What happens when you blend raw vulnerability, powerful vocals, and a fearless mix of genres? You get Jessie Wagner. In this inspiring episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience , we sit down with the singer-songwriter and powerhouse performer to explore the journey behind her unique sound and latest album The War Within . Jessie opens up about growing up shy in a church choir, discovering her voice through pageants, and eventually touring with musical legends like Lenny Kravitz. She talks abo...
May 23, 2025•28 min
In this powerful episode of The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Julie Potiker, a former attorney turned mindfulness expert, educator, and founder of Mindful Methods for Life . Julie shares her incredible journey from the high-stress world of corporate law to becoming a passionate advocate for mental wellness and emotional healing. Julie opens up about the life-changing moment that led her to mindfulness-based stress reduction, her transition into teaching mindful self-compassion,...
May 15, 2025•32 min
What happens when your passion for understanding people turns into a powerful mission to transform lives? In this episode, we speak with Guadalupe Lepe, the founder and CEO of Human Development Solutions and the author of Developing My Type: Personal Life Edition . Her work combines leadership development, coaching, and personality insights to help people become more self-aware and more effective—both personally and professionally. We dive into her journey from being a business administrator wit...
May 15, 2025•30 min
What happens when a bold leap of faith, a cherry orchard, and a commitment to quality converge? In this episode, we sit down with Pam Montgomery, founder of Chukar Cherries, to talk about her journey from Seattle realtor to pioneer in premium cherry-based confections. Pam opens up about her family legacy of female entrepreneurs, her love for the land, and how a serendipitous move led her to become a leader in the world of chocolate-covered dried cherries. From raising three daughters in the orch...
May 15, 2025•29 min
What’s it like to be the creative force behind a band that helped define a generation of alternative rock? In this episode of The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Kristopher Roe of The Ataris for a candid and nostalgic conversation about punk roots, storytelling through songwriting, and the journey from a four-track recorder to worldwide stages. Kristopher opens up about his unconventional start—playing a right-handed guitar upside down—and how that unique approach shaped the raw,...
May 13, 2025•34 min
What does it mean to take a break from the spotlight to raise a family—and then return stronger than ever? In this episode, we sit down with country music artist Dave Wilbert to explore his journey from southern Indiana to Nashville, stepping away from music for over a decade, and returning with a renewed passion and powerful sound. Dave opens up about the early days of playing in local bars, his move to Music City, and the hard choices he had to make when fatherhood called. Now, with adult kids...
May 13, 2025•33 min
What happens when a lifelong musician turns a happy accident into a thriving PR career? In this episode, we sit down with Christian DiGirolamo—drummer, writer, and founder of Two for the Show Media—to explore his extraordinary journey from jazz drummer to one of the most respected publicists in the music industry. Christian shares how a random phone call, 37 cents in the bank, and a copy of Public Relations for Dummies sparked a whole new chapter in his life. We talk about the early days of play...
May 13, 2025•34 min
What does it mean to have a legacy in country music that spans over seven decades? In this powerful episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with veteran singer-songwriter Bill Nash , whose career includes everything from gospel trios and national TV appearances to writing hits for Reba McEntire and sharing the stage with legends like Johnny Cash and Lucille Ball. Bill takes us through his extraordinary journey—from singing on the church bench in Texas to being discovered by Gen...
May 13, 2025•31 min
What does it take to find your voice in a city as musically rich and competitive as New Orleans? In this episode, we sit down with Anna Laura Quinn, a jazz vocalist, arranger, and bandleader whose musical journey defies convention. Anna opens up about growing up in San Francisco, discovering jazz later in life, and how moving to New Orleans helped her embrace her voice and carve out a space in the city’s vibrant music scene. From her academic path in visual arts at NYU to her eventual leap into ...
May 01, 2025•31 min
What does it take to sustain a remarkable career on Broadway, in television, and in film? In this episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Tony-nominated actor and baritone powerhouse Norm Lewis to dive into his incredible journey from small-town Florida to starring on the biggest stages in New York. Norm opens up about his early years singing in church, his unexpected start on a Disney cruise ship, and the relentless hustle that launched his decades-long career. From Broad...
May 01, 2025•24 min
What happens when a young man from Ohio hops on a bus to New York City and ends up becoming one of the most respected figures in public relations and business leadership? In this episode, we sit down with Robert Dilenschneider—former CEO of Hill & Knowlton, founder of The Dilenschneider Group, and the author of over 20 books—to explore a lifetime of leadership, resilience, and global insight. Robert shares how he rose from entry-level to CEO of a global PR powerhouse, the lessons he learned ...
May 01, 2025•24 min
What happens when you truly listen—not just hear words, but understand what's beneath them? In this episode, we sit down with Christine Miles, author of What Is It Costing You Not to Listen? , to explore the profound power of listening and how it can transform your relationships, business, and life. Christine shares her deeply personal journey, growing up with a mother battling mental illness and how that early life experience gave her a rare gift: the ability to listen with empathy and intuitio...
Apr 24, 2025•30 min
What does it mean to be the glue that holds a band together? In this episode, we sit down with bassist and composer Ben Basile , a longtime member of Big D and the Kids Table, to discuss his journey through ska, punk, and jazz, and what inspired him to step out as a solo artist with his debut instrumental album Benergy . Ben walks us through his early influences—starting with a stack of burned CDs from his sister—and how he evolved from a curious listener to a jazz studies student to a full-time...
Apr 24, 2025•22 min
What happens when you grow up on tour with your drummer dad and singer-songwriter mom? For Ella Beyer, it meant discovering a love for storytelling through music at a young age—and never looking back. In this episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Ella, the LA-based indie pop artist who’s quickly building a name for herself with heartfelt lyrics and deeply relatable songs. Ella opens up about her early musical influences, her unique upbringing traveling the world with her...
Apr 24, 2025•27 min
What’s it like to keep punk rock alive in the heart of Nashville’s country music scene? In this episode of The Savoir Faire Audio Experience , we sit down with Nate Bernardino , frontman of SecondSELF , to talk about the band’s journey, the Nashville underground punk community, and their new album The Current Descent . Nate shares how SecondSELF was born in a garage and grew into a powerful voice in the punk scene, eventually catching the attention of Punkerton Records. We dive into the creative...
Apr 24, 2025•20 min
What happens when a nonprofit leader turned entrepreneur sets out to solve a simple problem that most beachgoers face? In this episode, we sit down with Suzanne Fontaine, founder of Playa Amigo, to talk about her journey from the Midwest to Puerto Vallarta, her mission to create the perfect portable seat, and how she turned an idea into a functional, stylish, and game-changing outdoor accessory. Suzanne shares the story behind Playa Amigo—a lightweight backpack that unfolds into a reclining back...
Apr 24, 2025•24 min
How do you unlock the full value of your team and accelerate innovation without burning out your resources? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Thomas Savard —physicist, product development executive, author, speaker, and founder of The Innovation Doctors—to explore his groundbreaking leadership framework, The Clarity Cascade . With over 25 years of experience across the medical, aerospace, and telecommunications industries, Tom has led high-impact teams and transformed how organizations think...
Apr 24, 2025•26 min
What happens when a love for language and a house full of musical influences collide? You get Zach Paradis—an emerging singer-songwriter blending poetic lyrics, R&B vibes, and acoustic soul into something uniquely his own. In this episode, Zach joins us to talk about his musical journey from growing up as the youngest of nine in a music-loving Cleveland family, to evolving from a fiction-loving kid into a genre-bending songwriter. We dive into his creative process, songwriting approach, and ...
Apr 24, 2025•27 min
What does it mean to truly “right size” your life? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Marni Jameson—author, columnist, speaker, and one of America’s most beloved home and lifestyle experts—to explore how simplifying your surroundings can help you live more freely and intentionally. From clearing out her parents’ home to writing bestselling books like Downsizing the Family Home and Right-Size Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow , Marni has helped thousands navigate life transitions w...
Apr 17, 2025•32 min
What happens when one of Chicago’s most dynamic and seasoned pianists steps into a legendary studio with no plan—just heart, soul, and a 1917 Steinway? You get Johnny Iguana at his finest. In this episode, we sit down with the genre-defying musician to explore his journey from piano lessons with his mom in suburban Philly to international tours with blues legends like Junior Wells, Otis Rush, and Buddy Guy. Johnny shares the magic behind his new solo album, recorded in a single take on analog ta...
