On today’s episode of Your Best You, we have a Starlight Spotlight with one of the performers from our upcoming Sound of Nashville Concert, Broadway to Country Star Brooke Moriber. Brooke and I dive into what it means to be apart of this concert, her collaborations with fellow Sound of Nashville performer Ian Flanigan, her duel roles being on Broadway and also trying to pursue a solo recording career, her love of rescue animals (including her late rabbit, Sherlock), her struggles with physical/mental health, and so much more!

Known for her “clarion voice” (Associated Press), Brooke Moriber’s powerhouse vocals and emotional songwriting have connected with audiences from New York City to Nashville – the two towns she calls home.

Growing up in Greenwich Village, Brooke was raised on the sounds of guitar strumming and voices rising through her bedroom window from Washington Square Park and the nightclubs below. She was drawn to music at an early age and at 8 years old booked her first audition, landing the role of Young Cosette in Les Miserables on Broadway. That was the first of many successes on stage and screen.

“Both of my hometowns were (and still are) so strong and determined to recover. Nashville strong, New York tough — ‘Straight up from the dust, steady risers’. We are the definition of resilient. You tear us down, we build it back better and stronger. I wrote this song for my two hometowns and anyone from anywhere who feels proud of where they come from and shaped by their roots.”

https://linktr.ee/Bmoriber

October 2026, prepare for a concert experience you’ll never forget.

Grand Ole Opry Inductee and CMT Music Award Nominee Craig Morgan @CraigMorganMusic

Two time Grammy Nominee Maggie Rose @iammaggierose

Finalist of Season 19 of The Voice and Hudson Valley Native Ian Flanigan @IanFlanigan

With Viral Sensation Jake Banfield and Special Guest Broadway to Country Star Brooke Moriber @JakeBanfieldMusic @BrookeMoriber

MHA of Dutchess County and Reviver Entertainment Group Present The Sound of Nashville, One Night Only @mhadutchess

Tuesday, October 6th at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York. Tickets On Sale Friday, May 1st

https://www.bardavon.org/shows/the-sound-of-nashville-in-the-hudson-valleys-queen-city/

___________________________________

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

On this week's "Your Best You's Starlight Spotlight," we speak with viral sensation and Sound of Nashville performer Jake Banfield. You may know Jake from recent hits such as "Take This Pain," "Boys Don't Cry," and "Lasso," the last of which becoming a line-dancing TikTok phenomenon. We discuss his excitement over being involved with this concert, how a sports injury led to his music career, how he discovered the importance of his mental health, and so much more. Not just that, but if you enjoy basketball and the NBA, we get to bro out over sports at the very end. There's a little something for everyone in today's episode!

https://www.jakebanfieldofficial.com/

_________________

October 2026, prepare for a concert experience you’ll never forget.

Grand Ole Opry Inductee and CMT Music Award Nominee Craig Morgan @CraigMorganMusic

Two time Grammy Nominee Maggie Rose @iammaggierose

Finalist of Season 19 of The Voice and Hudson Valley Native Ian Flanigan @IanFlanigan

With Viral Sensation Jake Banfield and Special Guest Broadway to Country Star Brooke Moriber @JakeBanfieldMusic @BrookeMoriber

MHA of Dutchess County and Reviver Entertainment Group Present The Sound of Nashville, One Night Only @mhadutchess

Tuesday, October 6th at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York. Tickets On Sale Friday, May 1st

https://www.bardavon.org/shows/the-sound-of-nashville-in-the-hudson-valleys-queen-city/

___________________________________

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - Jake Banfield
• (00:01:21) - The Tennessee Players
• (00:03:00) - On Playing With The Voice 2026
• (00:03:51) - Punji Try Vegemite In Australia
• (00:05:28) - Sound of Nashville
• (00:05:52) - The Real Me
• (00:07:10) - What's Been Your Most Profound Moment On The Road?
• (00:09:04) - Take This Pain
• (00:13:21) - Your Mental Health Journey
• (00:14:35) - The Mental Health of Athletes
• (00:17:35) - Billy Joel on His Social Media Following
• (00:19:45) - Boskoe100 on Influences
• (00:22:19) - "Oh, My God..."
• (00:24:09) - Mariah Carey on Her Social Media Presence
• (00:25:08) - Boskoe100
• (00:28:13) - Bill Maher on Line Dancing
• (00:29:45) - Lasso on his New Music
• (00:30:44) - Jake Banfield
• (00:32:16) - Dream Co-ops
• (00:34:44) - Dream Collab
• (00:36:49) - Thunder Will Win, Beat the Spurs in 7
• (00:40:17) - NBA Star on His Top Team
• (00:41:54) - Sound of Nashville

On this episode of Your Best You, we cast a Starlight Spotlight on Finalist of Season 19 of The Voice and Hudson Valley Native Ian Flanigan. We talk about his involvement with The Sound of Nashville in the Hudson Valley's Queen City MHA Benefit Concert, along with the moments that have led him to this moment, including growing up in the Hudson Valley, his struggles with recovery, and his selection on The Voice.

Ian Flanigan - https://www.ianflaniganmusic.com/

_________________

October 2026, prepare for a concert experience you’ll never forget.

Grand Ole Opry Inductee and CMT Music Award Nominee Craig Morgan @CraigMorganMusic

Two time Grammy Nominee Maggie Rose @iammaggierose

Finalist of Season 19 of The Voice and Hudson Valley Native Ian Flanigan @IanFlanigan

With Viral Sensation Jake Banfield and Special Guest Broadway to Country Star Brooke Moriber @JakeBanfieldMusic @BrookeMoriber

MHA of Dutchess County and Reviver Entertainment Group Present The Sound of Nashville, One Night Only @mhadutchess

Tuesday, October 6th at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York. Tickets On Sale Friday, May 1st

https://www.bardavon.org/shows/the-sound-of-nashville-in-the-hudson-valleys-queen-city/

___________________________________

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - Sound of Nashville
• (00:03:38) - The Orpheum and the Town Crier Cafe
• (00:06:06) - How Music Saved My Life
• (00:07:58) - The Support for the Arts
• (00:10:40) - Oprah on Hope Rocks
• (00:12:08) - Tom Petty on His Addiction and the Recovery Community
• (00:15:53) - "Through It All..."
• (00:17:08) - Adam Levine on Getting Clean Before The Voice
• (00:17:39) - Katie on The Voice
• (00:23:14) - "I Love You, Man" by Chris Brown
• (00:24:01) - Blake Shelton on Being Authentic
• (00:25:55) - The Voice
• (00:28:16) - June 2
• (00:31:49) - Ian Levine on His

Michelle Barone is a leading entertainment host, red carpet interviewer, and media entrepreneur, best known as the creator and voice of RED, the top-rated iHeartMedia podcast spotlighting unfiltered conversations with celebrities, creators, and cultural trailblazers. With over 15 years in the entertainment industry, Michelle has built a standout career interviewing talent at the Grammys, Super Bowl Weekend, New York Fashion Week, and major national campaigns and galas.

She’s hosted events for brands like Cheer Choice Awards, and Hudson River Park Friends, and has been featured in Page Six, Bloomberg, LA Weekly, and MarketWatch for her impact on media and marketing. As founder and CEO of Michelle Barone Media, she continues to shape the digital landscape, while RED has grown into a must-watch platform for authentic, compelling storytelling.

Michelle’s work blends entertainment, influence, and purpose—making her a trusted voice and force in modern media.

