Shows
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekTransforming Baseball into an Entertainment Business with Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason SmorolThis week Ryan sits down with Jason Smorol, the General Manager of the Syracuse Mets. Jason is no stranger to minor league sports having worked for the Watertown Indians, Staten Island Yankees, Batavia Muckdogs, and Auburn Doubledays before taking over GM responsibilities for the Syracuse Chiefs in 2013. But to limit Jason to a list of teams is to miss out on the magic that he brings to sports. Jason has used the world of competition to build bridges in the communities he resides in. Since 2013, Jason has transformed Historic NBT Bank Stadium and the baseball season into a welcoming...2025-06-181h 06
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekBuilding Communities Amongst the Chaos with Halo Tattoo Owner DJ RoseThis week Ryan chats with DJ Rose, owner of Halo Tattoo and a community builder of underground culture. Despite being best known locally for founding Halo Tattoo in 1997, DJ’s entrepreneurial spirit also helped build the Syracuse hardcore punk scene in the early 90s when he booked groundbreaking bands like Fugazi, Earth Crisis, ALL, Quicksand, and Uniform Choice using resources at Syracuse University. Internationally, DJ is a vegan straight edge icon, having made appearances on media outlets like MTV and CBS to talk about animal rights and the global sobriety movement.
In this conversation, DJ sheds light in...2025-06-041h 26
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekBehind The Splice of the Motion Picture Industry with Film Editor Corey TrenchThis week Ryan chats with Corey Trench, a TV and movie editor based in Los Angeles. Having worked for over 15 years for such companies as MTV, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Walt Disney Television, CBS, and Blumhouse, Corey has made his way around Hollywood to become a staple of the post-production world. Getting his start with shows like Parks and Recreation as a Production Staff member in 2009, Corey graduated through the ranks to eventually become a solo editor with the show Teen Wolf. Not limited by genre he has worked on projects ranging from Tau for Netflix to television shows such...2025-05-211h 54
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekLife Behind the Lens with Photographer Jessica MontgomeryThis week Ryan chats with internationally renowned photographer Jessica Montgomery. Originally hailing from Oklahoma City, Jessica moved to Syracuse, NY in 2018 to handle the photographic needs of Stay Fresh, a creative agency started by Tommy Lincoln. While most photographers are known for a niche talent, Jessica captivates and controls the still image no matter the subject. Jessica is known for her 31 Days Of Halloween project in which she plans and collaborates shoots with different models to share her imagination and storytelling capabilities every day in the month of October. This level of quality and dedication is seen in every...2025-05-071h 37
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekUncovering Local Lore with Historical Fiction Writer Lee Ellen HickeyThis 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 I...2025-04-231h 08
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekStructuring Oneself into a Storyteller with Author Daniel Handler aka Lemony SnicketThis 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 Ne...2025-04-091h 31
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekDiscovering Opportunities In Play with Voltage Video Games and Viridian Dice Entrepreneur Mike SaltzmanStepping 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...2025-03-261h 34
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Rhythmic Formula for Laughter with Improv Musician Laura HallThis 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 Jona...2025-03-121h 33
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekSharing Stories of Discovery with Science Communicator Erin Winick AnthonyThis 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 e...2025-02-261h 24
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekFinding Your Rhythm for Reading with Audiobook Narrator Stefan RudnickiBeaming 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 encourag...2025-02-121h 21
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekDeconstructing Cartoons Behind The Scenes with Storyboard Artist Michael BorkowskiRyan 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 k...2025-01-291h 20
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekScripts, Short Stories, and Embracing the Limitations Of Form with Writer RC MathesonThis 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...2025-01-151h 57
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekLooking At The World Through A Sober Lens with Non-Alcoholic Beverage Advocate Chris ClemensTo 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...2025-01-011h 23
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekResearching and Revising Our Fears with Horror Writer Grady Hendrix,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 li...2024-12-181h 02
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekExploring The Definition of “Evil” with Wicked Author Gregory MaguireMeditations 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...2024-12-041h 09
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekCataloging Quality Through The Decades with Vintage Shop Owner Jaina ShawOn 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 da...2024-11-201h 35
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Business Of Creative Problem-Solving with Designer Tommy LincolnOn 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 i...2024-11-061h 23
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekDedicating Your Life To The Animals with Vegan Activist & Restaurateur Joel CapolongoThis 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. Fi...2024-10-231h 24
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekFinding Stories For The World with Tor Fiction Editor Jen GunnelsJen 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...2024-10-091h 28
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekSharing Stories Around The Globe with Media Executive Aunrée HoustonFor 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 lasti...2024-09-251h 17
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekSupporting Your Music Community with Record Label Owner Mike ParkMike 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 band...2024-09-111h 17
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Chemistry of the Beverage Business with Director & Distiller Nicole AustinOn 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...2024-08-281h 28
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Impact of Positive Dialogue with Keynote Speaker & Author Greg BennickTraveling 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...2024-08-141h 14
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekLanguage as a Playground with Author Soma Mei Sheng FrazierIn 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 al...2024-07-311h 10
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekShowcasing Your Identity In Pixels with Digital Artist Jaleel CampbellCelebrating 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...2024-07-171h 19
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThinking In Code with App Developer Kent SutherlandIn 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...2024-07-031h 21
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekBringing Brooklyn To The Stage with Cartoonist and Playwright Dean HaspielRyan 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...2024-06-191h 38
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekTransforming Cities Through Public Art with Sign Painter and Illustrator Cayetano ValenzuelaRyan 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 commerci...2024-06-051h 51
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekInventing The Algorithm For Fun with Game Designers Andrew and Kristin LooneyIn 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...2024-05-221h 46
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekTuning Into Your Scary Side with Goosebumps Commercial Artist Tim JacobusRyan 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...2024-05-081h 21
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekSprinkling Your City In Positivity with The Ice Cream Stand owner Amanda HughesJoining 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...2024-04-241h 19
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekFrom Punk Rock to Inkwells with Cartoonist Nate PowellRyan 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...2024-04-101h 45
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekMusic As A Lifestyle with Mighty Mighty Bosstones Guitarist Lawrence KatzIt'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...2024-03-271h 09
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekConnecting Arts and Commerce with Creative Business Advisor Julie SellersIn 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...2024-03-131h 14
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekHistory On The Page with Journalist Bill LascherThis week Ryan chats with west coast-based writer Bill Lascher. Bill is the author of Eve of a Hundred Midnights and The Golden Fortress, both of which explore tense historic moments with his insightful language and deep research. In this conversation they chat about Bill’s family and their history in legal writing, discovering a passion for crafting language, the modern era of journalism and the different avenues to get your writing out to the world. Additionally, Bill talks about his new book A Danger Shared which chronicles the impact of World War 2 on the continent of Asia. It’s a...2024-02-281h 16
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekEmbracing The Charitable Mindset with the Project Pinball Charity Founder Daniel SpolarTo celebrate the episode release on Valentine's Day, Ryan spends time talking with Daniel Spolar, the founder of the charity Project Pinball, to talk about showing love in your community. Project Pinball works hard to put pinball machines in children's hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses, and other places where patients will be in need of amusement and something to take their minds off medical trauma. Daniel talks about the history of his professional life as a contractor, discovering different therapeutic uses for pinball machines, the birth of the Project Pinball charity, and the way in which community support is vital...2024-02-141h 26
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekFrom Sweets to Songs with Vegan Baker & DJ Jenny JohnsonFollowing his stomach to Rochester, NY, Ryan chats with Jenny Johnson, a renowned vegan baker. Jenny is the former dessert chef at Owl House restaurant, owner of Pudgy Girl Bakery and Misfit Donuts, and now is on to her new as a DJ for the WAYO radio station. In this conversation, Jenny talks about learning to maneuver the kitchen with her grandmother, lessons in creativity with her father, her background in photography, and her journey as one of Rochester's top vegan creatives. She talks about the research and development process of creating vegan sweets, working with a limited ingredient...2024-01-311h 11
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Relevance of Film with Pro8mm Business Owner Phil VigeantHeading to the west coast, Ryan interviews Phil Vigeant, the owner of Pro8mm, a company that handles all elements of the Super 8 film production process. Super 8 film was developed by Kodak in the 1960s and is considered the first completely accessible home video format. Since 1982, Phil has owned Pro8mm (formally Super8 Sound), a company that sells, processes, and scans film as well as offers camera purchase and repair. Phil's spirit for collaboration and invention clearly comes through in this interview and he talks about his background in business, regularly evaluating for growth areas at his company, the...2024-01-171h 26
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekNeurodiversity, ADHD, & Creativity with Artist Kyla YagerIn this episode Ryan connects with ADHD Intuitive Artist Kyla Yager, a practicing creative working in Toronto in Ontario, Canada. After being diagnosed with ADHD, Kyla has spent her career developing artwork that showcases her mental procedures on canvases of all kinds. Her work makes the viewer feel seen, recognized, and even adds a tactile elements which encourages interaction and play. In this conversation, Kayla talks about growing up in New Orleans, the way in which her brain functions for administrative and creative tasks, strategies for people with ADHD, and the importance of collaboration in the artistic space.
2024-01-031h 06
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekExploring The Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland & Oz Historian John FrickeThis week Ryan sits down with John Fricke, the foremost biographer of Judy Garland and historian on The Wizard of Oz. In this episode we travel through time to 1900, the year the book The Wizard of Oz was published by L. Frank Baum and then make our way to 1939 to talk about the production and relevance of the MGM film almost 85 years later. John Fricke is a New York City-based writer who has published numerous landmark books including Judy Garland: The World's Greatest Entertainer, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated History of the American Classic. His newest book is...2023-12-201h 21
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekObserving Life One Frame At A Time with stop motion animator Tim AllenIn this conversation, Ryan travels across the globe to sit down with world-renowned stop motion animator, Tim Allen. Having started his career on Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, and more recently working with Aardman Animations on Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Tim is a giant in the film industry acting with stop motion puppets one frame at a time. In this conversation Tim talks about discovering his passion for animation, how to overcome imposter syndrome, performing through puppets, and the value of sharing your craft with a new generation. Additionally, he shares tales of working on such films as...2023-12-061h 41
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekInvesting In Your Community with Communications Manager CJ Butler of The Salt City MarketThis week Ryan is joined by CJ Butler, the Communications Manager of The Salt City Market in Syracuse, NY. CJ talks about her journey as a young professional exploring social media management, determining whether to put down roots in the big apple (New York City) or the big orange (Syracuse, NY), the Allyn Family Foundation and the work CJ does for The Salt City Market project. Additionally, CJ talks about her time exploring American Sign Language in college and fiber arts with the Off The Hook Crochet Club.
For more information on CJ's work, visit The Salt C...2023-11-221h 16
Drunkard's WalkSacred Cod to ? with Ryan ZlomekA trip away from a holy fish and on to a new rockin' destination with the host of Meditations with Ryan Zlomek, Ryan Zlomek! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!https://meditationswith.podbean.com/2023-11-2150 min
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekExploring The Creative Process with Comic Artist and Educator Ryan ClaytorTwo Ryans, one podcast, what could go wrong? This week Ryan Zlomek (college educator, media artists, and pinball collector from New York) is visited by his doppelgänger Ryan Claytor (college educator, comic artist, and pinball collector) from Michigan to talk about the creative process. Ryan Claytor discusses his new book One Bite At A Time, the importance of bartering, how his process changes from designing comics to watches to pancakes, and how he views his personal evolution over the last 20 years. The fellow Ryans also discuss the serendipitous nature of their relationship to one another and the manner b...2023-11-081h 12
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekIn Talks of Healing with Proprietor Kelly Tompkins of Blue Moon ApothecaryWe transport to Liverpool, NY this week to talk with Kelly Tompkins, the owner of the Blue Moon Apothecary. Kelly chats with Ryan to talk about her journey to find work/life balance, the history of apothecaries, the importance of talking through your ailments to find the root cause, and ensuring we rely on both holistic and modern medicine. Additionally, this is a conversation about entrepreneurship and the welcoming environments people can create when they invest in themselves and the community around them.
