Your Hometown Podcast

07/23/2025

Your Hometown Podcast: Little Falls episode 13 is now available.

Imagine water rushing into your home like a tidal wave—sudden, violent, and unforgiving. Now picture yourself trapped in the basement as that relentless force crashes in, rising higher with every second. You cling to life in a shrinking air pocket, lungs burning, heart pounding, every breath a desperate fight to survive.

Karen Slinger doesn’t have to imagine it … she lived it. Karen brings us a deeply personal and powerful story of loss, survival, and rebuilding. Karen lived in Little Falls for 30 years when her home was tragically destroyed during Hurricane Ida. In a matter of hours, everything she had built was swept away and she suddenly found herself navigating the heartbreaking aftermath of losing her home. Karen talks about the emotional toll of disaster, the courage it takes to start over, and the unexpected gifts that can emerge from devastation.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the importance of holidays and rituals to our mental health, and Dr. Sunitha Moonthungal, director of Primary Care Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about the importance of preventative care.



Please support our sponsors who make these shows possible.
Schumacher Chevrolet of Little Falls
Evolution Restaurant & Bar
Body Bonanza
Chem-Dry Of Passaic County
Healthlink Advocates
Metro Hypnosis Center
Crystal Clear Energies
GPS Empowerment

Episode 13: Karen Slinger talks about the emotional toll of disaster, the courage it takes to start over, and the unexpected gifts that can emerge from devastation.

07/16/2025

A new episode of Your Hometown Podcast: Woodland Park is now available.
Nursing is the heart of healthcare where compassion meets clinical expertise to provide holistic, life-saving care. Nurses are often the first to comfort, the last to leave, and the steady presence that holds the system together. Jennifer Kula Spirio brings a lifetime of wisdom and heart to the world of healthcare. Jennifer is a seasoned nurse with decades of experience at the bedside, in leadership roles, and now as an educator shaping the next generation of nurses. She’s witnessed firsthand the evolution of the medical field. She discusses the changes she’s seen, the lessons she’s learned, and where she believes the future of nursing needs to go in order to truly serve both patients and providers. Jennifer has worked as a registered nurse, nursing educator, and adult nurse practitioner.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the importance of holidays and rituals to our mental health, and Dr. Sunitha Moonthungal, director of Primary Care Services at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about the importance of preventative care.

Episode 15: Jennifer Kula Spirio shares what she has learned from decades of experience at the bedside, in leadership roles, and now as an educator shaping the next generation of nurses.

07/15/2025

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06/25/2025

Your Hometown Podcast: Little Falls Episode 12 is now available!

Today’s episode celebrates one year of bringing Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls to the community!! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

In this episode we talk with Anthony Sgobba. about an important topic than can change the way we live. Tony has worked closely with people at the end of life or those in grief. Through stories they have shared, he has witnessed their final reflections about what truly matters, what they regret, what they cherish most. He shares those insights to help us all live more fully, right now.

Tony is a member of the Little Falls Township Council. He has served on the Little Falls Library Board, the Little Falls Board of Education, and the Passaic Valley Board of Education. He is the co-owner of Sgobba Monument Works located in Totowa, NJ.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the complex father/child relationship and what we can do when it is missing, strained, or lost, and Dr. Christopher Awwad, a family medicine physician at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about men’s health.

Episode 12: Anthony Sgobba shares insights to help us live life more fully.

06/18/2025

A new episode of Your Hometown Podcast: Woodland Park is now available!

Science is the foundation of progress—it drives innovation, fuels discovery, and helps us make sense of the world around us. In today’s rapidly evolving world, encouraging the study of science and other STEM fields is more important than ever. Rich Paleski is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in the world of broadcast television. With a more than 40-year career in broadcast engineering, Rich helped keep the shows we love on air with precision, innovation, and technical excellence. He is passionate about the importance of STEM education and is an advocate for inspiring the next generation to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. Rich most recently held the position of director of Broadcast Operation and Engineering for WCBS television. He invented the CBS mobile weather lab, and was an adjunct professor for Drexel University.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the complex father/child relationship and what we can do when it is missing, strained, or lost, and Dr. Christopher Awwad, a family medicine physician at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about men’s health.

Click link below to listen to the conversation:

Episode 14: Rich Paleski discusses his 40 year career in broadcast television and why we need to inspire the next generation to explore science, technology, engineering, and math.

05/25/2025

Episode 11 of Your Hometown Podcast Little Falls is now available. The episode dropped early this month in order to recognize the honor, service, and the sacrifice that too often goes unnoticed.
In this episode we feature Herb Brychta, a proud military veteran who is the commander of the American Legion Post 108. With years of service to our country and continued leadership, he brings a perspective that is both deeply personal and incredibly important. Herb talks about his journey through military service, the realities of life after duty, and the work being done through the American Legion to uplift and support those who have served.

Click link below to listen to the conversation.
https://www.cyacyl.com/your-hometown-podcast-episodes/herb-brychta

Schumacher Chevrolet of Little Falls
Kinderkamack Counseling
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Body Bonanza
Evolution Restaurant & Bar
Silver bullet pest control
Healthlink Advocates
Chem-Dry of Passaic County
Metro Hypnosis Center
Crystal Clear Energies

Episode 11: Herb Brychta talks about his journey through military service and the realities of life after duty.

05/21/2025

Episode 13 - Your Hometown Podcast: Woodland Park is now available.

We celebrate Memorial Day in the month of May, a time to honor those who gave everything for our freedom and to reflect on sacrifice and what it truly means to serve. Jairo Rodriguez is a proud veteran who has shown incredible dedication to our country — both in uniform and in continued service beyond. He talks about his experience in the armed forces, and the lessons he learned about leadership, resilience, and teamwork. His story is one of courage and purpose.

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and then Press 1

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the complex mother/child relationship and what we can do when it is missing, strained, or lost. Click link below to listen to the conversation. This episode is made possible by our sponsors. Please let them know you heard about them here.

https://www.cyacyl.com/your-hometown-podcast-episodes/jairo-rodriguez

Advanced Foot Care of NJ,
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Evolution Restaurant & Bar
Pamela Martorana
Margaret Sanchez
Dawn Cox - Weichert, Northern NJ Real Estate
Lisa's Thermography & Wellness
Body Bonanza
Margaret Sanchez Cross Country Mortgage
Kinderkamack Counseling

Episode 13: Jairo Rodriguez talks about his experience in the armed forces, and the lessons he learned about leadership, resilience, and teamwork.

05/19/2025

Coming Wednesday!

We celebrate Memorial Day in the month of May, a time to honor those who gave everything for our freedom and to reflect on sacrifice and what it truly means to serve. Jairo Rodriguez is a proud veteran who has shown incredible dedication to our country — both in uniform and in continued service beyond. He talks about his experience in the armed forces, and the lessons he learned about leadership, resilience, and teamwork. His story is one of courage and purpose.

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and then Press 1

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses the complex mother/child relationship and what we can do when it is missing, strained, or lost.

Episode 13: Jairo Rodriguez talks about his experience in the armed forces, and the lessons he learned about leadership, resilience, and teamwork.

04/23/2025

Episode 10 of Your Hometown Podcast is now available.

Medical missionary work transforms lives around the world. Little Falls native, Jim Pullara, has been part of three surgical missions that brought life-changing procedures to some of the world’s poorest and most underserved communities. He talks about the heart behind the mission, the challenges of working in resource-limited settings, and the unforgettable stories that make it all worth while.Jim has seen firsthand how access to surgical care can restore dignity and offer hope. Jim is a vascular and general operating room nurse.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses autism signs, awareness, and acceptance.

Click the link below to listen to the conversation. Please share with friends and please support the companies who make this type of programming possible.

Episode 10: Jim Pullara talks about the heart behind medical missions and the unforgettable stories that make it all worth while.

04/16/2025

Episode 12 of Your Hometown Podcast: Woodland Park is now available.

Firefighters are vital to our communities, providing life-saving support, protection, and calm in the midst of chaos when every second counts. They are the backbone of our safety, rushing into danger when others run away. Their courage, commitment, and quick thinking save lives and bring hope in moments of crisis. Todd Hollritt is a true hometown hero — a dedicated fireman who puts his life on the line to protect and serve the Woodland Park community. He talks about his journey with the West Paterson Fire Department and offers insight into the Department’s rich history. Todd joined the WPFD in 1980; he just entered his 45th year of service with Rifle Camp Fire Company 3. Over the years, he served as first and second lieutenant and captain. Todd is a correspondent with First Responder News, and the historian at Company 3, responsible for documenting the history of the West Paterson Fire Department and surrounding fire departments.

Also in this episode, Pamela Martorana, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Kinderkamack Counseling, discusses autism signs, awareness, and acceptance.

Episode 12: Todd Hollritt discusses his 45 years as a West Paterson volunteer firefighter and offers insight into the Department’s rich history.

03/26/2025

Episode 9 of Your Hometown Podcast: Little Falls is now available!

People power can take many forms depending on what kind of change is desired. Whether we want to change a government, company, community or individual, we each have the power to make a difference. Mark Louis De Lotto is a Little Falls native who has a vision for what he calls “a stronger America” that is inspired by the American Dream. Mark ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, and is the founder of The Singular Movement, a grassroots effort to build a fair and effective system that allows Americans to better afford healthcare, retirement, housing, education, and entrepreneurship.

Also in this episode, Dr. Sufian Sorathia, the medical director for Endoscopy and assistant medical director of Ambulatory Care, for at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about how we can prevent and treat colon cancer.

Click the link below to listen to the conversation.

This episode is made possible by our sponsors. Please let them know you heard them here.

Schumacher Chevrolet of Little Falls
Evolution Restaurant & Bar
Body Bonanza
Best Midlife Ever
Chem-Dry of Passaic County
Lamour Legacy Videos
Metro Hypnosis Center
Crystal Clear Energies

Episode 9: Mark DeLotto discusses why we should work to enact change.

03/19/2025

Your Hometown Podcast Woodland Park Episode 11 is Now Available

March is a significant month for mental health awareness, with several key days dedicated to increasing understanding and breaking the stigma around mental health conditions. Whether it’s through social media campaigns, community events, or simple conversations, each of us has the power to make a difference. Phyllis Hornstra is passionate about educating, supporting, and advocating for mental health awareness. She is an accomplished court executive with record of achievement and results in six court divisions. Phyllis is chair of the Woodland Park Stigma Free Task Force, a member of the Board of Adjustment, and is a certified in Domestic Violence Response Team and Custody Mediation

Also in this episode, Sufian Sorathia, the medical director for Endoscopy and assistant medical director of Ambulatory Care at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, talks about how we can prevent and treat colon cancer.

Click link below to listen to the conversation:

Episode 11: Phyllis Hornstra shares why she is passionate about educating, supporting, and advocating for mental health awareness.