The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Podcast

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Ron Smith, the artisan behind Ranz Freehands. Based in East Tennessee, Ron began crafting pipes after retirement, drawing on his background in sculpture and art to create distinctive freehand designs. Since starting around 2015, his work has emphasized individuality, finish, and smoking quality, blending traditional shapes with creative twists. A longtime pipe smoker, Ron continues to refine his craft by learning from other makers and exploring new techniques, producing pipes that are both artistic and approachable. At the top of the show, Brian will discuss Virginia tobaccos.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Rick Newcombe, a well-known collector and a familiar voice to longtime listeners. Rick has authored several books on pipes and pipe collecting, and has been a frequent guest on the show over the years. On this episode, Brian and Rick will discuss trends in the hobby — exploring what has come and gone over time, and how the pipe world continues to evolve. At the top of the show we will have an Ask the Pipemaker segment with renowned pipe artisan Jeff Gracik.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Jim York, a longtime pipe smoker and devoted collector. Jim is an active member of the Chicago Pipe Club and a familiar face at pipe shows, bringing decades of experience and a genuine passion for the hobby. On this episode, Brian will talk with Jim about his experiences as a collector, insights from attending shows, and reflections on the enduring appeal of pipe smoking. At the top of the show we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves. Jeremy is the Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl, which is one of the most popular boutique pipe tobacco companies in the USA, and one of the only pipe tobacco producers making product in the US.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the second installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipes degree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. In this episode, Brian and Nate will talk about pipe shapes and trends. They'll also discuss the Muletown Pipe Show, which took place last weekend at BriarWorks, and share some observations from the event and the broader pipe community.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Rich Esserman, a familiar voice in the pipe community and a longtime friend of the program. Rich has joined us many times over the years, bringing his deep knowledge, historical perspective, and enthusiasm for the hobby. On this episode, Rich will share his thoughts on past trends in pipe smoking — how tastes, styles, and culture have evolved over time, and what those shifts tell us about the hobby today. At the top of the show, in our Pipe Parts segment, we launch the first installment of a new coffee comparison series featuring Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee and the Pipe & Tamper Podcast 2.0. It’s a fresh addition to the program that pairs two timeless pleasures: pipes and coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we feature Micah "Yeti" Cryder of Yeti Pipes, an artisan pipe maker based in Billings, Montana. Since beginning his craft in 2011, Micah has developed a distinctive style influenced by the American school of pipe making, with touches of modern industrial design and French Art Deco. His work is known for its bold lines, creative shaping, and meticulous finishes, reflecting both technical precision and artistic vision. In addition to his pipes, Micah has explored innovative materials through his Resin Project, expanding design possibilities with vibrant, vintage-inspired stem materials. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will discuss his view on estate pipes.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Justin Dombrosky. Justin is the Vice President of the Indiana Pipe Club and co-host of the podcast Pipes, Pours, and Pals. He purchased his first pipe — a Missouri Meerschaum Hardwood — in 2017 and, like many of us when starting out, promptly scorched his tongue with a cherry Cavendish blend. What began as a simple curiosity quickly grew into deeper involvement in the hobby. In 2022, Justin and Nate Boland launched their podcast, and in 2023 the Indiana Pipe Club was formed. The Indiana Pipe Show is now preparing for its second event this September. We’ll talk about all of that and more on tonight’s show. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, we will have pipe artisan Jeff Gracik talking about the pipe making seminar at the Chicago pipe show that is coming up on April 29, 2026.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Big John. He is a micro-blender and the creator of the Niall of Nine pipe tobacco line. His journey into pipe smoking began when he inherited his great-grandfather’s pipes, an experience that sparked a lasting connection to the hobby. Today, he’s known for crafting distinctive micro-blends that often feature rare and unusual components, including Syrian Latakia and Cuban cigar leaf. Several of his blends draw inspiration from the themes and imagery of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Another notable mixture, Aberdeen Extinction, showcases an eclectic range of tobaccos: 2015 Virginias processed as Perique, 2016 McClelland Perique, 2014 Black Cavendish, 2001 medium brown Burley, and 2018 Cyprian Latakia. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will go over an article about the iconic Connecticut shade tobacco. The industry has all but vanished as demand dwindled and land was developed, leaving Dwight Arnold — on a farm just over the Massachusetts border — as the last grower of the traditional shade-grown leaf prized for premium cigar wrappers. We also have news about nicotine pouch vending machines.