Podcasts about zhug

Turns out, seasoned restaurant owners still get a case of the nerves before they open a new place. That's just one of the many things I learned talking to Chef Douglas Katz and Edgewater Hospitality business partner Todd Thompson as they get ready to open Kiln, the third restaurant for the team. Kiln will slide into a highly desirable spot in the Van Aken District as a modern American bistro with European, and even global influences, adding another layer to their delicious restaurant cake that includes highly-regarded spots Zhug and Amba. In this episode we get the "nuts and bolts" of the restaurant—the environment, decor and food. But we also talk about the ideation and development process, their teamwork, and the pressure from reviews (professional and otherwise) and how it can affect mental health. Those who are restaurant biz wonks like myself will have their curiosity satiated about all that behind-the-scenes stuff we don't think about as we sit before a plate of food. And, be sure to listen to the end to hear a fantastic story about a famous rock group that dined at Amba recently. This episode is supported by Kate's Fish and thanks to Chef Douglas Katz for being a sponsor of the CLE Foodcast (and also totally worthy of an interview!)

  https://restauranttopia.com/episodes-156-and-157-a-two-part-series-with-chef-doug-katz-and-todd-thompson-talking-about-their-restaurant-group-how-they-navigated-the-pandemic-and-operating-multiple-successful-restaurants-in-nor/   The magnetic culinary scene of Cleveland takes center stage on the latest episode of Restauranttopia! Our very own Brian Seitz had the pleasure of hosting two of the city's most prolific food maestros - Chef Doug Katz and Todd Thompson. If you've been searching for an episode brimming with passion, delectable tales, and insights into what makes the dining experience memorable, this one's for you. This episode was more than just an interview; it was a culinary odyssey, taking listeners on a flavorful ride through the lanes of Cleveland, the stories behind two iconic restaurants, and the minds of two extraordinary restaurant professionals. If you haven't tuned in yet, make sure to check out this delicious episode on Restauranttopia! About Chef Katz For the past 25 years, Chef Douglas Katz has focused on creating fulfilling, transportive experiences for Clevelanders to enjoy. As chef/owner of Zhug, Amba and soon-to-open Chimi, his driving purpose is to spread joy through meaningful experiences and shared passion. Chef Katz is also chef/partner of Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as former chef/owner of fire food and drink — which operated in Shaker Square for more than 20 years. Chef Katz is passionate about using fresh, high-quality ingredients with integrity. Throughout his career, he has been celebrated for his unwavering support of local farmers and food artisans. He advocates nationally and internationally for sustainable, healthful and local food systems, and frequently consults with media and civic leaders on local food initiatives. Chef Katz is an advisor for Seeds of Collaboration Tahini and Smart Soda. He also serves as a chef ambassador for the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafoodwatch program, which promotes environmentally responsible fishing and fish farming. He served on the board of Countryside in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has held leadership positions with Destination Cleveland and Cleveland Independents, an organization of 90 locally owned restaurants that nurtures and promotes local independent restaurants. Esquire magazine named Zhug one of America's best new restaurants in 2020. In 2014, the prestigious James Beard Foundation nominated Chef Katz for Best Chef of the Great Lakes Region. In 2010 he was recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business, “Who's Who, 150 Names to Know in Northeast Ohio.” He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Denver School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Prior to opening fire food and drink, he served as executive chef of Moxie the restaurant (Cleveland, OH) and worked at acclaimed restaurants including The Little Nell (Aspen, CO) and Wildwood Restaurant (Portland, OR). In his free time, Chef Katz enjoys traveling and exploring the world and other cultures through food — and then sharing those experiences in his restaurants. He also loves relaxing at home with his family and much-loved dog, Arlo.         Learn more about Chef Douglas Katz Connect with Douglas Katz on LinkedIn Follow Douglas Katz on Twitter @phireman Follow Douglas Katz on Instagram Learn more about Amba Amba is the newest addition to Chef Douglas Katz and Todd Thompson's restaurant group. Located in the Hingetown neighborhood of Ohio City, Amba's menu of shareable plates pays homage to the flavors and ingredients of India.Learn more about Zhug Follow Zhug on Instagram Zhug is a concept by chef Douglas Katz that offers Mediterranean Mezze in a casual, high energy urban space at Cedar Fairmount in Cleveland Heights.

Episode 156 is the first of a two-part series with Chef Doug Katz and Todd Thompson talking about their Restaurant Group, how they navigated the pandemic, and operating multiple successful restaurants in northeast Ohio.   https://restauranttopia.com/episodes-156-and-157-a-two-part-series-with-chef-doug-katz-and-todd-thompson-talking-about-their-restaurant-group-how-they-navigated-the-pandemic-and-operating-multiple-successful-restaurants-in-nor/   The magnetic culinary scene of Cleveland takes center stage on the latest episode of Restauranttopia! Our very own Brian Seitz had the pleasure of hosting two of the city's most prolific food maestros - Chef Doug Katz and Todd Thompson. If you've been searching for an episode brimming with passion, delectable tales, and insights into what makes the dining experience memorable, this one's for you. This episode was more than just an interview; it was a culinary odyssey, taking listeners on a flavorful ride through the lanes of Cleveland, the stories behind two iconic restaurants, and the minds of two extraordinary restaurant professionals. If you haven't tuned in yet, make sure to check out this delicious episode on Restauranttopia!   About Chef Katz For the past 25 years, Chef Douglas Katz has focused on creating fulfilling, transportive experiences for Clevelanders to enjoy. As chef/owner of Zhug, Amba and soon-to-open Chimi, his driving purpose is to spread joy through meaningful experiences and shared passion. Chef Katz is also chef/partner of Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as former chef/owner of fire food and drink — which operated in Shaker Square for more than 20 years. Chef Katz is passionate about using fresh, high-quality ingredients with integrity. Throughout his career, he has been celebrated for his unwavering support of local farmers and food artisans. He advocates nationally and internationally for sustainable, healthful and local food systems, and frequently consults with media and civic leaders on local food initiatives. Chef Katz is an advisor for Seeds of Collaboration Tahini and Smart Soda. He also serves as a chef ambassador for the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafoodwatch program, which promotes environmentally responsible fishing and fish farming. He served on the board of Countryside in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has held leadership positions with Destination Cleveland and Cleveland Independents, an organization of 90 locally owned restaurants that nurtures and promotes local independent restaurants. Esquire magazine named Zhug one of America's best new restaurants in 2020. In 2014, the prestigious James Beard Foundation nominated Chef Katz for Best Chef of the Great Lakes Region. In 2010 he was recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business, “Who's Who, 150 Names to Know in Northeast Ohio.” He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Denver School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Prior to opening fire food and drink, he served as executive chef of Moxie the restaurant (Cleveland, OH) and worked at acclaimed restaurants including The Little Nell (Aspen, CO) and Wildwood Restaurant (Portland, OR). In his free time, Chef Katz enjoys traveling and exploring the world and other cultures through food — and then sharing those experiences in his restaurants. He also loves relaxing at home with his family and much-loved dog, Arlo.         Learn more about Chef Douglas Katz Connect with Douglas Katz on LinkedIn Follow Douglas Katz on Twitter @phireman Follow Douglas Katz on Instagram Learn more about Amba Amba is the newest addition to Chef Douglas Katz and Todd Thompson's restaurant group. Located in the Hingetown neighborhood of Ohio City, Amba's menu of shareable plates pays homage to the flavors and ingredients of India.Learn more about Zhug Follow Zhug on Instagram Zhug is a concept by chef Douglas Katz that offers Mediterranean Mezze in a casual, high energy urban space at Cedar Fairmount in Cleveland Heights.

