Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

We’ve got a lot of good stuff comin up in this episode, yinzers (and you’ll sense a very Pittsburgh theme running through it)...

First, on August 8th, we had the awesome opportunity to be part of another Pittsburgh Pirates pre-game block party. August 8th just happens to be National Happiness Happens Day, so we were posted up at our tent with our whiteboard asking folks “Who or what makes you happy?” And our roving reporter, “Diva on the Street”, ventured out into the crowds to record folks’ thoughts should they want to share them that way.

And then… we love the opportunity to feature local small businesses who support and lift up their community.

Our featured business today was founded by Pittsburghers committed to giving back to Pittsburghers. They are: Buccos Roofing. And they aren’t just building roofs, they’re building community. They initiate neighborhood cleanups, support our youth and, in perhaps their best-known effort: host an annual free roof giveaway.

Tressa sat down with Co-founder & CEO, Mark Easton, at their office in Bethel Park for a lovely conversation. Mark has a helper’s heart, as you’ll hear, and takes great pride in his company’s work and the connections they make along the way.

Buccos Roofing

Watch this episode here!

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates all the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who ask, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

It’s Tressa here. Yinz are about to hear from a remarkable woman. The topic at the center of our conversation is difficult to discuss and, honestly, difficult for many of us to even think about. It involves unfathomable circumstances. But the message at the core of our conversation is one of extraordinary hope. Of finding purpose through tragedy and adversity. Of how we can help the most vulnerable among us.

Suzanne Hobbs is my guest. She is an award-winning former television news anchor, an Amazon best-selling children's book author, and a nationally recognized advocate for Safe Haven Laws. It is those Safe Haven Laws - and Suzanne’s very personal connection to them - that we are talking about today. Safe Haven laws exist in all 50 states - and they allow a parent to surrender their unharmed newborn to a designated Safe Haven provider without judgement and without legal trouble.

There is no one better to tell Suzanne’s powerful and beautiful story than Suzanne herself, of course, so I will only say here that the course of Suzanne’s life would be forever changed by a stranger’s tragedy more than two decades ago - this tragedy would ultimately launch her into a new life’s mission and, incredibly, into motherhood.

Suzanne has become a leading advocate for Safe Haven Laws and now works with the National Safe Haven Alliance. She uses her voice to educate, inspire, and advocate for vulnerable infants and families.

It was with great pleasure that I sat down with Suzanne in her hotel suite – she was here on the Pittsburgh leg of her children’s book tour (which you’ll hear all about as well). I have no doubt that her story will amaze you and her life-saving work will inspire you.

Register for “Common Ground” on Sept. 22nd

National Safe Haven Alliance

Find a Safe Haven Location in Your State

Suzanne Hobbs

The Hungry Snake on Amazon

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates all the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

In a Yinz Are Good first, we’re welcoming two judges to the show: Judge Mary Jane Bowes and Judge Matthew Rudzki, both currently serving the commonwealth of PA. Rarely do we get to hear from judges in this way… hearing their personal stories, their perspective, and about all the good they’re doing for the people of Pennsylvania, both inside and outside of their courtrooms. You’re also going to learn about the PA Commission on Judicial Independence, of which both of them are a part.

Tressa was honored to sit down with these judges for what would become a fascinating conversation about serving the public, pursuing the public good, decision-making and the vital importance of impartiality, and much more. As Tressa said, “They are both not only brilliant, but warm, delightful…and funny!”

Judge Mary Jane Bowes serves as a judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of PA, first elected in 2001. During her tenure on the Court, she has fought to increase the Superior Court’s transparency by advocating for online posting and increased publication of its decisions. She chairs the PA Commission on Judicial Independence.

Judge Matthew Rudzki serves Allegheny County as a judge within the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Prior to his judgeship, he served the Borough of Sharpsburg as a council member and later as mayor.

PA Commission on Judicial Independence

Judge Mary Jane Bowes

Judge Matthew Rudzki

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the *good* news going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors... the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Yinzers, you’re going to hear from a bunch of folks today: A former Major League baseball player & World Series champ talking about community, perseverance, and lessons learned...2 women honoring their dear friend by helping those in need...and yinzers of all ages sharing what they are grateful for. This episode is just chock-full of goodness.

First. we had the great joy, once again, of being part of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Yinzerpalooza event. We were set up right outside of PNC Park and had our Gratitude Board and our Kindness Crate… So you’ll be hearing folks’ responses to our question, “What are you grateful for?”.

And it was during this event that Tressa had the pleasure of sitting down with former MLB player and current Pirates radio & TV commentator, John Wehner. John played for the Pirates - did yinz know he grew up in Pittsburgh? So imagine: growing up a huge fan of your hometown team and then going on to be drafted by them.

