In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Christina Pearl, Corporate Director of Communications at Horizon Health Services, for an inspiring conversation about purpose-driven work, mental health advocacy, and the power of connection.

Christina shares her journey of returning to Buffalo after college, finding her way through nonprofit board service, and ultimately building Horizon’s communications and marketing function from the ground up. Over her 15+ years with the organization, she’s helped Horizon grow from a few hundred employees to nearly 1,000, all while keeping people, culture, and care at the center of the mission.

Together, Lauren and Christina discuss:

• The pain points of not knowing your career path, and leaning into learning

• Why joining boards and committees can open unexpected doors

• How Horizon supports mental health and substance use care across Western New York

• The importance of internal culture and employees as brand ambassadors

• Normalizing conversations around mental health and addiction

• How storytelling builds trust, reduces stigma, and saves lives

• Collaborating with community partners to expand access to care

• Why connection, not perfection, is the foundation of leadership

Christina also shares powerful stories about community partnerships, family-led advocacy, and Horizon’s 50-year legacy of meeting people where they are. This episode is a reminder that meaningful careers are built through curiosity, compassion, and showing up for others.

💼 Connect with Horizon Health Services & Christina Pearl

• Website: https://horizon-health.org/

• LinkedIn: Christina Pearl

• Email: cpearl@horizon-health.org

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Amy Gurske, Founder of sayhii, for a powerful and deeply human conversation about burnout, fear, self-worth, and what happens when you finally choose your health over expectations.

Amy shares her journey from spending 17 years in corporate America, to hitting a breaking point that led to a life-changing decision she calls a “midlife resign.” From glass ceilings and unmanaged stress to a health scare that forced her to stop and reset, Amy opens up about the moments that ultimately led her to build sayhii, a tech platform designed to help organizations truly listen to and support their people.

Together, Lauren and Amy discuss:

• The pain points of burnout and unmanaged workplace stress
• What it means to choose yourself, even when it’s terrifying
• How fear drives so many workplace behaviors
• Why autonomy, trust, and honest communication matter more than control
• The importance of work-life balance (and how easily it disappears)
• How sayhii checks in with employees daily, and why that matters
• Using technology to reconnect humans, not replace them
• Leadership accountability, real-time data, and supporting employees before they leave
• Why awareness, ownership, and boundaries are essential to wellbeing

This episode is raw, reflective, and incredibly relatable for anyone who has ever felt stuck, unseen, or overwhelmed at work, and wondered if there might be another way.

💼 Connect with sayhii & Amy Gurske

• Website: ⁠https://sayhii.io/⁠
• Email: amy@sayhii.io
• LinkedIn: Amy Gurske

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com⁠
• Episodes: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints⁠
• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Justin Cuviello and Kyle Cuviello, brothers and co-owners of Care Team Solutions, a national healthcare staffing agency based in Buffalo, NY. Their story is packed with grit: from taking a leap of faith after careers in pharmaceutical and software sales, to launching a staffing firm from scratch, to growing through COVID, and surviving the steepest downturn their industry has ever faced.

Together, we dive into:

• How Care Team Solutions grew from a small start-up into a national brand
• The pain points of starting a staffing agency with no roadmap

• Why recruiting is truly a sales job

• Riding the COVID rollercoaster: explosive growth followed by a massive correction

• Their “hire for character, train for skill” philosophy

• The importance of culture, purpose, and keeping the right people in the right seats

• Their expansion into physician recruiting, locums, and clinical research

• How they use AI as a tool, not as a replacement for human connection

• Why travel nurses stay loyal when recruiters actually listen and support them

• The mental health, financial, and career resources they now provide travelers

Justin and Kyle are honest, thoughtful, and refreshingly transparent about the lessons they’ve learned over 11 years of building a business. If you’re in staffing, healthcare, sales, orentrepreneurship — this is a must-listen.

Connect with Care Team Solutions

• Website: ⁠https://careteamsolutions.com⁠

• Job Board: via their website

• Email: justin@careteamsolutions.com | kyle@careteamsolutions.com

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com

• ⁠Episodes: ⁠https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints⁠

• Socials: @StaffBuffalo

This week, Lauren Lewis sits down with Brittany Frey, Co-Founder of Hays Frey PR, for an honest, funny, and powerful conversation about crisis communications, entrepreneurship, and navigating life when everything feels upside down.

Brittany shares her full story — from agency grind, to in-house roles, to losing her job during COVID, to launching a PR firm in the middle of a lawsuit, raising young kids, and still finding time to give back in a huge way through Girls on the Run.

Together, Lauren and Brittany dive into:

• The pain points of starting a PR firm under pressure
• What crisis communications really looks like behind the curtain
• Why transparency matters more than ever in PR
• How the Baldoni–Lively case changed the communications landscape
• The importance of having the right people around you — legally, professionally, personally
• How Brittany balances motherhood, leadership, and community work
• The power of Girls on the Run, mentorship, and confidence building for young girls
• Why sometimes you just need to “put your shoes on and run” — literally and figuratively

This episode is raw, inspiring, and full of truth about entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding your footing again when life knocks you sideways.

Connect with Brittany Frey & Hays Frey PR

• Website: https://www.haysfreypr.com/
• LinkedIn: Brittany Frey Napierala | LinkedIn
• Email: brittany@haysfreypr.com

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com
• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints
• Social: @StaffBuffalo on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Candice Miller, Founder and Principal of Miller Advisory Group, to unpack her journey from finance and law firm operations to building a thriving business development consultancy for legal professionals.

