Jon of All Trades

Ep. 372: FINALE

[https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JOAT-FINALE-PHOTO.png]https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/JOAT-FINALE-PHOTO.png This is it. The last episode. This show debuted on March 18, 2014 with three episodes – Mike Gaughan [https://jonofalltrades.us/ep-1-mike-gaughan-lifetime-public-relations-award-winner/], Cindy Sovine [https://jonofalltrades.us/ep-2-cindy-sovine-miller-lobbyist-and-political-consultant/], and Jason “Bird” Calloway [https://jonofalltrades.us/ep-3-jason-calloway-restauranteur-chef-co-owner-of-rooster-and-moon-coffee-pub/] were my guests – which means that this show has been active for a week shy of 11 years. 372 numbered episodes, 421 total episodes, and 444 blog posts later, it’s time to call it quits and move on to something else. In this episode, here’s what you’ll find: * An explanation of why I haven’t done a show in more than six months * The real, honest-to-God goal of Jon of All Trades, and how I achieved it * Why I wish culturally we would all just shut the f*ck up more frequently * How the 2024 election influenced my decision to end the show * Why it’s mortifying being a straight, white, cis man in America in 2025 * Grievance culture and what to do about it * Some crazy ass stats about the show – see if you can guess how many minutes and/or days worth of audio I’ve recorded * What’s next * Why it’s important to be the change you want to see in the world I promise you, I go out with a bang, in a way only a Jon Eks Solo Episode can. Hear me at my most unfiltered, most raw, most honest, and filled with energy, cultural pissiness, and ultimate optimism. I adore you for letting me be a part of your life. I hope this show has cheered you up when you’ve been down, given you new insights, taught you about what makes so many of us tick professionally, and just generally made you feel like time spent with me is time well spent. So long, Jon of All Trades. This show has been a literal dream come true – seriously, listen to the episode and you’ll see – and the reason is you. Thank you for spending time with me. See you at the new place. Say goodnight, Gracie. – Jon Eks, Jon of All Trades

Ep. 371: Brian Forrester & Kris Rhody – Uno Mas Taqueria

Brian Forrester (left) and Kris Rhody lead Uno Mas Taqueria and they're the guests on Ep. 371 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast, debuting September 4, 2024. [https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_7141-1024x768.jpg]https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_7141-scaled.jpgBrian Forrester (left) and Kris Rhody lead Uno Mas Taqueria and they’re the guests on Ep. 371 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast, debuting September 4, 2024. Tacos! We’re talking about tacos! And tequila! What else do you need me to write here to get you to listen to this? Ok, fine. Uno Mas Taqueria [https://unomastaqueria.com/] has been on South Pearl Street in Denver and on Olive Street in Fort Collins for the last 11 years, and Brian has been with them the entire time. Kris has been there for more than 8, and that’s emblematic of the culture they’ve created where they have low staff turnover and loyal customers. You can attribute that to them wanting to be “the bosses we never had” and thinking of a successful staff as a band where you need everyone playing in tune and listening to each other. We also talk about their Tequila Club, how small businesses are analog spaces that help create community, the challenges of operating a restaurant in Denver in 2024, and a ton more. The biggest takeaway from this is that these are a couple of really good-hearted dudes, who run their business with thought, care and success, and they’re an absolute joy to feature. I think you’ll love it too. Check out Uno Mas Taqueria on the web [https://unomastaqueria.com/menu/], on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/unomastaqueria/] or at their two locations: Denver: 1585 S. Pearl St. Fort Collins: 120 W. Olive Available on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-of-all-trades/id847604575?mt=2], streaming on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4jsq5bMMN3YPPGOlN3dOwi], on podcatchers everywhere, and at the Jon of All Trades homepage [https://jonofalltrades.us/].

