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The Jungle Jim's Podcast

WJJI Studio

Since Jungle Jim's International Market is such a wonderfully mad world of flavors, we decided to create a Podcast to talk about it!

Join us on a super safari as we explore the world of food, plus discuss people, art, culture, and more! We'll also be peeling back the curtain to show you some secrets about Jungle Jim's. We hope you're as excited as we are. Stay tuned as we release future episodes.

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23 episodes
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English

Episodes 23

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October 28 · 42 min· Video
Pet Products and the Oscar Event Center's New Team
This week we're joined by Mike from the Pet Department to talk about all kinds of new pet products and trends going on in that world, and later, we meet Chris and Trevor, the new people behind Jungle Jim's Oscar Event Center! Are you coming to the International Wine Festival on November 14th?
October 14 · 56 min· Video
Let's Visit the Republic of Tea!
A wild episode is here thanks to The Republic of Tea and their Minister of Enlightenment! Did you ever have even a small interest in tea? I think we're going to blow that up for you - we cover everything here from steeping methods, to how the actual tea leaves are made and harvested. If you're unfamiliar, The Republic of Tea was founded in 1992 and thus sparked a Tea Revolution. They began by canvassing the most prized tea gardens of the world for their worthiest leaves. Their mission was—and is—to see these teas steaming in the cups of men, women and children everywhere, and to emphasize a Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp® lifestyle.
August 20 · 1 hr 10 min· Video
Jungle Jim's and the Yellow Springs Film Festival 2026!
We're joined again by Eric Mahoney, founder of the Yellow Springs Film Festival who is here to talk about our partnership and all of the awesome things happening at the Yellow Springs Film Festival, like launching the festival with Hannibal Burress, special engagements and presentations from filmmakers like Tamra Davis, and closing the festival out with Juliette Lewis! What a crazy lineup and we're glad to be a part of it. Meanwhile, Manager Jayna's son Logan joins me at the top and the end of the show to help me check out a bunch of new sour candy offerings at both Jungle Jim's locations. Can Logan defeat the incredibly sour treats from Mr. Simms? Only one way to find out.
July 22 · 23 min· Video
Jungle Jim's Hot Sauce Festival 2026 with Roland Foods
Jungle Jim's International Market's Weekend of Fire is BACK this weekend, July 25th and 26th! We're joined by one of the show sponsors, Roland Foods, to explore their history and product line that you can come try IN PERSON at the Weekend of Fire. Head on over to JungleFests.com to get more information on the show, tickets start at only $12 and it's a great time! Thank you to Chris from Roland Foods for joining us on the show!
July 15 · 55 min· Video
Corporate Vs. Independent Retailers - What's the Difference?
We discuss the pros and cons between working in corporate retail versus an independent retailer like Jungle Jim's! We're joined by store managers Becky and Emily, as well as Jungle Jim himself. Loved hearing a fairly nuanced take on the ups and downs of both worlds, even got to share some of my experiences working on clean team for some airlines. It was...a soul-shattering experience. Tune in and hey, maybe come work for us eh? Join me at JungleJims.com/Careers !
July 1 · 17 min· Video
Dairy Farmers, UNITE! Elly De La Cruz Ice Cream with UDF!
United Dairy Farmers, best known to locals as UDF, is an awesome company based here in Cincinnati who make some incredible ice cream and other treats. They've recently partnered with baseball superstar Elly De La Cruz to make the new Dulce De La Cruz ice cream which is in dip shops now and hitting stores like Jungle Jim's International Market this coming week! It's a delicious caramel ice cream base with even MORE caramel swirls added to it, to hit a little bit of Elly's nostalgia and create some food memories for the rest of us. We're joined by Grace Elam, UDF's Ice Cream Queen, to talk all about the creative process, making ice cream, and of course the collaboration with Elly and the Cincinnati Reds!
June 10 · 56 min· Video
Get Phocus'd
This week on the Jungle Jim's Podcast, we're getting Phocus'd! We're cracking open cans of Phocus, the sparkling caffeinated water that's trying to change the way people think about energy drinks. With caffeine from tea, added L-theanine, zero sugar, and a lineup of refreshing flavors, Phocus promises clean energy without the crash. We'll dive into the story behind the brand, discuss the rise of functional beverages, and find out whether this modern energy drink alternative deserves a permanent spot in your fridge. Grab a can and lock in with us!
