Best Austin Ramsay Podcasts (2026)

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174. Building Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Radical Transparency in Restaurants 1:55:43

Play Pause

12d ago1:55:43

1:55:43

Our next guest is Christine Cikowski, Co-Founder and Chef of Honey Butter Fried Chicken. She's also a part of Sunday Dinner Club, TriBecca's Sandwich Shop, and Honey Butter Beach Club inside SPF Pickleball. We reflect on how HBFC was conceived, the many iterations it's gone through, and how they've maintained longevity through radical transparency …

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VotV 05: They're Calling Your Name, Dear 1:39:02

17d ago1:39:02

1:39:02

The crew of the Verdigale delve into a pre-Verdant ruin to discover the source of the mysterious melody. On the far horizon, the bustling freeport of Caldermere awaits. Welcome to Risky Standard - Voyage of the Verdigale. Voyage of the Verdigale is a weird-fantasy adventure story set atop the strange and vibrant ocean of treetops known as the Wilds…

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173. From Steppenwolf-Trained Acting To Hosting Plant Workshops ft. Austin Hunt 1:52:30

27d ago1:52:30

1:52:30

Our next guest is the Founder of a plant workshop here in Chicago. He goes by @uncommonplantguy. Despite the simple idea for a date night, there is so much more to experience through the lens of creating and caring for a kokedama plant. We reflect on his 13 year journey through stage theater, the lessons he’s learned through almost 10 years of ther…

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VotV 04: The Haunting Melody 1:33:36

1M ago1:33:36

1:33:36

Hex takes the wheel as the Verdigale sets sail on the Wildsea once more. As the ship races across the thrash a strange song from the tangle below catches our crew’s attention. Welcome to Risky Standard - Voyage of the Verdigale. Voyage of the Verdigale is a weird-fantasy adventure story set atop the strange and vibrant ocean of treetops known as th…

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VotV Episode 03: Discovery Beneath the Waves 1:07:25

2M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

After a plentiful and unexpected harvest in the aftermath of a rootquake, the crew of the Verdigale takes some time to investigate their surroundings. Welcome to Risky Standard - Voyage of the Verdigale. Voyage of the Verdigale is a weird-fantasy adventure story set atop the strange and vibrant ocean of treetops known as the Wildsea. It follows the…

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172. From Bavettes and Pop Ups to Partnering with Mikerphone Brewing ft. Brennan's Gourmet Burger Shack 2:06:08

2M ago2:06:08

2:06:08

Our next guests are preparing to open a highly anticipated burger restaurant in Park Ridge in partnership with Mikerphone Brewing. They met at the highly coveted Bavettes in Chicago and went through many iterations of what life could look like during and after the pandemic. They both were seeking stability and it wasn’t until several pop ups when P…

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VotV Episode 02: Caldermere Calling 56:19

2M ago56:19

56:19

“...the author seeks to refute the emerging trend in the literature which characterizes the Verdancy as a moment of cataclysm, the destruction of the world; he should like to posit that the Verdancy instead represents a moment of grand transfiguration, the granting of the world a new Shape - one which this volume shall attempt to describe at length…

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VotV Episode 01: The Crew of the Verdigale 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

Centuries ago, the old world was swallowed by forests immeasurable. A new world emerged from the ruins scattered across the endless canopy. Now sailors take to the treetop sea on ships drawn by roaring saws, connecting the distant islands and creating ties that bind them. The verdant ocean is strange and dangerous but it is full of opportunity and …

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Season 2 Announcement 11:15

2M ago11:15

11:15

The long silence of summer has ended and Risky Standard is back. Some of us have moved, gotten married, finished semesters of grad school, and now we're setting full sail ahead for Season 2 of Risky Standard where we'll be playing The Wildsea by Felix Isaacs. Season 2 premieres on Thursday, November 6th and you can also find the Risky Standard crew…

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171. Uncut with Novel Pizza Cafe ft. Ryan Catolico and Enrique "Gremski" Huizar 1:36:05

2M ago1:36:05

1:36:05

Our next guests are Ryan Catolico and Enrique Huizar of Novel Pizza. I’ve been following their journey since the very beginning. I believe this was the second entry into the Almedaverse. Ryan reflects on how he and Francis tried to replicate some of their favorite pizzas and eventually called for help from Enrique aka Gremski who has grown up in th…

