We put the FAN in Fannie May, because we’re lifelong lovers of these iconic chocolates! From Pixies to Mint Meltaways, Ioanna and Aaron have indulged in Fannie May chocolates every holiday since they were kids. Aaron’s twin brother even worked in a Fannie May shop!

Fannie May has been around since the 1920’s when it all began as a neighborhood chocolate shop in Chicago. Since then, they’ve grown from a few recipes to over 100 tasty treats!

We meet Fernando Bernardo, Marketing Director at Fannie May, who takes us back to when Fannie May all began. We learn about how they became so popular and why their emphasis on quality & in-store experience has made them a forever-classic holiday treat.

Learn fun stories behind how your favorite chocolates came to exist- from Trinidads to Pixies, each chocolate has a tale!

And, get the run down from our expert chocolatier (Bernardo) on how to gift Fannie May this holiday season and beyond, including what deals you can bite into this Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and during their annual customer appreciation weekend Dec 8-9!

We end with rapid fire, discussing our favorite chocolates, a flavor we’d create, and our most nostalgic Fannie May memories!

Cocktails crafted by Muddling Memories at Fannie May’s “Cheers with Chocolate” event include the Pixie Espresso Brown Sugar Martini, Mint Meltaway Mint Chocolate Margarita, and Milk Chocolate Vanilla Buttercreams Vanilla Mimosa!

Shop at the links below and follow Fannie May on Social for deal announcements and more signature events like the one featured in this episode’s Instagram content!

SHOP FANNIE MAY: https://www.fanniemay.com/us/en/

STORE LOCATOR: https://locations.fanniemay.com/

FANNIE MAY SOCIAL: https://www.instagram.com/fanniemaychocolates/?hl=en

MUDDLING MEMORIES INFO:

https://muddlingmemories.com/

MUDDLING MEMORIES SOCIAL:

https://www.instagram.com/muddlingmemories/

What’s better than one jack-o’-lantern? How about 1,000!

Exclusively at Chicago Botanic Garden, Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns features professionally carved pumpkins hand carved with a whole host of designs, from album covers, to Chicago icons, and even some TBT cartoons like Courage The Cowardly Dog!

Jodi Zombolo joins us for her 2nd appearance on Sip with Me to discuss this year’s Jack-o’-Lanterns! Find out about how their team chooses designs and carves 1,000 pumpkins, not once, but twice each Halloween!

Hear behind the scenes facts and find out what kind of Halloween goodies & cocktails are available each night!

We end with, you guessed it, jack-o’-lantern themed rapid fire!

The second installment of this event runs October 23-27 from 6:30-10:30pm. Tickets are already selling out so get them NOW!

*We also recommend you listen to our 2023 interview with Jodi about Holiday “Lightscape” and buy your tickets now! Both linked below!

Event Tickets: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/halloween

CBT: https://www.chicagobotanic.org

Social: https://www.instagram.com/chicagobotanic/?hl=en

Holiday Lightscape Tickets: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/lightscape

Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/sipwithme_

2023 Lightscape Holiday Interview with Jodi: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000634625687

All aboard the Big Bus! One of the most moving experiences we’ve had in the city, the “Sunset Live Tour” by Big Bus Tours explores Chicago while the city’s architecture, historical landmarks, and lake are draped in the velvety shade of golden hour.

This tour takes tourists and locals on a 90-minute journey around the Chicago loop and surrounding neighborhoods. Atop their iconic red, double-decker buses, you’ll see the city above even our CTA buses.

We chat with John Curran, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Big Bus Tours, about the Sunset Live Tour and the company’s traditional hop on & off experience.

John shares some of the facts you’ll learn on the tour, including that Lincoln Park used to be a huge cemetery and how there is a piece of burnt debris from the Great Chicago Fire you can visit. Highlights for us included driving down Lakeshore Drive with the wind in our hair and pulling over on Fullerton for a one of a kind view of the city.

