What drives someone to uproot their life and move across the country with no safety net? For Krystal Marie Orwig, it was a childhood dream that refused to die.

"I was 12 years old when I said I was gonna live in New York," Krystal shares, reflecting on how she made that declaration long before understanding what it would mean. After moving from Southern California at 26, Krystal built a life in NYC starting as a bartender—a career that introduced her to friends, her fiancé, and a sense of community, but never felt like her final destination.

Krystal takes us through her transformation from practical communications major to creative writing MFA graduate, and now teacher at City College of New York. With remarkable candor, she reveals the challenges of pursuing creative dreams when you've been self-supporting since your teens. "I worked full-time throughout college... I was never able to fully dedicate myself to school because I put myself through my undergraduate degree," she explains, making her later decision to commit to writing all the more significant.

As founder of Must Love Memoir, a NYC reading series dedicated to non-fiction writers, Krystal has created the literary community she needed while elevating a genre often dismissed as mere "navel-gazing." Her insights into teaching today's college students—navigating attention spans, technology shifts, and the AI revolution—offer a fascinating glimpse into higher education's changing landscape.

Through conversations about true crime obsessions, complicated parental relationships, and finding your voice as a writer, this episode explores how we build lives of meaning on our own terms. Whether you're contemplating a career change, struggling with imposter syndrome, or simply curious about the realities of pursuing creative work in your 30s, Krystal's journey reminds us it's never too late to follow your passion.

MUST LOVE MEMOIR Reading Series

Krystal Marie Orwig Substack

Mentions:

Goodbye to All That by Joan Didion

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

"I had a fucking panic attack because I was so excited," JD recalls of his first trip to a real skate shop as a child growing up in rural Pennsylvania. This moment marks the beginning of a lifelong love affair with skateboarding that would eventually bring him to Brooklyn, where he now tends bar at Greenpoint Palace.

Far from the stereotype of skaters learning from communities in urban environments, JD's story begins in isolation—no sidewalks, no mentors, just VHS tapes he'd repeatedly pause and play to study techniques. There's something beautifully pure about his dedication, teaching himself with makeshift equipment his dad built from "fucked up trash shit." This self-reliance shaped not just his skating style but his entire philosophy around the activity.

When hosts Rita and Marisa probe whether skateboarding should be considered a sport, art, or something else entirely, JD offers a more nuanced take: "It's more like a relationship with this wooden toy. Sometimes you're like 'this thing is—I'm so glad it's in my life,' and sometimes you're like 'God damn it, I hate my skateboard today.'" The conversation expands beyond skateboarding to explore how our passions evolve as our bodies age, the challenge of monetizing what we love without corrupting it, and the surprising observations JD made while teaching skateboarding to children.

Throughout the episode, JD's authenticity shines—whether discussing his ambivalence about profit from skateboarding, his growing interest in surfing as a gentler alternative to concrete impacts, or his sincere approach to apologizing when he's wrong. His story reminds us that our most meaningful pursuits aren't just hobbies but complex relationships that shape who we become.

Listen to discover how a kid with a VHS player and a dream built a life around his wooden toy, and what lessons his journey might hold for your own relationship with the things you love most.

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

Writer, comedian, and storyteller Carly Ann Philbin takes us on a journey through her creative process, revealing how she navigates the complex terrain between performance and writing. With refreshing candor, she shares her experiences self-publishing her memoir "Tears of a Blonde" after realizing traditional publishing timelines wouldn't align with her life circumstances.

"I have dreams of fame and glory, but I don't need it," Carly confesses, perfectly capturing the spirit of creative independence that drives many artists. Her illuminating Play-Doh analogy brilliantly explains how we all contain multitudes but must focus certain aspects of ourselves for storytelling: "We're all juxtapositions... a persona is like a machine. All the contents you want to talk about, you put through this machine... and it comes out with a strong voice." This framework offers listeners valuable insight into developing an authentic voice while crafting compelling narratives.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as we explore the challenges of dating in New York ("I wonder if we say it's hard to date in New York, but really it's hard to date men"), the limitations of therapy and meditation for creative people, and the profound lessons we learn from our pets. Carly's vulnerability when discussing how her dog Saturday has become both her child and a vehicle for reparenting herself creates a deeply moving moment of connection.

