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Fifty years. Five. Zero.Most of us can't commit to a gym membership for six months, but John Ulett somehow managed to spend half a century building one of the most iconic careers in St. Louis radio. So naturally, we invited him into the studio to relive some of the stories, memories, and absolutely unbelievable moments that happened along the way.In this episode, John takes us back to the early days of KSHE when the station operated out of a dark little building where listeners could literally walk up to the studio window, yell at the DJs, buy concert tickets, and occasionally make everyone question their personal safety. It was radio in its purest form: chaotic, unpredictable, and probably a nightmare for insurance companies.We hear stories about legendary artists before they became household names, including musicians who walked through the station doors with nothing but ambition and a record company hoping they might become stars. Some did. Some didn't. But the memories are priceless.The conversation also dives into what it means to survive decades in an industry that constantly changes. Different owners. Different consultants. Different trends. Endless people telling you how to do your job. Through it all, John managed to stay himself, which might secretly be the best career advice anyone could ever receive.Of course, this wouldn't be The Rizzuto Show if things stayed serious for very long.The gang explores imposter syndrome, old radio tapes, embarrassing moments from earlier careers, and the universal fear that someday somebody will figure out none of us actually know what we're doing. Spoiler alert: apparently that feeling never goes away, even after 50 years behind a microphone.Then come the listener stories.Some are heartwarming. Some are hilarious. And one is the kind of story that makes everyone in the room simultaneously laugh and look over their shoulder. Let's just say when a listener attends broadcasting school specifically to sound exactly like you, things can get weird in a hurry.We also talk about the upcoming celebration honoring John's remarkable career, what semi-retirement actually looks like for someone who never really stops working, and why St. Louis radio remains one of the most unique broadcasting communities in the country.If you enjoy a daily comedy show filled with legendary radio stories, unforgettable personalities, and enough sarcasm to keep things honest, you're in the right place. This episode is packed with nostalgia, laughs, heartfelt moments, and a reminder that the people who make the biggest impact often don't realize it themselves.Whether you've been listening to John Ulett for decades or you're hearing these stories for the first time, you'll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the voices that helped shape St. Louis radio.And if you're just here for the ridiculous stories, don't worry—we've got plenty of those too.Because no matter how much broadcasting changes, one thing remains true: give a bunch of radio people microphones and eventually somebody ends up talking about ghosts, weird listeners, embarrassing old recordings, and life lessons nobody asked for.Just another perfectly normal day on a daily comedy show.Thanks for listening to this daily comedy show, and thanks for being part of the weird little family that makes all of this possible.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.New downtown St. Louis food hall set to open this fall‘She's Only Seven': Mom Sides With Daughter Who Flipped Off Elderly Man at Grocery StoreMan accused of choking coworker at McAlister's Deli after she got promotion he wantedMan fleeing DWI stop attacked by alligator after jumping into swampÖtzi the Iceman is long dead, but some of his ancient microbes are still aliveAlice Cooper thanks Arizona man who found his credit card at a Payson gas stationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the second part of our Unbound recap, Payson speaks to three age-group riders who finished in the middle of the night during torrential rain and thunderstorms. First up is Will Bledsoe, who completed the 100 last year and did most of his training for the 200 this year on an indoor trainer. He talks about his preparation for the race, why he was the very last rider to leave Emporia at the start, and the mental battle to finish the event in such historic conditions. Then, Emily and Justin talk about their Unbound experience. Emily decided not to do the 100 this year and was therefore on full-time support duties for Justin, who was hoping to complete his fifth 200 and join the 1,000-mile club. He finished at 1:30 after a series of downpours and thunderstorms that, at one point, forced him to take shelter in a convenience store. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Thrasher: Everything We Know So Far Episode Description Welcome back to the Lonely Town Podcast, where Derek and Jimmy dive deep into the music, stories, and world of Brandon Flowers and The Killers. This week, the guys react to the biggest Brandon Flowers news in years. After months of speculation, surprise appearances and industry events have finally given fans their first real glimpse at Brandon's upcoming solo album, Thrasher. Derek and Jimmy break down everything currently known about the project, including Brandon's live performance of "Miss America," reports that the album leans heavily into country influences, and what appears to be a thematic continuation of ideas first explored on Pressure Machine. The conversation explores the mysterious influencer events where lyric booklets were distributed, the emergence of Payson and Nephi references in the new material, and why the title Thrasher has fans guessing everything from farming equipment to heavy metal influences. The guys also discuss rumors surrounding Brandon's long-rumored second solo album, what a future tour might look like, whether Brandon could find a home on country radio, and why concert economics are becoming a growing challenge for both artists and fans. Along the way, the discussion branches into country music, radio programming, ticket pricing, Blue Dot Fever, tour routing, and why some of the biggest artists in the world are struggling to fill arenas. If you're excited about Brandon's next chapter, this is the episode for you. Show Notes In This Episode Brandon Flowers' New Album: Thrasher Brandon's surprise appearances at industry and influencer events The official reveal of the album title: Thrasher First impressions of the song "Miss America" Early reports describing the album as "hardcore country" Discussion of how the album may connect to Pressure Machine Payson and Nephi references appearing in the lyrics Why the title Thrasher has sparked so much speculation What fans learned from leaked lyric sheets and event reports The Mystery of Album Number Two Longstanding rumors of two separate Brandon Flowers solo albums Why Derek and Jimmy believe another project may still be coming Thematically different material reportedly exists What the second album could mean for future tours and releases Country Music & Brandon Flowers Brandon's appearance at country music industry events Discussion of Robert Earl Keen and country songwriting influences Whether Brandon's new music could receive country radio airplay The evolving definition of country music Tour & Concert Speculation What venues make sense for a Brandon Flowers solo tour Small theaters versus larger arenas Why an intimate Pressure Machine-style show may be the perfect fit How touring schedules are built Why artists don't always choose where they perform Blue Dot Fever The reality of modern ticket sales Dynamic pricing and Ticketmaster frustrations Why artists are canceling shows despite major reputations The economics of modern concert touring How fans are changing their concert-buying habits Music Industry Discussion The decline of album sales Streaming revenue versus touring revenue Radio's changing role in music discovery Why legacy artists often struggle for airplay despite releasing quality music Country Music Rabbit Holes The impact of The Chicks controversy on country radio Why "Not Ready to Make Nice" remains an important song The late-career success of Johnny Cash Why older artists often disappear from mainstream radio playlists Discussion of Willie Nelson and country music legends Featured Artists & References Brandon Flowers The Killers Pressure Machine Robert Earl Keen Johnny Cash Willie Nelson The Chicks Bruce Springsteen Tom Morello
