The George Hahn Podcast

Since many have told me how much they enjoy seeing New York through my social media content, I thought I'd try a little experiment with my occasional podcast. The idea was inspired by another podcast I recently heard where two people were discussing the lunch they were having - as they were having it - at a well known New York steakhouse. I loved the idea and decided to try something similar. In this episode, I share the signature experience of getting and enjoying a New York slice of pizza in real time. Ridiculous, but fun.

Not only is it possible to look better in a $500 suit than the guy who spent $5,000, but it's also very gratifying... That was the mantra I wrote for myself years ago when I discovered some great resources for handsome, well-made and affordable tailored clothing resources. It was pushback against the idea that glamour, sophistication, elegance and taste were somehow the exclusive privilege of people with spending power - a notion with which I firmly disagree. In 2009, when I pivoted my blog (georgehahn.com) to its current focus, it was in the wake of the 2008 crash and the Occupy Wall Street days. People were suffering. I remember thumbing through a copy of Details magazine, featuring $5,000 suits, $10/20/30,000 watches, $70/80/90,000 cars, thinking to myself "Who the fuck is this for??" Not for me or anyone I knew. The tease and flaunt of such unattainable luxury wasn't helpful at the time, and I wanted to find other options that enabled me to look good and live well without being a millionaire or billionaire. So I coined a new term: thousandaire. Since then, good style and effective living - albeit on the affordable spectrum - have been peripheral obsessions of mine. As we start a new year with new hope, a new president and hopefully new opportunities for new beginnings, I want to reaffirm and reconnect with some of the values I sought when I started this adventure. The original tagline of the blog was "Sartorial stealth and effective living for the self-made thousandaire." The ideas behind "sartorial stealth" were easy to define. Make handsome choices... buy the best quality you can afford... a good wardrobe is an edited wardrobe... understated is underrated... don't be afraid of elegance, glamour and sophistication... things like that. At the time, "effective living" meant mindful design choices and a lifestyle that considered the environment. Now, I'm adding to the list with things like empathy, compassion, respect for science and expertise, generosity, courtesy, good citizenship and more... all part of "effective living," as far as I'm concerned. So as we enter a new year with the promise of exciting possibilities on the horizon, along with a reacquaintance with 'normal', I'm really looking forward to exploring and sharing new discoveries as well as some old tricks that have served me well. Thank you for reading. Thank you for listening. And Happy New Year! Talk soon. George

The audio version of my blog post "Cheap and Chic Reading Glasses" Link to the original article: georgehahn.com/cheap-and-chic-reading-glasses/

The audio version of my blog post "I Can't With The Sweatpants." Link to the original article: https://georgehahn.com/i-cant-with-the-sweatpants/

On Memorial Day, I got tested for the coronavirus, both for the presence of the virus and for the antibodies. Results come in 3 to 5 days. And speaking of coronavirus... I wonder if clothing companies that use an online custom/made-to-measure business model will get traction during a time when people can't go into stores or visit a tailor. I've personally had very good experiences with online custom. In terms of ease, quality and cost, it really solves a problem. In our new normal, I wonder if others might see it as a new, viable option when the in-person shopping and tailoring experience will be limited for the foreseeable future.

With a little autobiographical writing project, a return to work on the horizon, a fabulous streaming service for a cinephile like me, a crop of television shows I've enjoyed and a lot of gratitude to early contributors to the blog and podcast, I'm managing to get through this thing. I'm not going to lie: the pandemic and the quarantine, isolation and loneliness that it has produced are taking a toll. Some days are better than others, certainly. And I have allowed moments or even entire days where I let myself off the hook and ignore the pressure to be productive or use time to make lemonade from sour lemons. Sometimes, it's okay to say ‘fuck it', do nothing and be sad. But when you go to that place, just make sure you don't move in. Let's not paint an entirely dark picture, though. I've also had some really good days with my dogs and terrific conversations with old friends. It's been a time of much reflection and introspection, assessing what I really need and what really has value to me, which has been cathartic - a much needed cleansing and a purging of things that aren't working. But peering through the lenses of these good and not so good days, I do have enough hindsight and experience to know that this, too, shall pass, and that there will be change. The key is to be open and adaptable, which I plan to be. In the meantime, there's much to read, much to listen to and so much to watch. I hope you enjoy the episode, and I thank you for listening. Be safe out there. (And wear a mask!) George

