River Crossing Connection is the podcast for River Crossing YMCA professionals. Serving the regions of Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley in PA, as well as Hunterdon County in NJ, River Crossing Connection aims to bring direct service staff and leaders closer together through stories and experiences working for River Crossing Y. Content, topic and interview suggestions may be submitted by any RCY staff member via this form: https://forms.gle/AGaaz1Ze7aycLVrU8. Hope you enjoy!
With the 2026 Y Giving Days nearly upon us, Michael and Abii speak with Megan McCuen, director of the YMCA Veterans Wellness Initiative, and Kaitlyn Stevens, director of YMCA abilities programs, about creative approaches to asking for support from members and program participants during the annual 10 day effort to raise money for YMCA community projects.
7 Aug 2026
Ep. 14: Bill, Carol and Heather share stories from their Welcome Centers
In this episode Michael and Abii talk with Bill Jones, Carol Garretson and Heather Smith about their work with members in Newtown, Warminster and Fairless Hills. All three were once MERs, but now occupy branch leadership positions as their careers continue to grow with River Crossing YMCA. Thanks for listening!
15 Jun 2026
Ep. 13: Desi, Dawn and Sarah share stories from the Welcome Centers
This episode kicks off the first in a recurring series highlighting the work of RCY membership engagement representatives serving in branch welcome centers. Desi Fluck (Quakertown), Dawn Leonard (Deer Path) and Sarah Gemmel (Allentown) discuss the special relationships they share with members and program participants.
21 Apr 2026
Ep. 12: Anthony DiMaggio
This episode features guest Anthony DiMaggio, director of facilities in Central Bucks. Anthony discusses his life growing up in NJ, how he came to the Y, and the work he loves doing for his community.
27 Mar 2026
Episode 11: Jasmine Ramos and Dave Ceran on Post-pandemic Early Childhood Ed.
Episode 11 of River Crossing Connection features a very interesting discussion with Jasmine Ramos, associate director of the New Britain Child Care Center, and Dave Ceran, Universal Pre-K teacher at the Child Learning Center in NJ. The main discussion revolves around their experiences working with young children and families following the period of social isolation during the COVID shutdown, and what it's like working with children who were born or were very, very little at that time.
23 Feb 2026
Episode 10: Alex Gatto
In this episode Michael and Abii speak with Alex Gatto, director of camp and enrichment programming for the Lower Bucks region. Alex is in his 10th year with our YMCA, starting when he was just 16 as a part time camp counselor. Alex discusses his Y career, how he's grown as a leader, and his eight months in the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce Leadership program last year.
16 Jan 2026
Episode 9: Personal Training, New Years Resolutions and a "Word" from the ELT
In this first episode of 2026, River Crossing Connection turns to personal health and wellness trainers Anne Hughes and Andrea Brown to learn about their work with members, new years resolutions, and what makes their Y experiences unique. Also, the Executive Leadership Team weighs in with their individual guiding "word" for 2026.
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23 Dec 2025
Episode 8: Happy Holidays from River Crossing Connection - Bloopers, Outtakes and Well-wishing!
In this shorter, holiday card episode of River Crossing Connection, Michael and Abii share a few laughs recalling highlights and bloopers of podcast past. Looking forward to 2026 at the Y and wishing all a very happy holiday season.
26 Nov 2025
Episode 7: President/CEO Zane Moore Talks Thanksgiving and Gratitude
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Abii and Michael talk with River Crossing YMCA President/CEO Zane Moore. Zane discusses his favorite Thanksgiving traditions and everyday gratitude. As a bonus, he has shared the Moore Family Deep Fried Turkey Recipe for anyone who would like to try it out. Thank you for tuning in to this special holiday episode of River Crossing Connection, and have a lovely Thanksgiving.
3 Nov 2025
Episode 6: Gather And Grow
On October 13 River Crossing YMCA hosted over 250 early childhood and school age child care providers for the inaugural Gather and Grow conference. The day served to connect the Y's teachers and care providers from throughout all regions, as well as provide STEAM-oriented professional development. This episodes features some bright spots from the event, as well as a selection of one-on-one interviews with teachers and providers of our youngest members.
11 Sept 2025
Episode 5: You Just Have To Ask - Getting Ready for Y Giving Days
In this episode Michael and Abii talk with Diana Vargas-Pond (Nazareth), Holly Shenk (Doylestown), Maria Giacalone (Quakertown/WOW Center) and Rob Evans (Development) about preparing to ask members and guests to make gifts to the Y. The conversation provides tips and tricks for asking for donations both in person and over the phone, and Diana, Holly and Maria share stories and perspectives on past success during in person campaigns.
28 Aug 2025
Episode 4: Kaitlyn Stevens, Director of Ability Programs and Camp
In this episode, Michael and Abii talk with Kaitlyn Stevens about life growing up at the Y in Doylestown, the unique opportunities the Y provided her as a teen, and her career serving the abilities community in Bucks County. Last year, Kaitlyn was awarded the CEO's Innovation Award for creating Life After 21, a program for young adults with varied abilities for further developing life skills, self-reliance and life-long friendships. Enjoy!
11 Aug 2025
RCC Episode 3: "Code Brown" and other stories from Camp Carr
Abii and Michael go on location to Camp Carr in Annandale, NJ and talk Y camp with seasoned counselors and leaders Lizzy Cooper, Rachel Fitzpatrick, Ashley Tronolone and Emily Bussard. They share candid stories from their time as campers, CITs and counselors, as well as extoll on the impact they have on the lives of families in the Hunterdon Region of River Crossing YMCA.
1 Jul 2025
RCC Episode 2 - Jessenii Benson, Allentown branch and Warming Station
Jessenii Benson, Program Coordinator, discusses the operations and incredible experiences of the YMCA warming station in Allentown, which provides vital service to the community in an interview with Michael and Abii.
1 Jul 2025
RCC Episode 1 - Quakertown's Life-Saving Lifeguards - Jodie Hart and Kai Butcher
Lifeguards Jodie Hart and Kai Butcher recount their heroic rescue of a YMCA member who experienced cardiac arrest, sharing the profound lessons learned from this life-altering event in an interview with Michael and Abii.
24 Jun 2025
Introduction to River Crossing Connection - A Primer
Hosts Abii and Michael introduce River Crossing Connection, a podcast for YMCA professionals, outlining its purpose and inviting staff to contribute ideas for future episodes in this introductory episode.
Who has been a guest on River Crossing Connection
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jessenii Benson
Jodie Hart
Kai Butcher
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about River Crossing Connection
Who hosts River Crossing Connection?
Abii and Michael host the show. Published by River Crossing YMCA.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does River Crossing Connection take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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