In this episode of Brews & Banter, Frank and Roman welcome Cydian Kauffman from Pure Water Northwest for a deep dive into the complex world of water quality and filtration. Cydian explains the critical distinction between "legal" and "healthy" water standards, highlighting how contaminants like arsenic can still be present in water that meets federal regulations. They discuss the realities of municipal water treatment versus well water, the difference between hard and soft water, and why standard filtration methods might not be enough to protect your home. The conversation shifts to industry solutions as Cydian describes his data-driven approach to water treatment, discussing the difference between comprehensive lab testing and simple over-the-counter gadgets. He details how customized systems are used to address specific problems ranging from plumbing damage to skin conditions like eczema and rosacea caused by harsh chemicals. Whether on city water or a private well, the group explores the various options available for testing and treating home water systems.
Publish Date: 1/19/2026
In this episode of Brews & Banter, hosts Frank and Roman sit down with Maddi Violet, owner of Ve Oh Lay Acres Winery, for a relaxed and honest conversation about turning passion into a poured product. Maddi shares her journey into winemaking, what it takes to build and run a winery, and the realities of operating a local business in a competitive industry. From the early days of Ve Oh Lay Acres to the challenges, lessons learned, and wins along the way, this episode blends entrepreneurship, creativity, and a love for great drinks — all in true Brews & Banter fashion. As always, the conversation stays casual, authentic, and full of real talk you won’t hear in a polished sales pitch. Grab a drink, settle in, and join Frank and Roman as they raise a glass with Maddi Violet and dive into the story behind the vines. veohlayacres.com @thenomadicgrapevine
Publish Date: 1/26/2026
In this episode of Brews and Banter, hosts Frank and Roman are joined by Hunter Ziesing, a former Wall Street professional who pivoted his career toward health and wellness. Hunter discusses his background founding the Charity of Choice Foundation to benefit Livestrong and his current venture, Longevity Health, which aims to make high-end preventative testing—such as VO2 Max, Dexa scans, and blood work—accessible to the general public rather than just the wealthy. He explains how the current healthcare system focuses on "sick care" and outlines his goal to reduce the cost of comprehensive longevity clinics from thousands of dollars to an affordable monthly subscription. The conversation dives deep into the role of Artificial Intelligence in the future of medicine, with Hunter demonstrating an AI voice agent that interprets medical data to provide personalized health advice. The group debates the reliability of AI versus human physicians, the systemic issues regarding the accessibility of healthy food, and the potential for AI to act as a "check engine light" for the human body. They also discuss the importance of social motivation in fitness and the company's roadmap for using technology to create a more proactive healthcare model.
Publish Date: 1/12/2026
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
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
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
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!
