HarmonyTALK

Hosted by Foundation for Harmony Presents

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Episodes

132

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

HarmonyTALK is an inspirational podcast featuring ‘dreamers and doers’ who turned ideas into action. Explore creativity, perseverance, leadership and the human stories behind meaningful success through candid conversations designed to spark reflection, motivation and possibility, and join a growing community inspired to dream boldly and live intentionally.

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60 recent

June 10, 202634 min

The Truth Hunter

What Happens When a Reporter Stops Looking Away?For most people, curiosity lasts a few moments.For Matt Birkbeck, it became a life's work.Long before true crime podcasts dominated streaming platforms and documentary series filled television schedules, Birkbeck was chasing leads, knocking on doors, digging through court records, and asking questions others overlooked.His reporting led him deep into stories involving organized crime, political corruption, missing persons, financial fraud, and some of the most notorious figures in modern American history.In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with the award-winning investigative journalist and bestselling author whose work helped uncover the stories behind Mafia kingpin Russell Bufalino, mob boss William "Big Billy" D'Elia, Robert Durst, and Suzanne Sevakis, whose tragic story later became the global Netflix documentary Girl in the Picture.The conversation explores what motivates someone to spend a lifetime pursuing difficult truths, the emotional toll of living inside dark stories, and the patience required to earn trust from people who often have every reason not to talk.Birkbeck also discusses his latest creative chapter, The Wicked, a historical thriller inspired by the Molly Maguires and the coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. After decades devoted exclusively to facts, documents, and evidence, he explains why fiction offered a different kind of freedom while still satisfying his instinct to investigate.From New York City and Hollywood, to the Poconos and Pittston, PA, and beyond, Birkbeck's career has been driven by one simple question:What story has not been told yet?

June 3, 202632 min

(P)Luck: The Twin Brothers Who Rebuilt American Healthcare

Before 911, Before Organ Donation Laws, Before Physician AssistantsImagine calling for help during a medical emergency in the 1960s and discovering there was no coordinated EMS system.Imagine lifesaving organs being lost because there was no legal framework for donation.Imagine overworked doctors without trained Physician Assistants helping bridge the gap in care.That was American healthcare before identical twin brothers Fred Sadler, M.D., and Blair Sadler, J.D. started working together.In this fascinating episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with the pioneering physician-and-lawyer team behind some of the most transformative healthcare innovations of the last century.Their book, (P)Luck: Lessons We Learned for Improving Healthcare and the World, reads like a hidden history of modern medicine. One part policy thriller. One part leadership memoir. One part blueprint for how unlikely collaborations can reshape entire systems.Together, the Sadler brothers helped establish the legal foundations for organ donation, shaped the early Physician Assistant profession, contributed to the creation of Emergency Medical Services in the United States, and helped elevate bioethics into mainstream healthcare conversations.But this conversation is bigger than medicine.It is about what happens when expertise crosses disciplines. What happens when a doctor and a lawyer stop arguing across conference tables and start building solutions together.Lisa Champeau explores the brothers’ remarkable journey through the chaos and reinvention of American healthcare during the 1960s and 1970s, the risks they took inside large institutions, and the leadership lessons they believe still matter today.For listeners who love hidden histories, systems thinking, public policy, innovation, and stories about people quietly shaping the world behind the scenes, this episode delivers a remarkable deep dive into how modern healthcare was built.

May 27, 202632 min

Against the Odds: Chris Ayres and the Power of Staying In the Fight

From 14 Straight Losses to National Coach of the Year: The Chris Ayres StoryChris Ayres knows what it feels like to struggle before things finally click.Long before becoming one of college wrestling’s most respected coaches, he lost 14 straight matches as a youth wrestler.Most athletes would have quit.Instead, Ayres stayed in the fight.In this inspiring episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto speaks with the New Jersey native about resilience, leadership, and the unlikely path that carried him from underdog athlete to national coaching success at two of the country’s most prestigious universities: Princeton and Stanford.Ayres reflects on growing up as a high-energy kid searching for direction, discovering wrestling as a place where his intensity became an advantage, and learning how failure often becomes the foundation for future success.That persistence helped transform him into an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion, a two-time recipient of Lehigh’s Outstanding Athlete honor, an All-American wrestler, and a record-setting athlete before launching a coaching career that reshaped multiple programs.After helping Lehigh capture five straight Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association team championships as an assistant coach, Ayres took over a Princeton program that had nearly been canceled years earlier and helped guide the Tigers into one of the most exciting eras in program history, including a Top 6 national finish.Now at Stanford, Ayres has quickly elevated the Cardinal into national contention, earning 2026 National Coach of the Year honors after leading Stanford to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in only his third season.Filled with honesty and perspective, this conversation goes far beyond sports. It is about positivity, persistence, and what becomes possible when someone keeps showing up long enough for the story to change. @Greg FrigolettoFollow Chris Ayers:Instagram: @ayers157Facebook: @ChrisAyresStanford Wrestling: @CardWrestling

