Youngstown Click - Be Connected

Debbie Larson

What's the conversation happening in Youngstown? What are the stories behind what we see in our region? When people leave here, do they miss it? How do incoming people see our region or experience it? FIND out on the YOUNGSTOWN CLICK podcast! Get Connected -- Stay Connected!

  1. 6d ago

    They said he was TOO OLD & TOO FAT to run. Scot Loveland's triumph over the odds and his message for you.

    Send us Fan Mail Be CONNECTED PODCAST - Season 4, Episode 5. Scot Loveland broke his neck, gained a bunch of weight, and thought his active days were over. The doctors told him to not exercise because he was TOO OLD & TOO FAT. This Lisbon, OH Army veteran just couldn't take that answer and each milestone instilled in him the hunger for the next. So far, he has completed 15 ultramarathons to include a 100mi trail race in the mountains of Georgia. The most recent was at age 56. Scot has completed an Ironman Triathlon. 2.4mi swim, 112mi bike ride, and a 26.2mi run. His first triathlon was at age 50. He swam the perimeter of Guilford Lake in Columbiana County. 6.25mi. And last year, he rode his bike for 24 hours straight. 255mi. THAT IS NOT EVEN THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT HIM! The experiences of his life along the way, many of which he wrote about in his recent book, "My Sister Said I Could Do Better" are captivating. Wild dog attacks, helicopter mishaps, undercover FBI training, and so many TRUE stories make the book worth buying! You can get it HERE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HDQNKRSZ?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_5XKHHB38ARWGRN09EJN5&bestFormat=true If you've ever felt like giving up, or have felt like a failure for trying and failing, or you have lost your sense of adventure, take a few minutes to listen in to today's podcast! AND share it with all the people you know who are adventurous at heart! Scot has also founded Campfire Stories, a local event where he reads from the book and tells true stories around the classic warmth of a fire pit! Follow Campfire Stories with Scot Loveland to find out about his next events! Some of Scot's Favorite Local Places: 1. Mill Creek Park - 2nd Largest City Park in the nation (second to Central Park in NYC) 2. Pastime Arcade in Girard, OH 3. Tebo's Carribean Cuisine BONUS: Toastmasters Speaking & Leadership Club in Boardman, OH Follow us on FB:YoungstownClick330 IG: @YoungstownClick Listen to the podcast - Spotify, IHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Amazon, and more! #YoungstownClick is a local collection of people (a clique) that is open to all who want to be a part. It exists to create connections between the Places & Faces of #Youngstown, Ohio, highlighting our unique and special identity as the region between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. We believe the people are the greatest asset of this area and we are excited to have you along for the journey! The future belongs to those who can see it and we welcome you to be a part of it! - Debbie #podcast #marathon #adventure #bookauthor #conversation #interview #ohio #magazine #ScotLoveland #comeback #extremesports  @redbull   #stories #Youngstown There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    They said he was TOO OLD & TOO FAT to run. Scot Loveland's triumph over the odds and his message for you.
  2. Oct 23

    HE LOST IT ALL - The Joe Risi Story - From Drug Addict in the Mission to Local Pizza Restaurateur...

