Start Local

Access to high-speed internet is pivotal to enabling local communities access to the value that the internet can provide in the digital age. We sit down with Caitlin Ganley, Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Comcast, and Jennifer Bilotta, VP, Communications at Comcast, to explore how one of the region’s largest employers approaches connectivity, community partnerships, and customer experience across Chester County and beyond. Caitlin and Jenn walk us through the challenges of expanding broadband infrastructure into underserved areas, Comcast’s efforts to provide low-cost internet access to those in need, and the company’s role in supporting local nonprofits. We also discuss AI, innovation, and and some exciting offerings from Comcast.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Comcast

• Website: xfinity.com
• Xfinity Internet Essentials
• Project Up
• Job opportunities with Comcast: jobs.comcast.com

Caitlin Ganley and Jennifer Bilotta

• Caitlin Ganley on LinkedIn
• Jennifer Bilotta on LinkedIn

Local Nonprofits

• LCH Health & Community Services
• Women’s Resource Center (WCS)
• Chester County Food Bank
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
• Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
• Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center
• Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center

Additional Links

• Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority
• Digital Alliance of Chester County
• Opa Taverna
• Carlino’s

Related Episodes

• Addressing Health Needs of Underserved Communities with Ronan Gannon

Transcript

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

In classrooms across the country, students are learning to become the leaders of tomorrow. We chat with Stephanie Gambone, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania, to better understand how her organization supports local young people as they prepare to enter the workplace as adults. As JASEPA celebrates its 75th anniversary, we explore the programs the JASEPA delivers in Coatesville, Downingtown, and elsewhere across the Delaware Valley.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania

• Website: southeasternpa.ja.org
• Careers with JA SEPA: southeasternpa.ja.org/about/career-opportunities
• Volunteer: southeasternpa.ja.org/volunteer
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-southeastern-pa
• Facebook: facebook.com/JASoutheasternPA
• Instagram: instagram.com/ja_philly
• Stephanie Gambone on LinkedIn

Additional Links

• Forum of Executive Women
• Philadelphia 250
• The Fund for Women and Girls: Empowering Change in Chester County

Podcasts

• Crime Junkie Podcast

Books

• Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They Are Too Much by Cynthia Erivo
• The Next Level Nonprofit: Build a Dream Team + Increase Lasting Impact by Chris Lambert

Related Episodes

• Spearheading Advocacy, Programs, and Grants for Women and Girls with Cheryl Brubaker

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

Music carries an intangible, immeasurable value – shaping how we connect, express ourselves, and experience the world around us. In this episode, we sit down with Dave Mattock, owner of Mattock School of Music and a working jazz pianist, to explore what it really means to build a life in music. Dave shares his journey from college professor to opening his own school of music, reflecting on the challenges he faced learning to run and grow a business. We talk about the many paths available to aspiring musicians, the importance of mentorship and community, and how a vibrant local arts scene strengthens the region for everyone.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Dave Mattock

• Website: davemattock.com/music
• YouTube: youtube.com/@davemattockjazz
• Instagram: instagram.com/davemattockmusic/
• Facebook: facebook.com/share/17j9Jhduwu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Bandcamp: Music | Dave Mattock
• Knucklebox on Bandcamp
• Knucklebox on Spotify

Mattock School of Music

• Website: mattockschoolofmusic.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/MattockSchoolofMusic

Additional Links

• Kennett Jazz & Funk Fest
• If Not for Music
• Philadelphia Trusted Advisors
• Canine Partners for Life

Local Music Venues

• Kennett Flash
• Andréa’s Jazz Café
• Slow Hand
• Will’s + Bill’s Brewery
• The Nomad
• Spence Café
• The Creamery of Kennett Square
• Kennett Library

Artists to Explore

• Brad Mehldau
• Jason Lindner
• Mike LeDonne
• John Medeski
• Lionel Loueke
• Esperanza Spaulding
• Kokayi
• Miho Hazama
• Hiatus Kaiyote
• Alarm Will Sound

Related Episodes

• Training Service and Companion Dogs with Kirstin Downie

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be publish on our website as soon as it is available.

Business owners and leaders face many challenges, questions, and hurdles. Leaders at smaller businesses and organizations often address these issues alone. In this episode, we speak at length with Hendrik-Jan Francke, owner of Bright Orange Thread, to explore how peer groups can aid business owners and leaders to unlock both profit and joy in their work. Hendrik-Jan shares how these structured learning environments give leaders the space to step away from daily operations, think more strategically, and learn from the experience of others. We also discuss how the right group dynamic – shaped by thoughtful facilitation, diverse perspectives, and mutual trust – can lead to better decision-making, stronger leadership, and more fulfilling growth for both the leader and the business.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Bright Orange Thread

• Website: brightorangethread.com
• Careers: brightorangethread.com/careers
• Remote job shadow: brightorangethread.com/remote-job-shadow-program
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/bright-orange-thread
• Facebook: facebook.com/brightorangethread

Peer Groups

• ASCEND
• SCCCC Roundtable

Additional Links

• Taste Local Eats
• New London Counseling Center

Related Episodes

• Empowering High Performing People and Teams with Bob Cox
• Changing Careers and Building a Local Business with Jason Feller

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

Whether it’s feeding a family pet or planting a backyard garden, many people in our community turn to local stores that help them care for the things that matter at home – and on the farm. We sit down with Jim Cracas, owner of Pickering Valley Feed and Farm Store in Exton, Pennsylvania, to talk about running a family business that has served Chester County for over 50 years. Jim shares how the store has grown from its roots serving local farmers to helping today’s pet owners, gardeners, and farmer owners. We also discuss the role his store plays in the community, from hosting pet adoption events to building long-standing relationships with customers and employees. Jim’s story offers a glimpse into what it takes to keep a local business strong over time.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Pickering Valley Feed & Farm Store

