Feedback with Dan Holzman

In the studio today for our first hour of FEEDBACK are a few folks from Oley Valley High School’s Spring production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.  We talk to Director, Debbi Silas, Music Director, Jess Pennington, Evie Brewer who plays Ariel, Brayden Samuelson who plays Prince Eric, Flynn Robertson who plays Sebastian and Sarah Todardo who plays Ursula.   They shared what being in a show like this means to them and how very important local high school theater is to students and how it helps them shape their life skills for the future.  Next up in the second hour of FEEDBACK is Mark Pinkasavage, Business Manager of IBEW Local 743.   Mark helps us better understand the opportunities available in the electrical trades.  Programs like the apprenticeship opportunities offered through IBEW Local 43 provide a pathway into careers that are hands-on, highly skilled, and essential to the future of our communities.

Today on our first hour of FEEDBACK we are joined by a woman who helps tell the story of our community every month.  Robyn Jones is the Publisher of Berks County Living Magazine, a publication that highlights the people, places and stories that make Berks County unique.  Robyn shares her journey to becoming a successful Publisher and also shares what inspires her and keeps her motivated to continue to create and publish this premier magazine.  Next up in the second hour is Gary Seibert.  Gary has experienced over 50 years of creating, selling and managing multiple businesses.  He is passionate about being a mentor and a resource to Berks County, with a particular passion for the entrepreneur.  He talks about creating the Small Business Resource Association and the Emerging Entrepreneur Academy.  Determine, passionate and positive.  These are the themes in both these episodes of FEEDBACK.

FEEDBACK is so cool today!  First up we talk to Larry Fecho, Director, Producer and Playwright about his lifelong passion for theater!  He has touched so many lives and has brought so many characters to life with his years of experience directing and producing.  He is now sharing that experience by inspiring the next generation of performers as they attend the first ever theater camp through the Goggleworks Center for the Arts this summer.  He and his very talented team are leading the members of the camp to performing the production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.  In our second hour we talk to the podcaster extraordinaire Brad Weisman.  Brad is a real estate professional with Keller Williams Platinum Realty, entrepreneur, and the host of the Brad Weisman Show, where he sits down with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community voices to talk about success, leadership, and life.  Brad shares his journey from being a rock star (he was on STAR Search) to real estate professional to media personality.  He meets people where they are and helps people share their stories so we can all learn from each other!

First up on this edition of FEEDBACK, we meet Alex Civil, Founder and Executive Director of Bring the Change, Local Steps, Global Footprint.  Alex helps us understand how his organization began and the need to bring all culture together in Berks County to create change.  The second hour of FEEDBACK is Toni’s take on change.  Change, whether planned or imposed, impacts every single one of us and that timing that is in-between the end and beginning of something new can either be embraced or left messy!

Bunnies and Broadway!  The first hour of FEEDBACK we are joined by three guests.  Alyssa Swartz of Swartz Farms and her two bunnies, Vanilla and Cottontail!  Alyssa shared with us how they have made their farm part of Agritourism.  By visiting Swartz Farms you can walk a cow, do goat yoga, cuddle farm animals, and even rent a chick.  They are providing these experiences to showcase the importance of farming and what it takes to be a farmer.  The second hour we are joined by Broadway Veterans, Jane Brockman and Timothy Shew!  Jane and Tim are sharing their vast Broadway experience and using their talents to direct a co-production (made up of community and Alvernia University students) of Godspell!  In this interview they share what has inspired them working with the Reading community and what they believe the audience will experience in this production of Godspell!

Mary’s Shelter is the topic of our first hour of FEEDBACK.  Kristen Gajewski, Events and Media Coordinator and Amy Folk, Compliance Coordinator, join us to talk about how Mary’s Shelter helps homeless  young people, by giving them shelter, life skills,  counseling and so much more.  The second hour of FEEDBACK was a very personal hour and conversation between Toni Reece and her listeners.  She shared personal information in order to begin a conversation about advocacy, healthcare and empowerment.  

This edition of FEEDBACK brings education and awareness to the conversation.  In our first hour we meet Debbie Greenawald.  Debbie made the extraordinary decision to become a living kidney donor.  Even though she wasn’t a direct match for the person she originally hoped to help, Debbie chose to donate on their behalf through the National Kidney Registry.  By doing so she helped that person move up the list bringing her closer to receiving a kidney while also giving another person a second chance at life.  Spoiler alert - Debbie’s original person (by moving up the registry list) is now receiving a transplant in two weeks of this episode airing!  In our second hour of FEEDBACK, we meet Christie Botterbusch, Executive Director of New Journey Community Outreach.  New Journey is an organization dedicated to serving those experiencing food insecurity, hardship, and homelessness by providing meals, clothing and perhaps the most important - a sense of dignity and belonging.  Important conversations on this edition of FEEDBACK.

Mom Truths: The S#!t No One Talks About. That's the name of a newly published book by Crystal Noll-Rance. Her book shares raw refelctions and real stories from mothers couragously speaking about the parts of motherhood rarely discussed. We talk about the highs and lows of writing this book and what this book means to her and her self esteem and survival. Next up we speak to Mark Wallace, General manager of ReStore, Habitat for Humanity. Mark shares the mission of ReStore but also how it frames his thinking about community support, giving back, cariung and of course compassion. ReStore is not a thrift store - it is a life saver. 

FEEDBACK is live at the Women2Women Confernece and Expo today at Alvernia University! W2W is celebrating its 15th Anniversary and this event is growing by leaps and bounds. Over 400 attendees, 50 exhibitors, students, women business owners with so many stories of entrepreneurship, courage and success. Toni talks to organizers, the OG of the origination of the event, sponsors, Alvernia Women's Council Partnership and the very successful duo and Keynote Speakers, the founder of the OCOA, a premium curly hair brand redefining beauty standards! Something for everyone on this segment of FEEDBACK!

The first hour of today's FEEDBACK is all about the word "nice". Toni has an intimate conversation with just the listeners to try to undersatnd that word. Nice is such an underrated term and Toni believes it needs to make a comeback! We dive into the differences of nice vs. loyalty, nice vs. courage and nice vs. necessary. What does "mice" mean to you!? Joining the second hour of FEEDBACK is the Executive Director and CEO of The Reading Public Museum, Geoff Fleming. The conversation explores not just the Museum's future but how this role inspires, challenges, and drives him to continue to champion this institution!