Michelle Barone Online: https://michellebaroneonline.com/

Michelle Barone Red: https://michellebaronered.com/

988 Challenge: https://mhadutchess.org/988challenge/

• (00:00:00) - Starlight Spotlight
• (00:00:43) - The 988 Challenge
• (00:04:00) - March is Mental Health Awareness Month
• (00:07:30) - Michelle Barone Writes a Song About The 988
• (00:11:11) - 988.88
• (00:13:33) - Make the Call: Mental Health Crisis
• (00:15:23) - How To Cope With Anxiety
• (00:17:36) - I Had A Friend Tell Me He's Been Depressed For Months
• (00:18:45) - Mental health needs help for men
• (00:22:37) - LeBron James on His Son's Anxiety
• (00:23:25) - Bill Gates on the 988 Challenge
• (00:25:06) - Connor on His Interviews
• (00:28:17) - Jay Leno on His Off-Air Comments
• (00:31:12) - Interviewing Renee on 988
• (00:33:23) - You're Not the Star
• (00:34:39) - John Burton On The Unity Of Content Creators
• (00:37:39) - Podcast Fan Letter to Andrew
• (00:38:08) - Michelle Barone on the 988 Challenge

Thank you for tuning into another episode of "Your Best You - Starlight Spotlight." This week's episode features Hudson Valley-based Broadcasting Veteran Rick Zolzer aka Zolz. Zolz is probably most known as the Voice of the Hudson Valley Renegades fro 28 years. We discuss his career in radio, in sports, and with the Hudson Valley Renegades. We dive into how baseball and the airwaves have evolved over the decades, and the legacy that Zolz is leaving behind with his craft.

Rick Zolzer via LinkedIn

"I have been lucky enough to get paid to things that used to get me tossed out of class in high school. All of the many jobs I do have to do with entertaining people...Large amounts at the same time and I wouldn't change it! I can not imagine going to work at a job I hate….Like many of my friends do..They may make more money but I am having waaaaaay more fun…”Because Fun is Good”!

Specialties: Being able to Promote and Brand like P.T. Barnum has kept me ahead of the curve in everything I have done in the last 25 years. I can make something small and insignificant seem like something you have to be a part of…..I just don’t think outside the box I hate the box and I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. Top it all of with a bizarre sense of humor."

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickzolzer/

https://www.facebook.com/Zolz31/

https://www.instagram.com/zolz31/

Hosted by Conor Walsh

Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc

https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County

https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Southern Dutchess Community Coalitions

https://capedc.org/coalitions/

• (00:00:06) - Steve and Rick Zolzer
• (00:00:55) - Andrew Jackson at his holiday party
• (00:02:32) - Bob Costas on His Broadcast Career
• (00:07:02) - PA Announcer on His Last Night
• (00:10:52) - PA Announcer Bob Costas on His Journey
• (00:14:58) - Bob Miller on Networking at 69
• (00:18:36) - Bob Costas on His
• (00:22:27) - The Renegades' Family Entertainment
• (00:24:04) - Jay Leno on Banana Ball
• (00:28:22) - Jimmy Fallon on Aaron Boone's Yankee Stadium Debut
• (00:33:27) - Tom Brady: Turn it Over to the Kids
• (00:33:45) - Jon Favreau on Teaching and Educating
• (00:37:32) - Ex-NBA Player Zolz on Career Advice
• (00:41:30) - A Jamaican Legend's Legacy

On this week’s episode, we speak with Hollywood Makeup FX Artist and Hudson Valley Native Mark Viniello. Mark and I talk about the craft and the mentality it takes to work on some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters!