Apr 17, 2025•31 min
What happens when a seasoned music composer for TV dives back into his roots with a high-energy power pop band? In this episode, we sit down with Jed Becker—guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of Joy Buzzer—to explore his journey from post-production studios and Dora the Explorer to fronting one of New York City’s most exciting indie bands. Jed shares how cold-calling a studio led to years of composing for one of the world’s most iconic children’s shows, and how the COVID lockdowns reigni...
Apr 17, 2025•21 min
What happens when a classically trained clarinetist from Israel transforms into a rising force in New York's jazz scene? In this episode, we sit down with Hillai Govreen—clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and musical explorer—to discuss her powerful debut album Every Other Now , and the creative path that led her here. From early days playing piano and clarinet in youth orchestras to performing in jazz clubs around the world, Hillai opens up about how her music has evolved and how she infuses d...
Apr 17, 2025•30 min
What does it mean to rise from the ashes—literally—and turn tragedy into vibrant, thought-provoking art? In this episode, we sit down with Franck De Las Mercedes, a Nicaraguan-born, New York-based visual artist whose work blends abstract expressionism, digital collage, street photography, and cultural heritage into powerful, multi-layered pieces. Franck opens up about the devastating fire that destroyed everything he owned and how that loss inspired his latest series, “Contil”—named after the Ni...
Apr 17, 2025•19 min
What happens when a theater publicist decides to change the world? In this powerful episode, we sit down with David Rothenberg—founder of The Fortune Society, theater publicist, activist, author, and lifelong New Yorker. From representing Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during Broadway’s golden age to creating an organization that has transformed thousands of lives after incarceration, David’s journey is as compelling as it is impactful. We talk about his early years in theater, how a life-c...
Apr 17, 2025•29 min
What happens when dark fantasy, synth-heavy rock, and ‘80s nostalgia collide? You get The Ritualists—an alt-rock band with a theatrical edge, led by frontman Christian Dryden. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Christian to explore the band’s creative process, origin story, and how they’re carving out a niche in today’s music world with a unique sound that channels New Romantic energy and glam rock soul. Christian opens up about the band’s new album Too Pure To Cure , the inspiration ...
Apr 17, 2025•33 min
What does it take to challenge decades of health and fitness dogma? In this special 100th episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Brad Kearns , former professional triathlete, bestselling author, and co-creator of several groundbreaking books with primal lifestyle pioneer Mark Sisson. Brad dives into his fascinating journey from competitive runner and national triathlon champion to becoming one of the most influential voices in the wellness and longevity space. In this epi...
Apr 03, 2025•34 min
What happens when a healthcare professional finds herself facing a personal crisis no medical training can prepare you for? In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Melanie Balestra , a pediatric nurse practitioner, attorney, and now author of Suicide: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Child’s Pain . Melanie shares her heartbreaking and powerful story about the loss of her daughter Leah to suicide, and how that personal tragedy inspired her to write a book blending raw emotion with clinical ...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min
What if everything you thought you knew about treating chronic skin conditions was just scratching the surface? In this episode of the Savoir Faire Audio Experience, we sit down with Dr. Lonnie Herman, an internationally recognized expert in integrative medicine and the creator of the Quantum Skin Health Restoration System. Dr. Herman shares his fascinating journey from chiropractic care to advanced biophysics and quantum medicine, and how that path led him to create a groundbreaking approach to...
Apr 02, 2025•26 min
What does it take to lead a global marketing organization into the future? In this episode, we sit down with Morana Bakula, the newly appointed President and CEO of Bond, to explore her personal journey, professional insights, and the future of customer engagement. From her beginnings in the former Yugoslavia to building a remarkable career in North America, Morana shares how her experiences as a first-generation immigrant shaped her resilience and leadership style. We dive into her early roles,...
Apr 02, 2025•28 min
What if your next vacation to Italy wasn’t about sightseeing… but soul-sighting? In this episode, we chat with Livio Colapinto, founder of The Genuine Experience , a bespoke travel company in Italy that delivers unforgettable, intimate journeys through the country's hidden culinary and cultural gems. Livio shares how he transitioned from the corporate world of finance to creating immersive, authentic experiences rooted in Italy’s rich traditions. From truffle hunting with locals to cooking with ...
Mar 27, 2025•29 min
