Good Neighbor Podcast: Cincinnati

A custom engraved sign looks simple until you hear what it takes to get it right. I’m joined by Kevin Murphy from Murphy Engraving and Apparel, a retired firefighter paramedic who swapped the firehouse for a laser engraver and discovered a whole new kind of service: helping local businesses, schools, restaurants, and community groups bring their ideas to life with clean, durable custom engraving and full-color apparel.

We get specific about what Kevin actually produces, from small industrial labels and office door signs to corporate gifts for outings and Christmas, plus meaningful personal items that require extra care. Along the way, we unpack one of the biggest misunderstandings in the custom engraving world: people often judge the price by the size of the final piece, not by the design work, setup, materials sourcing, and hours of research behind it. Kevin shares how he approaches that problem with patience, creativity, and a focus on solutions.

We also dig into what’s working for local marketing right now. Kevin explains why his Google Business Profile drives real leads when people search “engraving near me” or “apparel near me,” how social platforms like Facebook and Instagram fit into the mix, and why he’s considering stepping into video even if he feels like he has “a face for radio.” If you love stories about small business growth, local SEO, and real craftsmanship, this conversation delivers.

Subscribe for more Cincinnati small business spotlights, share this with a neighbor who loves supporting local, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show.

You can’t build a better body by treating every workout like a dare. Charlie Levine from 513 Fit joins us to make fitness feel doable again for busy adults who want to get stronger, move better, and still have energy left for real life. If you’ve ever started a program, gotten crushed by soreness, and decided “never again,” this conversation is your reset button. 

We dig into what it actually takes to train everyday people, not highlight-reel athletes: focusing on the big rocks, keeping sessions fun and engaging, and avoiding the trap of forcing your body to change on an unrealistic timeline. Charlie breaks down the myth of “no pain, no gain,” why intensity without sustainability leads to burnout, and how your training should evolve as you get older without shrinking into meaningless “light toning” routines. Along the way, we talk athletic development for normal life, from moving confidently on a pickleball court to handling awkward, real-world tasks. 

We also cover what drives growth for a local fitness business today, why word of mouth still wins, and how education lands best through human conversations, not endless content. You’ll leave with a clear, practical framework for full-body strength training, simple reps and sets, and a reminder that walking and consistency take you further than perfection. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s ready to start again, and leave a review with your biggest fitness question so we can tackle it next.

Catch more of Charlie on his YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp-ZpMXRRd-YBjLeRHvIykA

Burnout can look like a contradiction: exhausted but restless, foggy but buzzing, “fine” on paper but fraying inside. That’s why I wanted to sit down with Jen Schneeman of Real Human Performance, a board-certified mental health coach, nervous system specialist, and burnout resilience expert who speaks about stress in a way that actually matches what people live through.

We get into what clients bring to her work when they feel like they’ve lost their ground and can’t find safety or stability. Jen shares how her own boom and bust cycles shaped her approach, including what it’s like to be deeply empathetic and unknowingly absorb everyone else’s energy. We also talk about how her background in health and human performance and exposure to epigenetics helps her translate the science of stress while still honoring the human side of healing.

One of the biggest takeaways is a myth we’ve all heard: bootstrapping. Jen explains why “try harder” might create short-term gains but often becomes a fast track back to burnout, and how nervous system regulation, boundaries, and the ability to sit with uncomfortable emotions can expand real capacity over time. We also touch on how holistic mental health support spreads through referrals, workshops, and conferences, plus the surprisingly powerful role of nature and slow sensory time outdoors.

If this resonates, subscribe, share the conversation with someone who’s running on fumes, and leave a review so more neighbors can find it. What’s one stress pattern you’re ready to stop calling “normal”?

Headaches that never fully go away. Dizziness that makes the world feel unstable. Brain fog after a concussion that nobody can explain. We wanted answers that go beyond “manage your symptoms,” so we sat down with Dr. Garrett Shelby from Vital Balance, Brain and Spine in Montgomery near Cincinnati to talk advanced chiropractic services and functional neurology in plain English.

