Rochester Speaks

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...

Nathaniel Mich, Executive Director of Taproot Collective, joins the show to talk about community gardens, youth employment and what his organization is quietly building across Rochester's neighborhoods.

Nathaniel shares why Rochester is uniquely positioned for this kind of work, what Taproot Collective actually does for the 120 plus community gardens in the city, and how 40 to 45 young people from Monroe County households get their first real work experience every summer through the program. He also talks about what the recent changes to SNAP benefits mean for food insecurity in Rochester and why community gardens matter more right now...

Amanda Miller, licensed mental health counselor and Director of Programs and Support Services at Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester, joins the show during Mental Health Awareness Month to talk about what it really looks like to support someone through one of the most isolating experiences a person can face.

Amanda shares what CSC Rochester offers its members, why the mental health challenges of cancer do not end when treatment does, and what she tells people who resist seeking help because they do not have an official diagnosis. She also talks about food insecurity among cancer...

On Memorial Day weekend, Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and Cheri Wood, local coordinator for Wreaths Across America in Webster, join the show to talk about honoring those who served, what that looks like in our community and how you can be part of it.

Cheri shares the heart behind Wreaths Across America, what the December 19th wreath laying ceremony at Webster Union Cemetery means to Gold Star families and veterans alike, and how the Webster Garlic Festival on September 12th and 13th helps make it all possible. Barry explains why...

Laurie Valentine, CEO of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children, returns for part two of our conversation about SPCC's work in Rochester, this time focusing on what drives the mission forward, how the community can get involved and what the next chapter looks like for the country's oldest nonprofit agency.

Laurie shares what she believes is the true catalyst for change in the families SPCC serves, a caring adult who believes in the potential of both the child and the parent, and explains why nurturing parents so they can nurture their children is at...

Laurie Valentine, CEO of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children, joins the show to share the remarkable 150 year history of one of Rochester's most important nonprofits and to walk through the eight programs SPCC currently runs to support children and families across our region.

Discover how SPCC was founded in 1875 following the case of a young girl named Mary Ellen, whose story sparked a national movement and led to the creation of the country's first and then second Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with Rochester's chapter becoming the second in the...

Joan Margaret, artist, art teacher at the Memorial Art Gallery and founder of Billboard Art ROCs, joins the show to talk about what happens when you combine a love of color, a commitment to community and a drive down a gray stretch of 490 after COVID.

Discover how Billboard Art ROCs got its start when Joan noticed how dismal the messaging around her felt on her daily commute and decided to do something about it, eventually placing her vibrant floral paintings on digital billboards around Rochester and receiving emails from strangers whose days were turned around by what...

Maria Sommerville, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, and Bethany Creager, Sales and Marketing Assistant, join the show to share what life looks like at the Highlands at Pittsford, an affiliate of the University of Rochester set on 52 beautiful acres just outside the village with a short walk to the Erie Canal.

Discover how the Highlands serves residents from age 62 to 104 across cottage homes, independent living apartments, assisted living and a brand new memory care wing, offering a true continuum of care so residents can age in place without uprooting their lives. With over 300 activities available every...

Dr. Sara Calus, Director of Educational and Clinical Services at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center, joins the show to talk about the work happening every day with Rochester's youngest and most vulnerable children, and why the first five years of life are the most important window to pay attention to.

Discover what early intervention really means, a state funded play based program that sends physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and special educators into homes to coach parents and support children ages zero to five with developmental delays, communication challenges, sensory processing differences and motor development. Rochester...

Just in time for Earth Day, Chris Widmaier, Executive Director of Rochester Ecology Partners, joins the show to talk about what it means to help all people find nature where they live, work and play across the nine county greater Rochester region, and why that mission has never felt more urgent.

Discover the Nature Rx movement, a growing practice where doctors and mental health practitioners prescribe time in nature as a medical intervention, with 70% of participants completing their prescriptions and reporting measurable improvements in wellbeing. Chris shares how Rochester Ecology Partners partnered with the Harley School and...

When Julianne Groff was asked to apply for the Executive Director role at Webster Comfort Care Home in 2021, her first reaction was that she was a social worker, not a business person. Today she is the Webster Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Person of the Year, and her story is a reminder that leading with your heart is its own kind of business strategy.

Discover how Julianne went from making referrals to Webster Comfort Care as a hospice social worker to running the organization, and why she believes that if your heart is truly in the work, the...

Most people picture addiction as something that happens to someone else. Jennifer Faringer, Director at DePaul's National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Rochester Area, joins the show to explain why prescription medications have made that assumption more dangerous than ever, and what every Rochester family can do right now to reduce the risk.

Discover how the opioid crisis was fueled not by street drugs but by overprescribed pain medications, and how a legitimate post-surgery prescription can quietly become a pathway to dependence for everyday people with no history of substance use. Learn the critical difference between...

Founded in 1946, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Rochester Area is one of the three oldest addiction councils in the country, and this May it is celebrating 80 years of uninterrupted service to Monroe County. Jennifer Faringer, Director at DePaul NCADD-RA, joins the show to reflect on that history and look ahead at the work still to be done.

Discover how the face of addiction has shifted dramatically over eight decades, from single substance dependence to polysubstance use, from the opioid crisis and the trajectory from prescription painkillers to heroin to fentanyl, to the return of...

Just in time for Earth Day, Lindsay Kremers, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Lindsay Kaya, Youth Engagement Coordinator at the Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties, join the show to talk about something most people never connect to environmental health, tobacco waste.

Cigarette butts are the single most littered item worldwide and the filters inside them are made from cellulose acetate, a plastic that does not biodegrade under normal conditions. When they end up in soil and waterways, they leach toxic chemicals that harm wildlife and ecosystems. Add to that the staggering statistic that...

Peter Soufleris, founder of IngenID and University of Rochester alum, pulls back the curtain on one of the most quietly important technologies being developed right here in Rochester, voice biometrics and deep fake detection that protects millions of people from identity fraud every day.

Discover what voice biometrics actually is, how companies like Spectrum use the sound characteristics of your voice to verify your identity during a call, and why the rise of deep fake audio technology has made that process both more urgent and more complex. Learn why Peter believes the battle between AI fraud and...

Albert Nocciolino, producer and presenter for the Rochester Broadway Theater League, joins the show fresh off the big reveal of the 2026 to 2027 M&T Bank Broadway Season at West Herr Auditorium Theater, and the crowd reaction said everything.

Discover the full lineup for next season, including four Rochester premieres. Boop the Musical, the brand new Betty Boop stage production directed by Jerry Mitchell, launches its entire national tour right here in Rochester, with over 100 cast and crew members spending four weeks in the city, generating thousands of hotel nights and meals and significant economic impact before the...

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in working age Americans, and most people do not notice vision problems until something significant has already happened. Dr. Connolly and Margaret Whelehan from Retina Associates of Western New York join the show to talk about why early screening changes everything, and how Rochester is getting its very own free diabetic eye screening event on Saturday April 25th.

Discover how diabetes affects the blood vessels that supply the retina, what diabetic retinopathy actually looks like and why catching it early can mean the difference between a simple treatment...

In the 1940s a woman named Sylvia Lawry placed a two line classified ad in the New York Times because her brother had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and she had no idea what to do next. That ad became the National MS Society, and Rochester was one of its founding chapters. Andy Yates, Executive Director of the Upstate New York chapter, tells that story and brings it forward 80 years to what the society is doing for the roughly one million Americans living with MS today.

Discover what MS actually is, how damage to the myelin sheath...

Dr. Junior Dillion, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Upstate New York, brings a personal and urgent perspective to the challenges facing Rochester's most vulnerable residents, and explains why the work of VOA has never mattered more than it does right now.

Discover how VOA connects housing, health and human services into a unified continuum of care serving over 10,000 people across Monroe, Broome and Tompkins Counties. Programs range from one of Monroe County's largest family shelters and permanent supportive housing to a children's center, reentry services for people coming out of the criminal justice system, universal...

Nearly 6,500 businesses in Monroe County alone are owned by someone over the age of 55. If even a third of those close without a succession plan, Rochester loses 2,000 businesses, 25,000 jobs and over a billion dollars in payroll. Chloe Handelman and Bruce Peters, co-founders of Beyond Ownership, are doing something about it.

Discover what Beyond Ownership actually does for second and third stage businesses, the ones that have survived the startup phase but have not yet figured out what comes next, including leadership development, operations consulting, succession planning and CEO peer groups designed to help business owners make decisions...