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On this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Chef K—a chef, cookbook author, TV host, and culinary tour guide whose passion for food began in a small village in Northern Italy. What started as learning recipes from local grandmothers turned into a full-blown career that spans professional kitchens, television, and global culinary travel experiences. Chef K has two seasons on Eat This TV Network, and is filming a third season this year!  

Chef K shares how those early lessons shaped her philosophy around cooking with intention, simplicity, and heart—and how she carried that into high-pressure New York City kitchens as an Executive Chef. The conversation dives into the realities of restaurant life, leadership in the kitchen, and the balance between speed and soul when creating food that truly nourishes.

From there, the story expands beyond the kitchen. Chef K talks about her transition into media with her show Chef K’s Kitchen, her appearances on national television, and the inspiration behind her cookbooks—each rooted in making cooking approachable, local, and meaningful. 

Listeners will also get practical takeaways, including Chef K’s go-to “K Hacks” for creating flavorful meals on a budget, essential pantry staples, and common mistakes home cooks make (and how to avoid them).

But this episode isn’t just about cooking—it’s about experience. Chef K gives a behind-the-scenes look at her “Take Your Tastebuds Traveling” culinary tours, from regional Italian food journeys to upcoming adventures in Greece. She also previews an exciting Route 66 culinary trip planned for 2026, celebrating the iconic highway’s 100th anniversary through food, culture, and hidden gems across America. 

This episode is a celebration of food, culture, and the stories that connect us—all served with a side of inspiration.

Learn more about Chef K:

Website: chefkcooking.com

FB:

River City Consulting builds websites specifically for creatives — musicians, performers, and artists who need an online presence that matches their talent. They’re also the official website agency for The Hook podcast.

Learn more at RiverCityConsulting.com and use Promo Code THEHOOK for serious savings.

Twisted Cheers brings friendly, skilled bartenders straight to your event so you can relax and actually enjoy the party. With flexible packages like Cap & Cork, Triple Sip, and Sip Sip Hooray, they make it easy to add a little extra wow to weddings, corporate events, birthdays, reunions, and private parties. 

Visit Twistedcheers.com to learn more and start planning your next event.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Send Johni & Jess a text

On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with guitarist and songwriter Willie Williams, whose sound blends country, blues, and Southern jam rock into something both rooted and fresh.

We talk about his leap from corporate America to pursuing music full-time, the stories behind his debut album Trouble Follows Me, and the incredible musicians who helped bring the record to life — including Lee Roy Parnell, Steve Bassett, Bob Britt, Steve Hinson, Lynn Williams, Kevin McKendree, and Stewart Myers.

Willie also performs two live songs during the episode, including one that is premiering for the first time on The Hook.

Along the way we dive into songwriting, Nashville sessions, life on the road, and the influences that shaped his sound — plus a surprise Wolfman Jack connection that sends us down a wild radio rabbit hole.

If you love Southern rock, great guitar playing, and real music stories, this one’s for you.

To learn more about Willie and find out about future shows, go to:

Website: www.williewilliamsmusic.com 

FB: facebook.com/WillieWilliamsMusic

IG: www.instagram.com/willie_williams_music

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/willie-williams/2507299

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1nE9ShJ83rM2Fx6Pt0wsSR

And a special thanks to Tod Weston Smith for sharing this incredible clip of your legendary Dad, 🎙️ Wolfman Jack. Learn more about Wolfman Jack Entertainment at: www.wjent.com

River City Consulting builds websites specifically for creatives — musicians, performers, and artists who need an online presence that matches their talent. They’re also the official website agency for The Hook podcast.

Learn more at RiverCityConsulting.com and use Promo Code THEHOOK for serious savings.

Twisted Cheers brings friendly, skilled bartenders straight to your event so you can relax and actually enjoy the party. With flexible packages like Cap & Cork, Triple Sip, and Sip Sip Hooray, they make it easy to add a little extra wow to weddings, corporate events, birthdays, reunions, and private parties. 

Visit Twistedcheers.com to learn more and start planning your next event.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Send Johni & Jess a text

On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Richmond artist, designer, and musician Sarah Frances Santamaria, the frontwoman of the band VEXINE, joined by VEXINE guitarist Paul Pearce. 

Sarah shares the story behind her creative journey — from award-winning visual artist to songwriter and performer — and how art, music, fashion, design, and even cooking all connect in her creative world. Together, we talk about the origins of VEXINE, songwriting vulnerability, the beauty of imperfection in art, and the inspiration behind the band’s newest album The Light and the Dark in Everything.

It’s a conversation about creativity, interpretation, and living a life where art shows up in everything you do.

Keep up with VEXINE on their website www.vexine.net

Follow VEXINE on FB at: www.facebook.com/vexine

River City Consulting builds websites specifically for creatives — musicians, performers, and artists who need an online presence that matches their talent. They’re also the official website agency for The Hook podcast.

Learn more at RiverCityConsulting.com and use Promo Code THEHOOK for serious savings.

Twisted Cheers brings friendly, skilled bartenders straight to your event so you can relax and actually enjoy the party. With flexible packages like Cap & Cork, Triple Sip, and Sip Sip Hooray, they make it easy to add a little extra wow to weddings, corporate events, birthdays, reunions, and private parties. 

Visit Twistedcheers.com to learn more and start planning your next event.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Send Johni & Jess a text

Every musician has a moment when everything changes—when music stops being something they enjoy and becomes something they need. In this episode of The Hook, Jess and Johni sit down with musicians Joey Davis and TJ Peterson, joined by fellow musician John Beckner, to explore the exact moment music took hold of their lives—and never let go.

They dive into the firsts that shape every artist: the first time playing in front of a crowd, the first time getting paid, and even the first time completely bombing. Joey and TJ share honest stories about risk, sacrifice, creative obsession, and the reality behind the romanticized image of being a musician.

The conversation goes deeper into what keeps artists going when the path is uncertain, what performing on bigger stages teaches you, and the environments that spark true creativity. The episode also features live original performances and the stories behind the songs—revealing the emotional moments that inspired them.

From nostalgia and vulnerability to laughter and rapid-fire questions, this episode captures the human side of chasing music—not for fame, but for freedom.

Because once music has its hooks in you… there’s no going back.

To follow TJ and Joey, connect with them on social media:

TJ Peterson FB https://www.facebook.com/tj.peterson.5855/

TJ Peterson TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tj.peterson93

Joey Davis FB https://www.facebook.com/JoeyD1194/

Joey Davis IG https://www.instagram.com/joeydavis.music/?hl=en

River City Consulting builds websites specifically for creatives — musicians, performers, and artists who need an online presence that matches their talent. They’re also the official website agency for The Hook podcast.

Learn more at RiverCityConsulting.com and use Promo Code THEHOOK for serious savings.

Twisted Cheers brings friendly, skilled bartenders straight to your event so you can relax and actually enjoy the party. With flexible packages like Cap & Cork, Triple Sip, and Sip Sip Hooray, they make it easy to add a little extra wow to weddings, corporate events, birthdays, reunions, and private parties. 

Visit Twistedcheers.com to learn more and start planning your next event.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Send Johni & Jess a text

In this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Matt Smith of Permanent Vacation, Dave McKinny of Dreamsicle, and Will Migern from Children’s Home Services of Virginia to talk about the music, meaning, and mission behind the charity event Bowling for Boat Drinks.

What started as a Jimmy Buffett tribute event is about much more than tropical shirts and margaritas—it’s about using music to create real impact. Matt and Dave share what makes Buffett’s music so timeless and why his message of freedom, escape, and belonging continues to bring people together. They also talk about the unique energy of tribute performances and the connection they feel with audiences who aren’t just listening—but living the experience.

Will offers a powerful look into the mission of Children’s Home Services of Virginia, an organization that has supported foster youth and young adults for over a century. He shares the realities these young people face and how community-driven events like Bowling for Boat Drinks help provide stability, opportunity, and hope.

This conversation explores how creativity, community, and compassion intersect—and how music can be more than entertainment. It can be a bridge. A voice. And sometimes, a lifeline.

Whether you’re a Buffett fan, a musician, or simply someone who believes in the power of showing up for others, this episode captures what it truly means to get hooked—not just on music, but on purpose.

To support & learn more about Children’s Home Services of Virginia, visit:

https://chsva.org/

To keep up with upcoming shows from Matt Smith of Permanent Vacation, Dave McKinny of Dreamsicle, you can follow them on social media at:

Permanent Vacation:

https://www.facebook.com/PermVaK

Dreamsicle:

https://www.instagram.com/dreamsicleband/

https://www.facebook.com/hungryhardluckheroes

River City Consulting builds websites specifically for creatives — musicians, performers, and artists who need an online presence that matches their talent. They’re also the official website agency for The Hook podcast.

Learn more at RiverCityConsulting.com and use Promo Code THEHOOK for serious savings.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Send Johni & Jess a text

Welcome to The Hook.

Before we start interviewing musicians, artists, and creatives about the moment that changed everything — we’re going first.

In this debut episode, Jess and Johni introduce the concept behind The Hook and unpack what it really means to be “hooked.” Not just the lyric that sticks in your head — but the turning point. The obsession. The risk. The moment you realized normal wasn’t going to work for you.

We talk about why this show exists, what kind of conversations you can expect, and the stories we’re most interested in telling. From live performances to candid interviews, The Hook is about going beyond the bio and into the real reasons creatives do what they do.

Every artist has a hook.

This is ours.

Look us up or apply to be on the show:

Website: https://www.johniandjess.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess.
This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed.

Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:
 https://www.johniandjess.com

Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:
 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook.

The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.