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ExcessiveBanter is New England’s unofficial therapy session — where we laugh, rant, and drink Dunkin’ while yelling at refs. From Boston to Bangor and the Cape to Providence, we’re talkin’ food, politics, sports, accents, and all the wicked pissah weirdness that makes New England what it is.

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In Part 2 of our Don Bosco Trade High School series on ExcessiveBanter, we dig into the “why” behind the rebirth of this legendary vocational institution.

Hosted by Paul 'Benny' MacLellan — Don Bosco Tech-Boston alum and DBT High Board Member — highlights the urgent demand for skilled workers, with recent studies showing that more than 70% of U.S. contractors report difficulty filling trade positions and that the construction industry alone will need close to half a million additional workers in the next year. Against this backdrop, the return of schools like Don Bosco to the South Shore of Boston comes at exactly the right moment.

We also take a look at how other private and faith-based trade schools across the country — from Mercy Tech in Philly and St. Peter's Career/Tech in Houston, a Catholic network of work-study schools to smaller Catholic and independent technical academies — are successfully combining academics, career training, and values-based education to meet this growing need.

This episode paints a clearer picture of how all of these schools, like Don Bosco Trade High School is not only reviving its own legacy, but positioning itself as part of a broader national movement to restore dignity, purpose, and opportunity in the trades.

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In this inspiring episode of ExcessiveBanter, we introduce the rebirth of a legendary name in vocational education — the Don Bosco Trade High School, now returning to the South Shore of Boston as a private, coeducational Catholic trade school.

Host Paul MacLellan, a proud Don Bosco Tech Boston alum and Board Member, shares how this reimagined institution will offer young men and women across Massachusetts a meaningful, hands-on alternative to traditional high school education — rooted in technical skill, faith, discipline, and purpose.

Set to offer programs in Electrical, HVAC, Carpentry, Plumbing, and CAD, alongside core academics and spiritual formation, Don Bosco Trade High School is poised to reshape how we educate future professionals — not just in MA, but as a national model for what trade schools can and should be.

This episode is an open invitation to business leaders, unions, educators, donors, and anyone invested in our future workforce. Learn how you can help us raise the funds to open doors for students, expand access to financial aid, and build a path where every student — regardless of background — can thrive.

🔧 This isn’t just about rebuilding a school. It’s about restoring pride in the trades — for every student ready to build a better future.

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This episode of ExcessiveBanter Gary & I talk to long time friend and Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Play Lady...Lisa Scherber.

For over 30 years Lisa has been delivering smiles, hugs and support to children and their families at the Boston Jimmy Fund Clinic. With what started as a volunteering opportunity soon turned into a career changing journey that has transformed herself and many others along the way. The energy brings into the lives of those she meets is contagious and needs to be shared to all.
Grab a comfy spot, relax and be prepared to take in all that is what we could ever dream to aspire to personally and professionally.

Recipe for Joy:

• One part Smile
• One part Fun
• And a HUGE heaping helping of Fluff

To volunteer for future events or to connect with Lisa:
lisa_scherber@dfci.harvard.edu

Or to donate to the Jimmy Fund:
https://www.jimmyfund.org/ways-to-give/

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This episode we speak to Kijana Rose who is the heart and soul of I&I Rose Garden. Everything about her lived experience has shaped her vision for 22 Birch, Rosindale MA - and the innovative future of seed-to-sale ecosystem expansion in the cannabis markets. She brings a health and wellness emphasis to everything she does, integrating and emphasizing education and empowered consumerism into product and experience design.

Kijana holds two degrees from Northeastern University, including a Master's in Public Health, and is also a practicing yoga teacher trainer and instructor. Her professional experience in the corporate and non-profit worlds have not only prepared her for success as an entrepreneur, but also for building a new breed of business that emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and equity in everything it does.

Stay up to date on Kijana and I&I Rose Garden's future endeavors.
www.iandirosegarden.com

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This episode of ExcessiveBanter is a heartfelt, long overdue conversation with a true Irish Gentleman, Author, Don Mullan. On this the 50th Anniversary, Do was an eye witness to the January 30th, 1972 British massacre in the town of Derry (Northern Ireland). Over the many years following a poorly executed inquiry, no accountability or recognition of guilt was given or acknowledged by the British Government.
Not until January 1997 when Don Mullan's book, Eyewitness Bloody Sunday was published to controversy and in the ensuing months became the catalyst in the campaign for justice for the families of the 14 victims of the Bloody Sunday massacre. Listen to Don's first hand perspective of the actions, avoidance and eventual redemption for his friend, Michael Kelly and the other 13 families.
Don will also enlighten us with the timeline and stories leading up to a beautiful friendship with one of England's legendary Football Keeper and this podcaster's own idol, the great Gordon Banks.

https://www.orpenpress.com/books/eyewitness-bloody-sunday/
https://www.amazon.com/Gordon-Banks-Hero-Could-Sports/dp/0954704797

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This episode Gary and I regroup and highlight the discussions surrounding our recent interview with Irish Author, Don Mullan and his Bloody Sunday book on the Derry, Northern Ireland January 30th, 1972 British massacre. And the impact today on it's 50th Anniversary.
Also we'll catch up on recent events and what's new in our social media relations, including new friends and followers.

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This episode brings former New England Patriot Defensive End and two-time Super Bowl Champion Jarvis Green to the ExcessiveBanter podcast. Jarvis will give us the 411 on his entrance into the New England sports arena in a post-Super Bowl win to achieve his own pair of Lombardi Trophies himself.
Giving us his insight to the Patriot way on and off the field right up until his departure of the NFL after an 8 year pro football experience and jumping into the unknown of the fishing and shrimping industry.
Not being a afraid of a challenge and with a strong work ethic, he embraces his new adventure with a broom in hand and builds a solid brand and company within the Ocean97 name.

Follow along Jarvis' journey into the foodie industry that takes him into a world of technology and innovation with a new app called Chef2You.