Fred Talk with Freddy Vasquez

This week, we're thrilled to introduce Michael Adams, the passionate owner of Firehouse Coffee, hailing from Fleetwood, PA. With 33 years as a paramedic in Berks County and on a MedEvac helicopter, Michael's no stranger to high-stakes situations. But it's his love for coffee, sparked by a life-changing cup at a California coffee kiosk, that led him to create Firehouse Coffee, where he's now roasti...

Kacie Griffith is one half of the duo behind The Bar Cart, a cocktail bar and bottle shop on the 700 block of Penn Ave. Kacie hails from the coal region, but made her way to Alvernia College in 2001 as a 3-time PAC championship basketball player and criminal justice major. With deep roots in the service industry, she has always found her way back to the bar/restaurant scene - eventually meeting an...

You work hard to reach a pinnacle, and you fall just short of getting there. Having Jack on the show the day after the latest primary was perfect timing. I was feeling down due to the unfavorable results, but he shared his own story of defeat and quickly snapped me out of my funk! Jack also went on to discuss very important changes and happenings in the City of Reading, and how you can actually se...

Imagine being 42 years old and diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Well, this was Bobby after getting what he thought was a nervous tick looked at by multiple doctors. These tremors caused constant pain, embarrassment, and a profound decline in his quality of life. He battled deep depression and felt like an unfit father and husband for years, causing him to question how he could go on...

Finally got my man Dr. Bill Moss on the podcast! Dr. Bill and I always have the greatest conversations. We'll see each other in passing and it becomes an hour before we realize what's happened. I love every moment we get together. On this episode, we get into Life Activation - a new awakening of sorts that Dr. Bill has been offering for some time now. It's a game-changer for those who want to find...

I had a blast catching up with Dallan this week! He shared his new role as Director of Membership at the GRCA, life with his son, Jude, and we even cracked up over his meme-making for Julian Edelman's Patriots podcast. Dallan's also super-pumped about the GRCA's work connecting local businesses through networking, newsletters, and blogs, urging members to dive in and elevate their brand. Learn Mor...

Lauren Marks: A Passionate Advocate for Berks County Justice This interview was nothing short of inspiring. Lauren, a seasoned attorney with 20+ years of experience in civil, criminal, and family law, shared her journey and vision for the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. Her tenacity and heart for justice shine through in every word—proof that taking bold steps can transform a community! Vote f...

NOAH GIBNEY IS AN ESTABLISHED MUSICIAN ON HIS WAY TO PROFESSIONAL STARDOM – AND HE'S ONLY 16 YEARS OLD! I had the pleasure of catching an impromptu performance by Noah at the Habitat Berks Birdhouse Challenge. I was definitely infatuated with the vibe and knew I had to meet him one day. Lucky for me, I was actually contacted by a friend of his to possibly be a guest on the show. Sure enough, we go...

Immortality does not exist. Eventually, it will be our time to move on to the next chapter, whatever that is depending on your beliefs. Lately, it's been on my brain based on the news I've received or events I've experienced. it gets you to think on many different levels. My own mortality weighs on me daily. I know what I need to do to improve, but I stay on this terrible path and nothing changes....

DAN CLOUSER IN AN AUTHOR, BLOGGER, PODCASTER, SPEAKER, AND ADVENTURE SEEKER. The first time Dan was on Fred Talk, we spoke about him and his wife Sandy selling all of their possessions and leaving the normal routine of everyday life. Fast forward a couple of years and he's back with a new book release, podcast, and more stories than you can count. Inspiring to say the least, Dan fills us in on his...

I have a hard time saying no. I am often asked to attend events, contribute to community efforts, or simply give money, and the first word out of my mouth is always, Yes! But this time, it was almost more of a benefit to me than the actual organization asking for help. I had the amazing opportunity to interview  Candace Nelson  at the  2023 Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Dinner  because she requ...

Jack Gombach is a relentless optimist and an advocate for Reading, PA, and its surrounding communities. I only met Jack a couple of times around town, but I love his vibe. He always has a smile on his face and is all about making his community better - one of my favorite traits! It was entertaining and informative being able to sit down with Jack and discuss Reading, PA, how the community can come...

