Mostly All Figured Out

In this episode, I sat down with Executive Chef Malik Von Saint of Harvest Restaurant at Bent's Opera House in Medina. Chef talked about his journey growing up in the industry, and the people and places that had an impact on him. As the leader in his fine dining kitchen now, he uses all the things he's learned along the way to usher the next generation of culinary creators.

He shared how difficult it is to live the lifestyle of a chef, especially with maintaining an intimate relationship. We also talked about how making small changes in his routines and starting therapy really made a big difference for him.

In the episode, Chef references "A Cook's Tour" an event the benefits an organization called Family Meal, a nonprofit that emerged from a desire to support struggling hospitality industry workers. Be sure to check them out to support or look for support if you need it.

Thanks for listening, please share it with your friends!

Follow Chef Malik on IG: @malikvonsaint

And get yourself to Harvest for a meal you will love, and a stay at Bent's Opera House! I got to stay there with my sister and it was so lovely. The rooms are all different and unique, and the little town has all sorts of fun shops and bars to slip in and out of. Less than an hour away!

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Aaaaaaaaand we're back. I won't bore y'all with what life has been like the last couple of months that led to another podcast hiatus. Well, actually I will, but I'll save it for a solo episode.

More importantly, I'm THRILLED to share my conversation with Justin Hofschneider of Wine on Hertel (WOH)! Justin and I met ages ago when he first soft opened WOH and I was "writing articles" for Step Out Buffalo. Sadly, the article I was supposed to write for his business was never written (sounds believable doesn't it?), but years later, he ended up dating my sister! And now he's the awesome Step Daddy J to my three nieces and my nephew.

In our episode, we talked about his side of the story of their relationship (My sister Liz gave her side in the controversial episode #47) and how he transitioned from single business owner bachelor to doing school pick-ups and making dinners for 6. We also talk about how Wine on Hertel began and the slow process it was to making it what it is today - coming up on year 10!

We talked a lot about perspectives and the importance of taking nothing for granted. There are lessons around every corner if you are open to learning them. Hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, please share!

Follow Wine on Hertel on IG: @wineonhertel
And be sure to stop by for a glass of wine and some delicious tapas!

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Finally, I give you, the long-anticipated, fascinating conversation with the one and only, Sean Wrafter. Sean and I recorded this back in April of this year which honestly feels like another lifetime to me.

Sean is the co-owner of Acme Cabinet Company. Before that, he designed and built furniture and commercial fixtures at his furniture store called Wrafterbuilt. He's worked in construction, inside and outside sales and marketing, and many other things in-between.

We talked about his career trajectory but also got into the difficulty of finding a good therapist, changing the narrative in your friends' group to help you stick to your health and self-care goals, the importance of being present, and so much more. 

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

OMGGGGG I am so happy to be back 😭 Wow I missed this podcast, I missed talking into the mic alone, I missed sharing great conversations with amazing people, wow wow wow. I can't let 4 months go by like that again.

But, tbh, I had to. I share more in the episode, but it's been a wild 4 months of pushing to the finish line of this chapter of my life. It's been frustrating, sad, exciting, and scary all at once. We're still in it, but it's getting close.

Also in this episode, I share exactly how I manifested my dream apartment. This was such a massive thing for me. I desperately wanted to find a place that felt like a real home for my boys. This has been a tough year for them, too. But also, leaving the house my ex and I bought together, the place where both my boys grew up, it's really the final nail in the coffin of this chapter, so I wanted to start over somewhere that made me feel joy, hope, and comfort. When I tell you this place is literally exactly what I wanted... I can't believe it, but also, I a little bit can. 

Have a listen, tell your friends the best podcast around is back on, and give yourself a hug cause you're doing a great fucking job.

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Chris Flynn of Bflo Pizza Bistro is on the podcast today! Y'all, I have been shook over how this podcast has opened doors to meeting new people doing really cool things. I met Chris while with a friend at Free Street Tavern. When he was introduced to me as the owner of Bflo Pizza Bistro, my first thoughts were - wow that is so cool, I need to know more about how he got to this point! However, it came out verbally as "what gave you the audacity to open a pizza shop in Buffalo?" Lol. Oopsie.

Luckily he got what I meant and didn't take offense to it, we recorded a visually disastrous mini podcast right then and there at Free Street and then set up a time to do the real thing a couple weeks later.

Chris and his buddies also started a major annual beloved Buffalo event - Buffalo Groundhog Day. They all seem to possess the "fuck around and find out" mindset that I am now obsessed with. I hope that listening to Chris talk about his journey inspires you to just do the damn thing - whatever it is for you. Cause why not!?

Follow Bflo Pizza Bistro on IG @bflopizzabistro
Follow Chris's food pics on IG @bflo_pizzachef
Follow Chris Flynn on IG @chris_flynn716

Order some pizza right now here! I had the mushroom rosemary and SWEET LORD was it good. 

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

David Gonzalez from Arbol and Arbol Community Fund is on the podcast today! David and I have known each other for a long time, and I have absolutely loved watching his career unfold, transition, and grow... especially from our days serving at Carrabba's Italian Grille.

David co-founded Arbol, an online application that empowers college students to take action on their finances, providing an engaging experience that alleviates the anxiety of managing financial aid and personal finances. Ultimately it helps in reducing dropout rates. David has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and has always prioritized his career. We talk about all the ups and downs, including the opportunities he created for himself. So many good nuggets in here for anyone looking to start a business or advance their career. Lots to learn from this startup pro! Enjoy!

Get tickets for the Arbol Community Event at Resurgence on June 20 here!

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Lauree Ostrofsky is on the the podcast today! Lauree is a coach and an author, helping A-students & overthinkers leap with more ease and less worry. After deciding to take a step back from corporate life to find her true passion, Lauree found herself facing news no one ever wants to receive - a brain tumor.  We talked about how her experiences in the hospital led her to the path she is now on, including authoring two books and coaching people through taking leaps despite their fears.

I hope this episode encourages you to do things scared, too. Let's go!!

Lauree's website with books and coaching info: simplyleap.com
Follow her on IG: @lauree_ostrofsky
Take the quiz to find out what kind of overthinker you are: simplyleap.com/quiz

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

DJ A is on the pod today! Andrew had a love for music from day one. But he didn't pursue it as a career right away! I learned today that he went to culinary school first, working in various local establishments on the line. I loved talking career pivots, mindsets, and staying positive with this awesome human that I've been working with for years. Enjoy the episode!

Follow DJ A on Instagram: @djabuffalo
Book him here: therecorddjco.com

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Dr. Sam Attard is on the podcast today! Dr. Sam is an Āyurvedic Health Counselor, nutrition PhD, and Yoga Instructor with over 2,500 hours of teaching experience. Through her business Spiro Collective, she helps women find alternatives to artificial hormones and medications for chronic issues using the holistic, soul-nourishing practices from Āyurveda. Her goal is to help women enjoy menstruating, optimize fertility, and make peace with being a woman so that they can help build a more collaborative and compassionate society that values feminine gifts and power.

In this episode, we got into talking periods with your son(s), the incredible impact that small habit changes can make, the power of a gratitude practice and so much more. We did have almost every technical difficulty you can imagine so please bear with, but trust me - it's worth it!

Check out Dr. Sam's work:  spirocollective.com
Follow her on Instagram: @spirocollective
Take the quiz to figure out your Dosha: spirocollective.com/ayurvedic-dosha-quiz
Check out Banyan Botanicals
And her Āyurvedic teacher: Hale Pule

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Hey, y'all. It's been a weird week. I've been in a funk for no real reason. For me, when anxiety appears, it takes the form of a tight chest and decision paralysis. Which is why I'm posting this podcast at 10:45PM on the day it should be up. 

In this episode, I share how imposter syndrome and people-pleasing accosted me the last few days and the things I did tonight to help break me out of the spiral I've been sliding down. 

If this was a rough week for you too, you're not alone. I don't think how I feel is abnormal. So here I am telling you about it. Thanks for listening, I hope this helps somebody.

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs"  and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! 
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• Follow us on TikTok: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes:  @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio