Brews & Banter Podcast

This week on Brews & Banter, we welcomed Eric Devendorf and Serena into the studio for a conversation about giving back to the community and making a difference for local families.

We learned more about the ED23 Foundation, what inspired its mission, and the work they're doing to support families throughout Central New York. We also talked about their upcoming Thanksgiving Turkey Drive and how the community can get involved to help make sure local families have a little something extra on the table this holiday season.

And there are plenty of ways to help!

🦃 Upcoming Turkey Drive Events:

- Thursday, November 12 | 7 PM – Cobblestone, Liverpool

Join Eric Devendorf for Thursday Night Football! Bring a donation item, catch the game, and enjoy a special wing and drink deal.

- Friday, November 13 | Syracuse Crunch Game

Stop by and help support the turkey drive while cheering on the Crunch!

Items Needed:

- Boxed mashed potatoes

- Canned vegetables

- Gravy

- Canned cranberry sauce

- Dinner rolls

There are also donation drop-off locations throughout the Syracuse area for anyone who can't make the events.

It's a great reminder that sometimes making a difference starts with something as simple as bringing a few extra items to donate. We had a great time with Eric and Serena, and we're glad to help spread the word. ❤️

Learn more, find donation locations, and get involved:

https://www.ed23foundation.org/

Follow the ED23 Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates.

Check out Brews & Banter:

https://brewsnbanter.com

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This week on Brews & Banter, we welcomed John Lemondes into the studio for a great conversation ahead of the election!

We got to know John beyond the political title, talking about his background, his 27-year military career, his transition into farming and public service, and what eventually brought him into New York State politics. 

johnlemondes.com+1

We also got into his views on the issues facing Central New York, what it's like serving as a representative, and what his responsibilities are when it comes to representing the people in his district. No shortage of topics, questions, and good conversation along the way!

Whether you follow politics closely or just want to learn more about the people representing our communities, this episode offers a chance to hear directly from John about his experiences and perspective.

As always, we had a good time, enjoyed the conversation, and kept things in true Brews & Banter fashion. 🍻

Learn more about John Lemondes:

https://nyassembly.gov/mem/John-Lemondes

Check out Brews & Banter:

https://brewsnbanter.com

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#BrewsAndBanter #JohnLemondes #NYAssembly #CentralNewYork #CNY #NewYorkPolitics #LocalGovernment #PublicService #CommunityConversations #PoliticalInterview #Veteran #SmallBusiness #Agriculture #PodcastInterview #SupportLocalPodcasts

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What do you mean you can hire a crowd?! This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Adam Swart, founder and CEO of Crowds on Demand, joining us remotely for a fascinating conversation about a business that’s definitely not your everyday 9-to-5!

Adam tells us how he built a company that helps clients create attention-grabbing events, publicity stunts, demonstrations, and advocacy campaigns. We get into the business of shaping public attention, how the company got started, and the surprising ways a crowd can change the story. Naturally, Frank and Roman had plenty of questions—and a few moments of classic Brews & Banter banter along the way.

We had a great time talking with Adam, and this episode might just make you look at the next big crowd you see a little differently. 🍻

Learn more about Adam and Crowds on Demand:

https://crowdsondemand.com/

Check out Brews & Banter:

https://brewsnbanter.com

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This week on Brews & Banter, we sit down with John Vavalo, CEO of Central Processors NY and the man behind High Peaks, joined by social media manager Liz! We get into how the company got its start, the challenges of building a cannabis business in New York State, and what it takes to turn an idea into a growing local brand.

Of course, John didn’t show up empty-handed! We got to sample some High Peaks THC drinks, and let’s just say the flavors made a great impression. We had a blast talking business, sharing laughs, and enjoying what turned out to be a pretty memorable episode. And what happened after the cameras stopped rolling? We’ll leave a little mystery there. 😂

Check out their websites to learn more:

Central Processors NY: https://www.centralprocessorsny.com/about

High Peaks: https://highpeaks.com/

Catch more Brews & Banter and find our merch at https://brewsnbanter.com

Please enjoy cannabis responsibly. THC products are for adults 21+ and should never be used before driving.

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This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Sara, owner of SGP Fight Club, and Emily, one of her students and coaches! We talk about Sara’s journey, women in martial arts, and how SGP helps women build strength, confidence, self-defense skills, and a supportive community. Their program includes kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, and Kenpo karate.

Then Frank does what Frank does best—stirs up trouble by challenging Roman to a fight! Roman tries everything to avoid this ridiculous idea, but eventually gives in. Now it’s official: Frank vs. Roman, MMA-style, in Halloween costumes! 🎃🥊 Sara and Emily have agreed to coach our corners, and the showdown is happening at SGP Fight Club on October 25th, with doors opening at 10 AM. DM us for the location so we can get a head count. Stick around after the main event for a giveaway!

