Meet the Off The Menu Podcast team

The Off The Menu Podcast is proof that it takes a whole crew to make a little magic happen. Sure, you hear the voices behind the mics—but there’s a small army behind the scenes keeping the chaos organized, the sound crisp, and the laughs coming. We’re a team of talkers, thinkers, eaters, and doers who somehow make this thing work week after week. It’s a group effort… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

  • Joel Nepa

    CO-HOST

    Joel Nepa brings humor, heart, and an appetite for good conversation to Off The Menu. A native of Carbondale, PA, he now calls the Columbus suburbs home with his wife, two grown kids, and two cats who turned him into a cat person. A self-proclaimed lousy cook but fantastic eater, Joel believes every good story finds its way back to food. He never turns down Chinese food, and cheers for the Buckeyes like it’s his job. Funny but genuine, Joel has a knack for making anyone feel like they’ve known him forever—whether he’s talking food, family, or his undying love for The Breakfast Club and every John Hughes movie that made the ’80s great. He’s still convinced detention would’ve been better filmed in the cafeteria!

  • Wal Ozello

    CO-HOST

    Wal Ozello approaches Off The Menu with curiosity, wit, and a love of connection. He’s drawn to simple, satisfying food and the kinds of conversations that linger long after the plates are cleared. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Wal is a native of Cleveland, spent time in New York City, and now calls the Columbus suburbs home with his wife, their morkie Vito, and two grown kids out in the world. He believes Cleveland-style pizza is the best and never turns down a cannoli. A perfect evening for him is dinner with family, followed by board games and plenty of laughter. When he’s not talking about food and life, he’s fronting a rock band that covers Journey, Rush, and all the best hairband hits.

  • Tom Clemens

    PRODUCER

    Tom Clemens shapes the creative vision and storytelling behind Off The Menu, bringing decades of experience in event production and narrative design to the table. Originally from Yellow Springs, Tom has spent his career creating experiences that connect people and spark conversation. He got his start at the world-famous Young’s Jersey Dairy, where he learned the power of community, teamwork, and a good scoop of ice cream. Today, he and his wife call Galena home, and when he’s not producing, he’s enjoying life as a proud father and grandfather—and tending to a small flock of chickens. Thoughtful, imaginative, and grounded, Tom brings heart and direction to every episode of Off The Menu.

The Off The Menu Podcast is recorded at Brainstorm Media in Columbus, Ohio — a creative production studio that’s been part of the city’s storytelling scene for more than 25 years. Their studio space gives us the perfect spot to kick back, hit record, and let the conversations flow.