The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast

This week we're joined by Lindsey English, Founder and President of Fostering Change, Inc. in Leominster. Lindsey's own experience in the foster care system drove her to want to give back, and what started as a small Christmas gift drive has grown into a nonprofit supporting hundreds of foster children across Central Massachusetts each year through annual drives and emergency placement support. Tu...

This week we sit down with Dona Neely, Executive Director of The Great Exchange in Devens. Dona left the corporate world to pursue her passion for sustainability and waste prevention, and what started as a one-time swap event in 2007 has grown into a program serving hundreds of organizations across Massachusetts and beyond. In this episode, Dona shares how The Great Exchange helps businesses under...

This week, we sit down with Jake Miskin, writer and producer of the film Shattered Ice, Dr. Leeanne Hadsell of Mount Wachusett Community College, and Dr. Allison Beckler of TaraVista Behavioral Health and the Reliant Foundation. Jake shares the story behind the film, inspired by the loss of five classmates during his high school years in Needham, and his mission to bring it to college campuses nat...

Join us on the road at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, where the Rose family has been keeping a working New England farm alive and thriving for generations. We sit down with owners Al and Nancy Rose to talk about what it takes to grow a family farm into a year-round destination, from the farm store and Brew Barn to wood-fired oven pizzas and a calendar full of events. Don't miss their brand new New...

Join us on the road at Pop by Posh Party Designs at their new space in Leominster. We dive into owner Jodie Tucker's career path from nails to mail to balloons and events, and the entrepreneurial spirit she has modeled for her daughters. Listen as Jodie discusses the art and skill that goes into each custom balloon and prop she creates for events, and what it means to set the scene for clients' mi...

Join us on the road with Care Central VNA & Hospice. We venture to their Gardner headquarters which also serves as the location of their adult day health center, diaper pantry and new Memory cafe. Kristin Mattson, Chief Development & Clinical Care Transition Officer, talks about the healthcare landscape in North Central MA and the commonwealth, and where Care Central VNA & Hospice fits...

Grab your paddle and join us on the road at Rt. 12 Pickle in West Boylston. Listen to owner Ben Minsk talk about how a casual invitation to try pickleball led to a newfound passion for the sport and a second career as a business owner. Hear Ben talk about how he and his team have worked to turn his vision of a welcoming indoor pickleball community into a reality for players of all ages and skill l...

Just in time for the first day of Spring, we head out into the sun to chat with Anthony and Brittany Knowles, the owners of Bin There Dump That Central Massachusetts. They talk about their entrepreneurial journey which included leaving full time roles to take over as the company’s owners along with expansion of their territory and the addition of more dumpsters to better serve customer needs. Whet...

This week, we take a ride over to the Catalytic Consulting, Inc. offices to catch up with CCO and Principal Consultant, Todd Vroman. Todd talks about how their team of industrial innovation experts works across five different service areas to help a wide range of businesses, from early-stage startups to small and medium-sized established companies, looking to accelerate their innovation strategies...

Today we venture over to Luk, Inc. to speak with executive director, Beth Barto, along with two members of her team, Hannah Reynolds and Meryl Warpula. We talk about the wide range of services Luk, Inc. has been providing for more than 55 years to improve the safety, health, and emotional well-being of youth, families, and adults across the region. Hear about how Luk, Inc. has adapted over the yea...

Today we head down Route 2 into Leominster to Chopsticks Restaurant and Bar. Christina Xing talks about her career and experiences that have taken her around the world before settling in the area with her husband as the newest owners of Chopsticks, an area institution that recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Hear Christina talk about how her skills in the advertising and fashion world have t...

As we kick off 2026, we are joined by Michael LoGuidice, Business Relations Specialist with MassAbility. Michael talks about the wide range of services MassAbility offers for people with disabilities with a focus on their career services. Learn about the ways MassAbility helps individuals work towards achieving their goals through some of their career services like job placement assistance, employ...

We keep the conversation rolling this week as we are joined by Julie Quinn, Senior Program Manager with TransAction Associates, Inc. and Director of the North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA. Julie dives into what a Transportation Management Association (TMA) is and how they work to improve transit in a region. She dives into the process of establishing the new North Central Massachusetts Ride TMA...

Join us as we sit down with Sharon Olsen, owner and partner, of Cordials Catering and Beverages based in West Boylston. Sharon talks about Cordial’s approach to ensuring they provide beautifully designed and gorgeously presented meals and bar service within your budget for a special event or any occasion. She also talks about the complete service they offer for weddings, showers, parties, and corp...

Join us on the road at Making Opportunity Count (MOC) Inc.'s Adrian L. Youth Ford Center for Change's Youth Innovation Center on the heels of its one year anniversary as we sit down with Shana Fitz, Sue Le, and Charlie Barbera. The trio talk about the unique makerspace created for youth, by youth, that helps to foster talents & skills through access to creative space and resources. They talk a...

Joins us on the road at Workers Credit Union (WCU) in Littleton this week, as we sit down with Bob Lockett, WCU Chief Revenue Officer, and Mackenson Masse, WCU Director Retail Branches and Market Growth, Branch Administration. Bob provides tips for businesses on how to deal with economic uncertainty and build up resilience while Mackenson talks about what members should be doing on a personal leve...

This week, we sit down with Tony Fiore, a Senior Business Advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clark University. Tony talks about the vital services the SBDC provides provided to small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them start run, or grow their business, while also providing students with an opportunity to gain business, consulting, and research experience. He also s...

Joins us on the road as we chat with Nicole Conroy, Director of MA Programs, of MY TURN, Inc. along with Terry Young and Sarah Stebulis, members of the 2023 North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute (CLI). Terry and Sarah talk about their community projects that connected them to MY TURN and how that led to the creation of their annual non-traditional scholarsh...

Today we travel out to Sholan Farms in Leominster to speak with Joanne DiNardo and John Souza with the Friends of Sholan Farms. The two share insight into its history as a community orchard over the past 24 years and how the orchard has incorporated additional fruits to extend their growing season and offer more pick your own options. With apple season upon us, the two spend time talking about the...

Today we sit down with Joshua Caron, CEO of Garbage Gurus. Joshua talks about how his carpentry and contracting background led him to the world of waste removal and dumpster rentals. He also discussed his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of reading, and working on a business with family and friends. Joshua talked about his passion for recycling and the eco-friendly efforts of Garbage Gurus....

Join us as we venture out to the Treasure Valley Scouting Reservation to speak with Scouting America Heart of New England Council’s new CEO Jason Pigg. As a lifelong scout, Jason talks about the major impact scouting has and continues to have on his professional and personal life. Jason spent time chatting about the different programs offered through Scouting America with the Heart of New England...

Join us as we talk about the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute (CLI). Travis sits down with three of his classmates and fellow graduates from the most recent CLI class: Calla Flannery of Workers Credit Union, Meghan Maceiko from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, and Lynese Wiafe of Fitchburg State University. Listen in as they dis...

This week we venture to Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc. to speak with Lisa Wood, Executive Director, and Kathy Hughes, Youth Program Coordinator. The two of them talk about how the services offered over the years have expanded to offer assistance with conflict resolution in a variety of situations. Listen to how mediation can serve as a powerful tool to assist individuals navigate cha...

Join us for our conversation with Melissa Glenny of podcast sponsor, Franklin Professional Associates. Melissa talks about why chasing the mythical perfect candidate may be hindering your hiring efforts, and how Franklin Professionals can work with you to identify what really matters when looking for your next hire. She also provides insight into the importance of the skills section of resumes for...

We are joined this week by Steve Janes, Founder and Managing Partner, of Fuse Energy. Janes talks about his career in the energy sector and how passion for the community is what led to the founding of Fuse Energy with his business partner, Tom Defeudis. Janes talks about the state of the energy industry and how Fuse works with business and non-profit clients of all sizes to remove some of the vola...