Talking Life In Vermont With Jonathan Schroth

What actually makes a community stronger? Is it government? New businesses? Better jobs? Or is it the people who decide to take ownership and get involved?

This week, I sit down with Nathan Bosch for a conversation that covers a little bit of everything—from leadership and lifelong learning to raising a nonverbal autistic son, financial literacy, faith, family, and why personal responsibility might be the missing piece in building a better Rutland.

Nathan shares how he’s read hundreds of books by listening at 3x speed, why he decided to earn a business degree after decades in the workforce, what he’s learned leading large teams at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and the perspective that comes from balancing work, ministry, business ownership, and raising four kids.

We also dive into what makes a community thrive, why supporting local businesses matters, how learning about money can bring unexpected peace, and the importance of living intentionally before it’s too late.

Whether you call Rutland home or you’re simply interested in leadership, personal growth, parenting, or building stronger communities, there’s something in this conversation for you.

Recorded at the HubCoworks in downtown Rutland, Vermont.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to follow Talking Life in Vermont, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who loves great conversations about the people shaping Vermont.

What does it take to build a stronger community?

This week on Talking Life in Vermont, Jonathan sits down with Sarah Furman, Executive Director of CEDRR (Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region), for a conversation about the future of Rutland, supporting local businesses, and why she’s optimistic about where the region is headed.

Sarah shares what it’s been like stepping into her new leadership role, why family has always been at the center of her life, and what keeps her passionate about making Rutland County a place where people want to build careers, raise families, and invest in their community.

Along the way, they talk about everything from Startup Rutland and entrepreneurship to favorite local restaurants, the Whoopie Pie Festival, public speaking, family compounds, traveling through Europe, music, and even the dream of bringing a dance club and Topgolf to the area.

If you care about Vermont, small businesses, community development, or simply enjoy genuine conversations with the people shaping our state, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Recorded at The Hub CoWorks in downtown Rutland, Vermont.

Faith, leadership, loss, fishing, food, dogs, and somehow even aliens—all in the same conversation.

This week on Talking Life in Vermont, I sat down with Apostle James Schneider from Beth Towb Rutland and Horizons Early Learning Center. What started with a simple icebreaker turned into one of those conversations that covered just about everything, but somehow never felt like it wandered.

James shares stories about surviving dangerous waters off Block Island, the lessons he’s learned from decades of leading and mentoring people, the peaceful passing of his father, and why losing a dog still hits him harder than almost anything else. We also talk about patience, difficult conversations, parenting, long COVID, and the importance of keeping your mind open—even if the topic happens to be aliens.

Of course, we couldn’t help ourselves when the conversation drifted toward food, from legendary chili dogs to homemade bánh mì and the recipes we’ve inspired each other to make over the years.

If you enjoy honest conversations that don’t feel scripted and aren’t afraid to bounce between humor and real life, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

This episode is proudly partnered with McNeil & Reedy and recorded at The HubCoWorks in downtown Rutland.

Some conversations stay on one track. This one wandered through science, philosophy, food, history, and some of life’s biggest questions—and I loved every minute of it.

This week I sat down with Jas Multani to talk about everything from the idea that all living things might be connected to why quiet moments in nature can be some of the most important ones we have. We also talked about the thoughts we wish we could share without judgment, déjà vu, World War II codebreaking, Albert Einstein, and the curiosity that drives people to explore the unknown.

Jas also shared his experience with a serious health scare and how it changed his perspective on relationships, slowing down, and appreciating the moments that really matter. We even swapped stories about family recipes, Indian comfort food, and why the meals that remind us of home are often about much more than the food itself.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations that blend humor, curiosity, and real life, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Episode Partner: McNeil & Reedyon Merchants Row in Rutland, Vermont.
Recorded at: The HubCoWorks on Merchants Row in Rutland, Vermont.

What makes a community feel like home?

This week, I sat down with Cat Heatley, Executive Director of the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum in downtown Rutland, for a conversation that went in directions I never expected.

We talked about why she and her family took a leap of faith and moved to Vermont without knowing anyone, what it’s like stepping into the leadership of one of Rutland’s most beloved organizations, and why creating spaces where kids can learn, play, and belong matters so much.

Along the way we got into parenting, raising readers, standardized testing, travel, New Zealand, big emotions, the lessons our children teach us, and one unforgettable story from the pandemic that perfectly captures the kindness and humanity that exists in this community.

It’s one of those conversations that starts with simple questions and ends up reminding you why people matter.

A huge thank you to McNeil & Reedy for partnering with this episode and helping make these conversations possible.

And as always, thank you to our incredible sponsors, ICO Electric and The Hub CoWorks, for supporting the Talking Life in Vermont podcast and helping us continue sharing the stories of the people who make Vermont such a special place.

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!