© 2025 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Music Recaps, Buffalo’s Pop Culture Rise, and “The Taylor Effect”

headshots of each guest, bentley, and the Group Chat logo

Bentley covers end-of-year music recaps, highlighting Spotify Wrapped & Apple Music Replay with her friends Tom Calderone, Cory McCants, and Grace Vesneske on this week's Group Chat. Then, they count the many ways Buffalo is shining on the national pop culture stage, whether it's Josh Allen gracing the 2024 Madden cover, starring in Pepsi's gladiator-themed commercial, his engagement with Hailee Steinfeld, or Chef Darian Bryan bringing the heat in a Dodge Ram commercial. Finally, "The Taylor Effect," and "The Social Media Effect." Could legends like Michael Jackson or The Beatles have reached similar heights with today's digital tools? Buckle up for a great episode!

Group Chat 2024
Latest Episodes
  • 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.
  • With the Bills’ home opener on the horizon, the group digs into Western New York’s tailgate culture, from signature dishes to the game-day looks that turn parking lots into runways.
  • In this episode, Bentley and friends bring three subjects to the table: the cultural pull of back-to-school season, the messy drama of fabricated memoirs, and the complicated role AI now plays in classrooms, workplaces, and everything in between.
  • In this episode of Group Chat, Bentley and friends connect the dots between the Devil Wears Prada 2 set and the real-life evolution of workplace culture since the original film. The conversation takes a gossipy turn into some recent scandals, then ends on a lighter note: A trip to the Erie County Fair!
  • In this episode of Group Chat, we unpack Hollywood’s obsession with narrow beauty standards and how those ideals influence casting and representation. Then, they celebrate Buffalo’s cinematic boom!
  • From HBO’s “Hard Knocks” shining a national spotlight on the Buffalo Bills to the rise of women’s sports, this episode celebrates athletic influence and community pride.
  • When news broke that Ozzy Osbourne had passed away at age 76, Group Chat hit pause on our regular programming to honor the rock legend. Host Bentley is joined by musicians Matt Hitch, Joe Cannizzaro, and Marc Smith to celebrate the life, music, and legacy of the one and only Ozzy Osbourne.