Best Sandbox Radio Podcasts (2025)

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#63 : Dialed in Operations: Creating More Great Days in Restaurants with Matt Wampler 50:29

4d ago50:29

50:29

Matt Wampler, CEO, Co-Founder of Clear Cogs, joins CULINARY MECHANIC to share how his predictive analytics platform is transforming restaurant operations across four countries. With a background in restaurant turnarounds and multi-unit management, Matt brings hard-earned wisdom on scaling operations from two to four locations while maintaining qual…

1
The Cube Design Paradox 1:13:12

3d ago1:13:12

1:13:12

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about a paradox they occasionally face in Cube design. Sometimes a particular card to strategy over performs and as curators we want to add cards that offer counter play. Often those cards end up being just as potent played alongside the problematic cards as they are against them, only …

1
#62 : Leading from Within: The Journey of Becoming a Respected Sous Chef with Hanalei Souza 42:20

11d ago42:20

42:20

Simon Zatyrka welcomes Hanalei Souza, author of "Nice Work Boys" and creator of LadyLineCook.com, for an in-depth conversation about culinary leadership and professional kitchen dynamics. Hanalei shares her remarkable journey from snowboarding in ski resort towns to deliberately seeking out the busiest restaurant in town to "get her ass kicked" and…

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Tarkir: Dragonstorm Cube Set Review 1:54:10

12d ago1:54:10

1:54:10

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Parker talk about the results of the cube community survey for Tarkir: Dragonstorm. They discuss the sets new mechanics and how they function to support a the set’s themes and limited environment and how that relates to goals of many Cube designers. They also talk about the top cards catch…

1
#61 : Bringing Chefs Back to Their Passion and Into Your Home with Petko Petkov 32:41

19d ago32:41

32:41

Ever wondered what happens when passionate foodies decide the traditional dining model isn't working? In this episode, Simon Zatyrka sits down with Petko Petkov, founder of Chefin, a global platform connecting private chefs with clients for in-home dining experiences. From impromptu dinner parties on Bondi Beach to coordinating chefs in multiple co…

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The Sound of Profit 15:07

19d ago15:07

15:07

Follow Jacob, Miles, and Victor through a story about musical exploitation, globalization, and hope, starting with the creation of Jazz and concluding with the future of Afrobeats. Names: Jacob Matlof, Miles C. Selles, and Victor Chen Interviewees: Bolaji Oyedepo Bolaji Oyedepo is an Nigerian American musician from Houston, Texas, paving his own wa…

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Secret Graffiti 14:24

19d ago14:24

14:24

Katie Cheng, Lela Hanson, Reyna Duffy, and Will Yu This is a story about a girl named Katie who suddenly discovers that her seemingly straight-laced, engineer dad used to lead a secret life as a graffiti artist. Fueled by curiosity and wonder, she sets out on a journey to learn more. From exploring hidden graffiti tunnels with friends to having an …

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Vernon vs. Exide: The Fight For Justice 15:57

19d ago15:57

15:57

How can supposedly green initiatives, such as battery recycling, still result in dirty outcomes? Community members in Vernon, California, fight to shut down a local battery recycling plant because its toxic waste is polluting their air, water, and soil. The company and governmental agencies that are supposed to be responsible fail to listen and act…

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IncludEd 16:51

19d ago16:51

16:51

In an unprecedented political, social, and cultural climate where executive orders are being issued to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide, especially in educational institutions, three college-aged students from diverse racial backgrounds reflect on their experiences with racial discrimination and exclusion in K…

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Boston Cube Party Two and Sacred Geometry First Impressions 1:18:22

19d ago1:18:22

1:18:22

View all cards mentioned in this episode As they continue to attend more and more local, grassroots Cube events, Andy and Anthony find themselves asking: do people like these ‘tournament report’ episodes? They try to talk through their drafts at Boston Cube Party Two more quickly, but it still takes almost an hour to get through them. The episode c…

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#60 : Chef Life Radio: Intention and Purpose, The Secret Ingredients of Successful Chefs with Simon Zatyrka 56:19

