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BusinessTalk with Heather Caisse-Roberts, President and CEO, Springfield Symphony Orchestra: Music to Her Ears

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 260: July 6, 2026

Joe Bednar talks with Heather Caisse-Roberts, President and CEO, Springfield Symphony Orchestra

Heather-Caisse Roberts came to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in 2022 and took the reins there last summer, bringing both a background in development and a passion for the SSO’s mission. She says it’s a dream job, but not one without challenges ranging from fundraising to expanding the symphony’s audience for the next generation. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Heather talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about how the SSO continues to blend classic fare with surprisingly modern influences, the importance of its youth programs in building a bridge to the future, and the transporting magic of live music — and why it resonates with all ages. Like the symphony itself, it’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

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James Krupienski, Partner, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.: Leading by Example

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 259: June 22, 2026

George O’Brien talks with James Krupienski, Partner at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C, and 2026 Alumni Achievement Award Winner

When James Krupienski was named to BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2010, he was CPA manager for the Health Care and Pension Audit Divisions at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK). Now, he’s one of six partners who together manage all operations at the firm. But it takes much more than a change in title to be named Alumni Achievement Award winner, as James was earlier this month. That prestigious honor reflects how much an individual has accomplished since joining the 40 Under Forty club, and James has excelled not just at his job, but as a mentor to many young people entering the accounting field, and as someone who gives back to the community in many ways, both through his own volunteerism and the way he encourages the firm to support local causes. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, James talks with BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien about all of that, and why it’s so gratifying. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

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BusinessTalk with Jennifer Core, Executive Director, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture: Experts in Their Field

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 258: June 8, 2026

George O’Brien talks with Jennifer Core, Executive Director, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture: Experts in Their Field

Agriculture has always been a large and important part of the region’s economy, even it is often overlooked. But this sector faces many stern challenges, everything from the rising cost of everything to issues with succession at family farms; from weather extremes like the current drought to workforce shortages. Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) works to strengthen area farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Jennifer Core, CISA’s executive director, talks with BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien about the agency’s broad mission and specific initiatives, such as its Senior Farmshare program, which serves more than 800 seniors in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

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BusinessTalk Suzanne Parker, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of the Valley: Investments in the Future

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 257: May 26, 2026

Joe Bednar talks with Suzanne Parker, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of the Valley: Investments in the Future

Suzanne Parker

The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. And Girls Inc. of the Valley has certainly been all three during the buildout of its new headquarters in Holyoke, which offers more opportunity to help girls succeed — both now and in the future — through STEM studies, career preparation, skills to overcome challenges and achieve mental wellness, and much more. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Executive Director Suzanne Parker talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the long journey to open those doors, and how the organization’s focus and programming continue to evolve in the service of helping girls thrive in myriad ways. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

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BusinessTalk with Alex Balise, Director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, and Giancarlo Crivelli, Executive Director of Fishing Friends: Welcome to the Club

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 256: May 5, 2026

George O’Brien talks to Alex Balise, Director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, and Giancarlo Crivelli, Executive Director of Fishing Friends

Alexandra Balise
Giancarlo Crivelli

There are now 800 people in the club — that would be the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty club. That’s 20 classes of rising stars, with the latest, the class of 2026, announced late last month. For this episode of BusinessTalk, George O’Brien sits down with two members of the class of 2026 — Alex Balise, director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, and Giancarlo Crivelli, executive director of Fishing Friends. They exemplify the class of 2026, the many accomplishments of its members, and its commitment to giving back. On the podcast, we tell their stories, and we also hear some fish stories — Alex counts that among her favorite pastimes as well — along the way. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

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

By Ryan Leary
Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

With new episodes airing every other Monday, BusinessTalk features in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders who offer thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachusetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running. BusinessTalk is sponsored and presented by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 255: April 1, 2026

Joe Bednar talks with Lois Nesci, CEO, Gándara Mental Health Center

When Lois Nesci took the reins at Gándara Mental Health Center in early 2020, she did so during a time of pandemic challenge, but this large, regional agency — with more than 70 locations serving the mental health and other needs of people across all ages and demographics — has overcome plenty of challenges in its nearly 50-year history. As that milestone approaches next year, Lois sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar for this episode of BusinessTalk, explaining how Gándara identifies and then meets needs, how it continues to expand, and why the work of helping clients achieve healthier, happier lives is so gratifying. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest over both audio and video platforms, and sponsored by Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

Sponsored by:

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