Nicole Raney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nicole Raney is the former Managing Editor of The Manual. You can also hear her on older episodes of The Manual Podcast, a weekly series that interviews experts and artisans about their passions.
She came to Portland, Oregon, via Austin, where she was an editor at CultureMap, a network online publications crafting unique lifestyle content for locals. Prior to that, she worked for Emmis Communications and served as a digital content producer for two popular morning shows, Dudley and Bob with Matt on 93.7 KLBJ and Jason and Deb on 101X, as well as the company's other radio stations. When Nicole isn’t playing with words and images, she is eating ridiculous amounts of tacos and spending time outside.
Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Nicole’s work.
How to Build Your Own Home Gym for Under $500
Your equipment is always there when you need it, there are no monthly membership bills or drop-in fees, and you can customize your workout to whatever you're feeling on the day.
May These Star Wars Cocktails Be With You on May the Fourth
The unofficially official holiday is a time to binge your favorite movie and sip on these easy-to-make Star Wars cocktails.
14 Books We Give You Permission Not to Read
There are nearly 130 million books in existence. You can avoid these. Some are considered classics, others are fantasy staples or have celebrity authors.
Brandon League Chats Baseball, Hawaii, and the Freedom of Designing Clothes
For this week’s episode of The Manual Podcast, we chat with Brandon League, former MLB pitcher and founder of Parallel x League.
Chef Chung Chow of Noreetuh Breaks Down Hawaiian Cuisine
For this week’s episode of The Manual Podcast, Nicole and Greg chat with chef Chung Chow of Noreetuh, a restaurant in New York City serving up modern Hawaiian cuisine.
How Keen Is Making Better Shoes and an Even Better Footprint
Keen is a family-owned, Portland-based brand that made a name in the footwear space with a toe bumper. We got an inside look at how the company controls its supply chain to ensure minimal environmental impact.
Learning Everything We Can About Oysters and Drink Pairings
What's on the menu for this week's episode of The Manual Podcast? Oysters. Greg and Nicole are joined by Bryan Rackley, owner of Watchman's in Atlanta and Kimball House in Decatur, Georgia.
The Best Cyber Week Deals on Menswear
To help you on your quest for deals, we'll be rounding up the best Cyber Week sales on men's clothing. We're anticipating discounts from big retailers and your favorite brands.
The Best Cyber Week Deals on Outdoor Gear
Cyber Week will boast deals on outdoor gear from our favorite retailers, such as REI, Backcountry, Columbia, and more. You'll find steep sales on men's apparel, camping gear, and more.
Why Fresh Hops Are Essentially the Magic Sauce of Craft Beer
On this episode of The Manual Podcast, we chat with Parker Hall, homebrewer and self-confessed brew nerd, who claims that fresh hops are the magic sauce of beer.
The New Land Rover Defender Is Just as Glorious as We Expected
Land Rover revealed the 2020 Defender at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany on September 10, 2019. The silhouette is familiar — hello exterior-mounted rear wheel— but the new off-roader boasts some serious style tweaks.
The Best Labor Day Deals on Outdoor Gear from REI, Backcountry, and More
REI, Backcountry, and more will have Labor Day sales on great outdoor gear. We'll be rounding up the best Labor Day deals and placing them here to make your search that much easier.
The Manual Podcast Celebrates 100 Episodes With a New Name
The Manual Podcast celebrates 100 episodes with a few drinks and a new name. Goodbye, Beards, Booze, and Bacon. Hello, The Manual Podcast.
Introducing a New Look for The Manual
We all need an update. It's why we renovate the living room, clean out the closet, or try a challenging recipe. The same holds true for publications, which is why we'd like to introduce an evolution of The Manual in 2019.
How to Score Discounted Tickets to the Best After-Party in NYC this Weekend
On Saturday, July 27, Discogs is hosting a free vinyl fair in Times Square called Crate Diggers. Here's how to score cheap tickets to the after-party featuring Method Man and Redman, Roy Ayers, Funk Flex and DJ Red Alert, and more.
If You’re Just a Grown-Up Kid then You’ll Love these Prime Day Deals on Toys and Games
We've rounded up the best deals on cool stuff that your inner child will thank you for and your adult brain won't get too upset over -- they're on sale, after all!
Grovemade Redefines What a Headphone Stand Can Be
Grovemade's newest product is a complete redesign of the classic headphone stand. The Manual has the first look before it goes on sale in June 2019.
The Recently Revealed McLaren GT is a Road Trip-Ready Supercar
The luxury British automaker finally unveiled the McLaren GT, its first-ever grand tourer (GT) model. The ride is intended for the road instead of the racetrack. Here's everything we know.
Murray Carter Tells Us What It Takes to be a Master Bladesmith in the Modern Era
On this episode of The Manual podcast, we engage in some razor-sharp conversation with 17th-generation Yoshimoto bladesmith Murray Carter, who runs Carter Cutlery in Portland, Oregon.
Adidas Finally Drops those Magical Game of Thrones Sneakers
You can officially cop a pair of Adidas' 'Game of Thrones' — just in time for the premiere of the eighth and final season in April. There are six colorways, including Stark, Targaryen, Daenerys, Lannister, the Night's Watch, and the White Walkers.
