Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay

Stephanie Rado Taormina & Jay Schweid
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Arts

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 StephStephanie 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. This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and Produced by Rainbow Creative  (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/)  with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnerships inquires, please contact Shane Thornton at shane@rainbowcreative.co

  1. 4d ago

    Why Most Creative Collaborations Fail (And What the Successful Ones Have in Common)

    Is collaboration the secret ingredient to creative success, or one of the fastest ways to drain your time, money, and energy? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay unpack the reality of creative collaboration and why so many partnerships begin with excitement but end in frustration. From artist collaborations and business partnerships to creative teams and entrepreneurial ventures, they explore what collaboration actually requires beyond good intentions and shared enthusiasm. Together, they examine the difference between true collaboration and simple delegation, why ego often becomes the silent killer of creative projects, and how mismatched expectations can derail even the most promising ideas. They also discuss famous creative partnerships, from The Beatles to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and what modern creatives can learn from both successful and failed collaborations. Along the way, they explore why visual artists often struggle to collaborate directly on the creative work itself, how hospitality, design, music, and filmmaking create different opportunities for collaboration, and where emerging technologies like AI fit into the conversation. This episode also explores: The hidden costs of artist collaborations, from marketing and shipping to discounting and fulfillment Why collaboration and delegation are not the same thing How ego, work ethic, and communication shape creative partnerships The risks of giving away equity too early What successful collaborations have in common The importance of aligning goals before a project begins Why radical honesty can save a partnership before it starts How AI is changing the way creatives work together And more! Artists, creators, and cultural references discussed in this episode include Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Claude AI. Pickles & Pasta is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative & ephelants with Matthew "MoJo" Jones serving as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co. Chapters 0:00 - Intro: The real truth about collaboration 0:45 - What is collaboration vs. delegation? 7:10 - The Wone Collection: a collaboration gone wrong 19:50 - Why it wasn't true collaboration (and what was missing) 33:00 - Ego is the silent killer of creative partnerships 36:00 - Work ethic, timelines, and the friction no one warns you about 55:00 - Giving equity vs. giving raises: a cautionary tale 1:03:00 - The Beatles and the Stones: two models of collaboration 1:38:00 - Advice for creatives: how to collaborate better next time 1:44:00 - The "get naked" principle: radical honesty before you start 1:57:00 - Jobs & Wozniak and learning from famous partnerships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  2. May 28

    How Your Upbringing Is Secretly Shaping Your Creative Life (And What To Do About It)

    How much of your creative life was actually chosen by you,  and how much of it was shaped long before you even realized it? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay dive into one of the most personal and overlooked conversations in the creative world: how culture, upbringing, family values, and identity quietly shape the way we pursue creativity, success, and even permission to dream bigger. Steph opens up about growing up in a traditional Italian-American environment where creativity often felt secondary to stability, practicality, and responsibility, and how that influenced the way she viewed art, ambition, and risk. Jay reflects on being raised in a first-generation American Jewish household where education and diligence were deeply valued, but entrepreneurship and creative careers felt far less familiar or understood. Together, they unpack the invisible beliefs many creatives inherit growing up: the fear of instability, the guilt around pursuing artistic work, the pressure to justify creativity as “real work,” and the complicated relationship between financial struggle and artistic ambition. They also discuss how global connectivity and social media have transformed modern creativity, breaking down cultural silos and exposing artists to inspiration, aesthetics, and communities from around the world. From travel and visual culture to language itself, this episode examines the subtle ways society has historically minimized creative professions — and why redefining success matters more now than ever. This episode also explores: How cultural upbringing influences creative confidence The pressure to pursue “safe” careers instead of artistic ones The immigrant mindset versus generational privilege in creative spaces Whether financial struggle actually fuels great art Catholic guilt, Jewish educational values, and creative identity Why artists often feel the need to justify their work And more! Artists and cultural references discussed in this episode include Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Kennedy Yanko, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. Pickles & Pasta is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative & ephelants with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co 0:00 Cold Open 0:51 Intro & Topic Overview: Creativity Across Cultures 2:24 Steph's Italian-American Upbringing & Family Attitudes Toward Art 5:14 Jay's Jewish-American Background & the Value of Education 8:43 What If Your Creative Path Had Been Supported? 9:23 Playing Tournaments Alone: Jay's Experience Without Family Support 11:37 Wealthy Artists: Joan Mitchell, Frankenthaler & Privilege in the Art World 12:34 The Starving Artist Myth — Does Struggle Fuel Creativity? 24:52 The Internet & How Global Culture Changed Creativity 33:54 Is Creativity a Luxury or a Necessity? 34:53 Would a Different Environment Have Changed You? 40:34 Beliefs About Success We Inherit from Family 43:28 Defining Success on Your Own Terms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  3. May 21

