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BusinessTalk

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Western Massachusetts business, explained by its builders.

The gist

BusinessTalk is a steady regional business interview show centered on Western Massachusetts institutions and the people running them. Episodes favor plainspoken context over hot takes, with leaders explaining finances, missions, staffing, community needs, events, and plans.

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About BusinessTalk

BusinessTalk is a regional business interview show focused on Western Massachusetts and the institutions that keep its civic and economic life moving. Its conversations are practical, locally anchored, and usually built around one guest with a clear role inside a business, nonprofit, school, chamber, or community project. The show spends time on how organizations work, not just what they announce. That gives episodes a useful documentary quality. Lois Nesci explains Gándara Mental Health Center through its broad service mission, from recovery and prevention work to housing, family resource centers, and residential programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nicolle Cestero discusses American International College through leadership, mission, expense reductions, revenue generation, and the Pathway to Progress plan. Mike Tautznik brings CitySpace into focus as both a cultural project and a bricks-and-mortar challenge at Old Town Hall. Julie Quink talks about accounting beyond tax season, including firm culture, flexibility, family time, community work, and team retention. Diana Szynal frames the Springfield Regional Chamber around listening to members, shaping a legislative agenda, and convening events such as Outlook. Ayanna Crawford connects media, public relations, education, parent engagement, and nonprofit community programming. Sean O'Brien brings cybersecurity down from abstraction into AI detection tools, human judgment, soft skills, and business readiness. Jillian Morgan explains the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts through food sourcing, partner networks, regional hunger, a move to Chicopee, and the march for the Food Bank. Across these episodes, the tone is measured and service-oriented. Guests are encouraged to give background before promoting an event or initiative. The result is a show for people who care about local decision-making, institutional resilience, and the practical side of community development. BusinessTalk does not chase national business drama. It listens closely to regional leaders explaining the work in front of them.

Made for: BusinessTalk is for Western Massachusetts professionals, nonprofit leaders, civic organizers, educators, and locally engaged listeners who want context on regional institutions. It also suits anyone tracking community development through real operating details.

What sets it apart: The show stands apart by treating local business as civic infrastructure. Guests discuss staffing, funding, strategy, facilities, advocacy, services, and community needs with a level of specificity broader business shows often skip.

In their own words

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.The Host: Joseph Bednar, Editor of BusinessWest & Healthcare News. Joe is a veteran writer and copy editor with more than two decades of experience covering Western Massachusetts.

Why you'd press play

Western Massachusetts leaders meet the question you actually had: how does the work get done?

Press play if you want

  • see how local missions become working programs with budgets attached
  • hear cybersecurity explained without losing the human element
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Western Massachusetts economycommunity developmentnonprofit leadershiphigher education strategychamber advocacyfood securitycybersecurity and AIregional events and fundraising

Talks about

Business & Finance

Podcasts like BusinessTalk

Episodes

  1. 1

    BusinessTalk with Sadiq Elias, Plant Manager, Ace Precision Inc: Success by Design

    ·14m
  2. 2

    BusinessTalk with Nicolle Cestero, President, American International College: Making Progress

    ·25m
  3. 3

    BusinessTalk With Mike Tautznik, Board Treasurer, CitySpace: Momentum At Old Town Hall

    ·22m
  4. 4

    BusinessTalk with Julie Quink, Managing Principal, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.: Beyond the Numbers

    ·15m
  5. 5

    BusinessTalk with Diana Szynal, President and CEO, Springfield Regional Chamber: A Vital Mission

    ·20m
  6. 6

    BusinessTalk with Ayanna Crawford, President, AC Consulting Media & Public Relations Firm: Educating, Elevating, And Inspiring

    ·29m
  7. 7

    BusinessTalk with Meg Talbert, Executive Director, Dakin Humane Society: More Than a Pet Project

    ·20m
  8. 8

    BusinessTalk with Sean O'Brien, Director of Cybersecurity & Computer Science at Bay Path University

    ·25m
  9. 9

    BusinessTalk with Jillian Morgan, Director of Development, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

    ·22m
  10. 10

    BusinessTalk with Chelsea Kline, Executive Director, Cancer Connection: Leading with Empathy and Impact

    ·24m
  11. 11

    BusinessTalk with Aaron Vega, President and CEO, Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council: The EDC’s Next Phase

    ·19m
  12. 12

    BusinessTalk with Tony Worden: Safety First

    ·25m
  13. 13

    BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, President and CEO, Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

    ·19m
  14. 14

    BusinessTalk with Nate Costa, President, Springfield Thunderbirds

    ·23m
  15. 15

    BusinessTalk with Emily Carlson, Owner, We Do Travel Right

    ·19m
  16. 16

    BusinessTalk with Lindsay LaBonte, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer, HMA Mortgage

    ·20m
  17. 17

    BusinessTalk with Jeffrey Fialky, Managing Shareholder, Bacon Wilson, P.C.

