Thriving Forward
Too often Rochester, NY is featured in the news for its problems. But this area is rich with community-based organizations striving to improve the lives of its residents. Join local pediatricians Megan Lasaponara and Sarah Collins-McGowan as they interview people who are involved in good works all over the region. We will learn about each organization and how our guests found their path to community-based work. If you are ready to hear good news and feel inspired by what Rochester has to offer, join us as we talk to the people making our community ever better.
Episodes
76 episodes
Jennifer Philips - Director of Expressive Arts and Music Fundamentals at the Hochstein School.
The mission of The Hochstein School is to provide people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities with access to excellent music and dance education in a community that nurtures and encourages personal achievement. Today's guest is Jennifer Phil...
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21:35
Brighid Gavin - Childhood Behavior Solutions
Brighid Gavin is a Parent Coach and the owner of Childhood Behavior Solutions. Brighid has a Bachelors Degree is Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Buffalo S...
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26:53
Pamela Reed Sanchez - President and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society
Pamela Reed Sanchez is the President and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. The Seneca Park Zoo Society is a nonprofit education and conservation organization that works as a support partner to Monroe County in operating the Seneca Park ...
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36:25
U of R Medical Student Brittany Hodges
On this episode, Sarah talks with Brittany Hodges, a medical student at the University of Rochester. Britt serves as a Health Equity Leader, a program of the National Medical Fellowships to develop future health care leaders with the know...
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25:31
Amanda Gozigian - Ronald McDonald House Charities
On this episode of the podcast we welcome Amanda Gozigian. She is a Program Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY (RMHCR). RMHCR's mission is to support the health and wellness of children and families through innovative ...
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18:51
Shawn Gee from SRGMF Creative Brand Consulting
In this episode Sarah talks with Shawn Gee from SRGMF, a strategic brand consulting firm here in Rochester. Listen in to learn about his journey from the music industry to consulting with organizations such as Hinge Neighbors to his work ...
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21:19
Flower City Down Syndrome Network with Cheryl Carleton
On this episode Sarah talks with Cheryl Carleton from Flower City Down Syndrome Network. Cheryl shares her experience as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome as well as the work that Flower City Down Syndrome Network does for our Greate...
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25:12
Anita O'Brien - Executive Director of Rochester Accessible Adventures
In this episode of the podcast Megan interviews Anita O’Brien. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Rochester Accessible Adventures. Rochester Accessible Adventures is on a mission to improve the health and wellness of people with disab...
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37:47
Tracey Taylor Co-Chair Monroe County LEICC
September is Early Intervention Awareness Month! On today's podcast Megan speaks with Tracey Taylor. Tracey is the co-chair of the Monroe County Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council, an Occupational Therapist, and a parent. She is also...
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31:27
URMC Sickle Cell Disease Advocacy Group
In this episode Megan speaks with members of URMC's Sickle Cell Advocacy Team. This interdisciplinary group of physicians and patient advocates has come together to improve the quality of care for patients with Sickle Cell Disease, especially a...
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39:56
Bill Moehle - Brighton Town Supervisor
Bill Moehle has served as Brighton Town Supervisor since January 1, 2012. On this episode he and Megan discuss his favorite things about Brighton, what it means to be a town supervisor, and some of the town's history in addition to his own!
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40:06
Joe Di Fiore from City Roots Community Land Trust
This week Sarah is talking with Joe Di Fiore, Executive Director of City Roots Community Land Trust. Confused about how a community land trust (CLT) works? Listen in and find out how City Roots works to preserve and increase the num...
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44:11
Heather Newton - CEO NAMI Rochester
Heather is the Chief Executive Officer of NAMI Rochester. NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and their mission is to: "provide support, education and advocacy to individuals and families of all cultural backgrounds wh...
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37:34
Calvin Eaton from 540WMain
On this episode meet Calvin Eaton, social entrepreneur and founder of 540WMain, a non-profit anti-racist platform. Calvin founded 540WMain in 2016 as a grassroots community space in the Susan B. Anthony district of Rochester, NY. He...
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42:57
Amanda Ashley - Program Director Girls Rock! Rochester
Amanda Ashley Rodriguez is originally from Long Island. She began writing and composing at the early age of fourteen and was performing solo by the age of sixteen in local coffee houses. After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, Amanda found h...
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29:43
Lead Coalition with Dr. Schaffer and Jennifer Becker
The Rochester office of the Western NY Lead Poisoning Resource Center is supported by the New York State Department of Health.We provide:Education and support to medi...
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29:33
Dr. Matthew Present from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Rochester
Who doesn't love Dolly Parton? Did you know she is not only one of the best American singer/songwriters, but also a huge advocate for early literacy? Dr. Matthew Present, a 3rd year pediatrics resident at the University of Rochester...
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37:58
Santos Jasmine Montanez from Ibero American Action League
In this episode Sarah talks with Santos Jasmine Montanez from Ibero American Action League. Ibero is a dual-language multi-service agency that uplifts, empowers, and advocates for Latinos and the underserved. Santos is a Substance A...
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40:26
Liza Savage-Katz: KaleidoscopeMe
On this episode of the podcast we speak with Liza Savage-Katz. She has been teaching yoga and fitness since 2002 with students ranging in age from 2 to 92 (literally). Her company, KaleidoscopeME™ is an EDUtainment productions and s...
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33:37
Jody Todd Manly - Mt Hope Family Center
In this episode Sarah interviews Jody Todd Manly, the Clinical Director of Mt. Hope Family Center. Mt. Hope Family Center is a unique program that both provides direct clinical services and conducts research to help improve the lives of c...
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33:29
Dr. Jessica Shand - URMC, Bioethics, and Mindfulness
In this episode we meet with Dr. Jessica Shand. She is trained as a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist with a clinical interest is in the management of hematologic malignancies in children and young adults. We discuss her work in the mindfulness...
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40:22
Dr. Stephen Cook - URMC and NYS DOH
Dr. Stephen Cook is a physician trained in Adult Medicine and Pediatrics. His research focuses on how best to help children and families struggling with obesity. In addition to caring for children in the clinic at Strong Hospital, he also works...
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32:54
Cara Rager - WXXI
In this episode Sarah talks with Cara Rager, the Manager of Educational Training and Family Engagement at WXXI Public Broadcasting. They discuss how WXXI partners with parents and the community to help kids learn in so many more ways than...
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29:22
Quajay Donnell: Public Art Photographer
Quajay Donnell is a Rochester, NY based photographer and writer with a passion for public art and capturing his community. His work has been published in Departures Magazine, The Washington Post, CITY (Rochester, NY), The Democrat and Chronicle...
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33:04
Joy Bergfalk, Executive Director of The Coffee Connection and Project Empower
The Coffee Connection empowers women on their journey to sustainable recovery from addiction by providing training, jobs, and support, all while being one of Rochester's premiere coffee roasters. In this episode Sarah talks with Joy Bergf...
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35:55