Good News York by Growth Mode Content

Growth Mode Content
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Your go-to podcast for inspiring stories, uplifting news, and positive vibes from across New York State! Whether it's groundbreaking innovations, community heroes, or businesses making a difference, we bring you the stories that remind us all of the good happening around us. Join us as we highlight the changemakers, dreamers, and everyday folks bringing positivity to the Empire State. From local businesses thriving in Syracuse to heartwarming tales from Buffalo, Albany, and beyond—this is the news you’ll actually want to hear. Because good news deserves to be heard. 🔊 Listen in, get inspired, and spread the good! Good News York is a project of Growth Mode Content in Syracuse, NY. Visit: GoodNewsYork.com for full video episodes, clips, links and more! Want to create podcasts and content for your brand? That's what Growth Mode Content is all about! Visit: GrowthModeContent.com to learn more! Growth Mode Content is a division of Growth Mode Technologies LLC.

  1. 4D AGO

    GNY EP.179 | feat. Ruth Ann Riposa from ProNexus & Alyssa Johnston from GiGi's Playhouse

    Good News York: GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse Expands Free Programs, Seeks $50K to Sustain Growth Host Noah Chrysler interviews Alyssa Johnston, Executive Director of GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse, and Ruthann Raposo of ProNexus and interim board president. They explain GiGi’s mission to provide free educational and therapeutic programs for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, including math and literacy tutoring, speech therapy, kitchen skills, and GiGiFit from ages 0 through adulthood, largely run by volunteers. They describe the Playhouse layout that fosters family connection, text groups that extend peer support, and tangible impact such as a child told he might never read who began reading and empowered his mom and school with tutoring methods. GiGi’s programming has grown 40% year-over-year to over 1,000 hours monthly, prompting a $50,000 fundraising campaign. ProNexus supports nonprofits via retained search, interim leadership, and finance/accounting services. Website: gigisplayhouse.org/syracuse. 00:00 Reading Breakthrough Story 00:33 Welcome to Good News York 00:59 What Is GiGis Playhouse 02:25 Inside the Playhouse Tour 06:24 Community Impact and Growth 08:13 How ProNexus Supports GiGis 12:36 GiGis Origin and National Reach 14:08 Success Stories Across Ages 17:01 How to Interact Respectfully 19:29 Alyssas Personal Journey 21:06 How to Help and Donate 22:53 ProNexus Services and Hiring Fit 25:11 Final Thanks and Sponsor Plugs

    26 min

  2. 5D AGO

    GNY EP.178 | feat. Nathan Grant from RetroGameCon

    Retro Game Con Spring Edition Goes Two Days: Guests, Free Play, Vendors, and Charity Host Noah Chrysler interviews Nathan Grant, an event coordinator for Retro Game Con, about Retro Game Con Spring Edition on May 16–17, its first two-day run and how it differs from the larger fall event. Saturday-only tickets are sold out; Sunday tickets remain available at retrogamecon.com, along with schedules and guest pricing. Grant explains the event’s evolution from a post-pandemic partnership with the Museum of Science and Technology, a brief “Retro Game Con Jr.” phase, and growth leading to expanded programming at the Oncenter. He announces four voice-acting guests: Alicia Gladwell (Portal), Kevin Miller (Sly Cooper), Kenny James (Bowser), and Daisuke Tsuji (Ghost of Tsushima’s Jin; Mortal Kombat 1’s Scorpion). The episode highlights free-play retro hardware, panels, vendors and artists, and raffles benefiting Extra Life and Upstate Golisano via Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, plus RetroGameCon social channels and Discord. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:48 Dates and Tickets 01:59 Why Spring Edition Exists 05:48 Meet the Special Guests 10:21 Panels and Fan Moments 11:14 Free Play and Game Preservation 15:44 Vendors and Charity Raffles 18:02 How the Con Keeps Evolving 22:11 Social Links and Community 23:32 Nate’s Best Games 25:07 Wrap Up and Studio Promo

