The Crew.
Stephanie: Co-founder/Culture Editor
Stephanie once found herself very nearly kicked out of the Morgan Museum and Library for weeping incessantly over a lock of Mary Shelley’s hair on display. Apparently the other patrons found that disturbing. Beyond that though, Stephanie is a freelance writer, novelist and owner of the Wandering Why Traveler brand. She lives in the ‘Little Odessa’ part of Brooklyn where’s she’s been studying Russian for nearly a decade yet hasn’t learned jack-shit about the language, somehow. It’s probably because she’s always consumed in art history seminars, museum visits, and indie bookstores. She’s a voracious reader, a prolific writer, and enjoys both the glitter and grit of New York City. An ‘old soul’ is how she describes herself because of her love of classics, actors like Marlon Brando, and penchant for Van Morrison, Motown, and early bedtimes.
Nina: Co-founder/Booze, Food, Body Art Editor
A whim is really all of the reason that Nina needs in order to add a new piece of ink to her body art collection. Either that, or a cookie of some sort as consolation. Cookies are her favorite. Living in “a very Greek part” of Astoria allows her to be minutes from the bustle of Manhattan, while also spending a ton of time in one of the most diverse places on the planet – the borough of Queens. No matter where in the city that she is, she’s always on the hunt for the next great dessert, the margarita that packs the strongest punch, and the most impressive charcuterie platters. Matters of the earth are close to Nina’s heart, and she’s not afraid to whip out her collection of eco-friendly, stainless steel, utensils and straws. When she’s not saving the planet or drinking in an old man pub — she’s traveling the world and writing at Nomadic Neen, her travel site.
Michele: Co-Founder/Fashion Editor
“All out of love” is how Michele operates through life. Even when she’s hurrying around New York City popping into boutique shops and chatting with owners, her sense of calm and kind is a constant. Her finger is always [and accurately] on the pulse of upcoming trends for each new season. Michele has even the most timid of clothes-wearers believing that they can hit the streets of New York City rocking the shit out of bold patterns, lantern sleeves, and denim jumpsuits. When she’s not lovingly helping people see their own beauty and worth, she’s often somewhere by the sea, embodying mindfulness and enjoying a truly divine slice of pizza.
Joe Thristino, Staff Writer
Joe is a writer who lives in New York. Which makes sense for this publication. He writes all kinds of things. He hopes you’re having a good day and that things are well. As a polished creative writer, Joe’s experience includes screenplays, stage plays, web series, literary fiction, and script coverage. We’ve learned that Joe is a fan of random pubs, which in addition to his incredible experience as both a writer and New Yawka, makes him a perfect fit for the team.
Scott Brooks, Staff Writer, Columnist: Broadway Outsider
Born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts, Scott has lived in New York City for more
than twenty years. A degree in theater led down many paths from a gig as a top 40 DJ, to film and television
production. He also managed to write several plays and get some of those on stage. He has had a handful of screenplays optioned or produced along the way as well. Most recently, Reality Sets In – a comedy web series about being newly single in the city. His proclivity for the arts led to a slew of survival jobs from tour guide to the inevitable years in hospitality where he prefers to bartend in fancy restaurants and five-star hotels, if he must do it at
all. His first novel, based on his experiences at the intersection of hospitality and show business, And There We Were and Here We Are is available on Amazon Kindle and in paperback. He also just finished the travel tip book; 50 Things to Know Before You Go to the Theatre in NYC, which is also available on Amazon. He is an avid reader and proud father.
David Lanson, Director of Tours
David, like the many who came before, has chosen New York City as the place to hang his hat. Originally born and raised in Arizona, he left his desert roots for the city with the big dream of becoming an actor. So far, so good. When he is not acting in some underpaid commercial, he is guiding walking tours for the historically ravenous. His self-taught knowledge and hunger for history, paired with his romanticized penchant for exploring the streets of Manhattan, is what has brought his love of storytelling to the Tawk team. If you’ve ever wondered at the stories hidden in the cobblestones, the brick or the mortar of the Big Apple, look no further – David would be happy to guide you through time and space itself. Read more about David and connect with him here!
Lydia “Dia” Griffiths, Staff Writer, Columnist: Bygone NYC
Lydia loves all things stories. She moved to NYC to be in the film-making industry but realized she liked stories more than film so she went back to school to study mythology. When not immersed in dusty old tomes and writing, she wanders around NYC, gazing and imagining all the people and stories that have happened. She lives in Brooklyn with her very needy and chatty cat Coco.
Christopher Adair, Staff Writer
Christopher is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor covering travel, lifestyle, and the outdoors. He spends his time in NYC fawning over its architecture, running through its parks, and complaining about its weather. His portfolio can be found here.
Cohavit Gil, Contributing Writer
Cohavit (pseudonym Cece) is a writer, among other more boring things. She perceives herself to be a little naive, a lot impulsive, and a total Pisces-as-an-artist cliché. Her current literary obsessions include: Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., and Oscar Wilde. When she’s not entrapped in a writing stint, you might find her binging “escapist reality” TV shows or dancing at a Phish show. She wants to leave you with her favorite Vonnegut quote, “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around and don’t let anybody tell you different.”