Best Ryan Pak Podcasts (2025)

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Episode #185 - Bret Heiar of Avec 1:11:58

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6h ago1:11:58

1:11:58

We round out 2025 with Bret Heiar, a true original of the hospitality world. These days, he’s the Wine Director at Avec River North, and he's gearing up to open a new Avec location in Highwood, bringing One Off Hospitality’s wine ethos north to the suburbs. Bret got his start as a teenager slinging fries at I-80’s World’s Largest Truck Stop in Walc…

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This Sepulchral Aegis by Rob Gillham (audio) 53:17

6m ago53:17

53:17

This episode features "This Sepulchral Aegis" written by Rob Gillham. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/gillham_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Between Here and Everywhere by Robert Reed (audio) 1:34:45

3d ago1:34:45

1:34:45

This episode features "Between Here and Everywhere" written by Robert Reed. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/reed_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Episode #184 - Margaret Pak of Thattu 1:36:17

3d ago1:36:17

1:36:17

It didn’t always seem inevitable that Margaret Pak would end up running one of Chicago’s most thoughtful and distinctive restaurants. She studied statistics, built a long career in finance and analytics, and spent years inside corporate systems where stability and structure were the goal. But alongside that work she fostered a quieter obsession for…

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Musician Sean Griffin on The Nightmare Before Christmas, His New Holiday Single, & Holiday Traditions 51:48

8d ago51:48

51:48

Musician Sean Griffin (The Ruffians) is our guest to ring in the holidays by talking about Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas on Soundtrack Your Life! Sean has just released the Christmas song, "I'm in Love for Christmas", so he's the perfect guest for our holiday episode! Obviously, if we're talking The Nightmare before Christmas, we're…

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1104: 2025 Birdies and Bogeys + Mike McCartin from National Links Trust 1:53:29

3d ago1:53:29

1:53:29

DJ, Tron and Soly have our final Sunday night pod of 2025 with a two part episode this evening. We start with a Birdies and Bogeys segment highlighting the biggest newsmakers and moments in 2025. Part two focuses on the news this week from the National Links Trust and the political involvement that could harm access to affordable golf in DC. Soly a…

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The Hole by Ferenc Samsa (audio) 1:14:50

5d ago1:14:50

1:14:50

This episode features "The Hole" written by Ferenc Samsa. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/samsa_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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1103: The World of Simulator Golf with Carl Markestad 1:03:57

6d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Carl Markestad - owner of Carl's Place in Milton, Wisconsin - has turned what started out as a business focused on outdoor projector screen setups into one of the largest indoor golf simulator companies in the country. As winter sets in across the country, DJ and Carl discuss the evolution of the indoor golf simulator, technological updates that ha…

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The Cold Burns by Anne Wilkins (audio) 40:54

7d ago40:54

40:54

This episode features "The Cold Burns" written by Anne Wilkins. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/wilkins_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Imperfect Simulations by Michelle Z. Jin (audio) 22:45

8d ago22:45

22:45

This episode features "Imperfect Simulations" written by Michelle Z. Jin. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/jin_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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1102: LPGA Season Wrap-Up 2025 1:25:08

8d ago1:25:08

1:25:08

Randy, Cody and Jordan put a bow on the 2025 LPGA season with a quick review of last week’s Grant Thornton (Way to go LC!!!) and the biggest storylines from the past twelve months in the women’s game including Craig Kessler’s arrival as the new LPGA Tour Commissioner, Nelly’s winless campaign in the year of parity on tour, emerging Japanese players…

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Episode #183 - Paul Abu-Taleb of Pilsen Yards, Beaumont’s, and The Bull Moose 1:20:04

11d ago1:20:04

1:20:04

Before he became a hospitality lifer, Paul Abu-Taleb was considering a PhD in History -- he’s the type who could absolutely have ended up teaching undergrads how to think, argue, and spot patterns. Instead, he’s applied that same mindset to restaurants: building places that don’t just serve people, but actually hold communities together. We get int…

