ycdi·di (You can do it, do it): Recent Episodes

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This week we're joined by Shane Matlock — Owner and founder of The Burgundian: Coffee and Waffles. Shane grew up in a home that prioritized getting the family together for dinner and with a Grandmother who was famous for submitting recipes to the local paper. He developed a love for travel that led him to serve in the Army, and carried that through to a job as a Product Manager at a tourism company. Shane's enthusiasm for food and travel is absolutely contagious… It was only a matter of time before he would found Burgundian to begin sharing his passion for food and drink with even more people. Topics include an inability to stay still, creating a vision beyond your current circumstances, willingness to work hard even when it’s not going well, and the audacity to dream big. If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show (#)(https://www.patreon.com/ycdidi). Show notes What’s a Burgundian, anyways? It’s someone who loves food and drink in both quality and quantity! A double-decker bus that doubles as a traveling cafe? Let’s do brunch. I’m in. What’s a liege waffle? (https://www.tastecooking.com/waffle-town/) Shane’s new Burgundian restaurant will be opening in Attleboro soon — they just signed the lease! Shane’s advice on teaching kids to cook: Use it as an excuse to spend more time together and give them room to be creative. Links Check out The Burgundian Coffee & Waffles (https://www.weareburgundians.com/) Follow The Burgundian on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/burgundian_coffee_waffles/) Like The Burgundian on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theBurgundianCnW/) Big thanks to NGHTSWM (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nghtswm/1316607579)for the use of their song, Fiji (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiji-single/1436041716), on this show.

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This week we're joined by Dean Weinberg - public accountant, business advisor and partner at Carl Weinberg & Co - for a conversation about what makes a business work and the myriad things an account does. Dean integrates his experience into businesses at every level of success and uses accounting to help creative people thrive. Topics include going deep with clients, what it takes to be successful, how to identify when a business is struggling, the balance of creativity and operations, and how working with a variety of companies and industries helps you grow. If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show (https://www.patreon.com/ycdidi). Show notes If you're the best, no one can take you out Understanding the difference between revenue and cash flow Advising and integrating into business as a public accountant The difference between a calculator and an adding machine 😱 Helping your clients achieve their potential What is double entry accounting? The RI Society of CPAs has an accounting olympics 🏋 Links Follow Dean on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DeanTheCPA) Like Carl Weinberg & Co. on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/weinbergcpas/) Visit the Carl Weinberg & Co. website (https://carlweinbergcpas.com/) Big thanks to NGHTSWM (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nghtswm/1316607579) for the use of their song, Fiji (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiji-single/1436041716), on this show.

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This week we're joined by Kaitlyn Roberts - owner, financial backer, and coordinator of mayhem at Easy Entertaining. After discovering a passion for food while cooking for 6 women in a tiny apartment in Italy, Kaitlyn switched her major, graduated with a culinary degree, and started to build a business back home in Rhode Island. From personal chef, to party coordinator, to business owner, Kaitlyn runs one of the best catering companies in Rhode Island. Topics include the art of the party, listening to your customer, scaling your business, and building a long-lasting company that people want to work for. If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show (https://www.patreon.com/ycdidi). Show notes The only thing everyone in the world does - everybody eats Making a company people want to work for The isolating nature of owning a business, and the growing food community in Rhode Island The value of sourcing local and seasonal foods If blindfolded, could you tell the difference between red and white wine??? When done well, running an event should seem like magic Always hiring people smarter than you Links Follow Easy Entertaining on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eentertaining/) Like Easy Entertaining on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EasyEntertainingInc/) Visit the Easy Entertaining website (https://www.easyentertainingri.com) Big thanks to NGHTSWM (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nghtswm/1316607579) for the use of their song, Fiji (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiji-single/1436041716), on this show.

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This week we're joined by Audrey McClelland - digital influencer, blogger, social media consultant, brand advocate and founder of several online properties including Mom Generations and Permission to Hustle. After deciding a career in journalism wasn't going to pay the bills, Audrey started working in the fashion industry. At the boom of the online blog, she decided to make her mark with what has become a fantastic internet destination covering fashion, food, fitness, travel, and parenting five kids. Topics include content creation, cultural perspective, the rise of blogs, scaling your business, career gender bias, and making your own opportunity when none are coming your way. If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show (https://www.patreon.com/ycdidi). Show notes The power of sharing personal stories with a community The keys to successful blogging for over a decade What it's like making content every day Movement from the physical to the digital "front porch" - a gathering place where women feel safe and can share together If you don't see a door - build one A day in the life of a digital influencer Finding your circle of influence online - people who raise you up and help you become better Links Follow Audrey on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/audreymcclellan/) Follow Permission to Hustle on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/permissiontohustle/) Like MomGenerations on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/momgenerations/) Like Permission to Hustle on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/permissiontohustle/) Visit the MomGenerations website (https://www.momgenerations.com/) Visit the Permission to Hustle website (https://www.permissiontohustle365.com/) Listen to the Permission to Hustle Podcast! (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/permission-to-hustle/id1439950006) Big thanks to NGHTSWM (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nghtswm/1316607579) for the use of their song, Fiji (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiji-single/1436041716), on this show.

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This week we're joined by Rich Ferri - musician, music producer, filmmaker, photographer - and founder of Rangely Films: a cinematic wedding film company. Rich is as inspirational and knowledgeable as he is artistically talented. His approach to life, personal development and risk is an awesome example of the "you can do it, do it" spirit. Topics include non-traditional careers, learning to trust people, using feedback to drive decision-making, and the importance of always striving for things that are just outside your reach. If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show (https://www.patreon.com/ycdidi). Show notes Trusting that the people who know you know your strengths better than you do Pure artists vs. serial creators Being excited about a large volume of things Making things, and then honing in on the things that people resonate with Taking your own advice Inspiring others by being an example of what you preach The zone of proximal development and constantly pushing just outside of your comfort zone Accepting and soliciting hard feedback Links Follow Rich on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/therichferri/) Follow RangelyFilms on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rangelyfilms/) Like RangelyFilms on Facehook (https://www.facebook.com/pg/RangelyFilms) Follow Rich on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/richferri) Learn more about the Zone of proximal development (https://www.simplypsychology.org/Zone-of-Proximal-Development.html) Big thanks to NGHTSWM (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nghtswm/1316607579) for the use of their song, Fiji (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiji-single/1436041716), on this show.

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This week we're joined by Jamie Antignano, vice president of Angelo's Civita Farnese restaurant: a landmark italian restaurant on Providence's historic Federal Hill. Jamie brings a spirited approach to the ninety-five-year-old family-owned restaurant - with a deep appreciation for tradition, family, and desire to see Angelo's thrive for the next ninety-five years.

Topics include the pressures of running an established business, the fine line between innovation and tradition, the power of nostalgia, and a devotion to family that keeps a business running for generations.

If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show.

Show notes

• What goes into being the vice president of a restaurant?
• Surviving the depression, the mob, and changing times on the hill
• Earning respect as a 25-year-old in a 95-year-old business
• The origin of the spaghetti donut
• When you go into Angelo's, bring change for the charity train!
• Remembering self care
• How to craft a life as successful as your business
• What is the feast of the seven fishes, anyways?
• If you really love your own olive oil, Angelo's will keep it in the back for you to use when you come in. So when you're here, you're actually family
• Go eat at Angelo's Civita Farnese - it's delicious

Links

• Follow Angelo's on Instagram
• Follow them on Twitter
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website
• Follow Jamie on Instagram

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Chris Revill, host of "Let's Chat! with Chris Revill": a weekly long form conversational podcast featuring guests from the world of comedy, music, podcasting and beyond. Chris has been hosting "Let's Chat!" since 2013, and has released over 200 episodes! It's a great listen, from a genuine and engaging host.

Topics include the social and communal aspect of podcasting, coming out on the other side of depression, how to connect with people, and the things that keep you excited several years into producing a show.

If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show.

Show notes

• "When you're going through hell, keep going"
• Keeping a podcast going for 6+ years
• How to get someone you don't know to do an interview on your show (if you ask over 10 thousand people it feels natural)
• Being generous with your knowledge
• Approaches to interviewing
• Hot take from Chris and Steve - steamed hamburgers are not good
• Stop and celebrate every victory
• The trials and tribulations of being a parent
• Being able to have pride and confidence in what you make

Links

• Follow the Let's Chat podcast on Instagram
• Like him on Facebook
• Check out his podcast history on Libsyn
• Listen on Apple Podcasts!
• Follow the #PodernFamily hashtag on twitter

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Audrey Finocchiaro and Sam Lancaster, founders of The Nitro Cart: locally sourced, locally brewed, and locally poured really f*cking good nitro cold brew. Together, Audrey and Sam have grown a community of nitro cart/bar/tap enthusiasts they lovingly refer to as the "Nitro Cartel".

Topics include having a genuine interest in the people around you, the importance of aesthetic, imposted syndrome, audacious goals, and overcoming the struggles of building a business from scratch.

If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show.

Show notes

• The benefits/drawbacks of being a successful but young business owner
• Growing your business by hiring people that are smarter than you
• Going from cart, to bar, to being on tap in 60+ locations in New England
• Building an aesthetically pleasing environment
• What it takes to make a space feel welcoming
• Having audacious goals that you're committed to (and following through on them)
• How to be an imperfectionist

Links

• Follow The Nitro Cart on Instagram
• Follow them on Facebook
• Check out their website

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Erin DeThomas, founder and CEO of Makers: a process-based kids art studio. Erin is a mother, educator, artist, and entrepreneur. She started Makers to fill an artistic void for her own children. What it has grown into is a place filled with opportunities to explore, create and get messy for all children.

Topics include process based art, creative freedom, changing identity and discovering what's next, guiding kids into confidence through creation, and creating a curriculum that is as fun as is it educational.

If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show.

Show notes

• Art that is about the process, not the outcome
• Imposter syndrome
• Leaving a career that you identify with and figuring out what to do next
• Building a curriculum that weaves skill building into artistic outlets
• What is a sensory bin?!
• Identifying the different phases of art in children
• Finding balance between homelife and your business
• What is oobleck?!
• Creating a safe environment for learning and collaboration

Links

• Follow Makers RI on Instagram
• Follow them on Facebook
• Check out their website
• Discover Oobleck

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we’re joined by Nadia, a Visual Merchandising Manager for Anthropologie, as well as co-founder of MDLTN: pieces made to be well-loved and worn often. A self-described aesthete, Nadia has a special skill to see how things can be made more beautiful, and then to make them more beautiful. The snowball effect of deciding to focus her attention on the little steps along the way has allowed her to make meaningful progress in her life, career, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Topics include skipping college to build a career in retail, how to admit that you’re good at something, finding meaningful work, and building a business on top of your core values.

If you love ycdi•di and want to support it, you can become a patron of the show.

Show notes

• Nadia became a Levi’s Store Manager at 19 years old
• The importance of “necessity” as motivation to succeed
• Some lessons in branding
• MDLTN — a company Nadia is building around the idea that business don’t need to create disposable things to succeed. They can be beautiful and high quality.
• The changing jewelry and manufacturing industries
• What does a visual merchandising manager do?
• Learning to see things in a different way when you’re used to seeing them one way
• How to be involved in every aspect of a creative project
• Helping important people dress themselves
• Not everyone has to go freelance

Links

• Want to see MDLTN jewelry? Check out their website
• Follow Nadia on Instagram
• Follow MDLTN on Instagram

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Matthew Ferrara and Tony Pacitti for a conversation about beauty and connection in art, the paradox of choice in media overwhelm, debunking preconceived notions, and deep dives into pop culture. Tony is a writer and improviser, Matt is a photographer and artist, and together they form What Did We Miss - a podcast about resolving pop culture blindspots, one episode at a time.

Topics include art as an experience, becoming more open-minded, pop culture echo chambers, going beyond your comfort zone and the aspiration to love everything.

Show Notes

• Engaging with pop culture as an active experience
• Leaning into cultural blindspots
• Art as an intimidating word
• The paradox of choice
• Netflix and the streaming boom
• Learning empathy by digging into preconceived notions
• JP and Steve's pop blindspots
• Go listen to What Did We Miss! Matt and Tony can make you appreciate just about anything

Links

• Follow What Did We Miss on Instagram
• Follow them on Twitter
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website for more in-depth podcast notes
• Follow Tony on Twitter
• Follow Matt on Twitter
• Check out Matt's photography business!

