Rise Up! The Baker Podcast with Mark Dyck

Hosted by Mark Dyck: Baker and lover of bakeries

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242

Latest episode

Feb 2026

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About the show

The Rise Up! Podcast is a celebration of bakers, the bakeries they created and the people they serve. Join Mark Dyck as he talks with bakers and bakery owners from across North America and around the world. Hear about their struggles and triumphs and learn about the satisfaction that feeding a community can provide.

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60 recent

February 9, 2026Episode 2252 hr 3 min

Rise Up! #225 - Extra Time: Nate and Mark discuss all the things

After many months away from the mic, Mark is finally publishing a 'lost episode' where he talks with his old buddy Nate Houge of Brake Bread in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nate wanted to hear the entire 'Mark the Baker' story in one go, and share that story in one place. Ever the contrarian, Mark got Nate talking about his life in Minnesota too. In this episode, two old friends catch up, discuss aging, family, musicals and lots and lots of baking, starting with Mark's first forays into brick ovens, right up to why personal growth and workshops like the Bakery Leadership Circle are so important. There is also talk about the fourth edition of Bakery Leadership Circle, launching in March, 2026! Helpful Links Brake Bread website @brakebread 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

June 18, 2025Episode 22422 min

Rise Up! #224 - The Final Whistle

After more than seven years and 220 episodes, it's time to draw a line under the Rise Up! Podcast. In this episode, Mark shares his reasons for stopping the show, discusses what is next for the podcast, Bakers4Bakers and his other baking passions, and reflects on the high points of over 200 hours worth of whole-hearted conversations. Helpful Links Support the Podcast Here! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website The Bakers4Bakers Community The Bakery Leadership Circle 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

April 16, 2025Episode 2231 hr 2 min

Rise Up! #223 - Mark Gavigan and Kristin Ryall

There are times when family is bigger than career and you need to figure things out. And often, bread and baking becomes the way forward. That's what happened to Mark Gavigan and Kristin Ryall, who gave up careers in the wine trade to relocate to Palm Springs to be closer to their family, and Mark fell into baking in a big way. In this episode, Mark, Kristin and your host Mark talk about the experience of giving it all up to move cross country, how baking started small and then grew and grew until they opened their brick and mortar location, and the challenging reality of baking in an extremely hot, extremely seasonal location. There is also talk about the Bakery Leadership Circle, Mark's new project offered via the BBGA Helpful Links Bread and Flours @breadandflours 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

March 19, 2025Episode 2221 hr 6 min

Rise Up! #222 - Arlo Brandl

Arlo Brandl returns to Rise Up! after seven years, still in Tecumseh, Michigan but in a new location on the main street and with a brand new book! In this episode, Mark and Arlo talk about the big move to the main street, why baking alone still works best for him and his family, and they dig into Early Riser, Arlo's new memoir and recipe book. Just like his bakery, Arlo's book is a labour of love and true gift to his community and the baking community at large. There is also talk about Mark's new project, the Bakery Leadership Circle. Helpful Links Buy Early Riser on Amazon Tecumseh Bread & Pastry @tecumseh_bread_pastry 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

March 5, 2025Episode 2211 hr 1 min

Rise Up! #221 - Laura Fessenden

Laura Fessenden dreamed of being a record executive, but food nosed ahead of music at Moxie Bread Co. in Boulder, Colorado. Starting as a barista, Laura took on more and more responsibility until her mentor and bakery founder Andy Clark died in 2022. Now the overall Director of Operations, Laura and her team are continuing Andy's legacy while building a business that works for everyone, well into the future. There is also mention of Mark's new project, the Bakery Leadership Circle and two new, excellent baking books: Flour is Flavour by Dawn Woodward and Early Riser by Arlo Brandl Helpful Links Moxie Bread Co. @moxiebreadco 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

February 26, 2025Episode 2201 hr 22 min

Rise Up! #220 - Kevin Masse

Kevin Masse started a small bakery in a small state, but he didn't stay small for long. These days, Small State Provisions has two locations in the Greater Hartford, CT area, is open seven days per week and is continuing to expand hours and flavours. In this episode, Kevin shares his journey from food writing to food making, the value of having a vision and a plan, and how it's impossible to shake a childhood dream of feeding people. And before all that, Mark goes on a bit of a rant, so be warned. 💖 There is also talk about Mark's new project, the Bakery Leadership Circle, offered through the Bread Baker's Guild of America Helpful Links Small State Provisions @smallstate 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 22, 2025Episode 2191 hr 1 min

Rise Up! #219 - Scott France

Scott France travelled extensively before settling down in Seattle, starting in the food business and joining Macrina in 2016. Now he spends his days leading a team of over 200 employees and serving customers via six cafes and multiple wholesale accounts. In this episode, Mark and Scott talk about the value of world travel, especially for North Americans, how Macrina navigated the Covid pandemic and how they are now able to focus on their core goals and values in the years ahead. There's also some talk of the Bakery Leadership Circle, which is launching a new session in March. Apply now! Helpful Links Macrina Bakery @macrinabakery 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 8, 2025Episode 2181 hr 21 min

Rise Up! #218 - Travis Gerjets

Travis Gerjets is back on the podcast and holy dinah, he's got a five year old bakery now! A coffee shop, cafe and airstream trailer full of awesomeness too. On this episode, Mark and Travis dig deep into the prairie baking mythos, talk about Prairie Sky Breads and the Minot food scene, about building a bakery that doesn't kill the baker, and embrace their shared love of amazing baking teams. There's also talk of The Bakery Leadership Circle, a leadership and change program for bakery owners and senior leaders, kicking off in March 2025. Apply now! Helpful Links Prairie Sky Breads @prairieskybreads 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

December 18, 2024Episode 2171 hr 7 min

Rise Up! #217 - Nic and Lisa Romano

Lisa and Nic Romano had careers in food and hospitality, and got into market baking so Nic could stay home with his young family. But when business took off and they had a chance for a Big Leap, they both dove in, taking over The Breadery in 2023. Now they are delivering wholesale bread around the state, running a full retail bakery (complete with olive oil tasting!) and are still attending four markets. In this episode, Mark learns more about the effort involved in taking over an existing bakery, merging two passionate customer bases together, and keeping the family intact and engaged in a massive bakery project. There is also the Bakery Leadership Circle, which is accepting applications for the Spring 2025 session! Helpful Links The Breadery @the_breadery 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

December 4, 2024Episode 21651 min

Rise Up! #216 - Tim Kastner

Tim Kastner loves bread and he loves the solitude of bread baking. He also loves working at the Bread Lab, a wholesale bread bakery in St. Paul, Minnesota. In this episode, Tim shares the origins of the Bread Lab, springing up as part of Patisserie46, a fine pastry shop founded by master patissier John Kraus, and how his passion for baking makes the night shift a feature of the job, rather than a burden. There's also talk of Mark's new workshop, the Bakery Leadership Circle, which is opening applications for the Spring 2025 session on December 10! Helpful Links Patisserie46 / The Bread Lab @patisserie46 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