A Place in the Conversation

Winnie Hardy moved to Avondale, PA without knowing anyone. Instead of waiting for community to find her, she built it herself through a shared love of fiber arts. In this episode, Winnie shares how she founded Friends of Fiber Art at the Avon Grove Library and later launched her own LLC to teach crochet, knitting and other fiber arts to students of all ages. Winnie opens up about living with dysle...

Most conflict doesn't start big. It starts on a playground, goes home unresolved on the bus and lands in a principal's inbox the next morning. Perk Musacchio and Monica Reinhardt Gurney saw that pattern repeat itself throughout their careers in education and decided to do something about it. In this episode, Perk and Monica share how they co-authored three books and Perk developed the Peace Walk,...

When a student can't access a school report card because it's online, or a parent can't apply for food assistance because the form requires a login, digital literacy stops being a convenience and starts being a barrier. Juan Tafolla is working to lower that barrier in the Kennett Square area, one workshop at a time. In this episode, Juan shares his work as Technology Education Coordinator with RSV...

For-profit prisons use 3rd grade reading scores to decide where to build their next facility. Jan Michener learned that and couldn't let it go. In this episode, Jan shares how that single fact shaped the work of Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH), the organization she founded in 2013 to bring arts, literacy and mindfulness programs to youth incarcerated at the Chester County Youth Center. What...

In this episode, Martha Serio, case manager at YoungMoms, shares how her work with pregnant and parenting teen girls has reshaped the way she understands community support, resilience, and holistic care. Drawing from her transition into social work and her daily experience walking alongside young immigrant mothers, Martha reflects on how consistent guidance, education, and compassion can open mean...

In this episode,Peter Doehring, founder of the Kennett Ability Network and Kennett Outdoors, shares how his daughter Margot and his family’s journey reshaped the way he thinks about inclusion, community participation, and access to the outdoors. Drawing from his experience as a parent, educator, and advocate, Peter reflects on how small, thoughtful changes can open meaningful opportunities for peo...

Health starts long before we enter a doctor’s office. In this episode, Rana Sakr, MD, a physician and public health advocate, explores what it really means for a community to be healthy, beyond medicine. Drawing on her work with the Center for Contemplative Studies and her public health studies at West Chester University, Rana shares how social factors like language access, transportation, educati...

Small acts of service can ripple across a whole town. In this episode, Emily Baroni, a long-time volunteer and troop leader in the Kennett area, shares how Girl Scouts are helping girls build confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. From inclusive outreach troops that connect Spanish-speaking families to first-time camping adventures and local service projects, Emily shows how the program...

What if healing division started with something as simple as sitting down together? In this episode, we meet Elizabeth Moro, former congressional candidate, author of The Civil Graces Project, and owner of the Centreville Café & Marketplace, whose lifelong passion for hospitality has evolved into a movement for connection. From her Pennsylvania childhood as one of twelve siblings to her campai...

Sometimes, the smallest plot can grow the biggest connections. In this episode, we sit down with Steve Denno, manager of the Kennett Community Garden, to explore how a shared green space has become a hub for diversity, friendship, and giving back. From its humble beginnings inspired by the novel Seedfolks to its current 72-plot layout, the garden brings together neighbors of all ages and backgroun...

Mentorship isn’t just about advice. It’s about consistency, care, and meeting people where they are. Loretta Perna, director of the WIN and Hermanitas programs at Kennett High School, has spent decades doing just that. In this conversation, Loretta shares how she went from business school and acting to becoming a mentor, advocate, and lifeline for hundreds of students navigating life after high sc...

In this heartfelt episode of A Place in the Conversation, co-founders Nancy and Nick Everhart sit down with Cat Stenta, Director of Community Engagement at Kennett Library, to explore what it means to truly belong. From neighborhood Halloween parades and women’s lacrosse leagues to environmental film festivals and quiet support groups, Cat shares how she has spent her life creating space for other...

In this deeply moving episode, A Place in the Conversation welcomes Tyra Reeves and Lynn Brown, founders of Just My Reflection: The Jordan Michael Reeves Foundation. They share their personal journey through loss, grief, and their mission to bring mental health awareness and suicide prevention resources to the community. Highlights from the Episode: • Turning Grief into Action: Tyra shares how the...

In this episode, A Place in the Conversation explores the deep connection between music, faith, and community. Hosts Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart sit down with Nick Goble, a musician and member of the Kennett Square community, to discuss how his journey in music led him to rediscover faith and belonging. Highlights from the Episode: • Music as a Spiritual Journey: Nick shares how his love fo...

In this episode, Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart sit down with Rana Sakr, Director of Health Literacy at the Kennett Library, to explore her journey from medical doctor to community health advocate and how she is empowering individuals to take control of their healthcare decisions through education. Highlights from the Episode: • From Medicine to Health Literacy: Rana shares how her experience...

In this episode of A Place in the Conversation, Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart talk with Kate Wickersham of LCH Health and Community Services about the vital role LCH plays in supporting the Kennett Square community. Key Highlights: LCH’s Mission & Growth – Founded in 1973, LCH has expanded from social services to healthcare, behavioral health, and community support. Beyond Healthcare – LC...

In this episode, Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart sit down with Pastor Ace Wright-Riggins, interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Kennett Square and mayor of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, to discuss the transformative power of connection, belonging, and community-building. Key highlights from the episode: • How bridging divides—whether racial, cultural, or ideological—creates opportunities for...

In this episode, Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart sit down with Lou Florence, a Kennett Library staff member, to explore how pollinator gardens and environmental initiatives are transforming the local community. Key highlights from the episode: • The Meadowitos Project, a volunteer-driven initiative placing pollinator gardens throughout the borough to support biodiversity and educate the public....

In this episode, Nancy Nicewonger and Nick Everhart sit down with Edie Burkey and Joan Holliday to discuss the vision behind the Kennett Community Grocer, a groundbreaking community-owned grocery store designed to bring people together and promote healthy living. Highlights from the episode: • The unique mission of the Kennett Community Grocer: A co-op model connecting local farms and food produce...

In the first episode of Season 2 of the A Place in the Conversation podcast, Nancy Nicewonger, Lead Facilitator at A Place in the Conversation, and Nick Everhart reflect on the podcast's journey and its future. They honor the legacy of Dan Nicewonger, whose passion for meaningful discussions and storytelling shaped the foundation of this series. What to expect in this episode: Insights into how Da...

In this episode, Dan & Nick make A Place in the Conversation for Luke Zubrod and Burt Rothenberger to discuss Housing Affordability. Luke works for Square Roots Collective and serves on the Kennett Borough Planning Commission. Burt first became interested in Housing Affordability through his work with Westminister Presbyterian Church. Luke and Burt serve on the Southern Chester County Council...

Nick and Dan make A Place in the Conversation to speak with Bryan Tuk of Groove Kennett Square. Bryan shares his passion for drumming and the mission of Groove Kennett Square. He also discusses a new project, Jazz Vesper Services. These services help create space for quiet reflection and give people an opportunity to pause and find peace in a very busy world. Join us for a special conversation abo...

We all face seasons of transition and change. Navigating those well requires us to discern our current realities and healthy next steps. Join Dan, Ronny Russell, and Jim White as they discuss seasons of transition and making wise decisions. Jim shares some of the wrestling that went on as he thought about retirement. He speaks about family, job, calling, and personal desires. Discerning the next s...

Sacred Artist Neilson Carlin joins Nick & Dan. Neilson “is a professional artist with 25 years of experience as a teacher and painter.” He offers classes through the Carlin Academy of Fine Art in Kennett Square. Neilson also specializes in commissioned sacred and devotional art.  After two decades in the commercial and gallery art markets, a conversion to Catholicism prompted Neilson to commit...

On today’s podcast, Dan turns hosting and interview duties over to his good friend Ronny Russell. Ronny takes the opportunity to interview Dan, asking questions about his cancer diagnosis and the seven-year cancer journey. Ronny’s insightful questions and Dan’s openness provide a glimpse of how one person has learned to “live with cancer.” To read more of Dan’s story, The Journey Continues . For d...