What do community, mocktails, and mindfulness have in common? According to Cristi Kaido — everything. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of The Mindful Mixer, Central New York’s first mobile mocktail bar and wellness experience. Cristi shares her journey from growing up in a low-income neighborhood to surviving a life-threatening blood clot, and how those moments sparked a mission to help people slow down, connect, and sip with intention.

You’ll hear how her new book “12 Sips of Christmas” is way more than a recipe collection — it’s a step-by-step mindfulness toolkit wrapped in fun, flavor, and self-care. Plus, she spills the (mock)tea on why sleep, gratitude, and community might just be your ultimate wellness secret weapons. If you've ever wondered what a wellness coach’s evening routine looks like, or how to make mocktails that actually make you feel better — this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights:
• Why mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword (and how mocktails can help you practice it)
• What happens at a Mindful Mixer workshop — from muddling to reflection
• The powerful inspiration behind The 12 Sips of Christmas book
• Sleep routines, blue zones, and why Cristi swears by 8 hours a night
• The bigger mission: building community, one sip at a time

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Show Intro
(1:00) - Mindfulness & Slowing Down
(2:30) - Combining Mocktails with Mindfulness
(4:15) - Ingredients & Wellness
(6:20) - What to Expect at a Mindful Mixer Event
(9:00) - Unique Gathering Opportunity
(10:40) - Foundational Years & Community
(12:25) - 2020 Health Scare
(15:10) - 12 Sips of Christmas
(20:45) - Food Pairing Ideas?
(21:30) - November 15th Event at The Portal
(22:45) - Favorite Drinks & Mishaps
(26:00) - Certified Wellness Coach
(28:00) - Cristi's Personal Routines
(32:30) - Alcohol & Sleep
(34:35) - Surprises in Business
(36:15) - Talking to Former Self
(37:30) - Vision For the Future
(38:50) - November 15th Tickets
(40:45) - Rapid Fire Questions

---
Cristi Kaido's Links
12 Sips Book - https://www.amazon.com/12-Sips-Christmas-Mocktails-Reflections/dp/B0FV8NVX68/ref=sr_1_1?
Website - https://www.mindfulmixercny.com
IG - https://www.mindfulmixercny.com
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristi-kaido-30429167
FB - https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmixermocktails

---
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
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

From law offices to barbell racks, short-term rentals to speakeasy renovations, Colin LaReaux is a man who wears a lot of hats—and somehow keeps them all balanced. In this episode, we sit down with Colin to talk about everything from his roots in Utica and his real estate empire to his gym FIT Training, nonprofit work through 315K for the Cure, and the bold vision he has for the community’s future. Oh, and did we mention he turned an old auditorium into 1920s-themed Airbnbs across from the brewery?

Colin brings a fresh, optimistic take on what's possible in Central New York. Whether you're a dreamer, a doer, or just someone looking to get inspired to start something in your own hometown, this episode is full of nuggets. We talk setbacks, side hustles, why winters aren't so bad if you ski & how purpose and community make the whole grind worth it.

🎧 Tap in for:
• The real story behind turning a historic Varick Street building into a roaring '20s-themed Airbnb
• Why group fitness works—and why some people just come to the gym to pet the dog
• What every beginner should know before jumping into real estate investing
• The inspiring origin of 315K for the Cure, a nonprofit rooted in personal experience
• How optimism and action are transforming Utica, one project at a time

---
Show Markers:
(0:00) - Show & Colin Intro
(1:00) - What Brought Colin Back to Utica?
(3:30) - Utica Just Because
(4:15) - Getting Into Real Estate
(8:30) - Managing Airbnbs
(10:15) - Best Advice Starting Off
(13:15) - Different Mindsets
(14:50) - The Speaks at Faxton Hall
(20:45) - Future Plans For Events
(23:00) - FI Training
(25:45) - Surviving Cancer
(26:45) - 315k For the Cure Origins
(30:30) - Learning From Adversity & Perspective
(33:00) - Common Thread For Colin
(35:20) - Looking to the Future
(39:00) - Rapid Fire Questions

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Colin LaReaux's Links
Breaux Website - https://www.breauxproperties.com
FIT Website - https://www.fitraining.fit
315k Website - https://www.315kforthecure.org
Law Office - https://www.goldbaslaw.com
The Speaks IG - https://www.instagram.com/thespeaksfaxtonhall
FIT IG - https://www.instagram.com/fi.training
FB - https://www.facebook.com/colin.lareaux

---
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
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

This week, we sit down with Kristy Mandour — executive coach, speaker, and host of the Sow to Speak podcast — for a conversation that’s equal parts empowering, hilarious, and deeply honest. Kristy has spent years helping leaders and creatives unlock the confidence to speak clearly, show up authentically, and quiet the noise of their inner critic.

