Sip With Me

We’re once are graced by the presence of wedding and event gawd, Jove Meyer. Jove is a “color obsessed design and celebration expert” who joined us in September 2021 to discuss his wedding and event planning business, and he shared some tips for us as we prepared for Ioanna’s epic Grecian wedding! He’s been traveling around the globe since then throwing epic bashes and co-hosting a new show, Wedding Talk.

Jove reflects with us on 2022, a year that was the peak of wedding and event craziness created by the pandemic backlog of events. Imagine throwing parties for folks all day, everyday, all while having them be mega-fabulous! That was his year! He travelled the world and back, all while making appearance on epic shows like Rachael Ray and GMA!

Jove also gives Aaron some wedding advice for his upcoming wedding (date still TBD) and we reflect on Ioanna’s wedding!

Follow @jovemeyer to find out what he has in store for 2023 and consider him for your next fab event! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sip-with-me/id1522224564?i=1000536005886

Ilana joined us in January 2022 to discuss her epically popular podcast, @seeingotherpeople. On it, she shares expert and listener advice, stories, and opinions on dating, with the goal of making you feel less alone! She also told us about her insane ties to the Jonas Brothers!

Ilana joins us for an update on her show, which includes getting signed, hosting events in NYC, and her views on how dating has evolved as we continue to move into a post-lockdown world of love.

We also want to say a HUGE congratulations because she got engaged just days after we talked! WE LOVE YOU AND CHEERS TO YOU & JAKE!

Be sure to listen to our original interview (linked in bio) and subscribe to her show wherever you get your podcasts!

If you’ve ever seen a photo of a Chicago sunrise, epic skyline, or insane weather shot, you’ve probably seen the work of Barry Butler. Chicago-based photographer Barry Butler is a self-taught photographer with over 20 years of global experience. With one book selling extremely well and another on the way, Barry’s ability to capture everyday moments has touched the hearts and homes of countless Chicago fans.

His work has been featured both in local and national media outlets like the Weather Channel, WGN, WBBM Newsradio, CBS-2, Windy City Live, and so many more! He’s even named “Chicago’s Best Photographer” by the Chicago Reader newspaper reader survey.

He told us about his career and how he fell into photography. He also gave us tips on how to take shots like his, and what it’s like to live in a city that features some super beautiful elements, like our gorgeous Lake Michigan and world-renowned skyline!

Barry also told us about his sidekick pup-tographers (Chopper and Tuskar)! And, hear why Chicago is his favorite place to shoot!

We end by playing rapid fire with Barry, learning about his favorite shot ever, tips for novice photographers, and one of his favorite Chicago restaurant!

Follow Barry @barrybutler9 and shop his stuff here: https://www.barrybutlerphotography.com/

Imagine you’ve just been hired as an “Intimacy Coordinator” for the film and television industry. There’s not many people who do it, but it’s a job increasing in demand and skill.

A new position in the film and tv industry is barring it all- the role of intimacy coordinator! These professionals work to plan and assist the production team in executing scenes of intimacy on film. Everything from the lighting, to angles, to outfits, to protecting the actor’s personal boundaries and preferences need a coordinator to plan ahead with deep care.

Chicagoan Dr. Jessica Steinrock is the CEO of Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Some of her well known work includes Moxie, Never Have I Ever, Little Fires Everywhere, and Animal Kingdom. She’s also grown her TikTok to over 700,000 followers, sharing all about how intimate scenes work (or don’t work) on tv and more about her role on set!

She joins us to give a backstage tour into what it’s like to coordinate intimate, emotional, and vulnerable scenes. Learn about how the role came to exist only recently, how the pandemic impacted filming, and what some of the most common things she has to plan for are. She talks about what actors wear during sex scenes, just how difficult it actually is to film a scene of intimacy, and how her company is helping to train future coordinators!

Follow Jessica on social to learn more and get some amazing behind the scenes tips and stories:

Instagram: @intimacy_coordinator_

TikTok: @intimacycoordinator

Let’s see those lashes!! This episode features Anna Phillips, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at The Lash Lounge, a premier eyelash salon franchise with over 120 salons across the U.S. and growing.

Founded in 2006, her specialty beauty concept was the first

salon dedicated to eyelash extensions in the U.S. and has expanded to 30 states.

Anna began her career in IT but always felt like something was missing. Like many in the early 2000s, she knew it was the right time to make a change, and so she decided to pursue her lifelong passion of helping others feel more confident about themselves!

She discussed how she fell in love with the beauty world and how she knew there was a market to fill with lashes. Hear about her unique approach to lash services, the absolutely insane growth they’ve experienced in the last five years, and where she thinks the industry will be ten years from now.

Plus, she shared her fave lash looks and her bridal lash recommendation!

Follow @thelashlounge and visit www.thelashlounge.com to find services!

Gather ‘round the campfire and sing our campfire song! We’re roasting up an ooey gooey treat for you today! Our guest, XO Marshmallow, is the premier gourmet marshmallow company in the world, AND opened the world’s very 1st marshmallow cafe, right here in Chicago!

Per co-founders Kat & Lindzi, “the goal of XO Marshmallow is to bring the nostalgia of sipping cocoa with marshmallows, or roasting s’mores by the campfire, into the 21st century with a modern twist! We want to take this fluffy, adorable treat and elevate it. We use premium ingredients to develop our innovative flavors--from Salted Caramel to Champagne”!

We met up with them to discuss how I’m the world they decided to enter the gourmet marshmallow business, and why they decided to open up a cafe dedicated to the delicacy! Learn about their blow up on social media, how they make their treats, and what lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Plus, they tell us all about their marshmallow advent calendar and their monthly marshmallow club! They also use premium ingredients and make every batch in-house!

We end with rapid fire, learning about Kat & Lindiz’s favorite flavors, dream collabs, and marshmallow pairings!

Follow them on Instagram  @xo.marshmallow, visit their website (www.xomarshmallow.com) to shop, and visit them in Lincoln Park, IL at 2730 N Clark St!

Happy toasting & roasting!

Get comfy on the couch and turn on the big screen to be graced by one of our favorite Hollywood actors (with Chicago roots too), Colin Egglesfield!

You know Colin from his roles on, All My Children, Melrose Place, The Client List, Something Borrowed, and dozens of other television and movie appearances. Colin also has a podcast “Coffee with Colin”, founded a mission-driven clothing line, wrote a book, and all around just seems like the kind of guy you would want to be friends with.

Colin caught up with us to talk about some of his many works and to discuss what he has lined up for 2023, including a new movie with our fave, Chrishell Stause. Plus, Colin gives advice to those pursuing acting and their passions, and tells us how to be true to ourselves.

We also learned about his book, “Agile Artist: Life Lessons from Hollywood and Beyond” and we get a sneak peak into what he’s doing to help the world through with Stem Cells.

Follow Colin @colinegglesfield to stay up to date on all the things, and check out his podcast “Coffee with Colin” wherever you listen to podcasts!

Happy New Year Cool Cats & Kittens! Carole Baskin returns to the show this week to update us on what has happened since we first met back in July 2021! Updates include many visits the the U.S. Capitol, getting her bill signed by President Biden (so so cool) and the continuation of her big cat safety work and presence in the media.

Cheers to Carole on her bill, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which officially became law on December 20, 2022! It’s bans cub petting photo ops, bans private big cat pet ownership and sets registration requirements for current big cat owners, among other things. The bill passed the US House 278-134 and unanimously in the Senate. Carole discussed how what may seem like a common sense law to protect big cats and people, was the culmination of decades of work, as lobbying and private interest away in the U.S. government remains strong, and not always for the right reasons.

Be sure to follow @bigcatrescue for all the latest updates on everything big cats!

This weeks cocktail, the “Here Kitty Kitty” comes from gobourbon.com, Old Forester, and Cocktails by Hawk!

Merry Christmas Sip with Me Family! Emily Waldo, known as Wreaths by Waldo, is a part-time wreath maker, full-time holiday enthusiast! She makes the most stunning wreaths and holiday decor. She’s blown up this year bigger than a giant inflatable Santa Claus, and chances are if you’re in Crafting-Tok, you’ve seen her work before!

Emily joins us for a milk and cookies as we discuss DIY crafting for all holidays and why her wreaths have resonated with so many people. Plus, hear about how she turned her home into Whoville.

In addition to her wreaths, Emily shares wonderful tutorials on how to put ribbon in your christmas tree, DIY Nightmare Before Christmas wreath, and much much more!

We end with rapid fire to hear what other holidays she loves, and she pulls her favorite ornament from her tree!

**no crafting experience needed to enjoy this episode**

Follow Emily @wreathsbywaldo

Want to know what it’s like to go to outer space? Gather round the launch pad space cadets! Ioanna and I are treating you to another story from our favorite podcast sub sub sub category- space!!

Earlier this year, Dr. Katya Echazarreta was the first Mexican-born woman to travel into outer space. She’s become known for this since her successful launch, but there’s a lot more to her than just that. She has a long history of some pretty amazing work as an electrical engineer and media figure, including work at NASA!

Named one of GLAMOUR’s women of the year, gracing the cover of VOGUE Mexico with her fabulous fashion, she can engineer both a NASA mission and a rocketing outfit. She also plays a part in Netflix’s IRL series on YouTube, which is very bingeable.

Katya joins us to discuss how she got into electrical engineering, and how her identity played a role in her career path.

Find out first hand what it’s like to go into space and how she trained for the ride. Hear how her view of the world changed as a result of her galactic journey and get a glimpse into what she has coming up in 2023.

Be sure to follow Katya on Instagram @katvoltage