Love, Take Two

Jove Meyer: From $700 and a Craigslist Post to One of the Top Wedding Planners in the World

Most people move to New York with a plan. Jove Meyer moved to New York with $700 and figured the rest out on Craigslist. In this episode of Love, Take Two, Jove takes us back to where it all started — a leap of faith into a new city with virtually nothing, and a scrappiness that eventually built one of the most recognized wedding design businesses in the world. His work has been featured in Vogue and The New York Times, he has been named one of the top wedding planners globally, and he hosts his own podcast Wedding-ish. None of that happened by following the traditional playbook. Jove gets into what it has looked like to push back against an industry that for a long time had a very narrow idea of what a wedding was supposed to look like — and who it was supposed to be for. He talks about the work of making the wedding space genuinely inclusive for LGBTQ+ couples, not just symbolically but in the actual design, language, and experience of the day itself. For Jove, a wedding should feel like the couple, full stop. He also opens up about his own journey to starting a family with his husband, what that process taught him about love and patience, and how his personal life has shaped the way he shows up for the couples he works with. This is a conversation about building something from nothing, refusing to let an industry tell you what is possible, and what it really means to celebrate love on your own terms. Key Takeaways * How Jove went from $700 and a Craigslist ad to one of the most celebrated wedding planners in the world * What genuine LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the wedding industry actually looks like in practice * How he has created space for queer couples to celebrate in ways that feel authentically theirs * What his own journey to fatherhood taught him about love, partnership, and patience * Why he believes your wedding should look like absolutely no one else's If this episode resonated, send it to a couple who is planning their day and needs a reminder that there are no rules — and come hang out with us on social. Connect with Us * * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/] * ⁠Jove Meyers [https://jovemeyer.com/] Credits: * Edited by: Jerson Barajas * Recorded by: MCM Creative * Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Marti Cummings: Why Drag Is Resistance and Everything is Political

What does it look like to build a life at the intersection of art, activism, and heartbreak — all while the world around you feels like it is coming apart at the seams? In this episode of Love, Take Two, Marti Cummings gets into all of it. As a drag performer, TV personality, and activist who has performed on all seven continents and hosted their own talk show, Marti has never done things the conventional way. That includes becoming the first openly non-binary candidate to run for office in New York City — a campaign that was as much about visibility and community as it was about politics. Marti opens up about what drove them to step into the political arena, what that experience actually looked like on the ground in New York, and how they think about advocacy and resistance in the current political climate. They also get personal about love. Marti reflects on their marriage, their divorce, and what moving through the end of a relationship taught them about themselves. It is the kind of honest that does not show up in press junkets. This is a conversation about showing up — for your community, for yourself, and for the people you love — even when it is hard, even when it costs you something. Key Takeaways * What led Marti to run for office in New York City and what that experience was really like * How drag has evolved for them from art form to platform for political resistance * Their take on the current administration and what effective advocacy looks like right now * What their divorce taught them about love, identity, and starting over * How they have built a career that refuses to separate entertainment from activism If this conversation lit something up in you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that resistance can look like a lot of things — and come hang out with us on social. Connect with Us * * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/] * Marti Cummings [https://www.instagram.com/martigcummings/] Credits: * Edited by: Jerson Barajas * Recorded by: MCM Creative * Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

David Archuleta: American Idol, the Mormon Church, and the Making of Devout

Most people know David Archuleta from the American Idol stage. Far fewer know what was happening beneath the surface the entire time. In this episode of Love, Take Two, David sits down to talk about Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself, his 2026 memoir that pulls back the curtain on a journey most of his fans never saw coming. From winning Star Search at 12 to becoming one of the most recognized faces of the American Idol era, David spent years performing for the world while privately navigating something much harder — a faith system that had no room for who he actually was. David opens up about what it felt like to grow up deeply embedded in the Mormon Church while quietly reckoning with his queer identity, the emotional abuse he experienced along the way, and the severe anxiety that followed him through some of the highest profile moments of his career. He talks about what finally pushed him toward deconstruction, what he lost in the process, and what he found on the other side of it. Key Takeaways * What David's early rise on American Idol looked like from the inside * How his Mormon faith shaped his identity and his career for years * The moment he knew something had to change and what that process actually looked like * How he navigated coming out publicly while also leaving his church * What writing Devout taught him about himself and why he felt it was time to tell this story If this episode moved you, pass it along to someone who is in the middle of their own deconstruction — whatever form that takes — and come find us on social. Connect with Us * * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/] * David Archuleta [https://www.instagram.com/davidarchie/] Credits: * Edited by: Jerson Barajas * Recorded by: MCM Creative * Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Alessandra Ciuffo: From Winning Guy's Grocery Games at 15 to Building Flavors by Alessandra

