What is the Community Foundation and why should you care? In this episode, Scott and Kelly sit down with Nick Grimmer and Kayla Ellis to pull back the curtain on one of the most impactful—and surprisingly misunderstood—organizations in our area. From helping small nonprofits thrive, to facilitating multi-million-dollar giving days like Mohawk Valley Gives, this team is doing way more than you think behind the scenes… and they’re just getting started.

You’ll hear how the Foundation has made giving not only easier but way more fun, why September 19th might be the most important day for local nonprofits, and how even a dollar in change from a kid can make a difference. Whether you're a donor, a business owner, or someone just looking to leave a legacy, this episode will make you rethink what’s possible when an entire community gives back—together.

🎧 Oh, and did someone say $8 million raised in just three years? Yeah, that happened.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
• How Mohawk Valley Gives has transformed local giving culture
• What makes the Community Foundation a “financial services firm for good”
• Why unrestricted donations are a game-changer for nonprofits
• The real benefits of setting up your own charitable fund (even with $0)
• How local businesses can turn giving into a win-win for team culture and marketing

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Intro & Who is The Community Foundation?
(3:50) - Amount of Nonprofits Locally
(4:50) - 4th Annual MV Gives
(9:20) - Raising Unrestricted Dollars
(10:20) - Donor Communications & Relationships
(12:25) - Leveling the Playing Field
(13:30) - Choosing Where Your Money Goes
(16:00) - Pools of Matching Dollars
(19:20) - $8 Million Dollars Raised
(21:00) - 20,000 Donors
(23:15) - Family Charitable Fund as Financial Planning Tool
(32:35) - Why September?
(34:45) - Incentives & Prizes
(39:15) - Most Inspiring Moments
(40:40) - Rapid Fire Questions



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The Community Foundation's Links
Mohawk Valley Gives - https://www.givemv.org
Community Foundation Website - https://foundationhoc.org
MV Gives FB - https://www.facebook.com/people/Mohawk-Valley-Gives/61566484477259
MV Gives IG - https://www.instagram.com/mvgives
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundationhoc
Community Foundation IG - https://www.instagram.com/foundationhoc

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Scott's Book - https://www.referralsdonerightbook.com

What if mindfulness wasn’t just a buzzword—but a lifeline? In this episode, we sit down with Mikelle Deck, founder of Aligned Minds Consulting, to talk about mental health, mindfulness, and why your phone might be stressing you out more than you think. From EFT tapping and yoga with teenagers to regulating cortisol and managing social media burnout, Mikelle’s approach to supporting young people is anything but cookie-cutter.

Whether she’s working one-on-one with a student dealing with anxiety or introducing breathwork to entire sports teams, Mikelle is on a mission to help the next generation slow down, tune in, and thrive. This conversation is filled with real talk, practical tips, and a few deep breaths we all probably needed. (Oh, and yes, we even got a tapping demo.)

🎧 Tune in for:

• Why mindfulness is more than just meditation—it’s a daily practice
• How she’s helping students in Utica navigate anxiety, self-doubt, and social media pressure
• The story of one student who went from skipping school to thriving and graduating
• How athletes can gain an edge with mental training
• The epic benefits of Costa Rican living

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Intro & What Is Mindfulness?
(2:15) - How the Journey Began
(4:30) - What Aligned Minds Offers
(6:00) - Young Scholars Program & Utica City Schools
(7:00) - Teaching Tools & Understanding Feelings
(9:15) - Building Relationships & Connecting With Students
(11:35) - Dealing with Anxiety
(13:15) - Personalizing Sessions
(14:15) - Mindfulness in Athletics & Reframing Thoughts
(17:00) - Costa Rica Experience & Slow Living
(20:30) - Northeast Mentality
(21:30) - The Breakthrough Story: From Skipping School to Graduation
(24:30) - Cortisol, Brain Chemistry & What Teens Are Really Up Against
(26:40) - Social Media Effects & Self Soothing
(30:00) - Where Are Parents Failing?
(32:50) - One Simple Thing
(36:50) - Mikelle's Book
(38:30) - Rapid Fire Questions
(40:45) - Tapping Demo


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Mikelle's Links
Website - https://alignedmindsconsulting.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/alignedmindsconsulting
IG - https://www.instagram.com/alignedminds111
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aligned.minds

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Scott's Book - https://www.referralsdonerightbook.com

Meet Michael Flores — actor, filmmaker, and the creative force behind Dogs on the Sendero, an award-winning indie film that’s turning heads globally… and was filmed right here in Central New York. In this episode, Michael sits down with the team to talk about trading LA for Utica, building a film from scratch with a six-person crew, and how his dog Rosie (yes, the star of the film) was the MVP of the entire shoot.

You’ll hear how a miscommunication nearly derailed the most important scene in the film, how a 1970s junk office turned into a perfect movie set, and why upstate New York might be the next big backdrop for independent filmmaking. From heartfelt memories to laugh-out-loud behind-the-scenes chaos (pants came off... literally), this one’s a must-listen for creatives, movie lovers, and CNY pride-havers alike.

🎥 In this episode:

• Why Central New York has everything LA doesn't (including free fire trucks)
• How a video game friendship led to the best audio in the film
• The wild story behind the school scene shutdown (and the clever workaround)
• Turning obstacles into movie magic — including a set full of trash
• A preview of Michael’s next film, Inspector, a paranormal comedy shot in Little Falls

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Meet Michael Flores - Hollywood to CNY
(2:50) - El Sendero
(4:30) - Michael's Team
(7:40) - Years in the Making & Funding Indie Films
(10:15) - Script to Production
(11:40) - Talent & Crew Challenges
(13:45) - Dogs on the Sendero Preview
(15:55) - Michael's Background & Acting
(17:40) - Iconic Spots & Stories
(22:30) - Giving CNY a Spotlight
(24:30) - Mom & Pop Spirit & Community Support
(27:00) - Chaotic Production Day at School
(31:20) - Upcoming Film
(34:10) - Rapid Fire Questions

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Michael's Links
FB - https://www.facebook.com/SenderoMovie
IG - https://www.instagram.com/dogs_on_the_sendero
Website - https://www.senderomovie.com
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19720574/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_8_nm_0_q_sendero

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Scott's Book - https://www.referralsdonerightbook.com