Setting The Bar - A Workbar Podcast

What does it actually take to build one of the most important innovation ecosystems in Boston? Sarah and Maddie sit down with Julia Travaglini, Head of Greentown Boston, to take a real look at leadership, community-building, founder psychology, and the messy reality behind scaling physical innovation.

Sarah and Maddie sit down with Alison Campbell, Founder and CEO of unBurnt, and Danielle Hartigan, Executive Director of the Center for Health and Business at Bentley University, to unpack their latest research on burnout and innovation capacity. Spoiler: your best people might be burning out right in front of you, and you'd never know it.

Part 2 of our live show at Startup Boston Week features Allison MacLeod, CMO, Head of RevOps, and GM of Education at Flywire — and a powerful voice for women in leadership. She shares insights on scaling scrappy teams, leading with authenticity, and keeping human connection alive in a world of AI.

It’s a podcast marathon, folks! This is Part 1 of our three-hour live show at Startup Boston Week 2025. Maddie and Sarah take the stage with Alon Rivel from Feast & Fettle, covering everything from marketing strategies and hospitality to Maddie’s dating life and Laboubous.

Sarah's turn to fan girl! Maddie and Sarah chat with Girls' Laxachusetts Founder Tracey Sullivan about how sports shape leaders, and how professional women's lacrosse is about to take over the world.

Sarah and Maddie chat with longtime friend and Workbar's favorite architect, Vince Pan, founder of Analogue Studios.

Sarah and Maddie chat with Stephanie Roulic, founder of Startup Boston.

On this episode of Setting the Bar , Maddie and Sarah sit down with Bevi CEO Cathy Lewenberg for an inspiring episode on how she’s driving innovation and growth in the beverage industry. She discusses scaling businesses, adapting to workplace shifts, and leveraging data for smarter solutions, all defined by years of leadership, mentorship, and fostering diversity in traditionally male-dominated in...

Dive into a flavorful episode of Setting the Bar  with hosts Maddie and Sarah as they explore the culinary canvas of Chef Rachel Miller, the mastermind behind Nightshade Noodle Bar. Infused with stories from her grandmother’s vibrant kitchen to her gastronomic journeys across the U.S., Rachel discusses how these experiences are woven into the eclectic menus at Nightshade. She also unveils how cutt...

Join Sarah and Maddie as they sit down with Mark Hardie, Director of the Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital at Tuck School of Business. Mark shares his journey from the vibrant startup scene of Boston to the academic halls of Dartmouth. Tune in to learn how Mark's Boston roots have shaped his views on technology's role in finance and the critical skills needed for students to excel in t...

In this episode of  Setting the Bar , hosts Sarah and Maddie sit down with Scott Kirsner, renowned journalist for the Boston Globe and co-founder of The Innovation Trail. Scott shares his wealth of knowledge on the evolving technology landscape, fostering innovation ecosystems, and bridging the gap between startups and established businesses. From organizing impactful conferences to educating the...

Join Maddie and Sarah on this week’s episode of Setting the Bar  as they sit down with UFC fighter Calvin Kattar. Known for his fierce presence in the octagon, Calvin is now making moves outside the ring as the founder of New England Cartel. In this episode, Calvin shares his career highs and lows, his entrepreneurial journey in launching his own fight team, and the strategic moves that got him to...

Join Maddie and Sarah on this week's episode of Setting the Bar as they chat with Boston influencer Kevin Cooney! Kevin got his start on Tiktok, quickly rising in popularity for his energetic content and BIG personality. Since then, he has inspired many with his approach to business and social media. Tune in to hear about his journey, how he balances his professional and personal life, and his adv...

This week on Setting the Bar, hosts Maddie and Sarah welcome Darcy Krinsky, founder of Higher Ground Fitness. Once a corporate professional at Reebok, Darcy took a bold step into entrepreneurship by establishing a boutique Lagree Studio in Massachusetts. In this episode, Darcy shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to the fitness industry, exploring the challenges and triumphs...

Join Maddie and Sarah on this week’s episode of Setting the Bar, as they sit down with Ty Law, the legendary former NFL cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Ty shares insights from his illustrious 15-season career, where he achieved three Super Bowl victories, two All-Pro selections, and five Pro Bowl appearances. Discover Ty’s journey from being a first-round draft pick to becoming a corner...

On this episode, we sit down to chat with Nia Grace, pioneering force behind Boston's premier black-owned supper-club and live music venue - Grace By Nia. We dive into her orgins and inspiration, impressive hospitality career, and her ongoing mission to transform the city's entertainment and dining landscapes into a beacon of diversity and progress. 

Today, we sit down with Endstate's Founder Bennett Collen. Founded with renowned sneaker designer Stephanie Howard, Endstate lives at the intersection of physical, digital and experiential. We talk the vision and future of Endstate, challenges and public perception of The Metaverse (and debunking myths!), and why Boston is the ideal place for launching a start-up.

Today, we welcome Boston native Nico Varano. From the days spent at his father's renowned North End restaurant spot, Strega, to starting his own franchise of SweatHouz wellness facilities here and around Boston, Nico knows how to hustle in the Boston entrepreneurship scene. We talk his "why's" behind joining the SweatHouz mission, what it's like scaling in Boston, and his vision for the future.

Welcome to the premiere of "Setting the Bar," a captivating 12-episode interview series that dives deep into Boston's dynamic business ecosystem. Join the vibrant Workbar duo, Sarah and Maddie, as they tee up an inaugural season of insightful interviews, joined by some of Boston’s greatest entrepreneurs. They offer a warm introduction to their roles within Workbar, dive into the history of Workbar...