Gettin' To Know The 570

In this episode, we hear about the inspiring story of Lori Ogurkis, the woman behind Brandon's Forever Home, a nonprofit dedicated to the advocacy and support of foster children. Listen in as she shares her first-hand experiences with fostering and adoption, driven by a deep-seated passion and unwavering faith, to bring to light the challenges and transformative power of providing loving, stable homes for children in need. We dive into the inception and mission of Brandon's Forever Home, emphasizing the critical need for foster parents, community involvement, and the organization's role in catalyzing change. Named in memory of Brandon, a young boy who passed away in foster care, the nonprofit stands as a testament to the power of love and the collective effort required to ensure every child finds a forever home. Through heartfelt anecdotes and a call to action for support through fostering, volunteering, or donations, Lori looks to inspire a movement of kindness and impactful change, one child at a time.

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In this episode, we have a chat about business ownership within a family setting, centered around the Connell family's journey with Taylor Deli and Cafe. Listen in as Jim, Joanne, Brianna, and Mia share their adventures from pizza making to a diverse menu that pleases the palate with buffalo chicken hoagies, homemade soups, and more. We explore the family's expansion into blending food with fashion through daughter Mia's boutique. Through personal stories, they highlight the challenges and rewards of running a family-owned business, focusing on individual growth, the importance of community, and the innovative spirit driving their venture.

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This episode unveils the journeys of entrepreneurial success and innovative brand-building in the brewery industry. We sat with Steve Masterson, owner of Mutant Brewing, and explored his unique approach to the craft beer scene in downtown Scranton, characterized by its distinctive flavors, NFT-inspired artwork, and a compelling lifestyle brand that transcends traditional brewing. We also got into Steve's personal and professional journey, hearing all about his transition from a conventional career path to embracing his passion for the brewery and restaurant industry.

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In this episode we learn about the impactful work of Fork Over Love, a non-profit based in Luzerne County that addresses food insecurity by connecting struggling residents with chef-prepared meals from local restaurants, ensuring no one goes hungry. Joined by Founder and CEO, Tracy Selingo, we discuss the organization's origin amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, its mission to support both the community and small businesses, and its approach to food distribution. You will also hear about the challenges faced, the importance of community and government support, and the vision for future growth and sustained community upliftment through dignity, compassion, and local engagement.

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We're 'Gettin' To Know' Dan Schreffler, a master mead maker and owner of Space Time Mead and Cider Works, exploring the craft of mead making, its history, and the journey from the corporate world to operating a successful craft beverage business. Listen as we delve into technical aspects such as the chemical components of traditional wines versus meads, local sourcing for ingredients, and the craft of cider-making. Dan shares his personal experiences, from winning competitions to the importance of community within the craft beverage industry. Emphasizing a passion for the craft, quality of life, and the value of slow, steady growth, the essence of what it takes to create high-quality meads and ciders.

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In this episode, we talked all about the adventurous and passionate legacy of the Grasshopper Lawns family business. We explored the journey of the Kravitsky family from its humble origins in the basement of the family home to becoming pioneers in the lawn care industry. With personal anecdotes that include thrilling adventures in skiing and snowmobiling, challenges and triumphs in business innovation, and a persistent dedication to community and customer service. Emphasizing the importance of experiences, the series dives into the family's business strategies, the meaningful selection of their brand's orange color, and the significance of maintaining a balance between work and life's pleasures. Through our discussion, we learned about the vision for continuing the family legacy into future generations.

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In this episode, we talk with Mark and Michelle Yaple of MCS Advertising discussing their entrepreneurial adventure from starting as a side hustle to running a full-time promotional products and brand apparel business in Harvey's Lake, PA. We got to hear all about their networking and marketing strategies, product line expansion, and how they manage working together as a married couple, including personal stories, challenges they've overcome, and the role of technology in their business.
The Yaples share stories about peculiar customer requests and discuss the evolving promotional items landscape which is just the tip of the iceberg in this conversation.

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In this episode, we learned all about Five Mountain Brewing, in Shickshinny, with owners, Brent and Melissa Humm. From its beginnings as a home-based brewery to becoming a thriving local spot, we chat about the brewery's growth, its commitment to the community, and its eclectic offerings. Follow along as we touch on the brewery's origin, the development of a diverse food and beer menu inspired by global travels, and the beer garden. The Humms share their journey of juggling entrepreneurship with day jobs, detailing their various events like comedy nights, Ska music performances, and engaging social media initiatives. Emphasizing a community-centered ethos, the episode highlights the owners' dedication to creating a vibrant, cultural gathering place for locals and tourists alike, showcasing their support for performing artists and the importance of responsible service.

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In this episode, we chat with local author and film historian, Thom Shubilla, on two pretty diverse, but interconnected subjects. Follow along with us as we explore Thom's insights into the '60s pop culture, drawing from his books 'James Bond and the Sixties Spy Craze' and 'Primetime 1966-67', alongside his journey from idea inception to publication, his personal interests, and his role in an upcoming documentary. We also had a great conversation on the impact of AI, discussing the evolution of book writing, AI's limitations in creative fields, the importance of traditional authorship in the era of AI, and the future of book writing.

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In this episode, we sit down with Tom Schoeller. Tom hosts an annual event in Stroudsburg called Pub Tour for a Cure, designed to raise awareness and funds for juvenile diabetes research, specifically supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Tom Schoeller, motivated by his daughter's diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, created the event to foster community spirit by encouraging participants to visit participating bars and restaurants in any order they prefer. Proceeds from event-specific t-shirt sales contribute to the cause. We cover the importance of distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the advances in medical technology for diabetes management, and the personal and community impact of the event. If you want to help out, there are multiple donation avenues and levels of sponsorship, all aiming to involve the broader community and acknowledge the event’s connection to local festivities and the invaluable support of family and sponsors.

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