I'll Call You Right Back

This week, I sit down with the spookiest sippin’ spot around tahn, Necromancer Brewing. Ben Butler and Lauren Hughes are the brains behind this operation, along with their team full of ghouls. Ben, the owner, had a dream to open a brewery in the North Hills. After gaining a love for craft beer early on, he knew he wanted to build something great of his own. All he needed was the right person to brew the goods! That is where we meet Head Brewer, Lauren Hughes. After some friends at Dancing Gnome connected Ben with Lauren, they started to get to work manifesting exactly what Necromancer Brewing would become. This week, we talk about their initiations into the craft beer scene, building out the brewery, the logistics behind their operation, resurrecting forgotten beers from the past, and most importantly - what they stand for as a business. Necromancer prides themselves on being a safe space that welcomes every type of person out there. They wanted to build something where everyone could come and enjoy great bee

This week, I sit down with Artist and Sign Maker, Christian Shaknaitis to talk about his work with Brush and Pounce Signs. Sign Painting has been around for hundreds of years. Way back, as early as 300 B.C., merchants of all kinds needed ways to communicate the goods they had for sale. That need cultivated the first form of marketing and advertising that the world revolves around today. In a world of technology and innovation, Christian does all he can do to keep the Craft of Hand Painted Sign Making alive! This week, we talk the origin of Sign Making, how someone falls into such a career path, the process behind it, and so much more. Hand Painted signs are a labor of love. They are something so much more than a Vinyl sticker on a wall. These pieces take hours and hours of time to execute upon the thousands of hours it takes to learn the skills and, from what I can see, there’s nobody better around here than Brush and Pounce Signs. Enjoy the episode! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow ICYRB on Instagram -

YINZ LIKE MEMES?! Well, this week, I have a very special guest in the studio. Pittsburgh Personified is the Holy Land of all things Pittsburgh. Yinz get to see the good, the bad, and the most ridiculous side of our city! If there is anything worth mentioning in the 412, you can be sure Pittsburgh Personified creator and curator Marla Kauffman knows about it. She’s probably making it into a meme about it as we speak. This week, we talk to Marla about how the Pittsburgh Personified Instagram came to be, what keeping up with a “meme page” is like, sourcing her content, hot topics in the city, the things that ruffle a Pittsburgher’s feathers. A fantastic episode that will warm any Yinzers heart and soul. I hope you love our chat it as much as I did. Thank you for listening and enjoy the episode! Follow Pittsburgh Personified on Instagram! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow ICYRB on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow ICYRB on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like ICYRB on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I sit down with Dorian Robertson to talk about Health & Wellness. Dorian has been a Personal Trainer for many years. He offers In Home training completely customized to you. You reach out, tell him your goals, and he helps develop a plan to start you on a path to live better. Since he was a kid, he always had a passion for being healthy. Coming out of school, Dorian originally thought he was going to build a career in Physical Therapy. After an associates degree and some tough years of experience working in Nursing Homes and Out Patient Clinics, Dorian realized he wanted to focus on fitness and coaching full time. This week, we talk about his motivation, what he can offer to help you, the 'Train With Dorian' App, the process behind his work, and so much more. If you are looking for help in taking the right steps to start living better, reach out to Dorian and see if yinz can figure out a plan. A really great episode with another great person doing great things in our city. Enjoy the episode. Th

This week, we talk about cakes, pies, and all the rest with Abbey on Butler Executive Pastry Chef, Danielle Hershiser. Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, Danielle wasn’t sure where her life was going. After hearing about the culinary program at a local college, she decided to check it out. With no formal cooking knowledge besides what had been passed down from family, she gravitated toward the program. This week, we talk about how she decided to take a chance on culinary school, the curriculum, spending a summer working in restaurants in Ocean City, and how she ended up baking up a storm in Pittsburgh. Another fascinating episode about someone’s journey to where they are today. Thanks for listening! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I sit down and talk about meat with the Fat Butcher! Steve Dawson has lived a life that has led him down two roads. One being a corporate gig studying rocks all around the country and the second being a whole animal butcher. Can you guess which one stuck? This week, we’re talking about that complete shift in careers, falling in love with the Art of Butchery, the complete process from living animal to the charred flesh on your dinner table, what being a “Whole Animal Butcher” means, and so much more. The Fat Butcher is a new business in Lawrenceville. They opened in the end of November and the squad there has being doing great stuff. If you’re looking for a great spot to buy the finest cuts of high quality, locally harvested meat, then Fat Butcher is your spot. Yinz can find them at 5151 Butler St. Enjoy the episode. - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I sit down with the woman behind PGH Candle. Kayla Heffernan is a professional in the art of ‘Wax Alchemy’ and has been providing our city with some of the best Soy Wax Candles you can find on the market. I first found out about PGH Candles back in 2017 when I was getting married. I ordered her candles to put in my groomsman boxes. I’ve been a returning customer ever since. Before candles, Kayla’s life revolved around the Food and Beverage world. For years, she worked in restaurants and bars until she was realized she wanted more. That’s when she quit her job and started pushing pounds of Wax & Wicks. This week, we talk about everything from how she decided to make candles, refining her recipe, her eye for branding, and so much more. Another great episode with another person doing good stuff for the city. Enjoy the episode and always remember to ‘Burn Local.’ 'Burn Local' with PGH Candle - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpod

This week, I sit down with Kaitlyn Caramela of Steel City Florals! Kaitlyn is a very talented floral designer who spends the majority of her time transforming bland venues into extraordinary spaces filled with beautiful floral arrangements and installations that have been created especially for you. After a long road of different jobs that weren't the right fit and rough living situations, she found herself at the Bidwell Training Center in the North Side. At Bidwell, she decided to focus her studies to Horticulture Technology. Kaitlyn had hopes of eventually becoming a teacher in some way but life led her to became a badass florist instead! We're talking about everything from where she sources her flowers from to what the "day of" a wedding floral designer looks like and all that goes into it. Check out her work! I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did. Thanks for listening. - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Faceb

This week, Odd Pittsburgh and I sit down to give you the absolute most perfect Christmas Special you could ever want. We are talking about the meaning of Christmas, the history of Christmas in the city, some of our favorite memories, the REAL Santa of Pittsburgh, and so much more. A perfect episode to a great year! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks for listening! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

Tis the season and who better to celebrate with than the Big Man! Good Jolly Ole St Nick! - This week, I sit down with THE Santa Claus! Ron Thompson, or Steel City Santa, has been bringing cheer to the boys and girls of Pittsburgh for three decades. You heard me! 30 years ago he pushed Santa off the roof, put on his suit, and BOOM! Now he’s the Big Guy! All joking aside, Ron happened to fall into the role of Santa all by chance. When Ron isn’t wearing the suit, he helps his significant other run the shop, Spotlight Costumes. They specialize in all sorts of costumes from theatrical to Santa Suits. Well, 30 years ago there was a word on the street that Gateway Clipper was looking for someone to take over the gig. The rest is history. Celebrating his 31st year as Father Christmas, Ron and I sit down for a great talk about his memories of Christmas growing up and all the memories he has from his years as Santa Claus. Enjoy it! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us

This week, I sit down with writer, editor, and author Rev. Justin Criado. Justin and I have been friends for many years. Justin currently lives in a small town in Colorado called Telluride. He moved there about 6 years back to work for the local paper the Telluride Daily Planet. Currently, he’s an Editor and writes a monthly column called “The Chopping Block.” When he’s not working, you can find him ripping through town on his Harley dawned with a set of deer antlers or at a local venue trying to catch a metal show. On top of all that, Justin is now a fully independent published author. He stops by the studio to talk to me about his brand new book called ‘Chronicles of Chaos.’ CoC is a compendium of short non-fictional columns written through the thick of the pandemic compiled into one complete body of work. This week we talk about everything from what everyday life looks like as an editor of a paper, the subject matter he gravitates toward, his process of writing, and how ‘Chronicles of Chaos’ came together.

This week, I sit down with my favorite breakfast spot in the city, Oak Hill Post. Co-Owner’s Christian Schulz & Rebecca Nicholson and their band of misfits are running an operation. I have been there a handful of times now and I always leave beyond impressed. Everything from the food to the service is exceptional. Christian stops by this week to talk about his (and the shops) journey into becoming one of the hottest new spots in the city. We talk about his life growing up, starting in the food industry very late in life, how him and Rebecca originally teamed up, where the idea to open their own spot came from, the efficiency of their “operation,” and so much more. - I have to say, this was a very surprising and fantastic conversation. It goes to show that sometimes, you don’t find out where you’re supposed to be in life until you go through some shit. - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right B

This week, I sit down with Vinnie Candelore of VC2art. Vinnie and I have been friends for many years. We went to the same school and played football together for the majority of our childhood. In addition to football, ever since we were young, Vinnie has had a passion for art. Whether it was drawing Pokemon to trade for kids' fruit snacks in elementary school, or his favorite NFL player making a pivotal catch, art was always a part of his life. Fast forward about 15 years.... (we're getting old). I asked Vinnie to come on the podcast and talk about turning those passions into something real, living and breathing as a full time artist. VC2art specializes in hyper realistic paintings, fully custom sneakers, and so much more. Vinnie also hosts a weekly podcast called 'The Athletic Aesthetic' where he breaks down uniform customization with professional athletes. It motivates me to see someone I grew up with putting their heart and soul into their passions. Please check out Vinnie's work below. Thanks for listenin

