Mostly All Figured Out

In this episode, I sat down with Executive Chef Malik Von Saint of Harvest Restaurant at Bent's Opera House in Medina. Chef talked about his journey growing up in the industry, and the people and places that had an impact on him. As the leader in his fine dining kitchen now, he uses all the things he's learned along the way to usher the next generation of culinary creators. He shared how difficult it is to live the lifestyle of a chef, especially with maintaining an intimate relationship. We also talked about how making small changes in his routines and starting therapy really made a big difference for him. In the episode, Chef references "A Cook's Tour" an event the benefits an organization called Family Meal, a nonprofit that emerged from a desire to support struggling hospitality industry workers. Be sure to check them out to support or look for support if you need it. Thanks for listening, please share it with your friends!Follow Chef Malik on IG: @malikvonsaintAnd get yourself to Harvest for a meal you will love, and a stay at Bent's Opera House! I got to stay there with my sister and it was so lovely. The rooms are all different and unique, and the little town has all sorts of fun shops and bars to slip in and out of. Less than an hour away!Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Aaaaaaaaand we're back. I won't bore y'all with what life has been like the last couple of months that led to another podcast hiatus. Well, actually I will, but I'll save it for a solo episode. More importantly, I'm THRILLED to share my conversation with Justin Hofschneider of Wine on Hertel (WOH)! Justin and I met ages ago when he first soft opened WOH and I was "writing articles" for Step Out Buffalo. Sadly, the article I was supposed to write for his business was never written (sounds believable doesn't it?), but years later, he ended up dating my sister! And now he's the awesome Step Daddy J to my three nieces and my nephew. In our episode, we talked about his side of the story of their relationship (My sister Liz gave her side in the controversial episode #47) and how he transitioned from single business owner bachelor to doing school pick-ups and making dinners for 6. We also talk about how Wine on Hertel began and the slow process it was to making it what it is today - coming up on year 10!We talked a lot about perspectives and the importance of taking nothing for granted. There are lessons around every corner if you are open to learning them. Hope you enjoy this episode, and if you do, please share!Follow Wine on Hertel on IG: @wineonhertelAnd be sure to stop by for a glass of wine and some delicious tapas!Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Finally, I give you, the long-anticipated, fascinating conversation with the one and only, Sean Wrafter. Sean and I recorded this back in April of this year which honestly feels like another lifetime to me.Sean is the co-owner of Acme Cabinet Company. Before that, he designed and built furniture and commercial fixtures at his furniture store called Wrafterbuilt. He's worked in construction, inside and outside sales and marketing, and many other things in-between.We talked about his career trajectory but also got into the difficulty of finding a good therapist, changing the narrative in your friends' group to help you stick to your health and self-care goals, the importance of being present, and so much more. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

OMGGGGG I am so happy to be back 😭 Wow I missed this podcast, I missed talking into the mic alone, I missed sharing great conversations with amazing people, wow wow wow. I can't let 4 months go by like that again.But, tbh, I had to. I share more in the episode, but it's been a wild 4 months of pushing to the finish line of this chapter of my life. It's been frustrating, sad, exciting, and scary all at once. We're still in it, but it's getting close.Also in this episode, I share exactly how I manifested my dream apartment. This was such a massive thing for me. I desperately wanted to find a place that felt like a real home for my boys. This has been a tough year for them, too. But also, leaving the house my ex and I bought together, the place where both my boys grew up, it's really the final nail in the coffin of this chapter, so I wanted to start over somewhere that made me feel joy, hope, and comfort. When I tell you this place is literally exactly what I wanted... I can't believe it, but also, I a little bit can. Have a listen, tell your friends the best podcast around is back on, and give yourself a hug cause you're doing a great fucking job.Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Chris Flynn of Bflo Pizza Bistro is on the podcast today! Y'all, I have been shook over how this podcast has opened doors to meeting new people doing really cool things. I met Chris while with a friend at Free Street Tavern. When he was introduced to me as the owner of Bflo Pizza Bistro, my first thoughts were - wow that is so cool, I need to know more about how he got to this point! However, it came out verbally as "what gave you the audacity to open a pizza shop in Buffalo?" Lol. Oopsie.Luckily he got what I meant and didn't take offense to it, we recorded a visually disastrous mini podcast right then and there at Free Street and then set up a time to do the real thing a couple weeks later. Chris and his buddies also started a major annual beloved Buffalo event - Buffalo Groundhog Day. They all seem to possess the "fuck around and find out" mindset that I am now obsessed with. I hope that listening to Chris talk about his journey inspires you to just do the damn thing - whatever it is for you. Cause why not!?Follow Bflo Pizza Bistro on IG @bflopizzabistroFollow Chris's food pics on IG @bflo_pizzachefFollow Chris Flynn on IG @chris_flynn716Order some pizza right now here! I had the mushroom rosemary and SWEET LORD was it good. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

