In this episode, we sit down with Don Bloom, founder and owner of PennCare, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and the long-term commitment required to build a successful business.

Born in Liberty and a graduate of Liberty High School and Youngstown State University, Don shares how he started PennCare in 1991 out of his business partner’s home with just $5,000. From those humble beginnings, PennCare grew into a respected company by staying focused on people, quality, and values.

Don also shares a powerful personal story connected to September 11th and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, including his interview with Anderson Cooper. The conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how ambulances are built, the dedication required to run a manufacturing operation, and why Don has remained committed to his employees and his company rather than selling out.

This episode blends business lessons, history, and leadership insight for both seasoned owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Guest Bio

Don Bloom is the founder and owner of PennCare. A lifelong local resident and YSU graduate, Don has spent decades building a company grounded in craftsmanship, loyalty to employees, and long-term thinking.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Growing up in Liberty and graduating from Liberty High School
• Attending Youngstown State University
• Starting PennCare in 1991 with $5,000 in a partner’s home
• Early challenges and lessons learned as a startup founder
• What it really takes to run a business and the level of commitment required
• Leadership principles for building and sustaining a company
• Don’s experience related to 9/11 and Shanksville, Pennsylvania
• His interview with Anderson Cooper
• A behind-the-scenes look at how ambulances are built
• The craftsmanship, safety, and precision required in ambulance manufacturing
• Commitment to employees and company culture
• Why Don chose not to sell out
• Why did Warren agree to a 50-year non-annexation agreement
• How Niles is doing it right from a business and development standpoint
• The one thing Don would have done differently if he could go back
• Key advice for new and aspiring entrepreneurs

Key Takeaways

• Building a successful business requires long-term commitment, not shortcuts
• Leadership starts with loyalty to employees and core values
• Manufacturing excellence demands precision, discipline, and accountability
• Entrepreneurs must be willing to sacrifice early to win later

Call to Action

If you found value in this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with business owners, leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want real-world insight from someone who built it the hard way.

Thank you to my engineer DJ Big John!
If you are looking for a DJ for your wedding, graduation party or private events give him a call.

330.228.3891
Email: bookdjbigjohn@gmail.com

From Hardship to Hope: The Story of the Warren Family Mission

Episode Description

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Kate White and Dominic Mararri of the Warren Family Mission to discuss faith, resilience, and the life-changing impact of serving others.

Kate shares her upbringing in Lordstown, growing up as one of seven children in deep poverty, and the early influence of her father, Pastor Chris, founder of the Warren Family Mission. Through stories of hardship, faith, and perseverance, Kate explains how God worked through her father’s struggles to establish the Mission and secure the buildings that continue to serve the community today. She also opens up about her own challenges and what it took to learn how to run the Mission from the ground up.

Dominic shares his journey from childhood loss and addiction to incarceration—and ultimately to faith and redemption. Once a dealer of drugs, Dominic now describes himself as a “dealer of hope,” dedicating his life to helping others find a way forward.

Together, their stories illustrate how the Warren Family Mission has become a cornerstone of compassion, serving tens of thousands of people each year.

Guests

Kate White
Warren Family Mission
Kate grew up in Lordstown and is the daughter of Pastor Chris, founder of the Warren Family Mission. She now plays a critical role in operating and expanding the Mission, helping guide its services and outreach efforts.

Dominic Mararri
Warren Family Mission | Real Estate Professional
Dominic’s life story includes loss, addiction, incarceration, and ultimately redemption through faith. Today, he serves others through the Mission and works to bring hope and stability to those in need.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Kate’s childhood growing up in Lordstown as one of seven children
• Trips to Warren with her father, Pastor Chris, and the early days of the Mission
• Pastor Chris’s difficult life journey and how faith transformed his path
• How God provided the buildings that became home to the Warren Family Mission
• Kate’s personal struggles before joining the Mission
• Learning to run a nonprofit from the ground up
• The Mission’s impact:
  • Over 100,000 meals served annually
  • More than 15,000 bags of groceries distributed each year
• Dominic’s early life and memories of his father
• Life after the death of his father
• Dominic’s descent into drugs and alcohol
• Jail, recovery, and finding God
• “From a dealer of dope to a dealer of hope”
• The ongoing need for volunteers, resources, and prayer

Mission Needs & How You Can Help

• Volunteers are always needed
• The Mission is seeking support to establish a family shelter
• If you have a building to donate, please contact the Warren Family Mission
• If nothing else, please keep the Mission and the families they serve in your prayers

Contact Information

Warren Family Mission
📍 Address: 155 Tod Ave NW, Warren, OH 44485
📞 Phone: 330-394-5437
🌐 Website: www.warrenfamilymission.com

Dominic Mararri
📞 Phone: 330-989-0132
🌐 Website: https://dominicmararri.howardhanna.com/

Call to Action

If this episode moved you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. Most importantly, consider how you can support the Warren Family Mission—through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word.

Thank you to my engineer DJ Big John!
If you are looking for a DJ for your wedding, graduation party or priva

Building a Smarter Fitness Plan: Mindset, Strength Training, and Sustainable Results

Episode Description

In this episode, we sit down with a personal trainer from Fitness 330 who grew up in Girard, where he also played football. We break down what it really takes to start—and sustain—a successful fitness journey. From mindset and planning to strength training, nutrition, and avoiding common pitfalls, this conversation focuses on practical, no-nonsense guidance for achieving long-term physical results.

If you’re looking to lose weight, build strength, or simply train smarter, this episode provides a solid foundation to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

Guest Background

Our guest is a personal trainer at Fitness 330, with an athletic background rooted in football. His hands-on coaching experience provides real-world insight into what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to exercise, nutrition, and consistency.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Growing up in Girard and playing football
• Transitioning into a career as a personal trainer at Fitness 330
• How to begin an exercise program the right way
• The importance of having a clear plan and the right mindset
• Why lifting weights is essential and how excessive cardio can work against your goals
• Proper exercise form and why you must leave your ego at the door
• Weight loss fundamentals: calories in versus calories out
• Understanding good carbs vs. bad carbs and the glycemic index
• Mental strategies and “mind tricks” to help achieve physical goals
• How to avoid overtraining and burnout
• Why changing workouts and nutrition is key to breaking plateaus
• Setting clear goals and developing a sustainable fitness plan

Key Takeaways

• Success in fitness starts with planning and mindset
• Strength training is critical for long-term health and fat loss
• Nutrition knowledge is just as important as exercise
• Consistency, recovery, and adaptability prevent plateaus and injury

Contact Information

For training inquiries:
Rob Duebelt
📞 330-647-2029

Call to Action

If this episode helped clarify your fitness goals, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with anyone looking to start—or restart—their fitness journey the right way.

Thank you to my engineer DJ Big John!
If you are looking for a DJ for your wedding, graduation party or private events give him a call.

330.228.3891
Email: bookdjbigjohn@gmail.com