Rochester Speaks

Dr. Melvin Cross Jr., pastor of Amplify Church in downtown Rochester, joins the show for a wide ranging conversation about faith, community and the role the local church plays in the health of our city.

Dr. Cross shares why he believes healthy churches build healthy communities, what the data actually shows about Gen Alpha returning to church and what they are looking for when they get there, and why Rochester's faith community, despite doing significant work, is operating about a decade behind cities of similar size. He also talks about the Care Portal, a technology that connects...

Christina Thompson, Executive Director, and Shawn Futch, board member and breast cancer survivor, join the show during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to talk about what the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester does, why local giving matters more than most people realize and what the organization means to the people it serves.

Christina shares something every consumer should know before buying a pink product this month, why 100% of every dollar donated to BCCR stays in the community, how the coalition funds two local research grants every year and what is changing in December when gynecologic cancer research gets...

Jeremias Maneiro, associate broker at RE/MAX, joins the show to talk about one of the fastest growing threats facing Rochester renters and property owners, AI powered real estate scams, and how he accidentally became the local expert on stopping them.

Jeremias walks through how rental scams have evolved from simple listing grabs to fully fabricated properties with AI generated photos and addresses, shares a jaw dropping local case where a scammer moved tenants into a vacant home for months without the owner knowing, and explains how vacant land is now being fraudulently listed and sold. He...

JoAnne Ryan, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Rochester, joins the show ahead of Bee a Hero Day this Friday to share what the day is all about and how the community can get involved.

JoAnne shares what it looks like when a family arrives at the house, sometimes with nothing but the clothes on their back after a child has been mercy flighted to the hospital, and how Ronald McDonald House clears every logistical barrier so parents can focus entirely on their child. With 80% of funding coming from community generosity, events like Be a Hero...

Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and Barb Baldwin join the show to walk through everything changing for 2027 during annual enrollment season, and remind Rochester area residents that expert guidance is available at no cost through RocEnroll Health.

Barry explains which major carriers are leaving the Monroe County Medicare market for 2027, what the new $2,400 drug out of pocket maximum means for Medicare Advantage members, why working with a broker gives you a view of the full market that going direct to a carrier never will, and why anyone turning 65 in 2027 should be...

Sheriff Todd Baxter and Ron Billitier, board member and pig roast chair of the Monroe County Sheriff's Foundation, join the show to talk about the annual pig roast coming up October 18th from noon to 4pm at Tony D's, and why the foundation's work matters more than most people realize.

Sheriff Baxter shares what the foundation actually funds that taxpayers do not cover, including mental health and wellness staff embedded in the department, state of the art gym facilities at zone stations and the new Regional Investigation Operations Center, a first of its kind technology fusion center...

Katlyn Newberry, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes, returns to Rochester Speaks during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to talk about four upcoming Saturday screening opportunities and why getting a mammogram this fall could be one of the most important things you do all year.

Katlyn shares why early detection changes everything, what to watch for between appointments, and why the anxiety around going is almost always worse than the appointment itself. She also explains how the Cancer Services Program covers the full cost of breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings for...

Albert Nocciolino, producer and presenter for the Rochester Broadway Theater League, joins the show to talk about Boop!, the brand new Broadway musical making its national touring debut right here in Rochester October 3rd through 10th at West Herr Auditorium Theatre.

Albert shares why Rochester was chosen to open the tour, what the economic impact looks like when 100 cast and crew members spend four weeks in the city, and what improvements to the West Herr Auditorium Theatre mean for the patron experience this season. He also walks through all seven shows in the 2026 to 2027 M&T Bank...

Krista Jackson, board member of Embrace Your Sisters, joins the show to celebrate the organization's 20th anniversary and talk about the 15th annual Positively Pink in Pittsford Walk happening Sunday October 4th at Pittsford Sutherland High School.

Krista shares how Embrace Your Sisters has quietly given away nearly $1 million in emergency financial assistance to breast cancer patients across 13 counties, all through a 100% volunteer board with no overhead, so every dollar donated goes directly to people in the community. She also shares her own experience as a breast cancer survivor and what it means to be able to...

Brian Keene, Director of Facilities and Special Projects, and Whitney Snead, Director of Development at the House of Mercy, join the show to talk about a major new Medicaid program that is quietly changing the way Rochester's most vulnerable residents get help and why eligible people need to act now.

Brian explains how the New York State Social Care Network came to be, why the House of Mercy was one of the first organizations the state approached to participate and what nearly $2 million in direct financial assistance distributed in just two years has looked like on the...

Debra Ross, founder of Kidsoutandabout.com and co-chair of the National Eclipse Task Force, joins the show to talk about her new book The Eclipse Effect and what the experience of organizing Rochester's total solar eclipse response taught her about community, leadership and what it means to seize an extraordinary moment.

Debra shares how she went from eclipse skeptic to the woman who spent seven years rallying 175 active members and hundreds more around a single moment in the sky, how Rochester became the national gold standard for eclipse community organizing, and why cloudy skies on April 8th 2024...

Julio Vazquez, Board Chair, and Eugenio Marlin, Vice Chair, of Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School join the show to share the story of Rochester's longest running and only bilingual charter school, and to talk about the brand new 54 million dollar campus now open on Joseph Avenue.

Julio and Eugenio explain how the dual language model works from kindergarten through graduation, why being bilingual is an asset in virtually every career field, and what makes a charter school structure different from a traditional public school in ways that benefit students and families directly. They also share how...

Erica Fee, CEO of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, joins the show to preview 12 days of performances across 45 venues running September 15th through 26th, and make the case for why Rochester showing up for this festival matters beyond just entertainment.

Erica highlights a handful of must see shows including Tea Party at the End of the World with only 30 tickets, Just to Be Close to You with 60 tickets and 10 awards, the outdoor Circus in the City at Parcel 5 on September 18th and 19th and Pete Davidson at Eastman Theatre on September 25th. She also talks about the...

Tom O'Connor, President of Al Sigl Community of Agencies, joins the show to talk about two of their biggest fall events and what makes this 65 year old Rochester institution unlike anything else in the country.

Tom shares how Al Sigl supports seven nonprofit member agencies by providing space, shared services and fundraising infrastructure so they can focus on serving over 55,000 children and adults with disabilities and special needs in our community. He also spotlights Medical Motor Service and Rochester Hearing and Speech Center as two member agencies doing especially critical work that many Rochesterians do not know...

Colleen Parsons and Rob Poltrino, co-chairs of the Cancer Support Community Rochester Heroes Ball, join the show to talk about an organization that has been serving everyone touched by cancer since 1959 and the upcoming gala that helps make it all possible.

Colleen shares what CSC Rochester actually offers, from one on one mental health counseling and support groups to yoga, art classes, a food pantry and a kitchen where community groups can come cook dinner for members. Everything is free to members. Rob shares what brought him to CSC and why he believes in it deeply enough...

Jeff Pier, President and CEO of the Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, joins the show to talk about the child abuse epidemic hiding in plain sight across our community and what his organization does when a child comes forward.

Jeff shares how the CAC brings 20 partner agencies including police, the district attorney's office, medical professionals and child protective services under one roof so children never have to tell their story more than once. He also makes an important distinction every parent and trusted adult should hear, the difference between a trusted adult and a safe adult...

Jen Cathy, President and CEO of Delphi Rise, joins the show to mark the organization's 90th anniversary and take stock of how far addiction treatment has come since the 1930s when the only answers were jail or church.

Jen walks through nine decades of evolving understanding, from moral failure to chronic disease, from the War on Drugs to harm reduction, and shares where Delphi Rise stands today on some of the most debated questions in addiction treatment. She also talks about a shift most people have not noticed yet, alcohol use disorder has quietly become the number...

Julia Oakley, director of Agape Haven of Abundance, stopped by Rochester Speaks with ten of her summer camp youth to share what seven years of out of school programming has built in the Rochester community.

The kids speak for themselves. In just a few minutes of conversation, they cover financial literacy, mental health, Black history, yoga, sailing, horseback riding, job fairs and what it means to have a safe and loving place to grow during the summer months. Their future plans include nursing, law, teaching, medicine, psychology, professional sports and yes, at least one NFL or NBA...

Lindsay Kremers, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Haley Rockow, Youth Engagement Coordinator at the Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties, join the show to talk about where tobacco use stands today and why vaping has created a whole new set of challenges for public health advocates.

Lindsay and Haley walk through the coalition's four main program areas including tobacco free outdoor spaces, point of sale restrictions, tobacco litter and environmental impact, and smoke free multi unit housing. They share updates on local progress including Tri-City Rentals converting 3,000 units across Monroe County to smoke free...

Albert Nocciolino, producer and presenter for the Rochester Broadway Theater League, joins the show to preview the 2026 to 2027 M&T Bank Broadway Season at West Herr Auditorium Theatre and make the case for why this is one of the best lineups RBTL has put together in years.

Albert walks through all seven shows, talks about the economic impact of touring Broadway on Rochester businesses and hotels, why West Herr Auditorium Theatre has become a true regional destination drawing audiences from Erie to Binghamton, and what RBTL's education program is doing to build the next generation of theater...

Rob Sullivan, speaker and author of The Trek Within, joins the show to share one of the most remarkable personal journeys you will hear on Rochester Speaks, starting with a cancer diagnosis on his 48th birthday and ending with a dream that saved his life years later.

Rob talks about why he chose to go public about his illness, why he never used the word "have" to describe his cancer, and what shifted for him when he stopped thinking about fighting and started thinking about walking alongside what his body was trying to teach him. He also...

Erica Fee, CEO and Festival Producer of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, joins the show fresh off a scouting trip to the Edinburgh Fringe to talk about what is coming to Rochester September 15th through 26th, and why this festival continues to stand apart from anything else happening in American cities.

Erica shares the origin story of the Edinburgh Fringe dating back to 1947, how Rochester's festival has grown into one of the largest in the country with 715 shows across 45 venues, and what makes the bifurcated model so unique. She also previews Circus in the City at Parcel 5...

Dr. Laura Ellick, licensed psychologist specializing in eating disorders, joins the show for an honest and eye opening conversation about a condition that affects nearly one in ten Americans and carries the second highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness.

Dr. Ellick shares what eating disorders actually look like across the full spectrum, why they affect far more people than most assume including men and adults in their 40s and 50s, what signs to watch for in a loved one and why saying the wrong thing to someone with an eating disorder is easier to do than...

Shawn "Gee" Goburn, Executive Director and founder of Alive + Well, joins the show to talk about the work his organization does helping Rochester youth discover who they are, what they want and how to build a path forward that actually fits them.

Shawn shares his own story, what the three fundamental questions at the heart of Alive + Well's work actually unlock in young people, why focusing on money alone is one of the biggest obstacles to finding real direction and what adults and parents can do differently when trying to guide the young people in their lives.<...

Joshua Shea, addiction and trauma coach and author, returns for a follow up conversation focused on parents, kids and how to navigate a world saturated with sexual content in a way that actually protects children rather than putting them at greater risk.

Joshua shares why making sex and nudity taboo often backfires, what the research says about how porn addiction actually develops in young people, and what parents can do at every age to keep the lines of communication open. He also previews a book he is currently writing on parenting and healthy sexuality.

Learn...

Dean Lucas, founder of the Lee Lucas Memorial Poker Run, joins the show to talk about the 10th and final year of a ride he created in honor of his son Lee, who died of a fentanyl laced heroin overdose in December 2016 at the age of 27.

Dean shares Lee's story, what this ride has meant to him and his wife Brenda over the past decade, why proceeds go to Father Tracy's Advocacy Center in Rochester and why unrestricted funding from events like this one makes such a critical difference for people in crisis.

The ride...

Julia Locey, CEO, and Stephanie Campanelli, Development Director at Vertus Charter School, join the show to talk about one of Rochester's most distinctive public schools, a tuition free all-boys high school at 21 Humboldt Street built around developing men of character.

Julia and Stephanie share what makes Vertus different from both traditional public schools and other charter schools, how the preceptor model creates connection between students and adults, why being year round and diversity focused actually prepares young men better for college and careers, and what a graduate reciting the school creed years later says about the culture...

Nanette of the Filipino American Association of Rochester joins the show to talk about the very first Filipino Festival in Rochester, happening this Saturday July 25th from 11am to 6pm at Rushwood Barn at 72 West Henrietta Road in Rush.

Nanette shares what the Filipino American Association of Rochester has been doing for 55 years, what makes Filipino culture so warm and welcoming, and what attendees can expect this weekend including food trucks serving adobo, pancit and lumpia, cultural and modern dance performances, a live set from the all-Filipino Maoy Band out of Syracuse and a karaoke contest with...

Char Cordone, Executive Director of the People's Pantry at 555 Avenue D in Rochester, joins the show to talk about what food insecurity looks like in our community right now and how the People's Pantry is working to meet a growing and urgent need.

Char shares what makes the People's Pantry different from other food pantries, why demand is increasing by about 10 percent every month, what the pantry needs most right now in terms of food donations and volunteers, and what it would actually take to address food insecurity at a deeper level in Rochester.

The...

Joshua Shea, porn addiction and betrayal trauma coach and author, joins the show for a candid and judgment free conversation about one of the most common and least discussed struggles people face today.

