Cape Ann Conversations

In this episode of  Cape Ann Conversations , host Troy Scarbrough welcomed Essex resident and coffee enthusiast Rob Fitzgibbons, the founder behind a growing coffee cupping experience business. Drawing on his background as a user experience designer, Rob has transformed a simple at-home tasting with friends into a sought-after program for libraries and community centers, helping people slow down,...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Troy sits down with Jay Salois, founder of VRtical Media, to explore how 360° virtual tours are transforming industries from real estate to education, healthcare, and museums. Jay, who left a career at Microsoft to pursue immersive media full time, explains how his company builds interactive virtual experiences that go far beyond simple 3D scans—integrati...

As Halloween approaches, Cape Ann Conversations welcomed back Rebeccah from Apothecary Suil Crow in Rockport along with intuitive reader Melissa Porter for a chat about spirituality, seasonal traditions, and the meaning behind modern witchy symbols. Melissa shared how she uses oracle cards—rather than tarot—to channel messages of guidance and healing, reading the imagery and energy around each car...

In this lively Cape Conversations episode, host Troy welcomes Brian Ridolfo, President and CEO of The Cabot Theater, and Kimberley Ballard, VP of Philanthropy and Community Relations, to discuss the theater’s ongoing transformation and community impact. Brian, a newcomer to the North Shore, shares his enthusiasm for the area and the theater’s role as a regional arts hub. Kimberly, who has been wit...

Today on Cape Ann Conversations, Troy is joined by Psychic Annette Dion, who’s been helping people find clarity and confidence for more than thirty years. Annette has a warm, down-to-earth style that blends intuitive insight with real-world wisdom, guiding people through life’s big questions—about love, purpose, career, and everything in between. She’s not just about predictions; she’s about empow...

Al Temkin Productions, led by Alan (“Al”) Temkin, is an event services business that focuses on auctioneering and emcee (master of ceremonies) support for nonprofits, schools, businesses, and celebratory gatherings. He is passionate about helping organizations achieve their goals through impactful and engaging events. Al brings energy, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to every event, ensu...

Colleen Murdock, Director of Community Relations, chats with host Troy Scarbrough about the current happenings at the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest. Facebook: https://⁠facebook.com/capeannchamberInstagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/capeannchamber⁠Website: ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠Presented by: Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠ Production Pa...

Today’s Cape Ann Conversations podcast guest is Scott Trenti, CEO of SeniorCare Inc. Scott discusses the background, mission, and services of SeniorCare with Troy, and emphasizes the need to spread the word about how SeniorCare can help the elderly population “age in place.” SeniorCare Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities so they can li...

In today’s episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Samantha Morrison and Rosanna Niosi of Build Health International (BHI) sit down with Troy to discuss the history, mission and goals of BHI. BHI is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve access to—and build capacity for—dignified, affordable, and high-quality healthcare infrastructure in resource-constrained settings around the world. The...

This week on the Cape Ann Conversations podcast, the table gets turned on host Troy Scarbrough, who is now in the “hotseat” as the new owner of Nor’East Cleaners. Steamography’s founder and owner, Andrew Nicastro, takes on the task of interviewing Troy about his newest entrepreneurial endeavor. For nearly six decades, Nor’East Cleaners has been a trusted, locally owned institution providing except...

Wolf Hollow, officially the North American Wolf Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wolf sanctuary located at 114 Essex Road in Ipswich, MA, just north of Boston. Under the stewardship of facility director Zee Soffron—whose father, Paul Soffron, founded the sanctuary—Wolf Hollow emphasizes education, advocacy, and immersive exposure to wolves as a means to reshape public perception. The current r...

This episode of Cape Ann Conversations features Oliver Barker, Director of The Cape Ann Museum, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Cape Ann Museum celebrates the rich cultural, artistic, and maritime heritage of Cape Ann. Founded in 1875, the museum houses an extensive collection that highlights the area’s significance as one of America’s oldest seaports and a long-standing hub for the arts...

