Pgh Dreamer's Pod

Jamie Grassman is the owner of Beyond Bedtime Books, a quaint used bookstore nestled in the heart of Dormont. Thriving in her 17 years of business, the store offers warm, cozy vibes while browsing thousands of books. They sell books from every genre within antique shelving and bookends. They are open 7 days a week.

Facebook: beyondbedtimebooks

IG: @beyondbedtimebooks

Star Voorhies is the creator and owner of Lovella Wellness LLC, which includes a permanent jewelry line of service called LYNKDBYLOVELLA. Star is a serial entrepreneur, with services in both Pittsburgh and Nashville. She is also on the board of a Pittsburgh women's wellness drum circle.

Christalee Lema is the owner of 2 companies: Wild Child Fabrications Hair & Makeup Artistry, providing services for TV, film, bridal, and events; and Eeeek! Creative Company, a creative branding company specializing in events promoting the creative small businesses in our city and promoting community engagement.

Lynn DeFabo is the co-owner of fdp studio+shop, a Pittsburgh-based studio and shop full of artisan home goods. Lynn and her husband Francis created the business based on a newfound love of handmade pottery and stocking the retail store with goods created by some of their favorite local makers.

Brittany Lizon (Pordash) is the owner of Beauty and Beast Studios, located in Cranberry, PA, north of the city of Pittsburgh. She specializes in all things color, blonding, and lived in extensions. Beauty & Beast is 3 years old, and Brittany loves bringing creativity and beauty into the community.

Joanna Abel is a nationally touring fusion belly dancer, choreography, and producer who conjures fantasy and magic through movement. She's the creator of Enchanted Creature Ball, fairytale dance concert Dragonfly Dawn, and Pittsburgh Belly Dance Fusion Faire. She weaves together story, music, and spectacle into unforgettable experiences. Most recently, she's danced on tour with Beats Antique, bringing her to even more stages across the country.

Rose Carozza is the owner of The Frame Dame, a mobile custom art framing business based in Pittsburgh. After she graduated college in 2012, she returned to her home town in Virginia working for and managing several frame shops in the area. In 2014, she decided to start her own business, the Frame Dame. In 2018, she moved to Pittsburgh and had to rebuild her business from the ground up for a second time. Today she is focusing on better establishing her business her in the 'Burgh as a woman-owned and operated small business.

Here is a list of 5 ways to encourage movement while limiting screen time.

5 tips for helping you prioritize what matters over the holiday season.

This episode dives deeper into the benefits of spending time in nature and provides scientific evidence of how forest bathing boosts your immunity.

Lauren Zeznanski is a teacher, actress, singer, and the director of the Chestnut Ridge High School Drama Club. Lauren has always been a personal inspiration, and with her passion for the stage and a slew of invaluable mentors, she is using her creative outlets to motivate and put youth first as she directs the next generation of actors.

Alecia Ott is the founder of The Auto Body Shop, a Pittsburgh based mobile mutual aid resource supporting bodily autonomy and community care. They provide free info and supplies and service info to support and empower folks to be the go-to friend for reproductive health, abortion care, and harm reduction in their community. They also provide barrier breaking support to access abortion care that is effective and physically/emotionally/spiritually safe.

In this episode, we discuss mentors and how a wide variety of ages and backgrounds can be very beneficial for brainstorming challenges in your life.

Erica Tamburo is an unapologetic, multi-passionate, and creative force. She's an international aware winning artist, speaker, woman in tech, and non-profit leader. Her passion is creating places we can all thrive!

This episode touches on the psychology behind why we gravitate towards shows we've already seen.

Marisa Quattrone is a pediatrician at Zest Pediatrics, the first network of direct care/concierge practices for children in the US! She is working to revolutionize pediatric medical care by focusing on relationships, access, and communication. The offices are comfortable with no waiting room, a play area, drinks, and snacks - or the doctor can come to your home.

Laura Stewart, owner of Whole Rooted Wellness, is a certified holistic nutritionist, wellness consultant, and health coach based in Pittsburgh, PA. Through a holistic approach, Laura gives consideration to the whole person, addressing the root cause of illness. Simple meal planning, incorporation of wholesome nourishing foods, daily movement, meaningful connection, supplementation, and therapeutic grade essential oils are some of the ways she encourages the body's innate ability to naturally heal itself.

https://wholerootedwellness.com/

Today we tackle how important it is to maintain and/or establish friendships and provide some tips on how to make friends as an adult.

Our guest today is Kimberly Hairston-Neal, founder of The Modern Steward, a professional home organizing and move management firm dedicated to helping people navigate life’s biggest transitions with ease. Their services span pre-listing decluttering, packing and unpacking, and turnkey home organizing solutions for busy families and professionals. What sets The Modern Steward apart is their focus on both the logistical and emotional sides of moving—they bring clarity, calm, and proven systems that last well beyond moving day. At The Modern Steward, they believe that organized spaces create peace of mind, and their mission is to help clients not only move but truly land softly into their next chapter.

Pretend you're back in grade school. Use some of your teachers' best tactics to get you to stay on track.

Genevieve Barbee-Turner, creator of Killerpancake Illustration, is a tarot card illustrator and two-dimensional artist based in Pittsburgh. She creates cursed occult wares including taro decks, stickers and stationery, fine art prints, and other decor inspired by horror stories, folklore, and ghost stories from across history and pop culture. Killerpancake blends contemporary Appalachia and queer/femme identity with a splash of gothic aesthetic.

Assertiveness is confidence and decisiveness. Verbal assertiveness needs to be supported by action - and if that lends to you being called a 'bitch', don't let it rock your power.

Shana Lohr is an NCEA Certified, licensed esthetician, a phlebotomist, a laser technician, and the owner of Inclusive Aesthetics. She began her career as a Pro Makeup Artist. Since then, she has over 20 years of hands-on experience in the beauty, medical, and wellness industry. Since obtaining her license, she continues to specialize in treatment of Transgender, BIPOC, and a variety of skin types/tones with facial treatments, laser, and advanced technology. She continues to train and loves working with individuals to look and feel their best. Not only does she explain your treatment plan, but she also helps you feel confident and empowered to be you!

Heather Daerr is the owner of Lazy Dreamer Farm, a microgreen/wheatgrass grower and cold-pressed juice/coffee shop in Washington County, PA. With a focus on eating and drinking healthy foods to improve life, the Lazy Dreamer Farm functions with the slogan, "Eat well to live well". They also partner with other local vendors to bring in fresh homemade products from their neighbors - products people are looking for to enrich their lives and to support small business and local farmers.

Summer Rothrock is the founder and owner of Leo and Lynn Jewelry. She hand stamps and creates casual jewelry designs that celebrate the magic of every day. In addition to running her business, she keeps busy with parenting two tweens and enjoying family adventures around Pittsburgh.

Colleen Paulson is a career consultant and the founder of Ageless Careers. Colleen has made numerous shifts throughout her career, starting her career as an engineer, production manager, and pricing analyst for two Fortune 50 companies (Procter & Gamble and FedEx). Colleen launched her writing business in 2006 and has served a wide range of clients including The Motley Fool and Investopedia. She has written and reviewed thousands of resumes, LinkedIn profiles, executive bios, and cover letters during her work as a Certified Professional Resume Writer and specializes in helping Gen X and Baby Boomer job seekers to find great jobs faster.

Nicole Trombley is an empowerment couch, spiritual teacher, speaker, and the creator and found of Marvel Ministry.

Check out our 2025 interviews thus far with amazing local women!

We do and do and do and why? Especially when it comes to things we choose to do, instead of HAVE to do, it's important to identify our because.

Sarah McDavis is the Founder & Creator of Wonder Creek Media. She enjoys doing a lot of things, which sometimes causes problems, but most times it keeps her the right amount of busy. She is an author and illustrator of books for kids, a kids yoga instructor, and an improv cast member with the kids' comedy experience Penny Arcade. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family and books in (almost) every room!

Stephanie Samolovitch, a Pittsburgh native who earned her Master's Degree in Social work in 2010, survived leukemia at the age of 20 in 2005. Determined to close the resource gap for young adult cancer survivors, Stephanie built a local community prior to launching Young Adult Survivors United (YASU) in March 2020. Stephanie is a passionate advocate who serves on the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center community advisory board and Servier Pharmaceuticals patient expert council, she was a 40 under 40 honoree in 2019, and was recently quoted in a Time magazine article on the unique challenges faced by young adults with cancer.

Living somewhere else may seem like a dream idea. Try it out and let us know if reality is greener.

Stephanie Jurik is a mom and the owner of Organize by Nature. Located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Stephanie started her own organizing company after years of designing for family and friends. She has been running the business for almost 5 years, specializing in residential and concierge services.