Living The Authentic Life: Recent Episodes
The Contessa & Rob Chramosta
Each week, The Contessa speak with interesting stylish personalities sharing authentic journeys of commitment, connection and authenticity.
We are excited to reunite with Houston culture shifter and former podcast guest Monica Fulton. "You can't save everyone but you can save one" is a quote that embodies the powerful force that is Monica. This inspiring woman is tirelessly moving forward to make changes in the community one person at a time. We are back together to talk about The Women's Fund and empowering girls to make the right choices. My daughter Bella and I are thrilled to work with Monica and co-chair the annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon benefitting The Women’s Fund on November 3rd. This luncheon celebrates the strength and resilience of women and provides essential programs that empower females to advocate for their health in our community. We invite you to join us in this mission, check out thewomensfund.org for more info.
If you care about your health and the health of those around you, you will want to find the time to listen to our life changing podcast with lawyer extraordinaire Jessica Rossman and dedicated Hope Biosciences Research Foundation CEO Donna Chang. I have shared that our daughter Bella has experienced medical challenges 😰 for YEARS. Thankfully Hope Bio’s dynamic team is dedicated🎯 and committed to advancing regenerative📈 medicine that has helped her and so many patients who are struggling to find help. What's even more amazing… is that they are delivering HOPE right here at their headquarters in Sugar Land, TX. They are reaching patients who are in their 80’s along with teens who have chronic illnesses. It is fascinating to know that Gala co chair @gordonbethune, who is beloved as one of Houston’s most epic businessmen, has achieved incredible results after receiving his OWN stem cells for his Parkinsons. Simultaneously, there is immense hope for even young patients like our Episcopal High School senior🎓, Bella, who has received with 9 infusions of her own stem cells and is back to living a more normal life. Your interest in supporting our cause🎗️ is deeply appreciated👏. Please tune in to watch our podcast and mark your calendar📅 for our Hope Gala💃🤵♂️ on October 26th and agree to join our mission. Together, we can achieve great things🙌. Your donation will impact the patients who suffer and their caregivers by offering HOPE!
We are thrilled to kick off our fall podcast series with special guests and friends @OperationSmileHouston co-chair @aalsadd & @SnehaMerchant, co-chair of the annual @OperationSmileHouston Gala since 2016, raising more than 2 million dollars, for cleft lip and palate surgery. Join us as we talk about their passion and commitment to provide smiles to children with cleft pallets for just $240 a surgery. They share the incredible journey dental surgeons take around the world volunteering to forever change a life and a family by giving them the gift of a smile. Although we love our handbags and watches we know the best accessory is the smile God gave us or the new one given by @operationsmile Please considering joining us at the Operation Smile Gala on September 14th at @RoyalSonestaHou by purchasing a table or donating an auction item.
Natalie Steen is the founder of the ultra stylish fashion newsletter The Nat Note. As a former lawyer with a good creative bug and a bad online shopping habit, she was able to take a passion for fashion and shopping and turn a project into a full-time career. Join us as Nat shares her journey from a Miami, Florida native to attending UVA & Penn Law School to moving to Houston, TX and delivering ready-to-shop style suggestions for women, kids, and home through The Nat Note. Shopping addicts, be sure to sign up for a weekly dose of her fashion expertise at thenatnote.com!
If you ever struggle deciding what to pack for a trip—this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive into vacation style with stylist Paulina Padilla. We talk packing strategies for adventures from the mountains to beaches to big cities to Europe. We share a love for a great blazer, starting with our unplanned twinning Christy Lynn Collection blazer that we personalized with our own authentic style. You won’t want to miss our picks for the best designer summer bags from brands & styles to colors, shapes & sizes. We give packing strategies for shoes, jewelry, accessories and beyond. If you are going anywhere this summer you’ll definitely learn a trick or two to help you pack the most incredible items to make you look and feel absolutely amazing.
