Business & Entrepreneurship Episodes

Some dreams begin with a destination. Others become a lifelong way of leading. As a young girl growing up in Montville, New Jersey, Lindsey Chrismon set her sights on one place: West Point. It was an ambitious goal, one that would shape nearly every chapter that followed. In this encore presentation of one of HarmonyTALK's favorite conversations, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Lindsey to explore an extraordinary journey defined not simply by achievement, but by purpose. That pur...

From the Black Forest to Honesdale: A Story Grown by Hand What does it look like to build a life slowly, intentionally, and with your hands in the soil? In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with Gudrun Feigl, founder of Mount Pleasant Herbary, whose journey from Germany’s Black Forest to Northeastern Pennsylvania is rooted in memory, creativity, and quiet persistence. Gudrun did not set out to become an entrepreneur. Trained as a social worker, she arrived in the U...

Following a Different Beat: From State Trooper to Global Travel Guide What happens when the thing you’ve always loved becomes the center of your life? In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Matt Kizis, whose journey reflects a powerful shift toward alignment and possibility. After years of service as a dedicated Pennsylvania State Trooper, Matt traded in his badge for a passport, deciding to follow his passion for travel and turn it into his life’s work. Toget...

What happens when a story you love becomes the life you choose? In this powerful episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with Scranton native Mike Kunda, founder of the Yo, Philly! Rocky Film Tour and one of the most recognized Rocky impersonators in the world. As a child, Mike faced bullying, insecurity, and a deep sense of not belonging. Then he discovered Rocky. What began as escape became identity. What began as imitation became transformation. Mike shares how he turned...

Chef Von on Hustle, Reinvention and Building Something Real What does it take to bet on yourself when there’s no backup plan? In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with Chef Ryan Von Smith, known as Chef Von, a self-taught chef whose journey spans Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and Macau. After leaving Scranton, Pennsylvania, in search of something bigger, Chef Von worked his way from the door - as a bouncer - at Tao Asian Bistro into high-pressure kitchens acro...

Beyond the Tank: When the Real Entrepreneurial Journey Begins Many entrepreneurs dream of appearing on Shark Tank. But what happens after the cameras turn off? In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with Scranton native and inventor Kim Meckwood, founder of Click & Carry, the simple but ingenious device designed to make carrying grocery bags, paint cans, sports equipment, and everyday loads dramatically easier. Kim’s idea began with a familiar frustration. While ha...

How do you scale a bold idea into a movement? In this HarmonyTALK podcast episode, host Lisa Champeau interviews Dakota Kate Isaacs, the first U.S. employee at DECIEM and former Director of DECIEM USA. Dakota helped grow The Ordinary into one of the most disruptive beauty brands in the world, expanding to more than 2,500 retail locations across North America. She discusses scaling disruption, working alongside founder Brandon Truaxe, executive producing the documentary The Abnormal Beauty ...

Valentine’s Day may be about romance, but it can also highlight just how exhausting modern dating has become. On this special HarmonyTALK episode, host Greg Frigoletto welcomes professional matchmaker Rachel Brown, founder of Jewish Matchmaking NYC, for a candid conversation about why real connection goes far beyond swiping right. Rachel shares how she discovered her gift for matchmaking at just 12 years old, why she sees this work as a calling, and what dating apps simply can’t capture about...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews Kim Stevens, a visionary leader in real estate, who shares her journey from childhood memories at Lake Wallenpaupack to her unique leadership philosophy of 'structure with a healthy dose of magic.' Kim discusses the influence of her entrepreneurial family, the challenges she faced in the real estate market, and her personal hero's journey through adversity, including a battle with cancer. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, m...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews Ella Parlor, a marketing expert with a rich background in the beverage industry. Ella shares her journey from humble beginnings in the service industry to becoming a successful consultant and author. The conversation delves into the complexities of alcohol marketing, the importance of compliance, and the duality of celebrating success while facing personal challenges. Ella emphasizes the significance of service, preparation, and the ...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews top-performing real estate broker Allison Chiaramonte, co-founder of Atelier Compass. Alli shares her unique journey, highlighting her experiences in fashion, in real estate, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. The conversation delves into the dynamics of the real estate market in New York City, the importance of client relationships, and the strategies that set her apart in a competitive industry. Alli emphasizes t...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto interviews Lindsey Chrismon, a trailblazer in both military and business sectors. Lindsey shares her journey from a young girl with dreams of attending West Point to becoming the first female pilot of the AH-6M Little Bird helicopter. She discusses her leadership experiences at West Point, her transition to Harvard Business School, and the founding of Oply, an innovative app designed to simplify home maintenance through predictive technology....

