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Eli Beer is a pioneer, social entrepreneur, President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel. In thirty years, the organization has grown to more than 6,500 volunteers who unite together to provide immediate, life-saving care to anyone in need - regardless of race or religion. This community EMS force network treats over 730,000 incidents per year, in Israel, as they wait for ambulances and medical attention. Eli’s vision is to bring this life-saving model across the world. In 2015, Beer expanded internationally with the establishment of branches in South America and other countries, including “United Rescue” in Jersey City, USA, where the response time was reduced to just two minutes and thirty-five seconds. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (1:04) Hatzalah’s reputation for speed (4:48) Hatzalah’s volunteer EMTs and ambucycles (5:50) Entrepreneurism at Hatzalah (8:09) Chutzpah (14:15) Hatzalah’s recruitment (18:31) Volunteers from all walks of life (22:51) Having COVID changed Eli’s perspective (26:00) operating around the world amid antisemitism (28:06) goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…
Content provided by Ryan Zlomek. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ryan Zlomek or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
With the intent of creating space for thoughtful conversations, Meditations with Ryan Zlomek is a show dedicated to providing a platform for interesting people to tell their stories. Ryan sits down with entrepreneurs, hobbyists, creatives, historians, foodies, specialists, and everyone in between to give them a chance to share their narratives with the world. It’s amazing what we can learn when we take a moment to listen. Check back regularly for interviews and a few fun surprises along the way. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and consider giving a positive review if you like what you hear. Interested in being a podcast sponsor or have an inquiry about the show? Don’t hesitate to reach out at meditations@ryanzlomek.com.
Content provided by Ryan Zlomek. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ryan Zlomek or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
With the intent of creating space for thoughtful conversations, Meditations with Ryan Zlomek is a show dedicated to providing a platform for interesting people to tell their stories. Ryan sits down with entrepreneurs, hobbyists, creatives, historians, foodies, specialists, and everyone in between to give them a chance to share their narratives with the world. It’s amazing what we can learn when we take a moment to listen. Check back regularly for interviews and a few fun surprises along the way. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and consider giving a positive review if you like what you hear. Interested in being a podcast sponsor or have an inquiry about the show? Don’t hesitate to reach out at meditations@ryanzlomek.com.
This week Ryan sits down with historical fiction writer Lee Ellen Hickey to uncover the lore of Virginia Tonkin. In the late 1800s, the Tonkins were a wealthy family residing in Oswego, NY who tragically lost their young daughter to appendicitis. In their process of mourning, they famously entombed Virginia’s body in a glass coffin which resided in their family home for over a year. The story of Virginia’s death and her family’s peculiar memorial has fascinated New Yorkers for over a century so Lee Ellen Hickey sought to explore the story further in her novel Girl In The Glass Coffin: The Tonkin Affair which she self published in 2024. Lee comes on the show to discuss her inspiration, writing process, and the legacy of the Tonkins’ family on this week’s episode of Meditations. For more information on Lee Ellen Hickey you can visit www.girlintheglasscoffin.com , or find her on Facebook at Girl In The Glass Coffin. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com…
This week Ryan interviews two authors hidden within the same body; Daniel Handler, more commonly known as Lemony Snicket, comes on the show to share his writing tales with listeners. Daniel Handler introduced the pen name Lemony Snicket in his best-selling children’s books A Series of Unfortunate Events which have sold more than 60 million copies and been translated into 41 different languages. Known as a saga that wasn’t afraid to show readers the imaginative, dreary world of the Baudelaire Orphans, A Series of Unfortunate Events leapt off the page to become a 2004 feature film starring Jim Carrey and a Netflix television that lasted 3 seasons with the likes of Neil Patrick Harris and Patrick Warburton. But is not like the protagonists of his most famous stories as he’s had good fortune and a prolific writing career with the success of his other works like The Basic Eight , the All The Wrong Questions series, Adverbs , We Are Pirates , and his latest memoir And Then? And Then? What Else? . In this conversation, Daniel talks about his affection for the city of San Franscisco, traveling to the east coast for college and discovering a supportive writing community there. He expands on the struggled sale of his first adult novel and transitioning his focus to children’s books which birthed A Series of Unfortunate Events . Daniel delves into the importance of structure in his writing as a creative guidepost to keep the process fun while he scribbles on legal pads in various cafes around California. A man of many talents, he talks about working in motion pictures, sharing tales of running the writing room of the Netflix series and in the music business partnering with Stephin Merritt of The Magnetic Fields. It’s a conversation full of intrigue, fun, playful banter, and insight into someone who makes every moment one of imagination. For more about Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket you can visit www.danielhandler.com or find him on Instagram at @authordanielhandler. For more information on the Meditations with the Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com…
