Chelsea LeSage, actor, model, director, producer
Jocelyn Moody, cannabis consultant, figure skater
Carol McGlinchey, past-life regression therapist
Erin Laundry, LEGO Master
Jennifer Ward, RD, LDN, CLC
Believe it or not, Jennifer Ward was an artist before becoming perhaps one of the best-known and respected registered dietitians in the region. Just as her own philosophy on diet and nutrition has shifted and evolved based on experience continuing research, the entire industry has changed significantly over time. With that said, Jen says the food industry does not make it easy for people to eat healthy and that the prevalence of GMOs, particularly in wheat products, isn’t doing us any favors. However, there are a lot of ways to tweak and find what works for you in eating better, feeling better and having more energy. We cover a lot of ground in the episode including: the process to become an registered dietician whose work is covered by major insurers, the four quadrant diet guide and the pyramid diet guide from the 1990s that led millions astray (and we never received an apology for), how the gluten-free industry has exploded in part because of GMOs, a right way and wrong way to eat gluten-free, listening to your body on foods that work and don’t work for you, High Lawn Farm milk, the Paleo Project, oat milk, the grocery store sticker codes on produce, reading labels, common sense on portions, carb loading, changing habits, FODMAP diet, blood type diet, dinner for breakfast/breakfast for dinner concept, intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, giving your pancreas a break, is breakfast the most important meal of the day (or is it just a marketing ploy by food companies), Fiona’s frameworthy VO2 Max, the perfect tapering of Coach Gary Curry, Brendan’s shoe-flipping enterprise, intent and the basal ganglia and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversion with Jennifer Ward.
Evan Valenti, podcaster, menswear pro
For Evan Valenti, working at Steven Valenti’s Menswear was at first a way to earn some extra money while following his dream of being a radio broadcaster. But, it wasn’t long until he discovered he had a great knack and, ultimately, a love for the all things menswear. However, this isn’t simply a case of following in his Father’s footsteps. Instead, Evan has brought a new angle to this legendary downtown business taking calculated risks on new trends, adapting to an ever-changing marketplace, and getting through to the other side of the monumental challenges presented by the pandemic. We cover a lot of ground quickly in this episode, including Evan’s decision to choose menswear as a career, his working relationship with his father Steven and a mutual respect that strengthens the business, surviving the pandemic restrictions and making it through to the other side, dress pants that feel like comfy sweatpants (I can vouch for how amazing they are), how the Amazonification of the world has actually strengthened Valenti’s niche in the marketplace, bike lanes, Evan’s work in radio, his brother Michael J. Valenti’s work with Sherman Baldwin on a remarkable time in Berkshire County radio, a great Gene Shalit anecdote when he appeared on the show, techniques of interviewing guests, what Star Wars trilogy to introduce first to kids, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Valenti family, including his mother Carolyn, and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Evan Valenti!
Jenna Reid, psychic medium on The John Krol Podcast
Kyle Bean & Matt Chester, Tableaux Wealth
You want a financial advisor who is cool under pressure and able to take excess emotion out of things, while maintaining an ability to execute. So, what better background than being a Green Beret? Kyle Bean earned his way onto the elite US Army Special Forces and served his nation on many missions over several years. Now that his military career has come to a close he decided to locate to the Berkshires with his wife and specialize in a new profession: financial advising. In this episode we get to know Kyle better, and learn about his journey here. We also cover a lot of ground with Kyle and Matt Chester of Tableaux Wealth in regard to the current economic situation, how to plan and adapt to the record inflation, the changes on returns on bonds and the death of the so-called 60/40 rule, chasing investments by Nancy Pelosi’s husband and other “whales,” learning from curious investors, growing a small firm and beginning to tell their story and how to make financial planning interesting and evening exciting for clients. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Kyle Bean and Matt Chester of Tableaux Wealth. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support
America Lopez, community advocate, health worker, Volunteers in Medicine
On the John Krol Podcast: With such a name, it may have seemed a self-fulfilling prophecy that America Lopez would ultimately find her way to the US from her native Mexico. Today, she is utilizing her experience as an immigrant to help others who are facing many of the same challenges she faced, as a community health worker for Volunteers in Medicine and as parent liaison for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. And she’s making a measurable impact. Inspired by the Moth Radio Hour-style of storytelling, America started a Spanish-speaking podcast and radio program Nomadas Radio that has evolved with several of her close friends and colleagues, contributing on relevant conversations on personal growth and demystifying mental health. We also discuss: missing her family in Mexico and carrying on family traditions with her new family of friends in the Berkshires, advocating for herself and co-workers in her early days before mastering English, one of the English first words she learned was “fair,” working to change systems in schools to be more friendly for non-English speaking parents to help them be involved in their children’s education, how her daughter helped her come out of her shell and making new connections in the community, Olivia’s Outlook and enjoying trails and the outdoors in the Berkshires and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with America Lopez. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support