Hey Diner Buddies!
We've reached another cool milestone with the "Talking At The Diner" podcast.. we are officially 60 episodes into our mission to amplify the voices and stories of working musicians and creatives. SIXTY! That's five years of monthly conversations that have become a living document of the Philadelphia music community (and beyond).
I wanted to do something special for the 5-year anniversary of the show and I can't think of a more appropriate guest than Lisa Schaffer. Perhaps surprisingly, she is not a musician, but for the past two decades, Lisa has been a major presence and force in the scene, first as one of our most prominent music photographers, and since May of 2025, the owner and the face of Vinyl Chickie.. full name Vinyl Chickie (Record Shoppe & Other Delights).
Lisa and I met up at the Village Diner in Glenside, just a couple blocks from her record shoppe, and chatted about her NE Philly origins and her life-altering acquisition of the record collection of Pierre Robert, the late legendary WMMR DJ who, for those of us of a certain age, was the single most influential voice of our rock 'n' roll upbringings. What she was able to create, in the way that she lovingly and intentionally distributed Pierre's records to true fans on "Record Shoppe Day" (not to be confused with "Record Store Day".. you'll hear why in when you listen), is a beautiful snapshot of what she does so well.. bringing people together, connecting with and involving her extended community, and maybe ruffling a few feathers of the powers that be while she's at it!
I really loved having this conversation and I think you will too!
JKF <3