The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Podcast

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Jess Steere, who first joined us more than five years ago, when he was celebrating his first five years as a pipe smoker. Now marking his tenth anniversary in the hobby, Jess returns to share how he has helped build a local pipe-smoking community that brings together college students and other men who might never have discovered fellow pipe smokers in their area.

Jess explains how casual conversations about pipes led to gatherings centered on good tobacco, shared interests, and camaraderie. He discusses how he introduces newcomers to the hobby, helps them choose pipes and tobacco, and encourages others to start clubs of their own - even if they don't know another pipe smoker nearby. Drawing on his experience in campus ministry, Jess also reflects on the importance of friendship, mentorship, and creating opportunities for people to connect. He's even willing to coach anyone interested in starting a club of their own.

At the top of the show, Brian presents Part Five - the conclusion of his series comparing three coin-cut tobaccos: Escudo, Peterson’s Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Nate Rose, who first joined us in 2022 when pipe making was still a part-time pursuit. Today, Nate is a full-time pipe maker, having made the leap from his job at General Motors to building his business around the craft. Since then, he has continued upgrading his workshop, refining his skills, and developing his own recognizable style.

Nate and Brian discuss the transition to making pipes for a living, the challenges of balancing commissions with the freedom to experiment, and his ongoing efforts to expand his range of shapes. Nate talks about his fondness for traditional English and French designs, his growing interest in freehand pipes, and the blowfish shape that continues to challenge him. They also look back on the pipe-smoking community, including a particularly meaningful memory involving Nate’s grandfather, Murray, whose earlier appearance on the show left Nate with a recording his family can treasure.

At the top of the show, Brian presents Part Four of his five-part series comparing Escudo, Peterson’s Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Davidoff Flake Medallions, and provide a review.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Glen Whelan, Managing Director of Peterson of Dublin. Peterson is a family tradition for Glen: his father spent 50 years working at the factory, eventually becoming Factory Manager, while Glen began his own career with the company as a part-time retail associate at age 16. After more than a decade in retail, he moved into sales and steadily advanced to his current leadership role.

Glen gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Peterson's manufacturing operation, from developing new finishes and testing pipes under demanding conditions to coordinating special releases without disrupting regular production. He also discusses the inspiration behind the Halloween series, subtle refinements to classic shapes, the growing market for smaller pipes, and what's coming next from Peterson, including a special upcoming release in the Charles Peterson collection. Along the way, Glen shares his favorite Peterson shape, his current enthusiasm for McClelland tobaccos, and a memorable story from a pipe-smoking event that proves you can enjoy a slow smoke a little too slowly.

At the top of the show, Brian continues with Part Three of his five-part series exploring the similarities and differences between Escudo, Peterson's De Luxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls, and provide a review.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we continue our three-part conversation with Dennis Cullinan of Red Bell Pipes in Lansing, Michigan. In this second installment of "Story Time with Dennis," Dennis takes us through his years as a working librarian, when pipe smoking was still part of his daily routine and a pipe rack in his office was never far away. He also recalls the pipe shops of Lansing, the brands and shapes that caught his attention, and his growing appreciation for estate pipes.

Dennis shares stories from his early visits to pipe shows, including the first Chicago Pipe Show he attended in the late 1990s, and how those events opened up a whole new world of collecting. We hear about his affection for Wilmer pipes, his adventures finding and restoring neglected estate pipes, and a few remarkable bargains—including several Dunhills discovered in thrift and junk stores.

At the top of the show, Brian continues with Part Two of his five-part series exploring the similarities and differences between Escudo, Peterson's Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions. We will get into some of the history of Escudo, and provide a review.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back John David Cole, head of The Country Squire, for an update on the new location in Jackson, Mississippi. Since opening the doors in May, John David and his team have settled into their much larger space, which combines the traditional Country Squire pipe and tobacco shop with a cocktail lounge.

John David talks about the grand opening, the thinking behind the new space's distinctive mid-century-modern design, and how adding the bar has changed the character of the business. He also discusses choosing pipe brands and artisan makers for the shop, what he looks for in a potential partner, the renewed interest he's seeing in smaller pipes, and the surprising growth in local pipe and tobacco sales.

At the top of the show, Brian begins a five-part deep dive into the differences and similarities between Escudo, Peterson's Deluxe Navy Rolls, and Davidoff Flake Medallions.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured guest is Waqas, The Dubai Piper, joining us from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Waqas is a relatively new pipe smoker, having discovered the hobby at age 52, but he has quickly embraced the pipe-smoking community and built a collection of around 45 pipes. With no large pipe-smoking community immediately around him, much of his journey has taken place virtually through podcasts, videos, and social media.

Waqas and Brian talk about what drew him to pipe smoking, his fascination with the 19th and early 20th centuries, and how he came to view the pipe as a kind of personal “time machine.” They also discuss his evolving tastes in pipes and tobacco, his efforts to create a Victorian-style smoking room at his home in Dubai, and the challenges of finding and ordering pipe tobacco in the United Arab Emirates. Waqas also shares his favorite pipe, and his current favorite tobaccos.

At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves, Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we begin a three-part journey through the 70-year pipe-smoking life of Dennis Cullinan of Red Bell Pipes in Lansing, Michigan. Dennis began smoking a pipe at age 15 in 1956, when he walked into a neighborhood drugstore in Benton Harbor and bought his first pipe for $1.50. A week later, he was back for a $2.95 Medico, and his lifelong fascination with pipes was underway.

In this first installment of "Storytime with Dennis," Dennis takes us back to those early years, when pipes and tobacco were sold at neighborhood drugstores and he was largely on his own in figuring out how to smoke them. He also tells the remarkable story of finding a GBD billiard in a phone booth at the University of Michigan - an encounter that would eventually lead to his lifelong interest in estate pipes.

At the top of the show, Brian reviews the tinned version of Haunted Bookshop, following his earlier review of the bulk version of this classic blend.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured guest is Russell Gardner, owner of Dark Arts, a unique smoking lounge and retail tobacconist in Las Vegas. A longtime veteran of the restaurant and bar business, Russell owns several themed cocktail lounges, but his latest venture took an unexpected turn when he transformed a small back room at Grey Witch into a hidden, speakeasy-style smoking lounge and tobacconist.

Dark Arts accommodates about 25 people, and getting inside is part of the experience – you actually enter through a fireplace. Russell is also a rare Las Vegas native, and his connection to pipe smoking goes back to high school, when he picked up a pipe at age 15 after starting out with cigars. Brian and Russell will talk about Dark Arts, the inspiration behind the unusual space, and the Las Vegas pipe scene.

At the top of the show, in Pipe Parts, we'll have the fifth installment of our coffee pairing series with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the fifth installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipesdegree 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 has a list of questions for Nate to answer from the perspective of both a pipe maker and a pipe smoker.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with pipe maker Alexander Syrma of Israel. Alexander works primarily with high-grade Mediterranean and Algerian briar, sometimes incorporating distinctive materials such as mammoth ivory and exotic woods into his designs. His pipes range from lightweight, classic shapes to more expressive freehands, including Danish eggs, Rhodesians, and sandblasted diplomats.

Brian and Alexander will talk about his approach to pipe making, the materials he works with, and the inspiration behind his distinctive designs.

At the top of the show, Brian will take a look at the history of small-batch and limited-edition pipe tobaccos, including how these special releases have become such an interesting part of the hobby. He'll also give his own take on the appeal of limited and small-batch blends.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Dutch pipe maker Martin Romijn, who originally appeared on the show in October 2019 on episode #372. Martin began smoking a pipe in 1989, at the age of 20, but it would be many years before he began making pipes. He first started making tampers and other pipe accessories as a part-time pursuit, and in 2016 he began making pipes.

What started as a side project eventually became a full-time career, and Martin has developed a distinctive style of organic, freehand shapes that allow the character and grain of each piece of briar to influence the finished pipe. Brian and Martin will talk about his journey as a pipe maker, his approach to shaping briar, and the inspiration behind his work.

At the top of the show, we’ll have another installment of our Ask the Pipe Maker segment with Jeff Gracik, where Jeff answers listener questions and shares insights from the artisan pipe maker’s perspective.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Richard Epley of EP Pipes. Based in Kentucky, Richard began making pipe stands from bourbon barrels in 2016 before turning his attention to pipe making a couple of years later. His background with bourbon barrels has given his work a distinctly Kentucky connection, while his handmade pipes showcase his creativity and attention to detail. Richard also pours his own acrylic stems and is known for using an unusually wide range of colors rather than sticking with the traditional black stem. Brian and Richard will talk about his journey from making pipe stands to crafting pipes, his approach to stem making, and the distinctive character of his work. At the top of the show, we'll have a review of G. L. Pease Fillmore, one of the blends in the G. L. Pease line from Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Will and Joe, the founders of PipeRevival. What began as a passion for restoring estate pipes has quickly grown into a respected restoration business, with their work breathing new life into hundreds of cherished pipes for collectors. Brian, Will, and Joe will discuss the origins of PipeRevival, their approach to restoration, and some of the memorable pipes that have crossed their workbench. At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves, Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Allen Kipp of Kipp Pipes. Allen has been making pipes for more than a decade after deciding to try his hand at the craft when his appreciation for fine pipes outpaced his budget. An engineering fabricator by trade, he brought his machining and fabrication skills to pipe making, developing a style that reflects both craftsmanship and precision. His work has also included creating the distinctive Thorn rustication for Kaywoodie pipes. Brian and Allen will discuss Allen's path into pipe making, his approach to the craft, and how his engineering background has influenced his work. At the top of the show, Brian celebrates 30 years of pipe smoking, reflecting on the hobby that has become such an important part of his life and the friendships and experiences it has brought along the way.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Jody Davis, a renowned artisan pipe maker and lead guitarist for the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band Newsboys. Jody's handmade pipes are highly regarded for their Danish-inspired designs, exceptional craftsmanship, and limited availability, making them especially sought after by collectors. Brian and Jody will discuss a pipe that Brian recently commissioned from him, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the design and creation process. At the top of the show, in Pipe Parts, we'll have the fourth installment of our coffee pairing series with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back pipe maker Nate King for the fourth installment of our recurring segment, "The State of Nate." Nate has been making pipes since 2005 and holds an honorary Master of Pipesdegree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club. He is also a member of the prestigious Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. In this episode, Nate shares highlights from his trip to the International Pipe Show in Lake Como, Italy, along with his visit to Denmark and the people, places, and experiences that made the journey memorable. At the top of the show, we’ll have a Christmas in July tobacco review featuring Carolina Christmas from Low Country Pipe & Cigar, crafted in South Carolina by Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Eric Scholten of Sylvan Pipes. Eric is an American artisan pipe maker whose handmade pipes reflect a balance of classic shaping and modern design, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, engineering, and the natural beauty of briar. His work has earned a following among collectors who appreciate both refined aesthetics and excellent smoking qualities. Brian and Eric will discuss Eric's journey into pipe making, his approach to design and craftsmanship, and what inspires his work as an artisan in today's pipe-making community. At the top of the show, we'll have another installment of our Ask the Pipe Maker segment with Jeff Gracik, where Jeff answers listener questions and shares insights from the artisan pipe maker's perspective.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Dave Peterson, a longtime pipe smoker, collector, and active member of the pipe community. Dave has been part of the Pipes Magazine Forums since May 2009, when the site was just a few months old, and many listeners will recognize him by his forum handle, "daveinlax." He is also Brian's partner in the Las Vegas International Pipe Show. On tonight's show, Dave shares highlights from his recent trip to the International Pipe Show in Lake Como, Italy, including his visits to the Castello pipe factory and shop, Al Pascià, and several other notable tobacconists and pipe destinations. It's an insider's look at one of the world's premier pipe events and the unforgettable experiences surrounding it. At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves, Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Nathan Davis of Greywoodie fame. Long known as one of the pipe community's biggest advocates for Kaywoodie, Nathan began as a collector before becoming a dealer and launching the Greywoodie website. In 2024, he completed an extraordinary journey when he acquired Kaywoodie itself, ending more than 175 years of ownership by the same family across four generations. Known as CrashTheGrey on the Pipes Magazine forums, Nathan is also the organizer of the Capitaland Pipe Show, which is this weekend - June 27, 2026. Lastly, Nathan is co-host of the Greywoodie Podcast alongside Eugene Falco. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will have a tobacco review of Low Country's Edisto, which is a Red Virginia flake tobacco made by Cornell & Diehl. We also have a fun surprise in place of the music segment that you don't want to miss.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Josh of Bad Cat Tobacco. Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, Josh spent more than 15 years working as an archaeologist before becoming immersed in the world of pipes and tobacco. Remarkably, Josh only began smoking a pipe in 2025, yet has already assembled a collection of more than 100 pipes and launched Bad Cat Tobacco, a boutique blending venture focused on creating distinctive tobacco experiences for pipe smokers. Brian and Josh will discuss his rapid journey into the hobby, the origins of Bad Cat Tobacco, and his approach to blending and the pipe community. At the top of the show Brian will discuss bowl cake.