The Jen Z Podcast

I often think Physical Therapy is misunderstood, which is why I wanted to have my very own PT, Brian Faller, on this episode to share what PT entails and who can benefit from it, which is pretty much everyone. It's not just for post-op patients or for those who have suffered severe injuries, but for anyone who is experiencing pain or movement issues. He also shares some tips for us grapplers to he...

This title is very fitting as Emma is an absolutely amazing soul herself! Grateful to call her a new friend. Emma G. is an award winning musician, author and youth empowerment coach. Emma shares her personal story of how she used her passion of songwriting and music to heal her own trauma and how she uses those tools to help teenagers understand, process and overcome their emotional and mental roa...

My dear friend and Serafin BJJ Black Belt Sloth, Chris Wojcik, joins me to talk about his recent successes in his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career. He shares some tips on how he deals with tournament anxiety and the specific training he uses to prepare for competition. We also take a dive into his other passion and career as a writer. Listen to the entire episode so you can hear our dramatic conclusion...

So happy to be back with new episodes of The Jen Z Podcast. Before diving in with more wonderful guests, I wanted to give you guys a look into this past year and what I've been up to! Lots of exciting changes and memories to look back on. Here we go!   Be sure to follow me on IG @bodybyzanotti to stay up to date on everything in the Jen Z Universe!  

So happy to chat with the amazing Melissa Posh, owner and creator of @hilovetravel! They create classic packs and luggage for fitness, fashion and travel. Not only are the pieces stylish and sleek, but the material is super lightweight, water-resistant, recyclable and affordable! I'm obsessed! Check out https://hilovetravel.com/ to to shop their latest collections and and learn more about how they...

I love interviewing local business owners, especially female entrepreneurs and even better, in the fitness industry! This weeks feature is Julie Hafner, owner of Studio Spin in Highland Park! Studio Spin has been around 8 years, and Julie gives us an inside scoop on their motto, community, services & energy of the studio! We also talk about how she was able to adapt during Covid and offer so many...

Anyone else get inspired by watching interior design shows? Or trying to figure out creative ways to spruce up your space? With spending much more time at home, more people are wanting to update their living spaces, without breaking the bank. I sat down with the local and lovely design specialists from the ABL Group in Highwood. Ava Markoutsas is the Showroom Manager, and daughter of the ABL found...

My friend and fellow female entrepreneur, Julie Brugioni, owner of the Silk Thumb in Highwood, joins me as my guest today. The Silk Thumb is a faux floral & plant design studio for commercial spaces and homes. They have the ability to serve you locally or anywhere across the US. Julie just celebrated 13 years of owning the Silk Thumb, but has been mastering her skill in floral design & installatio...

The main mission of the non-for-profit SALT, is to help create an empathic generation through service-learning travel. Salt promotes uniquely meaningful student travel experiences that meet the needs of the local community while promoting personal growth and understanding. Co-founders, Ida Fiore and Brad Swanson, join me to share how Salt has had to pivot and shift gears during Covid. They have cr...

My dear friend, and fabulous realtor, Mada Hitchmough, joins me to discuss the current state of the market. Business is booming! People are selling, buying and keeping her busy. She talks about safety precautions, adapting during this time with creative options, all time low mortgage rates and financial aid for current homeowners who are struggling to make payments. She also gives insight to the n...

Isaac Nava had a dream, and with the help of his brother Moishe, turned a humble start into a thriving business. La Casa de Isaac & Moishe has been serving authentic Mexican cuisine in Highwood and Highland Park since 2008. They employ more than 50 people between their two locations, and half are family members. Providing for that big crew and serving delicious meals to their customers is what it'...

My jiu-jitsu teammate Oleg joins me to share his perspective on Covid-19. Oleg is an ER nurse and has been on the front lines during this pandemic. He talks about his first-hand experience treating patients, what symptoms people have been experiencing and his thoughts on the future of this tricky virus. He gives great insight and information. This episode is a must listen! This episode is brought...

Todd Belcore, co-founder and executive director of the NPO Social Change, returns to share thoughts on making a difference and helping to end systemic racism. There are so many ways to get involved: Attend a peaceful protest, donate to organizations that fund education, housing, and job placement initiatives, even becoming active in legislation by understanding current laws and advocating for refo...

