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Ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the wild side of real estate? In this bonus content, we’re back with Chicago real estate guru Alex Wolking, who peels back the curtain on some of his craziest showings—from stumbling upon unsuspecting tenants in their birthday suits to discovering spooky surprises in the attic. If you ever wondered what really goes on when a house hits the market, buckle up for these hilarious, haunted, and downright awkward tales!

In Alex’s main episode, we explored his journey from a driven Midwestern kid who knew he wanted to sell homes by age 12, to becoming a top-producing broker in one of the nation’s most competitive markets. We dug into how he built a brand by combining genuine warmth, data-driven insights, and out-of-the-box marketing strategies. Alex also revealed how he stays inspired—citing interior design, modern architecture, and that Midwestern charm as key facets of his success. Now, in this bonus session, it’s time for a lighter (and spicier) side of real estate!

• Naked Showings: The unexpected (and often hilarious) moments Alex encounters when tenants don’t get the memo.
• Ghostly Encounters: From eerie attics to strange temperature drops, Alex shares the one property that made him a total believer in haunted houses.
• Scandalous Situations: That time Alex’s clients nearly caught a secret affair in progress!
• Real Estate Shenanigans: Find out how listing agents, suburban showings, and “mysterious disclaimers” keep Alex on his toes.

• Hilarious Real Estate Confessions: A comedic glimpse into what doesn’t make the polished listings.
• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Learn how even top brokers face chaotic surprises—and handle them with grace.
• Carryover from Main Episode: Build on the deeper story of Alex’s ascent into real estate stardom with these entertaining extras.

• Have you had a haunted or hilariously awkward house experience? Let us know in the comments or on socials.
• Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this bonus episode with anyone who could use a laugh (or a ghost story)!

A second-generation real estate broker with over two decades of experience, Alex has become a powerhouse in Chicago’s dynamic real estate market. Known for his exceptional expertise in historic properties, luxury condos, and co-ops, Alex doesn’t just sell homes—he sells stories. His boutique team consistently ranks among the top producers on Chicago’s north side, and today, he reveals the secrets behind his unique approach.

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Whether you’re a longtime fan of Ambitious Kitchen or new to Monique Volz’s incredible story, this bonus episode is packed with relatable moments, laughter, and insights you won’t want to miss. 🎧

👉 Don’t forget to check out the main episode for even more inspiration and wisdom! AND share this with a friend who loves food, laughs, and personal growth!

In this exclusive bonus episode of House of Style, we continue our conversation with Monique Volz, the creative force behind Ambitious Kitchen, as we get into a lighthearted and revealing discussion filled with laughter, personal stories, and candid confessions. As a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author and renowned food blogger, Monique opens up about her favorite recipes, kitchen quirks, and unexpected mishaps, offering fans a more intimate glimpse into her life beyond the blog.

If you loved the main episode — titled From 9-5 to NYT Bestseller: Ambitious Kitchen’s Recipe for Success — where Monique shared her incredible journey from corporate life to building a thriving brand that inspires millions, you’re in for a treat.

This bonus content explores the lighter, more personal side of Monique’s world, taking listeners on a delightful journey through her culinary escapades. Grant Alexander engages her in a very real, very fun conversation where humor and genuine anecdotes are flowing.

Monique reveals her all-time favorite recipes, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and creativity. With a penchant for baking, she highlights her Gluten-free, grain-free Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, a hidden gem on her website that she feels is underrated and that Grant pokes fun saying she'll use this chance to make it less so.

Their banter encapsulates friends talking about the real things, and for Monique, the essence of a passionate chef, as she reflects on the importance of family-friendly recipes and the memories associated with her mother’s Puerto Rican rice and beans, which serve as a comforting reminder of her childhood.

Grant asks about Monique’s kitchen quirks and mishaps, where we learn of a funny and memorable experience with lentil cookies that should've left her first intern questioning her culinary judgment. Grant and Monique share more laughs over the relatable chaos of cooking and the challenges of maintaining success with SEO and the rise of AI-generated recipes, where Monique candidly expresses her concerns about SEO and traffic, revealing the entrepreneurial side of her journey that often goes unnoticed.

Here's a glimpse of Monique's personal world that is engaging, lighthearted, and fun.

🌟 Kitchen Chaos: Monique reveals her most hilarious recipe fail — yes, it involves cooked lentil cookies!

🌟 Childhood Nostalgia: Discover why Puerto Rican rice and beans hold a special place in Monique’s heart.

🌟 Surprising Fears: Learn about Monique’s concerns as a food entrepreneur in the ever-changing world of SEO and AI.

🌟 Quirky Habits: Did you know Monique always leaves her kitchen cabinets open when cooking?

🌟 Proud Moments: Hear about the milestones, from her first 50,000 page views to making the New York Times Bestseller list.

In the full episode, Monique takes us through her journey from working a 9-5 corporate job at General Mills to becoming a top food blogger and a published author. She discusses the challenges she faced, including personal

Prepare for a refreshingly fun conversation as Monique Volz — the New York Times Bestselling Cookbook Author and trailblazer behind Ambitious Kitchen — reveals how she transformed her life from a typical 9-5 job at General Mills, replaced her income by becoming a content creator before that was a thing, and created a flourishing brand rooted in ambition, mindful eating and culinary creativity.

In this episode, Monique shares stories about her eating disorder recovery, the power of healing through food, and the community that turned her healthy recipes into an online sensation. Whether you’re curious about balanced lifestyles, eager to embrace a style beyond fashion and food, or seeking genuine inspiration for personal growth, Monique’s journey offers a blueprint for using ambition to make your dreams a reality.

Eating Disorder Recovery

Monique opens up about the emotional roller coaster of facing her relationship with food and how confronting personal challenges led her to rediscover the simple joys of cooking and living well to overcome her eating disorder.

Empowering Self-Care

Learn how confronting internal obstacles can result in newfound motivation, creativity, and a sense of freedom — in the kitchen, your personal brand, and life.

From 9-5 to Food Blogger

Hear how a day job at General Mills didn’t stop Monique from experimenting with homemade recipes, exploring healing through food, and ultimately cultivating the Ambitious Kitchen brand.

She was able to leave her 9-5 and replace her income through becoming a content creator... before it was the thing to do!

Community at the Core

Discover how Monique credits her supportive online following and her passion for mindful eating for propelling her to NYT Bestseller status — proving that your audience can become your greatest advocate.

Being a Mom of Three & Business Owner

Monique discusses her strategies for juggling parenting, personal health, and an ever-evolving entrepreneurial path — reminding us that success requires recognizing and doing the hard work, and allowing others to help.

Mindful Entrepreneurship

Explore the elements that keep Monique’s creative spark alive: reflection, focusing on the “why,” and having the courage to experiment when opportunities or new platforms arise.

Tangible Inspiration

Looking to pivot careers or reignite your passion project? Monique’s firsthand experiences offer practical, uplifting guidance for anyone chasing big dreams.

Inclusive Approach

Whether your personal style is about fueling a bustling household or turning a hobby into a global platform, this episode is loaded with universal lessons in culinary creativity and beyond.

Feel-Good Insights

From cultivating healthy recipes to forming a loyal community, get inspired to elevate your habits, perspective, and sense of personal fulfillment.

Dive into this engaging interview and discover how the Ambitious Kitchen mentality [and NYT Bestselling Cookbook] can shift your mindset, nourish your goals, and help you embrace a richer, more...

Welcome to this special episode of the House of Style where we explore the world of culinary innovation and the essence of style beyond fashion in everything we do. Today’s guest? The one and only chef Joe Sasto — a culinary innovator whose passion for pasta and distinctive style — and mustache — have made him a standout in the gastronomic world, and not just because he’s appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef or Food Network competitions like Chopped and Tournament of Champions.

In this episode, we venture into Joe’s backstory — from his first sparks of creativity in the kitchen with Hamburger Helper to the experiences that shaped him into a household name. We also explore how his unwavering dedication, passion, and talent in cooking, plus his refusal to follow the herd, helped him emerge as a true innovator.

• Behind the scenes of Top Chef and Food Network: Discover how Joe honed his craft under pressure and why embracing challenges led to transformative growth.
• Innovative Success Mindset: Get an understanding for the methods, mindsets, and meticulous prep that help Joe stay at the forefront of culinary trends, where his success through style continues to inspire a new playbook for success in the culinary industry.
• Success through Style: Hear why Joe believes that cultivating a personal style and personal brand — both as a chef and entrepreneur — is key to standing out. Understand how your personal narrative can become your strongest asset in a crowded field.

Heard of Tantos Puffed Pasta Chips? Joe’s latest venture reimagines pasta as a crispy, snackable treat. This section of the podcast uncovers the story behind Tantos!, offering a blueprint for turning big ideas into reality:

• How a simple “what if?” moment led to a must-try snack.
• The secret sauce to scaling production without losing the magic of handmade quality.
• Joe’s insight on balancing creativity with business demands in a rapidly changing market.

• Chef Joe Sasto's cooking class tips: Get a peek into his teaching philosophy—why he urges cooks to break rules only after mastering them.
• Recipe Inspiration: Why simple ingredients can yield extraordinary dishes, and how to experiment fearlessly.
• Creativity in the kitchen: Discover how self-expression and problem-solving collide to birth revolutionary dishes.

Follow Joe + try Tantos! Puff Pasta Chips and taste the future of pasta-inspired snacking!

Try Tantos!

Joe's Website

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In our own Wicked Part 2, the wicked style of marketing and business strategy is as captivating as the Wicked film itself, redefining what success looks like in the entertainment industry. Grant Alexander takes us on a journey through the innovative strategies employed by Wicked’s marketing team, showcasing how authenticity and strategic engagement turned casting announcements into heartfelt moments. By embracing a lived-in color palette of pink and green and creating immersive brand experiences, they fostered a sense of community and excitement that transcended the screen. This episode dives into the seamless blend of business practices and artistic expression, proving that style is not just about fashion, but about the choices that resonate with audiences. With witty insights and clever puns, this analysis highlights how Wicked is not merely selling tickets; it’s crafting a cultural movement that captivates fans worldwide.

Exploring the intricate web of marketing and branding, this episode explains the success of Wicked's film adaptation and how it transcends traditional promotional strategies. Grant presents a compelling argument that the stylistic choices made in the film's marketing are as crucial as its artistic elements.

Grant emphasizes the importance of authenticity, showcasing how lead actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lived their roles both on and off-screen, creating a genuine connection with their audience. The strategic use of social media to announce casting was more than just a PR move; it represented a paradigm shift in how fans engage with their favorite stars, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community.

Moreover, the episode highlights Wicked's marketing team’s innovative approaches, from taking the REAL train from Oz through Paris for the Olympics and vibrant red carpet appearances that reflect character traits to collaborations with over 400 brands, effectively turning everyday products into extensions of the Wicked experience.

This thoughtful branding strategy has not only captured the attention of diverse audiences but also created a cultural movement, uniting fans under the iconic pink and green banners.

As the episode progresses, listeners learn about the staggering $150 million marketing budget, revealing how strategic spending can redefine success in a fragmented media landscape. Ultimately, the episode asserts that Wicked's marketing campaign is a case study in authenticity and strategic engagement, proving that style in business is about resonating with audiences on a deeper level.

This episode complements ourWicked Part 1 discussion on the defying gravity visuals, so if you missed that, watch or listen after this!

1. Strategic Pre-Launch Buzz: We uncover how wicked behind the scenes insights—from Ariana Grande’s heartfelt Instagram announcements and Cynthia Erivo's casting news—built hype for the film’s arrival on a deeper personal level.
2. Cross-Community Collaborations: Explore the Wicked collaborations that turned Wicked news into a cultural phenomenon. Partnerships with over 400 brands made everything Wicked including co-branded merch, food and beverages, and experiences a key aspect of the movie’s marketing.
3. Authentic Engagement: We break down how genuine connections between the Wicked cast, press tour events, and social...

In this first part of our Wicked: Part 1 analysis, we’re leaving the Mocha Mousse color talk for another day, putting on our pink and green, well, everything, and focusing on the artistic style that made Wicked a record-breaking phenomenon. We’re diving into all of Oz and beyond — from wicked behind the scenes stories to the mesmerizing sets, live singing, and cinematography that set this musical-turned-movie apart. Whether you’re a longtime theater fan enthralled by the potential and excitement in The Wizard and I, or someone brand new who discovered the show through a Wicked trailer reaction on TikTok or saw Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang on SNL, this episode has something for you.

*Please leave us a review and let us know what you think of our show (and Wicked)!*

We’ll touch on iconic musical moments and what went into the making of “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” where Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed stunts while singing to perfection, to how Jonathan Bailey’s big moment in “Dancing Through Life” was yet another example of set perfection, and even "One Short Day," revealing how each scene was painstakingly crafted to feel both cinematic and theatrical… especially with bringing back the Wicked legends and OG’s Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel! Fans weary of the Broadway adaptation will appreciate understanding how the Wicked movie soundtrack was developed with a blend of tradition and innovation, and how Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s approach to singing live connects back to the original staging.

Get the full Wicked recap as we discuss the infamous Wicked interviews and press tour, the Wicked cast, and how Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s dedication to the project influenced the final outcome. For those who enjoy a Wicked reaction or reading a Wicked: Part 1 movie review, we’ll explain how choices in makeup, set design, and costumes created the perfect style environment for a story that resonates globally — even beyond the endless Wicked collabs and merchandising, and into the heart of fans. Don’t you wish you had Wicked stocks?! Discover why the attention to detail, from painting floors to forging a real train, creates an intimacy and style often missing in big blockbuster adaptations.

From a Wicked movie review angle, we’re not just praising the film; we’re breaking down its style and how it did what others often fail to do—keep the theater’s soul alive on screen and create a community for all fans to love. The Wicked audience reaction has proven that authenticity and respect for the source material matter.

We’ll also preview our Wicked Part 2 video, discussing Wicked’s style from a business, Marketing, and PR perspective. If you’re curious about how this adaptation matches up against fan-favorite moments and other Wicked reactions, this episode will give you new reasons to fall in love with the film’s artistry. While we wait a year for the next movie to come out, we’ll hold our breath to maybe be holding space with the cast in person during the next Wicked: Part 2 press tour.

So settle in, and let’s celebrate Wicked, explained — the choices and artistic style that turned a beloved stage musical into a cinematic experience worth remembering. Before we get caught up in trends like Mocha Mousse, let's not forget Wicked pink and green will be around at least another year, so let’s savor the timeless elegance that only careful, imaginative artistic style can achieve.

If you're inspired by Wicked's incredible style, don't forget to...

In this episode of House of Style, we’re diving deep into the world of Mocha Mousse to explore:

✨ The inspiration behind Pantone’s choice — How a culture craving harmony, comfort, and natural connection influenced this year’s pick.

✨ What Mocha Mousse says about the current style landscape — From fashion to interiors to lifestyle, we uncover how this color resonates beyond clothing.

✨ The emotional connection to color — Why this shade is designed to evoke feelings of peace, warmth, and luxury.

✨ Real-world applications of Mocha Mousse — How you can incorporate this versatile shade into your life, from home decor to personal branding.

✨ What this choice tells us about 2025 — A discussion on the cultural and social trends Mocha Mousse represents.

This isn’t just a color; it’s a statement about where we’re headed. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a style aficionado, or someone curious about the cultural zeitgeist, this episode will inspire you to see color—and style—in a whole new light.

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and leave a comment with your thoughts on Mocha Mousse and how you plan to use it in your life. Share this episode with your style-savvy friends and join the conversation on how this elegant shade is reshaping 2025.

We also want to thank Carrie McCormick, a top luxury broker in Chicago with @properties Christies International for letting us use her beautiful listing. Here is the listing information, and here's where you can contact Carrie.

Let’s unlock the style secrets of Mocha Mousse together with Grant Alexander on House of Style!

If you're inspired by Pantone's 2025 Color of the Year Mocha Mousse, we encourage you to do one small thing to incorporate it into your life today. Don't forget to subscribe to House of Style, leave a rating and REVIEW (seriously, please leave a review, they are so helpful!), and share this episode with friends or anyone interested in design, color, peace, and harmony.

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• Watch on YouTube

Are you loving Mocha Mousse? Unsure about it? Let us know in the comments or reach out on social media!

Tune in now to hear how Public Rec CEO, Zach Goldstein, turned a simple idea into a multi-million dollar brand by blending comfort, style, and a persistent drive for success.

In this episode of House of Style, host Grant Alexander sits down with Zach Goldstein, the CEO and founder of Public Rec, a brand that's redefining comfort and style in men's apparel. Discover how Zach transitioned from a successful six-year career in finance to launching a fashion brand that's making waves in the industry.

From his Kickstarter success to building a loyal customer base, Zach reveals the innovative strategies, challenges, and lessons that shaped Public Rec. This episode is packed with insights on business, personal style, and the power of staying true to your vision.

• From Finance to Fashion: Zach shares his journey from working at J.P. Morgan and an investment firm in Chicago to starting Public Rec, highlighting the skills he transferred from finance to entrepreneurship.
• Identifying a Market Gap: Learn how Zach noticed the lack of well-fitting, comfortable men's apparel that could be worn both at home and in public, leading to the creation of Public Rec's first product—the Daymaker Pant.
• Kickstarter Success Story: Dive into the details of Public Rec's initial Kickstarter campaign, which surpassed its $15,000 goal by raising $180,000 and pre-selling 2,000 pairs of pants.
• Overcoming Early Challenges: Zach discusses the hurdles of manufacturing, fulfillment, and scaling the business without prior experience in apparel.
• Business and Leadership Style: Explore Zach's approach to leadership, focusing on transparency, authenticity, and persistence in effort and problem-solving.
• Balancing Personal and Professional Life: Now, with a baby on the way (Update... Zach and his wife had a beautiful baby boy!), Zach reflects on how he plans to balance being a new father while continuing to grow his business.
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Zach emphasizes the importance of persistence, focus, and authenticity, offering valuable insights for those looking to start their own ventures.
• Future of Public Rec: Get a sneak peek into what's next for Public Rec, including expanding product lines, increasing brand awareness, and potential retail growth.

• [00:00:00] Zach discusses the importance of persistence in business and how not accepting "no" has been crucial to his success.
• [00:02:15] Transitioning from finance to fashion: Zach explains why he left his finance career to start Public Rec.
• [00:07:34] The creation of the Daymaker Pant and the unique sizing approach that set Public Rec apart.
• [00:11:47] Launching a successful Kickstarter campaign and surpassing funding goals.
• [00:16:10] Early manufacturing and fulfillment challenges and how Zach overcame them.
• [00:20:35] Balancing work and upcoming fatherhood: Zach shares his thoughts on work-life balance.
• [00:24:55] Advice for entrepreneurs: Breaking down big goals into manageable tasks.
• [00:30:13] Funding the business without significant outside investment and retaining control.
• [00:33:50] Future plans for Public Rec, including expanding retail partnerships and product lines.
• [00:40:02] Defining personal style in business: Zach uses three words—persistent, focused, authentic.