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1101: NLU Personal Golf Rewind 2025 1:54:00

10d ago1:54:00

1:54:00

Soly, TC, Randy, DJ and Neil comb through the data of Team NLU’s golf in 2025 via the USGA GHIN app to see who made the biggest moves in the last twelve months, how we fared in the “Will They Go Lower in 2025” game from last year’s pod and guess if we’ll better our low round from this year in 2026. We also vow to stop (or start) something in 2026, …

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1100: NLU Personal Golf Spotlight - Cody 1:02:54

14d ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Neil has returned from paternity leave to put Cody front and center for our latest installment of the Personal Golf Spotlight series. We get the latest on Cody’s game, his brief history of playing in Monday qualifiers, his favorite and least favorite golfers of all time, and his personal top ten favorite golf courses. Join us in our support of the …

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1099: 2025 Season Trivia with Matt Every 1:00:23

16d ago1:00:23

1:00:23

The NLU Quiz Show is back with DJ playing the role of host as we bring on Matt Every as our third contestant for a 2025 golf trivia battle with Soly and TC. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/esf⁠ Support our Sponsors: Titleist The Stack If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

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Episode #182 - Chase Bracamontes of Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar 1:22:38

18d ago1:22:38

1:22:38

Chase Bracamontes grew up chasing triple axels as a competitive figure skater, but these days her rink is the bar and the dining room. She is the former wine and spirits director at The Publican and now partner and beverage director at Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar in Chicago, whose path from junior-elite ice rinks to a Chinese American cocktail bar …

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Author Eric Gee on how the GO! Soundtrack (1999) Perfectly Captures the Late 90s 1:09:24

22d ago1:09:24

1:09:24

Author Eric Gee joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to Doug Liman's 1999 film, Go! From the B.T. score to the timeless earworm of Len's "Steal My Sunshine", to a new No Doubt song, Go! captures all the music that suburban kids were into in 1999. 00:00:00-00:09:30 Introducing Eric Gee & The Power of Personality 00:09:31-00:15:…

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1098: Royal Melbourne love at the Australian Open 1:29:07

17d ago1:29:07

1:29:07

Soly and TC talk all things Royal Melbourne and Australian Open as one of the best courses on earth took center stage this week with Cam Smith three putting on the 72nd hole handing Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson a one shot victory. Expect minimal birdies and bogeys discussion, we’re here to celebrate RM, react to Rory’s comments comparing it to Kingsto…

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1097: Aussie Golf Check-In 1:42:56

22d ago1:42:56

1:42:56

With the Australian Open underway at Royal Melbourne, Soly and TC bring on Scott Warren and Matt Mollica - the hosts of the Australian Golf Passport Podcast - to discuss the tournament and a bevy of other golf topics from down under including: moving the tournament away from a co-sanctioned event with the women’s open, the future of both men’s and …

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Tomorrow. Today. by R.T. Ester (audio)

24d ago

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This episode features "Tomorrow. Today." written by R.T. Ester. Published in the December 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ester_12_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Episode #181 - Martin Kastner of Crucial Detail 1:13:12

25d ago1:13:12

1:13:12

This week, we sit down with Martin Kastner, the award-winning designer responsible for some of the most iconic objects in modern gastronomy. From Alinea’s game-changing serviceware to the now-legendary Porthole Infuser, Martin has spent his career reshaping how we experience food and drink — and the rituals around them. He takes us from his early d…

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1096: Justin Thomas on the 2025 Ryder Cup 1:29:44

24d ago1:29:44

1:29:44

Soly catches up with Justin Thomas to talk all things 2025 Ryder Cup and the lessons learned from the defeat at Bethpage. Before our Ryder Cup chat we hear from JT on his recovery from recent surgery and his career in team golf. We close our chat with some thoughts on the future of the PGA tour with the new leadership of Brian Rolapp and potential …

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The Fire Burns Anyway by Kemi Ashing-Giwa (audio) 11:35