    How to Pivot Successfully as a Creative

    What does it actually mean to pivot creatively? And how do you know when evolution is necessary versus when you're just running from discomfort? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay open up about the pivots that completely reshaped their personal and professional lives. From Steph’s transition from fashion brand CEO to full-time artist, to Jay’s evolution from building a tennis stringing business into entertainment and creative production, this is an honest conversation about identity, reinvention, and learning to trust your next chapter. Steph reflects on the emotional side of stepping away from something you once built your entire identity around, the grief that can come with reinvention, and how COVID unexpectedly pushed her back toward painting and creativity in a deeper way. Jay shares the story behind building “Jay Custom,” how customer service became the foundation of everything he does, and why naming his company Effluence represented a bigger vision for the future. Together, they explore the difference between intentional pivots and impulsive decisions, the transferable skills that follow you into every industry, and why some people stay stuck because they wait too long to evolve. This episode also explores: The difference between a pivot and natural evolution Why identity shifts can feel uncomfortable and emotional Skills that transfer across every business and industry How customer care became a core philosophy for Jay Steph’s creative journey back into painting and art The emotional challenge of letting go of old versions of yourself Why some pivots fail and others create long-term growth When to tell people you're making a major life or career change How to recognize the signs that it may be time to pivot And more! This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative & ephelants with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.coChapters 0:00 Intro | How do you step away without it all falling apart? 1:20 What even is a pivot? Evolution vs. major change 3:11 Steph’s pivot from fashion brand CEO to artist 7:07 Identity shifts and the grief of letting go 11:26 Jay’s pivot from tennis stringing into entertainment 18:59 The story behind “ephelants” and “Jay Custom” 22:31 Skills that transfer across every business 26:20 Why customer care became a core identity 28:44 Steph’s pivots through the lens of design 30:02 Intentional vs. impulsive pivots 40:43 When to tell people you’re pivoting 42:06 Final thoughts: recognizing when it’s time for change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  4. May 14

    Leading Creative Teams, Feedback & Vision | Creative Leadership Without Losing Yourself

    What does it actually take to lead creative people without burning out, micromanaging, or losing your own voice in the process? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay unpack the realities of creative leadership, feedback, and building with other people when your vision is deeply personal. From Steph's experience transitioning from solo creative to leading a growing brand, to Jay's lessons managing teams across film, sports, and creative production, this is an honest conversation about what leadership really looks like behind the scenes. Steph reflects on learning how to communicate creative direction clearly, navigate difficult feedback, and balance collaboration without compromising instinct. Jay shares stories about hiring mistakes, managing personalities, and the responsibility that comes with guiding people through creative work. Together, they explore the emotional side of leadership, why some feedback builds better work while other feedback creates confusion, and how authenticity becomes the foundation of strong creative teams. This episode also explores: The difference between being a creator, producer, and leader The challenge of giving feedback without crushing creativity The four creative personality types and how they work together What makes someone a great team leader in creative environments Why authenticity matters more than performative leadership Lessons learned from leading teams in fast-moving creative industries What great leadership looks like when you're not in the room And more! This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative & ephelants with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Chapters 0:00 Intro | Creative leadership & building teams 4:00 Transitioning from solo creative to team leader 9:20 Learning how to give feedback effectively 13:06 Different creative personalities & communication styles 18:12 Leadership mistakes and lessons learned 20:41 The four creative personality types 26:09 Perfectionism vs. execution 31:26 Leading creatives without micromanaging 35:13 Protecting creative space as a producer 42:55 Authenticity and trust in leadership 47:13 Final thoughts on leadership, vision & growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  5. May 7