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170. Carmilla Kupritz Returns 2:54:20

3M ago2:54:20

2:54:20

Carmilla K is back on the pod. She recently completed a half marathon in Iceland, another Hyrox event, and moved over to Studio Three from Corepower. We yap about themes of discipline, being present, and reframing why we do what we do. She’s entered her fifth decade of life and she continues to be unapologetically herself. I honestly did not think …

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169. No BS Wine Education with Slik Wines' Founder ft. Marie Cheslik 2:06:51

3M ago2:06:51

2:06:51

Our next guest provides a down to earth approach to wine education and she’s coming out with a book on how to read a wine label. She has channeled her love of hospitality as a nurse and a sommelier at a 1 Star Michelin restaurant. We reflect on her non linear journey through healthcare and hospitality with themes of pragmatism, authenticity, and fi…

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168. Melding Various Interests As A Multidisciplinary Artist ft. Alyssa Low 1:35:18

4M ago1:35:18

1:35:18

Our next guest is a designer and multidisciplinary artist. She’s worked with brands like Good Things Vending [Shoutout Steph Krim], The Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Fire, The Chicago Marathon, and most recently Babe’s Sports Bar. We reflect on how she has found herself at the intersection of multiple interests and how she has found joy in soccer …

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167. ER Vet Nurse Cooks Vegan Food For Gordon Ramsay ft. Courtney Fraley 1:51:02

4M ago1:51:02

1:51:02

Our next guest is passionate on all things animals. She is an ER Vet Nurse as well as the author for her blog, Faraway Kitchen, where she shares vegan recipes from around the world. She was recently a contestant on Season 15 of MasterChef. We dive into her adventurous beginnings where she leaves no stone unturned in her travels across the country a…

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166. Holey Dough & Co. ft. Jake Rubin 1:36:01

4M ago1:36:01

1:36:01

Our next guest is riding the high of Eeeeeatscon this last weekend. He’s been consistently selling out of his weekly preorders despite increasing available quantities. The bagels have a nice “knock knock” crust to them and upon ripping them apart, were dense enough to dip through schmear but not excessively chewy. The everything bagel hit all the r…

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165. Coming Out in More Ways Than One ft. Alvis Huynh 2:06:20

5M ago2:06:20

2:06:20

Our next guest is the Chef and Founder of Về lại which is currently a Vietnamese and Lao pop-up filled with themes of nostalgia and homestyle cooking. Coming from hard-working blue collar immigrants, Alvis had a strong work ethic, and despite falling in love with food and cooking at an early age, he didn’t immediately venture into the culinary arts…

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CalazCon 113 - Legislature - Democracy Forever, PART TWO 1:21:59

5M ago1:21:59

1:21:59

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, imprisonment, assassination Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join the Legislature for their last parliamentary session! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win th…

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CalazCon 112 - Legislature - Democracy Forever, PART ONE 1:42:52

5M ago1:42:52

1:42:52

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, imprisonment Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join the Legislature for their last parliamentary session! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and mi…

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CalazCon 111 - The Farm Upstate - Metamorphosis, PART TWO 1:08:34

5M ago1:08:34

1:08:34

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, Cannibalism, Dismemberment, Explicit Monsterfication, Monsterfuckery, Exploitation of war trauma Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join The Farm Upstate for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadi…

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CalazCon 110 - The Farm Upstate - Metamorphosis, PART ONE 36:36

5M ago36:36

36:36

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, acid attack, cannibalism, parental death, teeth stuff Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join The Farm Upstate for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying …

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164. Exploring the Filipino Renaissance ft. Joe Fontelera 1:41:20

5M ago1:41:20

1:41:20

Our next guest is the co-owner and Chef behind Boonie’s. Joe reflects on his Filipino-American upbringing, finding the culinary path, and eventually leaning into the Filipino culinary world. We chat about working on yourself, following your intuition, and making time to just live. If you haven’t been to Boonie’s, put it on your list. Joe’s partner,…

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The Division of Silent Accords, Part 6: The Basilica 1:51:32

