Where's your safe place? Is it a physical place you can go to and know that you feel completely ok to be yourself? Or is a space you go to when you meditate or a feeling that takes you there. For me, the feeling and the comfort that comes when I am in New York makes it my place. It's one of the reasons why I love New York City, and its from this love that lead me to meeting our next guest. Eljay Aguillo was in a long distance relationship with a lady from Chicago who sent him a Joss Stone album request he listen to a song called, "I fell in love with a boy." After realising that it was her way of telling him that she had fallen in love with someone else, heartbroken, Eljay moved to New York City in hope of one day running into his ex girlfriend in the city she loved so dearly. Three years later, amidst the sadness of his break-up, Eljay finally healed enough to gain the courage to listen to the entire Joss Stone album. As a reward to himself, he went to a party with his friends, leaving his credit card at the bar to shout everyone drinks to celebrate this long awaited milestone. In a twist of fate, that night, Eljay's credit card got mixed up with someone else's at the party and this lead him to meet the inspiration behind his amazing photographic turned published book: Why I Love New York City - his wife Maria. Eljay has captured and heard nearly 700 stories of love. One of my favourite Monday Mocha podcasts so far.

"There's always a romance to being or doing something for yourself that you've always wanted to do in your life. If you do that, you should look at it always as a positive. You did this for yourself and you did this because you love who and what you are."

Follow Eljay: @whyilovenewyorkcity
Available on: iTunes | Spreaker | Stitcher | Soundcloud | Google Play
Featured Voices: Ginni Saraswati, Eljay Aguillo, Missy Dempsey & Sam Phelps
Produced by: Sam Phelps
NEXT EPISODE: May 8: Monday Mocha with Tomboy Tirade (Season Finale)
WEDNESDAY RETURNS: July 2017
Photos: Joey Middleton
Branding & Digital: Szebastian.Com
www.theginnishow.com