Rust Belt Startup

I can say, without exaggeration, this is one of the most extraordinary stories that I’ve ever heard. and maybe one of the most important, so my guest today is Max Smith. He’s a historian, a storyteller, and a lifelong steward of the history of Peterborough New York. So this is a tiny village in Madison County that most people have never heard of, but that quietly shaped the course of American history. So what you’re about to hear. Is the story of how the abolitionist movement functioned in many ways, like an early startup, so a small group of people that had an idea that was considered radical, dangerous, and disruptive, and the epicenters of that abolitionist movement. it wasn’t Boston or Washington. it was right here in upstate New York. The story starts with the drunken mob shutting down an abolitionist meeting in Utica and how that meeting was reborn the next day in Peterborough. And hundreds of people walked miles overnight to continue that work, and those choices sent ripples across the country that still shape our politics today. Now Max walks us through the life of Gerrit Smith, whom I’m sure you’ve probably never heard of. I’ve never heard of him, but he was one of the wealthiest men in America in the 18 hundreds. And after this event, he started giving away his fortune to fund abolition, women’s suffrage and civil rights. He was hosting Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, John Brown, and formerly enslaved people at his own dinner table, and his mansion in Peterborough became one of the stops on the Underground Railroad. This is also a deeply personal story for Max. It’s one that connects his own family lineage directly to the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the long arc of freedom in this country. So if you care about how change actually happens and how movements are built, how courage, community, and conviction scale over time. This is a conversation you are not going to forget. It’s not a startup story in the way we usually tell them, but it might be one of the most powerful ones we’ve ever shared. Learn more about The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum and the Abolition Walk   Rust Belt Startup · The Abolitionist Movement as an Early American Startup | Max Smith

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Van Slyke, founder of Utica Bike Rescue, to talk about bikes, mobility, walkable cities, and why transportation is really about participation and freedom. Utica Bike Rescue has redistributed thousands of bikes over the past decade — helping people get to work, school, and medical appointments — but Matt’s work goes far beyond bike repair. As a transportation planner, he helps us understand how infrastructure shapes daily life, community connection, and opportunity. In this conversation, we explore: 🚲 What Utica Bike Rescue actually does — and how the model works 🏙️ Why walkable and bikeable communities create stronger civic life 🚗 The surprising reality of car access in mid-size cities like Utica 🧠 Why mobility = freedom, especially for people without reliable transportation 🔌 Utica Bike Rescue’s new electric mobile bike repair van and what it unlocks 👥 How everyday people can support better transportation and community design This episode isn’t just about bikes — it’s about how we design places that invite people to participate, connect, and belong. Learn more or get involved: https://uticabikerescue.org If you enjoyed this conversation, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about community, cities, or local impact.   Additional Links: Ryan Interviewed on the Love Living Local Podcast > The Hospitalitarian Podcast > Rust Belt Startup · What Transportation Really Says About a Community | Matt VanSlyke

In this episode, I have an inspiring conversation with James Paul, the founder of Blacque Acres, an indoor hydroponic container farm in Utica, NY. James shares his journey from military service to urban farming, and we’ll talk about how he was able to commit to the project without knowing much about container farming or fundraising to make the first container farm a reality. We’ll get into how he created buy-in from the community and funders, raising over $200k to start the first farm, and how you don’t need to know exactly what you’re doing to get started on your big idea. Blacque Acres aims to provide fresh, affordable produce to the Cornhill neighborhood an often overlooked part of the city, addressing food insecurity and promoting community health in the process. James is proving that fresh, affordable produce can be grown year-round in the middle of the city—and that a farm can be about much more than food. Learn more about Blacque Acres at their website: www.blacqueacres.com Rust Belt Startup · Blacque Acres: Container Farming and Committing in Cornhill

