Wine and Dine Me

The Wine and Dine Me podcast is brought to you by Reagan Prechter, owner of Reagan Events, a luxury event planning and design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. With more than 15 years of experience executing events all over the world, she’s seen a thing or two.Join Reagan weekly for her unfiltered, no-rules-attached commentary where she dives into the stories behind exceptional hospitality, the business strategies that drive success, and life’s most unforgettable moments. This podcast is unapologetically not for the basic.Follow us on instagram @reaganevents reaganevents.com

Wine and Dine Me is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 71 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Wine and Dine Me, a society show with 71 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #72

  Why Relationships Still Matter More Than Recognition with Alison Hotchkiss

  Aug 14, 202654 min

  After nearly 25 years in the events industry, Alison Hotchkiss has learned that longevity has far less to do with recognition than it does with relationships, resilience, and the willingness to evolve. Reagan and Alison get candid about building businesses before Instagram, leading teams through inevitable change, collaborating without ego, and knowing when to stop doing everything yourself. They also discuss why beautiful work is no longer enough - the clearest point of difference is how well clients, guests, vendors, and employees feel cared for. In This Episode Reagan and Alison discuss: Building a destination event company before Instagram and online vendor directories Why access to endless inspiration may be weakening originality The truth behind industry lists, visibility, and overnight success Maintaining relationships with clients beyond a single event Building a company that is larger than its founder Accepting that talented employees will eventually leave Hiring the right mix of employees, freelancers, and creative partners Collaborating with designers and production companies without ego Investing thoughtfully in mentorship, education, and industry relationships Why guest experience remains the strongest point of differentiation About Alison HotchkissAlison Hotchkiss is the founder of Alison Events, a destination event planning and production company with nearly 25 years of experience creating celebrations around the world. She is also the author of three books and a mentor to emerging event professionals. Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more. Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

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  Episode #71

  The Missing Layer in High-Touch Events: Concierge Event Medicine with EventDox

  Jun 4, 202635 min

  In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Caroline Brown and Julie Livingston, co-founders of EventDox, a concierge event medicine service designed for elevated weddings, private events, and high-touch celebrations where discretion and preparedness matter. Julie, a seasoned wedding photographer, first noticed the gap after years of seeing guests, family members, brides, and grooms become sick or injured during events, sometimes leading to ambulances, missed moments, or family members stepping away to manage the situation. That experience sparked the question: why isn’t there a better way to handle medical needs without disrupting the event? Caroline brings a background in healthcare, concierge medicine, and relationship-driven business, helping shape EventDox into what they describe as a hospitality company that does medicine, not the other way around. Their providers dress in event attire, blend into the environment, and understand the expectations of sophisticated private events. The conversation explores the difference between traditional EMT coverage and concierge event medicine, including why nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians can offer a broader scope of care on site. Caroline and Julie explain what they bring to an event, from prescription medications and IVs to AEDs, EpiPens, Narcan, and wellness lounge support. They also discuss the liability planners and hosts may not realize they are carrying, from handing out Advil to hiring a nurse friend or relying on a doctor who happens to be attending as a guest. EventDox operates as a medical practice with licensed providers, clinical oversight, and malpractice insurance, filling the space between a small injury and a full emergency response. The episode also moves into a more personal conversation about reinvention, resilience, motherhood, postpartum anxiety, difficult life chapters, and what it means to build something meaningful while still being human. Caroline and Julie share how their own hard seasons shaped the way they show up as business owners and as women leading a new company. In this episode, we talk about: What concierge event medicine actually means Why medical support is becoming a thoughtful layer of event hospitality The difference between EventDox and traditional EMT coverage How medical care can be integrated discreetly into weddings and private events The liability planners, venues, and hosts may not realize they are carrying Why relying on a guest who happens to be a doctor is not the same as having medical coverage Wellness lounges, IV support, and on-site medical care for guests and event teams Building a business from lived experience and industry need Motherhood, resilience, postpartum anxiety, and asking for help Why preparedness should feel like care, not fear Guest Information Guests: Caroline Brown and Julie Livingston Company: EventDox Email: info@eventdocs.com Instagram: @eventdox Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more. Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