For more of Mark's stories, please visit our Walsh Wednesday episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPXE0k8VL18

• (00:00:00) - Starlight Spotlight
• (00:01:05) - Reuniting With Former 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Cast
• (00:02:09) - Ronald Burkle Has Dozens of Credits
• (00:03:16) - Richard Taylor At The Visual Effects Society Awards
• (00:05:41) - The Physical Transformation of Actors
• (00:09:09) - Makeup Artist Rick Baker on Eddie Murphy's
• (00:12:09) - Austin Powers 2: My Favorite Out of The Triple
• (00:12:59) - Mike Myers on His Prosthetics
• (00:15:49) - Jim Carrey on Playing The Grinch
• (00:18:30) - The Making of Jurassic Park 3
• (00:23:42) - The Replacements
• (00:23:54) - What Keeps People Coming to Horror Films?
• (00:28:01) - Joey on Horror and Thrillers
• (00:31:53) - Mental Well-Being on the Set
• (00:35:04) - Mark Ruffalo on Mental Health
• (00:38:35) - The Secret to Depression in the Cellophane
• (00:41:24) - Makeup Artist on The Pirates of the Caribbean
• (00:44:39) - Punji on Working With Such Iconic Franchises
• (00:47:49) - Mark Had Enough For The Razzies
• (00:49:43) - Mark Flannery on Starlight Spotlights

On this week's episode, Andrew O'Grady announces information around two big initiatives here at MHA! The first is the #988Challenge. We are challenging people to "Scream It. Sing. Show It." Get creative and find new ways to spread the word that 988 is the 911 for mental health. Create a video and then tag 3 people so we can disseminate the news. Secondly, we talk about our upcoming Heartland of the Hudson Valley Benefit Concert happening on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie. The concert will feature the likes of Jake Banfield, Ian Flannigan, Maggie Rose, and Craig Morgan. Ticket information will be out shortly. #988Challenge https://mhadutchess.org/988trend/ Heartland of the Hudson Valley Benefit Concert - More to Come

• (00:00:00) - MHA CEO Andrew O' Grady on The Mental Wellbeing
• (00:04:13) - 988 for Mental Health Challenge
• (00:08:59) - Dial 988
• (00:14:09) - Andy O'Grady on Singing for ALS
• (00:17:39) - Country Concert Charity Gal
• (00:22:01) - 988 THE MUSIC WALK Poughkeepsie
• (00:26:28) - 988 Challenge

On this week's episode, we speak with Mobile Crisis Team Social Worker Natalie Sealey. We discuss the work that went into her 40 Under 40 recognition, and her dedication to helping members of the community. Natalie dives into the role of the Mobile Crisis Team here at MHA and how it has grown over ever since MHA took the department over from the county. Not just that, but Natalie talks about the beautiful and rewarding moments of the job, along with the incredible tribe she surrounds herself with.

MHA Mobile Crisis Intervention Team

https://mhadutchess.org/services/mobile-crisis-intervention-team/

Hudson Valley's 40 Under 40 Mover & Shaker Awards for 2026

https://www.dcrcoc.org/forty-under-40/

Hosted by Conor Walsh Produced by CMJW Entertainment Inc https://www.cmjwentertainment.com/

Brought to you by Mental Health America of Dutchess County https://mhadutchess.org/

Brought to you in part by the Northern & Souther Dutchess Community Coalitions https://capedc.org/ndcc/

https://capedc.org/sdcc/

• (00:00:00) - 40 Under 40: Natalie Seely
• (00:01:27) - Mohamed Bin Laden on The 40 Under 40
• (00:04:41) - The Professional Business Networking
• (00:08:28) - MHA's mobile crisis team clinician
• (00:11:29) - The Mobile Crisis Team's five-year history
• (00:14:03) - What is the Mobile Crisis Team?
• (00:18:47) - Have You Had To Talk People Off the ledge?
• (00:19:35) - Mobile Crisis: What to Do If You Need Help
• (00:24:16) - Natalie on Why She Went into Social Work
• (00:28:40) - One of the services we provide has been rewarding
• (00:34:01) - Mental Wellness on Being in Recovery
• (00:40:10) - My Soulmate Is The Best Friend I Know
• (00:41:41) - Social Workers Get Recognized for Their Work
• (00:44:02) - Mobile Crisis Unit Gets Recognition
• (00:45:53) - One More Minute: Natalie's Wedding