Positive Blatherings Podcast

David Autovino gave me the impression of someone who accidentally fell into performing and just kept doing it. It's because, for David, performance seems effortless, but he works as hard at his craft as any successful performer. David graces the stage, the screen and the booth but doesn't stop there - he shares his knowledge with people who want to improve their acting or voice chops. He's the rea...

Scott Grates is a self made success story. I was fortunate to meet him when he was a guest on Uptown Girls podcast, a show produced at ROC Vox about marketing and success, hosted by Martina Barley. I immediately liked Scott's approach to business and life in general, so I asked him to Blather with me. His latest book, Referrals Done Right, is a master class in relationships. When you think of Refe...

I'm an audiobook aficionado and sometimes I don't know what to listen to. I will scan Audible for hours just trying to decide on a book to listen to. One day I decided to take a chance on an author I had never heard of and knew nothing about. The book is called "The Life We Bury" and I loved it. It enticed me to look into the author, Allen Eskens. A former attorney from Minnesota who went from law...

Episode 109 was with Ryan Dacko and we discussed the wildly popular Jaws Obsession Podcast and his quest to write The Book of Quint. It has been written, it was self-published and then was picked up by a small but visionary publisher. He found an agent with his passion for this story and now the rest will soon be history. Ryan Dacko GETS SHIT DONE. Hang out with us for an update on The Book of Qui...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Wilmot, a man with an incredible journey in both the film and sobriety communities. We shared our experiences in the film industry, our personal struggles, and the importance of gratitude in overcoming life's challenges. Chris, whose family has a rich history of political involvement and success, showed us how these experiences have shaped who...

In this fascinating episode, we explore the unconventional journey of artist and photographer James Christopher Knight. From Rochester to Boston, Los Angeles, Paris, and back to Rochester, James shares his experiences in the arts, communications, filmmaking, and playing in rock bands in LA. We discuss the importance of following our passions, the evolution of music formats, the cathartic nature of...

In the film Jaws, Matt Hooper tells Mayor Larry Vaughn that sharks are a "Miracle of Evolution", in that all they do is swim, eat and make baby sharks. Today's Blathering guest is a miracle of evolution because Ryan Dacko has evolved over and over again. His latest evolution has given us The Jaws Obsession Podcast and The Book of Quint. The latter being a derivative work of Jaws as the backstory o...

Anthony Caruso has an interesting story about life, recovery, art - and his perspective on joy is inspiring. Join us as we Blather about how Anthony found his way to a new life through art and recovery. You can find him on social media platforms and also www.artofrecovery.me

Jowita Bydlowska is no stranger to struggle. She has harnessed her struggles into her writing. In this Blathering, I have a candid conversation about her first book, Drunk Mom - her writing style, living as a single mom and author, plus why she believes her most recent book "Possessed" lives up to its name. I highly recommend her books = her writing style is honest, raw and addicting. You can find...

David Stack is an introvert who turned his shyness into a popular YouTube Channel, Stack's Urban Harvest. Listen as Dave and Fitz talk about Regenerative Gardening, making something out of nothing and his dedication to helping others. I am grateful to have been close friends with David for 20 years! Find David here: https://www.youtube.com/c/StacksUrbanHarvest

David Ackroyd spent a career in the New York State Education system starting out as a teacher and retiring in administration. Dave looks back on a career full of joy and "warm and fuzzy" moments as an educator.

Bobby Newman is one example of how it is more than possible to turn a life around. Bobby discusses his life in and out of jail, in recovery and giving back to children. Find more about Bobby Newman at newmaninterventions.com

When I asked Lisa Nolan to describe herself in 3 words, she answered: Approachable, Engaging and Firm. Not only are these words spot-on, but after this conversation, I came to realize that these three words have important meanings when dealing with Domestic Violence (DV). As the Director of Prevention Education, Lisa is all about reaching people and giving them the knowledge to help themselves. As...

The first week of August is International Clown Week! (Aug 1-7) and i bring this to your attention not because I am a clown - it's because I know a great clown and she's my guest today! Lillian Knight Faison is a professional Nurse and knows a think or two about healing. She believes that laughter is one of the best ways to heal the human spirit and it was through clowning that she has found her j...

Amanda Ashley has made a wonderful name for herself in the music community, here in Rochester and all over the country and even the world. From her work with kids and the LGBTQ+ community to her soulful music projects and her podcast, Amanda has worked hard at spreading joy and peace wherever she goes. Join us in a Blathering that will be music to your ears. Find her at www.amandaashleymusic.com

#100 - Luck brought me to this episode. KL Wells is the Founder and CEO of Voices In Courage, an organization devoted to supporting the families of people who suffer from addiction. Finding support and guidance for those who are helping to care for a loved one who are in the dark depths of addiction was next top impossible, which is why KL Wells started this organization. She saw a need because of...

Allison Roberts was my guest for episode 53 and we never got to talk about this amazing business she has helped create and build. Today, I Blather with the leadership of Impact Interactive, which is "A Theatre-based Approach to Professional Learning". They help businesses and organizations train their staff on many issues, including sexual harassment and racism. Join me with Allison, Jodie Beckwit...

Becca Delaney Johnson is quiet, timid and shy. So, if you didn't just laugh outloud then you clearly don't know Becca! The CEO of The Cause Collaborative Cause Collab, Becca has helped to define something now known as Cause Marketing. Her business caters to Not-For-Profit organizations...but the business is very much for-profit! However, she has carved a thoughtful and successful niche in this spa...

Kelly and Larry are two of the smartest, nicest and most generous people I am honored to know and have been fortunate enough to work with. They have built a business and also helped to grow a vibrant arts community in Rochester, New York. This is a super fun Blathering where we learn how these two fabulous minds joined powers for doing good in the world

Kris Betts is a traveller. Coming to Rochester, NY by way of Austin, Kris dove into her job on 13 WHAM and endearing the community to her personality and professionalism. Now, she is moving on from broadcast news to rediscover her professional identity. In this episode, we have a fun and lively conversation about her life in front of the camera and where she goes from here. Join me and Blather wit...

What is the Golden Rule? She who has the gold makes the rules? I like to think the Golden Rule is kindness and thoughtfulness. Kellie Wright has built a business on the idea of kindness and giving. Blather with us and learn how she went from being disillusioned in Corporate America to helping corporations in America.

Mark Gruba is a respected face in the Rochester, NY community. He has been doing the morning show on WROC News 8 for many years. He started out in sports and never even considered the path that led him here. His a family man, trustworthy journalist and enjoys a good joke. I always enjoy speaking with Mark and this time he was my captive for 40 minutes. Come Blather with us.

Framing Your Happiness, with Allison Nichols - I had the pleasure of Blathering with a kindred spirit. Allison Nichols is the owner and resident artist at Creativ Framing & Design at the fabulous Made on State complex in the High Falls District of Rochester, NY. She has been able to Frame her own happiness by following her artistic soul into business for herself. This Blathering touches on many th...

Jack and Linda Mazur have become my surrogate family. We first met when they were at the studio recording their audiobook, available on Audible: https://adbl.co/3ia1o15 , about losing their daughter Emilee, to Anorexia. As I learned more about their story and about their family, I was drawn to their energy and their purpose. Join me as I spend some time discussing their journey and their desire to...

In my constant search for interesting people to Blather with, some friends of mine told me about this guy Lee Drake. They said he was a super guy and had a lot of cool things to talk about. So I invited him over and we had a great conversation about Coffee, Food, games and being a cool boss. Pour a hot cup of Ethiopian and join me as I Blather with Lee Drake!