Soldier Field is one of the most recognized and iconic Chicago landmarks. And many of you have likely been to a Bears game there, or perhaps a Taylor Swift concert! What you might not think about when you visit is that the stadium has hosted numerous historic figures like MLK Jr. and NATO, and has had a far reaching impact on the Chicagoland econom…

Take a Shot of Art with us!We all remember the creative days of our childhood when we could color outside the lines and make mud soup in the back yard. Now, there is a super unique experience that will remedy the creative void in anyone’s life and give you a boost of art therapy!This week, we ventured to “Shot of Art” in West Town to try out their …

To celebrate Pi-Day, we’re taking a deep dive into pizza pie history with Chicago’s famous Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta! (look how many pi’s we got into that sentence alone)A Chicago classic, deep dish was created to make a meal out of pizza, which historically had just been seen as a snack. Opened in 1991 by Rudy Malnati Jr., Pizano’s has become a stapl…

We’re SUPERdawg delighted to have Chicago’s famous Superdawg family on the show! At 75 years old, the family owned drive-in located at Devon, Nagle, and Milwaukee, remains a quality classic on the Chicago food scene. With its iconic blue tower and signature Superdawg recipe, there’s something to love for everyone. Not to mention, they just made the…

Fueled by sugar on the daily, Ioanna and Aaron are fun dippingly excited to learn more about their favorite candy shop, IT’SUGAR!Founded in 2006, IT'SUGAR calls itself one of the largest specialty candy "retailtainers" in the world, and at 100+ locations, there’s no sugar coating that!IT'SUGAR is an experience, known for absurd sugar innovations. T…

Start your engines folks, we’re going to the Chicago Auto Show!There’s been nothing like it for Chicago- from the people it attracts to the impact is has on a global market, this is the place to be every February!First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto ex…

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, joins us for our first episode of 2024! We were pumped to talk about the topic that brought Ioanna and I together ten years ago- DANCE!While a student at Julliard, 19 year-old Linda-Denise was invited to join Hubbard Street Chicago Dance by the company's founder, Lou Co…

Today, we’re cooking up some Voodoo magic, not around a traditional cauldron though, more like a burning hot cauldron filled with delectable fried dough! Started in Portland twenty years ago, Voodoo Doughnut is known for its unique flavors and signature pink boxes. The company offers a sea of freshness and fun in a food and beverage market that has…

Candle Castle & Co. is the most magical and best smelling place in Chicago- especially during the holidays and in winter when we all need a little brightness in our lives!Enter Sunshine- the teacher of our class who led us on our journey of what Ioanna and I would call “therapeutic refined childhood crafts with an elevated twist”. She made the nigh…

Merry Pinkmas! Pink Wonderland is a very merry pink Christmas bar with locations in Chicago and New York. It seeks to “break from traditional Christmas bar norms, aiming to offer a fresh, unique take on the holiday season”. The pop-up has everything pink and opens December 1st! We chat with King Inesse and Miriam Paz from V5 about what you'll exper…

Nutcracker returns once again to Chicago’s Lyric Opera! A part of many folks' holiday traditions, Ioanna and Aaron are so excited to learn about the show from Joffrey Ballet Company Artist, Victoria Jaiani!In her 20th year with the company, Victoria will fill the role of “The Mother” in this year’s Nutcracker. We chat with her about the timeless be…

Raise your hand if Garrett Popcorn or Frango Chocolate are part of your Holiday traditions? Everyone should have a hand raised! The Holidays are here, so that means Ioanna and Aaron dedicate every waking thought to food. Two timeless Chicago classics that are especially relevant during Christmastime are these two iconic delicacies. Family-owned by …

The Chicago Botanic Garden is the place to be, especially during their holiday “Lightscape” experience. Their 385 acres of pristine natural beauty in northern Cook County are transformed into an immersive journey that utilizes light, color, and sound to transport guests into realms of holiday beauty.Ioanna and Aaron went and said it gave “Disney ni…

The Original Caramel Apple is celebrating its 75th birthday! This October, bite into one of the nation’s favorite fall treats and fill your heart with the nostalgia that is the Affy Tapple brand.This delicious treat has filled hearts & homes since 1948, and still does today using the same caramel recipe from way back when! Dipped in everything from…

Come with us to Chicago’s premier antique market, a two-day event hosted by the fabulous Sally Schwartz and her team at Image Pilots. Browse indoor and outdoor vendors at this European-style vintage and antique festival. Established well before we were born, the market has been a national favorite among tastemakers and designers. Stroll through hun…

Vibe check, Chicago!! If you're a regular on the Chicago food & drink scene, chances are you've been to one of Brad Parker's establishments, which include the popular Hampton Social, The Bassment, newly opened Nisos Prime, and more coming. Entrepreneur Brad Parker is the founder of Parker Hospitality and his dining concepts are more than kitchens s…

This week, Celebrity Private Chef Brooke Baevsky, also known as “Chef Bae”, takes us into the kitchen to tell us all about her fascinating career and some of the viral content she’s created.She’s known for her day-in-the-life videos, shopping at Erewhon, a viral $2000 dollar pizza, and so much more! She does it all, from shopping for her clients to…

Put on your fave overalls and goodwill tee because today we’re getting down and dirty with Mr. Kate!Famous design duo Kate and Joey share everything design, decor, and DIY on their channel. You can find super helpful renovation tips, design inspo, and the behind the scenes from some of their celebrity space makeovers! They’ve earned almost 4 millio…

Bekah Wriedt is a chicago-based fashion and lifestyle photographer who shot our GORGEOUS, pink Sip with Me photos earlier this year. We feel the need to brag about how good she is by having her on the show to share her story, tips for getting your photos taken, and what it was like working with us…We hear about how she found her passion through the…

The day after Ioanna’s wedding last summer, we ambitiously aired an episode of Sip With Me while we were still recovering from the Greek tradition of dancing all night and breaking plates. It was iconic because our guest was an icon, Melissa Andre, Founder of Melissa Andre Design Co. and, according to our episode title from last year, a “Château In…

Sheena Melwani is a media personality, but not one who went down this path on purpose. With musical roots, Sheena has always been known for her amazing voice, and in 2020, her and her husband @therealindiandad went viral, forming their iconic “interrupted series”. Today, approaching 10 million TikTok followers, Sheena and her husband continue to ma…

At 52 Million TikTok followers and 1.4 Billion likes, Michael Le is one of the world’s most influential, most viewed, and key to his success, most loving and positive, social media personalities out there. Everything he touches turns to gold, and we’re so excited because he shares a passion for a lot of what made Ioanna and I friends- dance, fitnes…

There’s nothin’ more Chicago than a shot of Malört (or a bottle)!It’s famous for its unique taste and rich history. It’s a traditional wormwood based liquor near and dear to Chicago’s food and drink pop culture, and it’s been gaining insane popularity in recent years. Tremaine Atkinson, CEO, Co-Founder, & Head Drinker of CH Distillery, which bought…

She’s back, and this time, she’s an author! You know the memes- one of the most recognizable online symbols of the last decade. Jen Ellis, the creator of Bernie Sanders’ mittens, joined us in June 2021 well after the meme frenzy had cooled, and honestly it felt like an old friend was having coffee with us. Now, she’s put her story to paper, and let…

Seltzerland could be coming to a city near you! We chat with Kate Levenstein of Cannonball Productions about her food and beverage events company which is throwing this epic bash! We talk our favorite seltzers, some of the cool brands who will be pouring at the events, and why this festival is SO on brand for #summer2023. You can find the official …

You’ve seen these celeb favorite, super meme-worthy cookies before, most likely for the first time during the 2016 presidential campaign. Sarah Silverman, Owner of New York’s Funny Face Bakery, got her start in baking after leaving school to pursue her culinary passion. Her iconic cookies designed as the faces of Bernie Sanders, Hilary Clinton, and…

Live from our virtual kitchen, it’s Eitan Bernath! Chef, Author, Activist, Entertainer, Entrepreneur, and CEO, he’s got the tastiest bio of any 21 year-old we know! At 3 billion views annually across social platforms, he is an international sensation who started as one of the youngest contestants ever on Food Network’s Chopped and later appeared on…

This week, we’re featuring Tyson and Audy Leavitt of Charmed Playhouses & Resorts! The Charmed team makes the most unique and fantastic playhouses in the world, and also operates a resort featuring stunning cottages that will transport you to Storybook Square or Wonder Way! Become immersed in your own specially crafted fairytale, or stay at the res…

She comes with news! Welcome back to Fashion Artist and Author, Holly Nichols! Also known as “hnicholsillustration”, she joined us in April 2021 to discuss her rise on TikTok and her book, “Modern Fashion Illustration”. Since then, she’s up to 1.7 million instagram followers, 6.2 million TikTok followers, and has done numerous campaigns and works f…

Welcome back to the legendary Queen of Cotton Candy, Emily Harpel, Founder of Art of Sucre!Emily joined us in February, 2021, to discuss her luxury cotton candy brand that was going viral. When we first met up with her, she was just getting ready to launch her online store. We were SO excited to shop when it dropped and we even featured her cotton …

We’re once are graced by the presence of wedding and event gawd, Jove Meyer. Jove is a “color obsessed design and celebration expert” who joined us in September 2021 to discuss his wedding and event planning business, and he shared some tips for us as we prepared for Ioanna’s epic Grecian wedding! He’s been traveling around the globe since then thr…

Ilana joined us in January 2022 to discuss her epically popular podcast, @seeingotherpeople. On it, she shares expert and listener advice, stories, and opinions on dating, with the goal of making you feel less alone! She also told us about her insane ties to the Jonas Brothers! Ilana joins us for an update on her show, which includes getting signed…

If you’ve ever seen a photo of a Chicago sunrise, epic skyline, or insane weather shot, you’ve probably seen the work of Barry Butler. Chicago-based photographer Barry Butler is a self-taught photographer with over 20 years of global experience. With one book selling extremely well and another on the way, Barry’s ability to capture everyday moments…

Imagine you’ve just been hired as an “Intimacy Coordinator” for the film and television industry. There’s not many people who do it, but it’s a job increasing in demand and skill.A new position in the film and tv industry is barring it all- the role of intimacy coordinator! These professionals work to plan and assist the production team in executin…

Let’s see those lashes!! This episode features Anna Phillips, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at The Lash Lounge, a premier eyelash salon franchise with over 120 salons across the U.S. and growing. Founded in 2006, her specialty beauty concept was the firstsalon dedicated to eyelash extensions in the U.S. and has expanded to 30 states.Anna beg…

Gather ‘round the campfire and sing our campfire song! We’re roasting up an ooey gooey treat for you today! Our guest, XO Marshmallow, is the premier gourmet marshmallow company in the world, AND opened the world’s very 1st marshmallow cafe, right here in Chicago!Per co-founders Kat & Lindzi, “the goal of XO Marshmallow is to bring the nostalgia of…

Get comfy on the couch and turn on the big screen to be graced by one of our favorite Hollywood actors (with Chicago roots too), Colin Egglesfield! You know Colin from his roles on, All My Children, Melrose Place, The Client List, Something Borrowed, and dozens of other television and movie appearances. Colin also has a podcast “Coffee with Colin”,…

Happy New Year Cool Cats & Kittens! Carole Baskin returns to the show this week to update us on what has happened since we first met back in July 2021! Updates include many visits the the U.S. Capitol, getting her bill signed by President Biden (so so cool) and the continuation of her big cat safety work and presence in the media. Cheers to Carole …

Merry Christmas Sip with Me Family! Emily Waldo, known as Wreaths by Waldo, is a part-time wreath maker, full-time holiday enthusiast! She makes the most stunning wreaths and holiday decor. She’s blown up this year bigger than a giant inflatable Santa Claus, and chances are if you’re in Crafting-Tok, you’ve seen her work before! Emily joins us for …

Want to know what it’s like to go to outer space? Gather round the launch pad space cadets! Ioanna and I are treating you to another story from our favorite podcast sub sub sub category- space!! Earlier this year, Dr. Katya Echazarreta was the first Mexican-born woman to travel into outer space. She’s become known for this since her successful laun…

The countdown to Christmas is on, which means it’s time to finish that last minute holiday shopping! As some of you know, Ioanna recently found an interest in antiquing and finding unique items for her home. This week’s guest is the perfect example of an unique retail experience where antique meets new!Karl Sorensen is the Owner of P.O.S.H. here in…

It’s last minute holiday shopping time y’all and we’ve got the perfect gift for you! This week we are featuring a brand we love who also offers the perfect holiday gifts. Founded in 2016, Homesick is a home fragrance and lifestyle brand with one simple goal: to bring joy to your home by helping you feel closer to the people, places and moments that…

This week, we’re getting the scoop- literally - on one of the nation’s favorite, most recognizable ice cream brands- The Original Rainbow Cone! Rainbow Cone is a Chicago-founded ice cream shop serving up ice cream, cakes, donuts, and more. Best known for their original cone, the famous and insta-worthy product is a stack of five flavors: Orange She…

How does one become King of Sandwiches? Known by fans around the world and Aaron’s mom as “The Sandwich King”, Jeff Mauro is an Emmy-nominated celebrity chef who became known for destroying the competition with his consistently amazing sandwiches. Winning Season 7 of Food Network’s “Food Network Star”, Jeff became the go-to authority on all things …

Candace Nelson is as iconic as her cupcakes! One of our favorite entrepreneurs out there, she founded Sprinkles Cupcakes in 2005. Considered the first cupcake bakery, the brand has been massively successful thanks to its beautiful cupcake designs, fresh ingredients, and Candace’s vision for an elevated cupcake experience. Candace also has a cookboo…

To celebrate one of our favorite holidays this week, we’re fusing two of our favorite things- Halloween and cocktails! We’re haunting your air pods and car speakers with the voice of Sarah Syman, Beverage Director and General Manager of The Dandy Crown. Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, it’s described as “an approachable, neighborhood …

We’re baking something sweet this week with Chicago’s very own, Baker Bettie!Kristin Hoffman is a trained chef, baking instructor, cookbook author, and the owner of Bettie’s Chicago! For the last 11 years she’s created educational content about baking on her website, YouTube channel, and on social media! She’s also hosted many baking workshops and …

This week we turn up the music and HIIT our way into all things fitness with Sydney Miller, Founder of HOUSEWORK®. HOUSEWORK® is “a full-body sculpting and conditioning workout set to the beat of house and electronic music. It's the perfect balance between low impact Pilates based exercises and high intensity cardio and strength, with the music dri…

This week we are talking all things FLORAL and we are absolutely wildflower about our guest! Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is a world-renowned florist and Head Judge of Netflix’s “The Big Flower Fight.” He’s also the owner and creative director of Wild Bloom by Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht!He designs stunning, elaborate floral designs that will leav…

Why Aaron and Ioanna have been MIA? Listen to the full episode to find out!