Real Good Denver

Real Good Denver? Glad you asked. It's the loudest love letter to the Mile High City you've ever heard, wrapped in a podcast, shaken with mezcal, and served with a side of green chile. Every week, Real Good Denver hooks you up with the weirdest, wildest, and most wonderful things happening around town. From late-night taco joints and underground comedy shows to rooftop raves and secret speakeasies, we've got our ears to the ground and our hearts in the city. We'll hit you with: • Hot takes on new restaurants (yes, even the ones with $22 cocktails and reclaimed wood everything) • Live music recs that'll make you actually leave your house • Local legends and experts who know what's up (and where the good stuff is hiding) • Tips, hacks, and must-do's for food, fun, and full-blown Denver delight • A healthy dose of sass, stories, and city pride Whether you're a seasoned Denverite, a transplant trying to earn your stripes, or just here for the altitude and edibles, Real Good Denver is your new favorite way to explore the Queen City of the Plains. So don't just sit there, subscribe, tune in, and get hyped for the best damn city on this side of the Rockies.

X Games Aspen, Broncos v Patriots and Todo Creative! 01/21/2026

ALDI IS COMING!!! + Denver Real Estate and Custom Home Building with Brad Liber from Caliber Homes 01/14/2026

New Year New Pod! Stock Show is in Session!! Plus An Inside Look at Denver’s Wedding / Event DJ Market 01/07/2026

Life. A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief. Holiday stories, comedy as a healer, and how to hold hard emotions with heart 12/30/2025

Life. A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief. Holiday stories, comedy as a healer, and how to hold hard emotions with heart Ryan sits down with Andrea, Katie, and Elaina, the creators and performers behind “Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief”. They start with holiday spirit stories that are funny, messy, and painfully human, then go deep on how the show blends monologues, spoken word, and comedy to help people move through fear and grief without trauma dumping. They also share Denver resources for affordable counseling and addiction recovery, plus some 2026 intentions that are equal parts tender and practical. Tickets and show info Show website and tickets: Venue: The Bug Theatre (Denver) Sponsors MotorStreet 360: Telescope Mapping: Den Thai (featured restaurant): Guests and links Andrea Marie Comedy (Instagram): Moms Unhinged (Andrea’s show): Katie Mason: Elaina McMillan: Fear and Grief Show Facebook: Denver resources mentioned People House (affordable counseling): Colorado Addiction Recovery Services: Things mentioned in the conversation KUVO Jazz Odyssey: Let’s Vibe (Danny Newman, Denver AI meetup): Chapters (approx) Intro and sponsor reads (MotorStreet 360, Telescope Mapping, Den Thai) Meet Andrea, Katie, Elena. Holiday spirit stories and the “no more littles” Christmas problem What the show is and why it works. Comedy plus grief without emotional whiplash Processed stories vs stage ready stories. Craft, care, and not making the audience take care of the performers Community resources in Denver (People House, Colorado ARS) New Year intentions for 2026. Volunteering, ritual, more love, and Ryan’s year of curls Quoteable moments “Everything is funny. It just depends on how you look at it.” “We are guides as much as we are performers.” “Processed enough to share, without throwing your shame on the audience.” /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/39571010

Paul Karolyi from City Cast Denver 12/17/2025

How To Win Denver Search In 2026 12/12/2025

How To Win Denver Search In 2026 Denver, real talk, if you run a business here right now it can feel like the whole game just flipped. Google keeps changing, AI is suddenly your customers’ new best friend, and half the agencies in your inbox are promising the moon while quietly handing your account to a junior who barely knows Colfax from Colorado Boulevard. Today I brought in two guys who actually live in the numbers and the neighborhoods. Michael and Jason from TelescopeMapping.com. They are a full funnel growth team that outranks NASA for the phrase “telescope mapping” and they act like a fractional marketing and sales department for Denver businesses. In this episode we get super practical. We are talking how to fill the top of your funnel, how to actually turn that attention into revenue, how to show up in local search, AI search, and those Google Business reviews that decide where people spend their money. If you are a Denver founder, brick and mortar owner, marketer, or just a DIY operator trying to grow without getting burned again, this one is for you. You will learn which channels actually matter for Denver locals right now, what “AI search” really means for small businesses, how to use events, email, and local SEO together, and how Michael and Jason think about being true partners in your growth story, not just another vendor. Before we dive in, if you love this kind of very Denver, very useful conversation, make sure you are on the list at realgooddenver.com. That is where we send the weird events, the secret spots, and the tactical playbooks from conversations like this. Think of it as your weekly cheat sheet for making Denver smaller, more interesting, and more profitable, all in one email, at realgooddenver.com. And if this episode helps you, go tap those stars and leave a review like you are leaving a love letter to your favorite local business, it helps more Denver folks find the show. /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/39388150

