Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay
Welcome to Pickles & Pasta—a podcast about living creatively, loving boldly, and staying grounded in a world that often feels anything but. Steph and Jay met(or as Jay says “reconnected”)just before the pandemic and have been building a life—and a creative partnership—ever since. Together, they live, work, and support each other’s ventures while navigating the messy, beautiful chaos of modern life. No agendas. No sides. Just real conversations—sometimes deep, sometimes hilarious, always honest. This is their space to talk about creativity, connection, relationships, and everything in between. Pull up a chair. Let’s dig in. About Steph Stephanie Rado Taormina is the CEO and founder of Have Some Fun Today, a lifestyle brand inspired by her late father's mantra to live boldly and joyfully. With over 25 years of experience in branding, fashion, interiors, and entrepreneurship, she brings a sharp creative vision to everything she touches. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Stephanie has reignited her fine art career since 2021—creating emotionally driven abstract work and building a growing marketplace for contemporary art. While integrating her artistic voice into the evolution of HSFT, she also maintains an independent studio practice focused on exhibitions, fine art prints, and creative collaborations. As co-host of the podcast Pickles & Pasta with Steph & Jay, she brings thoughtful, unscripted insight to conversations about creativity, culture, and navigating modern life. About Jay Jay Schweid is a native New Yorker, creative entrepreneur, and cultural shapeshifter with a career that’s anything but conventional. From launching JCS, a bespoke racket service trusted by tennis icons like McEnroe and Agassi, to co-founding The Spot—a legendary South Beach lounge with Mickey Rourke—Jay has always lived at the intersection of bold ideas and real-world impact. He went on to create high-touch concierge and event services for celebrity and HNWI clients, and in 2012, launched ephelants, a media company focused on streamlining film and commercial production. Built to challenge industry inefficiencies, ephelants fuses creativity with technology to empower storytellers at every level. Now, Jay is building Village—a visionary entertainment platform that will revolutionize how projects move from concept to distribution. By bringing together creators, fans, and investors,Village is designed to democratize the entire entertainment ecosystem and give everyone a seat at the table. On Pickles & Pasta, Jay brings sharp insight, unapologetic creativity, and a relentless curiosity for what’s next.
Episodes
Episode 21 - Holidays, Creativity, and Knowing When to Slow Down
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph and Jay, a simple catch-up turns into a thoughtful look at creativity during the holiday season and the push-pull between momentum and rest. They unpack how December’s packed calendars and cultural expectations can derail focus, while still offering surprising inspiration through new experiences and shared adventures. The...
Episode 20 - Family, Perception, and Looking Past the Label
In Episode 20 of Pickles and Pasta with Steph and Jay, the conversation kicks off with full moon energy and how heightened sensitivity can shape your mood, reactions, and awareness. From there, they dive into how family dynamics quietly (and sometimes loudly) shape who we become, including confidence, self-image, patterns we inherit, and the narratives relatives create abou...
Episode 19 - Dogs, Seasons, and the Art of Paying Attention
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph and Jay, a simple bagel run spirals into a conversation about city dogs, shared sidewalks, and what it really means to be a considerate pet owner, before widening into a discussion on seasons, creativity, and where inspiration actually comes from. Steph talks about winter as creative hibernation, why New York remains her great...
Episode 18 - Friendship, Change, and Coming Home to You
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph and Jay, the duo opens up about what it means to shrink yourself to fit in across friendships, small towns, social media, and work. Steph shares how moving from New York’s fashion world to a quiet Pennsylvania suburb caused her to dial back parts of who she was without even noticing, and how divorce, grief, and building Have Some ...
Episode 17 - Vulnerability, Belonging, and Critical Thinking
Steph and Jay unpack why so many people get swept up by loud voices, politicians, influencers, even “smooth talkers” and how loneliness, vulnerability, and identity hunger make us easy prey. They explore healthier paths to meaning, slowing down, checking our own compass, rebuilding connection, and practicing real critical thinking. It’s thoughtful, candid, and still playf...
Episode 16 - Growth, Living, and Building Community
In this week’s episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo digs into what it really means to grow - personally, creatively, and professionally - when life and business evolve at different speeds. Steph reflects on building Have Some Fun Today, navigating change, and finding purpose through challenge. Together, they explore how discomfort fuels growth, how creativit...
Episode 15: Gratitude, Breathing & Letting Go of Excess
In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo explores how to stay grounded in uncertain times - balancing change with gratitude, breathwork, and mindfulness. They discuss how post-COVID shifts and economic stress affect creativity and connection, and why empathy and community matter more than ever. The conversation gets personal with reflections on i...