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by JT (Jason Timothy) for a conversation about love for food, the importance of the dinner table, and cultivating creativity in the kitchen. JT is co-owner and head chef at Troop - an elevated street casual restaurant that has its roots in street food from around the world.

Topics include food as a shared experience, the old and new school kitchen environment, learning through failure, and empowering your staff to take risks.

Show Notes

• The dinner table as a symbol of family and bonding
• Learning to let people help you
• The most important culinary lesson: don't cut your fingers off
• Cultivating creativity in the kitchen
• Babka: the friendlier swear word
• You're going to fail, so you might as well do it and learn from it
• Ups and downs of the Yelp mentality
• Being community oriented
• And for real though, go get brunch there and order The Pinnacle. It's really damn good.

Links

• Follow Troop on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website
• And maybe even (5 star) review them on Yelp

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Elyse Farnsworth for a conversation about self-worth, the value of family, and the artistry of hair styling. Elyse is owner and hair stylist at Arrow Salon - a team of highly educated, passionate stylists who love making you feel and look amazing.

Topics include what drives someone to push themselves, discovering self-worth, fun facts about hair, and creating a warm and welcoming business that people are excited to be a part of.

Show Notes

• How being a hair stylist and business owner has changed Elyse
• The stigma associated with being a hair stylist
• Getting a hair cut: eyes open or eyes closed?
• Fun hair facts
• The perfect dramatic hair reveal
• Free mullet removals at Arrow Salon
• The transformative power of a great hair cut

Links

• Follow Arrow Salon on Instagram
• Follow Elyse on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Alexis Devine for a conversation about community, internal motivation, and the positive impact of fitness. Alexis is a faculty member at the Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Workforce Development Coordinator at Lifespan, and is co-owner of Devine City Cycle - a spin studio on the west end of Providence that creates a fitness experience like no other.

Topics include pushing beyond your limits, building a business with a welcoming atmosphere, connecting with your emotions through fitness, imposter syndrome, and what it takes to stay motivated even when no one is watching.

Show Notes

• Check out Devine City Cycle 30 for $30 - 30 dollars for 30 days unlimited!
• Fitness community focused on a welcoming atmosphere
• Channeling education, past struggles and energy into creating an experience like no other
• What do you ride for? Finding your purpose
• Dropping out of high school, re-enrolling, then getting into Brown University
• Finding your internal motivation
• Overcoming mental and physical challenges through fitness

Links

• Follow Devine City Cycle on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website
• Follow them on Twitter

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Lori Kettelle - co-owner and head baker at PVDonuts - for an inside look at how Rhode Island’s donut mecca began, operates, and continues to grow. PVDonuts is an institution, and Lori is at the heart of what makes it so special.

Topics include handling explosive growth, building a loyal following, a day in the life of a donut shop owner, the organized chaos of the PVDonuts kitchen, accidental marketing wins, and crafting the perfect donut photo.

Show Notes

• Going from selling 48 donuts a weekend to 2,000 donuts a day
• What is the hardest donut to make?
• What makes PVDonuts so attractive
• Starting your work day at 1:30am
• Perfecting each process before moving to the next
• Being willing to have no (donut or personal) limits
• Starting every day with a line down the block

Links

• Follow PVDonuts on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Check out their website
• Check out PVDonuts in Edible Rhody!
• One of the early graduates of Hope & Main

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Vilada Khammahavong for a conversation about building a business by listening to your gut. Vilada is a pre-med student turned bubble waffle food truck founder, and Kow Kow is where she crafts food that makes you feel like family.

Topics include the importance of trusting your gut, building charity into your business, giving back to the community, being kind to yourself, how selling hot soup from a food truck is probably a bad idea, honesty in your online presence, and executing on an idea through sheer force of will.

Show Notes

• What is a bubble waffle, anways?
• Starting a business by yourself
• Giving back to the community you love
• Building charity into the core of your business
• Being real with your customers and everyone around you
• Special after-episode story from Vilada's boyfriend Henry

Links

• Follow Kow Kow on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Check out their website
• Check out a great review of kow kow

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Jan Faust Dane for a conversation about keeping things local, and the value of community. Jan has been a writer, marketer, food dorager and a director of culinary education. Now she spends all of her time (and more) running Stock Culinary Goods - an independent store dedicated to kitchen culture.

