Paws, Pours & Purpose: This Week on Foodie & The Beast

 We had a full studio and an even fuller lineup this week, so buckle up.

We welcomed Hancie Stokes, Director of Communications for SMYAL, DC's LGBTQ+ youth community center, whose mission is to support and empower LGBTQ+ youth to build a world where queer and trans young people thrive. Hancie came in loaded with info on all the good work SMYAL is doing right now, plus a first look at their upcoming fall brunch. Mark your calendars.

Now, I may be barking up the wrong tree, but I think Chef and Entrepreneur Tony Jackson may be onto something big. Tony's built businesses around two things he loves, great food and dogs, and now those worlds are colliding with the launch of DMV Dog Grub, his new line of handcrafted, small-batch dog treats. So be a gooood listener, and sit! And stay! And wait to hear what Tony's got to say.

Then we sat down with Monique Rose, an entrepreneur, restaurateur, and hospitality leader with more than 20 years of experience building businesses and creating memorable guest experiences. She's the founder of the La'Caj seafood concept, and she walked us through her whole journey, from where she started to what she's building now.

And because the seasons are shifting, we brought in the drinks experts to talk about having the right wines on hand for fall. Micky Edwards, co-owner of Sohal Wine & Spirits, the neighborhood wine and spirits destination she opened with her husband, Alex, in 2025, joined us alongside Lakeisha Mays, founder and owner of Vista Stellata (Starry Vision), an Italian wine brand born from a lifelong love of wine that took root during trips to Napa Valley and deepened through years of education across Europe. Both of them came in loaded down with the wines you're going to want to have on hand this season.

Catch the full episode, and get ready to take notes.