Story + Rain Talks

Our episode 120 guest is on the mark: our latest cover star continues to bring intelligence to his choices as an actor, and while doing so, harnesses the power of his diverse fan base. Specifically speaking, Luke Macfarlane brings his skill for playing luscious leading roles to gay rom-com Bros, from writer-director Nick Stoller, producer Judd Apatow, and co-star and writer, Billy Eichner. And yes, there’s another Hallmark holiday on the way, and also, a star-studded AppleTV+ series to come. We sat down with the Julliard-trained actor to talk about his current projects, his career path, and who he is and how he spends his time off the set. We head down memory lane with days at Juilliard, and  how NewYork will always feel like the place where his creative life really started. We talk about how he ultimately decided to ditch the cello for acting, and his continued love of music and for doing theater. We talk being Canadian, and obtaining American citizenship. It’s an intimate and incredibly honest discussion where Luke shares thoughts on being a longtime openly gay actor, the opportunities that have come his way, and his hope for future roles within the action genre. We talk in detail about Luke’s north star: the importance of doing the work, and how that’s helped him navigate decision-making when it comes to his career. He also shares how being open-minded has and will continue to serve him, “We all have ideas about where we want to head, but then we also look down the road, and followwhere the road is guiding us a little bit, too”, Luke shares on the podcast. His thoughtful approach to all things, and his integrity, are both infectious and inspiring. We talk about being a part of groundbreaking tv and film, the 360 moment he’s experiencing now, with his film, Bros, and then, with his series Brothers + Sisters, and all that time in between, including the three series he was on. We talk about one of his very favorite roles, in a PBS period piece. And we talk all things Brothers + Sisters of course, and how what was supposed to be a short stint, turned into him appearing in nearly every episode across five seasons, and people falling in love with his character, Scotty. Luke shares the important things that he learned from Sally Field at that time, and from cast members like Rob Lowe and Calista Flockhart. Luke talks all about being a Hallmark leading man and the “Tom Cruise” of the channel’s much-loved films. Listen in to episode 120 for tons of Hallmark BTS, including how working on the films has fostered trust in his instincts. And hear all about what it was like to make Bros, specifically how he collaborated with the modern rom-com’s crew, and how he approached playing his character Aaron, mentally, emotionally, and physically.  We talk about his beloved woodworking hobby, and how it’s key to his psychic health. This and so much more, including a list of his current favorite things. Enjoy this wonderful, in-depth conversation with actor Luke Macfarlane. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:
Bros
Hallmark Movie App
Brothers + Sisters on Hulu

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In 2009, New York based designer Gigi Burris created a long-needed shift in the hat market when she established Gigi Burris Millinery, both with her fresh designs and her point of view on heritage and her craft, a craft that had its beginnings in 16th Century Europe. Since then, she’s gone on to become a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. The modern milliner had a longtime affinity for embellishments and for joyful heritage design, and when she put together her graduation collection as a student at Parsons, it was the hats that she paired with each ready-to-wear look that totally turned heads. A thoughtful designer who leads with a kind spirit, on the podcast we discuss Gigi’s biggest learnings, including learning to deal with those whose integrity doesn’t match her own. We discuss her innovative Sharina hat with its cult following, made famous when actor Mahershala Ali wore it the night he nabbed his Oscar win in 2019. We talk about how she chooses materials to work with, the subversive details she’s known for, and how design inspiration comes to her. We discuss the drive and mission she has for Closely Crafted, the foundation she created to transform, uplift and sustain the craft industries within fashion, and Closely Crafted’s ultimate goal of growth. Gigi shares the behind the scenes details for many of her collaborations, from Oscar de la Renta to Disney. We talk the power of styling, the important place hats hold in history and as symbols, and the famous faces like Lady Gaga who have worn her designs. We discuss her work in bridal, hat trends, and the one important thing that’s required when it comes to sporting a hat. We discuss her Florida roots, her plans for the future, the hat she wore to her wedding, and how her deep love of artisanship fills her cup as a human being, artist, retailer, and in her day-to-day life. Listen to how cutting edge talent meets humility meets purpose, in this conversation with genius Gigi Burris. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:
gigiburris.com

Gigi Burris Laura hat

Gigi Burris Sharina hat

Nette Sunday Chess candle

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops

Macari red wine

New York Public Library E-Reader App

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“Be careful what you wish for” says our episode 118 guest. Dr. David Colbert’s New York based dermatology practice grew like wildfire within two years. Today, he is in demand on both coasts, and operates a roving clinic in between. This is a doctor who innovated and shattered the mold for what we came to know as the typical medical and cosmetic dermatologist. On the podcast, David explains how he first did so when he rejected the idea that the kind of practice he was to build needed to look a certain way, and be located on Madison Avenue. Explaining that things get really big, really fast in New York if you hit the vibe or the zeitgeist of something…Dr David Colbert did just that. His thoughtful approach to his work, keen connection to his patients and clients, forward-thinking spirit, and artistic authenticity, led him to tap into all the things that people wanted, needed, and then some; becoming one of the most sought after in his field. From the models that need to get ready for the runway, to the actors that are being filmed for the screen, and everyone in between, he has trademarked treatments, products, and a one-of-a-kind touch that has shattered and continues to shatter the industry standard, and he shares stories tied to those moments here. We discuss his famed Triad Facial and the music legend who sparked its development and success; we get into product development, and his delicious Illumino Face Oil. He explains the polarity in client needs and wants that comes with working on both coasts, his aesthetic, both personal and in his work, the innovations he’s interested in, and correcting cosmetic work and the importance of what he describes as “not shopping in a grocery store when you’re hungry”. A longtime proponent of how critical food and nutrition are for supporting the skin, he discusses why he wrote his High School Reunion Diet book, and how lifestyle including stress and drinking water play a bigger part than most people realize. We get into his early life including why Baryshnikov made him pack up his plan for studying ballet at Joffrey, and time spent at Chanel in Paris. We dissect the way he eats and lives, the lessons he’s learned along the way, his biggest learning as an entrepreneur, and being a reluctant businessman and an avid outdoorsman. And then there’s art: David explains how he's artistic in his work, and also his love of art and art-collecting. And then there’s charity: we talk about life-changing time spent in Haiti, and more. Soulful and artistic, low-key and high-end all at once, you’ll hear firsthand about the discreet way, the restrained and refined touch, that he is known for, and what sets apart his New York Dermatology Group from all the rest. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

NYDG.com
NYDG Wellness
Follow @drdavidcolbert
Follow @studio6nnyc
Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil
Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs
The High School Reunion Diet" How To Lose 20 Years In 30 Days by Dr. David A. Colbert

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Our latest is a podcast featuring a very special Story + Rain contributor. London based artist Daisy de Villeneuve creates art for the magazine, namely the colorful and unique portraits of our podcast guests that you see on our podcast channels, on social media, and on storyandrain.com. Daisy and Tamara have stayed in touch spanning YEARS. After all, they first met when Tamara was working in her first job in fashion and Daisy was in school, arriving at her office for her internship. Tamara remembers the artful nature of Daisy’s penmanship;  a clue for what was to come for her. Since that time, Daisy has developed a career as a sought-after artist and illustrator. Known for her very distinct designs, which began at age 3 with a love of felt-tip pens, Daisy has partnered with a long list of only the best brands to showcase her work, including: Top Shop, Zac Posen, Kate Spade, Missoni, Liberty London, Moet + Chandon, Nike, Soho House, Absolut Vodka, Heathrow Airport, and many, many more. On episode 117 Daisy shares her process as an artist and what it’s like delivering very important work, work that has great visibility, to very established brands. Half American and half English, Daisy discusses the influence of travel and a love of ’80’s aesthetics on her work. We head into the 90’s and down memory lane, recalling the details of her time spent in school, in New York, and when the pair worked at Interview Magazine together. On the podcast Daisy talks about her point of view on projects, when she’s felt most creative, including her collection of bold books…both in design and in theme. Daisy shares the routines and practices that help her to do her best work, and what it’s like growing up in and with a family of creatives, including mother, Jan, father, Justin, and sister, Poppy. We talk about what’s inspiring her now; things like seeing art, her colorful kitchen, cooking up food---and Daisy shares a favorite recipe and the book, the autobiographical book, that it comes from. We get into all things style, shopping your closet, her It Girl status, and her own personal aesthetic. We talk intimately about designing textiles for her longtime friend Zac Posen, her recent collaboration with Weleda Skincare, what she’d love to work on next, and more. Discover more + Shop The Podcast:

daisydevilleneuve.com

I Should Have Said by Daisy de Villeneuve

He Said She Said by Daisy de Villeneuve

What Goes Around Comes Around by Daisy de Villeneuve

I Told You So by Daisy de Villeneuve

Daisy's recent collab + favorite Weleda Skin Food

What Daisy's reading: Always Home by Fanny Singer

Daisy's into Isabel Marant high tops

Daisy has collab'd with and loves Globetrotter luggage

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Carla Lalli Music has spent years working in many facets of food, from restaurant-managing to editorial work, to teaching. Today she is a James Beard Award-winning author, podcast host, and host of her popular youtube cooking series, Carla’s Cooking Show. Listen in for an episode chock-full of recipes and tips, along with tales from the culinary and publishing worlds. We begin with her tried and true, go-to soup that she found herself revisiting during the pandemic, and all across the years with its many iterations, and get into food memories---from her childhood and through college. We discuss how she thinks about meal prep; tips for new home cooks and cooking in college, where and how to get the best culinary training, what she learned about chefs, cooking and restaurants during her time at Bon Appetit magazine, working for Martha Stewart, cookbooks, cookbook writing, her process behind recipe naming, and how she learned to write for the home cook. She shares what it’s like when she’s recipe-developing, and her vision for her distinct visual branding. We talk about the importance of good on-set vibes for creating and making, and the secret sauce that makes her cookbooks ones that the home cook reserves a permanent place for on their counters. We discuss personal influences, and Carla shares some insight into food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson, including why Nigella loves her work. We got the media maven’s take on why cooking content has exploded online, and we talk the many ways in which people make cooking videos. Carla breaks down Borderline Salty, the podcast she shares with fellow cook and author, Rick Martinez , their relationship, how they met, and why they complement one another. We wrap with the lessons found in learning, going and getting what’s next, what she’s cooking next, and a must-have list of her most favorite things. Discover more and shop the podcast:

Carla's Borderline Salty Podcast

Carla's Cooking Show on YouTube

Where Cooking Begins by Carla Lalli Music

That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music

Carla's  favorite Zojirushi Rice Cooker

Carla's go-to Ren Jelly Cleanser

Carla drinks bubbly water with Superieur Electrolyte Mix

Carla uses Nars Lip Pencil in Promiscuous

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

The immensely talented actor, writer, and producer Alison Brie is our episode 115 guest. A four-time collaborator of writer-director Jeff Baena, the pair have just put out Spin Me Round, a masterful and modern rom-com with a titanic twist, for IFC Films. Our captivating cover star is equal parts fan favorite and actor’s-actor, and on this podcast we discuss specific roles she’s played, her big body of work, roles on Mad Men, Community, GLOW and so much more. We talk tv versus film and the changed entertainment landscape, all peppered with intimate stories around her cool corral of creative collaborators, including husband Dave Franco, of course. We talk to the two-time Golden Globe and five-time SAG Award-nominated actor about what it’s truly like, being widely and publicly recognized for your work. We talk about her turn as a writer;  about how she does it, where she writes from (literally and figuratively), and about creative partnership. We discuss refueling and recharging as an artist, and the important role exercise plays in her life. You’ll hear about the kinds of work Alison would like to take part in making in the future, as a writer, director and producer, and also as an actor, including her desire for doing something “dangerous and messy” when it comes to film. We talk working with women, basking in all things GLOW, Promising Young Woman, and exciting new project, Somebody I Used To Know, including the story about co-writing it in quarantine with her husband Dave, who is also director. Alison explains why fans of Community will get a kick out of its casting. She shares her special moment with Spielberg, all the details about unlike-anything-you’ve-seen Spin Me Round, down to Molly Shannon’s crazy costumes and how part of the film’s premise was sparked by an article about a certain Italian restaurant chain, and more. Then there’s her #Obsixed list of latest obsessions, spanning skincare and touting tv. It's an incredible conversation with Story + Rain cover star, Alison Brie. Shop the podcast:

Spin Me Round on AMC+


Horse Girl on Netflix

GLOW on Netflix


Community Box Set

Mad Men Box Set

Shop Alison Brie's Favorite Facial Tool

Shop Alison Brie's Favorite Sauna Blanket

Shop one of Alison Brie's Favorite Books

Shop the Alison Brie + Story + Rain Cover Story

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It’s a big group on this week’s podcast. Sisters Kat and Nicole, along with friend Sarika joined forces to create 21Seeds tequila. “2” symbolizing the sisters, and “1” symbolizing a friend. These three female founders are a force. Honing her storytelling chops at CAA and in television and film, in her spare time, Kat was known for infusing tequilas in her Brita pitcher and her concoctions were a huge hit with friends. Her sister Nicole worked in finance before life took a turn to tequila, working for companies like Refinery 29 and Angel List. And Sarika had long worked in food, helping to develop everything from probiotic chocolate to quinoa and seaweed snacks. Each armed with a killer skill set that created the best breadth of knowledge amongst the three co-founders, they launched and sold 21 Seeds in a mere three years. Now part of the Diagio group of beverage alcohol, 21Seeds offers three flavors of supremely smooth tequila that is clean and natural and requires little to no mixing; an alternative to fermented wine and beer, something that Kat had been looking to move away from. We discuss all the details behind their incredible story, how a psychic in India predicted it all, and how they work together as a team. They share the details of the steps they took to launch their brand, how they cultivated creation, how Mexico inspires, and some insights into their proprietary process. They share a ton of valuable entrepreneurial advice and how the customer experience is of paramount importance to them. We talk about how and why 21Seeds has transformed the way people think about tequila, how it elevates in its brand experience, how they rose to serve a growing need, and how they are totally inspiring trailblazers. This conversation serves up a large dose of the beauty in what is possible. On to episode 114 with Kat, Nicole and Sarika of 21Seeds. Shop the podcast: 

• 21Seeds.com
• 21Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Tequila
• 21Seeds Cucumber Jalapeno Tequila
• 21Seeds Valencia Orange Tequila
• ThirteenLune.com
• FarmRio dress
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

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Michelle Murphy has dedicated her life to helping others accept a reality beyond that which they can see and feel. Our Story + Rain Talks episode 113 sit-down with the medium sheds light on the afterlife, and how this particular intuitive uses her gift. We discuss the many ways in which energy workers practice, how they recognize and support one another, and more. Michelle talks about seeing what she jokingly calls 'the useless future,' about her routines and rituals, and how she experiences and lives with the energies of others, making her 'heart beat faster than others around her' through things like exercise and nutrition to stay clear and present. We get into the big topics like life’s patterns, humanity’s deepest desires, and a post-pandemic shift in client needs, from clients who once wanted to address the loss of their loved ones, to clients who now need to look at the loss of themselves. Michelle discusses her creative (and fashion) flair, her love affair with language, and the gift and tool of metaphor in her sessions. With great intimacy, she shares what’s most fulfilling and what’s most difficult in her work, and she speaks very candidly about her compassion work: her work with the sick who are close to crossing over. We go over the characteristics of those who get the most out of sessions, and of those who do not. We talk about being a teen when she first recognized her gift and how her family has played a part in her life’s path. We talk about the times she’s come across naysayers, and how she would like to see both people and her work evolve. If you’ve ever wanted to get inside the mind of a psychic medium or have been tempted to talk to one….your opportunity is now. Notice the calm and gentle energy of this beautiful discussion with the witty and the wonderful - Michelle Murphy. Shop the podcast:

• Tune Bed
• Leonard Cohen poetry
• Nikki Walton
• Marc Champagne
• Paige Novick Grey Freshwater Pearl Open Ring
• Paige Novick Yellow Gold Gemstone Ring
• Paige Novick Wave Ring 
• Paige Novick Palm Cuff

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

Nestle in for this treat of a podcast that will invigorate and excite you about the power of ownership in personal health. Carla Oates, founder of The Beauty Chef range of best-in-class skincare-from-the-inside-out products, is with us for episode 112. We begin with Carla’s non-entrepreneurial life, in fashion and as a beauty editor, and how the health struggles she was looking to address in her family sparked her hugely successful and innovative brand. We discuss all things probiotics, fermented foods, the lacto-fermentation process, and bespoke bacteria, all of which Carla is an expert and pioneer in. We discuss the details about why gut health is important and how it affects big-picture health, her love of product development, and more. As we navigate nutrition, Carla dishes on her delish dishes and her two so-great cookbooks to date. We talk about her best-selling products, like Glow, and The Beauty Chef’s exciting new launches, including topical skincare. We get very specific about what sets her perfectly potent powders apart, and about innovative practices. It was a treat to go a-day-in-the-life with her on both the details of her skincare routine, her daily meals, and how her routine walks are an essential “filing system" for her brain. Our latest episode inspires. Listen in for valuable learnings from an entrepreneur’s bold path, adopt so many tips and practices for good skin and gut health, learn how to achieve lasting wellness from within, and discover exactly how she creates as a maker. Shop the podcast:

• The Beauty Chef 
• The Beauty Chef's GLOW Inner Beauty Essential
• The Beauty Chef's Flora Fix Balm
• The Beauty Chef Gut Guide by Carla Oates
• The Beauty Chef: Delicious Food For Radiant Skin, Gut Health And Wellbeing by Carla Oates
• Feeding Your Skin by Carla Oates

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com

Savor the season and also, plan to pack your bags…by listening to episode 111 featuring Sarah Wetenhall: this podcast will take you on a vivid voyage of all things vacation. The former fashion executive turned President and Owner of The Colony Hotel in historic Palm Beach gets into all the details, including the importance of attention to detail, that make the famed big pink building a desired destination and Florida hot spot filled with bespoke activities and experiences and enchanting and elegant eye candy. We start at the beginning, with how Sarah’s midwestern roots and background in fashion, working for companies like Calvin Klein, have helped shape the skillset she brings to her work today. We also talk about her early relationship with The Colony, and the days when she and her husband Andrew dreamt up what they’d do to the place, if ever given the chance. Well that dream came true in 2016, and with Sarah at the helm after what she describes as a series of crash courses in food and beverage, housekeeping, facilities, finance, interior design, hospitality and more. Here, she shares her thoughts on branding and brand perception, the interesting and intricate way in which she built her concept for the hotel’s look and feel, working with designer Celerie Kemble and the hotel’s many fabulous brands and collaborations. We discuss the major moment that Palm Beach is having, and the designers, both national and international, who want to be a part of it all. We talk best advice, best ideas, the importance of listening, learning to manage a staff in the hospitality space, and the hotel’s diverse customer. Then there's the hotel's reopening in October, with an exciting new retail experience based on customer desire to "take The Colony home" + a renovation of the space + brand Sarah describes as "a state of mind."  We get into favorites, like Swifty’s crabcake and her soothing summer read, and discuss all things style, from Palm Beach’s unique and whimsical irreverence to Sarah’s own personal sense of style. You’ll hear about how she dresses for work, her taste in her own home décor, and we wrap with a breakdown about how to make The Colony’s coveted style your own, both at home and in your wardrobe. This, and much more. Shop the podcast:

• The Colony Hotel 
• Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani 
• Hermès flavored lipgloss in Rouge Amarelle 
• Liquid I.V. in Golden Cherry flavor
• Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops

follow @storyandraintalks on instagram for our very latest drops + more pod content HERE | follow @storyandrain magazine on instagram HERE | follow our host + founder @tamarararappa HERE | discover, read, shop: fashion, beauty, wellness, tv + film, food, travel, interviews, + more on storyandrain.com