Buying Local Podcast

Erin Sikopoulos of Turn a New Leaf in Saratoga Springs explains how gemstone energy medicine and massage therapy work together to help people find ease with chronic pain, stress, and tension. Hear how she works with skeptics, what new research on energy work she's excited about, and how vibroacoustic therapy can drop you into a deep meditative state in minutes. Learn how a local wellness collective gives practitioners a home, and why in-person community matters for how long we live.

Connect with Erin Sikopoulos and learn more about Turn a New Leaf at turnanewleafllc.com. 

0:00 Welcome and how Mike and Erin met at the Mind Body Soul Expo

1:52 Erin introduces Turn a New Leaf and her wellness collective

3:14 How gemstone energy work and massage fit together

4:54 From a high-stress TV job to massage school and gemstones

7:27 What different stones do, with a citrine example

11:21 Handling skeptics: open-minded vs. closed-minded

13:12 A client's case study with chronic back pain

15:47 Tinnitus, migraines and grief: who comes in

17:20 Pairing gemstones with Reiki and traditional Chinese medicine

19:05 New research and the debate around energy medicine

21:46 Inside the business: practitioner rooms and event space

23:31 The vibroacoustic therapy room

26:07 What a vibroacoustic session feels like

29:03 The "I'm okay" moment: emotional releases in sessions

31:42 The big dream: a bigger space, hydrotherapy and more events

33:52 How to find Erin and Turn a New Leaf

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#BuyingLocal #WellnessCommunity #EnergyHealing #SaratogaSprings #SmallBusiness

Dr. Sandita Seecharan, a dual board-certified family medicine physician and geriatrician, joins Buying Local to discuss holistic wellness, integrative approaches to health, and the importance of finding practitioners who fit people's needs. She explains how Gentle Leaf Concierge connects clients with wellness providers, makes distinctions between evidence-based and spiritual practices, and encourages informed conversations between patients and their clinicians.

Learn more about Dr. Sandita Seecharan and her work at gentleleafconcierge.com. 

0:00 Introducing Dr. Sandita Seecharan

1:07 Caribbean roots and a holistic approach to wellness

2:18 How Gentle Leaf Concierge matches clients with practitioners

3:45 Free wellness matching and practitioner membership

5:24 Bridging conventional medicine and holistic care

6:45 Addressing patient needs beyond a short medical appointment

8:18 Evidence, safety and informed wellness decisions

10:08 Working with clinicians when exploring complementary practices

11:25 Whole-person care and the limits of mainstream medicine

13:30 How an early interest in holistic wellness shaped her medical career

16:01 Research, access to care and the future of Gentle Leaf

17:20 Ancient wellness traditions and emerging research

20:30 When conventional treatments fall short

24:48 Helping people evaluate wellness information and practitioners

28:40 Exploring Hawaiian energetics and energy-based practices

30:56 How to find Gentle Leaf Concierge and get started

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#BuyingLocal #HolisticWellness #IntegrativeHealth #GentleLeafConcierge #CapitalRegionNY

In this episode of Buying Local, Mike Nelson speaks with Fawn Montanye, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at Nourishing Minds Tutoring, about expanding access to quality tutoring, building nonprofit and employer partnerships, developing scholarship support for families, and helping children across the Capital Region and Adirondacks build confidence through education. 

Learn more about Fawn Montanye and Nourishing Minds Tutoring at nourishingmindstutoring.com. 

0:00 Introduction: Fawn Montanye Returns to Buying Local

1:30 Why Fawn Chose Purpose-Driven Nonprofit Work

2:22 What It Means to Have a Position with a Purpose

3:25 Finding Happiness Beyond Money and Career Titles

5:37 Balancing Business Costs with Community Support

6:57 Nourishing Minds Tutoring’s Four Growth Priorities

8:18 Scholarships to Make Tutoring More Accessible

9:09 Employer Benefits That Support Children’s Education

11:47 How a Community Scholarship Fund Would Work

13:51 The Vision Behind Nourishing Minds Tutoring

15:38 Fawn’s Personal Connection to Educational Access

18:38 Building Partnerships and Pursuing Grant Funding

19:42 Challenges Facing Child-Serving Organizations

22:03 Why Year-Round Educational Support Matters

24:23 Connecting Families and Organizations with Tutoring

25:51 Building Student Confidence Beyond Better Grades

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#BuyingLocal #NourishingMindsTutoring #EducationAccess #CommunityPartnerships #CapitalRegionNY

Saratoga 250 Executive Director Bill Teator joins Buying Local to explain Victory Season, Siege Weekend, living history events, and the Saratoga Revolutionary Experience taking shape across Saratoga County. The conversation covers the October 10–11 Siege Weekend in Schuylerville, the Turning Point Passport, the upcoming 2027 250th anniversary reenactments, and new ways for families and visitors to experience Saratoga's Revolutionary history. 

Learn more about Bill Teator and Campaign for Saratoga 250 at saratoga250.com. 

0:00 Welcome and introduction to Bill Teator

1:35 What is Victory Season in Saratoga?

