After many months away from the mic, Mark is finally publishing a 'lost episode' where he talks with his old buddy Nate Houge of Brake Bread in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Nate wanted to hear the entire 'Mark the Baker' story in one go, and share that story in one place. Ever the contrarian, Mark got Nate talking about his life in Minnesota too.

In this episode, two old friends catch up, discuss aging, family, musicals and lots and lots of baking, starting with Mark's first forays into brick ovens, right up to why personal growth and workshops like the Bakery Leadership Circle are so important.

There is also talk about the fourth edition of Bakery Leadership Circle, launching in March, 2026!

Helpful Links

Brake Bread website

@brakebread on Instagram

Support the Podcast Here!

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

The Bakers4Bakers Community

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

After more than seven years and 220 episodes, it's time to draw a line under the Rise Up! Podcast.

In this episode, Mark shares his reasons for stopping the show, discusses what is next for the podcast, Bakers4Bakers and his other baking passions, and reflects on the high points of over 200 hours worth of whole-hearted conversations.

Helpful Links

Support the Podcast Here!

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

The Bakers4Bakers Community

The Bakery Leadership Circle

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

There are times when family is bigger than career and you need to figure things out. And often, bread and baking becomes the way forward. That's what happened to Mark Gavigan and Kristin Ryall, who gave up careers in the wine trade to relocate to Palm Springs to be closer to their family, and Mark fell into baking in a big way.

In this episode, Mark, Kristin and your host Mark talk about the experience of giving it all up to move cross country, how baking started small and then grew and grew until they opened their brick and mortar location, and the challenging reality of baking in an extremely hot, extremely seasonal location.

There is also talk about the Bakery Leadership Circle, Mark's new project offered via the BBGA

Helpful Links

Bread and Flours

@breadandflours on Instagram

Support the Podcast Here!

Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website

The Bakers4Bakers Community

Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series

Mark on Instagram

Credits:

Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck

Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck

Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin