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In this inaugural edition of the Slow Rise podcast, BBGA Executive Director Mitch Stamm sits down with Mark Dyck to learn about his journey in baking and his experience as a Guild member. It's a lively chat that ranges from the joys and struggles of owning a neighbourhood bakery to Mark's adventures in getting his podcast off the ground. Mark is a baker, community builder, former bakery owner and long time Guild member who, in 2018, started Rise Up! The Baker Podcast, where he talks with bakers and bakery owners from around the world. Helpful Links Mark Dyck (@madbaker) on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Bread Bakers Guild of America website Credits: Produced by Mark Dyck Hosted by Mitch Stamm Music: Hippie Bulle - Stoned Funghi (ID 213) - by Checkie Brown www.musikbrause.de Creative Commons License (by-nc-nd)

Edna Cochez is bringing all the good stuff to her native Panama, as a chef, baker and advocate for both chefs and baking brands.  She's run restaurants and wholesale bakeries, competed and judged on TV and has continually shared all that she has learned throughout her career. In this episode, Mark and Edna discover all the ways they are connected through baking and coaching, and dig into Edna's journey cooking, baking and teaching, along with bringing teaching food brands how to grow in her native land.   Helpful Links @ednacochez on Instagram Edna's website Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Adam Christie grew up in Regina and used to visit Mark's bakery before heading West.  After working in bakeries in Vancouver, he and his partner Jess moved to the Island and set up Working Culture Bread just a few blocks from Mark's apartment.  Now the roles are reversed! In this episode, Mark sits down across the bench from his local baker to learn about how he built his bakery, what their first five months in business have been like and what's in store for the bakery and the bakers.  Helpful Links @workingculturebreadon Instagram Working Culture Bread website Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Brant Stewart came to Beirut as a photographer who wanted to tell the stories of the refugees fleeing the war in Syria. Before long, he was fundraising and starting food related projects in and around Beirut, including Mavia bakery. In this episode, Mark learns of Brant's constant drive to help his community in Lebanon thrive, even as he faces political revolution and deals with the explosion that damaged his home and bakery. And he learns of the myriad of projects Brant has underway and planned to begin.   Helpful Links @maviabakery on Instagram Sadalsuud Foundation website Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Ed Tatton travelled the world as a chef who baked, before coming to Whistler, BC.  where he took a look around and settled down to do some serious baking.  Before long, baking for neighbours wasn't enough and Ed and his wife Natasha got to work, opening Ed's Bred bakery and coffee in 2019 where they serve locals and tourists alike.  And since they were both Vegan, their bakery was going to be 100% plant-based too. In this episode, Mark learns about Ed's start in the UK, being a plant based bakery, and being forced to shift on the eve of the bakery's first birthday due to the Covid lockdown.   Helpful Links Ed's Bred website @eds_bred on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Jason Bowman worked in a bakery as a youth in the UK before following his father into the insurance industry and eventually bringing his family to the USA.  Now he's a feeding the people in Pound Ridge with his weekly pop-up bread and pastry shop, Breads-n-Bakes. In this episode, Mark and Jason talk about their mutual love of family, baking and cricket before getting into the nuts and bolts of Breads-n-Bakes, how it started and how Jason's dining room now contains a sheeter and spiral mixer.    Helpful Links Breads-n-Bakes website @breadsnbakes on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

  Jimmy Alderson Benitez baked in New York and Paris before settling down in San Juan, Puerto Rico and opening Cultura Bread in 2019.   Due to open his retail bakery just before the Covid pandemic, he was forced to re-work his plans and start his bakery on a smaller scale.  In this episode, Mark learns about the current version of Cultura Bread, and gets a glimpse into Jimmy's remarkable life and baking education.  They also dig into Jimmy's new 'slow growth' plan for the bakery that takes the realities of Covid into account. Helpful Links Cultural Bread website @culturabread on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin  

Matt Sanger was seeking the balance between head work and hand work and found it in baking. He's built Round River Baking from a basement micro-bakery to a thriving retail bakery while continuing to find the right balance as he grows. In this episode, two friends Mark and Matt catch up on what's happening at the bakery, dealing with ever present change, and then dig into Matt's background and why baking had such a profound effect. Helpful Links Round River Baking @roundriverbaking on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Jane Mason is a Canadian who, ten years ago while living in London, founded Virtuous Bread, a course and network for micro-bakery owners the world over.  Now living in Mexico City, Jane and the Bread Angels are still going strong. In this episode, Mark and Jane talk about Jane's career in high finance, life in Mexico City, the founding of Virtuous Bread, the continued growth of micro-bakery startups and how her organization is changing to meet the needs of bakers today.  Helpful Links Virtuous Bread website @virtuousbread on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Erin Kirley travelled the world thinking of farms and the environment before focusing in on baking, moving near her parents on the North Carolina coast and opening her bakery. Now she's building a rocking solo bakery serving Southport, Oak Island and as far afield as possible. In this episode, Mark gets a virtual tour of Erin's bake space, before talking about the birth of her bakery, challenges with wholesale baking, and finding a product lineup that suits a community without a strong bread culture.  It's a fun and lively talk! Helpful Links Kirley's Breads and Pastries @kirleysbreads on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

When David Morton moved to the southern tip of South Pender Island, he knew exactly where his oven would sit. It wasn't long before his cob oven was built and he started supplying bread for neighbours up and down the road. Now, when he's not swimming in the ocean or editing his novel, David is delivering his bread all over the island. In this episode, Mark and David talk about the birth of Happy Monk, their love of wood fired ovens and their concern for the folks just across the Juan de Fuca strait.   Helpful Links Happy Monk Baking Company @happymonkbaking on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Charlie Emers was a market gardener, but the outbuilding he had designed for vegetable storage was calling to him to be a bakery.  So he borrowed a mixer, bought an old oven and got to baking.  That was over 20 years ago and Patchwork Farm and Bakery is still going strong. In this episode, Mark and Charlie finally chat after swapping emails for over a decade.  They talk about the early days, how his everyday matzoh changed his business and how baking fits his personality and lifestyle so well. Helpful Links Patchwork Farm and Bakery @patchworkfarmand on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Mark first heard of Rustica Wood Fired Bakery when he talked to Emily Cayer on the show way back in 2019. He was enthralled by this tiny bakery way up in northern BC, with its hand made bread and wood fired oven. In this episode, Mark learns about Meg's start as a baker in Australia, building her oven in Smithers and how her bakery supports her community. It's a testament to how bakeries can nurture a community and provide a living for the baker at the same time. Helpful Links @rustica_bakery on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Noah Elbers has a massive impact on the baking community from his farm and bakery in New Hampshire. Whether it's generously helping bakery owners and oven builders, or redesigning his bakery as a training and education centre, Noah is willing to go the extra distance to build a business that lasts. In this episode, Mark gets to know Noah beyond the baking forums and digs into the history of Orchard Hill, its amazing apprentice program and even geeks out a bit about software for the small bakery.   Helpful Links Orchard Hill Breadworks @ohbreadworks on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

January is often a quiet time at the bakery (at least compared to December!) so it's a great time to step back and reflect on your business and what needs attention. In this episode, Mark shares how he and Cindy did their January planning at their bakery, and how a new book has helped him fix the gaps in his planning process.  Plus  his review of the past Covid infected holiday season.   Helpful Links The EMyth Revisited, by Michael Gerber Fix This Next, by Mike Michalowicz Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Mark shares his best tips for surviving the Christmas rush at the bakery. Plus, near death experiences, tiny Christmas Orders, podcast plans for 2021 and a musical recommendation that you're going to love. Maybe. Helpful Links Metro's Christmas Album on YouTube Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Hannah Sadler is baking the good stuff for the folks in her town of Springfield, TN. She started in her oven until her kitchen was full to bursting, then opened Grain + Honey last year. Hannah's been there for her community through Covid and is slowly building a strong team to keep feeding the people. In this episode, Hannah shares how she's been making the business work so far and how the town embraced her shop. And they dig into why joining the Bread Bakers Guild of America might be next for her. Helpful Links Grain + Honey Bake Shop web site @grainandhoneybakeshop on Instagram Bread Bakers Guild of America Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Chris Stafferton is on a quest to bring delicious, nutritious gluten free bread to the centre of the table. Bread that everyone enjoys, whether they can digest gluten or not. Chris' book is the result of a decade of research and experimentation, with 60 gluten free formulas across the whole spectrum of bread. In this episode, Mark learns about the origin of Chris' 'bread architect' moniker, how he got started baking and how his book has been embraced by the wider baking community. Helpful Links Promise and Fulfillment Book Site @breadarchitect on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Mark Primmer is a baker and a poet and you can find both at the Well Bred market stand in Duncan BC. In this episode, Mark the host talks with Mark the baker about his long, winding journey in baking and food before he built Well Bred from the ground up. And how words matter, whether in product naming or forging an authentic connection with customers. Helpful Links Well Bred Bakery website @wellbredbakery on Instagram Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Martin Barnett has been a baker, bakery owner and teacher for over 40 years.  After retiring as the head of the baking program at Vancouver Island University, he built the bakery and teaching centre Seraphina's Oven beside his home in Ladysmith, BC and is still teaching professionals and amateurs alike. In this episode, Mark catches up with his friend and learns about his early days as a bread runner in a hippie co-op, shifting from baking to teaching and the adventures his students had in the VIU program.  We get a good look at a baking life well lived.   Helpful Links Seraphina's Oven website Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin