It’s Freitag! - Business and Life in the Monadnock Region

31 - Michelle DellaVita, Elevating Leadership Across the Monadnock Region

Jan Ziegler sits down with Michelle DellaVita, Director of Leadership Monadnock at the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, to talk about regional leadership development, workforce retention, and building stronger community connections. From expanding leadership pipelines to fostering cross-sector collaboration, this episode dives into how intentional leadership strengthens the entire Monadnock Region.

30 - Colleen Spear, Building Sustainable Businesses from Day One

In this episode of It's Freitag Podcast, host Jan Ziegler interviews Colleen Spear, founder of Spearpoint Strategies. Colleen shares her journey from sustainability student to business consultant, explaining how she helps companies scale and grow with purpose through systems and strategy. From the importance of networking to redefining consulting for small businesses, Colleen offers insights into building businesses that thrive long-term without losing their culture or values. Tune in for practical advice on creating systems that support both profit and purpose.

29 - Joe Shawver, Building a Bookkeeping Business in Keene

In this episode of It’s Freitag Podcast, Jan Ziegler sits down with Joe Shawver, owner of The Square Books. They discuss Joe’s journey building a bookkeeping business rooted in trust, education, and long-term relationships. Tune in for valuable insights on understanding the story behind the numbers, helping business owners identify profitability, and growing a service-based business through referrals and community involvement.

28 - Emily Benson, How Bensonwood is Solving the Skilled Labor Shortage

In this episode of It’s Freitag, Jan Ziegler sits down with Emily Benson, Head of Employee Success at Bensonwood. They discuss Emily's journey growing up in her family’s construction business, the innovative apprenticeships she's creating to solve local workforce challenges, and her vision for the future of Keene. Tune in for valuable insights on workforce development, community leadership, and the importance of housing and downtown vitality.

27 - Todd Horner, Supporting Local Towns With Expertise and Long-Term Vision

In this episode of It’s Freitag, Jan Ziegler sits down with Todd Horner, Executive Director at the Southwest Region Planning Commission. They discuss Todd's journey from farming to leading regional planning, tackling challenges like affordable housing, transportation, and climate resilience across the Monadnock Region. Tune in for valuable insights on community planning and the future of small towns.

26 - Andy DeMeo, Championing Optimism with the Granite Goodness Podcast

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with Andy DeMeo, creator of Granite Goodness, to explore how optimism and progress-driven storytelling can reshape the way we see the world. Andy shares what inspired him to push back against the negativity bias in traditional media, the overlooked stories of progress in areas like health, equality, and sustainability, and how he’s applying this “progress journalism” lens to highlight innovation and collaboration across New England communities. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about media, community impact, and building a movement around positive storytelling.

25 - Hart Brothers Tree Service, From Fighting Wildfires to Building a Tree Service Business

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with Collin and Tim Hart of Hart Brothers Tree Service to discuss their journey from wildland firefighters to business owners. They share how their experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail and fighting fires gave them the confidence to start a tree service, the importance of community trust in their growth, and how they balance equipment investments with maintaining a strong focus on quality and honesty. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, family collaboration, and the great outdoors.

24 - A.J. Kierstead about media, podcasting and Insurance

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with A.J. Kierstead, communications professional and outreach coordinator for the New Hampshire Insurance Department, to discuss balancing a career in public service with media, creative ambitions, and family life. A.J. shares his journey of navigating the evolving landscape of podcasting and media in New Hampshire, while also making time to stay connected to his community and find joy in his work.

23 - Alana Fiero, Making Keene a Launchpad for Young Talent

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with Alana Fiero—Freitag Marketing team member and President of the Keene Young Professionals Network—to discuss building community, creating opportunities for young talent, and growing KYPN into a hub for leadership and local impact. Alana also shares her journey from corporate philanthropy to founding Taste of Keene during the pandemic.

22 - Jay Hayston, Leading with Compassion, Data, and Bold Decisions

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with Jay Hayston—nonprofit changemaker, data-driven strategist, and CEO of Cedarcrest—to explore how compassionate leadership, bold decisions, and innovative care models are reshaping what’s possible for medically complex children and the teams who support them.