Your Hometown Podcast

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Governing for a Better Tomorrow

Politics is personal and it starts at the local level. Local elected officials are the ones who make decisions that affect our everyday lives and impact communities. Little Falls Mayor, James Damiano, talks about why he ran for mayor and how the role has impacted his life. Mayor Damiano is a lifelong Little Falls resident who was recently elected to another term as the Township’s leader.
Also in this episode, Dr. Irfan Admani, chief of Cardiology at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about how we can maintain heart health.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Giving Back

From volunteering to advocacy, your voice matters. Community involvement helps solve local issues while creating positive change. Shannon Marren is community focused and civic minded. She talks about why she believes it’s important to give back and how her community involvement has impacted her life. A lifelong Woodland Park resident, Shannon is a member of the Woodland Park Board of Education, a commissioner of the Woodland Park Board of Health, and a liaison to the Recreation Advisory Board, and Stigma Free Task Force. She served as the assistant director of the Borough’s summer camp, and formerly served as its program director. Shannon is a physician assistant working in pediatric emergency medicine, a CCD teacher, and the head coach of the Monmouth University dance team.
Also in this episode, Dr. Irfan Admani, chief of Cardiology at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about how we can maintain heart health.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: A Life of Service

Choosing a career in law enforcement is a significant decision that comes with both rewards and challenges. Police officers have the opportunity to serve a community, build meaningful relationships, and experience the satisfaction of protecting others. However, the role also comes with danger, stress, demanding hours, and personal sacrifices. James Minnella talks about his years with the Little Falls police department. Jim served the township as a patrol officer and detective sergeant for nearly 30 years.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Combating Human Trafficking

Human trafficking happens everywhere and it can happen to anyone. It impacts people in big cities, and right in your own backyard. Understanding the problem and learning the signs can help put an end to this growing crisis. Patti Pfeifer works tirelessly to raise awareness about human trafficking and to create a safer state. Patti co-chair of the Outreach Committee for the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. She discusses the myths and misconceptions of human trafficking and what we can do to make a difference.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Reinventing Yourself for Success

They say that food is love. For Tom Halik, those words ring true. From cooking for the Ambassador to Iceland, which included meals for dignitaries such as President George Bush, to serving as chef at several restaurants, to owning his own bakery, Tom has continually followed his passion and reinvented himself when necessary. He talks about some of the lessons he has learned while navigating the ups and downs of a challenging industry. Tom is a baker, chef, and owner of Just Rugelach.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: The Legacy of Actor Abe Vigoda

Whether you knew him as Tesio in The Godfather or as Fish in Barney Miller, actor Abe Vigoda brought joy to many throughout his more than six decades in show business. Abe proved himself in dramatic roles and also as a comedic genius. His dead-pan expression made the punch lines unexpected and hilarious. Carol Vigoda Fuchs talks about her father’s legacy and what is was like to grow up with such a famous dad. Carol is a writer and artist, who is the author of the children’s book, Seasons Change and So Do I.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: Following A Dream

Whatever your dream may be, the idea of actually following that dream can be terrifying. Instead of doing what you really want, you may strive to meet the expectations of others because you fear what they may think. Pursuing your dream is worth it. Studies show that living as your authentic self can help you find more meaning in life, among other benefits. In addition, research as shown that people are far more likely to regret what they didn’t do, than what they did. Jess Leprotto had a big dream and he went for it. His passion made him unstoppable and today he is achieving tremendous success in his chosen field. Jess is an actor, dancer, singer, and Broadway performer whose credits include A Beautiful Noise, Hello Dolly, Carousel, Cats, Newsies, among others. Jess also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Living with A Chronic Disease

Living with a life-threatening illness can trigger an array of emotions. Sometimes medical interventions work, and sometimes they don’t. For the past 40 years, Sam Gencarelli has navigated the highs and lows of living with chronic kidney disease. Through four decades of difficult treatment, which included three failed transplant attempts, Sam remains positive and continues his fight.  He discusses why it is important to remain hopeful and grateful, even when the odds are against you.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center

Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls: From Recovery to Helping Others

Volunteering your time to support a cause you are passionate about is something you will never regret. It will enrich your life, familiarize you with your community, and connect you to people and ideas that can impact you for the rest of your life. Research has shown that people who volunteer regularly are healthier, typically live longer, and have better psychological well-being. Bob Dombrowski has spent most of his life involved with some type of charitable organization. He learned the value of support after his father died suddenly leaving his mother to care for three young children, and later in life when he battled alcoholism. According to Bob, those struggles “just made me know what it's like to need help." Today, Bob devotes his energy to making sure others don’t experience the pain he knows so well. He became a counselor to help young people overcome their addiction and he frequently donates his time assisting the St. Agnes Food Pantry.

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park: Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma

What you experience in childhood and how you grow up have huge implications for how you are as an adult. Adverse childhood experiences can be passed from generation to generation as if they were genetic. So breaking the cycle of generational trauma is no easy feat. Angela Fraser’s early years were extremely challenging. Her family survived day by day, living in public housing and with the assistance of social programs. Angela decided at an early age that she would do anything necessary to have a different life. And she did. Angela put herself through college and worked for more than 34 years as a special education teacher for the city of Paterson. Her journey was riddled with challenges, but she faced every one of them head on and emerged stronger. Also in this episode, Darien Eletto, chief clinical officer of Behavioral Health Services for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, discusses diagnosing and treating depression.
 
This episode is sponsored by:Advanced Foot Care of NJMcBride Auto Body Inc.New Bridge Medical Center
 
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