Hello, hello! This episode was originally recorded in April 2024. And what a year 2024 was! Sadly, not a year with this podcast interview in it. But here it is now!

The guest is Sarah Baird, Executive Director or Let There Be Light International, an organization that along with local NGO partners helps people in off-grid Africa to gain access to solar energy in their homes and frontline health clinics. In this episode we talk about the many fascinating twists and turns her life has taken over the years - from making a blood pact to become a comedian with her sister, to getting a masters in Russian studies, to stay-at-home moming, to creating an organization impacting millions of people through the power of solar light.

This is a great conversation and will definitely inspire you to ride the wave of life and be open but also intentional about whatever direction it takes you in. Enjoy!

Follow Let There be Light International on IG: @shineonltbli

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Happy New Year! I'm sure I say this every year but I cannot believe it's 2025. Like... what??? We are five years from 2030 I cannot get over this.

Anyway 😅 this episode is a solo update on where I'm at and what the podcast is going to look like this year. I also talk about my favorite New Year's ritual - picking a theme word for the year. I highly recommend this as a way to keep yourself grounded in the energy you want to live in this year. It's a significantly more realistic way to set an intention for your year versus the old New Year's resolutions. Leave those behind and find your word!

Thanks for listening 🥰

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

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To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

In this episode, I sat down with Executive Chef Malik Von Saint of Harvest Restaurant at Bent's Opera House in Medina. Chef talked about his journey growing up in the industry, and the people and places that had an impact on him. As the leader in his fine dining kitchen now, he uses all the things he's learned along the way to usher the next generation of culinary creators.

He shared how difficult it is to live the lifestyle of a chef, especially with maintaining an intimate relationship. We also talked about how making small changes in his routines and starting therapy really made a big difference for him.

In the episode, Chef references "A Cook's Tour" an event the benefits an organization called Family Meal, a nonprofit that emerged from a desire to support struggling hospitality industry workers. Be sure to check them out to support or look for support if you need it.

Thanks for listening, please share it with your friends!

Follow Chef Malik on IG: @malikvonsaint

And get yourself to Harvest for a meal you will love, and a stay at Bent's Opera House! I got to stay there with my sister and it was so lovely. The rooms are all different and unique, and the little town has all sorts of fun shops and bars to slip in and out of. Less than an hour away!

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

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To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

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Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Aaaaaaaaand we're back. I won't bore y'all with what life has been like the last couple of months that led to another podcast hiatus. Well, actually I will, but I'll save it for a solo episode.

More importantly, I'm THRILLED to share my conversation with Justin Hofschneider of Wine on Hertel (WOH)! Justin and I met ages ago when he first soft opened WOH and I was "writing articles" for Step Out Buffalo. Sadly, the article I was supposed to write for his business was never written (sounds believable doesn't it?), but years later, he ended up dating my sister! And now he's the awesome Step Daddy J to my three nieces and my nephew.

In our episode, we talked about his side of the story of their relationship (My sister Liz gave her side in the controversial episode #47) and how he transitioned from single business owner bachelor to doing school pick-ups and making dinners for 6. We also talk about how Wine on Hertel began and the slow process it was to making it what it is today - coming up on year 10!

We talked a lot about perspectives and the importance of taking nothing for granted. There are lessons around every corner if you are open to learning them. Hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, please share!

Follow Wine on Hertel on IG: @wineonhertel
And be sure to stop by for a glass of wine and some delicious tapas!

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout

To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Finally, I give you, the long-anticipated, fascinating conversation with the one and only, Sean Wrafter. Sean and I recorded this back in April of this year which honestly feels like another lifetime to me.

Sean is the co-owner of Acme Cabinet Company. Before that, he designed and built furniture and commercial fixtures at his furniture store called Wrafterbuilt. He's worked in construction, inside and outside sales and marketing, and many other things in-between.

We talked about his career trajectory but also got into the difficulty of finding a good therapist, changing the narrative in your friends' group to help you stick to your health and self-care goals, the importance of being present, and so much more.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout

To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

OMGGGGG I am so happy to be back 😭 Wow I missed this podcast, I missed talking into the mic alone, I missed sharing great conversations with amazing people, wow wow wow. I can't let 4 months go by like that again.

But, tbh, I had to. I share more in the episode, but it's been a wild 4 months of pushing to the finish line of this chapter of my life. It's been frustrating, sad, exciting, and scary all at once. We're still in it, but it's getting close.

Also in this episode, I share exactly how I manifested my dream apartment. This was such a massive thing for me. I desperately wanted to find a place that felt like a real home for my boys. This has been a tough year for them, too. But also, leaving the house my ex and I bought together, the place where both my boys grew up, it's really the final nail in the coffin of this chapter, so I wanted to start over somewhere that made me feel joy, hope, and comfort. When I tell you this place is literally exactly what I wanted... I can't believe it, but also, I a little bit can.

Have a listen, tell your friends the best podcast around is back on, and give yourself a hug cause you're doing a great fucking job.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout

To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Chris Flynn of Bflo Pizza Bistro is on the podcast today! Y'all, I have been shook over how this podcast has opened doors to meeting new people doing really cool things. I met Chris while with a friend at Free Street Tavern. When he was introduced to me as the owner of Bflo Pizza Bistro, my first thoughts were - wow that is so cool, I need to know more about how he got to this point! However, it came out verbally as "what gave you the audacity to open a pizza shop in Buffalo?" Lol. Oopsie.

Luckily he got what I meant and didn't take offense to it, we recorded a visually disastrous mini podcast right then and there at Free Street and then set up a time to do the real thing a couple weeks later.

Chris and his buddies also started a major annual beloved Buffalo event - Buffalo Groundhog Day. They all seem to possess the "fuck around and find out" mindset that I am now obsessed with. I hope that listening to Chris talk about his journey inspires you to just do the damn thing - whatever it is for you. Cause why not!?

Follow Bflo Pizza Bistro on IG @bflopizzabistro
Follow Chris's food pics on IG @bflo_pizzachef
Follow Chris Flynn on IG @chris_flynn716

Order some pizza right now here! I had the mushroom rosemary and SWEET LORD was it good.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout

To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

David Gonzalez from Arbol and Arbol Community Fund is on the podcast today! David and I have known each other for a long time, and I have absolutely loved watching his career unfold, transition, and grow... especially from our days serving at Carrabba's Italian Grille.

David co-founded Arbol, an online application that empowers college students to take action on their finances, providing an engaging experience that alleviates the anxiety of managing financial aid and personal finances. Ultimately it helps in reducing dropout rates. David has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and has always prioritized his career. We talk about all the ups and downs, including the opportunities he created for himself. So many good nuggets in here for anyone looking to start a business or advance their career. Lots to learn from this startup pro! Enjoy!

Get tickets for the Arbol Community Event at Resurgence on June 20 here!

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout

Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout

To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!

Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).

Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.