Good Neighbor Podcast: Pittsburgh

E122: Finding Balance in Hormones, Weight Loss, Sleep and Mood: A Conversation with Kate Kelleher

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514313/fan_mail/new] What makes Kate Kelleher with BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss a good neighbor? Your body didn’t “lose willpower” after 40, it likely changed the rules. If you’re exercising, eating well, and still dealing with stubborn weight, low energy, poor sleep, or a shorter fuse than you remember, the real driver may be metabolism and hormones, not effort. We sit down with Kate Kelleher, owner of BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss in the Pittsburgh area, to talk about what happens during peri and postmenopause and why hormone imbalance can make the scale feel glued in place. Kate explains how stress becomes chemistry through cortisol, how physical stressors like under-sleeping, over-training, pain, and even restrictive dieting can keep the body stuck, and why understanding that connection can be a turning point for how you care for yourself. We also get into a timely misconception: not all weight loss is good weight loss. With so much attention on medications and appetite suppression, Kate makes the case for protecting muscle, supporting the body’s natural balance, and using an individualized plan that includes food, targeted supplements, relaxation, and coaching rather than internet trends. You’ll also hear how BeBalanced attracts clients through referrals and education, plus how a complimentary consultation can offer clarity on what’s happening and what to do next. If you’re in Pittsburgh, Kate shares where to find their locations and how to learn more at bebalancecenters.com. Subscribe for more conversations with local experts, share this with a friend who feels stuck, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. To learn more about BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss go to:  https://bebalancedcenters.com/ [http://eastendhandy.com/] BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss  (724) 690-0002

E121: Meet Your Reliable Resource for Repairing Pittsburgh Homes: East End Handyman Company

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514313/fan_mail/new] What makes Patrick Goncalves McLaren with East End Handyman Company a good neighbor?   “Handyman” shouldn’t mean guesswork, cash-only vibes, or being told “don’t worry about it” while someone disappears into your walls. We’re joined by Patrick Goncalves McLaren from East End Handyman Company- a Regent Square based Pittsburgh handyman service built around professionalism, clear communication, and work that holds up long after the tools are packed away. Patrick shares his winding path from software engineering to home repairs and remodeling, including the mindset shift that comes from learning to fix what you have, and refusing to "gate-keep" basic home maintenance knowledge. We talk about what he can handle day to day, why some projects can be quoted from photos while others need a deeper look, and how Pittsburgh’s aging housing stock makes honesty and detail even more important. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed hiring help for a light fixture swap, drywall repair, or even a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, this conversation offers a calmer, clearer way to think about it. We also dig into the surprisingly simple marketing that keeps his schedule full: neighborhood focused outreach, community visibility, Google reviews, and an updated website, plus the practical reason he tries to keep jobs close to home. And for anyone who loves old houses, you’ll hear why he prefers repairing and restoring character over automatically replacing everything, including the kind of quirky vintage features you only find in classic Pittsburgh homes. If you enjoy meeting trustworthy local businesses, subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review so more homeowners can find the show. To learn more about East End Handyman Company go to:  http://eastendhandy.com [http://eastendhandy.com] East End Handyman Company (412)-339-8369 [tel:(412)-339-8369]

E120: How Terina Hicks Turned a Family Peach Cobbler Recipe Into a Bakeshop Icon

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514313/fan_mail/new] What makes Terina Hicks with CobblerWorld  a good neighbor?   A layoff can end a chapter or start a new one, and Terina Hicks chose the second path. We talk with the founder of CobblerWorld about how a love of old-fashioned desserts and a family peach cobbler tradition grew into a Pittsburgh bakery brand that keeps people coming back. If you have ever searched for a grab and go bake shop in Pittsburgh, wondered what it takes to build a loyal customer base, or dreamed of turning your baking into a real small business, Terina’s story is packed with real-world lessons. We get into the craft side too: why baking is not “easy,” how precise measurements separate flat cakes from perfect ones, and how experimentation leads to signature items like sweet potato cheesecake and other creative flavors. Terina also shares a key business insight that changed her menu strategy: not everyone likes cooked fruit, so expanding into pound cakes, cheesecakes, banana bread, pineapple zucchini bread, key lime pie, and more helped CobblerWorld serve more tastes while still honoring its roots. Marketing matters, and Terina breaks down one of the fastest ways she built visibility: working farmers markets repeatedly until customers recognized her name and trusted the product. We also talk about life beyond the oven, including music, travel, and the personal resilience behind continuing as a one-woman operation. By the end, you will know what Terina wants every customer to remember: the work comes from passion, and it shows in every bite, whether you visit her Pittsburgh locations or spot CobblerWorld treats at local retailers. If you enjoy conversations with local business owners, Pittsburgh food stories, and practical entrepreneurship advice, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. To learn more about CobblerWorld  go to:  http://cobblerworld.com/ [http://cobblerworld.com/] CobblerWorld  412.584.2105 [tel:0123456789]