• Website: pickeringvalleyfeed.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/pickeringvalleyfeed
• Instagram: instagram.com/pickeringvalleyfeed

Additional Links

• All 4 Paws Rescue
• Angel’s Retreat
• Main Line Animal Rescue
• Brandywine Valley SPCA

Transcript

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

When the pandemic lock-downs were in full swing, so many dove into sourdough as a way to explore something new. We catch up with Sarah Holland, owner of Good Girls Bakery. Sarah dives deep into how she experimented with sourdough as the launchpad for her own bakery. She walks us through starting her own business and how she has expanded her products and grown her business. She talks about crafting a welcoming environment for customers and an equitable workplace for her employees. From her bakery in Eagleview Town Center in Exton, Pennsylvania, Sarah offer insights into her focus on business opportunities and growth.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Good Girls Bakery

• Website: goodgirlsbakery.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/goodgirlsbakeryy/
• Facebook: facebook.com/goodgirlsbakeryy

Additional Links

• Growing Roots Farmers Markets
• Malvern Farmers Market
• Downingtown Farmers Market
• Stove & Co
• Chester County Food Bank
• Lindenhof Farm
• The Artisan Exchange
• IrieVeda
• The Restaurant School at Walnut College
• Hangry Bear Creamery

Related Episode

• Fighting Food Insecurity Locally with Andrea Youndt
• Crafting Ice Cream, Culinary Creations, and Community with Melinda Shaw

TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

At a time when the country’s laws and legal systems are much debated, access to justice and a fair, effective legal system are as critical as ever. In this episode, we sit down with Greg Nardi, Executive Director of the Chester County Bar Association, to explore how the organization serves both its attorney members and the wider public. Greg walks us through the Bar Association’s dual role as a professional membership organization and a community resource, including pro bono legal services, civics education, and grant-making through the Chester County Bar Foundation. We discuss how fostering connection among attorneys leads to a more effective and humane legal system, how legal education supports access and equity, and why long-standing institutions like the Bar Association continue to matter in Chester County today.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Chester County Bar Association

• Website: chescobar.org
• Facebook: facebook.com/chestercountybarassociation
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/chester-county-bar-association
• Instagram: instagram.com/chestercountybar

Additional Links

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
• Senior Law Center
• Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County
• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
• Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children
• Westside Community Center
• Gateway HorseWorks
• Home of the Sparrow
• Housing Partnership of Chester County
• Wills for Heroes
• Chester County History Center
• Founding Forward
• FourBlock

Related Episodes

• Recording and Teaching Local, National, and Global History with Conor Hepp
• Connecting People that Can Help with People that Need Help with Chris Saello

TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript for this episode will be posted to our website as soon as it is available.

With so many nonprofit organizations working diligently to address the multiplicity of needs facing our community, there is a steady need for local volunteers to lend their support to their neighbors. We catch up with Michele Moll, Executive Director of RSVP Volunteers. Michele details the litany programs and services that RSVP Volunteer deliver across Chester County and beyond. We talk about how Michele, her colleagues, and their army of volunteers work to tackle local challenges in education, community support, and senior wellness.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

RSVP Volunteers

• Website: rsvpmc.org
• Volunteer Enrollment Form: rsvpmc.org/volunteer-enrollment-form
• Donation: rsvpmc.org/donate
• Upcoming golf classic: rsvpmc.org/golf-classic
• Facebook: facebook.com/RSVPvolunteer
• Twitter: x.com/RSVPVolunteers
• Instagram: instagram.com/rsvpvolunteer
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rsvp-volunteer

Additional Links

• Michele's story at the West Chester Story Slam
• Edge of Cinema
• Shoplandia by Jim Breslin
• Longwood Gardens

Transcript

The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

As of the 2024 census, women and girls comprise approximately half the population of Chester County, Pennsylvania. With that mind, we speak at length with Cheryl Brubaker, Executive Director of The Fund for Women and Girls. Cheryl details a number of the challenges that local women and girls face, and walks us through The Fund’s programs to address those challenges. She highlights The Fund’s focus on advocacy and helps us understand the direction of the organization’s current efforts.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

The Fund for Women and Girls

• Website: thefundcc.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-fund-for-women-and-girls
• Facebook: facebook.com/thefundchesco
• Instagram: instagram.com/thefundchesco
• YouTube: youtube.com/@ChescoFund
• The Blueprint Report (4th edition)
• Impact Report (2023/2024)

Additional Links

• Kaly – clothing, gifts, and accessories
• Committee of Seventy
• Women Against Abuse

TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.

As we embrace the hustle-bustle of the holiday season, local retail shop owners are rushing to make the most of their busiest time of the year. We were lucky to connect with Kari Matthews, owner of Clean Slate Goods in Kennett Square. Kari unfolds how she built a purpose-driven retail boutique that connects local shoppers with makers from around the world. Kari shares the story behind her storefront, the values guiding her sourcing decisions, and why investing in artisans and ethical production matters deeply to her. We also talk about the in-person experience she creates for customers, the community partnerships that shape her business, and the impact of choosing gifts that truly change lives.

OUR PARTNERS

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Clean Slate Goods

• Website: cleanslategoods.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/cleanslategoods
• Facebook: facebook.com/cleanslategoods

Local Nonprofits

• Kennett Area Community Services
• Young Moms
• The Wardrobe
• Family Promise of Southern Chester County
• Kennett Collaborative

Additional Links

• Boutique Hub
• WhizBang Retail Training

Related Episodes

• Keeping Kennett Square Welcoming and Beautiful with Daniel Embree

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.