I am Consciously Curious

Our next guest is a journalist turned multi-hyphenate. She has experience within tech, media, and entrepreneurship. She’s worked with the New York Times, Business Insider, and CNBC. She’s currently a Program Manager at Google and a Finance Contributor at Forbes. She’s passionate about exploring the Latino influence in the world of business. She shares some of these stories on her newsletter and podcast, Moneda Moves. As children of immigrants, we explore identity and family dynamics. I admire her ability to dig deep, cultivate a community, and explore what it takes to build generational wealth for other immigrants. Stay tuned for her take on one of the keys to one’s success. Please enjoy my conversation with Lyanne Alfaro. 

https://www.monedamoves.com
https://www.instagram.com/lyannealfaro
https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious

Our next guest is the principal architect of Robbins Architecture. Her firm has designed elegant and functional dream homes in Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, and Wyoming. Their homes bring out a sense of harmony, elegance, and livability. Our guest shares some of her earliest memories of design and entrepreneurship. Becoming an architect seemed like fulfilling a destiny.  I walked away inspired by how to design and live in my own spaces. Please enjoy my conversation with Celeste Robbins. You can find her recently published monograph on her website linked below as well as on Amazon.

https://www.phaidon.com/monacelli/the-meaningful-modern-home-soulful-architecture-and-interiors-9781580936231/
https://robbins-architecture.com
https://www.instagram.com/robbinsarchitecture

Our next guest is coincidentally Justine's cousin, but we met prior to me meeting Justine. When Justine introduced me to the cousins, Josh accurately guessed what I drove. He's taken care of me on several occasions when I would bring the car in for service. Just another example of how small the world can feel sometimes. Josh recently popped up at Side Practice Coffee to showcase his sneaker restoration and alteration company, JoshGotKustoms. Through music, car culture, and sneakers, he shares his journey of finding his tribe after immigrating here. The first half of the episode reflects on his time within the automotive journey and then we pivot to his filipino experience as well as what he's currently up to with sneakers. Please enjoy my conversation with Josh Gotangco.

https://joshgotkustoms.com
https://instagram.com/joshgotkustoms

Sponsors:
Doughnate Pizza “Where Dough Does Good”
https://www.doughnatepizza.com
Chicago EMT Training
https://www.chicagoemttraining.com

Our next guest shares how she forged her identity and purpose as a creator. She’s the definition of “leaving no stone unturned.” She’s authored a cookbook, been a finalist on Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout, and is currently releasing her dumpling-making kit. She’s been trying to recreate experiences where people come together over good food and good conversation. Every one of her previous experiences have led to forming Thirsty Dumpling. She’s tenacious, her ambition is palpable, and Chicago’s lucky to have her in the area. Please enjoy my conversation with Samantha Mui.

https://www.instagram.com/sammyeats
https://sammyeat.com/
https://thirstydumpling.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAzOMY9FzkSsF8HekdeFGJQ

Sponsors:
Doughnate Pizza “Where Dough Does Good”
https://www.doughnatepizza.com
Chicago EMT Training
https://www.chicagoemttraining.com

Our next guest is a physician, deacon, family man, farmer, and he’s currently running for Senate in Illinois. He’s created a 100% free allergy and asthma clinic through his foundation, Strength to Love. He has a knack for identifying root causes of an issue, coming up with a potential solution, and scaling these methods to reach a larger group of people. Two issues that he’s been successful with recently are gun violence and food insecurity. He’s battling gun violence by implementing a bill that assists families with children who are victims of gun violence up to $10,000 with funeral and burial costs. As for food insecurity, we still have areas of the city that are food apartheids. His patients would share that it would be easier and cheaper to get fast food rather than make the trek to a grocery store to potentially find spoiled fruits and vegetables. So Dr. Dave bought a farm. He most recently donated 16 acres to food depositories across the midwest. He’s currently running for the Senate seat in the 20th district which includes Portage Park, Belmont Cragin, Logan Square, Albany Park, Avondale, Lincoln Park, and Bucktown. Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Dave Nayak. We’re lucky to have you Dr. Dave!

Connect with Dr Dave Nayak:
https://drdavenayak.com/
https://strengthtolove.org/
https://nayakfarms.com/

Sponsors:
Doughnate Pizza “Where Dough Does Good”
www.doughnatepizza.com

Chicago EMT Training
https://www.chicagoemttraining.com

Our next guest stops by all the way from Canada. She's cultivated a passion for writing and has recently stepped away from being a course editor for a university to freelance full time. She also shares a bit about what life was like living with a parent who was dealing with mental health issues. She's the host of the Finding Fifty Podcast and reflects on the life lessons and experiences up until this point. Please enjoy my conversation with Carolyn Hawes.

https://carolynhawescreative.com
https://instagram.com/carolyn_hawes
https://instagram.com/findingfiftypodcast

Tom returns to share what's been going on in his life one year after our last recording. We touch on his transition from property management to risk response at a restoration company and finally striking a work life balance. We revisit his journey of loss with his dad and the importance of family. And we explore what goes into preparing to be the band at our wedding. This episode was filmed two months prior to our wedding. Releasing this episode one month after our wedding brought back all the feels. There's so much humility, growth, and warmth in this episode. Please enjoy my conversation with Tom Purrazzo.

Sponsor:
Doughnate Pizza "Where Dough Does Good"
https://www.doughnatepizza.com

Find us:
https://www.instagram.com/tommypurrazz
https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious

Our next guest has become one of Chicago’s favorite urban historians. This man is a walking encyclopedia. He shares how he expanded his curiosity of the city through his time as a lifeguard for the Chicago beaches as well as being a meter maid for ComEd. We also discuss some possible solutions to the uptick in crimes committed by our youth as well as some possible solutions to the issues around the police department. Despite the negativity that the media shares about Chicago, Shermann continues to share positivity and light on areas of Chicago that are rarely highlighted. Once you gain insight into the history of a neighborhood, you can’t help but cultivate respect, pride, and curiosity for it. If you haven’t taken a neighborhood tour with him yet, check him out chicagomahoganyfoundation.org

https://www.chicagomahogany.com/
https://www.instagram.com/6figga_dilla
https://www.tiktok.com/@6figga_dilla

Mentioned groups:

https://www.brickofchicago.com/
https://www.chicagoforchicagoans.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Robinson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timuel_Black

Our next guest shares his passion for creating an inclusive space for people with disabilities. He wants to show that, when given an opportunity, people with disabilities can do anything. Growing up with Auditory Processing disorder and ADHD, he cultivated a passion for this niche. He works with Keshet as a Recreation Program Manager, a group that provides support and encouragement at after school programs and day camps. He's also the Founder of Creative Souls, a company that provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to create art as well as a platform for the art to be found and bought by others. Please enjoy my conversation with Drew McNamara.

https://www.becreativesouls.com
https://www.instagram.com/becreativesouls
https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious

Our next guest shares his journey of pursuing his dream of baking pastries. From his first time in a commercial kitchen in high school with After School Matters to sharpening his skills at Lost Larson to even running his own pastry program at Big Jones. He now shares his pastries through his bakery Del Sur Bakery and you can find them at Side Practice Coffee [5139 N Damen ave]. It was truly a pleasure to hear his immigrant story and I related to his struggle of having deeper conversation with immediate family members. Please enjoy my conversation with Justin Lerias.

https://www.instagram.com/delsur.bakery
https://www.instagram.com/iamconsciouslycurious