Afleveringen
-
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 in Rochester that excites her, where she thinks the RPO can grow and what she plans to do first when she walks through the door.
Spoiler: she plans to listen.
Learn more about upcoming RPO performances and programs at rpo.org.
-
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 summer months and what this drive has meant to the region year after year.
Every donor who gives this Thursday will receive a $15 gift card by email. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred.
Schedule at redcrossblood.org, use the code FAIRPORTANGELS to make sure your donation is credited to the drive, use the Red Cross mobile app or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
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 Rochester Ecology Partners has the Growing Good youth program at the Food Link Farm on Lexington Avenue, Eco Expeditions for students in grades first through sixth on July 1st and 2nd at Seneca Park and a Nature Based Learning Symposium at Durand Eastman Park in late August.
Find the full event calendar and program details at rochesterecologypartners.org and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
-
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 young donors, a little girl named Brooklyn, whose family's generosity carries a deeply personal reason behind it.
The pantry is open around the clock at 222 South Union Street in Spencerport. No income limits, no eligibility requirements, no paperwork. Just take what you need.
Find current shelf updates and more on Facebook at Spencerport Free Food Pantry.
-
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 than ever.
Tools and Tunes at Taproot is this Friday June 12th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Taproot office and teaching garden on First Street across from the Rochester Public Market. Free admission, live music, farm tours led by youth leaders and a visit from the Southeast Area Coalition's mobile tool shed truck.
Volunteer, get connected to a garden near you or learn more at taprootcollective.org
-
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 patients, the Mapping My Journey personalized approach and what the people around a cancer patient can do to actually help.
The hardest part, she says, is just getting through the door.
Visit cscrochester.org, call 585.423.9700 or stop by 255 Alexander Street in Rochester to learn more or become a member.
-
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 Wreaths Across America was named the Webster Chamber's May Business of the Month and what that recognition means in a community built around connection and service.
Cheri also offers a simple but powerful suggestion for how anyone can honor a veteran this Memorial Day weekend, one that goes beyond a simple thank you.
Sponsor a wreath, share a veteran story or learn more at websterwreaths.com. Find Garlic Festival details at webstergarlicfest.com and explore Webster Chamber membership at websterchamber.com.
-
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 the heart of nearly every program the organization runs. She also shares the story of a young mom who at 22, after years of hardship, finished school, landed a full time job and is buying her first home.
Many of SPCC's programs currently have long waiting lists, and donations play a critical role in filling the gaps that grant funding cannot cover, from back to school supplies and beds to security deposits for mothers leaving abusive situations and pots and pans for young parents starting their first home. Monthly giving, legacy gifts, one time donations and event sponsorships are all ways the community can help.
The 39th Children's Classic Golf Tournament takes place June 29th at Irondequoit Country Club. Foursomes, sponsorships and auction prize donations are all still available.
Register for the golf tournament at spccgolf2026.org, make a donation or learn more at spcc-roch.org, or reach the team directly at [email protected].
-
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 nation. Learn how the organization evolved through the Great Depression, World War II and the opioid crisis, how Carl Rogers began his career at SPCC in the early 1900s and how Rochester helped develop the nation's first family court system.
Laurie walks through all eight of SPCC's current programs including Family Trauma Intervention, Healthy Families Monroe, Teenage Parent Support Services, adolescent pregnancy prevention, therapeutic and supervised visitation and the WIC program serving 5,000 women, infants and children every month across five counties. She also shares the context behind the work, including Rochester's ranking among the top 10 poorest cities in the country, domestic violence rates 2.5 times higher than the rest of New York State and approximately 200 babies born to mothers 19 and younger each year, twice the national average.
SPCC is now planning for its next 150 years with a vision where hope is not a privilege and every child's future is determined by potential rather than circumstance.
Learn more and get involved at spcc-roch.org.
-
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 they saw. Learn about her ongoing Have a Heart Hidden Heart Daily Painting Challenge for Charity, a project where hidden hearts are embedded in every painting and proceeds go to local organizations including the Center for Youth and Mount Hope Family Center.
The initiative has grown to include students from the Memorial Art Gallery winter camp, Rochester City schools and charter schools, with the goal of getting community created artwork up on billboards in the neighborhoods where those students actually live. Joan also shares how the vinyl from completed billboard installations is being recycled into billboard art bags by a local artisan, keeping the materials out of landfills and generating revenue to fund more programming.
