Yinz Are Good

Tressa has the honor and pleasure of welcoming Brandon Short, former NFL and Penn State linebacker, back to the show to talk about The Karli Short Better Tomorrow Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Mahreen. They created the Foundation in honor of their daughter, Karli, and her unborn child whom they lost to gun violence in 2021. This endowment helps students with financial needs who ha...

Get ready for one fun episode... Tressa has the delight of sitting down for a chat - and a lot of laughter - with Pittsburgh legends Larry Richert and Jim Krenn. They talk community, role models, doing good, yinzers, movies, Bruno Sammartino and more... Larry and Jim, along with Dan Marino (yes, that Dan Marino), Doug Mariani, and Dick Roberts, are the owners of a new food truck in the 'burgh:...

First, Tressa talks about her fabulous weekend meeting yinz at two local events: Yinzerfest and the August Wilson Birthday Celebration Block Party. And then, Tressa sits down with three remarkable mental health advocates: Jordan Corcoran , Ta'lor L. Pinkston , and Gab Bonesso . These are three of Tressa's favorite people on the planet and some words that have come to her mind regarding thi...

Tressa has the honor and absolute delight to sit down and chat with the generous, community-minded, and kind-hearted husband and wife duo, Troy and Theodora Polamalu. Steelers fans and yinzers around the world will be well-acquainted with Troy's work as a Strong Safety for our Steelers' defense for 12 years, earning 2 Super Bowls and a spot in the Hall of Fame. Troy and Theodora are philan...

Tressa serves as a tour guide, if you will, through her "Day at DICK's" for the Opening of DICK's House of Sport Pittsburgh. Since 2014, via their Sports Matter Program, DICK's has dontated $100 million to Youth Sports. In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, the Program is giving $2 million in Anniversary Grants, funded by DSG, to empower even more young athletes to pursue their passions. Tres...

Tressa has a fabulous and insightful chat with Betty Cruz , the Executive Director of The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh . The Council is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit org dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of key international issues that affect the Pittsburgh community and the world. In addition to talking about the Council and its first-of-its-kind Global Citizens Fello...

Harmony Dog Rescue is the only dog rescue organization in Pennsylvania that provides safe homes for dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence or medical emergencies. Their goal is to ultimately reunite these dogs with their owners. Tressa has the true pleasure of sitting down with Harmony Dog Rescue Founder, Timothy Lydon , to talk about this incredible organization and ho...

You've probably heard of March Madness, but how about "Mission Madness"? Tune in to hear how Babb, Inc. is getting creative about how to donate money to local nonprofits. You'll also hear all about the incredible Bradley Center, as Tressa sits down for an inspiring and delightful chat with Russell Livingston , President of Babb, Inc., Lisa R. Fox , CEO of The Bradley Center and M...

Tressa sits down with a panel of phenomenal women to discuss women's health - specifically heart health - and the ACMS' newly-formed Women in Healthcare Committee. They chat about all of that and so much more, including work/life balance, the challenges facing female physicians, and the importance of support and mentorship (and they laugh a whole lot too). This is a valuable conversation f...

Critically acclaimed as one of the finest choruses in the country, MCP is the “voice of the greater Pittsburgh region”. Unlike other professional arts organizations, MCP is comprised of mostly amateur singers with professional-caliber talent, whose day jobs vary from postal clerk to physician to casino card dealer. MCP singers give generously of their talent, passion, and commitment to share the m...

"Better lives through learning" is Literacy Pittsburgh's mission. Literacy Pittsburgh offers free educational programs for adults and families in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. In 2023, they helped more than 4,000 people in the area improve their reading, writing, math, English language, digital literacy, and workplace skills. Tressa sits down with Lori Como (Chief Program Officer) a...

Tressa sits down with two incredible women from YASU, the nonprofit that helps young adult cancer survivors and caregivers cope and thrive by providing them with emotional, social, and financial support. Stephanie Samolovitch (Founder & Executive Director) and Tara Smith (YASU member) share their stories and so much more in this open, honest, and inspiring conversation. And Don returns for ano...

Ever wonder who helps the helpers? Well you're about to find out... Tressa talks with Licensed Social Worker and Compassion Fatigue Expert, Sharise Nance, about how she helps social workers and other helping professionals deal with and prevent Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. Sharise is truly a beacon of understanding, hope, and healing. Sharise Nance: https://www.sharisenance.com/ Vitamin C He...

Tressa has the pleasure of sitting down with Greg Austin, the fabulous and inspiring chef and Director of Distribution Initiatives for 412 Food Rescue. They chat about 412 Food Rescue's Good Food Project, Grocery Bagging Program, other initiatives, and volunteer opportunities. Greg was also named one of Pittsburgh Magazine's 40 Under 40 in 2023. 412 Food Rescue: https://412foodrescue.org/ https://...

Tressa has a wonderful chat with Cassie Trumbetta, Taian Buggs and Rachel Walton - the (very rare) all-female pastry team at DiAnoia's Eatery - about how they keep each other going, lift each other up, and bring positivity to their work amidst the chaos of the kitchen. They also talk about how DiAnoia's gives back to their community. And In Case Yinz Missed It, Tressa and Don talk about the scienc...

January is National Mentoring Month! Tressa sits down for a delightful chat with Maggie Giel-Bovaird, Director of Outreach and Recruitment for BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh. Maggie talks about BBBS' many programs that provide opportunities for adults to make a difference in the lives of children in our communities. And Don goes another round with Name That Neighborhood ... Big Brothers Big Sister...

Happy 2024, yinzers! We are so very grateful for all of you and for the community we've all created together. Here's to another year of kindness, generosity, and community! Tressa was so happy to sit down with the Gazette 2.0's McKees Rocks 2023 Person of the Year, Sandy Saban. It just so happens Sandy is one of Tressa's Mother-In-Law's closest friends! Sandy is one of the most...

LIVE from the Trust Arts Education Center in the heart of The Cultural District! Part 2 of our Christmas Show! Featuring... *Special guests: Executive Director of Cafe Momentum - Gene Walker, Cookie Activist/Artist/Author/Food Network Champ Jasmine M. Cho, and Pittsburgh legend Rick Sebak. *A surprise choral performance, Name That Neighborhood, family traditions, and more! Cafe Momentum: https://c...

LIVE from the Trust Arts Education Center in the heart of The Cultural District! Featuring... *Special guests: Executive Director of Cafe Momentum - Gene Walker, Cookie Activist/Artist/Author/Food Network Champ Jasmine M. Cho, and Pittsburgh legend Rick Sebak. *A surprise choral performance, Name That Neighborhood, family traditions, and more! Cafe Momentum: https://cafemomentum.org/pittsburgh/ In...

This episode is close to Tressa's heart (pun intended)... In this episode, you'll hear the stories of 2 cardiac arrest survivors who were saved by strangers who performed CPR on them. In both instances, these strangers worked together - as a team - to literally bring these folks back to life. Tressa had the honor and the joy of spending time with the survivors and some of those strangers at the 5K...

What better book to talk about on this show than one called Growing Up Yinzer: Memories from Beloved Pittsburghers ? Tressa sits down for a fun and fabulous chat with author Dick Roberts , illustrator Rob Rogers , and comedian/actor/Pittsburgh personality Jim Krenn, who is one of the yinzers featured in the book. About the book: Pittsburgh's undeniable impact on the character and life of those...

Tressa talks with Monica Orluk, CEO/Executive Director of Operation Troop Appreciation, the amazing all-volunteer org that supports not only our soldiers currently serving, but our veterans returning home who are struggling financially, physically and mentally. Just wait til you hear about all they're doing and how they've helped more than 200,000 troops and veterans to date. Operation Troop Appre...

Tressa sits down for a powerful conversation with singer-songwriter and clergyman Gary Germany, who experienced domestic violence situations as a child and struggled with impulses to hurt others when he became an adult. It was only after Gary made the decision to look deep into his past to understand his behaviors and take responsibility for them that he began to change his life. And he has writte...

In what Tressa says is one of her most fun interviews yet, she sits down with Kimmi Rasky, Executive Director of Say It Once Rescue League. You'll also hear about the fine folks at Acclamation Brewing, and an upcoming free concert hosted by 501(c)3 Do You Believe, which brings hope to those who are traumatized and affected by generational domestic violence. -Say It Once Rescue League: https://www....

Tressa unlatches the Kindness Crate to share notes from the cast and crew of Off the Record XXIII and then sits down for another chat with the remarkable Jordan Corcoran, Founder of Listen, Lucy. Hear what's new with Listen, Lucy - which is a mental health organization that uses lived experiences with mental illness to end the stigma that has stopped so many people from receiving the help they nee...