Jaime's Local Love Podcast

A lawyer with a love of art created a shop 17 years ago to support local artists. When Jane Reddin passed away from cancer, she left the store to an employee who she knew would love it as much as she did. Since then, former news photojournalist Lisa Olson, has poured her heart in making Practical Art a cornerstone for art in our community. If you're looking for wall art, prints, t-shirts, bowls, or a baby gift, Practical Art at Central and Camelback has it all. Lisa absolutely loves community and takes her artists’ treasures to sell at Uptown Farmers Market on Saturdays. When you see her, call her the crazy mug lady, and she'll love it. You must listen to the podcast to find out why! https://practical-art.com/

The WM Phoenix Open is this week and Spring Training is close behind. We talk to two pros when it comes to Arizona events: our own Scott Pasmore and Ian Schwartz. They tell some wild stories from covering the events and give some recommendations on restaurants to try while out and about with your friends.  

From fresh off the fishing boat in San Diego to grilled on your plate in Arizona, we meet the couple behind Chula Seafood. Arizona native Jon Heflin’s family’s been in the fishing industry in San Diego for decades. His wife Mandy (who he met while at ASU) is from the Pacific Northwest and was craving fresh seafood here in the desert. They started by distributing to our Valley restaurants then created their own Chula Seafood restaurant locations in South Scottsdale, Uptown Phoenix, and Greyhawk in North Scottsdale. https://chulaseafood.com/

We meet the inspiring Chrissy May. The serial entrepreneur, author and wellness advocate hosts Aligned and Alive podcast and holds Sacred Experiences retreats. She offers one-on-one coaching on creating breakthroughs and lasting transformations. May tells us about the power of resilience, the importance of self-love, and why we should get comfortable saying "no." 

Scott Keppel of Scott's Training Systems is celebrating 20 years of guiding healthy transformations in people's lives. The personal trainer and nutrition coach aims to simplify your approach to food and exercise. Scott's trusted reputation in the Valley has earned him the ability to train many Arizona pageant girls and women as they prepare for their competitions. Hear how it was a twist of fate and his own kindness that won him that role. Plus, he helps us make some new food and exercise goals for ourselves and tells us how to prepare mentally so we can stick to our plan and get back on track when we don't.

Mixela is a small plates and wine restaurant in Phoenix with an international flair. The chef, Gian Franco, is from Venezuela and his wife Valentina is from Mexico. We learn how the two met in Monaco years ago. Now the couple's created a neighborhood bar and restaurant for people to come and hang and share small bites. On the menu, you’ll find sushi, meatballs, empanadas, cheeseboards, and much more. Hear how the Gian Franco and Valentina have navigated the ever changing restaurant business, from food trucks, to pasta making, to fresh fish flown in from Japan.   

Chef Stephen Jones of The Larder & the Delta is moving Southern cuisine into the fine dining space in a multi-course fancy and fun culinary experience. Jones has been a prominent name in the Phoenix food scene for more than a decade, creating friendships and mentoring young chefs but he almost left Arizona after his first summer here. Learn how a meeting with Chef Mark Tarbell of Tarbell's changed his future and how you can attend his multi-course dinner, brunch, family style dinners, or hang in the bar for drinks and snacks. 

A former bank president decided to change her career by filling a void. Susie Timm says she saw a hole in the industry for food and beverage experts who do PR and marketing in Phoenix and nationwide. She took what she knew about helping small businesses with finances from the bank and combined it with her husband Eric's M.B.A. in marketing and created Knife and Fork Media Group. They represent local businesses like Macayo's, LDV Winery, the City of Scottsdale and events like Scottsdazzle. Susie says she's learned how to close a sale, handle last minute media requests and she calls business ownership a daily adventure that's not for the feint of heart.