Discover Carly's "Written in Brooklyn" storytelling workshop, where she helps others transform life experiences into narratives for both page and stage. Whether you're a writer, performer, or simply someone navigating life's complexities, this episode offers wisdom on finding your voice and sharing your unique story with the world. Follow Carly's journey and find your own creative independence beyond the gatekeepers.

Written in Brooklyn writing workshop

Pour Me Out Substack

Tears of a Blonde: Almost Completely True Stores of Love and Heartbreak by Carly Ann Filbin

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

What happens when a class clown with dyslexia finds his way into a TV production classroom? For filmmaker Chris Wells, it became the moment that changed everything.

In this candid conversation from Greenpoint Palace Bar in Brooklyn, Chris reveals how being kicked out of Spanish class in 10th grade led to an unexpected invitation that would transform his life. "It was one of the first times I ever felt smart," he shares, describing how filmmaking gave him a creative outlet after years of struggling with traditional academics. His story is a powerful reminder of how finding your medium can completely transform your self-perception.

The conversation delves into the creative process itself - the inevitable self-doubt when viewing raw footage, the satisfaction of molding a project through editing, and the challenge of knowing when to declare something finished. Chris's insights on setting deadlines and creating accountability offer practical wisdom for anyone struggling to complete creative projects.

Throughout the episode, Chris's passion for supporting other artists shines through. From his upcoming "Weird Short Films" platform to documenting his 89-year-old mother's work with underrepresented artists, he exemplifies the philosophy that "a rising tide lifts all boats." His psychological thriller "The Luring" and quirky short films demonstrate his range as a filmmaker who embraces the weird and the unconventional.

Listen in as hosts Rita and Marissa explore the intersection of art, technology, and personal growth with a filmmaker who turned his outsider status into his greatest creative strength.

Chris Wells Links:

kpictures.com

weirdshortfilms.com

Chris Wells Films:

Hey, It's Just Jim

The Luring

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

Ever wondered what restaurant staff are really thinking when you sit down at their table? Adam—a veteran server turned James Beard Award-winning food writer (he won after this episode was recorded!) —pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of New York hospitality in this revealing conversation.

From fabricating his resume to land his first restaurant gig at a comedy-themed Times Square spot to eventually working at prestigious establishments like Carbone and Babbo, Adam shares the unconventional path that led him from "salty waiter" to respected food journalist. His journey reveals the hidden economic realities of restaurant work, where fine dining servers can earn six-figure "lawyer money" while navigating complex workplace dynamics.

The conversation takes unflinching looks at hospitality's darker sides – the hereditary cycles of kitchen abuse, the impossible expectations placed on service staff to be "psychoanalysts, comedians, and therapists" simultaneously, and the unspoken rules that govern dining experiences. Adam explains why questioning a bad tip remains taboo, how international visitors navigate tipping culture, and why camping at tables disrupts an entire restaurant's ecosystem.

This episode transforms how you'll think about your next dining experience. Adam's forthcoming book "The New Rules of Dining Out: An Insider's Guide to Enjoying Restaurants" positions dining as a collaborative partnership rather than a one-way service transaction. "You can have bad experiences at great restaurants and great experiences at bad restaurants," he reflects, "but the one constant in both scenarios is you."

Ready to become a more mindful diner who gets better service? Listen now and discover the power of understanding what's happening behind the scenes during your next restaurant visit. Then check out Adam's upcoming book – available for pre-order now – to master the unwritten rules of dining that can transform your experiences forever.

Adam Reiner's Writing:

We Need to Talk About Trader Joe's

The Restaurant Manifesto

Pre-order: The New Rules of Dining Out: An Insider's Guide to Enjoying Restaurants

Mentions:

The Principles of Etiquette by Emily Post

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

Returning from six months of global adventures, Marisa reunites with Rita at the Greenpoint Palace Bar to share stories from her travels across Europe and Asia that transformed her perspective on what truly matters in life.