We end with rapid fire and learn John‘s favorite Chicago restauraunt/neighborhood, and he brings us to tears, describing the one person in the world he would want to take on a big bus tour.

Sunset Live Tours run through October 19. They currently depart at 7:30 PM, but this time moves progressively earlier as the sun begins to set sooner.

TICKETS/INFO: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/chicago/chicago-sunset-live-night-tour-ticket

SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/bigbustours/?hl=en

Jake Draviczki is a Registered Dietitian who creates easy to digest nutrition, fitness, and wellness content on Instagram and YouTube that has earned him a loyal and continuously growing fanbase. In light of ongoing stay-at-home habits and the approaching winter months, Jake joined us to share some of his expertise and tips on how to stay well healthy during the holidays. We learn from Jake about different foods and nutrients and how they impact the body. We discuss popular ones like alcohol, sugar, and caffeine, plus hear his recommendations on macronutrients and which vitamins are most important. Jake also taught us how to pick which foods we eat, what not sleeping enough can do to the brain, and why Aaron’s eye twitches when he has too much caffeine. We end the episode with a round of rapid fire to find out Jake’s favorite healthy cocktail and hear which vitamin he’d vote his favorite!

Andrea O’Bert is an Arizona-based wedding photographer with an eye for capturing the most beautiful moments between her clients. Her unique style, ability to frame masterfully, and the genuine rapport she builds with couples makes her one of our (and yours after you see her work) favorite photographers in the country. Seriously, if you’re getting married, check out her portfolio, she does travel for weddings! We met Andrea at a Tucson wedding this summer and she lit up the wedding venue as much as the bride and groom, so we knew we needed to find out what makes her passion for photography work so well. We chatted with her about covid impacts on wedding photography and trends she saw emerge during the flood of 2021 weddings. Plus, hear about some of her favorite spots to shoot and what it’s like being a travelling photog. And of course, since Ioanna’s wedding is rapidly approaching, we had to ask how she works with clients from beginning to end. We stroll down the aisle to end this episode with a round of rapid fire to find out her fave cocktail, the best wedding food she’s ever seen, and whether or not she’d ever say no to travelling too far for a shoot.

Lisa Jacobs is the founder and CEO of Imagine it Done, a business she founded in 2004 after discovering her innate ability to organize whatever chaos came her way. With a trained team of 12, Imagine it Done provides home organization services to clients throughout the NY and Tristate area. Featured on Business Insider, HomeBeautiful, Pop Sugar, and Fox News, Lisa and her team “teach you how to edit your belongings, keep what you need and love, while discarding what you don’t”. Lisa has a podcast, among many other things, and she joined us to talk about her business and to help some of you navigate the challenging process of organizing our most personal spaces. We talk about how her business and organizational skills have evolved since the early 2000’s, and learn what it takes to actually “imagine it done”. Plus, a round of rapid fire to find out Lisa’s favorite cleaning tools and her fave NYC restaurant! This interview is a must-listen for anyone looking to tidy up their space for the coming winter months!

Hey all you cool cats and kittens. This week’s guest needs no introduction. One of the most famous and viral folks to emerge from consumer pandemic habits, Carole became a globally recognized name after appearing on Netflix’s “Tiger King”. Beyond being a television star and appearing on Dancing with The Stars, she is first and foremost the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, her non-profit organization. We caught up with Carole to discuss her long career advocating for Big Cats and stricter laws protecting both their habitat and treatment by humans. Plus, we hear her true thoughts on how she was portrayed in Tiger King and what she thought about the show itself. And a chat about Carole’s Big Cat legislation that is currently making its way through congress! Plus, a purrrrfect round of rapid fire to find out Carole’s favorite cat, the highlight of her career, and what three words she would use to describe Tiger King.

Joanne Lee Molinaro, known widely as “The Korean Vegan”, has always been a leader. A Lawyer, activist, runner, mentor, & viral TikToker, she’s done it all & more! With 3.5 million social fans and growing, she now has a best-selling cookbook! Like her TikTok, the new cookbook, “The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma's Kitchen”, weaves together delicious veganized recipes with intimate stories and details on her life, both past and present. She talked to us about some of the recipes in the book and how her family influenced not only her plant-based diet journey but who she’s become as a human. Beyond the food, Joanne explains some of the myths behind the popular notion that you can’t veganize Korean food. And we hear about the concept diaspora and how she navigates her identity as Korean American. Last, we play a riveting round of rapid fire to find out her favorite vegan spot in Chicago, what her favorite cocktail is, whether she has a favorite TikTok, and her most loved recipe!

In this special investigative episode, we speak with Celine Wysgalla, the Chicago resident who formed a now viral petition to save the Crystal Gardens, a free indoor botanical garden located on the famous Navy Pier. Plus, we discuss the muddied political history of Navy Pier that she found as wild as we did. With almost 20,000 signatures in just a matter of days, it would appear it is only the beginning of the fight to save the Crystal Gardens, currently slated to be replaced by Illuminarium, a completely virtual attraction that utilizes footage from places like the African Safari and Outer Space to transport visitors elsewhere. Opponents of the closure cite the increasingly important mental and emotional health benefits of green space as a reason to keep it open, and say the replacement of the gardens by an attraction that is completely devoid of any real nature, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, is “dystopian”. The new attraction will cost you $30-50 per visit based on estimates and is seen by Navy Pier as being part of their longer term strategic plan for financial longevity and modernization. We talk with Celine about her motivations for starting the petition and what she sees as a possible path forward. Plus, a statement to Sip With Me from Navy Pier, Inc. But it doesn't end there. Did you know that in 2011 Navy Pier was spun off from government ownership, infused with millions in taxpayer dollars, and left to operate independent of taxpayer accountability as a not-for-profit organization? While that might sound nice, it leaves us feeling uneasy. In true Chicago political fashion, we discuss the complicated and sometimes corrupt history of Navy Pier and why several Local lawmakers have introduced bills to push for increased transparency with the non-profit following scandals involving former Governor George Ryan and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Follow the petition movement on Instagram: @savecrystalgardens Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/navy-pier-save-the-crystal-gardens-at-navy-pier-chicago?lang=en-US Follow “Sip With Me” or sign the petition: https://linktr.ee/sipwithme_ Sources: https://www.bettergov.org/news/greising-scrutiny-of-navy-pier-s-operations-is-long-overdue/ https://chicagoonthecheap.com/navy-pier-events/ https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/09/27/navy-piers-crystal-gardens-are-being-turned-into-virtual-scenery-but-residents-are-pushing-back-with-a-petition/ https://navypier.org/assets/Navy-Pier-Form-990_2019.pdf

In episode 32, we get some help walking down the aisle from Wedding Planner Jove Meyer. Founder of Jove Meyer Events, Jove started his business after planning his best friend's wedding (how cute)! He is all about making your wedding personalized, reflecting each couple’s unique personality. This was all Ioanna and I heard before we knew we needed to chat with him! Featured many times on our fave “The Rachael Ray Show” and in all the biggest wedding publications, Jove’s talents have been recognized by Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart, US Weekly, Brides & more! Jove has also been recognized not only for his design but his work supporting marriage equality and inclusion, creating the viral “Totes Getting Married” tote bag to raise funds to support this cause! We chat with Jove about his inspirations and how he works one-on-one with his couples. Then we dive into some of the post-quarantine wedding trends that are here to stay and ask him about Ioanna’s wedding! Last, we play a round of wedding rapid fire and discuss his famous colorful home!

In episode 31, Iron Chef winner, activist, & restaurant owner Justin Sutherland teaches us a thing or two about how to balance many hats while serving up some of the best eats in the nation. Classically trained in French cuisine, Justin “returned to his southern roots when he opened his own first restaurant, Handsome Hog, in St. Paul MN” and has since then opened several eateries with varying cuisines. On top of running these restaurants, Justin co-owns Hybrid Nation, a “socially-conscious streetwear and lifestyle brand” and created an organization during the COVID-19 pandemic which helps support hospitality workers. I mean, what a freaking amazing guy! Hear about his influences and motivations while we discuss his several restaurants and learn how hard the COVID-19 shutdowns were for his team and the community. Plus, find out what it was like to win Iron Chef and compete on one of our favorite shows, “Top Chef”. Last, we discussed his TruTv series “Fast Foodies” and found out what he likes to eat the most!

In episode 30, viral portrait photographer David Suh eats our self-doubts for breakfast and makes us look amazing while doing it. David is a photographer who “empowers women to re-connect with their inner Queen, give, permission to celebrate themselves and create beautiful portraits”. He’s gone viral on multiple platforms for his stunning portraits and helpful selfie tips, so we wanted to talk with him about his “why”. First, we chat about his inspirations and how he came to view portraiture through a lens of empowerment and self-love. Then we discuss what a client shoot looks like from booking to completion. Last, we end the episode with some fun selfie tips and a riveting round of rapid fire. His mega-famous pug Maya also makes an appearance!

In episode 29, we give a rose to our favorite Bachelor contestant & business owner, Corinne Olympios. She rose to fame on season 21 with her infamous naps, but honestly she was just doing her. She made waves on her season and continues to capture the attention of folks all around the nation. She is a Founder of Aura Sugar Co, which has had pieces featured everywhere and worn by many of your fave celebs. The beaded jewelry is all gorgeous, handmade, and infused with aura cleansing properties. And let’s be real, beaded jewelry was literally THE thing of 2021... & she started it! Corinne joins us to talk about the founding of her business (also a partnership with a bestie like our podcast) and we talk what makes her pieces so adored. Plus, we chat about what it was like on The Bachelor and how it can be difficult for people at all levels of culture to love themselves and stay genuine in a world of increasing pressures. Last, we of play a round of rapid fire and talk her favorite cocktail, The Dirty Martini (extra dirty)!

Did you know Chicago's Adler Planetarium was the first open to the public in the entire western hemisphere? This week, you’ll learn how the iconic lakefront planetarium came to be nearly 100 years ago and the story behind some of its space artifacts. Plus, Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at Adler, tells us about the Doane Observatory, which is quite literally on the lakefront and a true hidden gem of the city. The observatory is home to the largest publicly accessible telescope in Chicagoland. Through it, you can see the surface of the moon, Saturn’s rings, and even quasars in the distant universe! Plus, we chat “Adler at Night”, your weekly opportunity to visit the planetarium after work or even for a date night. And the biggest benefit, IT’S FREE for Illinois residents! EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK! No hunting down the usual random free night that gets thrown into the depths of Chicago winter- Adler is free for residents every single Wednesday night! We end with rapid fire, during which Michelle shares what she’s excited about on the frontier of space study and the coolest thing she’s seen through a telescope! And Michelle shares her favorite cocktail, “Bourbon Milk Punch”! ADLER SUMMER EVENTS & EXPERIENCES: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/explore/events/ BOURBON MILK PUNCH COCKTAIL: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/bourbon-milk-punch/ MICHELLE’S WEBSITE: https://www.astroeducator.com INSTAGRAM: @adlerplanet

Travel Expert and Advisor, Kendra Thornton In episode 28, we jet off somewhere warm with travel expert Kendra Thornton. President and Owner of Royal Travel & Tours, trip planning is in her blood, literally in the form of her family business! The vast knowledge and experience she gained helping others book travel led to her becoming the nation’s recognized leader in travel advice and opinions. She’s shared travel tips and trend analysis on dozens of national and local media broadcasts and is the go-to authority for travel advice, quoted frequently in major publications like Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Kendra has worked in the industry nearly her whole career, with time spent at giant travel players like Orbitz.com and smaller groups like the Travel PR firm she founded. She joins us to discuss all of the ways COVID-19 impacted the travel industry and could impact your travel plans this fall/winter. Plus, hear her personal travel tips & tricks for a good deal or a stress-free planning process. Kendra ends her time with us completing a round of rapid fire in which she shares what destinations are still on her bucket list!