    ·22m
  18. 18

    BusinessTalk with Michelle Grout, executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District

    ·19m
  19. 19

    BusinessTalk with Jim White and Gary Stone, Founders and Partners, Go Graphix

    ·21m
  20. 20

    BusinessTalk with Amy Royal, CEO, the Royal Law Firm

    ·21m
  21. 21

    BusinessTalk with Marianna Litovich, Executive Director, All Our Kids Inc.

    ·23m
  22. 22

    BusinessTalk with Chris Thompson, founder and owner, Westfield Starfires

    ·21m
  23. 23

    BusinessTalk with Jacob Robinson, Executive Director, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

    ·22m
  24. 24

    BusinessTalk with Megan MacBride, Director of Marketing & Communications, Better Business Bureau of Central New England

    ·20m
  25. 25

    BusinessTalk with LaunchSpace President and CEO Brianna Drohen

    ·24m
  26. 26

    BusinessTalk with Brianna Drohen, President and CEO of LaunchSpace

    ·24m
  27. 27

    BusinessTalk with Girls Inc. Executive Director Suzanne Parker

    ·21m
  28. 28

    BusinessTalk with Emma deVillier, owner of deVillier Designs

    ·17m
  29. 29

    BusinessTalk with DJ Tucker, executive director at the Children’s Museum at Holyoke

    ·28m
  30. 30

    BusinessTalk with John and Chris DeVoie, founders and owners of the growing chain of Hot Table panini restaurants

    ·19m
  31. 31

    BusinessTalk with Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders

    ·23m
  32. 32

    BusinessTalk with Kathy Martin, president and CEO of Glenmeadow

    ·19m
  33. 33

    BusinessTalk with Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank

    ·20m
  34. 34

    BusinessTalk with Mick Corduff

    ·24m
  35. 35

    BusinessTalk with Emily Leonczyk, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Markens Group

    ·24m
  36. 36

    BusinessTalk with Bill Gagnon, executive vice president and COO, Excel Dryer

    ·23m
  37. 37

    BusinessTalk with Lois Nesci, CEO, Gándara Mental Health Center: A Broad Mission to Serve

    ·23m
  38. 38

    BusinessTalk with Nicole Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions

    ·20m
  39. 39

    BusinessTalk with PVRC Executive Director Ben Quick

    ·25m
  40. 40

    BusinessTalk with the man known online as Dave Hayes the Weather Nut

    ·21m
  41. 41

    BusinessTalk with Darby O’Brien

    ·18m
  42. 42

    BusinesssTalk with Ashley Muspratt and Emily Gaylord

    ·23m
  43. 43

    BusinessTalk with Jillian Duclos, executive director of the Northampton Downtown Assoc.

    ·23m
  44. 44

    BusinessTalk with Kara Bombard, president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield

    ·20m
  45. 45

    BusinessTalk with FCCDC Executive Director John Waite and Communications Director Kate Lawless

    ·22m
  46. 46

    BusinessTalk with Angela Park, president of Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc.

    ·19m
  47. 47

    BusinessTalk with Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank

    ·23m
  48. 48

    BusinessTalk with Chris Freeman, executive director of Parlor Room Collective

    ·20m
  49. 49

    BusinessTalk with Delcie Bean, owner of Paragus Strategic I.T.

