Home Comfort Zone Podcast

Madison Theatre Guild: One Year Later | Restoring the Firehouse and Bringing Stories to Life

A year ago, Madison Theatre Guild President Kendra Thompson joined the Home Comfort Zone Podcast to discuss an ambitious fundraising campaign to restore the historic Firehouse on Monroe Street in Madison, Wisconsin.

Now she's back with some exciting news!

The Firehouse has a new roof, bathroom renovations are underway, and hot water is returning after more than 30 years. All Comfort Services was proud to support the restoration by donating an HVAC system.

Kendra shares how local businesses, donors, volunteers, and creative fundraising efforts have helped Madison Theatre Guild move forward. She also explains what's next for the historic building, including a $30,000 fundraising goal to repair aging walls and ceilings.

We also get a preview of the Guild's 2026–2027 season at the Bartell Theatre, featuring Eurydice, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, and Rumors.

From preserving a historic building to recovering from COVID-19, this conversation celebrates community theatre's resilience and the importance of keeping the performing arts thriving in Madison.

Learn more, purchase tickets, or support the Firehouse restoration: https://www.madisontheatreguild.org/

The Home Comfort Zone Podcast is hosted by Theresa, Marketing Manager at All Comfort Services, an employee-owned home services company serving Greater Madison, Wisconsin.

Meet Eric Sherwood, General Manager of All Comfort Services, and learn about the experiences that shaped his career in the skilled trades and his vision for the future of the employee-owned home services company.

Eric joins host Theresa Girardi to talk about his journey from HVAC technician and installer to dispatcher, service manager, operations manager, and General Manager. He also discusses All Comfort Services’ ESOP, union workforce, employee training, Nexstar best practices, and the importance of creating a consistent and comfortable experience for homeowners.

Eric also shares why Lennox Feel The Love is meaningful to him and how All Comfort Services employees volunteer their time to help deserving people in the community with new heating and cooling equipment.

Get to know the General Manager helping lead All Comfort Services into its next chapter while continuing the company's focus on customer service, employee development, growth, and sustainability.

Get ready for Greek Fest Madison 2026!

On this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa talks with Telly Fetsis, co-organizer of Greek Fest Madison, about the food, traditions, people, and history behind this longtime Madison, Wisconsin community festival.

Greek Fest Madison returns Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th Street in Madison. Telly shares what visitors can expect, including freshly prepared Greek food, gyros, homemade Greek desserts, baklava, coffee, church tours, and an opportunity to experience Greek culture and Orthodox traditions.

We also talk about the incredible hand-painted iconography throughout the church, the volunteers who make Greek Fest possible, and Dial-A-Baklava, a holiday fundraiser supporting the philanthropic work of the church’s women’s organization.

Whether you come for the baklava, Greek food, culture, art, or to discover something new in Madison, Greek Fest offers a chance to experience a local tradition that has brought the community together for decades.

🎙️ Home Comfort Zone Podcast is hosted by Theresa, Marketing Manager at All Comfort Services in Madison, Wisconsin.

When a teen is struggling with their mental health, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference.

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa talks with Julie Elfers, founder of Brooke’s Brigade, a Wisconsin nonprofit created after Julie and her family lost their daughter Brooke to suicide in April 2024.

Julie shares Brooke’s story and explains how Brooke’s Brigade is working to help teens and parents find mental health resources when they need them. The organization provides resource boxes designed to help bridge the gap between the moment a young person needs help and when they can access ongoing mental health care.

Each Brooke’s Brigade box connects families with immediate resources that do not require insurance and includes supportive items such as a safety plan, journal, 988 information, positive messages, and other reminders that teens are not alone.

Julie also discusses warning signs parents can watch for, the importance of keeping communication open, finding trusted adults teens can talk to, NAMI resources, and why families shouldn't feel they have to navigate mental health challenges alone.

Most importantly, Julie wants teens and parents to know that asking for help is okay and that help is available.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

• Topics include:
  Teen mental health
• Youth suicide prevention
• Mental health resources for parents
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Wisconsin mental health resources
• Brooke’s Brigade
• Supporting struggling teens

Brooke's BrigadeNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa Girardi from All Comfort Services sits down with Lisa Bernard, Development and Communications Supervisor at Dane County Humane Society, to explore the incredible work happening every day to help animals throughout Dane County and Madison, Wisconsin.

Learn how Dane County Humane Society helps dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals, and local wildlife through pet adoption, veterinary care, wildlife rehabilitation, fostering, volunteering, and humane education programs. Lisa explains how the pet adoption process works, what families should consider before adopting a dog or cat, and how adoption counselors help match animals with the right homes.

We also hear heartwarming animal rescue stories, including a misunderstood cat whose behavior changed after receiving needed medical care and the remarkable effort to help hundreds of rescued beagles receive veterinary care and move toward new homes.

Plus, discover ways to support Dane County Humane Society through adoption, fostering, volunteering, donations, thrift stores, educational programs, and community fundraising events.

If you're searching for pet adoption in Madison, WI, dog or cat adoption, animal shelter volunteer opportunities, pet fostering, wildlife rescue, or ways to support Dane County Humane Society, this episode is packed with helpful information and inspiring stories.

🎧 In this episode: Dane County Humane Society

• Pet adoption in Madison, WI
• Dog and cat adoption
• Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
• Animal fostering
• Shelter veterinary care
• Volunteer opportunities
• Humane education
• Rescued beagles
• Supporting local animal welfare

Home Comfort Zone is a podcast from All Comfort Services featuring local experts, organizations, and conversations that help connect and inform the greater Madison, Wisconsin community.

All Comfort Services

Dane County Humane Society

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa Girardi talks with Katherine Primo-Mingione of the North Star Neighborhood Association about how neighborhood organizations strengthen communities, advocate for residents, and create opportunities for neighbors to connect.

Discover how North Star Neighborhood has built a welcoming community through events like North Star Fest, its neighborhood farmers market, Fourth of July celebrations, National Night Out, and partnerships with organizations like Bikes for Kids.

Whether you're interested in volunteering, moving to Madison, Wisconsin, or simply want to create stronger connections where you live, this conversation offers practical ideas for building thriving neighborhoods.

Topics include:
• What neighborhood associations do
• Community engagement
• Working with city government
• Neighborhood events
• Volunteer opportunities
• Madison, Wisconsin neighborhoods
• Building stronger communities

Young people thrive when they have someone in their corner.

In this episode, Theresa talks with Irelyn Baumberger from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County about how one-to-one mentoring helps local youth gain confidence, build meaningful relationships, and discover new opportunities.

They discuss how the program works, the commitment required to become a mentor, inspiring success stories, fundraising events, and the many ways people can support the organization—even if they don't have time to volunteer.

Learn more at bbbsmadison.org.

Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because it's colorless, odorless, and impossible to detect without the proper equipment. Yet many homeowners don't realize how many potential sources of carbon monoxide exist inside and around their homes.

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa sits down with Louise Keller, National Training Manager at UEI Test Instruments, to discuss carbon monoxide safety, common misconceptions, and the simple steps every homeowner can take to protect their family.

Louise explains where carbon monoxide comes from, why every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm, the limitations of standard detectors, and how low-level exposure can affect both people and pets. The conversation also covers garage safety, generators, gas appliances, boating, ice fishing shelters, and other surprising sources of carbon monoxide that many homeowners overlook.

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or property manager, this episode offers valuable information that could help keep your household safe year-round.

• What carbon monoxide is and why it's dangerous
• Common sources of carbon monoxide in and around the home
• Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure
• Why standard CO alarms may not detect low-level exposure
• Garage and vehicle safety tips
• Generator safety best practices
• Protecting children and pets from carbon monoxide risks
• How HVAC professionals test for carbon monoxide
• Carbon monoxide alarm maintenance and replacement tips

🎙️ Home Comfort Zone Podcast is brought to you by All Comfort Services, proudly serving the Madison, Wisconsin area with heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and indoor air quality solutions.

http://www.allcomfortservices.com

#HomeComfortZone #CarbonMonoxideSafety #HomeownerTips #UEITestInstruments #AllComfortServices #HomeSafety #HVAC #FamilySafety

In This Episode:

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa welcomes Carlos Albelo from IPEX USA to discuss an important but often overlooked part of your home's heating system: furnace venting.

As building codes and industry standards continue to evolve, homeowners are hearing more about UL 1738 venting systems and what they may mean for future furnace installations and home improvement projects. Carlos explains what UL 1738 is, why it was developed, how Wisconsin's recent commercial code changes fit into the conversation, and what homeowners should consider when replacing equipment or finishing a basement.

This episode is designed to help homeowners better understand their options, ask informed questions, and plan for the future without getting lost in technical jargon.

Topics discussed:
• What UL 1738 means
• Why venting standards are changing
• Wisconsin commercial code updates
• Residential considerations and future trends
• Planning ahead for remodeling projects
• Replacing venting systems during equipment upgrades
• Questions homeowners should ask their HVAC contractor

Whether you're replacing a furnace, planning a renovation, or simply interested in learning more about how your home's systems work, this episode offers practical insights from an industry expert.

Guest:
Carlos Albelo
Regional Sales Manager
IPEX USA

All Comfort Services is an employee-owned heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical company in Madison, Wisconsin

http://www.allcomfortservices.com

🎙️ What started as a small idea in Wisconsin has grown into a North American movement of giving back.

In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa Girardi from All Comfort Services talks with Lennox Territory Manager Troy Schaefer about the Lennox Feel The Love program, an initiative that provides donated heating and cooling systems to deserving families and community members in need.

Troy shares how the program began in 2009, how nominations work, and why contractors across the U.S. and Canada continue to rally around this life-changing event each October. From veterans and teachers to coaches and volunteers, Feel The Love celebrates people who spend their lives helping others.

With more than 2,300 installations completed and over $12.6 million in donated equipment and materials, this program continues to make a lasting impact in communities everywhere.

Learn how you can nominate someone deserving at:
🌐 www.feelthelove.com

All Comfort Services is an employee-owned heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical company in Madison, Wisconsin http://www.allcomfortservices.com

#FeelTheLove #Lennox #HVAC #GivingBack #HomeComfortZonePodcast #AllComfortServices