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Sour Dough Willy's
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Will Grant Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/p/Sourdough-Willys-Pizzeria-100063520812660/
That's A Some Pizza
https://www.thatsasome.com/
Sour Dough Library in Belgium
https://www.puratos.com/sustainability/heritage
120-Year-Old Sour Dough Film
• 120-year-old Sourdough starter!
Shepard's Grain
https://shepherdsgrain.com/
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If you love eating Pizza, you are going to love making Pizza…
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Learn easy, step-by-step methods for making Pizza. The book explains the notion of
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Describes ingredients you should use, Pizza tools, and how to use them.
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In this episode, World Pizza Champion Lars Smith shares the incredible story of his pizza journey—one filled with passion, persistence, and the rise of his award‑winning State of Mind Pizzerias. Lars explains how his path began at the legendary Pizza My Heart, a place he left more than once… but always returned to. Each time, the dough called him back.
He talks about the moment everything changed: his decision to attend the International Pizza Expo. That experience didn't just inspire him—it confirmed that he had what it takes to make truly great pizza. And he's proven it ever since.
Lars discusses the mentors who shaped his craft, including pizza icons John Arena and Leah Scurto, whose influence continues to guide his approach to dough, flavor, and creativity. He also gives a shout‑out to the California Milk Advisory Board, a partner he proudly supports.
And of course—because this is Pizza Therapy—Lars closes with practical, heartfelt tips for the home pizza maker. Whether you're stretching your first dough or chasing the perfect bake, he's got wisdom you can use tonight.
This is the story of a champion, a craftsman, and a man who lives and breathes pizza.

Lars Smith Sites and Related Links
https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/
https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/restaurant
https://www.instagram.com/lboogiesmith/?hl=en
Pizza My Heart
https://www.pizzamyheart.com/
Leah Scurto
https://www.pizzaleah.com/
Pizza Expo
https://pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com/
Chris Bianco Book
https://amzn.to/3XQLOwU (Affiliate Link)
John Arena
https://metropizza.com/
California Advisory Board
https://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/
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Fire Within and Wood Fired University sponsor this episode. For more information, go to:
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Michael Kalanty shares his entire journey with bread, beginning as a graduate student in architecture and discovering his passion for breadmaking in France. He explains how he started his sourdough journey, evolving from a student to a master bread baker. He describes his methods for teaching sourdough making. He is the author of two books on bread making. His starter, named Lucky Lady, is in the Sourdough museum in Belgium. He explains how he is an advanced instructor for Wood Fired University and his relationship with Firewithin.
For more about Michael Kalanty, click on the links below.

Michael Kalanty
https://www.michaelkalanty.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kalanty-83563713/
https://www.instagram.com/chefmikebreads/

Sour Dough Museum
https://sourdoughlibrary.puratos.com/en/virtual-sourdough-library

Glycemic index
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index

How to Bake Bread
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How to Bake More Bread
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How to Bake Sour Dough Bread
https://app.ckbk.com/recipe/bake70655c01s001ss001sss002r003/sourdough-starter-day-2-refresh-the-environment-for-the-yeast