E119: How Brian Miller Turned Dancing in the Club to DJing Weddings Near & Far

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514313/fan_mail/new] What makes Brian Miller with Steel Millz Entertainment a good neighbor?   Most people think a DJ’s job is to press play and keep the dance floor packed. The truth is a great mobile DJ is also the person quietly steering the timeline, reading the room, and saving the night when plans change without warning. That’s why we sat down with Brian Miller from Steel Millz Entertainment, a Pittsburgh-area traveling DJ who brings wedding and event entertainment to clients across the region, even hours from home.  Brian shares how he got started, going from spending nights dancing in clubs to buying equipment and jumping into DJing headfirst. We unpack the myths that come from TV and radio and talk about the real craft behind professional DJ services, especially at weddings where structure matters. From introductions to key moments like walking down the aisle, the details can’t be left to chance, and Brian explains how the right music at the right time keeps everything feeling natural.  We also get practical about the booking side of the business: how a wedding DJ or party DJ gets found online through a website and platforms like Thumbtack, what clients ask for, and how playlists really work. Brian breaks down the balance between a couple’s must-play songs and the go-to selections that help maintain energy across generations of guests. His biggest focus stays the same throughout: make every event personal, stay flexible, and work with people to make the night run smoothly.  If you’re planning a wedding, graduation, or private party and searching for a Pittsburgh DJ who can travel, this conversation will help you know what to ask and what great service sounds like. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this with a friend planning an event, and leave a review with your number one must-play song. To learn more about Steel Millz Entertainment go to:  http://www.steelmillzentertainment.com/ [https://www.steelmillzentertainment.com/] Steel Millz Entertainment Contact Form [https://www.steelmillzentertainment.com/contact]

E118: Preservation Over Replacement: Saving Century-Old Windows in Pittsburgh with Allegheny Designs

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2514313/fan_mail/new] What makes David Flannery with Allegheny Designs a good neighbor?   Ever wonder why those wavy-glass, wood-framed windows in older homes refuse to quit? We sit down with David Flannery of Allegheny Designs to uncover the surprising truth: the classic double-hung window was essentially perfected in the 19th century, built from dense old growth wood that shrugs off insects and weather, and designed for natural ventilation long before air conditioning. David shares how careful restoration- using spring bronze weatherstripping and traditional glazing putty- brings century-old sash back to life for another hundred years without sacrificing authenticity. We dig into the myths pushed by the replacement window industry and explain why many modern units are a short-term fix compared to properly repaired originals. David walks us through what homeowners should look for, from failing putty to surface checks that seem scary but are often cosmetic. He also reveals how a simple airflow trick- raising the bottom sash and lowering the top- can cool a house and cut reliance on mechanical systems. Beyond the craft, we talk about the surge in demand, multiyear waitlists, and the growing, collaborative network of restoration pros across the country, including many women-led shops setting the standard for quality and mentorship. You’ll come away with practical insight on preserving architectural character, improving comfort, and making smarter, more sustainable choices for your home. If you’ve ever faced the decision to replace or restore, this conversation offers a clear, values-driven roadmap. Listen now, then subscribe, share with a neighbor who loves historic homes, and leave a review so more people can find the show. To learn more about Allegheny Designs go to:  https://www.alleghenydesigners.com/ [https://www.alleghenydesigners.com/] Allegheny Designs (412) 694-8269 E: david@restoringwindows.com