Sips N Swigs: Unique Wine, Food and Hospitality People and Trends

Seat at the Table with StephenUncorked

Meet Stephen Nasiatka, Founder - StephenUncorked and President - Private Directors Association This is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Listen to the teaser about his most memorable wine 🎙️ [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LNbPKVDP9DGgKFh3piadbbrm3CjQEEh0/view?usp=sharing] Tune in to hear from Stephen Nasiatka as he shares how hosting with wine and attending networking events has helped open doors for career advancement, strengthen relationships, and create new business opportunities. Learn how meaningful connections and intentional engagement can elevate both personal and professional growth.

Tonya Webster, NY's First CXO

Calling all New Yorkers! Tune in to hear from the first Chief Experience Officer of New York State as she shares how she puts *you* at the center of it all designing services that improve the lives of residents, businesses, and visitors across more than 100 state agencies. From housing to hospitality, Tonya has you covered. This is one conversation you don’t want to miss. 🎙️

Business PTSD "I feel your pain"

Liquor retail is uniquely challenging. Licenses are tightly controlled, and territory protection runs deep.  "The lessons were many. The pain was immense. It felt like a personal failure, even knowing we were far from alone." BUT I AM STILL HIGH ON THIS INDUSTRY...

The Next Generation of Diversity in Wine: A Conversation with Alicia Towns Franken of Wine Unify

We advocate for fair distribution of resources, equitable employment opportunities, and stronger industry accountability in supporting diverse talent. In a global market made up of people of all backgrounds, it is both possible and necessary to ensure the same diversity among those who make, sell, and celebrate these products.  Listen to how Alicia Towns Franken is walking the walk at Wine Unify.

From Pages to PR: My First Year as an Author with Ron Childs

This month I’m joined by my publicist, Ron Childs, founder and CEO of OMEN Communications, a Chicago-based media relations and consulting firm. An award-winning journalist and communications strategist, Ron has served as Executive Editor of The Chicago Defender, Senior Media Relations Strategist at Burrell Communications, and Vice President of Media Relations at Flowers Communications Group. A proud Grambling State University graduate and Mass Communication Hall of Fame inductee, he brings decades of expertise in multicultural media, public relations, and editorial leadership—helping organizations craft narratives that resonate across diverse audiences. On this episode, Ron and I reflect on my first year as an author: the steps I took to release my book, the obstacles I faced, and how the wine industry has evolved since I first entered it more than 25 years ago. We also dig into the differences and synergies between PR and marketing—and why both are essential to building lasting impact.