Good Neighbor Podcast: North Shore

Join North Shore realtor Debbie Caniff of Coldwell Banker Realty as she uncovers the strategic analysis, local expertise, and human touch that turn potentially stressful real estate deals into seamless closings. With a CPA background fueling her pricing, offers, and negotiations, Debbie serves buyers and sellers from countryside to seaside across Lynnfield, Marblehead, and beyond, backed by a bran...

Join Certified Exit Planning Advisor Bradley Small of Solomon Private Wealth LLC as he guides business owners from valuation to a values-driven exit. Learn how to accurately assess your company’s worth, boost your sale multiple, and close the wealth gap needed for a confident 30-year future—while crafting a post-sale life rich with family, philanthropy, travel, or board service instead of regret....

Step into the Salem Witch Museum with Rachel Chris-Doane, its director of education, and explore an immersive audiovisual journey through the 1692 witch trials, complemented by a docent-led exhibit on European witch hunts and the evolving image of the witch. Rachel dispels the myth that the museum is stuck in 1972, highlighting its 2020 exhibit renovation, growing artifact collection, and a planne...

If you’ve ever walked into a home store and thought, “Beautiful, but not for my budget,” meet Susan Bott—the NYC-actor-turned-designer behind Room Tonic in Marblehead—who proves that great design can be both distinctive and affordable. From staging in New York to launching her own shop, Susan shares how craft, courage, and community built a brand with a clear point of view and accessible pricing....

A small family shop with a big heart, Mr. Petisco was born at a kitchen table during the pandemic and grew into a thriving Peabody storefront bringing the Taste of Brazil to Main Street. Lais Lima shares how a father’s recipes, a mother’s financial savvy, and a daughter’s drive turned risk into resilience and culture into community. Every bite reflects care—potatoes peeled in-house, dough made fro...

What happens when a Welsh pastor follows love across the ocean and lands in Lynn, Massachusetts? Pastor Kevin Adams of East Baptist Church shares his remarkable 21-year journey in ministry and the wisdom he’s gained along the way. With refreshing candor and humor, he dismantles the myth that religious leaders are somehow less human than everyone else. “They expect me to be a sort of angel with win...

What happens when a physicist from Intel Corporation decides to tackle cancer treatment? Dr. Anan Copty shares his remarkable journey from corporate security to founding Synergy Medical Devices, a startup developing non-invasive technology to destroy solid tumors without harming healthy tissue. After losing several friends to cancer, he left a stable career to pursue a solution that combines nanop...

Every challenge presents an opportunity for reinvention—a truth Bobbie Bush embodies as she celebrates 30 years of her portrait business. What began in darkrooms and evolved through decades of traditional photography has transformed into a unique artistic practice that blends digital technology with fine art. When smartphones reshaped photography and the pandemic halted in-person sessions, Bobbie...

Francie King, founder of History Keep, is dedicated to preserving personal histories that might otherwise be lost forever. With a background in journalism, Francie helps individuals articulate the stories they want future generations to remember. Through intimate, professional interviews, she creates powerful legacies, allowing clients to share stories they've never told—even to their closest...

Dr. Ryan Zaklin, founder of ECS Wellness in Salem, Massachusetts, is shedding light on the body’s endocannabinoid system, a natural regulator most people are unaware of. By explaining how our bodies produce their own cannabinoids to maintain balance, he offers a compelling alternative to relying solely on prescription medications. Dr. Zaklin, part of the Mass General Brigham network, blends conven...

Barrie Atkin, founder of Atkin Associates, is revolutionizing marketing strategy and fundraising consultancy with a hands-on, accessible approach. Having transitioned from corporate roles at TV Guide and Rodale to an independent consultant, Barrie breaks the traditional consultant mold by offering practical, affordable services for organizations of all sizes. Her philosophy of making her expertise...

Ben O'Sullivan Pierce, co-owner of Fresh Start Contracting Corporation, has spent nearly two decades reshaping what homeowners expect from the renovation experience. Alongside his business partner, Nick Stamos, Ben has helped grow Fresh Start from a modest operation into one of Massachusetts’ premier custom building firms. In an industry often clouded by stereotypes of unreliability and poor...

What happens when two passionate educators trade the classroom for real estate? Danielle and Chris Gianatassio, the duo behind CDG Realty Group, took that leap and never looked back. After years of part-time real estate experience, they launched their own full-service brokerage in 2022, leaving behind the security of teaching careers to raise their young family and pursue entrepreneurship. Their j...

Meet Nicholas Paolucci, founder of Mass Architect, a forward-thinking firm revolutionizing residential design in Massachusetts with speed, affordability, and sustainability at its core. From his education at Auburn University to launching his own firm in 2016, Nicholas has carved out a unique space in the industry as a solo practitioner focused on efficient, personalized service. Specializing in h...

Mark Anderson, owner of MWA Health and Fitness, redefines wellness beyond the gym, blending physical training with nutrition, sleep optimization, and mental health. His journey from Marine to holistic wellness advocate fuels his mission to debunk fitness myths, such as the misconception that calorie counting alone guarantees results or that weight training makes women "bulky." His studio...

Sabrina Auclair founded Unpacked Living in 2019 to combat the overwhelming waste generated by American consumer culture. Her zero-waste store challenges misconceptions about sustainable living, proving that eco-friendly products can be affordable and accessible. Specializing in “naked products” and refillable options, Unpacked Living serves Massachusetts’ North Shore through a physical location an...

Chris Arson unveils the artistry and effort behind wedding photography, proving it's far more than just clicking a button. From shooting with an iPhone to building a full-time career on both coasts, his 12-year journey highlights the extensive planning and coordination that ensure seamless wedding days. Through candid insights, he dispels pricing misconceptions and emphasizes that successful...

Rob Arndt turned hardship into purpose, shaping a mission that empowers veterans beyond their military service. After 14 years in the Marine Corps, he recognized the widespread underemployment of veterans—61% stuck in roles that fail to harness their skills. As the founder and CEO of Buffer Springs, Rob addresses the disconnect between military experience and civilian careers, dispelling misconcep...

Master arborist Josh Fritz has spent 28 years uncovering the hidden wonders of tree preservation, from the underground fungal networks that allow trees to communicate to the historical significance of Boston’s oldest trees. His journey into arboriculture was inspired by his great-uncle, a tree surgeon who encouraged him to pursue work that was both meaningful and enjoyable. Though a water skiing a...

Carrie Shea founded The Preppy Mess with a simple yet powerful idea—your everyday purchases can drive meaningful change. During COVID-19, she realized that navigating a busy life as a mother of two didn’t mean sacrificing ethical consumerism. Her Instagram-based shop curates sustainable alternatives to toxic household products, making conscious shopping both accessible and realistic. Acknowledging...

Nancy Hughes combines her background as a math teacher with her passion for real estate to bring a unique perspective to property transactions on Massachusetts' North Shore. As part of Jack Conway Realty, she leverages her community engagement experiences, like coordinating volunteer efforts for Swampscott's Kids Cove playground, to offer a client-centered approach. Nancy emphasizes educ...

Ever wonder what happens when traditional garden design meets ecological consciousness? Andrea Bustolin of Speakeasy Garden merges beauty, sustainability, and purpose through her innovative landscaping approach. What began with a shovel, an old truck, and word-of-mouth referrals has grown into a full ecological design firm. From English cottage gardens to food forests, Andrea reimagines familiar s...

Peter Laufer shares the 40-year history of Metropolitan Cabinets and Countertops, a third-generation family business with multiple showrooms across greater Boston. As manufacturers rather than dealers, they control quality, pricing, and timelines directly while working closely with contractors, architects, designers, and homeowners. • Founded over 40 years ago by Stuart and Mike Elfland when they...

Modern heat pumps are transforming home heating and cooling in New England, despite lingering myths about their effectiveness. Matt Kidd, owner of Endless Energy, refutes these misconceptions while showcasing his company's evolution from a solar energy provider to a full-service home energy specialist. With a dedicated team of 80 professionals covering heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical w...

Who holds businesses accountable for their promises? Paula Fleming, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of the Better Business Bureau, sheds light on the BBB’s role in building trust and transparency in today’s marketplace. Contrary to popular belief, the BBB isn’t a government agency but a nonprofit supported by its accredited members. Fleming outlines the rigorous standards businesses must meet fo...