Jenni’s Uncensored Pennies

Craze Cravingz’s Unpaid Intern — The Man Behind the Pop-Up

Hey — if you love good stories and even better food, you’ve gotta hear about Luis. By day he’s handling medical billing and coding, but on the weekends he’s the “unpaid intern” (read: backbone) of Craze Cravings — hauling gear, firing up the griddle, and serving up Filipino-inspired eats around Ventura County and San Fernando Valley.
He’s an Army infantry vet who brought that mission-first hustle into the pop-up life: long nights, brutal breakdowns after a slow shift, and still showing up because this is family. Luis and his wife Sherille transformed a holiday-dessert hobby into a full-on savory pop-up — think chicken sisig tacos, cheesy empanadas, and the legendary belly box that keeps regulars coming back.
What makes it special is the community vibe: meeting regulars, swapping food ideas, and turning cravings into menu hits. Luis admits he never saw himself doing this — but now he looks forward to weekends, loves the creative spark, and is always dreaming up the next beef brisket or taco mash-up.
It’s not glam: they prep until the wee hours, clean up after the crowds, and load up the van (their lifesaver vs. two tiny cars). But they’ve built a little village — grandparents, friends, and fellow vendors helping out — and the payoff is seeing people get nostalgic over a dish or becoming regulars who feel like friends.
Luis’ best advice for partners who want to support big dreams? Show up. Help, listen, and be present — because that support goes a long way. If you want to catch Craze Cravings at a pop-up, follow them on Instagram at craez.cravingz and check Yelp — they post where they’ll be and what’s on the menu.
So next time you want something real, handmade, and full of heart, swing by a Craze Cravingz pop-up — tell Luis we sent you, grab an empanada, and ask about the chicken sisig. You’ll probably walk away with a new favorite and a story to tell.

Happy Hour Hospitality: Building Real Connections

Jenni and Cameron share laughs over a mic mishap, reflect on beliefs versus lies we tell ourselves, and recount a warm-hearted happy hour that led to an unexpected steak dinner with a new friend.
They discuss vulnerability, connection, and how choosing who you believe you are shapes relationships and life.

The Courage to Close the Door: Choosing Peace Over "The Push"

In this episode Jennifer and Cameron share their personal fertility journey — from meeting and falling in love to the medical tests, tough decisions about IVF, and the emotional process of mourning and acceptance.They talk about faith, insurance and financial realities, the role of supporters and chosen family, and how choosing each other and focusing on resilience helps them move forward.

Fusion, Family, and the Will to Push Through: The Craez.Cravingz Story

Jenni interviews Sherille Lemus, co‑founder of Craez Cravings, about reinventing her food business after family changes, balancing parenting and prep work, and discovering a winning Filipino‑fusion menu that now headlines pop‑ups across Ventura and the San Fernando Valley.
Sherille shares her pivot from sweets to savory hits like pork belly boxes and adobo sliders, the role her husband and community play in the journey, and dreams of expanding with a food truck while keeping family at the center.

From Dust to Glory: A Master Restorer’s Journey Through Portugal

Helena Santana, a master restorer from Sintra, Portugal, shares her journey restoring frescoes, azulejos, altars and historic homes while giving antique furniture creative second lives. For years she’s revitalized palaces, churches and mansions and now also hosts intimate Takeout Tours across Portugal.This episode explores her path from artist to conservator and guide, the resilience behind heritage restoration, and how she brings history, food and local stories to life for travelers. Follow Takeout Tours on Instagram and Facebook to book a tour with Helena.

2000 Songs, One Night at a Time: Inside The Dueling Cousins

What happens when a one-night experiment in a Marina del Rey Irish pub turns into a 15-year legacy of musical mayhem? Jenni sits down with the Dueling Cousins—Jimmy and Patrick—along with their "secret weapon" and resident boss, theater-trained soprano Jenna. From their DIY "Alleywood" baby grand shells to a staggering repertoire of over 2,000 songs, this crew has mastered the art of the on-the-spot request.
Whether they’re rocking a backyard, a winery, or a private stage, they guarantee one thing: No two shows are ever the same. Tune in to hear how they’ve stayed "unrepeatable" for over a decade and where you can catch them next.
Ready to book or find shows?
Visit: duelingcousins.com  
Booking: duelingcousins@yahoo.com  
Follow: @duelingcousins on Instagram

Divorce Debt Diaries: Lowball Offers, Work Rants, and Late-Night Venting

Jenni and Cameron vent honestly about the mess of selling a house after divorce—appraisals, low offers, and the financial fallout—while navigating work frustrations, boundary-setting, and plans for deployment.
They balance rants with hope, tease upcoming guests and a dueling-piano night, and remind listeners that it’s okay to blow off steam, then regroup and keep moving forward.
Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Jenni on Instagram: @jennis_pennies 

From a Hospital Hello to 15 Years Together — Lessons in Growing Up Together

Welcome to Jenni's Uncensored Pennies — Jenni interviews her baby sister Mayra Castaneda, a full-time public sector professional, Texas State student, and mother of two who married an Army combat veteran nearly a decade older. They talk about how they met, the challenges of military life, and blending families.
The episode explores balancing work, school, and parenting, the importance of respect and communication in marriage, family support through hard times, and practical advice for anyone facing age gaps or blended-family dynamics.

Faith, Therapy, and Real Talk: Honest Conversations on Healing

Jenni and Cameron reflect on two recent episodes: Marcos’s journey from childhood leukemia to youth leadership and faith, and Kelly’s solo-travel transformation across dozens of countries.
They discuss trauma, healing, the role of faith and community, how narratives shape recovery, and the contrast between showing up and truly participating. The episode also explores how travel can reveal new parts of ourselves and the value of real, compassionate church spaces.
Throughout, they share candid observations about family, support systems, therapy, and recruiting new guests for the podcast.

From One-Way Ticket to Freedom: Kelly’s Solo-Travel Awakening

Jenni interviews Kelly Kivlahan, a West Coast wanderer and social worker who left a toxic relationship, volunteered in Peru, and discovered a life of solo travel, service, and immersive cultural connection.
Kelly shares personal stories, practical safety tips, and the ways travel taught her to lean into discomfort, build empathy, and find freedom in the unknown (in forty-six different countries).