Nothing says comfort and love like a homemade sweet treat. That is what the Bent Fork Bakery provides. They are more than just a bakery...they are there for us in times of celebration, sadness & joy! All of life's occasions. And as delicious as the baked goods are, the wife and hubby duo are the secret ingredient and who people love to see, along with their incredible staff of course. Liz & Mike B...

Chef and fellow jiu-jitsu teammate, Craig Fass, returns to talk about getting back to the basics of cooking at home and the importance of sitting down to eat with loved ones, especially during this time of Covid-19. Working for over 30 years in the restaurant industry, Craig finally made the decision to take a break from one of the toughest industries, and sold his restaurant, The Bad Apple, last...

Marco Santi's always dreamt of opening a restaurant. Strong Italian roots on his dad's side combined with his mom's Louisiana touch, cooking and food played an important role. Marco's life has evolved through different careers and passions, but that restaurant always remained in the back of his mind. One day, he seized an opportunity to work and receive training at Gibson's and finally opened up '...

Who better than two best friends and writers to share their list of great reads, especially during a pandemic??!! This was a special episode as one of the guests was my boyfriend, Jay Ferrari, and his best bud, John McGreevy, who I was able to meet for the first time virtually. Such a fun time with these guys! They both have a wonderful gift of describing each book so eloquently and why they love...

When you hear the Bertucci family name, you can't help but think of Highwood. Establishments like Boomers, Rainbows and Bertucci's to name a few...So who better than Bruce Bertucci to share some history on the good ole days of Highwood? Bruce, like his late father, Bruno Bertucci, who was a staple in the community, can recall stories and memories like it was yesterday. One thing remains the same,...

Elliott Serrano, "King of Geeks" joins me to share his top movie picks to watch during isolation. Turning to some entertainment classics is perfect with a little extra time on our hands and serves as a fun distraction. Elliott dives into an array of movie picks, why he loves them and a little background on each film. As a comic book author, freelance writer, famous internet Cat dad and expert on a...

Amy Landolt, owner of "Northshore Acupuncture Center", returns to share awesome tips you can utilize right away to help boost your Immune System, especially in this time of COVID-19. She talks about immune health from the perspective of Chinese medicine and helps us understand why Chinese medicine (like Western medicine) encourages lifestyle habits like good sleep, movement, nutrition and stress m...

Well, it sure has been an interesting start to 2020 to say the least. I had the pleasure of connecting with Soul Guide, Kerri Hummingbird, to get her perspective on the current situation of the world and what Mother Nature may be trying to tell us and what we can do to cope. Kerri Hummingbird, inspires people to lead their lives wide awake with an authenticity, passion and purpose that positively...

Why do we have such a fear of the dentist? So many people avoid going, but it is absolutely necessary to your health! I spoke with my Dentist, Dr. Tom Fiocchi, to understand the importance and benefits of Dental care, preventative care, what to avoid & servicing the community for so many years! His father Dr. Raymond Fiocchi, Sr. started his practice in Highland Park (next door to Highwood) in 195...

Dear friend and fellow jiu-jitsu junkie, Dr. Joe Alleva, returns to my podcast for some real talk about COVID-19 and the CoronaVirus. Dr. Joe has been a doctor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation for over 23 years, working for NorthShore University Health System. He breaks it down so we can all understand what we are dealing with and calms some of the fears. Dr. Joe gives some insight on how to...

Tatiana Galli joins me live on the phone lines from Florence, Italy. Tatiana is the daughter of Pat Galli, owner of Pastificio in Highwood. A lot of us from Highwood have family in the Northern Region of Italy, so I thought it would help to get a firsthand account of what it's like to be there with the rapid spread of COVID-19, in quarantine and gain a better understanding of what is to come for u...

Beth Heller, co-founder of "Pulling Down the Moon", shares her emotional journey with fertility and how it prompted the inspiring creation of "The Moon" with destined business partner, Tamara Quinn, in 2002. Beth has her Masters in Nutrition and became a Yoga Teacher after falling in love with the practice and realizing the positive benefits it had with her fertility. This motivated her to share,...