The Pizza Therapy Podcast

Episode 12: The 120-Year-Old Secret: Will Grant's Journey from Gold Rush Sourdough to World Champion

Sponsored by Pizza Therapy and Everyday Wonders https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy  [https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_3KWQJSXWX3271SX5MSY8%20](Affiliate Link) As an Amazon Influencer, I may be compensated if you purchase through my links Sour Dough Willy's https://www.sourdoughwillys.com/ [https://www.sourdoughwillys.com/] Will Grant Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Sourdough-Willys-Pizzeria-100063520812660/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/Sourdough-Willys-Pizzeria-100063520812660/] That's A Some Pizza https://www.thatsasome.com/ [https://www.thatsasome.com/] Sour Dough Library in Belgium https://www.puratos.com/sustainability/heritage [https://www.puratos.com/sustainability/heritage] 120-Year-Old Sour Dough Film    • 120-year-old Sourdough starter!  Shepard's Grain https://shepherdsgrain.com/ [https://shepherdsgrain.com/] Marra Forni https://marraforni.com/ [https://marraforni.com/] Albert Grande's Amazon Influencer Page https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy [https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy] (Affiliate Link) Pizza T-shirts Dashery Store https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/ [https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/] (Affiliate Link) More T-shirts https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728 [https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) Check out The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book https://amzn.to/2MIFC79 [https://amzn.to/2MIFC79](Affiliate Link) If you love eating Pizza, you are going to love making Pizza… "You Will Learn How to Have Family Fun*, Save Tons of Money, and Make Pizza." Learn easy, step-by-step methods for making Pizza. The book explains the notion of Pizza Therapy and why Pizza is more than flour, salt, yeast, and water. Describes ingredients you should use, Pizza tools, and how to use them. Kindle version here: https://amzn.to/2uBiXhF [https://amzn.to/2uBiXhF](Affiliate Link) Best Tool for Creating YouTube Videos: https://www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=pizzatherapy [https://www.tubebuddy.com/pricing?a=pizzatherapy] (Affiliate Link) I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Episode 11: Lars Smith: From Local Chef to Global Pizza Legend: The Journey of a Pizza Master

Tee Public Site Pizza Therapy Dashery Store  https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com [%20https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com]/ (Affiliate Link) More T-shirts https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728 [https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) Tee Public Pizza Therapy Store https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy [https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy] (Affiliate Link) In this episode, World Pizza Champion Lars Smith shares the incredible story of his pizza journey—one filled with passion, persistence, and the rise of his award‑winning State of Mind Pizzerias. Lars explains how his path began at the legendary Pizza My Heart, a place he left more than once… but always returned to. Each time, the dough called him back. He talks about the moment everything changed: his decision to attend the International Pizza Expo. That experience didn't just inspire him—it confirmed that he had what it takes to make truly great pizza. And he's proven it ever since. Lars discusses the mentors who shaped his craft, including pizza icons John Arena and Leah Scurto, whose influence continues to guide his approach to dough, flavor, and creativity. He also gives a shout‑out to the California Milk Advisory Board, a partner he proudly supports. And of course—because this is Pizza Therapy—Lars closes with practical, heartfelt tips for the home pizza maker. Whether you're stretching your first dough or chasing the perfect bake, he's got wisdom you can use tonight. This is the story of a champion, a craftsman, and a man who lives and breathes pizza. Lars Smith Sites and Related Links https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/ [https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/] https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/restaurant [https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/restaurant] https://www.instagram.com/lboogiesmith/?hl=en [https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/restaurant] Pizza My Heart https://www.pizzamyheart.com/ [https://www.pizzamyheart.com/] Leah Scurto https://www.pizzaleah.com/ [https://www.pizzaleah.com/] Pizza Expo https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com/ [https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com/] Chris Bianco Book https://amzn.to/3XQLOwU [https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com/] (Affiliate Link) John Arena https://metropizza.com/ [https://metropizza.com/] California Advisory Board https://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/ [https://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/] Check out new designs on TeePublic! Get high-quality tees featuring my original artwork - every purchase directly supports independent creators like me. Click the link to browse the collection! #SupportArtists #TeePublic https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728 [https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.” Albert Grande Links: https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy [https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy] Albert Grande More: https://sleek.bio/albertgrande [https://sleek.bio/albertgrande] Subscribe to the Pizza Therapy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaTherapy?sub_confirmation=1. [https://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaTherapy?sub_confirmation=1.] Albert Grande's Amazon Influencer Page https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy [https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy%20](Affiliate Link) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Episode 10: Michael Kalanty, Sourdough Bread Baking, Making, the firewithin.com and Wood Fired University