Special Guests Jessie, Adam & Greg from Comedy Church SLC, the Denver-est Denver Awards from City Cast Denver, and a Free Congress Park Townhouse Sweepstakes!! 12/10/2025

Colorado’s “Astronaut Shower” Is Going Global - Meet the Inventor 12/06/2025

Special Guest Matt Dean, CEO of Dean&Co Creative Agency + Snow Forecasts, Ball Arena Developments & More! 12/03/2025

Kangaroo Yoga and a Winter Fashion Thrift Sale! Plus - Community Building, Prediction Markets and More with Isaiah from TAGLINE 11/26/2025

Aurora…. Borealis?? More Construction, and Our Wildlife Tour Giveaway!! 11/19/2025

Special Guest Bart Wilson from Motor Street 360! Also - Denver Fashion Week, No Snow + Holiday Plans 11/12/2025

Breaking the Rules of Wine and Winning the Shelf in Denver 11/10/2025

Breaking the Rules of Wine and Winning the Shelf in Denver Episode Summary: What happens when you look at a wine label and realize you don’t know what’s in it? Kristin Taylor did, and she didn’t like the answer. So, with no vineyard inheritance and no Napa trust fund, she started a wine company from scratch. From selling cases door-to-door in Denver to landing in hundreds of stores nationwide, Kristin and her co-founder built Mom Juice Wine, a clean, low-sugar, women-led wine brand that’s rewriting the rules of the industry. In this episode, Kristin shares how she turned a few thousand dollars and a big vision into a thriving business, why transparency matters in wine, and how community-powered distribution can outperform any marketing budget. If you’re a founder, creative, or anyone who’s ever been told “that’s not how it’s done,” this story is your permission slip to prove them wrong. Key Takeaways Clean Wine Revolution: Why Mom Juice uses fewer than nine ingredients instead of the typical forty found in mass-market wines. Bootstrapping to Breakthrough: How Kristin started door-to-door in Denver before scaling nationally. Community as Distribution: How local partnerships and storytelling became Mom Juice’s growth engine. Women Leading the Industry: Overcoming bias in a traditional, male-dominated business. Old World Meets New World: Balancing authentic winemaking with modern sustainability. Scaling with Soul: Launching a wine club, introducing a non-alcoholic line, and raising their next funding round the right way. Resources Mentioned Mom Juice Wine: KT Winery: Girls Inc. of Metro Denver: Real Good Denver Newsletter: Connect with Kristin Taylor LinkedIn: TikTok: Offers Real Good Denver listeners get 15% off the new Mom Juice Wine Club using code GOOD15. Perfect for gifts, holidays, or your personal stash of clean wine delivered to your door. /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/38979335

Season 3 Premiere!! Vibrant Denver Bond, Five Points First Friday + More!!! 11/05/2025