Episode 14 - Faith, Fear & the Next Generation
Steph & Jay unpack why the old “do this, get that” life formula no longer fits—college, careers, and timelines included. They explore how AI, remote work, and real-world skills (grit, connection, EQ) are reshaping opportunity, then dive into the messy overlap of faith, politics, and fear—and how kindness and gratitude cut through the noise. It all wraps with a breezy rapid-fire ...
Episode 13 — Comfort, Growth & Reciprocity
Steph & Jay sift the fall-event frenzy to focus on what matters, arguing that “comfort is the enemy of growth” in work, health, and relationships. They weigh second-guessing as a safeguard vs. a stall, and dig into support—give because it’s right, not for payback—plus a reflection on resilience from a former hostage’s talk. Wrap-up: rapid-fire on fame vs. freedom, friendship deal-br...
Episode 12: - Culture, Creativity & Leaving Your Bubble
Steph and Jay unpack “cultural capital”—what we consume vs. what truly shapes us—spanning NYC art walks, immigrant-run cafés, small-town festivals, and family traditions. They dive into stepping outside your bubble (imposter syndrome included), how discomfort builds empathy, and how fresh perspectives fuel creativity and relationships. Quick rapid-fire to close.
Topics Cov...
Episode 11: Fear, Truth & Advice to Our Younger Selves
In this episode, Steph & Jay tackle three big themes: fear—how it protects us, when it holds us back, and how to move anyway (from Steph’s workshop launch to Jay’s entrepreneurial lens); truth—why algorithms and social media erode trust and how to practice real verification; and advice to our younger selves—choose respectful relationships, build confidence and authentic...
Pickles & Pasta EP10 - Evolving, Connecting, & Dating
A candid, fast-moving conversation about why evolution isn’t optional—whether you’re running a business, building a personal brand, or navigating modern dating. Steph & Jay trade stories on adapting to new tech, being authentic on (and off) social, and finding connection in a swipe-first world—plus a light, laugh-y rapid-fire to close.
Topics Covered
- Evolving in ...
Pickles & Pasta EP09 - Chaos, Hacks & Creative Fuel
In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo unpacks how everyday chaos can spark creativity, the morning rituals and productivity hacks that keep them grounded, and the mindset shift of not taking things personally—showing how reframing assumptions can transform relationships—before wrapping with reflections on therapy, self-awareness, and a playful...
Pickles & Pasta EP08 - Protein, Gaslighting & Streaming
This week on Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo digs into the protein craze (helpful habit or marketing hype?), unpacks gaslighting and self-awareness in relationships, and swaps streaming notes—from Mr. Robot to the long-awaited Yellowstone finale. It’s equal parts practical, personal, and playful.
Topics Covered
- Protein: labels, targets, women’s needs, ...
Episode 7: Summer Memories, Small Wins & Showing Up
In this week’s episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo riffs on how food ties us to memory (hello, Mr. Softee)—then pivots to celebrating personal wins without bragging, and the real work of showing up for the people you love. It’s a warm, grounded convo about tradition, gratitude, and being present when it counts.
Topics Covered:
· Summer nostalgia: Mr. S...
Episode 6: Rituals, Care & Craft
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo gets practical about staying grounded when life is full. From daily self-care rituals to navigating a parent’s health scare, and why “apprenticeship” might be the missing link between school and real work, they share honest stories, useful takeaways, and the habits that keep them steady for the long haul.
Topics Covered:
- Lastin...
Episode 5: Family, Festivals & Politics
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo looks at how family, culture, and politics shape creativity and connection—from generational patterns and post-COVID events to candid thoughts on the NYC mayoral race.
Topics Covered:
• Family lessons, conflicts, and healing generational patterns
• Why events, festivals, and networking feel more vital than ev...
Episode 4: War, Fear & Cashmere Sweaters
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, things get personal. From global unrest to private fears, they explore how external chaos impacts creativity, relationships, and mental health. It’s a heartfelt conversation about using art as therapy, breaking generational cycles, and staying grounded when everything feels uncertain.
Recorded in Steph’s hometown (with a fun Taylo...
Episode 3: Fathers, Leaders, & Calgon Dreams
In this episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo reflects on the power of father figures, the qualities that define true leadership, and how current world events are quietly shaping our emotional lives. From Steph’s deeply personal tribute to her dad to open talk about anxiety, therapy, and relationship tension, this one dives deep—but always with heart.
Topics Cove...
Episode 1: Whatever We’re Going to Call
This In the first episode of Pickles and Pasta with Steph & Jay, the duo kicks things off with a candid, unscripted conversation about why they’re launching a podcast in the first place. No roadmap, no expectations—just two creatives navigating life, love, work, and everything in between.
They explore what it means to live outside the lines of the traditional 9–5, how their relationship f...
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