Joshua shares his own story, the difference between casual use and addiction, why the question of what you are watching matters far less than why, and what the first steps toward recovery actually look like. He also addresses why kids with smartphones in 2026 are at greater risk than any previous generation, and why porn addiction has nothing to do with who you are as...

Chris Bull, member of the Penfield Rotary Club, joins the show to talk about Chasing Chains for Charity, a disc golf tournament he organized at Shadow Pines Park in Penfield that raised over $6,500 split between the Dream Factory of Rochester and the Rotary Club of Penfield.

Chris shares why disc golf made such a natural fit for a charity fundraiser, what the Dream Factory does for critically and chronically ill children in our community and what his own connection to Rotary has meant to him personally. The event is coming back next year and sponsorship opportunities are...

Show Notes:

Chris Bull, Principal Consultant at Toro Solutions, joins the show to cut through the fear around AI and talk about what change management actually looks like for Rochester businesses navigating new technology.

Chris shares what AI agents are and why they are different from the chatbot tools most people think of, what the real opportunity looks like for small and mid-sized businesses, and why he believes the companies and leaders who treat stagnation as the real threat are the ones who will come out ahead.

Learn more and start a conversation...

Jennifer Sisson, life coach and founder of Focused on the Future Life Coaching, joins the show to talk about something most people underestimate, how common stalking actually is, what it really looks like in everyday life and how to keep moving forward when it feels impossible.

Jennifer shares her own experience as a stalking victim, what the process of documenting and protecting yourself looks like over time, and why she believes coaching and community support are just as important as legal action. She also addresses what most people get wrong about how stalking starts, who it happens...

Megan Gaul, weight loss coach and founder of Partake Meal Planning, joins the show to talk about losing 100 pounds naturally, keeping it off for seven years and what she has learned about helping others do the same.

Megan shares what actually moved the needle for her, why most people overlook the real habits that are keeping their weight up, what she thinks about GLP-1s, and why the relationship with food matters more than any plan you can download. She also makes a compelling case for why you probably do not have to give up dessert entirely.<...

Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and Susan Tripp, founder and owner of SMT Mobile Notary, join the show to celebrate Susan's recognition as the Webster Chamber June Business of the Month.

Susan shares the personal story that led her to start SMT Mobile Notary, what the business actually looks like day to day, where she goes and who she serves, and how being an active Webster Chamber member has shaped her success. Barry explains what sets Susan apart and why the chamber recognized her this month.

Reach Susan at...

Debi Carlin Boyle, certified health and nutrition coach and personal trainer, joins the show to cut through the noise around healthy living, from what is actually in the foods being marketed as healthy to what you should know before going on a GLP-1.

Debi shares her philosophy on bio-individuality, why she never puts clients on a dramatic diet overhaul, what she looks for when reading a food label, her honest and nuanced take on GLP-1 medications and what most people get wrong about them, and simple ways to stay active even when Rochester weather has other ideas.<...

Tonya McBride Robles, incoming President and CEO of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, joins the show ahead of her August 17th start date to talk about her background, what drew her to the RPO and what she hopes to build here in Rochester.

Tonya shares her path from the Peabody Conservatory to senior executive roles at orchestras around the country, what two decades of following a naval officer around the world taught her about music and community, and why arriving at the RPO feels like the culmination of her life's work. She also talks about what she sees...

Diane McClure, mother of Meredith, and Katie Hout from the American Red Cross join the show to talk about the 15th annual Fairport Angels Blood Drive, held this Thursday June 18th from 1 to 7pm in the gym at St. John of Rochester in Fairport.

Diane shares the story behind the drive, what these 15 years of gathering have meant to the families of Hannah, Bailey, Meredith, Sarah and Katie, and why this particular way of honoring them has resonated so deeply with the community. Katie explains the very real and urgent need for blood donations heading into the...

Chris Widmaier, Executive Director of Rochester Ecology Partners, joins the show to talk about getting outside this summer, where to go and what his organization has planned for kids, families and educators across the region.

Chris shares some of his favorite underrated spots across Monroe County, from the west side to the east side, talks about what makes Rochester's parks and waterways genuinely special compared to other cities he has lived in, and offers a simple way to connect with nature even if you only have a few minutes to spare.

Coming up this summer...

Pam Ayers, founder of the Spencerport Free Food Pantry and principal at Impromptu Consulting, joins the show to talk about food insecurity in the suburbs, why it looks different than most people expect and what five years of running a no barrier, no questions asked pantry in the village of Spencerport has taught her about community.

Pam talks about the misconceptions around suburban hunger, what is happening with SNAP benefits and why she believes food is the most basic way to show love to another person. She also shares the story behind one of her most loyal...