Join us for a fun, lively conversation with Michyy (Michaela), the ambitious founder of Claws by Michyy and For the Girls Salon and Company, located just "eight tiles down" from our studio. Michyy shares her unexpected journey from earning a Bachelor's in Psychology to becoming a successful nail technician and salon owner. Learn how she went from an unfulfilling internship in foster care to opening her own beautiful, pink, cheetah-print, sparkle-filled business in just two years. Discover how she supports other female entrepreneurs by offering booth rentals and why she uses high-quality, regulated products from the UK to maintain strict hygiene, even explaining the scary realities of toe fungus and why she had to turn away a pedicure client. Plus, hear about her family of construction business owners (P&R Construction and Jocko Enterprises) who helped bring her salon vision to life, and why her sweet-but-territorial dog, Koda, got kicked out of doggy daycare. Instagram: @clawsbymichyy @for.the.girls.salon.co
Publish Date: 12/15/2025
Frank and Roman are back with a full house, welcoming Melanie, Mary Anne, and Shelley to discuss Baldwinsville’s coolest tradition, the 19th annual B-Ville Big Chill. The crew dives into the icy details of the event at Mercer Park, discussing everything from the logistics of breaking the frozen Seneca River to the "Best in Bowl" food competition and the Poker Bear Express pub crawl.
The conversation heats up as the organizers recruit the hosts to form their own "Brews & Banter" team to participate in the fundraiser. Tune in to hear Frank’s concerns about cold-water swimwear, Roman’s drafting into the "Polar Opposite" squad, and all the information you need to support this great community cause—whether you plan on jumping in the water or staying dry on the sidelines. https://www.baldwinsvillechamber.com/
Publish Date: 1/5/2026
Frank and Roman are back with a full house, welcoming Melanie, Mary Anne, and Shelley to discuss Baldwinsville’s coolest tradition, the 19th annual B-Ville Big Chill. The crew dives into the icy details of the event at Mercer Park, discussing everything from the logistics of breaking the frozen Seneca River to the "Best in Bowl" food competition and the Poker Bear Express pub crawl.
The conversation heats up as the organizers recruit the hosts to form their own "Brews & Banter" team to participate in the fundraiser. Tune in to hear Frank’s concerns about cold-water swimwear, Roman’s drafting into the "Polar Opposite" squad, and all the information you need to support this great community cause—whether you plan on jumping in the water or staying dry on the sidelines. https://www.baldwinsvillechamber.com/
Publish Date: 1/5/2026
In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman sit down with a truly trailblazing guest: Jessica Cox, the world’s first airplane pilot certified to fly with her feet. Born without arms, Jessica has shattered expectations not only in aviation but also as the first armless black belt in the American Taekwondo Association, a surfer, and a scuba diver. In this conversation, we discuss: Defying Gravity: How Jessica flies a 1946 Ercoupe 415-C, a vintage plane uniquely suited for her piloting style, and her journey to earning a Guinness World Record.
The Impossible Airplane: Jessica’s current mission to build an RV-10—a custom-controlled experimental plane—with the help of volunteers and the EAA Chapter 898 in Toms River, NJ.
Overcoming Fear: How she manages fear in the cockpit and her philosophy that "disability does not mean inability".
Life Without Hands: Jessica demonstrates how she handles everyday tasks—from driving a car to pouring a drink—with incredible dexterity using her feet. Join us for an awe-inspiring conversation about persistence, creativity, and disarming your limits.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
Support the Build: Help match donations for the RV-10 project at TheImpossibleAirplane.com/match.
The Book: Check out Jessica’s book, Disarm Your Limits, available on Amazon and Audible.
Publish Date: 12/29/2025
In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman sit down with Adam Ruszkowski, the founder of AR Physical Therapy PC, to explore his unique approach to rehabilitation and patient care in Central New York. Adam shares the inspiring story behind opening his private practice in Jamesville and discusses the importance of personalized, one-on-one treatment sessions that prioritize the patient's long-term health over high-volume turnover. The conversation dives deep into the challenges of navigating the modern healthcare landscape and how Adam’s commitment to manual therapy and functional movement sets his clinic apart. Whether you are an athlete looking to return to peak performance or someone seeking relief from chronic pain, this interview highlights the passion and expertise Adam brings to his community, offering a refreshing perspective on what physical therapy can truly achieve. ar-physicaltherapy.com Support our podcast by purchasing our merch at brewsnbanterstore.com
Publish Date: 12/22/2025
On this Brews & Banter “podcast with friends” episode, Roman and Frank welcome a crew that feels like family: Catherine and Blake, visiting all the way from Florida, plus Catherine’s sister Jessica, a young entrepreneur from Syracuse who’s already making moves in real estate investing. (Jessica’s boyfriend hung out off-camera — shy but present for the chaos 😄) Over a round of drinks, we catch up on how we met, how life has evolved, and where our careers have taken us. Catherine and Blake share what it’s like working as real estate agents in Florida, while Catherine still keeps her NYS license active and closes deals up north. Jessica jumps in with her own journey — starting young, buying investment properties, and reaching out to Roman for advice, guidance, and the occasional hands-on help.
We also revisit our Florida trip, including the legendary moment we met Catherine and Blake’s pet alligator, George, who definitely deserves his own guest credit someday.
A fun, easygoing episode full of laughs, stories, career talk, and friendships that stretch across states. Grab a drink and hang out with us!
Publish Date: 12/8/2025
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank throw back a few cold ones with Gabby Downing — former high-fashion model turned full-throttle car builder, drifter, and content creator. Gabby shares the raw, honest version of her journey: from the glam of the runway to the grease-under-the-nails reality of wrenching on a 1987 Honda CRX with her late dad’s old toolbox. We dive deep into what made her trade heels for hydraulic jacks — how fixing that first rust-bucket car sparked a passion for racing, building, and self-reliance. Gabby walks us through her car history (CRX, Subaru WRX, BMW, and now a 1999 C5 Corvette drift build), the struggles of being one of the few women in the garage/racing world, and how she taught herself everything from mechanical work to social-media branding. Between laughs, real talk, and a few beers, we get the story behind her motto: “Clarity, goals, and donuts” — a little formula she says helped her stay true to herself, chase her passion, and build a life she loves. If you love cars, second chances, or just badass authenticity — this episode hits different. Buckle up, hit play, and enjoy the ride. 🍻
Publish Date: 12/1/2025
On this episode of Brews & Banter, hosts Roman and Frank pour two beers and welcome real-estate pro Shelley Hoffman — broker/owner of HHC Realty in Baldwinsville, NY and passionate community builder. Shelley takes us behind the scenes of her brokerage (in business since 2016), shares how she partners with non-profits and uses her love of local community to build business and relationships. We dig into how Shelley teaches real estate (she’s a NYS-approved real-estate educator) and how her entrepreneurial drive led her into media roles (including her work with American Dream TV). Amid the laughs and casual banter, we talk about what it takes to stay grounded in a business built on “heart, home, and community,” how a brokerage can serve a town (not just sell houses), and what’s next for both of us in collaborating together. Grab your favorite craft beer — this one’s as local, real, and entertaining as it gets. 🍻
Publish Date: 11/24/2025
Brews & Banter is a podcast where two friends sit down over a beer (or many) and chat about fun stories, life, current events, products, and all sorts of random bullshit. Each episode is a casual and humorous conversation filled with entertaining banter and hilarious anecdotes. Whether you're a beer enthusiast, a fan of funny stories, or just looking for a good laugh, Brews & Banter has something for everyone. So grab a cold one and join us for a fun-filled podcast experience!
