Brews & Banter

 Join us at Angry Smokehouse in Baldwinsville for a flavorful sit-down with Jeff Rogers, the creative force behind Angry Garlic, Angry Smokehouse, and now Angry Waters. Jeff shares his journey from launching the garlic-centric Angry Garlic to traveling across the South and Midwest to master barbecue before opening Angry Smokehouse. We chat about the challenges of running two popular restauran...

In this flavorful episode, we’re joined by Jessica and Vince from Smokey Bones Restaurant—bringing not just stories, but wings, cigars, and handcrafted Old Fashioneds right into our studio! Jessica mixed up her signature JJ Special Old Fashion, making podcast history with our first-ever in-studio cocktail session. Vince, General Manager of the local Smokey Bones, shares behind-the-scenes tales and...

In this episode, we crack open a cold one with Dennis Sick—a long-time Baldwinsville resident, local entrepreneur, and community visionary. Dennis has called B’ville home since 1983 and has made it his mission to invest in both its business landscape and natural beauty. We dive into Dennis’s journey through real estate and business, including his ventures like Mohegan Manor Restaurant & Lounge...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we sit down with the incredibly talented Suzi Kory, a Canadian singer-songwriter making waves from Toronto to the global stage. Suzi opens up about her deep love for music, how her journey began, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. From sharing the stage with world-renowned musicians to crafting her unique sound, Suzi brings us behind the scenes w...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we’re joined by Payton Jackson, a passionate public servant and candidate for U.S. House Congressional District 33. Hailing from Texas, Payton shares her journey into the world of politics, reflecting on lessons learned from her previous run and how they’re shaping her current campaign. We dive into the challenges she's faced, the experiences that fuel her co...

This week, we took the podcast remote for a fun and inspiring Zoom hangout with Keith and Coop, the awesome duo behind Porch Beers USA—and proud members of our Instagram fam! With beers in hand, we got to know the guys behind the movement, chatted about how it all started, and dove into the incredible charitable work they’re doing. From a standout collab with Big Oyster Brewery supporting veterans...

In this episode, we’re cracking open a cold one with our buddy Paul, a high school friend of Frank’s who brought something special to the studio—a Stone Cold Steve Austin-branded IPA that packs a punch! As we sipped on the bold brew, Paul and Frank took a hilarious trip down memory lane, swapping wild stories that had Roman nearly on the floor in stitches. From throwback antics to unexpected twist...

In this episode, we sit down with Katherine and Scott from the Baldwinsville Rotary Club to talk about the powerful impact Rotary has both locally and across the globe. From their mission to eradicate polio—now 99.9% accomplished—to initiatives for clean water, education, and food access, Rotary is making real change happen. We also dive into Baldwinsville’s upcoming Seneca River Days 30th anniver...

In this unforgettable episode, we welcome back Scott Denhart from Triphammer Bierwerks—this time in our studio and not alone! Scott brought along Brewer, Triphammer’s muppet mascot, making this our first-ever interview with a puppet guest. We cracked open some of Triphammer’s latest brews, shared laughs, and dove into Scott’s ever-evolving journey in the craft beer world. From brewery stories to m...

In this episode, we sit down over beers with Gary Phipps—a full-time drone operator, Army veteran, and writer focused on survival and prepping. Gary shares his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in Illinois to serving in the elite 82nd Airborne Division, and eventually finding his passion in drone piloting and digital content creation. We talk about resilience, reinvention, and how st...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, we’re joined by local therapist Nicole Lawrence founder of Illuminate Counseling Creative Arts Therapy, PLLC., who sits down with us over one of her favorite beers to talk about her journey from working in other practices to taking the leap and opening her own. Nicole shares the emotional and financial challenges of launching her business and the incredib...

In this episode, we welcome back our friend Chong, who first joined us on the podcast a while ago. This time, he returns with exciting news — he’s officially opened the first Muay Thai school in Syracuse! We dive into his journey, from overcoming the challenges of launching the gym to the rapid growth that now has him already scouting for a bigger space. Chong shares what Muay Thai means to him, w...

