Yinz Are Good

"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...

Yinzers! We are now being listened to in 31 countries on 6 continents! Thank you for continuing to tune in and a great big welcome to those who are listening for the first time! In this episode, Tressa chats with Sharon Eberson, producer of the 23rd annual Off The Record show, which benefits the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. To learn more about the show and to grab your tickets, visit: h...

This episode is packed with yinzers doing good! First, Tressa has a great chat with the joyful and inspiring Dominique Murray, Founder of the Splatter Me Crazy event, which will raise funds for three local non-profits this Oct. 6th. And then, Tressa sits down with the "OG"s of Pittsburgh blogging and podcasting, John Chamberlin and Rachael Rennebeck of Ya Jagoff Media. Did you know they...

Tressa sits down for a wonderful conversation with Dr. Arvind Venkat, ER physician, Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS) member, and PA House Representative representing District 30. Among many topics, they discuss physician burnout and how those in the medical field can "put the self care in health care". September is Suicide Awareness Month and September 17th is Physician Suicide Aw...

Tressa sits down with the phenomenal Brenda Tate, Founder of Senior Jazz Connection, recipient of the 2022 Sr. Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award, retired Pittsburgh Police Officer and more...And Tressa puts a little twist on Name That Neighborhood. Senior Jazz Connection on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090798046645 https://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2023/03/07/brenda-...

We threw a big ol’ party to celebrate not only this milestone, but the phenomenal folks who’ve been our guests thus far. Listen in to the festivities! Thank you, Tom Baker and NHCO! Thank you, Teresa Hunt and 2C Premium Coffee! https://www.nhco.org/ Tom Baker, Executive Director of NHCO: Episode #17 | https://www.nhco.org/ Mary Jo Sonntag: Episode #32 | FB: https://www.facebook.com/mtwashingtongar...

Tressa has a delightful (as always) chat with Nina Barbuto, Executive Director of Assemble, who returns to the show to tell us all about MakerDate, Assemble's fundraiser that's coming up on Sept. 9th. Also, Tressa talks with the inspiring and joyful Courtney Kobelenske, Co-Owner of Cora Lee Cupcakes and Founder of the Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games. Courtney's mission is to ensure that bot...

In this canine-centric episode, you'll hear about Ollie the Do Good Dog, who's on a mission to help animals in need, clean up our beaches, riverbanks, and lakesides, and encourage and inspire our young people. And he and his dad, Michael, are riding a jet ski from Pittsburgh to Cincinatti to spread the word. You'll also be taken poolside for the reunion of a rescued Great Pyrenees mama and her 5 p...

Comin' to yinz live from Jeni's Scoop Shop in Bakery Square where Tressa shares a booth with: Samantha Moatz , Founder & Executive Director of 412 Thrive (and featured guest in Episode 42), who updates us on the latest with her incredible org Josh Verbanets and Gab Bonesso of Josh & Gab , who perform award-winning kindness & bullying-awareness programs for kids, teens, & fa...

Tressa has a joyful and inspiring chat with Kelsey Lensman, Founder of EmpowHER Fitness and current pursuer of Mission48, where she will complete 48 fitness competitions in 48 states in 48 days to raise money for ROX (Ruling Our Experiences), a 501c(3) that develops confident girls who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures. And Don returns for another round of Name T...

Tressa took two "field trips" during this past week: One to Off The Floor Pittsburgh, the incredible furniture bank that delivers gently used furniture to families in deepest need, where she had a wonderful and uplifting chat with Executive Director Steve Crary. Then, she made her way to the Swissvale Farmers Market to ask folks, "What are you grateful for today?" Off The Floor...