All Up In My Lady Business

Hey there, Lady Biznatches! Today’s episode is on a topic that’s been a long time coming—beekeeping! How have I not talked about this yet? Tune in to hear me give you the 101 on what this hot, hard, expensive, and sometimes violent hobby entails. I also share my upcoming Taylor Swift DJ gig, thoughts on snoring, and how I got all my bees from Logan Square to Evanston. Don’t forget to smash that su...

We’ve got a special episode today, folks! I’m talking to Alianna Kalaba, drummer for Cat Power and bassist for FACS. Alianna shares her story of how she started drumming and manifested playing for Cat Power. Then we get into some woo-woo goodness, and generally enjoy being middle-aged women who still feel like teenagers. Don’t forget to smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, the...

Welcome back, friends! I’ve got another solo episode for you all about how women are expected to do business the same way as men, and why it may not be the best way forward. I also share a piece of badass history about Francis Perkins, a woman who completely changed the way we work here in the U.S. Don’t forget to smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, then come hang with us on...

I am so honored to have one of my oldest and dearest ride-or-dies, Shawn Campbell, with me on this episode! Shawn is the founder and general manager of CHIRP Radio, an independent volunteer-driven radio station here in Chicago. She’s worked in commercial, college, public, and community radio over the course of her career, and I consider her radio’s truest believer. Together, we discuss her radio c...

Welcome back, folks! Today, I channel my inner Garth Brooks and blame it all on my roots…. and my own hard work and business acumen.  Tune in to hear my post-yoga-retreat thoughts on why I believe my business has been successful, and why Phoebe Bridgers might just save us all.   Links: Leave me a voicemail! Learn more about A Mary Nisi Productions Find your next DJ at Toast & Jam Launch your D...

We’re starting off guest interviews this season with entrepreneur Scout Driscoll. Scout is the owner of DesignScout, a high-end design and marketing firm that specializes in restaurants and is working to give a fresh face to an outdated wine industry, all while prioritizing rest ethic over work ethic. Tune in to hear us discuss: Design that lasts beyond trends The perks of being a problem-solving...

We’re back, friends! This return is a little later than I intended, but I explain it all here in our first episode of Season 3. This week, I catch you up on what’s been happening on break (hint: it’s a lot), and talk about how the show is evolving this season. Tune in for updates on vacations, injuries and the life lessons of it all. And don’t forget to smash that subscribe button so you never mis...

This week we’re wrapping up season two with Mary’s reflections on all the changes this year brought – including getting sober, moving to the suburbs, and creating two whole seasons of All Up In My Lady Business! Tune in then smash that subscribe button, so you’re the first to know when we’re back for season three. And please send any & all requests to mary@amarynisiproduction.com – we want to...

Today, I’m talking with the one and only Tereasa Surratt. If you live on this planet, you’ve likely seen her advertising and design work. But you may not know about the project closest to her heart— Camp Wandawega, a sustainability and preservation-minded camp in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Together, we talk about her journey from buying the camp to making it the incredible, communal, and passion-filled p...

Money can be overwhelming especially when it comes to business finances. So today I’m talking with my personal bookkeeper and saving grace, Angie Noll.  Angie is the owner of Reconciled Solutions, a bookkeeping and profit acceleration company for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Their mission is to guide small businesses with profitability acceleration, scalability, accounting, bookkeeping, org...

Today, we’re digging into some heavy topics… but in a groovy way. Tune in to to hear my friend and fellow yogi, Judy Newton, share her incredible life story. Along the way we discuss the tough, but inevitable parts of life and how we find comfort in the communities of our making. Judy is a Capricorn queen, former teacher, grief doula, and hippie realtor. She is also the chair of the Levy Senior Ce...

Today we have a spicy topic—the art and history of the Pinup Girl. I’m joined by the remarkable Maria Elena Buszek and together we talk about her journey to and through Art History school as a minority, the rise of the pinup girl in popular culture, and feminism from her perspective. Maria is a scholar, critic, curator, and Professor of Art History at the University of Colorado Denver, where she t...

