Brews & Banter

On this episode of Brews & Banter, hosts Roman and Frank pour two beers and welcome real-estate pro Shelley Hoffman — broker/owner of HHC Realty in Baldwinsville, NY and passionate community builder. Shelley takes us behind the scenes of her brokerage (in business since 2016), shares how she partners with non-profits and uses her love of local community to build business and relationships. We...

This week on Brews & Banter, hosts Roman and Frank crack open a couple of cold ones with two standout guests: Mary Batchelor MSPT, the mobile physical therapist behind Vitality PT of CNY who brings outpatient PT right to your home, and Dr. Elisabeth “Lis” Auburn, PT, DPT, the founder of Blue Pelvic Physical Therapy PLLC whose practice specializes in pelvic-floor therapy with a whole-body, pers...

The boys are back in town! Kevin and Ryan return to the Brews & Banter studio for a hilarious night of beers, BS, and belly laughs. It all starts when Kevin shows up with “healing stones” for Roman and Frank — and before anyone can finish roasting him, Ryan bursts out laughing and admits he stole a few stones from Kevin’s house. From there, it’s all downhill (in the best way possible). Between...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank sit down with Chelsey Morenotuesta, the owner of Goddess Esthetics in Baldwinsville, NY. Chelsey’s not your average esthetician — she blends skincare, healing, and spiritual energy into a one-of-a-kind experience that’s as uplifting as it is relaxing. From facials and dermaplaning to reiki and tarot nights, Chelsey’s passion for helping people...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome an old friend: Bill Brewster from the Josh Taylor Project (JTP). Bill and Frank have known each other for two decades, and this is Bill’s first time on the show. Over a couple of craft beers, we dive into Bill’s musical journey, from how he started out to what it’s like performing with JTP. We get the inside scoop on their performances...

On this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman sit down with PJ Glassey — founder of X Gym, exercise scientist, author, and biohacker — for a deep dive into how we train, eat, and think. PJ has been experimenting with fitness techniques since the late ’80s and later launched X Gym, a system built around short, high-intensity workouts (just 21 minutes, twice a week) paired with brain-traini...

The bar was definitely open in this episode! Jennie returned to the studio, this time bringing her friend Mary — her fellow bartender and cocktail wizard. What started as a chill catch-up turned into a two-hour session full of laughs, stories, and some seriously good drinks. While Mary mixed up her signature Old Fashioneds (and a few surprises), we talked about everything from life behind the bar...

This week on Brews & Banter, we crack open some cold ones with Cindy Clarke — host on local favorite PAC-B TV. A little while back, we were guests on her show, and now the tables have turned. Cindy shares how she found her way into hosting, the history of PAC-B TV (including the different spots their studio has called home), and how the team has grown into a hub for local events, news, and unf...

In this episode of Brews & Banter, we raise a glass and dive into the past and future of our region’s lifeblood: the Erie Canal. We’re joined in the studio by Vickie Freyleue, one of the organizers of the October 3 celebration at Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville and Steven McMahon, local historian extraordinaire. Vickie gives us a behind‑the‑scenes look at the event, including the special vo...

In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan, bassist for The Josh Taylor Project (JTP), and his longtime friend Kevin for a laid-back and laughter-filled hangout. Over a couple of cold ones—generously sponsored by Roaring 20s Brewing Co.—we dive into stories from the band, the power of true friendship, and how these two have supported each other through life’s ups and downs. From backstage moments to pe...

Big things are happening with our very first recording in the brand-new studio and celebrated with our new beer sponsor, Roaring 20s Brewing Company, featuring their smooth Mexican Lager. Joining us at the table were our returning friend Jennie and special guest Mike Breed, owner of Between the Buns. We dove into Mike’s unique business, his vision for growth, and Jenny’s past role in helping shape...

In this episode, we’re pouring a mix of stories and sports. Fresh off a North Carolina trip, we hit up some local breweries before diving into the adrenaline of IMSA racing at Watkins Glen and the drama of Formula 1. But not everything went as planned—an unexpected storm turned our Airbnb stay into a sudden evacuation adventure. We also take a swing at baseball history with the Red Sox’s iconic “r...

From tropical vibes to tech vibes, this episode takes you on a riotous ride. We open with Frank fresh off his Hawaii vacation — sunshine, surf, and stories. We dive straight into our current brew, Talking Cursive, but quickly pivot into a laughter-fueled tangent about bodily functions. Yep, we’re talking poop — Frank recounts attending a “Depends diaper party,” and he dubs yours truly the “diaper...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Matt Hunt, President of the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, as he shares some big news — his upcoming retirement from the role. But don’t worry, Matt isn’t going far! He’ll still be around to support and stay involved with GBCC. Matt reflects on his 11 impactful years with the Chamber, highlighting the dedication of its members and the strengt...

In this special on-location episode of Brews & Banter , we sit down with Derek Grout , founder of Harvest Spirits Distillery , recorded right at the heart of Golden Harvest Farms in Valatie, NY. Golden Harvest Farms, a third-generation orchard established in 1957, is home to some of the Hudson Valley’s finest apples—and it’s here that Derek pioneered New York’s very first licensed farm distill...

Our good friend Paul Sojdak is back in the studio, and as always, things get wild right from the start. Between the relentless ball-busting and Paul’s nonstop jokes, we were laughing so hard we were nearly on the floor. We swap stories about our recent event, Hops on the Seneca, and how much fun we had with live bands, great beer and an unforgettable atmosphere. The conversation takes a few hilari...

We welcome back Jennifer Johnson, owner of Fearless Fitness, for another round of laughs, stories, and real talk about health and wellness. Since her last visit, Jennifer’s been busy — and she surprised us with some exciting news… she’s engaged! We kick things off by catching up on life updates before diving into funny stories from the world of public gyms, the challenges of sticking to workout co...

In this episode, we’re joined by our good friend Jennie Hudson—a former bartender with over 20 years behind the bar. Jennie swaps beer for Scotch as we sip and share some unforgettable bar tales, dive into the rich world of whisky, and uncover the surprising story behind her daughter’s name. From fun facts about Scotch to fascinating glimpses into her family's historic lineage, this one’s packed w...

This episode gets wild with three hilarious stand-up comedians: Dan Frigolette, Lance Weiss, and Blake Connolly. Dan (repping Baldwinsville, NY and now in Brooklyn), Lance (also Brooklyn-based), and Blake (from the Charlotte, NC area) join us for a beer-fueled conversation packed with laughs, stories, and a whole lot of ball busting. Oh—and Tess Frigolette, Dan’s dog, makes a cameo too. With over...

In this throwback-style episode, it's just Frank and Roman behind the mics—and you know what that means: ball busting, unpredictable moments, and plenty of laughs. Roman brings a bizarre brew from Tree House Brewing to test Frank’s limits, leading to a hilarious dare that involves some name-calling and beer chugging. We also reminisce about some of our favorite past episodes and reflect on the cha...

In this heartfelt episode, we talk with Ali Nicholson, a woman who lived through 17 years of domestic abuse—physical, emotional, and financial. After finally escaping that trauma, she found herself completely lost, asking painful questions: Who am I? What do I do now? How do I start over? Ali shares how she found her way back to herself, eventually discovering answers that brought her healing and...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Bower from Givr Packaging to explore the powerful yet often overlooked role of packaging in environmental sustainability. What seems like a simple box or carton can actually be a key player in the fight against climate change. Jeremy shares Givr’s mission to go beyond recyclable materials—creating plastic-free, net-positive packaging that contributes to glo...

Roman and Frank from Brews & Banter hit the road for a cool trip to Buffalo, where they sat down with Matt Kahn , co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company — a standout in New York’s craft beer scene and a symbol of Buffalo’s comeback spirit. Matt shares how Big Ditch grew from humble garage brews to a city-wide staple, paying homage to the Erie Canal’s legacy and Buffalo’s hardworking roots. He...

In this feel-good episode, we reconnect with some of our earliest podcast guests — longtime friends joining us remotely from Kentucky! 🍻 Through the magic of few cold beers, we catch up on everything new in their lives since we last recorded together. This episode is all about friendship, fun, and staying connected no matter the distance. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just tu...

Join us this week as we sit down with Christopher Griffin, the passionate owner and chef behind The Brazen Cafe in Syracuse — a vibrant café and catering service located at 725 Irving Ave inside Crouse Hospital’s medical complex. With over two decades as a trained chef and culinary educator under his belt, Chris blends bold flavors with big-hearted hospitality. In this episode, we dive deep into C...