Podcast
The Havoc Rundown
Hosted by Hunter Bro Studios · EN
The ultimate podcast for all things combat robotics.
From underground grudge matches to world-stage championships, The Havoc Rundown covers the full spectrum of competitive robot combat. Hosted by seasoned event staffers and builders, we break down fights, preview major events, and dig deep into the engineering, chaos, and creativity that fuel the sport.
We interview builders, organizers, innovators, and legends from every corner of the combat robotics world. Whether you're a veteran of the pits or just discovered bots hit harder than your favorite sports team—this is your front-row seat to
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Rundown Roundtable: An Interview with NHRL and DAZN
2w ago00:58:24Summary readyIn this special Havoc Rundown Roundtable, Justin Hunter, Ryan Hunter, Tony Baker, and Thomas Carrol sit down with Kelly Biderman, CEO of NHRL, and Ed Cracknell from DAZN to discuss one of the biggest developments in combat robotics in recent memory: the partnership between NHRL and DAZN.Over the course of this conversation, we explore how the partnership came together, what attracted DAZN to combat robotics, and what both organizations hope to achieve as they work to grow the sport on a global stage.We also discuss audience growth, builder recognition, storytelling, content strategy, sponsorship opportunities, international expansion, and what the future of combat robotics could look like over the next several years.This discussion was shaped in part by questions submitted by the combat robotics community, and we'd like to thank everyone who participated in our mailbag.A huge thank you to Kelly and Ed for taking the time to join us and provide insight into the future of NHRL and the sport as a whole.Check out the rest of our episodes and interviews at our website: https://havocrundown.com/en
SummaryS3E10: Deadrise, DAZN, and the Future of Pro Combat Robotics
2w ago01:32:27Summary readyThis episode on The Havoc Rundown, we’re diving into one of the biggest weekends in modern combat robotics: the first-ever NHRL Pro Tour event.Justin, Ryan, Thomas, Tony, and special fifth-chair guest Julian Papasian break down the atmosphere, format, fights, production, and what this new pro-style event could mean for the future of the sport. We also sit down with Joe Copenhaver, builder and driver of Deadrise, to talk about competing on the Pro Tour stage, controlled chaos in the cage, his background in robotics and engineering, and what makes Deadrise such a dangerous machine in the 30-pound division.Huge thanks to Joe for joining us, sharing his stories, and giving us an inside look at the event from a builder’s perspective.Check out everything Havoc Rundown at https://havocrundown.com/en, including our merch store with shirts, hats, jerseys, and more. New merch is dropping regularly, so go grab some gear and support the show.Share this episode with your team, your friends, your local builders, or anyone who loves combat robotics. We’ll see you in the arena.
SummaryS3E9: College Robotics, Late Nights & the Next Generation of Builders
3w ago01:26:56Summary readyThis week on Havoc Rundown, we’re doing something a little different with our official College Robotics special. Justin, Ryan, Thomas, and Tony are joined by graduating builders Evan Rosenblatt and Ezequiel Gonzalez Solano from WPI, Samuel Herman and Daphne Yan from Brandeis University, and Ian Talbert from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for a roundtable on what it’s really like balancing combat robotics with college life.We talk about how each guest found their way into the sport, the robots they started with, late nights in the lab, team culture, machine shop access, passing knowledge down to younger builders, and what changes after graduation when the school resources are no longer right down the hall. Plus, Ryan puts everyone through a quick college-themed Game Corner, we dig into the differences between the WPI, Brandeis, and Rose-Hulman build styles, and we answer listener mailbag questions from the community.Huge thanks to Evan, Ezequiel, Sam, Daphne, and Ian for joining us and sharing their stories. The future of combat robotics is looking terrifyingly well-educated.For more episode, merch and more check out our website: https://havocrundown.com/en
SummaryS3 E8: Return of the Evil Henchman ft Sam Hanson
May 701:30:59Summary readyThis episode on Havoc Rundown, the crew sits down with NHRL’s own “Evil Henchman” Sam Hanson for a massive behind-the-scenes look at how combat robotics content gets made, how NHRL has evolved over the last few years, and what fans can expect as the Pro League era begins. From announcing events and creating viral content to helping shape the fan experience at NHRL, Sam talks about how his role has transformed since first joining the team and what it’s like becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the sport.The episode also dives deep into the future of NHRL, including Pro League structure changes, prize payouts, stream presentation updates, builder communication, and the growing push to make combat robotics feel like a truly global sport. Sam also shares stories from filming Side Quests in New Zealand, building weird robots, nearly losing a robot to the ocean forever, and why the Synthesis vs Booty Brigade fight still stands above the rest as the greatest fight NHRL has ever had.Ryan debuts an all-new “Who’s That Henchman?” Game Corner featuring evil sidekicks, stolen points, and complete chaos as the crew struggles through movie trivia ranging from Star Wars and Austin Powers to Hercules and Goldfinger. Somewhere along the way, the conversation also spirals into maple syrup crime syndicates, robot skateparks, mushroom foraging, battle boats, robot Pokémon tournaments, and the possibility of a future steel floor invitational.The episode closes out with updates on Havoc Rundown merch, Havoc TV, Bot of the Day, and a spotlight on CFA Laser, a Connecticut-based fabrication shop helping builders get combat robot parts cut fast and locally before events.If you’re into combat robotics, NHRL, behind-the-scenes production stories, robot builder culture, or just hearing a group of people completely derail into absurd conversations about syrup economics and evil henchmen, this episode is for you.
SummaryS3E7: How Just 'Cuz Robotics Continues to Shape Combat Robotics ft. Seth Schaffer
Apr 2301:37:26Summary readyIn this episode of Havoc Rundown, we welcome back a familiar voice you’ve heard in our ad reads and a name nearly every builder recognizes—Seth Schaffer from Just 'Cuz Robotics. Seth joins us to break down how his company has evolved from simple power distribution boards into one of the most influential suppliers in combat robotics. We get into the full story behind Just 'Cuz Robotics, from early experimentation and solving common builder problems to scaling into a full-time business supporting competitors across multiple weight classes. Along the way, we dive into the design philosophy behind some of his most impactful products, including the SSP kit—built specifically to make combat robotics more accessible to new builders—and the development of hub motors, which have gone on to fundamentally change how many robots are designed and built today. Beyond the products themselves, this episode explores the realities of running a niche hardware business in a rapidly evolving sport. Seth talks through the risks of bringing new ideas to market, how he approaches testing and iteration, and what it takes to balance being both a competitor and a supplier. We also discuss where the sport is heading, how technology like modern 3D printing has accelerated innovation, and what future breakthroughs might look like.We also kick things off with the return of Ryan’s Game Corner, featuring a chaotic round of “Who’s the Imposter?” that tests everyone’s knowledge of robot names across multiple categories. As always, it quickly turns into a mix of strategy, second-guessing, and complete guesswork.Corey Nason was scheduled to join us for this episode, but due to technical difficulties he wasn’t able to stay on. We’re looking forward to having him back soon to continue that conversation.If you’re a builder—or thinking about getting into the sport—be sure to check out Seth’s work at https://justcuzrobotics.com, where he continues to develop parts and tools that are shaping the current generation of combat robots.This episode also marks a small production change for us. We’re experimenting with removing background music entirely. It was originally used to mask breathing, coughing, and early audio inconsistencies, but as our production quality has improved, we’re testing whether it’s still necessary. Let us know what you think—does it feel cleaner, or do you miss the music?From product design and business insight to competition strategy and community impact, this episode covers a wide range of what makes combat robotics such a unique and constantly evolving space.
SummaryS3E6: Max Morningstar Talks Big Wheels, Meta Breaking & NHRL
Mar 3101:25:51Summary readyThe road to NHRL April 4th is heating up, and in this episode of Havoc Rundown we break down the matchups, the bots everyone’s watching, and the potential chaos waiting in the bracket. From dangerous dark horses to the machines that could dominate the night, we’re digging into what really matters before the event kicks off.We’re also joined by Max Morningstar of Team Roboctopi Combat Division (TRC) for a behind-the-scenes look at his builds, how he approaches competition, and what it’s like navigating the ever-evolving meta at NHRL. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into staying competitive at this level, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.Max also shares where to follow his work—check out TRC on YouTube and dive deeper into his bots on the NHRL Wiki:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TRC4918NHRL Wiki: https://wiki.nhrl.io/wiki/index.php/TRCIf you’re following the event, building your fantasy lineup, or just want to know who to keep your eyes on April 4th—this episode sets the stage.Stay up to date with everything Havoc Rundown, including the fantasy league and full bot registry, at https://havocrundown.com/enBackground Music:Teddy Bass by Ariel Shalom: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/teddy-bass/6000230Sparks by Aves: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/sparks/132130Luscious by Tim Maslov: https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/luscious/109465
SummaryS3E5 - Corey Nason Goes Global
Mar 1901:32:11Summary readyIn this episode, we sit down with Corey Nason to talk about his trip to New Zealand to compete at Robot Rampage and what it’s like taking your bot to an international stage.From travel logistics to adapting to a completely different competition environment, Corey walks us through the experience of fighting abroad, the challenges he faced, and how the event stacked up against what we’re used to at home.We dive into the matches, the competition level, and what makes Robot Rampage such a unique event in the combat robotics world, along with Corey’s takeaways from the trip and what it means for future builds and events.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to compete internationally in combat robotics, this is one you won’t want to miss.Corey's Builder Profile: https://havocrundown.com/en/builder/corey-nason-1763909431321Website: https://havocrundown.com/enBackground Music Credits:- Go On by Flint- The Observer by Evgeny Bardyuzha- Fake Table by Benno, Eden Ladin
SummaryS3E4 - Sitting Down With a Champion Ft Zack Knight
Mar 301:17:18Summary readyWhat does it take to stay competitive at the top of the 12-pound division? This week, we sit down with Zack Knight — the builder behind Pramheda, one of the most consistent and feared vertical spinners in NHRL, for a deep dive into design philosophy, strategic thinking, and what keeps him pushing the sport forward.Zack breaks down how he approaches robot design, why calculated risk-taking is just as important as engineering precision, and what it means to be part of the NHRL builder community. We also get a sneak peek at the stacked robot lineup heading into the next competition — and trust us, you're not going to want to miss it.Plus, Ryan takes over Game Corner with a robot name guessing game featuring some of the most creative (and chaotic) bots heading to the March NHRL event. Can the crew hold their own against Ryan's increasingly unfair ruleset? Tune in to find out.Zack Knight: https://havocrundown.com/en/builder/zack-knight-1763909411206🎵 Music Credits:No Trust by Flint & Roie ShpiglerLate Night Dreams by Kirsten CollinsNight Lights by Alex MakeMusicAll music licensed via Artlist.io
SummaryS3E3: Spyfall, Sparks & the Papasians
Feb 1901:58:56Summary readyIn this episode, we break down the February 7th NHRL event from top to bottom, the standout performances, the biggest upsets, and what the results mean moving forward.We’re joined by Julian and Dima Papasian to talk about their experience at the event, high-level driving strategy, tough matchups, and how preparation and adjustments play out inside the cage.We dive into the top-performing bots across the weight classes, early exits that shook up expectations, and the evolving flame bot meta that continues to shift strategy at NHRL. We also unpack a full Havoc Rundown Fantasy League recap, including major leaderboard movement and a dramatic climb up the standings.And in true Havoc fashion, things take a turn with a round of Spyfall, where one robot is the secret and the interrogation gets intense. It’s part mind game, part chaos, and exactly the kind of energy you’d expect from this crew.We wrap it all up with Listener Mailbag questions from the community, bringing even more personality and perspective into the episode.From bracket chaos to strategy deep-dives to a little undercover fun, this episode covers everything that went down on February 7th.🌐 Website: https://havocrundown.com/en🎵 Background Music Credits:Kissing the Moon by SkygazeBasement by MonakoEpisode 6 by Walz
SummaryS3E2 - Mass Destruction Returns: Resurgence 5 Preview with Team Omega
Jan 2801:27:41Summary readyWe’re gearing up for the first major combat robotics event of 2026, and this week we’re joined by Team Omega to break down everything you need to know about Mass Destruction: Resurgence 5, happening January 31st at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, Massachusetts.Team Omega, the builders behind legendary robots like Starchild and Ripperoni and longtime pillars of the New England combat robotics scene, joins us to talk about the history of Mass Destruction, why they brought the event back, and what makes it one of the most approachable and community-driven tournaments in the sport. We dive into what makes the Mass Destruction arena unique, including its infamous launching pit, how it changes match strategy, and why this event continues to attract both first-time builders and top-tier competitors.We also walk through what to expect from the upcoming event, including the beetleweight and plastic ant classes, standout bots attending, how the event is structured to maximize fights, and what makes Mass Destruction different from larger, more rigid competitions. Along the way, Team Omega shares behind-the-scenes insight into running an event, evolving arena design, and the philosophy behind keeping robot combat fun, accessible, and chaotic in the best way possible.🛠️ Event Links - Havoc Rundown Event Page:https://havocrundown.com/en/events/events-6468Official Mass Destruction Registration:https://www.robotcombatevents.com/events/6468📺 Live Stream (Omega Robotics Team):https://www.youtube.com/@OmegaRoboticsTeam/streams🌐 Havoc Rundown Website:https://havocrundown.com/en🎵 Background Music CreditsCactus Flower (Instrumental) by Southern CallLosing Time (Instrumental) by Brian McMasterSmoke & Sizzle by Danny Shields
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