Your Hometown Podcast

Firefighters are vital to our communities, providing life-saving support, protection, and calm in the midst of chaos when every second counts. They are the backbone of our safety, rushing into danger when others run away. Their courage, commitment, and quick thinking save lives and bring hope in moments of crisis. Todd Hollritt is a true hometown hero — a dedicated fireman who puts his life on the line to protect and serve the Wood...

People power can take many forms depending on what kind of change is desired. Whether we want to change a government, company, community or individual, we each have the power to make a difference. Mark DeLotto is a Little Falls native who has a vision for what he calls “a stronger America” that is inspired by the American Dream. Mark ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, and is th...

March is a significant month for mental health awareness, with several key days dedicated to increasing understanding and breaking the stigma around mental health conditions. Whether it’s through social media campaigns, community events, or simple conversations, each of us has the power to make a difference. Phyllis Hornstra is passionate about educating, supporting, and advocating for mental health awareness. She is an accomplishe...

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, chie...

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 B...

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 t...

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 discuss...

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 indust...

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 ...

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 wha...

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 hope...

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 ...

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 decid...

Little Falls resident, Jessica Myers, quit her job to help care for her three-year-old nephew, Liam, who was diagnosed with cancer eight weeks after he was born. Liam passed away August 17, 2023, but Jessica’s work continues with the non-profit, Liam’s Warriors, the charity that she created in her nephew’s memory, and the Red Carpet Warriors, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer. According to Jessica, “I ...

When Lori Hinkle took her first drink in seventh grade, she had no idea that it would take her down a destructive path that would almost kill her. Battling addiction and alcoholism, and now care-giving for a child, Lori has had to overcome challenges that could destroy anyone. She talks about how we can navigate any struggle by taking it one day at a time. Lori is the president at Socks for Homeless Soles, a nonprofit she founded t...

When we decide to have a child, we imagine all of the wonderful things that lie ahead, and we pray that everything will be okay. Nicole Gizzi had the same dreams when she was pregnant with her daughter, Marisa. But during a routine doctor visit, she learned that Marisa was diagnosed with several health issues. The doctors recommended termination, but Nicole chose to continue with the pregnancy. Nicole talks about what it was like t...

If you’ve ever wondered if there is more to life than meets the eye, Cathy Pagano would answer with a resounding yes! Cathy experienced what she calls a miracle when her mother passed away. That experience led Cathy on a journey that brought her to surprising places. She discusses how you can renew your levels of trust and love in yourself and God, and how angels will offer you positive reinforcements and give you the tools to work...

Over the past few decades, the landscape for women in the workforce has been very different from what it is today. Women have been fighting for equal pay, breaking through glass ceilings, and challenging societal norms. Judith Schumacher Tilton entered the male-dominated automotive industry and has emerged as a leader. She talks about why we should never give up, no matter what obstacles we may fac...

No matter what we experience in life, we have the opportunity to choose how we respond and what we will do with those circumstances. It isn’t always easy to transform pain, but it is possible. With resilience, there is a path to wisdom, to strength, and to courage. Christine Tiseo survived two suicides in her family and has served as a member of the United States Army. She has navigated situations ...