Jew From The Lou

Curling isn’t just a sport… it’s precision, power, and strategy at the highest level.In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Dayna Demmans, a competitive curler, entrepreneur, and mom of three, and we get into what it really looks like to build a life on and off the ice.Dayna went from growing up in the rink to competing at a high level in Canada… but that’s just the surface. What we really get into is what it takes to balance ambition, motherhood, business, and relationships without losing yourself in the process.How to prioritize. How to pivot. How to keep going even when life gets overwhelming.We talk about competition, discipline, and the mental side of being an athlete… but also the reality of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices behind the scenes, and what it means to truly “do it all.”Her life is built around movement, growth, and community… but what stood out most?She doesn’t put limits on what’s possible.We also get into her love story, how a random trip to St. Louis turned into something real, and how intentional communication built a relationship across countries.This one feels like a mix of motivation and real life… the kind that reminds you that you can create a life bigger than you imagined.Dayna Demmans is a competitive curler, gym owner, coach, and mom who is proof that you can chase big goals and build a full life at the same time.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Dayna:Instagram: @dayna.demmansConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #AthleteLife #Curling #WomenInBusiness #MomLife #Balance #Discipline #Mindset #GrowthJourney #DoItAll

Social media looks effortless… until you’re the one doing it.In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Sydney Walker, my first Instagram bestie, and we start pulling back the curtain on what it actually takes to show up online… and stay sane while doing it.Sydney went from college soccer to yoga (YTT since 2020) to teaching Pilates… but that’s just the surface. What we really get into is what movement teaches you when life gets hard.How to stay. How to breathe. How to not run.We talk about adversity, resilience, boundaries, and perspective… and the kind of growth that doesn’t always look pretty, but changes everything.Her work is built around four pillars: perform, restore, support, and community… but what stood out most?She’s intentional about all of it.We also get into the pressure of showing up online, the self-doubt no one talks about, and how something that looks so curated can actually force you to grow in very real ways.This one feels like girl talk… but the kind that lingers.Sydney Walker is a yoga teacher, Pilates instructor, and mental health advocate helping people build resilience and show up fully.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Sydney:Instagram: @unfilteredgrowthwithsydConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #EmotionalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Wellness #Yoga #Pilates #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthJourney #IntentionalLiving

Music has a way of bringing people together, but the stories behind the songs are often where the real meaning lives. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Mateo Gonzalez, founder of the band Eli’s Not Dead, to talk about the story behind the music and the experiences that shaped it.Mateo shares how music became an outlet for processing life, relationships, and loss, and how those experiences helped shape the identity of the band. We talk about the emotional depth behind songwriting, the instruments and influences that shaped his musical journey, and the creative process of turning personal moments into something people can feel and connect with.Our conversation also explores the bigger role music plays in culture and community. Music has the ability to bridge differences, create shared emotional experiences, and bring people together in ways few other things can. Mateo opens up about his vision for the future of the band, the courage it takes to pursue creative dreams, and how aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions can lead to a more authentic life.We also discuss navigating fear, building confidence as an artist, and how personal loss can become a source of inspiration that fuels purpose and legacy.Mateo Gonzalez is the founder of the band Eli’s Not Dead, a project rooted in emotional storytelling, creative exploration, and the belief that music can connect people across backgrounds and experiences.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Mateo and Eli's Not Dead :Instagram: @mateo__potatoConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #Music #Musicians #Songwriting #CreativeJourney #MusicCommunity #EmotionalGrowth #Storytelling #StLouisMusic #IndieMusic #CreativeProcess

There is nothing quite like music to connect people and create community. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Josh Boekesch, founder of The Scene, to celebrate the platform’s one year anniversary and talk about how he is helping bring the St. Louis music community together.While working at a local radio station, Josh was constantly surrounded by music and the incredible talent throughout the STL scene. But he noticed something missing. There was no single place coordinating and supporting local artists, shows, and new releases. Musicians were creating amazing work, venues were hosting shows, and fans wanted to stay in the know, but there wasn’t a central hub connecting it all.So Josh built one.The Scene has quickly become the go to place for everything happening in the St. Louis music world. From sharing local shows to promoting new songs and album releases, Josh is constantly spotlighting the artists who make the STL music scene so vibrant.In many ways, The Scene has become a musical ambassador for the St. Louis community, helping fans discover new artists while giving musicians a platform to share their work.Josh is also the host of The Scene Talks, where he interviews local artists and bands to hear the behind the scenes stories of their music, their creative process, and what it really takes to build a career as a musician.This conversation is truly a music lover’s dream and one of the best nerd out sessions about music you could ask for. If you want to learn more about the St. Louis music scene, support local artists, and hear the story behind a platform built to uplift a creative community, this episode is for you.Connect with The Scene:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thescene314Connect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #STLMusic #TheSceneSTL #SupportLocalMusic #Podcast #StLouisMusic

