Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

We sure are glad you’ve joined us today, that you’ve carved out some time to hear about what’s going right in our communities, about the love and compassion existing within them. And today’s guest is the embodiment of these ideals. She has (literally) dedicated her life to helping others, to showing love to others, to providing hope to others…and she has been doing so for decades. 

Her name is Sue Fazzini or Sister Sue. She is a Benedictine Sister - a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. And, yinzers, she is a glowing example of what just being kind and showing compassion can do. What it can do for individuals and what it can do for communities. You’re going to hear about her journey from growing up just outside of Pittsburgh to what she is doing now, the breadth of which is remarkable and inspiring. You’re about to hear a beautiful conversation about love, respect, generosity, and giving back. Oh, and you’re gonna hear a lot of laughter too.

Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh: https://www.osbpgh.org/

Hello Baby:  https://www.hellobabypgh.org/

Pittsburgh Cares:  https://www.hellobabypgh.org/

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

***

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Get ready, yinzers, because there is a whole lot of compassion and goodness coming your way...

If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you most likely remember our friends at Babb, Inc. –Russell Livingston, specifically -  and their Mission Madness, which is their creative and philanthropic take on the NCAA March Madness bracket. Their mission provides all of us the chance to win big and give back to a local charity.

Tressa had the honor and joy of sitting down with Russell and his team, and four local nonprofit leaders who are past recipients of Mission Madness’ generosity:

• Kevin Platz from Focus on Renewal

• Denise Martin from Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber & their Educational Foundation

• Alyssa Ellis from The Bradley Center 

• Jordan Shoenberger from Abiding Missions

Learn more & Register for MISSION MADNESS: www.babbins.com/missionmadness

Focus on Renewal: https://forstorox.org/

PNRC Educational Foundation: https://pghnorthchamber.com/community/educational-foundation/

The Bradley Center: https://thebradleycenter.org/

Abiding Missions: https://www.abidingmissions.org/

Watch Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

–

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Tressa recently received an email from author KD Schnee that read, in part:

Hi,

I wanted to share a local Pittsburgh family story...

My mother, Barbara Bedner of Springdale, invented a timid rabbit named Yabbit the Rabbit decades ago to help me face fear and hesitation as a child. She always hoped it would become a children’s book, but never felt confident enough to write it.

When she passed from Alzheimer’s in 2024, I decided to finish the story for her, even though by the time I began writing, she could no longer remember the character she created.

That promise became my debut picture book, The Rabbit in the Moon.

If this story might resonate with your audience, I’d love to share more...

Well, dear yinzers, we're sure you know what happened next: Tressa happily invited KD to be a guest - and that's the conversation you'll be hearing today.

KD Schnee's The Rabbit in the Moon picture book helps children face fears and feel brave, one small hop at a time. It helps kids build courage, confidence, and emotional growth. In this heartfelt conversation, you're going to hear a warm, candid, and emotional journey of a son navigating his way to honor and pay tribute to his mom and the lessons she taught him. How she inspired him to always try - to take tiny, brave hops. And now, he is paying those lessons forward to children all over the world.

Yabbit the Rabbit website:  https://www.yabbitrabbit.com

Yabbit the Rabbit on IG: @rabbityabbit

Youtube Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@YabbitRabbit

• The why - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EsGt8S3b84

• The call - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEavaNdFUZ0

• Death - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esUzgSkaKQM

• Coincidence - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GtiPnuRf-jk

Watch Tressa Tries…DICK’S House of Sport on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠DICK’S Sporting Goods⁠ — your one-stop shop to get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for all Pittsburgh families — every season starts at DICK’S.

–

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Our guest today reached out to us from the other side of the country - from Idaho, to be exact - and boy, are we glad he did.

Let’s start with this: our guest's work has been recognized on Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor, CNN Heroes (where he was a Top 10 finalist!), NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Good Morning America, The Today Show, People Magazine, and even American Ninja Warrior. His name is Luke Mickelson and his work is the nonprofit, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP).

What began as a single act of kindness has grown into a global nonprofit with a simple but powerful mission: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”. Today, SHP has more than 400 chapters across 47 U.S. states and 4 countries. They build  beds for kids who need them and wait until you hear how many beds they have made to date…it is astounding. 

Tressa had the great joy and honor of chatting with Luke via Zoom (she couldn’t quite make it over to Idaho). This is a conversation about taking care of one another, about how listening to your inner voice - your gut - can propel you to new and unexpected chapters of your life, and about how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities can literally change the lives of strangers. 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP): https://shpbeds.org/

Sleep in Heavenly Peace on IG: @shpbeds 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace on FB: @Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Watch Tressa Tries…DICK’S House of Sport on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

This episode is brought to you by ⁠DICK’S Sporting Goods⁠ — your one-stop shop to get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for all Pittsburgh families — every season starts at DICK’S.

–

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

A quick note from Tressa: This episode is dropping on January 26, 2026 amidst tumultuous times for many of us – and not just here in the United States. I know our listeners from around the world are going through difficult times as well. So I just wanted to take a minute…It’s uplifting that you’re listening in today - that you’re tuning in to hear the GOOD that people are doing for one another. Because they sure are, even though it’s not what’s plastered on the news, on our TV screens, and on our social media feeds. These stories are just as real. Empathy, generosity, kindness, and love are just as real. Though that’s a challenge in itself, isn’t it? Navigating life knowing that these opposites exist side-by-side? But…the folks featured on this show, episode in and episode out, are our guides to the constant good, and can serve as our inspiration to recognize our own unique gifts that can be used to build community and to help those in need. It is my honor to be the bearer of all of this GOODness. Thank you for being here.

Tressa has the joy of welcoming Tim Lydon back to the show - yinz will remember him from Episode 122. Tim is the Co-founder of Harmony Dog Rescue and the recently-named Team Lead for The Street Dog Coalition Pittsburgh. Harmony Dog Rescue provides safe homes for dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, domestic violence or medical emergencies. And what makes them even more amazing is that their mission includes “loving both ends of the leash” - they aim to address the needs of the human, as well as the canine. The Street Dog Coalition is a national organization whose mission is to provide free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness. 

Harmony Dog Rescue: https://www.harmonydogrescue.org/

The Street Dog Coalition: https://www.thestreetdogcoalition.org/pittsburgh-pa

Watch Tressa Tries…DICK’S House of Sport on YouTube here.

This episode is brought to you by DICK’S Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop to get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for all Pittsburgh families — every season starts at DICK’S.

–

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Are yinz familiar with the new series on Nickelodeon called Play It Forward: Game On? If not, you’re about to be…This unscripted and heartwarming six-episode series follows WNBA champ Renee Montgomery, Emmy-nominated actor (and Nickelodeon alum) Kel Mitchell and YouTube star Jesser, as they go undercover  - joining forces with hometown coaches and parents - to pull off makeovers for under-resourced youth sports teams. It’s the latest project from DICK'S Sporting Goods’ in-house content & production studio, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios. 

Tressa had the great pleasure of sitting down with youth sports expert and Director of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, Kristen Garmey (you’ll remember Garmey from her interview back in Episode 133), and Rebecca Covington, the Sr. Director for Creative Production at DICK'S Sporting Goods. What followed was a fabulous chat about the new series, supporting youth in our communities, and they even spill some behind-the-scenes tea…

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program: https://www.sportsmatter.org/

Cookie Jar and a Dream Studios: https://www.cookiejardream.com/

Play It Forward: Game On - Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-CJ0HI9x0E

Watch Tressa Tries…DICK’S House of Sport on YouTube here.

This episode is brought to you by DICK’S Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop to get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for all Pittsburgh families — every season starts at DICK’S.

–

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Girls Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh is the phenomenal nonprofit that helps girls gain the knowledge and skills to effect positive change in their lives. They are building the new generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders through direct service and advocacy. Tressa had the joy of sitting down with their inspiring CEO, Marissa Escajeda.

Girls Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh: https://girlsincpgh.org/

IG: @girlsincpgh

Facebook: Girls Inc of Greater Pittsburgh

—

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media!

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

This is a fun episode, yinzers! Don makes his triumphant return - it's been a minute, right? But instead of doing the Name That Neighborhood or In Case Yinz Missed It segments, he and Tressa tell us all about a recent opportunity they had to help Pittsburgh community members in need. And they share how you can do the same, no matter where in the world you live.

Also, Tressa chats with Tiff Setzler, Founder of Birthday Toy Drive, about their 2nd annual Keep Warm event, and other drives and events they host throughout the year, benefitting The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh.

Thanks again to Dick’s Sporting Goods for supporting today’s episode. Whether you’re shopping in store or online — Dick’s has everything you need to keep your family active and having fun all season long.

Birthday Toy Drive: https://birthdaytoydrive.fun/

Children’s Home of Pittsburgh: https://www.childrenshomepgh.org/

Freedge: https://freedge.org/---

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media!

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

It's our annual late-night-talk-show-meets-TV-Christmas-special! We're bringing you good news, community connection and a whole lot of holiday spirit...

Recorded at the Greer Cabaret Theatre Lounge in Pittsburgh's Cultural District on Monday, December 8th, 2025.

• Our featured guests who are affecting positive change in our communities:
  *Kendra Whitlock Ingram - President, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
  *Tabitha Bowser - Executive Director,  Run With Heart Foundation
  *Lateresa Blackwell - Women's Shelter Manager, Light of Life Rescue Mission
  *Bonnie DeMotte - Executive Director, Second Harvest
  *Tim Smith - CEO, Center of Life
  *Mike and Denise Munson - Founders, Emma Munson Foundation

Special thanks to our generous sponsors: DICK'S Sporting Goods, KeyBank, Flour Power, The Baker Family, The Lawrenceville Corporation, and Punch Pgh.

This episode is brought to you by Dick’s Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop for holiday gifts that get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for every Pittsburgh family — every holiday season starts at Dick’s.

—

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media!

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Boy did we have fun with this episode…

We (Tressa, Don, and videographer Michela Hall), got together with our friends and show sponsor, DICK’S Sporting Goods, to set up a recording session at DICK'S House of Sport Pittsburgh. While set up on the main floor of the store/community hub, Tressa chats with Pittsburgh Hardball Academy's Nelson Cooper IV about what’s new with the org and their strong partnership with the DICK’S Foundation. As a reminder, Nelson and Pittsburgh Hardball Academy were featured in Episode 93and again in Episode 124. Nelson is the Co-founder and Executive Director of this youth advocacy organization that enriches the lives of underrepresented youth in the Greater Pittsburgh area via baseball and softball.

And then! Tressa is joined by the delightful Kennedy Ward from DICK’S House of Sport - they talk about building community, about what makes House of Sport more than just a retail store, and about the support that the DICK’S Foundation provides to those dedicated to helping others thrive. 

Pittsburgh Hardball Academy: https://www.pittsburghhardball.org/

IG: @pgh_hardball

Facebook: @Pittsburgh Hardball Academy

DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation 

DICK’S House of Sport

This episode is brought to you by DICK'S Sporting Goods — your one-stop shop for holiday gifts that get everyone moving. From cozy winter gear to fan favorites for every Pittsburgh family — every holiday season starts at Dick’s.

—

⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media!

Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠[email protected].