    ·20m
  50. 50

    BusinessTalk with Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

    ·21m
  51. 51

    BusinessTalk with Sarah Tsitso, executive director of the Forest Park Zoo

    ·22m
  52. 52

    BusinessTalk with Hannah Rechtschaffen, director of the Greenfield Business Association

    ·20m
  53. 53

    BusinessTalk with Curio and Frank Nataloni, owners of Kitchens by Curio

    ·18m
  54. 54

    BusinessTalk with HBRAWM Executive Director Andrew Crane

    ·17m
  55. 55

    BusinessTalk with Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke

    ·21m
  56. 56

    BusinessTalk with Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race

    ·18m
  57. 57

    BusinessTalk with Shelley Zimmerman, hospital administrator, and Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development

    ·17m
  58. 58

    BusinessTalk with Elms College President Harry Dumay

    ·23m
  59. 59

    BusinessTalk with president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Rick Sullivan

    ·23m
  60. 60

    BusinessTalk with Frank Borrelli, chair of AIC’s introduction of a new Division of Arts, Media, and Design

    ·25m
  61. 61

    BusinessTalk with Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions

    ·25m
  62. 62

    BusinessTalk with Garett DiStefano, director of Dining Services at UMass Amherst

    ·24m
  63. 63

    BusinessTalk with Vitek Kruta and Lori Divine-Hudson, owners of Gateway City Arts

    ·23m
  64. 64

    BusnessTalk with John DeVoie, co-founder of the Hot Table chain of panini restaurants

    ·20m
  65. 65

    BusinessTalk with Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge in Chicopee

    ·19m
  66. 66

    BusinessTalk with Local Entrepreneur Myke Connolly

    ·27m
  67. 67

    BusinessTalk with owner of Ohana School of Performing Arts, Ashley Kohl

    ·23m
  68. 68

    BusinessTalk with Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan

    ·21m
  69. 69

    BusinessWest with Meg Talbert, Dakin Humane Society executive director

    ·20m
  70. 70

    BusinessTalk with Maria Rivera, executive director at Hospice of the Fisher Home

    ·18m
  71. 71

    BusinessTalk with Jody Hagemann, senior director of Sales Engineering for Comcast Business

    ·20m
  72. 72

    BusinessTalk with Keith Fairey, president and CEO of Way Finders

    ·20m
  73. 73

    BusinessTalk with Carl Mercieri, vice president of Marois Construction

    ·17m
  74. 74

    BusinessTalk with Dr. Mark Kenton, chief of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Medical Center

    ·24m
  75. 75

    BusinessTalk with Diana Szynal president and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber

    ·21m
  76. 76

    BusinessTalk Dave Wisseman of Mike's Maze in Sunderland

    ·22m
  77. 77

    BusinessTalk with Joel Doolin, MiraVista’s executive vice president

    ·19m
  78. 78

    BusinessTalk with Chris Kelley, MGM Springfield’s president and COO

    ·20m
  79. 79

    BusinessTalk with Dr. Andrew Lam, retinal surgeon with New England Retina Consultants

    ·24m
  80. 80

    BusinessTalk with Matt Flink president of Appleton Corp.

    ·24m
  81. 81

    BusinessTalk with Chikmedia’s Meghan Rothschild

    ·23m
  82. 82

    BusinessTalk with Valley Blue Sox General Manager Tyler Descheneaux

    ·23m
  83. 83

    BuisnessTalk with CDH’s president and CEO, Dr. Lynnette Watkins

    ·24m
  84. 84

    BusinessTalk with Craig Della Penna, president of the Norwottuck Network Inc. board of directors and broker at the Murphys Realtors

    ·24m
  85. 85

    BusinessTalk with Hubert Benitez, president of American International College

    ·26m
  86. 86

    Joe Bednar Interviews Nicole Polite, CEO and Founder of MH Group

    ·21m
  87. 87

    Joe Bednar talks with Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start

    ·23m
  88. 88

    Joe Bednar interviews Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Tourism Council

    ·21m
  89. 89

    Joseph Bednar Discusses Hooplandia Gene Cassidy and John Doleva

    ·24m
  90. 90

    Joseph Bednar Interviews Erica Swallow, Top-selling Realtor for Coldwell Banker

    ·24m
  91. 91

    BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Alison Berman, council director of Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts

    ·21m
  92. 92

    Joe Bednar talks with Paul Lambert, president and CEO of the SSO

    ·21m
  93. 93

    George O’Brien Interviews Meredith Wise, soon-to-be-retired president of the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast

    ·24m
  94. 94

    George Interviews Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

    ·20m
  95. 95

    George Interviews Dr. Negar Beheshti, chief medical officer for MiraVista Behavioral Health Center

    ·19m
  96. 96

    George Interviews Corey Wrinn, Managing Director of Rivel

    ·19m
  97. 97

    George Interviews Michelle Schutt, president of Greenfield Community College

    ·19m
  98. 98

    BusinessTalk with Center Square Grill 10 owner Bill Collins

    Bill Collins, owner of Center Square Grill, discusses his 10-year journey in the restaurant business, from his early days in New York to opening his own grill in East Longmeadow.

