Tom sits down with Stacey Ellison, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and founder of Divorce Mortgage Solutions in Middletown, NJ. Stacey has been in the mortgage industry for 30 years and specializes in one of the most overlooked and emotionally complex areas of divorce — what happens to the home. Tom and Stacey connected through the networking group 3C and in this episode she breaks down what divorce mortgage planning actually looks like, how she works alongside attorneys, mediators and financial professionals to make sure clients are making informed decisions about their home equity, and what joining a Credit Union has meant for her business. Stacey also shares advice for first time buyers navigating the current market and her take on the phrase that says it all when it comes to buying in today's rate environment — marry the house and date the rate. It is an unfortunate situation that nobody plans for, but Stacey's expertise makes sure her clients come out the other side with clarity and confidence.

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with James Costello, owner of Ohana Grill in Lavallette, a Hawaiian inspired BYOB restaurant that has become one of the most beloved dining spots on the Jersey Shore. James came into the industry through the bar side and has spent years building Ohana into a year round destination known for its food, its food truck, and its commitment to the community. In this episode James gets into the BYOB model and how it actually helps turn tables faster, the stress of staying consistent every single night, and how he uses his food truck as a testing platform for new menu trends. He also talks about spotting trends through his own kids, and what it means to deliver the same quality on a quiet Tuesday as a packed Saturday night. James also opens up about what giving back really looks like, including the work Ohana Grill did running a food drive after Hurricane Sandy and why being part of the Jersey Shore community has always been at the core of everything they do.

Tom sits down with Jim McNamara, VP of Community Relations and Sales and Executive Director of BlueClaws Charities for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Tom and Jim go back through their connection via the Big Brothers program and talk about how networking and community have always been at the core of what the BlueClaws are about. Jim gets into why Minor League Baseball is recession proof, how the BlueClaws deliver an experience that brings people together whether you follow baseball or not, and why giving back to the Jersey Shore community is a year round commitment for the organization. They also talk about the 127 players who have come through the BlueClaws and made it to the MLB.

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with Chef Doug Walsh, owner of Jersey Shore BBQ, one of the original BBQ spots on the Jersey Shore. Doug spent years mastering the craft of traditional smoked meat before building JSBBQ into one of the most recognized BBQ restaurants on the Shore, including a feature on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Doug gets into what it means to operate 100% from scratch after 13 years in one location and what it took to make the move to a new spot. He talks about the hidden costs most people never think about like to-go containers and the New Jersey regulations that impact how he can smoke meat, how catering helps keep the business alive through the offseason, and why the markup on liquor versus running a BYO can make or break a restaurant's bottom line. He also opens up about how online reviews can feel deeply personal, why consumers are starting to put budget ahead of quality, the reality of food delivery apps as a necessary evil, and what it was like to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and how it impacted the business. Through it all Doug talks about staying true to the craft, giving back to the community, and what keeps him going after over a decade in the game. #GritWontQuit #ChefSeries #ChefDougWalsh #JerseyShortBBQ #JSBBQ #BBQ #RestaurantIndustry #DinersDriveInsAndDives #GuyFieri #JerseyShore #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

