The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Podcast

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Josh of Bad Cat Tobacco. Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, Josh spent more than 15 years working as an archaeologist before becoming immersed in the world of pipes and tobacco. Remarkably, Josh only began smoking a pipe in 2025, yet has already assembled a collection of more than 100 pipes and launched Bad Cat Tobacco, a boutique blending venture focused on creating distinctive tobacco experiences for pipe smokers. Brian and Josh will discuss his rapid journey into the hobby, the origins of Bad Cat Tobacco, and his approach to blending and the pipe community. At the top of the show Brian will discuss bowl cake.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome Big John. He is a micro-blender and the creator of the Niall of Nine pipe tobacco line. His journey into pipe smoking began when he inherited his great-grandfather’s pipes, an experience that sparked a lasting connection to the hobby. Today, he’s known for crafting distinctive micro-blends that often feature rare and unusual components, including Syrian Latakia and Cuban cigar leaf. Several of his blends draw inspiration from the themes and imagery of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Another notable mixture, Aberdeen Extinction, showcases an eclectic range of tobaccos: 2015 Virginias processed as Perique, 2016 McClelland Perique, 2014 Black Cavendish, 2001 medium brown Burley, and 2018 Cyprian Latakia. At the top of the show in Pipe Parts, Brian will go over an article about the iconic Connecticut shade tobacco. The industry has all but vanished as demand dwindled and land was developed, leaving Dwight Arnold — on a farm just over the Massachusetts border — as the last grower of the traditional shade-grown leaf prized for premium cigar wrappers. We also have news about nicotine pouch vending machines.

Tonight on The Pipes Magazine Radio Show, we welcome back Jay Furman, a long-time and well-respected member of the pipe community. Jay is the co-host of the Pipe and Tamper podcast, where he regularly discusses pipes, tobacco, and the people who make the hobby what it is. He also serves as a board member of the Chicago International Pipe Show, one of the premier pipe events in the world. Brian and Jay will spend the show talking about the upcoming Chicago show, including what attendees can expect this year, how the event continues to evolve, and why it remains such an important gathering for pipe smokers, collectors, and artisans alike. With his deep involvement behind the scenes, Jay offers a unique perspective on what goes into organizing a major pipe show and what makes the Chicago event so special. At the top of the show we will have a tobacco review of Cornell & Diehl's Briar Fox.

Tonight on the Pipes Magazine Radio Show we’re rolling out two brand-new recurring features. Our guest is pipe maker Nate King - a familiar voice who has joined us many times before. This time, we kick off a new series with him called "The State of Nate," where Brian and Nate dive into the pipe world from the maker's perspective. In this first installment, they'll talk about the dynamics between pipe makers and pipe collectors. Nate has been making pipes since 2005, holds an honorary Master of Pipes degree from the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, and is a member of the esteemed Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude. At the start of the show, we're also launching a recurring Pipe News segment, beginning with updates and changes surrounding the Las Vegas International Pipe Show.