People around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, know the word “gumbands.â€It’s a regionalism, a somewhat wacky word that some call an example of “Pittsburghese.†A gumband is simply a rubber band, and we all know those words too, but we also often have a bit of pride in our exclusive Pittsburgh vocabulary. WQED’s longtime producer Rick Sebak is the host, and he works closely with podcast creator Rich Capaldi who has been producing at WQED since 2017.
The Gumbands podcast is an absolute gem that takes listeners on a delightful journey through the fascinating world of Pittsburgh and its iconic characters. Hosted by the beloved Rick Sebak, this show brings back nostalgic memories of watching Rick's QED documentaries while growing up. It's like being transported back in time and experiencing that same sense of wonder and excitement all over again.
One of the best aspects of The Gumbands podcast is the way it immerses listeners in the charm and warmth of Pittsburgh. Rick Sebak has a unique talent for making you feel like you're right there in the room with him, having a fun chat with one of his best friends. His infectious enthusiasm and genuine curiosity shine through each episode as he effortlessly draws out captivating stories from his guests.
Moreover, it's not just about Rick Sebak's own stories; he skillfully gets his guests to share their own remarkable tales. The show is packed with amazing anecdotes and insights from the backbone of Pittsburgh - the people who make it so special. From local legends to unsung heroes, The Gumbands celebrates them all and showcases their contributions to the city.
As for drawbacks, there are truly none that come to mind when thinking about The Gumbands podcast. However, if I had to nitpick, perhaps I would say that some episodes could benefit from being longer. These conversations are so engaging and filled with captivating content that a three-part epic featuring certain guests would be an absolute treat!
In conclusion, The Gumbands podcast is a national treasure with a delightful Pittsburgh flair. Rick Sebak's storytelling abilities transport listeners into another world where they can't help but feel like they're part of every conversation. It's not just a love letter to Pittsburgh; it's a love letter to humanity - celebrating the diversity, resilience, and rich history found in every corner of this vibrant city. Thank you, Rick, for this wonderful podcast that brings joy and a sense of camaraderie to listeners near and far.
We talk about her lifelong love of animals, some of the many places she's lived, including Pittsburgh where she and her husband, Boaz Frankel, have lived for about five years now. (They also wrote a book together titled Let's Be Weird Together.)You can sample her work on instagram where she posts as @sadanimalfactsAnd you can also find her books at libraries and at bookstores across the country (and around the world!) including at her beloved White Whale Books at 4754 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood (where she also painted a mural on one wall). https://whitewhalebookstore.com/Brooke also expresses some love for a local bakery called Five Points Artisan Bakeshop in Squirrel Hill at 6520 Wilkins Avenue. We love their vegan oatmeal & cranberry cookies! https://fivepointsartisanbakeshop.com/
Born in Braddock, studied at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Day shares stories about his own history, how the festival that started as Fresh Fest in 2018 transformed into Barrel & Flow that was recognized in 2023 by USA TODAY as The Best Beer Festival in America. We talk about craft beer, community and Blowfish BBQ. Day on Facebook: www.facebook.com/day.eastwoodDay on Instagram: www.instagram.com/daybracey/Barrel & Flow website: www.barrelandflow.com/Barrel & Flow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/barrelandflow/Barrel & Flow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/barrelandflowBlowfish BBQ: www.instagram.com/blowfishbbq/WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
We talk about her early years, her dreams of being an opera singer, her schooling, her successes, and the factors that led her to WQED-FM where she started to work for this all-classical-all-the-time radio station in 2000. She is on air weekdays from 2pm till 6pm.To learn more about Anna and her many skills, click on these links:On WQED-FM's podcast VOICE OF THE ARTSOn a fundraiser for Pittsbugh OperaA sample of her paintingsA short bio from North Hills Art CenterAnna talking about Sweeney Todd on Pittsburgh VivantWATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He has published many articles and delivered presentations in cities around the world. But he tells a great story about his father, working as a civil engineer on a highway construction project in 1990 in the jungle in Colombia.And we learn a lot.Follow him on Facebook and Linked In: Sebastian Lobo GuerreroTo learn more about AGES Inc., go to agesinc.comFor more about Swanson Engineering, check out engineering.pitt.eduTo learn about the I-579 CAP Urban Connector Project and Frankie Pace Park (also called the “SEA Cap” over the Crosstown Boulevard), go to www.pgh-sea.com/The bridge collapse in Colombia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirajara_bridge_collapseand www.bridgeweb.com/Report-published-on-fatal-Colombian-bridge-collapse/4659For more about the revolutionary group often called FARCWATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