One Night Only: Flamenco Denver’s “RAICES” at the Newman Center 09/24/2025

One Night Only: Flamenco Denver’s “RAICES” at the Newman Center In this episode of the Real Good Denver Podcast, Ryan Estes sits down with Maria and Eva from Flamenco Denver, the nonprofit bringing the passion, rhythm, and roots of Spain to the Mile High City. With 25 years in Denver, Flamenco Denver has taught thousands of students, performed across schools, and created community through music, dance, and song. Their annual showcase, RAICES, returns September 30 at the Newman Center with world-class dancers, singers, and musicians. Who this episode is for Arts lovers and culture seekers in Denver Musicians and dancers looking for inspiration Families exploring cultural experiences Anyone curious about the power of community through art Key Takeaways Event Details: Rises is one night only, Tuesday, September 30, at the Newman Center. Tickets: The Academy: Flamenco Denver offers weekly classes for kids, adults, and even seniors, building a tight-knit cultural community. Education Impact: They provide free programs in Title 1 schools across Denver during Hispanic Heritage Month. Global Roots: Flamenco is a living art form born from centuries of cultural mixing across Spain, Cuba, and Latin America. Guest Artists: The show features Grammy-winning percussionists, singers from Granada, and international dancers. Personal Story: Maria came from Seville, Spain, and founded Flamenco Denver in 2005, transitioning to a nonprofit in 2014. Legacy: Former students have gone on to perform professionally in Spain and return to Denver to teach. Frameworks in the Conversation Flamenco’s Three Pillars: Dance, Guitar, and Singing. Community Model: Start from scratch → grow through classes → contribute to performances → bring knowledge back from Spain. Roots Before Fusion: Understand tradition deeply before blending into modern interpretations. Resources and Links Tickets & Academy: /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/38335010

Joined by Special Guest Ren from Audacious Immersive! Cults, Star Wars, & When Does Fall Really Begin? 09/17/2025

Joined by Special Guest Ren from Audacious Immersive! Cults, Star Wars, & When Does Fall Really Begin? This week we’re joined by Ren from Audacious Immersive for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from cults to Star Wars to the all-important question—when does fall really begin? Ren takes us inside the world of Audacious Theatre, where immersive, sensory-driven productions push the boundaries of live performance through collaboration, innovation, and cross-cultural creativity. From staging experiences that surround the audience to exploring the strange ways stories connect us, this episode blends the quirky, the thoughtful, and the theatrical. As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well. News: Denver has the state’s first two-star Michelin restaurant The Wolf’s Tailor earned two Michelin stars in the new guide, becoming the first Colorado restaurant to reach that level while several others gained or maintained status. The big rhino is here, but what’s next for Denargo Market? A giant 30-foot climbable rhino sculpture dubbed “Rhingo” is now part of the freshly opened public space in Denargo Market, launching phase one of a massive redevelopment that promises over 1,000 rental units. 16th Street is fully (finally) reopening next month After three years and around $175 million in renovations, Denver’s pedestrian mall (formerly 16th Street Mall) will fully reopen, featuring new patios, a renamed walkway, modernized infrastructure, and “common consumption” zones. What’s Working: Colorado Startup Week debuts in Front Range to reignite founder fever Denver Startup Week has evolved into “Colorado Startup Week,” expanding beyond Denver to include events in Fort Collins, Boulder, Littleton, and outdoor creative networking, including a hike-and-paint in Jefferson County. Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at . Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok: /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/38247315

Quesadillas for Good, Bronco’s Preferred Stadium Location, & Thoa Nguyun from Bánh & Butter Bakery Cafe! 09/09/2025

Denver Food & Wine Festival, F1 Arcade, New Restaurants & Construction Everywhere!! 09/03/2025

Inside Denver Food and Wine Festival at the Tivoli Quad 09/02/2025

Inside Denver Food and Wine Festival at the Tivoli Quad Real Good Denver Podcast with Denise from Denver Food and Wine Festival Location: Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus Dates: September 3–6 Format: Week of tastings and competitions culminating in the Grand Tasting What you will learn How Denver Food and Wine Festival funds the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and why that matters for local workers The full schedule for festival week including the Riedel glass seminar, Shake and Break Showdown, and the Grand Tasting VIP benefits including lounge access, dedicated restrooms, exclusive restaurants, and tasting seminars How ProStart gives 2,300 Colorado high school students real event experience Who should attend and important policy notes including 21 plus entry Who this episode is for Denver locals who love restaurants, chefs, wine, and craft cocktails Food and drink fans planning a downtown weekend Supporters of the hospitality community who want to invest in scholarships, mental health resources, and emergency grants for workers VIP seekers who want elevated access and seminars Festival week schedule Wednesday Sept 3, 6 pm Riedel wine glass seminar with guided tasting and a take-home glassware set. Learn how glass shape changes aroma and flavor. Thursday Sept 4, 7 pm Shake and Break Showdown. Eight food trucks and twelve bartenders. Taste and vote for your favorites. Music and games on the Tivoli Quad. Saturday Sept 6, noon–4 pm Grand Tasting. Approximately 2,500 attendees. About 50 restaurants. Hundreds of pours. Photo activations, music, games, and swag. Note: 21 plus only. No exceptions including infants in carriers. VIP perks VIP lounge presented with 5280 Magazine Dedicated restrooms Four VIP-only tasting seminars Access to an additional set of restaurants exclusive to VIP Key takeaways Denver Food and Wine is the signature annual fundraiser for the Colorado Restaurant Foundation supporting scholarships, training, apprenticeships, emergency assistance, and mental health resources ProStart students work alongside chefs and teams during the festival which builds the future talent pipeline Expect top Denver restaurants plus statewide representation from Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen Full service dining remains challenged which makes community support and attendance more important Resources and links Tickets and details: Colorado Restaurant Foundation: search for Colorado Restaurant Foundation Colorado Restaurant Association and Hospi Awards information: search for Colorado Restaurant Association 5280 Magazine: Real Good Denver newsletter and podcast: /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/38059555

Episode 100!!! Real Good Denver Recap and The Birding Man Ryan Dibala 08/27/2025

Why Denver is Becoming a Global Hub for Startups and Innovation 08/25/2025

Why Denver is Becoming a Global Hub for Startups and Innovation In this episode of Real Good Denver, Ryan Estes sits down with Melissa Jenner, founder and CEO of Actvo.ai, a New Zealand company now thriving in Denver’s startup scene. Melissa shares how Denver’s global outreach brought her across the world, why she believes work should be a place people love, and how her AI-driven platform helps companies retain top talent by mapping out employee career pathways before burnout takes hold. The conversation dives into the unique culture of Denver’s business ecosystem, the power of serendipity in founder connections, the craft beer influence on collaboration, and why collective intelligence makes this city special. Key Takeaways Denver’s Global Magnetism: Economic development teams are actively recruiting international startups, making Denver a true global landing pad. Culture of Serendipity: Denver’s tight-knit founder ecosystem creates constant collisions of opportunity through dinners, meetups, and a give-first mindset. Beer as a Business Model: Collaboration in Denver mirrors its craft beer scene—newcomers and legacy players help each other scale. The Future of Work: Actvo.ai helps employees see 12 possible work pathways, close skill gaps, and create proactive career conversations before they leave a company. Equity over Equality: Melissa argues for tailored support to unlock overlooked talent, ensuring people find meaningful work. Collective Intelligence: Denver’s culture of shared ideas and generosity accelerates innovation beyond the traditional Silicon Valley model. Frameworks Mentioned The 12 Pathways of Work – Actvo.ai’s model to help employees explore new roles. Exit Lounge Effect – why companies lose 40% of employees after 2–5 years and how to prevent it. Equity vs Equality – supporting employees differently to reach the same starting point. Flywheel Effect of Collective Intelligence – how networks of generous founders compound innovation. Resources & Links Actvo.ai: Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO): Denver Startup Week: Ratio Beerworks: Reverence Brewing: Golden, CO breweries: Kitcaster: /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/37954445

