Grab a cold one and pull up a chair—things are getting a little sweet on this episode of Brews & Banter!
This week, Roman and Frank welcome Ashley Phelps, the passionate young founder and beekeeper behind Sun & Hive. What started as an accidental interest back in school has turned into a blossoming local venture. Ashley shares the story of starting small with her very first hive, how she grew into the craft, and the unexpected twists and turns along her journey so far.
We dive into what it takes to run a modern small-scale apiary, where she hopes to take Sun & Hive in the future, and of course, indulge in a few wild and fun ideas along the way (because it wouldn't be Brews & Banter if we kept things completely serious!).
It’s an episode full of laughs, honest storytelling, and a fascinating look into the world of young entrepreneurs keeping nature buzzing. Hit play, kick back, and join the conversation! @sunandhiveco
Publish Date: 8/10/2026
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Dennis Sick, writing under the pen name Noah Sick, to the studio to talk about his novel Dancing in Time.
Dennis shares the fascinating story behind his passion for writing and how this alternate-history thriller came to life. What makes the story even more unique is that he actually wrote the book back in the 1990’s then put it away and never expected it to see the light of day. Years later, his wife discovered the manuscript and asked to read it. Her encouragement pushed Dennis to finally bring the story back to life and share it with the world.
In Dancing in Time, a government conspiracy buried somewhere between 1942 and 1998 begins to unravel when a federal agent digs into the past. But the past isn't exactly a safe place when you have to go back and change it. A journey through time, generations of secrets, and choices that could rewrite the future make this a unique alternate-history adventure.
You can hear the passion and excitement in Dennis's voice as he talks about the characters, the story, and the journey of finally becoming a published author. We've talked with a lot of authors on Brews & Banter, and every one has a different story about how their book came to life—Dennis's is definitely one of them.
And because this is Brews & Banter, Dennis didn't just bring his story—he showed up with a huge platter of sushi, which we happily enjoyed alongside our beers! 🍣🍻
📖 Want to take the journey yourself?
Buy Dancing in Time on Amazon
🌐 Visit Brews & Banter:
https://brewsnbanter.com
Publish Date: 8/17/2026
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Kailee Buller, candidate for New York's 22nd Congressional District, for an open and engaging conversation over a few cold beers.
Growing up in Auburn, New York, Kailee shares how her roots shaped her passion for public service and led her to a career in Washington, D.C. Before launching her campaign for Congress, she served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and held leadership positions focused on agriculture, food policy, and supporting American farmers and rural communities.
During the conversation, we discuss Kailee's vision for Central New York, including strengthening agriculture, supporting local breweries and small businesses, expanding opportunities for homeowners and the real estate industry, and creating economic growth throughout the region. We also tackle one of the hottest topics in Central New York today—the development of data centers—and what they could mean for local communities.
Whether you agree or disagree politically, this episode is exactly what Brews & Banter is all about: sitting down over a beer 🍻, having respectful conversations, and getting to know the people behind the headlines. Kailee brought great energy to the studio, and we appreciated hearing her perspective and dedication to serving the people of the 22nd District.
Learn more about Kailee Buller and her campaign:
🌐 https://kaileebuller.com
And don't forget to visit us for new episodes, merch, upcoming events, and more:
👉 https://brewsnbanter.com 🍻
Publish Date: 8/3/2026
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome back Ali Nicholson for a fun and inspiring follow-up to one of our most memorable episodes.
When Ali first joined us, she shared the powerful story behind her book and her journey through an abusive relationship. Before leaving the studio, she talked about her dream of embracing a primitive lifestyle. This time, she's back to show us how that dream has become her reality.
Ali shares what it's like living both van life and on her own piece of land, creating a life centered around simplicity, self-reliance, and adventure. We talk about the challenges of adapting to different climates, managing supplies, finding creative solutions, and continuously learning to thrive in an unconventional lifestyle.
As an added bonus, Ali gave us an exclusive tour of her van, giving listeners and viewers a firsthand look at the tiny space she calls home and the innovative ways she's made it work.
