EP. 126 #JoinTheConversation | Strong Dad's. Stronger Communities

Beacon is back together after a busy fall. The hosts look back at the rescheduled I Run Beacon 5K, celebrate its 15-year history and community-funded scholarships, and thank the volunteers, local businesses, and city departments who helped make it happen.They also share ways to get involved, including Turkey on Every Table and the November 12 Show Up community mixer. Then the conversation turns to Beacon City Hall: the hosts discuss recent appointments, transparency in the hiring process, the city budget, and how residents can make their voices heard. They also weigh community questions about Flock cameras, privacy, and public safety.The episode closes with a reminder about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the importance of looking out for one another in Beacon.Topics: Beacon community events, I Run Beacon 5K, local scholarships, Beacon NY City Council, city budget, Flock cameras, community engagement.

On a #JoinTheConversation episode of This Is Beacon, hosts Rueben, Brianna, and Brandon discuss creating real “spaces” that build community and reduce mental-health stigma, featuring guest Dave Eisenstadt, owner of CrossFit 845 in Wappingers and co-owner in Poughkeepsie. Dave shares his background (Stormville/Carmel), discovering CrossFit in 2008 in NYC, building a garage group that grew to 30 people, and opening CrossFit 845 in 2012. He explains CrossFit’s origins (2002), its functional purpose, misconceptions fueled by the CrossFit Games, and how pricing reflects coaching, accountability, and culture. Dave recounts staying open during COVID and emphasizes gyms as mental-health sanctuaries. The conversation highlights onboarding new members and introduces Dave’s free Saturday 6:30 AM Strong Dad Society, a fast-growing fathers’ group combining discussion, workout, and support to promote leadership, vulnerability, and family engagement, plus a planned Fathers of Impact Summit on April 4, 2027.

Former Beacon Mayor Randy Casale joins the podcast for a deep dive into why Beacon, New York still lacks a full-scale community center despite decades of need. Drawing from his 26 years as Superintendent of Streets and two terms as mayor (2012–2019), Casale traces Beacon's community support history from church-run programs like the Catholic Youth Organization and St. Andrew's Parish to the independent Beacon Community Center and Martin Luther King Center that served generations of youth before closing in the early 2010s. The episode reveals previously unknown details about Casale's 2013–2015 initiative to secure a $10 million Downtown Revitalization grant for a community center at Hammond Field—a plan presented three consecutive years to state economic development boards but denied due to Beacon's perceived affluence. Casale shares the comprehensive architectural plans developed with planner John Clark, which included bike lanes, pocket parks, and veteran housing partnerships, and explains why establishing dedicated funding mechanisms and embedding the project in Beacon's Comprehensive Plan are critical to preventing another decade of delays. The conversation explores how turnover in city leadership erodes institutional memory, why current Recreation Department programs—while expanded—cannot replace a centralized facility, and what concrete steps the new Beacon Community Collectives nonprofit can take to finally move this project forward, including locating the existing 2013–2015 plans through FOIL requests and securing protected land and maintenance funding before construction begins.

Born and raised in Beacon, Erika Ricottilli comes from a family deeply rooted in the community and in the beauty industry. As the owner of Saint Della Rosa Hair Collective, Erica has built more than a salon. She has created a space that reflects her passion, creativity, and commitment to the city she calls home.In this episode of This Is Beacon, Erika sits down with Brooke, Reuben, and Brianna to talk about growing up in a large Beacon family, spending nearly two decades away from home, and ultimately finding her way back. She shares what it was like being raised by a second-generation hairstylist, working in salons from the age of 14, and following a career path that always felt like part of who she was.The conversation explores family legacy, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the unique experience of raising children in the same community that shaped you. Along the way, Erica reflects on the people, places, and memories that continue to make Beacon feel like home.This is a conversation about roots, identity, and building something meaningful right where your story began.

In this episode of “Untitled, for now”, Rueben, Brooke, Rob Lanier, and producer Brandon continue their ongoing discussion about city government, civic engagement, and the future of Beacon.The conversation begins with a passionate public comment from longtime resident Theresa Craft, whose remarks spark a deeper discussion about transparency, public participation, and the current structure of City Council meetings. The team examines concerns about workshop discussions and votes occurring on the same night, the challenges residents face when trying to stay informed, and the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for public input.Topics discussed include:• The current City Council meeting format and concerns about rushed decision-making• Public access to information and meeting materials• Communication between elected officials and residents• The role of transparency in building trust within local government• The transition of leadership within City Hall and questions surrounding the City Administrator position• The importance of civic engagement and resident participation in local government• Beacon’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Capital Plan processes• Community concerns regarding project priorities• The Rail Trail and Greenway Trail discussions• The ongoing call for a community center in Beacon• The role nonprofits, volunteers, and residents play in shaping the future of the city• Why informed citizens make stronger communitiesThe panel also reflects on the value of community leadership, volunteerism, and collective action, encouraging residents to stay engaged, ask questions, and make their voices heard as Beacon plans for the future.Special RecognitionThe episode concludes with a tribute to former Beacon Police Chief John Johnson Sr., honoring his service, leadership, and lasting impact on the Beacon community.Community Event: An Evening with Don PruittJoin This Is Beacon host Rueben for a special live conversation with author Don Pruitt.Date: June 28, 2026Time: 6:00 PMLocation: Howland Public Library, Beacon, NYRueben will sit down with Don Pruitt to discuss his writing journey, published works, and connections to the Hudson Valley.RSVP TodayReserve your spot through the Howland Public Library website:www.beaconlibrary.orgStay ConnectedHelp more people discover conversations that matter in Beacon:• Subscribe to This Is Beacon on your favorite podcast platform• Rate and review the show to help it reach new listeners• Share episodes with friends, neighbors, and community membersSponsor or Support the ShowInterested in sponsoring an episode or partnering with This Is Beacon?Email:[email protected] the mission of I Am Beacon and help strengthen local storytelling and community engagement:www.iambeacon.orgThank you for listening and for being part of an informed, engaged Beacon community.