Rob Chramosta films on location at the Monaco Legends Watch Auctions in Monte Carlo, Monaco with Davide Parmegiani and Adam Victor of Monaco Legend Group. First he is joined by Davide Parmegiani, chairman of Monaco Legend Group, one of the watch industry’s most prominent experts and dealers. They speak in depth about the extraordinary Patek Philippe chronograph watch Chramosta brought from the shadows of history to the cover of the Exclusive Timepieces Monaco Legend Auctions catalogue cover. This rare cushion-shaped, single-button design owned/worn by Sir Henry Seagrave, Harry Gordon Selfridge, and Amelia Earhart spent over 50 years with a US collector and his family. When Rob Chramosta came on as a partner he leveraged his expertise, global contact database and guidance to help substantiate the prior ownership. Rob then speaks with Adam Victor of Monaco Legends Group Watch Department about the most rare and outstanding pieces within the auction. They share stories of what they saw as the most interesting trends in world market, the most surprising prices paid, the “deals” from the auction and list a few of their favorite pieces. Rob shares, “I have been buying and selling watches since I was 13 years old and this Patek Philippe is by far the rarest piece I’ve ever sold. Selling such a historic watch with a racing heritage in Monaco for over $1.8 million dollars is the dream of a lifetime. This has been the most exciting sale of my career. I’ve spent years studying vintage pieces and curating collections for myself and my clients. It means so much to me to be entrusted with selling such a rare timepiece with its history. I get to travel the world and make a living doing what I love. It’s the greatest gift.”
Our Special guest is Courtney Zavala- beloved Houston media star and skin care creator of “The Courtney Mask” This week we sat down and talked about the newest chapter of Courtney's life which may very well be her best yet. She shares intimate stories of her journey from TV reporter to morning news anchor to talk show host. She is glowing from the inside out, living her best life as a beauty mask creator, social media content creator, emcee, community advocate, wife and mom. We discuss the ever changing real world of balancing priorities, connecting with people we meet in a meaningful way and identifying what brings you the most joy.
Varda Fields is a fashionable yet complex woman with a purpose who is head of special projects and development at Rosewood Funeral Home in Houston, TX. The fashionably international Varda Fields is a woman who has worn many hats throughout her life. From her position in the Air Force to intelligence officer to police officer to mother working in fashion industry to finally landing in the roll of head of special projects and development at Rosewood Funeral Home in Houston, she is a complex woman with a purpose.Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Varda moved to the United States and eventually landed in Houston 35 years ago. Join us as we discuss her journey from days filled with darkness to a life filled with life and love. She talks about the similarities between Israelis and Texans. She pointed out we both have pride in our countries, traditions and love of the people who live in our community. She believes when we talk through our differences and find common ground, we can all better understand one another’s journeys and feel compassion for each other, even when we’ve lived seemingly different lives.
Join Rob & Donae with special guests, as they take you on a fascinating journey of luxury live from the Miami Beach Antique Show. It's a must see for anyone serious about buying and selling preowned luxury collectors pieces. The magnitude of brands including Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Hermes, Chanel are equal parts eye candy and history lesson. We talk you through our guide to curating an exceptional collection of vintage and estate luxury watches, jewelry and handbags. The Vintage Contessa & Times Past is an independent reseller of authenticated luxury products. We are not affiliated, associated, endorsed by, or in any way connected with any brands, companies, or agencies of the resale products we offer. All brands, product names and logos are trademarks or service marks of their respective holders, and all copyrights are reserved by the original owners of the brands.