    Send us Fan Mail Roman Style, Detroit Style, Chicago Style, New York Style, New Haven Style, and Youngstown Style...what's the difference? Joe Risi, owner of Risi Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine explains it all! This guys LOVES pizza! He knows all the ins and outs and even as a hobby, got so good, he was selling off of his back porch to family and friends! They just expanded their ovens and kitchen to keep up with the demand at the pizzeria, located in Canfield, OH! They have pizza, Italian dishes, flavorful sandwiches, and locally made sweet and delicious desserts! Risi Pizzeria is the ONLY place in our region that does Roman style pizza, which involves a fermentation process of 72 hours! This not only mirrors the pizza you can get straight from Rome, it also makes it easier for this with wheat intolerances to digest! Joe was young when he became a drug addict and lost his family, his home, his growing business with his brother, and ended up getting dropped off on the steps of the New Castle Mission.  He went from feeling so lost in life, so overwhelmed by the circumstances of his situation to running the kitchen at the mission, with the heart to serve both the residents and the community! Meet Joe Risi, a man right here in our community who turns around to offer a life of hope and a plate full of food to those he encounters!  Youngstown Click - Be Connected Podcast - Season 4, Ep.3 Joe's Favorite Recommendations: 1. The Rumpled Queen - Salem, OH! It sounds AMAZING! 2. Wedgewood Pizza - Austintown, OH Soooo good and classic Youngstown pizza! 3. Donavito's - Struthers, OH - another popular local spot with many good options and chef inspired offerings. 4. Bogey's - Lowellville, OH - gets packed out with locals. Lots of great options, including delicious burgers! #pizza #local #nearme #pizzatypes #howtomakepizza #Canfield #Ohio #Youngstown #pizzacapital #Italian #drugs #addict #testimony #Rescuemission #story #homeless #NewCastle #podcast #interview #blackmarketpizza #RisiPizza #Romanstyle  Youngstown Click is a local collection of people (a clique) that is open to all who want to be a part. It exists to create connections between the Places & Faces of Youngstown, Ohio, highlighting our unique and special identity as the region between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. We believe the people are the greatest asset of this area and we are excited to have you along for the journey! The future belongs to those who can see it and we welcome you to be a part of it! - Debbie Follow us on FB:YoungstownClick330  IG: @YoungstownClick Listen to the podcast - Spotify, IHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Amazon, and more! There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    HE LOST IT ALL - The Joe Risi Story - From Drug Addict in the Mission to Local Pizza Restaurateur...
  3. Oct 23

    "Don't Use The F Word" It Kills Young People and NO ONE is ever benefited by it. *WORST RATING EVER

    Send us Fan Mail SEASON 4 - Youngstown Click - Be Connected Podcast Amanda McAuley was having the time of her life. Living in #LosAngeles to start her #modeling career! Vibing, partying, and excited about life, smoking weed to destress, UNTIL she was given a Xanax laced with #fentanyl.  Her entire life road changed. Instead of modeling, she was out desperately looking for the next hit. Her Mom, Donna McAuley followed her through the streets of LA, the streets of Youngstown, the court system, and house arrest. But nothing could prepare her for the final result of this #addiction.  In this episode, Donna McAuley joins me on the podcast to speak about this issue and what she has begun doing to help other kids to battle this American crisis. What do kids need? What can be done to stop our neighbors and friends from dying? Follow us on FB:YoungstownClick330  IG: @YoungstownClick Listen to the podcast - Spotify, IHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Amazon, and more! Youngstown Click is a local collection of people (a clique) that is open to all who want to be a part. It exists to create connections between the Places & Faces of Youngstown, Ohio, highlighting our unique and special identity as the region between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. We believe the people are the greatest asset of this area and we are excited to have you along for the journey! The future belongs to those who can see it and we welcome you to be a part of it! - Debbie There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    "Don't Use The F Word" It Kills Young People and NO ONE is ever benefited by it. *WORST RATING EVER
  4. Jun 20

    "IF YOU QUIT YOUR JOB, you'll get assistance" Heather Fronk was FACED WITH A CHOICE...And defied the odds.

    Send us Fan Mail "IF YOU QUIT YOUR JOB, you'll get assistance" THOSE words once DISCOURAGED Heather Fronk, but later INSPIRED her to start Clothed In Strength, a non-profit located in Poland, OH, which helps single mothers, regardless of income! The practical emotional, physical, and social support all stems from our guest's own experience being a young single mother.  She had just left an abusive relationship, was in college, working, and just needed a hand up. BUT, they said she made too much money for assistance. She was faced with a choice: Quit her job and get government help or push through and build up. And BUILD UP she did! She got promoted at work, finished her degree, met and married her husband, became Mrs. Ohio, started a non-profit called Clothed In Strength, located in Poland, OH and is currently running for Ohio State Representative. AND WE TALK about it all! BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE! Youngstown Click Be Connected Podcast: LIFE IS BETTER when you're #connected! To order Lifewave Patches: www.lifewave.com/DebbieLarson To Learn More, ask questions, and get curated suggestions, email YoungstownClick@gmail.com or join the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14mGXNBstYS/ #politics #change #hope #singlemoms #charity #socialsupport #practical #welfare #beautypageants #friends #community #helpforMoms #family Special Thanks to the crew in The Media Dept at Choffin Career School in Youngstown, OH There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    "IF YOU QUIT YOUR JOB, you'll get assistance" Heather Fronk was FACED WITH A CHOICE...And defied the odds.
  5. Jun 10

    From CASTING PRODUCER in Hollywood to MOVIE & EVENT PRODUCER in Youngstown...Cindy Castro DiRusso is making her mark in YO!

