Smoke(less)
Three award-winning Texas Top 50 BBQ veterans sit down to share honest, no-bull conversations about life, purpose, burnout, creativity, and the grind of building something meaningful, in and far beyond the pit. This isn't a show about brisket recipes (though that might come up). It's about the fire underneath: the stuff that fuels us, burns us, and reshapes us. BBQ is just the backdrop for something much deeper — mentorship through experience, brotherhood through storytelling, and the clarity that only comes when the smoke clears.
Latest Episodes
Episode cover art
Why Beef Prices Keep Rising (And No One Can Explain It)
DECEMBER 19, 2025
Part 1:Let’s be real: The beef industry is a dumpster fire right now, and we’re all getting burned.In this episode, we’re quitting the polite small talk and diving headfirst into why your favorite brisket is starting to cost more. We’re calling out the "Big Meat" giant...
Episode cover art
"BBQ Snob" Daniel Vaughn
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Daniel Vaughn is the most influential — and controversial — voice in barbecue.As the BBQ Editor at Texas Monthly, he curates the legendary Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas list: the ranking that pitmasters dream of, fight for, fear, and loathe. But h...
Episode cover art
Aaron Franklin
OCTOBER 08, 2025
In this episode of the Smokeless Podcast, hosts Nick, Wayne, and Justin engage in a deep conversation with barbecue pioneer Aaron Franklin. They explore his journey in the barbecue industry, discussing his innovative approaches, the challenges of burnout, the importance of delegation, and the ...
Listen on
More Episodes