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  Episode #70

  Bryan Rafanelli on Building Clients for Life

  May 28, 202642 min

  In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast , Reagan sits down with Bryan Rafanelli for a conversation about the kind of event work that lasts beyond a single night. Bryan shares how he thinks about client relationships, not as one-time projects, but as long-term partnerships built through trust, care, and future-minded service. From wedding planning and private celebrations to corporate and nonprofit events, he talks about why the strongest businesses are built by staying close to clients, understanding who is in the room, and creating moments that feel personal without being performative. Reagan and Bryan also talk about high-touch guest service, the pressure to stay relevant, why event innovation cannot only be visual, and how planners can advocate for the right decisions when the integrity of the guest experience is at stake. The conversation moves from business strategy to hospitality philosophy, with Bryan offering a generous, candid look at what has shaped his career after decades in the event industry.They also discuss: Why a wedding can be the beginning of a lifelong client relationship How to make sure guests know who produced the event without awkward self-promotion The role of trust when discussing budgets, investments, and last-minute decisions Why planners should understand the character of the guest list How to approach VIPs with confidence and humanity Why diversifying your client portfolio can create a stronger business The difference between staying visible and staying truly relevant Why guest experience is still the real measure of a memorable event Connect with Anja Winikka: Instagram: @rafanellievents Website: rafanellievents.com Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more. Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

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  Episode #69

  Visibility Is Not Influence: Anja Winikka on Trust, Taste, and the Rooms That Matter

  May 21, 202633 min

  In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast , Reagan sits down with Anja Winikka , founder and CEO of Freeda , a private membership network for leaders in the global events industry. Anja has seen the wedding and event industry from nearly every angle. She spent more than a decade at The Knot , helped shape modern wedding media, co-founded Maroo , and now leads Freeda, where creative founders gather in curated peer groups for honest conversations, trusted relationships, and the kind of support that rarely happens in public. This conversation looks at the difference between visibility and true influence, why follower count is no longer the strongest signal of credibility, and why discerning clients are paying closer attention to trust, referrals, and the rooms people are actually in. Reagan and Anja also talk about the loneliness that can come with building a successful creative business, the pressure to appear booked and thriving, and what longevity really requires behind the scenes: emotional intelligence, operational maturity, financial clarity, boundaries, and relationships that can sustain you through different seasons of business and life. This episode is for creative founders, planners, designers, photographers, and hospitality professionals who are asking bigger questions about growth, visibility, trust, and what kind of business they actually want to build. Listen to the full episode for a candid conversation on influence, private networks, mature business ownership, and why the right room can change everything. In This Episode Reagan and Anja discuss: The shift from media-driven visibility to trust-based influence Why follower count does not equal credibility How high-end clients evaluate trust differently now What creative founders are craving behind the scenes Why Freeda was created for more honest peer conversations The difference between networking and belonging What longevity really looks like in the wedding and event industry Why emotional intelligence and operational maturity matter more than ever How the right relationships can shape both your business and your life Connect with Anja Winikka: Instagram: @joinfreeda Website: https://www.joinfreeda.com/ Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more. Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

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  Episode #68

  From Influence to Trust: How Creative Entrepreneurs Build Brands That Last with Lauren Taylor

  May 14, 202642 min

  What matters more now: being followed, or being found? In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast , Reagan sits down with Lauren Taylor , founder of LeFleur Society , a high-touch agency representing creators, celebrities, public figures, and entrepreneurs. Lauren’s path started in law, but her work now sits at the intersection of legal protection, brand strategy, creator representation, and business growth. Together, Reagan and Lauren talk about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts. Not just one that looks good online, but one built with clarity, protection, credibility, and trust. They dig into why follower count is losing its power, why authenticity has become harder to fake, and why creative entrepreneurs need to think more like business owners. Lauren also shares what brands are looking for now, how searchability and SEO are changing the way people discover businesses, and why the strongest founders are not waiting for the perfect moment to begin. In This Episode Reagan and Lauren discuss: Why follower count is becoming less important than credibility How creative entrepreneurs can better understand their own value What authenticity actually means now How sophisticated brands can show more realness without losing polish Why personal brand and business brand need to grow together The difference between viral content and lasting brand trust Why SEO, searchability, and platform strategy matter more than ever What creators may be giving away without realizing it Why entrepreneurs are beginning to replace traditional influencers How to build a brand ecosystem that extends beyond one platform Why imperfect timing is often the moment to move Connect with Lauren Taylor: Instagram: @lefleursociety / @laurentaylorattorney Website: https://www.lefleursociety.com/ Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more. Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

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