Drinking Partners

Khamil Scantling, founder of Cocoapreneur Pgh, which focuses on community development through economic growth and entrepreneurship, visits the Drinking Partners to highlight her newest project: Greenwood Week (October 27– November 2). Named in honAor of Black Wall Street, a thriving Black community in Tulsa, OK that was destroyed by race riots, the minority-focused business conference hopes to provide, "a guided path to running a successful business or brand." Ms. Scantling explains the ideas behind Greenwood Week and what attendees can expect: networking events to classes on mental and financial health to budgeting, funding, and business plan development. Ed offers an interesting financial comparison of his own and promises listeners that they won't miss the cost of the ticket price for Greenwood Week before the group gets back on topic and looks into how small investments lead to large possibilities. Midway through, Ms. Scantling gives detailed instructions on what to expect from the experts who will host Greenwood Week's classes. Collaboration, community, and comfort through eliminating barriers are the key elements examined in the latter minutes. Free childcare will be provided during the evening class sessions, which opens the door for Ed and Day to go off-topic. To their credit, they behaved most of the episode. To find out more about Greenwood Week and the weeklong events and to purchase tickets, visit: www.greenwoodweekpgh.com.

In the newest Drinking Partners podcast release, Ed and Day are joined by Akita Donald and Brian Rossi, from AD99 Solutions, a Pittsburgh-based foundation that aims to "holistically prepare Pittsburgh's underprivileged youth for life-long success." To that end, AD99 focuses on academic, athletic, and social achievements and offers tutoring and mentoring, in addition to a wide-ranging support system. After some verbal shenanigans from Day, Ms. Donald explains the AD99 approach, from which communities they seek to assist to how they are trying to reduce the life-changing effects of systemic racism. Ed discusses how he is doing his part as well – by passing on his used sneakers to his nephews. In between a serious conversation about sport culture and how AD99 provides extended support, Ed and Day drop lots of amusing stories and pepper the interview with their usual Drinking Partners asides. Keep listening until the end to hear Ms. Donald's advice on how to make positive changes, on a non-profit level and on a personal level. To learn more about AD99, to donate, or to volunteer, visit: www.ad99.org

Brewing aficionados: take note. Back for his third time, Bill Oats from Three Rivers Underground Brewers visits the Drinking Partners podcast with an extensive collection of beer and knowledge. The early minutes feature a discussion on recipe development and have the men trying to decide if a pickle is a fruit as Bill describes TRUB's successful dill pickle beer. What follows is a series of questions that focus on taste. From how to brew a proper Belgian to how to make yeast healthy, Bill drops all sorts of brewing lessons that homebrewers will appreciate. Ed and Day listen in as attentive students with only occasional outbursts, such as "Tell the yeast it's beautiful." Find Mr. Oats and other Three Rivers Underground Brewers members at this year's Brewing Up a Cure, a homebrewer-centric festival that raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on October 19 at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit the event website: https://brewingupacure.org.

Favoritism and beef? That's the theme in the latest Drinking Partners podcast as Ed finds himself embroiled in both. Martinea Goss, founder and instructor for Trap Yoga, stops by the studio to bring her unique vibe and to explain how she mixes music and yoga to create a dynamic, positive flow. Having created Trap Yoga to fill a void in the Pittsburgh yoga scene, Ms. Goss focuses on establishing a different scene and welcoming a new crowd and speaks on how she designs her classes. After a conversation about the Trap Yoga business model, the trio takes a sharp turn to discuss raccoons, which will not surprise anyone. The interview concludes with Ms. Goss's plans for the future and, of course, her favorite form of potato. Find more about Trap Yoga and attend a class by checking Martinea out on Instagram: pittsburghtrapyoga

In the latest, laughter-filled Drinking Partners podcast, Ed and Day interview the duo of Slim tha DJ and the multitalented musician and rapper Benji. To start, they discuss the art of music and how to create the right vibe for the right crowd and debate the pressing question of playing the same song more than once a night. It's three against one as Ed argues with an actual DJ in favor of repetition, proving that Ed will indeed argue with anyone. Next up, Benji talks about his introduction to rap through his brother, how he tried to separate himself from him, and how he splits time between his musical projects, including opening for some very impressive acts when he was only a 16 year old. Make sure to listen all the way through to hear a smooth duet between Slim tha DJ and Ed and which musical great each of the men would want to see perform live. In the latter minutes, both the musicians and comics talk about how they change up their songs and jokes to keep them fresh. The interview closes with how Benji and Slim tha DJ met and how they continue to grow as a performing pair. A charming and amusing listen from start to finish.

In the newest Drinking Partners podcast, Ed and Day get things turned on them from the early minutes as they go from interviewers to being interviewed. Amanda Trocki, Executive Director, and board member Alicia Carberry of Pittsburgh Cares, a volunteer organization, come ready and prepared and start by asking some questions themselves. With the mission of finding meaningful volunteer opportunities for anyone interested, Pittsburgh Cares seeks to be an "event planner for volunteer projects." From days of caring projects to corporate initiatives to a retired and senior volunteer program, Pittsburgh Cares has a place for everyone, even those with limited amounts of time. Throughout the podcast, the group discusses the many and varied chances for people to get involved and connected, with Day providing a great example of skills being matched with opportunities: as a hole digger for tree planting. Keep listening for Ed's advice, which shouldn't be a surprise for long-time listeners. There's even a discussion on how best to drink Hennessy mixed in with the meaningful information on how to make a difference in Pittsburgh. Find the perfect volunteer activity here: https://www.pittsburghcares.org

In the latest Drinking Partners podcast, Ed and Day welcome Hugh Twyman, one of the original Pittsburgh music and event bloggers who is still documenting the entertainment scene. As Hugh Shows, he has become the expert on all musical happenings in and around Pittsburgh. Now, he has expanded into the production side as a curator with the Deutschtown Music Festival. He stops by the studio to talk with the Drinking Partners about all aspects of the music industry, including tips on how to become successful and how to improve marketing. Midway through, Ed and Day debate the merits of DJ Khaled in a throwback to their many similar musical disagreements. They set aside their differences and behave as Hugh speaks on how he crafts his musical lineups, which starts with identifying the headliner. The podcast wraps up with a discussion on how to stay relevant and prosperous in the rapidly changing entertainment world. Find out more about Hugh and his musical endeavors: http://www.hughshows.com

The Drinking Partners welcome Jess Hickey of Greensburg Craft Beer Week for a discussion on all beer related happenings in Westmoreland County. Featuring 16 breweries from across the county and 30 homebrewers, Greenburg Craft Beer Week will take place September 20-28. With a focus on community and craft, the festival hopes to showcase local businesses and restaurants around the greater Greensburg area during their 9-day event. Each day offers an exciting, beer-centric event around the Greensburg area, from brunch to trivia to the Brewer's Double Dare; the festival itself is September 22. Ms. Hickey shares her extensive knowledge of both beer and business as she talks about planning the event, the actual beer itself, and the Greensburg community. Greensburg Craft Beer Week combines all three. To read more about the events and to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.greensburgcraftbeerweek.com/.

In their latest podcast, the Drinking Partners interview Ashlee Green, writer and managing editor of The Northside Chronicle. To start, Ms. Green explains what creative nonfiction is, which gives Ed lots of ideas on how he can incorporate the craft into his own life. With a free monthly print edition that seeks to highlight the community, The Northside Chronicle's focus includes profiles and features on Pittsburgh's talent and news. Midway through, and after a Drinking Partners tangent, the trio discusses the history of Allegheny City, the once-independent area central to the Northside. After an examination of journalistic practices and approaches, Ms. Green details her favorite stories and how she plans to include even more voices and welcome new perspectives. To read The Northside Chronicle, visit: https://www.thenorthsidechronicle.com.