Good News York

Jeff D’ambrosio has one stunt that pushes the limits of what a performer can do. He climbs inside a giant 10-foot diameter balloon and inflates it using nothing but a leaf blower. He knows he won’t be able to pull it off forever, but for now, the stunt is still very much part of the […] More

Alison Altafi walks through her yarn-making process from start to finish. It begins with raw fiber from a sheep, which gets cleaned and processed through a drum carder to align everything in one direction. The resulting sheet is then fed into a spinning wheel for a two-pass process that produces a plied, bubbly yarn with […] More

Jeff D’ambrosio is on a mission to change the way people experience balloon art at events. Instead of waiting in a long line, he gathers the crowd and turns balloon-making into a full theatrical performance complete with jokes, comedy, and showmanship. His goal for next year is to never do a traditional balloon line again. […] More

Jeff D’ambrosio recalls the exact moment he knew performing was his calling. Watching two local magicians captivate an entire room, he realized the real magic wasn’t the tricks — it was the power to give people a moment of pure happiness. That single observation set him on a path he’s still walking today. #magic #performer […] More

Johnny Nolan | GNY EP.207 In Episode 207 of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Johnny Nolan, his co-founder at Syracuse Improv, to reflect on their first year building the organization from the ground up. What started as a small gathering in a local library with just four people has grown into […] More

Mark O’Donnell explains the mindset shift every new leader needs to make. You no longer succeed by being the best engineer, the best project manager, or the best individual contributor. You succeed by building the best team — and your real job becomes helping each person become the best version of themselves. You succeed through […] More

Mark O’Donnell reveals what he calls the "secret sauce" of great leadership: goal alignment. The idea is simple but powerful — every leader should sit down with each team member, learn their personal dreams and aspirations, and help them see how those connect to the organization’s success. Whether it’s putting kids through college, buying a […] More

Mark O’Donnell shares a powerful story about Abraham Lincoln that most people never hear. Lincoln failed at everything he touched as a lawyer, a businessman, a soldier, and a politician. But he kept going, and that persistence is what made him one of the greatest presidents in American history. The ultimate story of success isn’t […] More

Noah Chrysler and Alison Altafi discuss the underground art scene in Syracuse, a community that thrives on exclusivity and caters to a select audience. Alison recalls her first time showing work at one of their events and questioning whether she was cool enough to be there. They agree: the scene is special and the people […] More

Going viral is not a strategy. Alison Altafi shares how one of her videos hit 19 million views, but the feast-or-famine nature of social media algorithms means you cannot put all your eggs in one basket. She explains why expanding beyond social and knocking on doors in every realm is the only sustainable path forward. […] More

GNY Ep.206 | feat. Jeff the Magic Man In Episode 206 of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler welcomes Jeff D’Ambrosio — better known as Jeff the Magic Man, a Syracuse-based children’s entertainer, balloon artist, magician, stilt walker, and puppeteer who has been honing his craft since middle school. What starts as a casual interview […] More

GNY EP.205 | feat. Mark O’Donnell In Episode 205 of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Mark O’Donnell, founder and owner of Operations Excellence, a specialized consulting firm focused on leadership and organizational development. Mark breaks down his three-pillar approach — people, process, and strategy — and shares how he helps both […] More

Alison Altafi opens up about the reality behind the hustle. Applying for opportunities means facing years of rejection, but she has learned that even closed doors can circle back and open again. Her advice is simple: keep pushing, because no one will ever see your work if you don’t put yourself out there. #GNY #GNYPodcast […] More

GNY EP.203 | feat. Alison Altafi — Fiber Art, Hand-Spun Yarn & Weaving in Syracuse In this episode of Good News York, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Syracuse-based fiber artist Alison Altafi to explore the world of hand-spun yarn, round weaving, and the creative hustle behind getting art into galleries. Alison shares her journey […] More

Scholars and Champs has saved up 300 new arrivals for Parents Weekend, and their new location puts all that vintage Syracuse gear right near campus. Find them at 742 S. Crouse Ave., behind Faegan’s, for Family Weekend, October 16–18. Bert’s advice: come early for the best selection before the game-day crowd rolls in. #GoodNewsYork #Syracuse […] More

Bert the Shirt has been selling vintage Syracuse gear since 2019. One of his favorite parts of the job is seeing people wearing his finds around town. Scholars & Champs is now at 742 S Crouse Ave, in the parking lot behind Faegan’s. #GoodNewsYork #Syracuse More