On episode 2 of So New England Business Spotlight, Ian and RJ sit down with Ted and Jon Stricklin from Experience RI to talk all things Rhode Island travel, history, tourism, and local experiences. From Providence and Newport to Block Island, scenic day trips, hidden gems, and the stories that make Little Rhody such a unique place, this episode is a full look at why Rhode Island has way more to offer than people realize.

If you love Rhode Island, New England culture, local business, travel, food, history, and discovering the best of the Ocean State, this one’s for you.

More Experience RI: YoutubeInstagramWebsite

On the very first episode of So New England Business Spotlight, Ian Brownhill sits down with Cortney Nicolato, President and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, to talk about 401 Gives and the real impact it has on nonprofits across the state.

They break down how 401 Gives works, why Rhode Island nonprofits need support more than ever, how even a small donation can make a difference, and what Rhode Islanders can do to give back through money, time, advocacy, and community action.

This is a conversation about local impact, philanthropy, and what it really means to show up for Rhode Island.

Learn more at 401gives.org

Boston’s food scene is one of the best in the country… but is it overrated?

This week, we sit down with Tommy DeVito of DeVito Food Reviews to talk about his rise as one of New England’s fastest-growing food creators. With over 100K followers, Tommy has built his platform by staying authentic, supporting local businesses, and giving honest takes on what’s actually worth eating.

We dive into his origin story, how a simple moment at Tasty Burger turned into a full-blown content brand, and what it’s like balancing a full-time job with creating viral food content. Tommy also shares his thoughts on Boston’s Italian food scene, why pizza is the real hidden gem, and how social media is changing the way people discover restaurants.

Plus, we get into Rhode Island food culture, street interviews, and what makes New England’s food scene so unique.

If you care about food, culture, and building something real from the ground up, this episode delivers.

On this episode of the So New England Podcast, we sit down with Jordan Brocklesby, the creator behind Plates of Portland Maine, to break down why Portland has become one of the most talked-about food cities in New England.

We get into what makes the Portland Maine food scene so unique, from standout restaurants and bakeries to food trucks, sushi spots, and the local culture that ties it all together. Jordan shares her journey from Boston to Maine, how she built her platform from scratch, and what it actually takes to turn food content into a full-time business.

We also dive into some classic New England debates, including lobster roll hot takes, underrated food scenes across the region, and which state really has the best eats. If you’re a foodie, a small business owner, or just someone who loves New England, this episode delivers a mix of insight, laughs, and real local perspective.

Mirna Valerio — known as The Mirnavator — joins So New England to share her remarkable journey from Brooklyn teacher to globally recognized ultrarunner and outdoor advocate.

After a health scare in 2008, Mirna rediscovered running and began documenting her experiences as a fat Black woman in endurance sports. What started as a blog quickly grew into a national platform inspiring thousands of athletes around the world.

Now living in Vermont, Mirna spends her time trail running, skiing, cycling, speaking, and helping make the outdoors more accessible to everyone.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Mirna found Vermont
• The story behind “The Mirnavator”
• Representation in endurance sports
• Life as a professional endurance athlete
• Why discipline beats motivation
• Cycling and skiing in Vermont
• New England culture and outdoor life

Mirna’s story proves that you don’t need permission to start chasing your goals.

You just have to begin.

This week we’re joined by Andy Ferg (North Shore Beefs), the man responsible for turning a “roast beef sandwich” into an entire culture.

We get into the real rules of a North Shore beef, what a Super 3-Way actually means, how Beef Madness became a yearly tournament with cheating allegations (naturally), and why cheese on the bottom is the only way the sandwich survives.

Plus: Andy ranks all 6 New England states from worst to best, talks New England sports, and explains why the best beef he’s ever had “belongs in the Louvre.”

Jake Polino (Kizo Kicks) joins Ian Brownhill and RJ Travisano to discuss building a global sneaker brand, why he really moved to Florida, and why he still picks furniture out of the trash.

In this episode, we sit down with the "Jake of All Trades" himself to talk about the transition from dyeing sneakers in a Massachusetts kitchen to running a multi-million follower brand. Jake reveals the reality of creator payouts in 2026, the truth about "limited" sneaker drops, and why he’ll never buy a BMW again. Plus, we put Jake to the test with our New England state rankings—find out which state he considers "grayed out" and depressing.

Follow Jake Polino: Instagram & TikTok: @JakePolino Shop Kizo Kicks: KizoKicks.com 

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Former college and minor-league hockey player Pat Shea joins the So New England Podcast to talk about hockey culture, viral comedy, and why he walked away from pro hockey to chase creativity.

We break down the “Boy Aquarium” trend, the realities of college hockey, creating Full Ride with zero budget, and what it takes to bet on yourself when everyone expects you to stay in your lane.

Raw, funny, and very New England.

Boston food grader Key Henson joins the So New England Podcast to break down New England food culture from a transplant’s point of view—and it starts with a hot take: crab might be better than lobster.

In this episode, we talk lobster rolls, chowder, oysters, donuts, Boston food culture, and why New Englanders argue about food like it’s a personality trait. Key shares how he built a loyal following through honest food reviews, why Boston food is misunderstood, and how community drives the region’s food scene.

We also rank New England states, revisit Boston sports trauma, debate hot vs cold lobster rolls, and explain why food opinions hit different up here.

If you love food, Boston culture, or yelling at your phone because someone disrespected your favorite spot—this one’s for you.

What does it take to cook for celebrities, raise $20K for charity, and still make it home for your kids? Chef Kevin Des Chenes breaks it all down.

From Food Network fame to private chef dinners across the country, Kevin shares how he built a career on hospitality, hustle, and New England grit. We talk charity work with Make-A-Wish, cooking outside restaurant kitchens, balancing family life, and why great food isn’t about fancy plating—it’s about execution.

You’ll hear:

• ​How Kevin transitioned from restaurant kitchens to high-end private dining
• ​Behind-the-scenes Food Network stories and celebrity clients
• ​Why New England creates some of the most resourceful chefs
• ​The real challenges of cooking in other people’s kitchens
• ​His take on social media, influencers, and modern food culture

Hosted by Ian Brownhill with co-host RJ Travisano.