Lay of The Land's conversation today is with Chef Douglas Katz.For the past 25 years, Doug has focused on creating fulfilling experiences for Clevelanders to enjoy. As chef & owner of Zhug, Chimi, and Amba here in Cleveland, his driving purpose is to spread joy through meaningful experiences and shared passion. Doug is also a chef & partner of Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as the former chef & owner of fire food and drink — which operated in Shaker Square for more than 20 years.Doug is passionate about using fresh, high-quality ingredients with integrity and throughout his career has been celebrated for his unwavering support of local farmers and food artisans. He advocates nationally and internationally for sustainable, healthy and local food systems, and frequently consults with media and civic leaders on local food initiatives. He is an advisor for Seeds of Collaboration Tahini and Smart Soda. He also serves as a chef ambassador for the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafoodwatch program, which promotes environmentally responsible fishing and fish farming, and as a consultant for Perfectly Imperfect Produce, which aims to reduce food waste and improve healthy food access. He also serves on the board of the Countryside in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has held leadership positions with Destination Cleveland and Cleveland Independents, an organization of 90 locally owned restaurants that nurtures and promotes local independent restaurants.Esquire magazine named Zhug one of America's best new restaurants in 2020 and back In 2014, the prestigious James Beard Foundation nominated Doug for Best Chef of the Great Lakes Region.Doug's passion for his work is inspiring. It's hard not to be a huge fan of Doug if you've gone to any of his restaurants and witnessed the care and attention he and his team provide to create the best experiences — I loved hearing about Doug's passion for service & food and his journey to become one of Cleveland's most renowned restauranteurs and chefs. Please enjoy my conversation with Chef Douglas Katz.--Learn more about Chef Douglas KatzConnect with Douglas Katz on LinkedInFollow Douglas Katz on Twitter @phiremanFollow Douglas Katz on InstagramLearn more about AmbaLearn more about ZhugFollow Zhug on InstagramLearn more about ChimiFollow Chimi on Instagram--Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedInFollow Jeffrey Stern on Twitter @sternJefeFollow Lay of The Land on Twitter @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/

Recorded at Greenhood coffee. https://www.facebook.com/greenhoodcoffee/ home of the best buns (which happen to be vegan) and coffee. Worth travelling to from other parts of Nottingham. Tom watches the Tour of Britain and enjoys the Old Wharf Tearooms https://www.theoldwharf.co.uk/ at Hickling near Sarsfield in Ep 1 (listen back). How do you make your rice pudding, let us know foodglupod@gmail.comThe best Cinnamon Roll recipe thanks to Hannah http://thedinnerbell.co.uk/2012/11/chocolate-hazelnut-cinnamon-rolls/We talk food trends. Who's had a cupcake recently?Whittards still exists (who knew) and there is store in central Nottingham https://www.whittard.co.uk/storesWe talk to Rory the OG Coffee Boss. Roasters he mentions:HasbeenFive elephantla Calbra https://www.lacabra.dk/CollonaNew GroundAprilRory Loves Essen General Store, have a listen to our interview with them on Ep 3We also deep dive into Zhug who we've mentioned previously on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live from chic Zhug with a huge thanks to the always gracious, generous and gastronomically gifted Doug Katz and staff, I had the chance to interview (and photograph!) LISA SANDS of CLE Foodcast, NEO's All Local Food Podcast to celebrate her one-year podcast anniversary. With candid, heart-opening fun facts about her Pittsburgh family roots, baby elephant petting in Thailand, and love of – wait for it – sloths! To her days competing as a child gymnast against Olympian Mary Lou Retton, we explore LISA's love of food and adventure. But mostly? We discover how she found her “fork and the road,” “creative pandora box” and why she's never looking back. LISA SANDS is the producer of the CLE Foodcast which will hit a milestone in May – 1 year anniversary and 45 Episodes! It was a project borne out of an unexpected pandemic pivot and led her to the discovery that she was in control of her creative life. She says the mission of the CLE Foodcast is to amplify the stories of people growing, cooking and sharing local food as told through their own voices. She's been following the food scene and writing for almost ten years. Lisa's career in marketing and communications has spanned more than 20 years – she's worked in advertising, media, PR, and everything in between. Now she considers herself a communications strategist and she likes working with clients to develop branding, messaging and media opportunities. https://myforkandtheroad.com/cle-foodcast/ https://myforkandtheroad.com/ https://myforkandtheroad.com/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasandspr/ https://www.facebook.com/CLE-Foodcast-102901481499904/ https://www.instagram.com/clefoodcast/

Cooking…in the woods? Join us, along with our pal Rebecca Ringquist, for a deep dive into The Campout Cookbook, which our Cookbook Club tested out last summer on an actual camping trip. It's a lot fancier than hot dogs over an open fire — is it worth it? Resources mentioned in this episode: The Campout Cookbook Camp Chef camp oven Camp Chef stove with 5-gallon propane Camp cookery kit (page 131) Recipes mentioned in this episode: Big batch bloody mary (page 163) Tentside tea toddy bar (page 170) Starry sky masala chai (page 166) Forest fondue (page 67) Figgy pecan crackers and whipped feta (page 58) Golden beet pickled eggs (page 54) Zhug dip and sweet potato chips (page 56) Red cabbage, jicama and orange slaw (page 84) Middle-of-Nowhere Mac ‘n' Beer Cheese (page 118) Golden graham crackers (page 142) S'mores galores (page 138) Vanilla bean dream Marshmallows & Co. (page 140) Brown butter toffee blondies (page 150) Chocolate chunk cowboy cookies (page 151) Salted honey-maple peanut brittle (page 149) Honey-lime yogurt granola parfaits (page 188) Foil-packet primer (page 73) Sliced tri-tip sandwich bar (page 94) Spicy chuckwagon chili (page 108) Corn on the cob with chili-lime butter (page 70) Hasselbackpack potatoes (page 72) About our Guest: Rebecca Ringquist is an artist and the designer and founder of Dropcloth Samplers. She's an avid home cook based in Portland, Oregon. Find her on Instagram @dropcloth. Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/15/2022): Family, by Hetty McKinnon