May 20, 202628 min

Rhythm Beyond Borders: How Harvey Price Uses Music to Bring Children Together in the War-Torn Middle East

When Music Becomes Common Ground: Harvey Price and the Peace Drums ProjectWhat if the path to peace started with children simply playing music together?In this moving episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with renowned percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, educator and Peace Drums Project founder Harvey Price to explore how one unlikely instrument became a bridge across cultural and religious divides in the war-torn Middle East.After decades as a music educator and director of the University of Delaware steel band, Harvey founded the Peace Drums Project in 2012 with a simple but profound belief: Children are not born with hatred. They come into this world filled with curiosity and the desire to connect.By bringing Israeli and Palestinian children together through shared steel drum ensembles, the Peace Drums Project fosters friendship, collaboration and humanity that rise above politics and conflict. Harvey explains why he intentionally chose the steel drum, an instrument with no cultural or political ownership in the region, and how music creates emotional space where conversation often cannot.At a time when violence and division continue to dominate the lives of children in the Middle East, this conversation feels especially urgent. Harvey reflects on why peace matters now more than ever and why creating opportunities for children to see each other as human beings may be one of the most important acts of hope in the world today.This episode explores music as diplomacy, the emotional power of collaboration, interfaith understanding, childhood connection, and the courage to believe peace can begin one relationship at a time.Perfect for listeners passionate about music education, peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, social impact, community leadership, and stories that remind us what is still possible.Follow Peace Drums Project on Instagram:@PeaceDrumsProjectlinktr.ee/peacedrumsprojecthttps://peacedrumsproject.org/

May 13, 202630 min

No Longer Just a Midsummer Night’s Dream

All’s Well That Ends Well: Michael Bradshaw Flynn On Bringing Back the BardFifteen years ago, staging Shakespeare in Scranton sounded improbable to plenty of people, especially to some New York theater types.The original production was intended as a one-time public performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Nay Aug Park. Organizers hoped a modest audience would turn out for the celebrated Bard.Instead, more than 1,000 people packed into the park. In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau speaks with Scranton Shakespeare Festival co-founder Michael Bradshaw Flynn about the unlikely evolution of the festival from a free outdoor performance into a permanent arts organization producing musicals, Shakespeare, new works, and youth programming in downtown Scranton and Northeast Pennsylvania.Flynn discusses balancing a career between New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania, working on Broadway productions including The Front Page, It’s Only a Play, and The Nance, (with Nathan Lane) and why regional theater still matters at a time when arts organizations across the country face shrinking audiences and financial instability.The conversation traces Flynn’s early immersion in theater through Arts Alive, the Scranton Cultural Center, and local summer stock programs, as well as the influence of a family steeped in storytelling traditions.Now entering its 15th season under the theme Faith, the Scranton Shakespeare Festival will present Much Ado About Nothing, Carousel, Henry V, Saint Joan, Jesus Christ Superstar, youth ensemble productions, and a 15th anniversary gala.For more information, visit https://www.scrantonshakes.com/@Scranton Shakespeare Festival@Michael Bradshaw Flynn@Lisa Champeau@WVIA

May 6, 202627 min

Rooted in Rhythm: How Gudrun Feigl Grew a Life of Purpose One Herb at a Time

From the Black Forest to Honesdale: A Story Grown by HandWhat does it look like to build a life slowly, intentionally, and with your hands in the soil?In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with Gudrun Feigl, founder of Mount Pleasant Herbary, whose journey from Germany’s Black Forest to Northeastern Pennsylvania is rooted in memory, creativity, and quiet persistence.Gudrun did not set out to become an entrepreneur. Trained as a social worker, she arrived in the United States through a work exchange program, eventually settling in a town that, at the time, felt uncertain and still finding its identity. Over time, as she built a life in Honesdale, something else began to grow.What started as homemade herbal teas shared at Christmas evolved into a small table of three products and eventually into a vibrant shop filled with dozens of handcrafted goods. Today, Gudrun grows her own herbs, creates in small batches, and offers workshops that invite others into the joy of making.This conversation explores creativity, slow growth, community collaboration, and the courage to follow curiosity without a clear roadmap. It is a story about building something meaningful without rushing the process and finding fulfillment in both the making and the sharing.If you have ever wondered whether small beginnings can lead to something lasting, this episode offers a gentle and inspiring answer.Follow Mount Pleasant Herbary:InstagramFacebookFollow HarmonyTALK Podcast:InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedin

April 29, 202635 min

From Punchline to Pride: How Michele Dempsey Turned “The Office” into Opportunity for Scranton

