Good Neighbor Podcast: Pittsburgh

What makes Tia Baker with Ujamaa Collective a good neighbor?  

Ever wondered what happens when entrepreneurial women come together with purpose? The latest episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast pulls back the curtain on a remarkable organization fostering sisterhood among business-minded women.

Tia Baker introduces us to the Ujamaa Collective, a 15-year-old organization composed of Africana women entrepreneurs who are buildi...

What makes Arianna Posa with Aria Bella Candles a good neighbor? 

Discover the aromatic world of Aria Bella Candles as founder Arianna Posa shares her entrepreneurial journey from college sophomore to successful candle maker. What began as an alternative to traditional career paths blossomed into a thriving business specializing in non-toxic, personalized soy candles for weddings, special events, and home décor.

Arianna tak...

What makes Julian De Jong with Aruba Island Bowls Cafe a good neighbor?  

Fresh ingredients, artful presentation, and a passion for wellness converge at Aruba Island Bowls Cafe, Pittsburgh's vibrant haven for health enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike. 

Julian de Jong's journey to creating this unique cafe began with a personal health transformation. When his wife Rachel adopted a vegetarian diet due to health con...

What makes Tess Inman with Cristina Panaccione and Associates a good neighbor?  

Ever felt embarrassed to ask for mental health support? You're not alone. Therapist Tess Inman shares how her own struggles finding help in the 90s led her to a 13-year career breaking down barriers to therapy access.

For Tess and the team at Christina Panaccione and Associates Counseling, vulnerability isn't weakness—it's strength. Their ...

What makes Gina Scheller with Ingomar Auto Tags a good neighbor?  

Ever wonder where to go when you need to register or title your vehicle? Gina Scheller from Ingomar Auto Tags joins us to clear up common misconceptions about motor vehicle services in Pennsylvania. Unlike many states with local DMV branches, Pennsylvania's main department is located only in Harrisburg, making motor vehicle agents like Gina essential for handlin...

What makes Tonya Edinger with Weddings of Pittsburgh a good neighbor?  

Ever wonder what happens when a DJ business transforms into a wedding planning powerhouse? Tonya Edinger's journey from helping her husband's weekend DJ gigs to building Weddings of Pittsburgh reveals the power of identifying needs and creating solutions in the events industry.

Tonya shares how a modest $14,000 investment against their 401k in...

What makes Bryan Ghingold with Steel City Notary a good neighbor?  

Ever found yourself needing a document notarized at an odd hour, perhaps even in your pajamas? Bryan Ghingold of Steel City Notary has made convenience his cornerstone. His journey, from notarizing reports for his own moving company to becoming one of Pittsburgh's leading Remote Online Notaries, truly exemplifies how traditional services can seamlessly adapt to...

What makes Wendy Neely with Butt Naked a good neighbor?  

Forget everything you thought you knew about wellness spas. Wendy Neely's Butt Naked in McCandless Township isn't just another trendy self-care spot—it's a revolution in how we approach our bodies.

With their playful tagline, "Whether it's your face or your waist, we've got you covered," Wendy and her team have spent over a decade p...

What makes Catherine Montague with Montague Design a good neighbor?  

Luxury interior design isn't just about beautiful spaces—it's about creating environments that truly reflect and support the people who inhabit them. Catherine Montague brings a distinctly European sensibility to this approach, infusing her designs with what she playfully calls a "French-sational sense of fun."

Born and educated in Fra...

What makes Erica Sumpter with Ida’s Sandwich Shop a good neighbor?  

Hungry for more than just another sandwich? Step into Ida's Sandwich Shop, where every bite tells a story of neighborhood transformation and culinary passion.

When Erica Sumpter and her business partner realized their Observatory Hill community lacked walkable food options, they didn't just complain—they created a solution. Despite neither having...

What makes Kelly Hughes with Foster Love Project a good neighbor?  

Every child deserves dignity, especially those facing the trauma of foster care. Kelly Hughes, founder of Foster Love Project, transforms this belief into action every day for children across the Pittsburgh region.

Kelly's journey began in 2013 when she and her husband became foster parents. After welcoming eight children into their home, they identifi...

What makes Marita Garrett with Civically Inc. a good neighbor?  

Removing barriers isn't just a catchphrase for Marita Garrett and Civically Inc—it's a mission that's transformed Pittsburgh's East End for a decade.

When Marita founded Civically Inc as a councilwoman in Wilkinsburg, she recognized a fundamental truth: people facing immediate needs like hunger or lack of clothing couldn't meaningfully...

What makes Tim Maloney with Dirt Doctors Cleaning Services a good neighbor?  

What happens when life's setbacks become your greatest opportunity? Tim Maloney, founder of Dirt Doctors Cleaning Service, joins Leila Carter to share how being fired from his job in 1994 with a two-week-old baby at home became the catalyst for launching a successful business that's still thriving nearly 31 years later.

Tim takes us thro...

What makes Ryan-Louis McNeil with Amachi Pittsburgh a good neighbor?  

Breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma requires community support, especially for our most vulnerable young people. Ryan-Louis McNeil joins the Good Neighbor Podcast to share the powerful mission of Amachi Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization that has been serving youth and families affected by parental incarceration since 2003.

Ryan-Louis reveals h...

What makes Joseph Rossi with Wildside Adventures a good neighbor?  

What happens when a lifelong outdoorsman with a knack for storytelling decides to share his global connections with fellow adventure seekers? Joe Rossi's Wildside Adventures emerges as the answer—a luxury hunting and fishing tour company born from passion rather than mere business opportunity.

Rossi's remarkable journey unfolds across this captiva...

What makes Stephanie Ciranni with Cancer Bridges a good neighbor?  

Finding community during a cancer journey can make all the difference—not just for those diagnosed, but for everyone affected by this life-altering disease. Cancer Bridges stands as a beacon of support in Pittsburgh, offering a remarkable safety net for individuals and families navigating the complex emotional terrain that comes with cancer.

Stephanie Ciran...

What makes Rachel Strader with Boss Hair Studio & Esthetics a good neighbor?  

Ever wondered why beauty and pain seem to go hand-in-hand? Rachel Strader, owner of Boss Hair Studio & Esthetics, is challenging that notion one client at a time. Born into the craft as the daughter of a hairstylist, Rachel was handling clients by age nine. Though she pursued higher education, graduating from Point Park University, her passion for...

What makes Monica Orluk with Operation Troop Appreciation a good neighbor?  

Monica Orluk's chance encounter on July 4th, 2004 led to a twenty-year journey supporting America's military members through Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA). What started as a mission to send care packages to deployed troops has evolved into a comprehensive support system addressing critical gaps in both active-duty and veteran assistance.
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What makes Mike Hitt with MCM Studios a good neighbor? 

The world of professional music recording often seems inaccessible to everyday people, but Mike Hitt of MCM Studios is working to change that perception. On this eye-opening episode, we dive into the colorful world (orange, specifically!) of a Pittsburgh recording studio that's been helping musicians of all levels bring their creative visions to life for sixteen years.