Tom sits down with Amber Fernicola, a Jersey Shore native and luxury realtor at Keller Williams Realty in Spring Lake, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a career in real estate and what the market has in store for 2026. Amber breaks down her predictions for the spring market, why more homeowners deciding to move could finally open up much needed inventory, and why pricing may start to level out after years of volatility. She also gets into the behind the scenes hustle of being a realtor, running your own business under a brokerage, and one of the biggest stories impacting Monmouth County right now — Netflix's new production studio at Fort Monmouth and what it means for local home values and demand. #GritWontQuit #AmberFernicola #KellerWilliams #JerseyShoreRealEstate #NewJerseyRealEstate #2026RealEstate #NetflixFortMonmouth #MonmouthCounty #Realtor #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with Chef James Avery, a Jersey Shore native and Gordon Ramsay's former sous chef on Hell's Kitchen, for a conversation about what thirty years in the restaurant industry really looks like. James started as a pizza delivery boy on the Jersey Shore and worked his way through some of the most demanding kitchens in the country before building his own name in the culinary world. James gets real about the rising cost of food and labor, how it is impacting restaurants, and why educating consumers on those realities is more important than ever. He also gets into the art vs. business side of being a chef, why the business has to work before the creativity can flow, and the dark side of a culture that too often attracts and enables addiction. On top of that, James talks about the course he is building to mentor young chefs on life outside the kitchen, the power of networking and building community in the industry, and his takes on the most overrated and underrated dishes in food today. #GritWontQuit #ChefSeries #ChefJamesAvery #HellsKitchen #GordonRamsay #JerseyShore #RestaurantIndustry #ChefLife #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

Tom sits down with Jen Gouldstone, founder of Craft Loft — a multi-craft studio offering hands-on arts and crafts experiences through live hosted workshops, walk-in DIY projects, and private events. Unlike most craft studios that focus on one type of project, Craft Loft is a multi-craft concept where guests can make everything from succulent terrariums and mosaic coasters to moss art and fairy gardens. Jen's story is one of the most interesting we have had on the show. She moved from China to the Boston area at 13 without speaking English, went on to graduate from MIT, led efforts at Google, TripAdvisor, and several VC-backed startups, and survived the dot com bubble before eventually walking away from tech entirely. Tom even got hands-on and built a terrarium with Jen live on the podcast.

Season 2 of Grit Won't Quit is back, and we're kicking things off with the Chef Series — a recurring segment where host Tom Mirabella and Chef Mike Jurusz bring a fellow culinary pro to the table for real, unfiltered conversations about the restaurant industry. First up is Chef Chris Brandl, owner of the acclaimed Brandl. restaurant on the Jersey Shore. Chris pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a successful restaurant — from how he found his way into the kitchen to the story behind Brandl. and what the "." actually means. Chris also gets into the hard realities of the industry: how skyrocketing food, labor, and utility costs are squeezing restaurants and forcing them to pass those prices on to customers, the challenges of dealing with difficult guests, why people often forget that restaurants are a business, and the importance of mutual respect between diners and the people serving them. Plus, the chefs who inspired him and shaped the chef he is today.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Glenn Scher, owner of Carpets To Go, to talk about building a business rooted in community, trust, and long-term relationships. Glenn shares the story behind their incredible pay-it-forward event, where Carpets To Go gave away over 400 rugs to college students furnishing their dorm rooms. With locations in Brick and Howell, Glenn explains why creating a no-pressure shopping environment has been a cornerstone of their success and how that mindset has helped them become a go-to resource for contractors and interior designers. The conversation also dives into the importance of customer reviews, how Carpets To Go earned over 800 five-star Google reviews, and why actively asking for feedback matters. Glenn discusses his strategy of buying inventory in bulk to pass savings directly to customers, along with real-life moments on the showroom floor that remind him why he loves what he does. This episode is a great look at how putting people first, giving back, and running a smart operation can create lasting success in a competitive industry.

This episode of Grit Won't Quit takes a different turn as Tom sits down with SEO expert Alex Barr for a webinar-style deep dive into the evolving world of digital visibility. Together, they break down how SEO has changed, why it's no longer a one-time task, and how AI is reshaping everything from search behavior to business strategy. Tom and Alex explore the powerful ways AI can help local businesses grow — and the challenges it creates as agencies race to adapt. They also dig into the rising importance of trust in digital interactions, visibility across multiple channels, and why community engagement matters now more than ever. The conversation goes even deeper as they discuss the role of human interaction in an increasingly automated world, the concept of the "third space" for networking, and the possibility of universal basic income as AI replaces traditional jobs. Packed with insight, strategy, and forward-thinking discussion, this episode is a must-listen for business owners, marketers, and anyone trying to understand where digital marketing is headed next.