David Thomas Tao

David Thomas Tao

Author: Jim McDonald September 3, 2025 Duration: 1:00:15
David Tao returns to the show to take us inside the world of theater production and spirits (not the BOO!) kind. Following up his role as the successful CEO of Barbend.com, David has taken on two new roles he’s passionate about: producing theater in New York, and writing about spirits – primarily whiskey and bourbon. He discusses the role of a producer and gives us an inside view of the process of selecting and developing a show for the stage. He also gives tips on how to find out spirits you enjoy, and how to develop a discerning palate (and have fun while doing it).

You can find David on Instagram @davidthomastao https://www.instagram.com/davidthomastao and on X @d-tao https://x.com/d_tao. Give him a follow. He's got great content every day. 

Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com!

Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/!

50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network.

Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/

____   Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambila. Theme by Aaron Moore. Show art by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/50-facts--5538735/support.

Ever notice how a movie scene about training or a social media trend about nutrition can feel a bit off, like the reality got lost in translation? That’s the space where 50% Facts lives. Hosted by veteran podcaster and gym owner Jim McDonald, this series digs into the wide gap between how popular culture depicts our well-being and how things actually work. Each episode takes a closer look at the portrayals of health, fitness, mental health, and more in films, TV, and online media, questioning where the truth ends and the distortion begins. Jim brings his perspective from running Third Street Barbell in Sacramento to conversations with a diverse range of guests, from fitness experts and athletes to voices from entertainment. The discussions are grounded, often surprising, and focused on separating Hollywood flair from actionable knowledge. Tune in for a podcast that doesn’t just review media but investigates the stories we’re told about our own bodies and minds, all through Jim’s straightforward and experienced lens.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

50% Facts
Podcast Episodes
Deadlifts are not worth the risks? | Topic Thunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:13
We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel tries to find agreement (or not) with the suggestion that training deadlifts the risks if you’re not a competitive powerlifter. Are they actually dangerous? Or are t…
Hook grip is unreliable? | Topic Thunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:53
We’re still in Topic Thunder mode this week. Our panel unpacks this hot take, “Hook grip Is unreliable and may be overrated.” Hook grip is a bandwagon that most lifters jump on at one time or another to try to up their d…
Things NOT to overlook when you’re planning a meet | Topic Thunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
Our panel takes on a couple of related questions about the giant meet we just ran from members of our Discord: AR17 asked, “What do you believe was the most under (over) looked aspect of running/ prepping a meet?” Keith…
Powerlifting has become a meme? | Topic Thunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:50
We just hosted a great big meet – maybe the largest local USAPL meet ever – and we’re beat so we’re slipping into Topic Thunder mode for a bit to recover our calm and our voices. Topic Thunder episodes are short, sometim…
Do you need a mentor? | One Good Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:44
This week’s question from our Discord: EvilFern asked, “How important is having a mentor? Am I missing out by not having one? Feel like it's something that should happen naturally instead of seeking one out somehow.” Joe…
Ground turkey vs ground beef vs ground chicken | One Good Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:17
This week’s question from our Discord: ArrogantFool asked, “Why do people use ground turkey instead of ground beef to lose weight when the macros and calories are nearly identical and there isn't a cost advantage?” We ki…
The Pandora’s Box of Powerlifting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
In the time since we discussed this situation last week, the scandals of a particular powerlifting federation -- the USPA --have come into sharper focus. Pandora’s Box has been flung open, and there’s been a scramble to…
Most people give low effort in the gym? | Topic Thunder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:51
This episode is about reacting to a hot take that was sent to us: Most people are putting in such low effort in the gym, it’s a waste of time! What’s the right amount of effort for most people? Is any effort really bette…