Candice shares how she found her niche helping law firms modernize their operations, use data more strategically, and adapt to emerging technologies like AI — all while keeping people at the center. From learning to say “no” to defining your value, her story is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone navigating growth in a changing industry.

Together, Lauren and Candice discuss:

• The pain points of defining your services and learning where not to spend your time
• How collaboration and trusted partnerships fuel growth
• Why AI is shaking up the legal world — and how to embrace it responsibly
• The power of data hygiene, business intelligence, and smarter systems
• Why business development starts with self-awareness and behavior change
• How mentorship and community involvement can reshape lives

Candice also opens up about her passion for giving back through Big Brothers Big Sisters, sharing how mentorship is transforming lives and building stronger communities.

From law firms to leadership lessons, this episode is all about finding clarity, focusing your energy, and leading with heart.

💼 Connect with Miller Advisory Group & Candice Miller

• Website: https://milleradvisory.group

• LinkedIn: Candice A. Miller

• Email: candice@milleradvisory.group

🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

• Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

• Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

• LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube: @StaffBuffalo

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with Tom Murdock, Clinical Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Management, to unpack his nontraditional career journey — from corporate consulting to higher education — and how he’s helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in Western New York.

Tom shares how his early passion for economic development led him from Deloitte Consulting in New York City to Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and ultimately back to UB, where he now teaches entrepreneurship and innovation. Through his experience in consulting, business incubation, and education, Tom reveals the real “pain points” of building a meaningful career and a thriving startup ecosystem.

Together, Maggie and Tom discuss:

• The Pain Points of pivoting careers and returning to your hometown
• Lessons from corporate consulting and what they don’t teach in business school
• How UB’s incubator programs have helped create 500+ local jobs
• The most common mistakes new founders make when chasing funding or market fit
• The evolving role of Gen Z in the workforce — and what employers are really looking for
• Why successful entrepreneurs don’t quit their day jobs — they build smart side hustles

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From startup growth to student mentorship, this episode highlights how purpose-driven leadership andpractical problem-solving are transforming Buffalo’s business landscape.

Connect with UB School of Management & Tom Murdock

Website: https://mgt.buffalo.edu

LinkedIn: University at Buffalo School of Management

Email: murdock2@buffalo.edu

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube: @StaffBuffalo

This episode is all about finding purpose, building resilience, and making an impact right where you are.

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with HeatherJackson - Fassari, Owner of Interlink CFO, to discuss the realities of leaving corporate America to launch a business from scratch — and the Pain Points that come with entrepreneurship, growth, and trust.

Heather shares her story of stepping out of a 20+ year career in corporate finance and operations to build a fractional CFO firm from the ground up. From her “day one” moment of realizing there would be no paycheck coming in, to learning how to market herself, network, and rebrand her business, Heather’s journey highlights the many Pain Points of leadership and independence.

Together, Maggie and Heather dive into:

• The Pain Points of starting over and building a business from scratch
• Finding confidence and balance when leaving corporate stability
• Earning trust from long-established business owners and stepping into strategic partnerships
• How fractional CFO work bridges the gap between finance, operations, and growth
• Navigating growth Pain Points — from hiring and scaling to finding the “mini version” of yourself
• Preparing small businesses financially for sale, valuation, or expansion
• The importance of networking, mentorship, and learning from every client

From managing manufacturing and nonprofit clients to helping owners clean up financials, streamline processes, and prepare for the next stage, Heather reveals the behind the-scenes realities of being a trusted financial and operational partner.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn experience into independence, this episode is for you.

Connect with Interlink CFO & Heather Jackson - Fassari

Website: https://interlinkcfo.com

Email: heather@interlinkcfo.com

LinkedIn: Heather Jackson-Fassari, MBA, CMA, CSCA | LinkedIn

Connect with StaffBuffalo & the Pain Points Podcast

Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

Pain Points Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffbuffalo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staffbuffalo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Staff716

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@staffbuffalo

Every entrepreneur faces Pain Points — from the fear of leaving a steady paycheck to the growing pains of scaling smart. Tune in to hear how Heather turned those moments into milestones.

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Allison Raffaele, CEO of Medical Health Associates of Western New York (MHA), to explore the realities of leading a healthcare organization that balances independence, compliance, and community connection. Allison shares her winding career path — from surgical technology to animal hospital administration — and the pivotal Pain Points that shaped her leadership journey.

Together, Lauren and Allison dive into:

• The Pain Points of transitioning into a CEO role with “big shoes to fill”
• Leading multiple independent offices while balancing autonomy and compliance
• Overcoming communication challenges across teams and locations
• Building trust during leadership transitions and encouraging authentic feedback
• The financial and operational Pain Points of running private practices in a corporate-heavy healthcare landscape
• The power of storytelling through Allison’s Chronicles of a CEO series on LinkedIn

From reimagining billing operations to navigating compliance in pediatric care, Allison reveals how Medical Health Associates has preserved a “private practice feel” while growing into one of the region’s most unique healthcare models.

Connect with Medical Health Associates & Allison Raffaele

Website: WNY's Pediatric Care, Pediatricians | Medical Health Associates of WNY

LinkedIn: Medical Health Associates of WNY

Follow Allison Raffaele on LinkedIn

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

Pain Points Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

LinkedIn: StaffBuffalo

Instagram: @StaffBuffalo

Facebook: StaffBuffalo

YouTube: StaffBuffalo

This episode highlights the reality that every leader has Pain Points, whether it’s filling big shoes, managing communication gaps, or balancing tradition with innovation. Tune in for insights into leadership, healthcare, and building trust in times of transition.