And then, you'll hear Tressa's conversation with two women who are keeping their beautiful friend’s memory and spirit alive by supporting families in need and honoring young people who are spreading kindness and doing good deeds. These women are Jessica Pedatella and Erika Metro and their nonprofit is Megan’s Miracles.

Megan’s Miracles: https://megansmiracles.com/

Megan's Miracles on Facebook here

Megan's Miracles on Instagram here

John Wehner: https://www.mlb.com/pirates/team/broadcasters

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates all the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors...the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Building community (literally and figuratively), creating connections, making memories...

Our guest today specializes in transforming overlooked and distressed urban spaces into places that unite the communities around them - and he engages with community members to do it. Enriching public spaces on many levels, his philosophy is that public space, done right, lifts everything around it.

“He” is Ben Donsky, Principal at Agora Partners. Agora Partners is a planning and real estate advisory firm that focuses their efforts on the public realm: parks, plazas, streets, sports and cultural facilities and other public venues. They help to create these spaces all over the country.

They concentrate on “placemaking”, as they say on their website: “While placemaking can often sound like a buzzword, it means more than that to us. It’s about creating emotional connections between people and place, rooted in curated experiences and planned serendipity. Beautiful and thoughtful planning is central to our work, but it’s the experience that makes a place memorable. That’s what drives everything we do.”

If, like Tressa, you've never known much about this side of how these urban spaces come to life - the planning, the building of the partnerships, the community engagement behind it - get ready to be enlightened and inspired. Tressa and Ben also chat about his journey and personal connection to his work, as well as his dedication to community service.

Agora Partners: https://www.agorapartners.com/

Contact Ben Donsky: ben@agorapartners.com

⁠⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube ⁠ here⁠.

*FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates all the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Hi yinz! It’s Tressa here. First, I want to take a quick moment to acknowledge all of YOU - our listeners in 98 countries and territories on 6 continents. I am truly… amazed, frankly, at how far reaching this little podcast has become. And I am heartened by it. I am made hopeful by it. Because it’s proof that no matter where in the world you call home, you know there is good news to be heard, you know there are good people to learn about and be inspired by. And borders don’t matter. You know you will find common ground here. You know you will find the best of our humanity here. And there is such beauty and joy in that. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of our community.

And today’s guest is someone who knows a whole lot about building and connecting communities, that’s for sure… Her name is Danielle Gregor and she is the Owner & CEO of SLIP: Sign Language Interpreting Professionals. This family-owned business has been serving the Deaf community for over 20 years, empowering communication and inclusion between hearing and Deaf individuals. And this company is “family-owned” in the truest sense of the word: You’ll hear Danielle’s family’s story, how SLIP is a direct result of their story, and how family continues to inspire SLIP - and Danielle - each and every day.

Ours is a conversation about communication access, about helping others communicate during ordinary and extraordinary moments in their lives, and we even chat about ASL and the intricacies of the language itself.

SLIP: https://signlanguageinterpretingprofessionals.com/

Danielle Gregor on LinkedIn

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates all the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

Tressa sits down for a delightful chat with the fabulous Shayna Bodi, Abby Lawler-Morycz, Sam Smith and Morgan Sulik, the women at the heart of LeboGreen, the all-volunteer nonprofit based in Mt. Lebanon.

LeboGreen is a group of citizen volunteers devoted to conserving energy, water and waste in their community and they connect with that community through education, initiatives and events. You’re going to hear not only about Lebo Green’s awesome mission and work, but about connection, collaboration, finding your passion, and making a difference.

Lebo Green: www.mtlebogreen.org

___________

Watch our Tressa Tries…video series on YouTube⁠ here⁠.

⁠⁠https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school? Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.

Yinz Are Good shares the good stuff - the good news - going on out there and celebrates the good people who are making it happen: The people who are lifting others up, who are taking care of their neighbors, the people who are saying, “What can I do today to make our world a better place?”.

This episode features a program that is helping the helpers - and yinz know how much we love that.

The program is called Horses Helping Heroes and is provided by the incredibly compassionate folks at Orchardview Stables. Through a connection with these empathic animals, program participants can address some of the PTSD symptoms that plague so many of our veterans, law enforcement, and other first responders. Some participants have said that these horses saved their lives.

Tressa had the pleasure of sitting down with veteran, police officer and program participant Mike Dorsch and Orchardview Stables’ Executive Director, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor & Equine Professional, Tessa Maxwell. What followed was an honest, at times emotional, and hopeful conversation about mental health struggles and how the Horses Helping Heroes program is providing help and offering community.

Orchardview Stables website: https://orchardviewstables.org/

For more information about the Horses Helping Heroes program, email horses@orchardviewstables.org

https://www.yinzaregood.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

FOLLOW US on social media:Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@yinzaregood⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@YinzAreGood⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have a story of generosity or kindness to share with us? Want a Kindness Crate dropped off at your business or school?

Email us at ⁠yinzaregood@gmail.com.