Start Local

By Liam Dempsey, Erik Gudmundson, and Joe Casabona

Start Local is focused on helping businesses and non-profits in and around Chester County, Pennsylvania, connect and grow together. Our aim is to bring together the many folks that make up our wonderf... more

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FAQs about Start Local:

How many episodes does Start Local have?

The podcast currently has 103 episodes available.

Start Local episodes:

January 24, 2025Conducting World-Leading, Innovative Fresh Water Research with John Jackson
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

With fresh, clean water a critical resource for life on earth, balanced ecosystems are essential for keeping our communities healthy and safe. We spend time with John Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist with the Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale, Pennsylvania. We speak at length about the challenges that winter road salt poses to our local ecosystems. We hear of a number of the in-depth research projects going on at the Stroud Center and learn how John and his colleagues are engaging with their local communities to educate and inform about important water issues affecting our region.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Stroud Water Research Center
Website: stroudcenter.org
Research Team: stroudcenter.org/research
Education Team: stroudcenter.org/education
Restoration Team: stroudcenter.org/restoration
Facebook: facebook.com/stroudcenter
Instagram: instagram.com/stroudcenter
YouTube: youtube.com/stroudcenter
Careers: stroudcenter.org/jobs
Newsletter sign-up
John Jackson, Ph. D.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-jackson-a78190b9
Stroud Center website: stroudcenter.org/people/jackson
John’s publications on Google Scholar
Local Nonprofits
Brandywine Conservancy: brandywine.org
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance: brandywineredclay.org
Natural Lands: natlands.org
The Nature Conservancy: nature.org
Willistown Conservation Trust: wctrust.org
Berks Nature: berksnature.org
Green Valleys Watershed Association: greenvalleys.org
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy: perkiomenwatershed.org
Valley Forge Trout Unlimited: valleyforgetu.org
Local Universities
West Chester University: wcupa.edu
Millersville University: millersville.edu
University of Delaware: udel.edu
Additional Links
Willowdale Steeplechase
PennVet New Bolton Center
Transcript

The full transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
53min
January 10, 2025Leading a Growing Credit Union with Gary Golden
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

Businesses, nonprofits, and individuals have more banking options than ever before. To help local leaders understand some of their options, we sit down with Gary Golden of Propell Credit Union to chat through how a credit union can help with financial services. We cover the history and growth of the community-chartered credit union, learning about its local connection to the helicopter industry. We hear how Propell is expanding its brick and mortar footprint, having recently opened a new branch in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS

Propell Credit Union
Website: propellcu.org
Facebook: facebook.com/propellcu
Instagram: instagram.com/propellcu
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/propellcu
Kids Foundation
Kids Foundation: propellcu.org/kids-foundation
Restaurants
Fava: favaglenmills.com
Taste & Sea: tastesea.com
Brick & Brew: bricknbrewpub.com
Additional Links
Mindspan Systems podcast episode with Gary Golden
Transcript

The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
53min
December 27, 2024Managing a Local Accountancy Firm with Kathy Wileczek
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

The value that trusted accountants bring to businesses and nonprofits of all sizes cannot be overstated. Changes to federal and state filing rules, new tax regulations, and any flux in the economy see many business leaders turning to their accountants for guidance. We talk with Kathy Wileczek, shareholder with Umbreit, Wileczek & Associates, to learn about how she leads a small, highly-respected accountancy firm based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. We explore the challenges Kathy faces and the joy she experiences in running her firm, including balancing business management, client work, and other life priorities.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS

Umbreit, Wileczek & Associates
Umbreit, Wileczek & Associates: uwacpa.com
Umbreit, Wileczek & Associates on Facebook: facebook.com/uwacpa
Kathy Wileczek on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathleenwileczek
Chambers of Commerce
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
Additional Links
Camp Dreamcatcher
Transcript
The full transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
37min
December 13, 2024Producing Local Farmers and Crafts Markets and Community Events with Christy Campli
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

