VISIT PHILADELPHIA Launches 'Love + Grit' Podcast

Today, VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® launched Love + Grit, a Philadelphia podcast featuring the authentic and diverse stories of the city and its residents to inspire all people — travelers and locals alike — to visit (or re-visit) the region.

Released twice a month, the show gives listeners an insider’s look — often humorous — at Philadelphia’s under-the-radar and unexpected gems: the must-know people, the must-taste foods and the must-have experiences. The podcast features fun interview segments about the features that make Philadelphia a destination like no other.

Listeners can subscribe to Love + Grit for free on Apple, Spotify and wherever podcasts are available.

“Through visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, we have long given our region a voice through the written word. Today, we’re giving our region an audible voice. Love + Grit will spark new perspectives, opinions, curiosity and laughs about Philadelphia through the interviews and stories our hosts tell — stories you won’t hear anywhere else,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “More than 51% of Americans have listened to a podcast, and our foray into audio and voice in tourism marketing will help us show them Greater Philadelphia’s rich culture and diversity and, ultimately, drive visitation to our region.”

The Hosts:

Philadelphia enthusiasts — Laiya St. Clair, national radio personality and co-host/producer of Questlove Supreme, and VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s Rachel Ferguson and Justin Pizzi — host Love + Grit. It’s scored by local producer and DJ Dan “Dilemma” Thomas.

“As hosts of the podcast, we offer an unapologetically bold perspective on our region, taking listeners on an adventure that includes humor, wit, passion and knowledge,” said Rachel Ferguson, chief innovation & global diversity officer, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “We come from different walks of life, and we each have something special to offer — as do our guests, who share our emotional connection to Philadelphia’s magic.”

Featured Guests:

Anchoring Love + Grit’s first episode are interviews with Rashia Bell, co-founder of The Cristalline, an interior design and crystal-healing firm; Vashti DuBois, executive director and founder of The Colored Girls Museum; and Patrice Banks, the founder of Girls Auto Clinic (GAC). Future episodes will feature Ursula Augustine, owner of Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Studio; Shawn Gee, president of Live Nation Urban; DJ Aktive, currently touring with Janet Jackson; and Elizabeth Henry, spa supervisor at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center.

Full audio and supporting video content live on visitphilly.com/podcast and on Visit Philly’s social channels.