26d ago56:19

56:19

HERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL!! Somewhere in the time construct Adam Lamb and Simon Zatyrka got together for a series of conversations. In this episode Simon joins Adam on Chef Life Radio. What ensues is a stark contrast from the conversation on CULINARY MECHANIC (previous episode). I hope you enjoy it at least half as much as we did recording it. "Jus…

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#59: The Art of Kitchen Presence: Talking About Culinary Leadership with Chef Adam Lamb 45:57

27d ago45:57

45:57

Ever wondered what makes a great chef different from a good one? In this soul-stirring conversation, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with culinary leader Adam Lamb to uncover the human side of professional kitchens. From dishwashing beginnings to leadership wisdom, they dive into the beautiful chaos of kitchen life, revealing how presence, patience, a…

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The Barash Files 005 — Playtesting and Cube Feedback 1:12:26

26d ago1:12:26

1:12:26

View all cards mentioned in this episode In the final installment of ”The Barash Files” (at least for now!), Zach — game designer at Wizards of the Coast — talks with Andy and Anthony about playtesting. The three talk about how they approach getting feedback on their specific different environments and how they use that information. Discussed in th…

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#58 : Optimizing Restaurant Labor with Cijoy Olickal 41:47

1M ago41:47

41:47

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka sits down with Cijoy Olickal, COO of GM Pilot, to explore how innovative tech solutions are transforming restaurant management. From his unexpected entry into the hospitality industry to developing game-changing labor optimization tools, Cijoy shares how his background in management consulting led…

1
The ↑↑↓↓←→←→ABCs of Combo 1:06:18

1M ago1:06:18

1:06:18

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk all things “combo”. After talking about both aggro and control on the show, they finally get around to this sometimes divisive part of the Magic landscape. They try to come up with a working definition of combo strategies, talk about their own history with it as players and cube designe…

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The Detour - Yes, Chef 21:42

1M ago21:42

21:42

How exciting would it be if you actually tuned into that little voice in the back of your head? The one telling you to go for the thing you really want, even if it’s probably, most likely, definitely not what’s expected of you? Aren’t you curious how a girl can go from making pancakes in the kitchen with her mom one day to suddenly winning MasterCh…

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#57 : Restaurant Business Foundations: Connection, Sustainability and Systems with Jen Quist 44:33

1M ago44:33

44:33

When restaurant dreams crash against business realities, what separates survivors from shuttered doors? In this revealing conversation, Simon Zatyrka talks with Jen Quist of Wishwell about the crucial balance between culinary creativity and business fundamentals. From her career pivot at 30 to developing concepts for hotels across the country, Jen …

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Judge Bones Teaches You How To Organize Your Own Grassroots Cube Event 1:14:57

1M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are joined by Judge Bones. As mid-sized Cube events have flourished, Bones has spearheaded the task of judging and carried valuable lessons over from event to event. Hot on the heels of The Salt Box in Baltimore, the three talk about Bones’ history with Cube and what it takes to host and jud…

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The Salt Box Tournament Report 1:37:48

2M ago1:37:48

1:37:48

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Patrick report on their experience at Baltimore’s first mid-sized Cube event: The Salt Box. Following the pattern of other regional events, the tournament featured multiple drafts of Cubes from the local area, organized by ranked choice selection. The three of them talk through the decks t…

1
#56 : Mentors, Michelin & Making It: Building Culinary Excellence with Ismael Torres 41:29

2M ago41:29

41:29

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka welcomes Chef Ismael Torres, host of Chef Ismael's Kitchen Quest podcast and owner of Rough Chop private chef services. Ismael shares his journey from starting as a 15-year-old dishwasher at "the happiest place on Earth" to becoming a successful private chef with Michelin star aspirations. The con…

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Aetherdrift Cube Set Review 1:40:18

2M ago1:40:18

1:40:18

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Parker talk about Aetherdrift and peripheral sets. They review the results of the Cube community survey where Cube designers submit the cards they’re giving a shot in their cubes and how highly they rate them. They also give their own overall impressions of the set in this single-episode r…

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#55 : How to Break Through Growth Barriers in Your Restaurant with Charlie Wilkinson 47:07

2M ago47:07

47:07

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka sits down with Charlie Wilkinson, founder of Bridge to Opportunities. Charlie shares his journey from selling HVAC systems to becoming a restaurant industry powerhouse, working with iconic brands like Bennigan's, TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut, Boston Market, and Olive Garden. Charlie discusses how he tra…