In our fourteenth episode of the Sharing Knowledge Series, our host and chief lending officer, Kevin Vonderau, is joined by Kristyn Henslee, owner, Yellow House Cheese, and Douglas Katz, owner, Zhug, Chimi, and Amba. Together, they discuss what they've learned from their years of experience in the restaurant and farming industries, the adjustments they've adapted during the pandemic, and the trends they expect to see in the coming years.We want to hear your feedback. Take our survey at westfield-bank.com/sksHave questions? Email westfield-bank@westfield-bank.comFor legal information and resources, visit westfield-bank.com/sharing-knowledge/disclaimer

In our fourteenth episode of the Sharing Knowledge Series, our host and chief lending officer, Kevin Vonderau, is joined by Kristyn Henslee, owner, Yellow House Cheese, and Douglas Katz, owner, Zhug, Chimi, and Amba. Together, they discuss what they've learned from their years of experience in the restaurant and farming industries, the adjustments they've adapted during the pandemic, and the trends they expect to see in the coming years.We want to hear your feedback. Take our survey at westfield-bank.com/sksHave questions? Email westfield-bank@westfield-bank.comFor legal information and resources, visit westfield-bank.com/sharing-knowledge/disclaimer

In our fourteenth episode of the Sharing Knowledge Series, our host and chief lending officer, Kevin Vonderau, is joined by Kristyn Henslee, owner, Yellow House Cheese, and Douglas Katz, owner, Zhug, Chimi, and Amba. Together, they discuss what they've learned from their years of experience in the restaurant and farming industries, the adjustments they've adapted during the pandemic, and the trends they expect to see in the coming years.We want to hear your feedback. Take our survey at westfield-bank.com/sksHave questions? Email westfield-bank@westfield-bank.com

Most of us know that tahini is an ingredient in hummus (houmous), the healthy snacking staple and cornerstone of Middle Eastern restaurant menus. It is the thick, creamy "butter" that provides the nutty quality to hummus, baba ganoush and more. It's been around for centuries, and its prevalent in the cuisine of many cultures. Dana Harary imports tahini, the kind she grew up with as a child in Israel, and she believes that few of us are using tahini to its full potential. In her house, tahini is an ingredient used multiple times a day...as a spread, an add-in to dishes, and even a topping to ice cream. It is plant-based, packed with nutrition, and more versatile than you probably ever imagine. Her tahini is used by Chef Douglas Katz at Zhug for his legendary hummus dishes. (Seriously, try all three of them.) After hearing about this tahini, I knew I had to try it and meet Dana. I learned so much about tahini, and I know you will think about it differently after listening to this episode! Learn more about them at eatsoco.com. There are currently three varieties Thanks for the Katz Group of restaurants and Nine Spoons Soup for sponsoring this episode.

This episode is the closest thing to "How I Built This with Guy Raz" I'll probably ever get. I sat down with Evan Delahanty of Peaceful Fruits, a Barberton-based company making delicious whole fruit snacks he calls "candy for a new generation." After a two-year Peace Corps assignment in Suriname (that's in South America, guys) he started to think a lot about creating a business that reflected his passion for culture, sustainability and inclusion. There are many dimensions to Peaceful Fruits...and he shares them with us, including his Shark Tank appearance. This conversation is a good one for anyone thinking of entrepreneurship. It's full of honest talk and good lessons that will help any budding enrtrepreneur who expects the path to be easy or linear. We talk about candy, not knowing what to do with your life and how we all want to make the world a better place. Thanks to my sponsors Chef Douglas Katz and the Katz Group of Restaurants, Zhug, Chimi and Amba. And, Nine Spoons Soup, a local company making delicious soups from a grandmother's recipes.

Cheers to the end of 2021! I gathered two members of the administration team behind the monster Facebook group NEO Foodies to look back at the year in food. Join us for a casual chat, recorded at Zhug in Cleveland Heights, and you'll learn about the origins of the group and what they aim to offer our local food community, and we'll share our thoughts on how 2021 changed the food scene. I also ask Kay Ryan Dale and Missy Schroeder what its like to manage a group with 13 thousand members. Also discussed in this episode— closures, new openings, pivots and shifts of some well known food businesses, how we changed our ideas about dining out, and more. SPONSORS: CLE Foodcast is made possible by Chef Douglas Katz. This episode is sponsored by Perfectly Imperfect Produce.

Celebrity chef Michael Symon, who comes from Cleveland, joins Stephanie Haney on the 3 Things to Know podcast to talk about his new "Fix It With Food" cookbook, his new "Throwdown" Food Network show, (which are both out December 14) and advice for new restaurant owners. Plus, Stephanie shares why Zhug is the new dining spot that you Need to Know in NEO, and why 3News Food Editor Doug Trattner is A Good Follow on Instagram. Connect with Michael Symon here: http://instagram.com/chefsymon http://twitter.com/chefsymon http://michaelsymon.com Get Michael Symon's new "Fix It With Food" cookbook here: http://barnesandnoble.com/w/fix-it-with-food-michael-symon/1139252717 Check out "Throwdown with Michael Symon" on the Food Network here: http://foodnetwork.com/shows/throwdown-with-michael-symon Need to Know in NEO: Zhug http://zhugcle.com/ A Good Follow: 3News Food Editor Doug Trattner http://instagram.com/dougtrattner/ Connect with Stephanie Haney here: http://twitter.com/_StephanieHaney http://instagram.com/_StephanieHaney http://facebook.com/thestephaniehaney http://youtube.com/c/stephaniehaneyjd

Chef Douglas Katz is a nice guy. Everyone says so. And, honestly, it's true. What you will hear in this conversation is that Doug cares about people just as much as he does about the food he serves in his ever-evolving portfolio of restaurants. Doug was a high school theatre geek who has always enjoyed cooking—he even catered events with his friends! He's always thrived being part of a team and orchestrating experiences for others to enjoy. Now he draws on his many interests, including extensive world travel, to create exciting menus and environments in his restaurants. In this conversation, we FINALLY learn how to pronounce Zhug, and hear how Doug has developed the interesting menus at his restaurants, how he's shown resilience in the face of change, and what we can expect from his next new restaurant, Amba. We talk about Covid (just a little), dive into Doug's multipotentialite tendencies (listen to this great Ted Talk on it), and what he thinks about cultural appropriation in the culinary field. Heard in this episode: Seeds of Collaboration tahini, #EatforCLE, Billy Ritter pottery. More about Douglas Katz restaurants at ChefDouglasKatz.com.