The story of the Payson family is a captivating study in how profound spiritual light can emerge from the deepest valleys of human suffering. Dr. Edward Payson, famously remembered as "Praying Payson," was a towering figure of the Second Great Awakening whose legendary, agonizing intercessions literally wore grooves into his hardwood floors, yet he was constantly bedeviled by physical pain and overwhelming bouts of melancholy. This complex legacy of fierce devotion and raw vulnerability did not end with his early death; it was magnified in the lives of his two brilliant daughters. Louisa, a self-taught intellectual powerhouse, masterfully translated the silent longings of the soul into clear, resonant prose, while her sister Elizabeth—enduring a lifetime of devastating chronic illness and the tragic loss of her own children—penned the immortal hymn More Love to Thee, O Christ and the bestselling novel Stepping Heavenward. Together, this 19th-century family transformed their personal battlefields of grief, doubt, and physical frailty into an enduring literary and spiritual roadmap that continues to guide weary travelers home.
Send us a text and chime in!The last in a series of projects to widen State Route 260 to two lanes in each direction between Payson and the Mogollon Rim is scheduled to start on Monday, June 8. The Arizona Department of Transportation's million SR 260 Lion Springs Project will add new lanes along a 4-mile stretch of SR 260 in the Star Valley area (mileposts 256-260). Designed to enhance traffic flow and safety, the project includes three wildlife crossings, right-turn lanes and sections of landscaped medians. When this project is complete, the nearly 30 miles of SR 260 between Payson and Rim Road, where... For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/adot-launches-76-million-sr-260-improvement-project/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network
This year's Unbound was humbling. Mud, thunder storms, and mechanicals galore plagued the racers and culled the pro field. To recap the carnage, Payson is joined by Danni Shrosbree, who battled multiple crises to grab a top 10 and secure a wildcard position in the Grand Prix. They discuss their top 5 “What the f*ck” moments from the race, their 5 silver linings, and the 5 most painful parts of their bodies when they crossed the finish line. Plus, we hear from listeners who participated in the race, and Payson gives an overview of the Grand Prix points standings. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Dan Hughes is a certified Unbound legend, having won the very first edition way back in 2006 and another three times for good measure. He's seen the race go from 34 people in a hotel parking lot in Emporia to the most prestigious gravel race in the world. An Emporia local, he now works for Life Time as a Content Specialist and has already spent hours doing recon in the Flint Hills. In other words, there is no better person to talk to about the course. Payson sits down with Dan this week for a detailed breakdown of this year's route. For the 20th anniversary of the event, the organisers decided to make this one extra special, incorporating new roads and some old favourites. They discuss weather, water crossings, trains, a new feed zone for the pros, and much more. But first, Dan provides some backstory on the race that has become the focal point of the gravel calendar. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Welcome to stop three on the Backwoods Cryptid Road Trip. Tonight we're climbing up onto one of the most overlooked Sasquatch landscapes in the country, the Mogollon Rim of central and eastern Arizona, a two-hundred-mile shelf of stone where the Colorado Plateau drops off into the Sonoran Desert and ponderosa pine country meets red rock canyon. It's a place most people don't picture when they hear the word Bigfoot, and that's exactly what makes it so interesting.Because for as long as anyone in Arizona has been keeping records, witnesses have been coming down off that Rim with the same story. Something big up there. Something fast. Something that screams across whole canyons and watches camps from the tree line and throws rocks into fire rings in the middle of the night.We open the episode the way the Rim opens most of its stories, with a quiet camp and four experienced campers who realize, all at once, that the forest around them has gone silent. From there we build the history of the country itself, how the Rim got its name, why the Apache-Sitgreaves and the Coconino and the Tonto national forests stack together to make one of the largest unbroken pieces of timber and wilderness in the lower forty-eight, and how the Mogollon Monster legend traces back well before statehood, into the oral traditions of the people who knew that country first. Then we get into the encounters.A guide and his horseback hunters running into something on a ridge in the Apache-Sitgreaves that didn't react to them the way an animal is supposed to react. A family at an established campground hearing something walk a deliberate circle around their tent at one in the morning, twice, and finding a track in the duff at first light. A solo bow hunter sitting in a tree stand while something stands fifteen feet below him and breathes.A five-man hunt camp that loses a night to rocks on the canvas, a dog that won't get off the floorboard for a week, and a track measurement that no one in the group has been able to explain since. A Forest Service employee with thirty years on the Apache-Sitgreaves who heard something one summer afternoon that nobody at the office wanted to write down.And a couple driving home from Big Lake on State Route 260 who watched something step backward off the shoulder of the highway and clear a four-foot embankment in a single motion.We close with the question that always sits underneath these conversations. Why here. Why this country. Why does the Rim, of all the places in the American West, produce a Sasquatch tradition this dense and this consistent. The answer has to do with the geography itself, the food and the water and the cover and the canyons that no one has ever surveyed, and with the kind of witnesses this country produces, ranchers and hunters and Forest Service folks and law enforcement, people who know the difference between an elk and a bear and a man, and who keep telling the same story year after year.So pour a cup of something warm, pull your fire up a little closer, and come ride with me up onto the Mogollon Rim. Just don't go off looking for whatever's screaming across the canyon.It already knows where you are.If you've had your own encounter on the Rim, or anywhere in Arizona's high country, reach out. Every story matters, and this show runs on yours.Have you experienced a Bigfoot sighting, Sasquatch encounter, Dogman experience, UFO sighting, or any unexplained cryptid or paranormal event deep in the woods? We want to hear your story.Email your encounter to brian@paranormalworldproductions.com for a chance to be featured on a future episode of Backwoods Bigfoot Stories.Backwoods Bigfoot Stories is a paranormal storytelling podcast featuring real Bigfoot encounters, Sasquatch sightings, Dogman reports, cryptid experiences, and true scary stories from the backwoods.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss a chilling encounter from the forest. Listen with the lights off… if you dare.
