Inspire Saratoga

Michael Kurkowski
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  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where community meets inspiration — real conversations with local leaders, creators, and dreamers shaping the spirit of Saratoga Springs.

  1. JAN 22

    The Irun Saratoga Half Marathon w/ Jessica Hauprich

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! Jessica Hauprich is truly the definition of Inspiration. A Realtor, mom, Ironman Triathlete, and she is spearheading an incredible event for Saratoga Springs in September 2026: The Irun Saratoga Half Marathon. In this episode , Jessica discusses her deep connection to Saratoga Springs and her journey into the world of endurance racing. She shares her experiences growing up in Saratoga, the hidden gems of the area, and her passion for running and community engagement. She reveals her plans for the upcoming Saratoga Half Marathon, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the transformative power of challenges. The conversation highlights the significance of support systems in endurance sports and the joy of bringing people together through running. To join in on the race in September, visit the link here: https://zippy-reg.com/online_reg/confirmed_entrants.php?event=2372 To check out more from Jessica: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.bizzarro.5 Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Saratoga Springs 02:39 Growing Up in Saratoga: A Personal Connection 05:52 The Hidden Gems of Saratoga Springs 08:55 The Journey into Endurance Racing 11:54 Community and Support in Endurance Sports 14:51 The Vision Behind the Saratoga Half Marathon 17:45 Challenges and Triumphs in Organizing the Event 21:39 The Vision Behind the Race 24:45 Creativity in Community Engagement 26:38 Building a Supportive Running Community 29:03 The Art of Delegation and Time Management 30:27 Embracing Challenges and Purpose 32:33 Inspiration and Personal Growth

    40 min

  2. JAN 15

    The Kettlebell Classroom w/ Jamie Desso

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! Jamie Desso is a teacher, and strength coach in the area who found an incredible, and unique way to engage her students that went viral across the country. It started as an idea to bring a kettlebell into her classroom and share her passion with her students, and eventually led her to teaching her students flows and exercises to energize them for learning, and caught nationwide attention through social media. In this conversation, I asked Jamie about how this idea came about, what it was like to see a national response, and the benefits she has seen from her students not just in physical exercise, but how it has enhanced their attention and mindset in all areas of school. Check out more from Jamie on IG at: https://www.instagram.com/thekettlebellclassroom/?hl=en

    43 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Eat GreenFork w/ Stephen Zabala

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! Stephen Zabala is a coach, culinary expert and owner of Greenfork, a meal prep service that provides quality nutritious meals for individuals in their health and fitness journey. In this episode, Stephen shares his journey from working in the culinary industry to becoming a nutrition coach and fitness trainer. He discusses his experiences in culinary school, the importance of nutrition, and how he built his meal prep business, Green Fork. Stephen emphasizes the significance of simplicity in nutrition and the common struggles people face when trying to eat healthily. He also touches on the transition from a chaotic restaurant environment to a more positive fitness and wellness lifestyle, highlighting the importance of community and support in achieving health goals. Check out more from Stephen at: https://www.eatgreenfork.com/

    41 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Saratoga Walking Group w/ Stephanie Marotta

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! In this conversation, Stephanie Marotta shares her journey from Long Island to Saratoga, her passion for fitness, and the creation of the Saratoga Walking Group. She discusses the importance of community in fitness, the healing power of walking, and the connections formed through shared activities. The conversation highlights the benefits of outdoor exercise and the positive impact of the walking group on its members' lives. Stephanie also shares her personal fitness journey, including her experiences with running and coaching, and her aspirations for the future of the walking group. Check out the Saratoga walking group at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1KCP4HXZxm/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:09 The Power of Community in Fitness 06:07 Saratoga Walking Group: Origins and Growth 08:53 The Benefits of Walking and Connection 11:50 Personal Fitness Journey and Inspirations 15:03 Future Plans for the Walking Group 17:59 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    32 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    Wee Plant Joy w/ Cody Wasial

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! A great friend and inspiration, Cody Wasial, entrepreneur, life coach and founder of Wee Plant Joy is my guest on Inspire Saratoga. In this conversation, Cody shares her journey from entrepreneurship to life coaching and ultimately to founding the nonprofit Wee Plant Joy. She discusses the importance of community, personal growth, and the power of intuition in making life-changing decisions. Cody emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, and how her experiences have shaped her vision for conservation and community engagement through eco tours. The conversation highlights the challenges faced along the way and the joy found in embracing change and following one's passion. Check out more from Cody at: https://codywasial.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Community Connection 02:48 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 05:39 The Shift to Life Coaching 08:58 The Decision to Sell and Its Impact 11:48 Finding Purpose and New Directions 14:39 The Birth of We Plant Joy 17:36 Navigating Challenges and Growth 20:36 Embracing Change and Intuition 23:15 The Journey of Healing and Family Support 26:37 Connecting with Nature and Animals 29:23 Balancing Energies for Success 31:49 Embracing Faith and Opportunity 34:21 The Journey of Self-Discovery 38:12 Building Resilience Through Challenges 39:38 Finding Joy Amidst Grief 41:26 The Birth of We Plant Joy 45:41 Connecting Communities Through Conservation 50:20 Local Actions for Global Impact 52:02 Rapid Fire Reflections

    59 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    The Art of Modern Photography w/ Megan Mumford

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! In this episode, Megan Mumford, owner of Megan Mumford Photography, discusses the importance of building trust and comfort with subjects in emotional photography. She emphasizes that while technical skills can be learned, the relationship with the subject is crucial for capturing their true beauty.  Megan shares her approach to photography, highlighting the multi-layered process of creating impactful images that resonate with both the photographer and the subject. Check out more from Megan at: https://www.meganmumford.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganmumfordphotographer/?hl=en

    59 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    The Voice of Saratoga Living w/ Natalie Moore

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! In the first episode of Season 4, I’m joined by Natalie Moore, Editor in Chief of Saratoga Living magazine. In this conversation, Natalie shares her journey from a local intern to a prominent figure in the publication. She discusses her experiences living in Saratoga, the origins of the magazine, and the importance of community connections. Natalie reflects on her transition to the editor role, her writing process, and the trends she observes in the local community. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal her personal insights and inspirations. Check out more from Natalie and Saratoga Living at: https://saratogaliving.com/ Saratoga Living After Hours on Substack: https://substack.com/@saratogalivingafterhours Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Natalie Moore and Saratoga Living 02:47 Natalie's Journey to Saratoga Living 05:56 The Origins of Saratoga Living Magazine 08:57 Building Community Connections 11:54 Transitioning to Editor Role 14:40 Storytelling and Writing Process 17:53 Community Engagement and Trends 20:45 The Future of Saratoga Living 24:01 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

    38 min

  8. 09/04/2025

    Legacy Lesson: September Transformation

    Welcome to Inspire Saratoga! In this Legacy Lesson episode of the podcast, I reflect on the beauty of September and the themes of change and transformation. The importance of understanding the difference between making a change and undergoing a transformation, drawing insights from my conversation with Alec Lewis, who successfully transformed his health and lifestyle.  Chapters 00:00 Embracing Change: The Beauty of September 01:55 Understanding Change vs. Transformation 05:14 The Power of Environment in Transformation 09:16 Navigating the Middle Stages of Transformation

    11 min
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About

Where community meets inspiration — real conversations with local leaders, creators, and dreamers shaping the spirit of Saratoga Springs.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Kurkowski
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inspire Saratoga
  • Show Website
    Inspire Saratoga