The pandemic impacted so many families’ eating routines, but one thing that never changes is the need to get dinner on the table quickly. Quick dinners that are hot, nutritious, and delicious are always in demand, no matter what the current circumstances.   How much of fast dinners is hype? What can we keep in the pantry to make quick dinners easier? How do we keep fast dinners from getting boring (or plunging us into a cooking rut?) All these questions and more answered on this episode of Smidgen, the podcast of Red Stick Spice Company. Host Anne Milneck shares tips and strategies to help the home cook get ready to make fast dinners, even multiple times a week. Special this episode: we hear from Meredith Waguespack, CEO of Sweet Baton Rouge, as she describes the dinner situation in her home. As a business owner and Mom, Meredith experiences the need for dinner in a hurry often—you’ll likely recognize some of your own situation after hearing from Meredith. To close the show, Anne walks us through a true, for-real 30-minute dinner that is as delicious as it is fast: Easy Chicken Tikka Masala. This one is sure to become a staple in your home. Mentioned on the show: - Red Stick Spice Co. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala. Watch Anne prepare Easy Chicken Tikka Masala on Facebook Live! - Explore the Red Stick Spice Co. selection of spice blends as you pull fast dinners together. All things Indian use the flavors of Garam Masala—fragrant and savory. - Test drive a new spice blend on some crispy chickpeas. Anne recommends trying new spices in this yummy chickpea dish—you get to experience the flavor, imagine what else you’d like to try with that blend AND you get a delicious snack. Recipe here. - Anne suggests you try spice blends like Zahtar, Zhug, or Berbere on the chickpeas to get familiar, then bring those spice blends to your other meals. - Thaw the right way! Here’s a post on proper defrost techniques here on the Red Stick Spice Co. blog. - Did you hear our previous Smidgen episode where Anne explains the famous stock bag for your freezer? Listen here (and fall in love with slab grilled cheese, by the way.) - We are so excited for our C’est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C’est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C’est Si Bon! - Visit our friends at Sweet Baton Rouge and follow on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks again to Meredith for being on Smidgen! - Use Smidgen15 at checkout to save 15% on your purchase, just for Smidgen listeners.  What is dinnertime like in your house? Did you get some new ideas for getting dinner together quickly? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podcast app.  Smidgen is the podcast of Red Stick Spice Co.

Join us as we sample the plant-forward flavors of the Middle East with this recipe for Barilla Chickpea Rotini with Spicy Eggplant Shakshuka, Poached Egg, and Zhug. The pasta really shines with this flavor pairing and makes a dish that might be unfamiliar instantly approachable. The bold, fresh flavors in this plant-forward recipe are sure to delight your guests. This versatile dish can be served at any day part, at an action station, or as a single plated- entrée. Get the recipe: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/recipe/chickpea-rotini

S1E7 Now we gather. This simple motto carries a deeper meaning beyond the first glance, its significance can be experienced by preparing a meal and enjoying it with family and friends. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Leslie Todd joins us on Smidgen to talk loneliness, isolation and how those factors affect mental health, plus what actions we can all take to counteract the negative results. Host Anne Milneck and Leslie dive deep into how we form close, interpersonal connections and identify some of the barriers that prevent us from connecting (hint: some of these barriers buzz and beep all day and night, and might be in your hand right now.) The conversation turns to food, of course, and how the nourishment of food mirrors our most primal relationships. It is not a coincidence that eating together has the potential to bond and connect us. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, Leslie offers ideas for reconnecting (including experiences like a cooking class at Red Stick Spice Co.) Cooking Segment: To bring home the idea of sharing a meal with others, Anne heads off to the kitchen with Red Stick Spice Co. store staffer Sara to prepare Roasted Cauliflower with Capers, Walnuts and Yogurt, a dish perfect for sharing with family and friends.  Mentioned on the show: RECIPE: Completely delicious Roasted Cauliflower with Capers, Walnuts and Yogurt—be sure to have naan on hand, and expect a clean platter after serving up this dish. The lemony yogurt in this recipe: game changer! Leslie Todd is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Learn more about Leslie and her practice, Strategies for Change at LeslieTodd.com. The gorgeous color of the dish comes from our Harissa Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We also used a sprinkling of Zhug. Our All Natural Avocado Oil and White Balsamic Vinegar provide the tang in the sauce drizzled over the cauliflower. This is not the first time Anne has thought about gathering. Read more about Anne’s take on the importance of gathering—she’s built her entire business around this one simple act that pays dividends in health and happiness. Leslie also recommended reaching out to a trusted loved one, mentor, school or church leader if you’re concerned with feelings of isolation or loneliness. You can connect with mental health professionals in your area via the Psychology Today website. Use discount code SMIDGEN15 to save 15% your entire order at Red Stick Spice Co. Be sure to reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We’d love to hear about how you gather with family and friends, or even what you’d like to hear on Season 2 of Smidgen (coming soon!!) Listen to Smidgen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.  Smidgen is the podcast of Red Stick Spice Co. 

The boys are back from their adventures in Anaheim, mostly recovered from the Con Crud, so let's talk some WoW and have some fun! Zhug, Koltrane and Dairies will bring you through their Blizzcon experiences, into the parties, talking to the developers, along with their reactions to all of the new things that Warlords of Draenor will bring to WoW. On the docket: garrisons, inventory updates, new lore, armor changes and, of course, the huge upcoming RAIDING changes introduced by Blizzard. Along with all of the information and insights, there's also plenty of fun... so get ready for another jam packed show!

This week, the guys get weirder than ever before, so prepare yourself! Item scaling may be the next big feature released by Blizzard, and you can find out how it was done.  Armory stats for Mists of Pandaria are out, and the boys discuss how recent changes may have had some impact with the players. Plus, Dairies has a new team, Koltrane is back on the spicy water, and Zhug has issues with movie quotes... and Zhug and Kolt get uncomfortably weird in the War Room when they have to do the bit LIVE. Prepare yourself as we dive into the Siege of Orgrimmar!

The guys are back with another fun show full of the latest news and views in WoW! Blizzard puts one WoW expansion rumor to rest and clears up exactly what they'll be doing at Blizzcon. Players are trying to min/max flex raids, but are they just overthinking the whole thing? Guild Ox claims that every Mage spec is good, but how's popularity for other specs? And we'll get to your questions as well, especially one on the Legendary LOOT! Plus, Koltrane drinks spicy water, Dairies wipes on a homerun, and Zhug clearly doesn't get how to write a show.

The guys get together again for a very fun show! They take a look at this week's developer interview, especially flex raiding, the Timeless Isle, anmd discuss what Blizzard may need to do to make sure that both melee and ranged classes get the most out of raid encounters.  Also, healers are to be blamed for input lag, and the developers have responded. How will those changes affect the game play of healers across World of Warcarft?  Also, the guys take a look at how their characters became their raiding mains, Kolt goes ga-ga for flex, Zhug's bags are full, and Dairies believes Azeroth is going to run out of ocean soon!

Zhug and Dairies welcome Jules Scott from Tauren Think Tank back to the show, and they have a LOT to talk about.  The race to world first is underway, and the pacing is fast! The first wing of LFR is now open, and do players need an adjustment on expectations for Flex?  Are 5 man dungeons no longer needed, or does Blizzard need to change up their thinking on what raiders really want?  And are the Legendary cloaks too powerful to ignore?  We'll attempt to answer those questions, plus: Dairies goes 13 of 28 in SoO, Jules loves her mushrooms, and Zhug works it on the mailbox for repair money, and much more!

