Eating While Broke

On this episode of  Eating While Broke, host Coline Witt sits down with radio personality, senior producer, and podcaster Loren LoRosa to talk about her new podcast Love Lately (with co-host Dr. Contessa) a show centered on love, relationships, dating, and sexual health, and making conversations with doctors feel more normal. Loren opens up about strict vs. open upbringings around sex and relationships, then shares her broke-day staple Wendy’s 4 for 4 while juggling multiple jobs in  Los Angeles to afford rent, including relying on tips from the TMZ tour bus. She traces her path from Delaware State University to internships in New York City, moving to LA, working as a Delta flight attendant, breaking into TMZ through persistence, and ultimately joining The Breakfast Club through networking, pitching, and showing up consistently. We also get into covering the Diddy trial, developing her voice as an on-air personality, securing a Black Effect Podcast Network deal for The Latest with Loren LoRosa, and recording a live Love Lately episode with Ciara ahead of its Oct. 6 launch. If you’re into podcast interviews, celebrity news, media careers, radio industry stories and real conversations about relationships and mental health, this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Eating While Broke, host Coline Witt sits down with entrepreneur Zakiya Elick, Founder & CEO of The Cookie Dip Company, to talk food, money, mindset, and building a premium brand from a simple idea. We taste-test Zakiya’s refrigerated, all-organic cookie dip flavors—think banana cream, piña colada, and milk chocolate horchata plus we talk about the growing demand for cannabis-infused options and what it takes to scale a product line responsibly. Then Zakiya makes her ultimate comfort meal: “cush-cush” (corn porridge) a humble cornmeal dish made with water, milk, butter, and sugar. While the pot simmers, she shares the real story behind her rise: - How a childhood craving for the “cream part” of ambrosia inspired cookie dip  - The moment people at the Playboy Jazz Festival asked to *buy* her dip (and sparked the business)  - How a financial coach helped her identify an affluent target customer and price with confidence  - What she learned from pop-ups, selling out, and building consistent online sales  - Her Sip and Dip wine + cookie dip pairing event (November 8 in Gardena)  - Why she launched Dipping Into Change, a nonprofit supporting neurodivergent learners with financial literacy and entrepreneurship If you’re into small business, food entrepreneurship, product-based brands, pricing strategy, and how to turn a comfort-meal story into a scalable company, this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Coline Witt sits down with psychotherapist, author, and podcaster Elliot Connie (@elliottspeaks) one of the leading voices in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for a real conversation about  healing, boundaries, anxiety, depression, and purpose. Over a broke meal of spaghetti and meat sauce, Elliot shares how a cheap, filling dish he learned to cook as a teen became more than food—it became a form of survival, routine, and control during a turbulent childhood. He opens up about growing up with depression and anxiety, navigating an abusive and inconsistent father, and being supported by a mother who gave him responsibility and space to cook. Elliot also breaks down:- How he learned to set firm boundaries (including “forgiveness without access”)  - The professor who helped him find direction and pursue graduate school  - How he built a successful private practice and pushed brief therapy despite resistance  - Why he wrote six books to teach practical therapy skills (including Change Your Questions, Change Your Future)  - His media journey, including projects connected to Tiffany Haddish and Black Effect, after connecting with Charlamagne Tha God If you’re trying to heal, protect your peace, or build a life with intention—this episode will meet you where you are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coline Witt welcomes entrepreneur Malik Muhammad, owner of Malik Books, for a powerful conversation about building a Black-owned bookstore rooted in culture, community, and “knowledge of self.” Malik shares his broke meal: poor man’s potato salad (potatoes, mayonnaise, celery seed, salt, and pepper) with turkey hot dogs, then takes us through his journey from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, running track at USC, competing in the 1984 Olympics, and ultimately launching a Black-curated bookstore in 1990. He breaks down the real lessons behind entrepreneurship—learning business through mistakes, investing equity and losing a home, growing sales through festivals and community events, and expanding Malik Books to key locations including Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall and Westfield Culver City during the pandemic. Malik also highlights the community support behind malikbooks.com, the National Association of Black Book Stores, and his vision for a bookmobile for schools. Plus: Malik’s recommended reads include Powernomics, Who Moved My Cheese?, and Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice. If you care about Black entrepreneurship, independent bookstores, Black literature, LA small business, and building a legacy this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coline Witt welcomes entrepreneur and celebrity stylist 'Fiskani', who reflects on being “broke and elegant,” moving to Atlanta for school, 'dropping out', and getting 'cut off by her parents'. After discovering styling on a music video set, she pushed through low-paying jobs and learned how to hustle—traveling to the 'MAGIC' trade show in Las Vegas with just '$50', modeling furs, and eventually being trusted with '$250,000' worth of inventory to sell in Atlanta. A major breakthrough came when 'Keith Sweat' bought furs and connected her to key contacts, which helped open the door to 'Akon' hiring her as his stylist and rapidly expanding her client list.  She also shares hard-earned advice for entrepreneurs: protect your vision, keep tunnel focus, and don’t let distractions pull you off your path.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.