YaJagoff's Rachael Rennebeck: Patch Spotlight

Rachael Rennebeck and John Chamberlin are co-founders of YaJagoff Media LLC, which has evolved into a popular Pittsburgh multimedia brand that includes podcasts, a blog, a YouTube channel, souvenir merchandise, designer coffee and even a YaJagoff beer - yes, a beer. How did all of this come about? Patch was curious, so we reached out to Rennebeck to answer that and other questions.

How did the YaJagoff concept originate?

John Chamberlin was looking for an outlet to express his annoyance and, ahem, anger for traffic in Pittsburgh, so he started an anonymous blog 11 years ago that he eventually claimed. Its growing success sparked the idea of a podcast four years later. A year after that, I visited my friend John and offered to help with marketing the podcast. His words? Nah, don't hitch your wagon to this...it is not going anywhere.

When you and John started YaJagoff did you have any expectation that it would grow into such a far-reaching local brand with its own beer and merchandise for sale?

Never! Especially because podcasts were a rollercoaster outlet in Pittsburgh. Then we won some awards and even had multiple nominations for Golden Quills to gain some clout journalistically. When the beer became the #2 best seller, we decided coffee was next. We are now in three different locations in Pittsburgh including Mancini's and Love, Pittsburgh,as well as online. But the real pride is that we are encouraging yinzers that the term ya jagoff is endearing...how have you been, ya jagoff?

Pittsburgh's best-kept secret that no longer will be secret once people read this?

We are also a small marketing company OR I am a (North Hills) school board director seeking a second term?

Most recent book read?

Pittsburgh native Lainey Davis' "Sweet Distraction."

Movie you could watch any time?

"The Wizard of Oz."

Favorite pizza topping?

Black olives—BUT I don't really like pizza YIKESSSSSS.

Early bird or late-nighter?

Early bird.

Favorite Pittsburgh restaurant?

Papa J's.

Favorite adult beverage?

Espresso martini.

Favorite Pittsburgh national celebrity, living or dead?

Cyril Wecht.

Favorite local sports mascot: Steely McBeam, Pirate Parrot or Iceburgh?

I like hockey best but gotta go with the parrot....although Jalapeno Hanna would really win my vote.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am a proud Pitt grad who cheers on Penn State....my son goes there. Or my dad and I sang Nat and Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable" and he took the female part.