The CtR boys are back the week before patch 5.4, and they'll try to get you ready for it! They'll have reactions to the LFR and Flex raid schedule releases that leads into a larger discussion that stems from comments on the forums.  Also, a lot of fansites have stepped up their game for patch 5.4, and you'll get the lowdown!  The War Room will wrap up the rest of the Throne of Thunder raid in a flurry of action to get to Lei Shen. Zhug and Dairies talk some PAX, Koltrane won't get funky with his monk, and there's TONS of fun as they wrap up all of their summer fun and ready us all for Garrosh!

This week, the guys are back in action to get you prepared for patch 5.4. Inside, they talk about the release date for the Siege of Orgrmmar, a likely item squish for the next expansion, character model reworks, the end of the WoW TCG, and an incredible interview with World of Warcraft's Lead Encounter Designer, Ion Hazzikostas!  Dairies and Zhug ask about flex raiding, valor and gear in 5.4, proving grounds, the Siege of Orgrimmar raid, and more.  Plus, we get to your questions! It's another fun show for your brain case!

This week, the guys welcome Derevka -- he's a priest!  They talk about the Hearthstone beta, healing priests on the PTR along with all the latest news about patch 5.4 and beyond.  Blizz trademarks a new game title... or do they? The date for patch 5.4 is unofficially announced, shaman get some transmog love (but not in LFR), Flex and LFR rollouts examined, and was Blizz's latest EPIC trailer all that epic for alliance? Plus, Koltrane sends notes from afar, Dairies retires from WoW (not really), Derevka gets crumbs in his keyboard, and Zhug is horrible at TCGs. All of this and so much more on another jam packed episode!

This week, Kolt and Zhug welcome Olivia Grace back to the podcast, and they discuss the latest from patch 5.4, including the pre-patch press tour, flex raid testing, and some new heirloom weapons and why the forums are all abuzz. Also, the boys chat with Liv about the state of PvP and how and why raiders should jump into battle! Plus, Olivia hides in her flag room, Kolt gets mousey, and Zhug has some real rage issues.  It's a ton of fun with great information and commentary for raiders in the World of Warcraft.  Enjoy! 

The guys are back in the saddle for another hilarious ride through the current state of WoW.  Blizzard introduces some new and epic items coming to the store, but where will they draw the line, and what does this mean for players in the US and EU?  The PTR is in full testing mode, including most of the raid bosses and a lot of VERY LARGE class changes that you may want to pay attention to.  Also, they get through a bunch of listener questions about the end of this expansion, monk dps and more.  Also... Zhug can't find the right words, Dairies returns home, and Koltrane is twerkin' it!  Put your hands on your hips and listen up to another great show!

Koltrane and Zhug have a special report this week as they return from the most magical place in all of the World of Warcraft -- Blizzard Entertainment. You'll get some of the inside scoop for patch 5.4 and beyond, including the latest on the Timeless Isle, the Legendary item for Mists of Pandaria and what that could mean for The Siege of Orgrimmar. Plus, we'll get to a couple of your questions and more! Dairies covers the numbers, Koltrane recovers from a Bashiok margarita, and Zhug wants to head under the covers after his long trip home.  Lots of cool inside details can be found here, so stay tuned!

This week, the guys give you the latest scoop from your favorite game, including: A preview of The Siege of Orgrimmar (spolier alert), Legendary drops getting more common, and an alleged Mobile Armory hack brings up the subject of security for MMOs. And we get to your comments and questions on Flex raiding and LFR for non-raiders, a great Leading the Raid section, and a bunch of other great information.  Also, Zhug gets a big head, Dairies teaches the youth of America, and Koltrane likes to multitask with EVERYTHING.  As always, this show is a blast, so hold onto your hats!

Zhug, Koltrane and Dairies are back for their big 100th show, and this time around they continue the Flex Raiding debate, give you the 411 on a couple of new announcements: Virtual Realms and Proving Grounds, and reveal exactly how the Council of Elders got their fourth member in The War Room. Also, we get to a lot of your questions and have a ton of fun in store. Zhug messes around with his playlist, Koltrane is now IN the game, and Dairies has 30 seconds to tell you everything you need to know.  It's a wild ride, so buckle up!

This week, the guys invite Preach on from PreachGaming.com to discuss his insights into the LFR experience as new players might experience it and discuss the new feature announced for 5.4 -- Flexible Raiding!  This round table discussion touches on several aspects of the game from a multitude of levels -- community, LFR game play, player apathy, accessibility and what too much of it means, how the new system could help mend those things that are broken but create more problems along the way.  We say goodbye to Solarflair and welcome Dairies to the cast, Zhug forgot how to button, and Koltrane... well... he's Koltrane, I mean come on!

Zhug returns from his Roman holiday, and comes back to find his show broken to pieces. So Koltrane and Dairies join him to help break it some more! Titan gets a blizzard reset, Ghostcrawler and others make the interviewing rounds, there's more talk on heroic scenarios, and the guys talk about why Blizzard should not add more dungeons. Plus, find out why Yoshi likes Zhug's shin, why Dairies' wallet loves Blizzard, and why Koltrane wants a better fan. All this wrapped up in a very fun, energetic show that you'll love to shove into your ear holes. Enjoy!

Pat Krane is still lounging around in Italy, so we bring in some PUGs for this show!  Koltrane hosts this episode, along with Jules Scott from the Tauren Think Tank podcast, and Dairies from Convert to Raid Too for a big discussion about the release of 5.3 and what they've been doing so far in this patch.  They talk heroic scenarios, the dynamic events in The Barrens, among other topics.  Koltrane has been getting the "love" from mages in the audience after talking about playing his warlock more last week!  With 5.3 releasing, the gang discusses the recent developer interviews from Greg Street (Ghostcrawler) and Adam Holinka ("the PvP guy", according to Koltrane!).  New 5-mans are not in this patch, but the developers say they're coming back - do you miss them?  They also discuss 25-man and 10-man raiding, and how the devs and the players feel about the different size raid options.  Death Knights are now open to more than one per server, and Ghostcrawler talks possible changes in Vengeance mechanics in 5.4.  After the show, stay tuned for a presentation on Protection Warriors, which was done as part of the Convert to Raid guild "Boot Camp" events a few weeks ago.  Great information on all aspects of warrior tanking from a player who has mastered his class.  Enjoy this very full and information-filled show!

This week, Solar and Zhug are joined by Josh Allen (a.k.a. Lore from Legendary, PST, Tankspot.com, Brawlcast, etc.) to discuss his upcoming move to Blizzard HQ, World of Warcraft's most recent plunge in subscription numbers, Blizzcon 2013, patch 5.3 and a lot more.  Sloot from the number two guild in the U.S., Midwinter, joins the guys to have an epic roundtable discussion of protection paladins -- and if you're playing one now, you will not want to miss it.  Also, Solar gushes over our guests, Lore spills the beans on how he'll communicate ideas to the devs, Zhug spills... all over his desk, and more.  Be warned: this is a very full show and you will not want to miss a moment of it. Enjoy!

