
Down To Business
By NH Business Review
Your insider's guide from New Hampshire's business news leaders. To be updated each week when a new episode is available, subscribe below via your favorite podcast platform.

Down To BusinessApr 04, 2025
00:00
23:50

Embracing Community
This week's guest is Matt Cordaro, CEO of the nonprofit One Sky Community Services, a network of support for individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders. Discussion ranges from independent living to housing challenges the underserved face. This episode is sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental. What the power of more can do to provide the right dentalcoverage for your business and your employees. Discover more at nedelta.com.
Apr 04, 202523:50

Always Here to Get You There
Paul Sullivan, VP of Marketing for Sullivan Tire, discusses the legacy of the company and how its history guides the future of Sullivan tire.
Mar 27, 202526:36

The Family Business
Michelline Dufort, executive director at The UNH CEO & Family Enterprise Center, discusses the center's programs and peer groups, and how family enterprises can utilize its resources to effect growth in their businesses.
Mar 22, 202518:56

Shaping Young Minds for 25 Years
Denise Thompkins, owner of Sylvan Learning, discusses the evolution of the company, including educational trends, challenges faced, and plans for the future.
Mar 14, 202516:12

Aiding Medically Underserved Communities
This week's guest is Thomas Johnson, the Executive Director of The Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program: a federal program designed to help nonprofit hospital systems provide patients in medically underserved communities with more affordable care. Johnson lends insights into the health care industry regarding hospital consolidation, prescription drug costs, Medicaid challenges and more.
Mar 06, 202520:50

Smooth Operations at Cannon Mountain
The new general manager of Cannon Mountain, Jace Wirth, chats with NHBR editors about his new role, his history with ski racing around the world, and how his team maneuvered the rescue of 64 skiers off a broken-down ski lift.
Feb 20, 202525:29

Critical Rural Health Services
This week's episode features Andy Lowe, Executive Director, and Ann Marie Day, chief operating officer of the New England Rural Health Association, who speak on health services in rural New England communities and the goals and challenges they face. Learn more athttps://www.nerha.org/.
Feb 13, 202531:25

My Story, My Strength
Randy Stevens, executive director at Hope for NH Recovery, shares his journey of substance abuse and trauma, and how it led him down a path towards helping others in similar predicaments find stability and sobriety here in New Hampshire. Learn more at https://recoverynh.org/.
Feb 06, 202531:26

100-Year Legacy of Grappone Automotive
As the fourth-generation steward of Grappone Automotive, Amanda Grappone Osmer has published a book, "Grappone Automotive: The Founding," to share the story of how two Italian families started a longstanding company in New Hampshire.
Discussion also includes the success of Bring Back the Trades and Tradeapalooza 2024 event, Osmer's journey into the family business, and how she cultivates lasting relationships in her communities.
Jan 10, 202527:36

The Next Generation of StayWorkPlay
NH Business Review editors Mike Cote and Amanda Andrews sit down with StayWorkPlay's new executive director, Corinne Benfield. Discussion focuses on her goals in her new post for the nonprofit, plus growth opportunities, housing, child care and more.
Dec 24, 202431:21

Sweet Succession
Earlier this month, former president & CEO of Granite United Way Patrick Tufts passed the reins to Nichole Martin Reimer, most recently the nonprofit's chief engagement officer.
Both leaders spoke with NH Business Review Managing Editor Amanda Andrews on the organization's succession strategy and how Nichole is gearing up to usher Granite United Way into the new year, with a renewed focus on the next generation.
Dec 12, 202420:50

Economic Outlook for Small Businesses
This week's guest is Ken Entenmann, chief investment officer and chief economist for NBT Bank, who shares insights into current economic trends and his outlook for startups and small businesses.
Topics range from workforce and housing challenges to interest rates, capital investment trends and more.
Oct 24, 202427:48

233 Years of Tradition
This week, we talk with editors from the Old Farmer's Almanac about its history and growth over 233 years in print, including what's in store for the 2025 edition.
Editor in chief Carol Connare and managing editor Sarah Perreault join NHBR Editors Amanda Andrews and Mike Cote for a lively talk of e-commerce, gardening trends, and even how to make fairy butter.
Oct 17, 202426:05

