This week on Brews & Banter, we sit down with John Vavalo, CEO of Central Processors NY and the man behind High Peaks, joined by social media manager Liz! We get into how the company got its start, the challenges of building a cannabis business in New York State, and what it takes to turn an idea into a growing local brand.

Of course, John didn’t show up empty-handed! We got to sample some High Peaks THC drinks, and let’s just say the flavors made a great impression. We had a blast talking business, sharing laughs, and enjoying what turned out to be a pretty memorable episode. And what happened after the cameras stopped rolling? We’ll leave a little mystery there. 😂

Check out their websites to learn more:

Central Processors NY: https://www.centralprocessorsny.com/about

High Peaks: https://highpeaks.com/

Catch more Brews & Banter and find our merch at https://brewsnbanter.com

Please enjoy cannabis responsibly. THC products are for adults 21+ and should never be used before driving.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Sara, owner of SGP Fight Club, and Emily, one of her students and coaches! We talk about Sara’s journey, women in martial arts, and how SGP helps women build strength, confidence, self-defense skills, and a supportive community. Their program includes kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, and Kenpo karate.

Then Frank does what Frank does best—stirs up trouble by challenging Roman to a fight! Roman tries everything to avoid this ridiculous idea, but eventually gives in. Now it’s official: Frank vs. Roman, MMA-style, in Halloween costumes! 🎃🥊 Sara and Emily have agreed to coach our corners, and the showdown is happening at SGP Fight Club on October 25th, with doors opening at 10 AM. DM us for the location so we can get a head count. Stick around after the main event for a giveaway!

We had an awesome time with Sara and Emily and can’t wait to support another local organization doing great things for the community. As for Frank and Roman… this friendship may never be the same! 😂🍻

SGP Fight Club: https://sgpfightclub.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/SGP-Fight-Club-100063453465821/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgpfightclub/

Brews & Banter: https://brewsnbanter.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re catching up with Kayla ShaDay, who joins us from South Korea! Kayla has been on Brews & Banter before, and we had a great time hearing about life in Korea, the cost of living, and how things have changed since her last visit.

Kayla also gives us an update on Merry Hey Day, the Seoul-based punk/alternative band she manages. After a successful U.S. tour with sold-out shows, we’re hoping their next trip brings them to the East Coast—and maybe even the Brews & Banter studio! 🤘

Some people call Merry Hey Day the Korean version of Green Day. You’ll have to listen and decide for yourself!

https://www.merryheyday.com

https://brewsnbanter.com

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Frank and Roman are back in the studio, and this time Frank has some explaining to do! 🤠

Frank tells Roman about his recent trip to Texas, and let's just say the setup he encountered there was… bizarre. Roman couldn't stop laughing as Frank explained what went down.

Another classic Brews & Banter conversation filled with laughs, surprises, and the kind of story that makes you wonder, “How did this actually happen?”

https://brewsnbanter.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Brews & Banter, we welcome Scott Colbert and Chris Angello from Paul Davis Restoration into the studio.

Scott, a veteran and business owner, tells us about the work Paul Davis does after fires, floods, biohazard situations, and other disasters—helping families recover, restore their homes, and save as many personal belongings as possible.

We also talk about Chris's role and how his nursing background helps him support families at the scene during some incredibly difficult moments. Sometimes it's not just about fixing a house—it’s about helping people figure out what to do next.

We had a great time with Scott and Chris and we're already looking forward to bringing more of the Paul Davis team into the studio, including their all-women contractor department!

Another great conversation about the people who step up when their community needs them most.

Paul Davis Restoration:
https://north-country.pauldavis.com

Brews & Banter:
https://brewsnbanter.com

We made it to 200 episodes! 🍻 And for this milestone, we brought some very special guests into the studio—our dogs!

We introduce the pups, share some of the stories they've been part of, and do what we always do on Brews & Banter: plenty of laughs, beers, and the kind of conversations that somehow go completely off the rails.

But Frank also decided it was time to reveal some things about himself that Roman never knew… and let's just say, it's definitely weird. 😂

We also take a moment to thank our sponsors, followers, and listeners who have helped us reach this milestone.

200 episodes, our dogs, a few beers, and some questionable Frank revelations. Not a bad way to celebrate!

Listen, follow, and grab your Brews & Banter merch:
brewsnbanter.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sometimes we have to put down the beer for a minute and talk about the people who make our community what it is—and this episode is all about Baldwinsville!

Roman and Frank welcome MaryAnne Williams and Melissa Hennessey from the local Chamber of Commerce into the studio for a great conversation about what a Chamber actually does, how it supports local businesses, and the many ways it gives back to the community.

We also shine a big spotlight on one of Baldwinsville's biggest events of the year: Taste of B’ville, sponsored by Romano Subaru. We're proud to be the media sponsors for this awesome event, which brings approximately 4,000–5,000 people to the island for a day packed with food, music, family fun, and local businesses.

And get this—the entrance fee is only $2! That's right… two bucks.

With four bands taking the stage—Ashley Cox Music, Diana Jacobs Band, Country Justice, and Infinity—plus food from local restaurants and plenty of activities for the kids, Taste of B-Ville is one of those events that truly brings the community together.

We also get into Melissa's work with SECNY Federal Credit Union and the important role they play in the community. She tells us about an incredible high school program where students actually get to run a bank and learn firsthand about money, banking, and financial responsibility. How cool is that?

Melissa also keeps herself extremely busy supporting multiple Chambers of Commerce and finding ways to give back to the communities she serves.

And because it's something that affects just about everyone these days, we also talk about fraud and financial scams and how organizations like SECNY help protect people when those attacks happen. We're already planning a future episode dedicated specifically to fraud prevention—because that's a conversation everybody should hear.

This episode is a little different from our usual Brews & Banter, but that's exactly why we love doing it. We're not just here to drink beer and talk—we want to be part of the community, highlight the people doing great things, and help strengthen the local businesses and organizations that make Central New York such a great place to live.

And yes… there was still beer involved. 🍻

Taste of B’ville:
www.tasteofbville.com

Brews & Banter:
brewsnbanter.com

On this episode of the Brews and Banter Podcast, Frank and Roman sit down with Todd Maguire for another round of laughs, drinks, and a completely unfiltered conversation. Todd is a former undercover police officer in Australia. He disusses his new book: Donny - An Undercover Cop with a Deathwish and personal details that have shaped his life. What starts with the usual Brews N Banter humor quickly turns into an engaging guest interview filled with candid moments and the kind of unpredictable back-and-forth that makes for genuinely interesting conversations. This podcast interview is all about real conversations, real stories, personal stories, and life stories. If you enjoy an entertaining podcast with a serious and unscripted conversation , grab a drink and join us for Episode 198 of Brews N Banter with Todd Maguire. Follow Todd here: https://linktr.ee/donnythebook2026