Back in February, before social distancing, I visited Atlanta for three dinner interviews — including today’s update, the 131st interview, featuring Chef Deborah VanTrece who owns the Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. Her goal is to reinvent what people think of soul food, and based off the accolades she’s racked…

The phrase “one-of-a-kind” is used far too often to describe people, but it’s a precise way to describe the outgoing, creative, joyful and thoughtful Adrian (he goes by only his first name). He’s a 26-year-old content creator based in Atlanta who makes a living through podcasts, YouTube videos, online writing,…

Here’s the 129th dinner with a stranger! A few weeks ago I met Monika Pickett for an evening meal at Neramitra Thai Cuisine in Arlington, Virginia. The main topic of our conversation was her decision to try writing erotic lesbian fiction novels, but after spending more than an our with…

The first dinner interview with a stranger this year is with Charles Cecil, the co-founder of British software company Revolution Games. They specialize in adventure games, including the globally popular Broken Sword series and Beneath a Steel Sky, among other titles. I met Charles earlier this month in York, England, where he lives…

Rayceen Pendarvis is an instantly recognizable face for many people living in Washington, DC. For several decades Rayceen has worked as an activist on issues including homelessness, HIV, gentrification, and transgender rights. And recent work also includes being an emcee and finding success as the host of a popular music,…

Here’s the 126th dinner interview! A few years ago, chef Brandon Williams was at a cookout and trying to think of something to make for his pescatarian mother. Instead of doing the typical baked or fried fish, he decided to turn high quality fish into patties and serve them up…

Sampson McCormick is a 33-year-old gay black comedian who doesn’t like being told what he can and can’t say. Born in Washington, DC, he bombed at his first few gigs using routines that relied on tired, unfunny jokes. Then he shifted to talking about finding the humor in bad experiences,…

When NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan was at the top of his game, all he could think of was suicide. His working days in the league were spent as an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots and later the Kansas City Chiefs. But at other times all he could think…

After a summer hiatus from meeting strangers for meals, I’ve resumed Dining With Strangers and so here’s the 123rd interview: dinner with Jesse Rifkin, who performs twice a week singing and playing piano at a popular bar in DC. Jesse, a journalist by day, tickles the ivories at Mr. Smith’s…

Gay adult model DeAngelo Jackson lost his virginity on screen during his first-ever sex video when he was 22. Ten years later he’s still in the porn industry, building a fanbase of thousands with his work for studios and the more recent sites like OnlyFans where he can make his…