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PODCAST

I am Consciously Curious

I am Consciously Curious is a Chicago based podcast that dissects passionate individuals in various industries. The goal is to share their stories to inspire you to cultivate meaning within your own space. If you are interested in coming on or know someone that would be great for the podcast, please message us on fb/ig: @iamconsciouslycurious

business careers

All Episodes

87:16

183. Yuta Katsuyama: Folding Culture Into Every Rice...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/04/22

Yuta Katsuyama moved to Chicago to study design and business — and quickly noticed something missing: onigiri. What started as a personal craving became a brand now stocked on over 60 shelves across Chicagoland. Yuta talks about bridging Japanese food culture and American entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something from pure necessity. https://www.onigirikororin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/onigirikororin_riceballs/ https://www.instagram.com/yuta.kororin

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104:46

182. Charles Wong on BBQ, Culture & What Comes Next

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/04/14

One meal at Franklin Barbecue lit a fire in Charles Wong that spreadsheets never could. Since then, he's been quietly building something special — Texas-style BBQ layered with Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, served up through pop-ups and residencies that turned first-time customers into loyal community. After a heartbreaking near-miss on a food hall space, Charles regrouped, reflected, and set his sights on what's next: a brick-and-mortar that he hopes will finally give his community — and h...

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177:05

181. You Don't Need a Crisis to Ask for Help — Holley...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/04/08

What if the most powerful thing you could say to someone wasn't advice — it was I believe you? We sat down with Holley Brandchaft-White, licensed clinical social worker, former Lurie Children's Hospital ED clinician, and co-founder of SHFT Behavioral Health — Chicago's first mental health urgent care center for young people and families. Returning guest Steph Krim of Good Things Vending joins as co-host. After a decade in the children's ER, Holley saw firsthand that most people in mental heal...

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95:05

180. A Love Letter To Pizza in Chicago ft. Tony...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/03/25

Tony is back for round three! He was on the show five years ago when he was just establishing the professor pizza brand and three years ago when he partnered with the Atomic Hospitality group to provide his pizza on a rooftop in west loop. Since then, he's been approaching two years with the 50/50 hospitality group at their old town location. He just opened a slice shop in west town as well as in Boston. This is an episode about our love for Chicago food, the beauty of collaborations, and fut...

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83:00

179. Immigration Law ft. Anastasiia Bilousko, ESQ and...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/03/17

Our next guests are the dynamic duo behind AB Law. Despite being located on the north side of the city, they are helping individuals experiencing a variety of hardship obtain legal status across the country. Their friendship was formed while working together at a restaurant and blossomed into a partnership after working at two law firms previously. We reflect on their personal ties to immigration and why they’ve dedicated their lives to helping others obtain their citizenship. Please enjoy my...

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88:15

178. Da Local Boy ft. Nate and Dianne

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/03/10

Our next guests are riding the wave of aloha washing over the chicagoland area. They are the yin to each other’s yang. We reflect on the various iterations these lunch plates have taken from pop up tents and food trucks to their first brick and mortar in Highwood, IL. Today, they’re opening their second location in South Loop near the Sears Tower. Congrats friends. Please enjoy my conversation with Nate and Dianne of the Da Local Boy. https://dalocalboy.toast.site/ https://www.instagram...

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102:16

177. Burgers and Falafel ft. Danny Sweis

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/03/05

Our next guest is the owner of Ragadan and A Pizza Pie in Uptown. He reflects on his family’s journey to Oklahoma City from Amman, Jordan. It’s not too often you find a joint that serves great burgers and falafel. Despite the fast casual nature of his restaurants, he’d like to find a way to bring more traditional Jordanian dishes like mansaf to the community. The question is what it’s going to cost him. Please enjoy my conversation with Danny Sweis. https://ragadan.com/ https://www.apiz...

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113:17

176. The Heavy Rotation ft. Grant Frahm and Kalium Ewing

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/02/24

Our next guests are two college friends that host album listening parties around the city. What started as a way to stay in touch with their group of friends has expanded into a third space for like-minded individuals. Whether it’s your hundredth or first time listening to an album, all are welcome. Please enjoy my conversation with Grant and Kalium of The Heavy Rotation. https://www.instagram.com/the.heavy.rotation

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90:41

175. Sam Zeitlin of Zeitlin’s Delicatessen

I am Consciously Curious ·

2026/02/18

Our next guest has worked in cafes and 1 star restaurants throughout the country. Through helping others start their own projects, the path towards establishing a jewish deli in Chicago became visible. Tune in to hear Sam reflect on his journey of baking bagels during the pandemic, creating a community through farmers markets, and ending up next to the legendary Pequods Pizza on Clybourn in Lincoln Park. Please enjoy my conversation with Sam Zeitlin. 2203 N Clybourn Ave Chicago, IL 6061...

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115:43

174. Building Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Radical...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/12/24

Our next guest is Christine Cikowski, Co-Founder and Chef of Honey Butter Fried Chicken. She's also a part of Sunday Dinner Club, TriBecca's Sandwich Shop, and Honey Butter Beach Club inside SPF Pickleball. We reflect on how HBFC was conceived, the many iterations it's gone through, and how they've maintained longevity through radical transparency and support of their team's dreams. Please enjoy my conversation with Christine Cikowski. https://www.instagram.com/christinecikowski/ https://www....

