In this episode, we sit down with Melquea Smith, an award-winning children’s book illustrator from Syracuse and the creative force behind PrettyKittyPaintings. From discovering art online at a young age to turning it into a full-time career, Me...

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Dave Casullo and Dan Williams for a real, wide-ranging conversation centered around leadership, community, and pride in where you’re from. Dave shares perspective from his work with Dan...

In this episode we sit down with Sal Longo, self-made entrepreneur, founder of Northern Safety, CEO of Zing Green Safety Products and the driving force behind several of the Mohawk Valley’s most talked-about hospitality destinations. From start...

In this episode we sit down with Ujj Rai, social entrepreneur, community builder and founder of both Muju International Groceries and Nyano. This is one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about what business is really for....

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Chef Tim Hardiman, founder of Hardiman Hospitality, co-founder of Tailor and the Cook and host of The Hospitalitarian Podcast for a conversation that goes way beyond what’s on the plate...

In this powerful and moving episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Jennifer Boulanger - author, educator, and longtime community advocate to talk about her memoir A Song for Olaf and the story behind it. Jennifer shares the journey ...

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Mike Curran, founder of Wrapology, to talk cars, creativity, and what it really looks like to build a passion-first business in Central New York. What started as Mike wrapping his own c...

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Ray Durso—President & CEO of the Genesis Group, community connector, regional ambassador, and one of the most recognizable champions of Central New York. Ray shares the origin story...

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Doneilous King - lifelong Utica resident, DEIB strategist, senior counselor at SUNY Poly, community builder, DJ, and founder of We Inspire Consulting. From growing up in Cornhill to bec...

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Ryan Miller—director of MVCC’s Thincubator, founder of Rust Belt Startup, podcaster, connector, and one of the quiet forces behind entrepreneurship and creative momentum in the Mohawk V...

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Vanderhoof, founder of Oneida News and one of Central New York’s most genuine local storytellers. Adam takes us all the way back to the beginning — from filming in his parents’ basement to building a hyper...

In this episode we sit down in the brand-new Impact X Marketing Studio with Brad Waters, Morgan Mielnicki, and Emily Broomfield to pull back the curtain on the creative force behind some of the best digital content coming out of the region. Fro...

What does a tourism professional actually do—and why should you care? In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Calero, President of Oneida County Tourism, to talk about what it really means to promote a region like Central New York. Spoiler aler...

What happens when a full-grown man goes to Santa School... multiple times? You get Steve Nunno, a professionally trained Santa with a heart the size of the North Pole and a mission to bring real magic to families across Central New York. In thi...

Javon Pratt returns to the podcast for a real conversation about growth, focus, and staying true to your vision. Since his first episode, he’s opened Westie’s, a small pizza spot with a simple goal: make great food, stay creative, and build som...

After two decades in insurance, Michele Hummel took a leap most people only talk about — she walked away to follow a gut instinct that there was something more she was meant to build. Now, as the Executive Director of Next - Herkimer County, sh...

What do community, mocktails, and mindfulness have in common? According to Cristi Kaido — everything. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of The Mindful Mixer, Central New York’s first mobile mocktail bar and wellness experience. Cris...

From law offices to barbell racks, short-term rentals to speakeasy renovations, Colin LaReaux is a man who wears a lot of hats—and somehow keeps them all balanced. In this episode, we sit down with Colin to talk about everything from his roots ...

This week, we sit down with Kristy Mandour — executive coach, speaker, and host of the Sow to Speak podcast — for a conversation that’s equal parts empowering, hilarious, and deeply honest. Kristy has spent years helping leaders and creatives u...

If you’ve ever walked, biked, or even just driven through Utica’s parks and parkways without realizing how special they are… this episode is about to blow your mind. 🧠💥 We sit down with historian and nonprofit founder Phil Bean, who left behind...

In this episode, we sit down with Yarden Carroll, the force behind Crowned Creative, a brand strategy studio helping bold thinkers turn brilliance into bankable business. Yarden is a mother, creative powerhouse, systems thinker, and former engi...

In this episode, we sit down with Anne Lansing, CEO of Safe Schools Mohawk Valley — an organization changing lives every day across Central New York. From advocating for students dealing with trauma, to building bridges between youth and first ...

What is the Community Foundation and why should you care? In this episode, Scott and Kelly sit down with Nick Grimmer and Kayla Ellis to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—and surprisingly misunderstood—organizations in our area...

What if mindfulness wasn’t just a buzzword—but a lifeline? In this episode, we sit down with Mikelle Deck, founder of Aligned Minds Consulting, to talk about mental health, mindfulness, and why your phone might be stressing you out more than yo...

Meet Michael Flores — actor, filmmaker, and the creative force behind Dogs on the Sendero, an award-winning indie film that’s turning heads globally… and was filmed right here in Central New York. In this episode, Michael sits down with the tea...