In response to COVID-19’s impact on Greater Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality industry, which generated $12.2 billion in economic impact in 2018, the new VISIT PHILADELPHIA® podcast Love + Grit has temporarily shifted its focus to emphasize the people of Greater Philadelphia and their stories of positivity, ingenuity and compassion during this serious time. Listeners can subscribe to Love + Grit for free on Apple, Spotify and wherever podcasts are available.
On the latest episode, released today, Jennifer Carroll, Top Chef finalist, Philadelphia native and Spice Finch executive chef, joins the hosts to share easy make-at-home recipes and talk about how to best support restaurant employees right now. In addition, the show debuts a new segment with Aunyea Lachelle, host of NBC10’s Philly Live (created in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA), in which she highlights the region’s many acts of kindness and hope. This week, her focus is on “Handwash,” a song from a group of young men from the Caring People Alliance after-school program at R.W. Brown Community Center.
Future episodes of the podcast will feature conversations with:
- Andre Darlington, author and award-winning wine and spirits columnist, on how to use liquor and ingredients from home to make cocktails
- Maori Holmes, award-winning filmmaker and BlackStar Film Festival founder and director, on her streaming watchlist
- Jose Garces, Iron Chef and Philadelphia restauranteur, on changes to food service and the importance of uniting the restaurant community
- TuRae Gordon, Philadelphia native, award-winning comedian and comic coach, on breaking into comedy
“We’re living in unprecedented times — in Greater Philadelphia and around the globe. While our podcast is here to invite people to visit Philadelphia and give an insider’s perspective on our region, we’re also aware that life is not typical right now for so many people,” said Rachel Ferguson, Love + Grit co-host and VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s chief innovation & global diversity officer. “As always, we stand with our region, and thank our region for standing with us. We’re excited to share the segments we’re working on that highlight its vibrancy and resiliency.”
Previous episodes of Love + Grit include interviews with Patrice Banks, founder of Girls Auto Clinic (episode one); DJ Aktive (episode two); Ursula Augustine, cosmetology expert and founder of Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Studio (episode two) and others. Full audio and supporting video content live on visitphilly.com/podcast and on Visit Philly’s social channels. The podcast is scored by local producer and DJ Dan “Dilemma” Thomas.
