Once an avid traveler, writer Zack Lamothe's faraway travel dreams were put on hold as he became a father in 2015. Since then, he's focused on traveling in his own backyard. First a website, and now a podcast where cohosts and New Englanders, Zack and Jim Wheeler talk hiking trails, family-friendly activities, places they enjoy, craft beer and whatever else they desire to. (Along with plenty of harebrained banter). Read more at www.backyardroadtrips.com
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Season 5, Episode 9- Talking Company Culture with Chris Dyer
29:43
29:43
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Zack and Jim are glad to welcome acclaimed keynote speaker and author, Chris Dyer, onto the podcast. He delves into the dynamics of remote work and the importance of cultivating a strong company culture. Chris shares his company's transition to a fully remote model in 2009 due to the recession, emphasizing the need for a balanced satisfaction among…
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Season 5, Episode 8- Royal Summer Travel Rumble!
27:56
27:56
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The whole crew is here on this one- Zack, Jim, Andy, Andrew and Danny, all discussing their recent travels. Jim's hiking trips, Zack's family vacations, Andy's trip to see the eclipse totality and Andrew's Vermont vacation. Looking for north east travel ideas? Give a listen!By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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It's time to reflect on the past with Zack, Jim, Andy, Andrew, Danny and Jackie. The gang's all here for this one! No, not the dinosaur past but the recent past and how things have changed. Seat belt laws, smoking sections, sunscreen, drinking water, and 4H Camp stories. Listen up, you've Dirked!By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 5, Episode 6 - Is soda STILL a dirty word?
28:43
28:43
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The boys are back drinking.... soda. Do you remember Season 2, when we investigated if soda is a dirty word? Three years later we're digging up this topic once again. Instead of sticking to the big soda guys (Coca Cola, I'm looking at you) we're drinking periphery soda brands- Fresca, Moxie, Jones, well you'll have to listen to find out whatever el…
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Season 5, Episode 5- It's Spring! (with guest Andy Heist)
41:44
41:44
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41:44
Ah! The flowers are in bloom and it must be spring. For our spring episode, we're lucky to have Andy Heist with us in studio. After begging him for many years to come on Backyard Road Trips, he finally graced us with his presence. In addition to Andy, Zack's son Danny, his wife Jackie and his mom, Linda stop by to say hello. The group talk about al…
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Zack and Jim have one thing to talk about, and that is Philadelphia. Zack recently got back from an outing to the City of Brotherly Love and shares with us the whole itinerary. From breweries to historic places, museums to Philly food, they talk about the best that the city has to offer. Along with travel tidbits of what to do in the present day, t…
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Season 5, Episode 3- Chatting with Ken Lamothe
37:30
37:30
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Today we sit down with Ken Lamothe, Radio DJ/C-movie actor/slow pitch softball legend and Zack's dad to talk about his very favorite backyard road trips. The conversation touches on all of the most important topics; craft beer, vacations, ear piercings and backyard floods. Jim, Zack and Ken all discuss what surprising locations have made the best r…
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Season 5, Episode 2- The Great American Milk Substitute Challenge
17:45
17:45
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Jim and Zack bring in some hired help for this taste test; Danny and Ken- with three generations of Lamothes in all. They sit around and drink... milk substitutes. Tell the cows to stay in the barn because they sample Oat, Almond, and Soy. Which fake milk do you think came out on top?By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 5, Episode 1- New York (City) State of Mind
35:44
35:44
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35:44
Leading off for Season 5 is a special two part combined episode, a before and after guide to New York City. In the first half of the episode Jim asks Zack about his upcoming overnight to New York City. For the first time and after much pleading by his oldest for years, Zack is bringing the family to the Big Apple. He gives a rundown of what they pl…
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Season 4, Episode 16- Welcome Back, Ian Cheney!
