The Brad Rykal Brief

The Brad Rykal Brief

Thinking things out and having conversations with interesting people.Email me: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com

Episodes

June 2, 2025 180 mins

On today's episode, I am joined by Eric Schmitz and Jeff Stone, my political campaign team during my run for WH Supervisor. In this reflective conversation recorded on November 12th, just five days after the election, we delve into the 9-month campaign journey, highlighting significant moments, exploring the emotional landscape, and extracting lessons learned.   

Shownotes

Episode 113 - White Hall Election Ov...

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Quickly reviewing the White Hall Supervisor Election, I faced a 5% defeat (4.5k to 4k), which, by any measure, marks a significant success for both the campaign and Crozet. In an insightful discussion, Eric Schmitz joins the show to analyze precinct data, campaign finances, and highlight noteworthy trends for prospective future candidates.

I hope you enjoy the show.  -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Tw...

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Eric Rykal, Kevin Rykal and I met up at Ft. Laurderdale this year. We catch up - talk about what has been happing, the merits of public school, Eric becoming a judge in Montana and how much money Kevin is willing to spend on his pets. 

I hope you enjoy the show. 

-Brad Rykal

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

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March 2, 2025 217 mins

On today's show I have James Spencley. A lot has changed for Spencley since the first time he appeared on this show and we discuss the pursuit of happiness, approaches to retirement, evaluating the long term threat of a China, sending our kids to kindergarten and a lot more on this workhorse of a episode.

I hope you enjoy the show. -Brad 



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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: ht...

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Brett, Bode and Madison come on the podcast to talk about what has been happening over Christmas, Bode's 5th Birthday, how the school year has been going and much more.  It is a good show if you know the family but can probably skip if you don't.   

-Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

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Brett had a project his audio/visual class where he interviewed me. I figured we would do just do it on the show as well. 

He did a great job and this should get and 'A'.  

Hope you enjoy. -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

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August 18, 2024 52 mins

The B Boys are on today. First, I talk with Bode who is amped up to be on and then I talk with Brett.  We are talking about how the school year went, thoughts on next year, favorite books, toys, and trips that happened over the last six months.  

I remember when Brett used to sound like Bode. Time goes by fast. 

Enjoy the show. - Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: ht...

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It has been a while and I have not been podcasting much this year. I talk about why and some ideas I have been thinking about a lot lately.  

It's a fast show. Enjoy. -Brad

Bonus Points if you can email me the move this cold open came from. 

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

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Tom DeCoster is turning 70! His favorite daughter Mallory has interviewed old friends, colleagues, and family to share how he has impacted their lives, tell stories, and describe Tom in three words.

Happy Birthday, Tom. Enjoy the show!

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

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June 8, 2024 72 mins

Tom DeCoster, M.D. is back on the show where we are covering the chronicles of his life. Today Tom talks about arriving into ABQ, NM with his wife, Ginny, and talk about the first decade working as an Orthopedic Surgeon, writing papers and having twins.

Enjoy the show. -Brad

Previous Shows

Episode 89 - Part 5
Episode 60 - Part 4
Episode 49 - Part 3
Episode 34 - Part 2
Episode 5 - Part 1

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James Spencley is on the show but because today (April 14th) is my birthday he is asking questions and giving me room to talk. Always a lot of laughs having Spencley on and today was no different. 

I hope you enjoy the show. -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

If you like the show - subscribe, leave a review or tell a friend.

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Brothers weekend 2024! We met up in Phoenix, AZ. Went to a few spring training games, I hit up the casino and donated some money, we golfed. 

We cover a lot here like starting 5 on the Minong courts, Eric's car getting stuck and Big T getting him out only to have a mishap with it, and Eric tells the story of a jail escape now that he is retired. 

Enjoy the show. 

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com

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February 15, 2024 141 mins

A friend who is more like family, James Spencley, is on the show. He created the music and we always end up laughing hard when we have a few hours and a few beers. 

Enjoy the show. -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

If you like the show - subscribe, leave a review or tell a friend.

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January 21, 2024 46 mins

Brett Rykal is doing his yearly show telling everyone what he has been up to, how school is going, what he is reading and what he thinks about the future. 

Bode Rykal makes an appearance for the last few minutes. We talk about this 4th birthday party, friends and toys.  

Hope you enjoy the show! -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/
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December 31, 2023 138 mins

Jeff Stone is on the show today.  I got introduced Jeff through Eric Schmitz to help with the campaign as our communications/marketing subject matter expert and he is one of the best. I sit down with Jeff today talking about his random walk through life - growing up in Northern VA, college radio DJ, working at CNN....and we didn't even get to the good stuff of him working at 5-hour Energy.  

Enjoy the show. -Brad

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Finally my own Mom is on the show - Roxi Rykal!  She comes on the show to correct some stories my Dad told,  tell us about growing up with horses, her jobs growing up, and her going back to college in her 30's with three kids in the house.  

Enjoy the show. -Brad

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Email: bradrykalbrief@gmail.com
Twitter: @bradrykal
Blog: https://bradrykal.blogspot.com/

If you like the show - subscribe, leav...

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Mallory, I and the kids traveled back to WI to visit family. This time I brought the equipment to record a show with Dad - Tom Rykal!  Highly anticipated and he brought the heat.  Dad sits down and talks about his family, growing up in Cadott meeting Mom, the grocery store in Minong, kids shenanigans and a lot more. It was a lot of fun to record with Dad and my brother Kevin.  

I hope you enjoy the show. -Brad

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The co-owner of Praha Bohemian Bakery and Cafe in Crozet is on the show!  Marketa opened up Praha with her husband a few months ago and the people of Crozet dig it.  Marketa and I talk about her growing up in the Czech Republic, the velvet revolution, working out, the bakery, adding bread and lots more. 

I hope you enjoy the show. -Brad

Show Notes:

Praha Bohemian Bakery and Cafe
Praha Instagram
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My guest is Max Lefcowitz is on the show. A few years younger than I am Max ran in different social circles with different class dynamics. He was on the football team and I also worked for his family at The Longbranch so we hung out a decent amount and always had a fun time around each other. We also talk about his book 'Relay' and how hard it is to write a book.   

Max brings a good perspective to the Minong se...

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Tristan Venables, Director of Tennis (aka Head Tennis Pro) at Keswick, and Western Ridge neighbor is on the show today.   Tristan and I talk about him growing up in Australia, his tennis career, going to University of Denver, his music and art and being an all around cool person. 

I hope you enjoy the show. -Brad

Shownotes:

Arcadia Falcon 

Keswick Tennis Center

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