B Inspired

Turning the tables on host Jane Stahl, Lisa Muller wants to know how Jane's involvement in the arts all began. From a family trip as an adolescent to Rockport, Massachusetts, and a 35-year career teaching high school English to inspiring Bear Fever, chartering the Arts and Activities Alliance committee of Building a Better Boyertown, filling in as editor of 2 Boyertown pictorial history books, she...

Ellie D'Anjolell has found her niche, realized a lifelong dream, and created a healthy work/life balance as a new agent with Richard A. Zuber Realty and entrepreneur as co-owner of Stone Home Market Garden CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). From her farm--Stone Home Market Garden--she and her partner deliver organic vegetables from early June through early September to their members. As a real...

Margaret Harner, popular teacher of history, writer, and volunteer, wants everyone to know that the World War II may have turned out completely differently without Boyertown's favorite son General Carl Spaatz. Margaret shares Spaatz's legacy and achievements, highlights artifacts from the museum, and recalls stories of members of the Boyertown community involved in the war. The museum invites part...

This episode, 2 episodes into the podcast's 3rd year, features Jane's reflections on the state of the country since the podcast began. She shares disappointments in the country's reactions to its major challenges but offers a resurrection of inspiration triggered by the invasion of Ukraine in the courage and resolve of its leader and people. The episode includes a repeated conversation with fine a...

"How do you do it and why?" "How do you see it and what does it mean?" These questions about the process of art-making intrigue Jane, and in this episode fine artist Lisa Muller offers her experience and perspective in the creative business of making art allowing Jane some insight...and inspiration!  Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: studiobbb.org, on Studi...

Amanda Burdan. Yesterday--BASH Honor Grad. Today--Curator Brandywine River Museum. Amanda accomplishes, excels; it's her MO. With host Jane Stahl and Studio B's gallery director Susan Biebuyck, Amanda shares her professional journey and personal mission to celebrate women in art--historically and in present-day--in her role as curator at one of the nation's most prestigious art museums. There was...

It is said that “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Knowing Beth Glick, you know the devil will never catch her. Beth doodles on everything, but there are unending creative projects this artist takes on as part of her ministry in addition to partnering with husband Dave in running the popular Glick's Greenhouse. Beth and Dave were happy to sponsor a prize award recently in Studio B’s current “F...

That’s what we called Nancy Lang Boyer-- Beloved “First Lady” of Boyertown. In this episode daughter Mary Ann Boyer shares details of her mother’s artistic journey as well as her influence in Mary Ann’s own journey in founding the environmental consulting group Boyer Sudduth—designed to help educational communities and businesses formulate and achieve their “green” goals. Mary Ann offered a link t...

Need inspiration? Meet Mamie Covell, the Community Engagement Coordinator for Berks Arts Council (BAC), an impressive fresh face, full of positive energy and ideas for the Berks art community. In this episode Mamie shares her own history and those who inspired her, the activities and opportunities, grants and visions supported by BAC. Looking to fund a non-profit or for-profit project or program?...

Dr. John Crosby, Boyertown Area School District's superintendent in the early 1990's, retired from a long career as superintendent of schools and embraced a challenge from a successful entrepreneur to create the Uncommon Individual Foundation, the first nonprofit private foundation dedicated to developing mentoring programs and opportunities. In this episode Jane and Dr. Crosby share stories of th...

“B Inspired” enters its 3rd year in February. In celebrating the up-coming anniversary, “B Inspired” host Jane Stahl and mentor Bill Vitiello, whose podcast inspired her to ask him to teach her how it’s done, share two years of career changes and inspirations, new hobbies, and long-ago significant lifetime moments.   Bill, Director of Institutional Relationships and Marketing | VP for Victory...

For the third year, during the Christmas season, Jamie and Jeff Cascino have invited members of the community to add their wishes to ornaments that decorate the Wishing Tree outside their home. In this episode of the “B Inspired” podcast, Jamie shares insight into the hearts and minds of over 150 members of the community revealed in their wishes. In addition, she offers a “sneak peek” about a few...

In this episode, for the second year, Jane shares the lyrics and the dream for humanity that John Lennon offered in "Imagine" recognizing that in 2022 many of the same challenges continue to confront us. She also encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives for moments that have transformed them, moments after which they were never the same and to submit poetry or prose for Studio B's 9th bo...

Always endearing, Boyertown’s beloved Mayor Marianne Deery and founder of Building a Better Boyertown shares some history, her hopes for Boyertown, and her personal plans in this final “B Inspired” podcast for 2021 as she turns over her 20-year reign. And, as a loyal patron of Studio B, Marianne left the studio as the proud owner of Susan Grabert’s beautiful oil of “Hollyhocks on Vintage Tin” and...

Kim Welch, energetic, enthusiastic--a real go-getter as a real estate agent and community leader--takes time to reflect on the changes life has forced on her following the death of her beloved husband earlier this year. Holidays are a tough time of year for those who have suffered significant loss. "B Inspired" knew Kim had worthwhile perspectives to share. While eternally undaunted, processing gr...

Making art is Bill Timmins’ latest endeavor, one he loved and left to pursue mastery in other arenas—encompassing music and science and math careers. Eschewing classical training and style in his visual art, Bill offers insight into his process of creating colorful, intuitive, abstract work. There’s more to learn from Bill’s artistic journey, and he’s eager to share. Find more information about St...

Jason Moss is a passionate abstract intuitive artist. Creativity is his superpower! Each morning he decides which medium will occupy his day: paint, music, fabric, for example. Or will he spend the day writing or cooking. Expressing his inner life, diving deep into his psyche to explore the shadows of existence--working hard every day, evolving closer to a life filled with joy and love. Find more...

"It's complicated": There's no doubt. Today's public schools face extraordinary financial, cultural, and social challenges. Nobody's happy. Donna Usavage, former BASD School Director, provides some insight into some of the trickier issues and shares one of her many retirement projects: the artistry of glass art--Blue Sky Beads. donna@shopblueskybeads.com Find more information about Studio B Fine A...

First: an apology. I had hoped to bring listeners my conversation with Richard Guy, prison inmate at SCI Fayette, sentenced in 1983 to life without parole. However, prison protocol and technology barriers prevented a recording of our conversation. So...you have me (Jane) instead--sharing what Richard and I discussed about his own journey, his work with other inmates, and some reflections about lif...

To add context to Studio B Art Gallery's exhibit "Prison Art and Experience," former inmate Joe Romeri reflects on his own prison experience and the challenges of re-entry to life beyond the bars. Joe urges second chances to non-violent inmates sentenced to lifetime terms who work hard to rehabilitate--suggesting that the purpose of prison is not terminal punishment but rehabilitation toward helpi...

Senator Cappelletti, known to Jane simply as Amanda, was one of a handful of Jane's students who brought the Bear Fever public art project to the Boyertown community 16 years ago. Connections made during that time kickstarted Amanda's interest in travel, a study of international affairs, public service, a law degree, and--for now--a political career with interests surrounding women's rights issues...

In this episode, Jane shares some of the reasons and vignettes of one of her favorite things: Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine as the closure of the studio's summer exhibit and book release: My Favorite Things: Beauties Are Joys Forever. The episode includes summaries of some of Jane's favorite vignettes and characters in the novel, a few thoughts on what she appreciates about Brandbury's style, and...

Poet John Yamrus offers profound, insightful reflections about life, himself, and others in as few words as possible. Often witty and bittersweet, offering unpleasant truths in clever vignettes, John's books are available on Amazon. In this episode Jane reads some of her favorites from his latest book: Selected Poems .  Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: stu...

With a wink, Eileen (Mish) Murphy tells us through her poetry what life looks like from her vantage point--sometimes light, often a little dark. Jane shares poetry from several of Mish's books as a way to introduce her as the publisher for Studio B's 9th book of poetry and prose "Transforming Moments: Finding Our Voice" scheduled to debut June 2022.  Find more information about Studio B Fine...

Thank you to poet Carole Croll who generously gifted Studio B with a copy of her book of poems A Hundred Pairs of Eyes. In this episode, Jane reads some of her own favorites from the collection. Favorites that take her breath away. Carole's poetry gently focuses our perspective, slowing down our manic pace to give us glimpses of the beauty surrounding us if we just take time to look. In so seeing,...