We dig into his core idea: when the brain communicates clearly with the body, healing and performance get easier. That takes testing, not guessing. Dr. Shelby walks us through the kinds of cases he sees most often including chronic migraines, post concussion syndrome, vertigo and dizziness, scoliosis and posture patterns, and stubborn neck or low back pain. Along the way, we unpack why adaptation to stress matters, how the vestibulospinal reflex ties the inner ear to posture, and why proprioception (your “sixth sense”) can quietly shape everything from balance to confidence in movement.

We also tackle the big concerns people have about chiropractic: is it safe, and is it going to hurt? Dr. Shelby explains gentle upper cervical chiropractic options, the role of imaging, and how precision techniques like orthospinology can use minimal force. He closes with a message we keep thinking about: “the opposite of depression is expression,” and what it means to get your life back, not just your health metrics.

If this conversation helps you see your symptoms differently, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find it.

Your dog’s haircut is the least interesting part of a great grooming appointment. We’re joined by Isabelle Russa, owner of The Dapper Dog Parlor, a dog grooming salon in Loveland, Ohio, to talk about what most pet parents never see: the safety habits, the physical work, and the calm confidence it takes to handle real dogs on real days, not just the polished clips you see on social media. 

Isabelle shares how she chose the dog groomer path early, cold-called local salons for a chance to learn, and turned an apprenticeship into business ownership. We dig into the practical side of starting a pet grooming business, including why pricing and insurance matter if you want a sustainable brick-and-mortar shop that can serve clients for the long haul. 

We also get honest about misconceptions, especially the idea that groomers “just play with puppies.” Puppy grooming often means training and grooming at the same time, with extra patience and safety. And because many dogs see their groomer far more often than their vet, we talk about how professional grooming can help spot early health concerns like skin changes or anything that “looks funny” before it becomes a bigger issue. Along the way, Isabel shares the impact of helping rescue dogs that arrive matted or neglected, plus how she grows locally through word of mouth, Facebook marketing, and Chamber of Commerce referrals. 

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a fellow dog lover, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. What do you look for most when choosing a dog groomer?

Founder-led sales can feel like carrying a business on your back: you’re the rainmaker, the closer, the follow-up machine, and the “sales enablement team” all at once. We’re joined by Kevin Lawson from Lighthouse Sales Advisors to talk about the moment most owners hit the wall and what it really takes to get escape velocity without losing the personal touch that made customers trust you in the first place. 

Kevin explains what a fractional VP of Sales does in practical terms: codifying the way you already sell so it becomes teachable, repeatable, and measurable. We dig into the three ways a leads problem shows up (not enough leads, too many leads, or the wrong leads) and why fixing sales messaging often matters more than chasing new tactics. His advice is blunt and useful: stop selling the product you have and start selling the problem you solve, in the value terms your customer cares about. 

From there, we get into sales operations and the “systems and controls” mindset that turns guesswork into a real process. Kevin shares how a sales playbook and a well-used CRM help you keep score, prioritize, and build a sales motion that can survive hiring and growth. We also talk about modern B2B selling in a post-COVID, AI-enabled world, the power of referral networks in a city like Cincinnati, and the resources Kevin runs, including Two Tall Guys Talking Sales and the B2B Sales Lab community. 

If you want your business to run with less stress and more consistency, listen through to the end and connect with Kevin. Subscribe, share this with a founder who’s stuck as the only seller, and leave a review so more local business owners can find the show.

Your garage is probably the door you use most, but does it feel like the worst room in the house? We sit down with Brad Miller, owner of Ideal Garage Solutions, to talk about why “the garage is the new foyer” and what it takes to turn an average, cluttered, stained space into something you actually want to walk through. If you’ve been searching for garage renovation, garage organization, garage cabinets, or garage flooring in the Cincinnati area, this conversation lays out what a truly finished garage can look like and how it changes everyday life.

Brad shares how he stepped into ownership, why staying non-franchise matters to him, and what makes his team’s approach different when they handle projects from the ground to the ceiling. We dig into finishes and durability, including broadcast flake style floors designed to stand up to salt, solvents, and real family use, plus cabinetry built for garage humidity and temperature swings. Along the way, you’ll hear what surprises homeowners most once the transformation is complete, especially when the garage becomes bonus entertaining space or a clean, functional landing zone.

We also tackle the big misconception that trips people up: DIY epoxy kits. Brad explains why a coating is basically a long-term “tattoo on your house,” why peeling happens, and why the right prep and process matter more than a tempting box-store price tag. Listen, share this with a neighbor planning a garage makeover, and subscribe and leave a review so more local business stories like this reach the people who need them.

Most people shop for a builder or a floor plan and only then wonder if they “need” an architect. We flip that thinking with Cincinnati architect Alexander Christoforidis of Synthesis Architecture, who explains why the right architect doesn’t just make something look good, they protect your time, your comfort, and your budget for the next 30 to 40 years. If you’ve ever assumed architectural services are an expensive add-on, his breakdown of long-term energy, maintenance, and upgrade costs will change how you run the math. 

Alexander shares the story behind Synthesis Architecture, from launching the firm after the retirement of a prominent local architect to building a practice that stays intentionally small and relationship-driven. We talk about the questions great architects ask before design begins: how you actually use your home, what you love about being there, how your family might change, and how to plan for sustainability without sacrificing warmth or livability. He also highlights the firm’s range, including modern residential architecture, small commercial design for local businesses, and his specialty in Orthodox Christian church architecture. 

Because Alexander also runs architecture co-op programs at the University of Cincinnati, we dig into what upcoming architects must learn to be truly competent, from zoning and building codes to construction documents, client agreements, and the realities of running a practice. We even touch on how BIM and AI in architecture are reshaping workflows, and why fundamentals like clarity, communication, and good judgment still matter most. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a neighbor planning a project, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

Strength sounds simple until you try to define it, measure it, and build it on purpose. Deborah Coviello sits down with Lucas Schroeder, owner of Starting Strength Cincinnati, to get past fitness noise and talk about what actually helps people become stronger in real life. Lucas runs a barbell-based strength training gym in West Chester Township, just north of Cincinnati, where every session is individually coached and progress is tracked like it matters because it does. 

Lucas shares his own pivot from a long career in manufacturing and operations leadership to opening a gym after Starting Strength helped him add muscle and ease the back and knee pain he once accepted as normal. From there, we dig into some of the biggest fitness myths: why bands and light dumbbells often don’t create enough stress to drive adaptation, why “heavy” is always relative to the person, and why barbell training is not just for young athletes. He also tackles the worries people bring through the door: “I’m too old,” “I have a joint replacement,” and the classic fear that women who lift will suddenly look like a bodybuilder. 

We connect strength training to the outcomes most people want: better health, stronger bones and improved bone density, more capability in daily tasks, improved longevity, and yes, aesthetics. Lucas explains why strength can be the “silver bullet” that touches all four and why the right coaching environment makes it accessible from teens to older adults. If you’re searching for strength training in Cincinnati, starting a barbell program, or looking for a gym that prioritizes coaching over chaos, this conversation gives you a clear starting point. 

If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who says they’re “too old,” and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. What’s one thing you’d do more confidently if you were stronger?

Stiff hips. A “weird” feeling in your body. Needing to sit down just to put on a sock. A lot of us label these as normal aging, then quietly lower our expectations for what our bodies can do. I sit down with Kim Nartker, The Stretch Mobility Coach, to challenge that story and replace it with something far more hopeful: healthy movement is trainable, recoverable, and worth protecting long before pain turns into an orthopedic surgery conversation.

Kim brings decades of experience from physical therapy and orthopedics, working around the world of rehab and surgeons. What changed for her was seeing the same pattern again and again: people show up already broken. So she took her work upstream, focusing on the movement system itself, including joint mobility, control, and the way muscles “turn on” to support real-world motion. We dig into the biggest misconceptions she sees, why stretching and strengthening alone often fail, and how small signs in your 40s and 50s can point to bigger problems later if you ignore them.

We also get practical with a client story: a client a with stubborn calf spasms who tried PT, chiropractic care, massage, and stretching without lasting results. Kim explains how restoring motion in the foot and ankle changed everything, helping him return to soccer and long-distance walking. If you care about mobility, injury prevention, aging well, and staying active in Cincinnati and beyond, this conversation will give you a clearer map for what to do next.

Subscribe for more local business stories with real expertise, share this with someone who keeps saying “I’m just getting old,” and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. What movement do you want to get back?