25d ago11:35

11:35

This episode features "The Fire Burns Anyway" written by Kemi Ashing-Giwa. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ashing-giwa_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Ratlines by Brent Baldwin (audio) 9:35

28d ago9:35

9:35

This episode features "Ratlines" written by Brent Baldwin. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/baldwin_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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1095: New Zealand - Tara Iti and Te Arai 2:31:17

29d ago2:31:17

2:31:17

Back in March, TC and Neil packed their bags and flew across the world to play at Tara Iti and both North and South courses at Te Arai. We recorded this pod several months ago but hope you enjoy The Brothers Schuster reliving their Kiwi experience at some of the most scenic golf holes on the planet. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foun…

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Prerequisites for the Creation of a Possible Predicted World by Chisom Umeh (audio) 31:58

1M ago31:58

31:58

This episode features "Prerequisites for the Creation of a Possible Predicted World" written by Chisom Umeh. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/umeh_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/m…

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Episode #180 - Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde 1:40:18

1M ago1:40:18

1:40:18

This week, we sit down with Bailey Sullivan, executive chef of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio and a Top Chef: Destination Canada finalist, who seemed almost pre-programmed for a life in restaurants: raised at Goldyburgers, her family’s Forest Park burger joint, and glued to Food Network and Top Chef as a teen. She walks us through a career that…

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Pop Culture Writer Rachel Brodsky on Why Adventureland (2009) is Timeless Even Though It's a Period Piece 1:05:38

1M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Pop culture writer, and soon to be author, Rachel Brodsky (Time, LA Times, Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and more!) returns to Soundtrack Your Life to discuss the soundtrack to the 2009 Greg Mottolla film, Adventureland, with hosts Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak. Outside of Falco's hit "Rock Me Amadeus", the soundtrack mines 80s college rock over pop hits …

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1094: Tour finales, a new top 100 list + The Park 1:49:31

1M ago1:49:31

1:49:31

Soly, TC and Randy run a three man weave on the pod tonight covering Sami Valimaki’s win at Sea Island and Jeeno Thitikul claiming the LPGA CME Tour Championship. We also touch on Harris English hinting at a massive tour schedule shakeup for the 2027 season, some odds and ends from the LPGA season and potential roster movement on LIV. From there, w…

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1093: Life after Pro Golf with Steve Wheatcroft 1:26:30

1M ago1:26:30

1:26:30

Soly is joined by former tour pro Steve Wheatcroft to discuss his professional career and his recently released book “Cocktails and Range Balls: One's Too Many, Ten's Not Enough”. The book is a blend of memorable stories from his career at all levels of professional golf and his struggles with alcohol and what life on the road can become amidst the…

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Trees at Night by Ramiro Sanchiz (audio) 40:27

1M ago40:27

40:27

This episode features "Trees at Night" written by Ramiro Sanchiz and translated by Sue Burke. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. Originally published in Spanish in Ruido Blanco #9, 2021.The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/sanchiz_11_25 Support us on Patr…

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1092: LPGA Season Wraps Up, Chevron on the Move, Encouraging Broadcast News 1:07:28

1M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Randy and Cody recap the Annika and set the stage for the CME Tour Championship this week in Naples. We also recap the season and notable players missing out on this week’s tournament and close with some trivia and reactions to the news about the Chevron's move to a new home and LPGA TV broadcast upgrades for 2026. Join us in our support of the Eva…

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Episode #179 - Jacques Pépin 1:03:12

1M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

This week's guest is an icon, a chef’s chef, and a tireless culinary educator -- it's not hyperbole to suggest that the entirety of food media as we know it, a food media that respects food and the process of making it as a skill to be fostered and shared, is in his profound debt. Raised in his parents’ restaurant near Lyon, Jacques Pépin went from…

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1091: Fall Events That Slap + Great Dunes 1:24:33

1M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

Soly and TC catch up on the news of the week as Matt Fitzpatrick wins the DP World Tour Championship while Rory wins another Race to Dubai. We also show our appreciation for the Butterfield and other fall events that seemingly always punch above their weight, talk through the week for the LPGA, assorted news and notes including JT’s surgery and the…

