Real People, Real Estate

In Episode 25 of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Sasha Wilde, owner of Sexton Roofing & Siding, to talk about taking a leap into business ownership, finding home in Western Massachusetts, and building a company rooted in relationships and community.  After purchasing Sexton Roofing & Siding with her husband Tim in 2023, Sasha shares the honest side of entrepreneurship — fr...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Heather Ferrari of William Raveis Real Estate for a conversation about community, connection, and the unexpected paths that lead us home. Born in Northampton and raised in South  Amherst, Heather’s deep Pioneer Valley roots started long before real estate. From growing up around her family’s beloved Amherst restaurant, Nancy Jane’...

In Episode 23 of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Jen Ewers of Edward Jones for a conversation about financial wellness, community connection, and why it’s never too late to move forward with confidence. With more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate major life decisions, Jen shares a refreshingly approachable perspective on financial planning and r...

In Episode 22 of Real People Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Aimee Fraulo, a science researcher and outdoor educator who recently returned to Massachusetts after spending 14 years in North Carolina. While trying to relocate back to New England and stay close to family and friends, Aimee took an unconventional path — purchasing a tiny house on wheels while searching for a permanent home in West...

In Episode 21 of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Attorney David Berson of Legacy Counsellors, P.C. to talk about the realities of today’s housing market and why helping first time homebuyers still matters so deeply to him. David shares his journey from serving as an Assistant District Attorney in New York to building a real estate focused legal practice here in Western Massachuset...

What really happens to your home if something unexpected happens to you? And why do so many families find out the hard way that “we’ll deal with it later” is not a plan?  In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Ben Palkowski, attorney and CPA at Old Colony Law, to break down estate planning in plain English—no legal fluff, no scare tactics.  We cover the questions homeo...

Downsizing isn’t about stuff. It’s about life, family, timing, and emotion. In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, we welcome back Micki Sanderson to talk about her newest venture, Next Chapter Clean Outs, co-owned with Lisa Brommer, a business built to help people navigate one of the most overwhelming questions in real estate and life:  Where do  I even start?  From clearing out a home afte...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Christina Wheeler, an insurance industry veteran with over 30 years of experience and the founder of Wheeler Insurance Agency, for an honest, approachable conversation about life insurance—and why it matters more than most homeowners realize. Christina recently launched her own agency with a focused mission: helping individuals an...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Taylor Robbins, Vice President, Business Banking Relationship Manager at M&T Bank, for a conversation that puts relationships at the center of commercial banking. Taylor shares what it truly means to be a relationship banker and why trust, timing, and collaboration matter long before a business owner ever needs financing. Toge...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Felicia Colcombe, recent homeowner and owner of Anytime Nutrition, to talk about what it really takes to grow roots and a business at the same time. *****Felicia shares her firsthand experience navigating both residential and commercial real estate while running a thriving nutrition business in Southampton. From balancing entrepre...

In this episode of Real People Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Applied Mortgage loan originator and longtime investor Jeff LaPointe, the definition of cool, calm, and collected — and someone who has quietly built serious expertise through more than 15 years as a landlord of six rental units, 14 years in banking, and now serving over 100 homeowners with consistent five star service. Jeff shares...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, host Lindsay Barron LaBonte sits down with Western Massachusetts real-estate pro Micki Sanderson to explore what happens when deep local roots, genuine listening, and strategy all come together to serve clients at the highest level. Micki isn’t just another REALTOR® — she brings 18 years of Western Mass experience, a people-first approach rooted in conn...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay Barron LaBonte chats with Nick Stoddard — Executive Sales Agent with Comparion Insurance Agency (a Liberty Mutual Company), proud Holyoke local, and four-time Elite Leader placing him in the top 1% nationwide. Nick brings a fresh perspective on insurance after the home purchase — not as something to worry about, but as an opportunity to stay ahe...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with industry veteran Peter Ruffini to dig into two of the most talked-about shifts in real estate — the 2024 NAR settlement and the new 2025 home inspection changes in Massachusetts. Peter breaks down what these updates mean for agents, buyers, and sellers, and how professionals can adapt with clarity and confidence. He also highlight...

Meet Theresa Ryan — LA real estate pro turned Western Mass powerhouse. After relocating east during the pandemic, Theresa brought her competitive edge, investor savvy, and infectious enthusiasm to one of the hottest markets in New England. In this episode, she shares how she rebuilt her business from the ground up, why Western Mass is a the perfect spot for smart investors, and how she balances re...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Tom Crossman, a true Amherst original whose real estate journey started with a $90,000 first home—and a whole lot of sweat equity. From saving up dollar by dollar (and crate by crate) to becoming a seasoned property manager, landlord, and community leader, Tom proves that success in real estate isn’t handed to you—it’s built throu...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Brian Megliola, founder of The Megliola Group, to explore what it really means to go beyond the transaction in real estate. From buying and selling to flipping, leasing, and property management, Brian’s team has created a full-circle model that touches every corner of the housing industry. But it’s their heart-led nonprofit, Leo’s...

What do you really know about your home’s history? In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, Lindsay sits down with Attorney Roger Lipton — a seasoned real estate and litigation attorney with more than 40 years of experience in Western Massachusetts. Roger shares how a routine title search turned into a major discovery when he uncovered a hidden defect in the early days of a local condominium a...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, host Lindsay Barron LaBonte sits down with Erica Swallow - top real estate agent, writer, and historic preservation advocate - to dive into the trends shaping both our local Western Massachusetts market and the national real estate landscape. We cover:✅ Housing inventory, prices, and affordability—are things getting better or worse?✅ Relocation patter...

In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, host Lindsay Barron LaBonte sits down with longtime real estate attorney Mark NeJame of NeJame & Kling Law Offices in Northampton, MA.  With over three decades of experience representing buyers, sellers, and refinancing homeowners, Mark shares insights from the legal side of the closing table — especially when it comes to working with first-time hom...

Is house flipping just a trend, or can it be a force for good? Lindsay welcomes back her father, real estate veteran Todd Barron, for a conversation about the art—and heart—of restoring homes. Todd shares his perspective on revitalizing properties not just for profit, but to give them new life and help ease the housing shortage. It’s a candid take on what it really means to bring homes back into t...

Don't miss this episode with Crystal Kane, a dynamic real estate agent who brings her international life experience, writing background, and positive energy to every client interaction. With so many success stories, and a lot of fun, Crystal talks with Lindsay about what it's like to help buyers and sellers in two different markets, how her personal journey shapes her approach, and why keeping thi...

 In this episode of Real People, Real Estate, host Lindsay LaBonte sits down with Realtor, rail trail advocate, author, and innkeeper Craig Della Penna — the first real estate professional in the U.S. to specialize in homes near rail trails.  Craig shares how he’s helped hundreds of clients buy and sell homes along New England’s growing trail networks, how trails impact property value and lifestyl...

What do equestrian competition and real estate have in common? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Western Mass real estate agent Meghan McCormick to explore how her background in the equestrian world and her role as a community leader help her connect with clients on a deeper level. Meghan also opens up about her personal journey selling her own home—sharing t...

Welcome to Real People, Real Estate – the podcast where real stories meet real estate in Western Mass. In this debut episode, host Lindsay Barron LaBonte is in the hot seat, "reverse interviewed" by her father and mentor, Todd Barron. Get to know Lindsay’s journey, the heart behind the podcast, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. It’s an introduction to the people, purpose, and passi...