Hilary Magner, Co-Owner of Squash Blossom, Vail's Prominent Jewelry Store since 1973 is this week's podcast guest is former Houstonian turned Vail-local, Hilary Magner, co-owner of Vail’s 50 plus year old Squash Blossom jewelry store. Many people dream of leaving the big city to raise a family in a smaller vacation town but few actually have the dedication to live it out. After over 10 years in the energy business traveling weekly, Magner and her husband Kevin decided to make a big change and moved their young family to the Vail Valley. Hilary’s husband, Kevin, whose father who was a jeweler, grew up working with watches and jewelry as part of his DNA. This husband and wife team took their combined retail experience working together at Neiman Marcus Austin and their passion for jewelry to the heart of Vail Village. Join us as we talk about watches, jewelry, working with your spouse, and running a 50 year old business open 7 days a week while raising two young boys.
Gracie Cavnar is a go-getter who is changing the way Houston’s children eat their food. Instead of focusing on a problem, Gracie brainstorms solutions and works tirelessly to create radical change, which is why we call her the original disruptor. In 2005, she and her husband Bob Cavnar founded the Recipe for Success Foundation, a nationally recognized nonprofit which is dedicated to changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food, and helping the community provide healthier diets for them. Join us as Gracie shares her fascinating story from starting modeling as a young child to pioneering a mission to remove soft drinks from vending machines in schools, to creating Hope Farms, a 7-acre urban farm in view of downtown skyscrapers with programs to teach, empower and inspire healthy eating. Visit Recipe4Success.org to learn more about her annual Fashion in the Fields brunch benefiting the Recipe for Success Foundation coming up on April 21, 2024 at Hope Farms.
This week’s Living the Authentic Life podcast guest is the impeccable model, stylist, fashion runway producer behind Houston’s most memorable fashion show moments, Tamara Klosz Bonar. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary celebration of her and her partner, Lenny Matuszewski’s collaboration with the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Reflections on Style Luncheon, Runway Show and Chic Boutique. Each year Houston’s most stylish women donate pieces of clothing and accessories from their personal collections to be featured in a runway show at River Oaks Country Club then sold at the Chic Boutique. Tamara and Lenny select & style the most interesting pieces in such a fresh modern way, sometimes women are even known to buy back their own donations. This year’s theme is “Girls with Pearls” and the event benefits local underserved children and families in the Greater Houston area. If you are passionate about fashion and making a difference in your community—you will be enthralled by her story combining fashion production with helping those in need.
Amir Taghi is a Texas born, New York based, women's luxury clothing designer. Amir's work and tenacity speaks for itself—the native Houstonian showed a collection at New York Fashion Week and graced the pages of Vogue—all before he graduated high school. Over the past decade Amir's designs and craftsmanship have continued to evolve with each new collection making a name for himself with sophisticated designs, a unique connection to his clients, and a fresh point of view. Drawing from a line of influences from his Persian culture and Texas upbringing, Amir Taghi is an artist of his craft - creating feminine shapes, draping and custom prints. Join us as we talk about his journey from a 15-year-old wunderkind to an established name and coveted designer.
Vibrant wardrobe stylist Valerie Dittner joins us as this week's podcast guest, sharing her love of preowned, vintage, sustainable fashion. She and I launched our fashion careers at similar times and have grown our businesses in parallel ways through a combination of shared passions and collaboration with like minded people. We dive in depth quickly, talking about the impact the world of dance had on both of us gowning up with a “costume outlook” on dressing. We both continue to be influenced by vintage styles as we approach each day's wardrobe choice as a way to express ourselves to the world while actually being active working modern women. Her signature dark locks and classic bright red lip are reminiscent of classic old Hollywood Movistar glamour mixed with a big dose of modern day chic. As a busy working mom of 2, she really is a woman who does it all and looks fabulous while doing it and helping her clients do it too‼️ Watching her Instagram inspires me to be more courageous, mixing classic styles with mixed patterns, adding both high and low designers and choosing both casual and dressy looks to create signature “Valerie Dittner” looks. We both agree, when we look our best, we actually begin to feel our best, so why not do it every day?
