Start Local

Hosted by Liam Dempsey, Erik Gudmundson, and Joe Casabona

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Episodes

106

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Start Local is focused on helping businesses and non-profits in and around Chester County, Pennsylvania, connect and grow together. Our aim is to bring together the many folks that make up our wonderful community in greater Philadelphia to share and learn from each other.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 16, 2026Episode 10647 min

Supporting and Connecting Students to Help Them Succeed with Katie Duffus

Students from under-resourced communities face hurdles that can block or limit their educational opportunities. We speak with Katie Duffus, Executive Director, Chester County Futures, to learn how she and her colleagues support students, connecting them to resources and networks, to enable those young people to flourish in school and life. As Chester County Futures celebrates its 30th anniversary, Katie explains how her team walks with students from middle school through college graduation and beyond. She spells out their programs and explains how students can engage with this program across Chester County. Katie also shares her insight as a nonprofit leader, including skills garnered as a two-sport college athlete. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Chester County Futures Website: ccfutures.org Instagram: instagram.com/chestercountyfutures Facebook: facebook.com/chestercountyfutures LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/chester-county-futures Local Organization Spotlight First Resource Bank Coatesville Area School District Additional Links Smedley County Park Ridley Creek State Park Related Episodes Fighting Food Insecurity Locally with Andrea Youndt Steering a Large Local Nonprofit with Bertram L. Lawson II ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

October 2, 2026Episode 10542 min

Providing Affordable Counseling and Mental Health Support with Katie Bowman

Finding quality mental health and well-being support can make the difference between struggling and flourishing. We sit down with Katie Bowman, Executive Director with New London Counseling Center, about how her team of therapists works to meet the needs of communities in southern Chester County. Katie explains how as a nonprofit, the organization provides counseling, group education, and workshops for local adults and young people. She guides us through the different avenues that her therapists work with and support their neighbors. Katie helps us understand how they partner with schools and other nonprofits to support young people. Importantly, Katie also dispels some myths around people seeking help - making it clear that seeking help is a sign of strength. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS New London Counseling Center Website: newlondoncounselingcenter.com Instagram: instagram.com/newlondoncounselingcenter/ Facebook: facebook.com/NewLondonCounselingCenter/ YouTube: youtube.com/@newlondoncounselingcenter3362 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/new-london-counseling-center-pa/ Katie Bowman on LinkedIn Local Business Spotlight Lola’s Jackson & Haines (on Instagram) Brookside Greenhouse (on Facebook) Maple Shade Greenhouse ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

September 18, 2026Episode 1041 hr 30 min

Pressing Vinyl Records with Phil Nicolo and Ashley Nicolo

Long abandoned by the music industry, vinyl records have made a strong return to the marketplace in recent years, as music lovers of all generations embrace this historically significant medium. We speak at length with rock music legend Phil Nicolo and his daughter-in-law, Ashley Nicolo, about running Studio4Vinyl, a world-class record pressing plant in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. As owner, Phil, and Chief Operating Officer, Ashley, walk us around their factory floor, they teach us about the complex and unpredictable process of pressing vinyl records. We learn about industry trends and hear about Studio4Vinyl’s cutting edge process for producing the best sounding records. Of course, we throw in a question or two about Phil’s storied career in music production, mixing, and mastering. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Studio 4 Vinyl Website: studio4vinyl.com Instagram: instagram.com/studio4vinyl Twitch: twitch.tv/studio4vinyl New promotional video from Studio4Vinyl Studio4 Recording Studio (on Facebook) Musicians/Artists Saturation by Urge Overkill $uicideboy$ Ice-T Taj Mahal – Like Never Before (1991 album) Urge Overkill – Saturation (1994 album) Todd Rundgren – Something/Anything? (1972 album) Couldn’t I Just Tell You by Todd Rundgren Turnstile Local Business Spotlight Jack’s Pizza and Pasta Double D Diner Additional Links Women in Vinyl Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) Seedcopa Third Man Pressing RIAA Curve (Wikipedia entry) Memory Music Studios ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