In episode 27, we blast off to outer space with famed Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysicist Dr. Jonathan McDowell. Ioanna & I have shared a love of space since the inception of our cosmic friendship, so we are honored that Jonathan joined us for a chat on our favorite subject! Jonathan has worked for decades studying all things space, including black holes, x-rays, and lately a lot of falling space junk (ex: the falling Chinese rocket that captivated the world earlier this year). He is the go-to guy for press inquiries and information on space, leading to him creating “Jonathan’s Space Report” and his appearing in thousands of media and print pieces. We’re obsessed with his live tweets and he is the funniest scientist we have ever met! Jonathan tells us about his work at the Chandra X-ray Center, why a giant rocket fell uncontrolled to earth this year, what’s really inside a black hole, and he shares with us his favorite non-alcoholic beverage of choice (which he sipped on during our interview), The Mango Lassi!

In episode 26, Ioanna & I grab our heels and pop a collar to impress Fashion Icon, Expert, and Influencer Carla Rockmore. Before you listen to this episode, you must check out her looks on Instagram (@carla.rockmore) so you know why we wanted to talk with her a.k.a. she is FABULOUS! Celebrating the self-expression of 50+ through fashion, fun, & fierceness, she embraces color, patterns, and everything that will make your look pop. She’s worked in the industry for decades and has the perfect eye for what’s in now and what will be in next season. We talk to her about her career and what it’s like working in the fashion industry. Plus, how the pandemic changed fashion and consumer expectations forever. Last, we take a tour of her huge closet to hear about some of her favorite pieces and find out how she embraces positivity to show people just how beautiful we all are!

To celebrate Ioanna’s recent engagement, we turn up the heat and talk love, relationships, and post-covid era dating trends with relationship expert and television personality Rachel DeAlto! As Chief Dating Expert for Match and a featured expert appearing on Lifetime’s Married at First Sight and TLC’s Kate+Date, Rachel truly is the go-to person for anything related to your love life. She’s shared her advice on many national talk shows and has given several amazing Tedx Talks! We thought she had done it all, but now she’s coming out with a new book this September! Our MUST READ for fall 2021, “ relatable: How to Connect with Anyone, Anywhere (Even If It Scares You)” is a book that needs to be in your shopping cart now! In our chat with Rachel, Ioanna & I get some tips on how to get along with our fiancés, learn about how the pandemic forever altered the dating scene, and discuss the new book. Whether you’re in love or “it’s complicated”, you’re sure to learn something useful in this week’s interview!

In episode 25, we take a bite out of food history with Max Miller, Host of ‘Tasting History’ on YouTube. At over 750,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views, he has mastered the art of delicious edutainment. One part history, one part food, and one part comedy, Max teaches his viewers around the world how to make historical dishes while sharing the history behind the food. In this episode, we learn about why he started the series and how he studies up for each week’s video! Plus, get a glimpse into his exciting future when we ask about the history of cocktail making. We end with an update on his cookbook and a tasty session of rapid fire, in which we hear about the most unique ingredient he’s had to source for an episode!

In episode 24, we sing in the stairwell with Lauren Paley. Also known as “The Stairwell Siren”, she has accumulated over 3 million followers and 50 million likes on TikTok for her angelic performances singing in a stairwell. It might sound simple, but you have to see it for yourself to understand just how unique her talent is. We chat with her about how she connected the dots between her voice and the stairwell, learn about her vocal aspirations, and find out what it’s like to go so viral with such a unique talent.

In episode 23, we celebrate Pride Month and get to know everyone’s favorite Dad and former Disney performer, Ben Ptashinsky, also known widely as “equityben”. He gained quite the loyal following over his years at Disney and now continues to grow his fanbase through his work as a content creator, viral TikTok star, and recently author! You’ll hear about the viral TikTok he posted to honor Pride Month (which was featured on media around the globe) and find out how he catches on video some of the cutest and most authentic moments with his family! Plus, a peak at his plans for the future and a riveting session of rapid fire!