This week, the guys are all in rare form, not only giving you the latest news and views in World of Warcraft, but also providing one heck of a show. Find out how to level alts in patch 5.3 (which is right around the corner), Ghostcrawler talks more tri-spec, Josh Allen heads to Irvine, California to work for Blizzard, Firelands has been seeded just for druids, and more. And what does Superman, the New York Times and World of Warcraft have in common? Horridon takes over the War Room with Affinity from Blood Legion, Koltrane wipes an LFR, Solarflair is a dingo, and Zhug has a couple of BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS that you won't want to miss! Expect lively conversations, tons of laughs, and an incredible wealth of information on another excellent show.

We're taking the show on the road this week to glitzy Las Vegas strip for a (mostly) LIVE show! You'll get to meet the Vegas crew, including: Petunya, Arcayne, Dairies, Jules, and Zhug and Koltrane as well. This show isn't completely about WoW, but it's more about these WoW players and how they play their game. There's some great information and insight, lots of laughs, and maybe even a few adult beverages. So /roll the dice and join in on the fun!

This is the Convert to Raid guide for Survival Hunters, updated for patch 5.2 with special guest Solarflair! Inside, we'll give you our insights into what can pump up your damage shot by shot, including priorities, talents, glyphs, stats, and more!

This week, the guys give you the updates raiders need to know!  The race to world first is over, 10 man ToT gets some targeted nerfs, the Durumu encounter gets a lot more clear, there are some great healing updates for patch 5.3, and WoW is trying to keep more stuff in game with a new browser. Affinitii from Blood Legion joins us to talk all about top level raiding and we talk Mistweaver Monk in The Scouting Report! Zhug had another Legendary week, Koltrane gets locked and loaded, and Solarflair might be getting another raid night (or several).

This week the guys take on the latest news and rumors surrounding the World of Warcraft, including: Blizzcon tickets on sale soon, the latest juicy Blizzcon and Titan rumors, heroic progression updates, LFR difficulty levels, and the latest updates for the next patch of WoW.  Also, Jin'rokh the Breaker enters the War Room, Solar wants progressive lockouts, Koltrane finds a bug, and Zhug tells you what Titan really is (not really).  It's a huge show with tons of great information, speculation and laughs... so strap in and hang on tight!

This week, the boys of CtR give you all of the latest updates to the game, including: the latest Oondasta changes, the race to world first, Hearthstone announced, Patch 5.3 coming soon, and a TON more. And Paragon gets another notch in their belt DURING THE SHOW! Also, Solarflair has a time delay, Zhug gets Monk-y, and Koltrane now comes with hiw own soundtrack. It's another wild ride, so hang on tight!

The guys discuss the latest news from the World of Warcraft, including the latest cry from Mages across Azeroth, Horridon's eating habits, the race to world first, world bosses in cross realm zones and more. They also take a look at the latest round of interviews from Ghostcrawler, give you some insight to one of the new solo scenarios, and answer some of your questions. Also, Zhug returns from the slopes, Koltrane rejoices over hotfixes, and we find out how much Solar loves to raid.  This show is a real roller coaster of emotions as well, and includes a very special note about one of our biggest fans.  This show is dedicated to the memory of Jaden.

This week, the CtR crew has one heck of a show waiting for you for patch 5.2! They talk about the Pet Battle bug and all the alts it spawned, the Throne of Thunder schedule is ready for you, and they'll take a look at some of the major changes to every single class in the World of Warcraft and more! Plus, Koltrane gets really funky, Solar sets his site on a new dinosaur, and Zhug says WTF in the first week of the patch. They answer your questions and have a few surprises in this jam packed show!

This week, the guys get you ready for 5.2 landing THIS WEEK in World of Warcraftland with a Throne of Thunder preview, developer interviews, and more on some of the features of 5.2 and beyond -- they even prognosticate about the super secret next BIG THING from Blizzard coming in Mists of Pandaria. Zhug and Solar reminisce about hunters of long ago and Kolt has a new leash on life. Mix that with their usual brand of weird and funny insights, and you've got quite the show!  Get ready for a HUGE WEEK OF WOW with Convert to Raid!

This week, Blizzcon announced, PvP Season 12 comes to a close (and so does patch 5.1), there will be more loot than just 28 gold, and top guilds may need to really step up their game to get a World First Ra-den kill. Plus, Amber-Shaper Un'sok is in the War Room, the guys answer your questions, and they have another BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!  Koltrane goes fire, Solarflair fires into Yogg, and Zhug has issues going left.

The show goes off the rails this week as the guys try to get you ready for patch 5.2, and there's no sense in trying to save it.  But they go over the latest news and view in World of Warcraft Land, like: Bashiok's latest post about 5.2 and you, Ra-den is the hidden heroic boss only for a limited time, and the latest chapter in the Legendary Quest Line.  Also, Solarflair gets to keep his Valor, Koltrane hedges his bet, and Zhug is so old that he can't remember where his is half the time. Plus, they get to answer a bunch of your questions along the way in this hilarious episode of CtR!

This week Koltrane takes a little vacation, but Solar and Zhug pug in the all-star raider, Dairies, to save the day. They talk high-end raiding merger, LFR buffs for those groups that need it, professions revamps and what that could mean for you, and more!  Dairies also gives you the insight you'll need to play a disc priest right now and on the PTR. They also take your questions and also give you more insight into the new Convert to Raid guild on Aerie Peak US!  All of that and a lot more, as always.

This week, the guys take a peek behind the curtain of encounter design, give you more details of patch 5.2 on the PTR, and even talks about PvP gear... *gasp!*  But they have even bigger news for you too.  Convert to Raid will now be an in game community!  Find out all the details about how you can be a part of the fun in this very cool new project.  Also, Solarflair gets a Solarbear, Zhug wouldn't know a metagem if it was in his helm, and Koltrane goes back to playing like Chunk Norris.  Plus, the boys get to a lot of your questions in this exciting show!

The guys are back after a bit of a break, and there's lots of catching up to do! Solarflair talks old school raiding in Naxx, The Asparagus Initiative has an emergency meeting, and Zhug tells of his adventures away from the Command Center.  A level 80 pally kicks Elegon's butt, patch 5.2 is live on the PTR, and the Cinder Kitten raises big money for the Red Cross. Also, Will of the Emperor is in the War Room, we'll answer some of your questions and more.  Welcome to another brand new Convert to Raid!

