Group Chat

This week on Group Chat, we’re having a real conversation about mental health, burnout, pressure, and the emotional toll behind fame, success, and public life. From child stars and pop culture to social media, celebrity culture, and the pressure of always being “on”, we explore how mental health impacts the people we watch, support, and sometimes forget are human.

Comedy is changing, media is evolving, and audiences are reacting in real time. On this episode of Group Chat, we explore what feels like a turning point in entertainment culture with the end of Stephen Colbert late night show. From the viral attention surrounding the Kevin Hart roast to the changing influence of late night television, the conversation dives into comedy, censorship, audience backlash, internet culture and the search for authenticity in modern media.

Festival season is officially here, and the group chat is outside. This week, we dive into the evolution of festival culture, from Coachella and Rolling Loud to Borderland, Porchfest and more. Why do festivals feel bigger than just music now? Are they about community, culture, status or experience? We break down the moments, memories, chaos, fashion, travel and hometown pride that makes festival season hit differently.

What does motherhood really look like behind the curated social media posts? In this episode, we have an honest conversation about identity, pressure, perfection, the mental load mothers carry, and how modern women are redefining what it means to be a “good mother.” From losing yourself in motherhood to evolving into someone new, this discussion dives into the realities many moms experience but rarely talk about.

April is National Poetry Month, and here in Buffalo, we’re closing it out by celebrating the voices and stories behind the poetry. This week on Group Chat, we sit down with local poets for a real conversation about their journey, what inspired them to start writing, and how poetry became their outlet. We also explore the creative process, the difference between writing and performing, and what it takes to share something so personal out loud. Whether you’re someone who writes, listens, or is just curious about the art form, this conversation is about connection, creativity, and understanding the power of poetry through a Buffalo lens.

Buffalo is alive right now. From the viral moment of Kurt & Wyatt Russell to the crowds outside the arena, to the electric atmosphere inside, this playoff run has turned into something bigger than hockey. This week, we break down the hype surrounding the Buffalo Sabres and why this moment feels different.

This week on Group Chat, we break down the State of Media: the return of physical media, the truth about digital ownership, and why so many people are rethinking streaming culture. Plus, we have some fun with an interactive media-theme segment that taps into nostalgia and the future of how we consume content.

Professional wrestling has always been labeled “scripted” but its impact on culture is anything but fake. This week on Group Chat, we dive into the world of wrestling and its undeniable influence on pop culture. From storytelling and larger than life characters to music, fashion, and mainstream media, wrestling has shaped how we experience entrainment in ways people often overlook. We break down the art of the promo, the power of character development, and why fans stay emotionally invested in stories that blur the line between reality and performance. Is wrestling just entertainment, or is it one the most influential storytelling platforms in modern culture?

Spring has officially arrived in Buffalo and the city is waking up in a big way. From long standing traditions to the return of spring sports there is a renewed energy you can feel across Western New York. This week on Group Chat we get into everything that makes Buffalo spring special how the city celebrates the traditions that bring people together and why Dyngus Day remains one of the most unique and lively events of the season. It is a conversation about community culture and the moments that signal winter is finally behind us.

This week on Group Chat, we’re diving into the drama that keeps us all watching reality TV. In the wake of the recent headlines surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul, we take a step back and ask a bigger question: why are we so drawn to chaos, conflict, and controversy on our screens? From dating shows to docuseries, reality TV has blurred the line between entertainment and real life. But is it all just harmless fun, or are we watching something deeper unfold? This is more than just reality TV talk, this is about perception, culture and the stories we choose to believe.

Something bigger than awards happened at this year’s Academy Awards. Multiple winners used their speeches to call out censorship, defend free speech, and warn about where media may be headed. At the same time, massive industry shifts from layoffs to potential mergers involving Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery are raising serious questions about control and influence. So what is really going on? In this episode, we break down whether media is actually in danger or simply evolving, who really controls what we see, and whether audiences have real choice or just the illusion of it. We also explore why storytelling matters now more than ever and what is at stake if those voices are limited. This conversation goes beyond Hollywood and gets to the core of how information, truth, and narratives are shaped today.

From Hollywood to hometown traditions, this episode dives into Irish culture in film and history. We speak with Tony Davoren about his work on Sinners and Irish representation in cinema. You’ll also see a short Irish jig highlighting traditional dance. Finally, we explore Buffalo’s vibrant St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

It’s Women’s History Month and we’re getting real. From Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark dominating sports, to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift shifting the music industry, women are shaping culture in powerful ways. But here’s the question: are we truly progressing, or just celebrating louder? We also unpack the modern career woman, the pressure of motherhood, equal pay conversations, and whether “having it all” is fact or fiction.

Fashion is having a reckoning. This week on Group Chat, the team breaks down Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model docuseries and the questions it raises about reality TV, beauty standards, and what was really happening behind the scenes. Then we turn to Buffalo, where Black Carpet III takes over Shea’s on February 28th, bringing together designers, models, and creatives for a powerful celebration of culture and style. Was ANTM ahead of its time or out of line? Is community-driven fashion the future? Join the conversation and subscribe for more pop culture and real talk.

This week on Group Chat, the timeline is heavy with nostalgia and headlines. The team reflects on the cultural impact of Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson and breaks down the reaction to TMZ’s documentary on Michael Jackson. They also cover Olympic Village headlines, legal updates involving Stefon Diggs, what it is like to cook for celebrities, and Buffalo traditions such as fish fry Fridays and pierogi. Culture commentary and real conversation, just like your group chat.

This week on Group Chat we break down Bad Bunny’s love letter to Puerto Rico, his halftime performance that included a real wedding and rumored celebrity couples making headlines. Then we zoom out and ask why we are so obsessed with messy love stories and fairytale endings. From dating show chaos to the new HBO sports romance Heated Rivalry, we explore what makes love stories so compelling on screen. Plus, a look at how people are really celebrating Valentine’s Day, from sober parties and cooking classes to choosing experiences over gifts and redefining love through friendship, community, and self-love. Tap in and join the conversation.

In the final Group Chat episode of 2025, Bentley sits down with Allie Brady, Naila Ansari Catilo, and Alexa Zappia for a conversation that feels like an easy catch-up with friends. They revisit the moments, stories, and highlights that shaped their year and share what stuck with them. It’s a warm, lively wrap to 2025, and don’t fret, the fun starts up again in 2026.

In this episode of Group Chat, Bentley takes a trip through all things Thanksgiving, from the nostalgic traditions we cling to every year to the new trends reshaping the holiday with Camille Le Caër, Krysta Mannion, and Michele Mehaffy joining the conversation.

Bentley sits down with Josh Mullin of Uncle Ben’s Remedy and co-owner of Jack Rabbit; George Davis, veteran music educator and Dreamgirls vocal coach; and Buck Quigley, frontman of The Steam Donkeys and member of Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, to explore how storytelling and song go hand in hand.

In this page-turning episode of Group Chat, we’re talking about how the next generation is redefining what it means to be a reader. Bentley sits down with Meg Howe, owner of Alice, Cory McCants, and Dr. Naila Ansari-Catilo. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the internet’s favorite librarian, Mychal Threets.

In this Halloween episode of Group Chat, Bentley heads to The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence to dive into the world of modern mysticism, where spirituality, creativity, and pop culture collide.

In this episode of Group Chat, Bentley is joined by actor and host of BTPM’s Let’s Go! Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci, choreographer and professor at Buffalo State University Naila Ansari Catillo, and co-owner of Town Ballroom and “Funtime Presents “ Donny Kutzbach to celebrate Buffalo’s theatre scene while digging into the pressures of life in the spotlight.

On this episode of Group Chat, the panel digs into the horror world, starting with the sudden surge of Frankenstein adaptations and why this timeless tale keeps being reinvented for modern audiences. From the challenges of modern movie manners to the buzz around the latest horror debuts, the group covers what’s shaping the theater experience now.

On this episode of Group Chat, Bentley welcomes Chelsea O’Donnell, founder of Angry Girl Music and singer-songwriter of Stress Dolls; Josh Holtzman, CEO and co-founder of Twenty6 Productions and owner of Buffalo Iron Works; and Chloe Kowalyk, marketing director at both Buffalo Iron Works and Twenty6 Productions.

In this episode of Group Chat, we celebrate the legacy of Giorgio Armani, check out the new David Bowie Center, and dish on fall trends—from pumpkin spice everything to weather-ready wardrobe hacks. Plus, the group previews the hottest fall TV and make their predictions for the upcoming Emmys.