Love + Grit

Kevin Parker & Dope Botanicals

Kevin Parker and Nakia and Taahirah Stith are three incredible Philadelphians walking the runway on this episode. Parker, a model turned designer, tells his story of how he created one of the country’s biggest fashion movements, Philly Fashion Week. The goal of the event, which has featured over 75 international brands and 1,000 local designers, was to develop the reputation of Philadelphia’s fashion industry, improving the local economy with jobs and educational opportunities in fashion. Next up Nakia and Taahirah, two dope sisters are celebrating one year at Dope Botanicals! The Rittenhouse shop has these healthy streets buzzing and offers visitors food, juice and other items to help you live a holistic lifestyle.

If you’re still looking for gift ideas, the hosts share their favorite Black-owned businesses around Philly! 

Rich Medina & Chef Kurt Evans

We’re thankful for Rich Medina and Chef Kurt Evans promoting Philly’s most celebrated traits: arts and activism. International and legendary DJ Rich Medina shares with us his history expressing his heart, soul and activism through music for the last 30 years. Medina also provides the details surrounding Art Basel in Miami, why it’s important for the Black arts community and details about Love + Grit On The Road during Miami Art Week. Next up, Evans discusses bringing together food and activism to raise criminal justice reform awareness in America. Featured in major publications like Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Good Morning America, and Eater, Evans also created the ground-breaking End Mass Incarceration (EMI) dining series which orchestrates dinners themed around the criminal justice system. 

And if you’re looking for something to do in Philly other than drinking, the hosts provide their top things to do. 

Chef Tonii Hicks & Steven CW Taylor

Chef Tonii Hicks and Steven CW Taylor are innovators and history makers. Hicks has worked in some of Philly’s most prestigious kitchens such as SOUTH and High Street Philly, and she’s also an activist, advocating for farm-fresh food in low-income communities. Most recently, Hicks was named a James Beard Foundation Fellow, enabling her to participate in 10 weeks of training in financial and legal matters, public relations, policy and advocacy, brand development and more. Taylor, owner of Ubuntu Fine Art, traded in his software-engineering job to pursue fine art photography. While doing this, he made history as the first Black photographer in the country to open his own gallery featuring exclusively his own works.  

As always, the hosts discuss their favorite Philly things. This time around, the focus is on their must-do November activities. 

Lori Lindsey + Khoran Horn

Lori Lindsey and Khoran Horn might make you say, “Hey! I know them from TV!” Lindsey, a former United States women's national soccer team(USWNST) player and sports commentator, discusses her advocacy work for equal pay in sports and rights for trans athletes. She also dishes on the excitement about the FIFA World Cup™ coming to Philadelphia in 2026. At the other end of the table, Horn, owner of Guardhouse Café and winner of “It’s compli-plated!” on the Food Network, talks about how he’s never eaten meat — ever — and how he finds creative ways to make delicious dishes that taste like meat. The hosts also reveal their favorite scary Philly locations, including Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Shannon Maldonado & Radhi Fernandez

This episode is bringing the heat. Shannon Maldonado returns to the podcast to fill us in on what’s new at Yowie and the biggest news in her life. Hint: it involves her opening a boutique hotel on South Street. Next up, Radhi Fernandez, owner of the Faiya Company, discusses how he got started with his hot sauce, his love for Philly and how Philly loves him right back. And yes, he’ll dish on where you can buy the hot sauce, including at the Reading Terminal Market. 

Philly sports fans, this one’s for you! Get the scoop on what sports bars our hosts frequent to catch the game. 

 

Chef Montana & Chef Ja’mir + Zakia Blain

Food and fashion mix well in this episode. Just ask Chef Montana Houston, Chef Ja’mir Wimberly-Cole and Zakia Blain. First up, two of the hottest new chefs, both under 30, recently opened Rittenhouse Square’s Restaurant Aleksander. They’re putting their own spin on an American menu with Eastern European influences that pay homage to the culture and cuisine of the owner's family. Next up, Chester’s own Zakia Blain is celebrating 10 years working in the body-positivity space. This educator turned entrepreneur turned her Instagram movement into some of the best fitness fashion around. And if you’re hungry, listen up as Rachel, Justin and Laiya share their picks for Asian-owned restaurants. 

Two Robbers Seltzer Co. & Julieta Zavala

Vikram and Vivek Nayar and Julieta Zavala are people we can rely on to talk about drinks and fashion! The Nayar twins, Two Robbers Seltzer Co. owners and founders, have lived all over the world, from New York City to New Delhi, but they decided to launch their brand of hard seltzers right here in Philly, because they believed it would be more interesting. Next up, fashion designer Zavala uses recycled materials to create vibrant pieces of clothing, each one an homage to her birthplace of Mexico City. She works with bright colors, various fabrics and even Frida Kahlo's image to reflect her roots.  

The hosts also share their plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. No surprise that those plans include Dine Latino Restaurant Week! 

Bilal Motley & Chef Amanda Shulman

On this episode, we have filmmaker Bilal Motley and chef Amanda Shulman. Motley's short animated film Quarantine Kids was an official selection at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival. Co-directed by his then 9-year-old daughter Bria, the film tells the courageous story of Bria's struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic. The film garnered the duo our first-ever Love + Grit Award! Next up, Her Place Supper Club owner and chef Amanda Shulman is doing things her way. Shulman whips up a menu that changes weekly, an ever-changing wine selection and reservations that need to be booked months in advance. 

The hosts also share their top things to do in September.  

FoodChasers’ Kitchen & Chef Hoon Rhee

We're taking you on a culinary journey with Dr. Maya, Dr. Kala Johnstone and Chef Hoon Rhee. Philly twins Dr. Maya and Dr. Kala began their careers as Philadelphia public school teachers, but soon felt the pull of their vision boards and decided to launch FoodChasers' Kitchen. Since opening in December 2021, they’ve cooked for memorable guests, including Salt-N-Pepa and Khelani, and were featured in a Pepsi commercial supporting Black-owned businesses. Philly born and bred, Chef Rhee was recently named executive chef at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He’s done it all in the culinary industry, working as a line and pastry chef, bartender, barista and everything in between in restaurants around the world, including Philly’s Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel, Jean-Georges Philadelphia, Morimoto, The Modern, Masa, Daniel and others.  
 
The hosts also share their perfect Philly itineraries. 

Darrell Alston & Camille Bell

Darrell Alston and Camille Bell are changing up the fashion and cosmetic industries respectively. Nationally recognized, Alston is the first Philadelphia brand designer to be carried in Footlocker with his company Bungee Oblečení. Bell is working to make everyone feel seen in the cosmetic world with her company Pound Cake. After seeing how a shade of lipstick on a model in a store looked different on her when she got home, she knew she needed to start creating inclusive makeup for all skin tones. 
 
Also, find out the hosts’ favorite places to watch movies outdoors (or indoors).