Stepping into the world of gaming, Ryan sits down with Mike Saltzman, owner of Syracuse, NY-based companies Voltage Video Games and Viridian Dice. Mike has a vibrant history in entrepreneurship and branding, having started Voltage Video Games in 2011 and building the company into a downtown retro-focused institution. Though primarily known locally for his businesses, Mike found viral internet fame in 2013 when collaborating with filmmaking Mario Restive to create a YouTube ad that took the web by storm. Embracing greenscreen glitches, nuanced gamer jokes, and well-cued social awkwardness, the Voltage YouTube ad received over a million views gaining the store notability and turning Saltzman’s performance into meme-level popularity. Taking on the world of Dungeons & Dragons, Saltzman started Viridian, a company making supplies for the famed role-playing game. Starting off with in-house manufacturing then shifting to sourcing supplies across the globe, Viridian has become a prominent dice seller due to its low price point and approachable customer service. In this conversation, Mike talks about growing up in New York’s Capital Region and discovering lifelong interests in his youth. Shifting to higher education, he talks about attending Binghamton University and taking a leadership role at the campus radio station WHRW. He tells the origin stories for Voltage and Viridian and offers an honest behind-the-scenes look at business partnerships and financing. Mike provides company culture and entrepreneurship advice along with a healthy dose of nerdy references. To learn more about Mike Saltzman you can find him on Instagram @magitekmike. Voltage Video Games and Viridian Dice can also be found on Facebook and Instagram or online at https://voltagevideogames.com/ or https://viridiandice.com/ . For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and Tiktok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
This week musician Laura Hall joins Ryan in conversation to chat about her amazing work in the world of improv comedy. Laura is a world-renowned improv musician having started her career with Chicago’s Second City and eventually becoming Musical Director on Whose Line Is It Anyway? for 21 seasons. Very few people have mastered an instrument, let alone mastered the ability to quickly add mood, ambiance, and rhythm on various instruments. For over two decades, Laura’s ability to play music from all genres provided the backbone for performers such as Wayne Brady, Jeff Davis, Gary Anthony Williams, and Jonathan Mangum to riff and sing memorable comedy songs about all topics imaginable. Laura has become the top of her class in improv musicianship having written the book The Improv Comedy Musician and developed traveling classes to share her unique craft. In this conversation, Laura talks about falling in love with music, performance, and collaboration in her youth. She shares a chance encounter that helped her get a job working Coat Check at Chicago’s The Second City theater that eventually evolved into a touring performance position. Traveling with her husband Rick Hall to Los Angeles, she had the opportunity to join the cast of Whose Line Is It Anyway? where she performed in over 400 episodes. She talks about the arts of creating music on Whose Line?, her collaboration with guitarist Linda Taylor tackling all genres of music, and she sheds light into the production of the long-running improv comedy show hosted by Drew Carey and Aisha Tyler. Laura describes the importance of inspiring others to bring their musical talents to the improv world and the joy she finds working with local troops around the world. She also talks about the current Whose Live Anyway? tour that brings the fan-favorite TV show to theaters around the country. To learn more about Laura Hall’s work visit www.laurahall.com or find @LauraHallMusic on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and Tiktok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com…
This week we meditate on all things STEM with Erin Winick Anthony, a professional science communicator. Erin is the owner of the company STEAM Power Media which works with clients such as Astrolab, Hearst Media Production Company, Zero G, Space Center Houston, and dozens of others to most effectively showcase their scientific triumphs to the world. Whether writing press releases, creating documentaries, posting on social media, or speaking publicly, Erin finds ways to make high-level scientific concepts accessible, welcoming, and inspiring. In this conversation, Erin talks about developing a passion for problem-solving at a young age and eventually studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida. She shares her first foray into entrepreneurship by developing the company Sci Chic, a producer of STEM-inspired clothing and accessories. She recounts various opportunities that led her into the field of science communication including a stint working at NASA where she earned the coveted Silver Snoopy Award. Deciding to go out on her own, Erin founded STEAM Power Media and shares the origin story of her company. As someone who is passionate about so many subjects, Erin also shares what it was like being featured in the Unstoppable Wasp Marvel comic book, using puzzles as a way to relax, and the joys of pinball culture with her collaborators Wormhole Pinball and Barrels of Fun Pinball. It’s an engaging conversation that will make you want to shoot for the stars. To learn more about Erin’s work you can visit www.erinwinick.com , Erin Winick – Science Communicator on Facebook, or @erinwinick on X, Instagram, and TikTok. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and Tiktok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Beaming in from the world of storytelling, Ryan chats with Stefan Rudnicki, commonly known as “The Golden Voice of Audiobooks.” His vocal cords have graced the ears of listeners exploring every genre from science fiction, fantasy, and horror to business, self-help, and reference to memoir, biography, and non-fiction to poetry and even avant-garde literature with over 3,000 credits to his name. He’s decorated in the industry with countless Grammy, Audie, Hugo, Bram Stoker, Ray Bradbury, Madolin Cervantes, and Edinburg International Festival awards to his name. He’s also a coach, often hired by the best of the business to encourage the most effective audiobook performances out of actors like Robin Williams, Meryl Streep, Samuel L Jackson, Gabrielle Byrne, Dustin Hoffman, Diane Keaton, Annette Bening, Burt Reynolds, and Theodore Bikel, to name a few. In this conversation, Stefan recounts his parents’ journey from Poland to the US for him to find his foundation in NYC. He talks about his studies at Columbia University and Yale School of Drama before pursuing his own life as a college professor. Never one to turn down a challenge he shares his journey in filmmaking that brought him to the Golden State before working for Dove Audio in the abridgment department. He shares the transition to audiobook performance and talks about forging partnerships with the likes of Harlan Ellison. Famously, Stefan is the voice of Ender Wiggin in the sci-fi classic Ender’s Game for which his approach to audiobook directing popularized the multi-narrational storytelling method. He talks about the process of recording multiple narrators in multiple time zones and the quality control necessary to produce great audio content. And as a lifelong music fan, Stefan shares the role music plans in his life and explains why he is so dedicated to his next crowdfunding goal of releasing a collection about Leonard Cohen. For more information on Stefan Rudnick’s company you can find Skyboat Media on Facebook and Twitter (@skyboatmedia) or visit www.skyboatmedia.com . Stefan can be reached on Facebook (Stefan Rudnicki), Bluesky (@Stefansecho), and Twitter (@Stefansecho). For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, Bluesky, and TikTok or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
Ryan chats with Mike Borkowski, the Syracuse-based storyboard artist whose work has graced television and movie screens across the world since 1997. Internationally, Mike is known for creating animation production art for shows like Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated, Jumanji, Big Guy & Rusty The Boy Robot, The Venture Brothers, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Spider-Man, Batman: Caped Crusader, and dozens of other properties. His “Think Mark” scene from Amazon Studio’s Invincible show is a landmark of modern animation praised around the industry. Outside of animation, Mike has also created work for Big Brother, Adidas, and ESPSN. A lifelong sports fan, he’s known to Central, NY locals for his commercial work with the Syracuse Mets as well as his cartoony yet aggressive version of Syracuse University’s Otto The Orange. In this conversation, Mike sheds light onto his artistic journey from winning a drawing contest at the age of 5 to becoming an apprentice to comic book artist Bart Sears. He details his move to Los Angeles to start his career in animation and the first time he received solo storyboarding credit. Exploring the process drawing “on model” work, Mike delves into his approach to new projects and offers insights into how modern animation is made. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at developing production art for Big Brother and analyzes his tenure creating artwork to strengthen the Syracuse University fanbase. He talks openly about a struggle for balance in the competitive commercial art space and inspires listeners to find a community in which they feel included and supported. For more information on Mike Borkowski’s work you can find him online at www.michaelborkowski.com as well as on Instagram (@mborkowskiart) and Michael Borkowski-Illustrator on Facebook. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
This week Ryan sits down with RC Matheson to talk about his career writing for television, film, and short story anthologies. RC has been a professional writer since he was 18 as one of the youngest writers to get a 7 year television studio deal right out of high school. He quickly rose in the ranks of the TV writer’s room of the late 70s having penned episodes of Three’s Company , The Incredible Hulk , Knight Rider , Hunter , and dozens of other shows before becoming the Story Editor and Lead Writer on the fan-favorite The A-Team . He made his way into the world of motion pictures with the film Three O’Clock High , produced by Stephen Spielberg, and countless other projects in the decades he has worked in Hollywood. No stranger to prose, he’s also the author of the novels Created By and The Ritual of Illusion and the short story collections Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks , Dystopia , and Zoopraxis . In this conversation, RC talks about growing up in a household of creativity with his father Richard Matheson ( I Am Legend, The Incredible Shrinking Man, Stir of Echoes) and mother Ruth Ann Woodson (professional mental health practitioner). He shares anecdotes about writing successes in high school and the transition to working full-time writing for television. No stranger to the madness of the movie industry, RC sheds light onto the development of the film Three O’Clock High and the bidding war that ensued between Stephen Spielberg and Aaron Spelling to get the film made. The process of writing his famed project Battleground , based on the short story by Stephen King, is discussed in detail. Battleground is an hour-long film created for TNT’s Nightmares & Dreamscapes . Directed by Brian Henson and starring William Hurt, Battleground is a motion picture marvel as it contains no dialogue. To finish things out, RC talks about his second career as a professional drummer and digs into the relationship between rhythm in percussion and rhythm in storytelling. It’s an insight chat glaring into the grunt work that goes into the world’s favorite forms of narrative. To experience the work of RC Matheson, you can find his books Battleground, Ritual of Illusion, Zoopraxis, Dytopia, and Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks for sale online. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
