Entertainment

The Makeshift Project

From Basement Banter to a Six-Million-Strong Brand Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Michael Lago Creative Company, The Makeshift Project Every empire has an origin story. For Brian Conz and Zach Misischia, it began in a suburban basement in New Jersey—childhood desk, old gaming setup, random memorabilia on the walls. Not a sleek studio. Not a polished launch strategy. Just two best friends and a microphone. Before the 6 million followers. Before the sponsorship deals. Before the...

Entertainment

More Than the Prank

A look at James “Murr” Murray’s quieter strengths—patience, friendship and the work of building something that lasts. Article by Tiffany Slowinski | Photography by Brandon Herman, Joe Papeo, Jack Morgan, Olga Kolleeny, TBS When I sat down with James “Murr” Murray, one of the stars and creators of Impractical Jokers, I asked him whether he sleeps with one eye open. He laughed and told me that, after all these years, he was skeptical of almost everything. In fact, before agreeing to our...

Food + Beverage

Busiate al Pesto alla Trapanese

A Sicilian Classic—Fresh, Emulsified, and Rooted in Tradition Article by Brooke Boyer Chef Bill’s love of cooking began early—in his father’s pizzeria in Garfield, where he started working at 11 and learned the values of hospitality, hard work and tradition. Long before he launched Piatto Di Pasta, the kitchen was already home. Over the years, Chef Bill worked across the food industry, from line cook to restaurant management, while studying hotel and restaurant management at Bergen Community...

Food + Beverage

Fire in the Family

Và Fa Napoli Pizza brings a wood-fired, Neapolitan-style experience to New Jersey Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Michael Lago Creative Company By the time most people were figuring out sourdough starters, Giancarlo Truppi was chasing something hotter.  During the early months of the pandemic, Truppi, founder, CEO and pizzaiolo—the Italian term for a professional pizza maker—at Và Fa Napoli Pizza, and his family leaned into a ritual they’d practiced for years at home in...