While the guys wait for the end of the world (according to the Mayan calendar), they've got a lot to discuss! Koltrane talks more about the Arcane Mage, Solarflair levels his boomy, and Zhug shares a casually legendary tale!  Also, the guys take another look at the state of raiding in WoW, especially after all of the developer interviews in the last week or so.  Also, Elegon is on the chopping block, and the boys take you through the action blow by blow. Plus, it's the CtR Holiday show, so we have presents for everyone, including you!  If you'd like to win a Cinder Kitten pet, please head to converttoraid.com for more information in the post for this show. Happy holidays, from all of us to you!

This week, patch 5.1 hit the live servers despite what Zhug said in the last episode, so the guys will take a look at some of the changes as they see them right now. They discuss dailies, dailies, and more dailies (now with flagged opposition), item level upgrades, the Legendary casual questline, the new standard time, and much more -- including the big changes to LFR and LFD, and lots of class changes too!  Plus, Zhug apologizes, Koltrane may dust off his 2 button keyboard, and Solarflair just tries to find the words.  Also, the guys take down The Spirit Kings in the War Room and give you the blow by blow and a ton more.  Hang on tight... it's gonna get freaky!

Admittedly nothing much in the raiding news department from Blizzard. But when have we let that stop us before?  The guys catch you up on the race to world first, they prognosticate on patch 5.1 and have a little chat about LFR difficulty and what you need to know in order to clear this content.  Plus, Zhug gets a little Monky, Solarflair and Koltrane level up, and all the guys proceed to the next level of raiding!

This week, the crew takes a look at the latest news about the end game: Heart of Fear progression and the race to world first, loot as it relates to dailies and LFR for raiders everywhere, and we even take a look ahead to patch 5.1 and beyond. Solarflair and Zhug debate on whether it's okay to have a "pay to play" system for the Brawler's Guild while Koltrane is still recovering from last week's raid night.  Plus, Adobe from My Epic Heals drops by to give us some in depth tips and tricks for playing the resto shaman!  How do we pack in so much show? You be the judge! Also. Please help those affected by last week's Superstorm Sandy by donating to the Red Cross!

This week, the CtR crew has another fun filled week of WoW news and entertainment for you!  A well known DK almost solos a Challenge Mode, Method speaks out about their #1 (25 man) heroic conclusion of the Mogu'Shan Vaults, 5.1 patch notes could be very interesting for some classes, and of course there are dailies, dailies, and more dailies.  We even have a great discussion on the loot systems in WoW and have a couple of ideas on how to improve them!  Solarflair steps up with his raiding schedule, Koltrane gets all hasty, and Zhug upgrades the CtR Command Center!

This week, the guys give you the latest in WoW news and entertainment, even amidst the various tech problems (which, thanks to the miracle of editing, you won't hear much of)! Paragon beats everyone to the end even though they're only a 10 man, patch 5.1 hits the PTR and the crew has some small spoilers, and The War Room makes it's triumphant return as The Stone Guard gets taken down.  Also, Zhug changes guilds, Koltrane steps in the goo, and Solarflair tanks a vicious Klaxxi in real life!

This show, the guys are getting amped for the release of Mists of Pandaria, and are celebrating with a couple of awesome guests.  Ion Hazzikostas (Lead Encounter Designer) talks to Zhug, and the guys talk to Eatmopie about all of the different monk specs to get you ready.  But that's only a part of what happens!  Solarflair revives his hunter, Koltrane reveals how RAF will benefit his monk (Wokfu), and Zhug may be switching his raiding main after this week's Scouting Report.

This week, the news has been... brief.  But there's still a ton of things to talk about!  A top guild goes 10 man, the devs take to Reddit, and the guys get you ready for Mists of Pandaria with a pre-launch discussion of things you may want to consider before sitting down for a marathon session of WoW.  Plus, Solarflair may be saying goodbye to an old friend, Koltrane waxes poetic about Ulduar, and Zhug gives new listeners a look into what you can expect from the show once MoP drops!

This week the World of Warcraft lays silent, mostly, except for a couple of rustles in the trees.  The one rustling the loudest is Ghostcrawler because he just joined TWITTER!  O-M-G Ba-by! We have some other interesting bits and pieces as well too.  Solarflair talks about the Darkmoon Rabbit, Koltrane finds the hidden Batman reference in MoP, and Zhug loses it completely!  It's not a long show, but hold on to your hats because it's gonna get WEIRD!

This week the guys take a look at 5.0.4 since it dropped on the live realms. Account wide mounts, pets and achievements, Loot in LFR, broken addons, AoE looting and more -- plus they take a look at YOUR reaction to some of the class changes, especially when it comes to talents and glyphs.  The players even have a great discussion about raiding heroics and progression fights and what that should mean in the scheme of things.  The guys give you the 411 on how you can get citizenship in the Bazoobagwabo Nation, Solarflair goes buggy over BC raiding, Koltrain revs up thanks to a friend, and Zhug drops a BOMB of an announcement that you won't want to miss.  Join us, won't you?

This week, the guys go in depth with all the changes in patch 5.0.4, talk beta class balance, check out the free Armory app, and talk about some of the changes announced recently about LFR in MoP.  Athaerick becomes an irregular co-host, Solarflair talks BC raiding, Zhug announces an announcement, and writer/podcaster Euripides stops by to talk about how to prepare for the new expansion and how we might make money in Mists of Pandaria.  It's a very fun show with lots of great information, so get comfortable and stay awhile!

This week, the guys will give you the scoop on patch 5.0.4 and when it's coming to Azeroth, and try to get you ready for Mists of Pandaria as best we can!  Koltrane apologizes for his segment, "In My Robe." Zhug finds the not so perfect solution for LFR, and Solarflair gets sassy over low level raiding.  We discuss the newly released cinematic trailer, we find out who is really jazzed for the latest changes to the druid travel form, and we check out one aspect of professions as we make the move into Pandaria.  All of this and a TON of your questions as well!

Koltrane returns for a fun filled show! The guys discuss the release date of Mists of Pandaria, Koltrane names his panda, Zhug debates which version of MoP he's going to buy, and Solarflair hears what a real English accent sounds like as Olivia Grace (WoW Insider) joins the show with fellow PVP aficionado Mike B. (Gamebreaker.TV) to discuss everything PVP.  From cataclysm and expansions past to all of the new Mists of Pandaria battlegrounds and statistics, we've got it covered on this week's show.  Very fun, tightly packed, and full of all sorts of knowledge you'll want to know!

This week Solarflair and Zhug pug in Jules from the Tauren Think Tank to help discuss the latest news and issues of the day, including PTR 5.0.4 going live, a funky green button on Battle.net, heroic raid testing on the beta, and even the illusive "nude drood!" We also break into the mailbag to answer a lot of your questions and give a little guide to new raiders wanting to pug into normals. Also... Blizzard has challenged us to challenge you, and we need your help!

Solarflair and Zhug aren't by their lonesomes this week as they pug in RevnGeek to help with the show!  While raiding may be winding down, there's still a ton to talk about!  They talk all about low level raiding vs. The Summer Challenge, the latest nerf to hit Dragon Soul, the state of 10 and 25 man raiding, the new player mentoring system and more.  They also take your questions on alternative loot systems, future legendaries, and other big topics too! 

TTT benefits from the Koltrane bump, who is this Phytt guy?, update on the hug bet, Phytt's crazy laughter, pantsless podcasting, Jules meets Zhug at Nerdtacular, Doghouse Systems is TTT's first sponsor, we listen to interviews from Nerdtacular, Koltrane drops in for a surprise visit in Tell Us One Thing, more empty server woes, managing WoW and real-life time, splitting a raid spot between two people, how to avoid non-nerd ostracism, Rem's dungeon leveling escapades, various updates, and a very special happy birthday shoutout.

This week, the guys are away... but we still have a jam packed show of ultimate goodness for you! Zhug will catch you up on a couple of news stories on the beta, we'll give you a look behind the curtain with some pre and post show banter, and LilMissy will give us the lowdown on how Blizzard delivers the lore of WoW.  Seriously, Zhug and Missy talk for about an hour and it's really a fun discussion!

This show, the guys talk about all the big picture updates happening in the beta, Zhug gives out Dork of the Week like it was going out of style, and we get an update on Koltrane's Legendary Segment!  We also bring in Eade from My Epic Heals to talk with us about Holy Paladins, and feature an original song!

AIE is good for your health, an opportunity for you to help Nerdtacular explode, how to PVP with the Force, and what the EVE gang has been up to. All that and more coming up right now. THIS is the NEW AIE Podcast...AIE NEWS Just a reminder that the WoW Spring Craft Fair will be happening on the weekend of  April 21st and 22nd. Come bring all your toons and max out their tradeskills. There will also be a raffle to give away some great prizes. For more information or to learn how you can help out, see Syrene's post in the AIE Azeroth forums.It looks like we're heading into swimsuit weather once again. For any AIE member trying to look their best in their bikini or speedo, you might like to know that AIE has an impromptu support system in place for those of you who want a little help keeping up with your exercise or weight loss goals. See Marcum's AIE Exercise Plan post in the community forums to get encouragement and to help encourage others. For you PVPers from a galaxy far, far away, there will be a SWTOR PVP Guild event taking place this Saturday, March 31, at 9pm server time. This is a mentoring/practice event, where you can learn how to PVP, and then put your new skills to use battling other AIE members. For more information, see Gallibond's post in the AIE The Old Republic forums.For you Convert To Raid fans, or AIE members who just happen to live in the Upper Midwest, Zhug will be holding an AIE/Convert To Raid meetup in Blaine, Minnesota on May 5, from 3 to 7pm at the Brunswick Zone bowling center. $20 will get you bowling, games, and food. Zhug asks that anyone interested in attending please RSVP on the Convert To Raid website or email him at converttoraid@gmail.comPandas! For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, our own High Muckety-Muck Scott Johnson has uploaded a video of him running around and rambling through the Mists of Pandaria beta. Somewhat informative, very entertaining. You can find it on his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/MyExtraLifeNerdtacular is really taking shape! Every year, Scott throws a great event for AIE'rs and Frogpants Community members alike! Because he keeps ticket costs so cheap, I know that in past years he was eating a lot of the cost of the event. This is where YOU can help him out. Every donation will provide that much more quality of an event, more comfortable chairs, better sound reinforcement for the concert (Paul and Storm!), etc.  Now although all the “High-Rolling” backing spots have already been filled (in the first 24 hours, YOW!), YOU, yes YOU, can help Scott make this even more an event to remember. The kickstarter has already more than 200% funding, but don't let that stop you! For the first time since the guild split in cataclysm AIE Warcraft is opening up a new co-guild! Alea Iacta Est Salus will be opening its doors on April 8th! So if you missed out on the fun of leveling a co guild, want to earn some cool achievements or just plain want the challenge of leveling a guild up from scratch let the officers know! This just in. Would the member of the live chat room driving the Traveler's Tundra Mammoth please check your vehicle? Apparently it got hungry, and now you owe another member of the audience a ride home. For links to more information about these topics, see our show notes in the AIE community forum. And with that, let's welcome this week's guests...GAME NEWSWhat we've been up to since the last EVE segment:We've spent the past month back in our home region, Fountain:Most of this time has been spent cleaning up the mess made by the intergalactic squatters know as the g0dfathers[Short explanation of Fountain's NPC pocket][why people would want to live there][why we're unable to control it]Destroyed ALL their starbases and customs officesCamped them in stationThis lead to the Bulgarian and English speaking groups in their alliance to split into two separate alliancesSkirmishes with the PIZZA Thrasher gangsPIZZA is an offshoot of the 4chan group Elite Space Gu...

This show the guys follow up with all of the news being pumped out about the beta (giving their opinions along the way), Zhug has a meetup for gamers in Minnesota, and Preach from Preach Gaming comes on to wrap up Melee Month with a great discussion on Frost DKs.  You do not want to miss this episode for the insights, the information, or the fun!

Gamu teams up with Zhug and learns a good and heart warming lesson.

This week we pug in Raiding a Raider's RevnGeek as we tackle all the news with patch 4.3.2, including cross realm raiding and the ret pally dps buff!  We also take a few listener questions, and defeat the beach ball toting, evil Warlord Zon'ozz!  Thanks to RevnGeek (and Boobear) for joining Zhug and Solarflair this week... a very fun show indeed!

Happy holidays from the crew at CtR!  This year, we'll celebrate with a look back at some of the great adventures we've had this year, along with some holiday songs -- from Zhug and from friends of the show.  Thank you so much for all you've given us this year!

The guys talk turkey in this week's show about the upcoming 4.3 patch, LFR loot rules and the Dragon Soul Encounter Pages, and they look ahead to Mists of Pandaria with the new talent calculators.  Matticus from World of Matticus and WoW Insider stops by to talk about healing priests in The Scouting Report, we have an AWESOME GIVEAWAY, and we try to answer a couple of tricky questions from you, the listeners. Be on the lookout as Zhug and Koltrane are back to their weird antics and more!!!

The guys put on a special show to wrap up all of the details released at Blizzcon 2011, especially concentrating on the next expansion: The Mists of Pandaria. We'll examine all of the new features, the new race and class, the dungeons, the raids, the overall themes and how it all fits together. Along the way, look out for Zhug and Koltrane's (completely fake) antics at Blizzcon.  This show is full of awesomesauce!

This week Koltrane discusses his progress in getting the Legendary staff along with all the recent changes, the gang dives into all things rogue-like with their guest Hemolicious from US-Drenden, and Zhug takes a hard line in Leading the Raid.  Of course we'll answer your questions along the way and a LOT more.  It's another jam packed show on CtR!

This week Zhug, Athaerick and Koltrane discuss some of the latest buzz around patch 4.3, the upcoming tank changes, and of course listener email.  They also head into the War Room and talk details and strategy for Baleroc!