We’ve all heard of Dad Rock, but what about Mom Rock? Today Jessica Hopper is back on the podcast to discuss, debate, and maybe even discover what mom rock is and where it’s headed. Jessica is a Chicago-based music critic and the author of The First Collection of Criticism By A Living Female Rock Critic, The Girl’s Guide to Rocking, and her memoir, Night Moves. Her new book No God But Herself: How...

In today’s episode, we’re following the incredible, winding road of career pivots, big life changes, and unexpected shifts with my friend Joan LeMay. Joan is a portraitist, painter and illustrator who is interested in capturing the true soul of the subject she’s painting. She is also the Illustrator for her upcoming book with Alex Pappademas, Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other S...

In this Lone Gun Woman episode, we get into the way-too-hot topic of perimenopause, how Midnights and Taylor Swift inspire me (yeah, I can't believe it either), and some remarkably cutthroat Sashiko seamstresses. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter ! Links: The 100 Senses Full Float Bath Pillow Learn more a...

Today we’re talking with another fabulous (& funny!) serial entrepreneur about her journey learning that to do it all, you need a helping hand (or two!).  Ashley Quinto Powell is a business owner, author, consultant, and mother of two. She is the founder of MyVARocks and author of Executive Motherhood: The Art of Having It All Without Doing It All. In this episode, we discuss– Ashley’s move fr...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by director, producer, acclaimed music writer and normal suburban mom Jessica Hopper.  Together we tour through the Chicago music scene and Jessica’s storied career. We talk about how we met, Jessica’s 27 years of sobriety, facing sexism in the music scene, why she's working on a new project about Lilith Fair, and more.  Tune in then smash that subscribe butto...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Viviana Langhoff, accomplished fine jeweler and owner of award-winning jewelry store Adornment + Theory. We go on a journey through Viviana’s experience as a Puerto Rican-American with a passion for creativity and the arts, including the art of business. We also discuss: Living the hyphen as a Puerto Rican-American Creating purpose and opportunities for employees...

This week we dig deep into topic that I’ve mentioned on the podcast but have been nervous to really get into — my sobriety journey. Join me for the highs, lows, and in-betweens of drinking heavily or not drinking at all. On the way, we’ll get into the radical feminism of sobriety and the way the patriarchy uses alcohol to control women. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss...

This week, we’re welcoming Susan Flaga to the podcast! Susan is a hairstylist, co-owner of Sparrow Salon in Chicago, and owner of Sparrow for Everyone- Haircare for Sensitive People. Together, Susan & Mary talk about: Getting the entrepreneur bug Servant leadership and the ever-growing process of learning to be a good leader Thinking of your employees as bosses and caring about their wellbeing...

Today we welcome Chicago-based healer Claire Mooney to the podcast!  Claire is trained in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and Sourcepoint Therapy. She uses all of these modalities and more to help her clients connect with and transform into their highest potential, physically, energetically, and emotionally.  Together, Claire & Mary talk about: Claire’s MS diagnosis & how it led...

We’re back, baby! This week we’re kicking off season two with a recap of the big three of Mary’s summer – moving to the suburbs, making new friends, and..medical misbehavior. You’ll have to listen to the end to hear what that last one’s about. Press play then smash that subscribe button so you never miss an episode, and come hang with us on Instagram & Twitter !  Links & resources: Watch M...

This week we’re wrapping up season one of All Up In My Lady Business with a long-awaited episode – the story of Mary’s chronic pain & how she cured it. From wearing stilettos to DJing weddings to giving birth to filming a reality tv show, Mary did everything in pain for years . Many physical therapists, chiropractors, cortisone shots, hospital visits, and surgical consults later, what ended up...

Today we’ve got another serial entrepreneur on the podcast and we’re talking sexism, scrap metal & success. Linda McCabe is business leader, author, speaker and coach. She’s the founder of Optimal Level LLC and the host of the Lightning Strikes podcast . In this episode of All Up In My Lady Business, Linda tells us about– Taking over her family scrap metal business & growing it to over a m...

Could you run a business with your spouse? This week Mary has Vanessa Jackson-Lopez on the podcast to talk about the good and the bad (but mostly the good) of running a business with her husband. Together, Vanessa & Mary talk about– How her husband quit his job the week they got married then ended up going on job interviews with their baby daughter Why they launched The LemonAd Stand and when...