BusinessTalk

Hosted by BusinessWest

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Episodes

246

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times. The Host: Joseph Bednar, Editor of BusinessWest & Healthcare News. Joe is a veteran writer and copy editor with more than two decades of experience covering Western Massachusetts.

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60 recent

June 8, 202626 min

BusinessTalk with Jennifer Core, Executive Director, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture: Experts in Their Field

Agriculture has always been a large and important part of the region’s economy, even it is often overlooked. But this sector faces many stern challenges, everything from the rising cost of everything to issues with succession at family farms; from weather extremes like the current drought to workforce shortages. Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) works to strengthen area farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Jennifer Core, CISA’s executive director, talks with BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien about the agency’s broad mission and specific initiatives, such as its Senior Farmshare program, which serves more than 800 seniors in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

June 5, 202626 min

BusinessTalk Suzanne Parker, Executive Director, Girls Inc. Of The Valley

The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. And Girls Inc. of the Valley has certainly been all three during the buildout of its new headquarters in Holyoke, which offers more opportunity to help girls succeed — both now and in the future — through STEM studies, career preparation, skills to overcome challenges and achieve mental wellness, and much more. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Executive Director Suzanne Parker talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the long journey to open those doors, and how the organization’s focus and programming continue to evolve in the service of helping girls thrive in myriad ways. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

May 5, 202619 min

BusinessTalk with Alex Balise, Director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, and Giancarlo Crivelli, Executive Director of Fishing Friends: Welcome to the Club

There are now 800 people in the club — that would be the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty club. That’s 20 classes of rising stars, with the latest, the class of 2026, announced late last month. For this episode of BusinessTalk, George O’Brien sits down with two members of the class of 2026 — Alex Balise, director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, and Giancarlo Crivelli, executive director of Fishing Friends. They exemplify the class of 2026, the many accomplishments of its members, and its commitment to giving back. On the podcast, we tell their stories, and we also hear some fish stories — Alex counts that among her favorite pastimes as well — along the way. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

April 1, 202623 min

BusinessTalk with Lois Nesci, CEO, Gándara Mental Health Center: A Broad Mission to Serve

When Lois Nesci took the reins at Gándara Mental Health Center in early 2020, she did so during a time of pandemic challenge, but this large, regional agency — with more than 70 locations serving the mental health and other needs of people across all ages and demographics — has overcome plenty of challenges in its nearly 50-year history. As that milestone approaches next year, Lois sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar for this episode of BusinessTalk, explaining how Gándara identifies and then meets needs, how it continues to expand, and why the work of helping clients achieve healthier, happier lives is so gratifying. It’s a must-listen, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

March 16, 202624 min

BusinessTalk with Nicolle Cestero, President, American International College: Making Progress

It’s called the Pathway to Progress. That’s the name of a strategic plan that Nicolle Cestero has helped shape and shepherd at American International College, first as interim president, then since shedding that interim tag last summer — a plan that responds to a shifting higher-ed landscape by reimagining significant aspects of AIC’s academic programs, faculty roles, degree options, and more. For the next episode of BusinessTalk, Nicolle sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar to talk about all that and many other aspects of a job she never imagined she’d have when she joined the AIC team 15 years ago — from the importance of the on-campus student experience to how she sees higher education continuing to evolve. It’s a must-listen, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

March 2, 202621 min

BusinessTalk With Mike Tautznik, Board Treasurer, CitySpace: Momentum At Old Town Hall

In some ways, progress on CitySpace — a project to transform Easthampton’s Old Town Hall into a vibrant arts and performance space — has ebbed and flowed over the past several years, but it has never stopped. And now, with an infusion of $3.5 million in federal funds, the final phase has real momentum. For the next episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar sat down with Mike Tautznik, treasurer of the CitySpace board, about what’s happening there now, and why it’s important to the identity and economic vibrancy of a city that has become known for its arts and culture scene. Mike also talks about his 17 years as Easthampton’s mayor, and why he’s been passionate about this city and its institutions for his entire life. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

February 17, 202614 min

BusinessTalk with Julie Quink, Managing Principal, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.: Beyond the Numbers

Julie Quink says the accounting profession has changed quite a bit in her 35 years of practice, but one of the more positive changes has been a focus on workplace culture, mentorship, and the well-being of team members — all areas she has continued to cultivate at Burkhart Pizzanelli. Julie sat down with Contributing Writer George O’Brien for the latest installment of BusinessTalk to talk about all this and more, including how she and her team have prioritized giving back to the community in many ways, and why she’s gratified to be named one of BusinessWest’s Difference Makers for 2026. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

February 2, 202619 min

BusinessTalk with Diana Szynal, President and CEO, Springfield Regional Chamber: A Vital Mission

Chambers of commerce have evolved over the years, and they are in many ways smaller than they were decades ago, in terms of both membership and staff. But their mission remains vital, and in many ways, chambers are more important now than ever. That’s one observation from Diana Szynal, president and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber, as she talked with Contributing Writer George O’Brien for the latest installment of BusinessTalk. The two sat down to discuss everything from the upcoming schedule of events, starting with the annual Outlook lunch, to the chamber’s rebranding efforts, to the way it provides a strong, clear voice for businesses of all sizes. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

January 19, 202628 min

BusinessTalk with Ayanna Crawford, President, AC Consulting Media & Public Relations Firm: Educating, Elevating, And Inspiring

Much of Ayanna Crawford’s work has been built on the importance of education, from her public school teaching days to her creation of the youth public speaking initiative called Take the Mic; from the growth of the Parent Villages nonprofit to her new role on the Springfield School Committee — and more. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Ayanna sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar for a wide-ranging discussion about all this, plus her consulting business, her community advocacy as chief of staff for a state representative, her experience being named one of BusinessWest’s Women of Impact, and why it’s important to prioritize self-care in order to keep making an impact in the world. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

December 22, 202519 min

BusinessTalk with Meg Talbert, Executive Director, Dakin Humane Society: More Than a Pet Project

Meg Talbert says she and her dedicated staff and volunteers at Dakin Humane Society bring a lot of love and joy to their work, even though they’re dealing with animals — and families — facing difficult issues. And while Dakin’s services — from adoption and fostering to medical care and pet loss support groups, and many more — help thousands of people and animals each year, the need has never been greater. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Meg, Dakin’s executive director, sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar for a wide-ranging discussion about how Dakin is meeting those evolving needs, how people in the community can support this work, and what’s around the corner as the nonprofit puts together a strategic plan for the future. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.