Talking Cities with Matt Enstice: Recent Episodes
Matt Enstice
Talking Cities is the place where we investigate cutting-edge innovations for cities in America and beyond, featuring people working to create vibrant, healthier, more sustainable communities. Hosted by Matt Enstice, president & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, a not-for-profit furthering economic growth, igniting urban revitalization, and building a strong, thriving community.
Join host Sam Marazzo in conversation with Joaquin Carbonara, PhD. SUNY Buffalo Associate Director, Data Science, as they discuss New Perspectives on the AI Revolution. Dr. Carbonara shares some surprising insights on the technology and its impacts from a thoughtful and nuanced perspective.
Join Beth and Purnima as they preview the agenda for BNMC's 5th Annual Food as Medicine Symposium, which will take place on October 23, 24, and 25 at the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and biomedical sciences. You won't want to miss it! Tickets are available here.
Talking Cities Podcast with Matt Entice and Friends
In this episode join host Beth in an inspiring and energizing conversation with Coach T (Teaira), certified fitness trainer and founder of Waist Talk Fitness—an all-women’s gym dedicated to empowering women through strength training and sisterhood.
In this episode, we dive into the impact of GluteGainz Bootcamp, a powerful lower-body workout designed to help women build strength, sculpt their glutes, and boost their confidence. Coach T shares how she built a fitness movement that goes beyond physical transformation, focusing on mindset, motivation, and community support.
Whether you're just starting your wellness journey or looking to level up, this episode is packed with encouragement and insight!
Tune in now and be inspired by how fitness can truly transform lives—inside and out.
To learn more about the Talking Cities Podcast, visit www.BNMC.org.
Talking Cities Podcast with Matt Entice and Friends
In this episode, Juweria Dahir sits down with Jillian Lenhard, Founder of The Speech Path SLP, PLLC, a pediatric speech and language practice in Williamsville, NY. Jillian, a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist, shares her journey in establishing a practice that emphasizes family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming care for children aged 18 months to elementary school.
With a focus on personalized therapy, Jillian's practice addresses key areas like receptive and expressive language, articulation, phonology, and natural language acquisition. Her approach is rooted in play-based, child-led techniques that create a supportive and engaging environment for meaningful communication growth.
Join us as we delve into Jillian's journey, her entrepreneurial spirit, and more! Get ready for an inspiring conversation that will leave you craving entrepreneurial empowerment. Welcome to Talking Cities!
To learn more about the Talking Cities Podcast, visit www.BNMC.org.
Welcome to this week's episode of Talking Cities!
Join us as Juweria Dahir, the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at BNMC, engages in a captivating conversation with Raquel Calhoun, the CEO and owner of Calhouncustomcreations LLC Bakery and Event Boutique.
Raquel Calhoun leads a registered NYS Home Based Bakery in Western New York, specializing in crafting beautiful, tasty, and trendy custom cakes, cookies, and desserts. Her business isn't just about providing sweet treats; it's about adding an extra spark to life's special moments.
Beyond baking, Raquel and her team are on a mission to spread the joy of celebrating life's milestones. They actively support local small businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, and Buffalo's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Calhouncustomcreations is more than just a bakery—it's a hub for cultural creatives to learn, grow, and celebrate their successes together.
Join us as we delve into Raquel's journey, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her dedication to building a thriving community. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that will leave you craving both sweet treats and entrepreneurial empowerment. Welcome to Talking Cities!
To learn more about Talking Cities Podcast visit www.BNMC.org
Join us on this week's episode as Juweria Dahir, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at BNMC, sits down with Shantelle Patton, the visionary behind That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory in Buffalo, NY.
Shantelle Patton is a true champion for minority-owned businesses, exemplifying dedication and passion in her mission to uplift marginalized entrepreneurs. In 2018, she took her advocacy a step further by creating Buffalo's renowned Minority Business Directory, affectionately known as 'That Brown Bag.' As the driving force behind this initiative, Shantelle has tirelessly worked to bridge the gap between minority business owners and essential resources, empowering them to thrive in their respective industries.
Through 'That Brown Bag,' Shantelle has not only provided a vital resource for consumers eager to support Black-owned businesses but has also catalyzed increased visibility and recognition for these enterprises across Western New York.
Tune in as we delve into Shantelle Patton's inspiring journey and her invaluable contributions to the local business community. Welcome to Talking Cities!
To learn more about Talking Cities Podcast visit www.BNMC.org
Welcome to this week's episode of Talking Cities, where innovation and entrepreneurship take center stage! Join our host, Juweria Dahir, the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at BNMC, engages in a captivating conversation with Mariam Sadawi, the dynamic founder of Hint Juice & Smoothie Bar.
In this inspiring episode, we delve into Mariam's incredible journey, starting as a first-year MBA student with a vision rooted in personal health challenges. Mariam's commitment to health and wellness shines through in the story of Hint Juice & Smoothie Bar, showcasing unparalleled resilience and entrepreneurial prowess.
Notably, Mariam's achievements have reached new heights, earning her a well-deserved feature in Buffalo Business First among the prestigious 'Inno 5 Under 25.' This recognition highlights her significant impact as one of the young entrepreneurs shaping the future.
