Berkshires

November 24, 2022

Erin Laundry, LEGO Master

It has been a beautiful, winding road for Erin Laundry on a path paved by unique talent and boundless creativity. From her earliest days as a gifted musician bound for the Berklee College of Music, quickly swapping classical piano for guitar, majoring in songwriting and eventually, effortlessly, teaching herself the bass guitar, while, at one point, playing in five different bands at once – Erin has shown an ability to master new challenges. So, it’s no surprise really that when she became a Mom and found a new family passion for LEGO, she would take it to new heights. Today, viewers around the world are following her as a top contestant on LEGO Masters, as she has successfully moved on to episode 5 of the Fox series. It’s a powerful validation for Erin who looks forward to reopening her business, Bottomless Bricks, in her hometown of Pittsfield. In our conversation we dive deep into the time and investment she has made in truly mastering many elements of the LEGO universe. In this episode we also cover: The very beginning of Erin’s LEGO fandom finding deals at tag sales and picking up LEGO bricks in bulk, LEGO’ers who follow the directions for new builds and those who build from scratch, LEGO sorting date nights, the evolution of the Bottomless Bricks business model from birthday parties to brick and mortar, the lingo of LEGO building and the names of pieces, it’s LEGO not “Legos,” minifigure trading, the Cloud City Boba Fett minifigure, why Erin named her son after a Star Wars character, “Brick and Brew” adult LEGO building events, succulent LEGO sets, the “Ladies LEGO Lounge” FB Group, gatekeeping and sometimes toxicity in traditional fan groups, the camaraderie among contestants on LEGO Masters, the grueling schedule of recorded episodes in March, Erin’s musical background including punk bands and meeting her future husband at the former Siberian Cafe in the Howard Building, scoping out a new location for Bottomless Bricks, the pandemic halting the business in 2020, brainstorming a LEGO public art project in downtown Pittsfield (LEGOtacular?), Pittsfield’s better than average connection to LEGO with Erin and Elizabeth Banks, voice of Wyldstyle in The LEGO Movie, LEGO knock-offs, the LEGO “system” and “clutch power,” the deer behind the fence near the old GE Plastic House, the LEGO House in Copenhagen, following PR protocols for media interviews and the NDA for LEGO Masters and much more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Erin Laundry.

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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

November 24, 2022

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.

November 24, 2022

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!

August 1, 2022

Cassandra Sohn’s Fine Art on the Podcast

Even in her earliest days as a photographer and an artist growing up in Santa Fe, Cassandra Sohn knew that she would open a fine art gallery. Just as she had a passion for her own evolving work as a photographer, shifting from editorial and commercial to fine art, she was incredibly inspired by the work of others. Sohn Fine Art is no stuffy gallery. It’s a living, breathing space where artwork comes alive and artists are supported through workshops and more. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including Cassandra’s own artistry, including her two publications of photography, her move to the Berkshires some years ago, NFTs and how they are impacting the art world, Cassandra’s philosophy background and schooling at St. John’s College, the fine art of selling fine art, the community of Lenox, Mass. and the local creative economy, curating at Chesterwood with outdoor mixed media work, how water has inspired her artwork, being a Mother and how her daughter is picking up some of her Mom’s skills as an artist and businessperson, and the Black Crowes at Tanglewood. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Cassandra Sohn. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

August 1, 2022

Photographer Eric Korenman dishes on the Podcast

It’s not the case of a doctor becoming a photographer. Instead, it’s a lifelong photographer who became a physician and then returned to his roots. After putting the camera down to dedicate his entire time and focus on becoming a radiologist and building his practice, Eric Korenman rediscovered his passion of photography when his first child was born in 2000. This time, no one could take the camera out of his hands. Eric’s passion for documenting, capturing the moment and sharing sheer authenticity has led to incredible new experiences, shoots with household names in comedy and show business, as well as lifelong friendships. His goal is for his subjects to “forget the camera is there” and he quips that his shoots are like a therapy session. The results speak for the themselves. Shooting some of the best comedians in the business in New York City began years ago because of Eric’s pure audacity to simply reach out and ask them. Being the doctor photographer has never been part of his brand (many know him much better as a photographer than a physician), it sure did help, as he mended one famous comedian’s infected toe. That’s just one anecdote that Eric shares in our conversation. We also discuss how his passion for photography helped in his decision to choose radiology, which he calls the photography side of medicine, his evolution of work from landscapes to portraits as well as fine art, his friendship with the late Gilbert Gottfried and his family, the transition from film to digital over the years, his love of podcasts and old-time radio shows, NPR, WAMC and the spoken word, raising his children in the Berkshires and much more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Eric Korenman. Check out Eric’s work on his website: www.korenman.com

Melissa Brinton on The John Krol Podcast

August 1, 2022

Melissa Brinton, singer/songwriter

On The John Krol Podcast: The unmistakeable sound of Melissa Brinton is prolifically filling a good share of the Berkshire music scene, as she performs solo and in two additional groups. She’s perhaps the busiest musician in the region. Ironically, it may have been during the lockdown that Melissa elevated to a new level as the pandemic encouraged innovation and greater creativity. Unable to play and perform in any public venue, Melissa took to social media taking requests. She responded to the requests for tunes that she likely never would have considered learning before, and put a beautiful spin on many of our favorites. That inspiration has led to an evolution of her own sound as she works on music for her third album. In this episode, Melissa performs new music that will be on her new album as well as a few covers that you’re sure to love. We also cover Melissa’s vocal education at Pittsfield High School under the legendary Gaylan Palmer, techniques for improving vocal performance, her Irish music repertoire, playing with Fanny Pack with Elaine Morel and Paul Armstrong, as well as Flight with Mary Verdi and Eileen Markland, recording with her Father and her musical brother, Christopher, folky versions of Frank Sinatra songs, inspiration from the Spotify algorithm and more. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation and the music of Melissa Brinton.

