John Lyons is an Erie, Pennsylvania-based filmmaker. John has been a full-time employee at Edinboro/PennWestUniversity since 2000 working in IT…that is his daytime cape. After hours, on weekends, and on vacation, John is a professional filmmaker and creator. He has created orworked for/with the following – Lyons Den Productions, Film Society of NW PA, Eerie Horror Fest, Film at the Erie Art Museum, Edinboro Film Series, Movies Under the Stars, Movie Magic, Film Grain, CinemActivist Podcast, and his productions(Unearth, Schism, There Are No Goodbyes, Lake Erie Our Kin) and collaborated on many more. John is a delight and I am extremely excited to talk with him about his passion and the work that has been going on in our region, the state of the film industry, how we can all help…and I may just pitch him on an idea or two for a potential script or movie. I hope you enjoy. Let’s go!

There can be no telling of the revitalization/rebirth/rebuilding of downtown Erie without recognizing the steadfast leadership and presence of Calamari’s under the ownership and leadership of Jay and Marci Honard. In celebrationof our decades long friendship – and their 30th anniversary indowntown Erie – we connect to discuss their business origin story – the challenges of running a successful restaurant and catering business – live music, pricing in an uncertain time, finding and keeping good staff…and so much more. Jay and Marci are powerful personalities, great business people, andgenuinely kind, friendly, and lovely people. And they are my dear friends. I hope you enjoy. Let’s go

Darlene Feeney almost never went to college. Thankfully - for thousands of students in Erie - she did. Darlene started in the parochial system and migrated to Erie's Public Schools where she taught for 20 years. She then ran for and won a seat on the Erie School Board. Darlene is a professional educator who has seen it from all angles. She is also a very thoughtful individual when it comes to critical issues facing our community andour country. This was a fun conversation with just a great human being.