Love + Grit

Angela Nissel & Spike Eskin

Philadelphia native Angela Nissel, one of Hollywood’s most in-demand writers, gained popularity with her blockbuster memoir “The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke” and as a producer and writer on hit television shows “Mixed-ish,” “Scrubs,” “The Boondocks” and more. She joins Laiya, Rachel and Justin to discuss her journey in entertainment.

Then, NBC10’s Philly Live host Aunyea Lachelle tells us about her conversations with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, teaming up with Yuengling for “Cheers PA,” and, Davida Janae, the local fashion blogger keeping us polished and stylish while working from home.

Spike Eskin, program director for SportsRadio94WIP, laces ’em up and hits the (virtual) hardwood with our hosts to end the episode. A second-generation Philadelphia sports talk radio personality and host of “The Rights to Ricky Sanchez,” Spike explains the origins of his name and his podcast’s name and speculates about the future of sports during the pandemic.

Nicole Marquis & Syreeta Scott

Nicole Marquis, owner of HipCityVeg, Charlie was a sinner and Bar Bombón, has always kept a dizzying pace at the office. This week, she gives listeners an insider's view of her life during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes keeping her restaurants open for takeout and delivery and working to help the city’s restaurant industry recover.

Then, NBC10Philly Live host Aunyea Lachelle joins to tell the stories of Dolaine Benjamin ‒ a licensed nail technician now making press-on nail kits for her clients ‒ and Stuff’d Buns ‒ a local food truck owned by Rachel Knable and Monica Magalhaes ‒ parlaying one good deed into weeks of feeding those on the front lines.

Love + Gritwraps after a conversation with Syreeta Scott, owner of Duafe Holistic Hair Care. Syreeta has worked with Janet Jackson, Ava DuVernay, Jill Scott and Questlove and talks to Rachel, Justin and Laiya to discuss adapting her business to fit her clients’ needs and the importance of hair care and body care to mental health.

Nick Elmi & DJ Diamond Kuts

Rachel, Justin and Laiya talk to a 2020 James Beard Awards nominee and Top Chef winner: chef Nick Elmi (owner of Philadelphia’s Laurel, ITV and Royal Boucherie). In this episode, he shares his theories about the current bread-baking craze and his ingredient-foraging adventures with his son.

Then, our hosts check in with DJ Diamond Kuts, the first female mixer on Philadelphia radio. The Philadelphia native, born Tina Dunham, has worked with former President Barack Obama, Nicki Minaj and Lil Uzi Vert, and has spun at Roots Picnic. She gets real with our hosts about her rock-and-roll-loving son and how exploring new creative outlets are improving her mental health.

Eugene "Man-Man" Roberts & John Fazio

Laiya, Rachel and Justin talk to Philadelphia’s own Eugene “Man-Man” Roberts about being John Legend’s musical director, Instagram Live etiquette and Twitch, the leading live-streaming platform.

Next, NBC10 Philly Live’s Auynea Lachelle introduces us to three West Chester University students thanking first responders and other heroes for their work during the COVID-19 crisis.

And finally, our hosts speak with John Fazio, founder and CEO of Nerd Street Gamers, about how gaming provides important connections in many communities and about the lasting impact of an impromptu Christmas Day trip he took as a child.

Eli Kulp & Nasheli Juliana Ortiz-González

On this week’s Love + Grit, Rachel, Justin and Laiya spend time with James Beard Award nominee Eli Kulp, the chef behind Fork, High Street On Market and High Street Hospitality Group and host of The CHEF Radio Podcast. They talk with Kulp about how he reinvented his life following a 2015 Amtrak crash that left him paralyzed and his new podcast, which explores all aspects of the food and restaurant industry.

Next, Aunyea Lachelle, host of NBC10’s Philly Live, shares black hair care tips from some local stylists and stories from fashion designers getting a boost from the Philadelphia Fashion & Garment Industry Task Force. She also reports on daily deliveries that hospital workers are receiving from Simply Good Jars.

Finally, the hosts speak to Nasheli Juliana Ortiz-González ‒ fashion designer and department chair at Moore College of Art & Design and contestant on the Netflix’s “Next in Fashion” ‒ and Marién Vélez ‒ lighting designer and founder of 22 Studio ‒ about how they’re creating high-concept ways to keep us safe and stylish.

Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby & Kindred the Family Soul

While spending time at home and talking about the region they love so much, the Love + Grit hosts kick off this episode by sharing their favorite regional craft breweries offering delivery before discussing vegetarian cuisine and the future of the restaurant industry with Vedge owners and James Beard Award honorees Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby. Then, Laiya, Rachel and Justin catch up with NBC10 Philly Live host Aunyea Lachelle, who shares the story of 11-year-old boxing twins Steven and Daniel Grandy and gives the details on Xyntek, the Bucks County engineering firm creating and donating personal protective equipment to healthcare workers. Next, the trio talks with Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon of the husband-and-wife music duo Kindred the Family Soul about the challenges of being at home full time with six children, the importance of celebrating Juneteenth and their upcoming album

Charlie Mack, Maori Karmael Holmes & Andre Darlington

In another episode that finds our hosts heeding Mayor Kenney’s advice to stay at home and keep each other safe, Laiya, Rachel and Justin talk to Charlie Mack about his unofficial roles as Philadelphia’s Big Brother and star-maker (Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bryshere Gray). Next, they have a conversation with Aunyea Lachelle, host of NBC10’s Philly Live, about the importance of fostering pets during this time – before providing an update on her postponed wedding plans. 

The episode wraps with tips for staying entertained while at home. First, you’ll need a pen and paper to write down TV and movie streaming recommendations from Maori Karmael Holmes, founder of the BlackStar Film Festival. Then, master mixologist Andre Darlington shares the secret to a perfect cocktail (a breakfast martini?) and suggests the best cocktail-and-music pairings.

TuRae Gordon & Jose Garces

In this special episode of Love + Grit, designed to help all of us get through COVID-19, we embrace the importance of laughter, as we listen to our guests tell us about how they’re navigating through these uncertain times. First, Temple University and Cardinal Dougherty High School alum and Philadelphia comic TuRae Gordon talks to Rachel, Laiya and Justin about writing new material and really getting to really know his wife during this extended stay at home. Then, Aunyea Lachelle, host of NBC’s Philly Live, joins the podcast to talk about more good news: the ‘hunger heroes’ of the Share Food program and Save Philly Eats. Finally, Iron Chef and James Beard Award winner Jose Garces drops in from his kitchen - in the midst of living his best #DadLife - to discuss how he’s keeping his family busy, the current state of the restaurant business and what he’s cooking at home.

Jennifer Carroll & The Caring People Alliance

On this week’s episode of Love + Grit, our hosts begin to emphasize the people of Greater Philadelphia and their stories of positivity, ingenuity and compassion in response to the impact of COVID-19 on our region. First, Jennifer Carroll, Top Chef finalist, Philadelphia native and Spice Finch executive chef, joins the hosts to share easy make-at-home recipes, talk about how to best support restaurant employees (Spice Finch Relief Fund; Save Philly Restaurants petition) and show off her bunnies: Turkey, Pickle and Lil’ Joanie. Then, Aunyea Lachelle, host of valued VISIT PHILADELPHIA broadcast partner NBC10’s ‘Philly Live’, joins in for a new weekly segment that highlights the region’s many acts of kindness and hope. This week, her focus is on “Handwash,” a song from a group of young men from the Caring People Alliance after-school program at R.W. Brown Community Center.

DJ Aktive & Ursula Augustine

Note: Love + Grit is here to inform and bring the fun, but we want you to know that this episode was recorded before COVID-19. Going forward, we’ll focus on sharing stories of the region’s vibrancy and the fun we’ll have when Philly is Philly again. As always, we stand with you, and thank you for standing with us. P.S.: Wash your hands! There is light at the end of the tunnel! - LSC, RF & JP

This week on Love + Grit, Laiya St. Clair, Rachel Ferguson and Justin Pizzi meet West Philadelphia-born DJ Aktive to discuss his work with Janet Jackson, Kanye West and The Roots. Then, Ursula Augustine, cosmetology expert and founder of Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Studio, shows Rachel and Laiya how to create the perfect brow – using a familiar test subject. The episode ends at The Notary Hotel, as our hosts dive deep into why Justin loves their cocktail menu and authentic Spanish tapas.