PODCAST · society
Buy Back Podcast
by The Buy Back
Drinking buds Alex and John track down the funniest, most disgusting, and wildest bartending stories from the best of the best!
Episodes
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"Tu Puedes Cantar," Omar!
Three-time guest Arianne returns this week and brings along her longtime friend, server and pop-up chef Omar Vallecillo, to The Buy Back table! Omar has walked the fine line between front of house and back of house since he was a young kid growing up washing dishes in Albuquerque, New Mexico.…
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Episode 124: There's Something Fishy About Rachel
Rachel moved from the Ukraine to Florida as a small, vodka-drinking baby. She learned English at 7, but until then, successfully communicated her needs by biting other children. She reversed snowbirded to New York in 2021 to attend a prestigious college and said, "Ya know what? Forget this!"…
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Episode 123: Tropical Storm Allie DOUBLE SIZED SEASON EIGHT PREMIERE
Synopsis: Allie was born on the night of a hurricane. Some say they named the hurricane Allie after her. 16 years later, her journey in restaurants began. In our DOUBLE SHOT of a season premiere, John sits down with his former student? Kind of. Now Allie works in multiple restaurants, fronts the...
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Episode 122: Shaelan O'Connor Will Die on That Hill DOUBLE SIZED SEASON FINALE
Every time Shaelan O'Connor thinks she's out, they pull her back in. Bartending defined her 20's, and she couldn't imagine her life without restaurants, but her sights have always been set on the big screen. This week, Shae and John look at unique chapters of their lives in the restaurant…
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Episode 121: Liv the Dream
Never once did Liv think that her job to earn some quick cash as a barista would turn into a career as a bartender. Come with us to the state of Washington where Liv balances both motherhood and like... eight other different jobs. She radiates a joy and a positivity that'll have you smiling this...
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Episode 120: Jack Terry - The World's ONLY Tommy Bahama Rumologist (Part 2)
This week, you get Part 2 of Bartender (and Author) Jack Terry. From Key West, to Montana, from Pennsylvania to New York City, Jack's been everywhere and done it all. In this week's episode, Jack unites Hooters' waitresses, a wing of the Pentagon, the cast of Dexter, and a guild from the World of...
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Episode 119: Popcorn Jack and The Great Good Place (Part 1)
Ladies and Gentleman, Regulars and Patrons, prepare to be amazed as the world wanderer, the tall tower of tonics, the cocktail codex himself, Popcorn Jack, appears on The Buy Back Podcast this week. This week, he enchants listeners with tales of travelling side shows, elevations of immeasurable...
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Episode 118: Lessons in CYA with Heather in San Antonio
Heather in San Antonio always keeps her wet vac handy in her truck, so when the restaurant bathroom starts to flood, she doesn't sweat. When the two servers supposed to be on with her don't show, she doesn't sweat. When water starts leaking out the bathroom, and the floor is carpeted... well......
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Episode 117: Steve's Not Dead Yet!
Knives, Guns, Wooden Legs, Women's Hygienic Products. NeoNazis. These are only a few things that have been used in an attempt to take him down. But Steve in Northern California is still standing. Join us this week for an awesome episode of The Buy Back Podcast where we talk about generational...
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Episode 116: Melissa Just Might Eat Your Children (Part 2)
Pull up a seat. If you're just joining us (that's weird, go listen to Part 1, ya weirdo) Melissa has found herself in New Orleans and feels her time behind the pine winding down. But she's learning how to enjoy life a little more. But that doesn't mean she's leaving the bar scene entirely, cause...
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Episode 115: Melissa Always Finds a Way (Part 1)
Melissa at Rizzuto's Prime in New Orleans has a commendable amount of years behind the pine. From "gentleman's" clubs, to dive bars, to fine dining, she's seen it all. And she claims she can feel the end in sight, but after listening to her passion, we suspect she'll find a way to stay in this...
