Lauren Lewis sits down with Darnell Epps, founder of Thurgood, for a conversation that is both inspiring and incredibly real. 

Darnell shares his journey from growing up in New York City, facing early challenges, and eventually working his way to Cornell and Yale Law School. But what makes his story stand out is what happened next. Instead of following a traditional legal path, he made a decision most people would never consider. He enrolled in trade school while still in law school.  

That experience opened his eyes to a much bigger problem. There is a huge gap between skilled workers and the opportunities available to them, and not enough tools to connect the two. 

That is where Thurgood comes in. 

Together, Lauren and Darnell talk about: 

• Why more people are starting to take careers in the trades seriously 

• The gap between education, training, and real job opportunities 

• What made him step outside the traditional path and take a risk 

• The challenges of building a tech platform from scratch 

• Why exposure and awareness matter for younger students 

• How Thurgood helps people actually show their skills, not just list them 

• The importance of community, mentorship, and second chances 

• What it really looks like to build something while learning on the fly 

Darnell also shares how Thurgood is helping students create portfolios, connect with employers, and build real career paths in industries that are in high demand. 

This episode is a great reminder that success does not always follow a straight line. Sometimes the best opportunities come from doing something completely different. 

• Connect with Darnell Epps & Thurgood 

Website: thurgood.work 
Email: [email protected] 
LinkedIn: Darnell Epps 

• Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

Website: staffbuffalo.com 
More Episodes: staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Christine Mathieu, B. Msc., CMC®, Wealth Coach and Certified Money Coach at Note Advisors, for a conversation that goes way beyond numbers and into how we actually think and feel about money. 

Christine shares her journey from spending 20 years as a financial advisor to shifting into wealth coaching after realizing something important – logic alone does not drive financial decisions. A lot of the time, fear is what takes over. 

Together, Lauren and Christine talk through: 

• Why our relationship with money starts earlier than we think 

• How fear and past experiences shape financial decisions 

• The difference between financial planning and wealth coaching 

• Why mindset plays such a big role in how we handle money 

• What scarcity vs. abundance really looks like in everyday life 

• How slowing down decisions can lead to better outcomes 

• The connection between money, identity, and self-worth 

• Why money is not just about numbers, but about behavior 

Christine also explains how she works alongside financial advisors to support clients in a different way. While advisors focus on the numbers, her focus is on the person behind them and what is driving their decisions. 

This episode is a reminder that money is not just a financial topic. It is personal, emotional, and often tied to experiences we may not even realize are influencing us. 

If you have ever felt stressed, unsure, or stuck when it comes to money, this conversation will give you a different perspective.

💼 Connect with Christine Mathieu 

Website: noteadvisor.com 
LinkedIn: Christine Mathieu 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

Website: staffbuffalo.com 
More Episodes: staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Sheri Scavone, CEO of the WNY Women’s Foundation, for a conversation that is honest, eye-opening, and incredibly relevant right now. 

Sheri shares her journey from healthcare and public health into nonprofit leadership, and how that path led her to focus on advocacy, data, and driving real change for women and families across Western New York. 

They get into some big topics, including: 

• Why childcare is one of the biggest barriers facing working families 

• How the current system is failing both parents and providers 

• The reality of women leaving the workforce at higher rates 

• What the data actually shows about pay gaps and opportunity 

• How policy, culture, and systems all play a role in equity 

• The impact of programs like education-to-employment pathways 

• Why representation and leadership still matter more than ever 

Sheri also talks about how the WNY Women’s Foundation uses data to guide everything they do, from advocacy to program development, and why pairing real stories with real numbers is what drives change. 

This conversation touches on work, family, leadership, and the everyday decisions people are forced to make just to keep moving forward. 

If you are a business leader, a working parent, or just someone trying to understand what is really going on in today’s workforce, this episode is worth your time. 

💼 Connect with WNY Women’s Foundation 

Website: wnywomensfoundation.org 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

Website: staffbuffalo.com 
More Episodes: staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

In this episode, Lauren Lewis visits ACSI and sits down with James Brand, President, and Kristen Huffcut, Senior Relationship Manager, to discuss the complexities of retirement plans and why many employers struggle to manage them. 

ACSI is a third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in retirement plan compliance, administration, and support for small and mid-sized businesses. Their team helps companies navigate the legal, operational, and regulatory requirements behind retirement plans so business owners can focus on running their organizations. 

