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. 6d ago

    The Hidden Cost of Being the Expert (And How to Stay Curious Anyway)

    What do you do when you've outgrown the room, but leaving would mean leaving people behind? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay dig into one of the most uncomfortable career truths nobody talks about: being the most experienced person in the room doesn't always feel like a win. Sometimes it feels like being stuck. Steph opens up about what it's really like to straddle two completely different worlds: the competitive, high-stakes New York City art scene and the emerging arts community in Wyomissing, PA. The gap between them isn't just geographic. It's a constant negotiation between what she knows, what others are just discovering, and how to show up in a way that lifts the room instead of silencing it. Jay brings in something his father taught him about the difference between wisdom and intelligence, and why age alone doesn't give you either. He also shares what he's seen at Tribeca, where young creators are rewriting the rules that people like Steph spent decades learning. And Steph's got something new in the works: an art salon rooted not in selling or showcasing, but in generosity. She's building something that didn't exist before and inviting people in. This episode covers: Why being the most experienced person in the room can feel lonely, or worse, like a ceiling The real difference between being the smartest person and the most experienced How living between NYC and small-town PA shapes the way Steph sees her own career Why Steph has reinvented herself twice: at 50 with Have Some Fun Today, and again at 60 in the art world Jay's dad's take on wisdom vs. intelligence (and why they're not the same thing) What young Tribeca creators are doing that flips the experience script The art salon: what it is, why Steph is building it, and what it's really about How to avoid becoming the condescending expert in any room you walk into Why curiosity, not experience, is the real antidote to getting stuck Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Pickles & Pasta, and share this with someone who's starting something new later in life. They need to hear it. Pickles & Pasta is hosted by Steph and Jay and produced ephelants. YouTube CHapters 0:00 - Intro: Always Learning, No Matter the Room 1:45 - This Week's Topic: When You're the Most Experienced Person 4:10 - You Don't Want to Be the Smartest Person in the Room 7:30 - Steph's Two Worlds: NYC Art Scene vs. Small-Town Pennsylvania 13:00 - Living Between Ecosystems: Big Fish, Small Pond 17:20 - New But Not Really New: Steph's Body of Work as an Artist 22:00 - Jay's Dad on Wisdom vs. Intelligence 26:30 - Young Creators at Tribeca Flipping the Script on Experience 30:00 - Building Community: Steph's Art Salon This Weekend 34:15 - The Danger of Being the Condescending Expert 37:00 - Have Some Fun Today & the Power of Sharing What You Know 39:00 - Final Takeaway: How to Elevate Any Room You're In Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    41 min

  2. Jun 25

    The Authenticity Strategy That Beats the Algorithm Every Time

    Are you creating content for the algorithm or for the people who actually need to hear it? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay get candid about what 16+ years of navigating the ever-shifting social media landscape has really taught them. From MySpace to TikTok, the platforms have changed, but the question at the center of it all hasn't: who are you actually talking to? Steph, founder of Have Some Fun Today and Parsons-trained designer, opens up about the pivotal moment she stopped producing new bags and chose vulnerability over optics. That decision revealed the difference between building an audience and performing for one. Jay breaks down what he witnessed at a content creator panel about the viral video trap. He explains why the creators who last are the ones committed to consistency and authentic connection over trending tactics. Together, they explore what it really means to build a brand in the creator economy and why reaching the right people will always matter more than reaching more of them. This episode covers: Why "talking to everyone" on social media means connecting with no one How authenticity outperforms algorithm-chasing for long-term brand loyalty The difference between being a creator vs. an entertainer and why it matters What viral moments actually do (and don't do) for your brand Why vulnerability and honest storytelling drive deeper audience engagement How to stay consistent without burning out or losing your identity The real reason people buy brands, not products …and so much more! Cultural touchstones, platforms, and figures discussed in this episode include Johnny Carson, TikTok, Instagram, MySpace, and the evolving language of the creator economy. 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 00:00 - The Audience You're Actually Talking To 00:37 - Welcome & Episode Intro 04:50 - Steph's Social Media Journey Since 2008 07:22 - The Burnout of Constantly Adapting to Trends 10:34 - Why TikTok Feels Like a Car Salesman 11:38 - People Buy Brands, Not Products 14:42 - Vulnerability & the Power of Honest Posts 17:26 - Building a Fashion Brand From Scratch (The Real Story) 20:27 - Ditching Analytics — Measuring Alignment Over Numbers 24:19 - Viral Videos vs. Building a Real Audience 31:15 - Creator vs. Entertainer: A Key Distinction 37:07 - Effort, Beauty & What Actually Lasts 39:34 - The Johnny Carson Rule: Talk TO Your Audience 43:20 - Final Advice: Authenticity Over Algorithms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  3. Jun 18

    Why You're Still Waiting for Permission (And How to Finally Stop)

    Do you have a great idea, a finished product, or a solid plan, but you're still waiting for someone to tell you it's okay to go? You might have the permission problem. In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay dig into one of the quietest creativity killers out there: the habit of seeking external validation before trusting your own instincts. They unpack why the need for outside approval tends to show up not during the build, but right at the moment of launch—when the stakes feel highest and self-doubt hits hardest. Steph gets personal, sharing the one time she listened when someone told her not to pursue an idea and why she still thinks about it. Jay brings his perspective from years alongside creatives who had everything they needed except the belief that they were allowed to go for it. This episode covers: The "slide seven" phenomenon: knowing your weak spot and hoping no one notices Why your inner circle has more influence over your risk tolerance than you think What the tech world's "ship it" mentality can teach every creative How your relationship with failure shapes how much permission you feel you need Key Takeaway: You don't need anyone's permission. But you do need the right people around you, a command of your craft, and enough confidence to take the shot, even when it isn't perfect yet. 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 – Introduction & What Is the Permission Problem? 1:15 – Steph's Experience: Seeking Validation with Have Some Fun Today 4:30 – The Moment Before You "Open the Door" – Why Confidence Stalls at Launch 7:27 – The Hidden Thing We Know Is Wrong (Slide Seven Theory) 13:57 – Your Craft vs. Your Business Acumen – Where Permission-Seeking Really Lives 15:45 – Giving Yourself Permission vs. Asking for It (Steph's Sister Story) 22:40 – How Past Misses Erode Confidence Over Time 24:30 – Does Experience Build Confidence or Make You Seek More Permission? 33:50 – How Your Upbringing & Friend Group Shape Your Confidence 28:40 – Designing for Others vs. Designing for Yourself – The Misses That Hurt 37:35 – Seeing Your Work Alongside the Best (Confidence vs. Arrogance) 44:20 – Final Advice: Find the Balance, Take the Shot, Be Bold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min

  4. Jun 11

    The Money Conversation Every Creative Is Avoiding

    Is creativity a talent, a business, or both? And why do so many creatives act as though these two ideas can't coexist? In this episode of Pickles & Pasta, Steph and Jay delve into the complex and often emotional connection between creativity and money. They unpack inherited beliefs, cultural stigmas, and the lack of business education that lead many artists, designers, and musicians to undervalue their work. Steph discusses how her education at Parsons School of Design instilled a professional approach to pricing from the start, shaping her career across fashion design, interior design, handbag design, and fine art. Jay shares his perspective on the brilliant creatives he's encountered in music, film, and television who often falter when financial negotiations arise. Together, they examine why so many creatives underprice their work, the nuances of pricing a product versus pure creative output, and how Jesse Itzler's $4,000 New York Knicks theme song offers invaluable lessons on recognizing your worth. This episode covers: Why creatives often undercharge, and how to break the cycle The distinctions between pricing a product and pricing creative work Jesse Itzler's $4,000 Knicks theme song and its lessons for every creative How professionalism and confidence are essential for commanding higher rates The emotional link between being paid and feeling validated as an artist How family, education, and cultural narratives influence our money mindset The importance of supporting local creatives and understanding their goals …and so much more! Artists, creators, and cultural references discussed in this episode include Jesse Itzler, Adrien Brody, Matt Dillon, and Sharon Stone. 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 00:00 - Intro: Selling a Painting for Five Figures 01:15 - Welcome to Pickles and Pasta: Money, Creativity & Inherited Stories 02:00 - The Stories We Inherit About Money 05:30 - Did Steph Always Know What to Charge? 08:00 - How Parsons School of Design Shaped Steph's Pricing Mindset 11:00 - Pricing Art vs. Pricing Products: Is There a Difference? 14:30 - Steph's Education in the Full Pricing Spectrum (Wholesale to Retail) 17:30 - Why Creatives Struggle to Ask for What They're Worth 21:00 - Jesse Itzler & the $4,000 New York Knicks Song 26:00 - How Jay Set His Rates (And Why He Stopped Caring What Others Thought) 29:00 - Confidence, Shame & the Psychology of Charging More 33:00 - Artists Who Paint AND Act: Adrien Brody, Matt Dillon, Sharon Stone 36:00 - Finding Your Balance Between Creativity and Money 38:00 - Support Your Local Creatives (They're Not in It for Attention) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  5. Jun 4

    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

    38 min

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pickles & Pasta with Steph and Jay

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