Nostalgia — that deep, sentimental pull toward the moments, memories, and little pieces of the past that shaped us. It’s the driving force behind so much of what I do today… especially this podcast.

There is nothing on this earth that fills me with more joy than reminiscing about being a kid — no responsibilities, no bills, no stress. Just raw, pure innocence… well, mostly! Experiencing everything for the very first time. And that’s the magic of it — you only get those “firsts” once. You can never truly go back. Maybe that’s why reflection hits so deeply.

And that’s exactly what this episode is about.

This Friday, I’m taking you on a nostalgic ride — a small window into my childhood growing up in the 90s. Back when the days felt longer, summers felt endless, and life was beautifully simple.

So come along with me. Get ready to go knee-deep in the feels as we remember what it was like to just be a kid again.

I present to you… Ultra Nostalgia.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Nicholas Hildebrandt, also known as The PokePlumber, is a plumber by trade and a Pokémon influencer by night. He lived what many would consider a normal life until the loss of his biological father triggered a vicious, drug-fueled downward spiral that led to chaos and hopelessness throughout his twenties.

Eventually, Nicholas reached a turning point and made the decision to change the course of his life. A single move to Arizona to get clean proved to be the catalyst that changed everything. It was there that he not only pursued his plumbing career head-on, but also rediscovered his love for Pokémon—something that would rapidly reshape his future.

Today, known as The PokePlumber, he is a well-respected Pokémon collector and content creator, specializing in market analysis and product investing within the Pokémon TCG community, along with pack rips and unboxings. He has a fascinating story, and it was a pleasure getting not only an education in Pokémon that I didn’t have prior, but to also learn about his journey!

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

I’ve been drawn to graffiti for as long as I can remember. The subway-car era was a little before my time, so most of the work I grew up seeing lived on city walls and highway overpasses. Then one day in high school, I stumbled across a couple of magazines and DVDs that revealed an entirely new world to me: freight train graffiti. That discovery changed everything.

My next guest didn’t just participate in that world—he thrived in it at a level most writers only dream of. James McMenamin, better known as MECRO, began painting in 2006 and quickly became one of, if not my absolute favorite graffiti artists of all time. His range, his style, his technical skill—it's unmatched. His work has not only secured his place in graffiti history, but has also built an incredible life for himself and his family.

In 2008, Jimmy stepped into the mural business, founding Glossblack LLC, which he still runs today. Through it, he’s been able to bring his art to the world legally and professionally, transforming businesses and public spaces with the same level of craft and precision that define his freight pieces. Add to that his studio and gallery work—rare, powerful, deeply expressive—and you start to see the full picture of an artist who keeps evolving, both creatively and personally.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jimmy since 2018, when we collaborated on a limited run of MECRO pins. That project led to two more pin releases—and a friendship I’m forever grateful for. Jimmy isn’t just an incredible artist; he’s a devoted father, a visionary, and a spiritual mentor. You’re going to learn a lot from him.

This episode is a special one, and I’m truly thankful to share it with the world.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

If you’ve been following me on social media for the past nine years, you’ve probably noticed my wild obsession with Midway’s last arcade game, The Grid — a title that’s changed my life in more ways than one since I first discovered it upon its release in 2000. I often get asked three main questions about it: “What is The Grid? I’ve never heard of it.” “Where did you get all these machines?” and finally, “Why do you do everything you do for this game?”

To celebrate two years of The Sauce Talk Podcast — and to kick off my newly announced solo episode journey — I figured there’s no better way to start than by diving deep into my obsession and answering all the questions you’ve been curious about. My solo episodes will typically be much shorter than this one, but in true Al Sauce fashion, I had to introduce things in the most grandiose way possible. This episode runs a whopping 3 hours and 14 minutes, and I highlyrecommend watching it, as it’s packed with rare, never-before-seen footage and detailed references chronicling my journey — leaving no stone unturned.

This episode doubles not only as a podcast installment but also as a documentary capturing a small yet powerful chapter of my life — one deeply intertwined with the lasting impact of The Grid. So buckle up and get ready for an onslaught of stories, memories, and passion in honor of both my life and this game.

I proudly present to you: The Grid & Me.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Dr. Ryan C. Maher is a Doctor of Dental Medicine with over 25 years of experience in the field. Since graduating from UMDNJ, he has earned numerous certifications and successfully opened multiple dental practices. In 2015, he wrote and published his first book, The Trooth in Dentistry, which focuses on strengthening the patient-dentist relationship through education and building trust and comfort.

Dr. Maher's approach to dentistry—especially through his social media presence—brings a refreshing and engaging perspective to the profession. He not only makes dental care more approachable and fun, but also uplifts and motivates every member of his team, fostering a positive and dynamic practice environment.

He’s a remarkable professional—and also my personal dentist. Through my experiences with him, I’ve gained valuable insight into the dental industry and had a great time doing it!

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Chef Mike Carrino is a New Jersey-based culinary force with nearly 30 years of experience and a long list of accolades to match. He's a shining example of what happens when grit meets grace in a chef’s coat—blending old-school discipline with rebellious creativity.

A proud graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Carrino has opened several acclaimed establishments, including Passionné, Pig & Prince, and his current venture, Mike’s Pasta & Sandwich Shoppe. His talent also earned him a win on Season 1, Episode 13 of Chopped, where he took home the top prize on his very first appearance.

I could go on about his achievements, but beyond the titles and recognition, Mike Carrino is quite possibly one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. We sat down for just under four hours to dive into the mind and world of this remarkable chef—a conversation that quickly became one of the most memorable moments of my life.

He’s wise. He’s a visionary. He’s a craftsman. And most importantly, he’s my friend.

Enjoy this unforgettable journey through the moments that shaped the one and only Chef Michael Carrino.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Sean Struss is a beverage director and mixologist extraordinaire! I started this podcast in October 2023 and for an entire year this podcast was audio only until October 2024. I always planned on bringing back some guests from the "audio-only" era to catch up and give them their due video justice! Episode 18 featured Sean, and it was one of my most emotional episodes. Sean and I both wear our hearts on our sleeves and surely aren't strangers to emotion lol. Shortly after our last episode, his life changed drastically for the better and for the worse, so I figured I'd invite him back onto the show, and we could do a little game of catch-up. This was a therapeutic session for both of us, and it was good to see Sean since I hadn't seen him since the last episode.

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com

Mike Puzzo is a figure painter for the world's leading creator and global distributor of top licensed consumer toys: the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, also known as NECA Toys. Known for largely having the responsibility of painting most of the TMNT-related toys, but he can bring life out of any prototype you put in front of him, as he's been responsible for painting some of my favorite horror paint applications to date. I learned a wealth of information about the toy manufacturing world, from the inception of ideas, to the creation of toys, all the way through product distribution, daily backend operations and more importantly how Mike stumbled upon this, at the time, unknown talent of his. This was a fun episode, and it was a pleasure to sit down with Mike and store away some more information in this big noggin of mine!

*Mixed & Mastered by Carson Kopp ( @carson.kopp )

**Intro Music by N3str0 ( @n3str0 )

https://thesaucetalkpodcast.com