We had an awesome time with Sara and Emily and can’t wait to support another local organization doing great things for the community. As for Frank and Roman… this friendship may never be the same! 😂🍻

SGP Fight Club: https://sgpfightclub.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/SGP-Fight-Club-100063453465821/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgpfightclub/

Brews & Banter: https://brewsnbanter.com

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We’re catching up with Kayla ShaDay, who joins us from South Korea! Kayla has been on Brews & Banter before, and we had a great time hearing about life in Korea, the cost of living, and how things have changed since her last visit.

Kayla also gives us an update on Merry Hey Day, the Seoul-based punk/alternative band she manages. After a successful U.S. tour with sold-out shows, we’re hoping their next trip brings them to the East Coast—and maybe even the Brews & Banter studio! 🤘

Some people call Merry Hey Day the Korean version of Green Day. You’ll have to listen and decide for yourself!

https://www.merryheyday.com

https://brewsnbanter.com

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Frank and Roman are back in the studio, and this time Frank has some explaining to do! 🤠

Frank tells Roman about his recent trip to Texas, and let's just say the setup he encountered there was… bizarre. Roman couldn't stop laughing as Frank explained what went down.

Another classic Brews & Banter conversation filled with laughs, surprises, and the kind of story that makes you wonder, “How did this actually happen?”

https://brewsnbanter.com

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This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Scott Colbert and Chris Angello from Paul Davis Restoration into the studio.

Scott, a veteran and business owner, tells us about the work Paul Davis does after fires, floods, biohazard situations, and other disasters—helping families recover, restore their homes, and save as many personal belongings as possible.

We also talk about Chris's role and how his nursing background helps him support families at the scene during some incredibly difficult moments. Sometimes it's not just about fixing a house—it’s about helping people figure out what to do next.

We had a great time with Scott and Chris and we're already looking forward to bringing more of the Paul Davis team into the studio, including their all-women contractor department!

Another great conversation about the people who step up when their community needs them most.

Paul Davis Restoration:
https://north-country.pauldavis.com

Brews & Banter:
https://brewsnbanter.com

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We made it to 200 episodes! 🍻 And for this milestone, we brought some very special guests into the studio—our dogs!

We introduce the pups, share some of the stories they've been part of, and do what we always do on Brews & Banter: plenty of laughs, beers, and the kind of conversations that somehow go completely off the rails.

But Frank also decided it was time to reveal some things about himself that Roman never knew… and let's just say, it's definitely weird. 😂

We also take a moment to thank our sponsors, followers, and listeners who have helped us reach this milestone.

200 episodes, our dogs, a few beers, and some questionable Frank revelations. Not a bad way to celebrate!

Listen, follow, and grab your Brews & Banter merch:
brewsnbanter.com

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Sometimes we have to put down the beer for a minute and talk about the people who make our community what it is—and this episode is all about Baldwinsville!

Roman and Frank welcome MaryAnne Williams and Melissa Hennessey from the local Chamber of Commerce into the studio for a great conversation about what a Chamber actually does, how it supports local businesses, and the many ways it gives back to the community.

We also shine a big spotlight on one of Baldwinsville's biggest events of the year: Taste of B’ville, sponsored by Romano Subaru. We're proud to be the media sponsors for this awesome event, which brings approximately 4,000–5,000 people to the island for a day packed with food, music, family fun, and local businesses.

And get this—the entrance fee is only $2! That's right… two bucks.

With four bands taking the stage—Ashley Cox Music, Diana Jacobs Band, Country Justice, and Infinity—plus food from local restaurants and plenty of activities for the kids, Taste of B-Ville is one of those events that truly brings the community together.

We also get into Melissa's work with SECNY Federal Credit Union and the important role they play in the community. She tells us about an incredible high school program where students actually get to run a bank and learn firsthand about money, banking, and financial responsibility. How cool is that?

Melissa also keeps herself extremely busy supporting multiple Chambers of Commerce and finding ways to give back to the communities she serves.

And because it's something that affects just about everyone these days, we also talk about fraud and financial scams and how organizations like SECNY help protect people when those attacks happen. We're already planning a future episode dedicated specifically to fraud prevention—because that's a conversation everybody should hear.

This episode is a little different from our usual Brews & Banter, but that's exactly why we love doing it. We're not just here to drink beer and talk—we want to be part of the community, highlight the people doing great things, and help strengthen the local businesses and organizations that make Central New York such a great place to live.

And yes… there was still beer involved. 🍻

Taste of B’ville:
www.tasteofbville.com

Brews & Banter:
brewsnbanter.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.