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The Barash Files 004 — Building Skill vs. Building Community and Learning from Your Mistakes 1:21:06

2M ago1:21:06

1:21:06

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Zach talk about improving as a Magic player, building a community and how they try to balance the two. They talk about the challenges of fostering positive social standards and how that can conflict with trying to improve at a competitive game. Discussed in this episode: The Null Hypothesi…

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#54 : Making Today Better Than Yesterday: A Chef's Guide to Meaningful Leadership with Don Christie 40:19

2M ago40:19

40:19

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka connects with Don Christie, a culinary leader currently managing food operations at Raffe Hotels in Fiji. Don shares his journey from starting as a kitchen hand in Australia to leading culinary operations across prestigious establishments worldwide, including Michelin-starred restaurants in London…

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Mindbreak Trap Forgives All Sins with Julien Henry 1:31:57

2M ago1:31:57

1:31:57

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are joined by Julien from their local playgroup, fresh off the pro-tour, to offer his expert advice on an important topic: updating the Turbo Cube. In Anthony’s novelty cube, the rules are modified so all spells and activated abilities cost Discussed in this episode: The Turbo Cube Cube Even…

1
Our Favorite Cards from 2024 1:00:06

3M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about their favorite cards from the last year. They each go through their top favorite unique cards or cycles discussing their impact on their own cubes, cubes they’ve been playing, or their future potential for the format. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherdrift Commande…

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#53 : "The Art of Kitchen Adaptability with Chef Brent Weathers 58:56

3M ago58:56

58:56

In this captivating episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Chef Brent Weathers, whose journey from dishwasher to accomplished chef embodies the essence of kitchen culture at its best. Starting with zero experience in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Weathers shares how beginning in the dish pit and learning fundamentals from the gr…

1
Aesthetic Values and Style in Cube Design 1:07:07

3M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

View all cards mentioned in this episode Inspired by two standards of beauty from different cultures — the Japanese Wabi-Sabi and the Italian Sprezzatura — Andy and Anthony are talking about a seemingly mundane card choice in 100 Ornithopters and how that reflects on the aesthetic values that are informally codified in cube design. Discussed in thi…

1
#52 : Restaurant Financial Management: Real-Time P&Ls and Operational Excellence with Geordy Murphy 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, Simon Zatyrka sits down with Geordy Murphy, founder of Fobesoft, to explore the critical intersection of culinary excellence and financial acumen. With over two decades of experience from busboy to restaurant owner, Geordy shares his journey from the high-energy San Francisco restaurant scene to revolutionizing…

1
Vintage Cube Sucks 1:01:10

3M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about why they think Vintage Cube sucks. Riddled with unintelligibly complicated cards, self-solving puzzles, and value generating haymakers that take no investment or strategy to maximize, it’s not our hosts’ favorite kind of Cube. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherdrift…

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#51 : Kitchen Leadership and Team Building: Chef Glenn Cybulski on Restaurant Success 56:33

3M ago56:33

56:33

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka welcomes Chef Glenn Cybulski, leader of Chefs Feeding Kids, for an engaging discussion about restaurant leadership and kitchen culture. Chef Glenn shares his journey from early restaurant work to international training in Italy, emphasizing how simple connections can lead to life-changing opp…

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Debriefing Vertex Philadelphia & 100 Ornithopters Unite 1:16:37

3M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony recap Magic events they participated in this week. First, Anthony talks through his experience at Vertex Philadelphia, a ~100 person Cube tournament. Anthony had another solid run in his drafts, and the event was the first time his new Broadcast Shuffling method was tried at scale to reasona…

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#50 : Leading with Obsessive Execution: Solving for Excellence with Alfredo Miro 39:20

3M ago39:20

39:20

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Alfredo Miro, a fast-food industry veteran and current leader at Baker's Drive-Thru. From his early days at Carl's Jr. to executive positions at Wendy's and consulting roles with major brands, Miro shares his journey through the QSR industry. The conversation reveals the fascin…

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The Barash Files 003 — Reflections on Cube Drafts Past 1:21:12

3M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

View all cards mentioned in this episode On the third installment of The Barash Files, Zach shares stories from his drafts of some of Andy and Anthony’s cubes over the last few years. He shares insights into how he approaches them as a player, and how effectively they deliver on their stated goals. Discussed in this episode: Drafting the Bun Magic …

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#49 : Get Back Your Time - Technology, Leadership and the Future of Hospitality with Michael Beck 30:42

4M ago30:42

30:42

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Michael Beck, CEO of Ink Tank GTM, for an engaging conversation about the intersection of hospitality and technology. Beck shares his journey from growing up in his family's restaurants to serving in the military, attending culinary school, and eventually transitioning into res…

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Using the Foundations Starter Collection as the Base for Your Own Cube — with Carmen Klomparens 1:19:00

4M ago1:19:00

1:19:00

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk with Carmen Klomparens, lead designer of the Foundations Starter Collection, about the set and how it’s a great option for new Cube players looking for a starting point. They talk about what’s in the set, how and how it was designed, and then each offer ideas and specific cards they’d a…

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#48 : The Evolution of Restaurant Operations - The Modern Realities of Restaurant Costs with Angelo Esposito 43:55

4M ago43:55

43:55

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with Angelo Esposito, founder of Wisk AI, to explore the evolution of restaurant inventory management. Angelo shares his journey from grocery store roots to developing one of the industry's leading inventory management solutions. The conversation delves into practical approaches to …

1
Changing Patterns in Magic R&D 1:05:35

4M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about changes to the design of Magic cards over the years: including some overt changes like “snap on equipment” and more subtle differences in how attack triggers are worded they feel would have been done differently in the past. They talk about how each changes the texture and focus o…

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#47 : Building Successful Restaurants Through Care and Detail with Roger Beaudoin 38:17

4M ago38:17

38:17

Join host Simon Zatyrka as he sits down with Roger Beaudoin, whose journey from country club dishwasher to successful multi-restaurant owner embodies the essence of hospitality industry success. In this engaging conversation, Beaudoin shares how his early experience and a chance encounter with Italian pizzerias led him to secure his first restauran…

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The Barash Files 002 — On Terminology, Communication, and Community 1:25:15

4M ago1:25:15

1:25:15

View all cards mentioned in this episode In the second installment of “The Barash Files”, Andy, Anthony, and Zach talk about Cube terminology. They talk about how the language we use effects that kinds of conversations we have which in turn effect the kinds of communities we build. New terminology can enable talking more efficiently about concepts …

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#46 : Leadership Lessons for Restaurants: Building Trust in High Pressure Environments with Rachel Burr 56:08

4M ago56:08

56:08

In this episode of CULINARY MECHANIC, host Simon Zatyrka sits down with executive coach Rachel Burr to explore the complexities of leadership in the restaurant industry. Rachel shares her journey from psychology to executive coaching, discussing how she helps leaders develop from being excellent at their craft to becoming effective leaders of peopl…

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Always Be Cubing — 2024 in Review 1:29:05

4M ago1:29:05

1:29:05

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony close out 2024 reflecting on their year in Magic. This year Magic’s new direction as a product driven primarily by marketing goals fueled with cheap gimmicks and cross branding feels solidified. Our hosts talk, kind of briefly, on how their relationships to the game have changed because of t…

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The Barash Files 001 — The Principles of Game Design 1:12:44

5M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

View all cards mentioned in this episode Zach Barash joins Andy and Anthony for the first episode in a series where he shares his game design expertise. In this first episode, the three talk about the first principles of game design, including the iteration loop most game designers follow (and similar processes in other fields!). Starting with idea…

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A Loom Made of Yarn: the Tools of Cube Design 56:59

5M ago56:59

56:59

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about the essential digital tools and workflows for Cube designers. Starting with finding and gathering cards on Scryfall, to sculpting and sharing lists on Cube Cobra and tools for analyzing and comparing lists, they talk about how to leverage resources to make designing and playing Cu…

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Fixing is Cringe with Jenn the Judge 1:07:29

5M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are Joined by Jenn the Judge to talk about “5 Color Good Stuff” decks in cube. They talk about what aspects of a Cube enable 5 color decks, and the impacts these decks have on the feel and fun of an environment. They talk about some of the strategies they employ in their own cubes, including…

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