Educationally, Mariam brings a wealth of knowledge, having graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Entrepreneurship. Her life path, marked by extraordinary resilience, unfolds from being born in Iraq to seeking refuge in the United States in 2011, escaping a civil war in Syria.
Join us as we uncover Mariam's remarkable story, exploring the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and personal resilience. Welcome to Talking Cities, where extraordinary journeys inspire and innovative minds converge. Tune in now to gain insights from Mariam Sadawi!
To learn more about Talking Cities Podcast visit www.BNMC.org
On this week episodes the BNMC Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Juweria Dahir sits with Jillian Hanesworth Founder of Literary Freedom LLC and Former Poet Laureate of Buffalo NY
Jillian Hanesworth, founder of Literary Freedom LLC, is making waves in the literary world for her Emmy-nominated collaboration with the Buffalo Bills on the “Choose Love: Buffalo Bills Honor East Buffalo” video. An IC Success Business Accelerator Alum, Hanesworth is dedicated to expanding literary access to communities of color and historically excluded communities.
Her business Literary Freedom LLC was established by Hanesworth in 2021 with the aim of providing educational tools and empowering individuals to use the arts to share their stories and uplift their experiences. Recognizing the pivotal role that poetry, music, visual art, dance, and traditional storytelling have played in sharing Black stories, Literary Freedom strives to uphold these traditions.
Let’s listen in as we learn more about Jillian Hanesworth, welcome to Talking Cities
On this week episodes the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with Trina Burruss the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County President and CEO.
Trina Burruss brings to the role a wealth of experience in the financial services industry, along with over 30 years of serving in community and volunteer leadership roles. During her banking career, Burruss led community initiatives that developed relationships with nonprofits and invested millions of dollars in philanthropic support into helping community members build the financial well-being they need to thrive. Her efforts led to, among other things, the opening of a new Northwest branch office in East Buffalo, launching new community financial wellness initiatives and shepherding internal and external practices to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
Burruss’s professional and personal accomplishments led United Way to invite her to serve on its Strategic Planning Task Force in 2019 and afforded her an opportunity to help shape the organization’s future direction. From there, she served on the Board of Directors until she saw an opportunity to align her leadership skills and passion for the community and pursued the Chief Operating Officer role at United Way, which she assumed in July of 2021.
Let’s listen in as we learn more about Trina Burruss, welcome to Talking Cities.
On this week's episode the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with David Rust Chief Executive Officer and founding Executive Director of Say Yes Buffalo.
Since accepting the post almost eight years ago, he has steadily built a coalition of staff and partners focused on fulfilling one of the most significant community renewal efforts undertaken in the region’s history. Through the promise of a free-tuition scholarship program, Say Yes Buffalo scholars are eligible to attend more than 150 private and public institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and the University at Buffalo, as well as many two-year community colleges, trade schools, and certificate programs. In addition,
Mr. Rust has recruited and then empowered a dedicated and talented staff and built a coalition of public- and public-sector partners. Under his leadership, Say Yes Buffalo has grown into an economic development engine and a best-in-class non-profit organization that serves as a national educational partnership model.
Listen, Learn, Share!
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On this week's episode the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with Tayrin Tapia, Visionary and Chief Empowerment Officer of Latinas Evolving.
Tayrin Tapia is a well-respected business consultant and an advocate for Latinas' empowerment and progression. Through her work, she strives to make a significant and positive impact on their lives and the community as a whole. Tayrin is also the visionary behind Latinas Evolving. Her mission with this initiative is to empower Latinas by offering them resources, opportunities for access, safe spaces, and inspirational programs. She aims to address topics that directly impact the growth and development of Latinas, fostering their personal and professional advancement.
Let’s listen in as we learn more about Tayrin Tapia, welcome to Talking Cities.
Listen, Learn, Share!
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On this week episodes the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with Dr. Stephen J. Turkovich, President and Chief Medical Officer, Oishei Children's Hospital and Maternal & Child Health.
Stephen J. Turkovich, MD, was named president of Oishei Children’s Hospital in November 2022. He maintains his title as chief medical officer of Oishei Children's Hospital and Maternal & Child Health, a role he has held since September 2021. As president, Dr. Turkovich leads one of only 43 freestanding hospitals in the United States and the only freestanding children's hospital in New York State.
He is responsible for managing daily hospital operations, including clinical, ancillary and support services, community physician relations and so much more! Join the conversation as Kyria and Dr. Turkovich discuss his journey to be a Doctor, his why and the importance of humanity in the medical field.
Listen, Learn, Share!
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On this week's episodes the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with Talia Rodriguez Associate Director of the West Side Promise Neighborhood, and Rachael Ireland Social Impact & Community Engagement Specialist.
As anchors in the fight against hunger Talia and Rachael sat with Kryia and discussed their roles at the intersection of food access, understanding that food is culture and that there is another language spoken by almost all community residents: the language of food. As a fifth-generation Buffalonian, Talia is responsible for facilitating the relationships that help feed those in need throughout the West Side. And because of her upbringing, she understands that the issue of food insecurity is often compounded by certain social realities. Listen in as the ladies discuss ways they are helping to improve access to food for those who need it most.
Listen, Learn, Share!
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For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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On this week's episode, the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives Kyria Stephens sits with Zeneta Everhart Director of Diversity & Inclusion for New York State Senator Tim Kennedy of the 63rd District.
