B Inspired

As a way to celebrate the history of the country and participate in Studio B Art Gallery's "In Service" project, when the space to create a community garden--those gardens that historically served wartime soldiers and later local families--became available, Theresa Heist and co-hort Katie Emslie went to work. The episode explores the idea's origin, some history of Victory Gardens...

Tim Kwiat has always loved music--playing guitar & piano mostly--and writing songs that tell the stories of his life's journey. Retirement from his corporate day job allowed him to return to a life he loved--writing song lyrics, making music--solo and with his band mates, hosting an open mic club, and playing for folks who love to listen. Like a raft on the river, Tim's life is his dre...

Bob Wood was determined to find the cause and the cure for the heart disease that took him to the hospital to have stents placed in his clogged arteries. In this episode he shares his journey, his extensive research, and his personal plan to cure himself. The proof came recently when his cardiologist told him he need not return! "If only I'd known this 40 years ago," he opines. It's a tough road,...

In this episode Jane shares two poems--one she heard decades ago, the second just recently--that moved her to share them with lovers of language and even those who don't care much about it, knowing the poems would move them. "If I Were a Poem" by Sara Holbrook and "Thank You" by Matt Moberg are poems that reach into the heart and, like a kite on a windy day, drag you, laugh...

Alison Shapin's face lights up as she shares her goal of becoming a lawyer and making a difference in the lives of Pennsylvania's residents when she is elected a PA Senator! Alison is a senior at Boyertown High School, named Student of the Year at the 2026 Citizen of the Year event; listening to the many ways she is involved in her school and community is jaw-dropping! Confident, articulat...

Bob Varga, Boyertown Area Multi-Service's new executive director, brings new energy and a lifetime of experience dedicated to enhancing health and well-being. As a fitness club owner and director of a YMCA, he brings a wealth of his entrepreneurial spirit to Boyertown to champion the mission and goals of Boyertown's prized non-profit. Along with exploring his "artistic journey,"...

You must see Ruby Cooprider's artistry to fully appreciate it. Ruby owns and operates Nails by Rube's. Wearable art is how she describes her work. Working with nails started as a hobby and soon became a passion. She's board certified, was supported and encouraged by friends and family to open her own studio her book appointments a month in advance for her to turn their hands in storybooks. Find ph...

Poets Phil Repko and John Yamrus share their "artistic journeys," their writing and publishing processes, their disparate styles, common themes, and their love of words. Both poets have newly-published books available on Amazon to share with fellow lovers of the written word. Phil's is entitled "Homestretch." John's is titled "seriously?" Love them both--the p...

Sorcha Smith saw herself on stage and continues to find "roles" to play--in local theatre AND as Youth Services Coordinator for the Boyertown Community Library. Sorcha follows the advice of those who urge finding a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life. Sorchaloves what she does and advocates for the library's many services and events.

Joe Swope has been writing all his life, and it is his life on the Pleasant Valley farm that motivated his first book and led him into his seventh published work-- Sharpened Blade-- based on the true story of indentured African American woman Dinah Clark. Joe shares his writer's journey following a career in public relations with insights into his motivation and techniques, and the process getting...

Artist and teacher Sunny Finley tried a few different career paths and locations before dedicating her efforts to art and teaching in the Boyertown area. She brings her passion and a wide range of interests and skills to Studio B--offering art activities each second Saturday for young artists. Her artistic journey started on a farm in New Mexico, took a year-long detour to South Korea, then Colora...

In Jane Stahl's series discussing the literature that informed her life and career, she shares a play that she'd written for a graduate school slide show project featuring characters from a variety of the literature she taught in a class she developed titled "Man's Search for Meaning" in Colorado in the early 1970's. The main characters are Samuel Beckett's bums GoGo & DiDi from Waiting for Go...

Blackout Poetry, Rain Poetry, Haiku, Children's and Young Adult Books: Sara Bates is on a mission to find young people who have a passion to write and provide them a "home" and creative opportunities express themselves. A writer herself, Sara knows that a blank page is sometimes scary; just wait--she'll help you find the words.

