Good Neighbor Podcast: Cincinnati

“Custom” is one of the most overused words in home building, and it can cost you real money if you don’t pin down what it actually means. We’re joined by Jeff Wieland of Wieland Builders, LLC, a third-generation builder serving greater Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio, to draw a bright line between true bespoke custom homes and the watered-down version that’s really just picking from a menu.

Jeff walks us through how Wieland Builders approaches high-end custom home construction from scratch: designing around a specific client, a specific homesite, and a process that keeps the homeowner involved from the first sketch to the final walk-through. We also talk about the reality of running a family business, how leadership changes when you grow from “mostly family” to a team with employees, and why job descriptions, boundaries, and communication matter just as much as craftsmanship.

We dig into the difference between “custom” and “quality,” why integrity is the foundation of a strong builder-client relationship, and how reputation is built through clean projects, consistent standards, and real-world proof like Homerama where marketing meets the finished product. If you’re planning a custom home build in Cincinnati or anywhere in Southwest Ohio, this conversation will help you ask better questions and choose a builder with a process that matches the promise.

Subscribe for more conversations with local business owners, share this with someone planning a build, and leave a review to help neighbors find the show.

“Healthy” can be a marketing word, or it can be a label you can actually trust. We sit down with Isaac Hamlin, founder of Better Blend, to talk about building a smoothie shop that prioritizes nutrition facts, macros, and real ingredients without sacrificing flavor. He shares the origin story that starts on a rugby field at the University of Kentucky, where heavy pregame meals pushed him to find a faster, cleaner way to fuel performance. That search led to early experiments, relentless iteration, and a first blend that’s still on the menu today.

From there, Isaac gets candid about the business grind: getting dismissed by banks, taking on risk, working nights, and opening the first Better Blend in Florence, Kentucky. Now the brand spans 20 locations across Kentucky and Ohio, plus expansion into the Tampa, Florida area and a fleet of 11 food trucks. We unpack why the food trucks work as both revenue and a rolling brand-awareness engine, and how an ambassador program with micro-influencers helps educate new customers at scale.

But the real differentiator might be the culture. Isaac explains the “Saturday dinner” philosophy, creating a welcoming third space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered on a health and wellness journey. We also talk about smoothie industry misconceptions, why reading calories and sugar matters, and how small moments like writing encouragement on cups can change someone’s day.

If you care about healthy fast food, high-protein smoothies, or building a community-focused brand that grows, listen now, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What’s the biggest myth you’ve believed about “healthy” smoothies?

Most relationship problems don’t start with a blow-up. They start with a quiet drift, a familiar tension in the room, and the same argument playing on repeat until you can’t remember what “easy” felt like. On Good Neighbor Podcast Live, we sit down with Beth Luwandi of Luwandi Counseling and Coaching, a Cincinnati-based relationship counselor and coach who helps couples get unstuck before resentment becomes the norm.

Beth works with marriages and committed partners facing infidelity, emotional disconnection, recurring conflict, and the aftermath of relationship ruptures or loss. We talk about a startling reality from research: many couples wait around six years before they get serious help, often showing up when they’re already on the brink. Beth explains what that looks like in real life, from “roommate mode” to an undercurrent of tension where tiny moments turn into major fights, even when both people are smart, successful, and capable in every other part of life.

We also dig into common misconceptions about couples therapy. Beth shares why she doesn’t spend sessions “rehearsing pain,” how retelling old offenses can reinforce negative neural pathways, and why her work targets the core pattern between two people instead of trying to “fix” either partner. If you’ve been searching for relationship coaching, marriage counseling, or practical couples therapy tools that create real change, this conversation is a strong place to start.

If you want to learn more, Beth shares how to connect at bethluandi.com, including options to book a first session or schedule a free 20-minute consultation call. Subscribe for more local expert conversations, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more couples can find support sooner rather than later.

Your neck is stiff, your shoulders are creeping up toward your ears, and the headache you keep ignoring is back again. We sit down with Leslie Shaw from Sea of Tranquility Massage & Wellness, LLC to talk about what those signals can really mean and why therapeutic massage can be a legitimate part of your health care routine, not just a treat you book once a year. Leslie shares how she and her daughter run a family massage therapy practice serving Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati area with a focus on deep tissue work, stretching, and improving range of motion. 