Zeneta B. Everhart is a Buffalo native, born and raised on the East Side. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Villa Maria College and a degree from Canisius College, where she studied TV Production and Interpersonal Communication. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Upon graduation, she accepted a position with Spectrum News Buffalo, as a breaking news photographer, and eventually became a Producer.
After six years of working in news and media, Everhart made the career leap into politics, accepting a position with New York State Senator Tim Kennedy of the 63rd District. She now serves as his Director of Diversity and inclusion, focusing on ensuring equity through legislation, policy, and the equitable distribution of resources. Zeneta story is not done and she has so much more happening. Listen in as Kyria and Zeneta discuss where she is now, what’s new and how life activities has changed her life completely.
Let’s listen in as e learn more about Julie Blackman, welcome to Talking Cities
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On this week's episodes the BNMC Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, Kyria Stephens sits with Hon. April N.M. Baskin, Chair Erie County Legislator District 2.
As a Buffalo native April N. McCants-Baskin is a devoted community advocate for equity and social justice. In 2017 April was elected to represent District 2 of the Erie County Legislature. District 2 is the most diverse district in Erie County, as it contains the region’s wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods, as well as being home to immigrants and refugees from dozens of nations from around the world. Immediately upon taking office Baskin was selected to serve as the Majority Leader.
A year later, her colleagues elected her Chairperson of the Legislature in the spring of 2019, making her the youngest person and the first freshman to serve as Chairperson in the history of the Erie County Legislature. Join in on the conversation with Kyria and Hon. April N. M Baskin.
Let’s listen in as e learn more about Julie Blackman, welcome to Talking Cities
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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On this week's episodes, the BNMC Director of Community Wellbeing Beth Machnica sits with Julie Blackman, owner and operator of Farmers & Artisans.
Julie is the sixth generation working at her family’s business, Blackman Homestead Farm. Their farm was established in 1852 and continues to be owned and operated by her parents. Julie went back to the farm and gave up her healthcare career to expand the retail opportunities at their farm. She developed a value-added product line including fruit butters, sauces, and juices. She started participating in the summer and winter Elmwood Bidwell Farmers Markets, where the network of farmers and producers was formed. Julie continues to work to connect the community to NY family farms.
Let’s listen in as e learn more about Julie Blackman, welcome to Talking Cities
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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On this week’s episode we sit down with Juweria Dahir, The BNMC’s Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Juweria is a dynamic leader in the world of innovation, entrepreneurship. She is also an adjunct
professor of Business and Entrepreneurship at Daemen University, where she shares her expertise with the next generation of leaders.
Listen in as we discuss her journey to Buffalo, experience of working in government and why working with entrepreneurs is her passion and more!
Let’s listen in, welcome to Talking Cities.
Listen, Learn, Share.
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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On this week episodes the BNMC Director of Community Wellbeing Beth Machnica sits with Gizelle Hinson
Gizelle Hinson is the Principal Consultant of the Mindful Institute and Co-Owner of the Rooted Lounge in Buffalo, NY. And a longtime partner with the BNMC Health and Well-being department.
The ladies dive right in to the conversation on why Gizelle decided to start the mindful institute, why mental health is important, especially in the community and what was her driving force behind creating the Rooted Lounge and more!
Let’s listen in, welcome to Talking Cities.
Listen, Learn, Share.
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
Stay connected with us on social media!
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On this week episodes the BNMC Director of Community Wellbeing Beth Machnica sits with Allison DeHonney, Founder and Executive Director of Urban Fruits and Veggies/Buffalo Go Green.
Allison has 20 years of professional service in key areas of Executive leadership, Project Management and Business Development. Allison has spearheaded four business endeavors; the latest of which is Urban Fruits & Veggies LLC. & Buffalo Go Green Inc. which is a non-profit organization. Urban Fruits & Veggies (UFV) has been in operation for five years and is involved in several projects throughout the city of Buffalo and Erie County. UFV has an urban farm, mobile produce market that services food apartheid areas and underserved communities bringing access to healthy fruits & vegetables and nutrition education. UFV sells at local farmers markets weekly from June to October, has a corporate wellness division where they imbed their services into local companies and partner with organizations on wellness initiatives, and offer programming for elementary and high school students where we teach nutrition education and urban farming.
The ladies dive right in to the conversation about why Urban Farms are important, what is food system, food access and more! Let’s listen in, welcome to Talking Cities.
Listen, Learn, Share.
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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Welcome back to the BNMC Podcast Talking Cities with Matt Enstice and Friends! We are happy to be getting back to providing you with cultivating conversations as we discuss healthier, more sustainable communities and exploring the beauty and creativity in it all. As you can see we’ve added friends to the podcast so Matt Enstice will not be your only host but you will be educated and entertained by some of our team thought leaders.
On this episode the BNMC President and CEO Matt Enstice sits with the Health and Well-Being team Marla Guarino, Purnima Mohan and Elizabeth Machnica as they discuss the importance of health and well-being in our community, the most recent White House Conference on Hunger Nutrition and Health, and the BNMC 2nd Annual Food as Medicine Symposium.
Listen, Learn, Share.
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus visit www.BNMC.org
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With Buffalo Homecoming just around the corner, today we're featuring Jack Connors, event co-director and former president and publisher of Buffalo Business First. We cover everything from Jack's long career in the news businesses and the story behind launching Buffalo Business First to his latest gig spurring investment in the city he loves.
In this episode, Craig talks about The World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara and the extensive network of the World Trade Centers Association; his varied career in media, PR, economic development and government relations and how these experiences shaped him for the job he has today; and how blockchain technology is the future of trade and moving product.
In this episode, Matt chats with Wayne Roberts, history buff and food policy expert from Toronto, ON. Wayne shares his thoughts on what makes a great food city and how immigration is the secret sauce; the importance of youth's voices on councils and in decision making; and the various food movements he's seen throughout the world.
In this episode, Matt talks with Bridget Niland, Director of Project Play, about the impact of youth sports and how they help prepare kids for the 21st century economy; ways to encourage youth in the city to think about their play spaces differently, particularly through "free play"; and her thoughts on the role of technology and the future of sports.
Matt talks with Sean Tuohey, self-described operator & dreamer, about bringing people together through sports and food. Sean grew up playing basketball in Washington, DC, and around the world, which led him to co-found PeacePlayers International, uniting people through sports. Sean currently owns a popular restaurant/gathering place in Buffalo, NY and is still working to help reimagine therapy through sport.
This week’s #TalkingCities guest is Marnie LaVigne, CEO of @LaunchNY, one of the most active seed funds in the country. @menstice and @MarnieLaVigne2 talk about the importance of “small but mighty dollars” to help companies and attract other investors, the need to help everyone build their networks, and teaching entrepreneurship at a younger age.
Michael Murphy is the president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, the only Tiffany-designed theater left in the U.S. He talks with Matt about knowing from the age of five that he wanted to be in the theater business. They also talk about how shows like “Hamilton” are helping to build a more inclusive theater community; how technology is changing the industry; and what it means to be launching shows here in Buffalo – including Mean Girls with Tina Fey this fall.
Paul Taylor is the Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto, a non-profit organization that works with communities and schools to deliver healthy food and food education. Paul believes that "food is not the answer to food insecurity," in fact, there is "more than enough food in Canada to feed all of its inhabitants." Hear his thoughts on food equity and how Canada is shifting the conversation away from poverty and towards health and educational outcomes.
Product Specialist may be the title on Pablo Pinto's business card, but his impact extends far beyond his role at tech startup and 43North winner, TARA.ai. Car-less since 2012, Pablo credits Buffalo as a great place for cyclists, and believes cities should stop thinking about streets in terms of vehicles, but rather people. A holistic thinker with a passion for giving back, he talks about his travels across the globe, spending time in New York City, Boston, Ecuador, South Korea, Silicon Valley, Albany, NY, and Buffalo, NY, and the major ways he's seen technology transform cities and the future of work.
Hear from Dottie Gallagher, President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce. They talk about the worldwide competition for talent, and the importance of the need for skilled immigration reform and policies around border issues; using Buffalo Niagara’s location as an asset to be globally competitive; tying the talent attraction approach to regional tourism; and the need for more women in leadership roles.
In this episode of #TalkingCities, Matt sits down with Holly Gagnon, President and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation. They speak on characteristics of a successful team, the gaming industry’s development and what it means to be a female leader in a traditionally male dominated industry. As a founding member of Global Gaming Women, Holly expresses her passion for encouraging and empowering the growth of women leaders within gaming world-wide.
Will you answer his call at 3am? If so, you might be the kind of person Raj Suchak is looking for. A self-described “technical geek who likes to tinker,” after working at Salesforce for several years Raj started Cloud62, later acquired by Huron Consulting, to help companies get the most out of their investment in Salesforce. As he built his team, he got more and more interested in finding top talent. Instead of hiring on resumes or work experiences, he hired based on character, customer service skills, hunger and grit – and taught them how to do the tasks he had needed. He is now working on a new start-up called Grit Seed, a software platform to enable companies to find and evaluate talent by cultivating opportunities and having generational impact, as well as bringing RoboThink (a STEM program for kids) to Buffalo. Raj tells Matt about being raised in Tanzania, Africa and how he was influenced by his entrepreneurial father who constantly asked Raj “the big why” questions.
Hear from Luis Taveras, CIO of the City of Buffalo on today's #TalkingCities podcast. Luis talks about his transition into government after spending his entire career working in the private sector; how he's transforming city hall from a reactive organization to one that's "operationally excellent"; and his thoughts on Open Data Buffalo and how a new Data 101 course will teach the public how to use the data provided to make a meaningful impact on their lives.
This week on #TalkingCities we are joined by Patrick Kaler, chief Buffalo booster. Patrick moved to Buffalo several years ago to head up Visit Buffalo Niagara after spending time in Chicago, Lake Tahoe, and Loudon County (or “DC’s wine country"). He talks about becoming the youngest executive director of a destination marketing organization in the state of Illinois, and how he reacted when a headhunter pitched him a job in Buffalo, NY. He highlights his pride in how his team worked to get Buffalo named on the @nytimes 52 Places to Travel in 2018 and the challenges behind the Buffalo Convention Center, the oldest convention center without a significant expansion or renovation in the country.
