Sometimes a Simple Act of Kindness Is the Miracle Someone Needs to Move Forward
The Debbie Nigro Show
On this week’s Keeping the “Live” in Alive segment of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was joined by my longtime gal pal (though we’ve never actually met in person!) Linda Arroz, who’s on an inspiring new mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda is helping raise funds for a short social impact film called Awakening Georgie — a powerful narrative about the hidden struggles of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and the miracles that can come from compassion. “Thirty percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by a traumatic brain injury. That’s a lot. We need to...
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Ozempic Teeth? My Dentist Weighs In On This Surprising Side Effect
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I like to dig into stories that make you go, “Wait, what?!” This week’s head-turner: “Ozempic Teeth.” Yep, that’s the headline making waves, and I knew I had to call in my go-to expert, Dr. John Castanaro of Castanaro Dental in Yonkers, NY, to help get to ‘the tooth of the matter’. What Are “Ozempic Teeth”? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the world by storm for their weight-loss benefits. But dentists are warning about side effects showing up in the mouth. According to Dr. Castanaro: “It’s not the drug...
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Montaukila Tequila —a Textbook Case of Entrepreneurial Grit!
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of spotlighting Simon Cascante, founder of Montaukila Tequila. Boy oh boy his story sure is a shining example of one of my favorite sayings - “Risk It! or Regret It!" Simon skipped college, started bussing tables at the Lobster Roll in East Hampton, and took the long road to launching his own spirit’s brand. No investors. No celebrity endorsements. Just grit, Google, and a dream. That persistence led him to cold-call nearly a dozen distilleries in Mexico until one finally said yes—thanks to a VP who had once vacationed in...
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Riptide Wisdom from the “James Bond of Lifeguards”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Happy summer, friends! You know I love the beach, but nothing freaks me out more than riptides. With Hurricane Erin stirring up the East Coast, I called in my go-to water safety guy — Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association. I call him the James Bond of lifeguards … because, well, he is. Wyatt literally jumped off the beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida to join me on the show. His first tip? “Everywhere there’s a dip, there’s a rip.” Translation: If the water keeps rushing in and your blanket, toys, and beach bag get soaked while...
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Never Underestimate the Lasting Power of “Good Energy”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Good energy is like a secret superpower. You can’t see it—but you feel it. It uplifts, comforts, and lingers long after the moment has passed. I’ve been told I carry that kind of energy—and if you do too, you know it’s not something you turn on, it’s just who you are. But here’s the best part: when two people with good energy meet along life’s path, something special happens. It’s like the universe nods and says… 'Yep, this connection matters.' That’s the vibe of today’s post and podcast. I’d like you to meet Marcus John. He is ‘good energy’. He and I go...
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Inside America’s First 'In-Hotel' Luxury Movie Theater at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich
The Debbie Nigro Show
Luxury, Innovation, and Popcorn? Yes, Please. On this Trending Tuesday episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I’m spilling the popcorn on a jaw-dropping new addition to one of my longtime favorite iconic hotels, the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut. Shawn Nayyar, the hotel’s new General Manager, joined me in studio to talk about the Townsend Cinema, a first-of-its-kind 40-seat luxury movie theater built right inside the hotel—a concept developed by Monoplex and Trinity Investments, now brought to life at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. "We’re the first in the country to have...
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Rock Your Dreams: Inside David Fishof’s Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp
The Debbie Nigro Show
Ever dreamed of jamming with rock legends like Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, or Alice Cooper? David Fishof — legendary music producer, sports agent, and founder of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has been making those dreams come true for 25 years and counting. On this episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, it was an absolute blast welcoming David to share his wild ride from managing NFL stars to organizing epic jam sessions for everyday rockers. (And yes, he created Ringo’s All-Starr Band!) “It’s my fantasy to change people’s lives through the power of music,” David said. And wow, he...
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Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
The Debbie Nigro Show
Live Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage. What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance. Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a...
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“The Future of Entrepreneurship Is Female, 50+, and AI-Powered”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Kathy McShane is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs 50+ to Embrace the Future On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was thrilled to welcome back longtime friend and unstoppable force in women’s entrepreneurship, Kathy McShane. Kathy is the founder of Ladies Launch with AI, a three-time business founder, and the former head of the U.S. SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership. These days, she’s on a mission to help women—especially over 50—leverage AI to start and scale businesses faster, smarter, and with more confidence. “AI doesn’t have emotions,” Kathy...
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Ever heard of Shareapy? It's like therapy but with people going through the same thing
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes it really helps to just talk to other caring people about whatever you’re going through. Now there’s a place where you can. I had a talk with Scott Kelsey, the incredibly resilient Founder & CEO of Shareapy—about his groundbreaking wellness platform born from personal tragedy and built to foster connection, healing, and personal growth. After a life-altering fall down a staircase left him with a traumatic brain injury, Scott found himself forced to hit pause—and reflect. "I had to isolate, be in a dark room, and let my brain...
info_outlineLove Innovation and Love People Who Risk Change. The Historic Otesaga Resort In Cooperstown N.Y. going strong now for 112 years, decided to try something new this year! Winter!
Located in what’s been called "Americas Most Perfect Village", the historic Otesaga known for summer fun is now staying open for the Winter. The place shouts 'winter wonderland' with its picturesque twinkling holiday lights, festive decor and often a blanket of snow during the winter months. A nice idea to consider for the most wonderful time of the year without breaking the bank since their winter rates are 40% off.
Do you know they have an outside ‘Fire Bar'? It's been the screen shot on my iPhone since the last time my boyfriend Dave and I were there. (See the screenshot I just snapped while typing this.)
I fell in love with the Otesaga in Cooperstown when we went to The Baseball Hall of Fame a few years ago. I always wanted to go back and stay there so this week we did. I was craving a safe cozy short road trip and this sure did the trick.
Cooperstown is like a snow globe town, and while there this week I saw my first snow of the season. The Otesaga which has typically known for its warm weather outdoor activities, fabulous grounds, outdoor pool and magical golf course on the lake is now also a great cozy place to check in and chill out this time of year. Think cozy lobby fireplace; beautiful rooms with a Keurig machine; warm bubble baths in a big clean tub (I took 4); massages in the Hawkeye Spa, and a crazy delicious gigantic breakfast buffet. (Why I feel compelled to try every single thing at a buffet I'll never know.)
Friendly cocktails, bartenders and friendly people in the Hawkeye Bar & Restaurant and delicious dining. (Loved that the chef indulged my ridiculous request for two different sauces because I couldn't decide) The place is perfect for any reason, business or pleasure and especially a romantic getaway.
We arrived at night so I didn't see the view from our room till I opened my eyes in the morning and saw the beauty of Otsego Lake out my room window. Wow.
I invited Tjibbe Lambers (pronounced Chib-Ba) originally from the Netherlands, now a Cooperstown resident and also the Dir. of Mkt for The Otesaga to join me. He shares some of the ‘firsts’ they're offering this winter like ‘The Home For The Holidays Special’ and ‘The Holiday Lantern Tour’ & their 'Arthur Family Getaway' Package ( think beloved series of children's books). He also talks about all the great Baseball legends The Otesaga has hosted over the years and the incredible display of wine glasses engraved with the name of each Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee showcased in their hallways. The ones with the white roses I observed were to honor those who had passed. The Otesaga also honors the Cooperstown areas' Indian Heritage and Farmers Museum.
The town of Cooperstown is a little quiet in Winter but there are always interesting people who are drawn there all year long. We met a great fun gal who stays there regularly for business in the Hawkeye Bar. Gina from Texas! You'll meet her in the podcast. A fun working mom of 15 year old triplets (imagine?) She's a riot and a top level consultant in the healthcare industry. I chose her to be my featured ‘Random Run In’ of the trip”.
I love Random Runs and talking to interesting strangers. That's a favorite sport of mine that had to be tabled due to the pandemic. Now that I’m 'triple vaxed' as I like to say - I’m feeling more confident about getting back to doing it. I'm on a 'stranger talking' comeback tour now .
In Cooperstown I chatted with Gina mentioned above as well as her smart gal pal boss who sadly lost a child and wrote a book in his honor who I'll invite on a future show. I enjoyed a chat with a famous Rabbi & his wife, a cool guy with a pony tail working to bring technology to rural communities, and a terrific fun younger couple Dave and I met at Cooley’s Stone House Tavern in town. While there, the young fella loved Dave’s music choices on the jukebox so much he sent us over a drink for his good taste! LOL. We joined them and connected over music and his gal pals love of talk radio. I also loved talking to all the different people who live and work in Cooperstown year round. Interesting to note there are many happy 'couples' who live there and work together at The Otesaga all year.
Cooperstown if you've never been there is located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and is a convenient drive from several Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern cities including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New York, and Boston.