47:40
47:40
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Author and educator, Ian Cheney joins Zack and Jim to showcase their new podcast project, Red and White at Silver. As graduates of the Norwich Free Academy (CT) Class of 2001, the three are in the midst of recording this new podcast. As a preview, Ian, Zack and Jim describe what the new podcast is all about. They also share their own experiences as…
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Season 4, Episode 15- Oktoberfest Beer Taste Test!
43:11
43:11
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Annually Jim and Zack taste fall beers for this podcast. It dawned on them that they have never held an actual Oktoberfest-only beer taste test. Atoning for their past sins, this was remedied with a taste test with everything under the Oktoberfest umbrella. These include the namesake Oktoberfest beers, Fest Biers and Marzens. In sampling, the pair …
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Season 4, Episode 14- What Makes a Backyard Road Trip Enjoyable?
39:35
39:35
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Our friend Tim posed an episode idea for us, "What makes a backyard road trip enjoyable?" Zack misinterpreted and he really wanted us to discuss actual backyards. Anyhoo, Zack and Jim discuss what makes a backyard road trip enjoyable. The duo come to an agreement about some risk vs reward balance. They analyze what goes into a backyard road trip- h…
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Wipe away your negative "conn"otations of Connecticut, we're talking about all the positives of this small state. We've changed the name of the Nutmeg State and changed it to "Pronecticut" (get it, like the opposite of Con-necticut is Pro-necticut?). Redwoods, land locked sand dunes, and tobacco sheds- all found in this great state as well as histo…
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Season 4, Episode 12- Travel Talk: Seattle, Tasting Water and Discussing Music
53:09
53:09
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Zack, Jim and special guest, Danny, talk all about a recent trip to Seattle. They discuss which places that should be on your travel bucket list. Danny gives a kid perspective of the Seattle trip including plane travel, the Space Needle and going to a Seattle Mariners game. They also discuss interior Washington with forays into North Cascades Natio…
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Season 4, Episode 11- Prince Edward Island, Maine, Vermont and Saratoga Springs
34:12
34:12
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We're talking summer travel, in particular trips to Prince Edward Island, the Portland area in Maine, Vermont and Saratoga Springs. Katie Wheeler, Jim's wife, joins us to discuss her recent visit to PEI seeking out all things Anne of Green Gables. Zack shares with the group his visits to Portland and Saratoga Springs. Zack's son, Danny adds his two…
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Season 4, Episode 10- Lawnmower Beer Taste Test
15:39
15:39
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Let's rev up that Husqvarna because it's time for a blind taste test of lawnmower beers. So what beers exactly? Not cheap a la Natural Light but certainly not craft. Jim and Zack try to find the best value beer. Jackie helps the boys by masterminding the operation aka pouring the beers in unmarked cups. Listen to see how poorly Zack and Jim guessed…
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Season 4, Episode 9- Lighthouses and Summertime Travel
28:30
28:30
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28:30
Jim and Zack catch up on their recent travels. Zack recently wrote a few articles about lighthouses on the Backyard Road Trips website. The pair discuss the lighthouse road trips- favorite lighthouses, and how the the articles were researched and written. As an aside, they also talk about Jim's issues with the Massachusetts RMV. Zack also explains …
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Season 4, Episode 8- "Barbarossa" Coletti is back again
39:56
39:56
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39:56
Adam "Barbarossa" Coletti is back for round two! Adam, or for this episode "Barbarossa" digs deep into his life as a biker and shares stories of his time on two wheels. He tells us about entry into his motorcycle club, club rituals, and how to get patched. Zack and Jim bring the heat as they grill Adam on club guidelines as well as do's and don't's…
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Season 4, Episode 7- A Warm Welcome to the Good Reverend, "Fast" Adam Coletti
38:40
38:40
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38:40
We warmly welcome the good reverend, "Fast" Adam Coletti. This is the interview you've all been waiting for and we've waited four years to get him on. This is part one of a two episode interview with Adam. Zack and Adam have been friends for roughly 40 years and Jim and Adam for a good 25. Adam shares the backstory of his nicknames "Fast Adam" and …
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Jim and Zack bring in a special guest for this episode, Danny! Danny, Zack's seven-year-old son, shares his top backyard road trips with us. At seven, Danny tells all about his adventures including trips to Maine, Vermont, and Philadelphia. He weighs in on his favorite children's museums. Adam Coletti also drops in for a quick hello. The crew talks…
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Season 4, Episode 5- Jim and Zack Surf the Web!
42:02
42:02
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42:02
Surf's up! It's time to catch a wave because Jim and Zack are surfing the web. Sometimes these road trippers hang up their hiking boots and travel virtually. Find out what websites they recommend for virtual exploration, travel planning, and fun diversions.By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 4, Episode 4- A Truly Informative Hard Seltzer Taste Test
20:36
20:36
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The boys are sampling drinks once again. This time it's a truly informative hard seltzer taste test. Featuring special guest, Jaclyn "Jackie" Lamothe, they sample hard seltzer from Bud Light, Truly, Two Roads, and White Claw. Which do you think they will like the best?By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 4, Episode 3- Male Intimacy- Sharing a Blanket and a Pipe Through History
23:59
23:59
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Zack and Jim welcome perennial guest, Drew Burnett of Drew's Honeybees to discuss his theory of male intimacy. Drew regales us with tales, both historically, literary, and even personally, of male bonding through sharing a blanket and a pipe. From Abraham Lincoln to Moby Dick, instances of this are highlighted by Drew who also dips into his own pas…
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Season 4, Episode 2-Cinnamon Taste Test with Omelet Master Drew Burnett
21:39
21:39
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Jim and Zack welcome back Drew Burnett of Drew's Honeybees to talk about cinnamon. He has the boys sample cinnamon trying to figure out which is the actual spice. Drew breaks down the difference in products all called "cinnamon" and the importance of quality ingredients in what we eat.By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 4, Episode 1: Athletic Beer Taste Test
31:59
31:59
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31:59
Happy New Year and welcome to the kickoff of season four of the Backyard Road Trips podcast! As it is early January and (most of us) have kept our New Year's resolutions thus far, Jim and Zack thought it would be prime time for a non-alcoholic beer taste test. Many folks shoot for a "dry January" so what better to supplement the resolution than a f…
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Season 3, Episode 18- Hanging out with Jon and Beth part 2
53:06
53:06
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53:06
The conversation with Jon and Beth continues. More beer talk, Cincinnati talk, their respective careers, and favorite outdoorsy activities. Learn why you won't find them at Cincinnati Reds games and about the city's abandoned subway system. Find Jon at @echoingblue and Beth at @summer.loving.torture.party on Instagram.…
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Season 3, Episode 17- Hanging with Jon and Beth Part 1
1:07:45
1:07:45
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Jim and Zack catch up with an old friend, Jon Hnatiuk, and his wife, Beth Himburg. These two adventurers live in Cincinnati and share with us some of their favorite backyard road trips and favorite beers in and around the Queen City.By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 3, Episode 16- Want a beautiful name? SODA!!!
29:47
29:47
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29:47
Zack and Jim are back on the soda wagon, or off, whatever the one is that means you are drinking once again. Back by popular demand, the boys are drinking soda. This time the big gulps like Coke and Pepsi are off the table and we're focusing on local and smaller batch? brand? distribution? whatever the case may be, these are harder to find. From pr…
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Season 3, Episode 15- The Fast Food Chicken Nugget (and fries) Challenge
38:33
38:33
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38:33
Last season, the boys took on the hamburgers of the Big 3 fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's). This year, they're sampling the chicken nuggets from all three (plus sneaking a few french fries in there). Which nuggets are the best? Who has the best fries? Listen to find out!By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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The boys brought this one upon themselves, they asked their respective wives to make a list of what annoys them about their husbands. Oh my! The ladies air their grievances with hilarious results. Jim and Zack skew each other by listing off the complaint while the other one defends their own position. Has Festivus come early?…
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Season 3: Episode 13- It's the Third Annual Pumpkin Beer Taste Test!
