Hotspot MTL

In this special episode, our very own Theo Vecera, AKA "The Big Cheese", hosts two of the most prominent alumni of the YLC. The former leaders, Joe "Mac" and Frankie Cirillo, have many accolades in their repertoires but they mainly reminisce about how their journeys began at the YLC and their most memorable times in the "good old dayz". As the Youth Centre is coming up on 25 years since its inception, the guys look back and credit the YLC for how they were shaped into the people they are today. 

Listen in and check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl !

Send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

And we're back! Listen to the last episode of the second season with leaders in our community! We have a special one this week as we have two segments featuring two sets of hosts. A familiar voice you'll be sure to recognize is Michael Gagliano who's hosting the first segment with two of his longtime friends and old co-workers. They speak about the good, the "bad" and the memorable moments while reminiscing fondly. The second segment features, Mike Romanelli, another prominent leader who hosts two of his friends and they speak about how life is in and around the YLC and how they came to be in the positions they've grown into. 

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

This episode features two lovely people with different experiences but have one thing in common; They are eternally rewarded in their lives when working with the special needs population. Today's episode features Alex, who is a social service student in college, and Anna, who works in an organization which provides services to children and adults with physical or intellectual disabilities. They both give insight in their fields and offer some information, potential misconceptions and hopes for the future. 

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

In this episode, we give a platform for some of our very own community members to speak about their passion. In this special session, Camille speaks to two sets of guests about how and why they lean towards their field of choice. In the first segment we have Vito, who's fairly new in the barber industry, and Alexia who started her own smash cake business. Camille also welcomes two YLC alumni in Cassandra and Daina. Cassandra has been in the beauty industry for some time while taking care of her own nail business and Daina has her own one-stop-shop for most if not all your creative needs. Listen in and check them out to support our young entrepreneurs and their hard work!

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

Today, Camille speaks to two authors who have very different but profound experiences with struggle. We have the pleasure to listen to William and Patricia's thoughts and journeys in overcoming their circumstances. They speak not only of their struggles but how they were able to find an outlet in writing and how they were truly able to further learn about themselves. Listen in and if you want to hear more from our guests, get a copy of their books and show them some support!

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

In today's episode, Camille hosts a very exciting, up-and-coming rapper Dazzi! Together they discuss the good and bad effects of social media and how it influences people of all ages. From the everyday general use to how it holds an important place in the self promotional space, they discuss how it shapes today's society. As an added bonus, we hear about Dazzi's experiences and creativity which started from a young age. Check out his music on Spotify or other music streaming platforms, Enjoy! 

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

This episode features our second pair of nurses, Daniel and Diana! They have been doing work as part of their "Community Health Project" to help make a difference in different community organizations by promoting primary health prevention. They speak about their education and how they started on their career paths to becoming licensed nurses. They also speak about what their work entails on the day-to-day and how it has already had a positive impact on their lives. Listen in and find out how their experience has influenced their views on how taking care of yourself to prevent burnout is a real issue and shouldn't be ignored. Enjoy!

Check us out on Instagram @hotspot.mtl and send us any comments or requests if you want to recognize the achievements of other members in our community!

In this episode Camille is joined by two McGill nursing students, Henriette and Amanda. They talk about their schooling and practical experience in the field as well as why this path was their preferred career choice. Join in on the conversation and hear why it's important to not only to care about the work you do but also to appreciate the people who surround and support you in whatever position you are in. 

Welcome back to Hotspot MTL! This time around, to kick things off we speak to two prominent leaders, Jon P and Jon R. They sit down to talk to us about their hobbies, life at the Youth Community Center and what's making them grow into the two leaders they are. Hosted by another up and coming leader, Camille Caputo, she and the boys get together to spread some much needed positive vibes. Listen in and enjoy!

In our season finale, we have a very special episode of HotSpotMTL. It's a YLC Reunion! Mike welcomes 3 former leaders of the Youth Leadership Centre to reminisce about how much the centre has impacted their lives. Whether it's learning new skills, helping them come out of their shells, or finding love, all three of our guests have been positively affected by the YLC. Mike gathers around the virtual round table, Anna Tafuto, Joe Di Staulo, and Lorrie Marchetta, all of whom worked for quite a while at the YLC. The trip down memory lane includes favourite events, funny anecdotes, lessons learned, and what life is like now post-YLC. The guests go on to share their heartfelt wishes for the youth in the community who pass through the YLC on their paths to becoming caring, charismatic, and empathetic individuals. The YLC is the place to be in RDP, hear it here first!

