Oh man, I don’t remember an interview that required this much post-editing, but Jason Marby, after all, is the producer of a comedy showcase called Uncensored. He hosts three of them in different locations every month. He started 7 years ago on stage doing standup and has never looked back. 

But, he’s more than that…he’s a single Dad raising a 15 year old, he works hard, has fun and over the last two years, has added a new flavor to nightlife in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

And…in spite of all the editing I had to do before rolling out this episode, Jason is still really, really funny!

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Jay.

Jason can be found on social media:

His FB page

His IG page

The John Krol Podcast is a production of OneEighty Media. Check out some of the work we do on John's blog, where you can take a deeper dive into past episodes.

In Part 2 we unpack how George was able to get the copyright for the term "Currency" - at least for hot beverages....and this Currency, is actually worth something these days. Also, how is he able to use the design for all that money (at least the pre-Federal Reserve notes) in the Currency Coffee branding and packaging. It's a great story!

Sure, this guy has built a successful coffee roasting company with a brilliant branding strategy, blending the familiar images of the money, American currency printed in Dalton, Massachusetts. But, that doesn't scratch the surface of George's life and experience in the food service and restaurant industry. Growing up in a family that lived and breathed the industry, he served massive parties at Churchill Downs, owned his own restaurants - sold them - and did his share of consulting for other eateries. In my two part episode with George we do a little autopsy on the restaurant industry in the Berkshires post-pandemic protocols, which was devastating to many small businesses, how his business was almost roasted (a-hem, sorry) by the pandemic, inner workings of Currency Coffee, the Currency branding concept, and the economics of coffee. Coffee has a lot more in common with oil than you may think.

Learn more about Currency on their website (click here)!

The John Krol Podcast is a production of OneEighty Media. Check out some of the work we do on John's blog, where you can take a deeper dive into past episodes.

Sure, this guy has built a successful coffee roasting company with a brilliant branding strategy, blending the familiar images of the money, American currency printed in Dalton, Massachusetts. But, that doesn't scratch the surface of George's life and experience in the food service and restaurant industry. Growing up in a family that lived and breathed the industry, he served massive parties at Churchill Downs, owned his own restaurants - sold them - and did his share of consulting for other eateries. In my two part episode with George we do a little autopsy on the restaurant industry in the Berkshires post-pandemic protocols, which was devastating to many small businesses, how his business was almost roasted (a-hem, sorry) by the pandemic, inner workings of Currency Coffee, the Currency branding concept, and the economics of coffee. Coffee has a lot more in common with oil than you may think.

Learn more about Currency on their website (click here)!

The John Krol Podcast is a production of OneEighty Media. Check out some of the work we do on John's blog, where you can take a deeper dive into past episodes.

This 23 year old is ultra focused on growing his premium, American-made, shoe business methodically to build for the long haul. After all, the shoes he has created and sells should last about 10 years. We unpack the value proposition for the $295 boat shoe and the market he is targeting, as he considers shifting from online sales to establishing his brand in specialty brick and mortar retail. By the way, AJ didn't go to college, and as he developed his big idea (while working full-time) he has instead surrounded himself with a group of trusted mentors who have helped him along the way. 

From the Boatman Shoes website: 

AJ, age 23,  is the owner and CEO of Boatman Shoes, who grew up in the beautiful Berkshires.   He has always had a passion for quality apparel,  and wanted to start a business of which he was proud.  “Save the earth, one shoe at a time”.

Boatman Shoes started in 2020 after research in bridging the gap between sustainability and fashion.  AJ and his team have more exciting innovations in the works!

To bring sustainable shoes to the active community. Offering completely sustainable footwear is not only for the fashionable environmentalist, It makes wearing luxury products good for the planet. As we grow Boatman Shoes, we will be helping protect our planet by working with with 1% for the planet. Boatman Shoes is driven to not only supply comfortable, luxury, and sustainable footwear, But to leave no “footprint” as we grow.

We keep it absolutely real in my conversation with Xavier Jones. He has been powerful force in the restaurant industry in Western Massachusetts and beyond for two decades. He's seen great success, devastating failures - and amid it all - he has only strengthened his faith in God and in his path. I hope you'll enjoy this episode that sheds new light into Xavier's story and his passion for life. Oh, and by the way, did we mention he's opening a new restaurant, which will undoubtedly serve as a vibrant centerpiece to a revitalizing town of Adams in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

Xavier is originally from Philadelphia and trained at Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh. His past work experience includes the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA where he gained experience in New England and French cooking.

He worked as a Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef at:

I bring my love of food and people to all that I do.

We catch-up with Eryca and hit on her start as a comedian, the industry, giving a platform for women in the industry, and the burgeoning scene for comedians in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts....yup, no kidding! She's a Mom who loves wine and hitting the dance floor. We love her and love our conversation!

______

A Mom and Comedian, Eryca Nolan considers herself a work in progress when it comes to balancing these two acts.

More of a Story Teller than a Jokester she entertains you with wit and unfiltered honesty as she expresses her take on Single Motherhood, Love and most importantly Wine. Whether you are a Mom or have a Mom, her tales will make you feel right at home.

She has performed at Cozzy’s Comedy Club, Appeared on TVOne’s Crime Series For My Man and Thou Shalt Not, Featured on Season 7 of Comics Watching Comics on Amazon Video as well as the Moms at the Movies Segment on WUSA9’s Great Day Washington.

Considered the Original Bad Mom of Comedy, Eryca Nolan is Funny As A Mother.

Eryca IG

Eryca's Twitter

Eryca's FB

Hi Everyone! A quick check-in to tell you about my new podcast (available on most podcast platforms - links in the comments **please subscribe ), where we will be taking deep dives in a long form audio-based format. This is going back to my roots in radio and airing it out with the endless number of fascinating and wonderfully talented people who I have the pleasure of knowing - and so many who I have yet to meet. I am asking you to reach out to me and let me know the stories you’d like to hear and who may be a great guest! And please tell your friends!

I hope you will subscribe through your podcast app of choice, engage and let’s continue the conversation.

Thank you and much love to you and yours!

John Krol

http://www.johnkrol.info

Aaron Weeks has given himself an education on advocating for a badly needed public project - the reconstruction of a deteriorating track surface - in his hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He has earned his honorary degree in advocacy as the approximately $600k to $1 million project is much closer to coming to fruition through the effort he has spearheaded. As the campaign evolved, Aaron has cultivated a now-active alumni group of hundreds of former track athletes, creating a wider network of support for a sport (track and field) that is the most accessible for so many younger people - no matter their socio-economic background or ethnicity. We talk about his efforts, a little bit about track and field history, some glory days (sorry!) and next steps. Great job, Aaron and everyone who is working to make this project happen!

By the way, alumni of Pittsfield High School Track & Field ought to join the FB and IG pages for the alumni group:

Instagram handle: phs_tf_alumni

PHS Track and Field Alumni FB Group

Reach out to Aaron Weeks directly via email at: [email protected]

In part 2 we analyze the artwork in the studio and continue on Poetry, publishing, journalism, blogging, existential crises, life purpose, art, baseball, Hollywood, and more. 

This is also was a glass of blue label whiskey with Dan. So if you meet him at the Gateway Inn in Lenox, or sitting by the river in his backyard, your conversation with Dan may sound a bit like this one on the podcast.

Dan has a new work of poetry THIRD PERSON SINGULAR: 33 1/3 Poems - a collection of work by Dan, Jerri Chaplin and Paul Kocak.

Dan is an author whose books have made him a “five-decade man” — his titles have been published in the 1970s (1979), '80s, '90s, '00s, and tens (2010, 11). He has written 18 books and edited six more. His works have been widely quoted, cited, and anthologized. He has also written for the stage and for films.

Check out more books by Dan here.

You also may have heard he's got a blog that you can read here.

We run the gamut on this one. In fact, we needed to split this into two parts. Poetry, publishing, journalism, blogging, existential crises, life purpose, art, baseball, Hollywood, and more. This is what a cup of coffee is like with Dan. So if you meet him at Juice N' Java in downtown Dalton, or on his back porch, your conversation may sound a bit like this one on the podcast.

Dan has a new work of poetry THIRD PERSON SINGULAR: 33 1/3 Poems - a collection of work by Dan, Jerri Chaplin and Paul Kocak. 

Dan is an author whose books have made him a “five-decade man” — his titles have been published in the 1970s (1979), '80s, '90s, '00s, and tens (2010, 11). He has written 18 books and edited six more. His works have been widely quoted, cited, and anthologized. He has also written for the stage and for films.

Check out more books by Dan here.

You also may have heard he's got a blog that you can read here.