Best Grayson Smith Podcasts (2026)

1
The Specialist | Oprah and Agnes Gund: Art for the Next Generation, with Charlotte Van Dercook 10:51

Play Pause

10m ago10:51

10:51

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, we acknowledge with great respect the recent passing of the visionary philanthropist, Agnes Gund. Her extraordinary patronage – from her l…

1
Betty Boop Ideas 1:01:58

1d ago1:01:58

1:01:58

merritt, Niki and John ring in the New Year (in their timeline anyway, ours is accelerated) by going over new additions to the Public Domain, ideas about how to exploit the new opportunities provided by those additions, and then they just talk about cigarettes. Welcome to If You're Driving, Close Your Eyes, a listener-supported comedy podcast where…

1
The Specialist | The Declaration of Independence: 250 Years of the United States, with Selby Kiffer 12:51

40m ago12:51

12:51

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, Selby Kiffer, Sotheby's Senior International Specialist of Books and Manuscripts, tells the story of an original copy of the Declaration o…

1
Mouth Heaven 59:58

24h ago59:58

59:58

Okay so, full disclosure, I'm sick and didn't listen through this episode before scheduling it, so I have no idea what's in this one. We'll get to find out together! Isn't that romantic? Sit on the other end of the couch though, I'm really, really contagious and you don't want to be in the splash zone for this one. Welcome to If You're Driving, Clo…

1
The Specialist | The Ostrich that François-Xavier Lalanne Hid in his Bedroom, with Florent Jeanniard 10:21

8d ago10:21

10:21

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, Florent Jeanniard, Sotheby's Chairman, Co-Worldwide Head of Design, Paris, dives into the surreal world of François-Xavier Lalanne. Le Bar…

1
Maximize Generosity and Minimize Tax Surprises, Ep #252 31:20

10d ago31:20

31:20

The holiday season inspires generosity, but smart gifting can go far beyond festive moments and gifts under the tree. On the show this week, we're digging into the world of gifting strategies, just in time for the end of 2025. Whether you're navigating last-minute holiday shopping, planning gifts for loved ones, or looking to maximize your charitab…

1
The Specialist | Collecting Time: The Market Life of a Patek Philippe, with Sam Hines 10:59

13d ago10:59

10:59

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the pivotal collector relationships that keep the market for rare watches ticking. Sam Hines, Sotheby's Global Chairman, Watches, explores…

1
League of Extraordinary Smiths 58:02

17d ago58:02

58:02

merritt is back and not a moment too soon, as Niki and John need as much help as they can get to navigate the death of Santa Claus, the return of the Burgermeister, David Carradine, other movies we should make in Fortnite, various Wills Smith, and through the power of the holiday season, somehow even more. Welcome to If You're Driving, Close Your E…

1
The Specialist | The Anonymous Altarpiece: Decoding a Renaissance Enigma, with Alex Bell 10:41

20d ago10:41

10:41

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, what happens when a work of art is so enigmatic that you think about it for 60 years? Alex Bell, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby's UK and Old…

1
The Big Loud Fox Jumps Over the Crazy Straw 54:57

30d ago54:57

54:57

With merritt aboard the International Space Station, John and Niki hold down the fort by talking about typesetting, sports jokes I didn't understand, the #1 Maryland Food Podcast™, sad stories about old dogs, the lamp you jerk off, off-gassing, and despite our best efforts, somehow even more. Welcome to If You're Driving, Close Your Eyes, a listene…

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The Specialist | The Contingency Lunar Sample Return Bag: An Apollo 11 Treasure, with Cassandra Hatton 13:23

1M ago13:23

13:23

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman & Worldwide Head of Science and Natural History, examines the turbulent journey of the bag that …

1
P15S 4G 1:01:44

1M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Finally reunited after No Niki November, the gang wastes no time dissecting a new docket of topical issues facing today's youth, including Frank Sinatra, The Meat Zone, Michael's Milk, doorbells, crimeable acts, earbuds, blood vessels, battery-powered trash cans, and with the power of 1,000 suns, somehow even more. Welcome to If You're Driving, Clo…

1
The Specialist | The Collector and the Ceramicist: Sydney Denton and Magdalene Odundo, with Julia Fischel 13:11

1M ago13:11

13:11

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. In today’s episode, Julia Fischel, Vice President, Head of Sale Sotheby's London, examines the trailblazing impact of Dame Magdalene Odundo and collector Sydn…

1
Stress Test Your Retirement Plan With Real Life What If Scenarios, Ep #251 24:42

1M ago24:42

24:42

We talk with hundreds of individuals and families every year, and many of the questions they ask come back to one core concern. Can my retirement plan really survive the messy, unpredictable situations that happen in real life. Instead of only looking at straight line projections or average returns, Chad and Allison walk through how to "stress test…

1
Michael’s Milk: Welcome to Dairy 52:09

1M ago52:09

52:09

John, merritt and Michael are still legally allowed access to microphones (for now), and thus the show continues unabated, despite his best efforts. This week's topics of discussion include Uncrustables, an important clarification regarding Michael's Milk™, Kirby's secret origins, John's secret to huge numbers, mad cow disease, butt chugging, child…

