Podcasts about rocvox

What if the person with no superpowers, in a world where everyone else has one, turns out to be the most important character in the room? Michael Solis joins Fitz at ROC Vox to talk about Deficient, his YA sci-fi novel set in a near future where super-powered people are the majority and one 15-year-old boy is the last kind of outcast anyone saw coming. The conversation moves well beyond the book: Michael's coming out story, Fitz's experience raising a trans son, what it takes to get your book rights back and build your own press from scratch, and what 20 years responding to Ebola outbreaks and floods in West Africa has to do with writing fiction.In this episode, Michael walks through the ability hierarchy he built for the novel and why he made it as brutal as he did, the personal experiences woven into the characters without ever appearing by name in the text, what happens when the only person who responded right to a coming out said just three words, and why he walked away from humanitarian work and moved to Rochester to run Writers and Books and release his books on his own terms. CONNECTMichael Solis: https://michaelsolisauthor.comWriters and Books: https://wab.orgROC Vox: https://rocvox.comSalvatore's: https://salvatores.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox in Bushnell's Basin, NY. 

Dave Mammano ran Next Step Magazine for 21 years — a print publication for high school students that grew to 17 editions and $5 million in revenue. When print died, he sold it, rebuilt from scratch, survived COVID wiping out his events business, and somehow ended up back on stage doing stand-up comedy. He now travels the country as a keynote speaker teaching businesses how to use humor and levity to grow leadership, culture, and retention. He's also entrepreneur-in-residence at the Golisano Institute and the U of R Simon School's Ain Center for Entrepreneurship.In this episode he gets into selling Next Step after 21 years and what it really feels like to let go of something you built, how he launched the Avanti Entrepreneur Network from nothing, why COVID knocked him down twice, how reviving his stand-up comedy roots turned into a full-time speaking career, what he sees in today's young entrepreneurs that gives him real hope, the value of truly disconnecting (lessons from three weeks in Sicily with no Wi-Fi), and his next big idea, a road trip TV show called The Good Business Tour.CONNECT The David Mammano Show → https://davidmammano.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes of Positive Blatherings drop every Tuesday. Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Bushnell's Basin, NY.Learn more at https://rocvox.com 

Marketing insurance agents nationwide sounds like a contradiction, but Uptown Marketing founder Martina Barley built a thirteen person, all female agency doing exactly that. Martina joins Fitz at ROC Vox to talk about her path from an unlicensed State Farm sales assistant to the self described "Michael Jordan of sales," and why the confidence that built her business almost got in the way of leading her team.In this episode, you'll learn how Martina grew Uptown Marketing from three founders to thirteen employees, why she believes sales and leadership are two completely different skill sets, how she convinces insurance agents to actually invest in their online presence, and what she tells clients about AI replacing, or not replacing, their jobs. CHAPTERSCONNECTUptown Marketing → https://uptownmarketing.comThe Marketing Girl (book) → https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Girl-Trusting-Intuition-Confidence/dp/1956464484ROC Vox → https://rocvox.comSalvatore's → https://salvatores.comNew episodes of Positive Blatherings drop every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Bushnell's Basin, NY.Learn more at https://rocvox.com 

Jon Goehring spent years behind the mic at Rochester radio stations before leaving it to build StoryTrust Media, a podcast production company built on one idea: your stories build trust with your audience whether you mean them to or not. He joins Fitz at ROC Vox to talk about what radio actually prepares you for, why collaboration beat competition in his business, and how two people running similar races figured out they weren't really competing at all.In this episode, Jon explains why he tells his Brockport students not to marry radio, the moment he stopped auditioning for everything and started referring work to other talent, how faith shapes the way he runs StoryTrust, and what he'd tell his 15-year-old self about ignoring everyone else's formula for success. CONNECT StoryTrust Media (Jon Goehring) → https://storytrust.media LimitlessLeadership Lounge → https://limitlessleadershippodcast.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Bushnell's Basin, NY.Learn more at https://rocvox.com

Sarina Morales spent years as an ESPN anchor and Los Angeles Rams sideline reporter before Bally Sports went bankrupt, she became a single mother, and everything she had built changed at once. She surveyed what came next, found WeTheHobby, and landed in the one place where every thread of her career finally connected.In this episode she gets into the psychological techniques she developed for drawing out reluctant NFL players, the framework she built for grieving without getting stuck, why she argued at Newhouse in 2004 that content belongs on YouTube and Facebook before either platform supported video, the near-death experiences that explain why she still has what she calls zest for life, and the Bronx baseball story she used to get into Syracuse, where a 15-year-old girl showed up to practice on Monday after an entire opposing team sat down on the field to protest her.CONNECTSarina Morales on Instagram → @moralesmoralesWeTheHobby → https://wethehobby.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.com

Maria Pascucci-Maciejewski spent over 20 years helping others manage perfectionism and anxiety. She launched a national speaking business at 27, wrote a book, delivered a TEDx talk, and coached hundreds of students through the hidden costs of needing to be perfect. In the summer of 2024, it all caught up with her.In this episode she gets into the childhood bullying that became perfectionism, the 3.92 GPA that came with panic attacks in college bathrooms, and why none of it was enough to stop a complete nervous system breakdown, a suicide attempt, and 34 days in a psychiatric hospital over the holidays. She also talks about what actually pulled her back, why nutrition belongs in every mental health conversation, and what she is building now.CONNECTYou Can Bounce Back → https://youcanbounceback.comCampus Calm → https://campuscalm.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com

(00:00:00) Welcome to ROC Vox — Introducing Coach Jim Johnson (00:01:03) Getting Cut and Getting Fired — A Humbling Start to Coaching (00:02:45) Becoming a Leadership Junkie — Zig Ziglar Jim Rohn and the Personal Growth Pivot (00:06:06) The One-Hit Wonder Problem — Staying at the Top Is Harder Than Getting There (00:07:03) Lead by Respect Not Fear — The Wrong Way to Lead (00:08:36) Relationships Relationships Relationships — The Three Rs of Leadership (00:10:06) The Intentional Trust Plan Most Leaders Have Never Built (00:11:24) Always On Stage — Leading by Example and the Tie Story (00:17:48) Advice for New Coaches — Are You In It for the Right Reasons? (00:21:06) How Coaching Young People Has Changed in 35 Years (00:23:51) Purpose Self-Reflection and Personal Mission Statements (00:25:21) The J-Mac Story — February 15 2006 and the Speech Career It Started (00:27:04) Become the Chief Storyteller — Warnings Examples and Reading the Room (00:34:42) Staying Fresh — Intentional Personal Growth and Servant Leadership (00:43:15) What's Next — Books Podcast and How to Find Coach Jim Johnson Coach Jim Johnson spent 35 years coaching high school basketball in Rochester with 428 wins, three programs turned around, and one game on February 15, 2006 that landed him in the Oval Office. In this episode, he gets into what it actually looks like to build trust on purpose, why the leaders who sustain success are doing something most teams never think about, and how the lessons from a gym floor translate directly into any room where someone's trying to lead people.CONNECTCoach Jim Johnson → https://coachjimjohnson.com ROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday. Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Bushnell's Basin, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com.

(00:00:00) Cold Open: What is the Eclipse Effect? (00:00:45) Welcome Back and the Non-Conformist Oath (00:03:47) Ella's Five-Year Plan and the 2017 Missouri Eclipse (00:06:00) Building Rochester's Eclipse Task force: 750 Volunteers, No Budget (00:12:00) Co-Chairing the National Eclipse Task Force (00:14:27) The Dreadful Lack of Agency and What To Do About It (00:17:21) Bonding vs. Bridging: The Two Kinds of Social Capital (00:21:09) The Network Graph: Making Invisible Connections Visible (00:28:51) Stories From the National Eclipse Effort (00:39:09) On Failure, Grade, and Raising Kids Outside the System Deborah Ross watched the 2017 solar eclipse from a field in Kimmswick, Missouri and came home convinced of two things: Rochester needed to be ready for 2024, and it was going to be her job to make that happen. What she built with 750 volunteers, no budget, and six years of monthly meetings became both a defining moment for this region and the foundation of a book.In this episode, she breaks down how an eclipse becomes a community organizing tool, what servant leadership actually looks like when you're asking hundreds of people to work for free, and why the principles behind The Eclipse Effect apply to any catalyst, a natural disaster, a federal funding cut, or the Olympics coming to your town. CONNECT The Eclipse Effect → https://theeclipseeffect.comKids Out and About → https://kidsoutandabout.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com

