Feedback with Dan Holzman

First up - Jon Escueta, Owner, City Cuts Barber Shops.  Jon talks about something that goes far beyond a haircut, it’s about confidence, connection and creating a positive space for young people.  He is building his business but also making a real impact in the lives of kids in our community.  His hope is for all barber shops to do the same type of work with our youth, impacting and creating positive change one haircut at a time.  Continuing the theme of impact and change our second hour is all about animal welfare.  Joining us is Karel Minor, President and CEO of Humane Pennsylvania, an organization dedicated to animal welfare, rescue and creating a more humane world for both animals and people.

The first hour of FEEDBACK is about allowing people to keep their dignity.  We are talking about compassion and meeting people where they are, something that can make all the difference in someone’s life.  Joining us in studio are Drew Neidig, Executive Director and Amy Stewart-Himes, guest Services Manager of Refresh Berks, an organization dedicated to providing essential hygiene services and support to individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community. They do this by providing one shower at a time.  In our second hour of FEEDBACK, super producer Sam Bremekamp and Host of In the Dirt, Matt Knaub, join Toni Reece and talk about how to lighten things up!  It’s a total madhouse!  

We are talking about stories that come from legacies, multi-generational family businesses, and everyday moments that impact the stories that we tell about ourselves or the leaders around us.  Joining us in studio are three generations of the Kuhn family from Kuhn Funeral Home.  Edward Kuhn, Jr. (second generation); Michael Kuhn (third generation) and Mikey Kuhn (fourth generation). Together they represent decades of service to families in our community during some of life’s most difficult moments.

The FEEDBACK topic today is legacy!  What does a legacy look like?  Is a legacy only something that is talked about at the end of a career or life?  Nope!  Legacy is what we build every single moment of every single day.  Joining us is Brian Levin, Owner, President and CEO of Levan Machine and Truck Equipment.  Brian is carrying forward a third-generation legacy while continuing to grow and innovate.  We carry Brian’s interview to the top of the second hour and then our super Producer Sam Bremekamp and Toni Reece talk about how legacies are built but also how quickly they can disappear!

In our first hour of FEEDBACK we are talking about something that impacts some of the most vulnerable members of our community - children in foster care and the people working to bring them comfort, dignity, and hope.  Joining us are Paula Gyomber, Chapter Coordinator and Alyssa Dourte, Executive Director of Fostering Hope.  Their organization is dedicated to supporting children entering foster care with essential items and resources.  In our second hour we learn about the “why’s” behind some of the biggest events that are put on by the Reading Public Museum.  Ashley Houston, Director of Development and Mathew Citrone, Manager of Internal Events are with us today helping to bring that vision to life.

Monday morning theatre!  First up on FEEDBACK are the leads performing in the Wilson Theatre company’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella!  We are joined by nine cast members as well as their Stage Director Mary Lennon.  The cast members share the challenges, the nerves and what being in theatre means to each one of them.  This is our future generation and they are shining brightly.  In our second hour we share our thoughts on this question - Are we becoming a society that rents everything and owns nothing?  Sam Bremekamp, FEEDBACK Producer joins the conversation as we discuss the pros and cons of having access to everything we rent, yet limited access to what we might want to own.

Today on FEEDBACK we are celebrating women in business.  Leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators who are shaping our community in meaningful ways.  Joining us in our first hour is Caroline Hill, Owner of Van Scoy Jewelers, who is not only leading a successful business but also shining a spotlight on other women-owned businesses in our area.  She is joined by Meghan Krick, co-owner of Honey Pop Custom Beverages.  They both talk about the challenges, tenacity, and inspiration it takes to run a business and how women helping women is a key component of that success.  Our second hour of FEEDBACK is a story about friendship, resilience, and the power of turning life’s challenges in to something meaningful.  Joining us are Cindy Fortunato and Amy McIntyre, lifelong friends who turned a childhood dream into reality with their book Sammy’s Adventures in Ocean City, NJ.  Behind this book is a much deeper story, one of family, adversity, creativity, and healing.

Daniel Boone Area High School’s Theatre Society’s Director and a few cast members join us in the top hour of FEEDBACK to talk about their upcoming production of Between the Lines.   The students share with us what the theme of this show means to them personally and their hope for the audience members who are experiencing the show!  Glenn Miller, a retired CFO of a large non profit (still working part time) shares his journey of being a victim to two corporate restructures, ageism, reinventing and how the power of networking has taken him from being a perpetual introvert to a thriving and productive senior!  That’s our second hour of FEEDBACK!

We teach what we need to learn.  That is the theme of today’s FEEDBACK shows.  First up, Don Carrick, who loves making people look good through his camera lens.  Don is a passionate photographer who loves the process of helping people get comfortable in front of the camera, so their confidence comes across in their photo.  Don also shares that he had to pivot in 2008 and become a reluctant entrepreneur and has/is walking in his client’s shoes to develop the confidence and knowledge it takes to become a success.  Don is helping others in their journey one photo at a time.  Next up FEEDBACK is talking all things related to Berks Earth Day!  Bill Latvian and Risa Marmontello have been longtime champions of sustainability in Berks County and have been involved in bringing Earth Day to lift since 1989!  Berks Earth Day is all about having fun and learning at the same time about the small things we can do to save our planet.  Bill and Risa also spoke how they too are learning all the time because things change all the time!  Thank goodness they are bringing that learning to us!

Today’s show is about how you show up for people.  In our first hour we have Sam Albert with us.  Sam is a long time Recovery Coach and Addiction Specialist.  Addiction can feel isolating, but this conversation reminds us that help is available, recovery is possible, and no one has to go through it alone.  In our second hour we have Bill Van Sant and Lisa Ashcroft of Girard, a Univest Wealth Division with us discussing how to manage your investments while the markets are under pressure, navigating geopolitics, bond markets and last minute tax moves.