When Marisa and her husband sold their restaurant, they made a deliberate choice not to wait for some distant retirement to see the world. Instead, they seized the present moment—while their bodies could still handle walking miles daily and their health allowed for adventure. Their journey took them through Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand, each destination offering unique insights and unexpected lessons.

Through conversations with locals, particularly those in the service industry with strong English skills, Marisa gained profound understanding of universal challenges facing different communities. In Portugal, she witnessed how corporations were buying historic properties, driving out aging residents who'd lived there for generations. In various cities, she observed how young people struggled with housing costs, often living with parents into their thirties. Yet amid these challenges, she found beauty in seeing older couples walking hand-in-hand through European streets and the deliberate pace of life where people prioritized connection over convenience.

The conversation shifts to challenging common misconceptions about service industry careers. Both hosts celebrate how bartending and service work provide the freedom to pursue creative passions, travel extensively, and design unconventional life paths without the constraints of corporate schedules. As Marisa notes, "We don't have examples writing this script for us," acknowledging how their generation must forge new approaches to work-life planning in a world where traditional career trajectories have largely disappeared.

Now back in New York, Marisa has gained deeper appreciation for her neighborhood community—the familiar faces, the casual greetings, and the grounding sense of belonging that she missed while away. As she puts it, "Travel fortifies you when you're choosing change and choosing to be uncomfortable... it helps fortify you when change comes at you that you don't choose."

Ready to hear more stories from fascinating people? Subscribe to People at the Core and join us as we continue exploring the passions, paranoia, and perspectives that make us human.

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

Join us for a delightful conversation at Greenpoint Palace Bar where Rita and Marisa chat with the incredibly talented Nicole Treska about the politics of Airbnb and high NYC rents as we fantasize about creating a Golden Girls type of compound or escaping to Italy. Nicole's tales of life in Harlem and her evolution to published author inspire us all, as we navigate the highs and lows of New York City living.

Nicole recently published her memoir, "Wonderland", about growing up in Boston. The heart of our discussion centers around the complexities of writing about family history, especially when it involves touching on sensitive subjects like mafia connections and addiction. Nicole shares her experiences balancing honesty with familial respect, highlighting the importance of grace and truthfulness in storytelling. We delve into the challenges of portraying loved ones as they truly are, and the way writing can strain yet ultimately deepen our understanding of family relationships.

As we switch gears, our conversation wanders through the generational impact our parents have had on our romantic relationships and how we share a lighthearted appreciation for iconic actors like Bob Hoskins and Peter Falk. This episode is a blend of humor, sincerity, and insight, encouraging listeners to reflect on how family and storytelling shape our lives and relationships.

Books by Nicole Treska:
Wonderland: A Tale of Hustling Hard and Breaking Even

Mentions:

• Must Love Memoir Reading Series
• All Fours by Miranda July

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com

Ever wondered what it’s like to navigate a bustling fair while indulging in deep-fried ranch dressing? Join us as Rita recounts her whimsical adventure at the Minnesota State Fair, featuring humorous tales of quirky Midwestern traditions and fond family moments. We then welcome our guest, Janelle Greco, whose talent in storytelling brings to light her impactful work with formerly incarcerated individuals and youth in foster care. This episode is filled with laughter and heartfelt reflections, including touching memories of Rita’s glamorous grandmother.

Our conversation takes a deeper turn as we explore the multifaceted world of education careers. Discover the triumphs and trials from teaching aspirations to grant writing, and learn about Janelle's journey through roles that balance passion and emotional well-being. We also discuss our writing practices, influences and dissect the genres of memoir, auto-fiction and narrative nonfiction. Through personal anecdotes and shared experiences, we shine a light on the impact our family's have had in our lives and writing.

Mentions

• Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
• The Boys of My Youth by Jo Ann Beard
• Breece D'J Pancake
• James Baldwin
• Werdsmith

Follow us on Instagram! People at the Core Podcast
Email us! peopleatthecorepodcast@gmail.com