Nationally recognized restaurateur Chef Jim Shirley sat down with VIE Speaks host, Lisa Marie Burwell, to talk all things food and stories about building his brand in Northwest Florida. Chef Jim Shirley is the owner of The Great Southern Café, The Meltdown on 30A, The Bay, Farm & Fire, North Beach Social, The C-Bar, b.f.f., and 87 Central Square in South Walton, Florida.

Chef Jim uses Southern culinary accents with great skill and spirit, traveling far afield to graze and glean, absorb ideas, select fine wines, and look for pockets of sustainable farming practices. As a Pensacola native, Chef Jim uses his knowledge of local waters and family farming histories to promote "New Ruralism," a movement to champion sustainable agriculture at the urban edge. Jim is chair of the state board of directors of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, a past president of the association’s Northwest Florida Chapter, founder and president of the Society of Great Southern Chefs, and a member of the Southern Foodways Alliance. He is among the five distinguished Celebrity Chefs of Pensacola and has cooked at the James Beard House in New York numerous times.
Check out Chef Jim’s full episode wherever you get your podcasts and learn more about what this culinary legend is up to.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com
 
CONNECT WITH JIM 
Instagram: @chefjimshirley 
Website: ChefJimShirley.com

A special thank you to @rose_and_co_flowers for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com

52. “A Culinary Legend" — A Conv. w/Chef Jim Shirley, Founder/Ex. Chef of Chef Jim Shirley Rest.

Since the most ancient civilizations, humans have had the innate desire to tell stories. Our spoken and written languages have become vehicles not only for communication but also for documenting history, entertaining, and creating connections with others. Music, poetry, and artful prose captivate the mind and evoke feelings like nothing else can. We all have a story to tell, and Emerald Coast Storytellers, based along the sparkling Gulf of Mexico in Northwest Florida, has created a platform for anyone to share their words with the community. 

Check out this full episode wherever you get your podcasts and learn more about the founders of Emerald Coast Storytellers, Kristy Holditch and Ali Diamond, as they share more about this idea they had to share stories with each other and how it has been received by the amazing 30A creative community. 


LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viebookclub // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com
 
CONNECT WITH EMERALD COAST STORYTELLERS
Instagram: @emeraldcoaststorytellers | @alilydiamond | @kristyerin10
Website: www.emeraldcoaststorytellers.com


A special thank you to @rose_and_co_flowers for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com

Emerald Coast Storytellers Take the Mic

Misty Parenzan graced the VIE Speaks: Conversation with Heart and Soul stage this week as she candidly shares about her life’s journey through trauma, addiction, and uncertainty to finding herself and reclaiming her connection with God. Delve into the depths of Misty's story as she opens up about her path to penning the transformative pages of "He Was Always There." A homeschool mom of nine and a devoted wife, Misty embodies resilience and serves as a shining example of rising above past pain to embrace a life of freedom anchored in love. Join us for an intimate conversation that unveils the power of radical authenticity, showcasing how Misty overcame adversity and found redemption by restoring her spiritual bond with God. This episode is a testament to the transformative journey that unfolds when one chooses to live authentically, breaking free from the shadows of the past and stepping into the light of a renewed, faith-filled life.


LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com


CONNECT WITH MISTY:
Instagram: @mistyparenzan
Website: hewasalwaysthere.com


BUY MISTY’S BOOK, "HE WAS ALWAYS THERE"

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

54. "He Was Always There" — A Conversation with Misty Parenzan

Northwest Florida-based real estate developer and asset manager The St. Joe Company focuses on thoughtfully planned destinations to live, work, play, shop, and vacation near the region's beautiful white-sand beaches. A diverse portfolio and responsible growth are the key drivers behind several new developments in our area. This episode with Rhea Goff, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer, offers an exclusive peek behind the scenes. In addition to Watersound Origins, St. Joe also just launched Greenway Station in Seagrove Beach and the Camp Creek Inn at Watersound. ANR, a bespoke new restaurant that just opened within Camp Creek Inn, is also partnering with VIE to host an exclusive vintner dinner benefitting Children’s Volunteer Health Network in April 2024 as part of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation weekend. Tune in to this episode for fresh insights on The St. Joe Company and learn about their future development and conservation plans.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com
 
CONNECT WITH RHEA 
Instagram: @thestjoecompany
Website: Joe.com

A special thank you to @rose_and_co_flowers and @coastfurniture for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com

55. "Developing Northwest Florida" – A Lively Conversation with ST. JOE's Rhea Goff

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation has been connecting wine enthusiasts to raise money benefiting children in need in Northwest Florida since 2005. Recently, VIE Speaks host, Lisa Marie Burwell, sat down with Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation's (DCWAF) President, Karah Young, to talk all things wine and fundraising. Karah has been with the organization since she graduated from college and has deeply embedded herself in the organization and the missions of the charities that the Foundation supports. DCWAF strives to make it easier for the charitable organizations in our area to focus on their main missions by providing them with operating funds. Since 2005 DCWAF has donated more than $32 Million to Northwest Florida children's charities by hosting world class wine and culinary events. Speaking of, prepare for an exquisite evening at Camp Creek Inn hosted by Gerald & Lisa Burwell with VIEMagazine! Betz Wine partners up with Domaine Della in support of CVHN!
 
Check out Karah's full episode now available wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to visit dcwaf.org to learn more about auction patron packages and browse their 2024 pairings lineup.
 
LET’S CONNECT: 
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine 
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks) Website: viemagazine.com  

CONNECT WITH DCWAF:
Instagram: @dcwaf 
Website: dcwaf.org  

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com

57. "Wine for a Cause" - A Conversation with Karah Young

On this episode of VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart and Soul is Madra McDonald, the visionary/founder behind M Public Relations, a premier boutique public relations firm in Northwest Florida. With over a decade of expertise, Madra is passionate about spotlighting clients to increase and maximize their brand awareness through thoughtful and strategic social and traditional programs. Today, she shares what she has learned forging her path and creating her own company, her experience as a VIE cover girl, advice for moms and young entrepreneurs on overcoming adversity, how reconnecting with her faith has given her the strength to continue forward with the support of a community, and much more. Tune in for an insightful and inspirational conversation on Madra’s wealth of life experiences, including the reflections that led her to become an incredible mom, creative, and entrepreneur.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com

CONNECT WITH MADRA:
Website: m-publicrelations.com
Instagram: @madrapr @mpublicrelations

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

59. "Talking Shop with a Fellow PR Pro" – A Conversation with Madra McDonald

Meet a renaissance woman who created and defined her own destiny, reaching pinnacles of success and glamour usually only found in movies. High fashion and beauty icon Vicky Tiel knows all about how to live a "real" life, and she has the stories, victories, and photos to prove it. This fashion designer and renegade defied convention and crafted the world’s first miniskirt in a world of 1960s ankle-length standards, letting boldness be her guide. Her client list includes some of Hollywood's elite, from designing looks for Elizabeth Taylor to Ursula Andress, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Julia Roberts's iconic red "Pretty Woman" dress, and more. Join us for a lively discussion with Vicky Tiel as she recounts her life journey, spanning from her experiences as a designer in Paris to her feature on the cover of VIE's Fashion Issue in August 2023, accompanied by numerous anecdotes from her legendary past and present.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com

CONNECT WITH VICKY:
Website: vickytiel.com
Instagram: @vickytiel

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

60. "The First It Girl" – A Conversation with Vicky Tiel

This week on VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart and Soul, John Wellborn, the founder of Live Well 30A, shares his life story about risk-taking in pursuit of purpose. An entrepreneur and visionary at heart, Wellborn had an epiphany on his twenty-eighth birthday while working at a corporate job in Atlanta; on the surface, he had everything, but his intuition told him to choose a different path—one he truly loved. He banked everything on a "one-year experiment," selling his home and insurance agency, and moved to the affluent beach communities along Florida's Scenic Highway 30A. Spending a year putting himself first inspired him to pursue building a legacy of a well-lived life. The manifestation led him to create Live Well 30A, High Tide, and Coast/Coast Kids, merchandise brands that inspire people to choose a life they love. Please tune in for an inspiring conversation on discovering what it looks like to live as an individualist and how embracing this mindset often leads to unprecedented, miraculous rewards.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com