May 13 · 43 min
Things You Didn't Know About Olive Oil (Probably)
This week, I sat down with Spiro Collias of Collias Estates in Crete, Greece to learn everything I could about olive oil. You always hear tons of rumors about the quality of oil and how it's made, where it comes from, and how maybe the cheap stuff you get at chain stores might not even really be pure olive oil. Well, Spiro helps us put so many of those rumors to bed, teaching us how to pick a great olive oil and so much more. I can't say enough great things about Agia Marina from Collias Estates.
May 1 · 51 min
Soda Pop Bros from Canada
Jeremy from Soda Pop Bros came all the way from Canada to the Jungle Jim's International Market Podcast with tons of rare soda samples and some seriously amazing stories from the world of soda. We talked craft soda, Canadian culture, wild international flavors, nostalgic bottles, and a million other fizzy rabbit holes. So now I need to know: if Jeremy and I made a soda together, what flavor should it be? Weird is encouraged, of course. #JungleJims #JungleJimsInternationalMarket #SodaPopBros #CraftSoda #CanadianSoda #RareSoda #SodaTasting #FoodPodcast #BeveragePodcast #WeirdSoda
April 1 · 25 min
Show Choir Kids Try Guessing Foods From Around the World
There's a HUGE show choir competition in Fairfield happening right next to Jungle Jim's, so I had to go check it out. I met up with some competitors and one of the Choir Dads to talk about what it's really like, then surprised them with a global food guessing challenge!
March 12 · 40 min
Cheese Carving with Sarah Kaufmann
I'm sure you've seen those incredible cheddar carvings floating around the Jungle Jim's cheese shop, and I'd love to introduce you to the maker. Maybe you've seen her work here, maybe you've seen her carving for the Grammy's, but now we're going to learn all about Sarah's journey into the world of cheese carving. Even cooler? Sarah used to be a member of the Jungle Jim's family - well, she'll always be family to us, but she is out all over the world making art out of everyone's favorite dairy product!
February 25 · 1 hr
Surviving 50 Seasons of Survivor with Exotic Fruits
We're talking all about Survivor's 50th Season Premiere because I got invited to be a part of a Q&A panel for the show tonight with former stars of Survivor! Guess being on Fox's The Floor finally paid off, eh? Huge thanks to Matt Bischoff and Little Miami Brewing for putting this together. I brought in Lucky, as he's the biggest Survivor fan that I know; we talked about the show, we talked a little strategy, but we REALLY talked about all kinds of fun international fruits that we tried here. Turns out, we should learn a little more about picking ripe fruit before the show starts! Along the way, we get off on some delightful tangents leading into me giving one of my classic passionate speeches about media criticism framed around great games and movies like Red Dead Redemption 2, and the original Ninja Turtles franchise. I can't stop looking at my dog Morison, who is a DEAD RINGER for Master Splinter, and saying "All fathers care for their sons." Anyway, it's another fun one from us, it's silly, and we tried a lot of fruit. "This is the wettest the podcast has ever been, and you can quote me on that" - Mark Borison
February 13 · 1 hr 36 min
The Beverage Influencer Episode
We're joined by two of our favorites in the snack and soda game, powerful influencers TeamSupernovaFB and SodaSeekers! We tested out the new-ish Cheez-It and Ragu frozen pizzas, as well as a bunch of new beverages from AriZona and so much more - hugely thankful for the guys bringing out some secret treats for us to try. Also thankful we got to review the world's best restrooms together! We're almost to our 200th episode!!!
January 28 · 39 min
We're Eating Bugs!
This week, we're getting a real expert's opinion as we're joined by former star of Jungle Jim's commercials, and future YouTube sensation TheAmbushBugJr to try out some of the weirdest bug candies we have in the store. Is it crazy that I loved the 3 Crickets Chocolate bars a lot? Maybe you haven't had Dirt Soda before, and TheAmbushBugJr is gonna walk you through how to taste it and enjoy it. Jungle Jim's has all the most fun and strangest items in the store and you better come in and visit next!
January 14 · 37 min
The Real Deal: How Sir Savill's Ideal Rubs came from the world of Trucking Competitions