Most people spend their teenage years figuring out who they are. Alessandra Ciuffo spent hers winning on Food Network. In this episode of Love, Take Two, Alessandra takes us back to where it all started — stepping in front of a camera at 12 years old on Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off and then going on to win Guy's Grocery Games at 15. What could have been a fun footnote became the foundation for something real. Today she is the face behind Flavors by Alessandra, a brand she has built by being exactly herself — chaotic, warm, genuinely skilled, and completely unfiltered about all of it. Alessandra gets into what the journey from child competitor to full-on food personality actually looked like, including the parts that were not glamorous. She talks about how she developed her voice in a space that can feel oversaturated, why she refuses to see other creators as competition, and how her belief that there is room for everyone at the top has shaped the way she moves through her career. Authenticity is not just a buzzword for Alessandra — it is the entire strategy. This is a conversation about creative confidence, staying positive when the path is not linear, and what it looks like to build something that is genuinely yours. Key Takeaways * What it was really like to compete on Food Network as a kid and teenager * How Alessandra built Flavors by Alessandra into a brand people actually connect with * Why she believes there is room for everyone at the top and how that mindset has served her * The role authenticity plays in standing out in a crowded creator space * How she has stayed consistent and positive through the less glamorous parts of the journey If this episode got you fired up about backing yourself and betting on your own lane, send it to someone who needs to hear it — and come hang out with us on social. Connect with Us * * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/] * Alessandra Cuiffo [https://www.instagram.com/flavorsbyalessandra/] Credits: * Edited by: Jerson Barajas * Recorded by: MCM Creative * Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Alexis Bittar on Selling, Reclaiming & Rebuilding His Jewelry Company

What does it take to build something from nothing and then decide to start over again? For this week’s guest, Alexis Bittar, that question has defined his career. In this episode of Love, Take Two, Alexis reflects on his early days selling vintage jewelry on the streets of New York City and how that experience shaped his approach to creativity, business, and risk. What began as a scrappy, self-made path evolved into a globally recognized brand known for its bold design and hand-carved Lucite pieces. Over the years, Alexis built a fashion empire, earning recognition from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and designing for cultural icons like Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, and Iris Apfel. But success didn’t follow a straight line. After selling his company at its peak, Alexis made the unexpected decision to step back in and reclaim the brand in 2021. A move that speaks to a deeper understanding of ownership, identity, and what it means to evolve. Alexis opens up about the realities of building and selling a business, the lessons that come with stepping away, and what it looks like to take control of your second act. Key Takeaways * How Alexis got his start selling jewelry on St. Mark’s Place * Building a globally recognized fashion brand from the ground up * The creative vision behind his signature Lucite designs * What it was like to sell his company — and why he came back * Lessons on entrepreneurship, risk, and long-term success * What reinvention looks like at different stages of a career * If this episode resonates, share it with someone thinking about taking a risk or starting over — and come hang out with us on social! Connect with Us * * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lovetaketwopod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@lovetaketwopod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrf3XmSTWlr6aqU1unYdKw] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thequeerfamilypodcast/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nycgaydad/] * Alexis Bittar [https://www.alexisbittar.com/collections/new-arrivals-1?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=C3_BrandSearch_Google_US_EC_Sales_Search-Brand_Search_AlexisBittar_06-24-21&utm_id=13656004961&utm_term=alexis+bittar&utm_content=791994952241&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13656004961&gbraid=0AAAAABY-0OuU0W5st9XPBhy-b9c1gMwdW&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pHPBhCdARIsAHXYWP_24F-kFo7NQSQ7xW1QQCcvQIKlTaZ-2ekr5cwkxnHsTPba3fo3tA4aApV9EALw_wcB] Credits: * Edited by: Jerson Barajas * Recorded by: MCM Creative * Produced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall