Brews & Banter

This week on Brews & Banter, we sit down with John Vavalo, CEO of Central Processors NY and the man behind High Peaks, joined by social media manager Liz! We get into how the company got its start, the challenges of building a cannabis business in New York State, and what it takes to turn an idea into a growing local brand. Of course, John didn’t show up empty-handed! We got to sample some Hig...

This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Sara, owner of SGP Fight Club, and Emily, one of her students and coaches! We talk about Sara’s journey, women in martial arts, and how SGP helps women build strength, confidence, self-defense skills, and a supportive community. Their program includes kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, and Kenpo karate. Then Frank does what Frank does best—stirs up trouble b...

We’re catching up with Kayla ShaDay, who joins us from South Korea! Kayla has been on Brews & Banter before, and we had a great time hearing about life in Korea, the cost of living, and how things have changed since her last visit. Kayla also gives us an update on Merry Hey Day, the Seoul-based punk/alternative band she manages. After a successful U.S. tour with sold-out shows, we’re hoping th...

Frank and Roman are back in the studio, and this time Frank has some explaining to do! 🤠 Frank tells Roman about his recent trip to Texas, and let's just say the setup he encountered there was… bizarre. Roman couldn't stop laughing as Frank explained what went down. Another classic Brews & Banter conversation filled with laughs, surprises, and the kind of story that makes you wonder, “How did...

This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Scott Colbert and Chris Angello from Paul Davis Restoration into the studio. Scott, a veteran and business owner, tells us about the work Paul Davis does after fires, floods, biohazard situations, and other disasters—helping families recover, restore their homes, and save as many personal belongings as possible. We also talk about Chris's role and how hi...

We made it to 200 episodes! 🍻 And for this milestone, we brought some very special guests into the studio—our dogs! We introduce the pups, share some of the stories they've been part of, and do what we always do on Brews & Banter: plenty of laughs, beers, and the kind of conversations that somehow go completely off the rails. But Frank also decided it was time to reveal some things about hims...

Sometimes we have to put down the beer for a minute and talk about the people who make our community what it is—and this episode is all about Baldwinsville! Roman and Frank welcome MaryAnne Williams and Melissa Hennessey from the local Chamber of Commerce into the studio for a great conversation about what a Chamber actually does, how it supports local businesses, and the many ways it gives back t...

On this episode of the Brews and Banter Podcast, Frank and Roman sit down with Todd Maguire for another round of laughs, drinks, and a completely unfiltered conversation. Todd is a former undercover police officer in Australia. He disusses his new book: Donny - An Undercover Cop with a Deathwish and personal details that have shaped his life. What starts with the usual Brews N Banter humor quickly...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Sean Mullen, better known on Instagram as @beerheadftw, into the studio for a great conversation with someone who has become a well-known part of the beer enthusiast community. Sean brought some fantastic beers to share, and we spent the episode talking about his passion for beer, his contributions to the craft beer community, and what it's...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Dennis Sick, writing under the pen name Noah Sick, to the studio to talk about his novel Dancing in Time. Dennis shares the fascinating story behind his passion for writing and how this alternate-history thriller came to life. What makes the story even more unique is that he actually wrote the book back in the 1990’s then put it away and nev...

Grab a cold one and pull up a chair—things are getting a little sweet on this episode of Brews & Banter! This week, Roman and Frank welcome Ashley Phelps, the passionate young founder and beekeeper behind Sun & Hive. What started as an accidental interest back in school has turned into a blossoming local venture. Ashley shares the story of starting small with her very first hive, how she g...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Kailee Buller, candidate for New York's 22nd Congressional District, for an open and engaging conversation over a few cold beers. Growing up in Auburn, New York, Kailee shares how her roots shaped her passion for public service and led her to a career in Washington, D.C. Before launching her campaign for Congress, she served as Chief of Staf...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome back Ali Nicholson for a fun and inspiring follow-up to one of our most memorable episodes. When Ali first joined us, she shared the powerful story behind her book and her journey through an abusive relationship. Before leaving the studio, she talked about her dream of embracing a primitive lifestyle. This time, she's back to show us how tha...

Most people hide their darkest moments, but Devin Fish shares his with raw honesty — from childhood hardship and military setbacks to addiction, suicidal despair, and ultimately finding purpose through faith and resilience. In this episode, Devin talks about turning pain into purpose, the power of telling your story, and how vulnerability can become a path to healing and hope. It’s a powerful conv...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Dave Collins, owner and head brewer of Bullfinch Brewing Co., into the studio for the very first time! After visiting Dave at his brewery during his first appearance, it was great to return the favor and have him join us in the Brews & Banter studio, along with his good friend Todd. Dave shares the story behind his passion for brewing, h...

Most people don’t realize how a life filled with music, danger, and love can lead to a compelling new career in writing—and this episode proves it. Debora Masterson’s journey from dancer and musician to author will surprise you and inspire you to live your truth, no matter where life takes you. Debora shares her extraordinary story of how her love affair with a talented, unconventional musician ch...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Marissa and Jenn, the hosts of the Crazy Real Bugge & Zogg Podcast, for a fun-filled episode that starts with one of the most unique beers we've ever tasted... pickle beer! 🥒🍺 Let's just say it sparked some interesting reactions and set the tone for a great conversation. From there, we dive into their journey into the podcasting world,...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Yvonne Conte to the studio for a heartfelt and unforgettable conversation about her latest book, Beneath Her Smile. Yvonne is an accomplished author, speaker, comedian, and corporate trainer who has spent years helping people find balance between their professional and personal lives. During our conversation, we dive into the inspiration beh...

Join us as Sandy Martin shares her compelling journey from mold exposure to recovery, revealing the hidden dangers lurking in our environments. Discover how mold can mimic neurological diseases and learn practical tips for detection and removal. Sandy's story emphasizes the body's natural ability to heal when given the right support. Highlights: - Mold's impact on health and how to detect it - Imp...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome back Chad Meigs, owner of Drink NY Craft and Third Space Distribution, for another great conversation centered around New York's thriving craft beverage scene. As someone who works directly with breweries and producers across the state, Chad brings a unique insider perspective on the industry. We talk about the growth of New York craft beer,...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank sit down with Stephanie Volles for a conversation full of laughs, resilience, and one absolutely legendary pandemic story. Stephanie — a bartender, mom, model, and actress — shares how during COVID she came up with the hilarious idea of having people buy oranges, write messages on them, and send an entire pallet of them to then-Governor Cuomo. What...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome back Bruce Alexander for his second appearance on the show — and his first time in the new studio. Bruce, a former firefighter turned life coach, joins the guys for a great conversation about personal growth, mindset, and helping people get themselves back on the right path. Through his coaching and mentoring work, Bruce focuses on pushing p...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Tom and Robyn from the band Fatman and Robyn into the studio for an awesome night of music, stories, and drinks. The duo will be performing at this year’s Hops on the Seneca on June 13th, and after hearing them talk about their journey — and hearing about their performances — it’s easy to understand why people don’t want them to stop playing...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Len Modelewski into the studio for one of the most beer-focused episodes we’ve had yet 🍻 Len is a passionate home brewer and a member of the American Homebrewers Association, and he came prepared — bringing along some of his latest homemade batches for us to try. We dive into the world of home brewing, what it takes to craft great beer from...

This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Andrea Atcheson into the studio — and it turns into part health talk, part reunion. Andrea, who went to school with Frank, joins the show to catch up and share what she’s been building professionally. Andrea works with people to help them better understand their medical diagnoses, with a strong focus on heart health and lifestyle changes. We...