Pittsburgh Beautiful
By Pittsburgh Beautiful
Pittsburgh BeautifulMay 24, 2022
The Porch is ON
Live on Pittsburgh Beautiful... the Porch is on! Tonite we talk about the Penguins latest signing... Brian Rust; the Pirates dreadful weekend, and the Steelers ranking in the preseason. We also add a new segment... "Headlines that mean someting"... misspelling intended. Tune in and tune out the rest of the world. You're gonna enjoy this! Get your Sports Porch merchandise here:
https://pittsburgh-beautiful.myshopify.com/collections/the-sports-porch
The Porch is Sad. It's Over.
The Penguins season... that is. We cry a little, laugh a little, console each other and then talk about football. Now we feel better!
The Porch... Draft Week Episode
Hey... wanna do another mock NFL draft? Nope. But we do talk about it. And the Buccos losing 21-0... and the Pens limping into the playoffs. And serial killers. You know... wholesome family stuff.
The Sports Porch Live
Tonite... are the Maulers worth watching? Are the Pens ready for the playoffs? The draft is near and it's not getting any easier to predict the Steelers pick...
The Sports Porch Live
Back on the porch. Are there changes to the Steeler's draft priorities? Will the Penguins collapse? And are the Buccos even worth watching?
Musings from the Tropical Porch
The Porch is in the US Virgin Islands tonite... at least Chris' porch is... Steelers draft play, all the single players that make more than the ENTIRE Buccos payroll..
The Porch is Back
What more can we say? Good natured, fun-loving, completely ridiculous sports talk. And then Will Smith smacks us in the face.
The Sports Porch On Pittsburgh Beautiful
Down one of the guys... we talk about all the Steelers moves so far, the Penguins at the trade deadline and the Watson trade to Cleveland.
The Sports Porch on Pittsburgh Beautiful LIVE
Another edition of the Sports Porch live on Pittsburgh Beautiful. The Steelers sign Mitch Trubisky. Tom Brady "un"retires... our special guest, Kyle, from "The Kyle's World" chimes in. And we reveal 2 more of our top 10 series of all time. You're gonna love it.
The Sports Porch Live!
The Pittsburgh Beautiful podcast is BACK with --- Tonite's special addition of The Sports Porch - #live - Alot of QB action, Pens stuff and we reveal our top 10 TV or Streaming series... #'s 10 and 9. Trust me. This is worth wasting some time on... you know. Because.
A Little Town Called Hiller And A Big Deal for Pharma
I'd never heard of Hiller before. It's just outside of Brownsville. A little town about an hour south of Pittsburgh. And the home of the world's largest podcast network dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry. Todd Eury, founder of the Pharmacy Podcast Network, sat down with me at his flagship studio in Hiller to talk about how the idea evolved, and why he chose to stay in Western Pennsylvania.
Eric McKenna and His Project
One of the great things about Pittsburgh is that you can always find someone who thinks a lot like you do, but differently... if you know what I mean. So... my wife, Lauren, the Pittsburgh Property Diva, had a radio show for a little while on News Radio 1020 KDKA. I would live stream it on Facebook. In doing so, I discovered Eric McKenna, another realtor in Pittsburgh, live streaming his radio show on WBPV in Beaver County. Oh, well... I guess we weren't first to the party, like I had hoped.
Fast forward a couple years, and I've been following Eric's journey into the podcasting and video podcasting world. I noticed the Eric McKenna Project on YouTube, and I just had to watch... now here's the "think a lot like you, but differently" part... The focus of Eric's podcast and video show are similar to mine... telling the stories of Pittsburghers... but different in this way: Eric's show is recorded in Boogie Street Studios, a passion project born from a previous life's venture into custom guitar making - Boogie Street Guitars. Every part of his studio reflects Eric and his journey. And it's also long-form. Eric encourages his guests to take as long as they want to tell their story. And it works.
