Luisa Ponzi (wine grower, wine maker, vineyard lover, business owner, mama) says she's not quite sure what her "role" is these days - but it certainly has to do with wine. She says her role in the Oregon wine industry has shifted somewhat and it's done so in a natural way - where the winery used to be her key focus, she says she's now finding the vineyard is where she's pouring a lot of her heart and soul into.

The Ponzi family moved from Southern California years ago to the Willamette Valley to start a vineyard, make wine, live off the land and Luisa has fond memories of being in the vines, playing in the dirt and helping Dad. Winemaking was not on her radar, but after she graduated college, Dad invited her to help with harvest (100% intentional on his part) and she says everything just clicked.

She made tremendous strides in the Oregon wine industry and when she talks about winemaking, specifically, the vines her family planted years ago which are still producing grapes, you can almost feel her passion for this role she clearly loves so much. Be on the lookout for her label, "Luisa Wines" coming out spring 2026 and the collab she's currently doing with her daughter, Mia - "Drink Lerzi"!

Dream podcast guest alert! You know you're off to a good start when Trish asks "was food important growing up" and you get a solid 20-minute answer! Judiaann Woo not only has the beauty and the brains, but she came in with a catalog of stories - from childhood to her time in New York City. Judiaann is a marketing consultant & social media strategist, a content creator, food & travel writer, recipe developer, and host of her podcast, "Food People are the Best People." Born in Korea, she talks about her family moving to the states when she was three, and how very important food was growing up. Mom was not only a great cook, whipping up Korean dishes at home, but she also learned how to make other dishes from other cultures, thanks to her co-workers, willing to share techniques, ingredients and how-tos. Judiaann says she didn't even think about pursuing a career in culinary until she was living in New York City, doing some soul searching and realizing she kept coming back to food as something she was passionate about.

In her long list of talents, she also lists one of her roles as "community builder." She believes that special partnership is critical to building communities and becoming stronger, kinder, compassionate neighbors.

So many stories and simply not enough time. Trish chats with Chef, Author, Consultant, and teacher Norman Van Aken about his culinary journey. Dubbed "Florida's Culinary Icon" by the Jacques Pépin Foundation, Trish learns how Norman went from a short order cook in a diner to creating an American regional cuisine. Norman talks about watching his mother and grandmother cook, but never really thinking he'd ever be a chef. He hitchhiked to Key West at 19, a place that would steal his heart as he found himself going back there a few times in his life. In Key West, he learned not only to cook, but he was introduced to so many flavors, cultures, perspectives, and he calls it a pivotal time for him. He's written several books, won countless awards, and has helped grow non-profit "Get Cooking," which helps food insecure families in Florida.

This interview is full of stories - Norman's adventures, the people he's met, and at the heart - his passion for cooking.

There's a reason Sam Block has been on this podcast 4 times now - not only is she an absolute delight, but there's a natural familiarity when it comes to Sam and Trish... like they've known each other for years.

Sam fills us in on what she's been up to lately, which includes some very exciting things at America's Test Kitchen. It's a project Sam is excited about and one that allows for creativity and learning. She also said she picked up a little side hustle - waiting tables at an Irish pub and she calls it a game changer.

The two discuss cooking and baking, paint by numbers (Sam is more disciplined than Trish), and what "success" means to both of them. It's fun, sweet and lovely podcast between a couple of pals who met through this podcast and have developed a pretty great friendship.

A fun breath of fresh air, Sommelier and co-owner of Parallel Food & Drink in Portland, Oregon, Stacey Gibson chats with Trish about her adventures in wine and food. She grew up in Connecticut, went to college in Boston and then studied abroad in Tuscany - where a lot of this love of food and wine started. A desire for politics led her to Washington, D.C., but she discovered it simply wasn't for her, instead, an adventure to New York City is where she discovered her passion for wine, food, hospitality, and ultimately, her chef husband. After several years in the city, they both decide they wanted something different and moved to Portland, Oregon to embark on new adventures. And that's just what this interview is - one adventure after another.

