Ricky's Big World
Welcome to Ricky's Big World, the podcast that blends mouth-watering food, Southern charm, and the unique perspective of Ricky Bartlett - double-leg amputee, radio host, and actor.
Recoded live from Pizza World Iowa's vibrant kitchen, join Ricky for entertaining tales, laughs, and a glimpse into Southern culture. Whether you're a fried chicken enthusiast or seeking a good chuckle, Ricky's quick wit and infectious personality make each episode a joy. Ricky's Big World is a podcast that's as irresistible as a hot slice of Pizza World's famous pizza!
Ricky's Big World
Ricky’s Bucket List, Haunted Houses & Facing His Childhood Fears
From bucket lists to Broadway, this episode takes you on a journey! In this candid and hilarious episode, Ricky and Roxanna dive into bucket list dreams, haunted places, and long-forgotten childhood fears. Ricky opens up about his once-in-a-lifetime Broadway performance, his near-audition for The Voice, and the real reason he’s terrified to sing in public.
Plus, the duo explores Iowa’s most haunted locations, Ricky’s dream to ride an airboat in Louisiana, and whether he’ll finally face his fear of rejection by auditioning for The Voice again. Is Ricky finally saying YES to new opportunities? Or will he chicken out again? Find out in this episode of Ricky’s Big World!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 | Welcome to Ricky’s Big World & The Lost Podcast Name: Ricky and Roxanna kick this off, joking about the original name of the podcast (Ricky’s Big Ol’ Back Porch).
Ricky recalls a time he was almost offered a local cooking show—but turned it down when they didn’t like the name!
02:45 | Ricky’s Bucket List: Travel, Thrills & Haunted Places: Ricky reveals his top bucket list destinations
07:00 | The Most Haunted Places Ricky Wants to Visit: The Villisca Axe Murder House (Iowa), would Ricky and Roxanna actually stay overnight?
12:30 | Ricky’s Dream Train Ride: The Ultimate Amtrak Adventure: Ricky wants to ride Amtrak across the U.S. and experience the dining car.
16:45 | Ricky’s Broadway Dream Came True—But What’s Next?: Ricky performed on Broadway and won a Danny Award for disabled musicians.
22:00 | Facing His Fear: Ricky Almost Auditioned for The Voice!: Ricky got invited to audition for The Voice… and backed out last minute.
30:00 | Saying YES to New Opportunities! (Or Will He Chicken Out?): Ricky debates auditioning for The Voice again—is he finally ready?
36:30 | Episode Wrap-Up & The Final Push: Roxanna reminds Ricky: “You’re not afraid to be seen—you’re just afraid to sing.”
Drop a comment below: Should Ricky go for The Voice audition or keep running from it? Let us know!
📱 Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickysbigworld/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091682322790
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickys.big.world
🎧 Listen to the podcast on the go! Available on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66OeXseBMJhOAmXLZ4TJXC
Buzzsprout: https://rickysbigworld.buzzsprout.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rickys-big-world/id1742834652
We’ll leave the porch light on and the front door unlocked—but if you start singing like you’re on Broadway, you’re getting kicked out!
[0:00] – Introduction & Early Morning Start
Roxanna: Howdy y'all! So on the next episode of Ricky's Big World, we're going to spill all the tea.
Ricky: H, okay, but how did I know before giving you the star that you were going to change your mind while in Louisiana and come back up?
Roxanna: I have given you much, producer.
Ricky: I don’t read minds!
Roxanna: Ricky, I gotta go to Jesus for a second. Hold on.
(Sound effects of deep sighing, laughter.)
Roxanna: Back in the Pizza World Caverns, behind the test ovens, and in reality, next to the bathrooms—it's Ricky's Big World!
Ricky: Hey, welcome to another episode of Ricky's Big World!
Roxanna: Episode? Yeah, yeah.
Ricky: Episode! You always say "edition," though.
Roxanna: Whatever! Anyway, we are here—what time?
Ricky: Early. Way too early. Nobody's here. If you turn this camera around, you see all the chairs still up on top of the tables.
Roxanna: Yeah, it's just us. Nobody else.
Ricky: I don’t know why she wanted me here so early. And by the way, if y'all hear me burp, I tried to get it out before we started recording, but—
(Ricky lets out a burp.)
Roxanna: Oh my God.
Ricky: I feel better now!
(Laughter.)
[2:00] – Morning Coffee & Chat with Matt
Ricky: So, my buddy Matt picked me up from the hotel, and we went to a coffee shop here in town. We sat there for quite a while, just chit-chatting.
Roxanna: Oh yeah?
Ricky: This man has got the encyclopedia of voice-over actors in his brain.
Roxanna: Really?
Ricky: He is a stalker. Matt, I’m going to go ahead and tell you—you’re a stalker of voice-over artists.
(Laughter.)
[5:30] – Ricky’s Gas Troubles (Literally!)
Ricky: If y’all hear me burp again, just know I tried to get it out before the camera came on.
Roxanna: Oh my God.
Ricky: I knew it was gone when I started talking. I’m so sorry!
Roxanna: Do you feel better?
Ricky: I do. It didn’t come from the other end, so we’re good on that one.
(Laughter.)
[7:45] – Ricky’s Experience with Freebies & Perks
Roxanna: You always get free stuff from places—how’s that work? Tell me about the perks of being Ricky.
Ricky: Well, I got pulled over this morning by the popo on Highway 100.
Roxanna: What?!
Ricky: Yeah, I was going a little on the fast side.
(Laughs.)
Ricky: The cop comes up to me and says, “Sir, you know how fast you were going?” I said, “I’ll be honest with you—I sure don’t.”
[50:15] – The Voice Audition & Fear of Singing
Roxanna: You were invited to audition for The Voice and didn’t do it?!
Ricky: I got nervous.
Roxanna: Ricky!
Ricky: I literally canceled the audition at the last minute.
Roxanna: You are auditioning again. You are doing this for little Ricky.
(Laughter.)