In this episode, we welcome back the awesome duo behind Willow Rock Brewing Company, Rockney and Kevin—but this time, they’re in our studio and they came bearing gifts (aka delicious beer)! We first toured their brewery last year, but this time we sat down to talk shop, sip on their fresh pours, and hear what’s new—including the exciting news about their new location opening in Cicero, NY. Willow...

We kicked this one off with a cold beer to warm things up and welcomed a truly insightful guest, Barbara (Barb) Stone. Barb’s story is anything but typical—after over 20 years in senior leadership, she realized she had been chasing someone else’s version of success. That wake-up call led her down a new path, diving deep into resilience, positive psychology, and ultimately redefining what it means...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we welcome longtime friend and day-one listener Chris Thompson—a man who’s lived several lives. From Filipino martial arts instructor, to IT professional, to now running a successful real estate and nature photography business, Chris’s journey is as inspiring as it is entertaining. We talk about his decision to walk away from a stable IT career and pursue his...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman crack open a cold one with Anthony (Sales Manager) and Mike (Bartender & Trivia Host) from Lock 1 Distilling Co., a local spot known for its craft spirits and good times. We kicked things off with a beer (because, of course 🍻), then dove into the behind-the-scenes world of Lock 1—from how it all started, to what it’s like repping the bran...

Things got wild fast when our guest Paul Armani showed up with a stash of killer craft beers from his recent travels across New York State 🍻. We cracked one open and didn’t waste any time diving into dirty talk, hockey rivalries, and a deep conversation about Paul’s unique profession as a Radiation Specialist with the NYS DEC (yeah, it’s a mouthful—kinda like Frank’s… well, you’ll have to listen...

In this empowering episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman sit down with Registered Dietitian Emily Gozy, who’s personal journey from battling an eating disorder to helping women reclaim their health is as inspiring as it is eye-opening. Over a cold brew in the studio, Emily shares how her struggles led her to a career in nutrition, why quick fixes don't work, and how true wellness comes fr...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman sit down with Paul Cavaliere from Fox Pest Control over a couple of cold ones. Paul shares his journey into the pest control industry, some wild and hilarious on-the-job stories, and how Fox Pest Control has become a true pillar in the community. From bugs to big hearts, this episode is packed with laughs, inspiration, and proof that they're w...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman crack open a Sour Monkey by Victory Brewing and dive headfirst into a wild mix of topics. From a few hot takes on today’s celebrities to a candid chat about how far AI has come in just two years—and where it might be headed—we don’t hold back. We also break down the ripple effects of tariffs and how they might be creeping into your daily life....

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we sit down with Coach Bruce, a transformative coach dedicated to helping people navigate personal growth, career advancement, life transitions, and stress management. We dive into his unique 4 Key “V”s approach—Vision, Velocity, Vitality, and Victory—designed to create and sustain momentum in life and work. Whether you're looking to level up in your career,...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we sit down with our good friend Anthony Tringale, owner of the Eat Local NY podcast and a well-known social media influencer in the food and beverage scene. We dive into some great conversations about the restaurant industry, Anthony’s experiences reviewing local spots, and his memorable pizza lunch with New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Of course, we also tal...

Frank and Roman sit down with John and Josh from BBQuse, a veteran-owned BBQ sauce company born from friendship and a shared love for barbecue during a military deployment. They dive into the inspiring story of how BBQuse started in 2021, how their original sauce was created overseas, and how their lineup of bold and unique flavors came to life after John returned home. While their third partner,...

Frank and Roman kick off this episode with a Dragon Fruit Sour from Grow Brewing Co. before diving into a mix of wild topics and deep discussions. They catch up on recent events, including a gun show and their plans to host the next one. Frank raises a bizarre but hilarious question—do chickens have dicks?—while Roman goes on a thought-provoking rant about judicial bias in the courtroom. Expect in...

On this episode of Brews & Banter, we sit down with Chris Angello and James Dufresne from Advanced Business Systems Inc. to talk about their work in the local community, their involvement with GBCC, and how they help businesses with everything from MFPs and copiers to IT services, VoIP phone systems, and even advanced water systems. Of course, no conversation starts without cracking open some...