This Tent Is Part Treehouse, Part SUP Board, and All Awesome
The latest creation from Tenstile, an innovative outdoor brand best-known for tents that can be suspended from trees, is a tent capable for use in the air, on the ground, and on water. The new Tentsile Universe is now available for pre-order.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Portland Podcast Festival Episode
On this week's episode of The Manual podcast, the crew hits the road for the 2018 Portland Podcast Festival to discuss the classic duo that is the boilermaker. Warning: This episode contains multiple beers. And shots.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Leather-Working Episode
The Manual podcast crew interviews Levi Martinez of Orox Leather, a Portland-based, hand-crafted leather goods brand that is a family affair. Tune in to learn the basics of leather-working, tips for spotting quality leather, and how to keep your good leather looking great.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Whole Animal Cooking Episode
The Manual podcast crew interviews Ryan Skeen, executive chef at The Cannibal. There's no human meat on this New York City restaurant's menu, but there is a 'Lord of the Flies' experience. You'll have to hear Seen explain it for himself.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Four Loko Episode
For this week's episode of The Manual podcast, we interview Jaisen Freeman, co-founder of Four Loko. The discussion includes everything from entrepreneurship to our worst Four Loko stories.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Oktoberfest Episode
For this week's episode of The Manual podcast, we grab some steins, drink a ton of beer, and forget to record a podcast. Just kidding. We wish we were drinking beer for this episode, but we chose to remain sober and discuss one of the best festivals in the entire world: Oktoberfest.
Burt Reynolds, Man’s Man and Unconventional Movie Star, Dead at 82
Burt Reynolds — actor, director, and all-around man's man — has died at the age 82 from cardiac arrest, multiple reports confirm. Iconic roles in Smokey and The Bandit, The Longest Yard, Evening Shade, and Boogie Nights made Reynolds an influential part of the entertainment scene and people's lives.
The Best American Rye Whiskey of 2022
The Manual Spirit Awards 2022 recognize the best damn booze in America. We've awarded the top American liquors across nine categories, including rye whiskey. Here is the best rye whiskey made in the U.S.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Travel Portland Episode
On this week's episode of The Manual podcast, we chat with Jeff Miller, the CEO and president of Travel Portland, about ... well, traveling to Portland. The Rose City is The Manual's headquarters, and in honor of our 50th episode, it was only fitting to talk about all things Portland.
Are You Heading to One of the Most Popular Cities for 4th of July?
Independence Day is one of the most popular booze-drinking, barbecue-eating, firework-shooting, good-time holidays of the year. Where are you celebrating? According to Yelp, many Americans are checking these 10 popular destinations for 4th of July weekend.
World Cup 2026 Is Officially Coming to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
The World Cup is one of the most popular sporting events on the planet. Every four years, countries come together in the spirit of sportsmanship — and, in 2026, those teams will be meeting in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Here's everything we know right now about World Cup 2026.
Anthony Bourdain, Celebrity Chef and Travel Show Star, Dead at 61
Anthony Bourdain — the revered chef, television host, author, and advocate — has died at age 61, CNN announced Friday, June 8. Bourdain was in Strausborg, France, filming for an upcoming episode of Parts Unknown, the acclaimed CNN travel and food show.
Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The BBQ Tips and Tricks with Traeger Episode
For this week's episode of Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast, we meet up with Chad Ward, professional pitmaster and Director of BBQ Marketing for one of our favorite brands, Traeger Grills, to talk all things barbecue.
Budweiser’s New Beer Recipe Was Penned by George Washington
There's nothing more American than ... Bud? Announced this May, Freedom Reserve Red Lager, Budweiser's latest addition to the Reserve Collection, is "inspired by George Washington's hand-penned recipe from his personal military journal dating back to 1757."
Tabasco Turns 150 Years Old, Blows Everyone Away with Special-Edition Hot Sauce
Tabasco has been spicing up dishes and burning tongues with a signature combo of peppers, vinegar, and salt for years — 150 years, to be exact. To celebrate the milestone birthday, the Louisiana brand introduced the special-edition Tabasco 150th Anniversary Diamond Reserve Red Sauce.
Supreme and The North Face Team Up for the Most Visible Outdoor Gear Ever
This spring 2018 collection from Supreme and The North Face features outdoor gear that is as metallic as it is durable. The look says, "I'm ready to hit the slopes, but I'm also ready to party. Or explore outer space."
It’s a Dune Buggy! It’s a Jet Ski! It’s Actually the New Hyundai Kite
During the 2018 Geneva Motor Show last week, we saw a bunch of amazing vehicles. However, there's one concept car that still has us buzzing: the all-new Hyundai Kite, which doubles as a dune buggy and a jet ski.
Be the Ultimate Super Hero (or Villain) with this Bulletproof 4×4 SUV
This hulking beast of an SUV is the perfect ride for or a super hero (or villain — we don't judge). The Karlmann King is as luxurious as it is bulletproof.
This Bandit9 L-Concept Motorcycle Looks Straight out of Star Trek
"The only thing that stands between fact and fiction is time," reads a quote from Daryl Villanueva, founder of Bandit9. While these words could easily reflect our sentiments toward science fiction, Villanueva is actually talking about his new L-Concept motorcycle.
Shred the Slopes on a Pair of Jackie Chan-Inspired Skis
Jackie Chan has teamed up with Foil Skis, an Italian brand that specializes in high-end gear, for a limited-edition ski set that oozes luxury and elegance. Chan-level stunt quality not guaranteed.