Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)
For the 95th dinner interview in December 2016, I met W. Ralph Eubanks. He’s a researcher, writer and more and a self-described “light-skinned” African American who spent his childhood growing up among the racial strife of the civil rights era in Mississippi. Since then, he’s had an extensive career both…
In September 2016, I offered dinner with me as a prize in a silent auction for a fundraiser, after being contacted by the organizers who were hosting the auction for charity. David Stivaletta, an accountant in Washington, DC, bid the winning amount. That’s how we came to meet for Italian…
Brad Rushing is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer who has enjoyed great success in charge of photography for movies, music videos, commercials, and more. During a visit to DC in September 2016, he met me for the 93rd dinner with a stranger to talk about how he got into the industry…
Former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) is concerned about the state of politics, fearing it’s become so bitter and broken that it’s impossible to advance good laws. Now out of Congress and officially an independent, he told me about his one-man bid to save democracy — and also about his…
In June 2016, I met youth advocate and artist JR Russ in Arlington, Virginia, for the 91st meal with a stranger. JR told me how he loves the world of theater and dance, and has since he was a child. But these days he finds his passion for the arts…
Eleanor Clift never imagined being a famous political reporter in Washington, DC. For the 90th dinner interview, in June 2016, she told me how her early goal of being a secretary who would be able to type up interesting notes led to a career that has seen her cover every…
Democratic Maryland state Senator Cheryl Kagan didn’t always plan on a career in politics. But these days she relishes her role representing a large district in the Old Line State. We met for the 89th interview in April 2016, when she told me that the work means she has no…
Bill and Laura Johnson spend at least half of every year traveling the United States in their motor home. In April 2016, they were passing through Nashville, Tennessee, while I was visiting the city, so we met for the 88th dinner interview. During our lunch meeting the couple told me…
In 2007, Doug Schantz achieved his dream of owning a gay sports bar in Washington, DC, when he opened Nellie’s. Since then, the bar has become a fixture in its neighborhood. In March 2016, for the 87th interview I dined with Doug at the venue to talk about its history,…
By 2016, Victor Pope Jr. had amassed more than one million followers on Vine, a now-defunct phone app where he performed six-second comedy skits with his offbeat humor. When we met for the 86th dinner interview in February that year, Victor told me his real passion was for standup comedy….