All Episodes

Rochester's Community · Told in Their Own Words

Every episode is a long-form conversation with someone shaping Rochester, NY — entrepreneurs, civic leaders, artists, attorneys, and changemakers. No fluff. No filters. Just real people doing real work.

April 24, 2026 20 min

From the Runway to the Room: Marquita Rugless on ROC Events

Guest: Marquita Rugless · ROC Events LLC

What does it take to build a Rochester event design company from scratch — and then turn it into one of the city's most in-demand experiences? Marquita Rugless, founder and Chief Experience Officer of ROC Events LLC, joins Jaclyn to talk about building a business from passion, the realities of entrepreneurship in Rochester, and why she believes every event should tell a story. From fashion runways to corporate galas, Marquita shares the mindset and hustle behind ROC Events' rise.

Rochester Entrepreneur Event Design Women in Business Rochester Small Business
Apple Podcasts Spotify
April 7, 2026 25 min

Healing Through Advocacy — Cheryl L. Kates, Esq. on Standing Up for the Forgotten

Guest: Cheryl L. Kates, Esq. · Criminal Defense Attorney

Few people bring as many perspectives to the justice system as Cheryl L. Kates — attorney, nurse, journalist, and former radio host. In this episode, Cheryl traces her path from trauma nursing to criminal defense, explains why she focuses on defending those society has already written off, and challenges listeners to think differently about punishment, healing, and advocacy. A conversation about law, humanity, and what real justice looks like in Rochester.

Criminal Defense Legal Advocacy Rochester Justice Community Leaders
Apple Podcasts Spotify
March 25, 2026 23 min

Art Belongs to Everyone: Sarah Jesse's MAG Vision

Guest: Sarah Jesse · Director, Memorial Art Gallery

Could Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery become free for everyone? MAG Director Sarah Jesse joins Jaclyn to talk about her bold vision for democratizing art access in Rochester, what 20+ years of museum leadership across LACMA and other top institutions taught her, and why she believes local art institutions hold the key to a city's identity. A conversation about culture, access, and what it means to lead one of Rochester's most beloved institutions.

Rochester Arts Memorial Art Gallery Museum Leadership Rochester Culture
Apple Podcasts Spotify
March 2, 2026 19 min

Brooklyn Soul: Cinnamon Jones' Musical Journey

Guest: Cinnamon Jones · Gospel Artist & Documentary Filmmaker

Brooklyn-born, internationally recognized, and deeply grounded — Cinnamon Jones brings a lifetime of music, advocacy, and storytelling to this conversation. She and Jaclyn unpack her gospel roots, Bay Area award wins, international touring career, and her Lady of Song tribute. They also dig into her documentary Generation Z, which captured the voices of young people during 2020's defining moments. A rich conversation about art, identity, and staying rooted through it all.

Gospel Music Rochester Artists Documentary Film Rochester Musicians
Apple Podcasts Spotify
February 24, 2026 13 min

Stamina Over Setbacks — Rumella Cameron Caraballo's Entrepreneurial Fight

Guest: Rumella Cameron Caraballo · Conversance Business Solutions

Rumella Cameron Caraballo built Conversance Business Solutions as a single mom starting from scratch — through nonprofit betrayals, COVID-era client losses, and people who said it couldn't be done. In this episode she unpacks the grit required to land 5 clients in one week, scale a consulting firm, and keep going when every signal says stop. Her story is a masterclass in stamina — and in what Rochester entrepreneurship actually looks like behind the scenes.

Rochester Entrepreneur Business Consulting Women in Business Rochester Small Business
Apple Podcasts Spotify
February 10, 2026 13 min

Turning "No" Into "Yes" — Yversha Román on Leading With Grit

Guest: Yversha Román · Monroe County Legislature President

Monroe County Legislature President Yversha Román has spent her career turning barriers into breakthroughs — in language access, pay equity, and civic representation. She joins Jaclyn to talk about what it means to lead with purpose in Rochester's political landscape, the real cost of being told no, and why the most powerful thing a leader can do is say yes when no one else will. An honest conversation about power, community, and governing for everyone.

Rochester Civic Leader Monroe County Rochester Politics Community Leadership
Apple Podcasts Spotify
January 25, 2026 13 min

Where "I've Got a Little Brooklyn in Me" Really Comes From

Host Story · Jaclyn Richard

Before the guests, there's the name. In this episode, Jaclyn shares the funny, almost-Brooklyn story behind the podcast — from her parents' love story to a wild hospital mix-up that explains why she was conceived in Brooklyn but born in Rochester. Warm, funny, and full of heart, this episode captures exactly the tone you'll find in every conversation: honest, human, and unmistakably real.

About the Podcast Jaclyn Richard Rochester NY Origin Story
Apple Podcasts Spotify
December 8, 2025 8 min

Episode 1 — So, You Want a Little Brooklyn in You?

Host Intro · Jaclyn Richard

The one that started it all. Jaclyn Richard introduces the podcast and explains what it really means to have a little Brooklyn in you — from wit served with your morning coffee to The Look as punctuation. Short, punchy, and full of personality, this episode sets the tone for everything that follows. If you're new here, start here.

Introduction Rochester NY Podcast Pilot Episode
Apple Podcasts Spotify

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