Topics include willing a business into being, a lifetime love of food, the importance of local culture, how to sustain a brick-and-mortar retail business in a massively online world, and having the energy and drive to get it all done.

Show Notes

• Jumping in a car and exploring every part of RI
• Providence: the best culture-to-hassle ratio
• Stock Culinary Goods willing itself into being
• Writing a city travel guide about a state
• Building community as the core of a business
• Providence realizing its potential

Links

• Follow Stock Culinary Goods on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Check out their website
• Check out her eat shop guide to new england

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Jim Nellis - owner of RI Food Fights, a business that hosts a series of fun, friendly competitions between restaurants and food businesses showcasing their culinary goods to hundreds of local food lovers - for a conversation about reinventing yourself, embracing change, rediscovering self worth, and having fun with food.

Topics include starting a business from nothing, advantages of being a tech early adopter, being willing to make mistakes, using data to drive your business, brand exposure, and the founder's dilemma.

Show Notes

• It's not good enough to just have a great idea - try it!
• Selling tickets to an event before you've secured a vendor
• Starting from scratch by yourself
• Using analytics to drive your decision making
• Thinking like an entrepreneur
• Remembering that you have worth
• Scaling a business
• How RI Food Fights has transformed Jim's life

Links

• Follow RI Food Fights on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Check out their website
• Buy a ticket to an event and/or a passport book!

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Milena Pagan - owner of Rebelle Artisan Bagels, purveyors of hand-rolled and boiled bagels in Providence - for a conversation about innovation, starting a business, advocating for yourself, taking in pride in what you produce, and what doesn't belong on a bagel.

Topics include leaving the corporate world to start your own business, crafting a customer experience, progress through tinkering, how to position your product, and why a bagel is not a donut.

Show Notes

• Leaving a job you hate to start a business you love
• How market positioning can turn something from mediocre to a bestseller
• Why is a bagel not a donut?
• Connecting with customers through workshops
• Coordinating ideas with other businesses in Providence
• How starting Rebelle has changed Milena

Links

• Follow Rebelle Artisan Bagels on Instagram
• Like them on Facebook
• Check out their website
• Give 'em 5 stars on Yelp. And honestly just go eat a dang bagel there. And a pastry. You can thank us later.
• Check out a "Bitchin': Female Founders in Providence" event
• Learn what Separating the wheat from the chaff means!

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Victoria Young - owner of Vic's Hand-Crafted Ice Cream and ice cream artist - for a conversation about inspiration, pushing your creative muscles, and what it takes to make a business and product that people come back to again and again.

Topics include taking the leap from concept to business, ice cream artistry, going from popup to physical location, ice cream innovation, branding, and using flavor, presentation and experimentation to build a food experience.

Show Notes

• Using pressure to force innovation
• Making an ice cream experience with flavor profiles and presentation
• Building a brick and mortar business
• What the heck is a kelp tart, and how many months did Victoria make them for?
• Collaboration in the providence food scene
• Why rainbow sprinkles are the superior sprinkle
• The "Bitchin': female founders in providence" events

Links

• Follow Vic's on Instagram and be on the lookout for her ice cream shop!
• Like Vic's on Facebook
• Check out a "Bitchin': Female Founders in Providence" event
• Check out stock's website
• If you're in copenhagen, maybe try out Noma and learn about some of Victoria's origin story

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Jenny Currier - Motif food editor and writer, RI food tour embassador, blogger, author and world traveler - for a conversation about taking leaps of faith, travel, finding joy in every day and the transformative experience of writing.

Topics include the writing process, the importance of experiencing new things, books that inspire, what makes a great writer, food journalism, and following your intuition cross-country into a new career.

Show Notes

• The origin of Captain Currier
• What it's like being a food writer
• Publicly logging joyfulness every day for a year
• The writing process
• The community aspect of food
• Jenny's thank you letter to the people who welcomed her in Greece

Links

• Follow Jenny on Instagram
• Check out her blog
• Follow her on twitter
• Like her on Facebook
• Read her year of joyfulness
• Go on a Food Tour with Jenny!
• Go read Textbook, Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Casey Acacia - co-founder of Circus Dynamics, founder of Providence Play Therapy, member of the Boston Circus Guild, social worker, circus arts performer and living statue - for a conversation about the therapeutic nature of play, balancing two life passions, and how to clown around with a purpose.

