Send us a text We welcome Chef Angel Rivera to discuss his culinary journey at Experience Kitchen and Cocktails in Avenel, New Jersey. Chef Angel, a proud Jersey native, shares his transition from an engineering background to the world of gastronomy, inspired by his multicultural upbringing and a deep love for food. His story is one of passion and …

Send us a text We sit down with musician Christian Sparacio, who is set to headline the upcoming Jersey Fest. Christian shares his journey from growing up in Marlboro, New Jersey, to becoming a musician, highlighting his transition from a football player to a passionate artist. He reflects on his musical upbringing, influenced by a family that love…

Send us a text We sit down with private investigators Bari Kroll and Jen Rosant from B. Lauren Investigations. Bari and Jen recount their unique journeys into the field, highlighting how they transitioned from corporate roles to becoming private investigators. They emphasize the importance of shedding light on an industry often shrouded in mystery …

If you're old enough to remember the late 1990s you may recall the hype and excitement about the dawning of the internet age. Some predictions came true, other promises fizzled. Today, artificial intelligence is having a similar moment. For this week's episode I turned to Google's NotebookLM. I uploaded articles about me from The New York Times and…

Send us a text We sit down with musician Connor Bracken at Twin Lights Brewing, delving into Connor's evolution from a young guitarist to the leader of the Mother Leeds Band. Connor discusses his passion for music and the creative journey that led to a unique collaboration with Twin Lights Brewing. Together, they crafted an Irish red ale that not o…

Narcan, generically known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. You do not need to be a medical professional to administer Narcan. The Cranford Prevention & Wellness Alliance, together with the Cranford Police Department, is sponsoring a free Narcan training and distribution event at the Cranford…

Send us a text We visit Electric Tattoo in Asbury Park to chat with tattoo artist Mike Schweigert. Schweigert shares his journey from growing up in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, to becoming a prominent figure in the tattoo industry. He discusses his early influences, including his love for music and skateboarding, and how these passions intertwined w…

Community Access Unlimited has provided training, housing and employment services to those with developmental disabilities since its founding in 1979. One of CAU's newest ventures is the T.eat.ch Café, where members can learn and practice various aspects of running a restaurant. On this week's episode I speak with Sandie Lynch, CAU's associate exec…

Send us a text We welcome Mark Conklin, Vice President of Artist Relations and Programming at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Mark shares his intriguing journey from a young musician playing in local bars to a prominent figure in the music industry. He discusses his transition from performing to songwriting and artist management, event…

Send us a text We visit Secret Guitars in Toms River, New Jersey, to chat with the dynamic members of the Azures—Clarissa, Ashton, Gia, and Eric. The conversation delves into the band's origins, tracing back to when they first met at the guitar shop opened by Eric's father after transitioning from the carpet business. The Azures share their journey…

Send us a text Discover the secrets of energy healing and spiritual growth with our special guest, Karen Foote, the founder of Rebalance Reiki and Massage. Karen takes us on a fascinating journey from her early start in the healing arts at age 16 to the creation of Moon Magic in Hillsdale, New Jersey, a sanctuary born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. …

In some ways the story of Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks is the story of returning. First, there was her returning to live in Cranford after spending the first ten years of her life in town. There was also returning to St. Mark AME church, first as a member and then as the pastor. In this week's episode hear about Rev. Brooks journey, a bit about the cong…

Send us a text This week we're talking with David Suk, co-founder of St. Luna Spirits, at the charming Sirenetta in Hoboken. David shares his remarkable journey from the corporate world to the craft spirits industry, detailing how he transitioned from selling baby blankets to creating a premium craft moonshine brand. David begins by explaining the …

Send us a text We welcome Julia Vain to discuss the exciting transformation of Angeloni's Club Madrid in Atlantic City. Julia, a South Jersey native, shares her journey from working at various local establishments to becoming a co-owner of this historic venue. The conversation kicks off with Julia recounting her early days in the fast-paced hospita…

Fans of anime are likely familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh!. Two of the main characters on the series are Marik Ishtar and Yami Marik. Both were voice by Cranford resident Jonathan Todd Ross. Today, Jonathan is a prolific audiobook narrator, having narrated nearly 500 books. On this week's Cranford Radio episode we talk about both roles, including getting an …

Send us a text We welcome Kim Petillo and Taylor Franklin to the show at Salty's Beach Bar in Belmar, New Jersey. The episode kicks off with a lively discussion about the unique journey that led Kim and Taylor to become prominent figures in the pole dancing community. They recount their initial meeting in a pole dancing class during the summer of 2…

On Monday, August 12, the bloodmobile will be at the Community Center between 1 and 7 pm. Donors on Monday will be get a voucher for tickets to a Mets game. This week's guest on the podcast is Genevieve Toscano, an account manager with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center. We chat about why the need for blood increases…

Send us a text Today we travel to the historic Great Notch Inn in Woodland Park, New Jersey. The episode features an engaging conversation with the roadhouse's owner, Rich Hempel, who provides a deep dive into the rich history and vibrant community that define this local landmark. Rich begins by sharing the origins of the Great Notch Inn, which was…

Cranford's TV-35 has been broadcasting for over three and a half decades. Don Smith is coming up on his one-year anniversary as the station's manager and he joins me on this week's podcast to talk about the changes that have happened at TV-35 during the past year. TV-35 today is available in far more ways that it once was. A live stream makes it av…

Send us a text We sit down with John Cozz, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Cozz Coffee. John, a native of Nutley, New Jersey, shares his fascinating journey from his roots in Essex County to becoming a prominent figure in the local coffee scene. He delves into his early life, influenced by the vibrant culture of his hometown, and his initial foray …

By Rev. Dr. Evan W. Dodge

Savor Snack Shop hopes to be opening at 18 North Union Avenue in early August. On this episode of Cranford Radio I speak with Jason Sanchez who, along with his wife Michele Santo, is a co-owner of the business. We talk about some of the products the store will carry, his previous retail experience and why he picked Downtown Cranford.…

Send us a text We welcome musicians Natalie Farrell and Lou Panico for an engaging conversation about their musical journeys and experiences in the New Jersey music scene. The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter about the New Jersey Lottery, setting a relaxed and friendly tone. Natalie and Lou share their backgrounds, with Natalie recountin…

By Rev. Dr. Evan W. Dodge

We like to think of childhood as a time of growing, learning and exploring. For some kids, however, they need adults outside their family to advocate for them when they are impacted by, or in danger of, abuse and neglect. Child Focus, formerly known as CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, provides professionals and volunteers to look out for the bes…

Send us a text In this special episode of "Greetings from the Garden State," host Mike Ham is joined by Lauren LaRusso and Bruce Revman, Co-Host City Managers of the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee, at MetLife Stadium. They discuss the excitement and extensive planning involved in hosting the FIFA World Cup 26™, including youth so…

By Rev. Dr. Evan W. Dodge

An art form which has drawn fans from around the world will be featured at the Cranford Community Center on Saturday, July 20. Tosho-con brings together not just manga and anime but cosplay, workshops, special guests and more. Joining me this week on the podcast is Marissa Lieberman, the head of reference services for the Cranford Public Library. W…

Send us a text In this episode of "Greetings from the Garden State," host Mike Ham sits down with Denise Rue, founder of the New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association and a licensed clinical social worker. Denise shares her fascinating journey from being a speech-language pathologist and poet to becoming a leading advocate for psychedelic therapy.…

By Rev. Dr. Evan W. Dodge