Shows
Mitlin Money MindsetDon’t Listen to This Podcasting Advice – Do This Instead with Kevin ChemidlinStruggling to grow your podcast? In this episode, Kevin Chemidlin of Chief Audience Officer shares how he went from almost quitting to successful podcaster after breaking the number one podcasting rule. He explains the common podcasting advice you shouldn't listen to — and what to do instead for real growth. Learn how you can keep people listening to your show, the key metric that tells you if your audience is sticking around, and how to turn your podcast into a lead-nurturing machine that actually drives sales. If you want more growth for your podcast and your bu...2025-07-3037 min
Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business GrowthWhy Most Podcasts Struggle to Make Money (and How to Fix It) | Kevin ChemidlinThink monetizing your podcast is as simple as landing a sponsor and calling it a day? Not so fast. Kevin Chemidlin, host of Grow the Show, is back to reveal why rushing to monetize can sabotage your podcast—and how holding off can actually set you up for bigger profits and a stronger connection with your audience.We’re unpacking Kevin’s four-step framework for podcast growth and monetization, where he reveals how to get your audience not just listening, but lining up to buy what you’re offering.So if you’re ready to stop suppo...2025-02-0620 minInsider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business GrowthThe Two Silent Killers of Podcast Growth | Kevin ChemidlinAs the saying goes in podcasting: "If you build it, nothing will happen." Brutal? Maybe. True? Absolutely.In this episode, I’m sitting down with Kevin Chemidlin, founder of Grow the Show, and together we’re diving into the two silent killers of podcast growth—and trust me, these aren’t your usual suspects.So if you're ready to learn how to hook your audience, keep them coming back, and transform your show into one your listeners can’t help but tell everyone about, hit play and let's dive in. Episode Links:2025-02-0526 min
Podtastic Audio: Crafting Compelling Content with Crystal Clear Audio for Indie Podcasters178 | Unlocking Podcast Growth Secrets with Kevin Chemidlin of Grow the ShowElevate your podcasting game with Riverside.fm's studio-quality recordings, lightning-fast editing, and enhanced streaming capabilities—try it today! Get 15% off with discount code Podtastic Riverside.Fm In this episode of Podtastic Audio, I have the pleasure of chatting with Kevin Chemidlin, creator of Grow the Show, a podcast dedicated to helping podcasters thrive. Kevin shares his journey from launching the successful show "Philly Who" to building a platform that teaches podcasters how to grow and monetize effectively. Whether you're looking to expand your audience, keep listeners coming back, or make money from your show, this epis...2024-11-2555 min
Succeed in Medicine#407: Secrets to Growing and Monetizing Your Podcast with Kevin Chemidlin—- 👋 Freed.AI is here to free you from medical documentation. Join the movement to eliminate clinician burnout. Visit Freed.AI and improve your lifestyle. Coupon Code for $50 off your first paid month: PGD —- 👋 Ready to diversify outside the stock market? EquityMultiple brings you streamlined real estate investing. Access vetted, cash-flowing opportunities from anywhere. Start today, with just $5K, at equitymultiple.com —- 👋 Kevin Chemidlin reveals his four-step approach to growing and monetizing a podcast. Starting with his own journey from software engineer to successful podcaster, Kevin emphasizes the importance of...2024-10-3136 min
Super Humans with Ina Coveney#303 The Trap of Rapid Growth (and how to avoid it) with Kevin ChemidlinWe sit down with podcast mentor Kevin Chemidlin to explore the challenges and insights that come with rapid business growth. Kevin shares his personal experiences and hard-earned lessons from skyrocketing success to the unexpected obstacles that followed. We dive into what it takes to sustain momentum in a way that avoids burnout and ensures long-term success, offering listeners an honest look at the journey behind the growth.Tune in as we reflect on the mindset shifts necessary for navigating the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Whether you're building your business from the ground up or managing an...2024-10-081h 11
Hustle & Flowchart: Mastering Business & Enjoying the JourneyGrow The Show: The Power of Podcasts & Podcasting Success! with Kevin ChemidlinIn this episode, Kevin Chemidlin, Founder of Grow the Show, joins us to talk about the intricate nuances of podcasting. Kevin dives into the importance of completion rates for podcasts and what numbers podcasters should aim for. We discuss the deep emotional connection that audio podcasts foster, which is often more profound than other mediums. Kevin also explains the complexities and the strategic importance of deciding whether your podcast will primarily be an audio experience or a video show with audio components. We go on to cover effective growth strategies for podcasts, the value of podcast guesting, and tips...2024-09-0349 min
Your Dream BusinessConvert Listeners into Customers: How to Grow and Monetize Your Podcast with Kevin ChemidlinIn this episode I interviewed Kevin Chemidlin, a podcast growth coach, about strategies to grow and monetize a podcast. We discussed the importance of audience growth, the misconceptions about podcast charts, and the effectiveness of lead magnets in driving listener action. Kevin emphasizes the significance of building a strong email list and offering valuable products or services to your audience.
KEY TAKEAWAYS COVERED IN THE PODCAST
Focus on Audience Growth, Not Just Downloads: Instead of solely focusing on download numbers, aim to build a loyal and engaged audience. Understand that the goal is to i...2024-08-1253 min
The Golden Mic (W/ Josh Forti)406: Kevin Chemidlin Knows Podcasting (And How To Get Clients With Them)Kevin Chemidlin teaching people how to get clients from a podcast... in the exact way that I say not to do it.I had Kevin on the podcast because I thought it would be interesting to hear what my "competition" had to say. It ended up being a really great interview, and I learned a lot.We cover podcasting, the metrics to look for, the different ways to get clients, and the difference between Kevin's method and The Golden Mic Method.CONNECT WITH KEVIN CHEMIDLIN:Podcast: https://growtheshow.com/Instagram: https://www...2024-04-251h 21
Podcast Junkies - Storytelling Interviews & Conversations with Podcasters Podcasting Passionately342 Kevin Chemidlin - Entrepreneurship, Storytelling and Authenticity📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTubeIn this episode, I speak with Kevin Chemidlin, a fellow podcaster and the brains behind Grow the Show. Kevin's journey from a successful corporate career to full-time podcasting is a story that resonates with anyone who's ever felt the pull towards entrepreneurship. His candid sharing of the highs and lows, including the tough decision to leave a stable job and the challenges of navigating the podcasting world, is both grounding and inspiring.Kevin's transparency about the realities of growing a podcast and a business is refreshing. He doesn't shy away from dis...2024-04-021h 03
The Online Course Show222: 4 Tips to Explode Course Sales with a Podcast (Featuring Kevin Chemidlin)In today’s episode, we're talking with the incredibly insightful Kevin Chemidlin, about how to explode your course sales with podcasting.
Kevin embarked on his entrepreneurial journey from scratch – no email list, no following, no audience, and no budget. Fast forward to today, and he’s achieved incredible success.
Kevin credits his growth to a single transformative strategy: The Podcast Ladder.
It's a powerful approach used for podcasts, YouTube, and other long-form platforms that catapulted his business to new heights. He give us a detailed walkthrough of each of the 4 steps.
We also...2024-03-281h 07
The A Game Podcast: Real Estate Investing For EntrepreneursHow To Grow And Monetize Your Brand And Podcast | Kevin ChemidlinJoin Nick Lamagna on The A Game Podcast with his guest Kevin Chemidlin the founder and host of Grow The Show! Kevin went from a software developer to Entrepreneur, Mastermind founder, Podcast host and marketing master. He pivoted his focus after hitting Podcast burnout on his successful first podcast he then zigged and zagged and did a deep dive into the top podcasts in the world and found the SECRET SAUCE! He has since tested, proven and taught this over and over again to countless podcasters, influencers and business owners across the nation and the results are staggeri...2024-03-2555 min
Work Less, Earn MoreEp 215: Podcast Growth Strategy 2024 (with Kevin Chemidlin)Want to work with Kevin to grow your show?? Well, next week, he's hosting a virtual conference that will teach you how to do exactly that. Get your tickets now at https://www.growtheshowlive.com/gillian In this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Kevin Chemidlin about the nuances of expanding podcast audiences and the practical steps for enhancing sales strategies within this realm. We focused on tackling the unique challenges inherent in podcast growth, particularly the absence of an algorithm for audience building.Throughout our conversation, we explored various strategies, including gu...2024-03-211h 05
REACH with Brunson SmithHow to ACTUALLY Make Money with a Podcast with Kevin ChemidlinKevin Chemidlin is a podcaster and podcast coach. His first podcast, Philly Who?, was launched in 2018 as a side hustle while he was a corporate software developer. Just months after launching the show, Kevin decided to leave his 9-to-5 and go all-in on the podcast. Within 18 months, Philly Who? surpassed 100,000 downloads and more than $140k in monetized revenue. In 2020, Kevin began helping other podcasters grow and monetize their shows as well. He launched Grow The Show, a podcast, and the Grow The Show Accelerator, an intensive podcast accelerator program. In just 2 years, the Grow The Show Podcast has amassed...2024-03-2031 min
Pitched: Real Stories of Pitching Bold IdeasUpdated: Engagement Strategies for Podcasts with Kevin ChemidlinAre you wondering about effective ways to connect with the podcast hosts you want to pitch to? Or maybe you're a podcast host who wants to engage with your listeners outside of your recording sessions. If that resonates with you, then this episode is a must-listen, as we delve into strategies for enhancing podcast engagement. For the final part of our Summer Lovin' series featuring our all-time most-downloaded episodes, we present my chat with Kevin Chemidlin from May 2022. Kevin is the mastermind behind a unique method for expanding podcast audiences that gets impressive results. With his inaugural...2023-08-1545 min
The DigitalMarketer PodcastHow To Monetize Your Podcast with Grow The Show's Kevin ChemidlinHow are you talking about your products and services on your podcast? And are you doing it in a way that makes the listener want to learn more about what you're offering? Kevin Chemidlin is the Founder of Grow The Show podcast, and he's offering some highly practical tips on how to monetize your podcast. Kevin has over 400 clients who he has helped 10x their listener base and monetize right away, just by following some pretty simple podcast strategies. The first step is establishing congruency between your podcast and your offering, and on...2023-07-2527 min
After Hours Entrepreneur with Mark SavantMastermind Q&A with Kevin ChemidlinKevin Chemidlin answers live questions in the After Hours Entrepreneur Mastermind Kevin is the host of Grow The Show podcast. He is also a podcast growth coach who has helped hundreds of podcasters grow and monetize their shows. This episode is sponsored by: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/ConnectEmail: kev@cue9.fmVIDEO MASTERCLASS: https://trainings.growtheshow.com/masterclass?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=TPP&utm_campaign=KevinGuestAppearance&utm_content=SavantPODCAST: https://pod.link/growtheshowFacebook g...2023-05-2622 minAfter Hours Entrepreneur with Mark SavantKEVIN CHEMIDLIN - Scale Your Business With Courses And PodcastsKevin Chemidlin is the host of Grow The Show podcast. He is also a podcast growth coach who has helped hundreds of podcasters grow and monetize their shows. In this episode, Kevin spills the beans on how to create an engaging and effective curriculum by involving your students in the process. Learn how to tailor your course content to meet the specific needs of your audience, and scale your offerings to maximize profits.Kevin also shares some top-notch tips and tricks for growing your podcast and becoming a sought-after podcast guest. Whether you're l...2023-05-2233 min
Clipped: Your Content Creation ToolkitStrategies to Grow and Monetize Your Podcast ft. Kevin Chemidlin of "Grow The Show"Send us a textThis episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm. Use promo code CLIPPED for 20% off any Riverside membership plan. In this episode of Clipped, I'm speaking with Kevin Chemidlin of Grow The Show. Grow The Show is Kevin's podcast and podcast consulting agency that helps podcasters grow and monetize their shows. Kevin's podcast journey began in 2018 when he envisioned a podcast that would tell the stories of successful Philadelphians. He was inspired by the success of Warby Parker, founded at the University of Penn, and wanted to create a more cinematic and emotional podc...2023-05-1042 min
Super Humans with Ina Coveney#179 Kevin ChemidlinWith Kevin Chemidlin, Founder, Grow The Show AcceleratorOriginal Air Date: 6/16/2022 (Episode 103)Want to grow your podcast, but aren't sure where to start? Or maybe you've tried everything to increase your listeners, but nothing has worked? Kevin Chemidlin, the founder of Grow the Show Accelerator and host of Grow the Show podcast, is a seven-figure entrepreneur who has helped hundreds of podcast creators gain success in their businesses. In this episode, Kevin shares the journey he took to create two six-figure podcasts, the challenges he faced while doing so, and shares the one d...2023-02-1439 min
Action Academy | Millionaire Mentorship For Your Life & BusinessThe Profit Behind Podcasting: How To Build a $1,000,000 + Podcast Business w/ Kevin Chemidlin (REPLAY)Today's guest quit his W2 Job, scaled his first podcast to $100k Revenue and 100k downloads in 2 years, then scaled his second podcast to 7 figures Revenue in 12 months.This guest is none other than my personal podcast coach who helps me with this show, Kevin Chemidlin. Kevin runs the shows "Philly Who?" and now "Grow the Show" which helps podcasters learn to grow and monetize without leaving it up to "word of mouth" alone.Join the Action Academy Newsletter Below and snag the Following for FREE:-Free Ebook on Framework to Leave your W22022-09-3050 min
Thinking BaseballEp. 6 - No Place Like Home: Baseball Stadiums: Old, New, and Favorites (with Kevin Chemidlin)Smells of hot dogs and popcorn, the sound of a hard hit, and cheering fans all fill your senses. The energy of a good baseball game will excite you no matter what ballpark you’re at, but in truth, there’s no place like home for a fun experience.
Kevin Chemidlin, podcast host and lifelong baseball fan, joins our host to talk about the magical experience that is a baseball game. As someone who’s on a mission to see one game in every city in the country, Kevin has (so far) been to 27 cities...2022-09-2935 min
Escape the nine to five: how to design your careerFIND A MENTOR: Why it matters. With Kevin Chemidlin (Entrepreneur & Podcast Growth Coach)Episode show notes:We all know famous mentors. Gandalf the Grey. Albus Dumbledore. Yoda. Mufasa.. If you're going to successfully escape the nine to five, you're going to need a mentor, but how do you find a mentor, how do you know this person is the right fit for you? >> OUR GUEST THIS EPISODE: Kevin Chemidlin. He quit a comfortable nine to five job at an insurance company to become an entrepreneur. After a few failed ventures, he launched Philly Who, a pod...2022-08-2349 min
Growth TriggersThe Secret to Growing (And Monetizing) A Raving Podcast Audience With Kevin ChemidlinRiverside.fm, the leading tool for podcast and video recordings. Visit riverside.fm and use code LUIS to get 15% off a membership plan.Have you ever wondered what the secret is behind the world's most successful podcasts and podcasters? We will cover that in today’s interview with the host of Grow the Show, Kevin Chemidlin.Kevin experienced a standstill in 2019 when his audience growth stopped. Feeling burned out with no idea how to monetize, he shut down his podcast and spent the next three months studying the best podcasts in the game. He then re...2022-07-0155 min
Super Humans with Ina Coveney#103 Growing your podcast to make millions with Kevin ChemidlinWith Kevin Chemidlin, Founder, Grow The Show AcceleratorWant to grow your podcast, but aren't sure where to start? Or maybe you've tried everything to increase your listeners, but nothing has worked? Kevin Chemidlin, the founder of Grow the Show Accelerator and host of Grow the Show podcast, is a seven-figure entrepreneur who has helped hundreds of podcast creators gain success in their businesses. In this episode, Kevin shares the journey he took to create two six-figure podcasts, the challenges he faced while doing so, and shares the one decision he made that increased his e...2022-05-1639 minAction Academy | Millionaire Mentorship For Your Life & BusinessHow to Make $1,000,000+ From A Podcast w/ Kevin ChemidlinToday's guest quit his W2 Job, scaled his first podcast to $100k Revenue and 100k downloads in 2 years, then scaled his second podcast to 7 figures Revenue in 12 months.This guest is none other than my personal podcast coach who helps me with this show, Kevin Chemidlin. Kevin runs the shows "Philly Who?" and now "Grow the Show" which helps podcasters learn to grow and monetize without leaving it up to "word of mouth" alone.Join the Action Academy Newsletter Below and snag the Following for FREE:-Free Ebook on Framework to Leave your W22022-03-2250 min
The Podcast On PodcastingEp165: 5 Best Tips To Finding New Listeners - Kevin ChemidlinAre you having trouble attracting and building an audience? In this episode, Kevin Chemidlin outlines effective podcast growth tactics. Tune in and discover many strategies to grow a successful show! WHAT TO LISTEN FOR What is “Listserv” and how do you grow an email list? Is republishing episode bad for your show? Why would you give your valuable content for free? What is “Targeted Daily Engagement (TDE) and how to do it” Where and how to connect better with people on social platforms RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED Make Noise | Paperback...2022-02-1855 min
Philly Who?Eli Kulp: The Chef Who Survived a Train DerailmentEli Kulp is an award-winning Philly chef and podcaster who has overseen local restaurants such as Fork, and a.kitchen. One night, while he was, was at the top of his game, Eli was in an Amtrak derailment that led them that left him unable to walk, unable to use his hands, and unable to cook.What follows is the story of how, despite his severe injury, Eli fought to recover and was able to revitalize his career as a chef and hospitality industry thought-leader.Want to hear the complete, unedited interview with...2021-10-1942 min
Philly Who?Due Quach: From Refugee to Harvard-Educated CEO and EntrepreneurDue Quach is the founder and CEO of Calm Clarity, a social impact organization that helps people overcome adversity through nurturing a mindset of growth, leadership, and resilience. She's also the founder of Collective Success Network, a nonprofit that provides support to low-income first-generation students. When Due was a toddler, her parents moved her family from a Vietnamese refugee camp to an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood.She overcame adversity and went on to graduate from Harvard and pursue a successful corporate career. However, she soon learned the high-flying corporate life wasn't for her.After go...2021-10-0544 min
Philly Who?Terrill Haigler: How Ya Fav Trashman is Solving Philadelphia’s Litter ProblemTerrill Haigler is the Founder and face of Ya Fav Trashman, which is an online brand and Instagram account with over 30,000 followers. However, Terrill's story begins when he was working as a Philadelphia sanitation worker at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.He originally created the Instagram account in 2020 when trash was piling up in the city due to the Coronavirus, and people were taking it out on him and his colleagues. Terrill wanted the account to show people how strenuous the job is so that they might have more patience with their trash collectors....2021-09-2142 min
Dare to LeapKevin Chemidlin — How to Grow a PodcastKevin Chemidlin is a Podcaster and Podcast Coach. He is the host of Grow the Show, where he helps podcasters grow their podcast numbers. With over 100,000 downloads and $100,000 of revenue generated, Kevin is passionate about podcasting and helping others learn the ropes of this industry! Kevin shares a bit about his story and how to build a loyal podcast following in this week’s episode. Key takeaways: A little bit about Kevin and his background. Kevin was raised to go for stability. He went into corporate because it was “the thing to do.” How did Kev...2021-09-081h 09
Philly Who?Jeannine A. Cook: How Harriett's Bookshop Survived Prejudice, Protests and a PandemicJeannine A. Cook is the Founder and Shopkeeper at Harriett's Bookshop, named after Harriett Tubman.In February 2020, Harriett's was born to celebrate women authors, artists, and activists. The space was immediately beloved, but when the Coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, everything Jeannine had worked for was in jeopardy.What follows is the story of how her incredible grit and intuition helped Harriett's survive and thrive during one of the most tumultuous years our country has ever seen.Want to hear the complete, unedited interview with Kevin and Jeannine? Subscribe to...2021-09-0744 min
Email List Profit SecretsGrow Your Podcast In Just 15 Min Per Day | Kevin ChemidlinSo a bit about my guest today, Kevin Chemidlin.He’s the host of Grow the Show. And he helps podcasters monetize their show.He made over 100k with his first podcast in the first year.And over $60k with his second show and current podcast, Grow the Show.The good news is...you’ll discover how today.Here’s what’s on the show!-How To Grow Your Podcast In Just 10 Minutes A Day. Kev shares the secrets of how his students booked people like Pat Flynn an...2021-04-1534 min
Live from RADIOKISMET with Christopher PlantBuilding Philly's Most Successful Podcast With Kevin ChemidlinChristopher Plant sits down with Kevin Chemidlin to discuss growing your brand, networking, and getting your podcast off the ground. Kevin is a creator, educator, and Philadelphia podcasting legend. He is the founder of "Grow The Show", a podcast and organization committed to helping beginners find success in the podcast medium. You can learn more about Kevin on his website phillykev.com2021-03-2648 min
How to Market Your DTC BrandWhy You Need More Than Consistency to Succeed with Kevin ChemidlinKevin Chemidlin went to Temple University in Philadelphia for Computer Science. Kevin was working as a software engineer when he started PhillyWho in 2018. PhillyWho is the podcast telling the stories of the doers, thinkers, and performers of Philadelphia. Immediately, the show took off, and he has now created a six-figure podcast. He started Cue9 Creative which is a podcast production company Clients include Comcast NBCUniversal, iHeartRadio, and Lululemon. Most recently, Kevin has launched Grow the Show. This is a podcast and program that Helps Podcasters Grow their Audience on Command and Monetize their Show Today while only spending 4 Hours...2020-11-0945 min
Stacking the Bricks: Creators and Entrepreneurs You Can Relate ToEP39 - Grow your Audience with Kevin ChemidlinThis week The Tiny MBA podcast tour comes with a twist! Isn't there always a twist? Is it still a twist if you know a twist is coming? I guess M Night Shyamalan would say so.... ANYWAY.I'm bringing you an episode from a brand new show called "Grow the Show" by my friend Kevin Chemidlin and his podcast company, Cue 9 productions.As you might imagine from my repetition of the word "show" this is a podcast about...podcasts. More specifically, it's FOR podcasters. Ya see, Kevin is a professional podcaster himself, now producing successful...2020-10-1526 min
Philly Who?Kevin Negandhi: The First Indian-American to Anchor ESPN's SportscenterKevin Neghandi was watching a basketball game on TV when he was 15 years old. The announcers mentioned that one of the players was studying broadcasting, and that would one day be the player's career. Kevin's mind was blown. "You can do that? You can get paid for that?"That night, as he went to bed in his home of Pheonixville PA, he made a vow: He would became the first ever Indian-American to anchor the legendary ESPN sports newscast, Sportscenter.One day years later, in the summer of 2006, after years of grind and burnout, he...2020-07-011h 01
Philly Who?Kevin's Reflection on Representation and Being an AllyIn which Kevin shares a powerful lesson he has learned about allyship.2020-06-1922 min
Philly Who?Carlos Aponte: The History Teacher Reinventing Philly SchoolingCarlos Aponte is a history teacher at One Bright Ray Community High School and the creator of We Love Philly.We Love Philly is an Out-of-school time program that provides an ownership based education through community service projects. Students volunteer for local organizations, interview the leaders of those organizations on their podcast, and learn how to edit and produce that podcast.Carlos' journey to becoming an expert in helping Philly kids learn to love Philly was turbulent, as he moved around a lot and was on ADHD medication since the age of four. His own...2020-05-211h 02
Philly Who?Councilmember Kendra Brooks: The First Minority Party At-Large Victory in HistoryAfter serving families with disabilities at Easterseals for 17 years, state budget cuts left Kendra Brooks without a job. While she searched for a new one, she became a parent leader of her children's public school in the neighborhood of Nicetown.When a local charter school made a bid to take over, she organized the school's parents to make their voices heard. This fight lead to national media attention, and gave Kendra a taste of what victory on behalf of her community feels like.She had "taken the pill from The Matrix," and in 2019 ran for...2020-05-0646 minPhilly Who?Help Fight COVID-19, Support Project SHIELDS: Providing Face Shields to Essential Medical WorkersProject SHIELDS is 3D-printing Face Shields to help protect our essential medical workers from contracting COVID-19. Please contribute to the GoFundMe, or help spread the word!
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Learn More, Volunteer, Request PPE2020-04-0507 min
Wait, Am I An Adult NowInterview - Creator of the Philly Who? Podcast Kevin ChemidlinPhilly Who? is the podcast telling the stories of the doers, thinkers, and performers of Philadelphia. It was created as a side project by host Kevin Chemidlin in May 2018. In its first year, the weekly podcast amassed 40,000 downloads and lead Kevin to pursue podcast production full-time. The podcast has been highlighted as one of the most popular podcasts in Philadelphia by Billy Penn and has been highlighted by Philly Voice and Philadelphia Magazine.In this episode, we dive into Kevin's story. What was he doing before the start of Philly Who? and how did it all come to...2019-12-2348 min
Wait, Am I An Adult Now?102: Interview - Creator of the Philly Who? Podcast Kevin ChemidlinPhilly Who? is the podcast telling the stories of the doers, thinkers, and performers of Philadelphia. It was created as a side project by host Kevin Chemidlin in May 2018. In its first year, the weekly podcast amassed 40,000 downloads and lead Kevin to pursue podcast production full-time. The podcast has been highlighted as one of the most popular podcasts in Philadelphia by Billy Penn and has been highlighted by Philly Voice and Philadelphia Magazine.In this episode, we dive into Kevin's story. What was he doing before the start of Philly Who? and how did it all come to...2019-12-2348 min
Philly Who?Steve Charles: From the Farms of Lancaster to the Library of the FutureSteve Charles serves on the Board of Trustees at Temple University, where he’s spent years providing scholarships and other financial resources to expand opportunities at Temple. His commitment to Temple is obvious as soon as you walk into the elaborate, cutting edge structure that is the Charles Library: named after Steve himself.Before entering the world of philanthropy, Steve struggled, hustled, bounced around, and spent years trying to find the business plan that would transform him into a successful entrepreneur. His answer came in the form of immixGroup, a company Steve co-founded that distributes a tech pr...2019-12-1835 min
Philly Who?Sharon Pinkenson: The Wardrobe Stylist Who Brought Hollywood to PhillyOver two decades ago, one wardrobe stylist had an ambitious dream to see her beloved hometown become the movie metropolis she always knew it could be.Now, after more than $5 billion of economic impact to the southeastern Pennsylvania region, Greater Philadelphia Film Office Executive Director Sharon Pinkenson has successfully elevated the GPFO from the little-known permit office it once was to one of the most well-respected film commissions in the industry.In doing so, Sharon has cemented Philadelphia’s reputation as one of the best media production centers in the country, and has helped Philly la...2019-12-1153 min
Philly Who?Dan Berkowitz: From The Disco Biscuits to Coachella, Bringing VIP Concert Experiences to the MassesDan Berkowitz is the Founder and CEO of CID Entertainment. CID offers enhanced live music and travel experiences for many different events, festivals and tours worldwide, including Coachella, Bonnaroo, Kenny Chesney, MUSE, Blake Shelton, Bassnectar, My Morning Jacket, and Kendrick Lamar, among others.Before founding CID, Dan got his start in the music industry while being the tour manager for the Disco Biscuits, and then later with Electric Factory Concerts.In 2015, the company launched CID Presents, a boutique end-to-end event production branch of the company that offers superfans once-in-a-lifetime music destination events, including Luke Bryan’s...2019-11-2746 min
Philly Who?Bruce Warren: How a Kitchen Chef Became Philly's Music ManBruce Warren is assistant general manager for programming of WXPN in Philadelphia and is Executive Producer of World Cafe distributed by National Public Radio (NPR). He’s been working for public radio as a DJ and manager for the past thirty one years. He is also an adjunct teacher at the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University, where he got his undergraduate degree, and also teaches social media at University of Pennsylvania, where he got his Master’s Degree in Organizational Dynamics.Before he was interviewing world-famous guests for WXPN, Bruce was a public radi...2019-11-1432 min
Philly Who?Michelle Angela Ortiz: Telling the Stories of Immigrants through ArtMichelle Angela Ortiz is a visual artist, skilled muralist, and community arts educator who uses her art as a vehicle to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted. Through painting, printmaking, and community arts practices, she creates a safe space for dialogue around some of the most profound issues communities and individuals may face. Her work tells stories using richly crafted and emotive imagery to claim and transform spaces into a visual affirmation that reveals the strength and spirit of the community.Support Philly Who?Donate via Paypal,2019-10-1139 min
Philly Who?Steven Rea: Nationally Renowned Film Critic Capturing the Everyday Lives of StarsSteven Rea is journalist, film critic, web producer, and writer. He was a film critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1992 through late 2016.He also is the author of Hollywood Rides a Bike: Cycling with the Stars, Hollywood Cafe: Coffee With The Stars, and Hollywood Book Club, all books showcasing his collection of original photographs of various stars doing everyday things.Steven will be showing a selection of "Hollywood Book Club" film clips at the Ambler Theater in Ambler on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23, and at The County Theater in Doylestown on Wednesday evening, Oct. 30th. He'll al...2019-10-0332 min
Philly Who?Madeline Bell: How an Overnight Pediatric Nurse Became CEO of CHOPMadeline Bell is the President & CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Children’s Hospital-- more commonly known as CHOP-- receives more than 1 million visits every year. And Madeline is the one making many of the big decisions: like whether to try and complete the world’s first double hand transplant.But when she first walked into CHOP as an employee, Madeline was a pediatric nurse, fresh out of college, who had just scored her dream job. 35 years and many different roles later, she's the captain of the ship.And while the journey wasn’t...2019-09-2630 min
Philly Who?Michael Nutter: The 98th Mayor of PhiladelphiaMichael Nutter served as the 98th Mayor of Philadelphia from 2008 through 2015. Before that, he had been a Member of City Council since 1992.When Nutter decided to run for mayor, the odds were stacked against his campaign. That didn’t deter him. In 2007, he ended up winning the election in a landslide, with a plan to boost Philadelphia’s graduation rate, lower its homicide count, and make the city greener. Minutes after he was sworn in, he introduced what he referred to as “the new Philadelphia.”But any plan comes with surprise detours, twists, and turns - especi...2019-09-1847 min
Philly Who?Rakia Reynolds: Helping Serena Williams & Other Celebrities Share Their StoriesRakia Reynolds is the Founder & CEO of Skai Blue Media, a public relations agency that's worked with clients such as Serena Williams, Ashley Graham, and M. Night Shyamalan.In the mid 2000s Rakia was a TV producer whose life was turned upside down when she was unexpectedly laid off. With a child on the way and the economy in recession, she decided to bet on herself and start her own firm.Today, she's one of the most sought after communications specialists in the country.Support Philly Who?Donate...2019-09-1147 min
Philly Who?Melissa Alam: Social Media & Branding Expert, Founder of Female-focused FearlessConMelissa Alam is an entrepreneur and freelance brand strategist. If you’ve ever grabbed coffee at La Colombe, cracked open a Budweiser beer, or swiped on Bumble, you've interacted with some of her clients. Melissa also founded The Hive, a coworking space for women. And, she started FearlessCon: an annual workshop for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.This episode was recorded live at Indy Hall as a part of the 7th Annual Philadelphia Podcasting Festival.Support Philly Who?Donate via Paypal,Venmo: @podphillywho,Become a Monthly Patron,...2019-09-0532 min
Philly Who?Trevor Hayward: The Evil Genius Who Names Beers After Movie QuotesAbout a decade ago, Trevor Hayward and Luke Bowen decided to start a business. The result was Evil Genius Beer Company, a brewery that is famous for crazy beer flavors and even crazier beer names, including "Stacy’s Mom," “Ma, The Meatloaf” and the latest ale, "Baby Shark Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo."In this episode, Trevor shares how he grew up on the eastern shores of Ireland, spent time living in Australia, and eventually came to Philly to get an MBA. He started at Villanova the same week that Lehman Brothers failed in 2008. So, with the re...2019-08-2745 min
Philly Who?Connor Barwin: The NFL Linebacker Rejuvenating Philly Public ParksConnor Barwin is an NFL Linebacker who has played for the Houston Texans, LA Rams, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles. In 2014, he lead the NFL in sacks, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.Connor played for the Eagles from 2013-2016. While he has moved on to play for other cities, he and his family have made Philly their permanent home.Here, Connor's Make the World Better Foundation is working to revitalize Philly's underserved public parks. He discovered his passion for local parks while biking around Philadelphia.The 5th Annual MTWB Benefit...2019-08-2243 min
Philly Who?Craig Grossman: Transforming 13th Street from Red Light District to a Vibrant Cultural HubCraig Grossman is a General Partner at Arts & Crafts Holdings, which today is investing in the northern edge of Center City, around Spring Garden Street.But, well before Craig and his team started investing in that area, he worked to invest in another Center City neighborhood which, today, looks nothing like it did when he got here in the early 2000s. Back then, the 13th Street corridor was pretty desolate, with tons of drug use, porn shops, and prostitution. Many people called it Philly’s “Red Light District.”Craig at the time was working in New Yo...2019-08-1333 min
Philly Who?Jo Piazza: Journalist, Novelist, and Podcaster Who Doesn't Need a Cabin in the WoodsJo Piazza is a bestselling author, award-winning journalist and digital strategist.She is the author of seven critically acclaimed fiction and non-fiction books, like The Knock Off, How to Be Married, Fitness Junkies, and Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, which have been translated into more than ten languages.Jo is the host of her own podcast called Committed on the iHeartRadio Network as well.A former editor and columnist with Yahoo, Current TV and the New York Daily News, her work has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York...2019-08-0643 min
Philly Who?Julian Brodsky: The Creation of ComcastJulian Brodsky is the original CFO of Comcast, and a Philadelphia native. He and Daniel Aaron were the partners of Comcast Founder Ralph Roberts, and the three began the company in 1963 with the mission of providing cable television to towns who didn't receive antenna reception.Now, Comcast is the biggest company in Philly, and is ranked 32nd on the Fortune 500 list of the biggest U.S. corporations. The company provides phone, internet, and cable TV services to millions, it owns NBCUniversal, Dreamworks, and SKY, as well as the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center, and soon it...2019-07-3048 min
Philly Who?Sarah Schwab: The Story of GRITTY!Sarah Schwab is the Senior Director of Marketing for the Philadelphia Flyers. As the Director of Marketing, Sarah oversees the team’s branding, promotional, and media initiatives. Recently, her team was tasked with a huge undertaking: creating a mascot for the Flyers.Much to her and the team's surprise, Gritty would become an overnight internet phenomenon, generating billions of online impressions, and appearing on Good Morning America, Conan O'Brian, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.Before working for the Flyers, she worked in PR and Marketing for UPenn and the National Constitution Center. Sarah got he...2019-07-1649 min
Philly Who?Nonya Collier: Why We All Should Practice ImprovNonya Collier is the chief of staff at Metro Corp media, the publisher of Philadelphia Magazine. Before that, she has had quite the journey of a career. She’s spent time as a startup founder, as a public health official, as a corporate strategist at a national bank, and as a college professor. She’s got a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and an MBA from Wharton.In this episode, you'll hear how a passion for improv performance has informed her approach on life. For Nonya, the only constant throughout her story is change, and as you’ll hear...2019-07-1045 min
Philly Who?Evan "OG" Harden: Surviving a Stray Bullet and Bringing Calisthenics to PhillyEvan "OG" Harden is the founder of the National Bar League, a Calisthenics Sports League. Calisthenics is a rigorous form of exercise with movements such as pulling, pushing, bending, jumping, or swinging, and using one's bodyweight for resistance.Prior to founding the National Bar League, Evan worked as a personal trainer and strength coach.At a young age of 16, Evan had a near-death experience on the streets of West Philly when he was shot by a stray bullet. That gave him a perspective that most people double his age didn’t even have.Ye...2019-06-2748 min
Philly Who?Stacey Mosley: The Startup Founder Who Sees the Future of Philly Real EstateStacey Mosley is the Co-founder and CEO of Stepwise, a startup that empowers real estate investors to quickly find and evaluate investment opportunities.Prior to launching Stepwise in 2015, Stacey worked for the City of Philadelphia for five years practicing data science for the City’s Vacant Property Strategy and Open Data initiative.Before that, she worked for a promising local startup. But after she was suddenly laid off and without a job, she started wandering around Philly, looking for her next career step. It was then that she started noticing all the abandoned homes and va...2019-06-2045 min
Philly Who?Greg Seltzer: The Corporate Attorney Who Invented Philly Music FestGreg Seltzer is a Corporate Attorney and Partner at Ballard Spahr, and his specialty is Mergers & Acquisitions. Over the past decade, he’s been the architect behind some of Philly’s biggest deals. He's represented The City of Philadelphia, Guru Technologies, CookNSolo, Richard Vague and Gabriel Investments, REC Philly, Philly Startup Leaders, The Phillies, Di Bruno Brothers, Comcast, World Cafe Live, and DuPont, just to name a few.He's also a Certified Public Accountant, and he holds an MBA.Additionally, Greg is extremely passionate about music. He's published two books analyzing its ties to current even...2019-06-1050 min
Philly Who?Mike Solomonov & Steve Cook: The Chefs Behind Zahav, Federal Donuts, The Rooster, Abe Fisher, Goldie, and DizengoffMike Solomonov and Steve Cook are the chefs behind Cooknsolo, a collection of restaurants including Zahav, Federal Donuts, The Rooster, Dizengoff, Goldie, and Abe Fisher.At the time of this interview, Cook and Solo had together accrued 4 James Beard Awards for their restaurants and cookbooks. Just 5 days later, they took home their 5th, as Zahav won the award for best restaurant in the country.In this episode, you’ll hear how these two restauranteurs came together to bring Israeli cuisine to Philadelphia. In doing so, they transformed the Philly food scene.But, it wa...2019-05-291h 03
Philly Who?Mac Frederick: Sacrificing His Dream Job at Google to Help Small BusinessesMac Frederick is the Founder and CEO of two companies: one, Momentum Digital, is a digital marketing agency. The other, Phone Repair Philly, is a phone repair company with that was named Best Smartphone Repair Shop by PhillyMag in 2018. Mac is also the creator of the Small Business Saturday initiative, which creates newsletters, podcasts, and videos that highlight the stories behind Philly’s many different small businesses.In this episode, you’ll hear how Mac would land an extremely competitive job selling search results ads at Google. When he noticed that many of his customers were...2019-05-0942 min
Philly Who?Tony Luke, Jr. Part 2: The Rise and Fall of a Cheesesteak EmpireTony Luke, Jr. is a cofounder of Tony Luke's, a cheesesteak franchise with multiple locations. He's also an actor, TV personality, musician, and an anti-addiction-stigma activist.In this Part 2 of a 2-episode series, you’ll hear how a small sandwich shop on a random corner in South Philly - that didn’t even sell cheesesteaks when it first opened - became the Philly cheesesteak sensation of the 90s. Tony, Jr. would take the momentum of a few press pieces and parlay it into viral TV commercials, multiple franchise locations, and a life of a TV and food cele...2019-04-3059 min
Philly Who?Tony Luke, Jr., Part 1: High School Dropout, Hollywood HopefulTony Luke, Jr. is a cofounder of Tony Luke's, a cheesesteak franchise with multiple locations. He's also an actor, TV personality, musician, and an anti-addiction-stigma activist.In the early 90s, Tony, his brother, and his father built and opened a small sandwich shop in South Philly. Back then, Pat’s, Geno’s, and Jim’s were the only names synonymous with Philly Cheesesteaks. But pretty soon, everyone was talking about Tony Luke’s.Tony Luke’s would turn into a household name, and Tony Luke Jr would become the face of the franchise: starring in TV and rad...2019-04-3050 min
Philly Who?Nicole Marquis: Introducing Philly to Plant-Based Comfort Food at HipCityVegNicole Marquis is the creator of the plant-based fast casual restaurant chain HipCityVeg, currently with locations in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Nicole also created and runs the popular plant-based full service restaurants Charlie was a sinner. and Bar Bombón.In this episode, you'll hear how Nicole was inspired to create a vegan restaurant chain when she read The China Study and understood the effects that eating meat had on human health.Even her father was skeptical at first. But, after a diabetes diagnosis, Nicole guided him towards a plant-based lifestyle. After a few mon...2019-04-1848 min
Philly Who?Liz Brown: From High School Dropout to Award-Winning Tech CEOLiz Brown is the Managing Director at Backstage Philadelphia, an arm of Backstage Capital, a venture capital investment firm that invests in underrepresented founders.Liz, who’s originally from Buffalo, New York, had no plans to ever live in Philadelphia. But once she got here, her love for the tech scene pushed her to cofound WebJunto, a software development company. WebJunto won the 2017 Tech in Motion Award for Best Tech Workplace for Diversity, and in 2018 Liz won the Rad Girl Award for Best Technologist.In this episode, you'll hear her wide-ranging journey from high school dr...2019-04-0951 min
Philly Who?Conrad Benner: Changing the Way Philly Sees Public SpaceConrad Benner is the creator of Streets Dept, an online platform that highlights street art. It includes a photoblog, a podcast, and an Instagram account with over 140,000 followers.In this episode, you’ll hear how documenting street art wasn’t always the plan for Conrad. But, once a life-changing bike accident forced him to commute by foot, he began noticing the overflow of public art around him. And so, he began learning: about the street art scene, about the rules, about the people, about the ethics, about who the artists are.As his platform grew in s...2019-04-0243 min
Philly Who?Emily Foote Williams: Leading an Education Startup Through TragedyIn 2011, Emily Foote Williams co-founded an online education platform to help prepare students for the professional world. That company, Practice, was recently acquired by Instructure.In this episode, you’ll hear how she’s earned a Bachelors, Masters, and a Law Degree. After years of traditional education, a Drexel Law professor’s teaching style completely changed the way she looked at education.She was so passionate about spreading this style of learning that she gave up her law career to help bring it to countless students via technology.While the company has positively impact...2019-03-1546 min
Philly Who?Kiera Smalls: Creating City Fit Girls and Leading the Philly Tech Scene to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionKiera Smalls is the Executive Director of Philly Startup Leaders, a nonprofit that connects Philly entrepreneurs to the resources they need to find success. Before joining PSL, she co-founded City Fit Girls, a running and fitness community for women.In this episode, she’ll share how City Fit Girls was born after Kiera lost 100 pounds. She and her best friend started hosting workouts with their friends, and then their friends’ friends, and pretty soon CFG had grown into a fully-fledged fitness community.She then went on to run marketing for Indego, Philly’s bike share progra...2019-03-0544 min
Philly Who?Richard Vague: Businessman, Art Enthusiast, and Philanthropist Who Believes Philly Will Cure CancerRichard Vague is currently one of the managing partners of Gabriel Investments and the president of the Philadelphia Live Arts and Fringe Festival. He is also the author of The Next Economic Disaster, a book with a new approach for predicting and preventing financial crises.Previously, he was co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Energy Plus, an electricity and natural gas supply company that was sold to NRG Energy in 2011. Vague was also co-founder and CEO of two credit card companies – First USA, which grew to be the largest Visa issuer in the industry and which was sold to...2019-02-1953 min