I know… It's been a while. But since my office is closed and I'm self-quarantined at home, I figured this was a good time to catch up. In this episode, I share a little update on life and work in New York City since I moved back in January. New apartment, new job, new beginning… there was a lot going on - all good - until the pandemic changed all of our lives very quickly. Though I'm no stranger to working from home, I'm feeling very different about the current situation. The trick is to fight the blues and keep moving forward under these insane circumstances that seemed almost impossible only a few short weeks ago. As I say in the episode, I want everyone to be safe, stay home, wash your hands, practice social distancing and keep calm. And also… be kind. To yourself and others. This is a tough time for everyone. Perhaps a time to reset. But in the process, remember to be kind. Thanks for listening. George

The idea of online custom suits can be a daunting and confounding prospect. Several readers and friends have told me as much. So I thought I'd share my own experience with online made-to-measure suiting, including how I started with it, some of the issues I've had and, ultimately, the overall benefit for men like me who are not rich but want to look good. If you have any questions, don't hesitate. And THANK YOU for listening!

This is the second half of an interview I had several months ago with my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such. In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she's a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first. Our conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part two. Enjoy!

Several months ago, my friend and podcast co-host Amy Eddings sat me down for an interview to talk about… well… me. Specifically, Amy was curious about the origins of my personal style and about the blog. This interview was the first time anybody really asked me about how it all started, who were my idols and influencers, and such. In addition to being a dear friend and my co-host of The Downtowner, a podcast about Downtown Cleveland, Amy was the host of All Things Considered for many years in New York on WNYC and, since moving to Cleveland, has worked primarily as the host of Morning Edition on WCPN. Basically, she's a serious news person. Being on the receiving end of questions from such a serious news person was a really fun first. Our whole conversation clocked in at a full hour. So I did some editing and turned it into a two-parter. This is part one. Enjoy! https://georgehahn.com

In this episode, I ponder the question: is it better to own or to rent? Each option has its benefits and bummers. But as I get older, having been a guest and keen observer of many owners over the decades, I'm less attracted to the idea of “ownership” and more interested in traveling light as the renter I've always been. I'm very lucky to live in an apartment in Downtown Cleveland that feels more like a customer service arrangement than the typical landlord/tenant relationship. Whenever I need something, it's taken care of at no extra cost, leaving me to get on with the business of living and to focus my time and energy on things I'd rather do. The same idea works for my approach to things like a car or media. Where I once prided myself as a collector of vinyl records and CDs, I much prefer access to everything I already owned plus much more music than I can wrap my head around let alone afford to buy with services like Spotify and Apple Music. And the space I save without dealing with the physical media? Fuggedaboutit. And the car? Nah. Also in this episode, I give a little shout-out to my new podcast venture called The Downtowner, a new show about Downtown Cleveland that I co-host with the amazing Amy Eddings, our local host of NPR's Morning Edition who also happens to be a native Clevelander who returned home after decades in New York City. She and I also live downtown, giving us much to discuss in this brand new production from ideastream, Cleveland's public media company.

I jumped back onto the saddle this week after a brief but fantastic trip to Palm Beach, Florida last weekend. I have a client down there who showed me the ropes in their little universe both in Palm Beach and in the charming town of Lake Worth. Also in this episode, I talk about helping my nephew, a recent college graduate, with his first suit. Following my advice, he got a terrific navy suit from Suitsupply's Blue Line, which comes at a very reasonable $399. For that price, they will send you three suits in different sizes just to make sure you get the right one. My nephew ordered a 38R, a 40R and a 42R. As I predicted, it turns out my nephew is a 42R. Now it's off to the tailor. With lifestyle, I go over my morning ritual, which started this morning with a selfie posted on Instagram, indicating exactly what I look like when I get up. It ain't pretty. Along with warm water with lemon followed by sufficient cups of coffee, it takes a village, spackle, sand paper, varnish and a soft buffing cloth to prepare me for the day. To conclude the episode, I launch into a petty tirade about the hideous parking lots that scar Downtown Cleveland's otherwise beautiful cityscape. I have ideas and solutions for these ugly black eyes on our urban center, and I let it rip. Thanks for listening!

I've said it 1,000 times, and I'll say it again: Nothing makes a man look better than a well-tailored suit. A recent article in the Washington Post mused about the “death” of the power suit, making me dread yet another excuse for men to frump out and be as casual as humanly possible. The simple truth is that no other garment in menswear elevates any man (fit or fat) like a well-tailored suit. Period. And speaking of elevating every man… In this time of unprecedented political and cultural upheaval in our country, it is more important than ever to double-down on living as consciously, conscientiously and ethically as possible. In many areas, the bar has been pulled down dangerously low. It is up to each of us to maintain higher standards. Thanks for listening!

I recently bought a pair of espadrilles online. They were too small. In order to exchange them, I had to return them for a store credit, then use the store credit to re-purchase them in the right size. Since this particular brand does not include a return shipping label, I had to go to their website, download a shipping label and print it. Unfortunately, I don't have a printer. This wonky return/exchange process was an unnecessary kids' table pain in my ass. Also in this episode, I talk about the terry cloth bathrobe experience and give a brief update on life in Cleveland. I'm pleased to report that things are getting better.

For the first time on this podcast, I have a conversation with someone other than myself. In this extended episode, I spoke with a young man named Steve Wright who has a unique and inspiring approach to editing his home and - more specifically - his wardrobe. As we move through life, we become virtual lint rollers, accumulating huge levels of stuff without really thinking about it. Steve Wright thinks about it, and he's determined to avoid the common trap of stuff-overload, curating a very edited design for living that enables him to live quite effectively and efficiently without sacrificing his style.

It's been a while since I've been on the wire here, and much has happened. The big news since the last episode is that I moved to Cleveland. Yes, Cleveland. There's a lot to unpack in that story alone. There are things I love so far, and there are things that drive me nuts. This episode is just an introduction to what I'll call “The Cleveland Experiment.” For those who may not know, Cleveland is my hometown. As expressed in a pair of posts on the blog last year, my reasons for leaving New York City after twenty two years are multilayered and largely (though not exclusively) economic. One reason for returning home that I didn't write about in those articles was my mother, who was in dangerously poor health when I came back here in November. In a word, it was a crisis. Now that Lynda (mom) is making an inspired recovery, the ground beneath my feet has stopped shaking and I can start to really explore life in Cleveland. Much has changed here since I left in the early 1990s (I keep hearing "My City Was Gone" by The Pretenders in my head), but I'm really looking forward to digging deeper into the wonders of this well-kept secret on Ohio's north coast. Thank you for listening. More to come. George

As one of the many Americans who feel crushed by vanishing work, I'm not so quick to point a finger at a villain in this story. The idea of making something "great again" has always felt like a reductive sentiment that conveys a distinctly backward motion. It boils down to this: record stores are never coming back. The sooner we accept that fact, the quicker we can get on with it. It's more about accepting that nothing stays the same (whether we like it or not) and being open and willing to change, grow and progress.

In this episode, I respond to some readers' reactions to an article about an affordable automatic tool watch that resembles similar watches on the luxury spectrum. I also share a few anecdotes about how dressing with a sense of occasion served me very well. The last segment is about what Gene Wilder's performance as Willy Wonka meant to me as a young boy. Featured Music: "Wonkavator/End Title (Pure Imagination)" Buy on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/willy-wonka-chocolate-factory/id1087154102

In this episode, I follow up on the insane feedback from a post I wrote last week about leaving New York. The comments and anecdotes that readers have shared have been absolutely incredible. I had no idea that so many people had experienced the same thing. It's comforting to know you're not alone and that the world won't end if you leave New York City. Last week, my dog Lenore was attacked by a vicious English bulldog. She required minor surgery and an overnight at the vet, complete with sutures, staples and the dreaded Cone of Shame. And last night, I witnessed another dog attack that fortunately ended with all parties intact. My patience for irresponsible dog owners who don't know their dogs, don't have control of them and refuse to have them neutered is below the basement. Finally, I attended the New York premiere screening of my cousin Kathryn Hahn's new movie Bad Moms. While it's a light, easy and fun summer comedy, the real treat is Kathryn. She possesses an unteachable and unlearnable gift that makes her the one you want to be watching on the screen. She steals every scene.

Much has been said about Bill Cunningham since he died last week. The legendary New York Times photographer's contribution to the fashion world is legendary, and I have nothing new to add to that conversation. What was remarkable to me was Bill the man. I became a huge fan after seeing his documentary Bill Cunningham New York - a film he didn't like because it brought him a fame he never wanted. But this was a man who loved his life's work so passionately, with a childlike wonder and an uncommonly rare purity of integrity and virtue. It's inspiring to me beyond description. I just felt like talking about it and sharing my thoughts, particularly after just recently seeing his wonderful conversation with Fern Mallis at the 92nd Street Y in September of 2014. To use one of Bill's favorite words, it's marvelous. (Visit my website for the link.) The second half of this episode is a reading of my essay about the crisis in the luxury business against the backdrop of our time's unprecedented economic inequality. I hope you can relate. Thank you for listening! George

In this mini-episode, I take a few under-caffeinated minutes to describe a feeling that comes over me every morning while I have my coffee. The feeling probably occurs to me for about two or three seconds, and it can be summed up in one word: contentment.

This past weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of being quoted in The Wall Street Journal in an article about non-iron dress shirts. In the first paragraph, you'll learn that I loathe non-iron dress shirts and that I apparently "sniff." Article link: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-war-over-non-iron-shirts-1462386777 Also in this episode, I share my love of some of the old-fashioned things. As much as I love technology and fully embrace our digital age, there are certain aspects of my life that remain decidedly analog.

Over the past twelve years as a freelancer, I've watched client budgets shrink more and more, whittling down to fees that come with higher expectations for less and less money. At the end of the day, it adds up to more work for barely livable wages. In this episode, I “open a vein” about my personal experience with how good work is valued or, perhaps more accurately, devalued today.

Reflections on the 73rd Annual Golden Globes and the untimely passing of an icon: Mr. David Bowie.

In this episode, I talk about Jessica Jones, a great new original Netflix show that is also part of the Marvel universe. Like its terrific “brother” show Daredevil, it takes place mostly in Hell's Kitchen, NYC, in the wake of the alien invasion incident from The Avengers. Speaking of Hell's Kitchen, I was recently sentenced to a day of community service after being stopped on Ninth Avenue by NYPD for making a rolling stop through a red light on my bicycle. In the interest of safer streets in the city, NYC has implemented an initiative called “Vision Zero,” which I wholly support with its interest in safer streets for everyone. However, ticketing bicyclists is an exertion of energy and resources toward the wrong target, in my opinion. I'm also putting the finishing touches on my December 2015 Spotify playlist for your enjoyment. Thanks for listening! Featured music: “Jaguar” by John Gregory and His Orchestra Purchase: http://www.discogs.com/John-Gregory-And-His-Orchestra-A-Man-For-All-Seasons/release/5406989

This past week was a fun week in home entertainment media, which includes politics, with the Democratic Debate and its send-up on SNL, the announcement of Bill Murray's Christmas special on Netflix and Amy Schumer's HBO Comedy Special. On a sartorial note, I got a new tweed for this fall from J.Crew. The new jacket is a replacement for a beautiful Harris Tweed I got last year that just hasn't worked for reasons I explain in the episode. I also catch up on the latest with my new(ish) puppy Lenore and how it's been with a second dog in my life.

In this episode, I talk about my first experience with Suitsupply, my first visit to the sensational new Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District in NYC and a fabulous new typing app from Tom Hanks. (Yes, that Tom Hanks.)

My friend Baylen sent me a short but fascinating article in The Atlantic about the power of wearing a suit. The piece explores recent research about the psychological effect of "formal" clothing, both on the wearer and on those around him. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about how the article articulated and validated much of my own personal experience with these effects. When I made a decision in my late thirties to start regularly representing myself in suits (both for work and social occasions), things changed - and all for the better. The operative word? Empowerment.

I'm on the email list of a lot of brands and companies. I subscribe for a few reasons: to get updates on what's going on with them; to educate my eye; and to learn about sales. Most of these emails end up in the trash without any actions or clicks on my part, but depending on the season, on the brand and on the sale - in light of my particular needs at a given time - I'll do some careful clicking. Such careful clicking happened in the wake of a recent email I received from J.Crew, advertising a rather substantial sale on winter items. A few days and a few dollars later, some nice new gear arrived at my door. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about how I navigate big sales online.

Last night was the third and final time Tina Fey and Amy Poehler would host the Golden Globes, which bums me out. They're fantastic, and they didn't disappoint last night. In lieu of seasonally repeating myself with yet another post-awards show piece about the black tie turnout at the 2015 Golden Globes, I went with a podcast about the telecast itself, the comic stylings of our co-hostesses and some of the awards and recipients. Of course, I touched upon the sartorial (have you met me?), particularly the necktie vs. bow tie problem, as well as that persistent notch lapel issue. And since I had recently seen a documentary about the endangered breed of the old school master tailors, I wondered: What if the more stylish cognoscenti of the Hollywood crowd were turned out in bespoke? It could breathe new life and awareness into bespoke suiting and certainly be a lot more interesting than hearing “Prada,” “Ralph Lauren,” “Gucci” and more usual suspects when asked "Who are you wearing?" Sure, bespoke suiting is more expensive than a suit off the peg or a “gift” from a designer, but this is a crowd that can certainly afford it.

I grew up in Cleveland, OH among other regular meat-eating folk. For the first 40 years of my life, I enjoyed meat, pork, chicken or ham with almost every dinner, most lunches and weekend brunches. I loved a good steak, a perfect cheeseburger, or a stack of crisp bacon. But after I adopted my dog in late 2009, something started to change for me, and my perspective of and relationship with animals began to shift. The belief that “real men eat meat” didn't make as much sense to me anymore, for a variety of reasons that involved health, ethics and the environment. Since then, I have undergone (and continue to undergo) a personal evolution of sorts, which I talk about in this episode of the podcast.

Ryan Zagata is the president and founder of Brooklyn Bicycle Co., formerly Brooklyn Cruiser. Before starting the company, Ryan was selling software. Naturally, my question was: How does a guy go from selling software to starting a bicycle company? So, I rode my Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Willow 3-speed out to the company HQ in Brooklyn to have a conversation with Ryan about connecting those dots. We talked about his strict but nurturing Catholic upbringing in Syracuse, NY, his nearly flunking out of college, his first job with a New York senator, his excitement and fears about leaving the “security” of a corporate job and breaking out on his own, and his formula for running a successful business that more than doubled its projected sales in its first year. One of the components of this formula is a piece of advice from the highly-respected bicycle industry veteran and author Grant Petersen, who is the author of Just Ride and the designer of Ryan's bicycles. His advice? Stay out of the industry. It sounds strange and counter-intuitive, but it makes total sense when you listen to the podcast. I always enjoy talking to Ryan, and I loved this conversation. I hope you do, too.

It's been a while, and I've neglected my website and podcast. Things are finally settling down and I'm getting my bearings after a crazy (but fantastic) summer. Between a new job, a lot of travel, family dynamics and big life adjustments, I talk about everything that's been going on in this episode...

