.jpg)
PROGRESS with Pagano
PROGRESS - It means, we are making Progress by connecting with other like minded people. For us, those like minded people tend to be in Real Estate, Business, Sales, or Fitness. This Podcast is about fun, based in Philadelphia, PA, we explore fun games and trivia based around Philly and the surrounding area. The "with Pagano" part, that for is the Host and Loan Officer Alex Pagano.
PROGRESS with Pagano
The Best Job in Philly? Rachel & Abby on TV, True Crime, and the Turmoil of a Sweet Bagel
Welcome to the Progress Podcast! In this episode, we feature Rachel and Abby, the dynamic co-hosts of Positively Philly, an uplifting news show dedicated to covering the fun, cool, and positive stories happening in the Philadelphia area.
Rachel, who studied film/TV and marketing, and Abby, an English major from Wisconsin, share the unique story of how they were set up on a "blind date for a co-host" and quickly built a show that is both authentic and engaging. They discuss their experiences conquering nerves, the shift away from "prim and proper" news, and the joy of feeling "so energized" by the community they cover.
In this episode, host Alex Pagano, Rachel, and Abby dive into:
- The Show's Origins: The hosts detail their non-traditional path to TV, the success of their show (which they feel "is exactly what this market kind of needs"), and how they use networking and social media to find great stories.
- Healthy Game Day Swaps: They reveal the Top 5 Healthy Game Day Food Swaps from a recent segment, including Sweet Potato Nachos (No. 1) and Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Over-the-Top Cocktails: A look at the Top 5 Most Over-the-Top Cocktails from a segment with Kevin Kelly, including the Reverse White Chocolate Espresso Martini (which required a spoon!) and the color-changing Blackberry Margarita with Rock Candy.
- The Philly Food Quiz: They are quizzed on their show's most popular segments, including the Top 5 Happy Hour Spots (Giuseppe's and Sons is No. 1) and the Top 3 Must-Try Pastries from Harrah's Coffee House (the Cardamom Scone is No. 1)
- Bagel Nook Secrets: A breakdown of the unique holiday items at the Bagel Nook (including the Pumpkin Shaped Bagel and the Smoked Salmon Breakfast Pizza) and whether the bagels are worth the long drive from Philly.
- Philly Facts & Culture: They are quizzed on Philly's most impressive facts (it's the most walkable city in America ) and debate whether Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey as the national bird.
- Sports Fanaticism: They discuss the intense passion of Philly sports fans and why Buffalo fans are similar but ultimately "no Philly".
- Work/Life & Travel: Rachel shares the hilarious story of her nine-hour drive to Philly and her love for listening to YouTube video essays. Abby shares her history with true crime podcasts.
- Behind the Scenes: The hosts reveal how they handled a disastrous "no-ice" cocktail shaker incident live on air.
Where to Find Rachel and Abby (Positively Philly):
- Instagram: @positivelyphilly
- HL 17: Weeknights at 9 PM
Where to Find the Host:
- Instagram: @mortgagewithpagano
- TikTok: @mortgagewithpagano
Where to Find the Podcast:
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Apple Podcasts @progresswithpagano
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are personal and not representative of any professional organization.
