If you’ve ever walked into a wine shop and pretended you knew what you were looking at… this episode is for you. 🍷 On I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Nita Bardolia — General Manager of 56 Degree Wine and founder of Glass Half Full — and her journey is proof that following curiosity can change your life. From Rutgers economics to advertising to becoming a private chef, she turned a passion for food and flavor into leading one of New Jersey’s most respected wine shops. We break down how wine pairings actually work, why Portuguese wines deserve more respect, the truth about small producers vs mass-produced labels, the RIGHT way to store wine (and why 56° matters), and yes… why putting ice in red wine hurts a little (but there’s a better move). This isn’t wine snob talk — it’s real, practical knowledge that makes you more confident the next time you order or shop.

Pour a glass, press play, and level up your wine game. 🍷🎧

For more information on

Nita, 56 Degree Wine, the bottles discussed, and the book recommended:

Guest Info: Nita BardoliaGM, 56 Degree WineWine Consultant / Founder, Glass Half Full

📧 Nita+ghf@bardolia.com

📸 Instagram: @my.glasshalffull

💼 LinkedIn: /in/nitabardolia

56 Degree Wine📍 16 Mine Brook Rd, Bernardsville, NJ

🌐 56degreewine.com

📞 908-953-900

📸 Instagram: @56wine

📖 Book Mentioned: Great Wine Made Simple by Andrea Immer Robinson

Portuguese reds - Quinta da Costa do

Pinhaohttps://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-visit-to-quinta-da-costa-do-pinhao-douro-valley-portugal/Portuguese white -

Quinta das Bageirashttps://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-love-note-from-portugal-2/

My Favorite Styles of Wine (this post includes Chenin Blanc, Nebbiolo, and some other styles of wine including Cabernet Sauvignon and the

2 suggestions I made for Robert Sinskey Vineyards POV instead of Caymus and Turning Tide Cab Sauv from Paso Robles as a great everyday Cab.)

https://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things-in-the-glass/Transformative Wine Moment

(45 Year old Syrah from Hermitage, Northern Rhone)https://glasshalffull.bardolia.com/a-transformative-bottle-1980-hermitage-from-h-sorrel/

🎧 Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts — and tell us your go-to bottle.

#wine #winetasting #winelover #podcast #ihopethishelps #youtube #entrepreneur #spotify #wineglass #winenight #winepreservation #educational

In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Jason “Jay” Yadlovski, a creator who quietly built one of the most respected educational YouTube channels around DaVinci Resolve—without chasing trends or overnight success.

Jay shares his journey from a Rutgers-trained engineering and landscape architecture career to becoming a stay-at-home dad, teaching himself video editing during nap times, and slowly turning consistency into a sustainable creative business. What started in 2013 as curiosity and experimentation grew into a YouTube channel with over 133,000 subscribers, steady growth, and real freedom.

We talk about the reality of long-term content creation—why growth feels invisible for years, how comparison can kill momentum, and why most people quit right before things start to work. Jay explains why YouTube is a long game, how building a content catalog creates momentum, and why staying in your lane matters more than being everywhere.

This conversation also dives into simplifying complex ideas, responding to negativity with perspective, balancing family and creativity, and building something meaningful without shortcuts.

Toward the end, Jay also shares why audio is one of the most overlooked parts of content creation and how mastering sound can instantly elevate your videos—no matter what camera or setup you’re using.

If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or someone building something from the ground up, this episode is for you.If nothing else… I Hope This Helps

If you want to follow Jay's youtube page you can find his information below.

https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@JasonYadlovski⁩

https://dvrs.lv/audioessentials

Website: www.jasonyadlovski.com

Store: https://jason-yadlovski.myshopify.com

#youtube #davinciresolve #teaching #podcast #ihopethishelps #entrepreneurship #spotify #apple #entrepreneur #help #episode

In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Alonzo Herran n Jr., born and raised in Newark, NJ, for a deep conversation about service, leadership, and why he’s running for Newark Councilman At-Large in 2026.

