Meditations with Ryan Zlomek

Dedicating Your Life To The Animals with Vegan Activist & Restaurateur Joel Capolongo

This 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. Finding inspiration from the Syracuse hardcore punk scene and bands like Earth Crisis, Joel dedicated himself to animal activism while still in high school. He shares stories of disrupting animal production supply chains and even battling Japanese whaling ships that were illegally hunting. He talks about the origin story of Strong Hearts and sheds light behind the scenes of a New York culinary beacon for vegans and omnivores alike. Details of other Strong Hearts related initiatives come to the forefront including the culture of Strong Hearts tattoos and the success of the Strong Hearts Vegan Power running team.  

For more information on Joel and Nicholas’s work with Strong Hearts, you can find them online at https://stronghearts315.com/ (Syracuse) and https://www.stronghearts716.com/ (Buffalo), as well as on Instagram (@strongheartscafe @stronghearts716) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/StrongHearts315/ https://www.facebook.com/stronghearts716).

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

Finding Stories For The World with Tor Fiction Editor Jen Gunnels

Jen 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 the ins and outs of the editor role before taking the reigns herself. She also shares insights into the relationship between editors and writers, editors and literary agents, and editors and the publishers they represent. It's an informative chat full of lots of fun facts and banter, especially about the dreaded "book blurbs."

For more information about Jen Gunnels, you can find her on LinkedIn or visit https://us.macmillan.com/torpublishinggroup/ to scope out the books that she has helped shape into the publishing world. 

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

 

Sharing Stories Around The Globe with Media Executive Aunrée Houston

For 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 lasting impacts in countries all over the world. Now at Netflix, he is applying his talents to properties like 3 Body Problem, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton.

 

Outside of the studio world, Aunrée owns the company Aunrée Jac where he provides life coaching strategies to those in need of a life realignment. He is an NYU trained therapist and applies what he learned to new clients on a regular basis. He is also an east coast and west coast socialite famed for his dinner parties which habitually become venues for open dialogue. In this conversation he talks about his upbringing in NYC, attending SUNY Oswego and exploring the world of drama, making his way through various departments at HBO, transitioning to Paramount and Netflix, and the various ways he works to give back to his community.

For more information on Aunrée Houston you can find @aunreejac on Instagram, Aunrée Jac on Facebook, Aunrée J L Houston on LinkedIn or visit his website at www.aunreejac.com.

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, and TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

Supporting Your Music Community with Record Label Owner Mike Park

Mike 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 bands as Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, Less Than Jake, Lemuria, AJJ, and Joyce Manor among hundreds of others. Asian Man holds high status in the world of ska, punk, hardcore, and indie music. To be discovered by Mike Park is the highest form of praise.

In this conversation, Mike talks about growing up in California, being one of the few Asian males in his graduating class, discovering ska music in a movie theater, forming bands at a young age, feeling empowered releasing music, and trying to demonstrate to parents the importance of creative careers. He describes the surprise success of Asian Man Records in its first year and talks about the inner-workings of the label, including the encouragement of musical acts to pursue bigger opportunities when they have outgrown how he can support them. Mike demonstrates himself to be the humblest personality in the music business. Plus he announces his new radio show, Music. It's Powerful Stuff, on KPCR.

For more information on Mike’s amazing work you can find @asianmanrecords on Instagram and Facebook or visit https://asianmanrecords.com/. You can also hear Music. It's Powerful Stuff at https://kpcr.org/event/music-its-powerful-stuff/2026-05-27/.

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

The Chemistry of the Beverage Business with Director & Distiller Nicole Austin

On 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 City). She then helped found the New York State Distillers Guild in 2013, worked internationally for William Grant & Sons, and was brought in to work with Cascade Hollows Distilling Co. (makers of George Dickel Whiskey) after proving herself as a mainstay. Her hard work has been internationally recognized as well. Nicole was named “Distiller Of The Year” in March 2020 by Artisan Spirit Magazine, she won “Distillery Manager” as part of the Icons of Whiskey Awards in 2021, and helped usher in George Dickel as the “Spirit Brand of the Year” in 2023 through the Wine Star Awards.

In this conversation, Nicole discusses her almost accidental career move into chemistry, learning how to network and build a strong community with other distilling professionals, and ensuring that her ethical beliefs tie into the global visioning of the companies she works for. She also discusses her love of horses, the differences in working conditions in spirits around the world, and why the IRS has become an important historic tool for distillers.

For more information on Nicole Austin, you can find her on Instagram at @nicolemarieaustin and follow her products at on Instagram @georgedickel and @cascadehollowdistillingco as well on the web at www.georgedickel.com.

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

The Impact of Positive Dialogue with Keynote Speaker & Author Greg Bennick

Traveling 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 up in Connecticut and the inspiration he found in his parents, studying at Syracuse University, discovering the performance work of mask maker Larry Hunt, starting his career on the west coast by blending the art of juggling and public speaking, transitioning his business through COVID, and his path to writing the book Reclaim The Moment. It's an engaging conversation for those in search of a way to transformer their hobbies, passions, and ethical beliefs into a way of living.

Check out Greg online at https://www.gregbennick.com/ or on @GregBennick on Instagram. 

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook, @ryanzlomek on Instagram, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

Language as a Playground with Author Soma Mei Sheng Frazier

In 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 all its forms, her passion for education, and the road to writing Off The Books. She also discusses the balance between entertainment and density in her writing process, story structure, and how to develop captivating characters on the page. 

Check out Soma Mei Sheng Frazier online at https://somafrazier.com/  or on Instagram and X @somameishengfrazier. You can also order her novel Off The Books wherever books are sold.

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Facebook and Instagram (@ryanzlomek), TikTok (@ryanzlomek), or via email at meditations@ryanzlomek.com.

 

Showcasing Your Identity In Pixels with Digital Artist Jaleel Campbell

Celebrating 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 as crochet with the Off The Hook Crochet Club. Off The Hook has worked for the last several years to teach group members how to crochet through a series of public and private events. Most recently he was the grand marshall for the CNY Pride parade and is working on a new exhibition called In Secrecy with ArtRage Gallery that will be on display to the public in November 2024. 

Check out Jaleel online at https://www.jaleelcampbell.com/ or on social media @jaleelj.blige on Instagram, @jaleeljblige on Twitter, or as Jaleel Campbell on Facebook. 

For more information on the Meditations with Ryan Zlomek podcast, you can find The World of Ryan Zlomek on Instagram and Facebook, @ryanzlomek on TikTok, or email meditations@ryanzlomek.com.