Coffee and a Mike

Dusti Bowling grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. But it wasn’t until after starting down a couple of different career paths that Dusti realized her true passion was writing. Her third book Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus is due out September 2019 which is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus.

Helen was an East Coaster who worked in New York City and London before heading off to Sydney to attend Le Cordon Bleu. While Jan was a West Coast girl who worked in finance in the Asian culinary capitals of Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. Together they opened Sweet Republic in the summer of 2008, and it was named the Valley's best ice cream by Phoenix New Times and Top 10 Ice Cream by Bon Appetit. Their success stems from artisan craftsmanship, premium ingredients and handcrafted innovative flavors.

Angel Cejudo was undefeated throughout high school wrestling, going an astoundingly 152-0 and taking home four state championships along the way—making him one of the most decorated wrestlers to ever come out of Arizona. In 2008, Angel entered the U.S. Olympic trials where he trained with his brother, Henry Cejudo, who, himself, went on to win the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is the founder of Olympus Wrestling in Scottsdale, AZ.

Pavle Milic entered the restaurant business at the age of 16 and has never looked back. He is the co-owner of the award-winning FnB restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ. Pavle released his own wine label, Los Milics, in collaboration with noted Arizona winemakers Kelly and Todd Bostock of southern Arizona. Pavle's wine program at FnB was awarded a James Beard Nomination for Outstanding Beverage Program. He is currently working on his own winery and tasting room in Sonoita, AZ scheduled to open in 2020.

Paul Johnson is an ASA certified actuarial veteran with a passion for programming. He has worked in both health and property/casualty sectors with roles as an actuary and as an actuarial programmer. He recently has embarked on a journey to start a company called Actuarial Toolkit while also pursuing his Masters in Statistics.

Don Guerra grew up in the Phoenix area and attended the University of Arizona to study anthropology. Don worked in several bakeries before opening his own “garage bakery” in 2009 named Barrio Bread and the Community Supported Baker was born. He has presented at conferences and workshops, highlighting his business model and work with heritage grains. In 2016, Don was named one of the Top Ten Bakers in America by Dessert Professionals magazine and recently was nominated for a James Beard award.

John Roy has been designing and handcrafting custom knives for over 16 years and oversees the day-to-day operations of Dawson Knives in Prescott Valley, Arizona. He was trained by Barry Dawson, the founder of Dawson Knives.

Rebecca Golden is a creative entrepreneur that specializes in projects that simultaneously generates community building and revitalization through flavorful food and spirits. Her most recent project, Lovecraft, is a fusion of tapas and New Mexico flavor with a tap list that features some of the best offerings from local and regional breweries. Rebecca’s uncanny knack for creating space that people flock to is apparent in all of the special elements in the Lovecraft formula.

Akshay Shah is a gastroenterologist at Honor Health Shea and Osborn Hospitals in Scottsdale, AZ. He is married to Amy Shah, MD, who has been very vocal in the wellness and self-health space. Akshay has adapted aspects of improving on his health and well-being over the past 3 years and looks forward to sharing his thoughts on the podcast.

Gray Maynard is a mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a high school state wrestling champion in both Nevada and Ohio, high school wrestling national champion, a three-time All-American wrestler at Michigan State University, and UFC two-time lightweight title challenger.

Joan Dominique is the CEO and founder of Maison Joan Dominique, a new luxury men’s designer label. She creates Bespoke menswear and footwear. Her product has walked the runways of Phoenix Fashion Week and, more recently, Paris Fashion Week.

Charleen Badman is one of Arizona’s most celebrated chefs and the co-owner of the award-winning FnB restaurant in Scottsdale. A six-time James Beard nominee for Best Chef of the Southwest, Charleen is known as the "veggie whisperer” for her ability to coax the very best flavor out of locally grown vegetables. She is the founder of Blue Watermelon, a Slow Food Phoenix coalition of local chefs and activists focused on improving school lunches.

Nadia Holguin is 26 years old and originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. She is the chef and owner of Tacos Chiwas in Phoenix, AZ. Currently, she is nominated for a James Beard award for Best Chef - Southwest at Rolands Cafe Market & Bar and is the mother of a 6 month old.

Samantha Sanz is the executive chef at Talavera at Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. She re-invented the Spanish steakhouse concept, which features Latin and Mediterranean flavors. Samantha has been nominated for the James Beard award “Rising Star Chef of the Year" in 2019.

Adam and Andrea Danks, the husband and wife team behind Runner's High Herbals. Adam is an ultra runner and Andrea is an RN with a deep knowledge in Herbalism. Runner's High Herbals was created out of a desire to use our dynamic partnership to help people heal and achieve at their highest level, whatever their pursuit!