Brews & Banter

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...

 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...