Best Jeff Ott Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 427: Martin Ayub and Pinball News 31:38

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4h ago31:38

31:38

You’d be hard to find anyone in the last 25 years who has provided more pinball information than Martin Ayub of Pinball News. It was a pleasure to chat with Martin, who has seen and reported on so much over the years and still continues to provide rich content on both his website and podcast.By Jeff Teolis

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Plain Talk: Last Chance Winter Prep (250) 22:57

1h ago22:57

22:57

This milestone episode marks 250 installments of Honey Bee Obscura. Jim reflects on more than 5,000 minutes of plain talk beekeeping, the early days recording with the late Kim Flottum, and the ongoing joy of talking bees every Thursday morning. With autumn closing in, Jim turns to a practical and urgent subject: your last chance winter prep for be…

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Episode 426: When in Rome 8:32

2d ago8:32

8:32

When in Rome…make sure to grab dinner with 4x World Champ, and local legend Daniele Acciari, along with 2x World Champ Johannes Ostermeier who’s in town studying. Let the vino flow!By Jeff Teolis

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Corporate Beekeeping at Scale with Best Bees’ Delaney Dameron (352) 51:12

2d ago51:12

51:12

In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Delaney Dameron, CEO of Best Bees, to explore the growing field of corporate beekeeping. Delaney shares how Best Bees manages nearly 2,000 hives across 24 cities, installing colonies on rooftops and properties for businesses, universities, and homeowners committed to …

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Plain Talk: The Sting of Fall Honey (249) 20:22

6d ago20:22

20:22

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew explores the challenges of fall honey and testy bees during the autumn flow. What begins as a calm reflection on goldenrod and fall asters quickly turns into an unexpectedly lively encounter with defensive bees. Jim describes multiple stings, determined pursuit by guard bees, and how hive temperament ca…

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Shaping the Future of Beekeeping with Kamon Reynolds (351) 55:54

9d ago55:54

55:54

In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome back Kamon Reynolds, Tennessee beekeeper and founder of the North American Honeybee Expo (NAHBE). Kamon shares how he balances managing over 150 colonies with organizing one of the largest beekeeping events in North America. Kamon discusses the logistics of moving bees to Wisconsin for basswood …

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Episode 425: Jokton Strealy 19:25

12d ago19:25

19:25

The man who gave us PinShades and now PinSteps has a lot more to offer. Need a mohawk model? A World Record holding fire breather? Some Star Wars history? A pinball travel buddy? Jokton’s your man as you’ll hear on this episode.By Jeff Teolis

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Plain Talk: Old Beekeeping Books (248) 22:36

13d ago22:36

22:36

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares his fascination with old beekeeping books, particularly a rare two-volume set titled Beekeeping, New and Old: Described with Pen and Camera by W. Herrod-Hempsall. Jim first found Volume 1 nearly 40 years ago in poor condition, but recently added the elusive Volume 2 to his collection. With nearly…

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[Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron: Fat Bees and Overwintering Success 19:57

14d ago19:57

19:57

In this BTP Short, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another of his “audio postcards,” this time exploring the critical role of fat bees—also known as diutinus bees—in helping colonies survive winter. Dewey explains how these long-lived worker bees differ from their summer sisters, with enlarged fat bodies, higher protein reserves, and lower juvenile hormone …

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Episode 424: Rocky Horror Pinball 25:11

17d ago25:11

25:11

Give yourself over to absolute pleasure. What a great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with an amazing homebrew. Wolfgang Grauvogl of Germany has taken a Black Rose machine and turned it into a beautiful creation. Hot patootie, it’s fun!By Jeff Teolis

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Top-Bar Beekeeping with Vikki Atkinson (350) 52:35

16d ago52:35

52:35

In this milestone 350th episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Vikki Atkinson of Pennsylvania to share her deep experience managing over 100 Top-Bar hives. Vikki walks listeners through the unique design of Top-Bar hives, from follower boards and shims to the angled sides that encourage natural comb building. She …

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[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - ApiLife Var and Apiguard 17:47