Melissa Suchodolski told someone once that getting into construction was "absurd." That was 25 years ago. Today, she runs USC Builds, a 140-person Rochester contracting firm, and a workforce development nonprofit that Governor Hochul wants to replicate across New York State.In this episode, she gets into what it actually looks like to build a company culture most firms won't even try, what it cost to fire a client who represented a third of her annual revenue, and why the construction industry's labor crisis is a competitive advantage for anyone who started this work early.CHAPTERS00:12 Welcome and the Non-Conformist Oath01:09 How Fitz and Melissa Met at the Jewish Home of Rochester11:25 Why More Americans Should Travel Abroad12:23 Meet USC Builds: 25 Years Building People Through Construction13:31 From History Major to Construction President16:26 Why a Skilled Trade Can Never Be Taken Away19:33 What a Trauma-Informed Workplace Looks Like in Construction27:43 Why She Fired Her Second-Biggest Client Over Racism on the Job Site30:42 The Construction Labor Crisis and Who's Already Positioned to Win34:39 Ascend Workforce Solutions and the Governor's Attention41:20 Trauma as a Superpower42:51 This or ThatCONNECTUSC Builds → https://uscbuilds.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com.

When I first got sober I had initially thought oh I don't want anyone to know I'm in rehab, had 3 DUI's and go to a 12 step program daily. Then it hit me “EVERYONE knew I was drunk (there's always time for a cocktail) why not let everyone in on my DOBER JOURNEY! Kyle Ruggeri SOBER DOGS shares this philosophy and I'm so encouraged by his outreach, insight and messages of HOPE! I can't wait for you to know him for the knowledge of another Sober Story lived out loud!Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

 Therapist Virginia Satir says humans need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 hugs for maintenance and 12 for growth. Watch this episode of Auntie with my friends Tracy Crosby & Mikey from The Arc of Monroe and I guarantee you at least two virtual hugs!Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

Do you remember when you were scrolling along swiping breakfast photos, political insanity and generalized negativity and then suddenly without warning you land on someone who is clear, peaceful and positive? For me that person is our next guest Halley! Grab your coffee, sit outside in nature and listen to this wonderfully wise soul!Halley the original Rev thing on instagram!Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

Auntie was created to celebrate the people I meet who inspire me! From the moment I met this generous “old soul” Luciano Capitano I was impressed. Dedicated, kind, hard working and a lousy comedian!Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

What a JOY it was to meet Brandon Brooks Curator-John L Wehle Gallery Genesee Country Village & Museum and to listen to him speak on his research of Drag History.  My journey with teaching Drag Theory, Culture and Performance at SUNY Brockport has challenged me to dig deeper into the roots of the art of Drag and his research and knowledge has been such a valuable resource that I simply had to share a bit with you! 

JOY - A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.  This perfectly defines my friend Ethylina Canne and I'm so excited to share a conversation of ours with YOU.  Now more than ever we need to seek out happiness, hope and kindness and Ethylina has exuded all of the above since the moment I met her and I'm so proud to have her in my closest circle of friends.  A Christmas tree for every holiday and the bundt cake to go with it the FABULOUS Queen of Palm Springs CA, Ethylina Canne! 

David Autovino gave me the impression of someone who accidentally fell into performing and just kept doing it. It's because, for David, performance seems effortless, but he works as hard at his craft as any successful performer. David graces the stage, the screen and the booth but doesn't stop there - he shares his knowledge with people who want to improve their acting or voice chops. He's the real deal: talented and humble.He's also a husband, father and super nice chap. Drop by and listen to this Blathering with one of my favorite talents, David Autovino.Find him on socials and the interwebs: https://davidautovino.wixsite.com/actor

Scott Grates is a self made success story. I was fortunate to meet him when he was a guest on Uptown Girls podcast, a show produced at ROC Vox about marketing and success, hosted by Martina Barley.I immediately liked Scott's approach to business and life in general, so I asked him to Blather with me. His latest book, Referrals Done Right, is a master class in relationships. When you think of Referrals, you think of business - but it goes deeper.Scott and I blather about my favorite success principles, I tee up the questions and he crushes them - straight down the fairway. Join me with Scott Grates and make sure you take notes!Find Scott atScottGrates.com ReferralsDoneRightBook.com

#117Stand up Comedy is hard! Finding a mentor in comedy was easy.  Todd Youngman has inspired and pushed me to find the confidence and focus to share the truth on stage!  Not only is it quick to remember, it's relateable and so ridiculous it HAS TO BE TRUE! 

#116When I first met Devin and team with Amped Accessories I immediately felt a rush of Kindness.  I thought is this the Canadian or is this real life?  Come to find out years later after many interactions and a continued friendship that Devin's kindness sparkles just like their accessories. 

I couldn't wait to interview my friend and colleague, Danny Hoskins. I met Danny when he directed the Producers and I played Roger DeBris, I have worked with him many times but we became friends when we developed Imagination Station Live and later the children TV Show. More recently he was my mentor and co-professor in our Drag History, Theory and Performance class at Brockport College.

Brock McGillis is my trusted friend.  I'm so very grateful for his guidance and our conversations.  As a child I was first bullied by the athletes in school and I'm inspired by his work to change that narrative for the future of sports one team at a time!

Episode 113Taylor Thomas inspired me the moment we met.  I felt the positivity and the desire to spread kindness not only from Taylors overall demeanor and energy but from their smile.   I look forward to supporting Taylors initiatives not only with the book store/mutual aid pantry but I have this feeling that  there is more in store from Taylor for our community in Rochester and beyond!  Consider me INSPIRED! 

Kyla Minx and I have always had a very fiery and honest relationship and I LOVE IT!  I respect upfront and honest people and Kyla isn't afraid to stand up for herself and tell you what she's thinking.  We grew up in the same club/drag family at Muther's and it's something that I not only look back on fondly but I protect and cherish.  Kyla is my sister and I look forward to many more laughs together as we roll along entertaining and standing up for our LGBTQ+ community! 

I'm an audiobook aficionado and sometimes I don't know what to listen to. I will scan Audible for hours just trying to decide on a book to listen to. One day I decided to take a chance on an author I had never heard of and knew nothing about. The book is called "The Life We Bury" and I loved it. It enticed me to look into the author, Allen Eskens. A former attorney from Minnesota who went from lawyer to novelist and has been quite successful at taking his knowledge of the law and his love of writing to create a new career. Visit AllenEskens.com for his entire library of books, many of which have reoccurring characters and stories that connect in some really creative and exciting ways.

#111I met this shining light though my personal training and I couldn't wait to have him on the podcast. Rudy used some tough experiences from his past as the catalyst to make change with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

110Ambrosia Salad is HANDS DOWN one of the nicest people I have EVER met! I want you to get to know my Rochester sister who WARNED ME that this “Drag world has it's shine and sparkle indeed, but also isn't for the faint of heart”.  I love this person and they are a part of my inner circle in and out of drag and someone who I count on through thick or thin! 

#109I have always been magnetically attracted to confident women.  My mother, grandmother, Aunts, teachers and friends.  Mary is one of these said women!  I credit Mary for inspiring me to pursue Drag Story Hour.  Together we are partners with our forthcoming Family TV program Imagination Station.