We're joined HOT by Paul Savill of Sir Savill's Ideal Rubs. Paul tells us some wild stories about the world of trucking competitions and America's Road Teams and how the practices and qualities he earned there helped him create a brand of excellent, homemade rubs and spices. In his own words, "I'm a five-time Ohio State Truck Driving Champion, and I once placed 5th at the National Truck Driving Championships. One of my greatest honors was being selected for the America's Road Team, a national safety and outreach program led by the American Trucking Associations. As a Road Team Captain, I was called on about once a month to travel the country—sometimes flying to events, other times driving one of the program's dedicated trucks. At each stop, we taught the Share the Road program, helping new drivers and the public understand blind spots and truck safety. But those events weren't just about education—they were about connecting over food, stories, and the flavors of America. From school events in Montana to outreach in Boston, I've tasted the country—one plate at a time." I want to go to one of these trucking competitions!
Dec 31, 2025 · 1 hr 38 min
Cincinnati Secrets with Cody from the Cincinnati Museum Center
This week, we're joined by Cody Hefner of the Cincinnati Museum Center, and we're telling Cincinnati secrets and diving into the cool history of the Museum Center and Union Terminal! I even talked Cody into suggesting some fun Jungle Jim's themed exhibits at the museum, and a cool story about the Declaration of Independence and how he'd hide them inside Jungle Jim's! A lot of fun history here in town!
Dec 10, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The Jungle Jim's 2025 Holiday Gift guide
Shelby and Bryce from Eastgate come over with some of their crazy toy and candy picks for this holiday season. We go from classic candies like Chick-O-Sticks, all the way to the latest from Smiski and Funko Pop! Jungle even makes a cameo as he tries to pirate the episode! What are some of the things you're trying to get your hands on this year? Let us know in the comments! And thanks for shopping at Jungle Jim's!
#199
Oct 10, 2025 · 54 min
Heart Health with Dr. Jay Wilkins and Bionox
This week, we're trying a few new Korean treats before we're joined by Dr. Jay Wilkins of Bionox. In their words, "At Bionox, we are committed to empowering individuals to feel better, be better, and do more. By combining the highest quality natural ingredients with innovative science, we create delicious, easy-to-use health solutions that enhance wellness and performance. Our mission is to deliver peace of mind and vitality to our customers, ensuring every product is as enjoyable as it is effective. Whether you're seeking improved energy, natural performance, or overall wellness, Bionox stands as your partner in achieving a vibrant, healthy lifestyle." I've been using their CardioGO line and I've had an excellent experience - and who couldn't use a little extra heart health? Later, the studio gets accosted by local musician Alex Salazar, who we force to sing a song as penance. It's beautiful.
#197
Sep 12, 2025 · 37 min
Jungle Jim's is going to the Yellow Springs Film Fest!
This week we're joined by Eric Mahoney of the Yellow Springs Film Fest to talk about this exciting film festival happening just a little ways away from the Jungle. We chat about Ohio's rich film history, expanded on by their Rod Serling programming in this year's film festival, working with Kevin Smith to screen his classic movie "Dogma" as part of the film festival, and how important it is to support local creatives! In the meantime, a bunch of the Jungle family is in Japan, and we're setting up for Horrorhound Festival as we speak - come say hi at the Jungle Jim's booth!!!
#196
Aug 28, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Unrestricted Flavors Amongst FODMAP Intolerance
This week, we're joined by Mark Dirksing of Unrestricted Flavor and Justin Dean of Carriage House Farm and Lost Bridge Beverage company to talk about their upcoming event in support of those with intense food allergies and FODMAP intolerance. Mark tells his heartwrenching story of the difficulties he's faced since developing some of his food intolerances, how it's caused problems in so many spaces of his life, and his struggles to overcome this. Stay tuned, as we'll update the info here when they launch their official event date. In the meantime, follow along with Mark and Justin here: YouTube https://youtube.com/@unrestrictedflavor?si=-25i2DUfAoT2Tfsc Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/618825987420680/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT LBBC https://lostbridgebeverage.com/ Also, don't forget to try these delicious limited edition chips from Cape Cod, Malt Vinegar flavor. Incredible.

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