BASH Senior Kailey Reinboth exudes passion and energy in sharing her involvement over seven years as a member of the Boyertown YMCA's Youth in Government (YAG) program, a telecommunications intern, volunteer with Building a Better Boyertown, and member of the swim team. With Kailey as an example, we can rest assured: the future will be in good hands starting now.

Starting a new business is always a challenge, one that Ben Mitton took on after a wide range of career experiences that prepared him to tackle handyman projects large and small. A client's satisfied smile when a job is complete motivates him, knowing that he's brought a vision to life--one that will bring his clients long-lasting joy. His advice: do your homework--get quotes. His goal: ge...

Library Director Sami Jo Trout encourages the community to offer support for library services after a recent federal decision eliminating a major source of funding through the acquisition of passport access. While sharing her own journey, Sami Jo offers an update of the many ways, upcoming activities, and events the Boyertown Community Library enhances our community life.

At the request of a dear friend, Jane shares pieces of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey that served as formative in her self-discovery as a 20-year-old beginning her teaching career. Like Franny, Jane found teaching as service to a high calling. Salinger gave her the words to express her intention. Alert: the episode is long and perhaps of interest to literature lovers o...

Heather Nicole shares her struggle from self-loathing to self-love in this episode announcing the publication of her first book of poetry. We explored her history as a poet, her writing process and her appreciation for e e cummings who "taught" her to break a few rules and soul-crushing expectations. Several other books of poetry and exploring her creativity through painting showcase her...

Debbie Zaharchuk's childhood dream to visit Paris was finally realized and has sparked others--including offering workshops where participants create "Vision Boards" and "Junk Journals" to help them realize their own and inviting folks to join her on a group tour of her beloved city. Debbie brings energy and joy to her endeavors; you'll want to catch her inspiring spirit! Visit http://www.bluebate...

Janae Tuck, known fondly by her 10 siblings as "Nae Nae," took a leap after working for other cake decorating and bakeries and started her own business decorating and baking cakes. As a member of the Apostolic Faith means no loans or debt is allowed. Starting cake decorating classes and hosting musicians during opening hours when the weather warms are a few plans that Nae Nae has to gene...

When John Schlegel shares his stories of his destination hunts, I am baffled at why someone would put themselves through the pain of physically preparing himself for the hunt and spend over a week pushing his body to the limit to achieve the goal of the hunt. But, as all athletes know, it's the thrill of victory that drives them. John shared his most recent hunt--successful after 3 tries-- to...

Boyertown High School students Abby Giannini and Tyler Yuengel have been on a mission since August 2025 to bring greater awareness and support for individuals on the autism spectrum as their senior project. They’ve held fundraisers—a bake sale, T shirt sales, a 5K race—over several months. The couple first met in their classes to enter the medical field in some capacity, recognized the need experi...

Exploring memories, shocks and revelations. What do you love? Fear? Want to remember? Understand about life? In this episode, Jane prepares listeners and hopes to inspire writers for a series of writing workshops with Sandra Williams inspired by Ray Bradbury's novel Dandelion Wine. Phil Repko's essay "Breaking Ties" serves as an example. Lesley Misko invites participation to write about what’s har...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! In this episode, host Jane Stahl shares her favorite "Christmas specials": Albert Brooks’ movie "Defending Your Life" and Shakespeare’s play "King Lear." Both begin with the ultimate life challenges--death and/or grief and suffering--yet end with love. "Defending Your Life" delivers a meaningful message wrapped in a deligh...

Coming from three generations of musicians, Patricia Keith always knew that music--making music, teaching and mentoring musicians--was to be her life...and her love. And she's been at it for over 31 years. But it wasn't until she saw her name on her own music studio's sign that her childhood dream came true. The studio offers lessons and opportunities to learn and perform for all ages...