Recorded live at Stem (806 Monroe Avenue in Rochester NY), this episode of Plants & Beats brings together community voices, plant wisdom, and conversations about connection. Rob Bell sits down with Matthew Smitley and Quajay Donnell to talk about what makes the Rochester community feel rooted, resilient, and alive.

From support systems to creative collaboration, the conversation explores the parallels between caring for plants and caring for people.

Set against another lo-fi mix by Aloefi, this episode is about growth in every sense of the word—personal, communal, and creative.

🪴 Recorded live at Stem on Monroe Avenue

🌱 Conversations on community, care & connection

🤝 Featuring Matthew Smitley & Quajay Donnell

🎧 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell)

🎼 Music by Aloefi (@al0efi)

🎙 Produced with the Lunchador Podcast Network

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

On this episode of Plants & Beats, we spotlight the Money Tree and sit down with Rochester photographer Narada Riley for an honest conversation about hustle culture, ambition, and the emotional weight tied to chasing success. Together, Rob Bell and Narada unpack the highs and lows of the grind, the pressure to keep moving, and the search for balance in a world that constantly tells us to do more.

Known creatively as NRAD, Narada has photographed for the Buffalo Bills and built a growing creative reputation through work featured in the Capture the Movement exhibition in Brooklyn and In Honor Of Black Lives in the Bronx. Locally, he was a featured artist in the Seasons of Warhol exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery.

As always, the conversation is backed by a lo-fi mix from Aloefi.

📸 Featuring photographer Narada John Riley (@nrad257)

🏈 Photography work with the Buffalo Bills

💰 Conversations on hustle culture, creativity & purpose

🪴 Plant of the Week: The Money Tree

🎧 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell)

🎼 Music by Aloefi (@al0efi)

🎙 Produced with the Lunchador Podcast Network (@lunchadorpodcasts)

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

In Episode 17 of Plants & Beats, Rob Bell and Chris Lindstrom talk about something we often forget: you can’t pour from an empty cup. They explore self-care as a responsibility, not just a luxury or trend.

A pothos plant can survive even if you forget about it. It keeps growing and doesn’t need much. People are different.

Featuring a lo-fi mix from Aloefi.

🎧 New episodes every Friday

🎙 Hosted by Rob Bell (@byrobbell) & Chris Lindstrom (@foodabouttown)

🎼 Music produced and mixed by Aloefi (@al0efi)

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Coffee that lifts everyone. joebeanroasters.com

Connections with Evan Dawson

Connections with Evan Dawson - Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

Connections