Our first episode of 2024 is with the world-renowned Dr. Viviana Coles, Relationship & Sex Therapist and Licensed Psychotherapist. Dr. Viviana was featured as an expert on seasons 9-14 of hit show “Married at First Sight” and is currently Fox Houston’s Intimacy Expert. Bringing her incredible expertise, Rob and Donae sit down with her to talk about navigating common relationship issues and why intimacy is so crucial to a successful marriage. Join us as she shares her story from being born in Houston to finding her passion for helping people to becoming a nationally recognized marriage and sex therapist, author and speaker.
Our fabulous guest is Cherise Esparza who is a Cyber Security Expert and Co-Founder of SecurityGate.io. We talk through our shared loves of fashion, family, cars and rediscovering our purpose. Cherise shares her incredible journey from finding her career path early developing software for publicly traded companies as a teenager, to developing the platform used by risk managers & executives at the world's largest critical infrastructure organizations, to being listed on the Forbes Next 1000 list.
This week we’re kicking off the Fall 2023 Living The Authentic Life Podcast Series with special guest, the honorable Jacquie Baly. Jacquie is a former Greater Houston Partnership vice president who now works in public & media relations—in addition to serving as adjunct professor at the University of Houston and advising Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on higher education initiatives. Jacquie’s community service only augments her accomplishments. One of her favorite community endeavors includes chairing the American Cancer Society’s 2023 Cattle Baron’s Ball with former podcast guest, Lara Bell. Join us in celebrating Houston power women who are out there making a difference in our community and beyond.🌎
Earlene joins us to share her journey as a philanthropist, author, world-traveler and her most cherished roles-as a wife and mother. With an upcoming 30 year wedding anniversary, we dive in on common relationship issues in today's society and how she overcame them. Earlene said it best, "You can have a 1000 reasons to leave, but you only need one reason to stay."
Stephanie von Stein is The Innovative Luxury Consultant & CEO of von Fab Group With over 20 years of experience in luxury retail and business, Stephanie has established herself as a trusted advisor with an incredible eye for luxury. Stephanie shares her incredible story from her years working in luxury retail with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Saks Fifth Avenue to launching her own luxury consulting business, von Fab Group, at 50. With a heart for creating meaningful change in our community & a passion for advocating for domestic violence survivors through her work with AVDA, Stephanie's light shines through all she does.
Deejay's mission is to create a safe space for people to enjoy dance and the Contessa has been having an absolute blast training with him as her partner for Houston's upcoming APAHA Dancing with the Stars event. Join us for a fabulous episode as Deejay shares his journey following a dream of professional dance from Virginia to NYC to LA and around the world, finally landing in Houston. From dancing as a performer on a cruise ship to dancing through a health scare while stuck in a hospital in Ibiza, Deejay's positive energy and exceptional commitment to his craft is truly special.
Ashley shares her story as a pioneer of fashion blogging as we connect on how fashion brings people together and get Ashley's expert packing tips for fashionistas. We discuss it all—from her difficult health battle with arthritis to becoming a mother and expanding her brand.
Khara Breeden, founder & CEO of Texas Forensic Nurses joins us and shares her incredible story of identifying and following her purpose, becoming a nurse, forming The Forensic Center, now in its fourth year. We discuss living out her dream, earning her doctorate and opening a completely new set of health services for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. She shares the eye-opening experiences treating victims 24/7 in their community-based victim service center that provides confidential & free medical forensic exams, adult forensic interviews, legal support, counseling & advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, child abuse and elder maltreatment.
Ryan Jay, Neiman Marcus VP Market Manager of the South Texas region including Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Join us for an episode all about fashion and the future of luxury retail as Ryan shares his journey over 15 years in luxury retail around the country, most recently transitioning from Saks Fifth Avenue finding a home ultimately with Texas based, Neiman Marcus. We swap heartfelt stories from the over the top Christmas Catalog, to the famed Houston’s Best Dressed List to the special Breakfasts with Santa during the holidays that are sure to spark your favorite shopping memories too.
