Hey guys, welcome back to the show! Today is a very special episode with my friend, Angel Hepp. As Mother’s Day is around the corner, it seems fitting to have Angel on the show, an extraordinary woman and mother who I worked with years ago at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. Almost 10 years ago, it was my first role in the Events Industry as the Event Concierge. She was at the time, the Catering Sales Manager, which is the very same position I have today. 

In the first half of the conversation, we talk about her wide ranging career in the events industry, hearing how planned her own birthday parties as a young girl, to being a part of the team that plans The Superbowl. She learned that sometimes in order to get your foot in the door with a company or with a project, you have to sometimes take a step back, which is exactly what she has done time and time again. 

As it goes, she was a part of mothers groups at her church, and it was then that she realized how all of us mothers are going through our own struggles and yet, from the outside, it seemed like everyone had it together. She wanted to create a safe space for moms to gather together in an authentic way so they can be the mom they are without the pressure to be the mom they 'should' be.” And so, in 2019, she created The Sister Joist, an online community to serve as an authentic, judge-free community for moms to feel less alone. The truth is - we're all going through hard things at any given point, we just need a safe space to share those struggles so we can be seen, heard, and encouraged. And that's where The Sister Joist started.  

Connect with Angel and join The Sister Joist community @TheSisterJoist on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Download the Mighty Networks app to enjoy distraction free content (listen to the show for more details on this!) 

Wishing all my fellow mamas out there, a happy happy Mother’s Day. Please enjoy this episode with my friend, Angel Hepp.

Connect on: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSisterJoist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheSisterJoist

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheSisterJoist

Alright alright, pull it together, this is going to be a serious episode. We’re taking a look into a rather taboo subject today, and peeking behind the curtain to see what its all about. I’m talking of course, about cannabis. 

You know - marijuana, weed, pot, grass… you know what I’m talking about. And for some reason, its always been a topic that you just don’t bring up in everyday conversation with coworkers, family members, or new friends. If you want to know if someone smokes pot, you don’t just out right ask them. You have to dance around the subject until you can kind of gague whether or not they’re into it. 

But it doesn’t have to be like that. For many parts of the country where its legal, this is just any other industry, any other job, just normal every day people working at a 9-5.

According to my friends over at Wikipedia.... As of 2021, 17 states have legalized recreational use of cannabis, and 36 states have legalized medical use of cannabis. (We’re including Washington DC in these numbers too)

And that brings me to my guest on the show today, my friend Brett Frizzell. Brett and I met through his wife when her and I worked together at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. 

Brett is a Sales Executive for Dabs Labs and Goldrush Colorado.  He sells his cannabis products to dispensaries, who then sell it to consumers like you and me. Brett is knee deep in the industry and as he puts it, it runs in his blood. No really - his mom and dad met when his mom was buying weed from his dad in the 80s. He is well versed on the topic, and has spoken at major conferences on the subject. In this episode, we hear how cannabis has played a role in his life and how he’s become an advocate for full plant, free market. 

You can find Brett on Instagram @frizz303 and check out what his company is working on - @dabslabscolorado and @goldrushcolorado. 

This is a really interesting conversation and I find it just super fascinating the history and politics that surround this plant. I hope you learn something and realize that there are 2 sides to every story. With that, please enjoy this conversation with my friend Brett Frizzell. 

(stats above found @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_the_United_States)

The first doctor on the show, oh my! One of my childhood friends makes an appearance for our 20 year middle school reunion. And how very perfect for this to be episode 20. Its like I planned it! ;-)

On today’s episode of the Ketchup Thyme Podcast, Dr. Andrew Ramjit and I have a legit “ketch-up thyme” - get it? :) We haven’t spoken in exactly 20 years - since 8th grade at Westpine Middle, and yet, we have somehow stayed in touch over all these years through Facebook and mutual friends.

In any case, getting to sit down and chat with an old friend was good fun. I have the sweetest memories of us in school, and I remember him being a genuinely nice guy. He hasn’t changed a bit, and is now a total family man. He has a beautiful wife and 3 children, and a career that keeps on growing. I’d say he has done pretty well for himself. We chat about his career in education, and how it's been impacted over the last year or so -- between his quarantine time at home with his 3 kids, to going back to in-person schooling… it's been an interesting ride for sure. 

