What does it take to build a successful business from the ground up in a new country?In this episode of Moderately Mic'd, Jason Makstein sits down with Dragan Manic, owner and President of Zip Moving. Dragan shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Serbia to building one of the DMV's leading moving and storage companies.This conversation goes far beyond moving trucks. We discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, family, networking, customer service, business growth, artificial intelligence, and the lessons learned from helping thousands of people through one of life's biggest transitions.Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, leader, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring stories of perseverance and growth, there's something in this conversation for you.In this episode, we discuss:• Building Zip Moving & Storage from the ground up• Dragan's immigration journey from Serbia to the United States• Family, fatherhood, and finding your "why"• Leadership lessons learned through business• What people misunderstand about the moving industry• Memorable moving stories and unusual items• Why networking and community involvement matter• The role of chambers of commerce in business growth• How AI is changing traditional service businesses• The future vision for Zip Moving & Storage• Rapid-fire questions and personal insightsIf you enjoy conversations with local entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, and community members, be sure to subscribe to Moderately Mic'd for more interviews from around Montgomery County and beyond.----------------------------Thinking about a career path change? I reflect on my journey as a former train mechanic and how my initial career planning shifted unexpectedly.After graduating as an engineer in 2011, I had a very specific plan. I fully expected to stay in my initial location for just one summer before moving on to something else. However, life and professional goals rarely follow a straight line. This discussion covers the reality of moving away from a technical engineering career and the mindset adjustments required when your original trajectory changes.If you are currently navigating a career path change or feeling stuck in a role you thought would be temporary, this perspective on my time as a train mechanic might offer some clarity. We discuss why holding onto rigid career planning can sometimes hinder growth and how to embrace the pivots that life presents.Subscribe for weekly career mindset breakdowns, and comment below about a time you unexpectedly changed your professional direction.

In this episode of Moderately Mic’d, Jason Makstein sits down with Jenna Levine Liu, founder of Sixx Cool Moms, a national social network for fun moms with chapters across the country and more than 100,000 members.What started as a local moms group has grown into a national community built around friendship, honesty, support, events, local chapters, business networking, and giving moms a space to be real. Jenna shares how Sixx Cool Moms grew from one local Facebook group into a full-time business, what makes it different from traditional moms groups, and how she balances humor, authenticity, motherhood, business, and community at scale.We also discuss the need for a modern village, why moms still need spaces to recharge and connect, how Sixx Cool Moms supports local businesses, what it takes to protect the culture of a fast-growing online community, and what Jenna hopes her daughter understands about the work she has built.Learn more about Sixx Cool Moms:Website: https://www.sixxcoolmoms.comInstagram:   / sixxcoolmoms  Facebook:   / sixxcoolmoms  LinkedIn:   / sixx-cool-moms  TikTok:   / sixxcoolmoms  Hosted by Jason Makstein of Moderately MOCO.Subscribe for more conversations with local leaders, business owners, creators, community builders, and people doing interesting work in and around Montgomery County.---------------Topics discussed:

• What Sixx Cool Moms is today
• How it differs from traditional moms groups
• Building a modern village for moms
• Growing from a local Facebook group into a national community
• Scaling chapters across the country
• Supporting local businesses through Sixx Cool Moms Approved
• The reality of building a community-based business
• Boundaries, public life, and founder challenges
• How to join or start a Sixx Cool Moms chapter

---------------Are local mom groups actually helpful for your mental health? I am sharing my honest experience with the judgmental nature of these spaces.After becoming pregnant, I expected to find a welcoming community, but instead, I encountered negativity and unsolicited criticism. This video explores the reality of joining local mom groups and why so many new parents feel isolated rather than supported by these circles. If you have felt alienated by the pressure to be a perfect parent, you are not alone.We need to move past conversations strictly focused on organic baby food and start having real discussions about the challenges of motherhood. Finding a genuinely supportive new mom support network is essential for navigating the transition into parenthood. This video breaks down why traditional parenting community dynamics often fail and how to identify spaces that truly prioritize your well-being over judgment.Subscribe for weekly honest parenting breakdowns and comment below with your own experience joining local mom groups—have you found a supportive circle or just more stress?