This week, Matt talks with Lorenz Gan, Chief Information Officer at New Era Cap. Lorenz is responsible for the strategy and execution behind the digital revolution at the iconic 98 year old global brand. They talk about his move from Australia in search of the "Big Smoke" - first London and then New York City. He played a leading role at luxury fashion house Burberry when its goal was to become the #1 digital luxury brand in the world, and he led the company through a number of fashion “firsts,” including being the first to live stream fashion shows and utilize augmented reality. He talks about how he was recruited to Buffalo from NYC (in January!), and why it was the right move for his career and his family. They also discuss the importance of integrating technology to grow a global brand and the role of sports to a city's psyche.
Hear from Warren Colville, President of The Buffalo News, and self-described family man, army brat and wine connoisseur. Warren talks about the changing media landscape in the world of #fakenews; how to navigate the tides of technology by innovating and diversifying revenue streams; and his thoughts on the future of the newspaper business.
In this episode, Matt talks with JoAnn Falletta, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director, about falling in love with music as a little girl and what it felt like to play her first guitar; her travels around the country and world as a Conductor, and the role music plays in cities; and music's powerful affect on the brain and our lives.
In this episode, Matt sits down with Bethany Deshpande, CEO and Co-Founder of SomaDetect, 2017 43North $1M winner. They discuss cows, the new wave of tech in farming, and life for Bethany growing up in Ontario. Bethany discusses the importance of data, consumer-focused design, and how her father discovered SomaDetect's technology almost by accident.
Jeremy M. Jacobs, Chairman of Delaware North and Owner/Governor of the Boston Bruins, joined Matt for a wide-ranging Talking Cities this week. He spoke about taking over the family-owned company, started by his father, at age 28, and how his children and grandchildren are now leading the company into the future. He purchased the Boston Bruins and Boston Gardens in 1975, joking, "ignorance helped" in taking such a major leap. They talk about the role of sports in community development, as Delaware North is undertaking one of the largest projects in Boston right now to reimagine the area around TD Garden. Jacobs and his wife recently gave a significant gift to advance the University at Buffalo's medical school, which has been renamed for his family, and they discuss his role as a passionate philanthropist for higher education, health care, and the future of medicine. He touches on the importance of instincts ("If you don't have the instincts, you shouldn't do it"), seeking out opinions, and the role of a company within a community.
Dr. Gale Burstein, Commissioner of Public Health for Erie County @ecdoh, talks about Buffalo’s approach to combatting the national opioid epidemic by developing a task force of unlikely bedfellows; the unique opportunities of having such a large refugee population in Buffalo and Erie County; and her public health training in South Africa.
"Libraries aren't quiet places anymore" says Mary Jean Jakubowski, Director of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. In this episode, Mary Jean talks about how libraries are reinventing themselves as dynamic public spaces that engage the community through a variety of programming and activities; her thoughts on the library of the future and why there will always be books; and the constant need to upgrade and improve technology so they can be a 24/7 resource for all.
Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples Stokes is all things Buffalo. Crystal is a proud graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo State College and a former educator at B.U.I.L.D Academy. In this episode, Matt and Crystal talk about her passions for health care and education, the successes she's had in government fighting for diversity and MWBE contracts, and the ways in which Buffalo's Community Schools are acting as a model for other cities sin New York and around the country.
Matt Enstice, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus & host of "Talking Cities," stops by Bell Ringer to talk cities-- Buffalo to be exact. Hear an update from Matt on how the BNMC continues to drive innovation and job creation in our region. Bell Ringer is a podcast by Invest Buffalo Niagara, our region's economic development agency charged with supporting business attraction, expansion and entrepreneurship.
Matt talks with Bill Maggio, a health care, medical diagnostics, and business development executive from Buffalo, New York. They talk about the Jacobs Institute’s recently released landmark report on The Future of Medicine, and the role of health care systems in transforming how care is delivered. Bill highlights his role as an investor as well as a leader in the local start-up community as past chair of 43North business competition to spur economic development in Buffalo. They touch on his lifelong love of music as a classically-trained pianist as well as the impact rowing has had on his life.
In this episode, Matt talks with Eric Reich, co-founder of Campus Labs, an integrated software and cloud-based assessment tool that helps its nearly 1,400 higher education Member Campuses make informed decisions though strategic data and insights. Eric shares his thoughts on the future of higher education and how real change occurs when leadership isn't afraid to take risks and pivot when provided with valuable data.
Hear from Megan McNally, executive director of the Foundry, a not-for-profit small business incubator and makerspace in Buffalo, NY. Megan talks about how being a woman in a male-dominated field of woodworking inspired her to help others pursue their dreams and celebrate their differences. Her work at the Foundry has helped grow countless businesses, build community, and provide opportunity and access in a low-income neighborhood.
In this episode, Matt talks with Nic Perez, Chief Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton, about his journey with crowdsourcing and how he's seen technology develop over the years with companies like Netscape Communications, Charles Schwab and America Online; his passion for using technology for the greater good and the lives he's impacted working as the web technical architect for American Red Cross; and his views on the the power of the gig economy and its ability to allow people to work on whatever they want, wherever they want.
In this week’s #TalkingCities, hear from Holberton School cofounders Julien Barbier, Sylvain Kalache, and Julien Cyr, pioneers changing the way education is delivered. Just named one of Business Insiders 19 Hottest San Francisco Startups to Watch in 2018, Holberton is a project-based college alternative for the next generation of software engineers seeking to diversify the tech industry.
Matt talks with Asi Burak, CEO of Power Play NYC, about the growing popularity of e-sports over traditional sports among millennials and women; Asi's role as the producer for the largest industry-facing gaming festival in NYC, the Games for Change Festival and how games impact education, healthcare, research, civics, and social issues; and new research on neurogaming and the ways in which it can improve health, fitness and cognitive skills.
Matt talks with New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul about how humble beginnings with her very socially-conscious family pulled her toward public service at a very young age; her start in politics working with legendary Buffalonian Tim Russert and longtime Senator of New York Daniel Patrick Moynahan; her enthusiasm around Buffalo’s burgeoning tech scene as seen on the BNMC; and her pride in her role to support Governor Cuomo's laser focus on bringing back upstate New York by turning upside the typical economic development model.
Lt. Gov. Hochul has been an elected official at the town, county, state, and federal levels, providing her with an extraordinarily unique perspective of how government can truly work for the people. She view her ability to find common issues to “cross the aisle” as a hallmark of her success in Washington. She notes the importance of collaboration among women of different parties to enact great positive change.
She is chairing the NYS Women’s Suffrage Commission and speaks passionately about encouraging everyone, especially women, to step up and take risks to do great things.
Matt talks with Sam Marrazzo, the BNMC’s new Chief Innovation Officer. Sam talks about why he sees himself as a connector of technology, people, and places. He also touches on how being stationed on the U.S.S. Independence kicked off his career in technology; the importance of strong university alignment to drive innovation within cities; his longtime partnership with Topcoder; and why we should all “run to math”.
In this episode, we say a special goodbye to Michelle Levitt, founder of Too Much Neon, the podcasting business that took ground at BNMC's Innovation Center. Michelle is moving back home to St. Louis, MI to continue her career at Heil Sound, the family-owned business she's spent the past 13 years. Michelle talks about her experience moving to Buffalo and what it was like as an entrepreneur who started her own business; how technology is changing the media industry and her thoughts on why youth and millennials have gravitated towards podcasting. Oh, and we get hear how the name of her business, Too Much Neon, came to be.
Matt talks with Dean Seavers, Executive Director of National Grid US, an international electricity and gas company. Dean talks about his role leading the company's 15,000 employees across the northeastern US, the importance of advocating for their customers, and what it will take to get to a clean energy future. Matt and Dean also highlight the longtime partnership between National Grid and the BNMC in Buffalo, and how this can serve as an innovative model for how energy companies support economic development in their local communities.
Matt talks with Dean Seavers, Executive Director of National Grid US, an international electricity and gas company. Dean talks about his role leading the company's 15,000 employees across the northeastern US, the importance of advocating for their customers, and what it will take to get to a clean energy future. Matt and Dean also highlight the longtime partnership between National Grid and the BNMC in Buffalo, and how this can serve as an innovative model for how energy companies support economic development in their local communities.
In this episode, Matt talks with University at Buffalo President, Satish Tripathi, about how a UB education prepares students to respond to community needs and global issues; the research that UB is conducting that is making an impact locally and around the world; and the University's efforts to attract millennial learners to campus and keep them here in Western New York.
Today we're highlighting Candace Johnson, CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, who was recently named #1 of the Power 100 ranking by Buffalo Business First. In this episode, Candace talks with Matt about their innovative partnership with Cuba, the surprising ease of recruiting stellar researchers & physicians to Buffalo, Roswell's role as an economic driver for the region, and why patients should be the center of the universe.
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 19 "Finding the Right People" with Norma Nowak, founder of Empire Genomics and fellow Power 100 nominee.
Matt talks with Dr. Adnan Siddiqui about how rebellion and family experiences led him to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon; growing up & training in Pakistan; and the incredible partnerships and medical innovation happening right here in Buffalo.
In this episode, Matt talks with Landscape Architect, Joy Kuebler, about the nonprofit she started called Popup Park Buffalo that encourages kids through play; Joy's definition of 'placemaking' and how to create communities of value for everyone from ages 8 to 80; and what her ideal place would look and feel like.
Matt talks with Leslie Zemsky, Director of Fun for Larkin Square, a dynamic public space in Buffalo, NY. Dubbed “Larkinville,” the neighborhood became a true destination when Leslie and her family began developing the area that, in the late 1800s, was home to the Larkin Soap Company, a mail-order conglomerate that was the Amazon of its day. Leslie talks about the common sense component of placemaking, turning a huge vacant lot into the heart of a neighborhood, and how her early career planning the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade prepared her for it all.
We're throwing it back this week to an episode we released earlier this year featuring Buffalo's #1 Ambassador, Mayor Tony Masiello.
Matt talks with Tony about the opportunities and challenges that elected officials face in transforming cities. They discuss what led Tony to develop creative solutions to the difficult economic situation facing Buffalo during the 80s and 90s, much like many other Rust Belt cities at that time. Tony spent 35 years working in government on behalf of Western New York. He is a college Hall of Fame basketball player, drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1969. Today Tony is the president of Masiello Martucci Calabrese & Associates.
Linda Hunt, CEO of Dignity Health Arizona, visited the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus last week on a benchmarking trip with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce where we invited her as a guest on Talking Cities. On the show, Linda discusses opportunities in Phoenix to leverage Dignity Health, as well as challenges facing the area and other southwestern cities. A nurse with aspirations to lead from early on her career, Linda climbed the corporate ladder of health care, seeing and experiencing the profession from all angles and defining what it means to be a transformational leader along the way.
Matt talks with Mike Morris, CEO @TopCoder, about going from a developer to an entrepreneur; starting the number one community of software developers on the planet more than 15 years ago; TopCoder’s model of assigning co-pilots to help find solutions to complex problems; and the explosion of the gig economy to support the TopCoder community.
In this special 1-hour episode, Matt has a conversation with Bishop Tommy Reid and Pastor William Gillison about the role of the church in reviving cities; how technology and the media have changed ministry through the years; and what the two pastors with over 100 years of ministry have to say for our listeners about fulfilling your dreams and sustaining hope.
Mehrdad Yazdani, founder of Yazdani Studio at CannonDesign, talks about growing up in Iran and seeing the movement of people from towns and villages to the country's capital, Tehran; the inspiration behind the Gates Vascular Institute and the impact of creating purposeful collisions; and his thoughts on technologies that will disrupt cities the most.
Michael Weiner, President & CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, talks with Matt about the role of the United Way as both a world-wide network as well as a leader within local communities; his view of the working poor and racial inequity as systemic problems faced across the country; driving data by zip code; and why his organization has found success in digital fundraising.
Matt talks with Gregg Mojica, Chief Technology Officer of Gradology, about life as a software engineer and serial entrepreneur at age 18. They talk about "gamifying" education to improve student grades, how Gregg's motivation to have his name in the app store while in high school pushed him to create a number of apps, and his role as a blogger for AppCoda, one of the leading iOS programming communities. Oh, and what it's like to turn down Facebook.
Dr. Nick Hopkins talks about the moment he learned the meaning of entrepreneurship and how developing new technologies has enriched his neurosurgical career; the outcome of cross-specialty experts coming together from around the world to share their successes and failures and how these collisions inspired the Gates Vascular Institute "club sandwich" design; and his outlook on the future of medicine.
Matt talks with Congressman Brian Higgins about the role of the federal government in finding new ways to finance infrastructure; social media igniting people around the world in the face of repressive regimes; the importance of the Great Lakes and waterways; and the celebration of location he sees in many cities.
Episode 28 // May 2, 2017// Matt talks with Vincent Stanley, director of philosophy for Patagonia, about what prompted the creation of such a socially-conscious company, the importance of sharing what they learned, how technology has impacted the industry, and why telling people "don't buy this jacket" was such a big deal.
Eva Hassett, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, talks about her love for Rust Belt cities and how she went from a career in government to leading a refugee resettlement agency; the economic impact that refugees and immigrants have on a city and how they're reversing population decline; and her vision for leaders at all levels to work collaboratively and strategically on behalf of this issue.
Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo talks about the role infrastructure has in behavior change and how it helps facilitates an active living mindset in communities; the future of transportation and the opportunities and challenges of a society reliant on autonomous vehicles; how technology influences our ability to get around by improving accessibility & convenience of different modes; and the importance of government providing resources & funding for maintenance of existing facilities and how the private sector can support this work.
George Chouman, CEO of ACV Auctions, talks to Matt about learning the essentials of business from his parents at a young age; why he left Synacor, Inc., a multi-million dollar company to lead ACV Auctions and pursue his passion for startups; and how he's able to give back the mentorship he once received as a young entrepreneur through his involvement with Launch NY.
Matt talks with Roseanne Haggerty, President of Community Solutions, a not-for-profit organization based in New York City that works to end homelessness and the conditions that cause it. She highlights specific projects in Hartford, Brownsville (Brooklyn) and Times Square; their role in helping communities reorganize the way they work; building high-performing command centers with the full team at the table; and providing the freedom to challenge old assumptions.
Matt and Joanne Lee, Collaborative Learning Director for Active Living by Design, talk about keeping your feet on the ground while working on a national scale; local elected officials setting the tone to transform communities; social media lifting community voices; and the importance of carving out time to learn.
Matt talks with designer & futurist Chris Cowart about the impact of technology in on city planning and staying ahead of disruption; practical application of the importance of reverse mentoring; humanizing medical technologies; the importance of engaging youth in emerging sports, and much more.
Matt talks with Clara Miller, President of the F.B. Heron Foundation, about Heron’s leadership in shining a light on the need for impact investing alongside mission investing; how asset managers and corporations are responding to millennials and why it’s important; and why the old Girl Scout adage "leave the campsite better than we found it" still applies.
Matt talks with Su Sanni, co-founder of We Did It, a software platform that helps nonprofits fundraise online, about getting bit by the entrepreneur bug in college; growing up as a first generation Nigerian American; and the surreal experience of waking up one winter morning to find himself on the cover of Black Enterprise.
Hear from Norma Nowak, entrepreneur, scientist, innovator and director of UB's NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. Norma talks about the road that led her to founding Empire Genomics, a spin out company from research developed at Roswell Park Cancer Institute; the critical role her research played in the Human Genome Project; and how the advancement of technology has accelerated the genomics field in ways she couldn't have imagined.
In this episode, Matt talks with Dr. Samina Raja, Principal Investigator of the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo, about her work with one of the largest USDA grants for food systems research, Growing Food Connections; how she’s married urban planning and public health in her profession and the lessons local governments can learn from this type of collaboration; and how refugees in Buffalo are impacted by their food environments.
Matt speak with Dr. Adnan Siddiqui about how rebellion and family experiences led him to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon; growing up & training in Pakistan; and the incredible partnerships and medical innovation happening right here in Buffalo.
Matt talks with Anne Wadsworth, social innovator and co-founder of @thewholegirl. GEC is piloting a community-led initiative in Kitenga, Tanzania, that supports the transformative power of education to enable young women to become catalysts for change in their communities. They touch on the importance in civic engagement in this international effort and using technology to build a school halfway around the world.
Matt talks with Robby Takac, co-founder of the Goo Goo Dolls, about the not-for-profit organization he founded that encourages kids through music, the “end of your arm” philosophy to improving communities, seeing the country with @RoadsideAmerica, and why he built a recording studio in his hometown of Buffalo, NY.
Matt & Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown talk about their experience with CityLab, the impact of the growing immigrant & refugee population to Buffalo’s revitalization, driving development through the city's new "Green Code,” sharing ideas with other mayors across the country, and his love of @FlamingFish food truck.
Are we living in a post-truth America? Matt and Bruce Katz, Centennial Scholar at The Brookings Institution, discuss the need for cities to adjust to a very different world after the election & Brexit; the impact of relocating anchor institutions to the downtown core; and the radical remake of federalism.
Matt talks with Janne Siren, director of the Albright-Knox, about the art gallery as a major anchor institution in Buffalo and the holistic role the arts play in elevating the community through engaging youth, partnering with other local organizations, and leveraging the latest technology.
Matt’s daughter Molly takes over the show to introduce Matt to his audience. They talk about why he created this show and his interest in the people who make cities great; how he went from working on Saturday Night Live in NYC to leading a Medical Campus in Buffalo; and who his ideal guest would be (after Molly, of course).
Matt was a recent guest on the Heron Foundation Soundbites podcast, so we thought we’d share that this week. He talks about what it means to be an investor of the Heron Foundation and what it’s meant for our organization, but more importantly how it’s helping our team and our partners to revitalize Buffalo.
Candace Johnson, CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, talks with Matt about their innovative partnership with Cuba, the surprising ease of recruiting stellar researchers & physicians to Buffalo, Roswell's role as an economic driver for the region, and why patients should be the center of the universe.
David Rust, executive director of Say Yes to Buffalo, talks with Matt about how an innovative public-private partnership has changed thousands of lives and why Buffalo is seen as a model for change.
| Cheryl Heller, founder of the first master’s level program in social design at the School of Visual Arts, talks with Matt about how she helps people see what is remarkable about what they do, driving change agents at PopTech, and why people overcomplicate things. |
John Fullerton, founder of the Capital Institute, reflects on the regenerative economy and the disruption of the financial system. John and Matt talk about the need to shift our mindset from reductionist thinking – focusing on the parts, the problems – to holistic thinking, to open up new opportunities.
Mark Rossi is a collaborative developer of innovative programs, tools and initiatives for integrating sustainable materials and safer chemicals into the economy. He founded BizNGO and is currently Executive Director of Clean Production Action Group.
Matt talks to Dr. Jennifer Obadia, Eastern US Regional Director for Healthcare Without Harm. They cover everything from the importance of understanding where food comes from and how it relates to job creation; the need to transform the national food system and what that means for city and state government; access to food and building an environment to makes healthy eating easy; and using food as a community-building vehicle.
Matt talks with Darius Pridgen, pastor and elected official in Buffalo, NY, about the role of the church in transforming communities. They discuss the need for a comprehensive plan to engage families; finding elected officials not afraid to make tough decisions to lead true systems change; and where he gets his entrepreneurial inspiration.
Matt interviews Michellene Davis, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer for RWJ Barnabas Health in New Jersey. They talk about how growing up in Camden, NJ has shaped her both personally and professionally; ensuring youth have a “seat at the table” so that their voice is heard as communities are being revitalized; and her belief that health care institutions should be in the driver’s seat to change cities.
Matt talks with Tony Masiello, former mayor of Buffalo, NY, about the opportunities and challenges that elected officials face in transforming cities. They discuss what led Tony to develop creative solutions to the difficult economic situation facing Buffalo during the 80s and 90s, much like many other Rust Belt cities at that time. Tony spent 35 years working in government on behalf of Western New York. He is a college Hall of Fame basketball player, drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1969. Today Tony is the president of Masiello Martucci Calabrese & Associates.
This week, Matt talks with David Gamble, architect and urban planner specializing in urban design, about the importance of bringing community and economic development together through planning and engagement. David is the principal of Gamble Associates based in Cambridge, MA, and has been a lecturer in Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design since 2009. David has spent 25 years working in urban settings and within the context of public engagement, including guiding the planning of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus since its inception in 2002. He recently published “Rebuilding the American City” with co-author Patty Heyda (Washington University). David and Matt talk about the current trend of migration back to urban environments, the pros and cons of the role that sports can play to a city’s collective psyche, how anchor districts are relying on design of both public and private space to help attract “knowledge workers” to their campuses, and the focus on building healthier communities.