Andrew is the Assistant Director of Student Activities in Brevard County, and what continuously shines through in our conversation is his love of education. He has his Doctorate in Education, and continues to pursue other degrees to help further his career. He is currently back in school to get his Masters in Sports Administration, all while continuing to take his job to the next level, and I can tell after speaking with him, that the sky is the limit. 

These days, you can find Andrew playing with his 3 children, on a football field, or in the classroom shaping young minds. You can also connect on LinkedIn at Dr. Andrew Ramjit, or by email at andrewramjit@gmail.com.

So, please enjoy this ketchup thyme episode with my friend, Dr. Andrew Ramjit. 

Connect with Dr. Andrew Ramjit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewramjit/

Email: andrewramjit@gmail.com

Episode 019: Dave Turner lives for travel and can’t wait to get back to exploring the world. He takes us along for the ride and we hear how his hobbies of videography and hiking with his dog Kobe turned into a series of children's books, as well as a YouTube and Instagram channel that feature all of their adventures.

You can find Dave on Instagram:

@KobieDogUSA

@DogDadDave   

DogDadDave YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSTvf-Q-63rfGqIaco5hKg

Personal YouTube (travel montages): 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgI6tlrsRUwC0mNQAYUav5w

Purchase Kobie Dog USA Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Turner/e/B086V5N34P?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1617408292&sr=8-2

Amazon Self-Publishing:

https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/

On today’s show we’re hanging with Dave Turner who is a good friend from my Ritz-Carlton, Denver days. I have just about the best memories of working there, and a lot of that was because of the amazing people I worked with. You’ve already met Danny Diaz and Dawaun Butterfield who were on the show earlier this year, and they’re pretty awesome too. But today, we’re catching up with Dave to hear all about his year and how COVID affected his job in the event industry. 

Dave is the Director of Event Technology at one of the biggest AV companies in the world. His career has taken him across the country working at some of the biggest convention hotels in Las Vegas, Denver, and California. He currently works at a luxury resort in Scottsdale Arizona, where he has been working throughout this entire pandemic. He shares how it’s been working as the only full time employee in the AV department, and how they have had to consistently make adjustments to their operation. He explains how they started doing more community driven COVID-safe events, like when they repurposed their huge blow up screen from movie nights at the pool. They basically turned their parking lot into a drive-in movie theatre for the community - how awesome is that!! He even figured out how to use a FM transmitter to broadcast the movie’s audio over the radio waves so people could listen in their own cars… Talk about pivoting and adjusting your business to fit the current needs. Amazing. 

Dave is also very creatively talented and started his own Youtube and instagram channels that feature him and his dog Kobie as they take on adventures and hikes all over the country. He even published his own children’s books featuring Kobie in a series called “Kobie Dog USA”. Right now, he’s got 3 out - Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, with Rhode Island coming out next… so what, only 46 more to go? He’s got this! 

Also, just a heads up - if you hear some funky audio and internet connectivity issues, you need not worry - that was on our end, not on yours. No need to adjust your speakers :) It is actually kind of hysterical to me, now in retrospect, that we’d be having these issues when talking to a mega techie AV guy. Why didn’t we do a check check, mic check 1 2, 1 2 3?!?? That would have saved us a lot of hassle.

But don’t let that stop you from listening to the whole thing. This guy is super witty and kept me laughing through the whole conversation. 

You can find Dave and Kobie’s adventures on Instagram @KobieDogUSA and 

@DogDadDave, as well as his YouTube channels which I’ll link in the show notes. I’ll also share the Amazon link for Dave’s children’s stories if you were interested in purchasing a book. 

So - other than dealing with a few technical difficulties, please enjoy this fun conversation with my friend, Dave Turner.

On today’s show, we’re hanging out with a very special guest, my aunt Rona. We talk about the importance of family, and the 3 B’s - that is, Babies, Bubbie’s, and Baking, among many other things. This episode is even more extra special because it’s #18, which in Judaism is a lucky number. 

Even more special, is that I’m recording this on the Monday after Passover 2021. It is the second year in a row that my mom’s side of the family hasn’t gotten together for the biggest holiday of our year, Passover. Most families consider Christmas or Thanksgiving as the biggest celebration of the year. But in our family, there’s no doubt, its Passover hands down.