Alonzo shares his journey from over 20 years with the Newark Police Department, to working inside city government as a chief of staff (2018–2022), returning to lead code enforcement, and building a life as a real estate investor, author, and independent filmmaker. He explains what the Councilman At-Large role actually does—serving the entire city, shaping legislation, allocating resources, and staying directly connected to residents’ needs.

The conversation dives into the issues facing Newark today: housing affordability versus real incomes, smart development and accountability, fair wages and morale inside city departments, public safety and community policing, and why quality-of-life issues like trash, potholes, and neighborhood upkeep matter more than people realize. Alonzo also talks about transparency, avoiding political complacency, and the importance of passing the baton to the next generation of leadership.

This is an honest, on-the-ground discussion about Newark’s past, present, and future—and what it takes to move a city forward together.

👉 Listen to the full episode, share it with someone who cares about Newark, and drop your thoughts in the comments. If nothing else… I Hope This Helps.

For more information about Alonzo you can follow him https://www.instagram.com/hroyalfamily

#podcast #newark #entrepreneurship #youtube #entrepreneur #apple #police #candidate #councilman #spotify

Buying a home? Don’t skip this episode.

On I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Greg Anzano of DGM Inspection Services—a former Hoboken bar and restaurant operator who reinvented himself during COVID and built a successful New Jersey home inspection business from the ground up. Greg breaks down what it really takes to become a home inspector, how he navigated a major career pivot in a volatile market, and how networking, real estate relationships, and smart marketing helped him grow when deals slowed down.

We dive into the issues buyers and investors stress about most—foundation cracks and what actually matters, water drainage and grading problems that lead to long-term damage, roof and electrical red flags, termites and when they’re fixable versus deal-breaking, mold and air quality testing (including what inspectors can and can’t see), what a solid inspection report should look like, and how to make sure your inspector is truly working in your best interest—not just trying to get the deal closed.

And to wrap it up, Greg closes the episode with one of the wildest Hoboken nightlife stories you’ll hear all week 😂

📍 Get in Touch with Greg AnzanoIf or learn more about his services:

📸 Instagram: @dgminspectionservices

📧 Email: GREG@DGMINSPECTION.COM

🌐 Website: DGMINSPECTION.COM

📞 Phone: 732-413-9888

Office:284 S. Main St Milltown, NJ 08850

License: 24GI00201100 MET: 15868

Services Include:Home Inspections, Radon Testing, Sewer Scope, Oil Tank Sweeps, and Mold Testing

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your home inspection questions in the comments.

Guys… I hope this helps.

#podcast #ihopethishelps #youtube #entrepreneurship #spotify #entrepreneur #homeinspection #homeinspectors #home ⁨

As we head into this next run of episodes, the energy around I Hope This Helps feels stronger than ever. Every conversation, every lesson, and every behind-the-scenes moment has helped shape what this podcast has become.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been part of this journey — from those who have listened since day one to those who discovered the show more recently. Your support, feedback, shares, and messages are what keep this moving forward and growing.Before diving into what’s next, here’s a look back at some of the guests who helped make this podcast possible.

Each of them brought their own story, perspective, and experience to the table, helping create real conversations around business, community, growth, health, and the challenges that come with building something meaningful.

With new episodes ahead, the focus remains the same: honest conversations with real people and lessons you can actually take with you. I’m excited for what’s coming next and thankful to continue this journey with all of you.

We’ll now be releasing new episodes every Wednesday at 9:00 AM.

Make sure to follow the podcast to stay up to date on everything happening And if nothing else… I hope this helps.

#podcast #ihopethishelps #tiktok #youtube #entrepreneurship #spotify #entrepreneur #newarknj

Part 2 of our conversation with Tom Birks, we get practical about what “good insurance” really looks like — because if you don’t get home and auto coverage right, it can be financially devastating. Tom explains why there’s no one-size-fits-all policy and how underwriting factors like zip code, roof age, siding, and distance to the fire department can change everything.