    When Feedback Hurts (and When to Ignore It)

    What happens when feedback stops being helpful and starts feeling personal? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay explore the complicated reality of receiving feedback as a creative, a leader, and a public-facing builder. From formative critiques in design school to unsolicited opinions from strangers online, this is a grounded conversation about what it actually feels like to put your work into the world and have it reflected back through other people’s perspectives. Steph reflects on her time at Parsons, where her work was dissected by industry names like Michael Kors, and how that early exposure to high-level critique shaped her ability to separate useful feedback from emotional noise. Jay brings in the leadership side of the conversation, breaking down what it means to give feedback responsibly when other people are building what you’ve asked them to create. Together, they unpack the difference between critique that sharpens your work and criticism that reveals more about the person giving it than the work itself. They also talk about the emotional side of visibility, from reading feedback third-hand to the unexpected sting of something as small as a friend unsubscribing from an email list. This episode also explores: Why early critique from top-tier professionals can build long-term resilience How to tell the difference between constructive feedback and disguised opinion Why third-party criticism often lands harder than direct conversation What it means to lead creatively without shutting people down The responsibility that comes with giving feedback as a leader The “man in the arena” idea and who actually earns the right to critique your work Dave Grutman’s philosophy of “taking it personal” and what that unlocks A closing reflection on whether your work would change if no one else’s opinion existed Follow & Connect with the Show!Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcastFollow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Steph’s brand: Have Some Fun TodayThis show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  6. Apr 30

    The Psychology of Creativity: How Ideas Actually Work (and What It Takes to Build Them)

    What does it really mean to be creative, and what does it actually take to turn an idea into something real? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay dive into the psychology of creativity, from where ideas come from to what happens after inspiration hits. This is an honest, layered conversation about instinct, execution, and the often-overlooked gap between being creative and building something sustainable. They reflect on how creativity showed up early in their lives, from first-grade daydreaming to feeling “different”, and how those instincts evolved into real-world pursuits. But this episode goes beyond inspiration. It gets into the reality of bringing ideas to life: the mistakes, the money lost, the pressure, and the lessons learned the hard way. Jay shares how he started a tennis racket stringing business before the age of 20 with zero experience, while Steph opens up about walking into Bendel’s with hand-sewn dresses, landing a major moment with Brooke Shields, and still having to figure out the business side behind the scenes. They talk candidly about undervaluing your work, navigating creative blocks, and why not every idea needs to become a business. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing what to build—and what to keep as a passion. This episode also explores: Why daydreaming might be your greatest creative tool Letting ideas “come through you” vs. forcing them The difference between creativity and business acumen Pricing, marketing mistakes, and lessons from ~$100K in losses Creative intuition and recognizing “the tap on the shoulder” Fear of success and self-sabotage The importance of environment and the people around you How to move through creative blocks and actually execute Books & References Mentioned: The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron Stutz (Netflix) – Jonah Hill & Dr. Phil Stutz New Crits artist talks (NYC) Artist Cam Roone (Whitney Biennial) Follow & Connect with the Show! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcast Follow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Steph’s brand: Have Some Fun Today This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & intro: the psychology of creativity 0:18 – Were we always creative? Growing up “different” 1:27 – Steph’s first-grade daydreaming & Sister Alisan 2:46 – Jay’s first day of school: kicking and screaming 4:14 – Daydreaming as a superpower: visualization vs. fantasy 6:57 – Rick Rubin & letting ideas come through you 14:49 – Steph’s painting In Your Dreams 22:29 – The Artist’s Way & creative process 25:41 – The origin of Have Some Fun Today 28:19 – Deadlines, pressure & creativity 32:01 – The idea Steph almost ignored 35:23 – Protecting your creativity 44:02 – Fear of success & self-sabotage 52:38 – The “snapshot” trap (Stutz) 57:16 – Creating with purpose 1:02:49 – Creative blocks & how to move through them 1:07:27 – Environment: stimulation vs. stillness 1:16:57 – Takeaway exercise 1:22:01 – Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min