On this episode, Mike has a double-dose of discussions on civic duties and why it's important to participate in political life. Chatting with MP Honorable Pablo Rodriguez, Mike asks about his family's escape to Canada from Argentina at a young age and what lessons he's learned along the way about having a voice. The two speak about Pablo's vision for Canada and how we can all be a positive contribution to it. In his second interview, Mike sits down with MNA of LaFontaine, Monsieur Marc Tanguay. The well-read and well-spoken lawyer by profession speaks about the political climate of Quebec that drew him into politics, how to fight the negativity in such a divisive political climate, and how we can continue to help improve not only Quebec, but Riviere-des-Prairies as well. As always, the team presents community news and a HotMention that hits close to home at the DBYLC.

In this doubly-long and  doubly-insightful episode of HotSpot MTL, the team sits down with not one, but two Salesian priests who have had a major impact on the youth in RDP. That's right, it's a double feature! Michael Gagliano is joined by DBYLC family member Alessio Giancola to interview the ever so eloquent Fr. Mike Pace. Half a world away in Turin, Italy, Fr. Mike has had many unforgettable moments here in Montreal, Toronto,  Tijuana, New Jersey, and Rome. He sheds light on the lessons he's learned in making the jump from practicing law to becoming an ordained priest, having to move around so often forcing him to live outside his comfort zones, and finally he lets us in on the cool things he is doing in Turin at the cradle of the Salesian congregation. In the second interview, Mike Romanelli and Davide Clemente sit down with Fr. Richard Authier of RDP's very own Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre. The co-hosts pull back the curtain on what it is like to be a priest in today's ever-changing and multicultural society, the unknown hobbies and interests of the man behind the clerical collar, and how Covid-19 has changed the celebration of Mass and other religious ceremonies. As always, listen in for some Community News and TWO (did we mention it's a double feature?!) HotMentions where we highlight members of our community excelling in their daily lives.

Michael is joined once again by the lovely Claudia Massaro to speak with two people have helped her and many others in the community reach their fitness goals. On this week's episode sponsored by GGold Jewelry, health and fitness coaches Christina Tucci and Mike Moscato of Team Empower, speak about their fitness journeys, the creation of their supportive and motivating group of individuals known as Team Empower, and how social media has created a health and wellness crisis for people of all ages. As always, the team brings you Community News and a HotMention not to be missed. Listen in as HotSpot MTL highlights Nicholas Rafael, a local high school teacher releasing his first novella on themes relevant to many young adults and is a must-read!

It's the second episode of HotSpotMTL! Michael invites Stephania Sauco, Clinical Coordinator of the BDB Clinic at the Montreal Children's Hospital, to co-host this very special episode highlighting mental health and creative expression. The pair talk to budding artist Antonio Sgro about his experience with OCD, anxiety, and mental health. While the pandemic has certainly heightened these feelings in today's youth, what's important is learning how to cope with it and finding an outlet. Antonio speaks about how making music has helped him transfer his frustrations and anxieties towards something positive and potentially life-changing. Sponsored by Ciociaro Sport Bar, listen in as we share some important community news and highlight somebody making waves in our segment, HotMentions.

Welcome to the very first episode of HotSpotMTL! Michael Gagliano, a high school teacher, sits down with the always-positive Rachela Farella, unicorn mamma of two sweet girls, to chat about Female Empowerment. Co-hosted this week by Claudia Massaro, Rachela speaks to us about becoming a FearlesslyKind facilitator and her dreams of changing the world one girl at a time. Sponsored by Cremerie Gelato, listen in as we share some important community news and highlight M!Ni in a segment we call HotMentions, a local talent making waves in the music world.

Welcome to Hotspot MTL; the podcast where we have conversations with leaders from the community! As we sit down with renowned guests to get their take on various topics and issues, we hope to inspire listeners and promote community engagement. Listen out for local news, announcements, and positive stories of East-end Montrealers. Hosted by Michael Gagliano and special guest co-hosts.