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I am Consciously Curious is a Chicago based podcast that dissects passionate individuals in various industries. The goal is to share their stories to inspire you to cultivate meaning within your own space. If you are interested in coming on or know someone that would be great for the podcast, please message us on fb/ig: @iamconsciouslycurious
170 Episodes
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Our next guest provides a down to earth approach to wine education and she’s coming out with a book on how to read a wine label. She has channeled her love of hospitality as a nurse and a sommelier at a 1 Star Michelin restaurant. We reflect on her non linear journey through healthcare and hospitality with themes of pragmatism, authenticity, and finding balance. Please enjoy my conversation with Marie Cheslik of Slik Wines. Preorder her book on her website at slikwines.com https://slikwines.c...
Our next guest is a designer and multidisciplinary artist. She’s worked with brands like Good Things Vending [Shoutout Steph Krim], The Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Fire, The Chicago Marathon, and most recently Babe’s Sports Bar. We reflect on how she has found herself at the intersection of multiple interests and how she has found joy in soccer again. She leads a well-balanced, thoughtful life and strives to be present at the task at hand. Please enjoy my conversation with Alyssa Low. ...
Our next guest is passionate on all things animals. She is an ER Vet Nurse as well as the author for her blog, Faraway Kitchen, where she shares vegan recipes from around the world. She was recently a contestant on Season 15 of MasterChef. We dive into her adventurous beginnings where she leaves no stone unturned in her travels across the country as well as to Southeast Asia. We reflect on what it was like to manifest and finally fulfill her dream of cooking vegan food for Gordon Ramsay along...
Our next guest is riding the high of Eeeeeatscon this last weekend. He’s been consistently selling out of his weekly preorders despite increasing available quantities. The bagels have a nice “knock knock” crust to them and upon ripping them apart, were dense enough to dip through schmear but not excessively chewy. The everything bagel hit all the right notes. We go into how it all started only a year and a half ago, how he’s maintaining a high quality bagel as he scales the operation, and his...
Our next guest is the Chef and Founder of Về lại which is currently a Vietnamese and Lao pop-up filled with themes of nostalgia and homestyle cooking. Coming from hard-working blue collar immigrants, Alvis had a strong work ethic, and despite falling in love with food and cooking at an early age, he didn’t immediately venture into the culinary arts. Microbiology, food science, and time spent at the soon to be closed Heritage Restaurant became formative stops along the way to forming Về lại. P...
Our next guest is the co-owner and Chef behind Boonie’s. Joe reflects on his Filipino-American upbringing, finding the culinary path, and eventually leaning into the Filipino culinary world. We chat about working on yourself, following your intuition, and making time to just live. If you haven’t been to Boonie’s, put it on your list. Joe’s partner, Joyce, sets a wonderful vibe that reminds you of Lola’s home and the sizzling sisig amongst other menu items will have you drooling. Please enjoy ...
Our next guest is one half of Tilly Bagel Shop in the South Loop and now in the West Loop. Hannah comes on to share how the bagel shop came to be. From a love of blueberry bagels her dad would bring on Sundays to staying busy during the pandemic by sharing bagels with friends and family. What started as a passion project at farmer’s markets has now emerged as a go-to for many Chicagoans. Her culinary lineage spans the Grand Cypress Hyatt hotel in Orlando to the Girl and the Goat, Boka, and Ma...
![162. Maintaining the Lost Art of Hand Painted Signs ft. Ches Perry [Right Way Signs]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ta2unhkztsh86eej7rez7i4xg83f?.jpg "162. Maintaining the Lost Art of Hand Painted Signs ft. Ches Perry [Right Way Signs]")
Our next guest has been hand painting signs since 1970. I can’t help but think about him every time I drive west on the Kennedy expressway and peer over to the roof of the Salt Shed. He did that! Join us as we reflect on how he took a leap of faith on art school and immigrated to Chicago from Newfoundland, Canada. A lot of us are striving for peace from mind and he reminds us that it’s simpler than we think. Please enjoy my conversation with Ches Perry. https://www.rightwaysigns.com/ ht...
Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Partner of Perilla Fare and Steakhouse. Andy opens up about not being Korean enough or American enough and how he ultimately found his voice as a person and as a Chef. He was initially tapped as a consultant for the space that is now known as Perilla Fare. That relationship evolved into becoming the Executive Chef and Partner. Recognizing the importance of complementary strengths, Andy brought on Thomas Oh as Partner and General Manager to handle the F...
Our next guest is the Executive Chef and Owner of Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern and Packaged Goods, as well as Migos Fine Foods. He has successfully embedded southern comfort food into Chicago. We reflect on his journey from New Orleans to Miami and eventually landing in Chicago. We discuss the current state of the hospitality industry in Chicago as well as his long term goals that expand beyond being a chef. Brian is down to earth and generous. Please enjoy my conversation with Brian Jupiter.&nbs...