To kick off the new year Ryan sits down with Chris Clemens, the founder of nonROCaholic, to talk about sobriety and the Dry January movement. Chris struggled with drinking and drug abuse before becoming sober in 1996. He has channeled his addictive tendencies into various creative endeavors including nonROCaholic, a social media presence and blog dedicated to showcasing and promoting non-alcoholic beverage offerings. But Chris is no stranger to online publishing. In 2012 he founded the popular website exploringupstate.com, a blog documenting his travels around Upstate New York and the various food, history, and tourism opportunities within just a few hours drive. Exploring Upstate offers readers the ability to find things to do but also viewed regional tourism through the lens of a sober individual who wanted to find funs ways to travel through wine country. Chris created the Fingers Lakes NON-Wine Trail to showcase non-alcoholic options people could partake in on a traditional wine tour. This idea eventually morphed into nonROCaholic where Chris regularly reviews non-alcoholic beverage options at bars and restaurants, canned offerings from beverage makers around the world, and facilitates sober meetups for those looking to make better connections in their local communities. It's a great conversation to kick off the year and offers a chance to do some self-reflection into our own unhealthy or addictive behaviors. Chris talks about the origins of Dry January and helps give advice for those interested in starting the New Year fresh. For more information on Chris Clemen’s work you can find him at www.nonrocaholic.com and www.exploringupstate.com . On social media nonROCaholic can be found @nonrocaholic on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
This week Ryan sits with writer Grady Hendrix to explore his personal brand of fear, humor, and immersive research. No stranger to the New York Times Bestseller’s list, Grady is the author of such books as My Best Friend’s Exorcism , The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires , The Final Girl Support Group , and How To Sell A Haunted House , with his latest novel, Witchcraft For Wayward Girls , arriving at bookstores on January 14, 2025. Though primarily known as a novelist, Grady has a fascinating background in experimental theater which he applies to his writing process, constantly testing the limits of whatever medium he is exploring. Whether researching 80s pulp fiction in his non-fiction book Paperbacks From Hell or developing screenplays for such films as Satanic Panic , Mohawk (filmed around Syracuse, NY), and Iron Fists And Kung Fu Kicks , all of the work of Grady Hendrix pushes boundaries. In this conversation, Grady talks about his upbringing in Charleston, SC where he found libraries to be his safe haven. He discusses going to college in New York City, immersing himself in the theater scene, and exploring life abroad in Hong Kong. He details the start of his writing journey attending the Clarion Writer’s Workshop at University Of California at San Diego then writing a tremendous number of screenplays and novels before finding success with his book Horrorstör , a novel about the terror lurking inside of Ikea. Grady digs into his research practices and describes the technical challenges he likes to put himself through for each work including a wonderful deconstruction of his approach to My Best Friend’s Exorcism . Despite being known for the demonic, Grady is a welcoming and kind presence whose natural energy always shows the joy he feels about his work. If you’re looking for a bit of fun, intrigue, and wacky ideas, this conversation is for you. For more information on Grady Hendrix you can find him online a www.gradyhendrix.com or on Instagram at @gradyhendrix. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
Meditations goes a little green as Gregory Maguire, the New York Times Bestselling author of Wicked , joins Ryan for Episode 36. Gregory is most known for the origin story he developed for the Wicked Witch of the West in his books that eventually inspired the Wicked Broadway musical and feature film. He gave the Wicked Witch the name Elphaba that has now transcended literature and made its way into cultural vernacular and even Starbucks beverages. But Gregory’s origin is just as interesting as Elphaba’s story. In this conversation, Gregory sheds light onto his dark fairy tale start in Albany, NY, growing up in a family who loved reading, and becoming enamored with books like Harriet The Spy . He details his life’s work in the form of daily journaling, deciding to study literature all the way to his Tufts University PhD., and eventually distancing himself from Higher Education to focus on writing. Gregory shares his inspiration leading up to writing Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West and the process of overcoming intense emotions through making art. He sheds light onto his decision to grant rights to Stephen Schwartz to write the Wicked musical and talks about other works he has coming to further explore the lore of the Elphaba. Gregory is an engaging storyteller in conversation and further proves himself to be a gentleman, scholar, and advocate for learning. For more information on the work of Gregory Maguire you can find online at https://gregorymaguire.com/ . For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
On Episode 35, Jaina Shaw, owner and operator of Dino-Mite Vintage!, comes to chat with Ryan about her shop in Wantagh, NY. Jaina is a professional retro and vintage reseller who opened the doors of her business and community gathering space in 2024. Specializing in quality plus-sized clothing, bed linens, and table coverings, as well as all things dinosaurs, Dino-Mite Vintage! strives to add a sense of play to the retail experience. Though she’s known in Nassau County as an archeologist of the fashion of yesteryear, she has a deep-rooted career in librarianship that actively plays a role in the day-to-day operations of Dino-Mite. In this conversation, Jaina talks about growing up in Minnesota and discovering a passion for organization and archiving in early adulthood. She discusses her time as a Teen Librarian in Connecticut and using her resources to bring gaming, physical activity, and new energy into her library through the use of a “Black Market Wii.” With a focus on work/life balance she moved on from librarianship and found herself in the world of vintage pop-up markets before opening her own brick and mortar shop. Jaina also shares humorous insights into the culture of Long Islanders, the beauty of repurposing items that we regularly take for granted, and describes how Pee Wee’s Big Adventure played a major part in design design aesthetics. For more information on Jaina, check out @dinomitevintage on Instagram and TikTok. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
On Episode 34, Tommy Lincoln, owner of Stay Fresh Design, comes on the show to talk about his career in creativity. Tommy started Stay Fresh in 2014 and has transported his small shop into a sought-after agency offering design, photography, websites, public art, and everything in between. Located on the first floor of the Delevan Studios building, Stay Fresh’s work bursts outside of Syracuse’s west side into pop culture in the form of beverage containers, mayoral campaigns, fitness centers logos, restaurant menus, donut characters, public murals, and so much more. In this conversation, Tommy talks about growing up in Liverpool, NY and trying to find the balance between having fun and getting into trouble. He tells of his time studying and teaching at Cazenovia College and Syracuse University, then making his way into the various marketing firms around Central New York. He shares the idea behind the name “Stay Fresh” and explores the growth of his company over the last decade. Additionally, he uncovers his three-tier plan for Stay Fresh including forming the design studio, expanding to include an art gallery, and the beginning stages of educational opportunities for the public. It’s a fun chat that includes some anecdotes about filmmaker Kevin Smith and the design of “Jay And Silent Bob’s Vegan Dogs.” For more information on Stay Fresh, you can visit www.stayfresh.design, find StayFresh.Design on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find @TommyLincoln and @Jessica.StayFresh on Instagram. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
This week Joel Capologo, co-owner of Strong Hearts Café and Strong Hearts 716, chats with Ryan about his life in the vegan sphere. Strong Hearts is an all vegan café with two locations in Syracuse, NY and Buffalo, NY. Starting in 2008 by Joel and his friend Nicholas Ryan, Strong Hearts has been made waves in the culinary world showcasing the comfort food (and milkshake) possibilities that exist without the need for animal products. In this conversation, Joels talks about growing up in Central Square, NY and finding his work ethic and grit as well as starting his vegan journey in 1993. Finding inspiration from the Syracuse hardcore punk scene and bands like Earth Crisis, Joel dedicated himself to animal activism while still in high school. He shares stories of disrupting animal production supply chains and even battling Japanese whaling ships that were illegally hunting. He talks about the origin story of Strong Hearts and sheds light behind the scenes of a New York culinary beacon for vegans and omnivores alike. Details of other Strong Hearts related initiatives come to the forefront including the culture of Strong Hearts tattoos and the success of the Strong Hearts Vegan Power running team. For more information on Joel and Nicholas’s work with Strong Hearts, you can find them online at https://stronghearts315.com/ (Syracuse) and https://www.stronghearts716.com/ (Buffalo), as well as on Instagram (@strongheartscafe @stronghearts716) and Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/StrongHearts315/ https://www.facebook.com/stronghearts716 ). For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com .…
Jen Gunnels, fiction editor for Tor Books and its various imprints, comes on the show to chat with Ryan about her life in literature. Jen is an energetic personality who is known for discovering rich stories in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy space. A Michigan native, Jen talks about honing her imagination and discovering a passion for theater at a young age. She recounts spending her academic career developing and implementing theories into live theater, including renaissance fairs. Transitioning into the editing space, Jen talks about moving to New York City, working with famed anthologist Martin Greenberg, and learning the ins and outs of the editor role before taking the reigns herself. She also shares insights into the relationship between editors and writers, editors and literary agents, and editors and the publishers they represent. It's an informative chat full of lots of fun facts and banter, especially about the dreaded "book blurbs." For more information about Jen Gunnels, you can find her on LinkedIn or visit https://us.macmillan.com/torpublishinggroup/ to scope out the books that she has helped shape into the publishing world. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
For episode 31 Aunrée Houston joins Ryan to go behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. Aunrée has a long history in media development having worked for HBO, Paramount, and mostly recently Netflix. As a Media Executive, he project manages various aspects of marketing and communications on some of the world’s biggest TV shows and movies. Having started on the film Wit at HBO then eventually working on properties as big as The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, Insecure, Westworld, and The Leftovers, Aunrée has developed creative solutions to ensure this media has a lasting impacts in countries all over the world. Now at Netflix, he is applying his talents to properties like 3 Body Problem, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton. Outside of the studio world, Aunrée owns the company Aunrée Jac where he provides life coaching strategies to those in need of a life realignment. He is an NYU trained therapist and applies what he learned to new clients on a regular basis. He is also an east coast and west coast socialite famed for his dinner parties which habitually become venues for open dialogue. In this conversation he talks about his upbringing in NYC, attending SUNY Oswego and exploring the world of drama, making his way through various departments at HBO, transitioning to Paramount and Netflix, and the various ways he works to give back to his community. For more information on Aunrée Houston you can find @aunreejac on Instagram, Aunrée Jac on Facebook, Aunrée J L Houston on LinkedIn or visit his website at www.aunreejac.com . For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Mike Park joins Ryan in conversation to talk about his dedication to the musical life, from performing to running the label Asian Man Records. Mike is no stranger to the underground music scene having played in such bands as Skankin’ Pickle, The Bruce Lee Band, and The Chinkees, and Ogikubo Station. In 1996, he shifted his focus away from performing in order to start a record label in his parent’s garage, Asian Man Records. Now spanning multiple decades, Mike maintains his world-class Asian Man Records label in the same quaint manner despite it being the launching point for such bands as Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, Less Than Jake, Lemuria, AJJ, and Joyce Manor among hundreds of others. Asian Man holds high status in the world of ska, punk, hardcore, and indie music. To be discovered by Mike Park is the highest form of praise. In this conversation, Mike talks about growing up in California, being one of the few Asian males in his graduating class, discovering ska music in a movie theater, forming bands at a young age, feeling empowered releasing music, and trying to demonstrate to parents the importance of creative careers. He describes the surprise success of Asian Man Records in its first year and talks about the inner-workings of the label, including the encouragement of musical acts to pursue bigger opportunities when they have outgrown how he can support them. Mike demonstrates himself to be the humblest personality in the music business. Plus he announces his new radio show, Music. It's Powerful Stuff , on KPCR. For more information on Mike’s amazing work you can find @asianmanrecords on Instagram and Facebook or visit https://asianmanrecords.com/ . You can also hear Music. It's Powerful Stuff at https://kpcr.org/event/music-its-powerful-stuff/2026-05-27/. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
On Episode 29, Nicole Austin joins Ryan in conversation about her career in alcohol and spirits production. Nicole works as the Director of Luxury for Diageo but made a name for herself when she took over as the Director of the historic George Dickel whiskey brand in 2018. With a background in chemistry, Nicole started her career in water treatment but discovered the world of spirits by chance and has devoted her life to focus on sustainable production. She has been a game changer in the distilling industry, having joined with Kings County Distillery in 2010 (the oldest distillery in New York City). She then helped found the New York State Distillers Guild in 2013, worked internationally for William Grant & Sons, and was brought in to work with Cascade Hollows Distilling Co. (makers of George Dickel Whiskey) after proving herself as a mainstay. Her hard work has been internationally recognized as well. Nicole was named “Distiller Of The Year” in March 2020 by Artisan Spirit Magazine, she won “Distillery Manager” as part of the Icons of Whiskey Awards in 2021, and helped usher in George Dickel as the “Spirit Brand of the Year” in 2023 through the Wine Star Awards. In this conversation, Nicole discusses her almost accidental career move into chemistry, learning how to network and build a strong community with other distilling professionals, and ensuring that her ethical beliefs tie into the global visioning of the companies she works for. She also discusses her love of horses, the differences in working conditions in spirits around the world, and why the IRS has become an important historic tool for distillers. For more information on Nicole Austin, you can find her on Instagram at @nicolemarieaustin and follow her products at on Instagram @georgedickel and @cascadehollowdistillingco as well on the web at www.georgedickel.com . For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Traveling in from Seattle, Greg Bennick joins Ryan in conversation to share his experience as a professional public speaker for over two decades. Greg is a renaissance man who started his career as a juggler in early life and eventually transitioned to giving professional keynote speeches for companies such as Nintendo, Cornell University, Microsoft, HP, Bank of America, Boeing, and Starbucks to name a few. He is also a master Rubik's Cube solver, coin collector, spoken word performer, writer, and vocalist in the bands Trial and Between Earth And Sky. In this conversation, Greg talks about growing up in Connecticut and the inspiration he found in his parents, studying at Syracuse University, discovering the performance work of mask maker Larry Hunt, starting his career on the west coast by blending the art of juggling and public speaking, transitioning his business through COVID, and his path to writing the book Reclaim The Moment . It's an engaging conversation for those in search of a way to transformer their hobbies, passions, and ethical beliefs into a way of living. Check out Greg online at https://www.gregbennick.com/ or on @GregBennick on Instagram. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
In this episode, author and novelist Soma Mei Sheng Frazier joins Ryan in conversation about her newest publication, Off The Books. Soma is a highly regarded educator having worked at institutions such as Oakland School of the Arts, Gavilan College, Cogswell College, and most recently SUNY Oswego. On top of molding minds, Soma is also a notable writer having published multiple prose chapbooks, stories in various publications including ZYZZYVA and Carve Magazine, and her first novel through Macmillan Publishers. In this conversation Soma discusses her life growing up in New Hampshire, falling in love with language in all its forms, her passion for education, and the road to writing Off The Books . She also discusses the balance between entertainment and density in her writing process, story structure, and how to develop captivating characters on the page. Check out Soma Mei Sheng Frazier online at https://somafrazier.com/ or on Instagram and X @somameishengfrazier. You can also order her novel Off The Books wherever books are sold. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook and Instagram (@ryanzlomek), TikTok (@ryanzlomek), or via email at meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Celebrating the 1 year anniversary of Meditations with Ryan Zlomek, Jaleel Campbell comes on the show to share his artistic journey. Jaleel is a prolific artist and community organizer based in Syracuse, NY who is most famous for his various digital illustration series. Honing his skills over the last decade to develop multidimensional vector imagery, Jaleel has become a powerhouse in the commercial art world with his pieces decorating art galleries, puzzles, and even diabetic supplies (for which he collaborated with Patti LaBelle). In addition to his illustrations, Jaleel works in fiber arts with his Jalethal Doll project as well as crochet with the Off The Hook Crochet Club. Off The Hook has worked for the last several years to teach group members how to crochet through a series of public and private events. Most recently he was the grand marshall for the CNY Pride parade and is working on a new exhibition called In Secrecy with ArtRage Gallery that will be on display to the public in November 2024. Check out Jaleel online at https://www.jaleelcampbell.com/ or on social media @jaleelj.blige on Instagram, @jaleeljblige on Twitter, or as Jaleel Campbell on Facebook. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
In this episode, Ryan sits down with Kent Sutherland, the developer of Fantastical and co-owner of the company Flexibits. Kent has been in the app development space for over a decade and was developing language processing systems before the invention of Siri or Alexa. His first major application, Fantastical, was so popular at release that it overtook Angry Birds, the most popular application at the time, for the #1 spot on the Apple App Store. In this conversation Kent talks about discovering a passion for computers at a young age, learning how to identify and solve problems with programming languages, studying Computer Science in higher education, and eventually partnering with Michael Simmons to create their company Flexibits. He discusses the process to develop and launch an application, observing human behavior to see how technology can make existence easier, and even shares his adventures as a passionate rollerblader. If you're interested in learning more about Kent's work you can find Fantastical and Cardhop in the Apple App Store, visit https://flexibits.com/ or find @flexibits on X and TikTok. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Ryan travels to Carol Gardens, Brooklyn to chat with Dean Haspiel about his creative career. Dean is most famous for being a cartoonist working on books like The Fantastic Four, American Splendor and The Quitter (with Harvey Pekar), The Fox, The Alcoholic (with Jonathan Ames), The Red Hook and a million other titles for large and small publishers. But outside of the comic sphere, Dean is also a commercial illustrator and art director for projects like HBO's Bored To Death (for which he won an Emmy award), an art studio community builder, and a playwright. His plays are highly regarded but truly are an ephemeral art form, running for just a couple of days within NYC and living on in the memory of a few hundred people. In this interview, Dean lays out his creative careers, discovering a passion for comics, discusses his interest in collaboration, then talks about his journey writing for the stage. If you have ever wanted a glimpse into the way hard work in one art form can empower other modes of communicating your ideas, this is an interview for you. Check out Dean Haspiel online at his substack ( https://deanhaspiel.substack.com/ ) or Etsy store ( https://www.etsy.com/shop/DeanHaspiel ). Dean can also be found on Instagram (@deanhaspiel_art) and Facebook (@deanhaspielart). For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Ryan sits down with artist Cayetano Valenzuela, known around the world for his imaginative paintings and illustration that have been shown in galleries from New York to Puerto Rico. In Syracuse, NY, he has put his stamp on the city with two famous murals: “We Are The Mighty Salt City” off of Fireman’s Park and “And I Still Rise” on Syracuse’s West Side. Both of these remarkable works have had such a tremendous impact that locals have shifted the manner in which they describe their relationship to the city. Outside of galleries and murals, Cayetano is known for commercial sign painting (Recess Coffee), band merchandise (Deftones, Incubus, Difficult), and comics (Night Moves). In this conversation, Cayetano talks about transitioning from city to country life during his school years and finding collaborators at a young age. He humbly talks about his artistic gifts and finding the confidence to start a company that matched his artistic integrity. And he shares his transition in mediums from traditional illustration, to conceptual works, to signs and murals, to his most recent obsession with making comics that have appeared internationally in the pages of Savage Dragon. It’s a remarkable chance to see inside the powerhouse that is Cayetano and let his inspiring story empower you to go change the world with your imagination. Check out Cayetano’s work online at https://www.theblackrabbitstudio.com/ as well as on Facebook (BlackrabbitstudioNY) and Instagram (@cayetanovalenzuela, @blackrabbitstudio, @blackrabbitcomics) For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