In the wake of the weak sartorial turnout at this year's Tony Awards, I decided not to write yet another piece about the sad state of affairs as it pertains to good black tie, particularly at awards shows. Instead, I decided to publish a "Black Tie 101" piece that outlines all the components of bulletproof black tie. How NOT to fuck it up, basically. Link: http://georgehahn.com/2014/06/15/black-tie-101/ A reader added a comment to the article addressing three excellent issues about black tie. The first was about waiting until he gets an actual invitation to a formal event to have his tailor create a dinner jacket for him; the second had to do with the endangered cummerbund; and his third topic had to do with cufflinks. It was a great comment on the post, which I address in this episode of the podcast.

Indochino is a company that makes high-quality affordable made-to-measure suits online. I've written about them on the blog many times. Recently, they sent out an email blast with a pretty detailed graphic that illustrated what goes into each of their suits, illustrating specific elements about the fabric, the materials and the construction. As I looked at the graphic, it occurred to me that not only was the company being very transparent about the construction of their merchandise, but that the email was an obvious response to a growing number of men who are actually interested in this information. My father was a very well-dressed man who took great pride in his Brooks Brothers suits, but I am certain that he and most men of his generation were not only unaware of these kinds of details, but also probably weren't that interested. They just trusted. With the rise of the tailored suit today, in the wake of "Mad Men," Daniel Craig as Bond, "Suits" and other cultural influences like Twitter and geeky men's bloggers like me, men seem more curious, interested and discerning than ever when it comes to the details (inside and out) of what they wear. Complementing that interest is the pressure on brands to be more transparent and forthcoming about how their garments are built. At the end of the episode, I recommend a fabulous film trilogy from the New Wave era by legendary filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni. This "trilogy on modernity and its discontents" includes L'Avventura (1960), La Notte (1961) and L'Eclisse (1962). They are part of the Criterion Collection and available for streaming on Hulu Plus. Check them out.

Spring is springing, job submissions are tanking, taxes are taxing and I have to move. The time is ripe for reinvention. At 43, I'm embarking on what feels like my seventh career. I've been an actor, a waiter, a bartender, a web designer, a writer and a consultant, with brief stints as an editor, a stylist and a car cleaner (if you count high school jobs). The less than stellar 2013 combined with the current economic climate of the middle class has me oddly optimistic. (Weird, I know.) After offering the virtual Swiss army knife that is my odd skill set for the benefit of others for years, the full focus will go into the website, which, up to now, has been an enthusiastic half-measure. Among other things, I'm particularly looking forward to the future of this podcast, which will feature meaningful and relevant conversations with other men who have found success and contentment after their own reinventions. I want to learn about how they did it - what frightened them, what inspired them, what motivated them - and how it's working now. When you reinvent, you cannot be afraid to fail. It's in the brochure about growth. My own trip has been a series of failures and successes, big and small. This begins another leg of the journey. So I'm traveling light and looking forward to it. Thanks for listening. George Also... "10 Reasons You Have To Quit Your Job In 2014" by James Altucher

Online custom clothing for men is booming. We have more handsome, well-made, workable and affordable options for full custom clothing than ever before, which is wonderful… in theory. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about a hidden pitfall in the online custom clothing world - a pitfall that puts too many design options in the hands of non-designers, i.e. us. While it's a nice idea to be able to choose your collars, cuffs, fabric, color, thread and button options, an inexperienced customer without the guidance of a seasoned professional could end up creating a mess. Without an understanding of things like color, proportion, fabric and fit as they relate to the unique needs and qualities of the customer (hair color, eye color, skin tone, height, weight, width, posture, lifestyle, etc.), full, unfettered custom options invite an uneducated and unsupervised customer to design a real disaster.

I recently made my very first purchase from eBay. Ever. (I know.) I forwent any bidding nonsense, because I seriously don't have the energy for it. Taking the "Buy Now" option, I bought a 1971 Timex Marlin for $65, and it's fabulous. And speaking of new purchases, I pulled the trigger on custom calling cards (business cards) from Terrapin Stationers, the go-to resource for anyone looking for serious (and hilarious) cards and stationery. They were having a sale on a stack of 100 calling cards engraved in black ink on 110lb 100% cotton for $95 and I couldn't resist. I ordered them with my name in all-caps with my website address below. If I want someone to have my phone number or email address, I can write it on the card manually, adding a more personal touch. I also bought more dress shirts from both Charles Tyrwhitt and Paul Fredrick, replacing the easy-iron garbage that I bought by mistake. Each shirtmaker makes fine, handsome and affordable shirts, with each having their own merits. Big things. Thanks for listening. George

In this episode of the George Hahn Podcast, I touch on the success and positive effects I've observed about Citibike bike share here in New York City. Also, I've been listening to "Hesitation Marks," the fantastic new album from Nine Inch Nails. My brother Mark was their first tour manager, working for the group through several tours into the mid 1990s. I recall a story about a booze-soaked experience with Trent Reznor back in 1990 and being reminded of that experience when I ran into Trent a few years ago at the Apple Store. I also touch upon what I'm thinking for the future of the podcast.

In this episode of the podcast, I lend my perspective on the cost of clothing and our often unreasonable expectations about it. To me, the expectation of the cost of a very simple garment like a t-shirt or a pair of jeans should be quite different from that of a suit or a blazer (especially the custom variety), which has a markedly more complicated and intricate construction and is much more difficult to make. And, hopefully, the garment in question is a quality garment, made with high construction standards. Essentially, a market where we want increasingly more for increasingly less is unsustainable. As a non-millionaire who appreciates quality and craftsmanship, I'm willing to pay a fair (and even more than fair) price for a handsome garment that is made well under fair labor practice. Anything less is a thoughtless pursuit that feeds a gluttonous "fast fashion" monster that pukes more and more crap onto a growing heap of cheap, disposable, trash clothing.

Inspired by an email I got today regarding the sentiment of "it's not whether you win or lose…" I was reminded of David Lee Roth's now famous quote from an awards show sometime in the 1980s: "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how good you look." The reminder sent me down a rabbit hole, starting with the gems produced a Google image search of "david lee roth," coupled with listening to old Van Halen albums in the process. What did I learn? David Lee Roth was a really fun rock star with an inimitable style. In this episode of the podcast, I also discuss the onslaught of comments produced by a piece I wrote about riding a bicycle without a helmet ("So I Don't Wear a Helmet. Get Off My Ass," May 30, 2013). Along with some great comments on the piece, both agreeing and disagreeing with my point of view, my approach to this hot-button issue apparently inspires some really low-grade, badly-spelled and poorly punctuated vitriol. I'm fine with all opinions that differ from my own or those of my readers. But I draw the line when commenters use internet anonymity as a license to be an asshole. Disrespectful, lack of civility and simple bad manners goes unrewarded in my house. While the internet at large is a wonderful and democratic medium, georgehahn.com is not a democracy: any disrespect or simple bad manners aimed at me or, most importantly, my readers goes unpublished and deleted. Aside from that… I'm loving the summer season so far, and I hope you all are, too. G

In my decade-long career as a web designer, I've never been able to get used to the sheer lack of efficiency in the corporate process when building a project. From gathering assets, to upholding schedule milestones, to meeting deadlines, to making decisions, to arriving at consensus and to completing payment… it's a process that gets irredeemably stuck in the rusty cogs of a bloated machine that has grown too fat to function, at least not with any level of reasonable efficiency. As a decisive one-man band who keeps it lean and works fast, it makes my head spin, leaving me amazed that anything actually gets done. I come from a show business background, where opening night is opening night, no matter how many more rehearsals you wish you had. For my own purposes, I work by a credo I heard from the TV sketch comedy deity Lorne Michaels, who said this about Saturday Night Live: "We don't go on because we're ready. We go on because it's 11:30."

