Rochester Speaks

di Rochester Speaks

Dean Lucas on the 10th and Final Lee Lucas Memorial Poker Run and the Legacy That Lives On

Dean Lucas, founder of the Lee Lucas Memorial Poker Run, joins the show to talk about the 10th and final year of a ride he created in honor of his son Lee, who died of a fentanyl laced heroin overdose in December 2016 at the age of 27. Dean shares Lee's story, what this ride has meant to him and his wife Brenda over the past decade, why proceeds go to Father Tracy's Advocacy Center in Rochester and why unrestricted funding from events like this one makes such a critical difference for people in crisis. The ride is Saturday August 15th, starting at 290 Salt Road with kickstands up at 11am. All riders receive a free Dinosaur BBQ meal. You do not need a motorcycle to participate and you can also join at the end party from 4pm. Buy tickets, sponsor the ride, donate raffle items or find merchandise at leelucasride.com.

22 lug 2026

23:48

Year Round, All Boys and Tuition Free. Vertus Charter School Is Not What Most People Expect.

Julia Locey, CEO, and Stephanie Campanelli, Development Director at Vertus Charter School, join the show to talk about one of Rochester's most distinctive public schools, a tuition free all-boys high school at 21 Humboldt Street built around developing men of character. Julia and Stephanie share what makes Vertus different from both traditional public schools and other charter schools, how the preceptor model creates connection between students and adults, why being year round and diversity focused actually prepares young men better for college and careers, and what a graduate reciting the school creed years later says about the culture they have built. Vertus currently serves between 340 and 360 students and has a higher graduation rate than the Rochester City School District. Programs include barbering, esports and music production alongside competitive athletics as the Warriors. Visit vertusschool.org, stop by 21 Humboldt Street or call 585.747.8911 to schedule a tour.

22 lug 2026

18:16

Food, Dance, Live Music and Karaoke. The Filipino Festival Is Coming to Rochester This Saturday.

Nanette of the Filipino American Association of Rochester joins the show to talk about the very first Filipino Festival in Rochester, happening this Saturday July 25th from 11am to 6pm at Rushwood Barn at 72 West Henrietta Road in Rush. Nanette shares what the Filipino American Association of Rochester has been doing for 55 years, what makes Filipino culture so warm and welcoming, and what attendees can expect this weekend including food trucks serving adobo, pancit and lumpia, cultural and modern dance performances, a live set from the all-Filipino Maoy Band out of Syracuse and a karaoke contest with a cash prize for the winner. The festival is free and open to everyone. The long term goal is to build a community center where all of Rochester's cultures can gather together. Learn more about the Filipino American Association of Rochester and upcoming events at filamroc.org.

22 lug 2026

11:18

No Zip Code Restrictions, No Pre-Packed Bags. The People's Pantry Does Food Differently.

Char Cordone, Executive Director of the People's Pantry at 555 Avenue D in Rochester, joins the show to talk about what food insecurity looks like in our community right now and how the People's Pantry is working to meet a growing and urgent need. Char shares what makes the People's Pantry different from other food pantries, why demand is increasing by about 10 percent every month, what the pantry needs most right now in terms of food donations and volunteers, and what it would actually take to address food insecurity at a deeper level in Rochester. The People's Pantry is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30am to noon and serves all of Monroe County with no zip code restrictions. Volunteers are especially needed this summer. Visit peoples-pantry.org or find them on Facebook to donate, volunteer or learn more.

3 lug 2026

16:23

The Conversation Most People Are Having Behind Closed Doors. Joshua Shea Gets Honest About Porn Addiction.

Joshua Shea, porn addiction and betrayal trauma coach and author, joins the show for a candid and judgment free conversation about one of the most common and least discussed struggles people face today. Joshua shares his own story, the difference between casual use and addiction, why the question of what you are watching matters far less than why, and what the first steps toward recovery actually look like. He also addresses why kids with smartphones in 2026 are at greater risk than any previous generation, and why porn addiction has nothing to do with who you are as a person. Learn more, book a session or explore Joshua's books at thatcorncoach.com.

29 giu 2026

17:15

Disc Golf, Dream Factory and the Penfield Rotary Club. Chris Bull on a Tournament Worth Showing Up For.

Chris Bull, member of the Penfield Rotary Club, joins the show to talk about Chasing Chains for Charity, a disc golf tournament he organized at Shadow Pines Park in Penfield that raised over $6,500 split between the Dream Factory of Rochester and the Rotary Club of Penfield. Chris shares why disc golf made such a natural fit for a charity fundraiser, what the Dream Factory does for critically and chronically ill children in our community and what his own connection to Rotary has meant to him personally. The event is coming back next year and sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more about the Dream Factory of Rochester at dreamfactoryinc.org/rochester and the Penfield Rotary Club at penfieldrotary.org.

26 giu 2026

9:56

What If AI Actually Led to More Human Connection? Chris Bull of Toro Solutions On New Technology & Change Management

Show Notes: Chris Bull, Principal Consultant at Toro Solutions, joins the show to cut through the fear around AI and talk about what change management actually looks like for Rochester businesses navigating new technology. Chris shares what AI agents are and why they are different from the chatbot tools most people think of, what the real opportunity looks like for small and mid-sized businesses, and why he believes the companies and leaders who treat stagnation as the real threat are the ones who will come out ahead. Learn more and start a conversation at torosolution.com or find Torro Solutions on LinkedIn.

26 giu 2026

11:57

From Hacked Phones to Damaged Property. Jennifer Sisson on What Stalking Victims Actually Go Through.

Jennifer Sisson, life coach and founder of Focused on the Future Life Coaching, joins the show to talk about something most people underestimate, how common stalking actually is, what it really looks like in everyday life and how to keep moving forward when it feels impossible. Jennifer shares her own experience as a stalking victim, what the process of documenting and protecting yourself looks like over time, and why she believes coaching and community support are just as important as legal action. She also addresses what most people get wrong about how stalking starts, who it happens to and how long it can go on. If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking or just wants to learn more, reach Jen at focusedonthefuturelifecoaching.com or on Instagram at @jensisson65.

26 giu 2026

18:27

Megan Gaul Lost 100 Pounds Naturally and Kept It Off for Seven Years. Here's What She Learned.

Megan Gaul, weight loss coach and founder of Partake Meal Planning, joins the show to talk about losing 100 pounds naturally, keeping it off for seven years and what she has learned about helping others do the same. Megan shares what actually moved the needle for her, why most people overlook the real habits that are keeping their weight up, what she thinks about GLP-1s, and why the relationship with food matters more than any plan you can download. She also makes a compelling case for why you probably do not have to give up dessert entirely. A free Solve Stress Eating Emergency Kit is available at partakemealplanning.com, where you can also learn more about working with Megan one on one.

26 giu 2026

18:14

Webster Chamber of Commerce Business Of The Month: Susan Tripp Of SMT Mobile Notary

Barry Howard, President and CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and Susan Tripp, founder and owner of SMT Mobile Notary, join the show to celebrate Susan's recognition as the Webster Chamber June Business of the Month. Susan shares the personal story that led her to start SMT Mobile Notary, what the business actually looks like day to day, where she goes and who she serves, and how being an active Webster Chamber member has shaped her success. Barry explains what sets Susan apart and why the chamber recognized her this month. Reach Susan at smtnotary.com, call 585.478.8371 or find her on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the Webster Chamber at websterchamber.com and health insurance enrollment at rocenrollhealth.com.

26 giu 2026

14:56

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