The Good Stuff .518

She wanted to be in the FBI, now she's guiding thousands of girls through their fears and nerves. Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York CEO Brenda Episcopo shares startling details on the epidemic of insecurity and low self-esteem affecting a vast majority of girls today. The good news is there are Girl Scout troop leaders and volunteers working around the country to change that. Find out how.

At just 29 years old, Christian Jones has already become a powerful force for change—and alongside his father, Brian Jones, he’s part of a father-son fundraising team helping the next generation make a remarkable impact.

Together, Christian and Brian share how student-led efforts have raised more than $1 million, supporting blood cancer research while teaching young people how to lead, serve and create meaningful change in their communities.

In this episode of The Good Stuff, we explore what drives this charismatic Capital Region duo, the strategies behind successful fundraising and why exposing kids to leadership and volunteerism can transform their futures. Christian and Brian also open up about overcoming fear, embracing growth and helping young people discover potential they may not yet see in themselves.

For 518 families wondering how to raise confident, compassionate and community-minded kids, this is a conversation filled with inspiration—and proof that young people can accomplish extraordinary things when someone believes in them.

From college graduate to a million dollar earner in record time! Larissa Howley shares her inspiring journey: from starting her first marketing firm at 23 years old, to building a nationwide empire with hundreds of affiliate businesses. She discusses the importance of holding yourself accountable, wealth building, and supporting other women on their own journeys to success.

See Larissa at the 2026 Women + Wealth event in Saratoga Springs on August 25th. More information here: https://sherofund.myflodesk.com/womensequalityday  

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Larissa's journey from college to success
00:22 Starting in direct sales at 22
03:50 Rapid growth and scaling the business
06:13 Earning over $180K in first year
11:22 Building a network of successful entrepreneurs
14:02 Challenges and setbacks in business
15:23 Number of businesses opened and current success rate
16:32 Talent scouting and leadership development
22:54 Wealth building and financial independence
33:15 Advice for women and others starting late in wealth
34:19 Empowerment and self-belief in business
38:13 Reflecting on her early success and motivation
39:20 Surrounding yourself with supporters and mentors

In this episode of The Good Stuff.518, we’re celebrating the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s 160th anniversary—and learning how your family can become part of local history. The YMCA is collecting memories, photographs, stories, achievements and messages for a community time capsule that will remain sealed until 2066.

Can women build wealth with the money they have today?

00:50 Meet Catherine Hover & the Story Behind Palette

01:56 How the Shiro Fund Is Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

05:40 The Inspiration Behind the Women & Wealth Event

09:52 What Every Woman Should Know About Building Wealth

15:16 Bringing Big Opportunities to Saratoga Springs

17:55 Inside the Women & Wealth Experience

21:35 Breaking Down Financial Barriers for Women

26:10 Why Every Woman Should Attend Women & Wealth

This episode is made possible by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.

Behind every finished film is a hundred stories you'll never see. Spencer Sherry shares the stories behind Las Hadas de la Sombra and why making independent films is equal parts chaos, creativity, and heart.

03:15 Building Movie Sets & Creating a Folklore Horror Film

What makes people fall in love with Upstate New York? Gab Small shares how she's using storytelling to showcase small towns, support local businesses, and encourage others to see the region through a new lens.

Chapters:

This episode is brought to you by Girls. Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.

Christine O’Donnell sits down with Darien Rozell of Pantry Hill to talk about ambition, success, and the hard decisions that can lead to something even more meaningful.

After building a brand around sharing her family’s lifestyle, Darien realized she had to make a choice: keep chasing growth, or make space to enjoy the life she had worked so hard to create. Together, Christine and Darien reflect on stepping back, slowing down, and redefining what success really means.

They talk about the pressure ambitious women often feel to keep achieving, the importance of creating a home that reflects who you are, and how giving yourself permission to prioritize what matters can change everything.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction

01:01 The story of hard decisions and their positive outcomes

02:40 The significance of creating a meaningful home environment

04:14 Balancing ambition with family life

08:48 Dealing with grief and loss

10:05 The importance of self-awareness and self-care

12:14 Reconnecting with your authentic self

15:23 Reflecting on life choices and future directions

22:28 The value of creating a home that teaches and inspires

38:44 The significance of afternoon tea and rituals

44:42 Closing thoughts and future outlooks

This episode is brought to you by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.

After 25 years of meeting thousands of people, one thing has become clear: everyone has a story worth telling.

Kristi Gustafson Barlette joins The Good Stuff to share memorable moments from her career, the people who've left a lasting impression, and why she still believes the Capital Region is full of stories waiting to be discovered.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and interviewee background

02:11 The rise of social media and its early days

05:07 Face-to-face communication versus digital interaction

08:15 Handling online negativity and comments

09:39 Memorable career moments and stories

17:34 A fun experience marching in the Macy's Parade

24:42 Long-term connections through social media

33:54 The appeal of living in the capital region

This episode is brought to you by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region.

Storytime with Jamie Parillo of The Saratoga Springs History Museum

Saratoga Springs was once a playground for millionaires, gamblers, and scandals hidden in plain sight. We're joined by Jamie Parillo, Executive Director of The Saratoga Springs History Museum, to dig into the Gilded Age stories must people walk right past today. From the Canfield Casino and its secret gambling signals, to Millionaires' Row at the grand hotels, to mineral springs that were once treated like medicine, we explore the side of Saratoga that was anything but quiet.