It's a week of snow days here in the greater Cincinnati area, but Jungle Jim's International Market is open for YOU! This week, Lucky and I dive into some comfort foods with a twist - can we prepare them inside of this Pokemon-themed panini press we got from our toy department? I think the answer is mostly yes. In the meantime, we talk about our personal opinions on dyes in food, chemicals in food, all while pressing Screaming Sicilian Pizza, fresh bao, and much more in our panini press! Weird week! Stay warm!

This week we're hanging with Rachel DesRochers, responsible for bolstering so many creatives and foodies in Cincinnati, teaching us great tips about life, bidets, and so much more. It was such a funny time with her - make sure to take some extra time to show some gratitude this week after you listen!

This week, i'm joined by Alex and Jacob of the Fairfield Community Foundation. The Fairfield Community Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit organization that supports the community through grants, scholarships, and other initiatives like grants, scholarships, community initiatives, and more! It's the holiday season and this felt like a nice way to give back. Hugely grateful for Alex and Jacob's time, even if we mostly talked about Remedy Games' and the brutalist architecture of the Oldest House from Control. What a show.

Stephanie and Shelby join me from the Eastgate location to go through their fun snackleboxes, crazy lights, bluetooth speakers, plush toys, purses, and so many other great gifts for the holiday season! But first, Jayna and I joined by some of my friends, JK and Margaret, to help pick the GREATEST Egg Nog in the store. I guess this is my holiday special.

Jason Brewer of Wandering Monsters joins Ferdinand and I to talk about about their upcoming special pint night here at Fairfield Jungle Jim's on this special episode of the Jungle Jim's podcast. Lets dive into their wild lineup of beers and what inspired both Jason and the brand to make all of these REFRESHING drinks!

When you need some help, can you say "I got a guy?" - I can and i'm going to introduce you to him this week, Lou! Lou's a relatively new add to the Jungle family and he's partly responsible for all the great deals you've been seeing in the stores these days! Who else gets us 3 for a $1 packages of gnocchi? Then, i'm joined by the Tackett family best known as the Happy Human Adventurers. We met them years ago with Dr. Karen in the store and became friends quickly. After years of hearing you all request us to do something a little more cozy and distracting from all the family craziness of Thanksgiving week, we decided to keep it low key and try some products they brought us, along with some quick Thanksgiving leftover tips. We even get to try the Hot Fudge Sundae Liquid Death water. It was weird! Be good to each other, and we'll see you after the holiday! Get the Jungle Jim's app for deals, and follow the Tackett Family at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHappyHumanAdventurers/

Did you know The Jungle Jim's Podcast is syndicated on The Oasis FM here in Cincinnati? You should tune in on Sunday mornings when we do a special version of the Jungle Jim's Podcast for their show! Thankfully, a long time friend of mine works at Oasis and handles all their production and his name is Jason Newton! Jason, who you may know from his YEARS and years of experience in Cincinnati media production as "Notorious," or from the many excellent concerts he's booked and promoted in the area. Jason is responsible for so many great times in my personal life that I thought it would be great to celebrate his hard work, dive into the ins and outs of our local media scene, all while celebrating his birthday with an excellent Boston Cream Cake made RIGHT HERE in the Jungle Jim's bakery. Cool stuff. 

This week, I'm kicking it off by reminiscing about FizzFest, one of my favorite festivals that has ever happened at Jungle Jim's. I met this week's guest at FizzFest and fell in love, but only let them know about that love in person during THIS interview. I was super stoked to have Karma Water on because I believe in their product and think it tastes awesome, especially with some of the new offerings that they've has brought to the lineup recently. To give you a little info on their current lineup: Karma Probiotic Water delivers more than 10X the active probiotic cultures than yogurt. With 2 billion cultures, 100% of 6 essential vitamins, and only 20 calories, Karma Probiotic Water optimizes digestive health and immune support, and Karma Energy Water offers a proprietary blend of natural caffeine and the patented nootropic, Cognizin® Citicoline, to provide you with the push of energy and mental acuity you need to get through the day. Plus, Karma Energy Water is made without any artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives, and it offers 100% of your daily value of Vitamin C and B-Complex. Between their energy waters and their probiotic drinks, there is a little something for everyone. I still need to try the Raspberry Peach one. Karma Water is also launching a whole new line of products that will both come into Jungle Jim's as well as be available direct to consumer and I am hyped to try their upcoming packets you can use on any refillable bottle. Awesome stuff. Learn more in the meantime at https://drinkkarma.com/ - All that and more on the Jungle Jim's podcast!

We kick this episode off with a segment I personally call 'the Quest for the Best,' where we try to find the best things in the store - this time, we were looking to try the ultimate apple cider! We tried Beiersdorfers, Fowler Farms, and Burnham Orchards - all sold in Jungle Jim's. Then, I threw a wrench in the works by bringing in my favorite apple cider in the world, courtesy of Delicious Orchards out of Colt's Neck, New Jersey. I think we should totally carry it here and I bet you'll agree after this segment! THEN, Sahra from Nguyen Coffee joins us to teach us all about Vietnamese coffee. Nguyen Coffee has a huge line of products, and they've just launched their ready-to-drink (or RTD if you're in!) coffees in Jungle Jim's. The great news? They're amazing. Sahra is awesome for a billion reasons like amplifying Asian voices through both her coffee company and her time making documentary films like 'Deported' for NBC! You really need to try these coffees! All that and more on the Jungle Jim's Podcast!

This week, I'm checking out the new expansion here at Jungle Jim's and interrupting International Super Star Jim B. from finishing setting up the international holiday section. It's coming along awesome, Jim! Then, I'm joined by Brad, Kevin, and Jami from the Purple Monkey Project. If you're unfamiliar with the Purple Monkey Project and what they do, let me share dirrectly from them: "Reagan, or “Rey”, as she was known, was a ray of sunshine who lit up every room – she was fun-loving, energetic, sassy, sweet, and spunky. She loved dancing, the musical ‘Hamilton’, her family, and her purple monkey.

Reagan tragically lost her life in an accident in May of 2021, and the world stopped spinning for those who loved her – it was unfathomable that someone so wonderful was no longer here. But even in the midst of their grief, Reagan’s loved ones were overwhelmed by love as their community came together to celebrate her life and to support them in the days, weeks, and months that followed.

That love and support helped form the idea for Purple Monkey Project, so named for Reagan’s favorite stuffed animal. Purple Monkey Project’s goal is to honor Reagan’s beautiful spirit by being a “Rey” of light in the world – supporting local youth and youth-centered charities and “paying it forward” by promoting random acts of kindness, all in the name of our Reagan." It's an excellent organization and they're doing cool things for Fairfield and beyond - including their upcoming lip synching event THIS Saturday, November 2nd! Details at https://www.purplemonkeyproject.org