1
The Specialist | Virgil Abloh’s Reimagining of the Iconic Nike Air Force 1 for Louis Vuitton, with Brahm Wachter 11:01

1M ago11:01

11:01

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, an auction built overnight - Virgil Abloh’s reimagining of the iconic Nike Air Force 1 for Louis Vuitton. The auction became a global phen…

1
Michael's Milk 59:15

1M ago59:15

59:15

We hope you're thirsty, because Michael, John and merritt are back with gallons of gossip and giggles for you to guzzle down your gullet! [Editor's note: I'm trying a new thing where the descriptions are really annoying, let me know what you think.] After our regular biweekly Bible sesh, the gang dishes over their favorite apocalypse-themed wrestle…

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The Specialist | The Lost Seal of the Emperor Qianlong, with Nicolas Chow 11:48

2M ago11:48

11:48

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the spark that led Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, and Head of Asian Art Worldwide, to rediscover of the Qianlong Yulan Zhi Bao …

1
The Characters Welcome Era 59:30

2M ago59:30

59:30

No Niki November continues, with Michael, merritt and John doing their absolute best to keep this train on its tracks, with predictable results. Topics of discussion for this episode include the output of the USA Network between 2005 and 2016, "the first porno you watched," the existence of the Storkborn, ye olde Internet, buying CDs in 2025 and, i…

1
The Specialist | The Secret Pendant of Marie Antoinette, with Andres White Correal 10:47

2M ago10:47

10:47

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the story of Marie Antoinette’s pearl and diamond pendant, told by Andres White Correal, Chairman, Jewellery, Sotheby's EMEA. The pendant …

1
Miles "Tim" Prower 1:02:58

2M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

With Niki exiled to the International Space Station for No Niki November, friend of the show Michael Higham joins John and merritt for another round of ... whatever this is. The gang talks about baseball, AI-generated pictures of Shaq, how long we've had our phone numbers, the dating age limit, and some general information about Canada, as well as …

1
Sotheby’s Talks | The Leonard A. Lauder Collection: Klimt and the Art of Connoisseurship 42:24

2M ago42:24

42:24

On today’s episode, an episode from our friends at Sotheby's exploring the remarkable collection of Leonard A. Lauder, one of the greatest collectors and benefactors of the arts in America. At its centre is Gustav Klimt's celebrated Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, alongside works by Henri Matisse, Edvard Munch, Vincent Van Gogh and other luminaries …

1
The Lost Portrait of One of the Last Aztec Emperors, with Lulu de Creel 12:39

2M ago12:39

12:39

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today's episode, Lulu de Creel, Chairman, Sotheby’s Latin America, tells the extraordinary journey of an anonymous 17th-century portrait believed to be the…

1
Retirement Ravaging Risks That Could Slash Your Nest Egg, Ep #250 17:51

2M ago17:51

17:51

When people think of what could haunt their retirement, they often imagine running out of money, facing unexpected expenses, or living too long. But as we discuss in this episode, there's a more insidious villain: sequence of return risk. Sequence of return risk refers to the threat of poor investment returns occurring early in your retirement year…

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Megan Thee Stiltwalker 55:12

2M ago55:12

55:12

In our most SCARETACULAR episode yet, John, merritt and Niki don their festive garb and roam the streets causing mischief. Between egging houses, our trio touches on a number of SCREAMIFYING topics, including the evolution of the Spirit Halloween business model, Dracula's Dulce de Leche Dream, if your hair and nails still grow when you're dead, his…

1
Sylvester Stallone's Patek Philippe, with Geoff Hess 11:54

3M ago11:54

11:54

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, Global Head of Watches Geoff Hess gives us a behind the scenes look at the rare Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, one of the most complica…

1
Chewbacca Lifespan 1:03:29

3M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

merritt, Niki and John spend an hour or so boiling life's issues down to their most distilled, relatable ingredients, and then snort or smoke them. This week's chemical additives include Major League Baseball, lower the ppm microplastic count of your jizz, manuka honey, an installment of Scam Text Theater that is truly one for the books, and if you…

1
Princess Diana and the Black Sheep Jumper, with Morgane Halimi 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today's episode, Diana, Princess of Wales, and her iconic 'One Black Sheep' jumper. First worn to a Windsor polo match in 1981, the jumper was rediscovered…

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Seven Essential Stages of Tax Planning with Grayson Blazek, Ep #249 21:50

3M ago21:50

21:50

Tax planning often slips to the bottom of our financial to-do lists—until a surprise bill or missed opportunity crops up. But behind the scenes, the right process for an ongoing tax strategy can put you leagues ahead, reducing uncertainty and helping you capitalize on changes. On the show this week, we'll walk through the seven stages of tax planni…

1
Sorkin My Peanits 1:02:36

3M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Niki and John welcome merritt back from her Las Vegas vacation(?), and after we find out how much money she lost, the show quickly moves on to other topics, which include (but are not limited to) time share presentations, Scam Text Theater entries from all three hosts(!!!), figuring out a Halloween costume for Niki, the lore of Family Matters, and …