2:15 Saratoga National Historical Park and Freeman's Farm

3:56 Introducing Siege Weekend in Schuylerville

5:01 Living historians, music and artillery demonstrations

6:15 Family activities and horse-drawn wagon rides

7:30 What it's really like to camp as a Revolutionary-era reenactor

9:23 Authenticity standards for the 2027 reenactments

10:53 How the replica Revolutionary War cannons work

13:08 Inside the British encampment and camp followers

14:27 The Saratoga Revolutionary Experience and Siege Passport

17:06 Turning Point Passport and early access to 2027 tickets

19:18 Why the events work for homeschool and school communities

21:35 18th-century toys, games, draft horses and local partners

23:35 The new Saratoga Revolutionary Experience Center

25:56 Why preserving Revolutionary history matters beyond 2027

28:17 Bringing more historical voices and perspectives forward

31:53 Why digital content should lead people to experience history in person

32:24 Siege Weekend attendance, new attractions and making a fall outing

33:38 Where to learn more about Saratoga 250

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#BuyingLocal #Saratoga250 #SaratogaNY #RevolutionaryWar #SaratogaCounty

What does the current real estate market look like, and could new construction offer buyers a way around bidding wars and costly repairs? Mike Nelson talks with Sarah Itterman and Michael Caruso of Sterling Real Estate Group about the Capital Region housing market, modular home construction, customization, pricing, factory-built quality, and the new construction communities they represent.

Learn more about Sarah Itterman and Michael Caruso at Sterling Real Estate Group at sterling518.com.

0:00 Meet the Sterling Real Estate Group agents

2:19 Why Sarah and Michael chose real estate and Sterling

4:27 The current state of the real estate market

6:21 How the new construction buying process works

7:49 Avoiding bidding wars with new construction

9:02 Modular homes and faster construction timelines

10:38 Why modular construction can be more predictable

12:59 How modular homes are built and transported

14:37 Precision construction and crane installation

15:14 Customizing floor plans and home designs

17:29 Who is buying new construction homes?

19:29 New construction pricing and value

21:43 Touring the factory and seeing homes built

23:28 Basements, foundations and future living space

26:05 Finishing attic space and adding square footage

30:42 Available home sites and how to learn more

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#BuyingLocal #RealEstate #NewConstruction #CapitalRegionNY #ModularHomes

The 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes celebrates its 30th anniversary with 13 homes across Saratoga County, showcasing local builders, new construction, design trends and renovations while raising money for local charities. Lisa Licata and Barry Potoker join Buying Local to explain what visitors can expect, how the People's Choice and professional judging work, and why the event has become a Saratoga-area fall tradition.

The 2026 Showcase takes place October 3–4 and October 10–11, with proceeds benefiting Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Tickets to the showcase are now available! Learn more about Saratoga Showcase of Homes and order your tickets at saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. 

0:00 Welcome & 2026 Saratoga Showcase of Homes

1:10 Meet Lisa Licata & Barry Potoker

2:30 30 Years of the Showcase & Giving Back

3:15 What Is the Saratoga Showcase of Homes?

4:20 New Builds, Renovations & 10,000+ Sq. Ft. Homes

5:40 Why Visitors Come: Design Trends & Inspiration

6:40 People's Choice Awards & Professional Judging

8:20 The Showcase as a Saratoga Fall Tradition

9:20 How the Showcase Connects Buyers With Local Builders

10:35 Meet the 13 Homes & Participating Builders

12:00 Self-Guided Tours, Maps & QR Code Directions

13:00 What Visitors Need to Know Before Touring

17:40 75+ Sponsors & How to Get Tickets

21:45 Fall Atmosphere & the 30th Anniversary

23:00 Behind the Scenes: Getting Homes Ready

25:45 Professional Judges, Realtor Tours & New Features

32:30 2026 Dates, Charities & Final Details

34:50 Supporting Local & What's Next

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#SaratogaShowcaseOfHomes #SaratogaCounty #SaratogaSprings #BuyingLocal #HomeBuilding

Stephen Tomb, business broker and consultant with Transworld Business Advisors of Albany, joins Buying Local to discuss business valuations, exit strategies, selling a small business, and why owners should plan their exit before they are ready to close the doors. Stephen also shares stories from his recent expedition to Baffin Island, including polar bear precautions, extreme weather, Arctic wildlife, fishing, and his experience connecting with Inuit and First Nations communities.

Learn more about Stephen and Transworld Business Advisors at tworld.com. 

0:00 Meet Stephen Tomb & what Transworld Business Advisors does

3:00 Why business owners shouldn't simply close their doors

6:00 Business valuations, buyers & the importance of planning

9:00 Stephen's Arctic dream: Why Baffin Island?

