What makes a great coffee shop truly great? What is a founder thinking when they open a single café in the West Village - one that blossoms into 20+ across New York City? How do atmosphere & staff training shape the way we feel the moment we walk through the door? And how do founders know - sometimes in that Malcolm Gladwell Blink way - when a location or idea “just feels right”?

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Rubinstein, Founder & CEO of Joe Coffee, and Amaris Gutierrez-Ray, the company’s VP of Coffee and Roasting. Together, we explore the motivations behind launching Joe Coffee in 2003, the wise and heartfelt decisions that allowed the shops - and their respective communities - to endure through COVID, the principles behind ethically sourcing great coffee, and the cultural debate around caffeine.

What is an actor thinking right before the camera begins recording? How does acting in drama differ from acting in comedy? What goes through their mind as they win their first Oscar - and second, third, fourth, and fifth!? In this episode, we speak with Vache Tovmasyan, an actor, stand up comic, and founder of numerous comedy shows. Most recently, he played the role of Garnik in the pom d'or film festival winning and five-time Oscar-winning film Anora, bringing his talents to an international stage.

Who is Gen Z? How did they make it through COVID & Remote Learning? Where do they see themselves in the future after such a unique adolescence? In this two-episode segment, we're speaking to a diverse array of students recently graduating from the renowned Brooklyn Technical High School.

Episode 12 [Part I]:

Luca Granelli (Industrial Design at University of Cincinnati)

Susana Sharp (Engineering at Brown University)

Grace Chen (Political Science at Fordham University [my alma mater])

Episode 13 [Part II]:

Nufisa Patwary (Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University)

Demyan Kruglov (Mechanical Engineering and Design at Northeastern University)

Gadin Aggarwal (Business at Carnegie Melon)

Who is Gen Z? How did they make it through COVID-19, Lockdowns & Remote Learning? Where do they see themselves in the future after such a unique adolescence? In this two-episode segment, we're speaking to a diverse array of students recently graduating from the renowned Brooklyn Technical High School.

[Part I]:

• Luca Granelli (Industrial Design at University of Cincinnati)
• Susana Sharp (Engineering at Brown University)
• Grace Chen (Political Science at Fordham University

[Part II]:

• Nufisa Patwary (Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University)
• Demyan Kruglov (Mechanical Engineering and Design at Northeastern University)
• Gadin Aggarwal (Business at Carnegie Melon)

In this episode of Innerversal, we uncork the fascinating intersection of #Psychology and #Wine with Karen MacNeil, one of the world’s foremost wine experts and the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language. From her journey of writing The Wine Bible over ten unpaid years to her deep dive into the sensory experience of wine, Karen shares her wisdom on how culture, history, and perception shape our appreciation of this ancient beverage. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or a casual sipper, join us as we explore the psychology behind why wine isn't just a drink, but an experience.

On the heels of the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, we speak with Daniel Dluzneski - a threat specialist who spent 24 years with the United States Secret Service, has worked in bomb detection, and has authored The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide For Administrators and Teachers. With his diverse knowledge and experience working in security - from protecting persons of interest to coordinating over one hundred active shooter school drills to sneaking into various institutions to prove their lack of readiness - Daniel guides us through a thunderous discussion on #Psychology and #ThreatDetection.

What does it take to be a stunt person? Are they all unflinching badasses who scoff in the face of danger, or are they more diverse in their personality traits? What does a typical day in the life of a stunt person look like? In this episode, we discuss #STUNTWORK with actor, voice over artist, producer, and stunt person, Jillian Armendariz. Throughout our conversation, we examine the ins and outs of one of the most critical and underrepresented people essential to the film industry!

What are the traits of an entrepreneur? What does it take to start a business? How does one deal with the terror of investing their time, money, and energy into the unknown? In episode eight, we discuss #ENTREPRENEURSHIP with Rene Glandian, co-founder and CEO of Bootylicious Muffins - a high-protein, low-carb, keto-friendly, and absolutely indulgent fitness treat that will make everyday feel like "cheat day".