    Send us Fan Mail Working on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, casting for Kitchen Nightmares, mentoring young reality stars, and now running a food truck, business, movie and event production, and more here in Youngstown, OH! Cindy Castro DiRusso, originally from Washington DC went across the country before settling here in Youngstown, OH, with a Youngstown man she met in LA, with the last name DiRusso!   She shares how Mrs. DiRusso started the sausage company with her secret recipe out of a little store in Lowellville, OH. That same recipe can be seen and purchased now all over the nation in stores and online! Since being here in Youngstown, Cindy has produced 3 movies and has spearheaded and created the annual Youngstown Historic "Ghost" Tours, where actors dress up as characters of Youngstown's past and share some of the stories of the people that once walked our streets.  WELCOME to the Youngstown Click - Be Connected podcast, where you will get to know even more Local Faces and Stories behind the people you live with here in this region! You can SUBSCRIBE to the video podcast on YouTube, or find the audio podcast anywhere you get your podcasts: Apple, IHeartRadio, Amazon, and more! Special thanks to James Naples and the media students at #Choffin in Youngstown. #podcast #hollywood #stories #movieproducer #actor #Youngstown #Ohio #localnews #interview #connection #life #citylife #history #KitchenNightmares #HellsKitchen #GordonRamsay #realityshow Youngstown Click is a local collection of people (a clique) that is open to all who want to be a part. It exists to create connections between the Places & Faces of Youngstown, Ohio, highlighting our unique and special identity as the region between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. We believe the people are the greatest asset of this area and we are excited to have you along for the journey! The future belongs to those who can see it and we welcome you to be a part of it! - Debbie Follow us on FB:YoungstownClick330  IG: @YoungstownClick Listen to the podcast - Spotify, IHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, Amazon, and more! There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    From CASTING PRODUCER in Hollywood to MOVIE & EVENT PRODUCER in Youngstown...Cindy Castro DiRusso is making her mark in YO!
  6. 11/25/2025

    SLEEPING at the bus stop, CHILDREN going hungry, AND FREEZING in a tent...Can ONE SONG make a difference?

    Send us Fan Mail WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT to feed, clothe, and help the #homeless in our region? WHAT causes homelessness? Is helping the homeless enabling or doing something good? Is it something that even CAN be solved?  While I often feel conflicted about this issue, our Panelists on Today's podcast, provide some great insights and personal stories and experiences! Join the conversation and drop your thoughts and comments in the feed!  TODAY on the Youngstown Click Be Connected podcast, we have JereB, local experienced musician/producer. He is premiering a recently produced song that is NOW AVAILABLE for download with any donation, with 80% of all proceeds going straight to help the homeless and struggling in our region! Also, special thanks to him for connecting everyone!  Vocalist Lisa McDavid, a Youngstown native who now resides in Fort Wayne, IN wrote the song and sings lead vocals on it. She shares about the mysterious homeless man who inspired the song and thereby this whole project and then disappeared. She regularly works with the homeless in her city as well and would love for this song to spread out to do the same kind of fundraising in other cities across America! We have Lynn Wyant, who has been a part of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley for the past 20 years! She has seen both success stories and heartbreaking patterns in the work that she does! She shares what part the Mission has in helping the struggling men, women, and families in our region!  FREE meals (over 124,000 served in 2024), 58,000 overnight stays, help with job skills, facilitating mental and spiritual growth/healing, and teaching life skills are all a part of the amazing work that both staff and volunteers do daily at our local mission on the city's north side.  Adding to the panel with some powerful stories from the trenches of homeless camps and hidden pockets is Patty Summers, founder of Youngstown Blue Coats. She has reached freezing people right here in Youngstown in the knick of time with warmth and medical treatment and regularly goes out to reach people where they are with coats, sleeping bags, socks, and more! The Blue Coats work with other local organizations to maximize their reach and impact, driving a big blue bus like a vehicle of hope. Rounding out the panel is Kyle Costal, musician and rapper, who adds a verse to this inspiring song. He writes his own music as well and has traveled the nation singing to anyone who listens, while connecting with some of the most unexpected people in unexpected places! He also jumped in to run the video board and for that, I can't thank him enough!!  His music name is "Hegemon", so make sure to check him out to support local music!  TO SUPPORT THE WORK: Donate & Download the BRAND NEW song from one or both of these websites! Whichever one you download it from, will immediately get 80% of what you donate!  Youngstown Blue Coats: www.ytownbluecoats.org Rescue Mission: www.rescuemissionmv.org We can not open up our personal homes to house, feed, and clothe all the needy in the region, but donating to support the work of those who do, can really make the difference in multiple generations of lives!  #homelessness #help #RescueMission #Youngstown #Ohio #warmcoats #BlueCoats #Ohio #winter #outdoor #tents #camp #shelter #domestic #family #community #leastofthese  "SEE YOU AT THE CAT"The Columbiana Arts Theater - diverse events including workshops, concerts, and theater performancesTHE NEWEST SPOT DOWNTOWN!Locally owned full service restaurant & bar. Inside & Patio! Your go-to for all local & YSU sports!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    SLEEPING at the bus stop, CHILDREN going hungry, AND FREEZING in a tent...Can ONE SONG make a difference?
  7. 11/21/2025

