Little Local Conversations

How do we support a healthy local arts ecosystem?This was the question that drove the first Creative Chats Conference that happened at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on June 4th, 2026. This recording is from one panel of the event that focused on the intersection of art and money. The interactive panel featured 3 panelists and their questions:Cat Bennett (Visual Artist and Teacher) - How can artists inspire the public to learn more about art and feel confident, even excited, about buying it?Matt Jatkola (Associate Executive Director, Mosesian Center for the Arts) - How do we reinforce the value of art in a culture that often expects it to be cheap or free?Jan Taylor (Fundraising Strategist & Consultant) - How do we fund art creatively?The conversation was also aided by Sheri Kennedy, a local artist and graphic facilitator, who graphically notated the panel discussions to provide us with some visual overviews and notes to see as we went along. The episode image features the drawing she did while listening to this panel on art and money.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Theo Offei! He's the most recent addition to the Watertown City Council as a Councilor-At-Large. We sat down for a wide-ranging conversation including:-Memorizing Obama speeches as a boy in Italy and other thoughts on growing up in Reggio Emilia-Making his way to the US through community college then earning a scholarship to transfer fully to USC-His time in the startup and venture capital worlds (and trying to convince the organizers of Bonnaroo and Coachella to use his product)-How family and interactions with "cool" things in the city led him to Watertown-Why he got involved with public service through the Residents' Advisory Committee and how that gave him the itch to run for City Council-And then what it was like getting to know neighbors through campaigning, the reality of learning the ropes once elected, and his message to Watertowners to get involvedReach out to Theo (and other councilors) at watertown-ma.gov/city-councilSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Should art be difficult? That was the question Dan Pritchard brought to our Creative Chats conversation in May 2026. The Creative Chats series features (almost) monthly live podcast events put on by Little Local Conversations and hosted at the Mosesian Center for the Arts.Daniel E. Pritchard is a poet, translator, and essayist, as well as the founding editor of The Critical Flame (criticalflame.org), whose work has been published in the Lily Poetry Review, The Arts Fuse, Pangyrus, Salamander, and elsewhere. Find him at danielpritchard.net. Listen to other Creative Chats episodes.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Discover the stories behind 3 art exhibitions going on in Watertown then go visit the galleries and experience the art yourself! Images, links, and more details at LittleLocalConversations.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers. Full list of links from episode at: www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/local-government-update-june-2026Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This episode is from a Watertown's Open event that happened back in late March 2026 over at the WCA-TV studios. The theme of this event was Storytelling and Marketing for Solopreneurs. We had a great conversation with a large panel this time. It was four panelists who were breaking down and giving advice to two featured solopreneurs who offered to be on the spot telling their perspective with what they're trying to do to with sharing their story. There was a lot of good advice in here. So if this topic is interesting to you, I think you'll get a lot out of it. Feel free to share with anyone else you think might benefit from hearing this too!Watertown's Open are live podcast events for small businesses, and it's a place to get local business owners together to discuss topics such as this. It's a three-way partnership from Little Local Conversations, the City of Watertown, and the Watertown Business Coalition. Panelists:Sam Dudley, Watertown Business Coalition, Director of Communications and EngagementMargo Guernsey, Time Travel Productions, Director/Producer/Impact StrategistAshley Rappa, MORE Advertising, Creative Director Erin Rathe, City of Watertown, Senior Planner for Economic Development Featured Solopreneurs:Heather Caldwell, Caldwell's Miscellaneous Fancy Goods, FounderBenita Chelagat, Coffee Plus 254, FounderSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

I sat down for a conversation with Watertown Pride organizers Anna Strohmeyer, Carey Conkey-Finn, and Xin Peng about building a Pride celebration that feels like a real community home. We talk about the event’s origins as an idea from Watertown Library staff, how the organizing of the event has shifted over the years to include more groups and residents in the planning, and what you can expect to see at Watertown Pride 2026 on Saturday, June 6th (including a parade, performances, vendors, food, education and resources and more). We also get into some of their personal connections to Pride and other safe spaces, stories from previous Prides, and how it's shaped their own lives and the lives of others who interact with the event.Find out all the details for Watertown Pride 2026 at watertownpride.comSaturday, June 6th 11am-4pmParade starting from Moxley Park at 11am (with queer family decoration meetup at 10am) and ending at Saltonstall Park next to City Hall where the rest of the festivities will take place.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Arthur Ferraz, Christos Sarris, Jafar Al-Hilfy, and Zoe Tendler! They are seniors at Watertown High School and members of the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders group. Christina Lupica and Sofia Block, orgranizers of the group from Wayside Youth and Family Support Network here in Watertown, also joined us for the conversation. We talk about what it's like building community and connections as a youth, their honest views on technology and phones, their advice for freshman, what it's like being in the transitional phase as seniors, and more.Find out more about the Watertown Youth Coaltion at watertownyouthcoalition.org.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers. See links for things mentioned in the episode at www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/local-government-update-may-2026Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This episode is a special Watertown's Open episode, and this came from a live discussion that happened at the WCA-TV studios back on April 7th. It was a panel discussion about how Watertown businesses can capitalize on the tourist influx this summer. Watertown's Open are live podcast events for small businesses, and it's a place to get local business owners together to discuss topics such as this. It's a three-way partnership from Little Local Conversations, the City of Watertown, and the Watertown Business Coalition. And if you want to see my graphic for the timeline of events or see links to things mentioned in this episode, you can listen to this over on the Little Local Conversations website, LittleLocalConversations.com, and find the episode there. Panelists:Andrew Holden, Branch Line, OwnerGavin Kleespies, Gore Place, Executive DirectorSteve Owens, Massachusetts State Representative, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development - Vice ChairErin Rathe, City of Watertown, Senior Planner for Economic Development Korinne Robertson, Residence Inn Boston Watertown, Director of Area SalesSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Welcome to the first episode of The Dish! This is a new series that I'll be doing with Charlie Breitrose from Watertown News where we'll visit different Watertown restaurants to learn about a signature dish, but we'll also capture some of the stories that make the restaurant and the people behind the food unique.This episode is with Max Ritcey over at Ritcey East at 208 Waverley Ave here in Watertown. Max walks us through making his fish tacos, an homage and spin on his family's old restaurant fare at Ritcey's Seafood Kitchen. We also hear about Max's love of supporting local artists, memes and taco trucks, and how he got Governor Healey's praise when he stepped up to help those in need when SNAP benefits were cut near the end of 2025. Listen to the episode and then head on over to Ritcey East to try out the fish tacos!Find Ritcey East's hours, menu, and other info online at RitceyEast.com.You can also listen to my longer interview with Max from last year, where you can learn more about Max and his personal story: www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/episode-67-max-ritcey-ritcey-east-owner-and-chefRead Charlie's article of The Dish on Watertown NewsSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. I sat down for a live conversation with artist and climate and social justice activist Eileen Ryan to discuss the question: How do you stand out in a crowd?Eileen talks about the ideas behind the many signs, hats, and outfits she's designed for protests, how images of her and her work have been featured in local and national publications (and why she thinks she captures photographers' eyes), how she thinks of herself as an illustrator of movements, the case for beauty, kindness, and humor as tools that persuade and recruit better than pure anger, and more.Find out more about Eileen and Beyond Plastics and the upcoming Mother's Day Walk for PeaceListen to other Creative Chats episodesPhoto Credit for Image of Eileen: Asia KepkaSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

