Homelessness and housing insecurity affect people in every community – including here in Chester County. We sit down with Kelly Faust, Community Engagement Coordinator at Good Samaritan Services, to learn how the organization supports individuals and families on their journey from crisis to stability. Kelly explains Good Sam’s personalized, relationship-based approach, its housing programs, and the wraparound services that include mentorship, counseling, and microloans. We also talk about the community partnerships that make their work possible – and the local events and fundraisers that make their work possible.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Good Samaritan Services – Good Sam
Additional Organizations
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
Electricity powers nearly every part of our lives – and the infrastructure behind it keeps our communities running. In this episode, we talk with Jim O’Farrell, Director of High Voltage Operations at the Tri-M Group, based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Jim walks us through how Tri-M delivers electrical construction, high-voltage services, building automation, and energy analytics across the region – and beyond. We also discuss Tri-M’s employee-ownership model, its accredited apprenticeship program, and the company’s commitment to workforce development and focus on supporting the local community.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Tri-M Group
Additional Links
Related Episodes
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
History lives all around us in Chester County – in our buildings, our landscapes, and our communities. In this episode, we sit down with Conor Hepp, President of the Chester County History Center, to explore how one of our region’s oldest cultural institutions continues to preserve and share the stories that shape us. Conor walks us through the Center’s extensive collection, the creative ways the organization adapted during the pandemic, and how new technologies and community programs are helping expand its reach to audiences near and far. We also hear how the Center is honoring local legacies through exhibits, walking tours, and partnerships, and why history – even when difficult – must be told truthfully.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Chester County History Center
Additional Local Organizations
Punk/Rock Bands
Related Episodes
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon it is available.
Few topics matter more to parents than the medical well-being of their children. We sit down with Brad Myer, MD, to learn from his decades of experience as a leading local pediatrician. The founder of All Star Pediatrics, in Exton, Pennsylvania, Brad spent almost two decades growing an independent medical group. In our conversation, Brad talks us through the buying the practice from Penn Medicine and growing it to serve thousands of families, while navigating the world of health insurance, and recruiting and retaining a top team around him. Now with the management of the practice behind him, Brad walks us through how he gives back to his local community through board leadership and volunteerism with a number of local organizations.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
All Star Pediatrics
Additional Organizations
Area Hospitals
Related Episodes
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
The summer camp experience affords such a meaningful experience for so many children. Camp Dreamcatcher creates a fantastic camp week specifically for children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. We sit down with Patty Hillkirk, the camp’s Founder and Executive Director, to learn about how she is spearheading efforts to organize and run the weeklong camp, held in August every year. We talk about how the camp is run, partnering with other local organizations, and supporting young people and empowering them to lead. Patty walks us through how Camp Dreamcatcher has delivered such a lasting and valuable effect on the lives of so many young people for 30 years.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Camp Dreamcatcher
Camp Dreamcatcher Videos
HIV/AIDS Resources
Supporting Organizations
Additional Organizations
Related Episodes
TRANSCRIPT
A full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Entrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, but it can be deeply fulfilling and rewarding. Jason Feller, owner of Crystal Clean Canz, joins us to discuss his journey from managing country clubs to growing a business centered on cleanliness and customer service. We talk about the surprises he encountered as a first-time business owner, how he diversified his services, refined his service area, and works to grow his recurring revenue. Jason also shares why he values his role as chair of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Jason’s story is a candid look at the risks, rewards, and realities of building a small business.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Crystal Clean Canz
Additional Links
Related Episodes
Transcript
A full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Networking offers avenues to opportunities, collaborations, and growth, especially in business. In this episode, we sit down with Tony Poluch, Senior Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer at Univest Bank & Trust Company, to explore how meaningful conversations with local professionals can produce business success, further a career, and forge strong local connections. Tony shares his insights on cultivating authentic relationships and the value of curiosity in business. We explore Tony’s lengthy career in commercial banking and ask about the location business environment. Whether you consider yourself a networking pro, or are struggling in that area, this conversation offers spot-on guidance on making the most of business conversations.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Tony Poluch / Univest Bank
Chester County Chambers of Commerce
Additional Links
Local Nonprofits
TRANSCRIPT
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
In a first for our show, we are are excited to feature a guest who is both a business and nonprofit leader. It was a privilege to walk a full round with Christopher Everett, Senior Vice President at Truist Bank and the Founder and Board President of the RLE Go Fore It! Foundation. Christopher guides us through his career in banking – a journey of almost 25 years. He explains what led him to create a nonprofit that empowers young people through business education, mentorship, and exposure to new possibilities – all through the game of golf. He shares some tough lessons he learned in his younger days, and what connecting people and opening doors for the next generation means to him.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Truist
RLE Go Fore It! Foundation
Golf/Sports Organizations and Books
Additional Links
Local Restaurants
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
What makes a town truly welcoming? We head to southern Chester County to meet with Daniel Embree, Executive Director of Kennett Collaborative, to explore how placemaking, events, and people shape a stronger, more inclusive community in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Daniel shares the organization’s mission and why collaboration is at the heart of their work. We discuss Daniel’s own journey from artist to nonprofit leader, and the value of telling personal stories in public spaces. From Kennett Brewfest, Daniel paints a beautiful picture of his corner of our community.
Our Partner
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Kennett Collaborative
Local Shops and Organizations
Related Episodes
Note: The photo of Daniel used in the episode artwork is by Dylan Francis.