Our next guest traded eleven years at three Michelin-starred Alinea for something money can't buy: balance, agency, and intimacy. Simon Davies discovered this new path immediately after leaving Chicago's temple of molecular gastronomy as Executive Chef in January 2020, when he traveled to Jaipur, India for a project with Champagne house Krug. What started as a consulting venture, Ilixr Creative evolved into an exclusive private dining experience driven by organic demand from clients seeking s...
Our next guest is the Beverage Director at Esmé. He’s inquisitive, playful, and balanced. We reflect on his journey through hospitality from the earlier days at Burger King and Starbucks to earning his stripes at the now closed Claudia and eventually Esmé. In addition to directing the wine, cocktail, and nonalcoholic programs, he hosts a show called Balanced Hospitality and has managed to curate live recordings and host happy hours through it. Please enjoy my conversation with Stevan Miller. ...
Our next guests are the partners of Motorshucker. A mobile oyster bar that currently pops up at places like Queen Mary Tavern, Easy Does It, and Bisous. You’ve seen photos and maybe even tried some of their seafood towers, crab rolls, or motormix fried peanuts. We reflect on their individual journeys and how they all came together. The trio perfectly complements each other while sharing the same passion and mission for access to high quality experiences for things like oysters. Please enjoy m...
Our next guest is intuitive and ambitious. He hosts a modern Korean supper club experience called Haru Haru which means “day by day." The intimate nature of pop ups and private dinners allow him to hold space and tell stories that complement his food. We reflect on the support he’s received from his family and instructors in high school and Kendall College. Despite being a young leader, his curiosity and humility encourages his team to place trust in his vision. Please enjoy my conversation w...
Our next guest is introspective and level-headed. He’s had an interest in men’s fashion and styling from an early age. He was on a successful path in collegiate basketball, but an ACL tear led him to reevaluate other interests. These days, he creates content to share his style and the lessons he’s learned. This community he’s built has led to personal styling consultations, brand deals, and collaborations on unique pieces. Please enjoy my conversation with Jabari Sandifer. https://www.tikto...
![154. Living Your Truth and Radical Traceability ft. Annie Xiang [Volition Tea]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/9ctcm9gyu3yzca8uqiryd38tz51p?.jpg "154. Living Your Truth and Radical Traceability ft. Annie Xiang [Volition Tea]")
Our next guest is tenacious and thoughtful. She’s a mother of two boys and the Founder/Owner of Volition Tea. A specialty tea company that highlights single origin organic teas primarily from China. She’s double downed on the importance of traceability so the consumer can appreciate exactly where and when the tea they’re consuming was harvested. She yearned for peace at an early age as she entered boarding school and she’s maintained that balance as she navigates entrepreneurship, sustainabil...
![153. From Flunking 6th Grade to Cultivating a Thriving Coffee Community ft. Raoul Adwan [Thrd. Coffee Co.]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/n0fg5jlcr0npbbq4jsg6eqlzksnd?.jpg "153. From Flunking 6th Grade to Cultivating a Thriving Coffee Community ft. Raoul Adwan [Thrd. Coffee Co.]")
Our next guest is gentle, thoughtful, and courageous. He’s the owner of Thrd. Coffee Co. which is a coffee concierge service as well as a cafe in Bucktown. Despite a rough upbringing with school and family, he had a wake up call in his second attempt at 6th grade and eventually a coming of age in Bolivia after reconnecting with family and stumbling into the world of coffee. Upon returning to Holland, MI he started as a barista at Ferris Coffee and Nut Co. He honed his barista skills with Big ...
Our next guest is insatiably curious, hyper-focused, and charismatic. I got the sense that he’s always all in on the task at hand. That being said, he’s balancing a family, a full-time job as Chief Innovation Officer/Senior Partner at Cultivate, and slowly growing a Chicago-based brewery with Indian heritage. The first half of the episode was a reflection on his coming of age and how we can affect culture. The second half was a reflection on what beer means to us and how Azadi Brewing got the...
Our next guest is Katie Chung. A visual artist based in Chicago. I was introduced to her work through her mural for Good Things Vending with Steph Krim! I then found out she's created pieces for Facebook, Google, Adobe, 360 Chicago at the Hancock, and even a traditional Hanbok from handwritten garment tags from her mom's laundromat [amongst many other cool textile pieces]. We explore generational trauma, what healing could look like, and her Korean-American experience. She recently completed ...
Our next guest is the Executive Chef of the new modern french restaurant Gavroche. He fell in love with cooking at an early age mainly from a functional aspect. He's an alum of Kendall College and has gained experience in kitchens like Alinea, Roister, Boka, Sixteen, and North Pond. He really found his footing when he started a private dining experience with his wife called Mirepoix Gangsters. This is an episode on exploring your identity and becoming a professional at your craft. Please enjo...
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