The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast

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

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:42:24 -0500

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.

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

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:54:55 -0500

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.

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

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:19 -0500

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

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:57:46 -0500

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.

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:13:19 -0500

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.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:14:00 -0500

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 13th annual Kids at Heart Gala on April 30th.

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

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:46:14 -0500

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 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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Inside North Central Massachusetts with MassAbility

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:39:19 -0500

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, employment counseling, job training, and information about accommodations. Employers will also learn about the ways MassAbility forms relationships with area employers and resources available to employers that include their consultations and trainings, tax incentives and more.

Inside North Central Massachusetts with North Central Massachusetts Rides TMA and TransAction Associates, Inc.

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:37:06 -0500

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, the stakeholders involved, what drove them to establish this TMA, how it came to be parked alongside other Chamber affiliates, and the role of TransAction in running the TMA. Julie also touches on the current membership, how the services benefit employers, plans to move the needle forward on transportation with future initiatives, and how your business or organization can join.

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Inside North Central Massachusetts with Cordials Catering & Beverages

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:20:37 -0500

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 corporate events. From customizable menus to options for allergies and dietary restrictions, Cordials can even add custom touches recreating family recipes. Plus, find out about the new meeting room Cordials Catering and Beverages offers on site for your smaller gatherings.

Inside North Central Massachusetts on the Road at the MOC, Inc. Adrian L. Ford Youth Innovation Center

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:18:16 -0500

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 about the opportunities for hands on learning, exploration and empowerment that center provides as well as opportunities for mentorship with local industry professionals. Listen in and find out how you can make a difference by using your skills to help shape the region's youth and future workforce.

Inside North Central Massachusetts On The Road at Workers Credit Union

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:33:30 -0500

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 level to shore up their finances. The two of them also talk about the financial education their team provides, the importance of building a relationship with your financial institution, navigating budgets as well as credit and debt, and they dive into what sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions.

Inside North Central Massachusetts with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clark University

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:26:15 -0500

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 spent time discussing how they fall under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), their affiliation with Clark University, as well as their relationship with entities like the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. He also talked about an upcoming roundtable discussion focusing on staffing and retention that is slated for Tuesday November 18th at 10am at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce office. Find out more about the roundtable and register here: https://web.northcentralmass.com/events

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Inside North Central Massachusetts with MY TURN & The CLI Alumni Non-Traditional Scholarship

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:45:05 -0500

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 scholarship. They also bring Mina Girouard, a scholarship recipient, into the conversation to talk about the impact of MY TURN and the scholarship on her life and career path. Nicole talks about how MY TURN works with vulnerable youth and adult populations to address barriers to success and help them navigate a course to a bright future. Listen in and find out how you can get involved with MY TURN here: https://www.my-turn.org/

Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at Sholan Farms

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:26:03 -0500

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 apples available for pick your own and in their farm stand throughout the season. They discussed the volunteers needed to run the orchard and talk about their capital campaign to build a new barn that will greatly improve their operations and community engagement.

Find out how you can get involved in their capital campaign or volunteer at: https://www.sholanfarms.com/

Inside North Central Massachusetts with Garbage Gurus

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:20:31 -0500

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. For Joshua, their dumpster and junk removal can have a major impact on their customers' lives and on the environment.

Inside North Central Massachusetts On the Road at Scouting America Heart of New England Council

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:14:14 -0500

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 Council and the lifelong skills programs teach the youth. Jason also talks about the importance of volunteers, and ways that you can get involved which also include attending their upcoming Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner on November 13th. Find out more at: https://hnescouting.org/

Inside North Central Massachusetts With Community Leadership Institute

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:59:46 -0500

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 discuss their experiences, their biggest takeaways from the class, their community projects and how they are applying their CLI lessons to the professional and personal lives. Applications for the upcoming class are due by August 15th, and can be found at www.northcentralmass.com.