Philly Who?

Latest Episodes:

[2019] Sarah Schwab: The Story of GRITTY! May 11, 2021

Show notes

At the time of this interview, Sarah Schwab was the Senior Director of Marketing for the Philadelphia Flyers. As the Director of Marketing, Sarah oversaw the team’s branding, promotional, and media initiatives. A few years ago, her team was tasked with a huge undertaking: creating a mascot for the Flyers.

Much to her and the team's surprise, Gritty would become an overnight internet phenomenon, generating billions of online impressions, and appearing on Good Morning America, Conan O'Brian, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Currently, Sarah is transitioning into a new role as Director of Communications for Insomnia Cookies. Before working for the Flyers, she worked in PR and Marketing for UPenn and the National Constitution Center. Sarah got her Bachelor's degree in Strategic and Organizational Communications from Temple University.

This episode was recorded live at the PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference, hosted by the Public Relations Society of America.

This Episode is supported by Crossbeam.

Crossbeam is hiring! Check out their available positions here.

[2019] Mike Solomonov & Steve Cook: The Chefs Behind Zahav, Federal Donuts, Abe Fisher, Goldie, and Dizengoff May 04, 2021

Show notes

Philly Who? launched three years ago this week in May of 2018. Today we are celebrating by republishing our one-year anniversary live episode with Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook.

The pair are the chefs behind Cooknsolo, a collection of restaurants including Zahav, Federal Donuts, Dizengoff, Goldie, and Abe Fisher.

At the time of this interview, Cook and Solo had together accrued 4 James Beard Awards for their restaurants and cookbooks. Just 5 days later, they took home their 5th, as Zahav won the award for Best Restaurant in the country.

In this episode, you’ll hear how these two restauranteurs came together to bring Israeli cuisine to Philadelphia. In doing so, they transformed the Philly food scene.

But, it wasn’t always sunshine and hummus. As you’ll hear, when Zahav first opened, it struggled mightily, and was in danger of failing thanks to the 2008 financial crash, an intimidating menu, and the revelation to Steve that Mike was struggling with addiction.

Hear the story of how Cook and Solo overcame these challenges, and in the 10 years since have built a restaurant empire!

Thanks to all who attended the live show - we raised $900 for Broad Street Ministry!

This Episode is supported by Crossbeam.

Crossbeam is hiring! Check out their available positions here.

Philly Who? is returning! What Philly stories do you want to hear? Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

Philly Who? is returning next week! We're taking nominations now for incredible Philadelphians who deserve to have their story told.

Let us know who you want to hear from here, via the nomination form.

Kevin Negandhi: The First Indian-American to Anchor ESPN's Sportscenter Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

Kevin Neghandi was watching a basketball game on TV when he was 15 years old. The announcers mentioned that one of the players was studying broadcasting, and that would one day be the player's career. Kevin's mind was blown. "You can do that? You can get paid for that?"

That night, as he went to bed in his home of Pheonixville PA, he made a vow: He would became the first ever Indian-American to anchor the legendary ESPN sports newscast, Sportscenter.

One day years later, in the summer of 2006, after years of grind and burnout, he got a call.

"We need an anchor for the 1am Sportscenter tonight."

Carlos Aponte: The History Teacher Reinventing Philly Schooling May 21, 2020

Show notes

Carlos Aponte is a history teacher at One Bright Ray Community High School and the creator of We Love Philly.

We Love Philly is an Out-of-school time program that provides an ownership based education through community service projects. Students volunteer for local organizations, interview the leaders of those organizations on their podcast, and learn how to edit and produce that podcast.

Carlos' journey to becoming an expert in helping Philly kids learn to love Philly was turbulent, as he moved around a lot and was on ADHD medication since the age of four. His own personal awakening came just three years ago, and in the time since he has already impacted hundreds of Philly youth.