President and CEO of Hope Biosciences shares her focus on a mission to revolutionize the field of cell therapy. Her passion is leading their entire team to find solutions to current limitations by delivering approved therapies to the market - quickly. Hope Bio’s groundbreaking patented core cell culture technology is utilized in over 30 FDA authorized protocols in the United States. Join us as we share their journey of bringing these therapies to market in the very near future.
A recent introduction of Dr. Sprouse by a known physician sums it up, "So what do you call it when barriers, or obstacles, or the allegedly immovable objects are moved aside and overcome by the irresistible, unstoppable force of passion, courage, dedication, and joy? We call that ...Mila!" Join us as we discuss the incredible passion behind Dr. Sprouse's work and how her fearless innovation & leadership skills have resulted in many firsts in hospitals where she has worked—proving to be an unstoppable leader in her field.
Ep #86 with Food/Nutrition Expert Britt Klingler of Britt's Fit Foods: From which nutrients promote health to which ingredients to avoid, chef Britt Klingler breaks down all our dietary questions. “Food as medicine” may be an emerging concept in the Western world but has existed for centuries as the cornerstone of health for many cultures & "blue zones" around the globe. Join us as we discuss the powerful role of diet and food in disease prevention & management and what you may want to stock your kitchen with before reaching in the medicine cabinet.
Boundaries are badass! Join us for Episode 74 with Jennifer Pinkerton, practice owner of Pinkerton Psychotherapy, emotional health advocate, writer and speaker. We break down strategies toward healing and being the person we were born to be through developing connection, self-awareness, and setting boundaries. Jennifer gives us groundbreaking power phrases we’ll be using immediately—if you struggle with people-pleasing or saying no—don’t miss this episode!
TechTrap author, Deborah Berry, wrote about her journey—with one purpose in mind—to provide as much information to parents of teens so they never have to walk through a similar nightmare with their children…being lured into the dark and torrid world of online pornography and sex trafficking.
Join us for Episode 72 with Lillian Anderson—lawyer, influencer, mother and designer of the most fabulous champagne and whiskey gift set collections—she is a true Houston tastemaker! Lillian approaches design and style from a place of creating connection and celebrating relationships, the story behind her brand is so in line with the whole concept of Living The Authentic Life.
Join us for Episode 71 with Damon Parker - the most tenured employee of Cartier Houston and formerly of Cartier Las Vegas. Where are our Cartier lovers?? We get the scoop on everything #Cartier from the history of the Love and Trinity jewelry series to the iconic Love bracelet’s younger and easier-to-remove sister, the Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet.
Join us for Episode 70 with Katharine McGee, aka Houstonian Katie Field, sparkles and shines as a New York Times bestselling author. She’s been speculating about American royalty since her undergraduate days at Princeton, where she wrote a thesis on “castle envy”. In her trilogy American Royals she captures the glamour and pressures of an American monarchy. Or as Teen Vogue put it, “Imagine a world where Meghan Markle is the queen of the United States of America…. American Royals is the next best thing.”
Join us for Episode 69 with our guest Ally Shell–Van Koolwijk: wife, mother, sister, fashion philanthropist, and Houston Chronicle's "It Girl"—she does it all! When not balancing family and community, she operates The Shell's Neal Hamil Agency, the go-to agency for development and booking models & talent across the country. Tune in as we share our mutual love of Houston fashion, food and philanthropy.
Join us for Episode 68 with Jennifer Cope, marketing guru of Modern Luxury Magazine and founding Houston Publisher of Modern Luxury Interiors Texas. Marketing has always been a vital part of business, but it may be more important now than ever before. With social media, consumers get exposed to new brands every day. Jennifer brings insights from her 17 years of experience at the nation’s largest luxury-lifestyle media company as we break down how marketing and public relations have changed over the years and what strategies work to build a brand in today's world.