Fundraising expert Lara Sepanski Pimentel, founder of OSA Philanthropy and former Peace Corps volunteer, joins me to unpack what makes a nonprofit—and any mission-driven venture—truly resilient. Drawing on field lessons from community-development work in rural Central America and a decade inside U.S. nonprofits, Lara explains why “capacity” — the people, processes, and systems behind the programs — must come before the next big grant push. In this conversation you’ll learn: Peace Corps principles in practice – how asset-based thinking, local ownership, and radical resourcefulness translate into stronger donor relationships and staff culture. The “capacity first, cash second” framework – diagnostic steps to spot operational gaps before chasing new money. Fast vs. slow money – a pragmatic playbook for raising six figures quickly through warm individual donors while laying groundwork for longer-cycle institutional funding. Reframing the ask – shifting from “begging for help” to “offering investment” so donors see themselves as partners, not patrons. Running a location-independent consultancy – Lara’s approach to managing global contractors, Zoom-first client work, and family life across continents. Nonprofit earthquake preparedness – why diversified revenue and data-driven dashboards are the new insurance policy in a volatile funding landscape. Rust Belt Startup · A Sustainable Fundraising Playbook for Non-Profits with Lara Sepanski Pimentel (Osa Philanthropy)

In this episode of I sit down with Richard Young, founder of CivicLex, an innovative organization based in Lexington, Kentucky, focused on improving civic engagement and strengthening local government responsiveness. CivicLex bridges the gap between citizens and local government, offering workshops, newsletters, and tools that make local governance more accessible and transparent. They are creating a more engaged, informed, and cohesive community. We’ll get into the details of some of CivicLex’s projects, and their role in shaping community-wide conversations around critical issues like land use, public policy, and civic health. We’ll discuss how CivicLex led hundreds of conversations around Lexington’s comprehensive land use plan, gathering over 17,000 public responses, which influenced city planning decisions. We’ll talk civic literacy, building trust between citizens and government, and the vital role of responsive institutions in fostering a vibrant, engaged city. If you’re interested in how cities can become more inclusive, dynamic, and collaborative by building civic engagement from the ground up, this episode offers valuable insights into replicable strategies that can work in any community – even yours. Learn more about Richard’s work at CivicLex.org Rust Belt Startup · Innovating Civic Health: CivicLex’s Guide for Small Cities with Richard Young

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueg_I_pPjhM Today I’m sharing a conversation with Kristin Fahy, someone who is living an unconventional life in multiple locations. She’s the founder of Impetus Health, a strategy consultant for healthcare and life science firms, the author of “Profressionaling Is Hard – 22 Lessons to Help Make It (a little) Easier”, and the Professionaling Podcast. So in this conversation we’re going to talk about “Professionaling” – how you should think about exercising and developing particular skills to position you for success as a professional or position yourself for the next big opportunity. We’ll also talk about the difference between being ready to and being willing to, the process of writing and publishing her book (with a little help of The Tiny Book Course), and much much more. If you want to learn more about Kristin or reach out, visit her website www.kristinfahy.com or subscribe to the Professionaling Podcast. You can also order your own copy of “Professionaling Is Hard” direct from Amazon.Kristin’s Website: Subscribe to the Rust Belt Startup Newsletter: Rust Belt Startup · Kristin Fahy Full

https://youtu.be/GWFRxwGx_Ec?si=GBDoKBkbPIey7cnh On this episode I sit down with Katie Aiello for a long overdue conversation about local government, civic engagement, and using data to empower citizens. Katie is the founder of Character Coffee in Utica, NY, and found her calling in public service when she decided to run for Common Council. Now she’s using social media and open data tools to shed light on the inner workings of her city. We talk about how she’s leveraging digital platforms to educate constituents and apply pressure for transparency. Find out how Katie is mining municipal data using Instagram and TikTok to help constituents think more critically about budgets, ARPA funds, and getting involved local politics. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in innovative approaches to civic participation and government accountability. Learn more about Katie at KatieforUtica.com and @katieaiello on all the socials. Rust Belt Startup · Coffee, Councils & TikTok Civics with Katie Aiello RBS Extra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lpoLH5pmsc

My guest today is Leon Etienne. He is a world renowned illusionist, and he’s rolling through upstate New York, doing a show this Saturday at Stanley theatre. He’s the creator of Magic Rocks, has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller’s Wizard Wars, and much more. We had a fantastic conversation about why we need a little bit more magic. In our lives. We talk about the business of magic and how he started from learning some simple tricks at home when he was 12, to building this career, where he travels all over the world, showcasing one of the kind illusions. We talk about his trajectory of making magic a career that’s become a full fledged touring operation that goes all over the world. We’ll talk about some of those big breaks, whether that’s America’s Got Talent, or working with Penn and Teller, meeting his heroes, bringing magic to the people during the pandemic and much much more. It’s a really wide ranging conversation and it was awesome to catch up with Leon. I hope you guys all check out the show if you’re in the region this Saturday night at the Stanley… and let’s let’s get right into it. Rust Belt Startup · The Business of Magic with Illusionist Leon Etienne BONUS: Card Tricks with Leon Etienne

Hilda M Jordan is the founder of HMJ Equity Consulting, an anti-racist social equity firm that helps organizations attract and retain more diverse talent by identifying systems that stand in the way of helping members of the team be successful. She is a graduate of Harvard University, and honestly one of the most inspiring your people I’ve every met. Our conversation today centers around her personal journey from upstate NY to Harvard University and back again – learning to navigate systems from colleges to courts to companies that can stand in the way of her (and YOUR) success. This is one of the most inspiring conversations you’ll hear – It’s been a great privilege to get to work with Hilda in building HMJ Consulting but a greater privilege to call her a friend. Rust Belt Startup · Building Equitable Environments From Colleges to Companies to Courts with Hilda M. Jordan

Rust Belt Startup · Making the Comfortable Uncomfortable – Mike Ballman Today on the podcast, Pastor Mike Ballman returns. It’s a follow-up conversation 3 years after our first conversation (which was one of my favorite episodes ever – listen at the link below). Mike is the founder and chief operator of the Morrow Warming Center – a low-barrier shelter in Utica, NY. What Mike has done has made the problem of homelessness visible – and the challenges that come with it. We talk about the founding of the Morrow Warming Center, homelessness in small cities, potential solutions, opposition to what he’s doing, being uncomfortable, and building community through connection as we come out of the pandemic.  This is a heavy conversation but an important one.  Learn more about The Morrow Warming Center via their Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430038701543837 Donate or Support the Warming Centerhttp://morrowwarmingcenter.org Mike Ballman – Invest, Commit, Dig In (Rust Belt Startup Podcast) https://rustbeltstartup.com/2018/07/19/episode-7-mike-ballman-invest-commit-dig-in/

Rust Belt Startup · Are NFT's stupid or is it just early? What's coming next? NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are reaching a fever pitch with some digital artwork selling for tens of millions of dollars. The landscape changes daily and so today I want to give you a brief primer on how you might think about NFTs, what they are, and what could be next in the space.  In this podcast I reference a great interview with Kara Swisher of the New York Times and Beeple – whose recent NFT of a collection of his daily works sold at auction for over $60 million. It’s a fantastic interview and you can check it out here: What do you think? Do you own any NFTs? If so, what made you decide to take the plunge?

Rust Belt Startup · Building More Meaningful Relationships and Being Connected From Afar – Kat Vellos Today’s conversation is one I’ve been really looking forward to sharing. I’m talking with Kat Vellos about UX, building (and maintaining) community and connection. Kat is a UX (user experience) designer, the founder of the Bay Are Black Designers, Connection Club, a facilitator, coach, and someone who is obsessed with community and connection. She’s also the author of two books – “We Should Get Together – The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships” and “Connected From Afar – A Guide For Staying Close When You’re Far Away.” In our conversation we talk about User Experience – what makes good UX and how do you apply that to your app, business or city. We talk about building and maintaining healthy, resilient communities – and probably most important, we talk about connection. We talk about “platonic longing” which probably encapsulates a feeling that many adults are feeling in this time of isolation, and the idea of ‘familiar strangers’ who gave our daily lives dynamism and rhythm. You can learn more about Kat and her books at weshouldgettogether.com and katvellos.com