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
For many, music is as much a part of life as breathing. We drop the needle on a conversation with Shawn Cephas, owner of Forever Changes, a record store in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Shawn shares how his deep love for and expansive knowledge of music has driven him to open a shop that is as much a space to learn about music as to buy records. We explore the intimate connection that Shawn’s family has with music. Through our conversation, Shawn offers a lesson in music history as we journey through genres. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just getting into the groove, this episode strikes a chord.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Forever Changes
Additional Links
Local Music Venues
Bands and Artists Mentioned
We linked to the Wikipedia page for all the artists below. We invite you to check out their music wherever you listen.
Record Labels
Transcript
The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Continuing our run of conversations with local producers, we sit down with Olga and Brian Dressler, the owners and cider makers at Dressler Estate. We learn about their branch to bottle approach to making local cider. We hear about their recently opened tasting room in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and their vision for this new home. We talk cider production, label making, and the business of a running a cidery. Pour yourself a glass of their finest and tune in for a great conversation.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Dressler Estate
Additional Links
Related Start Local Episodes
TRANSCRIPT
The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Southeastern Pennsylvania is not typically at the top of the list of renowned wine regions of the world. Yet that is exactly why we stopped into the tasting room at Va La Family Vineyard. We sat down Anthony Vietri, farmer and wine maker, to learn how his family has been farming the land in Avondale, Pennsylvania for almost one hundred years. We talk about his approach to farming grapes and crafting unique and complex wines flowing from the local terroir. If you're into wine and looking for a wonderfully different and refreshing discussion about wine and the business of wine, this is a conversation to savor.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Va La Family Vineyard
Additional Links
Related Start Local Episodes
Transcript
The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
In times of uncertainty, the desire for financial security is universal. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Patti Brennan, founder and CEO of Key Financial, a wealth management firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Patti shares practical ideas for navigating turbulent markets. We explore her unique career path from ICU nurse to nationally recognized financial advisor. We dig into her people-first leadership style, and the values that shape her firm – now managing $2.5 billion in assets. We also dive into her new book, Am I Going to Be Okay?, published by Forbes.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Key Financial
Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC)
Additional Links
Transcript
The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
The snack business is competitive to say the very least. It may even be cut-throat. Creating a snack that people want is hard enough, but getting it into the market and on store shelves takes even more grit. We chased down Brendan Cawley, founder and CEO of Righteous Felon, a meat snack company with deep roots in Chester County. We interrogate Brendan about jerky, biltong, and meat sticks, exploring their R&D, manufacturing, and distribution processes. We talk about online sales, and of course, how the company was an outgrowth of a side hustle for a bunch of middle schoolers in Downingtown.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Righteous Felon
Local Beer Distributors
Local Restaurants and Stores
Farm and Meat Processors
Additional Links
Transcript
A full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Enticed by her delicious ice cream and kitchens creations, we had to talk with Melinda Shaw, founder and owner of Hangry Bear Creamery in Kennett Square. Melinda shares how her love of food and background in hospitality led her to open a unique ice cream studio that goes far beyond scoops and cones. We dip into the science behind real ice cream, the importance of using local ingredients, and how community partnerships have shaped her business. From boozy shakes to a wonderfully eclectic yet family-friendly meals, Melinda offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a creative and community-focused creamery.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Hangry Bear Creamery
Local Food and Drinks Companies and Organization
Additional Links
TRANSCRIPT
The transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.
Located in southern Chester County, Oxford, Pennsylvania, is a charming small town that is rich in history and poised for revitalization and growth. We sit down with Pauline Garcia-Allen, the Borough Manager of Oxford, to explore what makes this town so special. From its diverse community to its evolving downtown and economic development efforts, Pauline shares how she and other local leaders are working to support residents, attract businesses, and navigate a complexity of challenges, including the expansion of the Route 1 corridor. Tune in for an inside look at Oxford’s transformation and why now is the time to keep an eye on this up-and-coming gem.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
The Borough of Oxford
Additional Links
Related Start Local Episodes
TRANSCRIPT
The episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it available.
While Chester County is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and open spaces, preserving that natural beauty – and the wildlife that thrives within it – requires constant effort. We speak with Kate Etherington, President and Executive Director of Willistown Conservation Trust, about the dedication and strategy behind this vital work. This local land trust leads initiatives in land protection, bird conservation, watershed stewardship, habitat restoration, and sustainable farming. In our conversation, Kate shares insights into these efforts and how people of all ages can get involved, learn, and contribute to the Trust’s mission.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Willistown Conservation Trust
Additional Links
Related Start Local Episodes
TRANSCRIPT
The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
The Colonial Theatre
Area Theaters and Organizations
Additional Links
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
Managing finances can be a major challenge for business owners and nonprofit leaders, and having accurate and up to date bookkeeping can make all the difference. We talk with Paula Paisley, founder and president of Paisley Solutions, a bookkeeping service in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Paula shares how she transitioned from working at a CPA firm to running her own company. We discuss the role of technology in bookkeeping and why financial clarity is essential for business success. Whether you are a business owner or a nonprofit leader, Paula’s insights provide real value.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Paisley Solutions
Chambers of Commerce
Additional Links
TRANSCRIPT
The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
With fresh, clean water a critical resource for life on earth, balanced ecosystems are essential for keeping our communities healthy and safe. We spend time with John Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist with the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Pennsylvania. We speak at length about the challenges that winter road salt poses to our local ecosystems. We hear of a number of the in-depth research projects going on at the Stroud Center and learn how John and his colleagues are engaging with their local communities to educate and inform about important water issues affecting our region.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Stroud Water Research Center
John Jackson, Ph. D.
Local Nonprofits
Local Universities
Additional Links
Transcript
The full transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it is available.
