Podcast

#009 - Be Well Natural. Today’s interview is with Chris Pearson, Founder of Be Well Natural, a holistic health clinic in Oakland’s Laurel District. Chris specializes in orthopedics and is a self professed bio-mechanical geek. The clinic has been in practice in the Laurel District for 6 years. Through Acupuncture and body work, he helps people overcome pain and discomfort. The clinic has several community programs, including yoga and one...

#008 - No immigrants No Spice “NINS”. Today’s interview is with Vibha Gupta, Founder / Executive Director of Oakland Non Profit No Immigrants No Spice. Vibha is an Emergency room doctor by day (and night). As a 2nd generation daughter of immigrants, her mission is to shed light on the positive contributions immigrants have in our community. She donates 100% of the proceeds from the sale of NINS swag to support immigrant programs and...

#007 - Two Chicks in the Mix. Today’s interview is with Malaka Wison-Greene, co-owner of Two Chicks in the Mix. Malaka and her best friend since high school Erica Freeman conceived the idea in 2013 and the business was born. Malaka operates in Oakland while Erica covers LA. After hearing this, you will want to try their pastries, pies, cookies, and cakes. ...

#006 - LuxGroom. Today’s interview is with Notch Taplett, owner of LuxGroom. LuxGroom is a full-service mobile barbershop dedicated to consistently providing shaves, haircuts, and other grooming services while providing a private, relaxing, clean atmosphere for the discerning customer....

#005 - Truffle Shuffle. Today’s interview is with Jason McKinney from Oakland’s Truffle Shuffle. Truffle Shuffle has an incredible “pandemic pivot” story. Co-founders Jason McKinney, his wife Sarah McKinney, and Tyler Vorce all cut their teeth together at Napa’s famous French Laundry Restaurant....

#004 - Chanchos. Today’s interview is with Matt Meyer and Daniel Paez, longtime friends and founders of Chanchos. Matt and Daniel were working on opening a new bar in Oakland (Low Bar) to recreate the Oakland bar scene they enjoyed in their early 20s. ...

#003 - Formosa Chocolates. Today’s interview is with Kim Yang, founder of Formosa Chocolates. Kim is a doctor, but left her medical career to become a chocolate entrepreneur. She followed her passion and that led her to culinary school and traveling the world visiting chocolate shops. Formosa ships chocolate to all 50 states. Kim is known to sometimes include hand written notes with shipments.

#002 - Brown Bag Bread Club. Today’s interview is with Lee Magner, founder of the Brown Bag Bread Club. Lee is a longtime professional baker. When he was furloughed from his job due to COVID he started baking and delivering fresh bread around Oakland. The response was AMAZING! People loved his bread and created a community of bread aficionados. The club offers monthly or biweekly subscriptions for people who want to enjoy delicious,...

#001 - Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes welcome you to the inaugural episode of the Townrootz Podcast. Thank you for listening. In this episode, we share a little about ourselves, why we started this podcast, and our vision for where we want to take it. This show is for people, businesses, and organizations in and around Oakland, CA, affectionately known as “The Town”.