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Episode 114: Connor, The Tender Tender of Philadelphia
Connor works in a bar like his father before him (and maybe his father's father before him, I don't know we didn't go that far back.) He may be young, but Connor has been working in bars since he was a kid. After being on screen in a bar reality show in Scranton, he now finds himself outside…
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Episode 113: Jeremy Radio: Charlotte's Traveling Tiki Bartender
Multi-talented Jeremy Radio swings by for a Mai Tai and Malort on The Buy Back this week. Mister Radio has made a name for himself as the best bartender for two years in a row in Charlotte's Hattie's Tap and Tavern and Tommy's bar with his "Econo" Tiki-style drinks. Not only that - Jeremy tours…
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Episode 112: Dive Bar Oysters with Tristynn (Part 2)
We broke down this week. Well, Tristynn broke down in the middle of nowhere and found a dive bar with oysters and a DJ named Parmajawn. On top of that, she makes a fool of John and his claims about red wine and warm drinks. And on top of that all, the most wholesome first drink story we've ever...
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Episode 111: Tristynn The Night Away (Part 1 of 2)
As a huge chapter in her life comes to a close, (Yeah, right! She'll be back) Tristynn stops by The Buy Back studios (Recorded at Diamond Dogs in Astoria, Queens) to reflect on her eleven-year tenure behind the taps. From DC to NYC, from dives to high dines, from granny panties to pharmaceutical...
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Episode 110: Wizbang - Professional Wedding Shot Taker (It's Not What You Think)
Lizz ‘Wizbang’ from Racine switches from doing shots behind the bar to shots at weddings. There are two types of bartenders: those who stay for six months and move on, and those who have staying power. Lizz is one of the golden latter. In Racine, she deals with pipe-smoking scarecrows, bad…
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Episode 109: The Real Matty Rangel - The Return!
The Real Matty Rangel is back this week! Almost three years ago, Matty was a guest on the podcast, and since then, his presence on social media has only grown. This week, we sit down and discuss about his newest adventures travelling the country, his dedication to bringing awareness to mental...
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Episode 108: Courtney Swears She Didn't Do Slip and Slide In The Bar
Courtney is celebrating her 20th year at Jack's Fire Department. Yes, that Jack's. This week, John sits returns from Iceland (and the hospital) to keep it real close to home with this Sunnyside staple. Courtney pulls no punches in this episode. The two "bartners" chat about what it's like to work...
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Episode 107: VictoryJón, He's Just a Little Better Than the Average Jón
In the Icelandic language, Sigur means Victory, and Sigurjón visiting the Buy Back Podcast this week is DEFINITELY a victory for us. Born and raised in Iceland, Sigurjón finds himself managing Sól, one of Iceland's newest and coolest high class dining spots. Sigurjón started working in…
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Episode 106: BUY BACK IN ICELAND - Jessica Finds a Home at Lebowski Bar 1
BUY BACK IN ICELAND: Jessica has travelled all throughout Europe to find a place that makes her feel like home. Italy, England, Amsterdam, nothing quite did it. But now, in Reykjavik, she may have found a place that makes her feel settled. From coffee shops, to night life, Jessica has done it all...
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Episode 105: Marcos is a Garbage Man with a Heart of Gold
Marcos just opened Cousin Larry's in Sunnyside, but he's still a kid at heart. Adulting is hard, and Marcos is finding the perfect balance. From East Village party bars, to the Hamptons, to now the neighborhood of Sunnyside, Marcos has done it all. Join us this week wherever you get your...
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Episode 104: Cocktails and Needles with Peter at DRINK
It's the night before the first night of food service at Drink NYC and Peter just wants "to do dope, cool... sh...tuff..." Tattoo needles are prepped, the ice hasn't been cut with the bandsaw yet, and the powder hasn't been poured into the baggies yet. Wait, what the heck is going on!? You may…
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Episode 103: Bailey Gets the Last Laugh at the Comedy Club
This week, Bailey takes the stage for a Buy Back set. She breaks down the behind-the-scenes of comedy clubs, hecklers, and what's good and bad right now in the comedy clerb. We also chat about how certain social media apps are changing how things are working for bars and clubs. Join us this week...
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Episode 102: Mia and Robbie Take Us Back to School!
Mia and Robbie have been behind the pine for only a few years, but they probably have had to put up with more than your average bartender. They tend bar at a college bar. A college bar! You know what that means. This week, they take us on a tour of Oswego, and their time at Alley Cat Night Club....
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Episode 101: Jeremy Pepper Sprays the Joint
Jeremy at the Painted Pin in Atlanta accidentally creates a homemade pepper spray and releases it on his entire bar. It's fine, though. Everyone was fine... we think. Jeremy has found his calling in cocktail culture and bowling alleys. He teaches John about daisies and duck bowling. Welcome to…
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Episode 99: Jess Gives Up Being a Princess for Being a Bartender
Jess has worked on Avenue A for 17 years. Rounding out the Sing Sing Ave A Trilogy, we return to Sing Sing Ave A for a final time to sit down with 11-year professional Karaoke tolerator, full-time mom, and the most patient bartender, Jess. Spilling the tea about rejecting a prince, bathroom...
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Episode 98: Alex Takes the Show on the Road
This week, Alex at With a Splash Mobile Bartending, based in Connecticut, shows us how to take a typically stationary job and travel all over, bringing the cocktails and the fun to the party. We also do a deep dive into the mocktail scene, explaining some of the perks and pitfalls of what seems…
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Episode 97: 2025 Holiday Special
Join John and Alex as they continue their holiday tradition of writing and reading scary ghost stories of Christmases long, long ago.
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Episode 96: Aria and Joe go to Camp Part 2 (co-host Lisa)
Lisa and John delve deeper into their cups at Joe and Aria's apartment, talking about first drinks, camp!, and fun times.
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Episode 95: BREAKING NEWS - SantaCon is Here!
Join John and Alex as they discuss the real history of Santacon, the dos and don'ts of Santacon, and brainstorm ways to enjoy the event without causing too much chaos.
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Episode 94: Aria and Joe Invite Us Over For Drinks in Astoria
This week, John and returning guest Lisa are invited to the home of beer rep Joe, and Lisa's co-worker at Mosaic and Bar Dalia, Aria. Over a bottle (or two) of whiskey, they track Aria's journey through the bars and restaurants of New York City from summer pizza jobs to being the go-to girl in...
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Episode 93: Blackout Wednesday with John and Alex
Join John and Alex as they talk about traditions, Blackout Wednesday, and upcoming surprises!
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Episode 92: Jasmine Double Dips in the Hotel and Sports Bar Scenes in Atlanta
Join John as he talks with Jasmine about her wild experiences in the Atlanta hospitality and bar scene. And for you movie soundtrack fans, do we have a treat for you!
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Episode 91: (LIVE) Sam at Hair of the Dog and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Co-Host Elena)
Sam and his sister, returning guest Elena (episode 51) sit down with John at a live and undisclosed location and chat about Sam's meteoric rise through the service industry. They also discuss quite possibly the worst day anyone could have bartending and the importance of snacks for a bartender's...
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Episode 90: Bartender Ghost Stories!
From faces frozen in glass to encouraging spirits, this episode contains all the horrible, heartwarming, and haunting stories from some of your favorite bartenders and servers. John even drops a little of his own lore into the podcast. This is a thrill ride we've been dying to share with you....
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Episode 89: True Crime Bars! Season 7 Premiere!
Join John and Alex as they kick off spooky season in bars where murders happened, serial killers frequented, and mob bosses stashed dead bodies. This episode is a twist on The Buy Back fan favorite haunted bars episode!
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Episode 88: Andrew at DeNucci's Gets the Band Back Together - GIANT SIZED SEASON FINALE
In this special GIANT SIZED Buy Back (call it a double) Season Finale, Andrew from DeNucci's in Highland Park outside Chicago sits down with both John and Alex and causes absolute chaos. The threesome has known each other since middle school and it shows. Tune in as they talk about the origins of...
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Episode 87: Crystal in Beacon was Conceived in Atlantic City
Crystal returns this week to talk about her personal war with raccoons, Funky Cold Medinas, and Covid's effect on local business. She also may have been witness to a failed murder, AND ALSO planned John's murder? It's unclear. Bees? They had so much fun chatting, they actually had to hop on a...
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Episode 86: Crystal at Wonderbar and Coopers Loves Creepy Old Men
Crystal has worked in every type of bar possible, including a few you've never heard of. In this Part 1 of 2, Crystal charts her journey from bev cart golf girl getting flirty with those over sixty, to managing one of Queens' top bars, to mom of two, and back behind the pine.
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Episode 85: Alec, Bev Director for Carver Road, Hosts Your Favorite TV Show's Cast Party
Alec returns for Part 2 at the Starchild Rooftop, where he takes us behind the scenes to a cast party of one of TV's hottest shows. He and John dig deeper into the box of booze, and we get a rundown of his drinking history with ONE unfortunate beer that puts him out.
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Episode 84: Alec Kass at Starchild Rooftop is a High Performer but Difficult to Manage
In this week's Part 1 of 2, Alec Kass—an old acting buddy and now the Corporate Beverage Manager of Carver Road Hospitality Group—sits down with John at one of his bars (Starchild Rooftop at the Civilian Hotel). Listen in as John and Alec weave through their intermingled history together, and…
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Episode 83: Natasha and Carlo of Bateman's are Keeping it Classy in Manhattan
Natasha, Carlo, and John all met at the now-defunct sports (read: absolute dive) bar called Duren. Natasha was bartending, Carlo was DJing, and John was drinking after a shift at the Blind Pig. It's been almost 10 years, and now Natasha and Carlo have overseen the opening of the much classier...
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Episode 82: Liz at Piranha Bar in Montreal Loses Her Passport in NYC
In this week's episode, John's American ego is exposed, while Liz from Piranha Bar in Montreal patiently explains all things Canada. Listen as they talk about French acrobats, some epic music, and maybe even a little Jim Henson.
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Episode 81: Phil Burke Phililoquizes for a Session
While IMDB knows him best as Mickey McGinnes on AMC's Hell on Wheels, and his family knows him best as Phillip, John knows him best as his bartending buddy from the trenches of the Blind Pig in the mid-2000s. Join these two old friends as they sit down and chat about the Santa-Con shenanigans and...
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Episode 80: Dustin at Sunrise Tequila Bar Goes All In On Cocktails in Atlantic City
This week on The Buy Back, Dustin gives up a life as a lion tamer in Zimbabwe (for some reason) and moves to New Jersey (for some reason) to become one of the coolest cocktail kids on the block. He runs the cocktail menu at the newly opened Sunrise Tequila Bar just off the Atlantic City boardwalk...
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Episode 79: John and Alex Get Lit in Some More Historic Bars
Join John and Alex as they get a little nerdy and discuss bars where some of the most famous authors frequented. In this episode we discover just how much we both like Ernest Hemingway and how he always seemed to be at a bar somewhere in the world.
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Episode 78: Nick from Mover and Shaker Co Bartends in a Different City Every Week
Nick, a founder of Mover and Shaker Co. joins John this week to talk about running a social media empire, guest bartending around the country, and managing sobriety in a tough industry.
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Episode 77: Amber at the Texas Rose Can't Tell Her Grandma about this Podcast
The hilarious Amber, a professional K.J., down at the Texas Rose in Beaumont, Texas, joins John this week for a slightly more musical than usual episode. Join them as they become fast friends talking about Jenga, karaoke, and, as always, fecal matter. And as an added bonus this week—all you New...
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Episode 76: Alya at Solas Gets Good Tips Because She's Russian, That's the ONLY Reason (Co-Host Aly)
Alya from Solas in Manhattan tells John and returning-season-1-guest Aly about the 20+ bars she's worked in and the Popeye-like powers she gains from spinach.
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Episode 75: Bree at Pole Katz Works in the Former Murder Capital of the World
Join John as he interviews Bree from Pole Katz and learn what it's like to bartend and serve in a strip club.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Buy Back Podcast have?
Buy Back Podcast currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Buy Back Podcast about?
Drinking buds Alex and John track down the funniest, most disgusting, and wildest bartending stories from the best of the best!
How often does Buy Back Podcast release new episodes?
Buy Back Podcast has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Buy Back Podcast?
You can listen to Buy Back Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Buy Back Podcast?
Buy Back Podcast is created and hosted by The Buy Back.
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