Philly Who?Rebecca Rhynhart: Navigating the Great Recession as Treasurer and Eradicating Corruption as City ControllerIn January 2018, Rebecca Rynhart was sworn in as the first woman City Controller in Philadelphia history. Before that, she served as Mayor Kenney’s Chief Administration Officer, and during the Nutter administration, she served as Treasurer and then Budget Director.In this episode, you’ll hear how Rebecca initially worked in Finance on Wall Street. After years of seeing governments being taken advantage of by the private sector, she quit - and took a huge pay cut - to enter public service. That decision to leave Bear Sterns in the spring of 2008 turned out to be pretty luck...2019-02-0742 min
Philly Who?Ben Thomas: Prodigy Music Producer who's worked with Post Malone, Brian McKnight, and Lil DickyBen Thomas is and one of most sought after audio engineers in Philadelphia. At only 23 years old, he’s worked with artists such as Brian McKnight, Post Malone, and Lil Dicky. He’s received two Soul Train Award nominations and an NAACP Award Nomination, and he's also the cofounder of nicethingsMUSIC.In this episode, you’ll hear how Ben originally planned to work in finance on Wall Street. But, as his hobby of recording music evolved into something bigger, he began to put himself out there as a music producer. Pretty soon, opportunity came knocking. To date, he's w...2019-01-3142 min
Philly Who?Rob Lawless: The Quest to Make 10,000 FriendsRob Lawless is a Philly-based influencer who loves getting to know new people. He loves it so much, that for the past 3 years, Rob’s full-time mission has been to meet as many people as he possibly can. His goal is to spend 1 hour with 10,000 different people via his project Rob’s 10k Friends.In this episode, he’ll share how, after graduating Penn State and bouncing around a couple of 9-to-5s, he didn’t feel like he was on a meaningful path. So, as searched for a purpose, he realized how much he loved connecting with peop...2019-01-2442 min
Philly Who?Lauren Nolan-Sellers: From HGTV Dreamer to Best of Houzz in 3 YearsLauren Nolan-Sellers is an interior designer. In 2012, Lauren left her career as a teacher to start Trust the Vision Decor, an interior design and home staging company that has been named Best of Houzz four years running.In this episode, you’ll hear how Lauren and Wendy discovered their talent for home design when they bought a house together and remodeled it. They had a housewarming party to show their friends, and the response was overwhelming.While Lauren took the kind words to heart, she didn’t seriously consider starting her own business. That is, unti...2019-01-1751 min
Philly Who?Jane Golden: Making Philly a Public Art Gallery through MuralArtsJane is the Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program that employs over 300 artists annually . Over that past 30 years, Jane has lead Mural Arts to become an internationally-renowned program that has made Philadelphia one of the Mural capitals of the world.In this episode, you’ll hear how Jane got her start as a Mural Artist while living in LA after college, and how she made waves fast by asking forgiveness rather than permission.After a surprise Lupus diagnosis, she came to a graffiti-ridden Philly for treatment. Here, she stay...2018-12-2050 min
Philly Who?Josh Kopelman: Founder of First Round Capital & Early Investor in Uber, Blue Apron, and MintJosh Kopelman has been an active entrepreneur and investor in the Internet industry since its commercialization.In 1992, while he was a student at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Josh co-founded Infonautics Corporation – and took it public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 1996. July of 1999, Josh co-founded Half.com, and led it to become one of the largest sellers of used books, movies and music in the world. Half.com was acquired by eBay in July 2000.In late 2003, Josh helped to found TurnTide, an anti-spam company that created the world's first anti...2018-12-1242 min
Philly Who?Governor Ed Rendell: Rescuing Philly from Bankruptcy as MayorGovernor Ed Rendell is a lawyer, author, and politician. From 1992 until 2000, he served as the Mayor of Philadelphia. Shortly after that, in 2001, he was elected 45th Governor of Pennsylvania, and would go on to serve two terms.In this episode, we’ll hear how he got his start in public service as Philadelphia District Attorney in the early 80s. He'll share how representing everyday Philadelphians inspired him to devote his career to Philly.We’ll talk about his time as mayor, when he inherited a city on the brink of bankruptcy. He managed to balance the...2018-12-0445 min
Philly Who?Max Tuttleman: Fighting the Opioid Epidemic through Philanthropy and CBD OilMax Tuttleman is an investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who’s focused on studying and developing cannabis products. He’s currently a fellow at Thomas Jefferson University, where he studies how cannabis can be used to treat withdrawal symptoms from opiates and alcohol, and his brand Bouquet CBD recently released hemp oil ice cream.In this episode, for the first time publicly, Max shares his story as a former opiate addict, and how a simple painkiller prescription thrust him into addiction.He’ll take us through what it’s like to have your brain chemistry rewired by opiat...2018-11-2945 min
Philly Who?Jesse Ito: 30 Under 30 Sushi Chef of Royal Izakaya & SushiJesse Ito is the Co-owner and chef of Royal Izakaya and Royal Sushi, a 2-in-one restaurant combo in Queen Village. Jesse’s claim to fame is his exclusive 10-seat omakase sushi bar, which is one of the very few restaurant experiences in Philly to get a 4-bell rating from the Inquirer. In 2017, Jesse was honored by Eater as a Young Guns Award Winner and made Zagat's 30 Under 30 list.In this episode you’ll hear how Jesse got his start as a sushi chef working at Fuji, his father’s restaurant in south Jersey. When he was 24, Jesse and hi...2018-11-2043 min
Philly Who?Nisiar Smith: Empowering Philly Through Free Financial Literacy EducationNisiar Smith is the CEO and Founder of The People’s Innovation Movement, a nonprofit that provides free financial literacy classes to Philadelphians. Nisiar also founded Philly Phinancial Literacy Week, which recently received a resolution from City Council making it an official annual city event.Nisiar got his start in finance by walking into a bank when he was 18 and asking for a job. He worked his way up to being a credit analyst, and when he saw the data on Philly credit scores, he was taken aback. He came up with a plan to educate the ma...2018-11-1443 min
Philly Who?Lyonzo Vargas: Bringing Wellness to Urban Communities via the Global VillageLyonzo Vargas is the CEO of GLBL VLLG (pronounced "Global Village"), an entertainment and wellness company whose mission is to redefine urban wellness by bringing wellness to minority and underserved urban communities. GLBL VLLG’s flagship event is the VLLG JAM, a monthly jam concert where the headliner is the audience. The first VLLG JAM featured only 5 people in 2016, but today, they draw hundreds monthly in Philly, DC, Brooklyn, Austin, Houston, and London.In this episode, you’ll hear how this unique mix of music, wellness, and community was inspired when Lyonzo, who was born, raised, and hard...2018-11-0850 min
Philly Who?Nicole Purvy: How She Became Better Than SuccessNicole Purvy is the founder of Better Than Success, a multi-faceted business which includes a digital marketing agency, a real estate investment league, and a podcast. She’s also the founder of Philly Real Estate Week, an annual citywide summit that celebrates real estate planning, development, and wealth building. Before founding Better Than Success, Nicole was a rising star investment banker. But she felt restless in the corporate world, and when she started a YouTube channel making financial education videos, she got fired. In this episode you’ll hear how she would spend a decade bouncing between diffe...2018-11-0154 min
Philly Who?Emily Smith: Showcasing and Preserving Isaiah Zagar's Art at Philly Magic GardensEmily Smith is the Executive Director of Philly’s Magic Gardens, an immersive art environment on South Street that receives over 150,00 visitors per year and showcases the mosaic work of Isaiah Zagar. After spending her early 20s as an artist in New York, Emily came to Philadelphia in 2009 just one year after the Magic Gardens opened to the public. She would get a job there working the front desk, stay for about a year, then move on to North Carolina. But, it wasn’t too long until Philly and the Gardens called her back.She became the Exec...2018-10-2357 min
Philly Who?Michael Lerman: Curating Film Festivals in Philly, Palm Springs, and TorontoMichael Lerman is the Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Film Festival, and has been for the last 8 years. He’s also the Artistic Director of the Palm Springs Film Festival, and is a Programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In this episode, you’ll hear how Michael, who was born and raised in Philly, got his start in film curation as a college student who just really loved movies.He’ll share the story of how he worked his way into programming at the world’s biggest film festivals, including one of the most prestigious ones in...2018-10-1735 min
Philly Who?Keith Wallace: Creating The Wine School of PhiladelphiaKeith Wallace is the founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia, which for almost 20 years has offered wine education courses for casual drinkers and seasoned sommeliers alike. In this episode, you’ll hear how Keith started his adult life as a journalist in Baltimore, but one seemingly average morning commute with his fiancee would change his life forever. After spending a few years recovering, he decided to abandon journalism and move to Napa to pursue his passion of winemaking, all while keeping his condition a secret. He would become a renowned wine expert, consulting clients in California and Italy, an...2018-10-1055 min
Philly Who?Judy Wicks: Pioneering Farm-to-Table at White Dog CafeJudy Wicks is the founder of the White Dog Cafe, a restaurant in University City that she started in the first floor of her house in 1983. What started as a muffin shop quickly grew into a renowned 200-seat restaurant that was among the first to feature farm-to-table local food. In this episode, Judy will share how before starting White Dog, she and her then-husband opened Free People, a general store specifically for people under 30.The store would find quick success, but, as a woman, she wasn’t being taken seriously, so she left the business and...2018-10-0349 min
Philly Who?Steven Grasse: Inventor of Hendrick’s Gin and Sailor Jerry RumSteven Grasse is the founder of Quaker City Mercantile, a Philly branding agency that focuses on spirits. He and his company have invented tons of products and brands, including Hendrick’s Gin, and Sailor Jerry Rum, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.In this episode, you’ll hear how before settling down in Philadelphia, Steve started out in the advertisement industry by creating ad campaigns while living all over the globe. Not long after that, he would create Gyro Worldwide, an ad agency that would quickly establish itself with in-your-face, controversial campaigns that garnered national attention.2018-09-2733 min
Philly Who?Nick Stuccio: Creating the Philly Fringe Festival and FringeArtsNick Stuccio is the President and Producing Director of FringeArts, and the creator of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, an annual city-wide celebration of thought-provoking progressive performance arts. In this episode, you’ll hear how Nick started his performance career as a ballet dancer, and how despite the fact that he didn’t take ballet seriously until he was 18, he quickly found himself thrust into a dance career.He’ll share the moment his perspective on performance was totally turned upside down, and how he went from valuing tradition and technique to becoming obsessed with contemporary art .And...2018-09-1959 min
Philly Who?Christopher Wink: Technically, Journalism Isn't an IndustryChristopher Wink is the Publisher and CEO of Technically Media, which publishes local tech news network Technical.ly and nonprofit news site Generocity.org. He’s a lead organizer of Philly Tech Week and Baltimore Innovation Week, and in 2017 Folio magazine listed him as one of the 100 most innovative media leaders in the country.In this episode, you’ll hear how in 2008, right as the economy collapsed, Technically started as a tech blog between 3 friends who were looking to get experience in an industry that wasn’t hiring. Chris will share how they would weather the storm, and ho...2018-09-1254 min
Philly Who?Chrisotomos Argerakis: The Real Life “School of Rock” at Andrew Jackson ElementaryChrisostomos Argerakis is the head of the music program at Andrew Jackson Elementary school, a K-8 public school in South Philly. With no curriculum and no funding in place when he took the job, Chris managed to crowdfund enough money to purchase 30 guitars. The kids loved it so much that some started coming to school early to play. It wasn’t too long until this group started to evolve into something bigger.That group would become a real-life School of Rock band, which plays shows year-round, has been featured in a documentary, and has even played cover so...2018-09-0559 min
Free Ideas189: We Answer The Question Philly Who? With Leavit Founder Kevin ChemidlinKevin Chemidlin is the host of Philly Who?, the podcast that tells the stories of the doers, thinkers, and performers of Philadelphia. In only 3 months, Philly Who? has garnered thousands of downloads, and was featured by Philadelphia Magazine. Kevin also is the creator of Leavit, a personal lockbox that allows you to receive packages when you're not home. He also is a singer in the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia, and this summer was featured in the choir at St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican.✨More Information✨
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Philly Who?William Tyrone Toms: Giving Resources to Every Creator at REC PhillyWilliam Tyrone Toms is the Founder and Head of Strategy at REC Philly, a creative agency and incubator for local artists and creative entrepreneurs. In this episode, you’ll hear how Will and his cofounder, Dave Silver, would make a name for themselves throwing concerts as Broad Street Music Group. That is, until Will started to see a bigger need: artists could put on a great show, but had no idea how to network and market themselves.What follows is the story of how REC Philly would be born to provide creatives with the tools and network th...2018-08-2959 min
Philly Who?Brendan Lowry: Creator of Peopledelphia and Social Media InfluencerBrendan Lowry is the founder of Rory Creative and one of the biggest social media influencers in Philadelphia. He is best-known for the Instagram account he created, Peopledelphia, which has over 85 thousand followers.He is also a part of the founding team of Curalate, one of Philly ’s fastest growing startups. In this episode, we’ll chat about his beginnings at Curalate, which originally was an “AirBnb for parking and storage” called Storably. But after that idea failed, Brendan and the Curalate team found a much more successful business in social media marketing services.We’ll also ta...2018-08-2359 min
Philly Who?Alex Hillman: A Founding Father of Coworking at Independents HallAlex Hillman is the cofounder of Indy Hall, one of Philly's first ever coworking spaces. Indy Hall today features around 350 independent entrepreneurs and freelancers. But, back in 2006, when Alex was a freelancer himself, freelancing wasn’t so common and could be pretty lonely. Alex loved the independent life, but he missed the camaraderie found in the workplace. So, he set out to find his peers.In this episode, you’ll hear how his group of fellow independents grew, and how they had the crazy idea to actually do their work in the same place. Alex will share how...2018-08-1752 min
Philly Who?Lindsey Scannapieco: Repurposing Bok into South Philly's Creative HubLindsey Scannapieco is the Managing Partner of Scout, an urban design collective that specializes in repurposing vacant and underutilized spaces. Their claim to fame so far is the Bok building, a giant, 8-story vocational school that takes up an entire city block in South Philly.The Bok School was closed in 2012, but in 2014 Lindsey bought the building with a grand vision - she would lease pieces of it to creatives, who would use the building’s maker spaces for their original purpose, rather than just turning the building into condos.Today, Bok has 130 businesses operating ou...2018-08-0955 min