47:25
47:25
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47:25
Three times a charm so we're back for the third annual pumpkin beer taste test here at Backyard Road Trips! With pumpkin beer selections from Smuttynose, New Belgium, Timberyard, and Southern Tier as well as from others, Jim and Zack do the difficult research for you to determine the king of pumpkin beers for 2022!…
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Season 3, Episode 12: Diet Soda and Other Nonsensical Chatter
22:28
22:28
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Jim, Zack, and special guest Drew discuss all kinds of things, from tasting diet soda to camping, bears, and how they deal with telemarketers. Hang on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride!By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 3, Episode 11: Drew Burnett takes on Norwich
1:03:41
1:03:41
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Jim and Zack bring in an old friend, Drew Burnett of Drew's Honeybees to chat about their hometown of Norwich, Connecticut, and eastern Connecticut on the whole. They discuss the natural wonders of the area including Sprague Land Trust, Mohegan Park, and Lantern Hill. They also talk about a bad time at a wine tasting, going into anaphylactic shock,…
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Season 3: Episode 10- Chatting with author James Rourke
45:10
45:10
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45:10
Author James Rourke stops by to say hello and chats with Jim and Zack about his new book, Stone Souls. The conversation touches on subjects including the writing process, Rourke's other published works, his upcoming book events, and even a few obscure sports references. Check out James online at https://james-rourke-author.com/. And as always, stay…
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Season 3: Episode 9- Eight Bourbon Barrel-Aged Beers On the Wall
49:51
49:51
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You can finish the rest of that song... But here we are, sweating with the oldies on a 90-something degree day, drinking, of all things, Bourbon barrel-aged beers! Maybe you associate these beers with cooler weather, and maybe we do too, but with Jim's collection complete, it was time that Zack and Jim dig into these fine Bourbon barrel-aged beers.…
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Season 3: Episode 8- Bad Beer Taste Test!
21:58
21:58
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Yuck! Jim and Zack are drinking bad beer and talking about it. Well, let's be honest, are these actually bad? You have to listen to find out. Hear them imbibe and discuss, discuss and imbibe. Tell us what beer makes your bad beer list! And just wait until they eat the broccoli slaw...By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Season 3: Episode 7- Talking Whiskey with Irene Tan
34:41
34:41
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Jim and Zack sit down with whiskey expert, Irene Tan. Irene, who is a Level 3 Whiskey Sommelier schools them about all things whiskey. She runs the consulting business, Whisky Mentors, and also owns the store, Canterbury Liquors. Irene talks to us about what makes a whiskey great (hint: it's not what you'd think) and about her worldwide whiskey tra…
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Season 3: Episode 6- On the Road Again with Zack and Jim
42:17
42:17
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42:17
Let's get back to basics. This means let's talk travel. Jim and Zack share different road trips that they have gone on recently and others that are on the horizon including trips to New Hampshire, Vermont, and even to, gasp, Disney World, and Las Vegas! Zack also discusses his latest project, describing the research for his current book-in-the-work…
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Jim and Zack have the pleasure to talk with an old friend, author, and historian, Ian Cheney. Ian recently released the book, "Who Made the West: A Ranking of the 30 Most Influential Figures in Western History." Just as the title says, the book countdowns from number thirty to number one, the individuals who have influenced western civilization the…
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Season 3: Episode 4- Connecticut's Historical Power Couple - Regan Miner and Dayne Rugh
58:10
58:10
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Zack and Jim sit down with two of Connecticut's premier historical preservation activists, Dayne Rugh and Regan Miner. As the region's historic power couple, Regan and Dayne share a lot of history and a lot of laughs with our hosts. With Regan's work at the Norwich Historical Society and Dayne's at Slater Memorial Museum and the Leffingwell House, …
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Season 3: Episode 3- The Great Milk Challenge
19:11
19:11