Topics include play as a universal language, the meditation of movement and flow, living two passions by interweaving them together, life changing moments as a living statue, the importance of therapy, and the circus arts.

Show Notes

• Play as a universal language
• How to get into the circus arts
• Movement, mastery and getting into flow
• Hula hoops, juggling and devil sticks
• What it's like to spend a week in Costa Rica with Patch Adams
• The best part of being a living statue
• Running away to a circus... college

Links

• Follow Casey on Instagram
• Like Circus Dynamics on their Facebook
• Check out their website
• Learn more about Social Sparks

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we're joined by Pat Brown, founder of Rent Sons - a company focused on young adults serving their neighbors for an affordable hourly rate - for a conversation about the transformative power of community, running a startup, and being a good neighbor.

Topics include living a full life, building community, combating depression with relationships, choosing the right path for your life, and what makes the Rent Sons model unique and compelling.

Show Notes

• What does it mean to live a full life
• The importance of community and relationships in happiness
• How to start a surf club with only a table and a surf board
• The role of the hunter and the farmer in your business
• Living a missional life
• How to start a 3D water hologram business as a senior in college

Links

• Follow Pat on Instagram
• Follow Rent Sons on Instagram
• Like them on their Facebook page
• Check out their website
• Rent Sons is hiring! Become a son

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we’re joined by Zach Gibb, a Software Engineer at Hoard, for a conversation about how he transformed from having no interest in computers to using them every day to creatively solve problems.

While we certainly learn a lot about what programming is, and how someone might get started building websites, we also talk about other communication skills that make someone great at working with others.

Show Notes

• What did Zach do to get started?
• How do you even build a website?
• Imposter Syndrome: a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud"
• Getting past your fear by breaking down big problems into small ones
• Personality traits that might help you with software engineering
• Overcoming anxiety and how it relates to writing software

Links

• Zach's Linked In
• Follow Zach on Instagram
• Learn more about imposter syndrome

Interested in learning to code?

• Steve's a big fan of this one: Rails Tutorial — but seriously, if you finish it, you'll know how to code.
• It's easy when you Learn Code the Hard Way
• There's lots of great courses on Udemy, but make sure you look for sales!
• Please also feel free to get in touch with us... happy to help you get on the right path!

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we join Becca Brady & Tiff Ting, founders of Hometown Cafe & Poké Bar and Poké Cart - a business with the goal of bringing fresh and accessible food to Providence - for a conversation about food, friendship, and the synthesis of stubbornness and vision. Becca and Tiff are best friends, entrepreneurs, food lovers, and just plain genuine people. We discuss their journey from corporate slog, to food startup, to what has quickly become a go-to destination in providence for delicious food.

Topics include branding and culture, taking a risk on your dreams, scaling a food business, collaborating in the providence food scene, running a business with your best friend, and dedicating all your energy to make your vision a reality.

Show Notes

• Building a culture, community and family
• Scaling a food business
• The balance between stubborness, vision, and persistence
• Being in business with your best friend
• Collaborating in the providence food scene
• The safest way to bring large amounts of cash to buy something off of craigslist

Links

• Follow Hometown Cafe & Poké Bar on their Instagram
• Like them on their Facebook page
• Follow them on twitter
• Check out their website
• And for Pete’s sake map some directions, order some delicious Poké, then give them a 5 star rating on Yelp
• Learn a bit more about Poké
• Read about Hometown in RI Monthly, Motif and the Providence Journal
• Hope & Main Food Maker Incubator Program

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we join AJ Paratore, professional stuntman, for a conversation about taking risks, how a life risking profession makes you zen calm about the small stuff, and professional hustle. AJ is a stuntman, ninja warrior, romance author, and part-time pirate. We discuss his journey from college dropout, to craigslist stuntman, to a professional career and work on shows such as Blacklist, FBI and Homeland.

Topics include finding work you love, adapting to new challenges and opportunities, persistence, hustle, and what it takes to work in one of the most dangerous professions.