September 4, 2026Episode 10345 min

Advocating for Abused and Neglected Children with Leigh Anne McKelvey

Children in the midst of proceedings in Dependency Court face countless questions, fears, and uncertainties. To understand more, we speak with Leigh Anne McKelvey, Executive Director of CASA Youth Advocates, which serves Delaware and Chester Counties as part of a national nonprofit network. A social worker first, Leigh Anne guides us through the challenges confronting children who have experienced abuse and neglect – and explains how CASA’s staff and volunteers advocate for those children. She unpacks how CASA’s volunteers are screened and trained to support children navigating instability in many areas of their lives. Leigh Anne also shares her passion for teaching graduate-level social work students and reveals how she likes to unwind amidst the pressures of leading CASA, teaching courses, and raising a young family. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS CASA Youth Advocates Serving Delaware and Chester Counties Website: chescocasa.org Instagram: instagram.com/casayouthadvocates Facebook: facebook.com/CASAYouthAdvocates CASA on YouTube Careers with CASA: delcocasa.org/jobs-casa Leigh Anne McKelvey on LinkedIn Local Business Spotlight TLC Rescue (To Love a Canine) ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

August 21, 2026Episode 10233 min

Making the Finest Chocolates with Albert Lauber

For many people, few culinary pleasures compare with fine Swiss chocolate. Indulging our own dreams, we joined Albert Lauber, Owner and Chocolatier at Neuchatel Chocolates, on his factory floor in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by the irresistible sights and aromas of chocolate being made, we spoke with Albert about the craft and business behind it all. He explained how he transforms Swiss chocolate into delicious truffles – and how he makes his own chocolate from Philippine cocoa beans. We also explored industry trends, the challenges of managing a factory, and his approach to sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers. If you have even a hint of a sweet tooth, this delicious episode is not to be missed. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Neuchatel Chocolates neuchatelchocolates.com swisschips.com Facebook: facebook.com/NeuchatelChocolates Instagram: instagram.com/neuchatel_swiss_chocolates ChocoEve Website: chocoeve.com Local Business Spotlight SILO Additional Links Extract and Box Maplehofe Diary The Market at Liberty Place Related Episodes Buying, Renovating, and Renting Properties with Geoff Bosley ADVERTISEMENT Need legal help? The Chester County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service connects community members with local attorneys for a $25, 30-minute consultation. Start local—and find a path forward. Get legal help

August 7, 2026Episode 10139 min

Creating Safe Places and Finding Forever Homes for Cats with Kristine Baney

Cats, cats – here, there and everywhere! Surrounded by felines, we meet with Kristine Baney, Executive Director at Treetops Kitty Cafe. More of a lounge than a cafe, Treetops Kitty Cafe is a cat rescue located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. At Treetops, the cats play, nap, and cause chaos wherever they want as they roam freely throughout the entire facility. Kristine walks us through the running of the rescue shelter, its adoption service, and caring for the cats that call the cafe home, even if only for a short while. We talk about board recruitment and strategies for raising awareness about the nonprofit, ensuring that a growing number of local residents know about and support the cafe. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Treetops Kitty Cafe Website: treetopskittycafe.com Facebook: facebook.com/TreetopsKittyCafeRescue Instagram: instagram.com/treetopskittycafe TikTok: tiktok.com/@treetopskittycafe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/treetops-kitty-cafe-animal-rescue Kristine Baney on LinkedIn Board involvement note on the Treetops Kitty Cafe website Volunteer with Treetops Kitty Cafe Additional Links ACCT Philly Pocopson Veterinary Station Cherry Blossom Vacations Forage Books The Mushroom Festival Longwood Gardens TRANSCRIPT

July 24, 2026Episode 10058 min

Supporting and Serving Children in Under Resourced Communities with Jan Michener

Learning to read at a young age can prove so critical to how well a child flourishes as they grow. We meet with Jan Michener, Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hands & Hearts (AHHAH). Based in Kennett Square, AHHAH supports young people in under resourced communities across Chester County. The organizations runs a range of arts and literacy programs in communities, schools, and the youth detention center – all focused on enabling those young people to thrive, rather than merely service. With deep commitment to helping children read at grade level from an early age, Jan walks us through several of AHHAH’s program and initiatives. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH) Website: ahhah.org Instagram: instagram.com/artsholdinghandsandhearts Facebook: facebook.com/ArtsHoldingHandsAndHeartsInc Jan Michener on LinkedIn Additional Links Chester County Futures Kennett Ability Network (KAN) Good Works Camp Dreamcatcher Kennett Library Justamere Foundation Chester County Intermediate Unit Chester County Youth Center Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library The Alliance for Health Equity Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC) Other Interviews with Jan Michener Jan Michener on Great Dames Jan Michener on The Art of Volunteering Podcast Related Episodes Repairing Homes and Building Relationships with Bob Beggs Nurturing Belonging and Celebrating Community with Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS with Patty Hillkirk Building Community and Capacity with Chris Manna TRANSCRIPT The full transcript for this episode will be published on our website as soon as it is available.

July 10, 2026Episode 9949 min

Designing, Fabricating, and Servicing Industrial Construction with Scott Dolor

Industrial fabrication and construction underpins much of the infrastructure and manufacturing that keeps our economy moving. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Dolor, Vice President of Operations at M. Davis & Sons, to explore how the Kennett Square company designs, fabricates, installs, and maintains complex industrial systems. Scott walks us through the evolution of the family-owned business, its focus on investing on its people, and how the company attracts and develops the next generation of craftspeople. We also discuss the many facets of M. Davis’s business, fostering a strong workplace culture, and how the company is eager to engage with and supporting its local community. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS M. Davis & Sons Website: mdavisinc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/m-davis-&-sons Facebook: facebook.com/MDavisSonsInc Scott Dolor on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-dolor-mba-62134a13 Additional Links The Garage Community & Youth Center SILO Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

June 19, 2026Episode 981 hr 3 min

Championing Live Music and Local Arts with Michael Hahn

Live music plays an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We sit down with Michael Hahn, Executive Director of the Kennett Flash, to explore how the nonprofit listening room has become a home for live music, comedy, and community events in Kennett Square. Michael walks us through the realities of operating a nonprofit arts organization, from booking performers and securing sponsorships to recruiting volunteers and building audiences. We also discuss plans for a future arts and culture hub in Kennett Square. Along the way, Michael shares insights from his own career as a musician, songwriter, and arts administrator. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS The Kennett Flash Website: kennettflash.org The Kennett Flash on Bandcamp: thekennettflash.bandcamp.com Instagram: instagram.com/thekennettflash Facebook: facebook.com/TheKennettFlash Volunteer: kennettflash.org/volunteer Michael Hahn’s YouTube channel Additional Links The Hub for Arts and Culture KATS (Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society) If Not For Music Koh Show Live Rainbow Records Smalls Music Shop Live Music Society Kennett Restaurants and Businesses La Verona Lily Asian Cuisine Michoacana Grill The Mushroom Cap Philter KSQ Barber Lounge Recommended Musical Artists Strays and Misfits on Bandcamp Buffalo Nichols Related Episodes Playing, Teaching, and Building a Career in Music with Dave Mattock Focusing on Customers Relationships with Mark Avery

June 5, 2026Episode 971 hr 0 min

Protecting the Rights and Interests of Victims of Crime and Personal Injury with Basil Joy

When people suffer serious injury, abuse, or trauma – either through criminal acts or negligence – it can prove challenging to rebuild their lives. We sit down with Basil Joy, an attorney with Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney, to discuss his work representing victims of crime and personal injury. Basil explains how attorneys help clients pursue justice, accountability, and restitution. Basil reflects on his legal career and how that shapes his work advocating for and protecting the rights of victims. Chatting about a number of nonprofits, we also discuss the value of supporting local communities through board involvement. OUR PARTNER Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce LINKS Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney Website LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Basil Joy on LinkedIn Basil's commencement speech (2013) on YouTube Local Nonprofits Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County Gateway Horseworks Fox Chase Farm Safe Harbor of Chester County Chester County Fund for Women and Girls Chester County Bar Association Additional Links Pink | Marked Foundation Unite for HER Fox Rothschild Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Suitsupply Concordville Cleaners Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Related Episodes Advocating for Local Communities: Law and Volunteerism with Rob Jefferson Setting the Example and Leading from the Front with Greg Nardi Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Crimes with Christine Zaccarelli Transcript The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.