Conversations with Big Rich

Hear conversations with the legacy stars of rockcrawling and off-road. Big Rich interviews the leaders in rock sports.

Conversations with Big Rich is a leisure podcast hosted by Big Rich Klein, with 339 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Big Rich Klein hosts Conversations with Big Rich, a leisure show with 339 episodes published.

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  Episode #340

  From Rubber Plantations to Off-Road Entrepreneurship with Justin “Aussie” Khoo on Episode 340

  Oct 1, 20261h 7mS7

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Conversations with Big Rich , Justin “Aussie” Khoo shares the winding journey that took him from growing up on a Malaysian rubber plantation and swimming competitively in Australia to working in mining, commercial diving, railroading, and the motorcycle industry. Justin talks about discovering his passion for off-roading, adapting to life in the United States, and returning to the trail through vehicle builds, 12-volt installations, and overlanding adventures. He also recalls guiding Australian filmmakers through California’s Rubicon Trail and introducing them to American off-road culture. The conversation then turns to Rugged Revive, the personal-care product Justin and his wife, Kelly, developed for people who spend time outdoors. Inspired by real-world challenges on the trail, Rugged Revive offers an effective way to clean up without a traditional shower. Justin explains how they created the formula, bootstrapped the business, and expanded beyond off-road into hunting, hiking, camping, sports, and other outdoor activities. Along the way, Justin and Big Rich swap stories about Australian wildlife, remote travel, beer, space for off-road toys, and the dream of building a massive garage. Support the show

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  Episode #339

  Trials build strength in Episode 339 with Sue Lee Bun

  Sep 24, 20261h 9mS7

  Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Big Rich , Sue Lee Bun shares her remarkable journey from fleeing Laos as a young child to building a life rooted in family, resilience, and the off-road community. Sue discusses growing up in a large Hmong family, adapting to life in America, overcoming bullying, and balancing cultural traditions with American life. She explains how she and her husband, Chai, discovered off-roading, raised their sons on the trails, and launched Bunn Welders after fellow off-roaders began relying on their trail-side welding expertise. Sue also opens up about her stage-four lung cancer diagnosis and the overwhelming support she received from the off-road community. That experience inspired the creation of the Hugaroc Foundation, which supports off-road families affected by cancer and plans activities for children and teenagers facing illness. Learn about Hugaroc’s upcoming fundraisers, community events, children’s initiatives, and ways to get involved. Visit hugaroc.org and follow Hugaroc on Facebook and Instagram. Support the show

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  Episode #338

  Finding comfort in the chaos, Tom Gattuso, SEMA’s VP of Events on Episode 338

  Sep 17, 20261h 16mS7

  Send us Fan Mail Tom Gattuso, SEMA’s Vice President of Events, joins Big Rich Klein for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey through automotive events, off-road culture, and the evolution of the SEMA Show. Gattuso shares stories from growing up near Washington, D.C., touring Europe as a jazz musician, playing varsity football, and developing the improvisational skills that shaped his career. He explains how a bold cross-country move in a ’66 Impala convertible led him from automotive sales into event production. The discussion explores his years producing auto shows and Off-Road Expo, including the importance of becoming immersed in the off-road community and embracing unconventional ideas. Gattuso also describes his transition to SEMA and the growth of signature experiences such as the SEMA Cruise, SEMA Fest, outdoor demonstrations, and expanded powersports programming. Additional topics include: How SEMA is organizing truck, off-road, powersports, and related industries The importance of protecting trails and supporting advocacy through ORBA Designing events around the needs of exhibitors, buyers, and enthusiasts The future of product innovation and automotive customization SEMA Fest’s mix of music, drifting, stunt performances, and community Gattuso offers a behind-the-scenes look at the planning, risks, teamwork, and passion required to bring the automotive industry together. Support the show

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  Episode #337

  Jeff Knoll’s Off-Road Journey on Episode 337

  Sep 10, 20261h 33mS7

  Send us Fan Mail Jeff Knoll joins Big Rich to share the winding path that took him from a childhood spent riding motorcycles and dune buggies in Southern California to becoming a major figure in off-road racing and land-use advocacy. Jeff reflects on growing up in Menifee and Glamis, his early experiences at the Boardmanville Trading Post, working through school, starting a family young, and overcoming periods of homelessness. He explains how plumbing, Jeep clubs, rock crawling, and desert racing eventually led to the creation of the California Rock Crawling Association and the early days of King of the Hammers. The conversation explores the vision behind King of the Hammers, its first competitors, the importance of media and storytelling, and Jeff’s decision to leave the event as it grew. Jeff also discusses the personal cost of the Save the Hammers campaign, which helped establish Johnson Valley’s first congressionally designated OHV area. Additional topics include Rally Venture, public-land permitting, the challenges facing motorized recreation advocacy, and Jeff’s work with One Voice. He shares why the Potato Salad Hill Cleanup Challenge remains one of his proudest accomplishments and explains how small acts of stewardship can change perceptions. Looking ahead, Jeff hopes to retire from Lincoln Electric, build a Jeep and camper setup, and return to exploring trails across the country. Support the show

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  Episode #336

  Master Fabber and Rock Bouncing Champion Tim Cameron on Episode 336

  Sep 3, 20261h 8mS7

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Big Rich Klein sits down with rock-bouncing champion Tim Cameron, a Tennessee native whose passion for off-road racing began with four-wheelers, Jeeps, and hill climbs. Tim shares how he learned fabrication from Brian Cole and built his first full-tube-chassis buggy, Fat Girl . He discusses the evolution of his rigs, including Jenny Craig , Moon Rover , Hellraiser , Showtime , and Game Changer . His innovative use of a ProFab drop box helped redefine rock-bouncer drivetrain design. The conversation follows Tim’s transition from wild hill climbs to competitive racing. After experiencing Ultra4 suspension technology firsthand with Randy Slawson, Tim embraced bypass shocks, trailing arms, and increased wheel travel. His redesigned buggies helped him win multiple consecutive championships and influenced the direction of rock-bouncing competition. Tim also recalls his 2015 King of the Hammers debut, where he and co-pilot Cole Shirley finished 11th despite fuel-system problems. After racing more than 40 weekends a year, Tim recognized burnout and took time away from competition. During that break, he discovered dirt late-model racing and began mastering an entirely different discipline. Today, Tim continues competing in rock bouncing while developing his dirt-track career. He discusses his current buggy, 100 Shots Reloaded , plans for a super late model, and the possibility of returning to Ultra4 racing. Support the show

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