EP. 209: Health Care Transparency
This week's guest is Haley Director, policy director for Rare New England, a nonprofit that advocates for patients, families and providers touched by rare and complex disorders.
The discussion focuses on the SITE Act and how it aims to combat dishonest billing in the health care industry.
Sep 26, 202422:39

NH's Economic Vitality
This week's guest is Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs for New Hampshire. In his capacity as commissioner, Caswell serves as the chief economic and marketing official for the state and oversees the state Divisions of Economic Development and Travel & Tourism Development, enabling and growing economic vitality for residents and employers in the Granite State.
Sep 19, 202425:08

30 Years of RiverWoods
This week's guest is Justine Vogel, the CEO of RiverWoods, a continuing care retirement community with locations in Exeter, Durham and Manchester.
After working at RiverWoods for 30 years, Justine reflects on how the organization has adapted to changing resident needs, and how she hopes to protect its core values in the future.
Sep 16, 202428:07

PBMs: the Arsonist & the Firefighter
Antonio Ciaccia of 3 Axis Advisors returns to the show to discuss reform updates of how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) affect prescription drug prices and their relationship with pharmacies, nationwide and here in New Hampshire.
Sep 09, 202430:37

Commercial Space Conversion
This week's guest is Dan Scanlon, Senior Associate at Colliers, who speaks on recent trends in the commercial real estate sector, including how some empty spaces are being converted to residential housing.
Aug 29, 202422:31

Ep. 204: Community-Based Banking
This week, our guest is Tim Wade, regional president for M&T Bank, who speaks on the lending environment for small businesses, partnering with area nonprofits to help fund housing developments and more.
Aug 22, 202426:31

Musician Turned Entrepreneur
Sixteen-year-old country pop musician Malachi Gagnon stops by the Down to Business studio to discuss how he turned his passion into a business that produced over 5 million streams on Spotify and gained a loyal following on popular social media platforms TikTok and Instagram.
From his humble beginnings in New Hampshire to building a robust team of music industry professionals, Malachi shares how he became an entrepreneur to bring his talent to a nationwide audience.
Aug 15, 202420:54

Ep. 202: Patent Pending
Guest Kyle Dimick, a recent Plymouth State University graduate, shares his story of patenting a prototype that makes hygiene tasks more accessible for individuals with limited mobility.
Aug 02, 202422:15

Ep. 201: Defending NH's infrastructure
This week's guest is Jason Sgro, director and chairman of Concord-based Overwatch Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the defense of the Homeland, the public’s trust in the State of New Hampshire, and the security of the United States' critical infrastructure.
Jun 21, 202425:00

Ep. 200: A state united
This week's guest is Patrick Tufts, president & CEO of Granite United Way, a statewide nonprofit organization that makes strategic investments in New Hampshire's community. NHBR editors and Tufts discuss the nonprofit's new model of support and how they help residents thrive.
Jun 13, 202417:00

Ep. 199: PFAS-eliminating technology
This week's episode features Mark Sanborn from Northeast Purification Systems, and Rick Gillespie from Revive Environmental, discussing their partnership on the PFAS Annihilator, technology that erases “forever chemicals" in contaminated waters and materials.
Visit nhbr.com to learn more about the PFAS Annihilator.
Jun 06, 202427:48

Ep. 198: Advocating for the Arts
This week's guest is Duane Coute, general manager at Littleton Chevrolet, who was recently honored with the Changemaker Business Leader Award by the
New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts.
Duane and NHBR editors discuss how he gathered signatures and coordinated a rally to support the Littleton arts and pride community against possible censorship.
May 30, 202425:28

Ep. 197: Health Care Access with Nick Vailas
This week's guest is Nick Vailas, founder and CEO of Bedford Surgical Ambulatory Center (BASC), who discusses the current state of health care, such as affordability and access, and how his suite of programs helps to bridge the challenging gaps in the industry.
May 23, 202428:28

Ep. 196: Entrepreneurism can be taught
This week's guest is Rajesh Nair, founder of EnCube Labs, NH Board of Education member (district 5), and former professor of practice, innovation and entrepreneurship at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The lively discussion includes how Raj teaches the next generation of leaders to grow as entrepreneurs, as well as educational challenges that students are facing today.
May 16, 202427:03

Ep. 195: NH Together, a Conversation
This week's guest is Martha Madsen, project manager for NH Together, an organization that coordinates community conversations, constructive dialogue and action in order to strengthen voter confidence in elections, reduce polarization and improve political responsiveness. Learn more at https://newhampshiretogether.us
May 08, 202419:19

Ep. 194: Apparel Impact
This week's episode features guest Joe Whitten, CEO and co-founder of Apparel Impact, a family- and veteran-owned textile recycling organization in Hooksett, that was recently named Veteran-Owned Business of the Year by the NH district of the US Small Business Administration.
The discussion touches upon Apparel Impact's mission to divert textile waste from landfills, how Joe's military background helped forge his entrepreneurial path, and the new "Team Impact" comic book that's helping the next generation better learn to recycle clothing.
May 01, 202422:04

Ep. 193: Here for Generations to Come
Bob Bonfiglio, co-founder of Rise Private Wealth Management, an Ameriprise private wealth advisory practice in Bedford, shared insights into leadership development, succession planning and the importance of building a business with legacy in mind.
Mar 28, 202425:09

Ep. 192: Laser-Focused Workforce
This week's guest is Bill Bonadio, CEO of Prototek, a full-service digital manufacturing company based in Contoocook.
Topics include Prototek's journey in NH, the skills gaps in the state's workforce, and how machining is advancing into a new era.
Learn more about Prototek at prototek.com.
Mar 14, 202420:23

Ep. 191: A Future in STEM
This week's guest is Dan Hughes, Director of Technology and Engineering at World Academy, a private independent school for infants through 8th grade in Nashua, on STEM in early education, the importance of skill-building at a young age, and how hands-on learning comes with many benefits.
World Academy prepares students for success through innovative education, whole child focus and family engagement. World Academy prides itself on high-quality teaching with an emphasis on innovative learning opportunities using state-of-the-art technology.
Feb 29, 202423:09

Ep. 190: Breaking the 9-5 mold
Logan Hughes, CEO of Hite Digital in Manchester, NH, shares insights into how he broke from the 9-5 mold and into the world of entrepreneurism, from work-life balance to challenges he faced along the way.
Feb 01, 202424:19

Episode 189: An All-the-Above Energy Approach
Mike Giaimo, Northeast Region Director at the American
Petroleum Institute, shares insights into energy infrastructure here in New Hampshire, as well as community power initiatives and the importance of diversifying energy options in the state.
Jan 11, 202421:46

Rx Drug Affordability Crisis
NHBR editors speak with NH State Rep Erica Layon (Derry, NH) and Antonio Ciaccia, president of 3 Axis Advisors, about the negative effects pharmacy benefit managers have on the cost of prescription drugs and the health care system as a whole.
Dec 21, 202323:13

Episode 187: Global Arts
This week, NHBR editors speak with Howard Brodsky, co-founder and chairman of CCA Global Partners, who has helped to create Open Arts United, a new community-based initiative that connects diverse and underrepresented communities with arts experiences.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Dec 14, 202324:14

Primary Edition: Vivek Ramaswamy
In the Primary Edition of the Down to Business podcast, presidential candidates talk about the economy, business, political issues and their campaigns with the publisher and editors of NH Business Review. This week's episode features Vivek Ramaswamy.
This special-edition episode is brought to you by Bernstein Shur, a New England-based, multi-service law firm advising clients across the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at www.bernsteinshur.com.
Dec 12, 202321:49

Episode 186: The NH Political Landscape
Back on Nov. 2, NHBR editors spoke with John Lappie, PhD, assistant professor of political science at Plymouth State University, about what he's seeing with the current elections, the nuances of the candidates’ campaigns and voter behavior.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Dec 07, 202325:55

Episode 185: Manufacturing in NH
Back in late October, NHBR editors spoke with Tony Fernandez, president & CEO of the NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership, about manufacturing in the state, and how the organization helps fuel the growth of manufacturing networks.
Nov 30, 202340:31