We get specific about what clients are walking in with right now: stress at the top of the list, plus tech neck, neck and shoulder pain, and low back and hip issues from sitting all day. Leslie also breaks down a surprise for a lot of people, “tennis elbow” and “golfers elbow” often come from computer work and constant phone use, not sports. If you deal with recurring headaches, we talk through how muscle tension, tight shoulders, and even TMJ or jaw tightness can play a role, and why a consistent wellness regimen can help before problems become chronic. 

You will also hear how Sea of Tranquility Massage & Wellness, LLC grows through word of mouth, Google, Yelp, and Instagram, and why their space is intentionally built to help you exhale the moment you walk in. Leslie calls it the “Harry Potter building” because it feels hidden until you find it, and once you are there, you are encouraged to truly unplug. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this with someone who needs stress relief, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

That loud “crack” during a chiropractic adjustment has fueled a lot of myths, and Dr. Richard Cohen is here to clear them up. Deborah Coviello talks with the longtime Cincinnati chiropractor behind Academy Chiropractic Clinic about what chiropractic care is actually doing inside the joint, why the sound is not “bones cracking,” and how precision can change a patient’s experience.

Dr. Richard Cohen’s story is personal. Born with congenital lower-back problems and living through years of pain, he went searching for real relief and found a mentor who reshaped his career path. That mentorship later led him to specialized technology, including the Pulestar, a computerized chiropractic adjustment instrument designed to pinpoint which spinal joints need help and stop when movement is restored. He also shares why so few chiropractors use tools like this, what chiropractic schools teach versus what clinicians learn after graduation, and why word-of-mouth trust still matters.

We also get into the heart of his philosophy: listen closely, ask the right questions, and get to the root cause. Dr. Richard Cohen explains why he often pushes for MRI imaging earlier, especially when patients feel stuck in symptom-based care or insurance-driven delays. If he can help, he does. If he can’t, he focuses on getting the patient to the right doctor, fast.

If you care about back pain relief, neck pain, chiropractic technology, and patient-centered healthcare, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor in Cincinnati, and leave a review with your biggest question about chiropractic care.

What if the biggest barrier to helping animals isn’t compassion, but shipping, storage, and coordination? That’s where United Pet Fund comes in. I’m joined by veterinarian Dr. Zeke Zekoff, who built a volunteer-powered distribution model that connects business generosity to animal rescues and shelters that need supplies right now. Think forklifts, pallets, and semi-loads, not random one-off drop-offs.

We talk through how United Pet Fund operates out of a 7,500-square-foot warehouse near Cincinnati, partnering with organizations like Greater Good Charities and working with companies that have surplus inventory, overstock, and returns. Dr. Z breaks down why bulk logistics matter, how distribution days work, and why donated goods still come with real costs like electricity, insurance, fuel, and equipment. Their solution is practical: pass supplies to member rescues for roughly 10 to 15 cents on the dollar, keeping the mission sustainable while protecting donor trust through careful screening.

We also go deeper into the realities of animal welfare beyond food and litter, especially the growing crisis of veterinary care access. Dr. Z shares what he’s seeing across the rescue world and why vet care often becomes the number one expense. You’ll hear an on-the-ground impact story from a long delivery run to rural Kentucky that makes the need feel immediate and human.

If you care about animal rescue, nonprofit operations, pet food donations, or corporate giving that actually works, you’ll take something useful from this conversation. Subscribe for more local-good stories, share this with a business owner who has surplus to donate, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show.

Your backyard can be more than a patio and a grill. We sit down with David Underhill, founder of Outdoor Design Build, to unpack what it takes to create an outdoor living space that truly changes how you use your home. Think covered structures that look like they were built with the house, open-air layouts that still feel like a real room, and comfort features that stretch the season with fireplaces and infrared heaters.

David shares his origin story, from launching one of Cincinnati’s earliest commercial lawn and landscape companies to returning years later with a sharper vision: a true design-build process focused on custom outdoor rooms. We talk through what goes into these projects, from outdoor kitchens and built-ins to the coordination of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, masons, and hardscapers. We also explore how the team handles Cincinnati’s challenging hills and tight lots while keeping the design cohesive with the home’s existing architecture.

