June 30, 2026
Guest: Carolyn Maloney · Former U.S. Congresswoman
For thirty years, Carolyn Maloney represented New York in Congress — and spent much of that time fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment, protecting 9/11 first responders, and wielding real institutional power on behalf of women. She joins Jaclyn for a conversation about the ERA, what political persistence actually looks like, and the Brooklyn backbone that has fueled her entire public life.
Equal Rights Amendment
Women in Congress
Women's Rights
Brooklyn Grit
May 8, 2026
20 min
Guest: John Williams · Philanthropist & Pianist
Rochester attorney-turned-philanthropist John Williams has spent decades giving back without asking for credit — championing ImageOut, Geva Theatre, First Inversion, Garth Fagan Dance, Nazareth University's Lavender Graduation, and his beloved Songs of Faith and Inspiration concert series. And through all of it, he plays piano. Jaclyn sits down with John to trace the career pivot from law to fundraising, the role music plays as his emotional through-line, and the quiet community legacy he's been building one cause at a time.
Rochester Philanthropy
Arts Advocacy
Community Leadership
Rochester Culture
April 24, 2026
20 min
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
April 7, 2026
25 min
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
March 25, 2026
23 min
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
March 2, 2026
19 min
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
February 24, 2026
13 min
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
February 10, 2026
13 min
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
January 25, 2026
13 min
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
December 8, 2025
8 min
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
Know Someone Who Belongs on the Show?
Jaclyn is always looking for Rochester's next compelling voice — entrepreneurs, artists, civic leaders, and changemakers. Reach out and make the pitch.
Suggest a Guest