"Life has been a journey I am proud of," Libra Forde. A perfect quote to not only describe Libra's life so far, but also this interview. Libra, the Executive Director of the Women's Foundation of Oregon was born and raised in New York City. The only child of two wildly talented parents (her mother was a successful runway model and Dad was Denzel Washington's first acting coach and the King of Cartoons on Pee-Wee's Playhouse), she talks about the influence they both had on her. Her parents were adamant that she go to college and think about a "real job," and while she says she struggled in college (it wasn't her first choice), she turned things around and made it work for her. The journey continues with a move to Hawaii, finding her voice in Toastmasters, becoming a keynote speaker, and working to make this place beyond our existence.

It's a roller coaster of emotions in this interview, so hop on and buckle up! Trish interviews Shauna Rosenblum, Lytton Springs winemaker at Ridge Vineyards. The two met through Women in Wine Oregon when Trish needed a dynamic panelist for the organization's annual conference. She blew away the audience with her journey to winemaking and we're hoping this conversation will do the same. Shauna grew up in the vines so to speak, knowing how to test sugars at a very young age and getting very good at throwing bottles on the bottling line when she was 12. Winemaking was not what she wanted to do though, so she set her sights on art school and then became an art teacher. At that point, her parents started a new winery and Shauna came to "help out" and essentially, ended up helping Dad build the company. She faced a series of challenges a few years later, ones that made her want to quit the wine business all together. She talks about how some song lyrics from Frozen 2, nacho cheese and vodka, and perhaps a message from the universe made everything come into focus.

Fascinating and inspiring interview with Renee Guilbault! Renee is a chef, author, CEO of "The Open Food Company" and co-host of cooking show, "In the Kitchen with Harry Hamiln." From an early age, Renee says she understood the importance of food and that it wasn't just something to put in our guts. At 17, she dropped out of high school and started working in the food industry. She landed a fairly significant job - one she didn't think she was quite ready for (thank goodness for positive mentors) before she decided culinary school in France was the next move for her. She was 100% positive a job in a fine dining restaurant was going to be the ultimate for her, but turns out, she couldn't leave fast enough. Renee talks about the opportunities that came her way, the huge responsibility she carries as a chef to make sure she's putting the right food message out in the world, and her latest adventure with Uncle Harry Hamlin - in the kitchen cooking together (episodes streaming on AMC+). Renee is on a mission to see "a world well-fed" and we couldn't be happier to help spread the word.

Trish discovers the many talents, fascinating stories, and brilliance behind keynote speaker and workshop facilitator Mary Czarnecki! The two met through Women in Wine Oregon and share a love for the art and importance of storytelling. Mary grew up on the west coast and her journey to the Pacific Northwest is full of bumps, major successes, and experiences! Mary is also the host of her podcast @stickynotemarketing where she helps listeners harness their superpowers through storytelling. (PS : Trish was a guest on Mary's podcast, too! Subscribe to @stickynotemarketing for a listen!)

This smartypants discovered her talent of helping groups of people, who maybe weren't speaking the same language (figuratively) and bringing them together to connect. A lively, fun, in-depth interview on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of owning and telling your story, and why these two love the PNW so much. Enjoy!

Too much fun in this interview with Nicole McLaughlin, culinary producer for "allrecipes," known as the "home for the home cook." Nicole talks about growing up in an Italian family (and yes, Trish asks about those Sunday suppers), the family butcher who worked at the Piggly Wiggly, and how very important food was growing up. Nicole knew she wanted to do something in the culinary world and she says it was pure luck (unlucky for someone else) in how she ended up in front of the camera for "allrecipes." She shares her secrets for cooking on a budget - in fact, she says she's "mastered" it, so maybe take some notes! This lover of libations and master of the "perfect bite" will certainly leave you hungry for more.