    15 mi RUNS...1 MILLION STEPS...TONS OF DEDICATION AND A DECADE OF NATIONAL TITLES-YSU Track & Field

    Send us Fan Mail Penguin Signal Ep. 9 - YSU TRACK/FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY & The DECADE OF DOMINATION I JUST WATCHED A MOVIE about an underdog kid who made history doing TRACK & FIELD in the Olympics!  And TODAY, I want to introduce you to our VERY OWN #YoungstownStateUniversity Track, Field, and Cross Country Coaches and runners! Our MEN'S team has been at the top of the national status and has won the past 3 in a row AND our WOMEN'S team team is coming for it this year!!!  They call it the #DecadeofDomination with 10 out of 10 indoor wins for the Men and 9 out of 10 indoor wins for the Women, as these young people and top notch coaches have traveled the country representing #YSU across miles of challenge!  MEET the legendary and nationally well respected Head Track and Field Coach Brian Gorby and the popular and determined Assistant Coach Bre Rupe! Joining us are TWO impressive Cross-country RUNNERS who get to take turns asking their coaches an interview question! 🙂 Jenna Razavi and Patrick Burgos are such great sports as we ask questions about themselves AND their teammates!! 🙂  So many people in our region don't have any connection to our internationally known university right here in Youngstown! That is why we bring you the #PenguinSignalpodcast​! When you see these hard working kids, coaches, and teams on tv or on the field playing, you will now have a closer connection to them as a member of our region!  The Penguin Signal podcast can also be found on it's own YouTube Channel at the @ThePenguinSignal​ and comes to you from The Varsity Club of Youngstown! The Varsity Club is a great place for all things YSU and is now home to a BRAND NEW 35 ft #PetethePenguin​ mural on the side of the patio!  SPECIAL THANKS to our partners: The Gallagher - downtown living close to the YSU campus and in the heart of the city! The Varsity Club of Youngstown - gathering place with great food and seating options! Streaming all YSU televised games, great food specials, and activities throughout the week!  Some of the teams #FAVORITEPLACES (and they think you should check them out too)​:  1. Cellar Door Coffee Shop - Garrettsville, OH  2. StoneFruit Coffee on the YSU campus 3. Avalon Downtown 4. Glenwood Grounds Cafe  5. Chick-fil-A Boardman  6. Jersey Mike's Subs  7. Mill Creek MetroParks  #crosscountry #Track #field #NationalChampionship #Athletes #offthefield #CoachGorby #course #running #Panerathon #Youngstown #Ohio #women #men #college #coaches #supportYSU #YoungstownFoundation #podcast #YoungstownClick #intheClick #PenguinSignal #PetethePenguin #downtown #Ohio #obstaclecourse #November #freshman #senior  There's MORE to Youngstown Click! Find us on Facebook & Youtube!  NEVER FORGET! YOU are the BEST part of what makes Youngstown Click!

    15 mi RUNS...1 MILLION STEPS...TONS OF DEDICATION AND A DECADE OF NATIONAL TITLES-YSU Track & Field

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What's the conversation happening in Youngstown? What are the stories behind what we see in our region? When people leave here, do they miss it? How do incoming people see our region or experience it? FIND out on the YOUNGSTOWN CLICK podcast! Get Connected -- Stay Connected!