We also get practical about trust and visibility. David explains why word of mouth, a portfolio-forward website, and consistent reviews can keep a reputable contractor booked out, plus how Outdoor Design Build has expanded into full home renovation and remodeling for older properties. If you’re searching for outdoor living contractor, design-build outdoor space, or home renovation in Cincinnati, this conversation gives you a clear lens for what “good” looks like.

Subscribe for more local business spotlights, share this with a neighbor planning a backyard upgrade, and leave a review so more Cincinnati homeowners can find the show.

You can feel stressed, sore, and run-down without being “an athlete” or having a medical diagnosis and that’s exactly why this conversation matters. We sit down with Martha Kuchenbuch, owner of Refresh Wellness Dent, a family-owned, mother-daughter-run wellness spa on the west side of Cincinnati, to talk about the kind of self-care that fits into real life. Think quick, approachable wellness treatments designed to help you hit a reset button, not add another complicated routine to your week. 

Martha walks us through what they offer, including whole body cryotherapy, infrared sauna, a wellness fitness pod, compression therapy, red light therapy, blue light therapy, and even teeth whitening. We dig into what people actually come in for: stress relief, relaxation, inflammation support, skin health, muscle recovery, and the simple desire to leave feeling better than when they arrived. The key is customization. They start by understanding your goal, then help you choose one service or combine a few into a plan you can stick with. 

We also clear up the biggest myths: wellness isn’t only for marathon runners, and you don’t need to spend all day at a spa to get real benefits. Martha shares how Refresh stays connected through local fundraising, school donations, pop-ups, and supporting other small businesses, plus why a welcoming neighborhood vibe can make wellness feel less intimidating and more sustainable. 

If you’ve been searching for a wellness spa in Cincinnati, cryotherapy in Cincinnati, or an infrared sauna on the west side, this one will help you decide what to try first. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review. What would you book first: cryotherapy, sauna, compression, or red light?

Your racket might be the reason your game feels off and it’s not always your swing. We sit down with Drew Violette from Next Level Stringing to get a rare look inside the niche world of racket stringing, racket repair, and performance-focused customization for tennis, pickleball, badminton, platform tennis, and paddle. If you’ve ever searched “racket stringing near me” and wondered what actually separates a quick restring from truly high-quality work, this conversation makes it clear.

We dig into what players damage most often, including cracked butt caps and bumper guards worn down from constant scraping, plus what it takes to get equipment back to playing shape. Drew also breaks down two of the biggest misconceptions he hears: the neat rule of thumb about how often you “should” restring each year, and the idea that lower tension automatically creates more power. You’ll hear a grounded explanation of what tension changes, what it doesn’t, and why beginners and advanced players need totally different advice.

We also talk business growth the old-school way: word of mouth, a simple referral discount, and a quality-first mindset that turns customers into advocates. If you enjoy learning how local pros build trust and mastery in a specialized craft, you’ll love this one. Subscribe, share this with your tennis or pickleball crew, and leave a review with your biggest stringing question.

A flood is a brutal audit of your life. When Brandon Neely’s Cincinnati home flooded and chaos stacked up fast, the surprising part was not the damage, it was the proof that his financial foundation could take the hit. We talk through what it means to act like a “financial architect,” building systems that hold under pressure instead of hoping everything works out. 

We get practical about small business finance, cash flow management, and why Profit First is so useful for owners who are tired of feeling behind. Brandon shares why you should never abdicate your financial responsibility, how access to capital can change your options during a crisis, and what he means by learning how banks work so you can do what they do, not just what they tell you. 

We also go deeper on values and the local economy. If you say you love your neighborhood, does your spending and investing match that, or do your default choices quietly push resources elsewhere? That question leads to a thoughtful take on 401k habits, supporting local businesses, and building a money system that helps you stay healthy, calm, and generous when life gets unpredictable. 

If you want to stress-test your own plan, check out Brandon’s work at livecounterflow.com. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor who needs a reset, and leave a review so more local business owners can find the tools to weather their next storm.