We spent a good hour talking about Pittsburgh Beautiful in Boogie Street Studios. Then we took a short walk down the street in Coraop0lis to Anchor and Anvil Coffee, and the host became the guest. Eric is originally from Coraopolis, and in spite of having many opportunities to leave Pittsburgh throughout his career, has decided this is where he belongs. So, the Eric McKenna Project was born.
Corona's Are Good With Limes. And nothing else.
So... what to do, what to do? Let's talk about sports. All the sports that are cancelled or postponed. So that's what we did. At the Abbey on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. As usual. It's a risky business being sports podcasters!
Is it a sport? The Sports Porch
It seems the Abbey on Butler Street has become our favorite hangout. Good thing because there's not much to talk about as the sports vortex continues, again. We discuss a little Steeler's stuff... some hockey, of course, and another EXCITING segment of "Is it a sport, or not".
Transformation of Dr. Christina Tarantola
Transformation. That’s what Dr. Christina Tarantola hopes to help her clients accomplish. Much like the transformation she experienced moving from New York City to Pittsburgh. I met Christina while looking for more interesting Pittsburgher stories to tell, and her path here to Pittsburgh is one that is becoming more common. Growing up on Long Island, attending school in New York, and moving to Pittsburgh for her career, at the time, as a pharmacist in Pittsburgh. Now, one of a growing number of women entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh, she has decided to take her life experiences and help others transform their lives. To become happy, prosperous and productive. And… to stay right here in Pittsburgh.
Christina’s story is a fascinating one… one that I am privileged to tell. As always, I like to leave the story for the guest to tell on the podcast. So listen up, Pittsburghers…
You can find out more about Dr. Christina Tarantola and the way she helps women to empower themselves through Transformation Coaching right here!
Thank you, Christina, for your energy and passion… and thank you for helping to make Pittsburgh Beautiful!
The Sports Porch - What is a Sport? What ain't a Sport?
The vortex is in full swing. We're down at the Abbey on Butler Street on Lawrenceville on a busy night. We talk a little Pens slide, some XFL, and finally settle on a debate about whether or not bowling, badminton and others are really sports.
Hail To The Chief - Scott Schubert, Pittsburgh's Chief of Police
Ok... I just had to do that with the title to this post. On episode 5 of season 2 for the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast, I sit down with Pittsburgh's Chief of Police, Scott Schubert. I met Scott and a gig at Emmanuel Fine Art Gallery in downtown Pittsburgh one night a couple years ago. He seemed like a pretty nice guy, as far as Chief's go... personable and willing to have a conversation. He's got a serious job, so you expect a serious person for a serious job. And before I go any further... please be sure to thank anyone in uniform for their service... every chance you get. These men and women start every day without knowing what they are going to run into... so... they deserve our thanks and we owe it to them to be respectful and helpful any way we can. Now... on with the show.
The Sports Porch
This is always the worst time of year to talk sports. It's like a sports vortex until the NHL playoffs start and the NFL Draft kicks off and MLB's Opening Day is upon us. But we try. Why? Because we have to. We're guys... who still have dreams.
Christi Lukasiak - A Dance Mom's Journey
Admittedly, I never watched a single episode of Dance Moms. Now... since I'm a guy in my late 40s... I'm pretty sure that's not a suprise. However, I was a little nervous about admitting it to my guest, Christi Lukasiak, of Dance Mom fame... but in this day and age of "transparency"... well, I had to. And she was thankful that I hadn't... in a jovial sort of way.
Anyone who watched the series knew her to be quite outspoken. As we all know, reality TV can mold someone into whatever they want for ratings... not to say that's what happened on Dance Moms... but I think you understand.
I reached out to Christi on her instagram page and was pleasantly surprised to discover that even with such a large following, she handles her social media. Her reply was quick and to the point... "I'd love to be a guest on your podcast!" We met at a local Starbucks, and I got to know Christi first as a Pittsburgher, and then as a mom. Let's just say she does both pretty well. I like to leave the heart of my podcast posts actually on the podcast... so listen to my interview with Christi Lukasiak right here. And stay real. Like Christi.
You can find Christi all over social media on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and on her blog, Cake For Breakfast.
A Star, Yes, You Are, Nancy
THANK YOU iHeartRadio. It’s an honor to be included in your podcast lineup!
I first met Nancy Hahn, of iRead2Know radio on iHeart media, on LinkedIn. I am always looking for great stories to tell, and when I found her… let’s just say that her credits are numerous, and her accomplishments are amazing. Too many to list here, so I’d suggest listening to this podcast and checking out her LinkedIn profile right here.
So I reached out to Nancy about the opportunity to tell her story on the podcast and she accepted.
An imaginary artist, singer, dancer and songwriter since she was a child, Nancy went on to tutor a few of Pittsburgh's greatest sports legends in... ballet. I'd just call it a career right there, take my trophy and go home. Not Nancy. She decided she'd start a television station (WNEU), run it 24 hours a day and create programming, literature and compose music for many children's shows, songs, characters and stories. For like 25 years. So now it's time to take home trophy #2 and call it a pretty good run, right?
Nope. Not Nancy. Why not start a 24 hour internet radio channel for children (iRead2Know) and pitch it to the largest streaming and podcast service in the country. Why not? Oh... and then find a niche for Indie artists and spin off a channel on the same service (American Busker Radio). Bravo, Nancy. Bravo.
Pittsburgh certainly has a unique and rustic history. I love the initiative and grittiness of the citizens of this region. The innovation, the willingness to take risks in a world that you know nothing about, but fascinates you and the perseverance that enables dreams to come true. Thanks for your creativeness and your efforts, Nancy. You pave the way for those in your footsteps.
The Real Pittsburgh Girl - Natalie Shugars
Her roots are in Latrobe (that's LAY-trobe to all you non-yinzers out there). Natalie grew up singing, dancing and song writing. She had a dream. This dream has taken her around the country, from playing the "circuit" down south all the way to the West Coast. Singing and writing just came naturally to her. So does giving back. So Natalie decided to come home. Home to Pittsburgh. Where it all started for her, and where she hopes to shine her light on a city rising once again. Here series, N'at About Town, can be seen on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and her website, NatalieShugars.com. I sat down with Natalie at the Abbey on Butler Street in Lawrenceville to ask her about her journey, her dreams, and her feelings about the Steel City.
Uganda to Pittsburgh
Season 2 of the Pittsburgh Beautiful podcast kicks off with an incredible story. Meet Olivia, originally from Uganda. How did she make her way from this African nation to our city? Actually, is that the question we should be answering? Nope. The real question is that after meeting her husband, starting a family and several successful international businesses, Olivia chose to stay HERE... in Pittsburgh. Find out her “Why”, her favorite Pittsburgh treat and more right here as we kick off Season 2 of Pittsburgh Beautiful!
Olivia can be found on Instagram helping to coach women create and execute business opportunities. You can find her @Oliviansell
BONUS Sports Porch Live from Shadyside
This week we are back at Coffee Tree Roasters on Walnut Street in Shadyside. Streaming live on Facebook, we dive into our buddy, Pat's, gambling problem. Oh... and we talk about the Pens, the Steelers, and make early Super Bowl Predictions.
Guess Who's Back and NFL Predictions
Back at the Abbey on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Is Matt Canada from Canada... or Indiana? Live streaming the show on Facebook, we discuss this hugely controversial topic among other less-relevant things like... Crosby back in the lineup and the MLB sign stealing "non" issue... according to Marc.
BONUS - The Sports Porch - Playoffs?
Welcome to another BONUS episode of the The Sports Porch on Pittsburgh Beautiful. This week, we are at Coffee Tree Roasters in Shadyside. Marc is the "guy in the middle" and is pretty p*ssed off about what happened to Carson Wentz... but I digress. We talk Steelers off-season questions, the NFL playoffs, Syd and the Pens, props (kind of) to Pitt Basketball and make our predictions.