Today’s Cape Ann Conversations podcast guest is Nancy Gardella, Executive Director of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (NBCVB). Since its founding in 1955, the NBCVB has been a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to promoting Essex County, Massachusetts, as a premier, year-round travel destination. As one of the state's official Regional Tourism Coun...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Troy visits with Apothecary Suil Crow, an Olde World–style metaphysical shop tucked into Rockport’s Whistlestop Mall. Owner Rebeccah Pearson, a fifth-generation folk practitioner, has been sharing her craft and curating mystical treasures for over 15 years, with the shop now celebrating its fourth year at this location. Listeners will hear about the shop’...

This episode is sponsored by the Cape Ann YMCA, Gloucester MA The YMCA of the North Shore's ONE DOOR initiative—“A Path to Mental Wellness”—is a growing, inclusive program designed to strengthen mental health across the North Shore. It encompasses free weekly group walks called Walk Talk Collective, in partnership with The HelpHUB, offering a safe space to move, connect, and share mental healt...

Chorus North Shore is a vibrant, non-auditioned community choir based on Massachusetts’ North Shore, with roots tracing back to a Depression-era gathering in Rockport in 1931. Now drawing around 125 voices, the ensemble specializes in challenging classical and modern choral masterworks—performing landmark pieces such as Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s masses, Verdi’s Requiem, and Str...

Colleen Murdock, Director of Community Relations, chats with host Troy Scarbrough about the current happenings at the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest. Facebook : https://⁠facebook.com/capeannchamber Instagram : ⁠ https://instagram.com/capeannchamber ⁠ Website : ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠ Presented by: Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, ⁠ https://capeannchamber.com⁠ Prod...

Campbell Funeral Home has been a trusted part of the North Shore community for over a century, serving families from Beverly, Gloucester, and Ipswich with compassion, dignity, and professionalism. The Campbell family has upheld a proud tradition of care, now managed by fifth-generation funeral director Lauren Campbell Mulligan. With deep roots in the region, the funeral home has expanded to includ...

The Schooner Adventure is a stunning 122-foot wooden ship and a proud symbol of Gloucester’s fishing legacy. Designed by Thomas McManus and launched in 1926, she was once one of the fastest and most successful fishing schooners to sail the Grand Banks. After retiring from the sea as a working vessel, she became a beloved windjammer before being beautifully restored to her former glory. Today, Adve...

Just months after Courtney and Marshall Tulley opened the doors to their new boutique hotel, Addison Choate, the pandemic brought travel — and the hospitality industry — to an unexpected halt. But instead of standing still, the couple chose to pivot, channeling their entrepreneurial spirit into what they like to call a 'hospitality-adjacent' venture. The result is Denim Blanket Co., a coll...

Located in Whistlestop Mall in Rockport, Moving and Shaking on the North Shore is your friendly neighborhood expert in senior move management and home organizing. Founded by Ellen Fusco, whose dedication to assisting families blossomed from a deeply personal experience for her parents, this service thrives on empathy, expertise, and a creative touch. Whether it’s helping a loved one downsize, pack...

Annie De Castro Design Group (ADDG) is a Boston-based boutique interior design firm renowned for creating bespoke living spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, functionality, and style. Led by founder and design principal Annie de Castro, the firm specializes in tailored design solutions that enhance the quality of life for its clients. Annie's diverse background in furniture retail, product de...

Atlantic Vacation Homes (AVH) is a premier vacation rental and real estate company based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, serving the Cape Ann region and Boston’s North Shore. With over 40 years of experience, AVH offers a diverse portfolio of properties, including beachfront homes, pet-friendly rentals, and accommodations suitable for large groups. The company also provides year-round and winter ren...

Need a second set of eyes on your writing? SML Proofreading, founded by the eagle-eyed Sue Lovett in Gloucester, is your secret weapon forspotless copy. Since 2019, Sue has been fixing everything from tangled sentences to pesky punctuation. With a passion for precision and a knack for storytelling, Sue tackles everything from young adult fantasy and memoirs tolocal history books, newsletters, broc...

Landi Van Alen, Director of Development The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is all about bringing people together to strengthen the communities of Essex County, Massachusetts. They connect donors, nonprofits, and local leaders to support everything from education and the arts to economic opportunity and social equity. Whether it's through grantmaking, special initiatives, or helping n...