    26 min

  3. MAY 11

    GNY EP.177 | feat. Gary Simons from Esta Safety Park Dragstrip

    Esta Safety Park Dragstrip: Family Drag Racing, Track Prep, and Upcoming Events in Cicero Host Noah Chrysler interviews Gary Simons, longtime announcer and current manager of Esta Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, NY, a family-owned dragstrip operating since 1960 that runs quarter-mile and eighth-mile racing with a quarter-mile runoff. Simons explains what visitors can see—from street cars and motorcycles to 200+ mph dragsters—and describes weekly track resurfacing by scraping old rubber and dragging/brooming the surface for traction and safety. He outlines bracket racing basics, including dial-ins, ET strategy, reaction timing, and “racing the stripe,” emphasizing driver skill alongside car performance and luck. Simons discusses rising costs, fewer tracks, and efforts to move street racers to a safer venue, including extended Test and Tune hours and No Prep events featuring Daddy Dave (June 14). He lists tentative upcoming Test and Tune and Sunday bracket races, Monday car shows starting June 1, entry pricing, and where to find schedules. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:14 Welcome And Introductions 01:09 What The Dragstrip Is 02:19 Cars And Classes Explained 03:53 Track Prep And Rubber 06:38 Weekly Maintenance Routine 08:02 Driver Versus Car 08:59 Bracket Racing Strategy 12:55 Why Visit The Track 14:36 How Racing Has Changed 17:15 Racing Changes Driving 18:05 Track Safety Mindset 19:23 Street Racing Reality 20:06 Run What You Brung 21:52 No Prep With Daddy Dave 23:02 Favorite Racing Movies 24:29 Upcoming Track Events 27:52 Visit And Pricing 28:18 Community And Sponsors 29:22 Studio Promo And Wrap

    31 min

  4. MAY 8

    GNY EP.176 | feat. Allen La Venture from Main Event Amusements

    Syracuse Spring Carnival Returns: Rides, Food, and the Business of Traveling Carnivals On Good News York, host Noah Chrysler interviews Allen LaVenture of Main Event Amusements, a traveling carnival company, about the Syracuse Spring Carnival at the New York State Fairgrounds (Gray Lot) with free admission and parking via Gate 6. Allen says the event features 18 rides (kiddie, family, and thrill), about eight food trucks, and around 20 games. He discusses the carnival industry’s history and resurgence, the staying power of classic rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl (including their refurbished 1954 unit) and Scrambler, and explains how the Tilt-A-Whirl works and how modern shows run on generators. Allen describes New York State’s rigorous ride inspections and shares how he helped develop post-COVID health protocols later reused by the state. He encourages following Main Event Amusements on social media for details and mentions another fairgrounds food truck battle. 00:00 Cold Open Carnival Banter 00:14 Meet Allen And The Show 00:43 Event Details And Attractions 01:47 Back To Fairgrounds Post Covid 03:39 Carnival History And Classic Rides 06:32 Tilt A Whirl Mechanics Explained 08:13 Why Live Events Are Back 09:56 How The Carnival Business Works 10:42 Ride Costs And Booking Reality 12:19 County Fairs And Community Impact 14:06 Ride Safety And Inspections 15:40 Safety Layers Explained 16:25 New York Ride Inspections 17:12 Whats Hot on the Midway 18:26 Classic Rides Always Win 19:49 Best Seat Debate 21:44 People Watching and Mystique 22:51 Carnival Games and Winning 24:59 Prizes Kids and Storytelling 27:13 Event Info and Call to Action 28:48 Community Fairs Bigger Picture 29:37 Final Thanks and Sponsor Plug