It started with a stamp from the Belgian Congo and took Professor Ed Williams around the world—along with hundreds of students, older adults, and college deans. “It” is the retired professor’s passion for travel, and not just any travel. Learning Vacations. Ed shares his journey with host Lisa Champeau on how he made a career of travel education with a focus on China, the “sleeping giant” who sleeps no more. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join Our Mailing List: https://www.harmo...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews Jay Jacobs, the CEO and Founder of Timberlake Camps Family Group. Jay shares his journey from a young camper to a successful camp owner, discussing the importance of camp in building character, community, and resilience in children. He elaborates on his innovative approaches to camp programming, the significance of the SCOPE initiative in making camps accessible to underprivileged children, and how he balances his dual roles in camp ...

Adam Brawer is an authority on the Los Angeles residential real estate market, having called Los Angeles home for the past two decades. Adam's knowledge, meticulous attention to detail and best-in-class client service allows him to offer an exceptional experience when buying or selling property. Combining his personal and professional network with a high-level entertainment background, Adam helps clients prepare and market their homes with a Hollywood flair, ensuring each property is uniquely po...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Host Lisa Champeau visits with Barre Trash Founders, Lucas Labrador, and Louis De Felice. They discuss the journey of founding Barre Trash, a dancewear brand that has quickly gained popularity. They share insights into their backgrounds as ballet dancers, the challenges of starting a business, and their unique approach to understanding customer needs. The conversation also touches on their future plans for expansion and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Key Tak...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Host Lisa Champeau interviews Travis Rivera, Founder of Black and Brass Coffee Roasting Company. Travis shares his journey from being a carpenter to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the coffee industry. He discusses the importance of quality, service, and community impact in his business, as well as the challenges he faced during the pandemic. The conversation also touches on his personal journey, the influence of reality TV on his brand, and his future plan...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews Ella Parlor, a marketing expert with a rich background in the beverage industry. Ella shares her journey from humble beginnings in the service industry to becoming a successful consultant and author. The conversation delves into the complexities of alcohol marketing, the importance of compliance, and the duality of celebrating success while facing personal challenges. Ella emphasizes the significance of service, preparation, and the ...

In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with dynamic content creator and food influencer, Gabby Eniclerico. Based in Washington, DC, Gabby has made a name for herself by discovering hidden culinary gems and sharing diverse food experiences that have sparked viral trends on TikTok. With features in major outlets like Buzzfeed, the Washingtonian, and The Today Show, Gabby has become a go-to voice for food lovers and adventurers alike. Tune in as they discuss Gabby’s rise in t...

Host Lisa Champeau talks to Mark Hoover, former and longtime CEO of the Human Resources Center, a Northeast Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that provides services for adults with physical and mental challenges. Mark talks about helping young people who were languishing in front of their TV sets for 15 years or more because there was no place for them to go and ultimately, creating a Foundation to make sure there were would always be somewhere for adults with special needs to live and work in his co...

It started with a stamp from the Belgian Congo and took Professor Ed Williams around the world—along with hundreds of students, older adults, and college deans. “It” is the retired professor’s passion for travel, and not just any travel. Learning Vacations. Ed shares his journey with host Lisa Champeau on how he made a career of travel education with a focus on China, the “sleeping giant” who sleeps no more.

He's a businessman and a grandfather, she's a spirited young artist and mother. Different, yes, but with a shared passion. Henry Skier and Jill Carletti chat with Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau about how they came together to grow Harmony Presents from a small performance space in an old silk mill to a successful, sophisticated yet rustic outdoor performance venue in Hawley, Pennsylvania, called Harmony in the Woods.

Carpenter turned brew master! Travis Rivera, the founder of Black and Brass Coffee Roasting Company, talks to host Lisa Champeau about the fast-rising success of his brand from one store to a national business. Travis shares why he almost but didn’t give up when the going got rough and a little secret about his tv appearance on a reality show.

It started with a stamp from the Belgian Congo and took Professor Ed Williams around the world—along with hundreds of students, older adults, and college deans. “It” is the retired professor’s passion for travel, and not just any travel. Learning Vacations. Ed shares his journey with host Lisa Champeau on how he made a career of travel education with a focus on China, the “sleeping giant” who sleeps no more.