What happens when two Hendersons who are obsessed with coffee sit down together?You get zero gatekeeping and a full coffee nerd out session.In his early 20s, Sam Henderson sold everything he owned and went backpacking through Southeast Asia and Uganda. He took random jobs, searched for direction, and started noticing something interesting. Coffee shops were opening everywhere, and none of them were shutting down.That curiosity about supply and demand turned into a deep love for coffee culture.He came back to Scottsdale, Arizona, started in the kitchen of a local roaster, worked his way up to assistant, and eventually became head roaster. Completely self taught. Fully obsessed.Today, he is essentially a private barista, running his own coffee cart and roastery, Hendy’s Coffee, bringing specialty coffee directly to events, clients, and communities.In this episode, we:Break down coffee without the pretension Bust myths that intimidate beginners Answer hard hitting questions for the coffee curious Go deep for the real enthusiasts Talk roasting, sourcing, flavor profiles, and building a business around the beanNo ego. No secrets. Just two people who genuinely love coffee.If you think you love coffee, this one will either validate you… or challenge you.Press play and come nerd out with us.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Sam & Hendy's Coffee:Website: Home | Hendy’s CoffeeInstagram: @hendyscoffeeConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #CoffeeCulture #SpecialtyCoffee #CoffeeEntrepreneur #SupportLocalCoffee

STL Coffee Fest is for the coffee enthusiasts and the coffee curious. But who is the mastermind behind it?In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Bonnie Mann, the founder and producer of STL Coffee Fest, to uncover the woman behind the sold-out sensation. What started as a bold idea has now grown into a two-day celebration of specialty coffee, local roasters, hands-on workshops, artisan vendors, and a buzzing community of caffeine lovers across St. Louis.With 28 years of experience in corporate marketing, philanthropic events, and large-scale trade shows, Bonnie knew how to build an experience. What she did not have was a blueprint for a coffee festival in this city. So she created one. She even took a job at a coffee shop to learn the craft from the ground up, studying roasting processes, brewing methods, and the culture that makes coffee shops feel like home.We talk about what it takes to launch something that has never been done before, the pressure of being first, and the discipline required to turn vision into execution. Most importantly, we dive into her message that it is never too late. You are not behind. You are not too old. You are not too inexperienced. You just have to be willing to start.If you are coffee curious, founder curious, or sitting on an idea that keeps tugging at you, this conversation will make you rethink what is possible.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with STL Coffee Fest: Website: https://www.stlcoffeefest.com Instagram: @stlcoffeefestConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #STLCoffeeFest #CoffeeCurious #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #StLouis #FounderStory

Most people think of pain as something to push through or fix once it becomes unbearable. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Dr. Carolyn Meister, doctor of physical therapy and founder of Expansion Therapy, to talk about what pain is really communicating and why healing cannot live in the body alone.After a personal spiritual awakening, Dr. Meister began questioning the limits of traditional physical therapy. She saw firsthand how women could do all the “right” things physically and still feel stuck, disconnected, or in pain. That curiosity led her to explore how trauma, limiting beliefs, life paths, and nervous system patterns become stored in the body and quietly shape how we move, feel, and live.We talk about fascia as the body’s living web, how it holds memory and protection, and why so many women live in their heads instead of fully embodied. Dr. Meister explains how breath becomes the bridge between the physical and emotional body, allowing long held tension and survival patterns to release safely.She shares how Expansion Therapy blends evidence based physical therapy with breathwork, hands on fascial techniques, energetics, and intentional movement to help women restore flow, regulate their nervous systems, and function at their highest capacity, both holistically and physically.This conversation is about understanding what the body holds, why pain persists, and how true healing begins when women stop overriding their bodies and start listening to them.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Dr. Carolyn MeisterInstagram: @[email protected]:Home | Expansion TherapyConnect with Jew From The Lou📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #ExpansionTherapy #WomenHealing #TheBodyRemembers #NervousSystemHealing #Fascia #Breathwork #HolisticPhysicalTherapy #EmbodiedHealing #WomenWellnessPodcast

Most people only think about their health when something breaks. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Dr. Priyanka Scuorzo, ER physician, new mom, and founder of MOOV St. Louis, to talk about what she sees every day in the ER and why she believes medicine has to start long before the hospital.For Dr. Scuorzo, most people’s worst day is just another shift. That reality grounds her and shapes how she practices care. We talk about why the ER drew her in, the camaraderie, the stories, and treating everyone equally without insurance deciding who deserves help.We get into what made her question the system, watching patients return again and again with preventable complications, and the moment she asked herself, what if someone had stepped in sooner?She shares how that question led her to build a practice focused on quality of life, not just survival. We touch on GLPs, including microdosing, IV therapy, peptides, hormone replacement therapy, advanced body composition testing, VO₂ max assessments, and what it actually means to outpace aging.We end by breaking down the myths around GLPs, the science behind them, and why they are not a magic fix but a tool to support real lifestyle change.This episode is about catching the problem before it becomes the crisis.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Dr. Priyanka Scuorzo:Instagram:@moov.stlouis@drpriyanka_stlConnect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou#OutpaceAging#PreventativeMedicine#WomenInMedicine#ERDoctor#FunctionalMedicine#Longevity#GLP#HormoneHealth#WellnessPodcast#HealthBeforeCrisis#QualityOfLife

Motherhood changes everything. Your body. Your priorities. Your definition of strength.In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Gillian Hughes, certified personal trainer, nutritionist, former nurse, and founder of Momshell Method Fitness, for a real conversation about women’s health, motherhood, and building a life that actually works in the season you’re in.Gillian shares how her years in nursing shaped her passion for generational health and why moms are the starting point. When you educate a woman, you change a family. And when you understand how busy motherhood really is, wellness has to be realistic, not perfect.We talk about the quiet frustration so many moms feel. Doing everything right. Following the plan. Consuming all the information. And still not seeing results. Gillian breaks down why that happens and why progress for moms cannot be measured the same way it once was.If it weren’t for motherhood, Gillian may have never left nursing to start her own coaching business. Becoming a mom clarified everything and pushed her to choose presence, purpose, and impact over burnout.She also co hosts the podcast Bikinis After Babies, continuing the conversation for women who refuse to disappear into motherhood and are ready to feel strong again on their own terms.This episode is for the mompreneurs. The Momshells. The moms who are killing it, even when no one is clapping.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Gillian:Instagram: @gillianhughes_momshell@bikinisafterbabiespodcast@momshell_method_fitnessConnect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou#Mompreneurs#MomshellMethod#MotherhoodUnfiltered#WomensHealth#BusyMoms#StrongMoms#MomsWhoDoItAll#WomenSupportingWomen#PodcastForMoms

Everyone claps for the strong ones. No one asks how much it costs them.In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Miss Cearra J., entrepreneur, esthetician, and community pillar, to talk about strength, grief, faith, and what happens when the woman everyone leans on is silently carrying the heaviest weight.Cearra is the owner of Naturo Health Solutions and Ageless Spa, a licensed esthetician for over 13 years, a published model who has walked Miami Swim Week 2025, Vegas Swim Week 2025, Hawaii Swim Show 2025, and New York Fashion Week 2025, and has been featured in Forbes. On paper, she is unstoppable.But this conversation is not about the highlights.Cearra opens up about losing her father in October 2022 to suicide and what it means to keep showing up while grieving privately. We talk about the strong women who never ask for help, the danger of assuming someone is okay because they are capable, and why checking in can be life-saving.This episode is about fathers watching over us from heaven. About strength and softness existing at the same time. And about becoming the kind of friend who notices.Awareness Note:This episode includes discussion around suicide and loss. If you or someone you love is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. Help is available 24 hours a day.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Cearra:📱Instagram: @misscearaj📱 Instagram: @_agelessspaConnect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #MentalHealthAwareness #GriefAndHealing #SuicidePrevention #StrongWomen #FaithAndHealing #CommunityCare

Grief looks different for everyone, but losing a father has a way of reshaping your entire world.In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with my Aunt Shira Nudell for a deeply personal conversation we call The Dead Dad Club. Two daddy’s girls who could do no wrong in their fathers’ eyes, bonded by love, loss, and legacy.I had six years to prepare for my dad’s death after his original dementia diagnosis. Shira lost her father, my grandfather, in just six weeks after his diagnosis of amyloidosis. She has been in this club for 11 years, and I have been in it for just over two months. Different timelines, the same heartbreak.We share memories of our fathers, what it meant to be loved so fiercely by them, and how grief evolves over time. We talk about the shock versus the slow goodbye, the moments that still catch you off guard, and how carrying a father’s legacy can feel both heavy and sacred. This conversation is honest, tender, and unfiltered as we walk through what grief looks like in real life, not neatly packaged or rushed.We explore how time does not erase loss but teaches you how to live alongside it. We reflect on how love continues even after death, how memory becomes a form of connection, and how grief can open you up to deeper compassion and understanding for others walking similar paths.This episode is for anyone who has lost a parent, anyone who misses their dad, and anyone who needs to feel less alone in their grief.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou#DeadDadClub#GriefJourney#LosingAParent#HealingThroughStory#FamilyLegacy

Everyone talks about healing, but not enough people talk about how deeply faith, belief, and presence shape the healing process. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down to explore the powerful intersection of faith, healing, and following your calling.We open up about my grief journey and how losing my dad fundamentally changed me. I share how grief reshaped the way I move through the world, the way I relate to my body, and the way I now understand healing beyond just the physical.Our guest shares his unique experience as the only religious Orthodox man in his chiropractic school and why mental health is essential in the chiropractic world, not just for patients, but for doctors themselves. We talk about bedside manner, belief, and the idea that the body keeps the score. When a practitioner truly believes in their patient, it builds trust, safety, and a higher chance of recovery through the mind body connection.We also dive into the moment that helped me discover what truly sets my soul on fire. From grief came clarity. From uncertainty came purpose. Coffee, Le Café, and podcasting became the outlets where my voice, creativity, and passion aligned.Along the way, we touch on intentional language, professionalism, and values. He shares his sensitivity to swearing and why speech matters in healing spaces. We discuss how professionals need to be mindful of their words and how standing firm in your values ultimately earns respect.Our conversation also explores the entrepreneurial faith journey. Both of us carried that spirit from a young age, trusting intuition, taking risks, and choosing paths that required faith long before the results were visible. We reflect on what it means to follow your calling while staying grounded in belief, purpose, and service.This is a conversation about faith, healing, grief, entrepreneurship, and integrity, and a reminder that when mind, body, and spirit are aligned, true healing and fulfillment can begin.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #FaithAndHealing #MindBodyConnection #Spirituality #EntrepreneurFaith #GriefAndGrowth #ChiropracticCare #MentalHealth #FollowingYourCalling #PurposeDriven #StLouis #LeCafe

Everyone talks about fitness as discipline, but not enough people talk about movement as respect, especially after becoming a mother. In this episode of Jew From The Lou, I sit down with Erin, founder of La Forme Fitness, to talk about what it looks like when Pilates meets play and movement actually supports the whole woman.Erin shares how she first fell in love with mega style reformer workouts years ago while living in Los Angeles, and how returning to Pilates later in life as a parent and a Fortune 500 operations leader changed everything. The reformer became her sanctuary. Forty five minutes with no emails, no notifications, and no outside noise. Just presence, breath, and strength. Through this practice, she found mental clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to her body.We talk openly about rejecting snap back culture and choosing instead to discover the healthiest version of your body in motherhood. Erin explains how Pilates taught her to respect her body for what it has carried and created, not punish it. We also explore the healing power of walking, slowing down, and how simple movement can restore clarity, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect you to yourself.The conversation expands into entrepreneurship, community building, and how different AI platforms have completely leveled the playing field for founders. Erin shares how technology has helped her build smarter systems, stronger experiences, and more sustainable growth while staying aligned with her values.This episode is about inviting more play with intentionality, in fitness, in business, and in life. It is for women who are building bodies, communities, and dreams that actually support them.This is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with La Forme:Website: www.laformefitness.comInstagram: @laforme_fitnessThis is the Jew From The Lou Podcast, where real stories meet real inspiration.Connect with Jew From The Lou:📱 Instagram: @jewfromthelou 📱 TikTok: @jewfromthelou 📱 YouTube: @jewfromthelou#JewFromTheLou #Podcast #Pilates #Motherhood #WomenFounders #FitnessReformed #PilatesMeetsPlay #WomenInBusiness #CommunityBuilding #AIForEntrepreneurs #HealingMovement #StLouis #LeCafe