Pittsburgh Beautiful

I'd never heard of Hiller before.  It's just outside of Brownsville.  A little town about an hour south of Pittsburgh.   And the home of the world's largest podcast network dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry.  Todd Eury, founder of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, sat down with me at his flagship studio in Hiller to talk about how the idea evolved, and why he chose to stay in Western Pennsylvania.

One of the great things about Pittsburgh is that you can always find someone who thinks a lot like you do, but differently... if you know what I mean.   So... my wife, Lauren, the Pittsburgh Property Diva, had a radio show for a little while on News Radio 1020 KDKA.   I would live stream it on Facebook.   In doing so, I discovered Eric McKenna, another realtor in Pittsburgh, live streaming his radio show on WBPV in Beaver County.   Oh, well... I guess we weren't first to the party, like I had hoped.

Fast forward a couple years, and I've been following Eric's journey into the podcasting and video podcasting world.   I noticed the Eric McKenna Project on YouTube, and I just had to watch...  now here's the "think a lot like you, but differently" part...   The focus of Eric's podcast and video show are similar to mine... telling the stories of Pittsburghers...  but different in this way:  Eric's show is recorded in Boogie Street Studios, a passion project born from a previous life's venture into custom guitar making - Boogie Street Guitars.  Every part of his studio reflects Eric and his journey.   And it's also long-form.  Eric encourages his guests to take as long as they want to tell their story.  And it works.

We spent a good hour talking about Pittsburgh Beautiful in Boogie Street Studios.   Then we took a short walk down the street in Coraop0lis to Anchor and Anvil Coffee, and the host became the guest.   Eric is originally from Coraopolis, and in spite of having many opportunities to leave Pittsburgh throughout his career, has decided this is where he belongs.   So, the Eric McKenna Project was born.

So...  what to do, what to do?   Let's talk about sports.   All the sports that are cancelled or postponed.   So that's what we did.  At the Abbey on Butler Street in Lawrenceville.   As usual.   It's a risky business being sports podcasters!

It seems the Abbey on Butler Street has become our favorite hangout.  Good thing because there's not much to talk about as the sports vortex continues, again.   We discuss a little Steeler's stuff... some hockey, of course, and another EXCITING segment of "Is it a sport, or not".

Transformation.   That’s what Dr. Christina Tarantola hopes to help her clients accomplish.   Much like the transformation she experienced moving from New York City to Pittsburgh.   I met Christina while looking for more interesting Pittsburgher stories to tell, and her path here to Pittsburgh is one that is becoming more common.   Growing up on Long Island, attending school in New York, and moving to Pittsburgh for her career, at the time, as a pharmacist in Pittsburgh.   Now, one of a growing number of women entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh, she has decided to take her life experiences and help others transform their lives.   To become happy, prosperous and productive.   And… to stay right here in Pittsburgh.

Christina’s story is a fascinating one… one that I am privileged to tell.   As always, I like to leave the story for the guest to tell on the podcast.  So listen up, Pittsburghers…

You can find out more about Dr. Christina Tarantola and the way she helps women to empower themselves through Transformation Coaching right here!

Thank you, Christina, for your energy and passion… and thank you for helping to make Pittsburgh Beautiful!

The vortex is in full swing.   We're down at the Abbey on Butler Street on Lawrenceville on a busy night.   We talk a little Pens slide, some XFL, and finally settle on a debate about whether or not bowling, badminton and others are really sports.  

Ok... I just had to do that with the title to this post.   On episode 5 of season 2 for the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast, I sit down with Pittsburgh's Chief of Police, Scott Schubert.   I met Scott and a gig at Emmanuel Fine Art Gallery in downtown Pittsburgh one night a couple years ago.  He seemed like a pretty nice guy, as far as Chief's go...  personable and willing to have a conversation.   He's got a serious job, so you expect a serious person for a serious job.   And before I go any further...  please be sure to thank anyone in uniform for their service... every chance you get.  These men and women start every day without knowing what they are going to run into... so... they deserve our thanks and we owe it to them to be respectful and helpful any way we can.   Now... on with the show.

This is always the worst time of year to talk sports.   It's like a sports vortex until the NHL playoffs start and the NFL Draft kicks off and MLB's Opening Day is upon us.  But we try.  Why?  Because we have to.  We're guys... who still have dreams.

Admittedly, I never watched a single episode of Dance Moms.   Now... since I'm a guy in my late 40s... I'm pretty sure that's not a suprise.   However, I was a little nervous about admitting it to my guest, Christi Lukasiak, of Dance Mom fame...  but in this day and age of "transparency"... well, I had to.   And she was thankful that I hadn't... in a jovial sort of way.

Anyone who watched the series knew her to be quite outspoken.   As we all know, reality TV can mold someone into whatever they want for ratings...   not to say that's what happened on Dance Moms... but I think you understand.

I reached out to Christi on her instagram page and was pleasantly surprised to discover that even with such a large following, she handles her social media.  Her reply was quick and to the point... "I'd love to be a guest on your podcast!"    We met at a local Starbucks, and I got to know Christi first as a Pittsburgher, and then as a mom.   Let's just say she does both pretty well.   I like to leave the heart of my podcast posts actually on the podcast... so listen to my interview with Christi Lukasiak right here.   And stay real.   Like Christi.

You can find Christi all over social media on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and on her blog, Cake For Breakfast.

THANK YOU iHeartRadio.   It’s an honor to be included in your podcast lineup!

I first met Nancy Hahn, of iRead2Know radio on iHeart media, on LinkedIn. I am always looking for great stories to tell, and when I found her… let’s just say that her credits are numerous, and her accomplishments are amazing.   Too many to list here, so I’d suggest listening to this podcast and checking out her LinkedIn profile right here.

So I reached out to Nancy about the opportunity to tell her story on the podcast and she accepted.

An imaginary artist, singer, dancer and songwriter since she was a child, Nancy went on to tutor a few of Pittsburgh's greatest sports legends in... ballet.  I'd just call it a career right there, take my trophy and go home.  Not Nancy.   She decided she'd start a television station (WNEU), run it 24 hours a day and create programming, literature and compose music for many children's shows, songs, characters and stories.   For like 25 years.   So now it's time to take home trophy #2 and call it a pretty good run, right?

Nope.  Not Nancy.   Why not start a 24 hour internet radio channel for children (iRead2Know) and pitch it to the largest streaming and podcast service in the country.   Why not?   Oh... and then find a niche for Indie artists and spin off a channel on the same service (American Busker Radio).   Bravo, Nancy.  Bravo.

Pittsburgh certainly has a unique and rustic history.   I love the initiative and grittiness of the citizens of this region.  The innovation, the willingness to take risks in a world that you know nothing about, but fascinates you and the perseverance that enables dreams to come true.   Thanks for your creativeness and your efforts, Nancy.  You pave the way for those in your footsteps.