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
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
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Elliott Ferguson is President and CEO of Destination DC (DDC), the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC.
A 33-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Ferguson leads DDC’s efforts to generate economic opportunity for the District through meetings and tourism, overseeing the organization’s convention and tourism sales, marketing, finance and business development operations.
Ferguson celebrated his 20-year anniversary with DDC in December 2021. He began his tenure in December 2001 as the Vice President of Convention Sales, became Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services in 2005 and has served as President and CEO since 2009. Prior to DDC, he was Director of Sales and Vice President of Sales at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and Director of Sales at the Savannah CVB.
In January 2021, he was named Board Chair of Tourism Diversity Matters, an organization focused on creating diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities at all levels of the workforce. He has been instrumental in advancing conversations about race and racism throughout the hospitality industry.
Ferguson was National Chair of the board of directors for the U.S. Travel Association from February 2019 to February 2021 and is currently chair of the compensation committee. He serves on the board of Brand USA from December 2021-December 2024.
As the tourism industry faces the COVID-19 pandemic, Ferguson is focused on strategic recovery with many organizations including DDC’s Recovery Advisory Committee, Connected DMV, the Downtown Recovery Work Group.
He is on the board or a member of: Advisory Board of the Smithsonian National Zoo; DC Jazz Festival; Ryan Kerrigan “Blitz for the Better” Foundation and the United Way of the National Capital Area. He represents DDC as part of the Hospitality Alliance of Washington, D.C.
Ferguson received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Business Administration from Savannah State University. His many industry memberships include Professional Conference Management Association, International Association of Exhibition Executives, Destinations International, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Meeting Professionals International and American Society of Association Executives. Ferguson and his wife, Telesa Via, also a hospitality industry veteran, are longtime residents of Capitol Hill. He is active with Capital Partners for Education, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Delta Sigma Pi. Destination DC: the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC.
Bio comes from Destination 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
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
One of the DC area’s best known and most respected food and wine journalists, Nycci Nellis sits atop a small, dining out/going out media empire.
She is: Hailed as Greater Washington, D.C.’s “go-to” source for the latest on what’s happening across the restaurant and party and scene Founder and publisher of TheListAreYouOnIt.com, a website with more than 36,000 loyal subscribers that aggregates and always updates the latest in everything happening across the area’s food and wine scene and hailed by Washington Post as, "one of the premier resources for all things food and wine in DC and beyond" A featured, weekly presenter on WTOP 103.5 FM, the DC area’s top-rated radio station, and co- host of two, weekly radio shows.
Foodie and the Beast, a one-hour, live, food and wine variety show airing weekly on the 50,000-watt 1500AM since 2008, features a lively mix of celebrities and others from the area’s and the nation’s restaurant, vineyard, farming, brewing, mixology, seafood and other scenes related to what we eat, how and why. Show guests across the past decade represent a "Who's who" of locally, nationally and internationally celebrated chefs, mixologists, brewmasters, winemakers, food journalists, authors and other luminaries such as Jean-George Vongerichten; Thomas Keller; Wolfgang Puck; Eric Ripert; Rick Bayless; Michael Mina; Michel Richard; Top Chef-testants Spike Mendelsohn, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio and Marjorie Meek Bradley; cookbook authors and food and wine journalists and authors, such as have included Marcella Hazan; David Hagedorn; Bon Appetit's former editor-in-chief, Barbara Fairchild; the Washington Post's dining critic, Tom Seitsema and Post food writer, cookbook author and James Beard judge, David Hagedorn, among many, many more.
Airing globally on FullServiceRadio.org, a live podcast network headquartered in a radio studio in the lobby of DC’s ultra-stylish, Line Hotel, is Industry Night with Foodie and the Beast, a weekly, “deep dive” with prominent guests from near and far into a range of subjects impacting the worlds of food, wines, spirits and brews, from sexual harassment in the workplace and start-up entrepreneurship to sustainable seafood, how iconic restaurateurs do their thing, organic farming breakthroughs and ... more.
A local, social media leader, with a following topping 50,000 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. A frequent guest on local broadcast and cable TV, presenting “What’s happening” updates across the dinging out scene and more. And, when top chefs come to town, they come to Nycci to be interviewed. Please click the links below to see her interviews with Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert. Wolfgang Puck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg0MbJ... Michael Mina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUXwYx... Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert: http://youtu.be/9_KZ60r5oF0 A respected business and social media consultant to restaurants (e.g., Todd and Ellen Gray’s Equinox); dining out-related mobile apps (Blue Cart) and farmers’ markets and seafood distributors (Fresh Farm Markets, Congressional Seafood).
Additionally, for the past six years, Nycci has served as a consultant to the annual, Wine & Food Festival annually held at National Harbor, Md., where she curates and emcees the two-day event’s live chef demos with such local, celebrity chefs as Rock Harper (a Hell’s Kitchen alum); Bryan Voltaggio (Volt, Range, Family Meal); Scott Drewno (The Source by Wolfgang Puck); Victor Albisu (Del Campo; Taco Bamba) and Danny Lee (Mandu, Chi-Ko), among many others. Former brand ambassador for companies you know, such as Celebrity Cruises and for Gloria Ferrar Wines (Sonoma, CA). A close colleague and supporter of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and a founding committee member and past chair of the Human Rights Campaign’s annual, Chefs for Equality event, now the HRC’s single-most successful fundraiser in the local, DC marketplace. A frequent emcee and judge for local, food/wine/spirits/brews-related events, from celebrity chef competitions to nonprofits’ galas.
https://www.thelistareyouonit.com
Music Intro: John Tyler produced:
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
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Eze Jackson is an Emcee, Producer, and community organizer. He recently founded the record label/collective EPIC FAM. As the frontman of the hip-hop/fusion band Soul Cannon as well as a solo artist, he has toured the US and released 6 projects independently, bringing high energy and forward-thinking lyrics to almost any musical challenge. His most recent solo album, “Fool”, has been well received in Baltimore & surrounding areas with critical acclaim from Under the moniker “Ezewriter”, Eze’s prolific ability to tell stories and paint pictures has allowed him to stand out as a writer for all genres of local music, stage, tv & film projects. Eze is the Founder, Creator, and Chief Visionary Officer of EPIC FAM. EPIC FAM is a Baltimore-based Entertainment & Media company, unifying a collective of the City’s best multi-genre musical artists and arts & culture creatives
Intro music 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
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
Bonus Episode: Baltimore CTE Food, Beverage and Baking Competition.
Live Taping at the Hyatt Regency downtown Baltimore
The first Baltimore CTE Food, Beverage and Baking Competition took place in early May 2022 during National Travel &Tourism Week Five local high schools and over 100 students participated is a behind-the-scenes-property tour, culinary competition, and networking opportunity while learning from various professionals in the industry.
Stay tuned and find out what school won the competition!
This is a partnership between Baltimore City School and Visit Baltimore.