Love + Grit

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Love + Grit Episode 9 May 12, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 8 May 05, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 7 Apr 28, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 6 Apr 21, 2020

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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

Love + Grit Episode 5 Apr 14, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 4 Apr 07, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 3 Mar 31, 2020

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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.

Love + Grit Episode 2 Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

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.

Love + Grit Episode 1 Feb 25, 2020

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In the first episode of Love + Grit,learn why hosts Laiya St. Clair, Rachel Ferguson and Justin Pizzi love Philadelphia as much as they do (and why you should too) before they chat with three women making an impact on the city.

First, they talk to Rashia Bell (The Cristalline), West Philadelphia native and crystal designer for the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, about the healing power of crystals and how special it was for her to return to her hometown. Next, they stop at The Colored Girls Museum to hear from founder Vashti DuBois about Sunday hair sessions, the museum’s unexpected superhero exhibits and the lives and accomplishments of the everyday African-American women featured here. Then, Patrice Banks, founder of Girls Auto Clinic (GAC), gives a quick lesson in car repair with her all-female team of auto mechanics.

Love + Grit Podcast Teaser Trailer Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Love + Grit: two words often associated with Philadelphia, the City of Sisterly Love. Impossible to define, Philadelphia has long been regarded as an underdog city. That is no longer the case.

This uniquely Philadelphia podcast uses the authentic and diverse stories of the city to inspire all people — visitors and locals alike — to visit (or re-visit) the region. It gives listeners an insider’s look at the Philadelphians people should know, the foods they should try and the attractions they should explore — many of which are under-the-radar and unexpected. Love + Grit is hosted by Laiya St. Clair, Rachel Ferguson and Justin Pizzi.

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