Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store

Joseph Slichko

Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store takes you behind the counter of a real small business run by two parents raising four kids while building their dream. Each episode shares honest weekly wins, failures, lessons, and the beautiful chaos of running Fort Orange General Store—from inventory challenges to bedtime routines, customer stories to relationship balancing acts. If you’re a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, a parent juggling too much, or someone who loves authentic conversations about work and life blending together, this show is for you. Expect candid storytelling, practical takeaways, and a real look at what it takes to build a business without losing yourself—or your sense of humor—along the way. Topics listeners come here for: • Small business challenges & victories • Balancing entrepreneurship and family life • Marriage + business partnership dynamics • Work-life integration (and when it falls apart) • Behind-the-scenes of Fort Orange General Store • Real stories from real small business owners New episodes every week. Honest. Relatable. Sometimes chaotic. Always real. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW Fort Orange General Store: https://www.fortorangegeneralstore.com/ Podcast: https://www.fortorangegeneralstore.com/podcast

  1. 6D AGO

    15: 518 Day Recap, Nipper Takes Over Albany & The Community Energy Reviving Downtown

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) What happens when an entire city rallies around local businesses, community pride, and Albany’s most iconic dog? In Episode 15 of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, we’re recapping one of the most exciting weekends we’ve ever experienced as small business owners: 518 Day in Downtown Albany. From organizing the SoBro race team to unveiling a surprise Nipper mascot costume, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, entrepreneurship lessons, hilarious moments, and the overwhelming sense of community that made this year’s inaugural 518 Day unforgettable. We also share:  The reality of preparing for a major downtown event as small business owners  How our custom SoBro race shirts came together at the last second  What it was like bringing “Nipper” to life during the 5.18K race 🐶  The incredible reactions from Albany locals and Capital Region visitors  Why community collaboration is helping reshape downtown Albany Plus, we dive into:  A recap of a record-breaking Mother’s Day weekend at Fort Orange General Store  The launch and response to our new Olde Albany Apothecary products  Stories from podcast listeners and superfans who traveled to visit the store  The growing momentum behind the SoBro neighborhood movement One of the biggest takeaways from this episode?  The ideas you dream about as a small business owner don’t happen overnight—but when the right opportunity comes along, community support can turn those ideas into something much bigger than you imagined. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, Albany local, runner, creator, or someone who just loves hearing authentic behind-the-scenes stories about small business life, this episode captures the energy, chaos, and joy of building something meaningful alongside your community. Keywords: small business podcast, Albany NY, 518 Day, downtown Albany, Nipper Albany, Fort Orange General Store, entrepreneurship podcast, small business owners, community building, Capital Region events, Albany running community, SoBro Albany, local business collaboration, retail business podcast, shop local Albany, Mother’s Day shopping, Albany events 2026, Albany small business  If you love community stories, entrepreneurship, and behind-the-scenes small business life, make sure to follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who believes in supporting local 💛  Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    36 min

  2. MAY 6

    14: From Local Shop to News Feature: Nipper, 518 Day & The Energy in Downtown Albany Right Now

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) What happens when a small business gets unexpected media attention—and the entire community shows up because of it? In Episode 14 of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, we’re sharing the wild, exciting, and honestly surreal week where our store was featured by the Associated Press… and everything changed overnight. From a surprise in-store interview about Albany’s iconic Nipper the Dog to a surge in customers, online orders, and community support, this episode captures the real impact of visibility, storytelling, and local pride. We take you behind the scenes of:  Getting interviewed on camera (with zero warning 😅)  The ripple effect of press coverage on a small retail business  The surge in Nipper merchandise sales after the feature  Meeting unforgettable new customers (including one ultimate superfan)  The power of authentic community connection in downtown Albany But that’s just the beginning… We also dive into the growing energy around South Broadway (SoBro) and what feels like a turning point moment for downtown Albany. From packed First Fridays to new collaborations between small businesses, there’s something happening—and you can feel it. In this episode, we also talk about:  The launch of our SoBro 518 Day race team Local business collaborations shaping the future of Albany  A sneak peek at upcoming events and pop-ups  Why community-driven growth matters more than ever Plus, we highlight some of the incredible people who make this journey possible—our superfans, supporters, and local partners who continue to show up for us in the most meaningful ways. This episode is about more than just a news feature.  It’s about momentum. Energy. And what happens when a community starts to believe in itself again. If you love real small business stories, community energy, and behind-the-scenes moments—follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who believes in shopping local 💛  Keywords: small business podcast, Albany NY, downtown Albany, Nipper dog Albany, Associated Press feature, local business story, entrepreneurship podcast, retail business owner, small business marketing, community building, 518 Day Albany, Capital Region events, South Broadway Albany, SoBro Albany, Fort Orange General Store, shop local Albany, First Friday Albany  Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    27 min

  3. APR 29

    13: 518 Day, Downtown Albany Revival & The Reality of Running a Small Business (With Kids, Chaos & Community

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) What does it really look like to run a small business, raise a family, and help rebuild a downtown community—all at the same time? In Episode 13 of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, we’re taking you inside one of our busiest (and most meaningful) weeks yet. From planning Albany’s first-ever 518 Day celebration to launching new products and Mother’s Day gift baskets, this episode is packed with real-life moments, behind-the-scenes business insight, and the community connections that make it all worth it. We also share:  Listener stories and heartfelt reactions to our Nipper episode 🐶  A hilarious (and slightly traumatic) childhood duck story 🦆  The reality of juggling entrepreneurship with kids’ sports schedules ⚾  What it takes to bring new energy back to downtown Albany The story behind our new Old Albany apothecary collectionPlus, we break down everything you need to know about the upcoming 518 Day event, including:  The 5.18K race  Downtown events, vendors, and live music  Local collaborations shaping the future of Albany This episode is a reminder that small business isn’t just about selling products—it’s about building community, creating memories, and showing up (even when life gets chaotic). If you love real, unfiltered small business stories—make sure to follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who supports local 💛 Keywords:  small business podcast, Albany NY, downtown Albany, 518 Day, Capital Region events, entrepreneurship podcast, family business, retail business owner, small business life, Fort Orange General Store, local business stories, community building, Mother’s Day gifts, apothecary products, handmade products, Albany events 2026  Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    28 min

  4. APR 22

    12: Who Is Nipper? The Story Behind Albany’s Icon and the Dog That Became Part of Our Business

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello talk about one of the most recognizable—and most frequently asked about—symbols in Albany: Nipper. If you’ve ever visited Fort Orange General Store, you’ve likely seen the iconic dog featured throughout the shop. And if you’re from out of town, you’ve probably asked the same question they hear almost every day: “Who is that dog?” Joe and Erica start with the story they often share with customers—explaining Nipper’s connection to RCA, the famous image of the dog listening to a phonograph, and how a massive statue of him still sits on a building in Downtown Albany today. From there, they dive deeper into the history of Nipper, exploring where he came from, how he became a global advertising icon, and why he continues to hold such a strong connection to Albany across generations. They discuss:  The origins of Nipper and the “His Master’s Voice” image  How RCA helped turn Nipper into a worldwide symbol  The history of the Nipper statue in Albany  Local traditions and public art installations  Why certain symbols become deeply tied to a city’s identity But the episode doesn’t stop with history. It shifts into something more personal. Joe and Erica share how Nipper’s presence in their store has shaped customer experience—and how, over time, their own dog Rue has become a beloved part of Fort Orange General Store. From greeting customers at the door to becoming a familiar face for regulars (and even inspiring her own merchandise), Rue has taken on a role they never planned—but now couldn’t imagine the store without. They reflect on:  How customers connect with Rue in unexpected ways  The role of personality in a retail space  How something small can become part of a brand’s identity  The way business and family life naturally blend together At its core, this episode is about more than a famous dog. It’s about connection—between people, places, and the stories that bring them together. Because sometimes what people remember most about a business… isn’t just what you sell. It’s how it makes them feel. Keywords: Nipper Albany NY, RCA dog history, Albany landmarks, Fort Orange General Store, small business storytelling, retail customer experience, shop dog, small business podcast, entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, family life, family business Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    31 min

  5. APR 15

    11: Managing Employees in a Small Business: When to Lead, When to Step In, and Do It Yourself

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello talk through a real and ongoing challenge of small business ownership: Managing people while still being responsible for the work itself. As their business continues to grow, so does the complexity of working with a team. But unlike larger organizations, there’s no clear separation between leadership and execution. When something needs to get done, the decision isn’t always whether to delegate—it’s whether to step in. Joe and Erica reflect on what it looks like to manage employees in real time, while also maintaining the standards and expectations they’ve set for the business. They discuss:  The balance between leading a team and doing the work yourself  Recognizing when to step back—and when to step in immediately  The responsibility of ownership when things aren’t going as expected  How fast-paced environments change the way you manage people  Navigating communication, expectations, and follow-through  Why small business leadership often looks different than traditional management The conversation stays grounded in real scenarios inside the store—moments where decisions have to be made quickly, without overthinking or overexplaining. In those moments, leadership becomes less about process and more about presence. Joe reflects on the challenge of managing outcomes while still being part of the day-to-day operations, while Erica shares how maintaining the energy and flow of the store often requires jumping in without hesitation. Together, they unpack the reality that in a small business, ownership doesn’t sit on the sidelines. It shows up in the middle of the work—whether that means guiding, adjusting, or doing it yourself to keep things moving. As always, the conversation connects back to life outside the store. With four kids and a full schedule, the weight of these decisions doesn’t stay at work. It becomes part of the rhythm of their everyday lives. This episode offers an honest look at what it really means to lead a team in a small business—where the line between manager and doer is never fully separate. Because sometimes leadership isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping in. Keywords: managing employees small business, small business leadership, retail team management, entrepreneurship leadership, business ownership reality, working with employees, Fort Orange General Store, small business podcast Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    30 min

  6. APR 1

    10: What’s Missing in Downtown Albany? Community Voices, Small Business, and the Future of Our City

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello celebrate a major milestone—10 episodes—by turning the conversation outward and asking a powerful question: What’s missing in Downtown Albany? What started as a simple post on social media quickly grew into a much larger conversation. With over 160 comments and thousands of views, the response revealed something deeper than just ideas—it showed a community that cares. Joe and Erica read through real responses from local residents, business owners, and visitors, uncovering common themes about what people want to see in the future of downtown. They discuss:  Why a thriving downtown starts with people living there The need for everyday essentials like grocery stores, pharmacies, and walkable services  How cafes, bakeries, and gathering spaces shape the identity of a city  The importance of events, street activity, and consistent foot traffic  Ongoing frustrations around parking, accessibility, and infrastructure  The untapped potential of Albany’s waterfront and public spaces As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that these aren’t just suggestions—they’re patterns. Thoughtful, repeated ideas that point toward a shared vision of a more connected, vibrant, and accessible downtown. Joe and Erica also reflect on their own experience as small business owners trying to grow within the city, including the challenges of navigating systems, accessing new spaces, and reinvesting in the community they’re committed to building. At its core, this episode is about more than one post or one conversation. It’s about momentum. It’s about recognizing that meaningful change doesn’t come from one voice—it comes from many. As both business owners and parents, Joe and Erica also reflect on what it means to be part of that change, and what their children are learning by watching a community come together to share ideas, frustrations, and hope for the future. Because building a small business is one thing. But helping shape a city—that’s something bigger. Keywords: downtown Albany, small business community, local business growth, community development, urban revitalization, small business podcast, Albany NY, Fort Orange General Store Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    28 min

  7. MAR 25

    9: Growing a Small Business the Right Way: Why Community Comes Before Expansion

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello reflect on a series of recent conversations and experiences that led to one powerful realization: Not all growth is good growth. After participating in a pop-up event and reconnecting with past communities, Joe and Erica began to connect the dots between their current business decisions and lessons learned from earlier chapters in their careers. Joe shares a story from his time as a school principal, where an early attempt to grow enrollment by targeting a new audience failed—not because the idea lacked logic, but because it ignored the school’s core community. It wasn’t until he refocused on the people already invested that real growth began to happen. Erica reflects on a similar experience with her first business, Seriously Spotless. After expanding into a new market, she quickly realized that stepping away from her original customer base weakened the foundation that had made the business successful in the first place. Returning to that core community meant rebuilding trust—but it ultimately restored the strength of the business. Together, these experiences shape how they now think about the future of Fort Orange General Store. They discuss:  The difference between expansion and sustainable growth  Why businesses fail when they lose connection to their core audience  How to recognize when an idea isn’t aligned with your foundation  The importance of listening to your community instead of predicting for them  Why not every opportunity is the right opportunity As new developments and investment begin to reshape Downtown Albany, Joe and Erica are actively thinking about what growth should look like—not just for their business, but within their community. Instead of chasing every new idea, they’re choosing to build intentionally, making sure that any future expansion stays connected to the identity and relationships that define Fort Orange General Store. The conversation also reflects on family life, and what their children are learning by watching these decisions unfold in real time—about work, community, and building something with purpose. Because in small business, growth isn’t just about getting bigger. It’s about staying rooted in what made people care in the first place. Keywords: growing a small business, business expansion strategy, community driven business, local business growth, entrepreneurship lessons, retail business strategy, Fort Orange General Store, small business podcast Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    28 min