In this episode, Ryan chats it up with Andrew and Kristin Looney, the owners of the Looney Labs game company in College Park, MD. Looney Labs has been making, publishing, and distributing games since 1996. Most known for the game Fluxx, which has been made into over 40 iterations, they also have created the Pyramid gaming system and the time-travel game Chrononauts, among countless others. Two people who have always found a spirit fun around them, Kristin shares her history with the Rubik's Cube and Andrew talks about developing software for the Panasonic 3DO game console. They talk about their time working at NASA and writing software to assist with space missions. Most importantly, they share the origin story of Looney Labs and talk about the inter-workings of running a game company for almost 3 decades. It's an engaging chat including fun factoids about shoe requirements in NASA facilities, how short stories can lead to game design, and the work it takes to develop licensed and unlicensed products. Check out Looney Labs on online at https://store.looneylabs.com/ as well as on Instagram (@LooneyLabs), Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/LooneyLabs ) and X (@LooneyLabs). For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Ryan is joined by Tim Jacobus, the commercial artist best known for painting the original covers for the Goosebumps book series in the 1990s. His painting and airbrush techniques have graced book covers across the industry and sparked the imagination of young people at book stores, libraries, and Scholastic book fairs for decades. Tim talks about his journey becoming a commercial artist including attending Spectrum Institute For Advertising Art in New Jersey, teaching at the famed Kubert School, making his way into illustrating book covers, and eventually taking over the Goosebumps line. In conversation, Tim reveals the grit he needed to find his niche in illustration, experimenting and learning how to draw scary imagery, and the joy he has found in being known as the "Goosebumps Guy." Now working as a motion graphics designer and art director, Tim's perspective is inspiring for anyone wanting to work in the arts field to find their voice on the page. Additionally, Tim shares is charity work with a local food bank which you can help support by visiting his website https://jacobusstudios.com/ . Tim can also be found on Facebook (Jacobus Studios) and Instagram @timjacobus. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Joining Ryan on today's show is Amanda Hughes, the owner of The Ice Cream Stand in Syracuse, NY's Clinton Square. Amanda opened The Ice Cream Stand in 2016 and has turned it into a staple of the downtown Syracuse experience. In this conversation, Amanda dives into the entrepreneurial history in her family, her desire to start her own business from a very early age, discovering a passion for fitness and sports, studying at Duke, and the development of The Ice Cream Stand. It's an energetic, insightful, and thoughtful conversation exploring how different businesses cater to the community and become welcoming public space. Amanda also announces her newest venture, Cream And Coffee, which will be a dessert-forward cafe in Skaneatles, NY. For more information on Amanda Hughes you can find her online at www.amandajaynehughes.com or @amandahughes on Instagram. You can also visit her amazing business online; The Ice Cream Stand (www.theicecreamstand.com, @theicecreamstand on Instagram) and Cream And Coffee (www.creamandcoffee.shop, @creamandcoffeeshop on Instagram). For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
Ryan is joined by Nate Powell, the National Book Award winning cartoonist known for illustrating the March trilogy in collaboration with congressman John Lewis and writer Andrew Ayden. March was released in three volumes and documents John Lewis's experience growing up and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. It's an astonishing work that put Nate Powell on the map as being a master of comics and adaptation. In this conversation, Ryan and Nate talk about Nate's experience in the punk and hardcore scene in the 1990s and early 2000s with his band the Soophie Nun Squad. They talk about different ways to build community, the antics of young punk bands, and the way in which Nate's experience in music inspired work on his new graphic novel Fall Through. Additionally, they talk process, elements of his life that made it into his fictional works, and his next project, an adaptation of the text Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. For more information on Nate Powell, you can find him online at https://www.seemybrotherdance.org/ as well as on Instagram at @seemybrotherdance. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
It's time to turn things up to 11 as Ryan chats with Lawrence Katz, guitarist for the famed ska band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Lawrence joined the Bosstones in the year 2000 and has not only been their guitarist and songwriter, but he also worked behind the scenes as an audio engineer for several of their releases. In this conversation, Lawrence opens up about his experience joining the music industry in the 1990s, joining the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and experiencing tour life, transitioning to running his own recording studio, working on other projects like Whole Damn Mess and Foxworth Hall, and lastly, he shares his willingness to work with musicians hoping to gain perspective on the business. It's an insightful chat full of tour stories and musical enthusiasm. If you want to hear more from Lawrence Katz, you can find him on instagram at @lawrence_k_katz. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
In this episode, Ryan sits down with Julie Sellers, the owner of Ellevated Outcomes in East Nashville, TN. Julie is a Creative Business Advisor that works with small businesses to help them develop more sustainable and scalable practices. Julie and her team have helped countless companies become "automated and unemotional" about their finances so that they can focus on providing superior products and services. During the conversation, Julie talks about discovering a passion for marketing in college, working and learning in England, France, and the US, developing a sustainable employee bases, the perks and challenges of owning a company, and some personal financial practices she uses with her family. It's an engaging chat about career growth and the different ways the skills you pick up along the way can be applied in avenues that interest you most. For more information on Julie Sellers you can visit the Ellevated Outcomes website at https://ellevatedoutcomes.com/ or find them on instagram @ellevatedoutcomes. For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.…
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