LocalBizCast

LocalBizCast - Episode 92 with guest Jorge Urquiola author of Lessons Learned On My Commute

How One Family Reversed the “Irreversible” | Jorge Urquiola on Autoimmune Disease, Functional Medicine & Hope This episode of LocalBizCast is one of the most emotional, inspiring, and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had to date. Dr. Pete sits down with Jorge Urquiola, author of Lessons Learned From My Commute, to discuss a story that began with fear, uncertainty, and a devastating diagnosis—and evolved into a journey of discipline, healing, faith, and transformation. Jorge grew up in West New York, NJ and spent over 30 years working for major Wall Street banks, living the fast-paced corporate life. But everything changed in 2015, when his daughter—an elite student and athlete just one year prior—was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis. The diagnosis was severe. Doctors warned the family that she was headed toward a liver transplant, and the long-term medication options came with serious potential side effects, including: * Lymphoma * Infertility * Hair loss * Lifelong immune suppression Jorge and his wife faced an impossible decision. They were not trying to reject conventional medicine—but they needed to understand why this was happening. They wanted to search for the root cause. That decision changed their lives forever. In this episode, Jorge opens up about: * Their search for functional medicine practitioners * The role of gut health and inflammation in autoimmune disease * Environmental triggers and toxic exposures * Antioxidant therapies, supplementation, and detoxification * Building an anti-inflammatory lifestyle * Mindset, discipline, habits, and surrounding yourself with the right people And then came the outcome no one expected. Just one year after beginning this integrative approach, Jorge’s daughter was completely off all medications. And six years later, she had fully reversed the cirrhosis in her liver. Let that sink in. This episode is not about rejecting medicine. It’s about asking deeper questions, taking ownership of health, and refusing to give up when the odds feel impossible. Jorge’s book, Lessons Learned From My Commute, goes far beyond illness. It’s about: * Creating healthy habits * Mental toughness and self-discipline * Nutrition and fitness * Detoxification and mindset * Becoming intentional about the people and environments around you This conversation will challenge the way you think about healing, resilience, and what’s possible when people are willing to fight for their family. 🎧 Listen now to hear Jorge Urquiola’s incredible story and the journey that inspired him to write Lessons Learned From My Commute, available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 👉 And if you’re enjoying LocalBizCast, please like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms so we can continue bringing you powerful stories like this one. Some stories entertain you. Others stay with you forever. Local Biz Cast Weekly Spotlight on Business Leaders Dr. Pete Wohl of The Spine and Health Centers of New Jersey proudly presents the LocalBizCast, a weekly podcast featuring conversations with prominent business owners,entrepreneurs and influencers throughout the area. Tune in every week for new insights, stories, and success strategies from local entrepreneurs making an impact in the community.

LocalBizCast - Episode 91 with guest Kat Arsho Baharyan of Sourdough by Kat

From Corporate Beauty to Craft Bread | Kat Baharyan & the Rise of Sourdough by Kat This episode of LocalBizCast hits different—because it’s not just about business. It’s about purpose, family, health, and building something real from the ground up. Dr. Pete sits down with Kat Arsho Baharyan, founder of Sourdough by Kat, and her journey is as rich as the bread she bakes. Kat grew up in an Armenian household where bread was everything. But it wasn’t until later in life—after building a career in luxury beauty and marketing with brands like L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, and Lancôme—that bread became her calling. The turning point? Her husband’s Crohn’s disease. His body couldn’t tolerate traditional bread, and instead of accepting that, Kat went to work. She researched, tested, failed, refined—and discovered that true sourdough, made the right way, is entirely different. That’s when everything changed. In this episode, Kat breaks down: * Why real sourdough is not supposed to taste “sour” * How ingredients, fermentation, and process completely change digestibility * The gut health benefits of properly made sourdough * Why mass-produced bread doesn’t even come close * The time, precision, and patience required to do it right This isn’t baking. This is craft. Kat has perfected her process, but it comes with a tradeoff—time. Each loaf takes so long to produce that she’s intentionally capped on how many she can make each week. No shortcuts. No compromises. She even went through the rigorous process to become licensed to bake out of her home, passing a difficult certification to do things the right way from day one. And now, she’s building something bigger. Kat shares her vision of creating a community of “loavers”—people who care about quality, health, and connection. Her next step? A pickup window storefront, where customers can order ahead and grab fresh sourdough straight from the source. Oh—and wait until you hear about the cinnamon rolls. We even break bread live on the podcast, and yes… it’s as good as you think. If you care about: * Gut health and real food * Entrepreneurship with purpose * Building a brand from passion * Or just want to understand what real bread is supposed to be This episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Listen now to hear how Kat turned a personal challenge into a growing brand—and why Sourdough by Kat is more than just bread. 👉 And if you’re enjoying LocalBizCast, like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. This is what happens when passion meets patience—and refuses to cut corners. Local Biz Cast Weekly Spotlight on Business Leaders Dr. Pete Wohl of The Spine and Health Centers of New Jersey proudly presents the LocalBizCast, a weekly podcast featuring conversations with prominent business owners,entrepreneurs and influencers throughout the area. Tune in every week for new insights, stories, and success strategies from local entrepreneurs making an impact in the community.

LocalBizCast - Episode 90 wth guest Dr. Barry Elaahi of Align Orthodontics

Engineering a Smile—and a Business | Dr. Barry Elaahi of Align Orthodontics This episode of LocalBizCast is where precision meets purpose. Dr. Pete sits down with Dr. Barry Elaahi, founder of Align Orthodontics, and his story is a perfect blend of engineering, dentistry, and entrepreneurial grit. Barry grew up in Rockland County, NY, the son of a dentist and an engineer—and somehow, he became both. He attended Cornell University, earning a degree in engineering while quietly completing all the prerequisites for dental school. That dual path led him to Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, where everything clicked. In his third year, he discovered orthodontics—and realized it was the perfect intersection of mechanics, biology, and aesthetics. From there, the path was set. But the real story begins after school. Barry worked as an associate across New Jersey and New York City, commuting from Rockland, even moving back in with his parents “for a few months”… which turned into years. And then—one moment changed everything. He walked into a practice in New City, NY, saw an opportunity, and asked the 80-year-old orthodontist a simple question: “Are you ready to retire?” The answer? Yes. That moment launched his journey as a business owner. In this episode, Barry breaks down: * The leap from associate to owner—and everything that comes with it * Hiring, building, and leading a high-level team * The ups and downs of growing a practice organically * How his success in Rockland led to opening a brand new, custom-built office in Montvale, NJ * Designing a practice from scratch—layout, workflow, patient experience, even paint colors But this conversation goes deeper than business. Barry explains how orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth—it’s about: * Function * Confidence * Long-term health He treats patients from age 7 to 70, tailoring care to each individual, and even dives into his residency thesis, where he began exploring how orthodontics can play a role in helping patients with sleep apnea. This is next-level thinking. If you’re into: * Entrepreneurship in healthcare * Building a business from nothing * Precision-driven work and systems thinking * Or understanding how orthodontics can impact your life beyond aesthetics …this episode is packed with value. 🎧 Listen now to hear Dr. Barry Elaahi’s journey—from engineering student to orthodontist to business owner—and how he’s building something special with Align Orthodontics. 👉 And if you’re enjoying LocalBizCast, like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. This is what happens when skill meets opportunity—and someone is bold enough to ask the right question at the right time. Local Biz Cast Weekly Spotlight on Business Leaders Dr. Pete Wohl of The Spine and Health Centers of New Jersey proudly presents the LocalBizCast, a weekly podcast featuring conversations with prominent business owners,entrepreneurs and influencers throughout the area. Tune in every week for new insights, stories, and success strategies from local entrepreneurs making an impact in the community.

LocalBizCast - Episode 89 with guest Andy Landsman of Sun Run Solar

The Energy Shift Is Here | From Actor to Solar Expert with Andy Landsman (@solarandy4gs) This episode of LocalBizCast feels like a wake-up call. Dr. Pete sits down with Andy Landsman, better known as @solarandy4gs, and what starts as a story about career pivots quickly turns into a powerful conversation about the future of energy, the reality of our grid, and why solar is no longer optional—it’s inevitable. Andy didn’t start in solar. He was out in California chasing the acting dream, then made his way back east to the Catskills, where he worked in brewery sales and learned the fundamentals of communication, trust, and understanding people. When he eventually landed in Nanuet and now Englewood, he had a choice: Two industries he believed were about to explode—cannabis or solar. He chose solar… and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, Andy breaks down: * How he landed his first job in solar (and why he’s still there) * What most people don’t understand about the energy industry * Why he believes we are already in an energy crisis due to an aging grid * The real reasons homeowners hesitate—and how to think through them * How solar can lower costs while increasing independence * Why solar adoption is not “if”… it’s when And one of the biggest differentiators he explains: With Sunrun, homeowners don’t need to take on massive upfront costs. * No buying the system outright * No worrying about maintenance or repairs * Fully serviced and supported over time That model flips the biggest objections on their head and makes solar far more accessible than most people realize. Andy’s approach is simple. Educate first. No pressure. Help people make the right decision for their home, their finances, and their future. Whether you want: * A full solar roof * A partial system * Or just to understand your options without being sold …Andy meets you where you are. And he leaves you with a line you won’t forget: “In the next 5–10 years, your roof will be solar… whether you do it, or the next owner does.” If you care about: * Saving money on energy * Understanding where the grid is headed * Making smart long-term home decisions * 4G's (Go Green, Get Green) * Or just hearing a real, unfiltered perspective on solar This episode delivers. 🎧 Listen now to hear Andy’s story and why the energy conversation is changing faster than most people think. 👉 Follow Andy on Instagram: @solarandy4gs 👉 And if you’re enjoying LocalBizCast, like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. The future isn’t coming. It’s already here. Local Biz Cast Weekly Spotlight on Business Leaders Dr. Pete Wohl of The Spine and Health Centers of New Jersey proudly presents the LocalBizCast, a weekly podcast featuring conversations with prominent business owners, entrepreneurs and influencers throughout the area. Tune in every week for new insights, stories, and success strategies from local entrepreneurs making an impact in the community.

LocalBizCast - Episode 88 with guest Ondrea Bertie of Lice Clinics of America

From School Psychologist to Scaling a Franchise | Ondrea Bertie & the Rise of Lice Clinics of America (Ramsey, NJ) This episode of LocalBizCast is a masterclass in reinvention, smart business decisions, and seeing opportunity where most people wouldn’t even look. Dr. Pete sits down with Ondrea Bertie, owner of Lice Clinics of America Ramsey, and her story is anything but typical. Ondrea didn’t start in business. She started in education and psychology—with two master’s degrees, a career as a guidance counselor in Montvale for 10 years, and then made the decision to step away to raise her three kids. Like many families, she and her husband reached a crossroads: Do we invest in real estate? Buy a shore house? What’s the smartest move? But they weren’t just thinking about money. They were thinking about legacy—something their kids could one day step into. That’s when everything shifted. They explored franchising… and landed on something unexpected: Lice Clinics of America. What most people would overlook, Ondrea saw clearly: * A real problem parents deal with * A service that’s needed immediately when it arises * A business with strong demand and the ability to scale They opened their Ramsey location in January… and the growth was immediate. By March, they had almost TRIPLED their business. In this episode, Ondrea breaks down: * How they evaluated franchise opportunities and made their decision * The strategy behind choosing location and privacy for clients * The real challenges of starting a business from scratch * How she navigates problem-solving as a first-time business owner * What it takes to go from idea → open doors → rapid growth And one of the most interesting parts of this conversation… She dives into the psychology behind the business—understanding that clients don’t want to be seen, and designing the experience around comfort, discretion, and trust. That level of detail is why this business is working. Ondrea’s story is real, relatable, and incredibly valuable for anyone thinking about: * Starting a business * Transitioning from a career into entrepreneurship * Franchising as a path to ownership * Building something meaningful for your family 🎧 Listen now to hear how Ondrea Bertie turned a non-traditional idea into a fast-growing business—and what you can learn from her journey. 👉 Follow: Instagram @liceclinicsramsey 👉 If you’re enjoying LocalBizCast, like, follow, and subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. This is how smart entrepreneurs think differently—and win because of it.