There's a lot about Rick—including his growing up in Bethel Park, PA, studying in Brazil and France, working at South Carolina Educational Television, and arriving at WQED in 1987. Rick has told a lot of stories about a lot of topics over the years, this episode highlights some of his own story.WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
Tom also explains the origins of some of the organizations he works with including the Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra, the Hot Club of Pittsburgh, and the Red Beans & Rice Combo. He's a busy man with lots of good stories.See him at work:Allegheny City Ragtime OrchestraRed Beans & Rice ComboListen to the Red Beans & Rice Combo (with special guest Rick Sebak) on WQED FMWATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
In this episode of GUMBANDS, he talks about growing up in Swisshelm Park, teaching himself to play piano, learning about ragtime, classical and New Orleans jazz, moving to other cities, and eventually how he introduced himself to the great Leon Redbone with whom he toured for several years. He has some really good stories. To learn more about Tom Roberts visit his Wikipedia page His personal page His Facebook group about 78 rpm records: The Hot Club of Pittsburgh His first appearance with Leon Redbone on “The Tonight Show” in 1990 Tom with Jacques Gauthé & The Creole Rice Jazz Band Tom with the Pitsburgh trio known as the Red Beans & Rice ComboWATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.org More from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-series Follow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
And you can hear (and see!) how they all connect with lots of help from Mark Houser, writer, historian, architectural reporter, tour-guide extraordinaire and our guest on this episode of the podcast. We had a good time talking to Mark, and we learned a lot. Give it go.WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.orgMore from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-seriesFollow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
For this episode, there are three parts: 1) an audio podcast, 2) a video version of that interview and 3) a special documentary short about the Tarallos and their business. You can listen to the first one and/or watch the other two.And if you stop by their weekend table in the Strip or visit the shop in Millvale, don't be afraid to try the Trinidad Scorpion Salt. It's extra spicy in all the right ways.Steel City Salt Company: steelcitysalt.com/WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBEWATCH THE STEEL CITY SALT COMPANY VIDEO EXTRA------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.orgMore from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-seriesFollow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
Jared talks about the detailed process of preparing for Radical Trivia, his regular creation of unusual promotional posts on Instagram (and Facebook) and a few of his favorite movies.Jared also loves the martial arts and studies and teaches Brazilian jiu jitsu and has a series of instructional videos on the Radical Trivia YouTube channel with Coach “Iron City” Mike Wilkins.There are also some enthusiastic food recommendations involved, including Jared's beloved fries at OTB on the South Side.Look for Jared on Instagram @radicaltrivia (warning: occasional profanity & such) and Facebook and YouTube.------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.orgMore from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-seriesFollow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
Bill Tippins has written two novels set in the Stone Age in a territory that may seem familiar to readers from Western Pennsylvania. Intended for YA (Young Adult) readers, the books focus on a boy named Tioga and his best friend Kopi as they take on several difficult quests near where the Allegewi River and the Angry River meet to form the Great River. Bill has a website about the books: tiogaandkopi.com/Both books are available on Amazon.com: The Ghost WarriorsThe Battle For The Emperor's Skull------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.orgMore from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-seriesFollow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
Sarah McAlee makes soups. A wide variety of soups from chowders to bisques to gazpachos and noodle-y broths. She started by selling to friends from her home on Pittsburgh's North Side in 2018, mostly through her Instagram account @brothomnger, but the number of her hungry fans have grown steadily since then. You can now get quarts of her tasty creations at Thyme Machine on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield.On this episode, GUMBANDS host Rick Sebak asks her about her soup business and her former work as a funeral director in the South Hills. Lots of good stories.Broth Monger Instagram: @brothmongerThyme Machine Pgh Instagram: @thymemachinepghNewsletter: brothmailer.brothmonger.comPittsburgh Vintage Mixer on WQED's NEBBY (includes Anthony Badamo making pizza but no Sarah!)WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE------------------------------Support GUMBANDS: donate.wqed.org/wqed/gumbandsMore GUMBANDS: www.gumbands.orgMore from Rick Sebak:NEBBY: Rick Sebak's Tales of Greater Pittsburgh: wqed.org/nebbyPittsburgh History Series: wqed.org/watch/pittsburgh-history-seriesFollow Rick on social:Instagram: @ricksebakFacebook: Rick SebakTwitter: @rickaroundhere------------------------------GUMBANDS is brought to you by WQED Pittsburgh and made possible by the Buhl Foundation.
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