Episode 184: Amazon vs. FTC case
Back in late October, NHBR editors Amanda Andrews and Mike Cote spoke with Jessica Melugin, director of the Center for Technology and Innovation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, regarding the Amazon antitrust lawsuit, where New Hampshire and 17 other states sued the "online superstore" alongside the Federal Trade Commission, who claimed that Amazon is an anticompetitive monopoly.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Nov 16, 202333:32

Episode 183: Veterans Services in NH
In honor of Veteran's Day, the NHBR team spoke with two gentlemen directly connected to veterans and veteran services in New Hampshire: Phil Taub, co-founder of Swim With a Mission (SWAM), and Scott Hyder, a veteran and founder/president of Hidden Battles Foundation.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Nov 09, 202331:24

Episode 182: Passions Become Purpose
This week, NHBR editors speak with Nate Ortiz, financial center manager for Bank of America in Manchester.
Nate shares how he helps promote financial literacy throughout his community by connecting with clients to help them overcome language barriers and find a financial path that's right for them.
Nov 02, 202322:49

Episode 181: Running for Good
This week, NHBR Publisher Ernesto Burden sits down with Tom Raffio, president & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, to discuss Tom's new book "Stories From the Starting Line," featuring many stories of runners over the years.
Oct 26, 202328:49

Episode 180: AI Trends & Insight
Mainstay Technologies CEO Ryan Barton digs into the world of AI, its varied uses, how businesses are integrating it into their practices, and trends the technology is exploring.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Oct 19, 202324:51

Primary Edition: Mike Pence
In the Primary Edition of the Down to Business podcast, presidential candidates talk about the economy, business, political issues and their campaigns with the publisher and editors of NH Business Review. This week's episode features former Vice President Mike Pence.
This special-edition episode is brought to you by Bernstein Shur, a New England-based, multi-service law firm advising clients across the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at www.bernsteinshur.com.
Oct 12, 202326:18

Primary Edition: Asa Hutchinson
In the Primary Edition of the Down to Business podcast, presidential candidates talk about the economy, business, political issues and their campaigns with the publisher and editors of NH Business Review. This week's episode features Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.
This special-edition episode is brought to you by Bernstein Shur, a New England-based, multi-service law firm advising clients across the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at www.bernsteinshur.com.
Oct 12, 202323:10

Episode 179: Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program
This week, NHBR editors discuss the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program with Carol Recchio, executive director 10K Small Businesses with the Community College System of NH; Toutou Marsden, owner of Dell-Lea Weddings & Events; and Matt Cookson, president & CEO of Cookson Communications.
This episode of Down to Business is brought to you by Sabbeth Law: challenging insurance giants in trucking and all personal injury cases throughout Northern New England. Your fight becomes ours; justice awaits. Visit Sabbethlaw.com to learn more about how we can help you today.
Oct 11, 202322:02

Episode 178: Launching Innovation
This week's episode features co-founder of Launch NH, Jamie Simchik, about how the organization creates an entrepreneurial ecosystem that helps support startups in the state.
This episode of Down to Business is brought to you by Sabbeth Law: challenging insurance giants in trucking and all personal injury cases throughout Northern New England. Your fight becomes ours; justice awaits. Visit Sabbethlaw.com to learn more about how we can help you today.
Oct 05, 202323:37

Primary Edition: Doug Burgum
In the Primary Edition of the Down to Business podcast, presidential candidates talk about the economy, business, political issues and their campaigns with the publisher and editors of NH Business Review. This week's episode features North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
This special-edition episode is brought to you by Bernstein Shur, a New England-based, multi-service law firm advising clients across the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at www.bernsteinshur.com.
Sep 28, 202334:47

Episode 177: Bundle Up with Terracea
On this week's episode of Down to Business, NHBR editors speak with Eric Hui, founder of Terracea, an all-season outdoor lifestyle apparel company based in Somersworth. With all that New Hampshire offers with outdoor recreation, it's important to dress appropriately for whatever weather comes your way. Learn more about Terracea at terracea.com.
This week's episode is brought to you by McLane Middleton, providing trusted legal services to businesses throughout the region for over 100 years. For a complete listing of their practice areas, attorneys, and locations, visit www.mclane.com.
Sep 27, 202321:44