Social Impact Episodes

When Music Becomes Common Ground: Harvey Price and the Peace Drums Project What if the path to peace started with children simply playing music together? In this moving episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with renowned percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, educator and Peace Drums Project founder Harvey Price to explore how one unlikely instrument became a bridge across cultural and religious divides in the war-torn Middle East. After decades as a music educator and director ...

Scranton: The City Fans Thought They Knew How did an architect end up reshaping a city’s pop culture identity? In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with Michele Dempsey, architect, entrepreneur, single mom, and one of the creative forces who helped turn Scranton’s connection to ‘The Office’ into something no one expected: pride, tourism and a renewed identity. Set as the backdrop for the cult NBC sitcom, Scranton risked becoming the butt of national jokes. But Mich...

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...

What happens when the people you are studying ask you to stand beside them instead? In this powerful episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau interviews Judy Frater, a Pennsylvania-born Fulbright Scholar, Ashoka Fellow, design educator, author and founder of India’s first design school for traditional textile artisans. After moving to Kutch, India, more than 30 years ago, Judy’s academic research took an unexpected turn when an artisan asked her a life-altering question:”Instead of study...

Jeff Braverman joins HarmonyTALK to reflect on 30 years of leadership at Camp Nesher and the unexpected decisions that helped shape one of its most meaningful legacies. What began as a dream to create a vibrant summer camp experience centered on community and faith took an unexpected turn when he was approached by a parent who asked if their wheelchair-bound child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy could be accommodated and welcomed at camp. Braverman’s decision to move forward would become ...

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...

We were truly honored to join Congregation Beth Israel in celebrating their 175th Anniversary with a powerful panel discussion—From Surviving to Thriving: Small Town Jewish Life in America! Moderated by past HarmonyTALK guest Skip Vichness, the event was an inspiring testament to history in the making. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join Our Mailing List: https://www.harmonytalkpodcast.com/signup Instagram: https://instagram.com/harmonytalkpodcast Facebook: https://www.faceboo...

In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto speaks with Zachary Wahl- Alexander, a professor and co-founder of Project Flex, a program aimed at providing life skills and physical activity to incarcerated youth. Zach shares his journey from education to working with at-risk populations, emphasizing the importance of relationships and transformational experiences in both educational and correctional settings. The conversation delves into the demographics of the youth involved in Project F...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews David Millar, an ultramarathoner and medical student who shares his inspiring journey from addiction to recovery. David discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of community support, and how he found purpose in helping others. He emphasizes the significance of long-term thinking in recovery, the role of faith, and the need to break the stigma surrounding addiction. David also draws parallels between the struggles of recovery...

Isabel Bohn and Jeff McGinnis founded the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports to fill a gap in available recreation and sports activities for the disabled on the East Coast. Thirty-five years and mountains of challenges later, they are thriving. The Center has produced 11 Paralympians, but more than that, it’s “really changed people in so many positive ways” and built a flourishing community of inclusivity and possibility. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join Our Mailing List:...

In this heartfelt episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stevens sits down with Mitch Motivates, author of “My Addiction, My Superpower.” Mitch opens up about his early struggles with substance abuse and the turning point that led him to a life of sobriety and purpose. In 2006, one week shy of his 19th birthday, Mitch Leff found himself in rehab for drug addiction. After spending time in rehab, halfway houses, and collegiate recovery programs, he moved to New York and made something special of his l...

Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau chats with social impact entrepreneur Jeff Abella, who co-founded a bar-to-bean chocolate and coffee business called Moka Origins. Hear Jeff reveal how his team helps farmers and the environment in developing countries and somehow gets all the cacao and coffee beans across oceans to the U.S. to roast, package and sell. A small company up against Big Chocolate and doing pretty well! FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join Our Mailing List: https://www....

Summary In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews Dr. Byerley, the Dean and President of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. They discuss the founding vision of the medical school, its mission to serve the community, and the innovative educational programs in place to train future physicians. Dr. Byerley shares insights into the importance of community engagement, the challenges of retaining medical professionals in the area, and the exciting research initiatives at ...

Micah Dawanyi is a wearer of many hats- author, coach, illustrator, and speaker, to name a few. Micah grew up as an athlete, but at 15, he was forced to cut his soccer career short after suffering from a series of medical conditions and injuries, the most notable being a life-threatening heart condition. At 16, he earned his first national coaching license, becoming the youngest licensed coach in South Florida’s history. Micah used his license to start a non-profit training business to serve und...

Bridey Thelen-Heidel, the author of Bright Eyes-A Memoir, is a teacher and TEDx speaker who speaks to advocacy groups and survivors about healing our childhood trauma triggers and going "no contact" with abusive family members. A fierce advocate for LGBT+ youth, she's been voted "Best of Tahoe Teacher" several times, and celebrated by the California Teachers' Association. www.bridey-thelenheidel.com Instagram @brighteyesauthor Key Takeaways: Writing a memoir can be a therapeutic process. Hone...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau speaks with Luana Graves Sellars, a writer and cultural activist dedicated to preserving the Gullah Geechee culture. Luana shares her journey of discovering her heritage, the significance of Gullah traditions, and the historical context of the Gullah people as descendants of West African enslaved individuals. The conversation delves into the role of Colored Troops during the Civil War, the challenges of preserving Gullah land, and the importanc...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Dr. Melvin Wolk shares his inspiring journey from a young boy in Brooklyn to a dedicated pediatrician and children's advocate. He discusses his early influences, the challenges and joys of working with children, and his visionary projects, including the establishment of a neonatal intensive care unit and the Ronald McDonald House. Dr. Wolk also reflects on his family life, the importance of balancing career and personal passions, and his artistic endeavors. He i...

In this heartfelt episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stevens sits down with Mitch Motivates, author of “My Addiction, My Superpower.” Mitch opens up about his early struggles with substance abuse and the turning point that led him to a life of sobriety and purpose. In 2006, one week shy of his 19th birthday, Mitch Leff found himself in rehab for drug addiction. After spending time in rehab, halfway houses, and collegiate recovery programs, he moved to New York and made something special of his l...

His life’s work is focused on “creating better humans” through his involvement in the children’s summer camp industry. Hear entrepreneur and philanthropist, Skip Vichness, talk about how his diverse life, career path and willingness to be completely involved, have led him to the service of others.

In honor of Black History Month, we revisit Greg Frigoletto’s conversation with Glynis Johns, the Founder of the Black Scranton Project. Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Glynis Johns dreamed of one day moving to New York City to explore the arts, fashion and to further her education. While attending St. John’s University and establishing herself as a Brooklynite, Glynis found her calling and her passion. In this episode, Glynis speaks with Greg Frigoletto about her fascinating journey from...

Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Glynis Johns dreamed of one day moving to New York City to explore the arts, fashion and to further her education. While attending St. John’s University and establishing herself as a Brooklynite, Glynis found her calling and her passion. In this episode, Glynis speaks with Greg Frigoletto about her fascinating journey from dreaming to doing, becoming the founder and CEO of the Black Scranton Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, local heritage initiati...

A medical visionary with the soul of an artist, Dr. Melvyn Wolk has made his mark on humanity. In this episode he talks with Todd Stephens about his lifelong desire to make going to the doctor more “fun” for kids. He also shares how working in a junk yard as a young boy may have inspired his fascination with “found object” art and ignited his love of photography. Gifted with a passion for dreaming and doing, Dr. Wolk introduces his latest project, an interactive children’s book called “The Illph...

Congratulations to Celeste Mergens, founder of the global nonprofit Days for Girls International, on the publication of her new book, The Power of Days. Mergens’ programs to fight menstrual stigma can now be found in 140+ countries. She spoke with Harmony TALK host Lisa Champeau in 2022 about her own journey from an impoverished youth to crusader for women’s rights. Her new book, released October 3, 2023, has many poignant—sometimes painful but always moving—stories of struggle and resilience. C...

Well-known portrait artist Oliver Johnson sat down with Lisa Champeau to discuss his art and tumultuous youth in and out of reform schools and prisons, and how during these confinements he always painted. Prison provided him with the tools he needed: canvas, paint, and, of course, plenty of time. Oliver talks about his journey of teaching art to his fellow inmates, and how, by the time he was paroled, he had a waiting line to attend his classes. Since Oliver Johnson’s untimely death due to illne...