A Valley couple always loved visiting Verde Valley. On one such trip, they had a hankering for a margarita to enjoy with the view.  That craving changed their lives and would made a big economic impact on Arizona small towns.  Thirty years later, Michelle and Eric Jurisin of the Haunted Group own 9 concepts from restaurants to hotels in Jerome and Cottonwood including: The Clinkscale, The Tavern Hotel, The Haunted Hamburger, The Haunted Pizano, Nic’s Italian Steak & Crab House, Pizzeria Bocce, STRADA @ Bocce, Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar, and The Tavern Grille.  Learn how the Jurisins first met, how they created their business on real estate and what they plan to do next.  

We meet Wendell Crow of Crow's Dairy.  Wendell grew up in Buckeye in the dairy farming industry. He raises goats and makes cheese to sell to big name chefs and clients all over Arizona. He delivers the cheese himself. Wendell says the key to success is to keep his goats happy. The animals are his life. If you're a cheese lover, you must try the Crow's Dairy chevre: It is so good! You can find it at places like Shea Cheese and Arcadia Meat Market. Instagram: @crowsdairy 

Kimberly Pak has a heart for the local maker. She throws some of the biggest markets in the Valley, bringing together hundreds of makers in one location for a celebration of everything local. She opened a storefront to provide a fulltime space for her makers to sell, then she opened another, and another. Now with two Scottsdale locations and one Phoenix location, Kimberly says she’s learning to trust her gut as a business owner. She also shares with us a very personal struggle and how she says her faith showed her the way out. www.themerchantileofscottsdale.com/

A former truck driver and a singer find romance online and go into business together. We talk to the owners of Old School Grub Cafe in Mesa. Frank and Carlotta Perla give you a taste of nostalgia with a restaurant filled with vintage toys and comic memorabilia, all with a huge menu of comfort food like meatloaf and homemade pie. When you visit Frank and Carlotta, they want you to feel like family. Old School Grub is kicking off a brunch and a dinner buffet so you can get a taste of everything. They offer daily specials and Carlotta, the singer, leads you through karaoke sessions on the weekends.

The Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival and Scottsdale Fashion Week are two really big events that bring big names to the Valley. In this episode, we meet the local couple doing the legwork behind the scenes. Steve and Jamie Levine own Steve Levine Entertainment and Public Relations. Steve, a former DJ, and Jamie, a master of PR, combined their passions to create events that enrich the lives of Arizona families. Hear how they make marriage work in the workplace, how they survived COVID when live entertainment stopped, and how Steve and Jamie met years ago when Steve was spinning records and Jamie was a cheerleader for the Arizona Rattlers.

If you love coffee and country music, you're going to love this episode. We talk to Aaron Lopo, the owner of Dapper and Stout Coffee and Horse and Hyde Barroom. The coffee shops came first, some eight years ago. Then a little over a year ago, Aaron opened Horse and Hyde which quickly became popular because of daily live country music. His parents owned food trucks when he was growing up, and Aaron wanted no part of the food and beverage business. He thought he'd become a neonatal ER surgeon! Now, Aaron has two brands and four locations: Two Dapper and Stouts—one in Glendale and one in downtown Phoenix—a Horse and Hyde in Arcadia, and a brand new Horse and Hyde at Uptown Plaza in Phoenix. Hear how he gets it all done. Plus, if you sing, how you could get on stage.

Luke Irvin and Eric Walters of “A Taste of AZ” love telling stories about the Arizona restauranteur, chef, bar owner, and mixologist. They travel the state to tell their stories in print, in podcasts, and at festivals, where food lovers can connect in person. The work is something Eric felt was a long time coming as he'd searched for a career that just “felt good” and celebrated others. Luke, too, wanted to help others excel and came to the table well prepared to shoot, edit, and write. Hear about their new book, how to get the magazine, and the festival—with big name chefs—you’ll want to attend.

We meet the designer behind Lucky Star Jewels. Dawn Baiden created her jewelry line to be light and easy to wear, yet made with love that could go from day to night. You’ll find her beautiful necklaces, rings, bracelets and more in spa boutiques around the valley and the nation. She tells us about where she finds inspiration for her designs, the serendipitous way her business began and the way she has to protect her brand. Hear more about how dawn’s found success for two decades and counting. https://shopluckystar.com/