Sam Shaw isn't your average FKT setter. The Kiwi rider has raced XC, gravel, and Enduro over the years (he was on the podium at XCO nationals just this year), but since getting married and starting a family, he's worked full-time off the bike as an ecologist and carpenter. Last year, he set the fastest known time between Auckland and Wellington, beating Lachlan Morton's record. Earlier this month, he set the FKT on the Great Tracks Traverse, a 240-mile route that covers New Zealand's Paparoa Track, Old Ghost Road, and Heaphy Track, which Payson tackled in 2024. Sam caught up with Payson during his lunch break from building a roof to talk about how he took on the route, including training while commuting, riding a bike he received just hours before setting off, having to plan around conservation laws that put part of the route off limits at night, and fueling. Head to NordVPN.com/WithPace for 4 months off their two-year plan. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
In the heart of Hagley Wood, a skeleton hidden inside a hollow tree sparked decades of eerie graffiti, whispered conspiracies, and chilling rumors that she may have been a WWII spy silenced forever.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript): https://weirddarkness.com/SpyWitchWychFEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: Was a woman found dead in a wych elm tree in wartime England actually a WWII German spy? (Bella in the Wych Elm) *** Jonathan Reed couldn't bear to be separated from his wife ... so he moved into her tomb. (Til Death Do Us Part) *** Dr. Milton Rokeach forced three men who all believed themselves to be the Messiah to live together for two years in an effort to bring them out of their irrationality. But what Rokeach learned had little to do with the men themselves. (The Three Christs of Ypsilanti) *** A bodiless voice torments a lone beachgoer camping out. (Spirit Voice on the Beach) *** Only months after the infamous ax murders in Villisca, Iowa - the quiet farm community of Payson, Illinois was shattered by its own terrifying murder case. (The Pfanschmidt Murders) *** In an effort to test one of his theories on social behavior, psychologist Muzafer Sherif released twenty-two 12-year-old boys into a sparsely supervised wilderness camp — and then covertly provoked them to fight each other. (The Robbers Cave Experiment) *** Witch hunts and trials. They didn't end in Salem – they live on even today in Papua New Guinea. (Papua New Guinea Witchcraft) *** A man in Japan sees small, childlike ashen white aliens. (Childlike Aliens) *** How can a holy book such as the Christian bible bring bad luck? One paranormal museum in West Virginia has the answer with an infamous display of the 666 Bible. (The 666 Bible) *** The people of Hannibal, Missouri in the late 1800s would remain appalled that one of their most prominent residents could be murdered without retribution. Even a $10,000 reward couldn't bring justice. (The Stillwell Murder) *** A father takes his son to the ruins of an old, burned down building – and the boy sees something his father doesn't. (The Old Factory Visit) *** “The Devil's Advocate” - it's a phrase that can be traced to the Roman Catholic Church that long had an actual official office for a person who was employed to be exactly that – an advocate for the devil. And he still works for the church even today. (The Devil's Advocate)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding00:00:51.758 = Show Open00:03:56.427 = Was Bella In The Wych Elm a WWII Spy?00:17:52.860 = Til Death Do Us Part ***00:20:30.246 = The Three Christs of Ypsilanti00:28:17.112 = Spirit Voice On The Beach00:32:35.825 = The Pfanschmidt Murders of 1912 ***00:41:38.517 = Devil's Advocate00:45:43.295 = The Robbers Cave Experiment00:53:23.042 = Papua New Guinea Witchcraft ***00:59:43.636 = Child Aliens00:1:03:02.762 = The 666 Bible01:08:44.469 = The Stillwell Murder ***01:20:23.228 = The Old Factory Visit01:25:09.988 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Was Bella in the Wych Elm a WWII German Spy?” posted at The UnRedacted: https://tinyurl.com/wtxqr7l“The Pfanschmidt Murders” by Troy Taylor for American Hauntings Ink: https://tinyurl.com/uolq6b8“Spirit Voice on the Beach” by Berggraf38, posted at YourGhostStories.com: https://tinyurl.com/qngcm6l“The Three Christs of Ypsilanti” by Taig Spearman for All That's Interesting: https://tinyurl.com/w9delgl“The Robbers Cave Experiment” by Taig Spearman for All That's Interesting: https://tinyurl.com/yx66lpob“Papua New Guinea Witchcraft” by Caleb Strom for Ancient Origins: https://tinyurl.com/rvpyyva“The Devil's Advocate” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://tinyurl.com/vluuhdg“Childlike Aliens” by Terry Larch for FreakLore.com: https://tinyurl.com/snrkrbm“The 666 Bible” by Theresa at Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State: https://tinyurl.com/t8dlnez“The Stillwell Murder” by Robert Wilhelm for Murder By Gaslight: https://tinyurl.com/yd4uupot“The Old Factory Visit” by Mike, posted at MyHauntedLifeToo.com: (link no longer available)“Til Death Do Us Part” by Jessica Ferri at The-Line-Up.com: https://the-line-up.com/mary-reed(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: November 27, 2018
The first World Cup of the season took place in a new country (South Korea) and featured treacherously muddy conditions that forced riders to navigate large sections of the course on foot. 24-year-old Maddie Munro crossed the finish line in third, using her cyclocross background to propel herself to the best result she's had since joining the Elite ranks last year. Payson caught up with Maddie to talk about starting the race on tires she'd never ridden, battling with the World Champion at the front of the race, and the emotional reception she received from her team at the finish. They also discuss the broader implications of her result. After signing with Trek Factory Racing at just 18, Maddie did not have her contract renewed after last season, which left her scrambling to find an alternative. Now racing with Liv Cycling, she says she felt at home almost immediately. Head to Saily.com/WithPace and use code WithPace for 15% their new eSIM. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
