PURE FIRE.
NO SMOKE.
Hosted by Justin Fourton, Wayne Mueller, and Nick Pencis, these three award-winning Texas BBQ veterans sit down to share honest, no-bullshit conversations about life, purpose, burnout, creativity, and the grind of building something meaningful — in and far beyond the pit.
This isn't a show about brisket recipes (though that might come up). It's about the fire underneath: the stuff that fuels us, burns us, and reshapes us. BBQ is just the backdrop for something much deeper — mentorship through experience, brotherhood through storytelling, and the clarity that only comes when the smoke clears.
Whether you’re in the industry, chasing a dream, or looking for real talk that cuts through the noise — welcome to Smoke(less).
Listen up.
Who?
These guys have done everything from global management consulting, professional sports marketing, touring in a funk band, and yes, running three of the best BBQ joints in Texas.
So, who are they?
About the Hosts of Smoke(less)
Three voices. Three journeys. One fire.
Smoke(less) is hosted by three award-winning pitmasters and barbecue innovators whose paths to the pit were as different as their personalities. What unites them is a shared belief in honest conversation, hard-earned wisdom, and the fire that forges both barbecue and character.
Wayne Mueller
Third-generation Owner & Pitmaster | Louie Mueller Barbecue – Taylor, TX
Wayne is BBQ royalty — but don’t expect him to act like it. As the son of legendary pitmaster Bobby Mueller (posthumously inducted into the BBQ Hall of Fame), Wayne carries the weight of legacy with the mind of a philosopher and the grit of a firestarter. After a career in sports marketing and business consulting, he returned to BBQ to honor a promise to his father. Since then, he’s earned accolades for his giant Beef Short Ribs, like Best Ribs in America, Best BBQ Dish in the World, and Tastiest Dish on Earth. Wayne’s voice is part historian, part mentor, part realist — the kind of guy who makes you think harder and laugh louder.
Fun fact: He’s a classically trained economist with a deep love of Western history, and earned multiple championship rings working in marketing for several professional sports teams.
Justin Fourton
Co-founder & Pitmaster | Pecan Lodge – Dallas, TX
Justin is a self-taught pitmaster with a precision mindset and a heart for storytelling. Formerly a management consultant with Accenture, he left corporate life to start cooking in his backyard — chasing the Texas culture he missed after years away. That obsession turned into Pecan Lodge, now one of the most celebrated BBQ joints in the country. Justin brings curiosity, calm, and clarity to the mic — a natural mentor with a sharp business mind and a storyteller’s soul.
Fun fact: He can drive a golf ball over 300 yards... and keep it in the fairway.
Nick Pencis
Co-Owner & Operator | Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue – Tyler, TX
Nick’s entry into BBQ was pure serendipity. He didn’t plan to become a pitmaster — he was chasing a dream of hospitality, and barbecue just happened to be the fire he stumbled into. Now, with over 20 years at the helm of Stanley’s, Nick’s built one of the most beloved BBQ joints and live music venues in East Texas while picking up awards like SBA Small Business Person of the Year, Best Pork Ribs, and multiple Texas Monthly Top 50 rankings. Equal parts instigator, eternal optimist, and comic relief, Nick brings creative fire and grounded honesty to every conversation.
Fun fact: He’s a lifelong drummer who once toured and recorded with a funk & soul band that was based out of Los Angeles, CA
“These guys are fucking awesome! Can’t get enough!”
— Roe Jogan, a dude with a podcast
“I really enjoyed listening to all these stories. I might quit my job to write about BBQ now. ”
— Vaniel Daughn, architect
“Back in my day, we didn’t have podcasts. But if we had, I’d probably try to listen to this one, maybe? I don’t know.”
— Stoward Hern, former radio disc jockey
“I have a wallet.”
— Steve, also likes pizza
“Their podcast was really dry, the sauce was terrible, and the parking sucks. One star. ”
— Yelp! Review
These reviews are satire. Any resemblance to real people or events is coincidental, and any opinions expressed are intended for comedic purposes. Duh!