Grounded in Greek

Brigette (Scobas) Morgan, the podcast's host, answers questions submitted by guests for Season 3's last episode. Catch even more of Grounded in Greek Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/ Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Konstantinos Vlachos is a linguist, Ph.D. candidate, and the CEO of Glossonauts, a company that offers customized online lessons for people of all ages interested in learning Greek. Glossonauts teaches a brain-friendly methodology to learn Greek, called Suggestopedia. Konstantinos discusses where we've gone wrong with teaching all languages, how we can learn more easily, and how his passion's origin is incorporated in what he does today.Website:www.glossonauts.comCatch even more of Grounded in Greek Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/ Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Georgia and Nick Kandris have been married for almost 15 years, but have known one another for 50 years. They dated in the early 1970s, but went their separate ways. This episode is about rekindled love and goes through their journey: being young in the same hometown, branching off and individually wading through life's ups and downs, marrying other people, and then reconnecting decades later. They share how they reconnected and then ended up marrying one another in 2008. They are the host's aunt/noná (godmother) and uncle. Georgia was featured on Season 1 with her brother. Catch even more of Grounded in Greek Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/ Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Georgette Boulegeris is the Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope organization, one that was started in 1929 by women who immigrated from Greece to the United States. It's rooted in promoting Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence. Georgette shares why she wanted to lead the large organization at this time and what she brings to her presidency, from her Greek background and past in education.Resources:daughtersofpenelope.orgahepahistory.orgCatch even more of Grounded in Greek Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/ Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Platon is a photographer who has captured numerous portraits of famous individuals including Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, and Adele. He's won countless awards and shot for many international publications including Rolling Stone, the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, Sunday Times Magazine, and Time magazine. He's published four books, teamed up with Human Rights Watch, founded the non-profit foundation, The People's Portfolio, and is featured in the Netflix documentary, Abstract: The Art of Design. Brigette and Platon talk about Greek values and dive deep into empathy and democracy, including how those are interwoven in their work. Website: platonphoto.comCatch even more of Grounded in Greek Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/ Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Giovanni Prete is the All for Blue Greek NGO social media manager and founder and leader of the Corfu (Kerkyra) team of the organization. All for Blue's mission is to protect the seas and oceans through educational programs and experiential cleanup actions. Giovanni and Brigette talk about what's the most common and craziest waste found through cleanups, facts on global warming/climate change, and how consumers can help protect our seas. Giovanni also shares how and why he was motivated to do this work. Website: allforblue.org Catch even more of Grounded in Greek:Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.comSocial Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Two friends from Canada, Athena Dimaras and Katerina Theodorelos, started a Greek-themed dog toy company in October 2022 to bring a little Opaw! home to pets. Their company, Opaw! is still growing and they share how and why the company started, including their toy creation process. The women also talk about why the older generations were against dogs in the home and how much that is shifting.Website: https://opawpets.comCatch even more of Grounded in Greek:Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.comSocial Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Ellen Karis is a comedian who has been gifted the title of “Greek Goddess of Comedy.” She transitioned from a career on Wall Street to one on the stage in New York and has been hustling in the industry ever since, mixing performing mainstream comedy shows with Greek-specific shows. She talks about the struggles, especially for women, what's involved in her preparation, and how she pulls from the Greek work ethic she learned growing up.Find out more about her shows, book, and podcast below:Website: www.ellenkaris.comPodcast: http://kariscomedycorner.libsyn.comBook (“Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith”): https://a.co/d/9okyPVGTwitter and Instagram: @GreekChickComicFacebook: Ellen Karis "Greek Goddess of Comedy"YouTube: Ellen KarisCatch even more of Grounded in Greek:Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.comSocial Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Brianna Koucos Midgley is the author of Yiayia's Kitchen Children's Book Series. Her and Brigette talk about the process of writing a children's book as well as the challenges of finishing projects that mean so much to us. They also discuss facing criticisms and Brianna shares how she's grown through it all by remaining authentic to herself. Find her books, gift items, blog, and social media links at: yiayiaskitchenchildrensbooks.comCatch even more of Grounded in Greek:Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.comSocial Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Libby Nicholaou is a certified yoga and meditation teacher. She and Brigette talk about the benefits of yoga and meditation, especially during stressful times and in recovering from traumatic brain injuries. Libby shares how yoga and meditation have helped her connect with her Greek ancestors and the steps she's taken to learn more about her heritage. Resources referenced in this episode:Website: https://www.libbynicholaou.comFree meditations: https://insighttimer.com/libbynicholaouJournal: https://www.libbynicholaou.com/i-courageously-show-up-with-loveCatch even more of Grounded in Greek...Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com.Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Peter Scobas is a data scientist, writer, and most importantly the host's younger brother! They chat about growing up Greek, the dynamics of their family, sibling memories, and the growth in their relationship as well as their personal growth through the years. November 27th is Peter's birthday, so Brigette saved this episode slot just for him.Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com.Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

Theodore Pitsios is an author of 3 fiction books about Greek immigrants including, Bellmaker's House, Searching for Ithaka, and his newest novel, Walking in the Light. As an immigrant himself, he shares where his inspiration is from, what sparked his writing, what his process is and what's next (memoirs). You can find out more at theodorepitsios.com.Podcast Shop: www.grounded-in-greek-podcast.myshopify.com.Social Media: www.instagram.com/grounded.in.greek/Contact: groundedingreek@gmail.com

George Stroumboulis is the co-founder of a custom lighting company, Ideoli Group and the podcast host of “Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis.” George and Brigette talk podcasting, starting a business, the lighting industry, and what embarrassed them growing up that they now think is beautiful.

Konstantine “Dean” Karnazes is an ultramarathoner, speaker, best-selling author, and entrepreneur, as well the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World” according to TIME magazine. He's run 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days and he's run 350 continuous miles. The host and him discuss snippets from his book, The Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace and talk about reconnecting to their Greek background. Konstantine also shares differences between marathons and ultramarathons. You can find his book and more about him at ultramarathon.com.

Presbytera Maria Koulianos, St. Raphael School's Principal and Scholé Academy's Lower School Academic Dean, is a delight, her laugh is infectious, and her stories are insightful. She discusses how her vocation as an educator was sparked from a young age and the host and her reminisce on impactful educators, both the positive and challenging ones in their lives. She also shares what the role of Presbytera means to her, including the biggest joys and challenges she faces.

Kosta Sakellariou is a radiological technologist at a major healthcare system in the East Bay. The host geeks out with him on anatomy and Kosta shares insights into the field he's been in for the past 14 years, CT scans, and radiation safety. He discusses how his Greek upbringing impacts his approach to work and how the Greek language aided him in studying the medical terms in school.

Elizabeth Chiarel and Maria Diamond are a mother-daughter duo who started and grew a Greek ceramics importing business, So Blue Greek Ceramics and Gifts. They discuss starting a business pre-mass-Internet usage, what's involved in sourcing products, how they've split up their roles, and the joys of all the Greek connections they've formed. Their business has allowed those across the world to treasure Greek artists' creations.Listen for a promo code to purchase one or twenty of their beautiful products.

Julie Karatzis founded Cartoules Press, a letterpress and design studio in 2010 after she couldn't find the right bilingual wedding invitations that worked for her and her husband's wedding. It morphed into her full-time business today. We talk about that process, including the joys and challenges she faced, what inspires her designs, and the steps she takes to deliver fresh ideas. 

Father Konstantinos Koutroubas was ordained a priest a couple years ago and is the Presiding Priest at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Father Konstantinos shares his path into the clergy, his experience in sharing the joys and hurdles of his parishioners, if chanting in front of people makes him nervous, and what inspires him to write sermons. Since this episode launches on Greek Orthodox Easter, he also provides a detailed recap of the weeks leading up to Lent, Lent, and the Easter celebrations. 

Amber Theoharis has been in sports broadcasting for over 20 years at places like the NFL Network and Fox Sports, winning herself an Emmy along the way. She talks about how lately she's been focusing a lot more on storytelling and producing, with HBO's “The Weight of Gold” documentary under her belt. Amber and Brigette also discuss growing up in households with mothers who are not Greek and what that dynamic was like, in addition to having husbands who are not Greek. Amber shares how she honors her different backgrounds and keeps the Greek culture alive in her family today. 

Thanasi Papoulias is the founder of the popular Greek meme Instagram account, “Excuse Me, Are You Greek?” and the apparel line, “Definitely Greek.” He talks about growing up with a mom who instilled the importance of Hellenic culture into him, down to prioritizing Greek dance over soccer. He shares why he started the account, what meme riled up some of his 84K followers, and which posts have made him proud.

Johnny Livanos is the founder of Stray Dog Wild Gin. As a half-Greek, half-Italian, he knows Americans are familiar with Italian food and wines but wants to help make the Greek culture and its food and drinks even more alive and well-known in America. He describes his Greek-sourced gin ingredients, the story behind the gin's name, why gin, and the experience that guided him to this path. Learn where to find this San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold Winner 2021 gin at straydoggin.com or @straydoggin on Instagram. Cheers!

Three guests share their part in a journey that involves reuniting with family in Greece.Gonda Van Steen is a researcher, author, and the Koraes Chair of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language, and Literature at King's College in London. In this episode she explains a piece of Greece's history that is not super well-known. For the past ten years she has been researching the adoptions of thousands of Greek-born children sent to the United States and to the Netherlands in the 1950s and 1960s. She has also helped several of those Greek-born adoptees learn about their roots and connect with their families. Today, she continues to work on encouraging Greece to acknowledge these individuals as citizens of Greece. A mother and daughter she's helped are Maria Papadopoulou and Alexis Zeluff. They share their struggles with the paperwork, how they're embracing their heritage, and the emotions and joys of uncovering the truth of Maria's adoption and reuniting with their family in Greece, specifically with Maria's birth mother.Learn More: Book: Adoption, Memory, and Cold War Greece: Kid pro quo? By Gonda Van Steen (Ekdoseis Potamos published the Greek translation in November 2021)Article: “Opinion: Bring Them Back!” By Mary Cardaras and Gonda Van Steen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gonda+Van+SteenEmail: gonda.van_steen@kcl.ac.uk 

Maria Zira, the host's cousin from Greece, shares the effort and emotions that went into starting her own accounting firm, Sigma Accounting, in Arta, Greece. She talks about what inspired her to go into accounting and her goals for the company. Brigette and her also reminisce on the first time they met in-person.

Ancient Greek high school teacher, Elodie Kabarakis shares her passion for the culture and why she created a non-profit, Apostrophos (www.apostrophos.org), all about educating people around Ancient Greek history. She excitedly talks mythology, language, and important individuals and works in history, including how she likes to make those topics digestible for students and adults in classrooms, conferences, and Zoom sessions. Her love for all things Ancient Greek is palpable.

Opera singer (Soprano) and Doctor of Musical Arts, Michele Patzakis talks about how she discovered her musical soul at a young age and blended her experience and passion for music with research in Vocal Arts Medicine. She discusses where technology is today in understanding vocal folds and how opera differs from other genres of music. Her successful training and career led to her performing at places like the New York City Opera and she continues to perform, educate, produce, direct, and judge. She ends describing how the Greek term, Philotimo, and the support of the Greek community have grounded her.

Executive chef, Christos Bisiotis is passionate about bringing Greeks back to their roots. He talks about what's been lost over the years, the stress of the kitchen, key ingredients from Greece and his plans for opening a restaurant to honor his grandmother. His culinary background is full of noteworthy experiences including cooking at and launching high-end restaurants, receiving an invitation to be the first Greek American chef to cook at the White House, and being nominated for a Michelin Star. 

George Scobas and Georgia Kandris, the host's dad and aunt, are siblings with different upbringings but a shared love of family. And yes, they talk about their similar names and how important names are in the Greek culture. This brother and sister also discuss their strict and religious childhoods, with immigrant parents who prioritized a hard work ethic, an education, and a respect for others, all of which grounded them in who they are today.

Luxury jewelry designer Katerina Marmagioli shares her path from law and international trade consulting to luxury jewelry design. She talks about the modern jewelry production process, unique components she incorporates into her jewelry and asymmetrical shapes in nature that inspire her designs and make her stand out. You can find her pieces at katerinamarmagioli.com.

Peter Poulos reminisces on the lessons he took from his dad, a Greek immigrant, who founded New York City's famous Papaya King takeout restaurant. Peter laughs about his dad being a sticker, talks about their customer-centered mindsets and shares all the little things he learned from his dad that helped make the  juices and Frankfurters business a success.

Greek Folk Dance Director, Niko Panagiotakopoulos talks about when he transitioned from dancing because it was what his mom wanted, to dancing because he truly wanted to do it. He shares some fun competition stories, interesting facts on Greek dance, and the importance it has on his life today.

Welcome to Grounded in Greek! Brigette is Greek and looking to learn more about her heritage while doing what she loves most -- hearing and sharing people's stories. Get to know Brigette and what's to come in this podcast. Enjoy!