It’s like the funnest weekend ever, just a big family reunion. We cook, we drink lots of sangria, play card games, eat, watch the kids play, drink, eat some more…. did I mention we like to cook and eat? 

Last year, our plans for Passover were cancelled because of the COVID19 pandemic, and this year, in 2021, our plans were cancelled before they were even made. But next year, in the land of Jerusalem, as it is said. Until then, this conversation will have to do. 

So… about Rona. She has a true love in life for food, family, and all things delicious. When we were little kids, I remember being told that she was dropped in a bucket of oil because everything just slides right off her. Now, mind you, in my little kid mind, I literally thought for years, why did they have a bucket of oil in the delivery room?? Like seriously?…. But I digress…

She is someone I’ve looked up to and admired for as long as I can remember. Through all of life’s challenges, she keeps going, keeps living, keeps loving, and believes wholeheartedly that things will get better. And they always do. 

In this chat, we talk about her food businesses, from running a gourmet bakery out of her house, where she produced and delivered gourmet desserts to a dozen restaurants… to eventually owning a quaint little restaurant called Thyme Square with her husband, Steve. We talk about babies and the importance of family, and how wonderful it will be to all be together again.  

So, let’s get into it shall we? Please enjoy this conversation about family, food, babies, and much much more 😉 Love you Ro Ro!

Episode 017: Shaterika Alexander will put your mind at ease about flying in this COVID world. A flight attendant for Delta Airlines, she has seen how air travel has changed and shares her experiences flying the friendly skies during the pandemic.  

Board a plane and you might meet our next guest, Shaterika Alexander. Her and I used to work together at the Marriott before she became a flight attendant working for Delta Airlines a few years ago. Being a flight attendant is about as exciting as you’d imagine. She describes hopping from country to country as if it were as easy as getting on and off a city bus. Most of us could never imagine flying as a career, which is why I was so intrigued to talk to her about her job and how air travel has been affected this year. 

If you’ve listened before, you should know by now that I am a self-proclaimed worry wart. Let me tell you that after speaking to her, after asking my million and one questions, my mind has been put to ease about flying again in the not-so-distant future. And I hope she puts your mind at ease, as well.

She shares some real life tips on traveling with children and gives us a peek what adjustments they have made to their operation. She also shares what to expect if you were to fly again one day soon. 

The other thing I want to highlight is Shaterika’s relationship with Delta Airlines, which started way back in her childhood. Her dad was in the military and her family flew all over the world - always flying with Delta. As she remembers it, they took such wonderful care of her and her family each and every time they flew on their airplanes. Its worth pointing out how a company made her feel, for when she was deciding on what airline to work for, as an adult, the only choice in her mind was Delta. I can’t help but admire the way that stood out in her mind as not only a company that takes care of its customers, but also, their employees. Let that sink in, all you entrepreneurs out there! You take care of your employees, who take care of your customers, who one day become your employee. And the cycle continues! 

You can find Shaterika flying on Delta Airlines and posting about her fabulous adventures on instagram @ _travelwithshae. Who knows, you may run into her the next time you fly on Delta.

Connect with Shaterika: 

Instagram @_travelwithshae

Clubhouse: @shaebuttababy

Originally recorded… 03.15.2021

Do you have a friend who just always makes you laugh, no matter what mood you’re in? Someone who lives to make others smile? 

Well, you are in luck today - Meet Immanuel Smart - aka DJ Chocolate Rain - who’s on today’s show. He will most certainly have that effect on you!

Coming up in this episode, he’ll tell the story of how he became the resident DJ at the world’s largest Marriott, and share experiences DJing live events all over the globe - from epic pool parties and fancy cruises in Sydney Australia, to emceeing corporate events and elegant weddings. If you need a hype guy, he is your man. He recently made the move out of Florida and headed to Atlanta Georgia, where he hopes to take himself and his business to the next level.

There is just something about him - his infectious smile, over the top laughs, and devious personality… he’s a silly, goofy, fun loving human being and I’m so lucky to call him a friend. 

I hope this conversation puts a smile on your face, and reminds you to keep dreaming and to aim higher. Sending love and light, always.