20d ago17:47

17:47

In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined once again by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss two thymol-based mite control options: ApiLife Var and Apiguard . Both products rely on the essential oil thymol, but differ in formulation and delivery. ApiLife Var comes as wafers containing thymol along with eucalyptus oil, menthol, and…

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Plain Talk: Bare Bones Beekeeping (247) 22:50

20d ago22:50

22:50

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Jeff Ott (from Beekeeping Today Podcast) wrestle with the idea of bare bones beekeeping. After a few false starts with recording equipment, the two dive into what it really means to keep bees with minimal effort, tools, and energy—especially as age, time, or physical limits change how one a…

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[Bonus] Short - HiveAlive with Dara Scott: Winter Survival Insights 18:06

21d ago18:06

18:06

In this BTP Short, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott of HiveAlive to share the results of a recent customer survey on overwintering success during the devastating 2024–25 winter. While national losses reported by Project Apis m averaged around 60%, HiveAlive users reported losses less than half that rate—about 23%. Dara explains how HiveAlive’…

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Bee Great with David Mullins (349) 50:53

23d ago50:53

50:53

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dave Mullins of Bee Great, based in Churubusco, Indiana. Dave shares how a hobby with his father in 2014 grew into a dynamic beekeeping business now managing 150 hives, a thriving retail store, and a diverse line of honey and bee-inspired products. From flavored honeys and goat milk soaps to international exp…

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[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatments - HopGuard 3 11:37

26d ago11:37

11:37

In this Varroa Treatment Short, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss HopGuard 3, the latest version of this organically derived mite control option. The conversation covers the product’s evolution from earlier formulations, its active ingredient (hops beta acids), and what makes it safe to use even with honey supers i…

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Plain Talk: Mystery Swarm (246) 22:51

27d ago22:51

22:51

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew recounts an unexpected August swarm that turned a normal day into a beekeeping puzzle. What began as a routine check for a groundhog problem quickly spiraled into a surprise discovery: a swarm squeezed into the narrow space beneath his barn. Jim shares the challenges of coaxing the bees out of an imposs…

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Dave McComb: From One Hive to a Thriving Beekeeping Business (348) 46:42

30d ago46:42

46:42

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Indiana beekeeper Dave McComb to share his journey from inheriting one defensive hive in 2018 to managing over 100 colonies, producing honey, nucs, and queens with remarkable success. Dave explains how he quickly immersed himself in beekeeping education, adopted single-deep hive management, and built an opera…

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August Winter Prep with Anne Frey (245) 19:52

1M ago19:52

19:52

As summer winds down, Jim Tew sits down with fellow beekeeper Anne Frey to talk through what August reveals about colonies heading into winter. Their conversation explores the signs that point to how well bees are prepared, from brood nest patterns and queen performance to food reserves and mite levels. Anne and Jim discuss how local conditions sha…

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Does Moat Investing Work? 7:46

1M ago7:46

7:46

In this episode, Todd Wenning discusses why the presence of an economic moat is insufficient for investment. He considers the question philosophically but also practically by taking a look at available data. For more information, including important disclaimers, please visit the blog.

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Dr. Lewis Bartlett - The Evolving Challenges Beekeepers Face (347) 51:33

1M ago51:33

51:33

Dr. Lewis Bartlett returns to Beekeeping Today Podcast to share the latest science on honey bee health, pest management, and the evolving challenges beekeepers face worldwide. In this wide-ranging conversation, Lewis dives into how shifting climates, global trade, and emerging pests are reshaping the landscape for beekeeping. He explores the role o…

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Late Season Swarms with Anne Frey (244) 20:23

1M ago20:23

20:23

Late season swarms can puzzle even experienced beekeepers. In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore why colonies sometimes issue swarms in August—or even September—long after the spring swarming season has passed. Are these “suicidal swarms” driven by genetics, overcrowded brood nests, or something else entirely? Jim and …

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[Bonus] Short: Varroa Treatment Options - Formic Acid 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

In this Varroa Treatments short, Jeff Ott and co-host Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. David Peck from Betterbee to discuss formic acid—a powerful tool in the fight against varroa mites. David explains how Formic Pro, the most common formic acid product now available in the U.S., is formulated to safely release vapors that penetrate capped brood cel…

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John Miller - Swimming with Piranha (346) 44:35

1M ago44:35

44:35

In this week’s episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back fourth-generation commercial beekeeper John Miller for a candid conversation about the challenges—and potential—facing the beekeeping industry today. With his decades of experience and generational insight, John doesn’t hold back on concerns about low honey prices, rising input costs, invasive pes…

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Archive Replay - Removing Honey with Kim Flottum (243) 18:49

2M ago18:49

18:49

When it comes time to remove honey from your colonies, the job can feel like one of the most physically demanding tasks of the beekeeping season. In this Honey Bee Obscura archive special from September 2022, hosts Kim Flottum and Jim Tew revisit their practical—and often humorous—discussion about getting honey supers off the hives without losing y…

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[Bonus] Short: Dr. Dewey Caron - Mite Management and Bee Learning Breakthroughs 18:15

2M ago18:15

18:15

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with his monthly audio postcard—this time focused on August mite management and a remarkable discovery about honey bee learning. Dewey reminds beekeepers that August is a critical month to monitor and treat for varroa mites before their populations explode. He shares updates on new and…

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Yellow Jackets with Dr. Richard Zack (345) 51:16

2M ago51:16

51:16

Late summer brings not just honey harvests but also the return of yellow jackets. For many beekeepers, their sudden appearance can spark concern—or outright dread—around the bee yard. In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Richard Zack, professor of entomology at Washington State University, to unpack the truth about these misunderstood …

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatment Options: Oxalic Acid (OAV and Dribble) 21:23

2M ago21:23

21:23

In this installment of the Varroa Treatment Series, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. David Peck of BetterBee to discuss oxalic acid treatments, one of the most widely used organic options for controlling Varroa mites. The conversation explores both oxalic acid vaporization (OAV) and the dribble method, breaking down how each is applied, safety considerat…

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Plain Talk: Bee Keeping vs Bee Tweaking (242) 21:36

2M ago21:36

21:36

In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew explores what it really means to call ourselves “beekeepers.” After more than fifty years with bees, Jim questions whether we truly “keep” them—or if we’re simply borrowing space in their world. He draws comparisons to birdhouses, backyard chickens, and monarch butterflies, observing that bee…

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UK National Honey Show – History, Traditions & Global Impact (344) 53:05

2M ago53:05

53:05

The UK’s National Honey Show is the world’s largest and most prestigious honey show, drawing beekeepers and entries from across the globe. In this episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Bob Mauer, current chairman of the show, about its remarkable 102-year history, its roots at the Crystal Palace, and the traditions that have helped it grow into an inte…

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatment Options: Amitraz aka Apivar 19:52

2M ago19:52

19:52

In this BTPS Varroa Treatments short, Jeff and Becky are joined again by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to explore amitraz—known commercially to most U.S. beekeepers as Apivar. As a synthetic miticide, Apivar has long been a cornerstone of mite control due to its effectiveness, wide temperature range, and bee-friendly properties. But as with many tool…

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Plain Talk: About Honey Bee Feeders (241) 23:03

2M ago23:03

23:03

In this week’s episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes a thoughtful walk through history, sparked by a humble but enduring piece of equipment found in nearly every beekeeper’s supply box—the Boardman feeder. What begins as a practical look at feeding honey bee colonies becomes a fascinating exploration of beekeeping lore, forgotten innovators, …

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[Bonus] Short - Honey with Dr. Dewey Caron 16:17

2M ago16:17

16:17

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with another insightful “audio postcard,” this time exploring the marvel of honey—its meaning for honey bees, its significance for beekeepers, and its surprising impact on human health. Dewey begins by examining how we define honey, touching on both scientific and regulatory perspectiv…

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Dr. Steve Pernal: Varroa Mite Research (343) 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

In this episode, Jeff and Becky speak with Dr. Steve Pernal, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, about his team’s recent work monitoring Varroa destructor populations and treatment efficacy across Canada. As varroa continues to be the leading driver of colony mortality, Steve and his colleagues are collecting long-term data on…