Lauren, James, and Kristen discuss: 

• What a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) actually does 

• Why retirement plans are becoming more complex 

• The impact of legislation like Secure 2.0 and New York Secure Choice 

• Why many companies run into compliance problems 

• The role of TPAs in fixing plan issues and avoiding costly penalties 

• Why local expertise and real relationships matter in retirement planning 

• How retirement benefits help companies attract and retain talent 

• The importance of proactive guidance instead of reactive problem-solving 

James also shares his unique career journey, from working in finance in New York City, to returning to Buffalo and eventually becoming President of ACSI. 

Kristen explains how her experience working with retirement plans from the advisor side led her to join the ACSI team and help businesses deliver a true white-glove service experience to their employees. 

If you’re a business owner, HR professional, or financial advisor navigating retirement plan compliance and employee benefits, this episode breaks down the pain points behind retirement planning and how to solve them. 

💼 Connect with ACSI 

Website: https://acsi-ny.com/ 
Email: [email protected] 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

Website: staffbuffalo.com 
More Episodes: staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Carmelo Morreale, Owner and Partner of Metrodata Services, a nationally accredited pre-employment screening company based in Buffalo, NY. 

Carm shares his journey from starting as an intern in 2009 to eventually purchasing the company with his business partner in 2022. What started as “just a job” turned into a career rooted in accountability, compliance, and community. 

Together, Lauren and Carm discuss: 

• The pain points of buying the business you once worked for 

• What national accreditation really means in the background screening industry 

• Why transparency matters — with clients and with your team 

• The real cost of a bad hire (and why screening matters more than ever) 

• Automation, compliance, and how the industry has evolved 

• The importance of consent, privacy, and doing things the right way 

• How strong partnerships (in business and with clients) drive growth 

• Building a team culture rooted in accountability and service

They also dive into the nuances of pre-employment screening, from drug testing to international checks to continuous monitoring. They explain why education and customer service are just as important as the report itself.

If you’re a business owner, HR leader, or hiring manager, this episode offers a practical and honest look at what happens behind the scenes before someone joins your team, and why it matters.

💼 Connect with Metrodata Services & Carm Morreale 

• Website: https://www.metrocheck.com 

• LinkedIn: Carmelo Morreale 

• Social: Metrodata Services 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com 

• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Angela Hall, PhD, CFP, Senior Advisor at Note Advisors, for a refreshing and honest conversation about financial literacy, career pivots, and making money conversations less scary, and a lot more human. 

Angela shares her nontraditional path into finance, starting her career in biology and education before finding her calling as a financial advisor. With more than 15 years of experience, a PhD in Leadership and Policy, and a passion for teaching, Angela has built a career around helping individuals, families, and business owners truly understand their finances, not just manage them. 

Together, Lauren and Angela discuss: 

• The pain points of switching careers and trusting the process

• Why financial literacy is missing and desperately needed 

• How intimidation keeps people from asking financial questions 

• Making finance approachable through education, humor, and real-life examples 

• Helping women feel confident in financial decision-making 

• Supporting business owners with employee retention and benefits 

• Why financial wellness matters just as much as compensation 

• Navigating TikTok advice, AI, and misinformation around money 

• The importance of trust, accessibility, and long-term relationships 

Angela also shares how she works closely with HR leaders and business owners to support employees through education, retirement planning, and real-world financial challenges, meeting people where they are, without judgment. 

This episode is packed with insight, warmth, and practical wisdom for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by money conversations or wondered if they were “behind.” 

💼 Connect with Note Advisors & Angela Hall 

• Website: https://www.noteadvisor.com 

• LinkedIn: Angela Hall 

• Email: [email protected] 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com 

• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Christina Pearl, Corporate Director of Communications at Horizon Health Services, for an inspiring conversation about purpose-driven work, mental health advocacy, and the power of connection. 

Christina shares her journey of returning to Buffalo after college, finding her way through nonprofit board service, and ultimately building Horizon’s communications and marketing function from the ground up. Over her 15+ years with the organization, she’s helped Horizon grow from a few hundred employees to nearly 1,000, all while keeping people, culture, and care at the center of the mission. 

