Our next guests are the operators behind the New York slice shop in lakeview Chicago, Zaza’s Pizza as well as the two Nemec Brothers locations in the suburbs. In addition, they’re brothers with skill sets that complement each other. We dive into their individual and collective journeys with pizza, what makes their product standout, and how they’ve been able to expand so fast. They’re honest, gracious, and ambitious. Please enjoy my conversation with Chad and Brett Nemec.

https://www.zazas-pizzeria.com/
https://www.instagram.com/zazaspizza/
https://www.instagram.com/nemecbrotherspizza/

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest came on the podcast two years ago. It was our second time meeting back then. Fast forward to today and I’ve come to admire and look up to this wonderfully creative human being. We catch up on her residency in the Ambassador Hotel, some of the community activations we have brewing, and her experience curating her first Tedx Chicago Art show. She also recently took on the role of Creative Director for a house DJ, Monty Kiddo. Please enjoy my conversation with MKODJ.

https://www.instagram.com/emkayohdeej

Support the show:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

Our next guest has built a career around promoting nightlife and cultivating unforgettable experiences. He shares his personal experiences into the industry and why he’s pivoting towards healing through self-inquiry and alternative retreats. Please enjoy my conversation with Eric Boss.

https://instagram.com/ericbosschicago

Our next guest was recently named a Lululemon Ambassador for the motivation and inspiration she brings our city through her classes. She is a group fitness trainer in a variety of modalities from yoga, HIIT, and functional training. She probably goes through 3-7 workouts on any given day. She shares her humble beginnings of discovering fitness and her love of challenge. She evokes a goofy but no BS mentality in her workouts. She’s an empathetic savage who's figuring life out like the rest of us.

https://www.instagram.com/carmilla_k

Our next guest has struck a balance between work, family, and hobbies. He’s known to some as a jiu jitsu phenom by consistently training 6 days per week on top of his already busy schedule with work and fatherhood. We reflect on his journey through school and pivoting from a solely finance career to a tech career with a focus in finance. We explore his love for jiu jitsu and how he got so good at it. He's currently part owner of the second iteration of the Valko Jiu Jitsu Academy and he shares what their goals are with their second location. We chat about his streetwear/training gear company, ANTIHERO and the importance of finding something that puts you in a state of flow. We end the episode with his experience of discovering when his son, Noah, could possibly be diagnosed with Trisomy 13 during pregnancy to eventually processing Noah’s death at 33 weeks. Overall, it was a discussion of balance, fulfillment, and meaning. Please enjoy my conversation with Rex Vargas.

https://www.instagram.com/rexvargas/
https://www.instagram.com/antiherofit/
https://antiherofit.com/
https://www.instagram.com/valkostudiobjj/

Our next guest shares her journey through dietetics and opening up a private practice as a board-certified sports dietitian during the pandemic. Her witty and relatable hot takes or as she calls it, yapping caught my attention and I’ve been hooked ever since. She specifically aims to work with combat athletes that require peak mental and physical performance but is open to supporting anyone seeking her help. She offers 1 on 1 coaching, corporate consultations, and speaking engagements. If you like the content on her page, you’d love her Patreon page. Please enjoy my conversation with Christina Chu.

https://christinaychu.com
https://www.patreon.com/ChristinaChuStudios
https://www.instagram.com/christinaychu/

Our next guest is the Founder and Executive Director of the Fatherhood Initiative, The Dovetail Project. An organization that provides African American and Latino fathers from ages 17-24 with the skills and resources to be great fathers. We reflect on their tumultuous upbringing, becoming a father themselves, and what their organization has been up to recently. Please enjoy my conversation with Sheldon Smith.

https://thedovetailproject.org/
https://www.instagram.com/dovetailproject

Our next guest has been making waves in the pizza community with his take on the pan pizza. He had childhood dreams of opening a restaurant one day and after 16 years of waiting tables, he decided to go all-in on himself at the start of the pandemic. What started as a personal project for him and his wife is now a brick and mortar with two locations. After being inspired by the well-known Burt Katz and receiving some help from some pizza legends, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan was born. Please enjoy my conversation with Robert Maleski

https://www.millyspizzachi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/millys_pizza_in_the_pan