Beacon is changing fast. The question is, do residents fully understand how and why?In this first episode of a new series, the team breaks down what’s happening across the city and why so many people feel like decisions are moving faster than they can keep up with.Joined by longtime resident and former zoning board chair Robert Lanier, the conversation pulls back the curtain on leadership transitions, City Council dynamics, and the real impact of the Comprehensive Plan.The episode digs into what residents are seeing and feeling every day:Fast-tracked leadership decisions and what that means for transparencyA new City Council navigating complex issues at a rapid paceParking pressure as a sign of deeper planning challengesRising housing costs and what “affordable” really meansA recent public safety incident and the impact of limited communicationThis is not about politics. It’s about understanding how decisions made at City Hall show up in your daily life.If you’ve ever asked, “How did we get here?” this episode is for you.

In this special Women’s History Month episode of This Is Beacon, Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon welcome guest co-host Tara Simmons for a conversation celebrating the women shaping Beacon’s past, present, and future.The episode kicks off with the city buzzing after the Beacon High School Varsity Boys Basketball team’s Sectional Championship win, while also highlighting the incredible leadership behind Beacon’s girls basketball program, led by Christina Ricottilli and Maritza Anderson.The hosts reflect on the lasting legacy of women in Beacon—from trailblazing educators to Beacon’s first female mayor, Clara Lou Gould—and recognize the strong presence of women-owned businesses throughout Main Street. They also acknowledge the legacy of BJ’s Restaurant, a longtime community staple run by Barbara and Brenda Sims.Guest Tara Simmons introduces her new faith-based women’s initiative, Rooted and Unbothered, focused on personal growth, resilience, and building authentic sisterhood in a time when many women are seeking deeper connection and support.The conversation also highlights the upcoming EmpowerHer Women’s Health Event, hosted by Les Soeurs Amiables Civic Club, taking place March 21 from 10am–2pm at St. Andrew & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Beacon. The event will feature sessions on women and wealth with Jasmine Vasquez, navigating menopause with Thomasina Brock of M.E.A.N. Girls, and yoga and meditation with La’Shawn Martinez, creating space for women to prioritize their health, knowledge, and wellbeing.The episode wraps with ways to get involved locally—from supporting women-owned businesses to showing up for community moments like EmpowerHer, the Parade of Green, and other events that bring Beacon together.Because when women lead and communities show up for one another, Beacon thrives.

In this ICYMI episode of This Is Beacon, Reuben and Brandon are joined by Jamie from Faregrounds to recap a some community work in action. They highlight the Back 2 School Block Party, 138 supply kits distributed, and the 14th Annual I Run Beacon 5K securing their fundraising goal for their Making a Difference scholarship. They introduce Turkey on Every Table and discuss what’s next with community fridges.Want to support local community fridges or need food today? Visit Fareground.org or contact Jamie Levato at (845) 375-7194

In this episode of This is Beacon, hosts Reuben and Brandon engage in a deep and insightful conversation with Shandi Speller, a seasoned family peer advocate with CoveCare Center for over eight years. Shandi shares her journey from being a classroom teacher in the South Bronx to becoming a family peer advocate. She discusses the importance of addressing children's behavioral issues by involving the entire family, the role of community resources like public libraries and recreation departments, and the necessity of building robust support systems for effective advocacy. Shandi also emphasizes the critical need for parental involvement in special education and the benefits of persistence in navigating available services. Her inspiring stories and valuable advice shed light on how communities can come together to support the mental health and well-being of families.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:43 Meet Shandi Speller: Family Peer Advocate01:02 Shandi’s Journey to Advocacy04:21 Hobbies and Personal Interests10:47 Building a Village: The Importance of Community14:31 Challenges and Strategies in Family Support22:39 Advocating for Special Education34:09 Success Stories and Community Impact40:20 Teaching Life Skills and Community Engagement42:29 The Importance of Community Centers45:02 Supporting Families and Youth47:46 Community Resources and Services53:22 Challenges and Success Stories55:43 The Role of Empathy and Advocacy58:53 Final Thoughts and Reflections

This episode of 'This is Beacon' features Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon welcoming special guest Courtney Rovere, PhD, LCSW(NY), LICSW(MA) as part of the #Jointheconversation series. The conversation centers around the importance of mental health, wellness, and Courtney's journey in the field. Courtney shares her experiences working in the Hudson Valley, her education in Boston, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her decision to return home. She highlights the need for systemic change in the mental health field, particularly emphasizing the role of women who constitute a majority of the workforce. Courtney discusses her research and thesignificant issues like burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and workforce turnover.She suggests solutions such as creating safe and affirming workspaces,elevating the voices of those with lived experiences, reducing rigid fundingconstraints, and focusing on collective care. The episode underscores theimportance of small, everyday efforts to foster community and support mentalhealth.