As we embrace the start of a new year, many of us are embarking on health journeys or setting resolutions to improve our well-being—an endeavor that can often feel overwhelming and stressful. In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hunter Stoler, widely recognized on social media as "Health with Hunter," to discuss practical strategies for starting and staying consistent on your lifestyle journey. Hunter, a certified health coach with personal experience in transforming his life...
Feb 04, 2025•45 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Chicken nuggets have been an American favorite since their introduction in 1983. But have you ever visited a restaurant entirely dedicated to them? Enter The Nugget Spot, a unique concept that started in New York City and has since found a new home in Chatham, NJ. In this episode, I sat down with owner Jason Hairston to dive into the story behind this simple yet ingenious restaurant idea. Jason’s journey is nothing short of fascinating—from training under Michelin-starred chefs to cooking in the...
Jan 28, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you remember the joy of eating Zeppoles at the Jersey Shore boardwalk as a kid? The irresistible smell, the cloud of powdered sugar, and, of course, that unforgettable taste? In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the vibrant and charismatic Maria Pucillo, the visionary behind Boardwalk Zeppoles in Livingston, NJ. Maria's journey to building her wholesale and retail Zeppole business is nothing short of inspiring. From working in a dentist's office to navigating the fast-pace...
Jan 14, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I sat down with Josh Berman, better known as @joshsfoodnstuff on social media. With nearly 60,000 followers, Josh has become one of New Jersey’s most prominent food reviewers, and I was eager to learn about the journey that brought him here. From a desk job to becoming a certified sommelier, from his passion for cooking and baking to filming honest, in-the-moment reviews from his car throughout the state of NJ, Josh’s story is both unique and captivating. With a blend of experti...
Jan 07, 2025•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Belgiovines Italian Deli in Montclair, NJ has been a cherished community favorite since it opened its doors in 2008, thanks to the Dimatteo family. In this episode, I sit down with Petey Dimatteo, the next generation to help manage this thriving local institution. Petey shares the story of his family’s journey to owning the deli, his own career path, and the passion that led him to take on the role of manager. We also dive into the delicious array of Italian specialties that have made Belgiovine...
Dec 17, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode shines a spotlight on Table to Table , New Jersey’s first food and most successful food rescue organization. Dedicated to reducing food waste and feeding those who need it most, Table to Table partners with restaurants, supermarkets, and other food providers to rescue fresh, high-quality, and nutritious food. This rescued food is then delivered to Table to Table's community partners like soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and senior centers. I had the pleasure of sitting down with He...
Dec 03, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some might say lightning in a bottle doesn't exist, but after listening to this episode with Dom Calise, owner of Bucky’s Pizza, you’ll think twice. What began as a pop-up at local breweries and events in the summer of 2023 quickly turned into a beloved destination for pizza lovers, thanks to their unique and mouthwatering Detroit and NY style pizzas. Now, Bucky’s has a brick-and-mortar location in Chatham. In this episode, Dom shares the story of how his pizza journey started and where he hopes...
Nov 19, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode explores the profound power of a mother's love for her daughter, whose life was tragically cut short after a courageous battle with cancer. It highlights the strength of community, coming together to uplift and support each other through the darkest times. It’s a story of transforming grief into action, turning tragedy into a movement that gives the “gift of life.” And, it shows how something as simple as a delicious cookie can spark change, one bite at a time. I sat down with Jodi ...
Nov 12, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although some may jokingly call me the “mayor” of Livingston, I had the privilege of sitting down with the true Mayor, Al Anthony. In this special Election Day episode, we focus on community matters in a non-political discussion. We delve into the role of the town council, the exciting developments happening in town, and how you can get involved. We also highlight the incredible work of our first responders, who bravely tackled a significant fire to keep our town safe, along with the upcoming re...
Nov 05, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you recall the thrill of the ice cream truck’s bells ringing as it made its way to your house? The joy of dashing outside with money in hand is a memory many hold dear. That nostalgic experience has been reimagined with Scream Truck! In this episode, I chat with President Jason Black about how this timeless concept has been modernized. We dive into the delightful array of ice cream cones, toppings and sundaes that Scream Truck offers, as well as the exceptional experience it provides to its c...