This week, I cross another name off the list of Legendary Interviews. I sat down with WDVE Morning Show Host Randy Baumann to talk about being the voice every Yinzer wakes up with. My father, his father before him, and their fathers before them all listed to WDVE. It’s ingrained in Pittsburghers dna. When I would be working construction in the summer, WDVE is what was blasting out of the radio. I really grew up listening to the Morning Show so this was a cool one for me and I hope yinz enjoy it. - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I bring back the biggest movie guy I know for The Ultimate Spooky Movie Compendium! Ryan Privett is one of my best friends and probably who I've been to the movies with most in my life. Two years ago we recorded a Two Part episode talking about our Top 5 Favorites Scary Movies. It was super fun and people really seemed to enjoy it so I thought it was only right to bring him back for another! This week, we go through a list of some of the Pillars of the Horror Genre. Obviously there are countless great films but these 7 are just some we think deserve a little shine. Enjoy this in depth discussion with two nerds who love it all. Thanks for listening to the episode. Have a Happy Halloween!  - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I give you PART 2 of the Halloween Special with Odd Pittsburgh! If you have not listened to PART 1 go back and listen to that first! Thank you and enjoy the episode! - I bring back John Schalcosky for a very special 2 Part Halloween Special! John is a historian that runs the Odd Pittsburgh  social media pages. Odd Pittsburgh is described to be "Dedicated to exploring all of the unusual, mysterious & forgotten history of Pittsburgh lost in time." After how much everyone loved the first episode John and I did, I knew I had to bring him up for an episode specifically focused on the Spooky Side of the City of Pittsburgh. We talk about ghosts, we talk about shadow people, we talk about premonitions, and we talk about documented accounts of the "Boogyman of Millville." Enjoy the episode! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week, I bring back John Schalcosky for a very special 2 Part Halloween Special! John is a historian that runs the Odd Pittsburgh  social media pages. Odd Pittsburgh is described to be "Dedicated to exploring all of the unusual, mysterious & forgotten history of Pittsburgh lost in time." After how much everyone loved the first episode John and I did, I knew I had to bring him up for an episode specifically focused on the Spooky Side of the City of Pittsburgh. We talk about ghosts, we talk about shadow people, we talk about premonitions, and we talk about documented accounts of the "Boogyman of Millville." Enjoy the episode! Part 2 will be out Next Thursday! - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

This week I sit down with Ricky Dick or known by many as 'Gravely MacCabre' the Head Caretaker at my favorite haunted house in the city, The Castle Blood. Castle Blood has been in business for 30 years. The Castle is an interactive, story intensive haunt that allows the guest to participate, and still get the shit scared out of them along the way. From puzzles to riddles to magic, the Castle is full of awesome surprises. I sit down with Ricky and we talk about everything from how he fell in love with Halloween, to how he got started on this interesting path he's carved out for himself, to how he continues to make the Castle such a unique experience every year. I've been attending annually for as long as I've known about Castle Blood and I've never been disappointed. The passion from all the actors and the attention to detail within the Castle are exceptional and the exact reason why Castle Blood is still going strong after three decades. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. - I cannot urge you

This week, I sit down with Stephen Jaskulski for the conclusion to a fantastic conversation about art. Stephen (or known by many as “Jazz”) is a painter, artist, and all around interesting human being. I’ve followed along with his work for some time now and he’s grown to be one of my absolute favorites. The growth he’s shown over the years always stood out to me so I’ve been waiting until he came to Pittsburgh to get him in the studio. This week, we talk about everything from growing up in Timebomb Shop being immersed in Pittsburgh Culture, to the bizarre situation life threw his way which ultimately changed everything for and led him to the paint brush. This was a long one so I split it into two parts. Today you can hear Part 2 of Jazz’s story.  Step inside the mind of Jazz Check out another great art, Tyler Podomik - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - THIS PODCAST IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY TURNER DAIRY FARMS - Follow us on Instagram - illcallyourightback Follow us on Twitter - ICYRBpodcast Like us on Facebook - I'

This week, I sit down with Stephen Jaskulski for a fantastic conversation about art. Stephen (or known by many as “Jazz”) is a painter, artist, and all around interesting human being. I’ve followed along with his work for some time now and he’s grown to be one of my absolute favorites. The growth he’s shown over the years always stood out to me so I’ve been waiting until he came to Pittsburgh to get him in the studio. This week, we talk about everything from growing up in Timebomb Shop being immersed in Pittsburgh Culture, to the bizarre situation life threw his way which ultimately changed everything for and led him to the paint brush. This was a long one so I split it into two parts. TOMORROW you can hear Part 1 of Jazz’s story and then next week you get to hear the rest. I’m really excited to drop this one. Jazz really has amazing work and I feel like everyone should see it. Thanks for listening. Enjoy the episode. - WWW.ILLCALLYOURIGHTBACK.COM - THIS PODCAST IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY TURNER DAIRY FARMS - Fo