Ep. 370: Rob Rover Rushing – Co-Founder of Punk Rock Saves Lives

Rob Rover Rushing is the Co-Founder of Punk Rock Saves Lives and he's the guest on Ep. 370 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 26, 2024. [https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6669-1024x768.jpg]https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6669-scaled.jpgRob Rover Rushing is the Co-Founder of Punk Rock Saves Lives and he’s the guest on Ep. 370 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 26, 2024. Rob Rover Rushing is on the road more than 300 days a year, so it was with some effort and luck that I caught him while he was home in Denver and that we were able to meet at East Fax Tap and chat for an hour. He’s the Co-Founder of Punk Rock Saves Lives [https://www.punkrocksaveslives.org/]. We talk about the organization’s origins, their upcoming festival, the challenges of running an event-based nonprofit organization and a ton more. What is punk? What isn’t punk? What are the ethics of the mosh pit and how do they apply to life? Who’s playing the Punk Rock Saves Lives Festival? (Rob actually answers this question over the course of the last 10 minutes of this episode) He’s a thoughtful, caring, hardworking dude and someone I feel blessed to be in a similar orbit with. Check out the Punk Rock Saves Lives website [https://www.punkrocksaveslives.org/], the Ratio Beerworks [https://ratiobeerworks.com/] website, and then join me for the Punk Rock Saves Lives Festival [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ratio-beerworks-presents-the-third-annual-punk-rock-saves-lives-festival-tickets-909991608397?aff=oddtdtcreator] July 5-7. Available on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-of-all-trades/id847604575?mt=2], streaming on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4jsq5bMMN3YPPGOlN3dOwi], on podcatchers everywhere, and at the Jon of All Trades homepage [https://jonofalltrades.us/].

Ep. 369: Jason zumBrunnen – Co-Founder of Ratio Beerworks

Jason zumBrunnen is Co-Founder of Denver craft brewery Ratio Beerworks and he's the guest on Ep. 369 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 19, 2024. [https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6574-1024x768.jpg]https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_6574-scaled.jpgJason zumBrunnen is Co-Founder of Denver craft brewery Ratio Beerworks and he’s the guest on Ep. 369 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 19, 2024. Jason zumBrunnen is Co-Founder and Head Brewer Emeritus of Ratio Beerworks, a Denver craft brewery with roots in the punk rock scene and a DIY spirit. I’ve visited Ratio more times than I can count whether I’m taking people from out of town there, seeing a concert, or just plain old enjoying a pint because I happen to be in the neighborhood. I also used to host my nonprofit Mile High 100 events there. I love so much about Ratio, it’s a thrill to get to highlight them here. I ask Jason about his punk rock roots, how to apply that to his brewery without being overbearing about it, how to differentiate yourself now that (perhaps) craft beer’s moment has peaked, where the brewery goes from here, and that terrible era of craft where every beer name was a bad pun or some vaguely offensive nonsense. I hit it off immediately with Jason, and this chat is easygoing while covering a lot of interesting ground about entrepreneurship, managing smart growth, and having to prove yourself over and over again (and why that isn’t a bad thing). Be sure to check out all things Ratio Beerworks at their website [https://ratiobeerworks.com/]. And join me for the Punk Rock Saves Lives Festival [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ratio-beerworks-presents-the-third-annual-punk-rock-saves-lives-festival-tickets-909991608397?aff=oddtdtcreator] July 5-7. Available on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-of-all-trades/id847604575?mt=2], streaming on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4jsq5bMMN3YPPGOlN3dOwi], on podcatchers everywhere, and at the Jon of All Trades homepage [https://jonofalltrades.us/].

Ep. 368: James Hilovsky – Creator of The Fran Dream

James Hilovsky is the Creator of The Fran Dream and he is the guest on Ep. 368 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 5, 2024. [https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/jhilovsky-and-joat-1024x452.png]https://jonofalltrades.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/jhilovsky-and-joat.pngJames Hilovsky is the Creator of The Fran Dream and he is the guest on Ep. 368 of the Jon of All Trades Podcast debuting June 5, 2024. James Hilovsky is the Creator of The Fran Dream [https://www.thefrandream.com/], a franchise consulting company that matches up existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with successful franchise business opportunities. Notably, he works with a lot of retired professional athletes to match them up with opportunities as their playing career winds down. We discuss how he got into this line of work, shares with me an absolute ton about the world of franchise business, and what makes him successful. You can find out more about James at his website. You can email him at James [at] TheFranDream [dot] com. You can even call or text him at 951-491-5983. Available on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-of-all-trades/id847604575?mt=2], streaming on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4jsq5bMMN3YPPGOlN3dOwi], on podcatchers everywhere, and at the Jon of All Trades homepage [https://jonofalltrades.us/].