Love + Grit

Travis Wolfe, Jr. & Kareem Rosser

Philly is a city of champions, two of them being Travis Wolfe, Jr. and Kareem Rosser. Wolfe is a 16-year-old actor who’s been a show business veteran for a decade, starring in shows like Neighborhood and Grown-ish and most recently CBS’s Bob ❤️ Abishola. Next up, as an interscholastic polo champion, Rosser is everywhere including playing a major role in the inaugural Philadelphia Polo Classic. His biggest goal is to connect the two worlds of an elite sport to everyday folks in Philly.  
 
Also, find out which concerts in Philly our hosts are most excited for this summer! 

Tiny Room for Elephants & Eric ”Bus Driver Doo” Lilley

Yaya Horne, Damion Ward and Eric “Bus Driver Doo” Lilley are showing off Philly in different ways, but spreading the love as they do. Horne and Ward, co-founders of Tiny Room for Elephants, discuss how their month-long festival fuses the work of artists and musicians committed to creating unexpected works. The inspiration for this year's festival is "'made with love and inspired by grit.” We like the sound of that! Next up is Lilley, a SEPTA bus driver who made a big impression on social media by sharing interesting stories from his routes. Over the years, he's watched passengers try to fit a mattress on his bus and doled out plenty of advice on how to be a good passenger. 

 

Also, find out our hosts' favorite LGBTQIA+ business/spot in town!

Brandi Nicole & Brannon Johnson

Brandi Nicole and Brannon Johnson are two Philadelphians that know health and wellness! Nicole is the founder of Hike + Heal, which is so much more than hiking. With wellness retreats, healing circles, Nicole shows folks a way to find peace of mind in the City of Brotherly Love. Up next, we have Philly native Johnson, an elite accomplished athlete and head coach and owner of BLJ Community Rowing. A one of the most diverse community rowing programs in Philadelphia, Johnson is making sure the skill of rowing is available to all people of all backgrounds.

Also, find out what our hosts recommend to do in Philadelphia for July 4th weekend! Yes, it includes fireworks! 

Live from the Roots Picnic with Suzann Christine, Gregory Corbin and Aja Graydon

Suzann Christine, Gregory Corbin and Aja Graydon test their Philly knowledge live at the Roots Picnic. How well do you know your Reading Terminal Market merchants? Remember when the first Roots Picnic took place? Corbin, community activist, poet and educator, joins Team Justin, and Graydon, the lady from Kindred the Family Soul, and Christine, R&B artist, join Team Rachel for a good time and a great history lesson moderated by Laiya.  

Pink Sweat$ & Dyana Williams

Pink Sweat$ and Dyana Williams represent the past, present and future of music. And that future is looking bright thanks to singer/ songwriter Pink Sweat$. Born and raised in West Philly, Sweat$ discusses how inspired he is by love—something that’s apparent on his newest album Pink Moon. Up next, Dyana Williams, the mother of Black Music Month, makes her return to Love + Grit. This time around, she talks about the importance of Black Music Month, how Black music has touched everyone in some way and what she’s been up to since her last podcast visit. 

Siddiq Moore & Sofia Deleon

Siddiq Moore and Sofia Deleon are getting us in the mood for summertime with all their talk about water ice and street food. Siddiq of the eponymously named Siddiq’s Water Ice gives us the scoop about his shop being a community hub and his journey to owning two stores. And Deleon talks about how she brought her favorite childhood eats to Philly via El Merkury, serving up lauded Central American street food, and about what’s next for her. 

Chef Kevin Cooper & DJ Diamond Kuts

Chef Kevin Cooper and DJ Diamond Kuts discuss the best of food and music. Chef Cooper is a three-time Food Network champion, winning ‘Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime,’ ‘Guy’s Grocery Games’ and ‘Cooks vs. Cons.’ He’s also launched one of Philly’s newest culinary offerings Succulent Imagination, a one-on-one cooking class, and will own and operate a Chicken Guy, a concept from Guy Fieri. DJ Diamond Kuts is a Philly-native making people dance globally. From traveling and performing on some of the biggest stages, including the Roots Picnic and the Philadelphia Flower Show, to hosting the new Yo! MTV Raps! 

Larry Miller & Mykey Cooper

Two of Philly’s sons, Larry Miller and Mykey Cooper, take to the mic to share their stories of perseverance and hard work. Miller discusses his journey from juvenile offender to president of Nike’s Jordan Brand, and his controversial book, Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom. Next, Cooper breaks down how as a teenager, he balances major acting gigs and writing for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, all while keeping those grades up.

Laurin Talese & Patty Jackson

Which women are considered to be the most powerful voices in Philadelphia? Laurin Talese and Patty Jackson are certainly contenders for this title. First up in this episode is Talese, a classically trained jazz singer who moved to Philly to further her vocal education and is the first cultural ambassador for American Music Abroad. The vice president of the city’s Grammy chapter is also releasing her second album. Up next, Jackson is a veteran radio personality whose voice has graced the airwaves of the city for four decades. She started in country radio and ended up in Philly for a long-term residence at WDAS FM. 

Kate Scott & JL Jupiter

Two people changing the game in sports and food: Kate Scott and JL Jupiter. Scott is used to making history. She was the first woman to call a men’s basketball game at the Olympics and the first to call an NFL game on the radio. And now she comes to Philadelphia as the first female announcer for the Philadelphia 76ers. Next up is Jupiter, a first generation immigrant that celebrates mom and pop restaurants and their international cuisines. His YouTube videos give an insider's look at his favorite restaurants and drive serious business to the spots he features.