1
Deborah Devonshire’s Chickens and Four Eggs on a Plate, with Tom Eddison 11:20

3M ago11:20

11:20

This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the story of Four Eggs on a Plate, a small but powerful painting by Lucian Freud. Hidden away for years at Chatsworth House, the painting …

1
I Don’t Have to Date the Donut Shop 56:40

3M ago56:40

56:40

With merritt aboard the International Gambling Station, local hero Michael Higham joins Niki and John for an extensive, in-depth discussion about dating, car drinks, antimicrobial ping-pong balls, John's friend Ben, people who play Quidditch in real life, and before Niki and Michael have to go to this wedding, somehow even more. Welcome to If You'r…

1
The Most Valuable Car in the World, with Gord Duff And Marcus Breitschwerdt 15:49

3M ago15:49

15:49

By Intelligence Squared

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The PLT 1:02:03

3M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

Your phone rings. It's an unfamiliar number. The caller ID says "MAYBE: TODD," but can you really be sure? You answer, hoping to hear a familiar voice, and that is indeed what you find, but not in the way you had wanted. All that's waiting for you on the other end is John, merritt and Niki, talking at length about consumer safety, Leo saying the n-…

1
9/11 Never Forget Special 2 52:46

3M ago52:46

52:46

What better way to celebrate 150 episodes of whatever the hell this is than by taking a little trip down memory lane? Niki, merritt and John listen to YOUR clips from past episodes and see if they can remember any of them, and afterwards they discuss additional pressing topics such as their mail cadence, Niki's ongoing battle against the City of Lo…

1
Use Non-Obvious Thinking to Improve Your Retirement Readiness, Ep #248 21:10

4M ago21:10

21:10

Planning for retirement isn't just about hitting your savings targets and hoping for the best. It's about getting creative, asking new questions, and challenging your own assumptions. We follow the retirement planning journey of a fictional couple, Dwight and Angela, who are three to five years from retirement, using the SIFT framework shared by Ro…

1
Decorative Snake, That Was 55:00

4M ago55:00

55:00

merritt, Niki and John, convene as a counsel of force ghosts for their regularly-scheduled parliamentary duties, which include determining how many snakes Chewbacca has seen, pulling a gun on Yoda, merritt's serial killer breakfast menu, john's ongoing "applesauce problem," the racist cinnamon stick, new frontiers in love, the man who invented the …

1
The Specialist | The Art of Seeing: Two Brueghel Discoveries, with George Wachter 10:43

4M ago10:43

10:43

This is an episode of The Specialist, producing by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. On today's episode, George Wachter, Sotheby's Americas Chairman, and Co-Chairman of Old Master Paintings Worldwide, takes us back over 50 years to the start of his career to tell the tale of the discovery of two remarkable Brueghel paintings, hidd…

1
Sorghum & The Famous Chicken 55:37

4M ago55:37

55:37

Niki, John and merritt break bread over a number of meaningful topics affecting today's Sleepy Americans, including "the old ways," musical appliances, real tangible manifest ramifications for your performance here, keeping your eye on the foot, a number of sports mascots, and folks? Somehow even more. Welcome to If You're Driving, Close Your Eyes,…

1
The Specialist | The Forgotten Swaminathan Triptych, with Manjari Sihare-Sutin 12:20

4M ago12:20

12:20

This is an episode of The Specialist, producing by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. On today’s episode, how a paper brochure began a treasure hunt to authenticate a masterpiece of modern Indian art – Jagdish Swaminathan’s “Homage to Solzhenitsyn”. Manjari Sihare-Sutin, Head of Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art Worldwide, sh…

1
Smart Strategies for Funding Your Child's College Education with a 529 Plan, Ep #247 9:35

4M ago9:35

9:35

Planning for your child's college education can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and countless savings options. This week on the show, we're discussing the question of exactly how much you should save in a 529 college savings plan. Outline of This Episode [00:00] Decide your college funding goal before saving…

1
Steak Though? Steak? 1:02:33

4M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

John, merritt and Niki reconvene for a fresh round of industry analysis and insight, covering such diverse topics as Fraiser, Mad About You, "fuck-ass Westerns," fluffy toilet lid covers, those 52 plastic-coated little guys, secrets for a successful gambling trip, what you can do with $120, and folks? Somehow even more. Welcome to If You're Driving…

1
The Specialist | The Multi-Million Dollar Banana, with David Galperin 12:11

4M ago12:11

12:11

This is an episode of The Specialist, producing by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. On today’s episode, Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian - an artwork that provoked scandal, sparked imagination, and upended the very definition of contemporary art. David Galperin, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman, Head of Contemporary Art for The Americas, exam…

1
The Great Canadian-Off 1:07:25

4M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

merritt surprises John and Niki with not just a game to play on a mainline episode, but a Canadian game about Canada and its wonderful(?) culture. Welcome to If You're Driving, Close Your Eyes, a listener-supported comedy podcast where three noble explorers chip away at the crumbling foundations of reality, five or six simultaneous topics at a time…