Building Dreams: The Journey of Stone Hammer Homes - Good News York In this episode of Good News York, Matt from Growth Mode Content is joined by his co-host Mikey B and special guests Jeremy and Chris Dorn, co-owners of Stone Hammer Homes. They discuss their inspiring journey of leaving corporate jobs to start their own custom home building company. The conversation dives into their passion for creating unique and beautifully designed homes, the challenges they've faced, and their involvement with the Home Builders and Remodelers of Central New York. The episode also touches on trends in home design and the use of modern materials and technology in home building. The Dorn brothers share their experiences in navigating the complex housing market and highlight the importance of trust and family in their successful business partnership. 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 00:52 Meet the Guests: Stone Hammer Homes 02:34 Starting the Business: Challenges and First Projects 06:26 Building Custom Homes: Process and Design 11:21 Expanding the Office: New Beginnings 12:53 Home Builders Association: Networking and Events 21:53 Vacation Vibes and Market Research 22:21 Parade of Homes and Builder Challenges 24:19 Family Business Dynamics 26:47 Trends in Home Design 30:29 Custom Builds vs. Existing Homes 31:36 Sustainable Building Practices 34:07 Regulations and Building Codes 35:27 Sprinkler Systems in New Homes 39:26 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Good News York: Spotlight on Visit Syracuse with Danny Liedka In this episode of Good News York, host Matt Masur and co-host Mikey B are joined by Danny Liedka from Visit Syracuse. They discuss Danny's role in promoting tourism and film production in Onondaga County, the economic impact of tourism, and exciting upcoming events like the Rhythm and Blues Festival and Jazz Fest. Danny also shares insights on the future of Syracuse, including the development of new hotels, the innovative Studio Central for post-production, and the upcoming downtown aquarium. They touch on the role of Airbnb in local tourism and the potential for the film industry in the region, emphasizing the importance of tax incentives. To cap it off, the hosts and Danny share anecdotes and talk sports, showcasing the positive atmosphere and growth in the Syracuse area. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:47 Introducing Danny Liedka from Visit Syracuse 01:32 The Role of Visit Syracuse 03:29 Tourism's Economic Impact 04:12 The Power of Social Media 07:43 Danny Liedka's Background 10:13 Future Developments in Syracuse 11:41 Film Industry in Syracuse 14:54 Tax Credits and Film Production 17:21 Competing for Film Production 18:40 Syracuse Alumni and Movie Industry 18:59 Aquarium Development and Economic Impact 22:52 Airbnb's Role in Local Tourism 25:42 Regional Tourism and Economic Development 28:31 Upcoming Events and Festivals 30:17 Baseball and Pete Rose Discussion 34:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Building Community and Middle-Income Housing with Jim Williams In this episode of Good News York, hosts Matt Masur and Mikey B. are joined by guest Jim Williams, a commercial construction expert from Syracuse, NY. Jim shares his journey from a music background to a career in building and revitalizing residential and commercial properties. The conversation focuses on his latest project, creating middle-income housing through infill development in Syracuse. Jim discusses the challenges and opportunities in urban redevelopment, the importance of supporting local contractors, and his vision for addressing the housing needs of everyday families. The episode highlights Jim's creative approach and dedication to improving his community. 00:00 Introduction and Co-Host Banter 00:51 Introducing the Guest: Jim Williams 01:48 Jim's Background and Career in Construction 04:21 Infill Housing and Community Development 10:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Real Estate 17:26 Public Information and Transparency 18:01 Building on Spec: The Process 20:08 Designing for the Neighborhood 21:54 Balancing Creativity and Practicality 24:10 Future Projects and Ambitions 26:51 Affordable Housing and Market Rates 28:19 Musical Influences and Personal Interests 30:19 Final Thoughts and Resources

Llama Drama: A Hilarious Viral Story and More with Steve Peterson In this special Wednesday edition of Good News York, host Mike Brindisi interviews Steve Peterson, famously known as 'the llama guy' from a viral video shot in Syracuse. Steve shares the backstory of the video that brought immense joy and laughter to Mike's family and millions of others. The conversation delves into Steve's varied career, including his background in broadcast journalism, voice acting, and his involvement in a 90s cover band. They also discuss Steve's current work with a government contractor and his creative endeavors with Summer School Electronics, a local guitar pedal company. Steve's story highlights the unpredictable nature of life and the enduring impact of viral moments. 00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement 00:28 The Viral Llama Video 01:25 Playing the Viral Video Clip 04:11 Steve Peterson's Background 05:27 The Day of the Viral Video 09:15 The Aftermath and Going Viral 12:42 Life Beyond the Viral Video 13:12 Freelance Confusion and Clarification 13:42 Career Detours and Discoveries 16:30 Musical Journeys and Band Stories 19:00 Voice Acting Ventures 20:45 Creative Aspirations and Reflections 24:09 Final Thoughts and Plugs

Success in Organic Content and Insightful Conversations with Brian Inc. In this episode of Good News York, hosts Matt Masur and Mike Brindisi discuss the power of organic content with highlights of their viral success on TikTok featuring Dan Garcia's auto expertise. They celebrate this achievement with a pizza party. The conversation follows with intriguing discussions on various news topics including New York's consideration of a four-day work week pilot program, changes in child labor laws affecting paper routes, and findings from Ithaca College's commencement ceremony featuring David Muir and Bob Iger. The episode concludes with entertaining guest Brian Enck, a comedian who recently taped his comedy special in Syracuse. Brian shares insights on the experience, the importance of energy in comedy, and future plans for the special. The segment wraps up with a fun hypothetical game about choosing seatmates on a plane, sparking humorous discussions. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:37 Celebrating Viral Success 02:03 The Power of Organic Content 04:48 Pizza Party and Future Goals 07:59 Tuesday Newsday: Four-Day Work Week 19:02 Debating Child Labor Laws 27:21 Special Guests and Comedy Highlights 34:36 Reflecting on Past Performances 35:40 Challenges of Self-Producing a Special 36:03 Advice for Aspiring Comedians 38:47 Distribution Deals and Platforms 40:07 Building an Audience through Platforms 40:34 Upcoming Shows and Future Plans 45:59 The Airplane Seat Game 46:49 Debating Influential Figures 58:44 Comedy and Cultural References 01:06:28 Concluding Thoughts and Plugs

Embracing Life After Near-Death: Dakota Malone and the Path of Self-Discovery In this episode of Good News York, host Matt Major welcomes his friend Dakota Malone, a multifaceted individual with an inspiring life story, to discuss his journey from his upbringing in Central New York to his current endeavors in renewable energy and men's mental health advocacy. Dakota shares his transformative experiences with heart surgeries, his unexpected career in door-to-door sales, and the profound impact of facing mortality head-on. He also delves into his involvement with Midwest Men, a group focused on supporting men through vulnerability and shared experiences. The conversation highlights Dakota's unique approach to life, resilience, and community building, offering listeners a blend of personal anecdotes and strategic insights into content creation and personal growth. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:29 Meet Dakota Malone 01:34 Dakota's Journey and Career 05:15 Content Strategy Insights 13:24 Podcast Guesting Strategy 22:41 Men's Mental Health and Masculinity 24:29 Confidential Conversations and Core Themes 25:21 Personal Journey and Heart Surgeries 28:59 Therapy and Overcoming Abandonment 30:27 Generational Trauma and Healing 31:50 Men's Group and Brotherhood 35:12 Heart Surgery Experiences 39:51 Facing Death and Personal Growth 45:12 Upcoming Projects and Closing Remarks

Auto Insights & Myths Debunked: A Chat with Dan Garcia In this episode of Good News York, hosts Mike and Matt welcome special guest Dan Garcia, a trusted mechanic and car dealership owner in Central New York. Dan shares insights into his various automotive businesses, emphasizing the importance of trust and honesty in car sales and repairs. They debunk common car maintenance myths such as oil change intervals and the reliability of high-mileage vehicles. Dan also discusses the impact of tariffs on the car market and provides valuable advice for those looking to buy new or used cars. Additionally, the episode covers the pros and cons of winter tires and other vehicle maintenance tips, making it an insightful listen for anyone interested in automotive care. 00:00 Introduction and Morning Banter 00:53 Introducing Dan Garcia: The Car Guy 02:05 Dan's Automotive Businesses 02:48 The Importance of Trustworthy Mechanics 09:01 Winter Car Maintenance Tips 12:45 Car Market Trends and Tariffs 17:52 Carvana and the Future of Car Sales 22:03 Dan's Business Names and Contact Information 22:51 Carvana Investment Regrets 24:00 Choosing a New SUV 25:03 Land Rover Concerns 25:51 Toyota and Lexus Options 27:06 Buying Experience Stories 28:42 Myth Busting Car Maintenance 36:00 Common Car Scams 40:14 Final Thoughts and Plugs

Good News York: TDO's Impact on Local Manufacturing and Micron's Influence on Central New York In this episode of Good News York, Matt Masur from Growth Mode Content and his co-host Mikey B welcome Jim D'Agostino, CEO of Central New York Technology Development Organization (TDO). Jim shares insights into TDO’s mission of providing consulting, coaching, and training services to small and mid-sized manufacturers. He discusses the organization’s rebranding from a technology development focus to Train, Develop, Optimize, and highlights their role in leveraging grants to help businesses improve. Jim also explains the significance of their recent acquisition of DLS Quality Management and its impact on TDO's service offerings. The conversation touches on Micron’s arrival in Central New York, anticipated to create a surge in employment and supply chain opportunities. The episode concludes with light-hearted discussions about local events, including the New York State Fair concert lineup and viral TikTok trends. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Meet the Guest: Jim D'Agostino 00:47 About TDO: Train, Develop, Optimize 01:32 Services Offered by TDO 04:39 Funding and Grants for Businesses 09:30 Navigating Business Challenges 15:13 TDO's Expansion and Acquisitions 19:53 Impact of Micron's Arrival 23:29 Staying Updated with Technology 27:56 How to Connect with TDO 32:06 Favorite Projects at TDO 32:31 Jim's Passion for Quality Management 33:20 Team Members' Unique Interests 34:36 Jim's Contact Information 34:59 Tuesday Newsday Introduction 35:22 Shawnee Davis Wins SBA Award 36:41 New Podcast Announcement 37:37 Tuesday Newsday: Kool-Aid Man Challenge 40:39 TikTok Trends Discussion 46:37 New York State Fair Concert Lineup 49:41 Syracuse Football Updates 50:39 Micron Facility Rendering 51:04 Darien Lake Mind Eraser Makeover 51:53 Conclusion and Sign-Off