This week, we continue our recap of Levi's GranFondo with this year's winner, Lauren Stephens, who checked in from the Tour of the Gila to talk about running her own team, the dismal state of road racing in the US, and her controversial use of race radios during the Sea Otter Classic last month. Then, Payson talks to Levi Leipheimer about why he decided to create Levi's GranFondo back in 2009, why putting on road races is so much more expensive in the US than it is in Europe, and what gravel events can and can't learn about race coverage from road events. Head to NordVPN.com/WithPace for an extra four months on their two-year plan.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Step into Episode 209 of On The Delo as Delo sits down with Chef Kyle, the James Beard Award finalist and Executive Chef behind Chula Seafood — one of Arizona's most celebrated seafood concepts. From bussing tables at a small-town steakhouse in Payson to earning the culinary industry's highest honor, Kyle's journey is equal parts discipline, humility, and an unwavering commitment to letting great fish speak for itself.This conversation goes deep on what it actually takes to build and sustain a people-first kitchen culture — from the early mentor who challenged Kyle to apply the same discipline to cooking that he had for golf, to nine years of growing with Chula across multiple locations. Kyle breaks down the daily realities of running a fresh seafood restaurant where the menu literally changes every day, the team collaborative approach to dish development, and why consistency and reliability are the two highest skill sets he looks for in anyone walking through the door. You'll also hear about Chula's wholesale seafood operation, the supply chain from their boat in San Diego to the Valley, and what's coming next with a brand-new Arizona Center location — and you heard it first, a possible Delo bowl.Chapter Guide (Timestamps):(0:00 - 1:41) Episode Intro: Music, Kitchen Vibes & Meeting Kyle(1:42 - 3:57) Growing Up in Payson: Small Town Roots, Family, and What Drives the Fire(3:58 - 6:01) From Golf Dreams to Busboy: How Hospitality Found Kyle(6:02 - 9:19) First Kitchen Mentor, Culinary School vs. Paid Experience, and Learning Discipline the Hard Way(9:20 - 11:43) Mentoring the Next Generation: Consistency, Reliability & Showing Up Right(11:44 - 15:17) Inside the Chula Kitchen: Communication, Line Checks & Building a People-First Team(15:18 - 17:10) Staff Growth, Retention & Teaching People to Run a Business, Not Just a Restaurant(17:11 - 22:25) Nine Years with Chula: How Kyle Joined, the Juan Connection & the James Beard Nomination(22:26 - 25:13) Food Philosophy: Letting the Fish Lead, Collaborative Menu Development & Fresh Seafood in the Desert(25:14 - 28:48) New Arizona Center Location, Seafood Events & Chula's Wholesale Supply Chain from San Diego(28:49 - 30:07) Transferable Skills, Margins & Kyle's Personal Non-Negotiables(30:08 - 35:55) Rapid Fire: Fishing vs. Golf, Desert Island Fish, Poke Origins, Bigfoot, Pizza & Sunday Happy Hour
The 2026 Life Time Grand Prix is officially underway after an action-packed day at Sea Otter. In the injury-ridden men's field, Bradyn Lange surged to victory in a sprint finish with Keegan Swenson. In the women's field, Sofia Gomez-Villafañe took the win in a stacked field that battled headwinds and countless attacks throughout most of the day. Payson sat down with Sarah Sturm to recap the day's events. Her pregnancy and deferred Grand Prix spot meant that she got to view the race from the other side of the tape, this time as a commentator for the livestream. They discuss the disproportionate number of challenges that faced many of the favorites this year, as well as the standouts, the treacherous finish, and the ascent of the U23 category. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this episode. Head to NordVPN.com/WithPace to get four extra months on their two-year plan.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
It's been more than two years since we last had Morgan Aguirre on the show, and since then, a lot has changed for her. After two strong seasons racing gravel mainly in Europe, she is headed for the Grand Prix this year for the first time. Payson caught up with Morgan in Northern California this week, where they are both preparing for Sea Otter. They discuss her suboptimal start to the season, how she'll be blending European and American events this year for Pas Racing, and which Grand Prix race she's most nervous about. Get 15% off Saily eSIM data plans with code 'withpace' at https://saily.com/withpace.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Mike Woods' career in the WorldTour was practically a fluke. After earning a full ride to college for running, he quit the sport over a series of injuries and started riding his dad's bike on the weekends. Fast forward about a decade and he had won three stages of the Vuelta a España and one stage of the Tour de France. Last year, he announced his retirement after over 10 years in the WorldTour. Payson caught up with Mike last week in Andorra to talk about his Cinderella story in cycling and his decision to race some of the toughest endurance events in a wide range of disciplines during his first season of retirement. They also talk about how road racing has changed since Mike first signed a WorldTour contract, and the one race that still haunts him.10% off Alba Optics at albaoptics.ccInstagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with animator and director Julian Glander about making his microbudget animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter for just $30,000, premiering it at Tribeca, building momentum through a 50-festival run, and eventually landing theatrical distribution and a streaming home on HBO Max. Glander breaks down the realities of producing an animated feature outside the studio system, from teaching himself new tools in Blender to embracing the scrappy story behind the film, negotiating festival fees, navigating distribution conversations, and figuring out what comes next after a breakout first feature. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Julian Glander discuss... How Glander and producer Payson made Boys Go to Jupiter with a tiny team and a $30,000 budget Why Blender and open-source communities made an indie animated feature possible What surprised Glander most about audience reactions to the film's scrappy origins The reality check of premiering at Tribeca without an instant splashy acquisition How a long festival run helped the film build momentum and recoup its budget through screening fees and prizes Why showing up in person for festival screenings and Q&As can make a lasting impact How Cartuna helped shape the film's theatrical rollout The role of PR, timing, and critical response in helping the film break out theatrically What it means to let go of control during distribution while still protecting the work How Glander is thinking about a second feature and resisting the pressure of “heat” Memorable Quotes: “You really do have to be delusional and not know what's going to happen.” “I was embarrassed by how scrappy it was but it turned out to be like the thing that brings people in and the thing that makes them love it.” “If you don't ask for it, you don't get it.” “Most things are Googleable.” Guests: Julian Glander on IMDb Julian Glander on Instagram Resources: Boys Go to Jupiter on IMDb I Really Love My Husband Screening and QA Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram
After more than three decades in the sport, George Hincapie has started a new venture this year as the founder of the UCI Pro Road Team Modern Adventure Pro Cycling. It's already gaining steam much faster than he expected — so fast, in fact, that they're headed to the Volta a Catalunya and Paris Roubaix this year. George sat down with Payson this week to talk about why he wanted to start a new team, what he hopes they will achieve in the coming years, and why he almost turned down that Roubaix invite. He also talks about his storied racing career, from his early days with the Postal Service to his famous lead-out for Mark Cavendish at Milan-San Remo in 2009 that sealed his dramatic victory. Plus, he reveals the one race that still gives him nightmares.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveenEmail: howdy@withpace.cc
Alex Miller is a two-time Olympic XC racer from Namibia with multiple road and XC marathon national titles. These days, he lives in Girona and races for Swatt Club, splitting his schedule between gravel, road, and mountain bike races. He joins Payson this week to talk about growing up on a 49,000-acre farm in Namibia, his journey to becoming an XC Olympian, the time he beat Matt Beers in a sprint, and how he might have some sneaky WorldTour aspirations. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
The last time we spoke to Luke Lamperti was two years ago, when he was just starting out as a WorldTour neo-pro with Quick-Step. This year, he's switched to EF and has already racked up some impressive finishes. In fact, Payson ran into him just a day after he got back from snagging two top 10s at opening weekend of the Belgian Classics. Luke sat down with Payson to give the inside scoop on those races, as well as the carnage that was last year's rider market, where he turns for marginal gains, and which side quest races he's eyeing this year. Check out the Osprey Transporter Duffel 40 for all your travel needs. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
To close out our Sahara Gravel coverage, Payson sat down with race volunteer Leoni Kolberg, who has spent the past four years riding around the world, often solo and sleeping in a tent. Last year, she rode across South America. Before that, she rode across Iran and Pakistan. Leoni sat down with Payson amongst the sand dunes to talk about what it's like to live on the road for so long, dealing with the solitude, perfecting the art of reading books while riding, and why she's decided to change things up this year. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 3 of Sahara Gravel took the riders away from the Atlas Mountains and towards the Sahara Desert, with 95 kilometers ending in a tailwind. Payson is joined by stage winner Eddy Le Huitouze to discuss how the race played out, but first, they do a little background on how he got here. The 22-year-old Frenchman just completed two years in the WorldTour with FDJ and has been racing bikes since the tender age of six. He talks about his time in the WorldTour, lining up for Flanders and Roubaix last year, and why he's left the road behind to race gravel this year. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 2 of Sahara Gravel comprised 105km and 1800 meters of climbing. To recap the day, Payson is joined by former WorldTour pro Nicolas Roche and mountain biker Marta Torà, who are taking on the race together in the pairs category. They talk about how they've worked out their pacing strategy, what they each bring to the table with their vastly different racing backgrounds, and the tight battle they had today with a pair of men. They also talk about how they're using Sahara Gravel as training for the Cape Epic next month. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 1 of Sahara Gravel was 99 kilometers in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Payson is joined to recap the day by UK Gravel National Champ and today's stage winner, Lizzlie Hermolle. They discuss the profile of the route, an unexpected camel caravan, and the difficulty of riding through the desert sand. Lizzie also discusses her bike setup for the race and provides some background on her recent entry into the gravel world. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Caleb Swartz started racing cyclocross when he was eight years old, but the discipline has been dwindling in the US since the 2010s, and the writing has been on the wall for any American racers wanting to make a sustainable career from it. Last year, Caleb started branching out into a few gravel events just to see where it would take him, and he ended up with two standout performances at Grand Prix races — 11th at Little Sugar and 6th at Big Sugar. This year, he's going all-in as one of the new faces on the GP roster. Payson sat down with Caleb after a surprise encounter in Girona to talk about how he's navigating training for a season unlike any he's ever done, how his years of hardscrabble work behind the scenes as a privateer have set him up for this moment, and the tough industry realities that have led him to transition away from cyclocross. They also talk about his collegiate racing days at Marian, graduating during the pandemic, and the high-speed crash he had at Big Sugar that didn't stop him from nearly making the podium.This episode was brought to you by Osprey and TrainingPeaks. Head to TrainingPeaks.com/withpace to sign up now.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
