What if the most powerful thing you could say to someone wasn't advice — it was I believe you?

We sat down with Holley Brandchaft-White, licensed clinical social worker, former Lurie Children's Hospital ED clinician, and co-founder of SHFT Behavioral Health — Chicago's first mental health urgent care center for young people and families. Returning guest Steph Krim of Good Things Vending joins as co-host.

After a decade in the children's ER, Holley saw firsthand that most people in mental health crises didn't need to get that far. SHFT was built on that truth: meet people earlier, before the small things pile up into something unbearable. But it's not just about where you go — it's about what the environment makes possible. The same amount of time with a patient can feel entirely different when there are no monitors beeping, no signatures being rushed, no sense that someone is already halfway out the door. SHFT changes everything.

Whether you've been in therapy for years or never considered it, this one might shift something in you.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you don't have to wait for a crisis to ask for help. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free, confidential, 24/7 support for mental health, substance use, or emotional distress. Save it in your phone. 911 is for immediate physical emergencies. 988 is for everything that lives in between.

https://www.shftbh.com/

https://www.instagram.com/holley_shft/

https://www.instagram.com/goodthingsvending

Tony is back for round three! He was on the show five years ago when he was just establishing the professor pizza brand and three years ago when he partnered with the Atomic Hospitality group to provide his pizza on a rooftop in west loop. Since then, he's been approaching two years with the 50/50 hospitality group at their old town location. He just opened a slice shop in west town as well as in Boston. This is an episode about our love for Chicago food, the beauty of collaborations, and future endeavors like bringing frozen pizzas to the market. Please enjoy my conversation with Tony Scardino.

https://professorpizza.com/

https://www.instagram.com/professorpizza/

https://www.instagram.com/professorpizzawesttown/

Our next guests are the dynamic duo behind AB Law. Despite being located on the north side of the city, they are helping individuals experiencing a variety of hardship obtain legal status across the country. Their friendship was formed while working together at a restaurant and blossomed into a partnership after working at two law firms previously. We reflect on their personal ties to immigration and why they’ve dedicated their lives to helping others obtain their citizenship. Please enjoy my conversation with Anastasiia and Mia of AB Law.

https://chicagoablaw.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lawyeranastasiia/

Our next guests are riding the wave of aloha washing over the chicagoland area. They are the yin to each other’s yang. We reflect on the various iterations these lunch plates have taken from pop up tents and food trucks to their first brick and mortar in Highwood, IL. Today, they’re opening their second location in South Loop near the Sears Tower. Congrats friends. Please enjoy my conversation with Nate and Dianne of the Da Local Boy.

https://dalocalboy.toast.site/

https://www.instagram.com/dalocalboy/

Our next guest is the owner of Ragadan and A Pizza Pie in Uptown. He reflects on his family’s journey to Oklahoma City from Amman, Jordan. It’s not too often you find a joint that serves great burgers and falafel. Despite the fast casual nature of his restaurants, he’d like to find a way to bring more traditional Jordanian dishes like mansaf to the community. The question is what it’s going to cost him. Please enjoy my conversation with Danny Sweis.

https://ragadan.com/

https://www.apizzapie.com

https://www.instagram.com/ragadanrestaurant

https://www.instagram.com/a.pizza.pie

Our next guests are two college friends that host album listening parties around the city. What started as a way to stay in touch with their group of friends has expanded into a third space for like-minded individuals. Whether it’s your hundredth or first time listening to an album, all are welcome. Please enjoy my conversation with Grant and Kalium of The Heavy Rotation.

https://www.instagram.com/the.heavy.rotation

Our next guest has worked in cafes and 1 star restaurants throughout the country. Through helping others start their own projects, the path towards establishing a jewish deli in Chicago became visible. Tune in to hear Sam reflect on his journey of baking bagels during the pandemic, creating a community through farmers markets, and ending up next to the legendary Pequods Pizza on Clybourn in Lincoln Park. Please enjoy my conversation with Sam Zeitlin.

2203 N Clybourn Ave

Chicago, IL 60614

https://www.zeitlinsdeli.com

https://www.instagram.com/zeitlinsdelicatessen

Our next guest is Christine Cikowski, Co-Founder and Chef of Honey Butter Fried Chicken. She's also a part of Sunday Dinner Club, TriBecca's Sandwich Shop, and Honey Butter Beach Club inside SPF Pickleball. We reflect on how HBFC was conceived, the many iterations it's gone through, and how they've maintained longevity through radical transparency and support of their team's dreams. Please enjoy my conversation with Christine Cikowski.

https://www.instagram.com/christinecikowski/
https://www.honeybutter.com/