About Us
Why should you even care about yet another online blog-azine?
I’ll tell you in one word: passion.
I have been hungry for this mission since I was a teenager… and at that time, obsessed with Rolling Stone Magazine, which isn’t what it used to be. I’ve always wanted an online magazine because as one editor explained, “you are good at finding the unusual out of the ordinary.” I won’t wax on and on about my extensive journalism experience because anyone can have a shitty blog about absolutely nothing (but if you’re super curious, check out my Website or LinkedIn). What I will tell you is where my passion has led me was to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where it all started as Explore Philly and now to my west home base of Phoenix, Arizona where the site has expanded to ExplorewithCassie.com.
When I first moved to the hills of Manayunk, Philadelphia, I was a budding journalist working restaurant hours and lived with my best friend, Melissa Hollely. She also happened to be the pastry chef at Steven Starr‘s Washington Square with enough talent in her artistic sketches, tastes and designs that they wanted to move her to one of his top sellers, Buddakan in NYC. She loved Philly too much to leave as well (it’s the only place both of us have ever actually settled down). We would explore weekly at a different Starr restaurants, tasting almost the whole menu and discussing flavors, textures, presentation and life. She taught me to love each facet of life and live to the fullest, savoring every flavor and experience along the way until her heart gave out one summer night on Green Lane. Now I am living in the Valley of the Sun in Phoenix, Arizona and loving life without harsh winter weather… nearby where Missy went to college ironically!
The passion for food, entertainment, living graciously and exploring the world are now permanent parts of my personality since that high school trip to France. Through years of journalism, photography, modeling/acting and editing, I have come to a place where I want to share all of these explorations with the world. Outstanding writer and Explore with Cassie assistant editor Sharon Kozden takes the reigns when needed and also shares the same passion for travel, food, art and culture. Keep an eye out for this marathon runner who is as sweet as she looks!
Our staff is constantly growing and we’re always looking for positive, creative types with class who are writers/photographers, guest bloggers, and videographers like myself. Don’t be shy, always say hi! You never know where it may lead you… email cassie@explorewithcassie.com to connect.
I also feel a very deep-rooted need to give back to the world, thus why I chose journalism as my major at Penn State University, I suppose. And in that search through some Manayunk friends, I joined Project Sunshine. Years later, I became the Philadelphia Chapter Leader to fulfill the child-like wonder inside of me. Unfortunately due to scoliosis back surgery in 2016, I had to leave my beloved children behind but to a new crew of the Sunshine gang. In sunny Arizona, I find ways to help others in need as much as I can, usually donating time, clothes, my influence, or skills when I can.
If there is one thing that my Missy taught me is that sometimes life will flow in a way that creates its own path. Welcome to mine! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do living it.
***Special thanks to Eric Smith from Penn State, who without your help, responsive and patient guidance, this site would not exist and be as amazing as it is! Also special thanks to Rob Wright, who lit the fire under my ass to get moving on this dream to become a reality. People come into your life for a reason and I am blessed to have you both in mine!
Meet The Explore Team!
Here are just some of the talented teams who help make the magic happen. Think you have what it takes? Email your resume and experience to cassie@explorewithcassie.com for consideration.
Sharon Kozden, Assistant Editor, Poet & Runner
Philadelphia, PA
There’s more to Sharon than meets the blowout. Hair today, gone tomorrow. True to her changeling Gemini nature, she can rock a pixie or long locks, whatever her mood or inclination. But that’s not “hair” it’s at for Sharon, who graduated summa cum laude from Cedar Crest College with a B.A. in English and a minor in French. She hasn’t a single non-creative bone in her marathon-trained body.
Her passion for writing, reading and words in general became evident early-on. While her brothers and sister pursued athletic endeavors and accumulated trophy troves, Sharon holed up in bookmobiles, libraries, backyards and in hammocks, reading for hours on end. Sharon’s heart belongs to Gladwyne; however, she also is peripatetically inclined and enjoys covering events local and far-reaching, chatting up anyone everywhere, acutely mindful that we all of us “enter this world with a terminal illness: it’s called birth.”
As Maurice Sendak told NPR’s Terry Gross in his final interview with her, “Live your life. Live your life. Live your life.” The power of repetition in a dying man’s words could not NOT become indelibly “tatted” onto Sharon’s conscious mind as well as further inspire her work. Also preventing any writer’s block is her role as fiercely protective mother of a purebred Maine Coon kitten. She promises the advance for her first novel will include massive quantities of spoils for her beloved “baby.”
Jeni Paradiso, Teacher & Belly Dancer
Miami, FL
Jeni has a master’s degree in teaching with 30 plus years instructing the arts. She has studied a variety of dance styles and performs belly dance professionally, including having trained with renowned world stars.
She’s teaches both her creative fusion style of belly dance and her fun dance fitness classes in Miami Beach. She also founded Paradiso Belly Dance to excitedly continue sharing her passion for helping women achieve wellness and beautiful expression through this gorgeous ancient dance with classes, special workshops and events and one-on-one sessions.
As a former art history professor and a new Miami resident, Jeni is also looking forward to continuing her discovery of Miami’s rich arts culture by immersing herself in the visual, literary and performing arts scene. She is an active Bachata and Zouk dancer and enjoys meeting Miami locals who also share love for the arts!