In episode 22, we chat with Jen Ellis, the Vermont teacher behind Bernie Sanders’ viral mittens! You know the memes, but do you know the artist? Overnight, Jen was placed on a global stage when a photo of Bernie Sanders wearing her hand-knit mittens at Joe Biden’s January Inauguration became the center of internet memes, late-night jokes, and news media everywhere! Rather than profit quickly from the attention, she used her platform to raise huge sums of money for charities and sold her mittens to support charitable auctions! She shares with us the story behind the mittens, how she channeled the fame into new charitable collaborations, and how she has stayed true to herself and her family throughout the year of chaos. Plus, hear about some of her upcoming endeavors and learn some interesting facts about those oh so famous mittens! This is definitely a don’t miss episode!

In episode 21, we chat with viral wedding TikToker and Content Creator Caroline Crawford Patterson! Her wedding TikTok’s went mega-viral and she continues to share tips and tricks she learned planning her own wedding. She shares with us everything wedding related, more about her love for fashion, and exciting plans for the future! Plus, we feature Rachel of @theresidentmixologist on Instagram who shared with us her favorite cocktail creation, The Session Margarita!

In episode 20, we chat with Miss Utah and CEO of Archive Sunday, Sasha Esprit Sloan. Hear about her upcoming Miss Utah competition, how she used Tik Tok to grow her small business, and the future of the famous Noble Black Series!

Join us in celebrating National Hot Dog Month with our favorite dog, Portillo's!  In this episode, you'll learn the story behind Portillo's Chocolate Cake Shake, whose dog was the inspiration for the iconic hot dog logo, and what Portillo's is doing to celebrate National Hot Dog Day on July 17th! A Chicago legend, Portillo's has been serving up Chicago-style street food since the company first opened in 1963 with Dick Portillo's first hot dog stand known as "The Dog House". Today, the company has just under 90 locations and is expanding nationwide!  We relished in the opportunity to speak with Garrett Kern, VP Strategy & Culinary, for Portillo's. We discussed some of their fun history and things Chicagoans may not know about the famous brand. Plus, hear about their new salads and how his team takes a customer feedback and turns it into new menu concepts.  We also discussed what they are doing to celebrate National Hot Dog Month this July & National Hot Dog Day (July 17th)! The fun includes free delivery July 15-21, an Instagram photo contest involving your dogs (and Aaron's corgi of course), and a partnership with the Animal Cruelty Society to which a portion of all sales of Portillo’s themed dog toys will be donated! We end with rapid fire, learning how Garrett likes his beef, what the key is to Portillo's perfect French fries, and what makes their cake so craveable!  To view the menu and order: https://www.portillos.com/order/ For all things Portillo's: https://linktr.ee/portilloshotdogs Instagram: @portilloshotdogs

In our bonus episode, we celebrate the one year anniversary of Sip With Me, chat about the past year, have a best friends rapid fire, and all the exciting things coming up for the show! Next week, we will be back to our regular schedule with our guest, Miss Greater Salt Lake, Sasha Sloan the CEO of Archive Sunday and creator of Noble House Black Series!

In episode 18 we chat with Kyle Thomas, globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Bustle, Elite Daily, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, YahooNews, MSN, and more. He is also one of the official astrologers for both Astrology.com and Horoscope.com. He talks about how he got started, what he loves about being an astrologist and why Aaron and Ioanna are so compatible! We also feature Antonellie from Drunk Night In on Instagram who shares with us her favorite cocktail creation, The Sunday Margarita!

In episode 17, we learn from Romee Dussenbroek, a 24-year old YouTuber and content creator from the Netherlands who was diagnosed with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and now uses her platform to share her journey with the world. From diagnosis to treatments, she’s shared a very personal and vulnerable side of her life with people all around the globe, including us. We hear about some of her videos, future goals for the channel, and found out some of her favorite things during rapid fire!

