear how Lynn made her way from Indiana...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Join two 1st generation friends as we attempt to crack wise and discuss pop culture, growing up in immigrant households, and discuss geo-political issues at a 3rd grade level. Disappointing our parents since the mid to late 70's.

HOSTED BY

Sam Manual & Gabe Trevino

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Lower the Bar have?

Lower the Bar currently has 113 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Lower the Bar about?

Join two 1st generation friends as we attempt to crack wise and discuss pop culture, growing up in immigrant households, and discuss geo-political issues at a 3rd grade level. Disappointing our parents since the mid to late 70's.

How often does Lower the Bar release new episodes?

Lower the Bar publishes regularly with 113 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Lower the Bar?

You can listen to Lower the Bar on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Lower the Bar?

Lower the Bar is created and hosted by Sam Manual & Gabe Trevino.
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