    ·24m
  99. 99

    BusinessTalk with Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition

    Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition, discusses the upcoming Big E fair and its role in bringing families together post-pandemic.

    ·22m
  100. 100

    BusinessTalk with Gene Cassidy, President and CEO, Eastern States Exposition

    George O'Brien interviews Gene Cassidy, President and CEO of Eastern States Exposition, about the record-breaking 2024 Big E fair and the challenges of following up a successful year.

    ·21m
  101. 101

    BusinessTalk with Lois Nesci, CEO, Gándara Mental Health Center: A Broad Mission to Serve

    Hidden gem

    BusinessTalk host Joe Bednar interviews Lois Nesci, CEO of Gándara Mental Health Center, about services delivered through 70 locations to 18,000 people with 1,100 staff.

    Apr 1, 2026·23m·1 clip
  102. 102

    BusinessTalk with Nicolle Cestero, President, American International College: Making Progress

    Hidden gem

    Nicolle Cestero, president of American International College, discusses her unexpected path to leadership and her commitment to serving first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students.

    Mar 16, 2026·25m·1 clip
  103. 103

    BusinessTalk With Mike Tautznik, Board Treasurer, CitySpace: Momentum At Old Town Hall

    Hidden gem

    BusinessTalk guest Mike Tausnick says CitySpace secured a $3.5 million congressional earmark for phase three at East Hampton's Old Town Hall.

    Mar 2, 2026·22m·2 clips
  104. 104

    BusinessTalk with Julie Quink, Managing Principal, Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.: Beyond the Numbers

    Julie Quink says her 35th tax season reflects accounting work that continues beyond the January-to-May rush.

    Feb 17, 2026·15m·1 clip
  105. 105

    BusinessTalk with Diana Szynal, President and CEO, Springfield Regional Chamber: A Vital Mission

    Springfield Regional Chamber CEO Diana Szynal says chambers remain “small but mighty,” with legislative advocacy and in-person networking central to their work.

    Feb 2, 2026·20m·1 clip
  106. 106

    BusinessTalk with Ayanna Crawford, President, AC Consulting Media & Public Relations Firm: Educating, Elevating, And Inspiring

    Hidden gem

    Ayanna Crawford, president of AC Consulting and Media PR firm, discusses her 2025 Springfield school committee election, which followed a 2021 campaign and drew 1,213 votes.

    Jan 19, 2026·29m·2 clips
  107. 107

    BusinessTalk with Meg Talbert, Executive Director, Dakin Humane Society: More Than a Pet Project

    Dec 22, 2025·20m
  108. 108

    BusinessTalk with Sean O'Brien, Director of Cybersecurity & Computer Science at Bay Path University

    Hidden gem

    Sean O'Brien, Bay Path University's Director of Cybersecurity and Computer Science, explains how AI is changing familiar threats such as phishing, botnets, and data breaches.

    Dec 8, 2025·25m·1 clip
  109. 109

    BusinessTalk with Jillian Morgan, Director of Development, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

    Hidden gem

    Jillian Morgan, director of development at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, explains how the organization supplies nearly 200 pantries, meal sites, and shelters across four counties.

    Nov 24, 2025·22m·1 clip
  110. 110

    BusinessTalk with Chelsea Kline, Executive Director, Cancer Connection: Leading with Empathy and Impact

    Nov 10, 2025·24m
  111. 111

    BusinessTalk with Aaron Vega, President and CEO, Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council: The EDC’s Next Phase

    Oct 27, 2025·19m
  112. 112

    BusinessTalk with Tony Worden: Safety First

    Oct 10, 2025·25m
  113. 113

    BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, President and CEO, Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

    Sep 29, 2025·19m
  114. 114

    BusinessTalk with Nate Costa, President, Springfield Thunderbirds

    Sep 15, 2025·23m
  115. 115

    BusinessTalk with Gene Cassidy, President and CEO, Eastern States Exposition

    Sep 1, 2025·21m
  116. 116

    BusinessTalk with Emily Carlson, Owner, We Do Travel Right

    Aug 18, 2025·19m
  117. 117

    BusinessTalk with Lindsay LaBonte, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer, HMA Mortgage

    Aug 4, 2025·20m
  118. 118

    BusinessTalk with Jeffrey Fialky, Managing Shareholder, Bacon Wilson, P.C.

    Jun 23, 2025·22m
  119. 119

    BusinessTalk with Michelle Grout, executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District

    Jun 22, 2025·19m
  120. 120

    BusinessTalk with Jim White and Gary Stone, Founders and Partners, Go Graphix

    Jun 9, 2025·21m
  121. 121

    BusinessTalk with Amy Royal, CEO, the Royal Law Firm

    May 26, 2025·21m
  122. 122

    BusinessTalk with Marianna Litovich, Executive Director, All Our Kids Inc.

    May 12, 2025·23m
  123. 123

    BusinessTalk with Chris Thompson, founder and owner, Westfield Starfires

    Apr 28, 2025·21m
  124. 124

    BusinessTalk with Jacob Robinson, Executive Director, Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

    Apr 14, 2025·22m
  125. 125

    BusinessTalk with Megan MacBride, Director of Marketing & Communications, Better Business Bureau of Central New England

    Mar 31, 2025·20m
  126. 126

    BusinessTalk with LaunchSpace President and CEO Brianna Drohen

    Mar 17, 2025·24m
  127. 127

    BusinessTalk with Brianna Drohen, President and CEO of LaunchSpace

    Mar 17, 2025·24m
  128. 128

    BusinessTalk with Girls Inc. Executive Director Suzanne Parker

    Mar 3, 2025·21m
  129. 129

    BusinessTalk with Emma deVillier, owner of deVillier Designs

    Feb 17, 2025·17m
  130. 130

    BusinessTalk with DJ Tucker, executive director at the Children’s Museum at Holyoke

    Feb 3, 2025·28m
  131. 131

    BusinessTalk with John and Chris DeVoie, founders and owners of the growing chain of Hot Table panini restaurants

    Jan 20, 2025·19m
  132. 132

    BusinessTalk with Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders

    Jan 6, 2025·23m
  133. 133

    BusinessTalk with Kathy Martin, president and CEO of Glenmeadow

    Dec 23, 2024·19m
  134. 134

    BusinessTalk with Matt Bannister, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at Holyoke-based PeoplesBank

    Dec 9, 2024·20m
  135. 135

    BusinessTalk with Mick Corduff

    Nov 25, 2024·24m
  136. 136

    BusinessTalk with Emily Leonczyk, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Markens Group

    Nov 11, 2024·24m
  137. 137

    BusinessTalk with Bill Gagnon, executive vice president and COO, Excel Dryer

    Oct 29, 2024·23m
  138. 138

    BusinessTalk with Sadiq Elias, Plant Manager, Ace Precision Inc: Success by Design

    Oct 15, 2024·14m
  139. 139

    BusinessTalk with Nicole Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions

    Jun 17, 2024·20m
  140. 140

    BusinessTalk with PVRC Executive Director Ben Quick

    Jun 10, 2024·25m
  141. 141

    BusinessTalk with the man known online as Dave Hayes the Weather Nut

    Jun 3, 2024·21m
  142. 142

    BusinessTalk with Darby O’Brien

    May 27, 2024·18m
  143. 143

    BusinesssTalk with Ashley Muspratt and Emily Gaylord

    May 20, 2024·23m
  144. 144

    BusinessTalk with Jillian Duclos, executive director of the Northampton Downtown Assoc.

    May 13, 2024·23m
  145. 145

    BusinessTalk with Kara Bombard, president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield

    Joe Bednar interviews Kara Bombard, president of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and marketing manager at Performance Food Service, about her role and being named to Business West's 40 Under 40 class of 2024.

    May 6, 2024·20m
  146. 146

    BusinessTalk with FCCDC Executive Director John Waite and Communications Director Kate Lawless

    Apr 29, 2024·22m
  147. 147

    BusinessTalk with Angela Park, president of Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc.

    Apr 22, 2024·19m
  148. 148

    BusinessTalk with Tara Brewster, vice president of Business Development and director of Philanthropy at Greenfield Savings Bank

    Apr 15, 2024·23m
  149. 149

    BusinessTalk with Chris Freeman, executive director of Parlor Room Collective

    Chris Freeman, executive director of Parlor Room Collective, discusses his background as a musician and his role in booking the venue.

    Apr 8, 2024·20m
  150. 150

    BusinessTalk with Delcie Bean, owner of Paragus Strategic I.T.

    Apr 1, 2024·20m