Joan also teaches creative workshops for all ages at the Memorial Art Gallery, from five year olds to an 84 year old current student, with scholarships available for those with financial need. All class listings are available through the Memorial Art Gallery website under creative workshops.
To learn more about Billboard Art ROCs, get involved or inquire about sponsorship visit joanmargaret.com or email [email protected].
-
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 month, an indoor pool, a personal trainer, University of Rochester professor lectures and regular Eastman School performances, the community feels less like a facility and more like resort style living centered on the whole person.
The Highlands has a full summer of free community events open to everyone. The Summer Gazebo Concert Series runs every Thursday in July except July 2nd from 6:30 to 7:30pm, featuring the RPO Brass Quintet on July 9th, Indigo Breeze on July 16th, Elton John tribute Croc Rock on July 23rd and Uptown Groove with Mo Dancing on July 30th. The beloved annual Classic Car Show returns August 6th from 6 to 7:30pm with over 50 vehicles expected, music by Beck and the Bobcats and free food for all. Classic car owners interested in displaying their vehicles are encouraged to reach out. The Highlands Holiday Market is also coming November 19th from 10am to 2pm with local vendors and free admission.
Wait list spots for cottage homes and apartments are available now and the team encourages families to get on early given growing demand.
Call 585.641.6380 or visit thehighlandsatpittsford.org to schedule a tour or learn more.
-
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 Hearing and Speech Center is the only nonprofit with a footprint in Monroe County still providing these services, doing so despite state reimbursement rates that have barely budged since the program launched in 1993. As of this morning 743 children in Monroe County are on the waiting list for services they qualify for but cannot yet access.
Dr. Calus explains how the whole child approach at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center means therapists are not just working on one skill in isolation but collaborating across disciplines to address gross motor, sensory processing, communication and cognitive development all at once. Parents are coached at every visit so that progress continues throughout the week, not just during the hour a therapist is present.
Parents with questions about their child's development can call 753-KIDS to request an evaluation, speak with their pediatrician or attend the free guided play dates held the first Saturday of every month at the facility. All families of young children are welcome.
The Superhero 5K and Family Fun Run is Sunday June 7th at Seneca Park. Walk, run, roll or stroll, come dressed as your favorite superhero and celebrate the kids who face every challenge with extraordinary determination.
Register and learn more at rhsc.org.
Sonnet 4.6
-
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 the Brown CRT Pediatric Research Foundation for a week long exploration of the health benefits of nature, including a trip to Cornell, a public lecture on mental health and outdoor research, and a family Vitamin N Day at the park complete with kite flying, creek critters and nature scavenger hunts.
Chris also shares three Rochester nature gems worth visiting right now, Braddock Bay for the spring raptor migration and owl woods, Genesee Gateway Park downtown where 72 bird species have been documented throughout the year, and Black Creek Park on the southwest side, a hidden gem that feels far away even though it is not.
Registration for the Growing Good summer youth program in collaboration with Food Link opens today at 5pm. A Finding Nature Friday drop in event takes place next Friday at the Rochester Ecology Partners office on Mount Hope, with book, plant and seed swaps and Earth Day activities. A free community fundraiser picnic is also coming in early June.
Sign up for the newsletter and explore all summer programming at rochesterecologypartners.org.
-
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 rest falls into place. Learn about the depth of her community involvement across church groups, the Webster Health and Education Network, Soul Sisters, Free Mom Hugs, the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, the women's club, the food pantry and her recent advocacy work for people living with long haul COVID.
Julianne also shares a deeply personal story about how the Webster Museum became a monthly refuge for her and her father during his battle with dementia, a place where his long term memories came alive and connected them in ways nothing else could. That experience deepened her love for Webster and for the kind of community that makes those moments possible.
Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, explains the criteria behind the Business Person of the Year award and why Julianne embodies everything the honor is meant to recognize. In keeping with chamber tradition a donation has been made in Julianne's name to a charity of her choice, the Webster Museum.
Learn more about the Webster Chamber and upcoming volunteer and membership opportunities at websterchamber.com.
-
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 acute pain and chronic pain when it comes to medication risk, and why the conversation with your medical team about duration and alternatives matters more than most patients realize.
Jennifer also addresses what to do when someone you love is ready for help, why the answer is right now and not tomorrow, and how Monroe County's Open Access program at Delphi Rise provides 24 hour assessment and referral for anyone who needs it. Recovery community resources including ROC Recovery and the CORE Center downtown are also available for those who are not yet ready for formal treatment.
Unused medications sitting in your medicine cabinet are a risk not just to you but to everyone who enters your home, including children and visitors. Jennifer walks through two safe disposal options available locally including the Detour pouch for small quantities and Eco Park on Paul Road, which accepts any amount at no cost and no questions asked.
Free harm reduction resources including safe medication lock boxes, disposal kits and Narcan are available through NCADD-RA at community health fairs throughout the region or by request at ncadd-ra.org.
-
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 cocaine, the rise of synthetic drugs and the often overlooked challenge of problem gambling. Learn why the legalization of marijuana created what Jennifer calls a tsunami of misinformation, and why legal and safe are not the same thing when it comes to driving, pregnancy or youth development.
NCADD-RA does not provide treatment directly but maintains an updated treatment provider directory every six months and connects individuals and families to the right resources. If someone you love is not yet ready for treatment, Jennifer shares what you can do right now to be prepared for the moment they are, including peer support groups, recovery community organizations and the resources available at ncadd-ra.org.
The 80th Anniversary Luncheon is Thursday May 15th at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Jefferson Road. Register now at ncadd-ra.org.
-
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 the tobacco industry cuts down roughly 600 million trees every year for paper and packaging, and the environmental footprint of smoking becomes impossible to ignore.
The conversation also covers the growing environmental challenge of e-cigarettes, which combine lithium ion batteries, plastic casings, nicotine cartridges and packaging into a disposal nightmare, and the rise of Zyn pouches, a highly concentrated synthetic nicotine product whose long term effects are still largely unknown. Monroe County's vape disposal program through Eco Park is one of the few such programs in the state.
On Wednesday April 22nd at 6pm the coalition is hosting a tobacco litter pickup at Ontario Beach Park, meeting at the historic carousel. Gloves, bags and buckets will be provided. Anyone looking to quit can call the New York State Quit Line or text the Drop the Vape program for anonymous cessation support.
-
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 AI defense looks a lot like the early days of computer viruses and antivirus software, a constant cycle of measures and countermeasures that requires real time updates and relentless vigilance.
Peter shares the story of a Wall Street career path that took an unexpected turn when he discovered voice biometrics as an investor 20 years ago and never looked back, and explains why he deliberately chose Rochester over Silicon Valley to build his company, hiring only locally and leaning on the deep tech talent ecosystem surrounding the University of Rochester and RIT.
Peter also offers practical advice on what individuals and companies can do right now to protect themselves from deep fake voice scams, including what call center agents should be listening for and why multifactor authentication is your best defense.
To learn more or start a conversation about protecting your organization visit ingenid.com.
-
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 show hits the road. Hells Kitchen, Alicia Keys' acclaimed Broadway musical based loosely on her own life and powered by her greatest hits, brings an entirely different kind of energy to the stage. The Outsiders rounds out the new arrivals alongside a beloved classic returning after years away, The Sound of Music, which drew one of the loudest reactions of the entire announcement night.
The Lion King returns for three weeks, with over 60,000 people expected through the doors, and Albert reminds Rochester that the show was choreographed by none other than Rochester's own Garth Fagan. Jersey Boys also returns to the delight of the crowd.
Albert also makes the case for Broadway as an economic engine, sharing that more people see Broadway shows each year than attend all of New York's major sports franchises combined, and that unlike a stadium, theater audiences spend their dollars on Rochester's streets, in its restaurants and in its hotels.
Season tickets, individual show dates and more are available at rbtl.org.
-
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 and a serious surgery. Dr. Connolly also explains what warning signs to watch for, including crooked lines, floaters and sudden vision changes, and why an abrupt change in vision should always be treated as urgent.
The Rochester Community Diabetic Eye Screening Program runs Saturday April 25th from 8am to 3pm at 160 Sawgrass Drive Suite 200 in Brighton. The screening takes between 30 and 60 minutes and includes a health history review, visual acuity check, eye pressure check, wide field retinal imaging and an OCT scan. Every participant gets a face to face conversation with a retina specialist. Also on site are healthcare navigators from CCSI to help with insurance enrollment, diabetes educators from RADE with free educational resources and a nurse offering free blood sugar checks.
Appointments are required due to high demand. Schedule now at retinaassociatesofwny.com.
- Laat meer zien
