Life, Leadership & the Occasional Foodie Find

Welcome! I’m Catie - a morning person fueled by coffee, sunshine, and a knack for turning ideas into action. This site is where I share who I am beyond the day job: my journey, my passions, and the professional insights I’ve gathered along the way.

Here, you’ll find a blend of marketing know-how, leadership lessons, and personal stories - all wrapped up in a style that’s equal parts practical and a little bit playful.

Fun fact: On the side, I run a food-focused Instagram called @FoodieintheCincy. It’s not about business, but about celebrating the incredible flavors and hidden gems of Cincinnati (and beyond). It’s my way of sharing the culinary culture I love, one delicious discovery at a time.

Stick around - whether you’re here for insights, inspiration, or just a good story, there’s a little something for everyone.

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"Creativity is best served with a side of challenge and a dash of deliciousness."

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One last stop before heading out and yep, it was for za, because priorities 🍕

“One bite, everyone knows the rule.” @stoolpresidente gave @slice_lic an 8.1. Us?

New York White Pizza: 6.5 (good flavor, but where’s the crunch??)
Grandma’s Slice: solid 7 (sauce came in strong like Nonna’s hug)

Final verdict: good, not legendary. But hey, carbs never disappoint.

#OneBite #PizzaTour2025 #SliceSliceBaby #CrunchMatters #SauceOverEverything #FoodieNYC

Did you even go to NYC if you didn’t post about the bagels?

🥯 First stop: Zucker’s for a classic everything with plain schmear. Nothing fancy.. just a solid New York bagel absolutely drowning in cream cheese, and honestly, that’s the only way it should be.

🥯 Second round: a no-name hole-in-the-wall deli (aka the best kind). Plain bagel stacked with bacon, egg, and at least four slices of cheese. It was giving ooey gooey breakfast bliss with a side of Central Park sunshine.

Honorable mention: my husband’s pastrami hero—piled high with pastrami, Swiss, slaw, and Russian dressing. Messy and majestic.

NYC carbs? Conquered.

#CheesePullChampions #NYCBagelTour #CarbsInTheCity #SchmearMeBaby #BagelBae #CentralPark #DeliDelight #FoodieFieldTrip #EatYourWayThroughNYC

When it rains in NYC, I took it as a sign to pause all plans and cozy up with fries and an espresso old fashioned.

Sat by the window, watched the rain, judged umbrellas and footwear… Honestly, the city’s best free show. ☔🍟🥃

#RainyDayVibes #PeopleWatchingPro #NYCEats
#FriesBeforeGuys #NYCFoodie #RainyDayMood #RainyDayRealness

The lighting said “romance,” but my camera said “blurry blob.”

First meal in NYC, and obviously we had to carb load like we were running the marathon.

Started strong with a bottle of wine (mandatory), then kicked things off with: Polpo caprese con burrata, pomodorino confit e basilico a.k.a.
🐙 Octopus caprese with burrata, tomato confit, and basil.

Not to be dramatic, but this was the best octopus I’ve ever had. Cooked perfectly - tender, buttery, borderline emotional. Like if steak and seafood had a dreamy, non-chewy baby.

Then came the pasta parade:
🍝 Hubby ordered the red sauce special of the night. Classic and comforting.
🍝 Bucatini cacio e pepe - creamy, peppery, and the kind of dish that makes you question every life choice that led you to boxed pasta.
🍝 And my fave: Fusilloni di Gragnano con scampi, burrata, pomodorini e rucola. It was bright, briny, a little creamy, and deeply satisfying - like the langoustine whispered secrets to the sauce.

Zero regrets. 3 pastas. 1 octopus. An evening for the books.

NYC, you came to impress.

#PastaParty #NYCeats #FoodieFinds #OctopusDoneRight #CarbsBeforeConcerns #BurrataBrigade #ForkYeah #Foodstagram #TravelEats #DinnerDiaries

The day @red_state_bbq followed me back was the day I officially peaked. Not my marriage. Not any promotions. Not hitting PRs at the gym. This. Was. It. 🐖🔥

Now let me tell you about this magical little BBQ shack in front of a motel outside Lexington, KY. It’s giving “hole-in-the-wall heaven.” We randomly stumbled upon it a few years ago, drove back during peak pandemic just to support them, and now it’s a non-negotiable pit stop every time we’re in the area.

And their BBQ eggrolls?? Cue angel choir. 👼
It’s everything rolled into one crispy, glorious bite. You don’t have to choose. You can have it ALL.

Honestly, if you’re not chasing down roadside BBQ spots and getting emotionally attached to eggrolls, wyd??

#BBQQueen #FoodieRoadTrip #BBQLoveStory #EggrollObsession #RedStateRoyalty #LexingtonEats #SupportLocalBBQ #CrispyHeaven #WillTravelForFood #PitStopPerfection #BBQAddict #FlavorTownUSA #InBBQWeTrust

BREAKFAST IS MY LOVE LANGUAGE.

Like, if I could retire tomorrow just to eat pancakes and gossip at a diner with my friends every morning like the 70-year-old men at the corner booth? I would.
These men have cracked the code: coffee refills, no rush, and zero responsibilities before 10am. Living the dream.

But you know what’s even better than breakfast? Breakfast with purpose. 🥐☕💛
While we were in Lexington, we stopped at @dv8kitchen, and wow. Not only is the food amazing, but their mission is even sweeter. DV8 provides second-chance employment and vocational training to folks in early recovery. Real impact. Real transformation. Real good biscuits.

Add this to your foodie bucket list if you’re ever in the area — your stomach and your soul will leave full.

#BreakfastClub #FoodieWithAHeart #SupportLocal #LexingtonEats #FoodWithPurpose #RetireMePlz #CinnamonRollCrusade

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@foodieinthecincy

Life, Leadership & the Occasional Foodie Find

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"Creativity is best served with a side of challenge and a dash of deliciousness."

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