The Unfiltered Brew Podcast

This week on Unfiltered Brew, we welcome returning guests Mike Wendt and Jack Baun to kick off a “Summer Blockbuster” conversation about movies that shaped generations and changed Hollywood. They review Steven Spielberg’s new film Disclosure Day, a chase thriller about a whistleblower and a weather anchor amid government secrets about aliens, and discuss how its topical storyline affects nostalgia...

What started as a joke about a haunted toilet turned into a proof-of-concept trailer, a fundraising campaign, and a feature film in the making. This week, we sit down with filmmakers Adam White and Kara Martinelli, along with producer Bob Ruggeri of Hemlock Films, to discuss their upcoming horror-comedy Ghost Toilet . From the inspiration behind the film and the challenges of independent filmmakin...

What happened to real conversation? This week on Unfiltered Brew, we sit down with Dan Moulthrop, CEO of The City Club of Cleveland, to discuss why it feels harder than ever to communicate, disagree, and truly listen to one another. From social media and outrage culture to free speech, cancel culture, loneliness, and political division, this episode explores what happens when we stop trying to win...

This week on Unfiltered Brew, we sat down with entrepreneur and founder of Terranean Herbs & Spices, Tina Chamoun. From launching during COVID with $500 to getting her products into 1000+ stores nationwide, Tina opens up about entrepreneurship, motherhood, preserving culture through food, and the reality of building a brand from scratch. A conversation about identity, ambition, burnout, and st...

We made it to 30 episodes… and somehow, it’s already been a year! In this episode, it’s just us, no guest, no script, just the real story behind Unfiltered Brew. From recording in our apartment with no clue what we were doing, to building something that’s brought us into rooms we once dreamed about… this one’s personal. We talk about what it actually looks like to build a podcast with your best fr...

We sat down with Aimon Ali, a fashion entrepreneur and founder of Fashion Talks, to talk about what it actually looks like to build a fashion scene in Cleveland. She went from producing shows in Toronto to moving to Cleveland with no network—and starting Fashion Talks to create the kind of creative community she felt was missing. Now, she’s preparing to shut down a city street for her biggest runw...

We sat down with Ashley Carpenter from Love Is Blind to talk about the moment she said no at the altar—and why it was her biggest win. Ashley opens up about what really happened behind the scenes, the red flags she couldn’t ignore, and how she learned to trust herself and choose differently. If you’ve ever felt confused in a relationship… this one’s for you.

We sat down with Mike Gibney to talk about his experience on Love Is Blind —from the pods to the altar, and everything that didn’t make it on screen. Mike opens up about the moment he was “blindsided” at the altar, what was really going on behind the scenes, and how editing shaped the story viewers saw. We get into communication, relationships, and what it’s actually like forming a connection with...

On this episode of Unfiltered Brew , we sit down with aesthetic nurse injector Arianna Bankovich, founder of Bounce Skincare + Injectables, to break down the world of aesthetic medicine. From Botox and neurotoxins to fillers, biostimulants, and skincare, we get into what actually works, what’s overhyped, and how to approach treatments naturally and safely. We talk about when to start Botox, how di...

In this episode of Unfiltered Brew , we sat down with Sarah Bals, founder of 440 Marketing, to break down what branding really means — and why it’s so much more than just aesthetics. Sarah shares how she built her business from the ground up, the truth about social media growth, and why consistency will always beat going viral. We get into founder-led marketing, building a brand that actually conn...

We sit down with Cleveland founder, Rebecca Maxwell , the creator of She’s Company , a community helping women make friends as adults. We talk about how her love for hosting and themed events turns into a growing event platform, the lessons from rebranding after a trademark issue, and what it takes to create spaces that prioritize real connection over traditional networking. She also shares how sh...

We sit down with certified personal, strength, and lifestyle coach Stefanie Tsengas to talk about her journey from multi-sport athlete to bodybuilder, becoming a trainer in college, and launching her business full-time in Cleveland. We get honest about the realities of personal training — the long hours, entrepreneurship grind, burnout, and the importance of setting boundaries. We also unpack why...