We dive into everything from emotional intelligence in the workplace to mom guilt, self-regulation, the myth of “having it all,” and what happens when your daughter compares you to Maleficent. (Spoiler: it leads to serious self-awareness.) If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overextended, or like you’re juggling a dozen different versions of yourself — Kristy’s perspective will make you feel seen, and maybe even a little lighter.

Highlights:

• The Maleficent moment that sparked a powerful shift in Kristy’s parenting and leadership
• Why emotional regulation is the real superpower (especially in high-stakes moments)
• Reframing the inner critic — and replacing it with an inner champion
• How women often feel like an octopus — and why Kristy says it’s time to be a mermaid instead
• The origin story of Sow to Speak — including the unexpected recording setup

---
Show Markers:
(0:00) - Show & Kristy Intro
(0:55) - Maleficent Story
(5:20) - Clear Communication
(8:00) - Reframing Winter
(11:05) - Slowing Down
(12:15) - It's Great to See You
(13:00) - Sow to Speak Origins
(16:25) - Podcast & Authenticity
(18:55) - Stop Worrying About the Critics
(20:45) - Focus & Strategy Creates Risks
(23:00) - Simplifying
(25:30) - Helping Leaders Communicate
(29:20) - What Makes Kristy Different?
(34:30) - Posture & Fight or Flight
(36:40) - Getting Comfortable Takes Practice
(37:25) - Taking Five Minutes & Transitions
(43:20) - Rapid Fire Questions

---
Kristy Mandour's Links
Website - https://sowtospeak.com
IG - https://www.instagram.com/kristymandour
FB - https://www.facebook.com/sowtospeak
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4KSQ88DRNljGsyQteWiPmC?si=f1fcd43e4a644c90&nd=1&dlsi=1ead0e78635d45df
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kristymandour1487
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-mandour

---
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
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

If you’ve ever walked, biked, or even just driven through Utica’s parks and parkways without realizing how special they are… this episode is about to blow your mind. 🧠💥 We sit down with historian and nonprofit founder Phil Bean, who left behind city gridlock and humid summers to return home and reignite a movement. As the co-founder of Olmsted City of Greater Utica, Phil’s passion for preserving and revitalizing Utica’s historic park system is not only contagious — it’s transformational.

Phil breaks down how our city is home to a nationally significant, Olmsted-designed park and parkway system — yes, the same Olmsted legacy behind Central Park. From historic stone staircases to lily ponds brought back to life, he explains how Utica’s parks were always meant to serve the everyday resident — and how revitalizing them is about so much more than landscaping. It’s about storytelling, community pride, economic development, and changing the narrative about what it means to live here.

Episode Highlights:
• How Utica became one of the smallest cities in America with a legit Olmsted park system 🏞️
• Why local parks matter more than we think — and how we all benefit from investing in them
• The inspiring origin story behind Olmsted City and its grassroots restoration work 🌳
• What “good bones” means in Utica — from Gold Dome buildings to hidden art gems
• The easiest way you can help (spoiler: no donation required… but they’ll take those too)

Want to help reimagine what’s possible in Utica? 🌱
Learn more or get involved by emailing olmstedcity@gmail.com

---
Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction: Who Is Phil Bean?
(1:00) - Why Phil Came Back to Utica After 43 Years
(3:30) - What Phil Remembers About the Parks as a Kid
(5:45) - Changing the Narrative of Utica Through Parks
(7:00) - Who Was Olmsted? A Deep Dive into His Legacy
(9:15) - Utica’s Hidden Gem: The Olmsted Parks & Parkway System
(10:45) - Mission of Olmsted City: Awareness and Restoration
(12:45) - The Two Proctor Parks: Playground vs. Pastoral Vision
(15:00) - Volunteer Power: No Paid Staff, Just Passion
(17:55) - The Lily Pond Restoration & Fundraising Challenge
(19:45) - Partnership with the City of Utica
(21:30) - Reclaiming the Ravine: Drainage and Stone Staircases
(24:00) - Community Impact & Increased Park Use
(26:30) - The Olmsted Name as an Economic Development Tool
(28:40) - The Boilermaker Runs Through Olmsted History
(30:30) - Thomas R. Proctor’s Vision for Working-Class Families
(33:00) - What Makes Utica Special: Arts, Parks, and Accessibility
(34:00) - Proximity to the Adirondacks and Quality of Life
(42:30) - Architectural Innovations That Started in Utica
(44:20) - How to Get Involved with Olmsted City

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Phil Bean's Links
Website - https://olmstedcity.org
Email - olmstedcity@gmail.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaHeVZgFMV8ppWh2TlXrcdQ
Olmsted City FB - https://www.facebook.com/olmstedcity
Personal FB - https://www.facebook.com/phil.bean.777

---
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

In this episode, we sit down with Yarden Carroll, the force behind Crowned Creative, a brand strategy studio helping bold thinkers turn brilliance into bankable business. Yarden is a mother, creative powerhouse, systems thinker, and former engineer with four degrees (yes, four!) who brings heart, hustle, and a bit of rebellion to everything she touches.

From navigating ADHD and rebuilding after personal setbacks to creating frameworks that help coaches, consultants, and creatives package their genius—Yarden drops gem after gem. We talk about visibility, authenticity, storytelling that converts, and why she believes being the “best-kept secret” isn’t a flex.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a mission-driven leader, or someone still finding your voice, this episode will challenge and inspire you to stop hiding and start showing up boldly.

🔑 In this episode:
• How Yarden went from burned out and buried in Facebook ad debt… to building a thriving business through organic content
• What the REGAL and IMPACT frameworks are—and how they help creatives and nonprofits package their value
• Why “being seen” is essential, and how Yarden helps hidden geniuses own their brilliance
• What ADHD diagnosis at 39 taught her about turning a challenge into a superpower
• Why your personal story and emotional connection still matter more than any AI-generated content ever will

---
Show Markers:
(0:00) - Show Intro
(1:25) - I Don't Like Being Told What to Do
(3:15) - Four Degrees & Habitual Pivoting
(4:30) - Storytelling & Getting Into Brand Work
(8:00) - Packaging Genius with the REGAL Framework
(11:40) - Using Both Brains & Ideal Clients
(14:50) - ADHD Diagnosis at 39 – and What It Unlocked
(17:25) - Accelerator Program Logistics
(18:00) - When Did You Realize This Work Matters?
(21:15) - Facts vs. Feelings
(23:15) - Standing Out & Being Authentic in 2025
(27:45) - It Starts with Story
(29:05) - Community
(31:50) - Free Workshop Monday 9/29
(33:05) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Yarden Carroll's Links
Website - https://crownedcreative.com
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yardencarroll
FB - https://www.facebook.com/crownedcreativedigital
Workshop Event - https://crownedcreative.com/live-event-workshop

---
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

In this episode, we sit down with Anne Lansing, CEO of Safe Schools Mohawk Valley — an organization changing lives every day across Central New York. From advocating for students dealing with trauma, to building bridges between youth and first responders, Anne’s passion for creating a safer, more supportive school experience is palpable. Her journey has taken her from Lake Tahoe and San Francisco back home to Utica, where she now leads a team making a real difference in the lives of local youth.

We dive into everything from cow tipping and commuting in Oakland to trauma-informed care, restorative justice, leadership camps, and the daily emotional battles students (and teachers) face. Anne’s belief that every kid deserves a chance — and the support to make it happen — will leave you feeling hopeful, inspired, and maybe even ready to start pulling weeds as therapy.

In this episode:
• Why Anne came back to Utica after life on the West Coast
• How Safe Schools MV helps students cope, connect, and succeed
• Real stories about kids overcoming trauma and turning things around
• A behind-the-scenes look at the Urban Leadership Institute
• Why MV Gives is such a vital day for local nonprofits like Safe Schools

---
Show Markers:
(0:00) - Show Intro & MVSS Mission
(1:30) - What Brought Anne Back?
(3:40) - Confronting Perceptions of Small Mindedness
(6:30) - What Safe Schools Actually Does (It’s More Than You Think)
(10:00) - What Inspired This?
(14:15) - Arrest Diversion Program
(15:15) - Individual Student Attention
(18:20) - Identifying Situations
(21:00) - Accommodating Different Needs
(24:15) - Working For Safe Schools MV
(26:50) - Mohawk Valley Gives Incentives
(28:40) - Urban Leadership Institute
(32:30) - Connecting with Safe Schools
(35:30) - Rapid Fire Questions




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Anne Lansing's Links
Safe Schools MV Website - https://safeschoolsmohawkvalley.org
Safe Schools MV FB - https://www.facebook.com/SafeSchoolsMohawkValley
Safe Schools MV Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/safe-schools-mohawk-valley

---
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 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

---
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

---
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

---
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


---
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

---
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