Ever wonder what goes into creating a food podcast? John Engleman pulls back the curtain on his journey from teenage restaurant worker to the creator of ”Flavors of Northwest Arkansas,” revealing the surprising path that led him to telling the stories behind his region's vibrant culinary scene.

John's career has taken fascinating turns, from his first job as a restaurant host in Dallas to working in radio and television before finding his way back to audio storytelling. Now he's dedicated to uncovering the unexpected tales of chefs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs who make Northwest Arkansas special. The stories he's discovered will astonish you: a chef who once prepared meals for Gorbachev at the 1990 World's Fair in Siberia, a chocolate maker who survived a 7.2 earthquake during a sourcing trip to Ecuador, and bakery owners navigating dirt roads to deliver wedding cakes.

Beyond the compelling stories, John shares the nitty-gritty details of independent podcast production, the technical challenges, late-night editing sessions, and the 12-16 hours of work behind each seemingly effortless episode. His insights into the personalities of successful chefs and his practical advice for aspiring content creators make this conversation valuable for anyone interested in food, storytelling, or media production.

Whether you're curious about the culinary talent hiding in unexpected places or the reality of creating content as a one-person operation, this episode offers a feast of insights about passion projects and the power of local storytelling. And as John would say, don't forget to tip your servers!