What makes Watertown special? One of the reasons you'll often hear people say is that it's a community that deeply cares about taking care of each other. One example of that is Watertown Helps Out, a unique month of community volunteering organized by the Watertown Community Foundation each May.The Helping Hand is a new series for the podcast that focuses on nonprofits and mission-based organizations and projects in Watertown. So for the first episode, I thought Watertown Helps Out would be a great topic to dig into. I sat down for 3 conversations to get stories and perspectives from:-The main orchestrator, Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation.-A nonprofit benefiting from the projects, Gary Beatty, Executive Director of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club.-And a life science company that says their company wouldn't be what it is without its day of service, Matt Forti, Head of Facilities, and Alessandra Arace, Employee Experience Manager, C4 Therapeutics.You can find out more about Watertown Helps Out and join in the volunteering effort at watertownfoundation.org/watertown-helps-out.Thank you to The Helping Hand series sponsor Watertown Savings Bank!Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Kelly Cronin and Kristy Walter! They work at Watertown Savings Bank doing community relations and running the Club 50 program for the bank. We talk about the bank's philosophy of focusing on Main Street not Wall Street, and how that translates to 90+ employees volunteering their time in the community, awarding $100,000 to nonprofits through their Customer Choice Awards (on top of their regular sponsorships and donations), and their unique Club 50 program that helps build in-person community through bringing customers together for travel and local events to help make memories and friendships. Plus, we get a little of Kelly's and Kristy's own backstories, what else they're involved with in the community, and how they found their way to the bank.Learn more:Watertown Savings BankClub 50 (Website, Facebook, Instagram)Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers. See links for things mentioned in the episode at www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/local-government-update-april-2026Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

In this Gallery Stories episode, discover the stories behind the Art and Healing exhibition up at the Mosesian Center for the Arts here in Watertown. Take a listen then go visit the gallery and experience the art yourself!To see images of some of the pieces mentioned and more details about the show and the artists, go to www.littlelocalconversations.com.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Do you know about all the amazing STEM things happening at the Watertown Public Schools? Did you know 1,000 heads of lettuce are grown every week in the school's freight farm? Or about the school's award-winning robotics team, or the culinary program that provided food at the state house recently, or the student club working on designing a net zero accessory dwelling unit to showcase at the Lemelson-MIT Center?  I sat down with three people to learn more about the 2nd Annual Community STEM Night where people can come to learn about all this and much more going on at the schools. I'm joined by Lynsey Kraemer, the Science Curriculum Coordinator for grades 6-12, Laura Alderson, the CTE Director for Watertown Public Schools, and Elizabeth Kaplan, the K-5 Science Coordinator, K-8 Math Coordinator, and the Farm to School Coordinator.Come join the Community STEM Night on April 29th to learn about all this and much more through conversations and hands-on experiences! Community STEM Night is organized through a partnership between the Watertown Business Coalition and the Watertown Public Schools. The event is on Wednesday, April 29th from 530pm to 730pm at the Watertown Middle School. Find all the details here!Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Andrew Provost and Meaghan Harwood Provost! They're the co-founders of PT In Cadence, a physical therapy practice here in Watertown. In this conversation we talk about their paths to physical therapy (Andrew through a sports injury and Meaghan in a shift away from neuroscience and research), their strong patient-centric view of designing care and helping people navigate the challenges of a fragmented healthcare system, one of their key focuses being pelvic health care and why its often overlooked, and what it's like building a physical therapy practice and building a community within Watertown.Find out more about Andrew and Meaghan at ptincadence.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. I sat down for a live conversation with cellist and educator Alyssa Lawson to discuss the question: How do we teach creativity to the next generation?Alyssa shares her experiences as a Suzuki cello teacher for youth and teaching her own kids cello, the importance of building basic skills to even allow creative expression, getting beginners through "the dip", dealing with different types of learners and personalities, and the ultimate balance of teaching while not getting in the way of the student's creativity.Find out more about Alyssa at alyssavlawson.comJoin the next Creative Chats event on April 3rd and the Creative Chats Conference on June 4thSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from the Watertown Business Coalition's City Update event with Watertown City Manager George Proakis. The event was on March 5th, 2026 at the Hampton Inn in Watertown. Take a listen to City Manager Proakis' presentation on the city's goals, where things are going now in the city, and then some discussion about planning and growth in Watertown. Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