We also dive into the coverages most people overlook: liability and umbrella policies. Tom breaks down why umbrella coverage can be one of the smartest, most cost-effective ways to protect your income and assets, and how pushing too hard on price can lead to dangerous gaps — especially with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that many people don’t even realize was reduced.

If you’ve ever said “just give me the cheapest,” this episode will change how you think about insurance.

If this episode raised questions about your own insurance coverage or made you realize it’s time for a review, you can reach out directly to Tom Birks at Allstate Insurance.

📞 973-420-2427📧 ⁠tombirks@allstate.com⁠

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts and YouTube — and if nothing else… I Hope This Helps.

#AutoInsurance #HomeInsurance #LiabilityCoverage#UmbrellaPolicy #InsuranceTips #Podcast #BusinessPodcast#FinancePodcast #IHopeThisHelps

In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Tom Birks — an Allstate Insurance Agency Owner with offices in Bloomfield, NJ and the Poconos (PA) — to break down the side of insurance most people never think about until it’s too late: coverage, liability, and protecting what you’ve worked for.

Tom shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Air Force during the first Gulf War to working on Wall Street, building a career in financial services, and eventually becoming an Allstate agency owner in 2017.

Today, his agency serves clients across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, and he’s on a mission to help people understand that insurance isn’t about the cheapest payment — it’s about the right protection. We talk about why “full coverage” is often misunderstood, why liability coverage is the most important part of an auto policy, how an accident can put your income, home, and assets at risk, and why an umbrella policy might be one of the smartest moves you can make.

Tom also explains why so many homeowners are underinsured after inflation and rising rebuild costs, and how to think like a pro using the “wise use of premium” approach — putting your money where it matters most. If you’ve ever shopped insurance online just to find the lowest price, this episode will change the way you look at auto, home, life, and umbrella coverage — especially if you own a home, have a family, run a business, or are building wealth.

If this episode raised questions about your own insurance coverage or made you realize it’s time for a review, you can reach out directly to Tom Birks at Allstate Insurance.

📞 973-420-2427
📧 tombirks@allstate.com

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — and if nothing else… I Hope This Helps

#AutoInsurance #HomeInsurance #LiabilityCoverage
#UmbrellaPolicy #InsuranceTips #Podcast #BusinessPodcast
#FinancePodcast #IHopeThisHelps

In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Jack Denelsbeck, co-owner of Pet Wants South Orange (SOMA), for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and why pet nutrition matters more than most people realize.

Jack shares his journey from nonprofit work in HIV/AIDS education and corporate diversity training to building a thriving, community-focused pet nutrition business with his husband, Jonathan. Together, they’ve spent nearly a decade growing Pet Wants into a trusted local brand centered on fresh, slow-cooked dog and cat food, clean ingredients, and education—offering a thoughtful alternative to big-box pet stores and mass-produced pet food.

We dive into the realities of small business ownership, including transitioning careers, opening a brick-and-mortar store, learning when to say no, and balancing growth with personal well-being. Jack also opens up about confidence, resilience, and navigating entrepreneurship while staying deeply connected to the local South Orange and Maplewood community.

The conversation breaks down common misconceptions around pet food, what to look for on ingredient labels, and how quality nutrition impacts long-term pet health, energy, digestion, and overall wellness. Jack explains why fresh, small-batch food, clean treats, and thoughtful supplements can make a noticeable difference for both dogs and cats.

Whether you’re a pet parent, small business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers real-world insight, practical advice, and honest lessons learned from building something meaningful.

To find out about Pet Wants SOMA visit Jack

www.petwantssouthorange.com

www.instagram.com/petwantssoma

Subscribe to I Hope This Helps for more conversations on business, community, and life experiences that—hopefully—help.

#pets #food #podcast #business #smallbusiness #ihopethishelps #dogs #cats #newjersey