Beyond The Venue with MG Hodge, Host & Future PhD

The dynamic duo behind this “pandemic partnership” are my guests this week, Kerri & Lauren. They’ve been friends and colleagues for years, and it just made sense over these past two years to join forces. Their skill sets complement one another, and they are able to provide the best possible services for their clients by leaning into their strengths and relying on the other’s expertise dependin...

CW - Language While I was getting my Masters in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University, I had a graduate externship with Student Activities. These roles were offered as 20 hour a week paid positions for full time graduate students throughout the university. My role was to oversee all of the Student Organizations on campus. You’ll hear more about this later on this season when I in...

This week I’m chatting with my friend and fellow podcast host, Hillary Rea. We’ve only known each other for a few years, so most of our relationship has transpired during the pandemic. We’re neighbors who share similar values, and we even get our veggies from the same CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Taproot Farm. In this episode, Hillary talks about her monthly virtual meet up called the Sp...

At the time of this recording, I had only known Nick for a few weeks. Nick was visiting his friend here in Philly for the first time, and his friend happens to also be friends with Brandon Thrash , my friend and guest from Season 1. Brandon brought Nick to my husband’s birthday celebrations, and I loved Nick’s friendly nature and positive attitude.  In this episode, we hear NIck’s story about his...

Liz and I first met at a mutual friend’s party when we were both working in the beer industry. We had heard each other’s names for years but finally got the chance to meet and our friendship took off immediately. We’ve enjoyed various events, lunches and happy hours together over the years, and we start off this episode with how she began to mentor me as a small business owner. We have a mutual lo...

This week I’m talking with my friend and one of my favorite bartenders, Sol Thomas. Although I’ve known Sol for quite some time and have enjoyed many of his cocktail creations, this interview was the first time I got to hear how he ended up in Philly as well as where he gets inspiration for his libations. In this episode, I learned about how methodical and intentional Sol is with both his cocktail...

I first met Lauryn 11 years ago when she moved back to Philly with her partner Ben. Ben and I were co-workers and office mates in grad school, but you’ll hear more from Ben later on this season, as he is also a guest for Season 2.  I wanted to bring Lauryn on the show because she is an elementary school teacher, mother, performer, bartender and just all around badass. Every single aspect of her li...

My Guest this week is Leah Coonan (she/her). Leah is a Philly local jewelry designer and the owner of Leah Creation Jewelry . Leah strives to make more space for other queer female/femme creators and she is passionate about repurposing objects helping to “shrink Trash Island”, contributing to making our planet sustainable and beautiful for the future. Leah and I met over 10 years ago when we were...

Welcome back for Season 2 of Beyond the Venue Podcast! I wanted to kick off this newest season with a woman who has been a constant resource and inspiration for me since the moment she and I were introduced.  Elisabeth “Beth" Kramer is a wedding planner in Portland, Oregon, who’s fighting the Wedding Industrial Complex. She's the co-founder of Altared , an event for wedding vendors who w...

Who started her own business in the wedding and events industry a year before the pandemic would shut it all down?   That would be me, MG the Venue Specialist and your host of Beyond the Venue Podcast.  I started my business because I love helping people. I saw a need for those who were frustrated by the event and wedding planning process because they couldn’t get over the first hurdle - finding t...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest and BTV Producer, Daniela Galdi, Founder of byVesta Agency.    In this Season 1 Wrap Up episode, MG and Daniela cover all you need to know about how Beyond The Venue Podcast started, including how they met, their mutual love of venues and each other, the INCREDIBLE guests and highlights from Season 1, and where BTV is headed for Season 2! Our paths have...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Kylie Lee Flett, Director of PR + Strategy at PUNCH Media. This former bartender is a huge animal lover, the co-founder of RestingGiftFace.com, and is Philly’s FAVORITE (and hilarious) Aussie!  Kylie is also a board member for Morris Animal Refuge and sits on the committee for their Annual Fur Ball Event. In this episode, MG and Kylie have a good laugh...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Meredith Rebar, Certified Cicerone, owner of Home Brewed Events, and new employee of Deer Creek Malthouse!  Meredith loves talking about beer and the power of fermentation. She and MG both adore food, beverage, and events and most importantly celebrating all of these with other people!   In this episode, you’ll learn about beer & spirits education,...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Alyssa Martin, Yoga Teacher and Manager of a Philadelphia neighborhood studio in Fairmount called Lumos Yoga and Barre.  Their lives intertwined in so many ways after MG & Alyssa first met in early 2020. They became friends through the Wednesday yoga class they both needed.  Hear about the twists and turns of teaching virtually, studio closings, bus...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Kristine Plourde Golden, CMP, HMCC, PCA. She’s an award-winning event and meeting manager, and marketing specialist with over 15-years of progressive experience. Having known each other for the past two decades, MG and Kristine have connected through their time at Drexel as undergrads, reconnecting through grad school at Temple, and most recently as Eve...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guests, Michelle Freeman and Jaison Smulski, the dynamic duo of Witty Gritty . They, along with their incredible team, energize communities and connect people with both resources and one another through experiences and engagement.    In this episode, MG, Michelle, and Jaison reminisce about their memories as longtime friends, including memorable moments inside...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Karen Seymour, Founder & Social Media Strategist at Karen J Seymour - Digital Marketing, LLC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MG and Karen talk about the rollercoaster they’ve been riding throughout the pandemic, both personally and professionally. In this episode, MG and Karen discuss the importance of an online presence for any business, their prior...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Candice Johnson, a talent coordinator and event curator who works with up and coming local talent in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. MG and Candice originally connected over instagram through their mutual love of people and events. They both value collaboration and being able to work with and learn from one another.    In this episode, MG and Ca...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guest, Cecily Alexandria, a Philly local comedian and producer. Having only spoken through Instagram and email, you’ll listen in on their first ever “face-to-face” conversation! They discuss Cecily’s events that have gone virtual, and their current binge-worthy TV show suggestions.    In this episode, MG and Cecily highlight the importance of comedy and entert...

This week MG is saving a seat for her guests, Tom Heinly and Qamara Edwards. MG met Tom in the early 2000s when he was the karaoke DJ at her college bar and one of MG’s go to song’s was “Alone” by Heart, and Tom and Qamara have been friends for years through quizzo. The three friends talk about how they have had to change their business models and approach this past year, and how they are shaping...

INTRO This week MG is saving a seat for her guest Christine Fisher! Friends from when they were in the beer industry (and now both can no longer drink beer) they discuss navigating through the world with their food allergies & intolerances and the anxiety that comes along for the ride, and most importantly their journey to prioritizing their mental health and self-care. ABOUT EPISODE In this e...

This week, MG is saving a seat for guest Brandon Thrash, Philadelphia Beverage Professional and PA Food Workers Advocate.   ABOUT EPISODE MG chats with Brandon about how they met, how he ended up in Philly, his advocacy work, and more.   Topics include: How to approach relationships both inside and outside of the hospitality industry The "True Cost" of food and beverage Advocacy for labo...

Hello! I’m MG the Venue Specialist! I want to take you on a journey through the numerous facets of the hospitality and entertainment industry, introducing you to my friends and colleagues here in Philadelphia. We’ll dive into some serious topics, but we want you to feel like you’re having a beverage with us - sharing stories and learning from one another.  Although I’m relatively new to the weddin...