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112:30

173. From Steppenwolf-Trained Acting To Hosting Plant...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/12/10

Our next guest is the Founder of a plant workshop here in Chicago. He goes by @uncommonplantguy. Despite the simple idea for a date night, there is so much more to experience through the lens of creating and caring for a kokedama plant. We reflect on his 13 year journey through stage theater, the lessons he’s learned through almost 10 years of therapy, as well as some themes around the human condition. Please enjoy my conversation with Austin Hunt. https://uncommonplantguy.com/ https:...

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126:08

172. From Bavettes and Pop Ups to Partnering with...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/11/19

Our next guests are preparing to open a highly anticipated burger restaurant in Park Ridge in partnership with Mikerphone Brewing. They met at the highly coveted Bavettes in Chicago and went through many iterations of what life could look like during and after the pandemic. They both were seeking stability and it wasn’t until several pop ups when Phil from Super Goode stopped by and left them a raving review. The stars began to align and they will be opening Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack in ...

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96:05

171. Uncut with Novel Pizza Cafe ft. Ryan Catolico...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/10/30

Our next guests are Ryan Catolico and Enrique Huizar of Novel Pizza. I’ve been following their journey since the very beginning. I believe this was the second entry into the Almedaverse. Ryan reflects on how he and Francis tried to replicate some of their favorite pizzas and eventually called for help from Enrique aka Gremski who has grown up in the pizza industry. They’ve had many iterations throughout the years and have found their footing in PIlsen, Chicago. Please enjoy my conversation wi...

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174:20

170. Carmilla Kupritz Returns

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/10/16

Carmilla K is back on the pod. She recently completed a half marathon in Iceland, another Hyrox event, and moved over to Studio Three from Corepower. We yap about themes of discipline, being present, and reframing why we do what we do. She’s entered her fifth decade of life and she continues to be unapologetically herself. I honestly did not think we would catch up for 3 hours but the time flew by. Please enjoy my conversation with Carmilla Kupritz. https://www.instagram.com/carmilla_k

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126:51

169. No BS Wine Education with Slik Wines' Founder...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/09/30

Our next guest provides a down to earth approach to wine education and she’s coming out with a book on how to read a wine label. She has channeled her love of hospitality as a nurse and a sommelier at a 1 Star Michelin restaurant. We reflect on her non linear journey through healthcare and hospitality with themes of pragmatism, authenticity, and finding balance. Please enjoy my conversation with Marie Cheslik of Slik Wines. Preorder her book on her website at slikwines.com https://slikwines.c...

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95:18

168. Melding Various Interests As A Multidisciplinary...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/09/24

Our next guest is a designer and multidisciplinary artist. She’s worked with brands like Good Things Vending [Shoutout Steph Krim], The Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Fire, The Chicago Marathon, and most recently Babe’s Sports Bar. We reflect on how she has found herself at the intersection of multiple interests and how she has found joy in soccer again. She leads a well-balanced, thoughtful life and strives to be present at the task at hand. Please enjoy my conversation with Alyssa Low. ...

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111:02

167. ER Vet Nurse Cooks Vegan Food For Gordon Ramsay...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/09/16

Our next guest is passionate on all things animals. She is an ER Vet Nurse as well as the author for her blog, Faraway Kitchen, where she shares vegan recipes from around the world. She was recently a contestant on Season 15 of MasterChef. We dive into her adventurous beginnings where she leaves no stone unturned in her travels across the country as well as to Southeast Asia. We reflect on what it was like to manifest and finally fulfill her dream of cooking vegan food for Gordon Ramsay along...

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96:01

166. Holey Dough & Co. ft. Jake Rubin

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/08/27

Our next guest is riding the high of Eeeeeatscon this last weekend. He’s been consistently selling out of his weekly preorders despite increasing available quantities. The bagels have a nice “knock knock” crust to them and upon ripping them apart, were dense enough to dip through schmear but not excessively chewy. The everything bagel hit all the right notes. We go into how it all started only a year and a half ago, how he’s maintaining a high quality bagel as he scales the operation, and his...

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126:20

165. Coming Out in More Ways Than One ft. Alvis Huynh

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/08/17

Our next guest is the Chef and Founder of Về lại which is currently a Vietnamese and Lao pop-up filled with themes of nostalgia and homestyle cooking. Coming from hard-working blue collar immigrants, Alvis had a strong work ethic, and despite falling in love with food and cooking at an early age, he didn’t immediately venture into the culinary arts. Microbiology, food science, and time spent at the soon to be closed Heritage Restaurant became formative stops along the way to forming Về lại. P...

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101:20

164. Exploring the Filipino Renaissance ft. Joe...

I am Consciously Curious ·

2025/08/03

Our next guest is the co-owner and Chef behind Boonie’s. Joe reflects on his Filipino-American upbringing, finding the culinary path, and eventually leaning into the Filipino culinary world. We chat about working on yourself, following your intuition, and making time to just live. If you haven’t been to Boonie’s, put it on your list. Joe’s partner, Joyce, sets a wonderful vibe that reminds you of Lola’s home and the sizzling sisig amongst other menu items will have you drooling. Please enjoy ...

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184 results

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