Fire Within and Wood Fired University sponsor this episode. For more information, go to: https://firewithin.com/ https://firewithin.com/wood-fired-university/ Michael Kalanty shares his entire journey with bread, beginning as a graduate student in architecture and discovering his passion for breadmaking in France. He explains how he started his sourdough journey, evolving from a student to a master bread baker. He describes his methods for teaching sourdough making. He is the author of two books on bread making. His starter, named Lucky Lady, is in the Sourdough museum in Belgium. He explains how he is an advanced instructor for Wood Fired University and his relationship with Firewithin.  For more about Michael Kalanty, click on the links below.  Michael Kalanty  https://www.michaelkalanty.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kalanty-83563713/ https://www.instagram.com/chefmikebreads/ Sour Dough Museum https://sourdoughlibrary.puratos.com/en/virtual-sourdough-library Glycemic index https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index How to Bake Bread https://amzn.to/3FNtZc1 (Affiliate Link) How to Bake More Bread https://amzn.to/4l5Cn73 (Affiliate Link) How to Bake Sour Dough Bread https://app.ckbk.com/recipe/bake70655c01s001ss001sss002r003/sourdough-starter-day-2-refresh-the-environment-for-the-yeast

Episode 9: Mike Pintera’s Pizza Journey: From Struggles to Success at Pizza A Mia Modo

Albert Grande's Amazon Influencer Page https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy [https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy] (Affiliate Link)  Mike’s story began the way many great careers do: on the floor. He started as a dishwasher on Long Island and worked his way through every station—front counter, prep, kitchen, and, finally, pizza maker. That early immersion taught him two vital lessons for running a pizza business: absorb knowledge from every role, and build relationships with customers who become family. Pizza Therapy Dashery Store https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/ [https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/] (Affiliate Link) Pizzamodomio https://modomiopizza.com/ [https://modomiopizza.com/] https://www.scpizzatruck.com/ [https://www.scpizzatruck.com/] https://www.instagram.com/pizzamodomio/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/pizzamodomio/?hl=en] https://www.facebook.com/mike.pitera/ [https://www.facebook.com/mike.pitera/] Our Little Italy https://www.ourlittleitalypizzapasta.com/ [https://www.facebook.com/mike.pitera/] Culinary Institute of America https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-new-york/ [https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-new-york/] Galbani Cheese https://galbanicheese.com/ [https://galbanicheese.com/] Stanilaus https://stanislaus.com/ [https://stanislaus.com/] Slice Out Hunger https://sliceouthunger.org/ [https://sliceouthunger.org/] U.S. Pizza Team https://uspizzateam.com/ [https://uspizzateam.com/] Albert Grande Links: https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy [https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy] Albert Grande More: https://sleek.bio/albertgrande [https://sleek.bio/albertgrande] Subscribe to the Pizza Therapy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaTherapy?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaTherapy?sub_confirmation=1] As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Pizza T-shirts; https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy?ref_id=2728 [https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) General T-shirts https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728 [https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) Check out The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book: https://amzn.to/2MIFC79 [https://amzn.to/2MIFC79]  (Affiliate Link)

Episode 8: Pizza, Passion, and Solamente: Ethan Spiezer’s Artisan Journey in Las Vegas

Pizza Therapy and Everyday Wonders (Affiliate Link) https://amzn.to/4h8qQSY [https://amzn.to/4h8qQSY] "As an Amazon Influencer, I may be compensated if you purchase through my link, at no additional charge to you. Ethan Speizer https://solamentepizza.com/ [https://solamentepizza.com/] https://www.instagram.com/solamentepizzalv/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/solamentepizzalv/?hl=en] Yukon Pizza https://yukonpizza.com/ [https://yukonpizza.com/] Ethan’s journey began during the pandemic, a time when many sought new hobbies and passions. Like numerous others, he was inspired to try something new, but his focus quickly honed in on the craft of sourdough pizza. Starting in his backyard with a simple rock box oven, Ethan encountered the first challenge that many face: the sourdough pizzas he made tasted excessively acidic, almost as if someone had squirted lemon juice all over them. Please review the Pizza Therapy Store, including T-shirts, apparel, and merchandise. https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/ [https://pizzatherapy.dashery.com/]u.” Albert Grande Links: https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy [%20https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy] Albert Grande More: https://sleek.bio/albertgrande [%20https://sleek.bio/pizzatherapy] Subscribe to the Pizza Therapy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaTherapy?sub_confirmation=1. Albert Grande's Amazon Influencer Page https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy [https://www.amazon.com/shop/pizzatherapy] (Affiliate Link) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Pizza T-shirts; https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy?ref_id=2728 [%20https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pizzatherapy?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) General T-shirts https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728 [%20https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=2728] (Affiliate Link) Check out The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book: https://amzn.to/2MIFC79 [%20https://amzn.to/2MIFC79%20] (Affiliate Link) If you want to learn to make pizza, please check out: https://kit.co/pizzatherapy/pizza-therapy-pizza-making-kit [https://kit.co/pizzatherapy/pizza-therapy-pizza-making-kit]  (Affiliate Link) If you love eating pizza, you are going to love making pizza… “You Will Learn How to Have Family Fun*, Save Tons of Money, and Make Pizza.” Learn easy step-by-step methods to make pizza. The book explains the notion of Pizza Therapy and why pizza is more than flour, salt, yeast, and water. Describes ingredients you should use, pizza tools, and how to use them. Kindle version here: https://amzn.to/2uBiXhF [https://amzn.to/2uBiXhF] (Affiliate Link)