Why Connection and Storytelling Matter to Tressa Glover, Podcaster and Storyteller
1 month ago
Tressa Glover, Pittsburgh-based storyteller, actor, and creator of the award-winning podcast Yinz Are Good, shares why human connection is at the heart of everything she does — from her personal relationships to her work amplifying everyday changemakers. She opens up about how her podcast grew from a local Pittsburgh project to reaching listeners in 89 countries and territories, why good-news storytelling works best when it doesn't shy away from life's challenges, and how hosting the show as herself — not as a character — has been genuinely life-changing. It's a warm, fun conversation full of insight about storytelling, community, and what it means to really listen.
[00:23] What matters most to Tressa: meaningful connection with others and listening deeply
[01:05] Why Yinz Are Good works — it's not Pollyanna positivity, it's real journeys and real inspiration
[04:11] The origin of "Yinz" and the linguistic history of Pittsburgh's unique dialect
[06:09] The surprising reach of a local podcast — now heard in 89 countries and territories
[07:31] What truly surprised Tressa: the sheer number of people quietly helping others every single day
[08:00] How podcasting changed Tressa's life and the lightbulb moment of connecting as herself, not a character
[09:43] Matters.com Speed Round: Podcasting, Performing Arts, Live Theater, NASA's Artemis 2 Mission, NHL Playoffs, Coachella, Pets
[19:46] Where to find Tressa and Yinz Are Good
You can find Tressa Glover at:
https://www.yinzaregood.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressa-glover-6310b898/
https://www.instagram.com/yinzaregood/
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Whys (5)
Tressa says Dog matters deeply — "the unconditional love" and choosing a pet as an adult "has been life changing," teaching her to be present and "see the world" through fresh eyes on every walk.
Does DOGS matter to you?
Tressa says Stanley Cup playoffs matter — as a lifelong Pittsburgh fan, "sports, yeah, they're huge" to her, and she values how hockey reveals "great respect" and sportsmanship beyond the rivalries fans typically see.
Does STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS matter to you?
Tressa's gut says Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival does not matter — "right now at this time, it does not matter that much," though she acknowledges she struggles to fully explain why.
Does COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND A... matter to you?
Tressa says Performing arts matters because "there is nothing like" live performance — "every performance is unique" and "that moment can't be recreated," making it a singular shared human experience.
Does PERFORMING ARTS matter to you?
Tressa says Podcast matters because of "the number of people that we can connect with and stories that you can hear and insights that...we couldn't have imagined" growing up — celebrating the unprecedented accessibility it offers.
Does PODCAST matter to you?
Takeaways (8)
I realized podcasting lets me connect with people as myself, not through a character.
I like that good stories include the hard parts, not just the wins.
Live performance is something else — every audience changes what happens on that stage.
Even when we all hear the same story, it lands differently for each person, and I love that.
Having access to stories from people everywhere is something my younger self couldn't have imagined.
Choosing to get a dog as an adult is completely different from just growing up with one.
Our dog has been with us through a lot, and I think about that more than people might expect.
On walks I put my phone away and try to see things the way my dog does — like everything is new.