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The Show
Brooklyn attitude isn’t where you’re from. It’s how you move.
I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me is hosted by Jaclyn Richard — sharp, funny, and always real. Every episode is a conversation on the stoop: no PR speak, no filters. Just the honest stories of people who’ve done extraordinary things with ordinary grit.
Season 1 features civic leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians changing Rochester and beyond. New episodes drop biweekly. Clean. Zero filler. All fire.
“I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me isn’t just a catchy line. It’s my origin story, my attitude, and your permission slip.” — Jaclyn Richard, Host
New Episodes · Biweekly
Pull up a seat on the stoop — we'll be here.
Got Questions?
I’ve Got a Little Brooklyn in Me is a podcast based in Rochester, NY that spotlights the civic leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians who are shaping Rochester and making an impact beyond. Each episode is a conversation with someone doing remarkable things in our community.
The podcast is hosted by Jaclyn Richard, a Rochester, NY-based storyteller passionate about sharing the voices and stories of the people who make this city extraordinary.
Guests include Rochester-area entrepreneurs, community leaders, musicians, artists, and changemakers — people who are building businesses, driving culture, and creating positive change in Rochester, NY and the broader region.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes drop biweekly and are announced on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
New episodes are released biweekly. Sign up for the newsletter to get new episode alerts delivered straight to your inbox.
The show covers entrepreneurship, local business, arts and music, community advocacy, and the unique culture of Rochester, NY. Every episode explores what drives our guests and what makes Rochester a city worth celebrating.
Yes — completely free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. No subscription required.
Reach Jaclyn directly at jaclyn@brooklyninme.com or send a message via Instagram or Facebook. We’re always looking for new voices from the Rochester community.
New episodes drop regularly. Each one goes deep on what it really means to carry that Brooklyn spirit — grit, hustle, and heart — no matter where you live.
Episode 9 · May 8, 2026
John Williams has been a fixture in Rochester's music and community scene for decades — a saxophone player, educator, and tireless volunteer who never made noise about what he was building. In this episode, Jaclyn sits down with John to unpack a life lived in service, the Brooklyn attitude that fuels his giving, and why he believes Rochester's best days are still ahead. A quiet revolutionary, in every sense.
Read More →Episode 8
Marquita Rugless built ROC Events into one of Rochester's most recognized event production brands — and she did it without a blueprint. In this episode, she talks about breaking into a male-dominated industry, staying true to her vision through setbacks, and the relentless hustle it takes to put Rochester on the map one event at a time. Her Brooklyn-in-her-bones approach to entrepreneurship is impossible not to admire.
Read More →Episode 7
Cheryl Kates turned personal pain into a platform for change. As a Rochester-based advocate, she has spent years fighting for survivors of trauma and building systems that actually support healing — not just recovery. Jaclyn and Cheryl get real about what it takes to show up for your community when the work is hard and the wins are slow, and why that Brooklyn spirit of perseverance makes all the difference.
Read More →