July 17, 2022

#43 – Danielle Munn, owner, Witch Slapped

Ep43 of The John Krol Podcast: The exchange of positive energy. That’s the vision Danielle Munn has for her retail space, which has already become a bit of a downtown hub. Witch Slapped is intended with the desire to create “nothing but healing.” With a dedicated “healing room” and a workshop space, independent practitioners are being encouraged to reach out to Danielle to offer their services in her space. Sure, you can purchase crystals, moonstone necklaces and dreamcatchers (among other items at the store), but Danielle sees her store as a gathering space for conversations, ideas and building community. We also cover Danielle’s remarkable journey following the sudden death of her spouse, living in a mobile home at the top of a mountain in New Hampshire, outsmarting the women’s leggings market to get back on her feet financially, and finding a loyal partner (Gary, who happened to be from Pittsfield) and starting a wonderful new household in the Berkshires. It didn’t happen by accident. We cover Danielle’s work to manifest her vision through “goal digging” and consistent visualization, and the tenacity to shift from survival mode to thriving. Oh, by the way, Danielle and Gary have eight kids living with them, and each of them contribute to Witch Slapped in their own way. This a wonderful story of love, perseverance and love. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversations with Danielle Munn, owner of Witch Slapped. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

July 3, 2022

#41 – Mike Daly, It’s Pittsfield Tonight, world class drummer, musician, community advocate

When Mike Daly puts his attention and focus on something, he’s all in…as in 15 hours a day for 10 years straight, all in, as he did playing drums on his path to record for top bands and labels. Mike’s journey to It’s Pittsfield Tonight was a remarkable and winding road, from the foster system, to times living without a home in Pittsfield and in Florida, to the tumultuous world of being a heavy and death metal drummer. Saying he felt like he was in “survival mode” from the age of 11, Mike found himself in his craft. We explore his work ethic and his rise and setbacks in the music industry, his surprising transition to success in sales, marriage and divorce, and coming back to Pittsfield. We also discuss his complicated relationship with his late father. The two reconciled two decades ago and were very close until his father passed recently. It’s Pittsfield Tonight started out as a variety show and evolved as Mike found that advocating on key issues resonated with many people in the community.

I truly enjoyed my conversation with Mike, and I hope you will, too.

Leigh Davis, Great Barrington, MASSACHUSETTS SELECTBOARD

June 28, 2022

#39 – Leigh Davis, Vice Chair, Great Barrington (Mass.) Selectboard, Mother, housing advocate, changemaker

Leigh Davis is the rarest of elected officials. She was sworn-in and promptly made a measurable impact on the community she represents. Most recently, the short-term rental bylaw she spearheaded was approved amid a lively public debate that included defeating the likes of Airbnb and other powerful business interests. It was a win for those standing up for the character of residential neighborhoods and as a firewall in the evermore challenging effort to protect the already minuscule number of affordable housing units in a town like Great Barrington. In our conversation, we discuss the dynamics of the town meeting victory on short-term units in GB, the importance of developing a thick skin in the political arena, and the self-awareness to do what you believe is right in the face of sometimes harsh criticism and attacks. We also discuss her upbringing and her relationship with her late father, Lloyd Davis, who carved his own legacy in housing and civil rights in the US – and in particular – was instrumental establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and carrying on his legacy. Leigh’s journey to Great Barrington was a long and winding one, starting at film school in Ithaca to a decade in LA, editing films for Dreamworks and Steve Spielberg, Law and Order and more. Then, right at the height of her career, she turned on a dime and moved to rural Ireland. Even finding her way to Great Barrington was serendipitous, as it began with getting stuck in the snow and unable to get out of town. The happy accident has led to this mother of three committing fully to strengthening the GB and southern Berkshire community. One day, she even dreams of opening a little establishment in town where people can gather, enjoy each other’s company and….dance (it would likely include a disco ball, which Leigh is clearly a fan of!). I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Leigh Davis. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

May 20, 2022

#34 – Sarah Real & Mike Dell’Aquila, Hot Plate Brewing Co.

The love of beer and the magic of the pub. Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila have been together since their days at Penn State, and since, through their days in New York City, traveling around the world and now finding their ways to the Berkshires – they are now fulfilling their dream to open a brewery. Hot Plate Brewing Co. is expected to open on North Street this fall. Meanwhile, the couple is busy telling their story through community, creative social media content and, of course, developing exceptional brews. In our conversation we cover the early days and early inspiration in their days at Penn State, a cross country trip, speaking the language of beer internationally, the universal magic of the pub, making beer in a tiny New York apartment, the incredible origin story of the Hot Plate name, extract vs. all-grain brews, Sarah’s Mexican American heritage and its importance in this industry today, their journey to the Berkshires, falling in love with North Street, the business model for Hot Plate, documenting their journey, German Reinheitsgebot, craft beer as punk rock, beer bros., the three-tier distribution system for beer, shelf wars, quality control, beer telling the story of a culture, the visibility of the brewing process in downtown and an intuitive dog.

I hope you’ll enjoy my conversion with Mike and Sarah!