The Matt Faletra Show

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I sit down for a very informative chat with my Mayor of Beverly, MA. We cover a variety of topics, including solar energy, housing, and electric rail. 

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A lovely chat with Erin Truex, the Executive Director of Beverly Main Streets. Their focus is to promote the downtown area of Beverly, MA. We also discuss the waterfront and the events her group hosts throughout the year. Here is some more information about her group:

Beverly Main Streets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and promoting the downtown area of Beverly, Massachusetts. Its mission is to create a vibrant, thriving city center by supporting local businesses, enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the community, and preserving Beverly’s historic character.

The organization hosts a variety of events throughout the year — such as Arts Fest Beverly, the Downtown Trick-or-Treat, and Beverly’s New Year celebration — all aimed at bringing people together and encouraging foot traffic to local shops, restaurants, and galleries. Beverly Main Streets also works on long-term projects focused on beautification, public art, and smart urban planning to make downtown Beverly a welcoming, walkable, and sustainable destination for residents and visitors alike.

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We had the pleasure of having Andreas Bauermeister, the founder of Hands Off Beverly, on the podcast. HOB is a local organization that protests against the Trump administration and all of its violations against our fellow citizens. The protests take place at Odell Park every Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

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We were extremely lucky to have Kendel Davy, Meghan Fessenden, and Auden Muchnik to talk about the bravest little girl I've ever met.

Riley Bridget Fessenden was born in Beverly, Massachusetts on April 9, 2007. She is the daughter of Todd and Kamie Fessenden and sister to Drew, Meghan, and Daniel Fessenden. Riley wanted to be a preschool teacher when she grew up. She was the most positive little girl and she always had a smile on her face.

Shortly after Riley’s 6th birthday she was diagnosed with stage four Esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the nasal and brain cavities. When Riley was diagnosed the doctors told her parents she had three months to live. After 3 years, 104 radiation treatments, 14 rounds of chemotherapy, too many hospital stays, medications, and blood transfusions, Riley was still fighting with courage and bravery that no child should have to express.

Riley was a cheerleader, softball player, and Irish step dancer. She often went straight from radiation to cheer practice. She spent birthdays, holidays, and multiple fundraisers donating toys, giftcards, and money to the hospitals and organizations that were a part of Riley’s battle. She told her story and did whatever it might take to make others smile.

The summer after Riley turned nine years old she passed away. The impact she made on others is truly remarkable. Days were named after her and parks were created in her memory. Tens of thousands of dollars continue to be raised for cancer research in her honor. Riley became a hero to so many. Riley may have lost her battle but she has taught us that there is always HOPE! 

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I am joined by Dr. Kevin Vu, a talented pain management specialist. We talk about some of the different techniques used and some of the ones I have gotten for my chronic back pain. Being in constant pain is awful, but having a great pain management Doctor can literally be a lifesaver. We also touch on the "pains" caused by insurance companies.

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Matt Faletra: Recording.

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Kevin Vu: You're right.

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Matt Faletra: Hey, everybody! It's Matt for Matt Faletra Show we're on location. So things might look a little goofy. Today. I'm I'm not that technical, and I don't have any engineer, and I'm lost. I'm a baby. I'm a lamb in the woods, you know my engineer so. But I am very lucky to have Dr. Kevin. Vu is it? Vu.

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Kevin Vu: That's right. That's right. You got a 1st try.

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Matt Faletra: And now we were just talking offline, and I could have asked you then, couldn't I?

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Kevin Vu: That's okay. That's okay.

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Matt Faletra: But I didn't, because I'm an idiot. But so the reason why I wanted to have you on is you're a pain management, doctor, and I'm all about pain management, because I have a lot of pain. So why don't we start off by? Tell me, tell me a little bit about yourself where you went to school, and things things like that.

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Kevin Vu: Yeah, yeah, it's been quite a long journey. I'm almost at the end of it. So I actually grew up in Texas.

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Matt Faletra: Oh, whereabouts!

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Kevin Vu: Life there, around Austin.

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Matt Faletra: It's my one of my favorite cities.

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Kevin Vu: It's a great place when it's well. It feels like Austin right now, I should say. Maybe in Boston it's hundreds, but grew up there, you know, went to school in Dallas for my undergraduate degree did a combined program there. So I went straight into Med school right after at Ut Southwestern was lucky enough to again Residency offer up in Boston. I did my training in physical medicine and rehab actually at Spalding.

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Matt Faletra: Well.

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Kevin Vu: Yeah. The Harvard Spalding program was amazing, liked it enough to where I decided to stick around. And now, finishing up a pain fellowship at the Brigham Harvard program. So I'm just really happy that I get to stay in.

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Kevin Vu: Yeah.

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Matt Faletra: Wow! So that's awesome. What? Now, it's funny. My my brother-in-law is a surgeon, and he did his residency over at

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Matt Faletra: over at the Brigham. Yeah. Small world. I've had surgery over at the Brigham, hey? My 1st back surgery was at the Brigham, Dr. John Chi. I don't know.

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Matt Faletra: Oh, yeah, yeah.

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Kevin Vu: Not familiar.

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Matt Faletra: He's very! He's he's. I think he's the head of the department, so I mean he'

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This week we break down the Music and Bar scene since the 90's. My guest this week is Kevin Hallinan, who has been involved in both areas for the last few decades. A great episode to start our series off. Always a special thanks to Jon for running the board and adding some great value to this week's episode.

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