CONNECT WITH JOHN:
Website: livewell30agear.com
Instagram: @livewell30a

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

61. "A Daily Practice of Living Well" - A Conversation with John Wellborn

Arix Zalace, a renowned filmmaker, longtime Florida Panhandle resident, and owner of AZA Productions, joined the VIE Speaks lineup to share his creative vision for the upcoming feature film The Paper Bear. In partnership with social entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Couch, Zalace honed a shared vision to protect and preserve the Panhandle’s natural wonders. Beyond a mere film, The Paper Bear represents a preservation movement aiming to raise awareness about the region’s immense biodiversity. Viewers will be taken on a captivating coming-of-age adventure (for both boy and bear) and learn to view the world through the eyes of the area’s majestic native black bears. The film is a powerful tool that aims to illuminate the Panhandle’s extraordinary natural heritage and foster a deep connection with its ecosystems. During the filming process, Arix had the remarkable opportunity to live alongside a family of black bears, gaining invaluable insights into their behaviors, their vital role within the ecosystem, and the urgent need to protect them. The Paper Bear entertains and aims to inspire a profound appreciation for the Panhandle’s biodiversity and instill a commitment to its preservation. This episode will leave you with a newfound respect and admiration for the creatures who share our neighboring forests, offering a fresh perspective on the dedication required to execute this premier conservation piece in media.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com

CONNECT WITH ARIX:
Website: thepaperbear.org
Instagram: @thepaperbearfilm

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

63. "The Journey of the Paper Bear Project!" – A Conversation with Arix Zalace

As a budding outdoorsman growing up in northern Virginia, Kurt Tobias never dreamed of founding a clothing brand one day. While fishing and fashion might not seem to mesh, Tobias and his team at Choona have proved that technical wear for the avid sportsman can be more than just khakis and cargos. The company’s lightweight, stylish, and functional clothing has already become a favorite among sportfishing enthusiasts, hikers, and beach bums alike along the white-sand Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. In this episode of VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart and Soul, Tobias shares his heart-centered journey from working in engineering to moving to Destin, Florida, and founding Choona. This fateful decision allowed him to fill a missing niche: representing the Panhandle lifestyle with outdoor-centric men’s clothing. This epiphany, in conjunction with Tobias’s great love for all things outdoors, led to the birth of a brand. His mission focused on creating activewear products that he would like to wear and protecting the planet as much as possible in the process. With a purpose and following that extends well beyond the Panhandle, Choona has partnered with nonprofit Give30A; with each garment purchased, malnourished children in Leon, Nicaragua, will be given five free meals, extending consumers’ impact. We invite you to tune into this episode to receive entrepreneurial guidance and firsthand wisdom from Tobias on what it means to fill a gap in the industry in a sustainable, ethical, and pragmatic way, all while keeping heart and soul at the forefront.

LET’S CONNECT:
Instagram: @viespeaks // @viemagazine
YouTube: (@VIEtelevision | WATCH VIE Speaks)
Website: viemagazine.com

CONNECT WITH KURT:
Website: choonaclothing.com
Instagram: @choonaclothing @kurtledove

A special thank you to Rose & Company for sponsoring today’s episode. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact kelly@viemagazine.com and hailey@viemagazine.com.

64. "The Life of an Entrepreneur" – A Conversation with Kurt Tobias, Founder of Choona Clothing

A podcast from the editors of VIE Magazine. Hosted by Founder/Editor-in-chief of VIE, Lisa Marie Burwell.

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