Episodes

Anthony has a TIPSY all about “SAYING, YES!” and Alex has a YaYa-ism about Courage (and how she got here). Today Jo Ann Fahlgren Mauck, Fine Artist and CEO of Fickle Finger Airbrush joins the conversation. Jo Ann’s talents spread from her skills in Plein Air and portraiture on canvas to Airbrushing. In today’s conversation Jo Ann takes us on a journey from her fine art beginnings to her lucrative airbrushing endeavors with Fickle Finger Air Brush on the Fair and social event circuit. This episod...

This week starts out with a TIPSY all about "FEEDING THE TALENT" and a YAIYAI-ism about Alex wanting food. The Bollotta-FIDE hosts are joined this week by CEO and Chief Inspiration Officer of Skydiving Innovations & Tactical Drone Solutions, RON LEE. Ron's side of the special event industry is not conventional and he answers questions about the inspiration for starting a skydiving entertainment company. The clarity needed when dealing with the risk of putting parachute teams in planes when in th...

Anthony and Alex get down to business from the jump, a TIPSY about Force Majeure Clauses" and a YaiYai-ism about "everyone taking a piece". Longtime personal friend of the pod hosts, Lisa DeFino Director for The Institute of Meetings and Events of the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University joins the conversation today. The trio get into Lisa and Anthony's shared onsite experience through a rain storm on the USS Midway. They get into the challen...

This episode is off to a smashing start as Anthony fills Alex in on the fate of his Mother's good china. Anthony's TIPSY about "WE ARE WHAT WE CONSUME" (not just food based) and Alex's Yaiyai-ism about the direction of your tooth brush. Today's guest is Chris Vance, Creative Initiatives Manager for Sycuan San Diego Casino Resort , They touch on his creative projects at the resort like the San Diego Padres-themed guest suite, the Tribe's philanthropic Right to Dream Soccer Camp initiative and eve...

Anthony kicks things off with a TIPSY about the "Willfully Wandering Welcome" and Alex has a YaiYai-ism about the ownership of Tears and Smiles. They are joined this week by Nikki Arnold (Senior Event Manager, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina). Nikki gives boots on the ground insight on the average day of a Event Manager at one of the most popular hotels in San Diego. She goes over the importance of the first impression, what is "slippage", and the cross section of theater and special events. S...

Anthony and Alex are in the pod with Producer (with an emphasis on Environmental and Brand Experiences and Pubic Space Consulting and Activations, Design and Hospitality Management) Brooksie Hughes from BAH Productions. The Bollotta-philes start with a TIPSY with a checklist for adding SOUND to your event and a YaiYai-ism about how her yaiyai would yell at sound guys. Now the main course, Brooksie Hughes is not only a producer but she also is a public space strategist ie. she does festivals and ...

Second Episode of the year and we have the one and only Bernie Gaps (CEO of Absolutely Fabulous Events & Productions INC. and Spandex USA) on the pod. Before they kick off their chat Anthony has a TIPSY about rethinking your approach to "Breakout Sessions" and Alex'i YaiYai-ism all about doing not just watching. In their research the Bollotta-philes learned how Bernie is one of the foremost innovators in the special event industry and Alex and Anthony get into how he has made it happen all start...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Anthony and Alex are back with a very Opa!-licious episode to kick off the year. Anthony has a TIPSY about “baby steps” in the new year and Alex has a YaiYai-ism about even smaller steps. Jackie Loeb (Comic/Emcee/Host) joins us on the line direct from Down Under for our first show of the year. Jackie brings the fun as she answers the Bollotta-philes questions about her first paid gig, her television experiences on Superstore and the animated Netflix series Trash Truck. How she pr...

Anthony and Alex catch up and discuss their recent holiday musical discoveries and then Anthony has a TIPSY about the importance of your local BBB and Alex has a Yaiyai-ism about parts and wholes. They are joined by Jay Sheehan (Cue One Productions). Listen in as this multi-talented university educator, mentor, production manager and author of “The Production Manager’s Toolkit-Successful Production Management in Theatre and Performing Arts” answers Anthony and Alex’s questions about his trajecto...

Bollotta-Fide's Bollottaphiles kick off this week with Anthony's TIPSY about taking a deeper dive into the client to benefit the sale and project, Alex has a Yaiyai-ism about listening to nothing. Bollotta-Fide Musician, Educator and Performer Bill Fleming stops in for a discussion about following the music across the country (literally). Bill talks about his passion for learning his craft, playing at night in the clubs and in the mornings at mass. BIll Fleming has a great story and outlook. Lis...

Anthony kicks off things with a TIPSY about Psychographics from an event professional perspective (article here: https://blog.hubspot.com/insiders/marketing-psychographics) and Alex's YaiYai-ism is about a watch. Rachel Wood (CEO of RSVP EVENTS) sits down to chat with the Bollotta-philes about her past experiences in the hospitality world and non-profit events sector lead to her eventual ownership of RSVP Events. Rachel gives insight in current trends in the Mitzvah market, keeping clients in th...

This is the second part of our interview with our guest Chris Lashua the Founder and Creative Director of Cirque Mechanics. Make sure you go back and start with part 1. In this part they discuss insurance and venue challenges with booking circus acts, audience participation good and bad (think: throwing things on stage), building the shows that he wants to build while still making the sale, and the change he wants to see in the world. Follow @bollottaentertainment on Instagram Submit ASK ANTHO...