Oct 29, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you remember back in 2022 when Wonder Trucks brought gourmet meals from world-renowned chefs and top-tier restaurants straight to your doorstep? Well, those mobile restaurants have evolved into something even bigger—Wonder, a new type of food hall featuring 20 diverse restaurants, all curated by some of the best chefs from across the country is now focused on opening brick and mortar locations across the country. At the Grand Opening of the Wonder location in Livingston, I had the chance to s...
Oct 15, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bagel Nosh in Livingston may have opened its doors in 2022, but it feels like it’s been a cherished part of the community for ages. This warmth is thanks to the incredible owner, Diala, with whom I had the pleasure of speaking for this episode. Diala shared her remarkable journey from Jordan to America, arriving with no knowledge of English and a dream of building a better life. Through determination and hard work, she not only became a successful business owner but also a role model for her two...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Millburn deli…enough said! In this episode, I had the pleasure to sit with Andrew Morgan and Rich Nemet, the dynamic duo behind Millburn Deli. We discuss the history of the deli, the origin of their many iconic sandwiches, their expansion plans and of course, the wild day before April Fools Day 2024 prank that lit social media on fire. There’s a reason Millburn Deli is an institution in the tri-state area and beyond and will be for many generations to come.
Jun 11, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In many towns, franchise restaurants are a staple, but what sets some apart is having a local touch. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave Delinko, the owner of The Salad House of Livingston, who not only runs the franchise but is also a proud native of the area. With deep roots in the community, Dave's journey to becoming the first franchisee of The Salad House on the State Highway he drove up and down as a child is a story of hometown pride and dedication. His unwavering love for th...
May 29, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Another rumor, another podcast! I sat down with THAVMA Grill's owner Alex Diamantopoulos to discuss the rumors about THAVMA closing, which it's not and won't be for a long time! Alex talks about the history of the restaurant, how he got into the business, his Greek roots and of course the delicious mediterranean food. THAVMA is in great hands and I know it will be a Livingston staple for years to come.
May 14, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Autodidact Brewery in Morris Plains recently celebrated its first anniversary, and I had the pleasure of chatting with owner Ron Scouten. Ron's journey, from his punk rock roots to venturing into homebrewing with his partner and co-owner, Ron Cassel, culminating in the opening of their taproom, exemplifies how passion and inspiration can pave the path to success. He reminisced about the tight-knit camaraderie of the punk scene, which instilled a sense of community—a sentiment he has rediscov...
Apr 30, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast While most people think Frutta Bowls is just a "chain" type of store, Frutta Bowls Livingston is anything but that! I sat down with owner Gionna Marotta who bought this franchise when she was the young age of 22 years old. As a former athlete, learning the challenges of being a young female business owner gave her a competitive drive to prove to herself and others that she could be a successful entrepreneur. This Frutta Bowls not only gives the feels of a "mom and pop store",...
Apr 16, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast In my first "where are they now" episode I got to sit down, again, with Bagels By Jarrett owner Jarrett Seltzer. Jarrett goes into a full and honest review of where his restaurant is now after his one year (or four year anniversary) and where he sees his future with his business. He also goes into what chefs mentor him and where he eats when he finally gets a chance to have a date night with his wife. Jarrett is known for his wild menu, outrageous food, huge personality, raw honesty an...
Mar 29, 2024•42 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast I got to sit down with the amazing women behind NJ Hipsturbia. Nj Hipsturbia is one of the most followed social media accounts in NJ where they deliver content that is the "pulse of the suburbs". We went behind the counter to understand how NJ Hipsturbia came to be, what their mission is and what is coming up in the future. With over 75,000 followers, these women manage to keep NJ Hipsturbia and all things NJ cool, exciting and community focused.
Mar 12, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast I sat down with Livingston’s own Amy Selling who is also the founder and creator of the Lulu & Lattes social media brand. Amy has developed her brand, which started out as a blog, into many territories which somehow matched the phase of life she was in. Her latest spinoff is Lulu & Lux. This brand is a vehicle to create parties/happy hours for single adults to meet in a fun setting and to bypass the awkwardness of the dating apps. We discuss her very first blog to her latest singles even...
Feb 27, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since 1969 Livingston Bagel has been serving the best bagels, tuna and spreads to Essex County. But this bagel store is much more than the food. It's about tradition, family and being part of a community as a place to lean on when in need and a place to celebrate the best moments in life. I sat down with owners Dan and Brooke Blue to learn about the history, food and what makes Livingston Bagel the institution that it is!
Feb 13, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sonny's Bagels has been a South Orange, NJ institution since 1971. Jason Miller took over as owner 6 1/2 years ago. I sat down with Jason to learn how he went from a finance guy who liked to eat bagels to a bagel shop owner who now masters bagel making and all the accoutrements while keeping Sonny's true to its roots. Jason takes pride in his products, customer service and the community which has seen many generations of families. He is a true mensch!
Jan 30, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Turano's Pizza Kitchen is celebrating its 5 year anniversary in Livingston, so it was a perfect time to sit down with owner Dave Turano! Dave talks about his rise to becoming a successful restauranteur in a town that welcomed Dave from opening day. There have been many obstacles but Dave Turano has persevered! It takes a good man to make a great mark and even better pizza and Dave does just that!
Jan 16, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast I went behind the counter with Chef Mel at a Mother's Touch Bistro in Livingston to talk about soul food and where Chef Mel learned to cook with all that love! If you don't know what soul food is then this is the episode for you! All I can say is Chef Mel is the soul behind her soul food and there are amazing things for her and her bistro down the road... I hope you enjoy!
Nov 27, 2023•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bonvini's Restaurant and Pizzeria was a landmark in Livingston in the 1950's till the 1990's. It has been brought back to life by the next generation of the Bonvini family. This is a story of respect for generations that came before us, the love of family and an amazing pizza pie!
Nov 26, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since 1976, I have been lucky to call Tyler Hill Camp my home away from home. And even more so that my three kids get to do the same. Whether you have been a lifelong camper at any camp, packing trunks currently for your child's first summer or 10th summer or maybe you never went to camp at all and are curious what the hype is about...this episode is for you! I sat down with Tyler Hill Camp Directors Andy & Wendy Siegel in the canteen to get a "behind the counter" glimpse of wh...
Jun 05, 2023•45 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Many of us have been lucky to have amazing grandmothers in our lives but did you have a Nana whose tuna recipe is so good that you built a restaurant around it? I sat down with Nana's Deli owner, Jason Dworkin to hear about the origin of Nana's and the famous tuna that brings deliciousness from coast to coast!
May 22, 2023•27 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is amazing for those who have nostalgia for the good old days in Livingston and for the newer generation of Livingston residents and even those who love a good diner! David Feldman, the Vice President of the Ritz and I discuss how the Ritz became the Ritz, the menu, recipes, Guy Fieri, The Sopranos and so much more! I hope you enjoy this is as much as I do!
May 08, 2023•27 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast I sat down with two generations of special Livingston people who give their time and energy to share their passion and power to spread the word of curing rare cancers through their efforts of fundraising and awareness with Cycle for Survival. Len and Sandy Goodman, whose daughter started Cycle of Survival while she was fighting for her life, have continued to honor their daughter and her legacy by being true advocates in helping people beat cancer. Melissa Eisen, while younger age, is an old sou...
Apr 24, 2023•33 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast I was lucky enough to sit down with Livingston's own Joey Cioffi. His million dollar smile, huge heart and his work ethic have been passed down from his parents and Joey never takes that for granted. He gives all he's got to the less fortunate and those in need and to be the same role model to his own family. The Salad House may be fueled by food but Joey is fueled by his family and the community around him. Joey is the gift that keeps on giving!
Apr 10, 2023•29 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast 