You might have heard that Allied just released a new feather-light trail bike this week. The FITZ is new territory for the brand, so it seemed like a good opportunity to bring in Allied's CEO Drew Medlock and Director of Product and Engineering Sam Pickman to talk about why they decided to add a trail bike to their lineup and what makes this one so unique. They discuss the nitty-gritty specs, of course, as well as the decision-making process and behind-the-scenes debates that went into it, but they also talk about their individual journeys with the bike, from defying the aging process to Payson's religious experience on a trail he's ridden countless times. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Most riders spend their first year in the Elite ranks just trying to find their feet, but Riley Amos was determined to be different. He had good reason for it. Not only did he have a dominant final season as a U23 in 2024, but he also finished 7th at the Paris Olympics, the highest an American male has ever finished in the Olympic XC race. Looking back on his mindset coming into 2025, though, he admits that he might have pushed himself a little too hard. Riley sat down with Payson in Girona this week to talk about how overtraining and back pain led to a somewhat disappointing 2025 and how observing fellow riders like Nino Schurter and Chris Blevins has changed his entire approach this year. Then, they get nerdy about product testing, specifically Riley's relationship with Trek product development grandmaster Travis Brown and his years-long obsession with suspension. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Haley Smith has been on one factory team or another since she was in her teens. In that time, she spent a decade as a World Cup XC racer, went to the 2021 Olympics, and her first years as a gravel racer. She's won multiple national titles and won the inaugural round of the Life Time Grand Prix. But this year, she's embarking on a new chapter as a privateer. She's also doing it while completing her PhD. Haley caught up with Payson in Girona this week to talk about the challenges and opportunities of privateering, including why she felt like it was the healthiest way forward and how she's pieced together her program. She also talks about the all-star coach she's started working with since November and why she felt like now was the time to continue her academic work. This episode was made possible by:Maap.ccOsprey.comInstagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Mads Würtz Schmidt might be a newcomer to gravel, but he's already established himself as one of the best in the world. The 31-year-old Danish rider went all in on the sport last year with little financial support and ended up winning the Traka, becoming the European Gravel Champion, and snagging fourth at Unbound. This year, he'll be racing alongside Keegan Swenson and Matt Beers as part of the new Specialized off-road team. Mads joined Payson in Girona to talk about his reluctant departure from the WorldTour, how becoming a dad has changed everything, and why he prefers doing heat training to altitude training. They also talk about his dominance as a junior and U23 rider, the low point in 2022 when he thought about quitting cycling altogether, and how he thinks the introduction of teams into gravel (including Specialized Off-road) will change the sport. Thank you to TrainingPeaks for sponsoring this episode. Go to TrainingPeaks.com/withpace and use code DREAM20 for 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium. Thanks also to Osprey.com for sponsoring this episode. Head to their website to shop last year's collection for up to 40% off.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
We're back from our holiday break, and Payson and Nichole are here to recap a packed 2025. They offer a peek behind the curtain at their year, from the emotional toll of Payson's broken hip last spring to the trip from hell just last month. They also answer listener questions about Nichole's first year of structured training and racing, their favorite off the bike accomplishments of the year, and coffee.This episode is sponsored by TrainingPeaks. Visit trainingpeaks.com/withpace to sign up now.This episode is also supported by Osprey. Visit Osprey.com to learn more.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Sarah Sturm is back for another monthly catch-up, and this time, she and Payson are talking gym routines. How much lifting is too much? Should you be lifting heavy or doing high reps? And how bad is it for Sarah's cycling career that she can't do toes to bar? Then, they do their Privateer Parts segment in which Payson tries to figure out what is in the box that was addressed to him but which definitely wasn't meant for him.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
When Kevin Vermaak left his job in IT to found a brand-new type of bike race, he had no idea how much money he'd lose up front or how successful the resulting event would become. 20 years in, and the Cape Epic is one of the most famous bike races in the world. After leaving it behind in 2016, Kevin began mulling over a new idea — a gravel stage race that explored a completely different part of South Africa. This year, he launched Gravel Burn, a seven-day event in the Great Karoo. It took years for Cape Epic to grow into what it is today, but Gravel Burn attracted some pretty fierce competition from year one, including Tom Pidcock, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Matt Beers, and Lauren Stephens. In this episode, Kevin tells Payson about how a series of globe-trotting adventures in the early 2000s inspired him to start the Cape Epic, why he thinks Gravel Burn has the potential to be even bigger, and the logistics of planning such a remote, multi-day event. He talks about the things he hopes to do better next year, why he's actually glad that the infamous stage six of the race had to be neutralized, and why he needed nearly twice as many staff members as there were race participants in order to pull the whole thing off.This episode was brought to you by TrainingPeaks and Osprey. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Scott Bowden set out two weeks ago to tackle a 580km route across Tasmania. His goal was to beat Payson's FKT from 2021, but most importantly, he just wanted to finish. With 11,000 meters of elevation, multiple river crossings, all types of weather, and punishing terrain, the route is brutal to say the least, and when Scott found himself struggling to keep his body temperature, he thought about pulling the plug. In the end, he did finish, and he joins Payson to swap war stories. Before discussing the ride, however, they talk about how Scott got there in the first place. He began his cycling career in XC, and even competed in the Olympics in 2016. After transitioning to pro road racing in Europe, however, his career was cut short by several factors caused by the pandemic. After moving back home to Tassie, he started a new chapter, both on the bike and off. This episode is brought to you by MAAP, TrainingPeaks, and Osprey. Watch Payson's new film Crossings: New Zealand here.Watch Crossing Tasmania here. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Payson man is now in jail...accused of threatening to kill the governor and other state leaders. Police are accusing Douglas Wilford Pace of making a phone call to Capitol Hill last week, where he allegedly said he would shoot Governor Spencer Cox, Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, and Senate President Stuart Adams. Greg and Holly walk through the latest.
Leni Carillo, a self-proclaimed "gravel normie" from San Antonio, Texas is the genius behind the HolySpiritofGravel meme account on Instagram. With her lighthearted and extremely specific takes on the world of gravel racing, she brings some much needed levity to a sport that can take itself pretty seriously. In doing so, she's earned a passionate fanbase. Payson caught up with Leni for a little spin and chat the day before the final round of the Life Time Grand Prix, the Big Sugar Classic, to talk about how she got interested in gravel racing, where she gets her best ideas, and what she really thinks about the pros.You can watch this conversation on Youtube here.This episode is sponsored by TrainingPeaks. Go to trainingpeaks.com/withpace and use code CYBER2025 to get 25% off TrainingPeaks Premium before December 1. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
This week on the show, Payson sits down with Sarah Sturm to talk about the roster for 2026's Life Time Grand Prix, which was released last week and contained more surprises than all the previous years combined. Payson and Sarah chat about the lengthy list of brand-new riders, the heartbreak and shock of seeing one of the most promising young racers of the past few years shut out of the series completely, and what they think about the controversial changes to the prize money. But first, they talk about why Sarah decided to return to the Grand Prix after a year away and what she's been getting up to during the off season. This episode is sponsored by TrainingPeaks. Go to trainingpeaks.com/withpace and use code CYBER2025 to get 25% off TrainingPeaks Premium. Listen to Sarah's podcast, Talking Over You on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
With the inaugural edition of Gravel Burn in the rearview mirror, Payson sits down with Bradyn Lange for an overall recap. Due to illness, Bradyn wasn't able to compete in the pro field and instead dropped in partway through the seven-day event to capture some media from inside the bunch. Then, Payson, chats with Dan Craven, a former professional road racer from Namibia who served as Gravel Burn commissaire. He talks about his long-standing involvement with the event and his unique perspective on how it unfolded. This episode was brought to you by TrainingPeaks.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 6 of Gravel Burn did not go according to plan. Strong winds led to treacherous conditions, and after Swiss rider Andri Frischknecht suffered a crash due to high crosswinds, the 144-kilometre stage was neutralised. To recap the day, Payson is joined by South African rider Hayley Preen, who is currently sitting in third place in the GC. They talk about the weather out on course, what it was like to slow roll the rest of the stage after the decision was made to neutralise it, and what they're anticipating for tomorrow's seventh and final stage. This episode was made possible by TrainingPeaks. Listen all the way to the end to hear some of Hayley's numbers from the race so far.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
In this Halloween-themed episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, hosts Jeff and Reyes dive into the spooky side of Arizona high school hoops! From bone-chilling rivalries to monster performances, the duo breaks down the scariest matchups in both boys' and girls' basketball this season.
Stage 5 of Gravel Burn was slow despite being more than 50% paved, and it finished on a 2500-foot climb. Tom Pidcock took the stage win and joins Payson to recap the day. They also discuss the logistics of his Il Lombardia / UCI Gravel Worlds double-header earlier this month, why he decided to take a break from his off season to come to South Africa, and how he chooses which events and disciplines to put on his schedule. This episode was made possible by TrainingPeaks.Gravel Burn GC standings after stage 5:Women: 1. Ashleigh MOOLMAN-PASIO - 19:39:21 2. Melisa ROLLINS - 19:43:41 | +4:20 3. Hayley PREEN 19:45:52 | +6:31 4. Lauren STEPHENS - 19:46:22 | +7:01 5. Axelle DUBAU-PREVOT - 19:48:15 | +8:54Men:1. Matthew BEERS - 15:46:42 2. Simon PELLAUD - 15:47:15 | +33 3. Hugo DRECHOU - 15:53:24 | +6:42 4. Lukas BAUM - 15:55:10 | +8:28 5. Tristan NORTJE - 15:56:01 | +9:19 Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 4 of Gravel was 111 kilometres of near-constant headwind. Payson is joined by Speed Company duo Lukas Baum and Georg Eggers to get the lowdown on their moves that shook up the race early and how Lukas's flat impacted his third-place GC position. Lukas and Georg have been friends since they raced as juniors. After becoming XC Junior World Champion in 2013, however, Lucas fell out of love with the sport and quit altogether. It was Georg who convinced him to start again in 2022, this time on a two-person team and focusing on stage races. In their first attempt at the Cape Epic, they won, and it set them and their brand new, barely funded team on a new path. They tell Payson about how grassroots it all was in the beginning and why they chose to focus on marathon and stage racing. Plus, Lukas has an axe to grind with American gravel.This episode is sponsored by TrainingPeaks.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 3 of Gravel Burn was rough and tactical. Simon Pellaud, who has raced in just about every corner of the world this season and is hot off his second-place finish in the Life Time Grand Prix, took the stage win over Matt Beers and is currently sitting in second in the GC. He joins Payson to talk about how the stage played out, his strategy for securing the win, and the crash he witnessed. Thank you to TrainingPeaks for making this episode possible.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage two of Gravel Burn was 108 kilometres from Avontuur to Willowmore and it was much drier than yesterday. Both Matt Beers and Axelle Dubau-Prévot managed to hold on to their leads, but there were shakeups in the rest of the field. Payson is joined by Haley Smith to break down the day, including her tight finish for third, why she was so excited to compete in the event, and how she's approaching this last race of the season after a challenging year. Thank you to TrainingPeaks for making this episode possible.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Stage 1 of Gravel Burn is done and dusted -- a cold, rainy 84 kilometers with a spicy 2,000+ meters of climbing. Payson is joined by French gravel national champions Axelle Dubau-Prévot and Hugo Drechou to break down the race. Despite viewing this trip more as a holiday than anything else, Axelle took the win today over WorldTour legend Ashleigh Moolman and her fellow South African Hayley Preen. Hugo also landed on the podium, taking third in a sprint finish with Matt Beers and Andri Frishknecht. As he explains in this conversation, third is exactly where he wants to be. This episode was made possible by TrainingPeaks.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
The 2025 Life Time Grand Prix finished with a bang thanks to a razor-thin margin in the men's field and a last-minute course change due to weather. Payson is joined by Paige Onweller to break down how it all played out. Paige was sidelined from the season after she was hit by a car a couple of months ago, but as a Bentonville resident, she knows the route better than anyone, including the pros who had planned to race the 100-mile route before it was scrapped for the completely different 50-mile route at the last minute. They talk about the many-sided tactical battle in the women's race and how wild card rider Cam Jones managed to outfox three-time Grand Prix champion Keegan Swenson and former WorldTour rider Simon Pellaud to take the series overall title. Spoiler alert: the fireworks started long before that bunch sprint for the finish. Plus, Paige talks about her injury and how she's hoping to turn the trauma of the accident into advocacy for rider safety on the roads. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
The second-to-last round of the Life Time Grand Prix shook up the points chase in a big way thanks to a ruthless course that caused a never-ending series of crashes and flats. Payson walks through the standings before the final round this weekend, in which four riders in the men's field could come away with the series overall. Then, he sits down with Andrew L'Esperance, who got third at Little Sugar and has been on top form all season after fighting his way into the Grand Prix via a wild card slot. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
What do Sepp Kuss, Christopher Blevins, Howard Grotts, and Asa Vermette have in common? They all grew up in the small town of Durango, Colorado. The list of cycling pros that now live there is formidable, and includes our guest, 3x Olympian and 15x XC and CX National Champion Todd Wells. Last week, it was announced that Durango would host the 2030 mountain bike World Championships, 40 years after hosting the very first edition in 1990.Todd sat down with Payson to talk about how he and a group of others helped win Durango the coveted event, the logistics that went into their bid, and what he hopes it will bring to the town. He also talks about the impact that the first World Champs had on Durango, and all the hats he now wears in his post-professional cycling career. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
In this bonus episode, we're bringing you Payson's ride-along chat with Ellen Campbell the day before Chequamegon. They talk about how her Grand Prix season is going so far, what it's like to be sitting just outside the top 10 going into the final two rounds of the series, and her gear choices for the race. They also talk about her Ride Dirt program, a series of workshops in which she teaches women bike maintenance and handling skills.Keep up with Ellen at @ellen.m.campbellUse code PAYSON15 for 15% off Maurten products. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
Just a few hours after winning Gravel Nationals, Bradyn Lange sat down with Payson at the house they were sharing in the lead-up to the race for a wide-ranging conversation about the event and all the things that had to fall into place to get him there. Bradyn has always identified more as a mountain biker than a gravel racer, but after struggling to find sponsors and snagging a rogue 4th place at Big Sugar in 2021, he managed to secure a sponsorship from Pinarello and a place in the 2022 Grand Prix. That season, he lived out of his van and worked multiple part-time jobs, and still managed to rack up some stand-out results, including the win at Chequamegon. In this conversation, Bradyn tells Payson about this phase of his life, as well as his unlikely win at Nationals, in which he crashed, got blocked by junior riders, broke his cleat, and missed the breakaway, all before launching to the front and winning solo. He also talks about his pivotal training camp with Orange Seal Academy last month, the financial gambles he took this season in the hopes of getting better results, and his lucky Blarney Stone.Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
This week, in Payson, Utah, a horrifying & bloody scene is found, when two people call 911, and claim that someone has been murdered, and these two people were tied up, but miraculously spared from certain death, by the killers. When it turns out that their story doesn't quite line up, they're arrested for murder, but were they telling the truth? A shocking twist will blow your mind!! Along the way, we find out that you don't want everyone to think your town smells like onions, that when you're tied up, the murderers usually don't change their minds, because you said a prayer, and that you should never tell your ex anything incriminating!! New episodes, every Wednesday & Friday nights!! Donate at patreon.com/crimeinsports or at paypal.com and use our email: crimeinsports@gmail.com Go to shutupandgivememurder.com for all things Small Town Murder, Crime In Sports & Your Stupid Opinions! Follow us on... instagram.com/smalltownmurder facebook.com/smalltownpod Also, check out James & Jimmie's other shows, Crime In Sports & Your Stupid Opinions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!!