The Wag Pod

Episode 48: Crappily Drawn Pets (feat. Alan Wieder)

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Alan Wieder in Part Two of this series, exploring the evolution of Crappily Drawn Pets and how a simple idea turned into a growing, highly personal art business. Building on the shift explored in Part One, Alan shares how offering to poorly draw pets on Instagram quickly revealed real demand. What started as a lighthearted concept turned into something much bigger, as pet owners connected with the humor, personality, and individuality behind each piece. He walks through how the idea took shape and began gaining traction. The conversation explores the realities of building a creative business rooted entirely in custom work. Each drawing is unique, requiring detailed communication, reference photos, and thoughtful decisions around composition and captions. Alan breaks down his process from initial concept to finished piece, along with the time, energy, and attention that go into every commission. As demand increases, the discussion also touches on the challenges of scaling. Alan reflects on pricing adjustments, managing workload, and the possibility of bringing on help in the future, all while maintaining the style and quality that define the work. At its core, Crappily Drawn Pets blends humor, storytelling, and a genuine love for animals, creating something that resonates well beyond the drawing itself. As the business continues to grow, Alan’s journey highlights how leaning into authenticity and connection can turn a creative outlet into a sustainable business.

Episode 47: Alan Wieder Bad Drawer (feat. Alan Wieder)

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Alan Wieder about a career that spans cable news, reality television, and an unexpected turn toward art. After studying comparative literature with plans of entering academia, Alan moved into mass media, working in a fast-paced cable news newsroom during major late-’90s events. He later relocated to Los Angeles and built a long career producing nonfiction and entertainment television, including reality series, dating shows, game shows, and documentaries. For years, the industry was booming. Then the landscape shifted. Networks slowed. Streaming platforms changed the economics. Fewer shows were being bought. What had once been a steady, in-demand business became far less predictable, and the path forward in reality television was no longer as clear. Throughout it all, Alan kept creating. Photography. Cartoons and doodles. Gallery shows. T-shirts that built an audience. Much of the work leaned cynical and satirical, shaped by his humor and his experience inside television. As the industry cooled, a conversation with his dad pushed him to consider making something more positive. Combined with his connection to animals and his passion for drawing, that shift began steering his work in a new direction. Alan openly describes himself as a “bad drawer,” not a traditionally trained artist, yet his humor and strong attention to detail are exactly what people respond to. Part One of this two-part series follows Alan’s path through media, the industry reset, and the creative pivot that would eventually lead to Crappily Drawn Pets.

Episode 46: Royal Dog Chains (feat. Sam Khera)

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Sam Khera, founder of Royal Dog Chains, about building a brand that blends durability, personality, and true “royalty” for dogs of every size. Sam shares how the idea was inspired by his beloved soul dog, Rajah, whose presence and demeanor felt larger than life. Rajah, meaning “King,” carried himself with a kind of elegance that left a lasting mark, and that legacy became the foundation for everything Royal Dog Chains stands for. In this episode, Sam walks through his entrepreneurial journey and how the brand began taking shape during the COVID era, when he started building the vision, the look, and the identity behind Royal Dog Chains. The conversation highlights the moment that made it all click, realizing the pet space was full of either basic functional collars or flashy pieces that did not feel built to last, and there was a missing middle ground for owners who wanted something meaningful, bold, and premium without it being out of reach. Sam also shares how Royal Dog Chains has grown through pure grassroots hustle, learning Instagram, showing up at dog shows, and putting the product directly in people’s hands. From statement chains for big dogs to newer lines made for smaller pups (and even cats), the brand continues expanding with matching leashes, custom colors, and personalized name plates so every pet can feel one of one. This one is for anyone who loves dogs, loves style, and loves hearing how a personal story can turn into a real company. Royal Dog Chains is still early, but the vision is clear, and Rajah’s spirit lives on in every piece.

Episode 45: Tucker's Tap Yard (feat. Cole Parsons)

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Cole Parsons, co-founder of Tucker’s Tap Yard, about how life with pets and RV travel helped shape Winston-Salem’s first off-leash indoor and outdoor dog yard and bar. After losing their orange tabby cat, Lego, Cole and his wife Kim found themselves adjusting to life without a pet for the first time. With weekends increasingly spent traveling by RV, hiking, and exploring new towns, they decided a dog could be the right companion for that lifestyle. They soon adopted a beagle puppy from the local rescue AARF and named him Tucker, who quickly became part of every trip. As they traveled throughout the Southeast, Cole and Kim made a habit of seeking out dog-friendly breweries and taprooms, but consistently ran into the same limitation: dogs were welcome, but only on a leash. Over time, they discovered off-leash dog park bars in other cities and saw how much more enjoyable the experience was when dogs could safely run, play, and socialize. That experience stayed with them back in Winston-Salem and eventually became Tucker’s Tap Yard. The downtown space features large fenced outdoor play areas, a climate-controlled indoor area, a separate small dog section, and trained Yard Rangers on site to monitor play. For people, the yard offers a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, covered patio seating, private event space, and additional amenities like a self-wash room and grooming services. In this episode, Cole shares what it takes to build and operate a dog-centered business, how Tucker’s Tap Yard has grown into a consistent community gathering place, and why creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment remains the priority. The conversation highlights how a love for dogs and time spent on the road turned into a space where pups play and friends stay.

Episode 44: Corgi Town USA (feat. Candie Kemp & Catherine Napoli-Bruce)

Richmond Griner of Wag Works chats with Candie Kemp and Catherine Napoli-Bruce of Corgi Town USA, a corgi-focused podcast and community-centered brand built around education, connection, and better outcomes for dogs and the people who love them. Corgi Town USA exists to support pet parents with practical, experience-backed information on health, training, grooming, traveling with dogs, rescue, fostering, and how to responsibly find the right puppy. What began as a deep love for the corgi breed has grown into a collaborative platform aimed at helping people make informed, dog-first decisions. In this episode, Candie and Catherine share how they met through the corgi community, including the story of a foster corgi named Digby who ultimately found his forever home with Catherine. That connection deepened their friendship and played a meaningful role in the creation of the Corgi Town USA podcast. The conversation explores the corgi breed more broadly, from common health considerations and responsible breeding practices to the importance of education and advocacy as the breed grows in popularity. It also dives into the shared perspectives Candie and Catherine bring to the corgi community and how they build on each other’s strengths as co-hosts. At its core, Corgi Town USA is about providing reliable resources, amplifying responsible voices in the dog world, and staying focused on what’s best for the dog. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how shared values, collaboration, and community can create meaningful impact for pet parents everywhere.