The podcast · 60 episodes
Cocktails & Conversation
Let's talk cocktails, story, Enneagram & rest
Dana Marie Roquemore, founder of The Dinner Party Project and co-founder of The Welcome House, invites intriguing guests over to her home to chat about a few of her favorite things: cocktails, story, the Enneagram and rest.
Every episode
Pour one and press play
Episode 60 · May 16, 2022
Drink Easy with Kevin Zepf
It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends. When I heard about Orlando’s first spirit-free speakeasy and tasting lounge, I wanted to invite Kevin Zepf of The Bandbox over to learn more! I love that so many bars and…
Episode 59 · May 2, 2022
Living It Up with the Ladies of Le Petite Feté!
If you know me at all, you know I love a good dance party. These two young ladies stumbled into some massive success about a year ago, with meeting the need for raging Taylor Swift dance parties. What started in…
Episode 58 · April 18, 2022
Reading It Right with Jen Knopf
I ♥️ love meeting new friends and Jen Knopf was no exception! Life would be the most challenging without the capacity to read properly. Reading a recipe, holding down a job, reading street signs, all nearly…
Episode 57 · March 21, 2022
All Roads Lead to John Rivers
So much incredible work has come out of Orlando. Wouldn’t you agree? Sitting down with John Rivers was no exception. He is a bit of a (self proclaimed) perfectionist, which works out for us, since his brisket he…
Episode 56 · March 6, 2022
Life of the Nightlife with Dominique Greco
Who likes to party? Whether that is your thing or not, it’s definitely a part of the downtown Orlando scene, which adds a lot to the flavor of Orlando! Dominique held Orlando’s first ever Nighttime Manager position,…
Episode 55 · February 21, 2022
Becoming Mayor After Retirement with Phil Anderson
If there’s something I really love, it’s meeting new people – well, most of them. If you are a new dentist, no thank you, but it was so delightful to meet and interview the new(ish) Mayor of Winter Park, a small-town…
Episode 54 · February 4, 2022
Cutting It Close with Teryn Tucker
Spending time with Teryn Tucker is truly one of the greatest delights one can enjoy in this life. Teryn has been my long-time hair stylist and keeps me in the beautiful blonde. Her story is so incredible, from her…
Episode 53 · December 14, 2021
Living a Generous Life with Jim & Beth Hobart
During this Holiday Season, I wanted to chat with some of the most giving folks I know! Jim and Beth Hobart have been such active members of the Orlando scene. Beth has a wildly successful Real Estate business and…
Episode 52 · November 24, 2021
Keeping the Music Fresh with Nigel John
What a pleasure to have such a deep and vast community in Central FL. DJ Nigel John, aka Kurt Rambus, just makes Orlando better. If you've gotten out in the last couple of years, chances are you have witnessed the…
Episode 51 · November 15, 2021
All Roads Lead to Florida with Heather LaVine
What’s better than making new friends? Not much. It was a pleasure to meet a kindred spirit in Heather LaVine. I went from knowing a bit of Heather’s story, to knowing her journey quite well. There’s never a straight…
Episode 50 · November 1, 2021
The Road to Becoming Mayor Buddy Dyer
We can’t believe it either! It’s been 50 episodes of the Cocktails and Conversation Podcast . To celebrate this momentous occasion, I invited long-time Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer to join me on the podcast. I brought…
Episode 49 · October 15, 2021
Feel All the Things with Aaron Moore
If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s been one hell of a Global Pandemic. This past year has been a myriad of things ... Ups / Downs and everything in between. I invited my incredibly wise friend, Aaron…
Episode 48 · October 4, 2021
Tony Adams Tells It ALL
When you sit down with Tony Adams to hear all his stories, you better have time on your hands and a good amount of Whiskey. Lucky for me, I had both! I’m always so proud of the Orlando folks that, sadly, move away…
Episode 47 · September 6, 2021
Summertime in the City with Summer Singletary
Summer on Summer! So thankful to visit my friend Summer Singletary in San Francisco. She spent several years in Orlando learning how plants heal us and then gained experience worldwide. She helped to Co-Found The…
Episode 46 · August 23, 2021
Chillin' with Chelsea Steele