Denver’s Wildest Headlines, NFL Injury Updates, A New NBA Era 08/20/2025

Denver’s Wildest Headlines, NFL Injury Updates, A New NBA Era We’ve got NFL updates, a look at the new NBA era, and a NSFW restaurant title. Kept it tight this week as we gear up for Episode 100 next week. Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok: Got a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at tom@kitcaster.com. Troy’s Takes Ryan’s Takes – A new bike trail opened through the former bomb factory site, sparking safety concerns. – 175 yards of landscaping rock shut down lanes near Alameda. – A parrot sanctuary scrambles to raise $7K to feed 250 birds. – Cottontails with viral growths spark jackalope rumors. – A hungry bear shredded an SUV’s interior in Jefferson County. – Denver’s climate campaign draws fire from ranchers. – Layoffs spark political accusations at City Hall. – Four newborn cubs are healthy and bonding off-exhibit. – The Savannah Bananas turned baseball into a circus at Coors. – A 305-acre mining village sold for nearly $1M. – Dozens stranded 17 stories high on the Star Flyer ride. Events – Tue 8/19, Sculpture Park – Wed 8/20, Buntport Theater – Thu 8/21, Downtown Campus – Thu 8/21, Adrift Tiki Bar – Aug 21–24, deKoevend Park – Fri 8/22, RiNo – Fri 8/22, Saint John’s Cathedral – Sat 8/23, McGregor Square – Sat 8/23, RiNo ArtPark – Aug 22–24, The Creepatorium – Weekends, Wheat Ridge – Aug 19–21, Coors Field – Aug 22–24, Infinity Park – Sat 8/23, Rollerdome – Fri 8/29, Boulder – Fri 8/29, Coors Field Volunteer Opportunity – Help seniors and people with disabilities borrow free equipment. New Restaurants – Cherry Creek bodega/market with deli, Little Man Ice Cream. – Playful Vietnamese bowls at Edgewater Public Market. – New cocktail bar pouring Negronis and Old Fashioneds. Music produced by Troy Higgins /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/37891810

Skyline Park Upgrades, Denver Product Leaders, RiNo’s Grocery Store Issue, and The Best Sports Movies of ALL TIME! 08/12/2025

Downtown Upgrades, Masquerades and More! 08/05/2025

FABRIC, Brunch Fest VIP Giveaway, & Jokic's Biggest Win Yet! 07/30/2025

Lacey Spruce from Drink Denver, Cirque du Solei, and the Mike V Bat Signal 07/23/2025

Bears at Red Rocks, Geese on Parole, and AI in Court – Only in Denver 07/18/2025

Bears at Red Rocks, Geese on Parole, and AI in Court – Only in Denver This week on Real Good Denver, the headlines are wilder than a Renaissance joust after four meads. Ryan kicks things off with a huge shoutout to listener Belen for a five-star review (we see you and we love yoga too), then dives straight into the chaos swirling through our beloved Mile High City. Here's what's cooking in Colorado: Lawmakers Behaving Badly – Colorado Rep. Ron Weinberg faces accusations of pre-office misconduct. It's giving "prequel to the scandal." AI Legal Blunders – Two of Mike Lindell’s lawyers used ChatGPT to draft a court motion and ended up $3K lighter for citing 30 imaginary court cases. Goose Surveillance State – 200 geese tagged like reality TV contestants at Sloan’s Lake. Yes, they’re watching. Honk accordingly. Red Rocks Invaded by Bears – Two black bears strolled into a concert. Nothing to see here, just wildlife vibing with your playlist. Child Falls from Tamarac Shelter Balcony – An 11-year-old girl survives a five-story fall after ignored safety warnings. Now the city scrambles to fix it. Turkey Leg Crisis at the Ren Fest – Record crowds cause a medieval meat shortage. Jousting tickets now harder to get than Taylor Swift seats. Boulder’s “Tube to Work Day” – Hundreds float to their jobs in full costume down Boulder Creek. Briefcases optional. Snorkels not. Skatepark Metal Showdowns – Nighttime bowl concerts spark turf war between metalheads and skaters. Think “West Side Story” with more studs and sweat. QuickTrip Loses to Denver – A new law bans gas pump saturation. Big win for clean air, big loss for late-night convenience store egg rolls. Ryan wraps with a love letter to the city that never ceases to surprise us. Want more weird, wild, and wonderful? 👉 Visit 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 👉 Rate us on Apple or Spotify if you love geese, yoga, or just unhinged local journalism. See you next week. Don’t forget your floatie—or your Turkey leg. /episode/index/show/6283fd41-015b-4c99-b6c8-81e35925830d/id/37424140

AI Hallucinations, The Future of Globeville, and a Game of Would You Rather: Brunch Edition! 07/16/2025

Kari Eckert from Robbie’s Hope, Secret Plans for a New Broncos Stadium, and FREE Denver Brunch Fest Tickets! 07/09/2025

July 4th Weekend, Zeds Dead, Padel Invasion, and The Last Dance for UMS 07/03/2025

Real Good Denver

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