David Gonzalez from Arbol and Arbol Community Fund is on the podcast today! David and I have known each other for a long time, and I have absolutely loved watching his career unfold, transition, and grow... especially from our days serving at Carrabba's Italian Grille.David co-founded Arbol, an online application that empowers college students to take action on their finances, providing an engaging experience that alleviates the anxiety of managing financial aid and personal finances. Ultimately it helps in reducing dropout rates. David has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and has always prioritized his career. We talk about all the ups and downs, including the opportunities he created for himself. So many good nuggets in here for anyone looking to start a business or advance their career. Lots to learn from this startup pro! Enjoy!Get tickets for the Arbol Community Event at Resurgence on June 20 here!Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Lauree Ostrofsky is on the the podcast today! Lauree is a coach and an author, helping A-students & overthinkers leap with more ease and less worry. After deciding to take a step back from corporate life to find her true passion, Lauree found herself facing news no one ever wants to receive - a brain tumor.  We talked about how her experiences in the hospital led her to the path she is now on, including authoring two books and coaching people through taking leaps despite their fears. I hope this episode encourages you to do things scared, too. Let's go!!Lauree's website with books and coaching info: simplyleap.comFollow her on IG: @lauree_ostrofskyTake the quiz to find out what kind of overthinker you are: simplyleap.com/quizSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

DJ A is on the pod today! Andrew had a love for music from day one. But he didn't pursue it as a career right away! I learned today that he went to culinary school first, working in various local establishments on the line. I loved talking career pivots, mindsets, and staying positive with this awesome human that I've been working with for years. Enjoy the episode!Follow DJ A on Instagram: @djabuffaloBook him here: therecorddjco.comSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Dr. Sam Attard is on the podcast today! Dr. Sam is an Āyurvedic Health Counselor, nutrition PhD, and Yoga Instructor with over 2,500 hours of teaching experience. Through her business Spiro Collective, she helps women find alternatives to artificial hormones and medications for chronic issues using the holistic, soul-nourishing practices from Āyurveda. Her goal is to help women enjoy menstruating, optimize fertility, and make peace with being a woman so that they can help build a more collaborative and compassionate society that values feminine gifts and power. In this episode, we got into talking periods with your son(s), the incredible impact that small habit changes can make, the power of a gratitude practice and so much more. We did have almost every technical difficulty you can imagine so please bear with, but trust me - it's worth it!Check out Dr. Sam's work:  spirocollective.comFollow her on Instagram: @spirocollectiveTake the quiz to figure out your Dosha: spirocollective.com/ayurvedic-dosha-quizCheck out Banyan BotanicalsAnd her Āyurvedic teacher: Hale PuleSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Hey, y'all. It's been a weird week. I've been in a funk for no real reason. For me, when anxiety appears, it takes the form of a tight chest and decision paralysis. Which is why I'm posting this podcast at 10:45PM on the day it should be up. In this episode, I share how imposter syndrome and people-pleasing accosted me the last few days and the things I did tonight to help break me out of the spiral I've been sliding down. If this was a rough week for you too, you're not alone. I don't think how I feel is abnormal. So here I am telling you about it. Thanks for listening, I hope this helps somebody.Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

My brother is on the podcast today!! I know I say this a lot, but this really was one of my most favorite episodes to record, DEFINITELY my most favorite to edit, and it's such a good listen, too. John Marciniak is Marciniak #6 of the 9 of us, and he has been an entertainer since birth. I have proof weaved into this episode - I inserted a clip from a "Family Documentary" project I did in college and John was probably around 9-years-old then. He and my brother Tyler (#3) started their band years ago, first as "The Spaghetti Boys", and now as "Johnny & The Mankids". John has written over 30 songs, and we talk about where his inspiration comes from, his upcoming cross-country tour, and who in our family would make it in an apocalypse. I guarantee you can't listen to this without laughing through it, so be prepared to feel a lot of joy. Follow Johnny & The Mankids on Instagram: @johnnyandthemankidsFor all of their socials, tour info, music videos, etc: lnk.bio/themankidsSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Oh boy was this a fun one!! Sensual embodiment coach, Sarah Caputi, aka Sarah Sofia Wilde, and I have been friends for 10+ years. We have known so many different versions of each other, but Sarah has been through quite an evolution of self, especially when it comes to her divine femininity. We get into all of it in this episode - what got her here, the challenges she's experienced along the way, and even the self-pleasure practice she suggests everyone take up (did we mention this episode is def not for the kids 😜). Get into it!Follow Sarah on IG @hello_fiaResources from Sarah:Check out the This Tantric Life podcast: vita.laylamartin.com/podcast PUSSY a Reclamation by Mama Gena on Amazon Luci Lampe on IG @lucilampe and this is where her self-pleasure course is: lucilampe.com/about-luciSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Mike "Shooky" Ciesiulka, co-owner of JJ's Casa Di Pizza and fan-fave bartender at Free Street Tavern joined me in studio today! We got to record in Casa which was awesome (check it out on the YouTube!)  so apologies for some of the background noise/music - but I think it adds to the esthetic 🕺🏼Mike and I talked about where he grew up, teaching CCD classes at OLBS in Depew, his career trajectory (he first started working at Casa Di Pizza when he was 16!), and things that bring him joy in day-to-day life. We also talked about his son Ethan, what made him such a special kid, and how Mike processed his grief after his loss and continues to do so. I'm so grateful to Mike for being open and willing to talk through everything we discussed, and I know for certain everyone who listens will too. Enjoy!You can follow Mike on IG @shooky12If you feel inclined, please consider making a donation to Down Syndrome Parents Group of WNY in Ethan's memory and Mike's honor here: https://dspgwny.org/Stay tuned because Shooky + Emily are starting a book club in March!!! Details coming soon - be sure to follow @mostlyallfiguredout on IG for the details. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Paul Fanara of Living in the Buff photography on the podcast today! Paul is a photographer, writer, filmmaker, IT genius, dad, and generally just the nicest guy you'll meet. We talked about how he met his current partner (IRL!), when and why he started his own IT consulting business, and how it felt coming back to photography after a few years without it. I truly appreciate any time I get to chat with Paul, so I was really excited to be able to share this convo with you. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did!Paul's website: https://livinginthebuff.com/Follow Living in the Buff on IG: @livinginthebuffFollow his other account on IG: @monochrome_revolutionLook for those Australia pics on the Facebook account: Living In the Buff Art MediaCheck out his film projects on YouTube: LivingInTheBuff PhotographySubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

This one is a biiiiiiiiiiit personal, some might argue, a bit too personal? I bring my sister on and consume two bottles of wine while we talk dating in 2024. Definitely not one for the kids, ensure there are no children around that can hear this when you do. Trust and believe the public podcast will not have content like this again 😅 But once I officially launch the Patreon (a membership platform that you will be able to sign up for to get extra content and some fun goodies from me!), this will be a series where Lizzy and I consume alcohol and hash something out. SO if you like it, stay tuned for that official membership launch.Just to be clear I am a nice person I just like a good back and forth, a little debate if you will 😂 Anyway, enjoy this one. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

This episode went on a lot longer than I thought it would 😂 I've been doing a lot of putting my money where my mouth is over the last year and I have started seeing some really great results from it. So in this episode I share where I've been investing my time, energy and money, in the hopes that it'll inspire you to do the same for yourself.Going through a major life change has pushed me to focus more energy on becoming the person I want to be. But you don't have to uproot your whole life to believe you are worthy of pursuing your dreams. You just have to start taking steps toward it. Oh you believe you are worthy of having what you want? Prove it. Make a move.Hope this episode gives you something! Lots of exciting stuff ahead for Mostly All Figured Out... 😁Try out ClassPass with my referral link here: https://classpass.com/refer/JM7BC7PE27 Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Composting, recycling, landfills... oh my! I finally got my episode with sustainability engineer John Atkinson! Recycling has always been such a mystery to me so I was grateful to be able to ask some of the questions that have been swirling around my brain for a while. It turns out that recycling IS in fact important. We actually do make a difference when we do it properly.  Additionally, we should all be composting. John walks us through how and what that looks like, which again before this convo was a complete mystery to me. I still have to get my compost bucket but I WILL get it and I'll share on the gram once I do. Hope you enjoy this episode and that it gives you some good tips for managing your own waste better!Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

We're trying something new this week! YouTube. Can you believe? It's been confirmed from our guru at the Buffalo Public Library, the brilliant Jordan, that we can use camera equipment there! So that means sometimes you will see us recording with guests in the library, and other times you will see me in the studio in my home office. And still, other times, you are gonna see me god knows where because I occasionally bring the mic to wherever our guests are. This week we're in my log cabin living room. Never again 😂In this episode, I share a couple of things I *actually* do to prepare for a new year. Please ignore the episode I did last year with eight ridiculous steps that got me nowhere. What are your New Year rituals? Thanks for listening and supporting y'all. It means the world to me ❤️Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Solo episode today, baby. In this episode I discussed 3 passages from the book "Untamed" by Glennon Doyle, a book I now truly feel all women should read, especially women going through a major life transition. I talk about guiding kids through tough times, how there is racism in all of us (did I stutter), and that living a truly magical life takes courage. Hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording ✨Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

This is a fun one y'all! Dominic Piacentini is a career educator, professional developer, experienced real estate agent, property flipper, and manager. He is also an avid fitness enthusiast, guiding groups through breathwork and cold plunges for enhanced well-being. With a deep commitment to Restorative Practices, Dominic infuses his ventures with an approach that prioritizes connection, balance, and personal growth.Dominic and I talked about everything from breaking up fights at school to taking lessons from "failures" to hilarious and confusing dating stories. It was a great conversation that I think everyone will be able to pull something from - enjoy!Interested in attending or learning more about that micro retreat (Feb 3rd) that Dominic talked about on the pod? Check it out here. Follow Dominic on IG @dominic_j_piac Follow Dominic on LinkedIn: Dominic PiacentiniSubscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes! @mostlyallfiguredout Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredoutTo connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM!Subscribe to stay in the know every time an episode drops (Fridays!).Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.