The Enthusiasts Guild: Recent Episodes
The Enthusiasts Guild
A podcast about interesting things with the people who enjoy them. We talk about art, literature, pop culture, science, history, fandom, hobbies and much more. Hosted by Fletcher C. Finch and Adam Zaremski. Based out of Buffalo, NY.
We lean hard into podcaster stereotypes in this episode by having three guys sit around microphones talking about beer. Our guest is Alex Buckley, an award-winning Western New York homebrewer who is working to start up a new commercial brewery, Beer Kind Brewing. Alex and Adam swap homebrewing stories and Fletcher enjoys some tasty sample pours.
Buffalo, New York, USA and Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany have been sister cities for more than 40 years. Lynn and Greg Engle each traveled to Dortmund as teens and now serve on the Buffalo Dortmund Sister City Committee. They share information about the relationship between the two cities and programs that connect citizens of each area.
Katie Wade of Thyme for Tea Herbal Apothecary joined The Enthusiasts Guild to talk about making tea, the perfect brew, and blends inspired by Tarot cards. Katie's online shop is at https://www.etsy.com/shop/Thyme4TeaApothecary and you can find her teas on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thymefortea.herbalapothecary/
Watch collector and tinkerer Brian Dorchak visits to share his love of timepieces. Nicholas Barcomb joins the episode as guest interviewer.
We talk about movements, complications, automatic self-winding and the first watch on the Moon. Nick tries on a Rolex and likes the way it feels.
Visit our social media accounts to see photos of the watches at the center of our conversation.
Instagram: @TheEnthusiastsGuild
Facebook: @TheEnthusiastsGuild
Twitter: @EnthusiastGuild
We dive into journalism, humor and more with Rhiannon Browning. The 1940 film His Girl Friday stars Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant as a divorced reporter and editor whose dialogue is as bright as their ethics are shady. We talk about some of our own views on news, the thrill of chasing a story and some formative experiences.
Dan Kaufman joins us to talk about "Batman: The Animated Series," with special attention to "Beware the Gray Ghost," "Almost Got 'im" and the amazing performances of Kevin Conroy.
We also visit Dan's background in art, his interest in comics and Batman's on-screen appearances.
Dan previously joined The Enthusiasts Guild in our 2020 crossover episode with the Your Brain on Hops podcast.
Episodes of "Batman: The Animated Series" are currently available to stream on HBO Max.
We wrap up the year by sharing some of our favorite pop culture discoveries. Here are links to shows, music and sites we mentioned this episode:
- Buffalo & Erie County Public Library: https://www.buffalolib.org/
- New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/
- Pressure Machine by The Killers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1qMFjBarjO2xD15BwXZguD
- Ted Lasso (Apple TV): https://tv.apple.com/us/show/ted-lasso/umc.cmc.vtoh0mn0xn7t3c643xqonfzy
- Nice Try: https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/nice-try
- Superman & Lois (The CW): https://www.cwtv.com/shows/superman-and-lois/pilot/
- Ghosts (UK) on HBO Max: https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GXrBDuAniEYC9JwEAAAWV
- Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples: https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/saga
- Gutter Pop Comics in Buffalo (Adam's favorite comic shop): https://www.gutterpopcomics.com/
- Taskmaster (UK) Series 1, Melon Buffet: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v4YhsooE5xY
Season two of The Enthusiasts Guild will begin in early 2022.
Claire Martin studied art history and conservation at the University of Delaware, apprenticed with Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan Thomas Pafk, and furthered her education at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation in the U.K.
In this episode, Claire shares her love of furniture conservation and restoration.
Claire also gives a shoutout to the podcast This Crafted World (https://thiscraftedworld.com/), made by two of her West Dean classmates, furniture maker Harry T. Morris and furniture conservator and Shane Orion Wiechnik.
The New Year is almost here! We asked listeners and past guests to tell us what they are enthusiastic about for 2021. We also share our own plans and hopes for the future.
We decided to get into the holiday spirit by drafting movie and TV seasonal favorites. Guests Heather Scheer and Olivia Lawrence joined our hosts for three rounds, picking favorite specials and matching them with a snack or beverage.
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) 2. Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) 3. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) 5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) 6. Home Alone (1990) 7. A Garfield Christmas Special (1987) 8. A Christmas Story (1983) 9. Elf (2003) 10. Christmas with the Kranks (2004) 11. Batman Returns (1992) 12. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
A tip of the hat to The Incomparable, a great podcast with many fun drafts.
This episode also includes a PSA from ConnectLife. Blood donors are needed during the holidays! Western New York residents can make an appointment to give at https://www.connectlife.org/.
Our next episode is a New Year's special which will include messages from our listeners. Let us know what you are enthusiastic about for 2021!
Nick Gunner had his first taste of rock climbing about six years ago and was immediately obsessed. He spoke to us about learning in Western New York and climbing in Colorado. Nick shared his thoughts on the attractions of rock climbing, the things climbing has in common with yoga, and tips for those interested in starting.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Turtle Power has changed Dan Tracz in many ways. He shared his appreciation for the first cartoon series with his dad in the late 1980s. Now, he and his daughter bond over the Turtles too. Dan spoke with us about TMNT toys, comics, favorite episodes and the opportunity he had to interview Ciro Nieli, producer of the 2012-2017 show.