    31 min

  5. MAY 7

    GNY EP.175 | feat. DECS

    Syracuse Officers Launch De-Escalation & Control Solutions to Train Civilians for High-Stakes Situations On Good News York, host Matt Masur interviews Syracuse Police Sgt. Joe Commisso and Joe Senf about their business, De-Escalation and Control Solutions (DECS), which provides civilians tailored training for high-pressure situations such as school fights, physical aggression, and civilian responses to “active killing.” Drawing on law enforcement and military backgrounds, including academy leadership and reality-based training certification in New York State, they adapt skills like physical de-escalation, awareness of cues, and decision-making under adrenaline to civilian needs, often training on-site at client locations; they also use partner facilities when needed. They explain the business started in 2023 after repeated community requests and concerns about department liability and fairness. They promote a limited-cap women’s self-defense seminar in late May at a vineyard, featuring data-driven myths, practical basics, and a Q&A. 00:00 Academy Training Mission 00:50 Meet the Two Joes 01:19 Why Civilians Need Training 03:33 Tailored Skills and Credentials 04:43 School Fights and Active Threats 06:48 Confidence and Decision Making 09:22 Reality Based Training Logistics 11:09 Common Threats and Awareness Cues 13:44 Why They Started DECS 16:23 Beyond Violence Performance Skills 18:11 How to Find and Contact Them 20:58 Situational Awareness and Intuition 22:25 Womens Self Defense Seminar Details 25:46 Wrap Up and Thanks

    26 min

  6. MAY 6

    GNY EP.174 | feat. Christine Darrow from Christine The History Queen

    Christine the History Queen on Upstate New York’s Untold Stories, Bigfoot in Whitehall, and The MOST Storytelling Festival On Good News York from Click Stream Studios, host Matt Masur interviews Christine Darrow, known as “Christine the History Queen,” who is filming season two of her PBS series focused on overlooked Upstate New York history. She discusses her museum studies education (SUNY Potsdam, University of Oklahoma, and Harvard coursework) and her interest in untold historical twists, including an episode about Benedict Arnold starting the Navy in Whitehall and the town’s 1976 Bigfoot sightings, ongoing Bigfoot Festival, and planned documentary featuring a Sasquatch calling contest. Darrow previews her May 17 Children’s Storytelling Festival appearance at The MOST, where she’ll perform a first-draft story, sign autographs, and share a sneak peek about Charles Dickens’ visit to Syracuse. She notes PBS and her YouTube/Facebook pages for viewing and says two children’s history books are planned for fall 2026. 00:00 New Story Teaser 00:17 Welcome to Good News York 00:55 Meet History Queen 02:07 Defining Upstate New York 02:54 Books and Museum Roots 03:56 Untold Tales and Twists 04:46 Whitehall Bigfoot Legend 05:26 Bigfoot Festival Details 06:45 Storytelling Festival at The MOST 07:22 Disney Christmas Book Update 08:22 Where to Watch and Follow 09:14 Dickens in Syracuse Episode 10:43 Tickets and Event Plug 11:23 Upstate Origins of Disneyland 12:46 Wrap Up and Sign Off

    13 min

  7. MAY 5

    GNY EP.173 | feat. Nick Sanford from The Food Truck Battle

    Inside the Syracuse Food Truck Battle: 55+ Trucks, Live Music, and Wood-Fired Pizza with Nick Sanford Host Noah Chrysler interviews Nick Sanford, owner of Toss & Fire Pizza and head of the event committee for the Syracuse Food Truck Association, about the annual Food Truck Battle happening May 8–9 at the Great New York State Fair near Chevy Court. Nick says the event will feature over 55 food trucks offering $3–$5 samples and full menus, two days of live music (including Dangerous Type and Mayday Parade), an artisan village with 50+ vendors, a kids’ zone, games, craft beer, and wine slushies. Attendees can vote for favorite trucks while judges—including local media and the Syracuse Fire Department—award custom wrestler-style belts, including a uniqueness category. Nick shares advice for new food trucks to be visually appealing and unique, highlights items like a vodka cutlet sandwich and Colombian empanadas, and recounts building Toss & Fire from a trailer into multiple locations. He directs viewers to syrfoodtrucks.com for tickets and bookings, and Noah plugs Click Stream Studios’ free marketing plans and sponsor Ads on the Go. 00:00 Tomato Talk Cold Open 00:22 Meet Nick Sanford 00:39 Food Truck Battle Preview 01:41 How Judging Works 02:31 Championship Belts 02:53 Live Music Lineup 03:20 SFTA Origins and Booking 05:10 Food Truck Success Tips 06:06 Must Try Trucks and Samples 07:57 Picking a Winning Sample 09:03 How The Event Evolved 10:25 Chef Movie and Recap 11:42 Toss and Fire Origin Story 12:46 Learning Wood Fired Pizza 00:04 Tomato Varieties Deep Dive 14:08 Kitchen Culture and Service 16:36 Final Plug and Thanks 17:04 Show Outro and Sponsor

    18 min

  8. MAY 4

    GNY EP.172 | feat. Mike Giannattasio

    Fundraising Skate Art Show and DIY Skate Space Plans with Activist-Artist Mike Giannattasio Host Noah Chrysler interviews Syracuse community activist and sculptor Mike Giannattasio about fundraising and placemaking through skateboarding, including plans to develop a DIY skate space designed with the city, community, and skaters and built collaboratively. Giannattasio promotes a year-four skateboard deck gallery show and silent auction at Stay Fresh Gallery in the Delavan Art Center on May 30 (6–10 PM), featuring 30+ artist-designed old-school decks plus raffles from local business donors; artists can contact him on Instagram (@supermisterg) for remaining decks. He discusses Syracuse-area skate parks (Eastwoods, Onondaga Lake Park, and a DIY spot near Ormond Spencer/Harvey’s Garden), what makes balanced parks, and community outreach models in Rome and Rochester. He also describes his public art fabrication background, including Syracuse bike racks and his role as SU School of Architecture fabrication manager. The episode ends with a May 20 skate trivia fundraiser at Salt City Market (6–9:30 PM) for the Kirk Park DIY Skate Park Initiative and a sponsor plug for Click Stream Studios. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:15 Mike Introduces Himself 01:03 DIY Skate Space Vision 01:51 Deck Art Fundraiser Details 03:07 How the Silent Auction Works 04:28 Are These Boards Rideable 06:07 Syracuse Skate Parks Today 09:56 What Makes a Great Park 14:37 Pivot to Public Art Career 16:52 Bike Rack Projects Around Town 19:51 Fabrication Skills at SU 20:31 Process Driven Creativity 21:08 Running the Fab Labs 21:54 Helping Students Build Ideas 23:20 Balancing Teaching and Self 24:32 Airport Birdcage Fabrication 27:45 Why Make Things 30:43 Skateboarding as Creativity 33:19 Skate Culture and Community 34:47 Aging and Injury Risk 37:13 Health and Mentorship Benefits 38:56 Skate Trivia Fundraiser 40:19 Thanks and Sponsor Outro

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Your go-to podcast for inspiring stories, uplifting news, and positive vibes from across New York State! Whether it's groundbreaking innovations, community heroes, or businesses making a difference, we bring you the stories that remind us all of the good happening around us. Join us as we highlight the changemakers, dreamers, and everyday folks bringing positivity to the Empire State. From local businesses thriving in Syracuse to heartwarming tales from Buffalo, Albany, and beyond—this is the news you’ll actually want to hear. Because good news deserves to be heard. 🔊 Listen in, get inspired, and spread the good! Good News York is a project of Growth Mode Content in Syracuse, NY. Visit: GoodNewsYork.com for full video episodes, clips, links and more! Want to create podcasts and content for your brand? That's what Growth Mode Content is all about! Visit: GrowthModeContent.com to learn more! Growth Mode Content is a division of Growth Mode Technologies LLC.

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