Meditations With Ryan Zlomek podcast

#Society #Podcasting Education #Self-Improvement #Ryan Zlomek

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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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.

42 episodes

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

updated 6 days ago

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42 episodes

#Society #Podcasting Education #Self-Improvement #Ryan Zlomek

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Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

1
Sharing Stories of Discovery with Science Communicator Erin Winick Anthony 1:24:25

6 days ago1:24:25

1:24:25

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.…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Finding Your Rhythm for Reading with Audiobook Narrator Stefan Rudnicki 1:21:37

20 days ago1:21:37

1:21:37

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Deconstructing Cartoons Behind The Scenes with Storyboard Artist Michael Borkowski 1:20:43

5 weeks ago1:20:43

1:20:43

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Scripts, Short Stories, and Embracing the Limitations Of Form with Writer RC Matheson 1:57:13

7 weeks ago1:57:13

1:57:13

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Looking At The World Through A Sober Lens with Non-Alcoholic Beverage Advocate Chris Clemens 1:23:52

9 weeks ago1:23:52

1:23:52

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Researching and Revising Our Fears with Horror Writer Grady Hendrix, 1:02:44

11 weeks ago1:02:44

1:02:44

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 with Ryan Zlomek

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Exploring The Definition of “Evil” with Wicked Author Gregory Maguire 1:09:53

13 weeks ago1:09:53

1:09:53

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Cataloging Quality Through The Decades with Vintage Shop Owner Jaina Shaw 1:35:24

15 weeks ago1:35:24

1:35:24

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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The Business Of Creative Problem-Solving with Designer Tommy Lincoln 1:23:19

17 weeks ago1:23:19

1:23:19

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Dedicating Your Life To The Animals with Vegan Activist & Restaurateur Joel Capolongo 1:24:21

19 weeks ago1:24:21

1:24:21

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 .…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Finding Stories For The World with Tor Fiction Editor Jen Gunnels 1:28:06

21 weeks ago1:28:06

1:28:06

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.…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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Sharing Stories Around The Globe with Media Executive Aunrée Houston 1:17:27

23 weeks ago1:17:27

1:17:27

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.…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

1
Supporting Your Music Community with Record Label Owner Mike Park 1:17:21

25 weeks ago1:17:21

1:17:21

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.…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

1
The Chemistry of the Beverage Business with Director & Distiller Nicole Austin 1:28:54

27 weeks ago1:28:54

1:28:54

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.…

Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

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The Impact of Positive Dialogue with Keynote Speaker & Author Greg Bennick 1:14:58

29 weeks ago1:14:58