  8. MAR 18

    8: Customer Relationships: The Secret to Building a Loyal Small Business Community

    We love to hear from our listeners! Click HERE to send us a text! (Mobile Devices Only) In this episode of Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store, Joe Slichko and Erica Cubello dive into one of the most important elements of running a successful small business: relationships with customers. For many businesses, transactions are the goal. But for Erica and Joe, the real foundation of Fort Orange General Store is the connections they build with the people who walk through the door. Drawing on Erica’s years in the service industry, the conversation explores how customer relationships influence everything from product selection to repeat visits—and how understanding your audience can shape the personality of a retail store. They discuss: Why building genuine relationships with customers matters in small businessHow service industry experience translates into retail successThe role of listening to customers when choosing productsWhy some unexpected items become best sellersHow humor and personality can turn simple products into memorable experiencesJoe shares a story about questioning one particular product choice—a camo hat with a bold slogan—that didn’t initially seem like a fit for the store. Erica, confident in her instincts and her understanding of their customers, decided to bring it in anyway. What happened next surprised both of them. The hat quickly sold out, sparking conversations, laughter, and new relationships with customers that extended beyond the walls of the store. It also opened the door to carrying other playful items that customers now seek out every time they visit. Moments like these highlight something many entrepreneurs eventually learn: successful retail isn’t just about inventory or pricing. It’s about knowing your customers and creating an environment where they feel connected to the business. Throughout the episode, Joe and Erica reflect on how small interactions—whether at the register, during an event, or even while out in the community—can strengthen relationships that keep people coming back. Because in a small business, every relationship matters. And sometimes the most memorable connections start with the most unexpected products. Keywords: customer relationships in small business, retail customer experience, community driven business, small business loyalty, service industry lessons, retail entrepreneurship, Fort Orange General Store, small business podcast Support the show Thanks for listening to Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Every follow, share, and review helps support a growing independent podcast and small business. 📍 Visit us in person: Fort Orange General Store – Downtown Albany, NY 🛍️ Shop online: fortorangegeneralstore.com 📲 Follow along on social: Instagram: @fortorangegeneralstore 💬 Join the conversation: Have a question, topic idea, or small business story you’d like us to cover? Send us a message or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. 🎙️ New episodes drop weekly, sharing honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marriage, parenting, and the beautiful chaos of building a life and business together. Until next time—thanks for supporting small business, community, and real stories. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW

    30 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

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Small Business, Big Life: Inside Fort Orange General Store takes you behind the counter of a real small business run by two parents raising four kids while building their dream. Each episode shares honest weekly wins, failures, lessons, and the beautiful chaos of running Fort Orange General Store—from inventory challenges to bedtime routines, customer stories to relationship balancing acts. If you’re a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, a parent juggling too much, or someone who loves authentic conversations about work and life blending together, this show is for you. Expect candid storytelling, practical takeaways, and a real look at what it takes to build a business without losing yourself—or your sense of humor—along the way. Topics listeners come here for: • Small business challenges & victories • Balancing entrepreneurship and family life • Marriage + business partnership dynamics • Work-life integration (and when it falls apart) • Behind-the-scenes of Fort Orange General Store • Real stories from real small business owners New episodes every week. Honest. Relatable. Sometimes chaotic. Always real. Help us keep the mics on and show your support: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2UYW9XX4NX2HW Fort Orange General Store: https://www.fortorangegeneralstore.com/ Podcast: https://www.fortorangegeneralstore.com/podcast

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