  7. Apr 23

    Turning Your Idea Into a Business (Without Losing Money)

    In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay, the conversation turns to something a lot of creatives run into but don’t always talk about honestly, what it actually takes to turn an idea into a real business. Steph and Jay share their own paths, and where things didn’t go as planned. Jay talks about starting a tennis racket stringing business before he was 20, with zero business experience, and learning everything the hard way. Steph reflects on walking into Bendel’s with hand-sewn dresses, landing a major moment with Brooke Shields, and still having to figure out how to actually build something sustainable behind the scenes. They get into the gap between being creative and being business-savvy, and why those are two completely different skill sets. There’s a real conversation around pricing, including the costly mistakes that led to a combined ~$100K lost in bad marketing decisions, and why so many creatives undervalue their work early on. They also challenge the idea that everyone should start a business. Sometimes the better move is keeping something as a hobby, and knowing the difference can save a lot of time, money, and stress. The episode breaks down how to recognize when something has real potential versus when it’s being forced into something it’s not. A big theme throughout is the importance of who you surround yourself with. The right people don’t just support you, they help you see your blind spots and make better decisions faster. If you’re a creative, founder, or someone sitting on an idea you’ve been trying to turn into something bigger, this episode offers a more grounded, honest look at what that actually requires. Share your thoughts in the comments. Are you building something right now, or still figuring out what it could be? Follow & Connect with the Show!Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcastFollow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Chapters 0:00 - Opening 0:39 — Intro: From Idea to Income 3:19 — Steph's path: college, art school & early ambitions 3:43 — Jay's story: building a business before age 20 19:58 — Product vs. service businesses — finding the right fit 34:12 — How to price your work 38:06 — Financial mistakes & marketing scams 42:22 — Advice for creatives: balancing passion with business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  8. Apr 16

    Can AI Help or Hurt Creativity? Using AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Crutch

    In this episode of Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay, we get into AI and creativity,  what it actually means for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to make something original right now. There’s a lot of noise around AI, but this conversation breaks down where it’s genuinely useful and where it starts to interfere with the creative process. Steph shares how she’s integrated tools like ChatGPT and Claude into her workflow as a painter and designer, not to create the art itself, but to support everything around it. From writing applications to documenting her work and communicating her vision more clearly, AI has become a backend tool that helps her stay focused on what actually matters: the creative. Jay brings a decade of experience in the AI space and explains how people are really using it right now, from agents to custom-built assistants, and why most people are barely scratching the surface. He also gets into prompting, where people go wrong, and how to actually use these tools in a way that saves time instead of creating more noise. Together, they explore the difference between using AI as a crutch versus a collaborator, why solopreneurs need to be paying attention, and the bigger questions around ethics, copyright, and ownership in a world where technology is moving fast. They also make the case that the real advantage isn’t AI alone, it’s the combination of human perspective and AI execution. If you’re a creative, founder, or someone trying to figure out how AI fits into your workflow without losing your voice, this episode gives you a grounded, practical way to think about it. Share your thoughts in the comments — are you using AI right now, or still figuring it out? Follow & Connect with the Show! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PicklesAndPastaPodcast Follow ephelants on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ephelants/ Follow Pickles & Pasta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picklesandpastapdocast/ Follow Pickles & Pasta on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578277108234 This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/) with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnership inquiries, please contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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 StephStephanie 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. This show is hosted by Steph and Jay and Produced by Rainbow Creative  (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) & ephelants (https://ephelantsz.com/)  with Matthew “MoJo” Jones as Executive Producer. For sales and partnerships inquires, please contact Shane Thornton at shane@rainbowcreative.co

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Rado Taormina & Jay Schweid
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay