Lead Lamp Podcast

In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we sit down with Casey, the owner of Three Dog Bakery in Mechanicsburg, PA, to hear the inspiring story behind her journey from science teacher to dog bakery entrepreneur. Casey shares how her love of dogs and a major life transition led her to open a bakery that celebrates pets as part of the family. We talk about everything from what goes into making safe, all-natural dog treats (yes, they’re human grade!) to the booming industry of pet celebrations like birthdays, gotcha days, and even gender reveals. Casey also dives into the creative side of custom cakes, the fun of seasonal events like trick-or-treat and holiday meals for pups, and the rewarding role her shop plays in the local dog-loving community. Whether you’re a pet parent, a small business owner, or just love hearing stories about passion turned into business, this episode will make you smile — and maybe even crave a peanut butter bone. You can learn more about Three Dog Bakery at: https://www.facebook.com/mechanicsburgtdb

or https://mechanicsburg-pa.threedogstores.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMcTwNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRSG9sV3F6MjRtcmxvcVUxAR5rLyH2dr8Y9e9RrKhQmjFL--j0ecOLoRdwlGH8QaCbH9sMQEka0LuMctNQPg_aem_X_mrM7UrSzScXW1CjyJYlQ

In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we sit down with Latricia Eberly, founder of Complete Safaris, to hear how a passion for elephants turned into a business crafting once-in-a-lifetime African safari experiences.

Latricia shares the incredible story of meeting her now–business partner, Anthony, in Kenya, the challenges of launching an international travel company, and the art of tailoring every trip to each traveler’s dreams — whether that’s seeing all three species of giraffes in Kenya, going birding on Lake Victoria, or simply soaking in the breathtaking landscapes.

We cover:

How a bucket list trip became a business venture 

The behind-the-scenes logistics of booking personalized safaris,

The role of trust and safety for solo travelers, especially women,

Wildlife stories that will make you want to pack your bags now,

Why Kenya should be on your travel radar for more than just safaris,

If you’ve ever dreamed of an African safari — or you’re curious about what it takes to run a boutique travel business across continents — this episode is packed with inspiration and insider tips.

You can learn more about Complete Safaris at: https://www.completesafaris.com/

In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we’re joined by Darren Henry, founder of Barracks Baristas Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee company with a mission far beyond the mug. Darren shares how his military career in the Pennsylvania National Guard inspired his entrepreneurial journey, how nearly burning his kitchen down helped him perfect his roast, and why giving back—especially to veteran mental health causes—is at the core of everything he does. Tune in as we explore: The wild learning curve of roasting coffee at home Building a mission-driven brand from the ground up Navigating the saturated coffee industry with passion and purpose The story behind his “Perseverance” roast supporting the Headstrong Project This conversation is equal parts inspiring, insightful, and energizing—just like a great cup of coffee. Learn more about Darren’s mission at https://www.barracksbaristas.com/

Dr. Caissa Troutman, quadruple board-certified MD and founder Midlife reMDy, joins Brett to get real about the science (and the stigma) surrounding women’s health, weight loss, hormones, and perimenopause. Dr. Troutman opens up about her personal health journey, burnout in the medical field, and why she turned her own struggles into a mission to help others—especially women navigating midlife. From debunking weight loss myths to unpacking the truth about hormone therapy and perimenopause, this episode is full of eye-opening, empowering, and science-backed insights.

Topics Covered:

Why “calories in, calories out” isn’t the full picture

The 3 health handbrakes: hormones, habits, and headspace

How hormone therapy is misunderstood—and how it can change lives

Why midlife is more than just hot flashes

How men can better support their partners through perimenopause

You can learn more about Dr. Troutman and Midlife reMDy at: https://weightremdy.com/ 

In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, Brett Wiley sits down with Tim Dexter, founder of Dexterity Depot—a world-class Ninja Warrior, parkour, and chase tag training facility right here in Central PA. Tim shares how a childhood dream, sparked by early exposure to Ninja Warrior, turned into a thriving business that’s changing lives. From building backyard obstacles to coaching world champions, Tim’s story is packed with passion, persistence, and purpose. You’ll hear how Dexterity Depot builds more than just athletes—it builds confidence, community, and life skills that stick. Whether you're a parent looking for a positive outlet for your kids or an adult wanting a fresh way to get active, this episode shows that fitness can be fun, strategic, and transformative. Learn more about Dexterity Depot at: https://www.dexteritydepot.com/

In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we sit down with Vinny Epifanotto, the passionate owner of Amici Pizza, to talk about what it really takes to build a beloved local pizza shop from the ground up. Vinny shares his journey—from growing up in Sicily and helping his father run pizza shops across Pennsylvania, to taking over the business and turning Amici into a household name in Mechanicsburg and now Camp Hill.

In this episode, we dive into the sauce that makes Amici Pizza and running a family business work so well. We also get into their marketing efforts on social media, fundraising, and what it means to believe prioritize  consistency and loyalty to the customer. 

Whether you're a small business owner, foodie, or just love a good underdog story—this episode is for you.

Visit Amici Pizza in Mechanicsburg or Camp Hill

https://www.amicipizzamechanicsburg.com/ 

Step inside the story behind one of Central PA’s most beloved brunch spots, Chef De Crêpes, with owner Rosina Marie. In this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, Rosina shares her inspiring journey—from growing up in Miami and working at Disney World to launching a French-inspired creperie with her family in the middle of a pandemic. She opens up about the risks they took, the emotional highs and lows of building a family business, and the creative process behind each dish on the menu.

We talk food trucks, French culture, burnout, balancing passion with self-care, and the power of community support. Plus, Rosina gives us a taste of what’s coming this spring—including a new seasonal menu and an upcoming women’s empowerment event with a mission to give back.

Whether you’re a foodie, entrepreneur, or just love a good story—this episode is for you.

To learn more about Chef de Crêpe at https://chefdecrepes.com/

On this episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, Brett Wiley sits down with Zach Nyce, better known by his stage name Dr. Nyce, to talk about his story from music student to crowd pleasing musician. Hear about how after getting his doctorate in music, he was able to juggle the physical labor of a job laying concrete and pursuing his career in music. From weddings, funerals, and your average bar gig, he's done it all with numerous projects both solo and collaborative. A few of his projects include his work with the band Katz 22, and 176's Dueling Pianos he does with Cagan Goldstein. Dr. Nyce just released a new album titled "if time is a thing that ticks", you can find it streaming here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/drnyce/if-time-is-a-thing-that-ticks/

In this moving episode of the Lead Lamp Podcast, we sit down with Jackie Lithgow and his mother, Lisa, to share the incredible story of resilience, recovery, and purpose following Jackie’s traumatic brain injury. From the harrowing early days in the ICU to walking again and founding a nonprofit that now helps others on their recovery journey, Jackie’s story is a testament to human strength, community support, and unwavering hope. We dive into the therapies that made a difference, the emotional toll on families, and how the Jackie Lithgow Foundation is transforming lives through advocacy, education, and direct support for TBI survivors. Whether you’ve experienced a similar journey or just need a dose of inspiration—this episode will stay with you. You can learn more and support the Jackie Lithgow Foundation at: https://www.lithgowfoundation.org/

On this episode of The Lead Lamp Podcast, Brett sits down with Curtis Voelker, Executive Director of College Relations at Central Penn College, to talk about how education is evolving beyond the traditional four-year model. Curtis shares his personal journey from small-town student to college leader, and how Central Penn is helping students and working professionals alike level up through customizable, real-world workforce development programs. From partnering with local businesses like GIANT to offering stackable credentials that ladder into degrees, this episode is a deep dive into how higher education is meeting people where they are—and helping them get where they want to go. You can learn more about Central Penn College at https://www.centralpenn.edu/