12:00 Flying into the wilderness & racing the weather

15:00 Two-person tents, extreme wind & wilderness teamwork

18:00 Polar bear preparation & electric bear fences

21:00 What to do if a polar bear charges

24:00 Camping behind an electric fence in bear country

27:00 When 100+ pounds of gear gets blown away

30:00 Arctic fishing, caribou & brutal mosquitoes

33:00 Northern Lights, dog sledding & the Arctic winter

36:00 Inuit culture, elders & experiencing local traditions

39:00 Wilderness medicine & managing risk far from help

42:00* Why Stephen came back to the Adirondacks

45:00 Local businesses currently looking for buyers

48:00 Business valuations, seller discretionary earnings & add-backs

51:00 Skilled trades, business succession & keeping local businesses alive

54:00 Family history, Adirondack guides & lessons from previous generations

57:00 How to contact Stephen & why business owners need an exit strategy

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#BuyingLocal #BusinessBroker #SmallBusiness #BusinessForSale #Adirondacks

Travis Stealey, comedian and founder of the Saratoga Comedy Festival, joins Buying Local to discuss his journey from bombing at open mics to producing one of the Capital Region's biggest comedy events. Travis shares insights into writing comedy, crowd work, entrepreneurship, and what attendees can expect from the Saratoga Comedy Festival on September 11-12 at the Saratoga City Center.

Connect with Travis at travisstealey.com and learn more about the comedy festival at saratogacomedyfest.com.

0:00 Introduction & Saratoga Comedy Festival Overview

0:15 How Travis Stealey Got Started in Comedy

1:05 Bombing at His First Open Mic

2:23 Learning What Actually Makes People Laugh

4:00 Adapting Material to Different Crowds

5:10 The Rise of Crowd Work Comedy

6:09 Performing for Tiny Audiences

8:08 When Crowd Work Goes Too Far

9:18 A Nun on Tinder & Other Crowd Stories

11:14 How Comedians Build and Refine Material

13:11 Knowing When to Retire a Joke

15:29 Six Months of Failure Before Progress

16:35 Mentorship, The Comedy Bible & Getting Better

19:24 Why Travis Didn't Quit Comedy

22:06 Launching the Saratoga Comedy Festival

23:12 Festival Format, Headliners & What to Expect

25:16 64 Comics, Local Talent & National Acts

28:40 Tickets, Promotions & Festival Details

29:58 Managing the Logistics of a Major Comedy Event

30:27 Final Thoughts & Event Information

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#SaratogaComedyFestival #TravisStealey #BuyingLocal #ComedyPodcast #SaratogaSprings

Join host Mike Nelson as he sits down with Don Lehman, a Freelance Writer of 30+ Years and Director of Public Affairs for Warren County, New York, to discuss the evolution of local journalism and PR. Don shares his incredible journey from spending 27 years at the Post Star to managing critical county communications and doing PR for Kelly's Angels.

Connect with Don Lehman on LinkedIn and learn more about Kelly's Angels at kellysangelsinc.org. 

0:00 Mike Nelson introduces Don Lehman 

1:22 Reflecting on a 27-year career & the decline of print news

3:08 How Don's past reporting inspired Buying Local

4:27 The power of local business blogs

6:08 Dealing with the fragmentation of local news 

7:32 Don’s introduction to sports journalism

8:17 Getting involved with Mark Mulholland and Kelly's Angels

9:47 How Kelly's Angels provides scholarships and grants to families in need

11:53 Shifting out of COVID-19 protocols

13:48 Overcoming obstacles with press releases

15:46 Building two-way relationships with local media

17:12 Why accuracy must take priority over speed in government public relations

18:03 Handling tragic news stories

20:02 The strict deadlines of daily print journalism

20:57 Where to find Don

22:09 Final thoughts and episode wrap-up 

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#BuyingLocal #LocalJournalism #PublicRelations #WarrenCountyNY #SmallBusinessSupport

How is AI reshaping local marketing, SEO, and the future of community building? In this episode of Buying Local, Mike Nelson sits down with Chuck Copenspire, Digital Marketing Consultant at Copenspire Unlimited and founder of the MindBlown Music Festival, to discuss AI search, Google Business Profiles, authentic branding, and why human connection matters more than ever. They also explore the growing local music scene in Glens Falls, how independent festivals are creating opportunities for emerging bands, and why music, storytelling, and community events can become powerful tools for mental health awareness and local economic growth.

Learn more about Chuck and his various projects at chuckcopenspire.com.

00:00 - Introduction & MindBlown Festival recap

01:00 - Why Buying Local started a print publication

03:00 - Chuck discovers the power of earned media

04:45 - The story behind MindBlown Music Festival

06:00 - Organizing a grassroots music festival

08:20 - Mental health, suicide prevention & community connection

10:00 - Why loneliness is growing despite social media

12:05 - Building belonging through music and local events

14:00 - Lessons learned from year two of the festival

16:20 - Local music scene, Roblox Tycoon & young musicians

18:05 - What's next for MindBlown Festival Year Three

19:35 - Chuck's marketing career and Identity Pending

22:00 - AI SEO, Google Business Profiles & the future of search

25:40 - Authentic marketing vs AI-generated content

28:25 - Why supporting artists still matters in the AI era

29:45 - Where to find Chuck Copenspire & final thoughts

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#LocalBusiness #DigitalMarketing #SEO #AISearch #BuyingLocal