In the latest episode of The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, host Tom Pollard sits down with Adam Zahran for an engaging conversation about the power of play, creativity, and why stepping outside our daily routines matters more than ever. Adam shares his thoughts on how play influences learning, relationships, mental health, and even the way communities connect with one another.

The discussion moves from childhood memories to the role play can have in adult life, business, and personal growth. Along the way, listeners will hear stories, laughter, and thoughtful insights about balancing responsibility with imagination in today’s fast-moving world.

This episode captures the spirit of curiosity and positivity that makes Pittsburgh unique while reminding listeners that play is not just for kids — it is an important part of staying creative, connected, and inspired at any age.

In this episode of the Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, Tom Pollard talks with Hannah Burns and Tyler Butler, two Pittsburgh-based personal trainers who are helping people rethink fitness, recovery, and overall wellness.

Both bring strong backgrounds in personal training and performance coaching, and their work has led them into the growing world of cold immersion and ice bath therapy. Tyler was one of the founders of TubClub, a Pittsburgh-based initiative introducing people to ice bath and sauna immersion and has grown into a supportive community for health. Hannah later joined the organization and now plays a leadership role in that community as the group leads an evolution from the TubClub pop-up events to a brick and mortar space called Nervana Health.

Together, they share what they’ve learned from working with clients, why ice baths have become such a powerful tool for recovery and mental resilience, and what it’s like helping newcomers take that first plunge into cold water.

In this conversation, we talk about their paths into personal training, the mindset behind cold immersion, and their vision for helping more people improve their health and resilience.

In this episode of The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, we’re joined by instructor and owner of Elite Etiquette Consulting, Melissa Botta and Professor Sean Martin, faculty members at Point Park University, to explore the evolving role of education, creativity and community engagement in Pittsburgh.

Melissa and Professor Martin share insights from the classroom, discuss how today’s students are changing, and explain how Point Park emphasizes hands-on learning, storytelling, and real-world experience. We talk about adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking and why those skills matter now more than ever.

Whether you’re an educator, student, parent, or simply curious about how higher education is evolving in our region, this episode offers perspective, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at shaping the next generation.

In this episode of The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, we sit down with author Seyed Nourashrafeddin to discuss his book In Search of Rain: From Motel Qu to Pittsburgh.

Seyed shares a deeply personal journey that spans continents, cultures, and decades. What begins in a modest motel abroad unfolds into a thoughtful reflection on identity, resilience, and finding purpose in a new place, ultimately leading to Pittsburgh.

This conversation explores immigration, memory, belonging, and the quiet moments that shape who we become. It’s a story about searching for meaning, adapting to change, and discovering how a city like Pittsburgh can become part of one’s personal story.

If you enjoy thoughtful storytelling, lived experience, and voices that add depth to our community, this episode is well worth your time.

Get ready for some spicy conversation in this special episode recorded live at Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire hot sauce festival!

Host Tom Pollard sits down with four bold local personalities who took on the heat while sharing their stories and sweating through it.

Meet Gabe, co-owner of Cold Friends Kitchen, Alex from AlexEatsTooMuch.com, comedian Blair Patterson, and freestyle rapper Fungi as they sample sauces from local vendors and try to keep their cool. Expect laughter, spontaneous freestyles, hot takes (literally), and plenty of Pittsburgh flavor.

From food to comedy to music — this episode celebrates the creative, fiery spirit of the ‘Burgh!

Take a peek behind the doors of Brighton Heights with Annie Cole, member of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation and curator of @housesofpittsburgh on Instagram. Annie reveals how the annual House Tour comes together, shares stories of the homes you’ll see, and explains why this event is such a celebration of community spirit. Whether you love history, architecture, or just discovering Pittsburgh’s hidden gems, this episode is your all-access pass!

In this episode of The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, we sit down with Lisa and Frank Ray—the fiery duo behind Hammajack Heat Co., a small-batch hot sauce brand proudly crafted in Pittsburgh.

They share how they turned this amateur hobby into a successful business, what they love about it, and their vision for working with their competitors rather than against them. Even better, they reveal details about Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire Hot Sauce Festival—the city’s first-ever hot sauce celebration—happening October 4, 2025, at Velum Fermentation.

From entrepreneurial lessons to flavor-packed stories (and plenty of laughs), this conversation will leave you hungry to taste the heat and join the festival fun.

Step into the passenger seat as we ride along with a Pittsburgh cab driver who has seen it all—late-night fares, unforgettable conversations, and the city from a perspective few get to experience. In this episode of The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast, we explore what driving a cab reveals about Pittsburgh’s people, culture, and spirit.