Love + Grit

Shannon Maldonado & Jezabel Careaga

Two Philadelphia powerhouses talk creativity and hospitality in this episode of Love + Grit. Hosts Laiya, Rachel and Justin welcome YOWIE founder Shannon Maldonado to discuss how her background working with top fashion brands led to the development of her popular storefront, creative brand and design studio. While Maldonado keeps Philly stylish, Jezabel Careaga keeps the city fed. The entrepreneur and cook runs the beloved Jezabel’s Cafe in West Philadelphia, where she serves up traditional foods from her native Argentina and is hard at work establishing her new furniture studio. Tune in to hear these two talented women share their stories, and learn how their successes have helped Philadelphia shine.

Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney & Antonio Johnson

Hospitality can change a neighborhood and nurture its culture. Just ask Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, whose Safran Turney Hospitality has transformed 13th Street in Philly’s Gayborhood with top restaurants like Barbuzzo and beloved shops like Open House. After catching up with the power duo, hosts Laiya, Rachel and Justin chat with self-taught photographer Antoino Johnson, whose new book, You Next: Reflections in Black Barber Shops, captures the sacred spaces where Black male identity is fostered.

Jamaar Julal & Kevin and Melissa Walter

This episode of Love + Grit is all about delicious beverages of the fermented variety —no surprise, since Philly is a city that takes beer seriously. Jamaar Julal of Philly-headquartered JamBrü kicks things off as he breaks down the mystery of kombucha —that delicious, trendy, good-for-you fermented tea. And hosts Laiya, Justin and Rachel also welcome Love City Brewing owners Kevin and Melissa Walter to discuss innovation and activism in the beer community, which has a deep history in Philadelphia. Tune in to hear how these Philadelphia beverage makers are adapting to the ever-evolving coronavirus world and welcoming visitors in search of a cold one.

Kenny Gamble & Rob Wasserman

Kenny Gambleis a true Philadelphia treasure. The “Sound of Philadelphia” he created with his partner Leon Huff has put Philly on the music map. Almost 50 years and tons of gold and platinum albums later, Gamble continues his legacy by reinvesting in the South Philly community where he grew up. We'll hear how he has evolved his “Message in the Music” motto into a video podcast.

Rob Wassrman proudly helms Rouge, Rittenhouse Square’s see-and-be-seen restaurant for more than 20years now, along with other neighborhood favorites Audrey Claire and Twenty Manning. With priorities of fine dining shifting as a result of COVID-19, Wasserman has been focused on supporting families in need of a healthy meal. We'll hear why the "We Are Philly” campaign is delivering for Philadelphians and so many others.

Heather Marold Thomason & Faheem Alexander

In this episode, our podcast hosts chat with two Philadelphians who are a cut above the rest: one cuts meat, the other cuts hair.

Since she founded Primal Supply Meats in 2016, Heather Marold Thomason has continually taken the business to new heights. She started by providing meats to notable Philly chefs. Now she supports more than a dozen regional farmers and a family-owned slaughterhouse, and runs neighborhood butcher shops inSouth Philly and Brewerytown.

People often ask, “Who’s the barber that’s the man in Philly?”The answer is Faheem Alexander, a Philly superstar, based on what he can do to both your beard and your head.

Nakia Dillard & Chill Moody

Our hosts chat with an actor (Nakia Dillard) and an MC (Chill Moody) this week. First up: Nakia Dillard, who takes his role of Philadelphia actor very seriously. Dillard developed his acting chops here in the City of Brotherly Love. And although he’s appeared in numerous productions (Black Lightning, The Wire)—at least 80 and counting—he has never left Philadelphia physically. Learn how and why he does it, and get the scoop on his favorite place to chill in Philly.

 

Next up is arguably Philly’s hardest working MC: Chill Moody. The Philly music ambassador works hard for his hometown. His lyrical storytelling is deeply rooted in Philadelphia stories, and his community activism often offers opportunities to other burgeoning Philly talent. Hear why Moody is a Philly faithful, and find out what two flavors of water ice he mixes together.

Aimee Olexy & Miriam A. Hyman

In this episode, our hosts talk to two dope Philly ladies: one who feeds our bellies in all kinds of delicious ways and another who feeds our souls through the characters she plays.

Philly foodies know Talula’s. There’s Talula’s Table in Kennett Square and Talula’s Garden and Talula’s Daily in Philadelphia’s Washington Square neighborhood. That’s all thanks to West Chester’s own Aimee Olexy, who brings the deliciousness to each one ofthese places.

Next up: a conversation with a Lancaster-born, Philly-bred MC who is a Yale School of Drama graduate, recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award and Leonore Annenberg Fellowship for Performing Arts. Her name is Miriam A. Hyman. You know her from shows like Blue Bloods, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Master of None, Law & Order, The Wire and The Laundromat. She currently stars in season three of Showtime's The CHI and has a new album out under her MC moniker Robyn Hood. Among many things, Miriam dishes on her favorite Philly cheesesteak place: Dalessandro’s in Roxborough.

Tom McCarthy & Jazmine Smith

We talk to two of our favorite folks from the local sports scene: Tom McCarthy, voice of The Phillies, and Jazmine Smith, leading the charge to diversify field hockey and lacrosse. 

With baseball about to return, our hosts check in with the man who knows everything about the Phillies. Tom McCarthy speaks to us about life in and out of Citizens Bank Park.

For the last 18 years, Jasmine Smith has been a force to get girls of color to play lacrosse and field hockey.  She updates us on how her athletes are staying active on the field and in the community.

Shawn Gee & Michael DelBene

To get to the root of festival life, we called in the big bosses!

This episode begins with Shawn Gee, who honed his management skills with legendary Roots manager Rich Nichols. Over the years, Gee has managed the Roots and Jill Scott and served as business manager for Drake, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne and a slew of others. He's also the president of Live Nation Urban. Gee gives us the lowdown on this year’s virtual Roots Picnic, which he has produced in Philly for over a decade now.

Also virtual this year, Wawa Welcome America, Philadelphia’s annual Fourth of Julyfestival. So what’s in store this year? The festival’s CEO, Michael Delbene, gives us the scoop on the big acts and how and where they’ll be performing live.

Dyana Williams & VINCINT

While the country is going through a cycle of change, Philadelphia offers some hope. Rachel, Laiya and Justin dive into a couple of remarkable Philadelphia stories for a special edition of Love + Grit.

The mother of Black Music Month, media personality and strategist, Dyana Williams, has been a Philly tastemaker for over 40 years. She’s the person celebrities call when their mouths get them in trouble. She’s also the inspiration behind some of your favorite love songs and the reason Black Music Month is recognized worldwide.

Next, our hosts chat with VINCINT. You know him from the hit show The Four, and now you can hear his voice on the new season of Queer Eye that's based in Philadelphia. VINCINT shares his Philly story and talks about how he’s utilizing his platform for change.