Visiting Charleston, SC was definitely an eye-opening experience. What I originally thought was going to be a trip full of overeating and complaints about walking, ended up being more than I could ever expect. Charleston was built on slave labor for almost two centuries. It was a key port for slavery, so much so that 80% of African Americans can potentially trace a relative that lived there. Even...

Anthony Matz is the photographer and eye behind Berks County Views and one of my go-to photographers for FXV Digital Design. I was asked to participate in Career Day for Wyomissing Schools a year or so ago and I saw a gentleman with the same style in eyewear that I have. After chatting for a bit, I found out he was a freelance photographer and was pretty new to the game. Fast forward a few months...

Brian Adams is the owner of The Art Room in West Reading, PA, and one of my most valued allies when it comes to philanthropy and making change. I met Brian two years ago when he contacted me to participate in The Awesome Toy Drive. Since then, we've always had the best conversations in his shop. We talk about small business, spill the tea on the avenue, and what we need to succeed in life. What I...

Aaron Simser is the owner of Artistic Visions Wildlife in Douglassville, PA, and a badass United States Marine. Aaron was introduced to me by a friend of mine in the restaurant business. I was ignorant to the world of hunting and taxidermy, but I received a quick education when I was asked to visit Artistic Visions Wildlife. Words can't even begin to describe the creativity and art that goes into...

English Bradley is a passionate, overly-organized community member, and Administrative Manager at BCTV in Reading, PA. I met English a few years back at a networking event and we've been friends ever since. Her passion for community and outgoing positive attitude make it easy to have her in your circle of friends that help lift you to higher levels of success. She truly loves people and makes it a...

Brad Coley is an agent with Goosehead Insurance located in Reading, PA. Brad was a successful insurance agent with a local company when he started to see signs that the times were a changin'. To his dismay, he was let go and was a man with "no home, " only armed with years of insurance industry experience.  Brad describes being upset, shocked and compared it to a divorce. "Shit Happens!" is a dire...

John Whitehall is an entrepreneur and sales consultant with over 35 years of experience coaching high-performing and winning sales organizations in a variety of industries. When John and I get together, the stars align. The amount of knowledge he encompasses is astronomical and I always leave our conversations with more nuggets that help me with my day-to-day business strategies. It almost feels l...

Beth McCormick is the owner and operator of Tri-Boba Food Truck, a small business she started to give her autistic son a chance. When her son turned 16, Beth decided to try and help her son get involved in the workforce. To her dismay, there weren't many vocational opportunities for not only her son but other kids with disabilities. With her vocational background and dream of being an entrepreneur...

Alec Reinert is the Director of Operations at Science Explorers, focusing on shaping the minds of youth through STEM education. Alec and I have been friends for years and are apparently mistaken for brothers! He's a community pillar and asked for my involvement in 2019 when I founded the Awesome Toy Drive. Fast forward to 2023, and he is now a member of the awesome team at Science Explorers. I was...

Rachel Romig is the Senior Director of Events and Special Programs at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and the owner of Just Breathe Wedding and Event Planning. I was lucky enough to connect with Rachel on LinkedIn after she sent me a message about an upcoming GRCA event. I knew her from gracing local magazine covers and being a community leader, so I figured why not take a shot and ask her to...

Alexis Kessaris is a Pelvic Floor Therapist at Core Health Chiropractic. Have you ever heard of pelvic floor therapy? I just found out this existed when I met the wonderful Alexis Kessaris. She filled me in on the specialized therapy's "ins and outs" and how it is not just for women. It may be embarrassing to most men if you're having "male problems," but seeing a pelvic floor therapist can change...

Brad Stephenson is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO of New Castle Lawn and Landscape. And this means absolutely nothing! And it's not a dig because the worth Brad brings to the table is not in business but instead in human development and belief in oneself. Our conversation was one of the most transparent in the 74 times I've done this podcast, and I couldn't help but appreciate his trust in...

ATTENTION! THIS IS NOT A REPEAT! We don't usually wait to bring back a guest. Still, I was so enamored by his story that I forgot the selfish reason I wanted Sir Hamilton Newton on this show - voiceovers. Hamilton started as a local DJ on the ones and twos, got gigs at prestigious radio stations around the country, and has now excelled in his career in the voiceover space. I've always been told I...