Bollotta-FIDE is back after a short hiatus the Bollotta-philes are back behind the mic. Alex catches us up on her new status as an "Inked Woman" and Anthony gives us a TIPSY inspired by My Name is Barbara by Barbra Streisand and a YaiYai-ism about You. What happens when you run off and CREATE your own circus? Our guest Chris Lashua the Founder and Creative Director of Cirque Mechanics did! Hear about how he started his career with Cirque Du Soleil, creating new contraptions and pushing the limit...

Bollotta-FIDE is here with an early holiday nugget. Alex gushes about a recent trip to the Happiest Place on Earth Disneyland, and Anthony recounts a recent venture in Event Planning. Today's TIPSY is about about Planning the "Perfect" Holiday Party and YaiYai's perfect holiday trio and Alex's dry turkey Christmas. They are joined by San Diego's Surfin Santa (Loren Smith) and Magical Santa Claus (Magic Mike Stilwell). These are two of Bollotta's favorite holiday performers who's care and love of...

Anthony and Alex are back this week with another personal wellness themed episode, but first Anthony fills in Alex on his experience at the self-check in, Sonder Lum Hotel next to SoFi Stadium (the pros and cons). Anthony talks about "You Are What You Eat" during today's TIPSY and Alex's YaiYai-ism about food and love for the body and soul. They are joined by Master of Sciece, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, JOY KHOURY (Eating Disorder Specialist). Joy has the goal of helping people achieve a...

CEO and Founder of JR Global Events the one and only Jennafer Ross is back on the pod! It's been almost 3 years since the Bollotta-philes have touched down with Ms Ross and they needed to have her back after seeing her new separate venture, the #eventpro staffing service app called EVENTS ON CALL which is offering direct access to vetted and experienced onsite event specialists on an "as needed" basis. But first, Anthony has a TIPSY about "VOLUNTEERISM" and Alex has a YaiYai-ism about doing stuf...

This week Bollotta-FIDE has a special treat and is operating at a different frequency with KYMM CIVETTA the author of HEAVEN IN MY EYES: A TRUE STORY OF HEAVEN AND HEALING. Before they get into their convo with Kymm, Alex asks Anthony for his review of Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour Show at SoFi Stadium in LA (spoiler: Anthony loved it). Anthony's TIPSY is about the PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE and Alex has a YaiYai-ism about looking for ant hills. Listeners may remember Kymm from our very first epis...

Anthony and Alex are back and thinking about the year so far as the fourth quarter begins. This week's TIPSY is about "FINDING YOUR CREATIVITY" and a YaiYai-ism about "Finding beauty through openness". Today the twosome are joined by CEO and Creative Director of AOO Events, David Merrell. They discuss designing for the client not the designer, teaching trade secrets and how the economy impacts his event design. Anthony asks David about his thoughts on AI and what technology is he paying the most...

Anthony and Alex kick off this week with a TIPSY about "Assumption of Risks" and a stomach settling YaiYai-ism. This week we have Event Pro, Melody Corvalan the Director of Event Sales at Belmont Park. The San Diego Native talks about some of the varied options the San Diego theme park provides to it's group and corporate guests with rides, food options and late night capabilities. Get her perspective industry networking and camaraderie are vital to how she successfully operates. Anthony also as...

This is the second part of Anthony and Alex's interview with renowned chef and event industry professional Andrew Spurgin the Chef and Owner behind Andrew Spurgin Bespoke Event Styling and Menu Design. Here they get into Chef's thoughts on dietary restrictions, tasting the passion in the food, making YOURSELF the project and Alex cries while eating. Connect with Andrew at www.andrewspurgin.com Please answer this survey: https://stats.blubrry.com/s-85335/getting_started/ Submit ASK ANTHONY qu...

Anthony and Alex kick off with chatter about talking with emojis, a TIPSY and a new YaiYai-ism both involving the idea of "GRACE". This week they are joined by Andrew Spurgin the Chef and Owner behind Andrew Spurgin Bespoke Event Styling and Menu Design. Dig in and savor this delectable conversation about his formula on how he approaches a project, a mouthwatering 10 Quick Questions, establishing trust to grant freedom, and so many more stories about process, travels and clients that we HAD to g...

Anthony and Alex are back this week (surviving the heat of summer) with returning guest Magician, Illusionist and Hypnotist Derek Ostovani. Before they start their interview Anthony has a TIPSY all about “discovering the magic of SOLITUDE” and Alex has a Yai-Yai-ism about finding your own peace before helping others. Magician Derek Ostovani is back after 3 years to update the Bollotta-philes about all the new NEW in his life (Including a baby boy)! We hear about what happens when he audience is ...

The Bollotta-philes are back! Anthony and Alex have been on summer hiatus for the past 4 weeks and they are back (sans guest) to talk about their summer travels. Alex had an adventure on the other side of the world as she traveled through Italy, Greece, Malta and Spain and has some delightful stories about making connections with people during her journey. Cruise ship talk as Alex remembers her soul lifting windy nights and Anthony remembers his time performing at sea. On Anthony's summer has be...

It's SUMMER BREAK and we have another ENCORE for you. Feast on the TREATS in this episode. Anthony starts off this episode catching up Alex on his recent business trip to Charleston, SC and they talk about the nightmare getting back across the country. They are joined by event pro Sheri Karpinski owner and operator Sensational Treats to discuss all things business. Sheri and the Bollotta-philes discuss the restructuring of pricing in 2022, creating new products from her imagination vs. client re...