Hot Topics, Cool Friends

About Hot Topics, Cool Friends

Welcome to "Hot Topics, Cool Friends," the podcast where local business owners and musicians take center stage! Join hosts Wendy Gericke and Lori Colenzo as they delve into the lives and stories of their hard working, entrepreneurial friends from the community. With humor, curiosity, and a touch of wit, each episode features engaging conversations, probing questions, and the quest to uncover that one intriguing secret no one else knows about their guests. From tales of entrepreneurship to the rhythms of local music scenes, "Hot Topics, Cool Friends" celebrates the vibrant spirit and hidden gems of our communities. Tune in for laughs, insights, and a whole lot of hotness!

Publisher

WGTE Public Media

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Apr 2024

Latest episode

25 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Mar 2026

   From Roofs to Bourbon

   We sit down with Jaime Wietrzykowski, longtime entrepreneur, roofing company owner, and now the force behind the Mail Pouch Restaurant and the new Hideout Cigar & Bourbon Bar. Jaime shares real, no-fluff advice from years of building businesses, taking risks, and figuring it out along the way. This one’s packed with honest insight, a few laughs, and the kind of perspective every business owner (or future one) needs to hear.

2. 

   25 Feb 2026

   Stationary Dreams & Soulful Strings

   We’re super excited to welcome musician Chris Shutters to Hot Topics Cool Friends! Chris takes us from his early days hustling on stage to building a life and family around the music he loves. He shares the stories behind his journey — playing with legends, the sweat-and-tears grind of the road, and the heart behind his newest single “Stationary Man.” Whether you’re a blues-rock fan or someone chasing creative dreams, this conversation hits all the highs and honest moments of life as an artist. Press play and get ready to be inspired!

3. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Psychic Confessions & Compatibility Checks Pt 2

   We continue our conversation with Janet Amid. Psychic astrologer Janet Amid spills how she discovered her gift, why one famous couple may be doomed, and—yes—checks the cosmic compatibility of Lori & Wendy. Buckle up… the stars had opinions.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,812,748

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

23

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

32

Contact Hot Topics, Cool Friends

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.