Anthropological

We're back with our final episode of Season 4 and we're so excited to be joined by our friend and Chicago hosptiality powerhouse, Dylan Stewart! In this episode, we chat about cocktail conferences, industry gatherings, Tales, PDXCW, and more. So much more...

We're back with another conversation about the hospitality industry that we all know and love, and this time it's JUST THE FAM. Kisira and David chat about chain restaurants, a grouping of the industry that gets left out of a lot of discussions. Olive Garden and Chile's and Applebee's, OH MY! Special thanks to our sponsors: Hotaling & Co., Elijah Craig, Cointreau

We're back with another conversation about the hospitality industry that we all know and love, this time with two industry powerhouses: Shannon Mustipher and Erika Flowers. We discuss the idea of "pipelines," including how we enter the industry, find our path within it, and make the most out of what it has to offer.

Anthropological is back with another conversation about the hospitality industry, which as many of us know, isn't always the healthiest environment to work in. We love it, which is why we take the time to analyze and restructure it. We're excited to do exactly that with our dear friend, Alex Jump. We discuss "toxic positivity" and how it can poorly influence our ability to manage...

On this special episode of Anthropological, it's just the family! Kisira and David go down the rabbit hole of "trending foods" found on YouTube, TikTok, and more. Pink Sauces and Skittle Margaritas and mystery milks...we provide our insight and honest "yay" or "nay" to these viral trends.

Who's hungry?! In this episode of Anthropological, Kisira and David are joined by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Zubair Mohajir or Wazwan, Lilac Tiger, and Coach House. He has created a cult following for himself in Chicago with his elevated approach to street food, whilst remaining true to the origin and story of specific dishes. We dish it all (no pun intended): our fav street foods; how t...

In this Pride episode of Anthropological, we are joined by Chicago's very own Másha Potato, a Queen for all Queens. We break down the phenomenon of drag brunch, the socio-cultural importance of entertaining within bars, and how drag has emboldened hospitality professionals to infuse camp into drink naming, garnishing, and more.

Anthropological is BACK, and for its 4th season, we're excited to bring you more engaging conversations about hospitality, food, booze, and how it all ties in with a lil anthropological context. On this episode, we 4 millennials discuss the act of hosting dinner parties, what inspires us, our must haves and do nots, and so much more. We're joined by friends and lovers, Kiki and Matt, to br...

In our final episode of Season 3, we are joined by the delightful and wildly talented Jessi Pollak. We break down the world of cocktail competitions: the good, the great, the not so good, the fun, the effort, the everything.

It's not just the word of the last 3 years, folks--it's real!  Accountability is the focus in this week's episode of Anthropological, and Kisira and David break down their personal experiences with holding people in leadership positions accountable, work spaces, and more.  They are joined by Chicago's very own Raeghn Draper, Co-Founder of the CHAAD Project, and a vet of the hospitality i...

They get a bad go-at-it from the industry, but we try to get to the bottom of the history of being an "influencer," as well as the business savvy mindset one must maintain in order to grow and monetize their personality and platform.   In talking with hospitality industry veteran, J'Nai Angelle, we get some great insight into the planning, strategy, and execution of palatable content. &n...

In this brand new episode of Anthropological, Kisira and David sit down with Chicago Bartender, husband, and former socialite [at least that's what he told us] Ed Hong.  We discuss it all, from the foods we grew up on, to how we introduce our cultural foods to new friends, colleagues, and romantic partners. From kimchi to bibimbap, and tofu scramble to sauceless flavorless sandwiches, you can...

On this very special episode of Anthropological, David and Kisira are joined by a friend, hospitality professional, and professional dominatrix.  The conversation regarding the intersectionality of hospitality and sex work is still new and ever-growing, but we're excited to delve into all of it with a passionate and thoughtful professional in these sister industries.  We SPILL it all: cl...

FOOD PORN: You'll Know It When You See It...  With Noah Fecks, we discuss the evolution of food porn.  What did it look like in the 70s and 80s and how do we see it as a formidable marketing tool today.  With social media being a primary way for us to promote our own brands, new restaurants, bars, food, beverage, and the like, food porn can be an exciting way to entice the viewer. &...

Y'all, I'm Tired: The Real Life Stories of Burnout...Sip, sip bish.  Alongside chef and icon, Mariya Russell, we examine our personal and intimate experiences with burnout.  What is it?  When does it take place?  How do we navigate it and shift? As chefs, bartenders, and hospitality professionals, we seem to participate in a cycle of feeling inspired, getting exhausted, becomin...

Double R Diner’s Cup of Joe: Hospitality in Coffee Shops and Diners...Sip, sip bish.  Along with Michelle and Ezra of Ghost Town Oats, we break down the historical context of coffee.  Broad enough?  Okay, let's get more specific...  We're going to chat through the marketing and unique appeal of coffee ads in the 70s and 80s, along with the craft coffee boom that has taken place...

This week, we're excited to present a SPECIAL EPISODE of Anthropological.  Well, is it Anthropological?  Nah.  It's a crossover episode with our local, Chicago pals at Terms of Service Podcast.  Featuring your very own Kisira Hill and David Mor, being hosted by Justin Arnett Graham and Nariba Shepherd, this episode is a dive-in to the state of the hospitality industry.  It...

This week, David and Kisira are joined by bartender extraordinaire, Iain Griffiths.  His wit, kindness, and good humor allows for this episode on Tropes to be fun, light, and downright raunchy.  These three play "two truths and a lie," along with debunking the myths and foibles of being a bartender.  Cheers.

Yassss!  A whole episode on the world of Influencers, social media, and how the hospitality industry is prominently affected by the existence and maintenance of the influencer community.  Katie Stryjewski AKA @garnish_girl is the perfect guest, having put together a vast following through her cocktail photography, authoring of a new cocktail/mocktail recipe book, and her bold use of colo...

This week's episode of Anthropological is a deep dive into the existence of "tiki" as both a category of cocktails, and a style of bar.  Through recent reflection and accountability being held, many bars that self-identify as "tiki" have had to call themselves in on the reality of cultural appropriation, harmful imagery being used, and similar elements that truly muddle the purpose of said ba...

'Tis another day, so another episode of Anthropological is ready to breathe freely and offer some anthropological context to some real life situations.  This week, Kisira and David are joined by Francisco Terrazas, the National Brand Manager for Mezcal Vago, where they discuss Consumerism, Mezcal and Tequila, agave cultivation, and how much we really care about knowing where our favorite prod...

On this week's episode of Anthropological, Kisira and David are joined by Vlad Novikov.  Vlad is a Chicago-based Bartender, leader and curator in hospitality spaces, and someone who has no issues asking the tough questions.  This week, we discuss Indulgence, luxurious things, sleeping in, and OPULENCE...she owns EVERYTHING. This week's tea is spilled through each segment, from the kiki,...

On this week's episode of Anthropological, David and Kisira are joined by the always-dazzling and über-creative Chef Jenny Dorsey.  Aside from being a renowned chef and food writer, Jenny is also the Founder of Studio ATAO, a non-profit that engages with guests and patrons in multimedia styles to both educate and offer tools and resources, alongside dining experiences. This week, these three...

Season II of Anthropological returns with a new format, array of bold and fabulous guests, and more discussions around hospitality, anthropology, and how it all works together.  Serving up real life applications for very anthropological theories is the game.  Kisira and David are the names.  Joined by Jim Meehan, Bartender, Author, and thought leader in hospitality, the focus is Cra...

Season II of Anthropological returns with a new format, array of bold and fabulous guests, and more discussions around hospitality, anthropology, and how it all works together.  Serving up real life applications for very anthropological theories is the game.  Kisira and David are the names.  Joined by Nicky Marcelin, Chef, and Founder of Epicurious Safari, the focus is Food Language...