Together, Lauren and Christina discuss: 

• The pain points of not knowing your career path, and leaning into learning 

• Why joining boards and committees can open unexpected doors 

• How Horizon supports mental health and substance use care across Western New York 

• The importance of internal culture and employees as brand ambassadors 

• Normalizing conversations around mental health and addiction 

• How storytelling builds trust, reduces stigma, and saves lives 

• Collaborating with community partners to expand access to care 

• Why connection, not perfection, is the foundation of leadership 

Christina also shares powerful stories about community partnerships, family-led advocacy, and Horizon’s 50-year legacy of meeting people where they are. This episode is a reminder that meaningful careers are built through curiosity, compassion, and showing up for others. 

💼 Connect with Horizon Health Services & Christina Pearl 

• Website: https://horizon-health.org/ 

• LinkedIn: Christina Pearl 

• Email: [email protected] 

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast 

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com 

• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints 

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Amy Gurske, Founder of sayhii, for a powerful and deeply human conversation about burnout, fear, self-worth, and what happens when you finally choose your health over expectations.

Amy shares her journey from spending 17 years in corporate America, to hitting a breaking point that led to a life-changing decision she calls a “midlife resign.” From glass ceilings and unmanaged stress to a health scare that forced her to stop and reset, Amy opens up about the moments that ultimately led her to build sayhii, a tech platform designed to help organizations truly listen to and support their people.

Together, Lauren and Amy discuss:

• The pain points of burnout and unmanaged workplace stress
• What it means to choose yourself, even when it’s terrifying
• How fear drives so many workplace behaviors
• Why autonomy, trust, and honest communication matter more than control
• The importance of work-life balance (and how easily it disappears)
• How sayhii checks in with employees daily, and why that matters
• Using technology to reconnect humans, not replace them
• Leadership accountability, real-time data, and supporting employees before they leave
• Why awareness, ownership, and boundaries are essential to wellbeing

This episode is raw, reflective, and incredibly relatable for anyone who has ever felt stuck, unseen, or overwhelmed at work, and wondered if there might be another way.

💼 Connect with sayhii & Amy Gurske

• Website: ⁠https://sayhii.io/⁠
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: Amy Gurske

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com⁠
• Episodes: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints⁠
• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Justin Cuviello and Kyle Cuviello, brothers and co-owners of Care Team Solutions, a national healthcare staffing agency based in Buffalo, NY. Their story is packed with grit: from taking a leap of faith after careers in pharmaceutical and software sales, to launching a staffing firm from scratch, to growing through COVID, and surviving the steepest downturn their industry has ever faced.

Together, we dive into:

• How Care Team Solutions grew from a small start-up into a national brand
• The pain points of starting a staffing agency with no roadmap

• Why recruiting is truly a sales job

• Riding the COVID rollercoaster: explosive growth followed by a massive correction

• Their “hire for character, train for skill” philosophy

• The importance of culture, purpose, and keeping the right people in the right seats

• Their expansion into physician recruiting, locums, and clinical research

• How they use AI as a tool, not as a replacement for human connection

• Why travel nurses stay loyal when recruiters actually listen and support them

• The mental health, financial, and career resources they now provide travelers

Justin and Kyle are honest, thoughtful, and refreshingly transparent about the lessons they’ve learned over 11 years of building a business. If you’re in staffing, healthcare, sales, orentrepreneurship — this is a must-listen.

Connect with Care Team Solutions

• Website: ⁠https://careteamsolutions.com⁠

• Job Board: via their website

• Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com

• ⁠Episodes: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints⁠

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

This week, Lauren Lewis sits down with Brittany Frey, Co-Founder of Hays Frey PR, for an honest, funny, and powerful conversation about crisis communications, entrepreneurship, and navigating life when everything feels upside down.

Brittany shares her full story — from agency grind, to in-house roles, to losing her job during COVID, to launching a PR firm in the middle of a lawsuit, raising young kids, and still finding time to give back in a huge way through Girls on the Run.

Together, Lauren and Brittany dive into:

• The pain points of starting a PR firm under pressure
• What crisis communications really looks like behind the curtain
• Why transparency matters more than ever in PR
• How the Baldoni–Lively case changed the communications landscape
• The importance of having the right people around you — legally, professionally, personally
• How Brittany balances motherhood, leadership, and community work
• The power of Girls on the Run, mentorship, and confidence building for young girls
• Why sometimes you just need to “put your shoes on and run” — literally and figuratively

This episode is raw, inspiring, and full of truth about entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding your footing again when life knocks you sideways.

Connect with Brittany Frey & Hays Frey PR

• Website: https://www.haysfreypr.com/
• LinkedIn: Brittany Frey Napierala | LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com
• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints
• Social: @StaffBuffalo on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube