Our next guest came on the podcast three years ago. Since then, he’s had successful partnerships with Hermosa, Full Shilling in Wrigleyville, Maplewood Brewery, and a ghost kitchen in Humboldt Park. He is now partnering with Atomic hospitality on their West Loop rooftop, Tetto. We talk about the niche that he’s cultivated with stand-up comedians and specifically with how he started to work with JB Smoove. He shares his perspective on empowering his team as well as how he pursues collaborations. ...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Our next guest is a ceramic artist who makes dinnerware for almost thirty restaurants in Chicago! I initially stumbled upon him from Thomas Oh and Andy Lim on their En Process Podcast. I then saw him again in the "No Place Like Kasama" documentary by Kerri Pang. We explore his journey of becoming a maker, getting discovered by Chef Michael Carlson, and the philosophy on his process. Please enjoy my conversation with David T. Kim. https://www.instagram.com/dtkceramics https://www.instagram.com/ia...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Our next guest is on a mission to increase access to narcan in Chicago. He witnessed an overdose on the train and unfortunately did not have narcan on him or near him. As a nurse practitioner, we explore his journey into nursing as well as the current state of the industry. It’s experiencing shortages from burnout and the exodus of baby boomer nurses. We explore creating a culture of safety and how a mistake like giving a patient a paralytic instead of a sedative could have happened. We conclude...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 32 min
Our next guest shares his journey to becoming a neurosurgeon. We explore how to create and navigate opportunities around you to deepen your interest in medicine. He emphasizes the importance of integrity when applying to medical schools, because if you’re willing to lie on this, what else are you willing to lie about? He recalls how work was life as a resident, but it was necessary. When times get tough, remind yourself that you’re training to treat someone’s loved one, and you’re going to want ...
Jun 10, 2023•1 hr 28 min
Our next guest is the director behind two local documentaries, Shot in the Dark and Cambodian Futures. Shot in the Dark explored the lives of high school basketball students on the west side of Chicago whereas Cambodian Futures explored what Cambodian cuisine might have looked like had the Cambodian genocide not happen through the lens of Chef Ethan Lim. We explore his process from planning, obtaining funding, execution, and submitting to film festivals. Please enjoy my conversation with Dustin ...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 51 min
Our next guest is the Illinois Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. At 30 years old, he began to notice weakness and muscle deterioration in his legs. Years go by until he receives a diagnosis of a rare and incurable disease called limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. He has since found joy and community within the food and hospitality scene. He’s collaborated with Paulie Gee’s Logan Square, JP Grazianos, JT’s Genuine, and so many more. A link to donate is in the show notes. Please enjo...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 59 min
Our next guest is a professional boxer representing Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. He’s currently training with the legendary Buddy McGirt. I admired his ability to balance his personal life, time with his family, as well as his commitment to training. Boxing is just a vessel. A platform. His legacy will truly come from his time outside of the ring. Please enjoy my conversation with Ziyad Almaayouf aka Zizo. https://www.instagram.com/therealzizo https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 42 min
Our next guest had a very tumultuous upbringing and was forced to grow up very quickly. From the moment I met him, I was curious about his ability to bounce from one job to another effortlessly. In this episode, he shares his complicated relationship with his mom as well as where he gets his sense of fulfillment from. Please enjoy my conversation with Genesis Mallari. https://www.instagram.com/ranchdressingblessing https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious
May 22, 2023•1 hr 56 min
Our next guest is about to open a highly anticipated Ramen restaurant. He's cultivated a deep love for all things Ramen. He’s hosted over 50 pop ups in various cities, and he’s a testament to the importance of iterations. His mastery has also led to a free ebook called “The Book of Ramen” where he dissects the nuances of ramen so meticulously that anyone that wanted to give it a try at home would have a much easier time than when he started. Please enjoy my conversation with Mike Satinover aka R...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 37 min
Our next guests created chili oil in the middle of the pandemic. After gifting a few small jars of their homemade chili oil, they received some encouragement to start selling this chili oil. It was fascinating to hear about the cottage food license in Illinois as well as the steps to scale. Things like creating a logo, making labels, and finding a commercial kitchen. ChiLee Oil has come a long way. You can find them in grocery stores, neighborhood bodegas, and in collaborations with other busine...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Stumbled on this passage by Shiv Sengupta. He hosts a wonderful facebook group for spiritual addicts, "advaitaholics anonymous" He also has three books out that can be found on amazon. Advaitaholics Anonymous : Sobering Insights for Spiritual Addicts Enjoy....
Apr 25, 2023•4 min
Our next guest is a local Illustrator and Art Director. He was the first to graduate with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Digital Illustration from the American Academy of Art. Although he has partnered with brands such as bleacher report, the NBA, or the Chicago Bulls, he made it clear he continues to do the work simply for the joy of the process rather than accumulating awards or prestige. He shares his thoughts around NFTs and the use of AI like ChatGPT as well as what the next chapter could be l...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 58 min
Filmmakers Janell and Malik stop by on their tour of their documentary, Love Conquers All, to share their personal experiences of mental health and why it is much needed to talk about specifically in the black community. They also share their journeys of being first time filmmakers. You can learn more about their comic and documentary by reaching out to Janell @nellynell1027 on instagram https://www.instagram.com/nellynell1027 https://www.instagram.com/loveconquersall_2022 https://www.instagram....
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 20 min
Our next guest has been involved in two separate shooting incidents. He’s become the poster child for USCCA. Our paths crossed when our mutual friend David McDermott was speaking about the importance of having a plan in case you’re involved in a shooting incident. Our conversation starts with his intro into the firearms industry and gunsmithing. We talk about his experience of having a Federal Firearms license [FFL]. He shares his experiences from both shooting incidents and his thought processe...
Feb 06, 2023•2 hr 12 min
In this episode, my fiance joins us to share her experiences as a surgical tech as well as her perspective on work life balance. I am constantly enthralled with the creative entrepreneurs I’ve been able to meet recently, but I can’t forget the work that goes behind the scenes that allows me to pursue these creative endeavors. I attribute that to Justine. We also have an honest conversation about relationships, commitment, and marriage. Please enjoy my conversation with Justine Gotangco.
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 39 min
Our next guests are the co-founders of the non profit organization, Rebels for Peace. They are an organization that is bringing hope and faith into the city through shifting the mindsets of those that are at risk for destructive behaviors. Dajohn and Prince share their personal experiences that led them to Rebels for Peace as well as some insight into the root cause of some of the violence and crime that our city faces. Please enjoy my conversation with the Rebels for Peace. Connect with them: h...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Introduction: Our next guest is highly accomplished in the various industries he’s been in. From being a derivatives trader in Finance to teaching Brazilian jiu jitsu at Valko BJJ. He’s currently crushing it as a real estate broker and investor. He’s the reason I’m currently in this studio space. We dive into a variety of topics but the underlying thread surrounds the concept of cultivating happiness while striving for excellence. He also hosts his own podcast that features guests within the jiu...
Nov 11, 2022•2 hr 37 min
Our next guest is the owner of Mac’s Gym. A mixed martial arts gym that caters to all backgrounds from beginners to competitors. He shares his humble beginnings of juggling tae kwon do while committing to completing nursing school. He always wanted to operate and teach in his own gym. That dream is now a reality and he’s brought on several great instructors to broaden the scope of his school. If you’re interested in a free class, check out their website at macsgymchicago.com Please enjoy my conv...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 28 min
Our next guest is the founder and CEO of Deep.ad which provides brand attribution and market intelligence software for brands, agencies, and market research organizations. They’re able to automate discovery and extraction of brand, product, and advertising data in paid and organic visual media. We barely scratched the surface with machine learning and AI, but I feel it was a good introductory episode. If you’re interested in working with Kris, you can find him at Deep.ad. Please enjoy my convers...
Sep 30, 2022•59 min
Our next guest is about to release their first original album called, Speak Your Mind. He shares his journey of balancing a day job, being a family man, and pursuing his passion of music. It’s no easy feat, and I think a lot of people can relate to the struggles of achieving success with your passion project. If you liked what you heard, you can preorder the album on vinyl at the link in the description. Please enjoy my conversation with Tom Purrazzo. https://www.gofundme.com/f/tom-purrazzo-spea...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 48 min
In this episode, we catch up with a friend of ten years. I have admired his ability to navigate a variety of industries. From emergency medicine, law school, driving a bus for the CTA, and eventually anesthesia. He also became a father at an early age which expedited the necessity to find a job that can support his family. Although this episode encompasses many topics, the common thread lies in maturity and fulfilling your dreams. We are incredibly proud of the person you’ve become Mario. I hope...
Jul 18, 2022•2 hr 10 min
Our next guest has over 4 decades of experience in the modeling industry. Her claim to fame is discovering Cindy Crawford. She joins us to share the ugly truth of the modeling industry and how she’s called to change the game from the inside. She’s currently what they call a Mother Agent through her company, Boss Babe Models. She guides models on how to navigate the industry without compromising their dignity and integrity. Please enjoy my conversation with Marie P. Anderson. www.instagram.com/ma...
Jul 12, 2022•2 hr 25 min
Our next guest serendipitously fell in love with cooking, baking, and photography. After studying hospitality and gaining experience in marketing for a few years, he launched a full-fledged content creation company with a niche in food and hospitality. Nate is also an advocate for those who stutter and he shares his experiences of navigating his own upbringing. You can find him on instagram @capturesbytkco and on tik tok @capturesbytk Please enjoy my conversation with Nate Crawford. https://www....
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 24 min
In this episode, our next guest is a cycling enthusiast from Chicago. He helped me find my current bike a few years ago at The Bike Lane in Logan Square. He shares his experiences of cycling in the city, the animosity between drivers, getting your bike stolen, and even finding your first bike. You can find him on instagram at tmj96.photo. Please enjoy my conversation with Eric Tan. instagram.com/tmj96.photo instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious
Jun 17, 2022•1 hr 25 min
In this episode, our next guest shares their experiences of interrupting violence by sheer presence. Our next guest has been in this industry since 1999 when he joined CeaseFire. The Violence Interrupters have been volunteering their time on the CTA trains to mitigate violence on the front-end. Violence is a learned behavior that can be unlearned. To stop violence, we need to change individual, group, and community behaviors. Please enjoy my conversation with Tio Hardiman. Violenceinterrupters.o...
Jun 05, 2022•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, George returns to share how he’s been doing the last two and half years. He’s a close up magician and mentalist. He thrives in intimate settings, but he killed it during the pandemic with the virtual shows. George is someone that will open every possible door and that is one main reason why he’s seeing so much success. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for him. Please enjoy my conversation with George Stanton. instagram.com/gsmagic instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 47 min
In this episode, singer and songwriter Deneza shares her experience of gaining traction in the music industry while practicing nursing during the pandemic. As a child of immigrants, we want nothing more than to honor our parents for all their sacrifice. In certain instances, that may look like forgoing our own dreams to make them happy. Deneza shares her perspective of navigating that experience through music. Please enjoy my conversation with Deneza Jadol. Instagram.com/deneza_ Instagram.com/ia...
May 09, 2022•1 hr 30 min
In this episode, our next guest is an abstract painter, but the first half of the episode is about her experience as a hairdresser and the salon world. She then shares how she navigates creative entrepreneurship while balancing motherhood. From collaborations with big brands, having her work in galleries, to her current residency at the Ambassador hotel, MK is easily a fan favorite. She’s intentional and tenacious. Please enjoy my conversation with MK Jilek. instagram.com/emkayohdeej instagram.c...
May 01, 2022•1 hr 58 min
In this episode, Jenn Dieas returns for round two. She shares how the pandemic has affected her life personally and professionally. She doubled down on her intuition and it has led her to pursue the “van life.” Through it all, she continues to remain open, question everything, and shine her light. Please enjoy my conversation with Jenn Dieas. instagram.com/zenjenn_ instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious www.iamconsciouslycurious.com
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 49 min
In this episode, we explore the world of firearms with the owner and lead instructor of Archetype of the Gun. An all inclusive training house in Lincolnwood, Illinois from introduction courses to conceal and carry courses as well as medical courses like stop the bleed and CPR. It’s apparently pretty easy to become a firearms instructor, and Erik helps us identify what makes a great one. It’s been very eye opening and empowering learning about firearms, and I’m very glad I did it with Erik. You c...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 29 min
