The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast

Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at The Great Exchange

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 understand the real impact of what they throw away, while connecting them to area nonprofits and schools that can put those resources to work. 

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Inside North Central Massachusetts with Shattered Ice, MWCC and TaraVista Behavioral Health

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 nationwide. Together, the guests discuss the power of storytelling to normalize the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention and the role community plays in healing. Tune in, then catch the screening of Shattered Ice at Mount Wachusett Community College on June 17th at 6:00 PM. All proceeds benefit LUK, Inc. Tickets at mwcc.universitytickets.com.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the topics of mental health and suicide.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at Red Apple Farm

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 England Cider & Strings Festival on June 20th and 21st, including a disc golf tournament on the brand new course built by their son John. Heading to Boston for the World Cup? Stop by Red Apple Farm at Boston Public Market and try their new signature cider slushy.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast On the Road at Pop by Posh Party Designs

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' milestone moments.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at Care Central VNA & Hospice

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 within it. Mattson talks about home health, access to care, addressing barriers, and how their continuum of programming helps families and patients navigate some of their toughest moments. 

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Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at Rt. 12 Pickle

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 levels. Whether it's your first time trying the sport, you're a seasoned player, or you're looking for a unique experience for your next family, friend or corporate outing, tune in and hear how you can join in the fun.

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Inside North Cental Massachusetts on the road at Bin There Dump That Central Massachusetts

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. Whether you are doing spring cleaning, cleaning after a disaster, downsizing, dealing with yard waste or need a dumpster for a construction project, listen in and hear about the attention to detail and the care that goes into every dumpster rental.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts on the road at Catalytic Consulting, Inc.

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 and projects. Todd discusses their process and how they can integrate into existing teams. He also goes into his background in organizational psychology, what drew him to this work, and how he became part of the Catalytic Consulting, Inc. team. He also talks about their new initiative for manufacturers.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts on the Road at Luk, Inc.

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 years to meet the changing needs of the region, and how they partner with other community providers and organizations. We also talk about their Youth Mentoring Program, the importance of youth mentorship, how you can become a mentor, and the ways you can support the program like attending their 13^th annual Kids at Heart Gala on April 30^th.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts on the Road at Chopsticks Restaurant & Bar

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 40^th anniversary. Hear Christina talk about how her skills in the advertising and fashion world have translated over to the restaurant industry as they work to not only maintain the Chopsticks legacy, but expand their offerings and create new experiences. From traditional Chinese and Japanese dishes, to their Sunday buffet, live entertainment and their new mobile hibachi, its no surprise Chopsticks is a mainstay for so many North Central MA families.

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