Storytelling
Behind the Apron Media was born in 2023, when Tarah Runco and Emerson Killion set out to uncover the untold stories of the culinary world — stories of passion, grit, and purpose that live beyond the plate or refreshment. Our mission: to give voice to restaurants, breweries, nonprofits, and food-focused businesses — along with the people behind them — who are making a meaningful impact.
Odie B’s - A Recovery-Friendly Workplace
Behind the Apron Media’s vision came into focus when they met Cliff and Cara Blauvelt at Odie B’s — a neighborhood sandwich shop that turned out to be much more than meets the eye.
Since opening its doors in 2022, Odie B’s has been flipping the script on the neighborhood sandwich shop. Nestled in Denver’s Sunnyside and RiNo neighborhoods, this rowdy little spot has earned a cult following for its soulful, stacked sandwiches served with a side of attitude. From breakfast to lunch, every handheld hero is crafted with top-tier ingredients, proving that fast-casual doesn’t have to mean forgettable. With graffiti-splashed walls and a Snoop Dogg bobblehead keeping watch, Odie B’s is more than a sandwich shop — it’s a movement.
At the heart of that movement are owners Cliff and Cara Blauvelt, whose journey goes far beyond the food. In an industry long entangled with alcohol culture, Odie B’s stands as a bold outlier: a space of recovery, resilience, and radical wellness. Seventy percent of the staff are in active recovery, including Cliff and Cara themselves, who will celebrate five years of sobriety in July 2025. With Cliff certified as a Peer Support Specialist through CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness), the shop is not just feeding the community — it’s healing it.
That’s why Behind the Apron Media was honored to help tell their story. Because sometimes, what’s happening behind the counter is even more powerful than what’s on the plate.
Odie B’s Sunnyside: 2651 W. 38th Ave. · Denver, CO
Odie B’s RiNo: NovelRino, 1350 40th St. · Denver, CO
Azomalli Tea - Wellness Rooted in Ancestral Wisdom
If you’re looking for a tea that goes beyond the ordinary, Azomalli offers a uniquely rich and cultural experience. Rooted in traditions drawn from integrative herbalism and the ancient ceremonial uses of cacao, Azomalli’s earth-friendly blends are crafted to nourish both body and spirit.
Behind the Apron Media has been honored to capture the heart behind Paola Balsa, founder of Azomalli, and her wellness brand of teas. Azomalli is rooted in ancestral knowledge and guided by the belief that wellness is not about perfection, but balance. For Paola, wellness has never been about rigid rules. Raised in a Mexican kitchen filled with earthy aromas, shared wisdom, and hands-on healing, she learned early that food and plants carry physical, emotional, and spiritual power. Watching her mother and grandmother transform simple ingredients into remedies planted the seed for what would later become Azomalli.
“True wellness is the whole enchilada,” Paola shared. “Sometimes it's green smoothies and meditation; other times it's soda and chaos – and that's exactly how it should be.”
Paola paired the lessons of her upbringing with formal study, becoming a Master Herbalist trained in integrative Ayurvedic and Western herbalism. Her approach blends global healing traditions with ancestral Mexican wisdom, creating what she describes as the ultimate “healing playlist.” Each Azomalli blend is guided by the natural energies of herbs that warm, cool, ground, or uplift. The goal isn’t quick fixes or extremes, but reconnection to your body, your rhythm, and the present moment.
Azomalli’s herbal teas are rich in antioxidants and essential minerals, and several blends feature cacao, naturally containing anandamide (the “bliss molecule”) and theobromine, providing smooth, uplifting energy without a crash. Sustainability and ethics are central to the brand, with herbs sourced for both their healing properties and cultural significance.
Behind the Apron Media’s work with Paola included producing a longform brand video and short-form teasers to share her story across platforms, honoring the craft, authenticity, and intention behind every cup.
We invite you to watch the full video at shopazomalli.com, follow @azomallioficial on Instagram, and experience the warmth, balance, and ancestral wisdom infused into every Azomalli blend.
Re:Vision - Connecting Community Through Food & Culture
In 2024, the Southwest Denver nonprofit Re:Vision partnered with Behind the Apron Media to bring their story to life at Buen Provecho, the organization’s annual fundraising event. More than a celebration of food, Buen Provecho is a tribute to the strength of community and the preservation of culture. Over the course of a year, Behind the Apron Media documented Re:Vision’s deeply rooted work in Southwest Denver capturing powerful moments of transformation, resilience, everyday leadership, and the services they offer to their proud community. The resulting video aimed to stir hearts, inspire action, and deepen support for Re:Vision’s ongoing mission.
Re:Vision is a nonprofit rooted in Southwest Denver, a neighborhood shaped by generations of systemic inequity yet rich in cultural strength. Through its innovative and community-led approach, Re:Vision is working to transform this historically marginalized area into a thriving, self-sustaining community — one that honors and uplifts its Latinx identity.
At the heart of Re:Vision’s work is food: as sustenance, as culture, and as a vehicle for change. Their urban agriculture model empowers local residents — many of them immigrant women — to become promotoras, trained leaders who grow fresh food, mentor neighbors, and drive food justice initiatives. Beyond the garden, Re:Vision invests in youth education and supports the growth of local small businesses, ensuring that opportunity is rooted right where it’s needed most.
“It’s that beautiful opportunity to shine a light on the expertise and the power that immigrant women have,” says Executive Director Mariana del Hierro, “to not only support their community, but to make sure that we are successful.”
3800 Morrison Rd · Denver, CO
Interested in partnering with us to tell your story? Contact us!