GNY EP.196 | feat. Frank Malfitano Syracuse Jazz Fest

GNY EP.196 | feat. Frank Malfitano Syracuse Jazz Fest

Frank Malfitano Previews the 40th Syracuse International Jazz Fest (July 9–12) Host Matt Masur interviews Frank Malfitano, founder and longtime producer of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, who describes the festival as a free, community-supported labor of love rather than a money-making venture. Malfitano highlights the event’s inclusive “big tent” audience and family-friendly atmosphere, and outlines the 40th anniversary schedule: July 9 at Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center featuring the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note big band; July 10–11 at Beacon Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette with acts including Hijira (Joni Mitchell’s jazz), Dumpstaphunk paying tribute to Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Gunhild Carling, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; and July 12 at SU with a free picnic lunch. Details are at syracusejazzfest.com [http://syracusejazzfest.com]. 00:00 Jazz Joke Cold Open 00:16 Meet Frank Malfitano 01:10 What Is Jazz Fest 02:16 Festival Vibe And Audience 03:23 Opening Night At NVRC 05:55 Beacon Skiff Venue Move 06:55 Friday Night Lineup Highlights 08:10 How They Book Big Acts 09:37 Food And Visiting Syracuse 12:24 Saturday Night Louisiana Party 14:06 Sponsors And Community Legacy 15:21 Dates Website And Farewell

GNY.195 | feat. Ryan McMahon

Micron Project Update: Bechtel, Local Hiring, and Major Investments Coming to Central New York Host Matt Masur interviews Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon about major developments tied to Micron at White Pine Business Park in Clay, including preparation for foundation pours and a roughly $1B initial construction contract leading to vertical construction. McMahon highlights Bechtel as the phase-one builder for two fabs and describes local labor requirements and the project labor agreement prioritizing hiring through union halls before bringing in outside workers, alongside regional training efforts. He also notes major wastewater infrastructure investments, including an industrial project won by Kiewit, and addresses that CHIPS-related benefits are performance-based and tied to job creation. Additional updates include Clay’s $30M community host agreement with Micron, Micron’s $250-per-child boost to federal “Trump Accounts,” TTM Technologies’ expansion, and broader regional momentum in high-tech manufacturing and supply-chain recruitment. 00:00 Construction Oversight Plan 00:23 Welcome to Good News York 01:21 Micron Build Begins 04:20 Local Hiring Commitments 06:47 Tax Incentives Explained 08:52 Clay Host Agreement 12:21 Kids Savings Boost 15:40 Beyond Micron Growth 19:11 Investing in Future Sites 22:04 Wrap Up and Next Steps

GNY EP.194 | feat. Beth Trunfio, CEO of Ronald McDonald House CNY

Ronald McDonald House Central New York: Supporting Families & Christmas in July Host Noah Chrysler interviews Beth Trunfio, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Central New York, about how the organization removes barriers for families with hospitalized children by providing a free home-like stay with amenities such as beds, home-cooked meals, shuttle support, and community among other families, serving those coming from across New York State and beyond for care at Syracuse hospitals like Crouse Hospital’s Level IV NICU and Golisano Children’s Hospital. Beth explains families are referred through hospital providers and social workers, and shares how arriving families often feel immediate relief and support. She highlights the “Christmas in July” donation drive on Thursday, July 23 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and throughout July, including drop-offs and an Amazon wishlist, plus gift cards and practical items. Beth also notes a refreshed brand look, partner programs like a Crouse hospitality cart, volunteer opportunities, and tells a story likening the House’s support to holding an umbrella in a rainstorm. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:25 What Ronald McDonald House Does 01:55 How Families Stay and Get Support 03:30 The Emotional Impact for Families 05:07 How Referrals Work 05:46 Christmas in July Drive 07:21 Drop-Off Details and Website 08:34 Rebrand and New Programs 09:17 A Story That Sticks 11:45 How to Volunteer and Get Involved 12:40 Closing and Sponsor Shoutouts

GNY EP.193 | feat. Keith Brown

Spotlighting Utica’s Small Businesses with Keith Brown (Community Lens Media & Love Living Local 315) Matt Masur of Click Stream Studios interviews Utica-area marketer and content creator Keith Brown about his work promoting positive stories and small businesses through Community Lens Media and Love Living Local 315. Brown explains how he helps mom-and-pop shops—especially local food spots without big marketing budgets—gain visibility by sharing their stories, and how he teaches a monthly “smartphone toolkit” content creation class at Mohawk Valley Community College. He describes starting during COVID by filming simple phone videos highlighting open restaurants, learning editing through “YouTube University,” and growing into a broader network that spotlights people, places, and events, including his “Coach’s Corner” segment. They discuss Utica foods like chicken riggies, the value of collaboration and networking, and where to find Brown on social platforms. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:35 Meet Keith Brown 02:19 Helping Small Businesses 03:17 Utica Food Talk 03:46 Riggis Favorites and Origins 06:08 Love Living Local 315 07:20 Started During COVID 09:30 Positive Content Mission 11:57 Community Lens Media 13:27 Collaboration and Networking 16:49 Where to Find Keith 17:37 Wrap Up and Goodbye

GNY EP.192 | feat. Jeffrey Rogers from Catalyst Leadership Dynamics

Jeff Rogers on Aligning Leaders at Every Level and Leading Through Adversity Host Noah Chrysler interviews Jeff Rogers, founder of Catalyst Leadership Dynamics, about coaching organizations by aligning senior leaders, mid-level managers, and frontline “doers” through what he calls the “trifecta effect.” Rogers says leadership often fails due to assumptions and lack of clear communication around mission, vision, values, SOPs, and KPIs, noting many companies’ documents are missing or outdated. He explains coaching fine-tunes healthy organizations, earns trust, and helps teams embrace change, including unlearning command-and-control habits that make founders bottlenecks. Rogers discusses navigating six generations in today’s workforce by focusing on each group’s strengths and treating people how they need to be treated. He recommends Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.” Rogers shares his own business failure and bankruptcy, emphasizing accountability, resilience, and adapting tenacity. He directs viewers to CatalystLeadershipDynamics.com [http://CatalystLeadershipDynamics.com], and the episode closes with Click Stream Studios and sponsor mentions. 00:00 Why He Does This 00:11 Meet the Guest Jeff Rogers 00:36 Catalyst and the Trifecta Effect 02:18 Leadership Mistake Assumptions 03:45 Fixing Clarity Mission SOP KPIs 08:03 Resistance to Change and Trust 12:21 Unlearn Relearn Learn New 12:47 Founder Bottleneck Command Control 14:38 Continuous Learning Mindset 15:48 Comedy Story Humility to Learn 16:44 Generations at Work 17:46 Turning Bias into Strength 19:20 Leadership Books to Read 20:34 Trust and Hard Conversations 22:23 Platinum Rule Leadership 24:05 Entrepreneur Journey and Collapse 26:17 Accountability After Failure 29:18 Lessons and Tenacity Email 32:14 How to Work with Jeff 33:46 Studio Plug and Farewell