Scranton: The City Fans Thought They KnewHow did an architect end up reshaping a city’s pop culture identity?In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with Michele Dempsey, architect, entrepreneur, single mom, and one of the creative forces who helped turn Scranton’s connection to ‘The Office’ into something no one expected: pride, tourism and a renewed identity.Set as the backdrop for the cult NBC sitcom, Scranton risked becoming the butt of national jokes. But Michele saw something else entirely. She recognized that humor could become hospitality and that this newfound national attention could build momentum in reviving civic pride. What followed was the creation of Office fan conventions, citywide events, celebrity appearances, and experiences that welcomed thousands of fans from around the world while helping locals see their hometown differently.Scranton’s Office Convention and The Office Wrap Party filled local hotels. To this day, The Office 5K energizes Scranton’s downtown every May. And thanks to streaming services delivering Office episodes to new generations, fan tourism has exploded across Northeastern Pennsylvania.But Michele did not come from the world of entertainment. She came from architecture, a profession built on vision, planning and making ideas real. She simply applied those same instincts to a city and a popular sitcom.This conversation explores leadership, identity, reinvention, economic development, and the rare skill of turning cultural attention into community momentum.If you’ve ever wondered how a city can control its own narrative, this story offers an unforgettable answer.Layer X Architecture & Design: Layer X InstagramLayer X FacebookMichelle Dempsey’s Podcast:Spark Me Podcast Spark Me Podcast InstagramFollow HarmonyTALK Podcast:InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedinThe Office Exhibition:https://www.visitnepa.org/event/the-office-exhibition/19873/https://everhart-museum.org/pages/the-office-exhibitionhttps://www.instagram.com/the_office_exhibition/?hl=enThe Office Convention on YouTubeThe Office Wrap Party (Steve Carell Surprise)Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary

April 22, 202626 min

The Second Passport: Reinventing Life at 35

Following a Different Beat: From State Trooper to Global Travel GuideWhat happens when the thing you’ve always loved becomes the center of your life?In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Matt Kizis, whose journey reflects a powerful shift toward alignment and possibility.After years of service as a dedicated Pennsylvania State Trooper, Matt traded in his badge for a passport, deciding to follow his passion for travel and turn it into his life’s work. Together with his business partner, he purchased TravelWorld, a trusted agency that has served Northeastern Pennsylvania for more than 50 years, stepping into the responsibility of carrying forward a legacy while shaping its future.Today, Matt travels the world with his wife, guiding travelers through breathtaking destinations like Italy, London, Paris and beyond. But his work goes far beyond planning trips. He creates experiences rooted in connection, culture and discovery.This episode explores career reinvention, legacy business ownership, entrepreneurship, travel as transformation, and what becomes possible when you build your life around what you love.Follow Matt Kizis:FacebookInstagramLinkedinFollow HarmonyTALK Podcast:InstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedinFollow Host, Greg Frigoletto: InstagramEmail harmonytalkpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship and guest opportunities!

April 21, 202632 min

Lisa DePaulo: Inside George Magazine and the JFK Jr. Story

Inside George Magazine: Lisa DePaulo on JFK Jr., Journalism, and Getting the Story RightThat second call brought the Dunmore, Pennsylvania, native into one of the most influential media spaces of the 1990s.DePaulo shares what it was like to work with JFK Jr. as an editor, how he shaped her approach to reporting, and what he understood about the balance between access and restraint. She reflects on the culture inside George, where politics and celebrity met, and where strong journalism still drove the work.The conversation also turns to the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. DePaulo offers a measured perspective on what the show captures well and where it misses, especially when it comes to the emotional truth behind public figures.This episode is about judgment.Protecting sources.Standing by your work.And it is about the moment that stayed with her.The call she planned to make.The news that followed instead.Clear, thoughtful and grounded, this conversation reflects what journalism looks like at its best.

April 8, 202630 min

Keep Punching: Mike Kunda’s Rocky Road to Finding Himself

What happens when a story you love becomes the life you choose?In this powerful episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with Scranton native Mike Kunda, founder of the Yo, Philly! Rocky Film Tour and one of the most recognized Rocky impersonators in the world.As a child, Mike faced bullying, insecurity, and a deep sense of not belonging. Then he discovered Rocky. What began as escape became identity. What began as imitation became transformation.Mike shares how he turned adversity into purpose, built a business rooted in passion, and formed a real-life connection with Sylvester Stallone himself.This episode explores perseverance, identity, creativity, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up for your dream even when no one else understands it.Perfect for listeners drawn to underdog stories, personal transformation, creative entrepreneurship, mindset, and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcastJoin Our Mailing List: https://www.harmonytalkpodcast.com/signup Instagram: https://instagram.com/harmonytalkpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonytalkpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HarmonyTALKPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harmonytalkpodcast https://harmonytalkpodcast.com/ Follow Host, Todd Stephens: https://www.instagram.com/workinman1/ Email harmonytalkpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship and guest opportunities!