We sit down with Abbas Mandviwala to talk about his journey from growing up in Bible Belt Kentucky to pursuing medicine — and how he dove into entrepreneurship. We explore his path through medicine, how he stepped into building ventures, and what it really takes to chase big ideas while staying true to yourself. It’s an honest conversation about mentorship, networking, business, and the stories be...

Welcome back to a new season of the Unfiltered Brew Podcast! Hosts Noura and Kat return after a brief hiatus to discuss their recent adventures, including a surprise birthday trip to Miami. They dive into the highlights of their travel, including road trips to Key West, fun times in Miami, and some unforgettable Uber experiences. Kat and Noura also get personal about life changes, the importance o...

In this episode of the Unfiltered Brew Podcast, we are joined by Cleveland's celebrated chef, Rocco Whalen. Rocco shares his culinary journey, from being inspired by his family to working with renowned chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina. He talks about opening his iconic restaurant Fahrenheit in Cleveland, the influence of his Italian heritage, and his innovative ventures like food truc...

In this episode of Unfiltered Brew Podcast, we welcome Emma Nicholas, a talented and soulful musician. She shares her journey from being a musically inclined child and high school athlete in Michigan to pursuing a career in nursing, all while nurturing her passion for music. She discusses the transition to performing full-time, her songwriting process, and how Cleveland's vibrant music scene h...

We sit down with Ricky Smith, a multifaceted guest who is a comedian, Emmy Award winner, and the founder of Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere (RAKE). Ricky shares his story of overcoming personal struggles, from living in his car to creating a successful nonprofit and opening Cleveland's latest food spot, Something's Good. He talks about his journey in comedy, his experiences working with...

In this episode of Unfiltered Brew we welcome Steve Shermett. Steve is known for his recurring role as Rabbi Josiah in the award winning, hit TV series "The Chosen", as well as his work with Ted Danson and Holly Hunter in NBCs "Mr. Mayor" Steve discusses his journey into acting, his experiences on set, and the challenges and rewards of teaching acting classes. He also shares in...

Dino Palmieri joins us to share his incredible journey — from leaving a small town in Italy with just a pair of scissors, to becoming one of the most recognized names in Cleveland salons and real estate. We dive into his story of chasing the American dream, surviving culture shocks, building a business empire, and even growing 27 fig trees on the side. Dino opens up about his years in London learn...

Join us as we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Dajana Taylor, a successful businesswoman, investor, wife, and mother. Dajana shares her incredible story of coming to the United States from Croatia at a young age, overcoming language barriers, and building a successful career. She discusses the challenges and triumphs she faced, both as an entrepreneur and as the wife of an NFL player. From...

In this episode, we sit down with Louie Al Nazer to talk about his journey from growing up in Kuwait to building a life in Cleveland — and eventually returning overseas to help shape Kuwait’s skyline. From freezing Cleveland bus rides to luxury beach clubs on the Gulf, Louie shares stories about family, food, sports, and building community across continents. Along the way, he clears up common misc...

In this episode of Unfiltered Brew, we sit down with Cleveland’s own Tony Pietrocola, a three-time founder, entrepreneur, and cybersecurity leader. Tony shares why he believes work-life balance is more myth than reality for entrepreneurs, and reflects on his path from launching startups in Cleveland to working at Apple during its early, formative years. He also breaks down the essentials of cybers...

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Hassall, the President and CEO of Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH. Craig shares his extraordinary journey from managing globally iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and London's Royal Albert Hall to his current role at one of the largest performing arts theaters outside of New York. Discover the magic behind making a theater production, the uniqu...

Join us for an insightful 45-minute journey on Unfiltered Brew Air Flight 143, where we sit down with Captain Zack Coffey to discuss the highs and lows of aviation! In this episode, Captain Coffey shares his adventurous path to becoming a pilot, tackling unexpected moments like engine failures and dangerous near misses. We dive deep into the intricacies of turbulence and even the inside scoop on p...

Meet Alyssa Reik, Publisher of Stroll Bratenahl Magazine. In this episode, we welcome special guest Alyssa Reik, owner and publisher of Stroll Bratenahl Magazine. Alyssa shares her journey from being in the military to launching her own magazine in the affluent Bratenahl area. She discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of community connections, and the inspiration behind S...