Farmers markets and craft and artisanal markets are popping up in more and more communities across Chester County, Pennsylvania, as farm-to-table and shop local grow in popularity with consumers. We sat down with Christy Campli of Growing Roots to learn more about how she delivers and produces a series of markets and community events across the region. We speak with her about supporting local farmers, producers, artists, and makers – all while working to build community.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Growing Roots
Website: growingrootspartners.com
Newsletter sign-up: growingrootspartners.com/newsletter-signups
Farmers Markets
Downingtown: growingrootspartners.com/downingtown
Eagleview: growingrootspartners.com/eagleview
Malvern: growingrootspartners.com/malvern
Instagram: instagram.com/growingrootsfarmersmarkets
Crafts & Mercantile
Instagram: instagram.com/craftandmercantile
Newsletter sign-up: growingrootspartners.com/craft-mercantile-newsletter
Good Food Fest
Website: goodfarmsgoodfood.com
Instagram: instagram.com/goodfarmsgoodfood
Additional Links
Sundry Mornings Spice Co.
Seoul Mates Korean Kitchen
Chester County Food Bank
Fighting Food Insecurity Locally with Andi Youndt
Kimberton Whole Foods
Joe Casabona’s podcast: Streamlined Solopreneur
TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript will be published here as soon as it is available.
...more
47min
November 29, 2024Building Community and Capacity with Chris Manna
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

Today’s libraries play a significant role in the life of the community. The programs, services, and happenings at our local libraries might surprise those who have not visited one recently. We catch up with Chris Manna, Executive Director of the Kennett Library, to walk through all things library. We learn how this wonderful library – and others across Chester County – are meeting the needs of their communities in innovative, exciting, and engaging ways.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS
Kennett Library
Kennett Library website: kennettlibrary.org
Facebook: @KennettLibrary
Instagram: @kennett_library
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC0S-xlaN4XGo-oErL7XkVQA
Employment opportunities: kennettlibrary.org/employment
Volunteering opportunities: kennettlibrary.org/volunteering
Chris Manna
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopher-manna-675a32272/
Additional Links
Fluxspace
Freedom to read: ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
Censorship: ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship
TRANSCRIPT
The full transcript will be published here as soon as it is available.
...more
35min
September 27, 2024Enabling Economic Empowerment through Education with Javonna Wylie
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

The lack of educational and employment opportunities experienced by disadvantaged folks in Chester County presents significant challenges to their well-being. To learn more, we speak with Javonna Wylie, President and CEO of Chester County OIC. Javonna explains how CCOIC works to enable access to economic empowerment through the delivery of free educational and related services. She also highlights the exciting opportunities happening in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, where CCOIC is now based.
OUR PARTNER
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Chester County OIC
Website: ccoic.org
Work Enclave project: ccoic.org/programs/workenclave
Volunteer opportunities: ccoic.org/get-involved
Careers: ccoic.org/jobs
Twitter: @ChesCoOIC
Facebook: facebook.com/ChescoOIC
Instagram: instagram.com/chestercountyoic
Javonna Wylie on LinkedIn
Rev. Leon Sullivan
Rev. Leon Sullivan on Wikipedia
Book: Build, Brother, Build
Additional Links
Alliance for Health Equity
Witmer Public Safety Group
Chester County HR Association
2nd Century Alliance
nth Innovation Center
Investing in your local community with Susan Springsteen
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Transcript
The transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it available.
...more
40min
September 13, 2024Training Service and Companion Dogs with Kirstin Downie
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

We spend time with Kirstin Downie, Director of Development and Communications with Canine Partners for Life (CPL), as she explains how the organization works to improve quality of life for people with disabilities or other challenges by pairing them with professionally trained service or companion dogs. Kirstin takes us for a long walk through the extensive training that service and companion dogs undergo to be able to assist their assigned companions. We learn how CPL provides these highly trained dogs to folks of all ages from across the USA. And we hear about some uniquely wonderful volunteer opportunities.
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Canine Partners for Life
Website: k94life.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CaninePartnersforLife
Instagram: instagram.com/k94life
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/canine-partners-for-life
Fall Festival featuring Cow Bingo
Volunteer with Canine Partners for Life: k94life.org/volunteer
Kirstin Downie on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kirstindownie
Additional Links
Brian’s House
Valley Forge Educational Services
Assistance Dogs International
Transcript
A transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
40min
August 30, 2024Spearheading the Organization of a Community Brewfest with Jeff Norman
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

Now in its 27th year, the Kennett Brewfest is a leading beer festival held yearly in Kennett Square. Arguably the oldest beer festival in the Philadelphia region, the Brewfest provides support to the Kennett Collaborative. We speak with the founder and long-serving lead organizer of the festival, Jeff Norman. An architect by trade, Jeff has lead efforts to organize and deliver the famed Kennett Brewfest since its inception. We talk about the history of the festival, its evolution over time, and of course, all things beer.
OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Kennett Brewfest
Website: kennettbrewfest.com
Instagram: instagram.com/kennett.brewfest
Facebook: facebook.com/KennettBrewfest
Jeff Norman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-norman-5004382
Other Kennett Square Festivals
Kennett Winterfest
Kennett Summerfest
Mushroom Festival
Kennett Collaborative
Website: kennettcollaborative.org
Instagram: instagram.com/kennett.collaborative
Facebook: facebook.com/kennettcollaborative
Additional Links
Waywood Beverage
Victory Brewing
Braeloch Brewing
Two Stones Brewing
Jeff’s favorite beer: Avec Les Bons Vœux from Brasserie Dupont
Dressler Estate (Ciders)
Excursion Ciders
ServPro of Kennett Square/Oxford
Kennett Run
Ales for ALS
Transcript
The transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
52min
August 16, 2024Enabling the Otherly-Abled to Grow and Contribute in the Workplace with April Ennis-Pierson
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

With a unique nonprofit business model, Handi-Crafters employs, trains, and encourages people with intellectual and developmental challenges to enable them to find meaningful and engaging opportunities in the workplace. Focused on the individual skills and needs of the community it serves, Handi-Crafters has been delivering employment-centered programs for more than 60 years from its facilities in Thorndale, Pa. We speak with the Executive Director of Handi-Crafters, April Ennis-Pierson, to learn more about the organization and its innovative approach to its work.
OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS
Handi-Crafters
Website: hcocenter.org
Facebook: facebook.com/HCOpportunity
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/handi-crafters
April Ennis-Pierson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/april-ennis-pierson-32b33127/
Additional Links
Section 14(c) Subminimum Wage Certificate Program
PA Office of Developmental Programs
ARC of Chester County
Herr’s
Victory Brewing
CTDI
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe
Transcript

The transcript for this episode will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
48min
August 09, 2024Producing Green Energy with Ron DiSabatino
Start Local Podcast Spring Networking Event
We'll be gathering as a community in Coatesville, Pa on Wednesday, May 6th from 5 to 7 PM. This opportunity to meet and mingle with business and nonprofit leaders from in and around Chester County is free to attend, but registration is required.

Come on out for an evening of great people, meaningful conversations, and delicious local food and drink.

Learn more and register over on our website at startlocal.co.

Green or clean energy regularly garners press coverage and is often a topic of vigorous public debate. We speak at length with Ron DiSabatino about sustainable and fossil-fueled energy to better understand the factors and considerations around the debate. Ron is the VP of Nuclear Engineering with Constellation, the largest provider of carbon-free energy in the US. We also explore employee recruitment, engagement, and retention, discussing how Constellation works to attract top talent to its nuclear power plants.
OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
LINKS

Constellation
Constellation Energy website: constellationenergy.com
Twitter: @ConstellationEG
Linked In: linkedin.com/company/constellation-energy
Instagram: @constellationenergy
Facebook: facebook.com/ConstellationEnergy
YouTube: Constellation – YouTube
Nuclear Energy Information & Statistics
US Department of Energy: Multimedia Resources | Department of Energy
Nuclear Energy Institute: Nuclear Energy Institute – nei.org
Yucca Mountain
Additional Links
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Tick Tock Early Learning Center
Transcript

The transcript will be posted as soon as it is available.
...more
55min

FAQs about Start Local:

How many episodes does Start Local have?

The podcast currently has 103 episodes available.

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