Join us for Episode 67 with fashion designer Christy Lynn! Christy Lynn launched her first ready-to-wear collection in Spring 2020 and celebrated the Houston grand opening of her very first atelier in Spring 2022. With over a decade of experience as a fashion designer in New York City, Christy developed her artist’s intuition for using timeless hues of color and developing intricate prints which have become her signature today!
In this episode we talk everything Rodeo we our guest Gretchen Gilliam, from how to get involved with raising livestock, raising money, volunteering, and how important the kids are in the process! Please Like, Share, and Comment!
Yee-haw! Join us for Episode 65 of the #livingtheauthenticlife podcast with our special guest Zane Carruth, author and first lady of Rodeo Houston! Tune in to hear all about Zane as we celebrate the launch of her new book "Abella Goes to the Rodeo" and the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Join us for Episode 64 with our guests Marian McClendon, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti talking about their new documentary, ‘Surviving Sex Trafficking’ which will make its debut this winter. With 45 million sex trafficking victims worldwide, only 1% manage to escape or be rescued. 'Surviving Sex Trafficking' examines the ongoing struggles of those survivors as they desperately fight to break free of their past, heal their bodies and minds, reconnect with a world of hope, and reclaim their lost humanity.
Join us for Episode 63 of Living The Authentic Life as the Contessa & Rob give their insider secrets on the top luxury brands from the history of how they started to the best pieces to buy & their investment values. Tune in to hear the scoop on Rolex, Cartier, Hermes, Chanel & more!
Today’s #LivingtheAuthenticLife Podcast guest is the spectacularly entertaining Neal Hamil. Join us to hear his incredible stories in NYC as a respected leader at the world's largest model management firms, Ford Models and Elite Model Management. Tune in to hear all about Neal - from his 26 years of globetrotting adventures around the world with supermodels including Naomi Campbell to his experiences connecting with Nelson Mandela in South Africa. We cover it all!
Join us for Episode 61 with our fabulous guest Chris Goins, the head of retail operations for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. We first connected at her previous job as store director at Tootsies over our shared love of fashion & shopping, along with traveling & finding the best vintage and discounted luxury gems. Tune in as Chris shares her story and gives us the scoop on her favorite places to shop while traveling and what’s on her wish list.
Join us for Episode 60 with our guest, a native Houstonian who blazed a trail for ballet dancers everywhere, Lauren Anderson! Lauren shares her authentic journey from breaking barriers at the Houston Ballet to making history as a feature in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Between her groundbreaking talent & tenacious determination, Lauren Anderson is a true inspiration and Houston icon.
Join us for Episode 59 with the darling Margret Rojas of Style the Girl! From loving fashion as a little girl to slaying the retail world, Margret is a true girl boss. Join us to hear Margret's journey to starting the Style The Girl blog in Houston and creating a fashion, travel and lifestyle haven for people to gather inspiration and relate to 💕
Join us for Episode 58 with our guest Julie Comiskey, Chief Development Officer of the Women’s Home. Julie has a passion for helping others and we first bonded years ago over a shared calling to give back to our community. Tune in to hear about the incredible work the Women's Home is doing to help support women in Houston struggling with different forms of abuse.
Join us for Episode #57 with our guest Ali Katz — a certified meditation teacher, animal communicator and author of the best-selling "Hot Mess to Mindful Mom" trilogy. Known for her authenticity and relatability, tune in as Ali shares personal stories and anecdotes to show us how to really put her suggestions to use!
Join us for Episode #56 with guests Lauren Sparks and Laquita Cyprian of Houston’s first primarily women - owned and led commercial community bank – Agility Bank (in organization). As female leaders in our community, we value women and minority empowerment and Agility’s mission of “profit with purpose”. Tech-focused and primarily owned by women, Agility Bank brings diverse voices and big-bank resources to Houston with an all new breed of community banking. Join us to hear how Agility Bank is changing the game to provide more avenues to women – and minority – owned businesses in our community.