Some conversations leave you with more questions than answers—and sometimes that’s exactly the point.

This week, I’m joined by William Kelley, Practitioner or Psychology, holistic wellness practitioner, meditation and yoga instructor, musician, and founder of Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center. We dive into some of life’s biggest questions, exploring spirituality, consciousness, the paranormal, mental health, religion, gratitude, and what it really means to stay open-minded.

Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in the middle, this isn’t about convincing anyone what to think. It’s about having an honest conversation, asking better questions, and exploring ideas that most people don’t talk about out loud.

Along the way, we discuss ghosts, haunted locations like Wilson Castle and the Conjuring House, the connection between mental health and spirituality, why gratitude matters, and whether love might be the one thing that truly connects us all.

No matter where you land on these topics, I think you’ll walk away seeing the world just a little differently.

Episode Partner: McNeil & Reedy - A Rutland tradition since 1956, helping generations of Vermonters look their best with quality menswear, expert tailoring, and exceptional service.

Special thanks to our sponsors:
 ICO Electric – Powering homes, businesses, and communities across Vermont.
 The Hub CoWorks – Rutland’s home for entrepreneurs, remote workers, creators, and community.

Thanks for listening to Talking Life in Vermont. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and share it—it helps more than you know.

Talking Life in Vermont: Daniel Villarreal — Second Chances, Building Something Bigger, and Leaving a Legacy

In this episode of Talking Life in Vermont, I sit down with Daniel Villarreal, owner of Meticulous LLC.

Daniel’s story is one that sticks with you.

We talk about growing up in Vermont, hitting some difficult seasons in life, making the decision to change direction, and building something completely different. From starting with one mower and one truck to growing a company that now employs over 20 people, Daniel shares what it really takes to build a business — and more importantly, build a life you’re proud of.

We talk about second chances, sobriety, family, parenting, community, and why success isn’t just about numbers on paper. Daniel shares how his company works to give people opportunities, provide stability, and create a culture where people can grow.

We also get into the lighter stuff — childhood memories, seven-layer cookies, hunting, golf, food, raising kids, vacation adventures, and what makes Vermont such a special place to call home.

This conversation is honest, emotional, funny, and very Vermont.

Thanks for listening to Talking Life in Vermont.

This week on Talking Life in Vermont, I sit down with Casey McNeil, third-generation owner of McNeil & Reedy in downtown Rutland, as they celebrate 70 years in business.
We talk about what it means to come home, raise a family here, and help carry on a local business that has been part of Rutland for generations. Casey shares his thoughts on housing in our region, moving back to Rutland County, working with his dad and uncle, renovating the store, and why he sees retail as more hospitality than sales.
We also get into fatherhood, old cars, grilling, whiskey, dressing well, the perfect summer day in Vermont, and a terrifying “life flashed before my eyes” moment from his college years in Burlington.
A big thank you to The Hub CoWorks on Merchants Row in Rutland for giving this podcast a home, and to ICO Electric for helping support local conversations like this one.
If you want to change a community, you have to know who’s in it.

In this episode of Talking Life in Vermont, Jonathan sits down with Micaiah Boyle for a real conversation about sports, family, work ethic, growing up, and figuring out what comes next.
Micaiah shares what it was like playing college lacrosse, breaking two vertebrae during his freshman year, and fighting his way back onto the field. He also talks about graduating college, stepping into a new career, moving toward life in Boston, and the lessons he’s carrying with him from his parents, siblings, coaches, and teammates.
This episode is about resilience, honesty, family, and the small moments that end up mattering more than we realize.
Recorded at The Hub Coworks on Merchants Row in Rutland, Vermont.
Sponsored by ICO Electric.

Stephen Wilk returns to the Talking Life in Vermont Podcast to share the story of his month-long trip to Costa Rica and the yoga instructor training that became a deeply transformative experience.
In this episode, Stephen talks about the path that led him to yoga, the years it took to finally make this training happen, and what it was like to spend three weeks immersed in movement, meditation, philosophy, silence, community, and self-discovery. Jonathan is also joined by Miranda Schroth as they explore the deeper meaning of yoga beyond stretching, including awareness, healing, mantra, breath, joy, curiosity, and reconnecting with who we really are.
Stephen also shares stories from Costa Rica, including the food, the people, the off-grid beachfront setting, the tattoo that marked the experience, and what it felt like coming back home with a renewed sense of light, purpose, and excitement.
This is a conversation about transformation, presence, and bringing something meaningful back into the community.
And remember: if you want to change your community, you have to know who’s in it

Special Thanks to The Hub CoWorks for providing todays recording space!

Mandolyn McIntyre Crow and Tyler Crow of The Crow Group at Real joined me this week to talk about real estate, cooking at home, goats, chickens, tiny house living, building your own home from the ground up, traveling, trains, small planes, anxiety, Friday the 13th weddings, and why Rutland feels like it’s in the middle of a real comeback.

Huge thank you to ICO Electric, our episode sponsor.

Recorded at the podcast studio inside The Hub in downtown Rutland.

Subscribe to Talking Life in Vermont on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and come along for more conversations with the people who make up our community.

In this episode of Talking Life in Vermont, I sit down with Corissa Burnell and Bodie Barton from the Rutland Area Parent Child Center for a conversation about family, fatherhood, community, resilience, and what it really means to support people with dignity.
We talk about Bodie’s work with the Fatherhood Program, Dad’s Café, the importance of giving fathers and male caregivers a place to connect, and the many ways the Parent Child Center is helping families across Rutland County. We also get into personal stories, gratitude, vulnerability, food, music, and the kind of community work that can quietly change generations.
A huge thank you to ICO Electric for sponsoring this episode, and to The Hub for providing the space to keep these local conversations going.

Today’s guest is Nate Mastroeni, principal broker of the Elevations Real Estate Team, LLC. In this episode we talk about Nate’s incredible road trip in his twenties — driving from Pennsylvania all the way to Alaska and back — and the perspective that comes from spending that much time chasing adventure on the open road. Along the way, we also dive into the skiing culture around Killington and Pico, building confidence in our kids, and yes… eventually the conversation drifts into aliens and the unknown.

This episode is proudly partnered with Rutland Appliance — providing quality appliances, dependable service, and a team of trustworthy people who truly care about their customers.This episode was recorded at the podcast studio at HubCoworks in downtown Rutland, Vermont.

If you want to change your community, you have to know who’s in it.

If your in the mood for lots of laughing, caffeinated humor, and funny discussions then your not going to want to miss this episode.

Join Ethan Oprendek, Seth Howland, Daniel Ball, and myself for one of the most unhinged and hilarious episodes we’ve recorded so far.

This is what happens when you put four 90s kids in a room together — three of whom barely know each other — and somehow they instantly become best friends. It’s absolute chaos in the best possible way. From Canadian snacks and paternity tests to friendship flaws, childhood trauma, and the universal fear of being smothered, this episode goes completely off the rails almost immediately. Somewhere along the way, we also try to figure out whether Ethan was actually adopted.

***WARNING*** strong language, questionable decisions, and full debauchery ahead.

In this episode, we sit down with three incredible nurses from right here in Rutland, Vermont, to get a real, unfiltered look into the world of nursing. Joining me are Amanda, David, and my wife, Miranda.

We discuss how nursing has changed over the years, the moments that stick with you, and the lighter, more unexpected sides of the profession. This is a fun, honest, and insightful conversation that gives you a whole new appreciation for the people behind the scrubs.