Connect with Immanuel: 

Instagram @manyfreshcuzo & @dj_chocolate_rain

Facebook: @DJ Chocolate Rain 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/immanuel-smart-7b12ab207/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/immanuelsmart/i-think-im-a-dj

Originally recorded… 03.05.2021

Today we’re hanging out with my good friend and former counterpart, Melissa Pabian. Melissa has a wide ranging career in hospitality and event management, selling and executing events in restaurants, hotels, and ballrooms throughout the country. During our visit, we explore how she’s used her extra time since being furloughed and ultimately laid off, as an opportunity to explore her interests, indulge her creativity, and figure out a way to make money doing what she loves. We’ll also dive into the most effective ways she’s learned to manage her daily schedule. In this episode, I hope we’ve shown that there is plenty of opportunity ahead after drastic changes to your professional life. There are skills you possess, and experiences you’ve had, that are transferable to other industries and other jobs. There are new paths that await you, but sometimes hearing someone else’s story is the nudge you need to get moving.

Connect with Melissa: 

Instagram @melissapabian

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissapabian-cmp/

Originally recorded… 02.23.2021

Today we’re hanging out with Brian Cooper, who’s been living in Washington DC for the last 18 years, and has had a front row seat to events as they are happening in our nation’s capital. Brian and his wife Kim have been in the weeds of pandemic parenting since March of last year. They have both transitioned their jobs to full-time stay-at-home status, along with their kids who have also switched over to remote learning. As you’ll find out in this episode, Brain is passionate about all things government and politics. His experiences living in DC during the Trump presidency, the COVID pandemic, and the 2020 election cycle give us a glimpse of what daily life has been like during this rollercoaster of a year. We’ll also hear about DC’s fight to statehood and what that means for its citizens. Learn more at www.dcvote.org/about-dc-vote. 

Connect with Brian:

Twitter @bcoopdc

Instagram @brian_s_cooper

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bcooper11

Originally recorded… 02.15.2021

On today’s show, Kurt Steinfeldt explains how to hack the credit card game, sharing how he’s made a game out of collecting points and miles, and reveals all of the different ways he's made the system work for him. Learn how you can make your money go farther too, by being smart with your money, collecting points and miles, and getting to enjoy unforgettable experiences at a fraction of the cost.

Kurt’s Suggested Reading:

https:/doctorofcredit.com/

https://thepointsguy.com/

https://frequentmiler.com/

The Beginner’s Guide - https://thepointsguy.com/guide/beginners/

Credit Score Info - https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/what-affects-your-credit-scores

Connect with Kurt:

TikTok: @bolivianope

Email: ksteinfeldt@live.com

Originally recorded… 02.09.2021

In this episode, we’ll be hanging out with Dawaun Butterfield, who is a self made entrepreneur, learning and growing like the rest of us, but in his case, he’s documenting it along the way. As you’ll hear during our conversation, he set out to design shoes... but what he’s building is much more than that. Its a clothing line, but also, a lifestyle. In his words, he’s creating innovative classics with a little hip hop and a lot of heart. 

Check out what he’s creating at buttawear.com, where you can find his thoughtful blogs as well as his latest merchandise for sale.

Originally recorded: 02.03.2021

On today’s show, we’re visiting with Dan Pierson - World traveler, bootstrapping entrepreneur, and a truly passionate, hard working, and caring individual. Being able and willing to pivot and adapt seems to be the key to his success, as he most certainly has had his share of disappointment and failures. What 2020 has shown him, in his words - is “that nothing lasts, and that this very impermanence means we should do our very best to enjoy the present." 

Connect with Dan:

Twitter:@DanPierson

Instagram: @DanPierson

Clubhouse: @DanPierson

Unsettled: https://beunsettled.co/

Bolt: https://www.joinbolt.com/

Medium blog on his latest update on life post:  https://danpierson.medium.com/2020-putting-the-porcelain-back-together-25971504458e

GoMoterra.com - Sprinter van travel

Sagrafarms.com - Beautiful accommodations on farms 

Originally recorded: 11.19.20

On today's show, we're having a drink with Rachel Ash and talk about mixology and the basics of making craft cocktails; re-entering the dating world as a newly single mom; and how 2020 was all about personal growth, challenging yourself, and learning new things.

Books mentioned in episode:

“The Drunken Botanist” by Amy Stewart

“Liquid Intelligence” by Dave Arnold

“The Savoy Cocktail Book” by Harry Craddock

Connect with Rachel:

Instagram @loverachelash 

Etsy: ŪTOPIOUS 

Blog (coming soon): Dating...and Other Fucked Up Stories

On today’s show, we’re hanging out with Danny Diaz - Filmmaker, Photographer, Hospitality Manager, Husband, and Dad. Listen to his stories as he reinvents himself time and time again, simply by not giving up, and allowing his positivity to shine above all else.

Connect with Danny:

Instagram: @dannydiazpix

Clubhouse: @dannydiaz

Portfolio: www.diazprints.com

www.whatiremember.com

www.atthereunion.com

www.thelostreunions.com

The drama kids - https://youtu.be/tTVl2G7PiyY - The film he made when he got the job at the Ritz-Carlton

The lost reunions - www.thelostreunions.com – The documentary he screened at his new job

The reunion - www.atthereunion.com - The web series he is creating – it’s interactive so you choose your own adventure!

Here's Alan Watts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmvqtFIy8LA - Falling in love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBpaUICxEhk&t=127s - Life is not a journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqHVB6bDWzg&t=152s - Why we resist change

On this week's episode, we sit down with Debbie Garcia and Melissa Pabian to learn about their new company that's helping meeting and event planners visit virtually in the comfort of their own homes.

Connect with Virsitour at www.virsitour.com

Facebook: facebook.com/virsitour

Instagram: instagram.com/virsitour

Twitter: twitter.com/virsitour

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/virsitour

Connect with Nicole on Instagram! @nicolegonzalez_realtor

On today's show, we're hanging with Katherine Quigg, Global Conference Manager for Conference Direct. She plans and executes large scale conferences and conventions, and before the pandemic, her business was rockin' - between back to back events, juggling multiple time zones, and traveling to and from the US on a monthly basis - she was a woman always on the go. We'll hear how COVID put a halt to all of that, and how she's had to adapt and pivot to keep up with the ever-changing world we're now living in. Enjoy this look inside the world of meeting and event planners, and how the industry will have to change in the coming years.

You can connect with Katherine on LinkedIn by searching for Katherine Quigg (or follow the link above)

On today's show, we're visiting with Nicole Gonzalez, who took the pandemic as the push she needed to change careers and become a realtor here in Orlando Florida. Prior to the pandemic, she worked in luxury hotel brands as a food and beverage manager, and thought she had landed her "dream job". It took years to realize that what she actually wanted was to create a life for herself that was going to be lucrative, rewarding, and give her the flexibility she wanted to pursue other personal interests and help achieve a state of true happiness.

You can find Nicole on Instagram @ nicolegonzalezrealtor

...or on her business Facebook page by clicking the link or searching for nicolegonzalezrealtor.

Amanda and I have been friends since the 7th grade, and she is one of the smartest people I know. She knows a little bit about everything... I honestly don't know how she remembers it all! We chat on the daily, about our kids, what we've eaten for breakfast, and pretty much anything and everything in between. This is the first of many conversations you'll hear with Amanda, or "ma" as we affectionately call each other... I hope you enjoy!

On todays show, we’re having a drink with Chef Sami Odetallah, who is one of the most talented chefs I know. Right out of culinary school, he landed a job at the world’s largest Marriott in Orlando FL, which is where him and I met in 2015. He moved around a bit with different corporate jobs, and eventually made it back to Florida. A lot has happened in the time since we last spoke, but it’s as if no time as passed at all - we literally just picked up right where we left off.

In this episode, we’ll hear what led Sami to leave his job as a corporate chef with one of the top companies in the hospitality and tourism industry, in order to start his own business called SMO Table in 2019. We’ll learn how he pieced together all the different experiences he went thru throughout his career, and how he is now reinventing the personal chef game. These days, you can find Sami whipping up an impressive spread for all his private parties, and continuing to learn and grow as he builds his brand and company from the ground up. 

You can connect on social media with Chef Sami on either Instagram or Facebook, @SMOtable or on his website SMOtable.com. I’d suggest checking out him out on Instagram to see his many delectable creations and to find how to enjoy one of his unique dining experiences for yourself.