Darienne Lake is a STAR and always has been!  A staple for outstanding Drag entertainment in the Rochester Community and now beloved worldwide as a fierce contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race season 6 and All-Stars 8.  Mostly I'm grateful for our laughs and pancake brunches! 

 #107Tim Evanicki is my and Steve's business partner with Drag me to Stage(check out our shows, cruise at www.dragmetothestage.com).Tim has some stories but I am most inspired by how he encourages college youth to follow their dreams without compromising being exactly who they are! 

#106DeeDee Dubois is a DRIVEN member of our Rochester LGBTQ+ community, Drag artist, Co-owner of Roar a multi level bar, dance club, drag bar, community theatre space and overall welcoming space.  Dee Dee and I started with Drag in and around the same time and it literally thrills me to see how determined and focused she has been as a gig worker and entrepreneur!

#104Tayler Mayde, sober, Peer counselor, parent of 2, Drag King, Pageant winner and overall positive light.  I'm thrilled to have Tayler as a guest and friend.

105Carrie Green founder of Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha is spreading kindness one birthday at a time!  Have you ever thought, I want to do something for those in need but “what difference can I make?” you get overwhelmed by all the obstacles, and in the end you end up doing nothing?  I certainly have!   Carrie Green has proven that an act of kindness can start small in your own hometown or school district and with the help of family and community grow from 129 students gifted to over 6,500 and counting!  Now that's time for KINDNESS!!!!  www.happybirthdaychachacha.orgwww.mrskashadavis.com

Aggy Dune Queen is the QUEEN MOTHER of the Rochester drag scene. Aggy has had an undeniable impact on myself, Darienne Lake, Pandora Boxx and a gaggle of many others since the moment she hit the stage. (Whether they like to admit it or not!) The magic we have on stage with banter is truly something I will be grateful for until I stop clomping around in my size 12 pleaser pumps! Aggy never disappoints and despite the obvious ageism in the entertainment world she defies the odds and consistently surprises audiences with her glamorous, iconic and incredible performances. The Lucy to my Ethel, Aggy Dune!

I read if you're not learning you're not living. Often times us Older Queens think we know it all (NOPE) and I have had the privilege of coming up in the Rochester drag scene where we make efforts to learn from one another young and old (still with a hefty dose of shade). Carmen Adore came onto the scene here in Rochester and I immediately felt a family vibe! From her obvious talent on the stage to her excellence with styling wigs WORLDWIDE with her self made business Hatz by Carlos, Carmen has truly impressed me! I am most proud to call Carmen my sister/friend who loves a good laugh and is always willing to lend a helping hand.

In this episode, you will meet two amazing women who are fellow MOUNTAIN MOVERS! Teena is a self-advocate and well-known for her "suitcase" presentation where she unpacks what life looks like for people with disabilities. Julie not only works to support families who have loved ones with special needs, she also has two children on the Spectrum. Navigating adulthood can be hard enough and then adding in the need for some accommodations and safeguards can be daunting. Our guests teamed up with us to talk with us about the idea that EVERYONE NEEDS A PLACE TO CALL HOME - A place that feels like home because there is CHOICE and the respect and dignity to build a life around what personally matters to each person. As the discussion unfolds, you'll realize that while our current housing reality is tough, there have been times that even fewer options were available. Lean into this conversation and learn how we can "work" our current system and advocate for change. We hope you leave the discussion with some ideas and peace of mind knowing you are not alone. Thank you to RocVox for helping us share this important content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you will join in on a conversation with two NYS Assembly Members who are dedicated to the special needs community, Sarah Clark & Jen Lunsford. Listen to their ideas regarding advocacy and new legislation and let us know your thoughts on these important topics. People with disabilities deserve CHOICE and with so many traditional options crumbling, we all need a seat at the table to problem solve. We are grateful that our legislators joined us and thank RocVox for helping us share this valuable content (www.RocVox.com).

In this episode, you will meet Jackie Bartell a friend and mentor. Jackie is a retired special education teacher and has advanced training to be a certified DIR instructor. DIR (also known as Floortime) is a relationship based approach to support people on the Austim Spectrum. Jackie talks candidly with us about her travels around the world, the families she has supported, and about what happens when "Autism Grows Up." Her perspective offers valuable insight for self-advocates, the people who care about them, and professionals. Today's content has the potential to shift the way you think about Autism and we hope with new insight, you feel better equipped to manage all the different twists and turns adults with Autism face. Thank you to RocVox for helping us share this valuable content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you will meet Simcha Weinstein and learn how his role as a father has evolved, especially now as he faces some hard truths regarding what the future holds for his son with special needs.Simcha uses humor to cope with some of the stressors life throws his way, but not everything can be laughed off. Simcha wants to share some of his story in hopes of inspiring other families who are facing similar challenges.He came up with the term DAD-vocating because he wants to remind fathers that their role is important and can look different than their spouse's. Lean in, listen, and absorb some of his wisdom, enjoy some moments of laughter, and hopefully find yourself reflecting on what you can do to improve the lives of people with special needs.Thank you to RocVox for helping us share this valuable content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you will learn why Andy Gallina is HOMESTEADS HERO! Andy is known as a developer with heart, revitalizing parts of our community that needed some TLC and the vision that Andy possesses. Our CEO & Founder grew up with the Gallina's who have watched her family struggle to navigate antiquated systems that no longer serve the special needs community. Their support has been invaluable. Andy's endorsement means the world to us. He is more than a philanthropist, he is a business man with a good eye for investments. He sees our farm as worthy of attention and support and we hope you enjoy learning more as you enjoy this episode. Thank you to RocVox for helping us share this valuable content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you will meet two of our apprentices - Emily and Adam. Our apprentices are why the farm exists and their hard work is why it is so amazing! As you listen to them share about their lives and what they love about Homesteads for Hope, think of how many people with I/DD long for the sense of community they describe. It is estimated that 2/3 of the people who qualify for services/programming do NOT have fulltime options available to them. The pandemic disrupted many routines. While most of us are resuming our normal routines, many people in the special needs community remain "stuck at home." We will continue to advocate for this population and appreciate RocVox for helping us share this valuable content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you will meet a mom we know and love here at the farm! Linda will tell you some of her experiences raising a child with different needs and how she has "gotten creative more than once" when traditional options did not work for her son. Heather and Jenny chime in throughout this episode to increase awareness regarding some common obstacles parents face. By the end of the show, you will see why doctors, teachers, and other professionals assigned to our loved ones should LISTEN TO THE MOTHER! Thank you to RocVox for helping us share Linda's wisdom. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you'll meet Krista Mason who founded Benjamin's Hope, an intentional community in Holland, Michigan. Krista is a gracious mentor who will share some of the hopes and fears she had as she developed her own community, as well as provide hope and insight for others interested in cultivating new opportunities for people with special needs. You will love Krista's sweet, but fierce demeanor. She knows first-hand how it feels to have a child who does not fit into traditional options, which explains her drive, and why she continues to impact people beyond her community. Thank you, RocVox for helping us share Krista's story. www.rocvox.com

This episode dives into a topic that keeps many parents up at night - What happens when the school bus stops coming? All families are understandably stressed when high school ends because it marks a major transition. This is an especially stressful time for special needs families. With our guests, we will not only discuss why this dramatic decrease in services is referred to as "the cliff," we will also share ways to avoid some common pitfalls. This episode does not offer any "magic bullets," but reviews what your rights are and some proven ways to advocate. For those with the time and energy, listen up for ways you can help create systematic changes that are long overdue (like visiting the NYADD Facebook Page). Thank you RocVox for helping us share this important information. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, our team answers some questions from you - Our audience! We spend going over some details that not everyone knows about Homesteads for Hope and offer up the answers you're looking for. What we share comes from the heart and even if you are not located near us, you will be energized by what we are cultivating at our farm. We hope it inspires you to create something new and innovative in your own backyard. We are proud to serve over 600 families now and plan to at least double that over the next year! We increase our impact by raising awareness and sharing our model. Thank you for joining us for this conversation and thank you to RocVox for giving us the space and guidance to make this podcast a reality. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you'll meet Farmer Chris and Helen! They will tell you what originally drew them to our farm and what keeps them here. We will discuss the organic practices we follow and how we structure our Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). You will see how creating meaningful farming experiences for the people enrolled in our programs, not only feeds 100s of people in the Rochester area, but also helps our apprentices find their purpose and learn how it feels to be a valued, productive member of a team. Even if our farm is not local to you, you're sure to walk away with ideas to support people of all abilities in your community. Thank you, RocVox for sharing this part of our story. www.rocvox.com

This episode includes upsetting content regarding the profound mistreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). While some progress has been made since Geraldo's original documentary was released in 1972, people with I/DD remain one of the largest unrecognized minority groups in the US and are still fighting to have the same rights as other citizens (like choice over where they live, what they do during the day, etc.). Learn more, 50th Anniversary of Willowbrook: https://tinyurl.com/2tpwswte. While this topic is hard hitting, stories of courageous families fighting back will inspire hope and give our audience ideas on ways they can advocate in their own backyard. Thank you RocVox for helping us raise awareness with this valuable content. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, we will tell you all about the 200 year old estate home on our property. A once beautiful landmark for people driving by or boating on the Erie Canal needs a lot of TLC. When we purchased the property, we knew renovations were needed, but as we served more people and got a better idea of what our community needs, the FOREVER HOMESTEAD Project has evolved. You will learn about the ups and downs leading to us breaking ground and our excitement about what is to come. Our guest, Jon Gatti of Gatti Plumbing shares from the perspective of a community member, a business owner, and someone with a loved one who has Autism. You will see why he believes in our mission and urges other businesses to step up and help Homesteads. Thank you to Gatti Plumbing (https://gattiplumbing.com/) and RocVox (www.rocvox.com) for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode, Jenny and Heather will fill you on some highlights of Homesteads for Hope and how this 55-acre property is creating real impact in the special needs community. While many people think of Homesteads for Hope as "just a farm," you will learn about how it has grows much more than produce. You will learn how they use "nature's classroom" to reach people who are often overlooked and underserved. Get the inside scoop on how they have made this unique setting truly inclusive, what programs they currently offer, and exciting new developments that are unfolding this season. By the end of this episide, it will be hard not to fall in love with Homesteads mission and we hope that you feel moved to join us and/or start an intentional community is your hometown. www.homesteadsforhope.org. Thank you RocVox for helping us share this important information. www.rocvox.com

In this episode, you'll meet Heather, one of our hosts and the Development Director at Homesteads for Hope. Heather will tell you about how she became an advocate long before many knew what the word "Autism" meant. She will share how her professional background and life experiences have made her a powerful advocate for her own children (all four with varying levels of special need), as well as 1000s across the US. Heather will hit on some hard truths that the special needs community currently faces and while she admits her life is exhausting, you will be impressed with her positive energy and dedication to helping others. For the first time, Heather will share unpublicized details regarding her federal court battle, how she set a legal precedent for the country, and the ways she continues to fight for change through her work at the farm and as a writer, public speaker, and educator. Thank you RocVox for helping us share Heather's story. www.rocvox.com

Mini episode of Madge Unmuted! Madge and Fitz share hilarious banter. Madge talks about her inspirational single mom success story and wants to know if you want to hear the whole thing! Also, find out about all the super fabulous upcoming guests! Please subscribe!PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL WHILE YOU'RE HERE! :-)* Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/madgemadigan​ ​ * My Website: https://madgemadigan.com/ ​ ​ * Podcast on Spreaker:https://www.spreaker.com/show/madge-unmuted* Podcast also on Spotify, iHeart, Apple, SoundCloud, Google, etc.* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadgeUnmuted​ ​ ​* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madgemadigan ​ ​* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madgemadigan