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Zack, Jim, and special guest, Danny, dive in for the Great Milk Challenge! They guess what kind of milk they are drinking. Well, Jim and Danny drink and guess while Zack pours. They share some funny milk stories while interviewing Danny about his favorite state, Maine!By Zack Lamothe and Jim Wheeler
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Zack, Jim, and special guest, Laurie Knitter (Auntie Foot) sit around and drink coffee. Well, not hot coffee, bottled coffee products from brands including Dunkin, Starbucks, Speedwell and Coca Cola. Zack and Laurie guess what Jim pours them with mixed results. They discuss what they like and what they don't. What's your favorite cup of coffee?…
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Season 3, Episode 1- Winter Beer Taste Test
32:54
32:54
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Greetings! Well, believe it or not, we're starting our third season! Surprise, surprise Jim, and Zack are tasting beer once again. This time they sample a selection of six winter beers from Massachusetts breweries including Tree House, Black Hat and Mayflower. They discuss what makes a beer a "winter beer" as well as the research for upcoming blog …
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Season 2: Episode 12: Packin' for trips with Jaclyn
41:46
41:46
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Jim and Zack interview Zack's wife, Jackie about packing for trips. With two small kids at home, she shares the difficult process of packing for trips, long or short, with kids. She lets the listeners know how she often has to repack for her husband as he lacks the necessary packing skills. In addition to road trip stories, the conversation leads t…
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Season 2: Episode 11: Drinking and Learning About Beer with Homebrewer, Mark Winters
1:03:06
1:03:06
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Homebrewer, Mark Winters lets Jim and Zack (and Jackie) sample a few of his delicious beers. Mark's brewery name is Urbrau Uttingtron, which is an homage to his home area of Germany and the old style of beer that he brews. He discusses how he started brewing, historic beer tidbits, and explains all about the beer that they are drinking. His libatio…
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Season 2, Episode 10: The Second Annual Fall Beer Taste Test
35:53
35:53
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It's mid-November and the fall is in full swing. (Don't think about putting up those Christmas lights yet!) With turkey and stuffing on the horizon, it's time to crack open a few fall seasonal beers to combat the newfound chill in the air. In this episode, Jim, Zack and special guest, Jackie sample a roundup of great autumn craft beer. Selections i…
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Season 2, Episode 9: Ghost Hunting with the Black Crow Paranormal
45:14
45:14
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It's that time of year again! Zack and Jim dive into the eerie side of things with the Black Crow Junior Paranormal team. Based out of Bozrah, Connecticut's haunted antique shop, the Primitive Crow, the Black Crow team is a group of passionate paranormal investigators led by Maddox Coletti. Also on the podcast is Black Crow member Lilah Miller. Fin…
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Season 2, Episode 8- The Great Backyard Road Trips Fast Food Burger Challenge!
26:33
26:33
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26:33
Well, kids, it's finally here. Zack has never eaten a McDonald's or Wendy's hamburger. Jim puts him up to the challenge. He samples burgers from McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King and guesses which is which based on look and taste. While chewing, Zack inquires about Jim's dietary habits and what foods he eats and tells about his adventures acquir…
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Season 2, Episode 7- The Victoria Grace Tea Room
16:30
16:30
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Zack and Jim step out of their beverage element with a stop at a tea room. They interview Missy Sullivan of the Victoria Grace Tea Room which is located inside the Primitive Crow in Bozrah, CT. This episode is recorded on-site inside the tea room. They chat about the evolution of the tea room, what is offered for an afternoon tea, the origins of th…
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Season 2, Episode 6: Chatting with The Distracted Wanderer
48:25
48:25
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Zack and Jim talk about all things travel with Linda Orlomoski, better known as The Distracted Wanderer. Linda is an avid explorer on both the global and local levels. She writes detailed accounts of her experiences on her blog, The Distracted Wanderer as well as for publications including Norwich Magazine and the Norwich Bulletin newspaper. They c…
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