What Is the Dabbleverse?
The podcast drama universe explained — from Howard Stern to Barstool Sports to the comedy underground
The Dabbleverse is the interconnected network of podcast personalities, comedians, and internet creators centered around figures like Stuttering John Melendez, Karl from Who Are These Podcasts, and others who frequently cross paths through feuds, collaborations, and shared audiences across the podcast world.
The term originated in December 2019 when Eric Nagel told Stuttering John he "dabbles" in comedy. John — a former Howard Stern Show staffer and Tonight Show announcer — took extreme offense. His angry reaction ironically cemented the "Dabbler" nickname, and the community that formed around the drama became the Dabbleverse.
By 2026, the Dabbleverse encompasses 130+ personalities, 47+ shows, live events like Hackamania and DabbleCon, and even lawsuits. What started as one man's inability to take criticism has grown into a self-sustaining podcast ecosystem with its own lore, rivalries, and fandom.
The Hackverse: Mainstream Connections
The Dabbleverse didn't appear from nowhere. Its biggest personalities came from mainstream media — and those connections run deep.
Stuttering John was a staffer and interviewer on the Howard Stern Show from 1988 to 2004. Shuli Egar was a Stern Show contributor and correspondent. Both left to build independent podcasts that became central to the Dabbleverse.
Blind Mike was a producer at Barstool Sports, working on KFC Radio and other programs. After leaving Barstool, he launched The Blind Mike Project and became a key Dabbleverse personality, co-hosting the weekly Dabbleverse Live recap show with Karl.
Anthony Cumia co-hosted the legendary Opie & Anthony Show on SiriusXM. After leaving, he founded Compound Media. The O&A fanbase significantly overlaps with the Dabbleverse, and Cumia himself has become an active participant covering the drama.
Karl Hamburger's Who Are These Podcasts reviews and roasts bad podcasts. WATP became the central hub where all Dabbleverse storylines converge. Legion of Skanks did a deep dive on the Dabbleverse in early 2026, bringing it to a wider comedy audience.
After leaving Howard Stern, Stuttering John became the announcer on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 2004 to 2014. His frequent references to his Tonight Show credentials — and the comedy community's skepticism about them — fuel much of the Dabbleverse drama.
Key Dabbleverse Personalities
Former Howard Stern Show staffer and Tonight Show announcer. His refusal to accept criticism, ongoing feuds with nearly everyone, and legendary meltdowns make him the sun around which the entire Dabbleverse orbits.
Host of Who Are These Podcasts (WATP). Karl turned every Dabbleverse meltdown into must-watch content and co-hosts the weekly Dabbleverse Live recap. WATP is the central hub where all storylines converge.
Former Barstool Sports producer who launched The Blind Mike Project. Co-hosts Dabbleverse Live with Karl and brings the Barstool audience into the ecosystem.
Former Howard Stern Show contributor who launched The Shuli Network and Point Dabble Point. Bridges the Stern fanbase into the Dabbleverse and has been sued by Stuttering John.
Co-host of the legendary Opie & Anthony Show, now running Compound Media. Brings the massive O&A fanbase and has become an active Dabbleverse participant and commentator.
Host of Steel Toe Morning Show. Known for challenging half the Dabbleverse to boxing matches and generating some of the most dramatic moments in the community.
Comedian and podcast personality whose unpredictable behavior and feuds with multiple Dabbleverse figures keep generating new storylines.
Host of Nobody Likes Onions (NLO), which became essential documentation of Dabbleverse drama. Provides detailed coverage and analysis of the ongoing feuds.
Major Dabbleverse Shows
Dabbleverse FAQ
What is the Dabbleverse?
The Dabbleverse is the interconnected network of podcast personalities, comedians, and internet creators centered around figures like Stuttering John Melendez, Karl from Who Are These Podcasts, and others who frequently cross paths through feuds, collaborations, and shared audiences across the podcast world. The name comes from Eric Nagel telling Stuttering John he "dabbles" in comedy in December 2019, which John took as a severe insult — ironically cementing the nickname forever.
Who are the main Dabbleverse personalities?
Key figures include Stuttering John Melendez (the gravitational center), Karl Hamburger (host of Who Are These Podcasts), Shuli Egar (former Howard Stern Show, now The Shuli Network), Blind Mike (former Barstool Sports producer), Anthony Cumia (Compound Media), Aaron Imholte (Steel Toe), Chad Zumock, Patrick Melton (Nobody Likes Onions), and many more. Over 130 personalities are tracked across the ecosystem.
What shows are in the Dabbleverse?
Major shows include Who Are These Podcasts (WATP), Dabbleverse Live, The Blind Mike Project, The Shuli Network, Nobody Likes Onions (NLO), Steel Toe Morning Show, Compound Media shows with Anthony Cumia, Tookie Soup, and many others. The community includes over 47 active shows that regularly cover Dabbleverse drama and personalities.
How did the Dabbleverse start?
The Dabbleverse began in December 2019 when Eric Nagel (E-Rock) told Stuttering John Melendez that he "dabbles" in comedy during a conversation. John took extreme offense, citing his 20 years of stand-up and Tonight Show writing credits. His angry reaction ironically made the "Dabbler" nickname stick. Karl Hamburger's Who Are These Podcasts amplified the drama, and by September 2021 fans called themselves "Dabblers" and the community became "Dabblers Anonymous."
What is dabbleverse.com?
Dabbleverse.com is the community-driven hub for tracking the podcast drama universe. It features personality rankings and voting, show directories, news coverage of feuds and drama, live event tracking, a historical timeline, heatmaps of community activity, and super chat leaderboards. It is the central resource for understanding who is who and what is happening in the Dabbleverse.