5M ago1:51:32

1:51:32

The thrilling conclusion of The Division of Silent Accords! The ancient contagion growing at the heart of the Aeonian is revealed. Argot, Bracco & Dr. Forstall near a truth too vast to name. At the threshold of the Basilica, the silent operatives must make a desperate choice- enter the sanctum and risk what remains, or become entombed as the dereli…

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CalazCon 109 - Blue Sky Endowment - What I've Done, PART TWO 48:43

5M ago48:43

48:43

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Blue Sky Endowment for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on behalf o…

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CalazCon 108 - Blue Sky Endowment - What I've Done, PART ONE 1:09:47

6M ago1:09:47

1:09:47

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, discussion of sex Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Blue Sky Endowment for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the…

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163. Tilly Bagel Shop ft. Hannah Tillett-Banaszak 1:30:10

6M ago1:30:10

1:30:10

Our next guest is one half of Tilly Bagel Shop in the South Loop and now in the West Loop. Hannah comes on to share how the bagel shop came to be. From a love of blueberry bagels her dad would bring on Sundays to staying busy during the pandemic by sharing bagels with friends and family. What started as a passion project at farmer’s markets has now…

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CalazCon 107 - PizZA - The Few And Far Between, PART TWO 1:05:38

6M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Piz/ZA for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on behalf of the Democr…

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CalazCon 106 - Piz/ZA - The Few And Far Between, PART ONE 1:12:33

6M ago1:12:33

1:12:33

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Piz/ZA for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on behalf of the Democr…

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CalazCon 105 - Terminal Company - You've Got The Bles, PART TWO 1:01:10

6M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, mania, depression, death, self destructive behavior Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Terminal Company for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to…

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162. Maintaining the Lost Art of Hand Painted Signs ft. Ches Perry [Right Way Signs] 1:20:39

6M ago1:20:39

1:20:39

Our next guest has been hand painting signs since 1970. I can’t help but think about him every time I drive west on the Kennedy expressway and peer over to the roof of the Salt Shed. He did that! Join us as we reflect on how he took a leap of faith on art school and immigrated to Chicago from Newfoundland, Canada. A lot of us are striving for peace…

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CalazCon 104 - Terminal Company - You've Got The Bles, PART ONE 56:23

6M ago56:23

56:23

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Terminal Company for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on behalf of …

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CalazCon 103 - The 86 - Some Got Away 1:08:48

6M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join The 86 for their epilogue! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on behalf of the Democr…

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CalazCon 102 - The Farm Upstate - The Rue Ruse, PART TWO 51:52

6M ago51:52

51:52

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, discussion of suicide bombing, teeth, acid attack Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join The Farm Upstate for their latest Mission! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while tryin…

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161. Full Circle Moments with Andrew Lim of Perilla Fare and Steakhouse 2:08:25

6M ago2:08:25

2:08:25

Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Partner of Perilla Fare and Steakhouse. Andy opens up about not being Korean enough or American enough and how he ultimately found his voice as a person and as a Chef. He was initially tapped as a consultant for the space that is now known as Perilla Fare. That relationship evolved into becoming the Executiv…

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CalazCon 101 - The Farm Upstate - The Rue Ruse, PART ONE 59:51

6M ago59:51

59:51

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join The Farm Upstate for their latest Mission! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts and minds of the locals on beha…

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The Division of Silent Accords, Part 5: Excession 1:09:37

7M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

Time is running out aboard the Aeonian, as the derelict hulk lurches toward threadspace and the darkness between stars. Within the heart of the anomaly, a strange contagion blooms into a distorted reflection of the familiar. In the shadow of an aberrant facade, something impossible waits: a palatial garden, glistening in cesium-gold. FEATURING Pete…

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CalazCon 100 - Blue Sky Endowment - Roll Sixes And Never Die, PART TWO 1:02:51

7M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

CONTENT WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE: War, bugs, discussion of alcohol Welcome back to CalazCon! This week we join Blue Sky Endowment for their final Mission! CalazCon is a Beam Saber mega game series featuring 30 players across 6 play groups. Each squad battles against the occupying nomadic media convention, CalazCon, while trying to win the hearts a…