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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Hosts Nick and Christine welcome V Spehar, TikTok star, award-winning journalist, and the voice behind Under the Desk News. With over 3 million followers and recognition on the TIME100 Creators list, V has redefined how news can be shared accessible, compassionate, and authentic.

In this episode, V shares their journey from Brooklyn to Rochester, their experiences balancing fame with everyday life, and how theater and hospitality shaped their journalistic style. The conversation dives into topics like AI, Rochester’s food scene, and why V has truly fallen in love with the Flower City.

Our sit-down with V even sparked something bigger: a “day in the life” feature in (585) magazine where Nick and Christine explored Rochester with V from coffee at Café Sasso, art at the George Eastman Museum, shopping at Peppermint Boutique, to lunch at Dorado.

Read the related (585) magazine feature: Under the Desk News takes on Rochester

Connect with V Spehar – Under the Desk News

Website: underthedesknews.com

TikTok: tiktok.com/@underthedesknews

Instagram: instagram.com/underthedesknews

Substack: underthedesknews.substack.com

About Our Terrific Guest

V Spehar is the creator and host of Under the Desk News, where millions turn daily for digestible, jargon-free coverage of politics and current events. Named to the TIME100 Creators list, V has interviewed leaders including Presidents Obama and Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Since moving to Rochester during the pandemic, V has embraced the local community, showcasing how the Flower City inspires creativity, connection, and balance both online and off.

Connect and Follow (585) magazine

Website: 585mag.com

Instagram: instagram.com/585mag

Facebook: www.facebook.com/585mag

Some Other Mentions in this Episode

Café Sasso – coffee shop on Park Avenue

George Eastman Museum – historic Rochester landmark

Peppermint Boutique – fashion and gift shop owned by Tanvi Asher

Dorado – restaurant on Park Avenue

Tanvi Asher – owner of Peppermint Boutique

More About That Sounds Terrific in the 585

Podcast Website: ThatSoundsTerrific.com

Email: thatsoundsterrific@gmail.com

Special Thanks To Our Key Supporters

We’d like to thank (585) magazine for spotlighting Rochester’s stories and for helping us extend our conversation with V. A shoutout as well to our terrific intern Ashlyn Dugdale for her posts and contributions!

Rochester’s housing market is at a crossroads. In this episode, hosts Nick and Christine are joined by TST co-host, Jess DeCotis, as they all sit down with Jim Yakko, CEO of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors (GRAR), and GRAR President Don Simonetti Jr. to unpack the region’s housing crisis and the bold steps being taken to address it. From accessory dwelling units and modular builds to 3D-printed homes and large-scale redevelopment projects, the conversation explores both the challenges and innovative solutions reshaping how Rochester can meet its housing needs. Discover how the Reimagine Rochester Housing initiative is pushing for affordable, sustainable, and community-minded development across the 585.

Connect and Follow ReImagine Roc Housing at: www.ReImagineROCHousing.org

About Jim Yockel, CEO, Greater Rochester Association of Realtors

Email: jyockel@grar.net

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/james-yockel-7b8a103a

Jim Yockel is the Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS®, representing more than 3,000 REALTORS® across 11 counties in the Rochester, Finger Lakes, and Southern Tier regions of New York.

As the Association’s spokesperson, Jim works alongside community and government leaders to improve housing affordability and equitable access in the region. He currently co-leads the ReImagine ROC Housing initiative, an industry-driven effort to tackle Rochester’s housing shortage by collaborating with key stakeholders in business, government, and community development.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Management from Cornell University. He also holds the prestigious REALTORS® Certified Executive designation from NAR and the Certified MLS Expert designation from the Council of MLSs.

About Donald Simonetti Jr.

Email: donjr@howardhanna.com

Donald specializes in executive relocation to the Greater Rochester Area. Born and raised in Rochester, he have a detailed understanding of the local housing market and history. I’m also a proud member of the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. I look forward to working you and finding your next home.

About Jess DeCotis

Email: jessdecotis@gmail.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/em-marketing

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessdecotishomes

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessdecotishomes

Jess DeCotis is an experienced Real Estate Agent focused on providing premium service in all transactions. Clients rave about her ability to quickly analyze and adapt to the market when buying and selling homes. With almost 15 years of professional marketing and sales experience, Jess has a strong business acumen that assists in advocating and negotiating for her clients. Whether you’re buying or selling your way into a dream home, Jess DeCotis is the smart move. Jess is also the co-host of TST in the 585 sister podcast That Sounds Terrifying.

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

Thank you to Morgan Brown and Meadow Viscuso, our terrific intern duo from SUNY Fredonia for all their hard work and for lending their voices and music to the Intro and Outro of the That Sounds Terrific in the 585!