This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank sit down with Stephanie Volles for a conversation full of laughs, resilience, and one absolutely legendary pandemic story.

Stephanie — a bartender, mom, model, and actress — shares how during COVID she came up with the hilarious idea of having people buy oranges, write messages on them, and send an entire pallet of them to then-Governor Cuomo. What started as a funny and creative idea quickly exploded into a national news story, leading to unexpected calls from media outlets across the country.

But the episode also gets real. Stephanie opens up about the struggles of divorce, rebuilding her life, and figuring out how to provide for her child after once relying heavily on her husband. Through it all, she’s continued pushing forward, reinventing herself, and finding strength through difficult moments.

It’s a fun, honest, and inspiring conversation filled with crazy stories, real-life challenges, and of course plenty of drinks 🍻 — exactly the kind of night you’d expect from Brews & Banter.

📲 Follow Stephanie here:
Instagram: @ei_nahpetsquared

And don’t forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com
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Publish Date: 5/27/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome back Bruce Alexander for his second appearance on the show — and his first time in the new studio.

Bruce, a former firefighter turned life coach, joins the guys for a great conversation about personal growth, mindset, and helping people get themselves back on the right path. Through his coaching and mentoring work, Bruce focuses on pushing people to break through mental barriers and become the best version of themselves.

And trust us… listeners will quickly get a taste of that, because Bruce definitely didn’t let Roman off easy during this episode 😄 The back-and-forth between them gave a real look into how much Bruce genuinely cares about the people he works with and how passionate he is about helping others grow.

Of course, the conversation was fueled by a good brew 🍻 — including one Bruce had never tried before — making for a fun, motivating, and entertaining episode full of laughs and real talk.

Learn more about Bruce here:
🌐 https://www.brucealexander.net/

📲 Instagram: @brucealexander

And don’t forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com
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Publish Date: 5/18/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Tom and Robyn from the band Fatman and Robyn into the studio for an awesome night of music, stories, and drinks.

The duo will be performing at this year’s Hops on the Seneca on June 13th, and after hearing them talk about their journey — and hearing about their performances — it’s easy to understand why people don’t want them to stop playing once they get going. Robyn brings an incredible voice to the stage while Tom backs it up on guitar, creating a performance people remember.

Outside of music, Robyn works as a Registered Nurse and Tom serves as a Syracuse police officer, making their musical partnership even more unique and impressive.

We had an amazing time talking with them about balancing careers, music, and life — all over delicious beers 🍻… well, except for Robyn, who skipped the beer entirely and went straight for whiskey like an absolute badass 🥃

And make sure to stick around until the end of the episode, because Tom and Robyn perform a brand-new original song live in the studio that listeners definitely won’t want to miss 🎶

Follow Fatman and Robyn here:
📲 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatmanandRobyn

And don’t forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com
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Publish Date: 5/11/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Len Modelewski into the studio for one of the most beer-focused episodes we’ve had yet 🍻

Len is a passionate home brewer and a member of the American Homebrewers Association, and he came prepared — bringing along some of his latest homemade batches for us to try. We dive into the world of home brewing, what it takes to craft great beer from scratch, and how Len has taken his passion on the road to AHA events, where his setup often draws a crowd.

From brewing techniques to craft beer conversations (probably more than we’ve ever had in one episode 😄), this one is packed with flavor, laughs, and great insights for anyone who appreciates a good beer.

And don’t forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com

Publish Date: 5/6/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Andrea Atcheson into the studio — and it turns into part health talk, part reunion. Andrea, who went to school with Frank, joins the show to catch up and share what she’s been building professionally.

Andrea works with people to help them better understand their medical diagnoses, with a strong focus on heart health and lifestyle changes. We dive into practical ways to approach heart-healthy diets, how to make sense of what doctors tell you, and how small changes can make a big impact.

Beyond that, Andrea brings her passion for cooking to the conversation, talking about her experience teaching others online and how food plays a big role in both health and enjoyment.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Brews & Banter without a drink in hand 🍻 and plenty of laughs along the way — making this a fun, informative, and easygoing episode.
@andreaacheson
And don’t forget to rep the show:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com

Publish Date: 5/4/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank connect remotely with Jessica Merritt, also known as @beerbabejess — a marketing and creative director, craft beer enthusiast, and author of Rethink Everything You Know About Craft Beer.

Joining us from California, Jess shares her journey through the craft beer industry, how she built her brand, and what inspired her to challenge the way people think about beer. We dive into her passion for storytelling, marketing, and breaking down the misconceptions around craft beer culture.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Brews & Banter without enjoying some delicious beers along the way 🍻 — keeping the conversation fun, honest, and full of great energy.

Check out Jess and her work:
🌐 https://www.beerbabejess.com/

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beerbabejess

Grab her book here:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Rethink-Everything-Know-About-Craft/dp/B0GPW5CZ8F

And don’t forget to rep the show:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com

Publish Date: 4/27/2026

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This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank sit down with Kelly and Angel for a fun and meaningful conversation about community, family, and giving back.

Kelly shares the story behind her annual Bowling for Autism event — something she started in Pennsylvania and has now brought to Central New York. Inspired by her autistic brother, Kelly has been creating a space where families can come together, raise awareness, and support a cause that’s close to her heart.

We talk about how the event has grown, the impact it’s making locally, and what it takes to keep something like this going year after year. Of course, the conversation is fueled by a few beers 🍻 — including Kelly cracking open a Yuengling from her home state… while Angel kept things strictly non-alcoholic.

It’s a great mix of laughs, real stories, and a reminder that good people doing good things can make a big difference.

Learn more about the event:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/bowlingforautism

And don’t forget to support the show:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com

Publish Date: 4/20/2026

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