Funky Foodies Superstars!
We owe everything to our Funky Foodies Superstars! (clap clap clap!) Big thanks to the talented creatives working in the studio, and to all of those supporting us behind the scenes. We're able to bring our Funky Foodies podcasts to you, thanks to them. They're the true superstars of our show!
Benette Whitmore
Writer/Director/Producer
Benette Whitmore, PhD (pronouns: she/her) has lots of children's projects under her belt, including 35 episodes of an award-winning PBS kids' series that aired in 165 markets. She's also published seven children's books, including titles for Random House, Simon & Schuster/ Barrons, and Bloomsbury. (Woot! Woot!) Benette's number one snack choice is garlic hummus on homemade pita chips. (Drool!)
Andrea "Dott" Dotto
Fern & Glow
Andrea "Dott" Dotto (pronouns: she/ her) hails from Syracuse and is now a Broadway storyteller in NYC. She is also the Creative Producer & Co-Creator of The Reading League’s “Reading Buddies” on PBS & Youtube. Dott's fave snack is... popcorn, seasoned with salt and olive oil! (Gotta dig that popcorn crunch!) IG: @msandreadotto @dusty_and_dott
Andi Livingston
Frankie & Henry Highhorse
Andi Livingston (pronouns: they/them) is a recent graduate of Syracuse University's Department of Drama with a BFA in Acting. They're very excited to be a part of this project! Andi's go to snack is carrots & red peppers with spicy veggie dip! (Yummers!)
Yncantessa Hawkins
Zara
Yncantessa "Tessa" Hawkins (pronouns: she/her) is in her final semester at SUNY ESF, pursuing an Environmental Studies degree! She loves rock hounding (as in, searching for cool and unusual rocks!) in her free time. Tessa says that combining the arts with STEM is important to her. Her favorite snack is granola with banana chips! (Oh, Yeah!)
Brendan Malafronte
Izzy, Dr. Beaker & Friends
Brendan Malafronte (pronouns: he/him) is obsessed with food science now, thanks to Funky Foodies! He is co-creator of The Reading League's "Reading Buddies" (@reading buddiesrl)
and Dusty & Dott (@dusty_and_dott). Brendan's special treats are chocolate, Oreos, and Twizzlers (of all colors!). We feel you, Brendan!
Jason Kohlbrenner
Recording Engineer & Editor
Jason (pronouns: he/him) is a top chef expert when it comes to sound. He does it all- from soup to nuts, or, more accurately, from recording to editing! He's Digital Support Associate at SUNY ESF's Digital Storytelling Studio, where students and faculty can get support creating digital projects, like podcasts and videos. He also teaches Digital Storytelling at ESF. Can you guess what Jason munches on when he's not recording or editing? (Clue: The crumbs would mess up the equipment.) Pretzels!
Tyler Flynn Dorholt
Producer
Tyler Flynn Dorholt (pronouns: he/him) is Assistant Professor and Director of the Writing Program at SUNY ESF. (Join the Funky Foodies in a Standing O!) Tyler mainly focuses on storytelling (oral, photography, podcasts, film) and creative writing. (All things we love and admire, of course!) But it doesn't stop there! He's author of the prose poem and photography book (American Flowers) and numerous poetry chapbooks. And... he's also writing a novel and a book of nonfiction. Can you see why we're huge fans of Tyler? His go-to snack:
almonds & dark chocolate! Bring it on!
Tom McGrath
Music Composer & Sound Designer
(Cue Drum Roll!) Tom McGrath (pronouns: he/him) wrote and produced the music and sound design for our podcast. Tom teaches percussion at Hamilton College and SUNY Oswego, and he has a stellar history of musical performance. Tom's fave snack? Oranges! He consumes several each and every day! And he's using them to perfect his juggling technique. You can say "hey" to Tom on his website: tommcgrath.com.
Sami Cavalier
Social Media Manager
Sami Cavalier (pronouns: she/her) manages our social media. She's a recent graduate of the Environmental Studies Department at SUNY ESF and is currently in graduate school at Syracuse University's School of Education. She is very excited to be a part of this team and project! Her favorite snack has got to be a fruit salad, especially with pineapple and watermelon! (Super scrum-diddily-umptious!)
Amaya Denson
Community Outreach Coordinator
Amaya (pronouns: she/her) is in her first year at SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, beginning her degree in Environmental Studies. She loves dancing, music, and reading. Her favorite snack is celery with peanut butter! (What a winning combo! Both healthy & delish!)
Ben Tiffault
Episodic Consultant
A proud kindergarten student and Junior Funky Foodie, Ben provides essential editorial feedback on all of the podcast episodes. He enjoys riding his bike, coloring rhinos with rainbow stripes, and reading lots of books. His favorite snack? Pesto pasta! Just like Frankie & Fern!
Lisa Steinberg
Development Coordinator
Lisa (pronouns: they/she/he) is an Environmental Studies major in their final semester at SUNY ESF! She’s very involved with ESF’s Office of Sustainability, and is excited to finally be a part of the Funky Foodies team! In his free time, Lisa loves baking, drawing, and spending time with friends. But most importantly: Lisa’s favorite snack is definitely cheese and crackers!
WCNY Radio/NPR/PBS
Community-FM
WCNY Radio, a National Public Radio member station based in Central New York, opened up its studio doors so our pilot episode could be recorded and made available to all of you Funky Foodies followers. (A big thank you to Station Manager Ron Lombard & Recording Engineer Dave White!)
Randolph G. Pack Foundation
Department of Environmental Studies
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
The Funky Foodies podcast is made possible through a generous donation from the Randolph G. Pack Foundation. (Yippee!) The Pack Foundation was established to create and disseminate knowledge about environmental concerns of high public interest. Which means they want to inspire everyone to pitch in to improve the environment... to make the planet a healthier place for all. Wowzers! They are totally on the Funky Foodies wavelength!