In episode 16, we chat with Ioanna of Grazing Table Chicago on how she makes food into art at her Charcuterie studio- that’s right, it’s a thing! When she switched careers to follow her passion, she combined her love of design with food and art, leading to the “it factor” that shows in all her works! Hear directly from her on what this fast-paced business is like, how she sources her foods, and answers for Aaron “what exactly is a grazing table”?

In episode 15, we meet Nicole Pellegrino, Senior Marketing Manager at Betches Media (@betches). You know them for their super relatable meme’s and likely have grown up with them over the last decade. But did you know they are a women-founded and led media company with podcasts, newsletters, merch, and all the things? Find out what makes them leaders in today’s content game, allowing them to attract millions of loyal followers and find a place in the hearts, homes, and DM’s of so many millennials and Gen Z social media users.

In episode 14, we meet Rick Hustead, Chairman of Wall Drug, one of the country’s most treasured attractions and a feature of the Academy Award-winning film “Nomadland”. Located in Wall, South Dakota just outside of Badlands National Park, Wall Drug is celebrating 90 years of American tradition. Offering homemade donuts, free ice water, delicious food, an on-site pharmacy, and dozens of other peculiar things you’ll wanna see, it’s a true family business that has stood the test of time and continues to attract millions of people a year. Join us to learn about the Hustead family, what it was like to film with the cast of Nomadland, and how Wall Drug remains so popular all these years later. Don’t forget to check out their social: https://instagram.com/walldrug?igshid=3w0axeg7c1p9

In episode 13, we chat with Erin Martin, Owner and Creator of ECBG Cake Studio. Founded in 2011, her studio is focused on creating value and excellence for customers using high-quality, organic ingredients. First, she slices up how she got started baking out of her parent’s kitchen and discusses all the learning experiences along the way that now make her customized wedding cakes unique. Next, Erin describes how she evolved during the pandemic to allow for couples to still enjoy a wedding cake tasting during lockdown. Finally, don’t miss the final toast when she reveals what her top requested flavor is!

In episode 12, we interview Holly Nichols, the world’s favorite fashion illustrator! She has created some of the most exquisite illustrations and artful campaigns for TRESemmé, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's New York, Neiman Marcus, Disney, Living Proof, and many more! She shares with us how she got into art, how social media helped her grow her passion into a career and all about her upcoming book, “Modern Fashion Illustration”, which is available April 13, 2021!

In episode 11, we feature Danielle of Doctor Mama Jones who shares with us how she started her Youtube channel, how she tackles sensitive topics, and much more from the popular board-certified OB/GYN! Don’t forget to subscribe and review our show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! And follow us along on social @sipwithme_ for more information on upcoming guests, cocktails and much MORE! You can find her on Instagram: @MamaDoctorJones, YouTube: MamaDoctorJones, Blog: https://mindonmed.com/, and the Pinnacle Conference: https://pinnacleconference.org/conference-2020/

In episode 10, we chat with brother/sister duo Kate & Alex of “This With Them” on how they got their YouTube start. Plus, they give us the scoop on their British-candy box subscription!

With a crystal blue backdrop and a river running through its veins, Chicago is our aquatic queen! Shedd Aquarium is our favorite destination in Chicago for sea otters, penguins, and all things aquatic. We spoke with Senior Director of Marketing LaToyia Strickland-Ledbetter about the century worth of Shedd history, its famous lakefront architecture, and all the adorable creatures that call Shedd home. We chat about all the upcoming summer events including Jazzin’ at the Shedd, Shedd House Party, Ritmo Del Mar, Pride Night and more! And learn about all the work they do behind-the-scenes to preserve and protect the world’s aquatic environment through education, research, and a little bit of human empathy. We end with rapid fire, during which LaToyia shares her favorite ocean and which summer event she’s most looking forward to! SHEDD SUMMER EVENTS & EXPERIENCES: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/programs-and-events OCEAN WATER COCKTAIL: https://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/ocean-water-cocktail/ INSTAGRAM: @shedd_aquarium @ladyled3 **

In episode 8, we chat with The Educated Barfly, an ultra-talented bartender turned creator who features high quality videos of the best in classic, modern and craft cocktails! We’ll learn how his background helped him create his YouTube channel and why he values being able to share his craft with the world.

In episode 7, we chat with Besties Annie and Morgan from GoNanas who dive into how they started their small business from a single mason jar. Plus, how their vegan, gluten-free and nut-free mix grew so quickly during lockdown!

In episode 6, we interview Ryan and Geri-Martha O'Hara of Birmingham’s Big Spoon Creamery! They share with us how they got started in ice cream, what their secret is, and talk the future of the creamery!

In episode 5, we chat with Jamie Wolfer, Owner and Lead Planner at JW Coordination! She dishes out some wedding expertise and shares amazing tips on budget friendly planning! We also get to learn more about The Master Plan, a master class on wedding planning for every couple!

Join us for a conversation with Ashleigh Evans, Founder of InBooze Cocktail Kits! She shares with us how blogging led her to the creation of her small business, which has been featured on Buzzfeed and Oprah’s Stocking Stuffer List! And our guest bartender Casey from City Gal Cocktails shares with us her favorite cocktail, Your Fine Girl!

Give us your finest bottle! As the General Manager of a winery located in the heart of New York, Jessica knows a thing or two about wine tasting and making. She’ll share with us how Brooklyn Winery got started in its peculiar urban location, all about their virtual wine tastings, and her favorite kinds of wine.

Join us for a conversation with Suzie, the talented nail educator & enthusiast behind Nail Career Education. She’ll share how she turned a passion and art into a brand that’s gotten her many loyal customers and has helped her reach 2.37 million YouTube subscribers!

For our season 4 premiere, we interview the Queen of Cotton Candy, Emily Harpel, to find out how she reinvented a nostalgic sweet treat and turned it into a thriving business with multiple products and viral TikToks.

In this special introductory episode, we preview Season 4: Supporting Small Businesses. We also dive into how we got our first full-time jobs during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Plus, an update on the anti-mlm movement from Season 2!

For our season 3 finale, we cover the full history of the death penalty and discuss the Brandon Bernard case.

The best food we’ve ever eaten? Quite possibly! Streeterville Social is the place to be during Chicago’s famous summer rooftop season! Chicago’s “go-to outdoor rooftop terrace serving up alfresco dining, libations, and a celebration of all things summer”, this is the rooftop of rooftops and has year-over-year been voted so by various publications and tastemakers. We sat down with Loews Chicago Executive Chef Trevor Hoyte to discuss the summer 2024 season and get a sneak peak at the food & drinks he & his team are crafting up to make this summer an unforgettable one! Chef Trevor tells us about his influences and how he creates each season’s menu. He shares some of his favorite food and beverage offerings on the menu this summer and discusses what makes Streeterville Social such a beloved staple on the Chicago scene. The food here is flavorful, with various international influences and tastes. You might come for refreshing cocktails & mocktails, but you’ll leave with the memory of the best of meal you had all year! OUR COCKTAIL RECOMMENDATIONS: Tamarind Tango The Last Straw Frose All Day OUR FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS: Street Corn Yogurt Safron Chicken Kabob Social Wings STREETERVILLE SOCIAL INFO & RESERVATIONS: https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-downtown/dining HOTEL INFO & BOOKING: https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-downtown INSTAGRAM: @loewschicagohotel @cheftrevorhoyte

In episode 9, we interview Terra Newell, the main character involved in the popular “Dirty John” case. Her story of survival became the topic of one of the most popular podcasts ever and was turned into its own television show. Hear how Terra now channels her energy to help coach others on healthy relationships.

In episode 8, we interview author and advocate, Dr. Ashely Wellman. And our mystery bartender, shares his take on the classic, Old Fashioned.

In episode 7, we interview Women and Crime and cover the story of Aileen Wuornos. And we share the Zelda Fitzgerald Cocktail!