Having accepted that I don't have a movie star-sized head, I've realized that I can't really wear wide ties if the proportions of the tie, shirt collar and jacket lapel are going to look right on me. Narrower is the game for a monkey with my narrow head. (Same goes for my jacket lapels.) The maximum tie width for me is around 2.5 inches. Also in this episode is my spiel on shaving... which is the same how-to spiel you'd get anywhere else. The truth is that - no matter what you read - there is no new ground to be broken in the "art of shaving." It's well-tread ground on a firmly-established grooming ritual.

In the wake of a mind-blowing episode of Downton Abbey and with the coming premiere of House of Cards, an original Netflix series, we can't have the same "water cooler" conversations about shows the way we used to because the way we watch TV is changing. In this episode, I talk about how I get my content without cable. I also introduce a new podcast feature: Hidden Treasures on Netflix. This week's hidden Netflix treasure: Dirty Money, aka Un Flic (1972), the final film of French New Wave pioneer Jean-Pierre Melville.

If I had to start my entire wardrobe over, I would start with shoes - the part of many men's wardrobes that doesn't get appropriate attention. In this podcast, I talk about starting at the foundation of a good wardrobe with smart, handsome, classic oxfords that will work in any setting and in any year, from business to casual, with suits or jeans. I also talk about my shoe care rules that will ensure that your shoes will last longer than you.

The two-hour Season 3 premiere of Downton Abbey was all about the threat of a changing 1920s world outside of the snow globe that is Downton. The unstoppable changes in the way people lived forced people to adapt or become extinct. Do I need a valet to dress me? Do we need an extra maid? Do we need this house??? There is also a clinging to prestige, making me wonder why it is that we still cling to a desire or aspiration to appear like people of privilege. What does it say about us? Why is it so important still?

This episode comes with Fall, my favorite season in New York City. With this season on the city comes comfortable sidewalk dining, the ability to wear clothes I like and a new venture as Contributor-at-Large for the Brooklyn Cruiser blog (http://www.brooklyncruiser.com/blog). For my latest piece for Brooklyn Cruiser, I took a bike ride over the George Washington Bridge, one of the most spectacular viewpoints of my favorite city. Featured Music: "Street Life" by The Crusaders feat. Randy Crawford - Buy from iTunes

As a frugal consumer and creator of content that advocates living well and looking good without being a millionaire, I got called out by a follower on Instagram when I posted a picture of a new pair of Alden Chukka Boots. With a price tag of nearly $700, Alden Chukka boots aren't cheap, and my follower had a point... to a point. In this episode, I make the argument for when a splurge is justified. It's all about value and what a particular item means to you. As my friend Glenn Gissler eloquently put it: value is quality over time. Thanks for listening! Music excerpt: "Harvest Moon" by Poolside

We're now living in a culture where jeans have become a premium item, and sneakers have become the norm. The result is a new breed of uber-casual adult man - the non-athlete wearing athletic footwear and over-specialized patterns of denim that - really not that long ago - would have been considered ladies jeans. This is where we are. Featured music: "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand - iTunes | Amazon "No You Girls" by Franz Ferdinand - iTunes | Amazon

In our digital age, there is unprecedented expectation and pressure to be always "on." Armed with smartphones, we're expected to be available for text messages and emails at any time - even calls, if you're part of the dwindling population that still uses the phone… as a phone. When I got my first iPhone years ago, I went through the expected honeymoon period with it. I loved all of this handheld accessibility. I still do; I'd be lost without it. My iPhone is a vital, convenient and fun tool for my personal and professional life. But, in my experience, this unbridled connectivity has a hidden price.

At a time when so many seem strapped for cash, legions of us still go out for coffee, drop off our laundry, send our shirts out, have our shoes shined and hire a housecleaner... complaining about how broke we are in the process. There are several ways we can cut costs, come out looking smart and be the master of our own domains. In this episode, I talk about five simple ways we can do just that. Featured Music: "Money, Money, Money" by ABBA iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-money-money/id405512028?i=405512130