Episode 18: Olympian Juan Miguel Moreno

 I'm so proud of this interview. This is a podcast I hope you share with your friends and take a moment to rate and review.

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Even as a journalist it's not everyday you get to interview an Olympian... let alone a three time Olympian, two time silver medal winning Olympian, but that is the situation I found myself in recently! I came away from my interview with Juan Miguel Moreno empowered to talk to more people who have achieved amazing accomplishments. 

Juan's message of personal excellence can be one that you can learn from whether it's your own professional goals or those that you hope your children will accomplish.  

If you want to hear some advice on achieving personal success- this podcast is for you.

If you want to be a better parent of a student athlete- this podcast is for you.

If you ever wondered what it's like to be an Olympian- this podcast is for you.

If you've ever wondered how to overcome a perceived failure- this podcast is for you!

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Podcast Episode 15: Alyssa Cremeans

I'm excited to bring you a new woman talking about her journey of success. Alyssa Cremeans started her first food business when she was 7 years old. Now at age 25, she has written her first book "The Happy Mason Jar." Alyssa talks about her experiences overcoming a debilitating disease, and how her grandparents, who escaped Nazi Germany, taught her a strong work ethic. You will get a kick out of how her husband almost blew it with a gesture she calls "disrespectful"... but how in the end she became "Team Devin" all the way.

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Podcast Episode 4: Kathy Sheehan

Today's podcast brought me to Albany city hall, a very MANLY office, and a revealing conversation with Albany's 75th mayor. This is an insightful interview about how Kathy Sheehan was raised, the people who influenced her life and how she told the then long time standing mayor Jerry Jennings- how she was going to run for the job. What a pleasure it was to interview her. I hope you enjoy!

Podcast Launch Day!!!

I have been dreaming about this project for a long... long time! Much longer than I can admit right now... because I was scared. I was scared to put myself out there. Have you ever felt that there was something you really wanted to do? Something you really wanted to share and you just couldn't? You allowed the negative thoughts in your brain convince you it wasn't worth it? Well, I know I have but now I'm taking a leap of faith and I just know it's the right thing to do.

See- I believe that we all want to be successful. Our definitions of success may be different but at the core of it- we want to the be the best version of ourselves we can be. That's what this podcast is all about. I want to talk to successful people. Hear their successes, their struggles, their ability to overcome and tips they would share. Maybe we will all be inspired and learn something from them that will help us be more successful. We have some AMAZING people in New York State... and I want to bring their stories to life for you. 

My first interview is with 7th degree Taekwondo black belt Master Mechelle Smith. One of the most respected women in USA Taekwondo, Master Mechelle is inspiring, smart, tough... and kind. You should see her with her students at her studio in Schenectady, New York! She is the total package and I am honored to have her as my first interviewee. 

Master Mechelle Smith

Listen to her interview here:

You can also find her interview on Podbean right now or  iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play hopefully by Friday (I made a technical error with synching). While you're there please subscribe and leave me a great review! YOU will make this podcast a SUCCESS!

Paula Pierro/Glennpeter Jewelers Diamond Centre

I also want you to meet Paula from Glennpeter Jewelers who is organizing an amazing podcast launch party for me! See all those tiles behind us on the Wall of Love? Those are all the charities Glennpeter Jewelers has helped over the years. They are not only hosting my podcast party but allowing me to donate all the proceeds from silent auction items and drinks to the wonderful charity Maddie's Mark Foundation.  I am forever grateful for their charity and support. With the money we raise at this event we will be able to give seriously ill children their "Best Day Ever".

Please get your tickets NOW- space is limited and we are planning a spectacular event. I'm so excited! I plan to tell you so much more in the weeks to come! 

Newsroom Experimenting

I had the excitement recently to interview Albany Mayoral Candidate Carolyn Mclaughlin in our newsroom As an anchor I typically do all interviews from the desk but lately we are experimenting with how to make the viewing experience more exciting. What I love is that we are in a position right now where we want to improve our product and truly transform our programming into something you want.

That's where you come in! What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? Your opinion matters! Leave me some suggestions to bring back into the newsroom and they could end up on the air! 

Meet CNY YNN Reporter Brad Vivacqua

I have quite a few colleagues who put a smile on my face- one who I really enjoy is a man I've been working with for 8-years... Central New York Morning Reporter Brad Vivacqua. Brad actually started with YNN (formerly News 10 Now) as a substitute for a reporter who went on Military service. Taking a leap of faith he threw himself into his job- and he quickly became an important, permanent part of our team. When I say he has a sweet nature- I'm not exaggerating! Even in the most frustrating circumstance (technical problems could cause this) Brad just takes a deep breath and can smile and continue on. Possessing this quality when you get up in the middle of the night for work- is so welcomed and admired!

His favorite part of his job is the fact that it changes everyday. He likes the suspense of the day- because you never know what your story will be. He also enjoys being creative and he says it makes it a fun and exciting job.

His least favorite part of the job is standing in sub zero temperatures during winter weather coverage. As our Morning Reporter in Central New York- this means he can be stationed anywhere from the Southern Tier--- all the way up to Potsdam! Ohhhh- and Oswego with it's lovely lake effect snow is the equalizer. I have to admit I giggle every time I see any reporter out in the elements because it reminds me of my time as a Reporter in Anchorage Alaska- and I relate and thank goodness I'm not out there. Brad just laughs it off- because he knows I can relate in a very special way. Despite not liking the snow- he knows how important snow coverage is to our viewers and he says it's well worth being out there if we can provide the best coverage.

Brad's a HUGE sports fan who has loved SU and remembers going to games with his dad when he was little. He says it's a dream come true to follow SU as a reporter to big games and in the NCAA.

 

 

Brad is home grown! This eligible bachelor is an only child and all his family is still in the Utica area and they love getting to watch him on TV. He loves a home cooked meal. He always talks fondly of his mom (as a mom myself- this just warms my heart)  and while he works a great deal he says the best way to put his mind at ease is to go for a run!

Brad is always looking for a great news story and truly understands the great responsibility put upon his shoulders when people trust him to tell his story. If you have any story ideas please reach out to Brad at Brad.Vivacqua@ynn.com and be sure to tune in to see him on tv in Central New York weekday mornings. You can also follow Brad's travels by finding him HERE or HERE.

I Shouldn't Be Telling You This

This morning I had the honor of interviewing the wildly popular former Editor of Cosmo Magazine Kate White. After 15 years at the top of the publishing world Kate decided to leave her post and pursue her passion to be a Motivational Speaker and Author. This Gutsy Girl has written a new book called "I Shouldn't Be Telling You This" and I highly recommend it to all women (in particular- but not limited to them) no matter where you are in your career. It is a career advice book chock full of tips that will help you achieve your full potential in the workplace. Get the hardback copy- you will want to highlight and take notes on key pieces of advice.

I started reading Kate's book at just the time when I needed some career inspiration and I knew right away that if she was going to be anywhere on the east coast- I would travel to see her talk. Turns out she is going to be here in Albany speaking at the "Bold In Business" seminar later this week! With that in mind I contacted her publicist and said I wanted to interview her and promote the event, her new book and her in general. Huge fan here!

My Senior Producer helped to schedule her to show up to our sister station NY1 in New York City and we would interview her remotely. The technical behind the scenes went smooth as butter and the interview was even better! She talked about why she is sharing all these wonderful trade secrets, the importance of women asking for more responsibilities to get noticed and the difference between your job and your career. She also touched on the goal of "Go Big Or Go Home". That's what I did by reaching out to her people and asking for an interview!

I had the opportunity to chat with Kate while she was getting comfortable on the set and I just have to say she was so wonderful.  She has a great personality and even made sure to remember my name- which I tell you I interview a lot of people and know she is interviewed by even more- so it stuck out to me. I just love that she has written a book about how women can get ahead. I love that she is using her experience to lift other women up to greatness.

We have just learned that the "Bold In Business" conference in Albany is now sold out! Buuuuut, I plan to be there later in this week. So, keep it right here. I will be blogging from there and I hope to be able to do an I-Phone interview with Kate.

If you'd like to see the interview click HERE.

Today was a great day on the job! Love it!

On The Runway

Good luck tonight to Electric City Couture Producer Corey Aldrich and Model/Actress Heather Riley in tonight's fashion show. YNN is a sponsor and Sports Director Marisa Jacques is Emcee. This fashion show is featured at the MoHu Festival and has seen success in helping to launch the careers of local Designers and Fashion Models.

Thanks to Heather for tweeting this picture out of our interview. She was so stylish in one of the designer's dresses!

Work that runway girl!

Electric City Couture

 

I had to bring my fashion A-game today when interviewing Electric City Couture Producer Corey Aldrich and Model/Actress Heather Riley about their upcoming show. It's exciting how the fashion scene is emerging in Schenectady. This fashion show is featured at the MoHu Festival and has seen success in helping to launch the careers of local Designers and Fashion Models. Click HERE for more information. Click HERE to see the interview.