We also catch up on her latest career ventures, the lessons she's learned along the way, and where life is taking her next. It was an absolute pleasure having Ali back in the studio, enjoying some great beers 🍻, hearing incredible stories, and thanking her for the thoughtful gifts she brought us.
If you enjoyed Ali's first appearance, you won't want to miss this exciting next chapter of her journey.
📲 Follow Ali's adventures:
Instagram: @alien.moss.brews
🌐 Visit our website for episodes, merch, upcoming events, and more:
https://brewsnbanter.com 🍻
Publish Date: 7/27/2026
Most people hide their darkest moments, but Devin Fish shares his with raw honesty — from childhood hardship and military setbacks to addiction, suicidal despair, and ultimately finding purpose through faith and resilience.
In this episode, Devin talks about turning pain into purpose, the power of telling your story, and how vulnerability can become a path to healing and hope. It’s a powerful conversation for anyone facing their own internal battles. www.brewsnbanter.com
Publish Date: 7/20/2026
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Dave Collins, owner and head brewer of Bullfinch Brewing Co., into the studio for the very first time! After visiting Dave at his brewery during his first appearance, it was great to return the favor and have him join us in the Brews & Banter studio, along with his good friend Todd.
Dave shares the story behind his passion for brewing, how Bullfinch Brewing Co. came to life, and the journey of turning a love for craft beer into an award-winning brewery. We also talk about the dedication, creativity, and challenges that come with building a successful brewery in New York's growing craft beer scene.
Of course, Dave didn't show up empty-handed. He brought an incredible lineup of beers for us to sample throughout the episode and generously sponsored the podcast by donating some of Bullfinch Brewing's award-winning beer to stock our kegerator—something we definitely weren't complaining about! 🍻
Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind passionate entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with great conversation, plenty of laughs, and some fantastic brews.
Learn more about Bullfinch Brewing Co.:
🌐 https://bullfinchbrewing.com
📲 Follow Bullfinch Brewing Co. on social media:
Instagram: @bullfinchbrewing
And don't forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com 🍻
Publish Date: 7/13/2026
Most people don’t realize how a life filled with music, danger, and love can lead to a compelling new career in writing—and this episode proves it. Debora Masterson’s journey from dancer and musician to author will surprise you and inspire you to live your truth, no matter where life takes you. Debora shares her extraordinary story of how her love affair with a talented, unconventional musician changed her entire life. She describes her early days in musical theater, her time in bands with her brothers, and the fiery love story with Craig Ingram—an adventurous musician whose life inspired her debut novel, Freedom Quest. When Craig passed away, Debora found herself with an abundance of stories, footage, and unpublished music, fueling her transformation from a lifelong music lover into a published author.
Follow Debora’s journey and learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/freedomquestbook
Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Quest-Story-Debora-Masterson-ebook/dp/B0GQ573WV4
Support our podcast by checking out our merch shop: https://brewsnbanter.com/shop/ and grab something to help keep Brews & Banter going strong.
Publish Date: 7/6/2026
This week on Brews & Banter, Roman and Frank welcome Marisa and Jennifer, the hosts of the Crazy Real Bugge & Zogg Podcast, for a fun-filled episode that starts with one of the most unique beers we've ever tasted... pickle beer! 🥒🍺 Let's just say it sparked some interesting reactions and set the tone for a great conversation.
From there, we dive into their journey into the podcasting world, how the Crazy Real Bugge & Zogg Podcast came to life, and the personalities that make their show so entertaining. We swap stories about the highs and lows of podcasting, creating content, and the friendships that grow behind the microphones.
It was an absolute blast hanging out with Marisa and Jennifer, sharing laughs, trying new brews, and talking shop with fellow podcasters. If you enjoy good conversations, great personalities, and a little bit of unexpected beer adventure, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
📲 Follow the Crazy Real Bugge & Zogg Podcast on Instagram:
@crazyrealbuggezogg
And don't forget to rep the show while you listen:
👉 https://brewsnbanterstore.com 🍻
Publish Date: 6/29/2026
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!