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatments: Apistan & Checkmite+ 14:50

2M ago14:50

14:50

In this Varroa Treatments Short, Jeff and Becky are once again joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to examine two early weapons in the war against varroa: Apistan and CheckMite+. These synthetic miticides—fluvalinate and coumaphos—once gave beekeepers a critical lifeline when varroa first emerged in U.S. apiaries in the late 1980s. But what start…

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Plain Talk: Hidden Hives (240) 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

In this reflective and personal episode, Jim Tew explores a question many beekeepers may not think much about—why are so many bee yards hidden from view? Fresh off a long solo road trip, Jim shares how, despite driving over 2,000 miles, he didn’t spot a single beehive. This observation launches a deeper discussion about the reasons beekeepers often…

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Queens, Drones and DCA's with Chip and Gard (342) 47:02

2M ago47:02

47:02

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome researchers Dr. Orley “Chip” Taylor and Dr. Gard Otis to discuss their fascinating work on drone congregation areas (DCAs)—the mysterious gathering points where honey bee drones meet virgin queens for mating. The conversation explores how DCAs are located, the behavioral cues that guide drones, and what these…

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatment Options: Varroxsan 17:11

2M ago17:11

17:11

In this episode of our BTP Shorts series on varroa treatments, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to explore VarroxSan—an extended-release oxalic acid strip used to manage varroa mites. David explains how this USDA-registered product works, its origins in South American formulations like Aluen CAP, and why its slow-release deli…

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Reflecting on Spring Losses with Anne Frey (239) 22:34

3M ago22:34

22:34

In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes back Anne Frey of Betterbee to unpack the troubling die-offs many beekeepers experienced this past winter and spring. From unexplained colony declines to puzzling symptoms that didn’t respond to brood boosts or pollen patties, Jim and Anne share firsthand observations of a season marked by confusion, frustration, a…

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[Bonus] Short - Varroa Treatment Options: Series Introduction 20:35

3M ago20:35

20:35

In this first episode of our Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts series on varroa mites, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Dr. David Peck of Betterbee to lay the foundation for an important multi-part series. Varroa mites continue to be the most damaging pest to honey bee colonies worldwide. In this introduction, the trio covers the biology an…

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Jerry Hayes on Honey Bee Health, Science, and Industry Change (341) 45:56

3M ago45:56

45:56

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Jerry Hayes, renowned honey bee advocate, author, and researcher, for a wide-ranging conversation on bee health, industry change, and the future of beekeeping. Drawing from decades of experience—from inspecting colonies in the field to influencing corporate and regulatory policy—Jerry shares what he’s le…

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Plain Talk: About Drone Layers (238) 22:36

3M ago22:36

22:36

In this episode, Jim Tew shares a messy and mysterious beekeeping challenge that begins with two unrelated problems—a failing observation hive and a suspected drone-laying queen. The result is a tangle of questions, classic troubleshooting, and a fair bit of head scratching. Jim walks listeners through his efforts to identify whether he’s dealing w…

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Alan Wade, Dannielle Harden: Managing Two-Queen Hives (340) 49:41

3M ago49:41

49:41

In this episode, Jeff and Becky dive into the fascinating world of two-queen hive systems with guests Alan Wade and Dannielle Harden. Alan, an Australian researcher and longtime contributor to The Australasian Beekeeper, brings deep technical expertise and historical context to the discussion. Dannielle, a beekeeper and educator, adds a hands-on pe…

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Episode 423: Timber Engelbeen 17:56

3M ago17:56

17:56

Timber is looking to do well in his first IFPA World Championship. Hear Timber tell about his big win earlier in the year in his home country of Belgium, his first ever trip to INDISC, how he got his cool name and more.By Jeff Teolis

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Locust Tree Nectar Flows with Anne Frey (237) 21:25

3M ago21:25

21:25

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to talk locust flows—and the puzzling question of why these spectacular blooms don’t always result in a honey crop. From the sweet scent of black locust trees to the realities of nectar availability, Jim and Anne explore the unpredictable connection between what we se…