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The Apologists by Tade Thompson (audio) 2:35:10

1M ago2:35:10

2:35:10

This episode features "The Apologists" written by Tade Thompson. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/thompson_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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1090: NLU Personal Golf Spotlight - Casey 1:03:55

1M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Our personal golf series continues with Casey as she shares her perspective on getting better, playing competitive rounds without holding a single digit handicap index, how getting fit led to some surprising choices in her setup, and her top ten favorite courses. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/es…

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Episode #178 - Ken Fredrickson of High Road Wine and Spirits 1:37:23

2M ago1:37:23

1:37:23

This week, we’re enjoying some poured wine (his favorite) with the indefatigable Ken Fredrickson -- Master Sommelier, restaurateur, and founder of High Road Wine and Spirits, whose career runs from Charlie Trotter’s and Spago to Jackson Hole, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago’s most intentional wine lists. He went from Idaho ranch kid to the 40th Amer…

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Singer Kelsie Watts on The Greatest Showman (2017) and Getting Hugh Jackman's Attention 35:29

2M ago35:29

35:29

Singer and Star of SIX on Broadway, Kelsie Watts, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to the 2017 Michael Gracey film, The Greatest Showman. The soundtrack spent 28 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, and the song "This is Me" won the Best Original Song award at the Golden Globes and was nominated for Best Original Song at t…

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1089: LIV's 72 Hole Change, Phil's Group Chat + Weekly Recap 1:16:28

2M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

DJ and Soly discuss a plethora of recent off-course news from the LIV format change to the latest with Pablo Torre’s reporting on Phil and Sable Offshore. Then it’s on to the week in pro golf as Ben Griffin claims a third PGA Tour win of 2025, Aaron Rai over Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff on the DP World Tour in Abu Dhabi, and Nasa Hataoka on the LPG…

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Jade Fighter by D.A. Xiaolin Spires (audio) 1:12:16

2M ago1:12:16

1:12:16

This episode features "Jade Fighter" written by D.A. Xiaolin Spires. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/spires_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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1088: Courses We Saw for the First Time in 2025 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

Back in February (Ep 958) we set out a list of courses we wanted to see for the first time in 2025. Now, nearly nine months later, DJ, Soly and TC have regrouped to debrief on the places we were able to check off our list and what stood out on our 2025 travels. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/esf⁠…

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Episode #177 - Curtis Duffy of Ever, After, & The Canvas 1:38:20

2M ago1:38:20

1:38:20

This week, we’re thrilled to be joined by Chef Curtis Duffy, the culinary dynamo behind Ever and After. He's earned a constellation of Michelin starts for his meticulous, innovative approach to fine dining, where every dish showcases his obsessive attention to detail and zero-waste philosophy. He has a new book out called Fireproof: Memoir of a Che…

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1087: Old Course Renovations, Weekly Recap + Jackson Koivun 1:22:48

2M ago1:22:48

1:22:48

Soly and Randy discuss the news of renovations to the Old Course ahead of the 2027 Open, plus a recap of the week in pro golf with results on the Asian Tour and LPGA Tour. Plus we look at Phil’s latest posts, Gary Player’s recent interviews, and catch up with the number one amateur in the world, Jackson Koivun (60:15), to discuss his Walker Cup exp…

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The Stone Played at Tengen by R.H. Wesley (audio) 46:21

2M ago46:21

46:21

This episode features "The Stone Played at Tengen" written by R.H. Wesley. Published in the November 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/wesley_11_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership…

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Tales From the Crypt Writer/Showrunner Alan Katz on the Legendary Composers on Tales 46:48

2M ago46:48

46:48

*Trigger Warning: This episode has references to self harm and sexual assault. Alan Katz, formerly a writer/showrunner for the TV show, Tales from the Crypt, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about his new career in podcasting. Alan owns Costard and Touchstone Productions, which is home to podcasts such as The How Not to Make a Movie Podcast…