Show Notes

• Not sweating the small stuff
• The dynamic and variable nature of stunt work
• AJ's most exciting and most terrifying stunts
• An unrelenting pursuit of things that make you passionate
• Embracing failure on a daily basis

Links

• Follow AJ on his Instagram and check out his imdb
• Follow AJ's Facebook page
• Check out his Youtube channel
• You can check out his qualifier episode on Ninja warrior

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we join Chris Jehle, a fourth year plastic surgery resident at Rhode Island Hospital, for a conversation about creativity and risk within a "safe" profession, innovation in medicine, trendsetting with plastic surgery, and the silver lining of having lots of problems to solve.

Topics include pride in your profession, what plastic surgery really is, issues with the medical insurance industry, and treating your patient like you'd treat your family.

Show Notes

• Trendsetting in plastic surgery
• Risks within the safety of a standard profession
• Plastic surgery doesn't have an age, gender of body system
• Issues with the medical insurance industry

Links

• Follow Chris on his Instagram or learn a little about him on the brown website
• What is plastic surgery?
• Want to become a plastic surgeon after listening to this episode? Here's an 8-step plan...

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week we join Tino Chow, founder of Giant Shoulders — a design agency that delivers impact at the intersection of innovation and design — for a conversation about design, brand, solving hard problems, and the importance of embracing failure. Tino is a designer, entrepreneur, problem solver, speaker, and former TED fellow. We discuss his journey from a teenage military officer in Singapore, to a sought after design consultant, and everything that's happened in between.

Topics include design as method of problem solving, building brands, growing businesses, crafting communities, and focusing all of your successes and failures to make something awesome.

Show Notes

• Design as a method of problem solving
• Design as a system, not a deliverable
• Being an 18 year old Singaporean officer
• Minimum viable brand
• Freelance as the future of work
• Failure by design and mining failure for lessons
• When design permeates the way you see and experience everything

Links

• Follow Tino on his Instagram and visit his website
• Follow Giant Shoulders on Instagram and visit their website
• See Tino's TED talks on YouTube
• Check out Failure x Design to benefit from others honest mistakes and lessons (Giant Shoulders on Instagram for updates)

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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Quick "Hello" from Steve to start off the New Year! We've got a lot of great stuff coming up in the next few weeks, and some new interview concepts that we think will be a lot of fun. Listen to hear more.

Coming up next week: Tino Chow, a Providence-based designer that offers a whole new definition of 'design'.

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This week, we join Lindsey Lerner, founder of Level Exchange — a coworking and production space for like-minded individuals to work, grow, and create the business they desire — for a conversation about music, entrepreneurship, fine art, and the importance of persistence. We discuss her journey from college fine artist to music industry entrepreneur and everything that's happened in between.

Topics include music as a universal language, art as business, entrepreneurship, and how awesome Lindsey is at bringing to life what she sets her mind to.

Show Notes

• Music as a transcendant, universal language
• A re-imagining of the photography statement "going out shooting"
• The fine line between persistence and annoyance
• Business as art and art as business
• What it means to be an entrepreneur
• Finding your path through failure
• Making RI a destination for touring artists
• How to become bff's with Watsky

Links

• Follow Lindsey on her Instagram and visit her website
• Follow LevelExchange on Instagram and visit their website
• Social Enterprise Greenhouse
• In case you don't know who Watsky is

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week, we join John Amore and Galo Naranjo for a conversation about movement, motivation, and big life changes. John Amore is a multi-disciplinary fitness teacher, movement specialist and owner of Ronin Strength. Galo is a strength & conditioning coach, TedX speaker, and truth seeker. We discuss their journey from corporate job to fitness freelance and what motivates them to continue learning everyday.

Topics include finding your passion, crafting a fitness lifestyle, building community, building your brand, and the psychology of motivation.

Show Notes

• Taking the plunge into something you love
• Leaving a paycheck to do something you're made to do
• Making movement a lifestyle
• Building a fitness community
• The importance of slowing down
• Fitness training as psychology, philosophy and education
• Building your brand

Links

• Follow Galo on his Instagram and visit his blog
• Follow John on his Instagram
• John worked at Benny’s! Memories.
• Galo's coach Mike DelaTorre
• Ido Portal
• Freestyle Connection — Carl Paoli
• Mobility WOD — Kelli Starrett
• Mindful Mover

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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This week, we join Ricky, the host of The Rainbow Beard Show, in his basement studio to learn about his creative process, his story after graduating from RISD, and what prompted him to finally start doing the thing he’d been wanting to do for nearly his entire life.

Topics include living a life full of creative intention, what it means to not only work with children, but also for them, and learn about being the most generous, kind-hearted, and curious person you can be… just by being you.

Show Notes

• Setting up a creative work space that works for you
• Fashion designers — the rockstars of the art world
• Working with kids and also for them
• Graduate school by the way of John Cage
• Empathy versus being a brat
• Lessons from Mr. Rogers and Pee-wee's Playhouse
• Where ideas from from
• BUGS! BUGS! BUGS!
• How becoming Ricky Rainbow Beard is transforming Ricky's life

Links

• Follow Ricky on his Instagram
• Follow The Rainbow Beard Show on Facebook
• Some articles about Ricky's work
• Learn more about Pee-wee's Playhouse, Mr Rogers and the man behind "Where the Wild Things Are"

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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Knowledgeable, passionate, and hilarious - Kate and Casey are veteran comedy improvisers, self-taught entrepreneurs and just plain wonderful people.

They’re the owners of the Wage House - an improvisational comedy theater in Pawtucket, RI - where they showcase weekly comedy shows as well as teaching improv classes and workshops.

In this episode we take a deep dive into improv comedy, Kate and Casey’s improv journey, the challenges of starting a business, improv life lessons and get coached through an on the spot improv scene!

Show Notes

• What is improv?
• How has improv impacted your lives?
• Why only charge $5 for a show?
• Improv demonstration!
• The challenges of starting a business
• Fostering an inclusive comedic environment
• The impact of being women entrepreneurs
• Advice for learning improv?
• Stay through the credits to hear Steve and JP do an improv scene 😱

Links

• Follow Kate and Casey on the Wage House Instagram
• Follow Wage House on FB
• Visit the Wage House website
• Go see a show for only $5 - every Friday night at 8pm! Drinks and snacks available for purchase at the bar. It’s the best and cheapest date you’ll find in RI 🕺 You can go reserve some tickets right now - we‘ll wait.
• Sign up for classes and workshops!

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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Show Notes

• What's it like starting a food business?
• How do you bring joy into your baking?
• Dessert you want to make most?
• What cooking show would you compete on?
• How do you navigate a male dominated industry?
• Advice for aspiring bakers?

Links

• Follow Morgan on her instagram
• Follow Whisk Me Away on FB
• Visit the Whisk Me Away website
• Do yourself a favor and grab some brownies and blondies at Coffee Exchange, The Pantry, or Stock Culinary Goods (no really, go do it - they're so damn good).
• Watch "Volume 4: Pastry" of Chef's Table on Netflix
• Feast your eyes on a Croquembouche

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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Maret Bondorew, with a degree in illustration and art history, is a creative force of nature. She is currently the illustrator/letterer of all the Frog & Toad Press designs, from greeting cards to stamps and buttons.

We talk with her about her creative journey in illustration, her current work, and advice for aspiring artists.

Show Notes

• How do you generate ideas?
• Fine art vs illustration
• Art as activism, stress relief and community
• What advice would you give for learning to draw?

Links

• Follow Maret on her instagram and check out her website
• Frog & Toad press
• Frog & Toad store
• Ladies Drawing Brunch/Dinner PVD
• AS220 Open Life Drawing available every tuesday for $7
• Lynda Barry's Syllabus: Notes from an accidental professor

Big thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, on this show.

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If you've seen Jess Croft's professional work, or visited her LinkedIn page, you'll know she's a graphic designer at Hasbro on a team that quickly brings great toys to market. What you may not know is that she's also a talented musician and one half of a band called NGHTSWM.

Show Notes

• Is it still easy to get discovered?
• Do people really need live music anymore?
• What artists are you guilty for not liking?
• Music on repeat?
• What advice would you give your younger self?

Links

• Check out: San Holo, Porter Robinson, Madeon, Phoebe Bridgers, Margaret Glaspy
• Avril Lavigne — does she even play guitar?
• NGHTSWM: Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Instagram
• Teenage Engineering: Pocket Operator
• Follow Jess: Instagram

Thanks to NGHTSWM for the use of their song, Fiji, for this show's theme song.