I am Consciously Curious

Our next guests are the partners of Motorshucker. A mobile oyster bar that currently pops up at places like Queen Mary Tavern, Easy Does It, and Bisous. You’ve seen photos and maybe even tried some of their seafood towers, crab rolls, or motormix fried peanuts. We reflect on their individual journeys and how they all came together. The trio perfectly complements each other while sharing the same passion and mission for access to high quality experiences for things like oysters. Please enjoy my conversation with Mico, Cub, and Jamie of Motorshucker.

https://www.motorshucker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/motorshucker

Our next guest is intuitive and ambitious. He hosts a modern Korean supper club experience called Haru Haru which means “day by day." The intimate nature of pop ups and private dinners allow him to hold space and tell stories that complement his food. We reflect on the support he’s received from his family and instructors in high school and Kendall College. Despite being a young leader, his curiosity and humility encourages his team to place trust in his vision. Please enjoy my conversation with Junho Lee. 

https://www.instagram.com/junholee.hh/

https://www.instagram.com/haruharu.chicago

Our next guest is introspective and level-headed. He’s had an interest in men’s fashion and styling from an early age. He was on a successful path in collegiate basketball, but an ACL tear led him to reevaluate other interests. These days, he creates content to share his style and the lessons he’s learned. This community he’s built has led to personal styling consultations, brand deals, and collaborations on unique pieces. Please enjoy my conversation with Jabari Sandifer.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jabarisandifer

https://substack.com/@whereyourpantsbreak

https://www.instagram.com/jabarisandifer/

Our next guest is tenacious and thoughtful. She’s a mother of two boys and the Founder/Owner of Volition Tea. A specialty tea company that highlights single origin organic teas primarily from China. She’s double downed on the importance of traceability so the consumer can appreciate exactly where and when the tea they’re consuming was harvested. She yearned for peace at an early age as she entered boarding school and she’s maintained that balance as she navigates entrepreneurship, sustainability, and parenthood these days. Please enjoy my conversation with Annie Xiang. 

https://www.volitiontea.com/

https://www.instagram.com/volitionteaco/

Our next guest is gentle, thoughtful, and courageous. He’s the owner of Thrd. Coffee Co. which is a coffee concierge service as well as a cafe in Bucktown. Despite a rough upbringing with school and family, he had a wake up call in his second attempt at 6th grade and eventually a coming of age in Bolivia after reconnecting with family and stumbling into the world of coffee. Upon returning to Holland, MI he started as a barista at Ferris Coffee and Nut Co. He honed his barista skills with Big Shoulders and his sales skills through Back of the Yards Coffee Co. and Tradecraft. The second half of the episode reflects on starting thrd. coffee co. and continuing to build its presence while planting the seeds for a meaningful personal life. Please enjoy my conversation with Raoul Adwan. 

https://www.thrdcoffee.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thrdcoffeeco

Our next guest is insatiably curious, hyper-focused, and charismatic. I got the sense that he’s always all in on the task at hand. That being said, he’s balancing a family, a full-time job as Chief Innovation Officer/Senior Partner at Cultivate, and slowly growing a Chicago-based brewery with Indian heritage. The first half of the episode was a reflection on his coming of age and how we can affect culture. The second half was a reflection on what beer means to us and how Azadi Brewing got their start with Pilot Project. Please enjoy my conversation with Bhavik Modi.

https://www.instagram.com/azadibhavik

https://www.instagram.com/azadibrewing

Our next guest is Katie Chung. A visual artist based in Chicago. I was introduced to her work through her mural for Good Things Vending with Steph Krim! I then found out she's created pieces for Facebook, Google, Adobe, 360 Chicago at the Hancock, and even a traditional Hanbok from handwritten garment tags from her mom's laundromat [amongst many other cool textile pieces]. We explore generational trauma, what healing could look like, and her Korean-American experience. She recently completed a solo trip to Korea and got to visit areas her parents previously lived in. It was truly a real conversation.

https://www.katiechung.com/
https://www.instagram.com/katiechungart

Our next guest is the Executive Chef of the new modern french restaurant Gavroche. He fell in love with cooking at an early age mainly from a functional aspect. He's an alum of Kendall College and has gained experience in kitchens like Alinea, Roister, Boka, Sixteen, and North Pond. He really found his footing when he started a private dining experience with his wife called Mirepoix Gangsters. This is an episode on exploring your identity and becoming a professional at your craft. Please enjoy my conversation with Chef Mitchell Acuña.

https://www.instagram.com/gavrochechicago

https://www.instagram.com/chef_mitchellacuna

Our next guest is Bernie Ambubuyog. A single mom, entrepreneur, and a MMA practitioner and color commentator. We reflect on her journey into MMA which was through her late husband Paul. She shares how the MMA community has become her second family especially through the later stages of Paul's cancer and eventual passing. We navigate the challenging dynamic of running Top Level MMA with her son Leon. On top of all that, she continues to be the Behavioral RN Care Manager at a local hospital. She's a beacon of resilience. Please enjoy my conversation with Bernie Ambubuyog.

Connect with Bernie:
https://www.toplevelmma.com/
https://www.instagram.com/toplevelmma/
https://www.instagram.com/lemarxmimi

Support our friends:

If you’d like to try some of the kombucha we have on the show, head over to drinkrmbr.com and use the code, CURIOUS10 at checkout for 10% off. Enjoy!

If you’d like to try some of the alt-chocolate bars from Mez (Mez Foods), they’ve provided a code for you to use: CURIOUS15

Jenn Dieas hosts Dr. Jon Mackoff in this podcast takeover. This is the third overall time these two have met and they're both great at holding space for self-inquiry. Some themes that they covered include the lack of safety Jenn experienced as a child, misplaced karma from parents, and embracing the feminine energy. Please enjoy this exploration between Jenn and Dr. Mackoff.

Connect with them:
https://www.instagram.com/jenndieas_
https://www.instagram.com/drjonmackoff