In this episode of That Sounds Terrific in the 585, Nick and Christine chat with author Mackenzie Reed, the creative mind behind The Rosewood Hunt and The Wilde Trials. With her signature mix of heart, humor, and hijinks, Mackenzie shares her journey from Nazareth College to HarperCollins, talks about her upcoming adult debut I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell, and reflects on how growing up in the 585 shaped her storytelling style.

Catch Mackenzie Reed Live at the Rochester Children & Teens Book Festival:

Mackenzie Reed will be appearing at the Rochester Children & Teens’ Book Festival this weekend! Join her and a lineup of talented authors and illustrators for a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. Learn more at www.rcbfest.com

About Our Terrific Guest Mackenzie Reed

Email: mackenzie@mackenziemreed.com

Mackenzie Reed is the author of books with heart, humor, and hijinks. She has a Communication and Media degree from Nazareth College and unironically enjoys long walks on the beach. Her young adult novels, The Rosewood Hunt and The Wilde Trials, are out now with HarperCollins. Her third, Worse Than the Others, is coming in 2027, and her forthcoming adult debut, I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell, will be released with Berkley/Penguin Random House in September 2026.

Connect and Follow Mackenzie Reed:

Website: www.mackenziemreed.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mackenziemreed

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@mackenziereedwrites

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@mackenziemreed

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/22506077.Mackenzie_Reed

More About That Sounds Terrific in the 585 – Hosts Nick Koziol & Christine Green

For more information on That Sounds Terrific in the 585, visit our website at That Sounds Terrific and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you or someone you know is doing something terrific in the 585 area and should be featured on our show, email us at thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com.

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

585 Magazine and their team for their support with the That Sounds Terrific in the 585 podcast. Be sure to become a subscriber of this terrific magazine - learn more at https://585mag.com

Hosts Nick and Christine welcome back Ben Albert, a familiar voice in Rochester’s business and creative community. Ben is the Owner and Founder of Balbert Marketing LLC, the GrowGetters ONLY community, and the host of the Real Business Connections podcast. In this lively and forward-thinking episode, Ben shares his mission to connect people who hold knowledge with those who need it. He is empowering growth through collaboration, creativity, and technology. The conversation explores how he’s harnessing the power of AI and Suno.com to transform keynote speeches and conference talks into original rap songs, bringing a whole new level of engagement. Don't miss this terrific conversation on innovation, inclusion, and how embracing creative tools like AI can amplify authentic connection rather than replace it.

Connect with Ben Albert

Email: Ben@balbertmarketing.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert

Company LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/realbusinessconnections

About Our Terrific Guest

Ben Albert is the owner of Balbert Marketing LLC, founder of the GrowGetters ONLY Collective, and host of the internationally recognized podcast Real Business Connections. Through his companies, Ben empowers growth-minded leaders with strategic marketing, podcast production, and community-building resources. Once an underdog, now a successful entrepreneur, Ben is passionate about helping others achieve their potential. He is on a mission to move the needle on one million lives, one conversation at a time.

Connect and Follow Ben Albert’s Work

Websites:

realbusinessconnections.com

balbertmarketing.com

weallgrowtogether.com

Instagram: instagram.com/realbenalbert

Facebook: facebook.com/realbusinessconnections

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCatiqMEYvn1CO_isUcb6pAQ

More About That Sounds Terrific - Host Nick Koziol

Podcast Website: www.thatsoundsterrific.com

Email: thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

A heartfelt thank you to (585) magazine for supporting stories that celebrate creativity and community throughout Rochester.

Hosts Nick and Christine welcome Dr. Michael Loete, a dynamic leader dedicated to both healthcare and community well-being. As Board President of ROCCREW, he helps guide an inspiring organization where rowing becomes a vehicle for healing, resilience, and connection. Michael also serves as Treasurer for Person Centered Housing Options Inc. (PCHO), a nonprofit providing homeless outreach, permanent supportive housing, and care management services throughout the region.

From his extensive career in healthcare leadership to his community board work, Michael exemplifies how passion, service, and vision can create waves of positive change in Rochester.

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-loete-ed-d-lah-msl-7b480a70

Michael Loete has been in healthcare for over ten years. Currently he is an employee of UnitedHealthcare as a Senior ACO Network Contract Manager, and subsequently held positions at a variety of local health insurance carriers. A career highlight was as a Director of Provider Network Operations, Mike led a team that successfully and initially contracted physicians, facilities, and providers in over 30 counties in New York State to work with individuals who are intellectually and developmentally disabled so that they could receive medical care.Mike is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan's OM and MSL programs. In the MSL program, Mike's group studied the Walt Disney Company. The group specifically and successfully defended a strategic audit and recommendation for streaming services as a partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Netflix. Mike had finished his doctorate in educational leadership through St. John Fisher in 2021, and published his dissertation on the Communication styles of senior leaders in health insurance during times of organizational change.

• ROCCREW Website: https://roccrew.com

• ROCCREW Facebook: facebook.com/share/1F2XgaNvvn

• PCHO Facebook: facebook.com/share/1CgqMgNFrR

• For More About That Sounds Terrific in the 585

  Check out our Website: www.thatsoundsterrific.com

• If you or someone you know is doing something terrific in the 585 area and should be featured on our show, email us at thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com.

  
  

  Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

  A huge thank you to (585) magazine for their continued support in sharing Rochester’s stories. Special appreciation goes to our intern, Ashlyn Dugdale, for their behind-the-scenes work in research, writing, and promotion.

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