Doug Levine: Keepers of Ithaca's Historic State Theater In this episode of Good News York, host Mike chats with longtime friend and executive director of the State Theater in Ithaca, Doug Levine. Doug shares heartfelt moments from his 16-year journey in revitalizing this historic venue, emphasizing its significance in Ithaca's vibrant music and entertainment scene. Discussion points include the theater’s evolution, its role as a community-owned nonprofit, and memorable performances by artists like Nikki Glaser, John Prine, and The National. Notable anecdotes highlight artist interactions, from Tweedy’s surprise visit to Brian Adams’ easygoing nature. Doug also elaborates on upcoming theater upgrades and the importance of supporting local arts. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:21 Gifts and Merch from the State Theater 00:44 The State Theater's Role in Ithaca's Music Scene 01:18 Doug Levine's Journey to Executive Director 01:31 The State Theater's History and Revival 02:33 Partnerships and Programming Success 03:11 Challenges and Improvements at the State Theater 07:54 Community Support and Fundraising Efforts 25:15 Volunteer Contributions and Personal Touches 27:42 Upcoming Projects and Enhancements 30:20 Exciting Summer Projects 30:56 Upcoming Fall Shows 31:34 Tribute Bands and Live Music 32:43 Dream Artists and Memorable Concerts 38:52 Behind the Scenes Stories 48:41 Comedy and Community 53:07 Theater Experience and Final Thoughts

Good News York: Mental Health Awareness with Tracy Dando & Dave Matthews Band Fan Experience In this episode of Good News York, solo host Mike Brindisi kicks off the show without his usual co-host Matt. Mike welcomes Tracy Dando, founder of SafeSpace CNY and Root to Rise, to discuss her journey with mental health struggles and how her experiences led to the creation of SafeSpace CNY. Tracy talks in-depth about SafeSpace’s supportive environment, its various group activities, and the importance of community in mental health recovery. The conversation also highlights the stigma around mental health, different coping mechanisms, and the benefits of peer support groups. Later, the focus shifts to the Mental Health Tattoo fundraiser event organized by SafeSpace CNY. Additionally, Mike shares his exhilarating experience at a Dave Matthews Band concert, where he connected with a fellow first-time pit attendee, Lauren. They discuss their love for the band, special concert moments, and the unfortunate incident where Lauren's sister was assaulted for a setlist. The episode wraps up with Lauren offering her extra concert tickets and reflecting on the memorable experience. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Monologue 00:36 Special Guest Introduction: Tracy Dando 02:13 Tracy's Journey and SafeSpace CNY 04:23 The Importance of Safe Spaces 06:06 How SafeSpace CNY Differs from Traditional Therapy 08:44 Men's Group and Community Impact 20:03 Navigating Mental Health Post-Pandemic 21:38 Root to Rise: Seasonal Retreats 24:43 Mental Health Tattoo Fundraiser 27:36 Event Details and Social Media Links 28:02 Personal Stories and Mental Health 29:17 Upcoming Events and Community Involvement 30:10 Heartfelt Appreciation and Closing Remarks 31:49 Dave Matthews Band Concert Experience 33:19 Meeting Lauren and Her Family 34:40 Dave Matthews Band Fan Stories 41:38 Getting a Signed Hat from Dave 44:18 Set List Incident and Appeal to Warehouse 47:22 Final Thoughts and Ticket Giveaway 50:43 Conclusion and Next Guest Introduction

Building Dreams: The Journey of Stone Hammer Homes - Good News York In this episode of Good News York, Matt from Growth Mode Content is joined by his co-host Mikey B and special guests Jeremy and Chris Dorn, co-owners of Stone Hammer Homes. They discuss their inspiring journey of leaving corporate jobs to start their own custom home building company. The conversation dives into their passion for creating unique and beautifully designed homes, the challenges they've faced, and their involvement with the Home Builders and Remodelers of Central New York. The episode also touches on trends in home design and the use of modern materials and technology in home building. The Dorn brothers share their experiences in navigating the complex housing market and highlight the importance of trust and family in their successful business partnership. 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 00:52 Meet the Guests: Stone Hammer Homes 02:34 Starting the Business: Challenges and First Projects 06:26 Building Custom Homes: Process and Design 11:21 Expanding the Office: New Beginnings 12:53 Home Builders Association: Networking and Events 21:53 Vacation Vibes and Market Research 22:21 Parade of Homes and Builder Challenges 24:19 Family Business Dynamics 26:47 Trends in Home Design 30:29 Custom Builds vs. Existing Homes 31:36 Sustainable Building Practices 34:07 Regulations and Building Codes 35:27 Sprinkler Systems in New Homes 39:26 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Good News York: Spotlight on Visit Syracuse with Danny Liedka In this episode of Good News York, host Matt Masur and co-host Mikey B are joined by Danny Liedka from Visit Syracuse. They discuss Danny's role in promoting tourism and film production in Onondaga County, the economic impact of tourism, and exciting upcoming events like the Rhythm and Blues Festival and Jazz Fest. Danny also shares insights on the future of Syracuse, including the development of new hotels, the innovative Studio Central for post-production, and the upcoming downtown aquarium. They touch on the role of Airbnb in local tourism and the potential for the film industry in the region, emphasizing the importance of tax incentives. To cap it off, the hosts and Danny share anecdotes and talk sports, showcasing the positive atmosphere and growth in the Syracuse area. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:47 Introducing Danny Liedka from Visit Syracuse 01:32 The Role of Visit Syracuse 03:29 Tourism's Economic Impact 04:12 The Power of Social Media 07:43 Danny Liedka's Background 10:13 Future Developments in Syracuse 11:41 Film Industry in Syracuse 14:54 Tax Credits and Film Production 17:21 Competing for Film Production 18:40 Syracuse Alumni and Movie Industry 18:59 Aquarium Development and Economic Impact 22:52 Airbnb's Role in Local Tourism 25:42 Regional Tourism and Economic Development 28:31 Upcoming Events and Festivals 30:17 Baseball and Pete Rose Discussion 34:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Building Community and Middle-Income Housing with Jim Williams In this episode of Good News York, hosts Matt Masur and Mikey B. are joined by guest Jim Williams, a commercial construction expert from Syracuse, NY. Jim shares his journey from a music background to a career in building and revitalizing residential and commercial properties. The conversation focuses on his latest project, creating middle-income housing through infill development in Syracuse. Jim discusses the challenges and opportunities in urban redevelopment, the importance of supporting local contractors, and his vision for addressing the housing needs of everyday families. The episode highlights Jim's creative approach and dedication to improving his community. 00:00 Introduction and Co-Host Banter 00:51 Introducing the Guest: Jim Williams 01:48 Jim's Background and Career in Construction 04:21 Infill Housing and Community Development 10:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Real Estate 17:26 Public Information and Transparency 18:01 Building on Spec: The Process 20:08 Designing for the Neighborhood 21:54 Balancing Creativity and Practicality 24:10 Future Projects and Ambitions 26:51 Affordable Housing and Market Rates 28:19 Musical Influences and Personal Interests 30:19 Final Thoughts and Resources

Llama Drama: A Hilarious Viral Story and More with Steve Peterson In this special Wednesday edition of Good News York, host Mike Brindisi interviews Steve Peterson, famously known as 'the llama guy' from a viral video shot in Syracuse. Steve shares the backstory of the video that brought immense joy and laughter to Mike's family and millions of others. The conversation delves into Steve's varied career, including his background in broadcast journalism, voice acting, and his involvement in a 90s cover band. They also discuss Steve's current work with a government contractor and his creative endeavors with Summer School Electronics, a local guitar pedal company. Steve's story highlights the unpredictable nature of life and the enduring impact of viral moments. 00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement 00:28 The Viral Llama Video 01:25 Playing the Viral Video Clip 04:11 Steve Peterson's Background 05:27 The Day of the Viral Video 09:15 The Aftermath and Going Viral 12:42 Life Beyond the Viral Video 13:12 Freelance Confusion and Clarification 13:42 Career Detours and Discoveries 16:30 Musical Journeys and Band Stories 19:00 Voice Acting Ventures 20:45 Creative Aspirations and Reflections 24:09 Final Thoughts and Plugs

Success in Organic Content and Insightful Conversations with Brian Inc. In this episode of Good News York, hosts Matt Masur and Mike Brindisi discuss the power of organic content with highlights of their viral success on TikTok featuring Dan Garcia's auto expertise. They celebrate this achievement with a pizza party. The conversation follows with intriguing discussions on various news topics including New York's consideration of a four-day work week pilot program, changes in child labor laws affecting paper routes, and findings from Ithaca College's commencement ceremony featuring David Muir and Bob Iger. The episode concludes with entertaining guest Brian Enck, a comedian who recently taped his comedy special in Syracuse. Brian shares insights on the experience, the importance of energy in comedy, and future plans for the special. The segment wraps up with a fun hypothetical game about choosing seatmates on a plane, sparking humorous discussions. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:37 Celebrating Viral Success 02:03 The Power of Organic Content 04:48 Pizza Party and Future Goals 07:59 Tuesday Newsday: Four-Day Work Week 19:02 Debating Child Labor Laws 27:21 Special Guests and Comedy Highlights 34:36 Reflecting on Past Performances 35:40 Challenges of Self-Producing a Special 36:03 Advice for Aspiring Comedians 38:47 Distribution Deals and Platforms 40:07 Building an Audience through Platforms 40:34 Upcoming Shows and Future Plans 45:59 The Airplane Seat Game 46:49 Debating Influential Figures 58:44 Comedy and Cultural References 01:06:28 Concluding Thoughts and Plugs

Embracing Life After Near-Death: Dakota Malone and the Path of Self-Discovery In this episode of Good News York, host Matt Major welcomes his friend Dakota Malone, a multifaceted individual with an inspiring life story, to discuss his journey from his upbringing in Central New York to his current endeavors in renewable energy and men's mental health advocacy. Dakota shares his transformative experiences with heart surgeries, his unexpected career in door-to-door sales, and the profound impact of facing mortality head-on. He also delves into his involvement with Midwest Men, a group focused on supporting men through vulnerability and shared experiences. The conversation highlights Dakota's unique approach to life, resilience, and community building, offering listeners a blend of personal anecdotes and strategic insights into content creation and personal growth. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:29 Meet Dakota Malone 01:34 Dakota's Journey and Career 05:15 Content Strategy Insights 13:24 Podcast Guesting Strategy 22:41 Men's Mental Health and Masculinity 24:29 Confidential Conversations and Core Themes 25:21 Personal Journey and Heart Surgeries 28:59 Therapy and Overcoming Abandonment 30:27 Generational Trauma and Healing 31:50 Men's Group and Brotherhood 35:12 Heart Surgery Experiences 39:51 Facing Death and Personal Growth 45:12 Upcoming Projects and Closing Remarks