In Episode 4 of Moderately Mic’d, Jason Makstein sits down with Amanda Levin, founder of NeuroSpice Girls, a community for moms of neurodivergent kids in the DMV area.Amanda shares the personal story behind NeuroSpice Girls, including her son Asher’s diagnosis, her own adult ADHD and autism diagnosis, and the isolation that led her to create the kind of community she wished existed when her family was first navigating the neurodivergent parenting journey.The conversation covers the reality many parents face when their child seems “fine” at school but struggles at home, the emotional toll of constantly explaining diagnoses and behaviors, and why moms of neurodivergent kids need more than resources. They need friendship, humor, real-time support, and a safe place to vent without judgment.Amanda also discusses how her background in event planning helped shape NeuroSpice Girls into a community built around both support and fun, with meetups, social events, educational conversations, and opportunities for moms to get a much-needed break.Topics include:The story behind NeuroSpice GirlsParenting neurodivergent childrenADHD, autism, AuDHD, and PDAHigh-masking kids and the school/home disconnectWhy moms need community, not just adviceBuilding safe spaces for parentsAmanda’s adult neurodivergent diagnosisEvents, humor, and connection for momsHow NeuroSpice Girls is growing in the DMV areaLearn more about NeuroSpice Girls:https://neurospicegirls.net/Hosted by Jason Makstein of Moderately MOCO.Subscribe for more local conversations, community stories, and interviews with people making an impact in Montgomery County and the DMV.#NeuroSpiceGirls #NeurodivergentKids #AutismAwareness #ADHD #AuDHD #Parenting #MomCommunity #DMVParents #MontgomeryCountyMD #ModeratelyMicdCan someone be autistic if they make eye contact? Address common autism misconceptions and learn why outward behavior does not define neurodivergence.Many people face skepticism when seeking an autism diagnosis because their daily behaviors do not match outdated stereotypes. This video breaks down why traits like talking or making eye contact are not indicators of whether someone is autistic. For parents and individuals navigating the diagnostic process, understanding these nuances is essential for accessing proper support and validation.Drawing from personal experience with my son, I explain how visible traits often mask internal autistic qualities. We look at why the clinical understanding of autism awareness needs to shift away from superficial observations. By recognizing these less apparent characteristics, we can move past the doubt that often follows a diagnosis.Subscribe for weekly insights on neurodiversity and parenting, and comment below with your experience regarding common autism misconceptions.

Montgomery County is often recognized as one of the wealthiest counties in America, but behind that reputation are thousands of families struggling to put food on the table.

In Episode 3 of Moderately Mic’d, Jason Makstein sits down with Craig Rice, former Montgomery County Council President and current CEO of Manna Food Center, for a conversation about food insecurity, nonprofit leadership, community trust, and the challenges facing families across Montgomery County.

Craig reflects on his transition from elected office to leading one of the county’s most impactful nonprofit organizations, discusses the realities he sees every day through Manna’s work, and shares his perspective on education, community support systems, leadership, and the future of Montgomery County.

Topics include:

• The hidden reality of food insecurity in Montgomery County
• Craig Rice’s transition from politics to nonprofit leadership
• Challenges facing working families and students
• Community trust and representation
• Lessons learned from public service
• Technology, innovation, and the future of nonprofits
• Where Montgomery County is headed over the next decade

Whether you're interested in local government, community issues, nonprofit work, or the future of Montgomery County, this conversation offers valuable insight from someone who has spent decades serving the community from multiple perspectives.

About Moderately Mic’d

Moderately Mic’d is a long-form interview series from Moderately MOCO featuring conversations with community leaders, elected officials, business owners, nonprofit executives, athletes, and other voices shaping Montgomery County and beyond.

Learn more at: https://moderatelymoco.com

In Episode 2 of Moderately Mic’d, we sit down with Justin the Artist to talk about his journey, creative process, and what it takes to build a brand through art in Montgomery County.We discuss:How he got started and developed his styleTurning creativity into a businessHis advocacy and using art to support and uplift the communityThe challenges of being a local artistThis episode goes beyond the work itself to explore the mindset, experiences, and purpose behind the artist.Recorded at Montgomery Community Media Studios in Rockville, Maryland.Produced in partnership with Montgomery Community Media (MCM).Moderately Mic’d provides a platform for discussion and does not represent endorsements by Moderately MOCO or MCM.Recored February 21, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland

Moderately Mic'd Episode 1: MCPS Superintendent Dr. TaylorIn the debut episode of Moderately Mic’d, we sit down with Thomas Taylor, Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, for a direct conversation on the current state and future of MCPS.We discuss key topics including:

• The ongoing boundary studies and their impact on communities
• School closures and long-term facility planning
• Budget priorities and resource allocation
• Challenges facing one of the largest school districts in the country

This episode provides an opportunity to hear directly from MCPS leadership on the decisions shaping local education and what families can expect moving forward.Recorded January 23, 2026Filmed at Montgomery Community Media Studios in Rockville, MarylandProduced and edited in partnership with Montgomery Community Media (MCM) https://www.mymcmedia.orgModerately Mic’d is a platform for open conversation and community voices. Participation does not imply endorsement of or by either organization.Topics: MCPS, Montgomery County Public Schools, school boundaries, Maryland education, Dr. Thomas Taylor interviewFollow Moderately MOCO for more local coverage and future episodes.New episodes feature local leaders, policy discussions, and community voices from across Montgomery County.