A culture & community podcast created by Aaron Dante to record the fascinating life stories of his friends, family and people that have stories that need to be told! Come along on this journey with Human Interest Stories
Episodes
Friday Jan 13, 2023
Friday Jan 13, 2023
I interviewed Baltimore City Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett and Kim Sauer, his Chief of Staff & Director of Policy, about Facial Recognition. We take a deep dive into the sincere privacy and ethical concerns around the use of this type of technology.
We discussed how their office is trying to get develop responsible policies /regulations that ensure the safety of our communities, first and foremost. They explain how this technology was once being used in Baltimore City Police Department. Councilmember Burnett passed a temporary moratorium banning the uses and procurement of FRT until policies are put in place to protect privacy rights and combat the potential abuse of this technology.
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
I interviewed Therese M. Hessler
CEO & Founder Ashlar Government Relations & Consulting. Therese and I talked about her journey of becoming an entrepreneur. She worked for a big marketing firm and was really good at what she did. She decided to take a leap of faith and start her own Advertising Firm. From there she started her own Government Consulting firm. She knew she was great with people and could help companies with their visions . She tells her story of how she got their and how she bet on herself. You don’t want to miss this episode.
Ashlar Government Relations believes in the issues and clients we represent.
We believe in an approach separate from party lines and have a passion for making the lives of others better through policy change. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are also part of our core values, helping to shape our culture, drive our business, and build a better Maryland for our clients.
Ashlar Government Relations is a woman-owned full-service bipartisan consulting firm that provides in-depth experience and expertise. Founded in 2019, the firm specializes in every aspect of government affairs consulting, including a unique specialty in representing municipalities and local governments, not-for-profits, and issue advocacy groups.
We know how to work the tough issues. With over 20 years of experience, we have
the knowledge and expertise to make a difference. We have effectively and
efficiently guiding clients through the State's legislative, regulatory, and political
process while helping to shape public policy to the advantage of our clients.
That is what Ashlar Government Relations is all about. For a better state of mind. We are a firm that was created for the purpose of being able to stand in the middle and to make sure that the things that really matter do not get lost between party lines. We are more than just a government relations firm, we are the change
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
I interviewed Jamar Brown Chair of the Pratt Contemporaries. The Pratt Contemporaries are a diverse group of cosmopolitans who seek to raise awareness of the Enoch Pratt Free Library as a vital part of Baltimore’s identity.
Jamar and I talked about one of their premier events that the Pratt Contemporaries have ever year and it’s called the Black & White Party. The Black & White Party is January 28th back at the Central Library for the first time since COVID. The Pratt Contemporaries announced this year's theme is Jekyll and Hyde.
The money raised all goes to Children and Teen programming at the Pratt Library. This helps with literacy with Baltimore youth. Listen in on how you can join the Pratt Contemporaries and why joining has so many amazing benefits.
Some key dates for the Black & White Party. On January 9th, all Pratt Contemporaries members can purchase their tickets during the presale. Then, the public sale will be January 12th.
https://www.prattlibrary.org/support-us/pratt-contemporaries
https://www.instagram.com/prattcontemporaries/?hl=en
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Aaron interviewed some of most well known food bloggers in Baltimore. Simone @charmcitytable , Samantha @baltimorefoodscene and Chris @eatmorebemore (IG and tiktok handles) We talked about how they got into the food blogging game. Do they feel the pressure to take pictures of food at every restaurant they eat at with family and friends? We discussed the Baltimore Food Scene when they started and how it has changed. Sit back grab a coffee or drink and enjoy the last episode of the 2022 from NoPixAfterDarkPodcast. You will walk away hungry.
Thank you Duck Duck Goode for hosting us. Thank you Xavier Production . Thank you SVimages for post production.
IG eatmorebemore
IG Baltimorefoodscene
IG: Charmcitytable
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
Have you ever heard of MACO? Aaron interviewed Kevin Kinnallly Legislative Director at Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Aaron discussed how they met through an email while on vacation. Kevin and Victoria from the MACo team had an an idea of a podcast alley at the MACO conference . They wanted NoPixAfterDarkPodcast and other political podcast to participate. We talked about MACO conference that happens every year in Ocean City . This is one of biggest conferences in the state of Maryland .
Kevin discussed his career and how he ended working for MACO. You don’t want to miss this episode. Website MACO
Kevin Kinnally leads MACo policy staff in review of legislation and coordinates advocacy to advance county positions. Contributes to MACo publications and co-hosts MACo's Conduit Street Podcast.
Policy Areas: Elections, Emergency Services, Finance, Information Technology, State Budget and Fiscal Issues, and Taxes and Revenues
Liaison to MACo's Budget & Finance, Emergency Managers, and Information Technology Affiliates, along with Elections Officials, and the Tax Collectors Affinity group (within MDGFOA).
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Aaron interviewed Quinn Collins Founder and Principal of Collins + Co. Collins + Co is a woman-owned and led public relations, marketing and creative agency with experience inspiring audiences across the world. They specialize in compelling storytelling, striking creative and smart branding. (Words from websites)
We talked about starting a company from scratch and how she has learned a lot being an entrepreneur. She has been a leader from high school to college and this prepared her to start her company. Quinn walks us through her story and how the company has been around for 10 plus years doing everything from marketing, and public relations The Collins + Co brand represents many business in the Baltimore,Washington Annapolis. Northern Virginia Area
https://www.collins-company.com
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
Donae Burston is a luxury wine & spirits leader with over 20 years of industry experience.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Donae achieved a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Mathematics from Clark Atlanta University in 1998. He concurrently completed a second degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech before beginning his career in the information technology sector, initially consulting on Healthcare Systems. In 2001, Donae entered the alcohol industry, working on the promotional side of several iconic brands in the US, before joining the luxury group LVMH. During his 10+ years with the company, he worked across brands such as Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Moet & Chandon, Belvedere Vodka, and Hennessy Cognac. While with LVMH, in 2011, Donae created the first-ever luxury champagne bar in a sports arena at American Airlines Arena during the Miami Heat's championship run. In 2016, Donae became the Regional Director of the Southeast US, Caribbean, and Latin America regions of Armand de Brignac Champagne. He was responsible for the brand's commercial and marketing goals in each territory.
Throughout his career, Donae found that, in general, the wine industry was not embracing the multicultural consumer. He wanted to create a quality product inspired by his zest for life and travel that homed in on catering to the margin that had been overlooked, particularly when it came to rosé. With a commitment to creating an authentic and exceptional St. Tropez rosé and breaking tradition and convention by reimagining the luxury wine drinker and energizing the category, in summer 2019, La Fête du Rosé - a brand that speaks to all demographics - was born. The name "La Fête" translates to "the rosé party," one that everyone is invited. In 2021, the company introduced a limited-release white wine - La Fête du Blanc - which became a permanent addition to the portfolio in 2022. Under Donae's leadership, La Fête du Rosé was the fastest-growing luxury imported rosé label of 2021 and is now the #3 luxury imported rosé brand in the US, according to IRI.
Since its inception, La Fête has donated a portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold to various programs that send underrepresented youth on unique travel experiences and organizations focused on creating opportunities for the BIPOC community in the wine and spirits industry.
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
Aaron interviewed Franklyn Baker CEO and President of United Way of Central Maryland. We discussed an array of topics such as Changemakers Challenge, Neighborhood Grants & Neighborhood Zones programs that help out in Baltimore Communities. We discussed DEI and how the United Way of Central Maryland is always evolving. You don’t want to miss this episode! We have some surprise answers during the speed round!
Franklyn Baker has been president and CEO of the United Way of Central Maryland for six years. Before joining the United Way, he worked as COO for Greenpeace USA and served as the COO and chief of staff and external affairs officer with Volunteers of America Chesapeake.
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Friday Nov 18, 2022
Friday Nov 18, 2022
Aaron sat down with owners of the company Next Day Solomon Mangham and Leigh Phillips. NextDay was built by two colleagues who met at McKinsey & Company in Washington, DC. The idea was conceived during a business trip to the midwest after a long night at a networking event. The duo had a 7 am client meeting and multiple cups of coffee were no longer doing the trick hence they developed a shared goal to address hangovers.
NextDay is the leading provider of all-natural productivity and recovery products. NextDay was built to help address the core issues of hangover so customers enjoy long nights out and still get things done the next day. NextDay is available in stores across the DC-metropolitan area and available online for shipping nationwide. The business was founded in 2020 by Solomon Mangham and Leigh Phillips and is headquartered in Washington D.C. For more information, visit GetANextDay.com
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Tuesday Nov 15, 2022
Aaron (host of NoPixAfterDark Podcast. ) sat down with the actors of "Sanctuary City", 'Hernán Angulo and María Victoria Martínez to discuss this amazing show. We talked about why they got into the acting, who inspired them growing up, Disney Villains to real sanctuary cities. What the play means to them and what do you hope people walk way from this interview?
Sanctuary City” is by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Martyna Majok and is a co-production with Berkeley Rep in California. It’s a beautiful, profound, and topical piece about two undocumented teenagers who lean on each other.
“Sanctuary City” will run October 21-November 27.
Tickets for Sanctuary City
https://www.arenastage.org
Thank you
Hernán Angulo and María Victoria Martínez and Arena Stage Washington DC
Music Intro: John Tyler
produced: www.acutevisions.com
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com
#thankyou #interview #Arenastagedc #theatre #visitwashingtondc #sanctuarycity # #people #friendship #immigration #immigrant
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
Aaron and Shelby sit down for an amazing candid conversation about being entrepreneurs and how she loves being in the music industry. He love for music and how she has had the opportunity to travel to Europe for a music tour. We also learn about her other business that has taken off. Hit play to find out what the business and other amazing things she has going on!
Shelby Blondell is an international, songwriter, singer, inventor and speaker from Linthicum MD, whose determination shows that even brain surgeries cannot get her down. Shelby has a unique sound that captivates a crowd by bringing them to their feet and hitting their heart. Shelby’s music, story, and work have been featured on radio and multimedia internationally, with a radio hit TOP 10, "Fun In The Sun", on the European Indie Music Charts while sharing the stage with artists like Pentatonix, Howie Day and many in between.
Shelby's career began with her self released debut ep (fly) in 2013 and self titled EP in 2014 inleading her to performing throughout MD, DC, VA and PA alongside national acts. In 2016, Shelby’s career began to take on a new speed with the release of her single's 'Fun In The Sun' , 'Harmony' & “Hope Begins Tomorrow,” performing on news outlets such as WMAR and Great Day Washington. And the year ended with two milestone performances at the legendary Blues Alley and the Maryland Music Awards, where a divine intervention came to be.
During 2018, Shelby began to feel an undeniable pull to share more of her heart, story and faith amongst struggles. After fighting the direction for some time Shelby decided to release her first christian single, ‘Mercy’ in August 2019, leading her to an European tour, and Wammie Nomination.
While the global pandemic halted Shelby’s 2020 music and vendor tour schedules, it set sail to new artistic ideas, music and product designs. On April 2, 2021 the single “It’ll be Okay” was released with a music video highlighting the challenges and joys being faced during the pandemic. On October 10th “Shelby Blondell- Live By The River” was documented and the album released in November 2020. This collaborative project brought creators together in a safe environment, as we had not been able to do all year.
Information from Shelby Blondell website
https://www.shelbyblondell.com
Music Intro: John Tyler
produced: www.acutevisions.com
Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
United Way Central Maryland https://uwcm.org
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Pandora Box Boutique https://pandorasboxboutique.com
CarVer Communications Group https://www.therealcarver.com