You can find more about Kelly and her work by visiting https://www.thebluemoonapothecary.c...2023-10-251h 00
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekPodcasting Behind The Scenes with Matt Hartman and Mariana RuizIt's time to get meta in the Meditations Universe as Ryan chats on a podcast with two podcasters about podcasting. Matt Hartman of the Drunkard's Walk and Mariana Ruiz of the Impact Driven Entrepreneur Podcast share their backgrounds and journeys to podcasting from the STEM fields to developing audio media for clients and curious patrons. This episode is a deep dive into the work it takes to develop a podcast, different ways to think about your audience, successful scheduling tactics, technology to consider, and the manner by which your personal interests can positively feed into your work.
F...2023-10-111h 16
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekVocal Chord Careers with voice actor Marc SilkVery rarely can one guest act as multiple people but this week Ryan is lucky enough to chat with voice actor and character creator Marc Silk. Known for his work in Bob The Builder (US), Scooby Doo and Shaggy (UK), Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, Danger Mouse, Chicken Run, video games Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, as well as the Hogwarts Sorting Hat for Universal, you've likely heard Marc's voice a place or two. In this conversation he covers his transition from radio engineer to voice actor, talks about his family's support of his career choice...2023-09-271h 20
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekArt’s Impact On The Community with tattoo artist Jamie SantosJamie Santos, owner of Three of Swords Tattoo & Art Studio in Syracuse, NY, joins Ryan in conversation about her journey as a creative and the impact of art on local and global communities. Jamie discusses finding art as a communication tools early in her childhood, her decision to become a tattoo artist, and the modern culture of tattoo shops. She also talks about her community arts initiatives including charity events painting skateboard decks, social java & draws, as well as an art hunt that deployed during the COVID lockdowns.
Jamie can be found on Instagram at @jamiesantosart as w...2023-09-131h 11
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekThe Culture of Food with TV Host Dave FormanExploring a favorite topic this week, Ryan chats about food with Dave Forman, alternatively known as David The Gastronome from his food blog. Discovered by the Very Local streaming app, Dave has become the host of the cooking competition TV show Plate It, Pittsburgh and has used his new stature in the culinary world to volunteer with non-profits around Pennsylvania. In conversation he discusses the origins of David The Gastronome, the importance of knowing about regional cuisine, how to evaluate the Michelin Star system, and the importance of finding outlets for your passions.
Dave Forman ca...2023-08-301h 07
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekRod Serling & The Golden Age of Television with writer Nick ParisiRyan sits with Nick Parisi, the president of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and the writer of the phenomenal biography Rod Serling: His Life, Work, and Imagination. Nick talks about his life in rock and roll, working with disabled veterans, and the works of Rod Serling, the famed creator of The Twilight Zone. Starting from Serling's early life in Syracuse, NY and Binghamton, NY to his time writing radio in Ohio, to the teleplays he produced from the 1950s-1970s, this conversation gives an excellent primer on the work of Rod Serling and the legacy he has left on sc...2023-08-161h 07
Meditations with Ryan ZlomekEducational Entrepreneurship with Ben T Matchstick and Pete Talbot of Pinbox 3000Ryan sits down with Ben T Matchstick and Pete Talbot, the owners of the Cardboard Teck Instantute and Pinbox 3000. Ben and Pete are educators who have devoted their lives to developing hands-on initiatives that teach learners of all ages how to invent functional objects with cardboard. Ben and Pete discuss their history with theater, the development of the Pinbox 3000, the business of kickstarter, and share some fun facts about their involvement with the broadway musical Hadestown as well as the Amazing Acro-Cats.
For more information about the Pinbox 3000, visit www.pinbox3000.com
2023-08-011h 19
Bro, do you even TALK pinball?BDYETP 68: Opening a Pinball Venue, Weird Al Updates, The Next JJP, New Game ImpressionsThe latest happenings in the pinball world, including:
• Opening a pinball venue with Ryan Zlomek of Skill Shot Arcade
• Weird Al Production Update
• JJP Winds Down, Gears Up
• American Pinball Fires and Hires
• Non-Manufacturer Updates
• First impressions: Weird Al, Halloween, Valhalla
• Game Room Updates
• Topper Talk Ep. 11 with Goren AND guest Ryan McQuaid
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