The Porch Kicks off 2020
What better way to kick off a new decade than the Sports Porch from the Abbey on Butler Street in Lawrenceville? We grade the Steelers season, talk a little Pens Hockey and make our predictions for this first round of the NFL playoffs. The Sports Porch, in collaboration with Pittsburgh Beautiful!
The Duck Has Landed
The porch is mobile again at Starbucks in Murrysville this week. Dave, Marc and Chris discuss the Steelers dismal performance in New York... Mason and the Duck... what's up with the running game and will the real #1 receiver PLEASE give us some game. A little bit of Pens talk, and we wish you all Happy Holidays (or Merry Christmas, as Dave would prefer...).
J-E-T-S Jets, Jets JETS!
This week on the Sports Porch it's a two-fer. Schwalbber and Moio had other obligations ... Steve and I talk about the Jets, who won the duck hat, the Pens and more. Coming to you from Coffee Tree Roasters on Walnut Street in Shadyside.
BONUS SPORTS PORCH - The Bills Are Coming!
In this collaboration with the Sports Porch, the guys talk about the Steelers... of course. The Bills are in town this Sunday... what do they think will happen? The Pens are still treading water... which is good. And... a LIVE Facebook broadcast PRE-GAME show this Sunday night!
BONUS The Sports Porch - Cleveland is Done, Now What?
The Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast collaborates with The Sports Porch again on the Browns game, is Duck "the guy", predictions for the game in Arizona and a little Pens update. Stay real!
Bonus The Brownies Come to Town
What else can we talk about when it comes to sports here in the 'burgh?... Oh... yeah. Duck Hodges. The Cleveland Browns. Helmut Swing, the Sequel? What does Devlin Hodges have that Mason Rudolph doesn't? What does Bennie Snell have that James Connor doesn't? Welcome to this special edition of the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast in collaboration with The Sports Porch.
Bonus - Sports Porch - What's next for the Steelers?
Well... I guess we should address the elephant in the room. Pitt beat North Carolina and they are 7-3! No... not really. The boys talk about "Helmut Swing" - as little as possible - and the loss to the Browns. Steve promises to do the Icky Shuffle if the Bungles win. Some Penguins talk, and Chris drops the "F-Bomb" by accident at the end of the podcast... which is why we have to label it "explicit" this time around. Will he ever learn?
Myles Garrett "Steels" our Thunder
We thought we'd have a little fun with this bonus episode of the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast - in collaboration with our spin-of, The Sports Porch, and do a pregame show. So we did. Then the game between the Browns and Steelers was on... and it was bad. The Steelers were bad. They looked bad, they played bad... all that.
Then, Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph stole the show. We're not making light of it... Garrett's actions were inexcusable and he should be penalized, harshly. However, what was Rudolph planning to do IF he was able to remove Garret's helmut? And why was he trying to in the first place? Also... the real question here... what the heck were the Steelers doing when they got ready for this game? Playing Xbox?
This show was pregame, so you'll hear alot of predictions. We all know how it turned out! As for our reaction afterword... Dave sums it up in his article about the Myles Garrett Helmut Swing.
Doors Open Pittsburgh
By far my personal favorite event in Pittsburgh is Doors Open Pittsburgh. I talk with Bonnie Baxter about how and why she brought this idea to Pittsburgh, the process of setting up this incredible event and plans for future events. If you've not taken part in Doors Open Pittsburgh... it's a MUST as far as Pittsburgh Beautiful is concerned. You can get tickets on our website with a special discount this year right here. Stay Real!
Pittsburgh Fashion Week and The Downtown CDC
It's indeed MY pleasure to sit down and have a talk with John Valentine, the director of the Downtown CDC, about upcoming Pittsburgh Fashion Week, their mission, and the progress that is being made to revitalize down town Pittsburgh. Just a few years ago, the Golden Triangle was a ghost town after people left (or fled) work to their homes in the burgh's burbs. Today... well... go see for yourself. Downtown is a bustling hub of entertainment, events and restaurants. John admits they still have a long way to go, but it's easy to see that a great deal of progress has already been made. Pittsburgh Fashion week, in it's 9th year (4th, run by the CDC), is September 30 through October 3rd this year. For more information, you can visit their website here.
The Sports Porch - OMG & 2
O-2. Steve (now Willie) is horrified. Dave (The Alum) is worried. Schwalbber is optimistic and Chris is... well... Chris. Will Mason Rudolph step in and be great? Will Minkah Fitzpatrick do the same... or have the Steelers presented their "team of the future" and conceded that this is a "learning" season? We predict the 49ers game, and then move on to... gasp... Pitt and the latest debacle. I think The Alum should win a podcasting award for his rant.
Introducing The Sports Porch
This week I'm thrilled to announce the first Pittsburgh Beautiful spin-off podcast: The Sports Porch. Join Chris Klein, Dave Moio, Marc Schwalb and Steve DeFlitch every week, as we podcast from our porch, discussing all things Pittsburgh and sports related. The Steelers, the Pirates, the Penguins and everything in between. This week, we talk about the Steeler's disappointing loss in New England, the Seahawks coming to town for the home opener, and a little fantasy football. Oh yeah... of course there's a little Antonio Brown stuff in there. How can we avoid it? Stay real.
PB Fantasy Football Spectacular
So what do you do Labor Day weekend after a great podcast with close friends about the Steeler's season? Why... you record ANOTHER one about Fantasy Football. Please, don't take our advice... just listen and make fun of our picks! Good luck!
BONUS - Predicting the Steelers Season
David Moio predicts the Steelers season, game by game. My guests on this episode include Steve DeFlitch... noted yinzer, Mt. Pleasant native and current Greenfield resident... and Marc Schwalb, sarcastic Philly native, Eagles fan, and now a resident of Indiana Township, north of Pittsburgh (he made one good decision, at least!). Always the optimist (unless we are talking about Pitt Football... or the Pirates) Moio puts the Steelers atop the division and in the playoffs. And we discuss this in usual guy-football type conversation.
The Post Industrial Revolution
The last decade has seen a great resurgence in not only Pittsburgh, but many urban areas in the country previously associated with the industrial revolution. Matt Stroud, my guest on this episode, returned to his roots here in the Steel City to co-found a new media company, Post Industrial Media. This publication focuses on the many cities in the midwest (to also include places such as Baltimore and Philadelphia) that saw decay throughout the decline of manufacturing in the late 1900s and have begun a resurgence of their own. Post Industrial seeks to tell these stories in a meaningful and educational way. Pittsburgh Beautiful is proud to partner with Post Industrial in bringing the story of Pittsburgh's most recent renaissance through audio, visual and written means.
BONUS SPORTS - Steelers Preseason and Goodbye Buccos
Well, well... Dave Moio has a couple things to say about the Steeler's preseason, and doesn't really want to talk about the Pirates any more. Go figure. Here's a link to his most recent blog post on PittsburghBeautiful.com... tune in for some thoughts on the latest from camp, preseaon (can you say DuPree and Washington) and the inevitable downfall of the Buccos. Stay real.
*Photo submitted by DMERK04 on the Pittsburgh Beautiful app.
BONUS EPISODE : 007, James Bond and the Pittsburgh Soiree
This weekend, August 24th, marks the 8th annual James Bond Soiree in Pittsburgh benefitting the National Kidney Foundation. I talk briefly with Kent Schmor, the founder and executive director of this incredible event. Kent, a native of Canada, came to Pittsburgh a few years back as a professor with the University of Pittsburgh, volunteered with the National Kidney Foundation, and decided to give back. What a great event with great people. Hear why even though he left to move back home to Canada (for an employment opportunity) he decided to continue to hold the event here in Pittsburgh, and has expanded it to other cities nationally. It's a recurring theme on our podcasts. Thanks, Kent, for helping to make Pittsburgh Beautiful! There are a few tickets remaining... you can get them right here!
The Chairman Of Chat... Rob Pratte
Indeed it is a privilege to have Rob Pratte, a veteran of 40 years in Pittsburgh television, advertising and radio, on the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast. I met Rob a couple years ago when my wife began a radio show on KDKA Radio. Rob was the host, and we had the pleasure of sitting with him in studio many early Saturday mornings. Always upbeat, always positive, and with the greatest "gift for gab" I've ever experienced... it was fascinating to be on the other side of the microphone with Rob... interviewing one of Pittsburgh's great... well... interviewers. You'll love this episode! I did!
Wadria Taylor - From Jamaica to New York to Style Week Pittsburgh
This episode, meet Wadria Taylor, the founder of Style Week Pittsburgh. Wadria's story is one that is thankfully becoming more and more familiar here in Pittsburgh. A young, intelligent and entrepreneurial woman, from Jamaica and then New York, decides to come to school in Pittsburgh and recognizes the opportunities here. Wadria and I discuss this on the podcast. Enjoy!
Style Week Pittsburgh (SWP) was founded in 2013 by Wadria Taylor to provide a platform for fashion-focused brands to network, exhibit their talents, and gain recognition. SWP has emerged as one of the leading fashion events in Pittsburgh showcasing the talent of aspiring and established designers and artists at iconic and unique venues throughout the city. To date, over 2,000 people have attended a SWP event and more than 100 designers, artists, and businesses have participated.
BONUS - A Tale of Two Franchises
As he wrote about in his latest column, Dave Moio of Moio's Musings see's the Pirates and the Steelers as 2 franchises moving in opposite directions. While the Steelers seem to be addressing issues, or at least attempting to address them, the Pirates are indeed, in his opinion, sinking lower each day. Hear his thoughts on this special BONUS edition of the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast.
Phipps Conservatory and the Living Building Challenge
My guest this episode is Richard Piacentini, the CEO of Phipps Conservatory. Mr. Piacentini took the reigns in 1994, and has helped Phipps to lead the way in sustainable landscape and construction, starting with the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, opened in 2012 and considered at the time the greenest building in the world, and most recently the Exhibit Staging Center. We all love Phipps for it's beautiful flowers, shows and atmosphere. It's truly a gem in our region. But... there's so much more to Phipps' mission. We discuss that on this podcast. You can find out more about green innovation and Phipps on their website, right here.
Steelers Camp and Being a Browns Fan - Bonus Edition Part 2
Dave Moio, of Moio's Musings on Pittsburgh Beautiful talks about Steelers training camp through the first week. Some stand-outs, some concerns, and what to wish for... also, can you be a Steelers fan and like the Browns. Seems like a rhetorical question, right?
Did the Pirates Sink The Ship?
Well, the trade deadline came... and went. Seriously... did anyone really think the Pirates were going to make a real move? Sure... Dickerson is gone. They gave him away. That's not a move. Yeah... they tried to move Vasquez... but didn't. In today's Moio's Musings, Dave talks about the disappointment, the current state of the franchise, and what he thinks the future looks like... for now. And you can listen to it right here on this BONUS edition of the Pittsburgh Beautiful Podcast!
Time to scrap the Buccos
BONUS EPISODE Steelers Training Camp Preview
Wash your Bettis jersey, clean up that Terrible Towel, throw the flag in the car window and get ready for some football! On this special BONUS episode of the Pittsburgh Beautiful podcast, Dave and I talk about the state of the Steelers. What can we expect from the defense? Is the receiving corp good enough? Will Ben finally hit the wall? And is this Mike Tomlin's team? Oh... and a little segmant about Pitt Football as well... Stay real.