Beachfront Banter: Laid Back & Local

Known as the Tipsy Blokes, Schell coworkers and natural pranksters Adam Pettengell and Frank Ryan are similar guys from different backgrounds who are using their verbal jousting skills to the fullest in Beachfront Banter. Hailing from across the pond, Adam’s British humor is the perfect foil for Frank’s American East Coast wit. Sometimes chaotic and always adventurous, their podcast is solid banter with a healthy dose of random-yet-interesting information and non-stop laughs.

Exploring Delaware’s coastal towns and accompanying culture, Beachfront Banter ventures into the realm of local characters, must-see hotspots, notable nonprofits, and behind-the-scenes secrets. Each episode offers a full pint of original insights served up with the signature Schell vibe. While the episodes offer something for everyone, Adam explained that their repartee may have special appeal for new home buyers. “It’s a great way to get acquainted with the builder and the community,” he said. “We’re like family at Schell and the podcast features straight talk—along with occasional curve balls—about the company and life at the beach. Hopefully, we’re offering some help along the way, even if it’s just a local food tip.”

When asked how the podcast got its start, Frank explained that it came about organically. “I thought it would be fun to give podcasting a try and had only one guy in mind to co-host. I called Adam and of course he said ‘yes’ because this fits right into our everyday shenanigans.” After acknowledging— tongue-in-cheek—that Frank would say all ideas were his, Adam elaborated, saying, “It’s great to work for a company that allows us to act on our ideas, while investing the time and money to bring the concept to life.” As community sales managers who collectively have welcomed hundreds of customers into a variety of Schell neighborhoods, the two have been part of the company’s unique culture and pay-it-forward mission for many years.

When we asked the blokes what it takes to host a podcast for the region’s top homebuilder and 2023 Pro Builder of the Year, Frank was quick to respond. “We try not to take things too seriously; we just naturally inject fun into our regular routine,” he said. “If you can’t laugh while doing whatever it is that you do, then don’t do it. Life’s too short.” Adam added, “Nothing is off the table, from practical jokes to the inside scoop about homebuilding. And who doesn’t like to listen to a chap with an English accent?“

With a few episodes under their proverbial belts, there have been some surprises along the way. “This was a little harder than we initially expected,” Frank admitted. “Despite thinking we were already so naturally witty and interesting, we quickly learned that a little prep work goes a long way. Keeping on task for some ... like maybe, Adam ... can be a challenge, so we always check ourselves a bit.” Adam dodged the jab, adding, “It certainly has been a learning experience. We’re still novices at the craft and would be nothing without James, Parker, Ivana, and Caitlin, who produce and edit all the episodes.”

With a variety of future episodes on the drawing board, we were curious about upcoming topics. “We’re looking forward to talking with more local legends, restaurant owners, and charity leaders,” Frank said. “And, of course, scoring an interview with the big man Chris Schell himself.” Without disclosing details, Adam suggested that they have a plethora of unique ideas up their sleeves.

As the Tipsy Blokes prepare for upcoming episodes, Adam reflected, “We have a lot to be thankful for. From my perspective, the podcasts are an opportunity to have a drink with my best buddy while talking about what we love best about our company and the beaches. Frank added, “We have a lot of fun doing what we do and where we do it. So sharing the company, culture, and local area was a no-brainer for us.”