Libby Maeder loves to cook! She shares this love by preparing dishes for friends and family, as well as posting on her Facebook page "Libby Loves to Cook - The Sensibly Shod Commoner."
Libby made each recipe in Ina Garten's "Cooking for Jeffrey," and is now creating the dishes in "Modern Comfort Food."
She tells us about her inspirations and plans a future party menu with Fletcher and Adam.
Your Brain on Hops cohosts Dan Kaufman and Alex Buckley join Fletcher C. Finch of The Enthusiasts Guild for a special crossover episode. Our topic is beer and camaraderie. We talk about becoming friends at Aurora Brew Works and discovering favorite styles through bottle share nights. We also sampled a few delicious beers while recording.
Our tasting list was:
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Hennepin from Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, NY. A farmhouse saison ale with spices (Fletcher’s pick).
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Curieux from Allagash Brewing Company of Portland, ME. A Belgian-style golden ale aged in Bourbon barrels (Alex’s pick).
- White Oak from The Bruery of Placentia, CA. A blend of wheatwine aged in Bourbon barrels and golden strong ale (Dan's pick).
Dr. Louisa Smieska talks about using x-ray fluorescence to discover what was hiding beneath the surface of a 19th century painting. Exit from the Theater is in the collection of the The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The painting has long been attributed to the French artist Honoré Daumier, but normal investigation techniques couldn’t penetrate its secrets. X-rays from the particle accelerator at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source revealed a painting hidden for 150 years.
See Exit from the Theater at the Nelson-Atkins Museum website: https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/29953/exit-from-the-theater
Louisa and her colleagues published their findings, and an article abstract is available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X18313079
Additional information is online at: https://www.daumier.org/2019/09/08/technical-study-of-a-painting-attributed-to-honore-daumier/
Dr. Louisa Smieska is a scientist who uses x-rays from an underground particle accelerator to discover the secrets hidden within works of art. Louisa tells us about her work at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), joining her love of art with her passion for science, and her amazing post-doctoral fellowship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
You can learn more about Louisa at https://www.chess.cornell.edu/about/staff-directory/louisa-smieska
Some of her published research is available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louisa_Smieska
You can discover information about the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source at https://www.chess.cornell.edu/
Joe Cavaretta is a musician who has created and performed songs in a variety of styles. He's recorded under his own name and as Murphy Bed and Snowbelt in Buffalo, New York. He was also part of the band Northern Spy in Akron, Ohio. Joe spoke with us about his musical career, inspirations and his songwriting process.
Thomas Pafk is a Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan specializing in design and furniture making. Tom welcomed Fletcher C. Finch and Adam Zaremski to his workshop in East Aurora, New York. We talked about his career path, work philosophy and Arts & Crafts style for the 21st century.
The Mandalorian's soundtrack shaped our appreciation of the new Star Wars series. Adam Zaremski and Fletcher C. Finch talk about Ludwig Göransson's music. We also discuss Mando and his relationship with the child (AKA Baby Yoda).
Our awesome episode art is by Olivia Hintz. Check out her illustration, comics and character design at oliviahintz.com. (Used with the artist's permission.)
Boldly go... on an exploration of Star Trek: The Next Generation. First-time guest Chris Krowka joins Adam Zaremski and Fletcher C. Finch to talk about favorite themes, episodes and characters, especially Captain Picard.
Adults are acting immature and there's trouble brewing in "Band Candy." Olivia Lawrence joins Adam Zaremski and Fletcher C. Finch to talk about her favorite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 3, episode 6). We share our appreciation of the show, respective viewing histories and favorite characters. Spoiler warning: We recap "Band Candy" from 5:28 to 16:00, so it'll be even more fun if you watch the episode first.
Mary Cassatt defied expectations, first by becoming an artist and again through her techniques and chosen subjects. Rachael Morlock shares her enthusiasm for Cassatt’s work. Rachael also tells host Fletcher C. Finch how excited she was to write a book about this influential artist.
Grab your towel and join Adam and Fletcher for an exploration of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We focus on the first book of the five or six volume trilogy, and recall favorite jokes and characters. We also ask ourselves if we're an Arthur Dent or a Ford Prefect when it comes to travel.
Acadia, Yellowstone and other national parks showcase the natural beauty of the United States. Fletcher and Adam share favorite memories of national parks and inspirational experiences. We end with a talk about some fun souvenirs and important advice.
How do new parents consume pop culture? Kristy returns to compare notes with Adam. Fletcher remembers family reading time. We talk about comfort TV, favorite podcasts and the things we want to share with the next generation.
We can do this all day. Fletcher and Adam are big fans of Captain America. We talk about Joe Johnston's 2011 movie, consider the character in the comics, and discuss the appeal of moral certainty. Spoiler warning for The First Avenger and references to Cap through Endgame.
The Doctor, time travel, and the amazing David Tennant are all topics for discussion as we welcome our first guest, Kristy Holfoth. Fletcher is already a Whovian and Adam prepared by watching The Girl in the Fireplace. Allons-y!
Manhattans: rye or bourbon, rocks or up, they are a drink we love. Join Fletcher C. Finch and co-host Adam Zaremski in our first recording session. We share our drink preferences, delve into mixology history and garnish it with a cherry. Welcome to The Enthusiasts Guild!