Beer with Fred

Join veteran storytellers Fred and Reggie as they pull back the curtain on the powerful—and sometimes haunting—stories that shaped their careers and the lives they’ve touched. In this episode you’ll hear:

• A 15-year-old survivor from Rwanda who forgave the very man who hacked off his hands

• How a raw, 11-episode series on addiction earned a New England Emmy nod and now sparks life-saving conversations in schools

• The “glass slides” mystery: 5,000 century-old portraits that reconnected Black families to their vanished roots

• Ambitious new documentaries on forgiveness—featuring a bus massacre survivor who chose mercy over revenge—and the hidden world of device-addicted children

Fred and Reggie share the grit, scrappy beginnings, and “on-spec” hustle that turned small-town cameramen into award-winning producers. They reveal the secret sauce behind packaging personal passion projects into Emmy-worthy documentaries—and how they’re now taking those stories on the road to inspire real change.

If you believe stories can transform lives, this is your insider pass to the raw conversations, the unseen struggles, and the fearless forgiveness that prove sometimes the hardest tales can heal us all. Tune in and discover why every “finished” film is really just the beginning of a new chapter.

Watch Jim Chiampi live on Friday, July 25th. Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dueling-pianos-with-jim-ciampi-and-seth-holbrook-tickets-1369002737039

Fred sits down with Jim Ciampi, an adopted “bar band kid” whose childhood love of Sinatra and Saturday night gigs blossomed into a booming music empire.

From house parties and dueling pianos in Portland to sold-out weddings and community fundraisers, Jim reveals the secret sauce behind transforming piano bars into powerful brands, shares the mentors who guided his journey, and explains how entrepreneurship, family and faith keep him playing while giving back after forty years in the business.

Tune in for an insider’s look at passion, persistence and the surprising business lessons hidden in every melody.

She knew at five years old she was meant to sing – and she never looked back.

What does it actually take to turn your voice into a career… to play 35 gigs a month and feel like you’re retired because your “work” is making people smile over a beer?

In this episode, you’ll hear her unfiltered story about persistence, timing, and the hidden truth of “making it” in music.

She shares the moments that almost broke her – and the simple mindset shift that kept the crowds coming back.

Grab your drink. This conversation will change how you see your dreams.

In this episode of Having a Beer with Fred, we break down how standard beverage sales roles have become overly restrictive, with constant monitoring, zero autonomy, and limited upside. Fred and Alan explore a new sales model built for freedom, flexibility, and real ownership. They’re creating a network of independent reps who want to build their own income, work on their own schedule, and grow with emerging products. If you’re tired of rigid rules and want to be part of something early, with serious earning potential, this conversation is your invitation to a better path.

Why do so many beer and liquor sales jobs treat employees like prisoners? In this episode, Fred and Alan expose how traditional distributors lock salespeople into strict routes, GPS tracking, and micromanagement that kills freedom. They introduce a new independent model with Alt THC and Icepic Vodka that lets you build your own accounts, keep ownership, and create an income stream on your terms. If you’ve ever wanted to break free from corporate sales restrictions and sell innovative products like natural hemp beverages with zero solvents and bold culinary flavors, this conversation shows you exactly how. Tune in now.

Discover how Nine Stones Spa stays fully booked without worrying about competition. In this episode, you’ll learn the neighborhood strategy that keeps them thriving, the power of genuine community relationships, and why prioritizing team culture and authentic service experiences leads to long-term success. Hear how the new owner plans to expand services with retreats, sound healing, and wellness pop-ups, while staying true to what makes Nine Stones special. If you’re an entrepreneur, spa owner, or anyone building a service-based business, this conversation will inspire you to focus on what really matters to grow sustainably.

In this episode of Having a Beer with Fred, Don Campbell talks about how he built a career in music without giving up control. He shares how growing up in a musical family shaped him, what it took to go full-time, and why treating music like a business matters. Don also talks about giving back through his Flotilla to Fight Cancer concert, which has raised over $100,000. If you’re thinking about turning your passion into work or want to hear what it really takes to stay in the game, this is a good one. Simple, honest, and worth your time.

Alexander Prie turned his passion for raves into a business and is transforming Portland’s event scene one party at a time. From underground DIY shows to full-scale immersive experiences, we talk creative entrepreneurship, music culture, and how Hive Events is reviving nightlife in New England. He even threw a rave in a brewery just for us.

What does it take to thrive in one of the most volatile industries in America? In today’s episode of Having a Beer with Fred, we sit down with Bobby, a hospitality veteran who’s managed everything from beach bars in Florida to ice-cold taverns in Maine. He shares the unfiltered playbook that kept his venues alive—through staffing chaos, busted pipes, and post-pandemic burnout. This isn’t just a story of resilience—it’s a strategy session for every bar, restaurant, and event venue trying to keep their edge. Grab a drink, because this is hospitality advice you won’t hear anywhere else.

From washing dishes to running one of Bangor’s busiest restaurants, Charles shares how growing up in a family-owned bar led him to discover his passion for cooking and ultimately leadership. In this episode of Having a Beer with Fran, we explore the highs and challenges of restaurant life, the thrill of concert season, and the importance of loving what you do. With 80 staff, 300 guests at a time, and a Mug Club of 150, this is more than food. It’s community, pressure, and passion in motion.