Spending time with adventuring friends is quite life giving. So glad I got to share some space with Chelsea Steele. A pioneering young woman from Orlando who has made her way to Los Angeles. She has already started…
Episode 45 · July 26, 2021
Jon Strong Moves to LA
First podcast on the road! So fun to check in with my filmmaker friend, Jon Strong. We chatted moving to Los Angeles from Orlando with his family, in the middle of a pandemic. Jon talks and talks and we are here for…
Episode 44 · June 14, 2021
It's all Greek to Katerina Coumbaros
It’s no secret that I could talk about International travel all day and/or International food! So it was such a pleasure to chat with Katerina about her life that may or may not resemble “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”…
Episode 43 · May 31, 2021
Learning the Hard Way with Thomas Ward
Well, we all gotta eat. And one of the best places to eat around town is Pig Floyd’s . I have to say we are more than blessed when it comes to incredible food and drink in Orlando! My friend Thomas Ward who created…
Episode 42 · May 18, 2021
Learn As We Grow with Shav Martinez
Well Cheers to new friends! It was so fun to invite someone NEW over into my home and on the podcast this time around. So fun to chat the Enneagram in depth and get to know an incredible story of courage and new…
Episode 41 · May 3, 2021
Funnest Hair Out There with Corinne Gammichia
You don’t know Orlando if you don’t know Corinne Gammichia. She is the mastermind behind Alchemy Hair Salon. I would dare to say, Orlando’s most creative salon! These stories are PURE GOLD. She shares her journey…
Episode 40 · April 19, 2021
Building a Delightful Brand with Kim Devitt
Oh Man. Just such a delight to spend time with Kim Devitt! Kim was the second employee with Corkcicle . So it’s safe to say, she’s almost been there from the very beginning! And what a journey it has been! Kim…
Episode 39 · April 5, 2021
Finding Her Way with Sorcha Baty
Super inspired is how I feel when I hear what Sorcha is up to! Her story is super fascinating and is so relatable! Isn’t that the way of life sometimes? It’s not always a clear cut path. Some people have a clear cut…
Episode 38 · March 22, 2021
Next Generation Energy with Casey Field
So sweet to spend time with a sweet friend, who happens to have lived a few lifetimes already … at the age of 26! Casey graduated in the top handful of students (out of over 60,000) at UCF a few years ago. Since…
Episode 37 · March 8, 2021
Be All That You Can Be with Tracy Brand-Liffey
What a treat to hear Tracy’s story! She arrived on the scene about 4 years ago to open the beautifully curated New General Store , but she has a pretty incredible story before she landed here with us in the Orlando…
Episode 36 · February 16, 2021
Power Thru with Kyle Steele
When one of the most interesting folks in Orlando comes over for a drink and a chat, it makes for a good day! I’ve known Kyle Steele for many years now. It’s so encouraging to see people along side you working hard…
Episode 35 · February 1, 2021
Best of the Rest with Kate King
Happy New Year Darlings! So glad to finally get a NEW podcast out. So excited that it’s with one of my bestest friends. Kate and I have known one another for 15 years. We have seen each other through a lot of our…
Episode 34 · December 14, 2020
Get Weird in the Best Way Possible with Joseph Hayes
I mean REALLY. I could gush on Orlando all day. One thing that I treasure the most is the fascinating people that make up this City! Joseph Hayes easily makes that list for me! He is a man about town, writer of plays…
Episode 33 · November 30, 2020
Feeding Us Well with Jason and Sue Chin
What would Orlando town be without some of the best eats in the area? The Good Salt Restaurant Group folks are some good folks. No surprise there. Listen in as we hear about how Jason & Sue met, got their start and…
Episode 32 · November 2, 2020
Talking Adventures with Terry Olson
Terry Olson is most definitely one of a kind. So glad he brought his one of a kind self over for a cocktail and a chat! Terry has long been an institution around Orlando. He helped to start SAK Comedy Clue and not…
Episode 31 · October 19, 2020
Speak Love with Shea Glenny
Talking with Shea Glenny makes you feel like you can get through and do anything you want! She has been in Orlando so long it feels like she has always been here. Shea has created space for women entrepreneurs and…
Episode 30 · October 6, 2020
Keep Moving Forward with Eddie Selover
There are so many aspects of what makes a community great. Unique people and events is just one of the contributing factors. We are celebrating 10 years of Pecha Kucha in Orlando, thanks to my friend Eddie Selover!…
Episode 29 · September 22, 2020
Stories from Multiple lifetimes with bonnie lewis
Stories on Stories on Stories with my long time friend Bonnie Barton Lewis! We could have talked all day, but we narrowed down to 2+ hours. There is too much to share. Bonnie's time spent in Oscar de la Renta's…
Episode 28 · August 31, 2020
Leading the Charge with Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs
When a friend that you admire a lot comes over to share her life story, you really listen in. Recently I had the pleasure of chatting with my friend Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs about so many things! I learned so much…
Episode 27 · August 3, 2020
Life of a Boss Female Leader with Kelly Romano
Time spent with Kelly Romano is always time well spent! Seeing her work ethic is really always an inspiration. Spoiler Alert: Kelly is an 8 on the Enneagram, the same as me. We had a REALLY great time chatting about…
Episode 26 · July 13, 2020
Moments Through Life with Phuego
Listen in as I chat with Walter Phuego, Owner of Studio 17 Creative . We sip on some Tito's Handmade Vodka Summer Sips and chat about what Black Lives Matter means to him, ways you can engage with BLM, his growing up…
Episode 25 · May 25, 2020
Keep Things Moving with Benoit Glazer
When I hear of all the things Benoit has going on, I am simultaneously in awe and exhausted! If you have ever had the pleasure to take an Artistic performance at Timucua, you have Benoit to thank for it! As the…
Episode 24 · April 27, 2020
Deep Dive into the Enneagram with Ryan Adams
In a not so recent time, when humans were gathering in person, you could find me drinking a Tito’s Handmade Vodka adult Shirley Temple for one, while I got to chat with my friend Ryan Adams, the local one. Ryan cares…
Episode 23 · April 13, 2020
Still Smiling with Shawn Welcome
What an immense pleasure to have such an immensely talented friend, Shawn Welcome over to chat! Shawn created DiVerse Word, which is Orlando’s longest running Open Mic night at Dandelion Cafe. It’s an Orlando…
Episode 22 · March 16, 2020
Dreaming All the Dreams with Ashley Dishman
When you have been waiting patiently since you started this Podcast to have your Gal Pal Ashley Dishman over for a drink and a chat! Ashley is behind some of the most iconic gathering places / bars that Orlando has…
Episode 21 · March 3, 2020
What a World to Live In with Brendan O'Connor
I’m the luckiest girl to have a friend in Brendan O’Connor! He is a whirlwind of FUN and creativity. Our friendship has spanned almost a decade and we have been able to work together on a myriad of things over the…
Episode 20 · February 17, 2020
Working At It with Benjamin Collins
When you get 8s together, it gets pretty interesting! This podcast was no exception. Getting to chat with my friend Benjamin Collins of Laughing Samurai was as intriguing as that name sounds! Making my favorite…
Episode 19 · February 3, 2020
So Much Going On with John Rife
Well you never know what you are going to get when you sit down with a Guest. Spending time w John Rife did not disappoint! With having a vision for community and healthy eating, among the loads of other business…
Episode 18 · January 20, 2020
Make it Happen with Chauniqua Major-Louis
When don’t I want to have Major over? It doesn’t happen as much as I would like to, but when it does happen, it’s pretty wonderful! I sipped on some New Moon Market Juice, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Tonic. Major just…
Episode 17 · January 7, 2020
Finding your Purpose with Jessica Bott
When it’s the Holidays and you get to sip on Tito’s Handmade Vodka & New Ground Chai Lattes and chat with a long time dear friend, Jessica Bott about the meaningful things. It’s kinda magic. There is nothing like a…
Episode 16 · December 16, 2019
Moving the Needle with Kelly Cohen
When I think of fearless leaders in Orlando, I often think of Kelly Cohen. While Orlando wasn’t in the plans as a long term stay, it became the place she wanted to invest in! And I feel we are all better for it.…
Episode 15 · December 3, 2019
Isn't Life Sweet with Nathan Clark!
We get one shot at this life. So we should make the most of it right!? Well that’s the MO of our Guest Nathan Clark. Nathan, along with his wife Jenn, started Wondermade about 7 years ago, which has had explosive…
Episode 14 · November 12, 2019
Make It Happen with Christen Rodgers
When you think of a life or health coach, you might not know what exactly to think. My Guest this week is Christen Rodgers who has quite an incredible story of her Journey to health, including losing over 100 pounds.…
Episode 13 · October 29, 2019
Know Thyself as Best You Can with Stephan Monteserin
We you get to have a Dearest Friend on and chat your Favorite subject, it equals a GREAT day. We chat ENNEAGRAM with a local expert. Stephan Monteserin is a LMHC who practices out of Solace Counseling . We dig in so…
Episode 12 · October 14, 2019
All that Sparkles with Ansley Schrimsher
When you think of that friend that lights up the room with just their laugh, that’s when I think of my pal Ansley. Founder and Owner of Dora Mae Jewelry . We weren’t ashamed to do some morning drinking, a Bootsy…
Episode 11 · September 30, 2019
Healthy & Hard Growth w Kaleb Harrell
When you think of places where people ACTUALLY like their jobs / bosses, not a whole lot of places/people come to mind. When I think of Hawkers Asian Street Fare , now an Orlando institution, I think that’s one of…
Episode 10 · September 16, 2019
Keeping Love Alive with Kristen Manieri
Most Bloggers have come to prominence in the past couple of years and usually last a couple of years. What I love about this week’s Cocktails and Conversation Guest, Kristen Manieri, is her dedication to pumping out…
Episode 9 · September 2, 2019
ALL the Things with Katie Johnston
Well when you sit down for a drink with one of your dearest friends, it never feels like work. Getting to chat with Katie Johnston, the Director of Pulptown , was a real pleasure. Even I learned some things I never…
Episode 8 · August 19, 2019
Leading the Way for Women with Laura Youngkin
What’s better than sharing a VERY delightful summer cocktail with an old Friends? Not much really. I’m so excited for you to listen in to my conversation with Laura Youngkin, who Co-Created “Women Lead Orlando” with…
Episode 7 · July 22, 2019
Creative Curation with Cole NeSmith
Cole NeSmith has been a long time Champion of Orlando. He has also been a long time friend of mine. Cole had a vision to Celebrate the incredible things he saw his friends making and the Arts scene in our city. Thus…
Episode 6 · July 1, 2019
Keeping it Fresh with Brittany Lyne of Farm & Haus
Sitting down with Brittany Lyne of Farm & Haus was such a Delight! We got to talk about how our businesses were coming up at the same time! Brittany is an amazing Entrepreneur, Marketing Guru and Boss Mom! We got to…
Episode 5 · June 17, 2019
Making It To and In Orlando with Faiyaz Kara
Well I was so excited to sit down with the Orlando Weekly Restaurant Critic Faiyaz Kara about all things Drinks / Eats and how he made his way to Orlando from Canada. I can honestly say it’s amazing what people have…
Episode 4 · June 3, 2019
Make it Matter with Ben Hoyer
It’s always a good time when I get to sit down with my friend Ben Hoyer, Founder of Downtown Credo and a little other side projects in Orlando. Ben has a way of helping to push Community forward in meaningful ways…
Episode 3 · May 20, 2019
Be a Boss on Every Level with Jenny Joy
What a pleasure to chat with such an inspiring business woman, with SUCH a caring heart and brave soul. I crafted a Tito’s Handmade Vodka drink called “Pretty in Pink” Cocktail that was an easy favorite of mine. It…
Episode 2 · May 6, 2019
Sit Down with Kay Rawlins
It was SUCH a pleasure to share a Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail with Kay Rawlins. Kay has been building up the Orlando Community for so many years. One of the ways that she does this is through her Role at the…
Episode 1 · March 13, 2019
Is there anyone I haven't pissed off yet?
Hello and Welcome to the Cocktails and Conversation Podcast! I’m Dana Marie Roquemore the Founder of The Dinner Party Project and co-Founder of The Welcome House. I’ll be inviting intriguing Guests over to my home to chat about some of my favorite things: Cocktails, Story, the Enneagram and REST.