The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Podcast

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, our featured interview is with Steve "PipeStud" Fallon, a familiar guest who has joined us several times over the years. Steve runs one of the most popular consignment and auction businesses for estate pipes and vintage tobaccos, which he has operated since 2006. Brian and Steve will discuss past, present, and future trends in the hobby, drawing on Steve’s many years of experience in the marketplace. At the top of the show, we will have a coffee pairing segment with Bo Parker of Methodical Coffee.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Chris Dumoulin, one of the organizers of the Texas Pipe Show. Chris began smoking pipes in 2000, inspired by his grandfather and drawn to the ritual of the hobby. On tonight’s show, he’ll talk about his role with the Texas Pipe Show and what’s planned for this year’s event, taking place November 13–14, 2026, at The Oasis Bar and Grill in Midlothian, Texas. At the top of the show, we will have an Ask the Pipemaker segment with Jeff Gracik.

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 Modlin 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.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome German pipe maker Sebastian Heck. Sebastian represents a new generation of highly skilled German pipe makers to emerge in recent years. Based in Heidelberg, his interest in pipe smoking — and eventually pipe making — grew out of a deliberate desire to slow down and engage more thoughtfully with the world around him. Like many artisans, Sebastian’s path into the craft began with restoring estate pipes. From that foundation, creating original pipes became a natural progression, and he began making his own pipes in 2023. His work reflects strong influences from both the Danish and German schools of pipe design, blending clean lines with a strong sense of form and balance. 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 Jay Furman, a long-time and well-respected member of the pipe community. Jay is the co-host of the Pipe and Tamper podcast, where he regularly discusses pipes, tobacco, and the people who make the hobby what it is. He also serves as a board member of the Chicago International Pipe Show, one of the premier pipe events in the world. Brian and Jay will spend the show talking about the upcoming Chicago show, including what attendees can expect this year, how the event continues to evolve, and why it remains such an important gathering for pipe smokers, collectors, and artisans alike. With his deep involvement behind the scenes, Jay offers a unique perspective on what goes into organizing a major pipe show and what makes the Chicago event so special. At the top of the show we will have a tobacco review of Cornell & Diehl's Briar Fox.

Tonight on the Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we're joined by a truly fascinating guest: Dr. Cayman T. Unterborn — a researcher, data analyst, and planetary scientist whose work explores the nature and diversity of planets beyond our solar system. His academic path includes an undergraduate degree in physics and astronomy and a PhD in geology. Unlike many pipe smokers, he didn't begin with aromatics — instead, his early life in Ohio put him literally across the street from Smoker's Haven. In his own words, he was "a pretentious nerd that thought pipe smoking was cool."

Tonight on the Pipes Magazine Radio Show we’re rolling out two brand-new recurring features. Our guest is pipe maker Nate King - a familiar voice who has joined us many times before. This time, we kick off a new series with him called "The State of Nate," where Brian and Nate dive into the pipe world from the maker's perspective. In this first installment, they'll talk about the dynamics between pipe makers and pipe collectors. Nate has been making pipes since 2005, holds an honorary Master of Pipes degree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, and is a member of the esteemed Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. At the start of the show, we're also launching a recurring Pipe News segment, beginning with updates and changes surrounding the Las Vegas International Pipe Show.

Our featured guest tonight is Jon David Cole. Jon David is the Owner/Tobacconist at The Country Squire in Jackson, MS, and the accompanying online store. Brian and Jon David will talk about their favorite customer interactions, and after 55 years, The Country Squire is moving to a new location that will include a full cocktail lounge. This is a colossal undertaking that is quite interesting to hear about. They will be expanding their shipping, blending, and smoking lounge. They are moving into a standalone building which will ensure against complaints of smoking from neighbors. The soft opening is expected in February 2026.

Our featured guest tonight is longstanding pipe collector Tom Pfaeffle. Tom is a long-time member of the pipe collecting community and enthusiast whose experience spans decades of engagement with briar pipes, tobacco culture, and pipe show attendance. His great-grandfather smoked a corncob pipe, and he started smoking and collecting pipes in the 1970s. Pipe shows were quite different then with few to no pipe makers, and lots of hobbyist showing their collections that weren't for sale. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will discuss what are referred to as "magic pipes". This is in response to a question sent in by one of our listeners.

Our featured guest tonight is Austrian pipe maker Chris Ruetz. He is an artisan pipe maker from Tyrol, Austria, who discovered his love for pipes at 16 and later crafted his first one from cherrywood on his living room table, sparking a lifelong dedication to the craft. Since 2021 he has been a full-time maker under the name Ruetz Pipes. His work is known for its organic forms, and creative surface combinations, making each piece a unique smoking experience and artistic expression. 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.

On tonight’s Pipes Magazine Radio Show Rick Newcombe reminisces about Danish pipe making legend Jess Chonowitsch. Jess passed away on November 28, 2025. The impact he had on artisan pipe making is immeasurable. Rick is likely one of the first American pipe collectors to meet Jess going back to the year 1995. He has also been one of the biggest promoters of Jess’s work over several decades and has tons of great stories to celebrate the life of this “Great Dane” pipe artisan. Chuck Stanion does a great job of telling Jess Chonowitsch’s story: https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/monumental-loss-jess-chonowitsch-passes At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will discuss the pipes he acquired this past year.

Our featured guest on tonight’s show is artisan pipe maker JD Wolf. JD just started smoking pipes a little over a year ago, and he started making them at about the same time. His impetus for becoming a pipe maker came from the problem that his preferences in artistic handmade pipes were out the reach of his budget. He strives to make precise smoking instruments that are also a handcrafted piece of art that the "average workingman" can afford. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will have a holiday gift giving guide for pipe smokers.

Our featured guest on tonight’s show is artisan pipe maker Patrick Kehler from Marchand, Manitoba Canada. He grew up in a strict religious environment where his behavior was restricted and smoking (and drinking) were frowned upon. One day, when he was older and in the process of providing himself more freedoms, a co-worker showed him a pipe. He was captivated. Hear the whole story on tonight's show. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will have a review of four different brands of pipe cleaners.