In this mini Gallery Stories episode, discover the stories behind Nina Nielsen's art exhibition up at Storefront Art Projects here in Watertown. Take a listen then go visit the gallery and experience the art yourself!To see images of some of the pieces mentioned and more details about the show, go to www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/gallery-stories-mini-march-2026.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers. See links for things mentioned in episode at www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/local-government-update-march-2026Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

The Perkins School for the Blind’s Early Connections Conference is a two-day event in May for families, educators, and medical professionals of young children with vision loss, deafblindness, and blindness to come together and find resources, support, community, and expert guidance. Two of the people who organize the event, Rachel Bennett and Amy Ferreira, invited me over to the Perkins campus to share the history of the conference and why it exists, stories that show the impact of turning isolation into community, and details of this year's conference. The Early Connections Conference is May 1st and May 2nd, 2026. Registration is open now through April 17th at perkins.org/earlycc. Reach out to Rachel and Amy at [email protected] the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This episode is a little bit different, what I'm calling a reverse podcast. I had a number of people start asking me about when it's my turn to be on the podcast and have my story told. So I finally decided to do that. But I didn't want to pick one person to do that. There were a few people that I had sit down and interview me about my story and the podcast's story. So this is the first one of those. There'll be a couple more and each of the conversations went in a little bit of a different direction. This first one was with Sara Keary, who's been on the podcast before, back at episode 59. So you can go back and listen to that one to get her story again. But she was one of the people who had been asking to hear about my story, so I had to give her the chance to turn the tables on me. So I hope you enjoy hearing a little bit more about me and where I came from and my thoughts behind the podcast.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. I sat down for a live conversation with multidimensional entrepreneur Erykah Chanel to dig into the question: What does the next level actually require of you?Erykah shares her personal journey to discovering a framework (which she calls the Life of E's) that prioritizes things such as rest, clarity, and support rather than constantly going with the hustle. Then we open it up to audience Q&A on topics such as how do you ask the tough questions, getting over imposter syndrome to build community, how to prioritize within a life with multiple passions, and how find a balance between finding your tribe and seeking different opinions.Connect with Erykah on social @erykahchanel (Instagram, Facebook)Join the next Creative Chats event on March 6thSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Discover the stories behind 5 art exhibitions going on in Watertown then go visit the galleries and experience the art yourself! To see images of some of the pieces mentioned and more details about the shows, go to www.littlelocalconversations.com/episodes/gallery-stories-february-march-2026.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers.Links mentioned in the episode:State House TestimonyCity Council - January 27thCivics AcademySchool Committee - January 26thWatertown Food PantrySnow Ordinance InfoLearn About Boards and CommissionsWatertown Public Schools WebsiteWatertown’s Open: Storytelling and Marketing for SolopreneursCity Update with City Manager George ProakisSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Laura Murray! She's the Constituent Services Director for the city of Watertown, which means she runs the 311 service center. In this conversation we chat about her early customer service lessons from a pizza shop to insurance call centers where she discovered she enjoys helping people even through their angry or confused moments. Then we get into what is 311, what went into launching the service, what are the most frequent questions she gets, success stories, and things she's learned through answering questions about city processes every day.Contact Laura and 311 (including now through text!):-Phone: Call 311 (or 617-458-8311 if outside the city)-Text: Send a message to 617-458-8311-Email: [email protected]: Use the Watertown MA mobile app for non-emergency requestsSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Want to know how ideas get turned into murals, festivals, and even a river race? I sat down with Watertown’s Public Arts and Culture Planner, Liz Helfer, to get a look into what's coming up for projects, but also to shed a little light on the process behind public art: where concepts start, how partners align, and why the best projects involve conversation between neighbors and experts. Sign Up for the Watertown Arts and Culture BulletinCity of Watertown Public Arts and Culture WebpageWatertown Cultural District WebsiteCommunity Sculpture WalkExpert PairingsEco FestCommunity PaddleSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Sarah Newhouse! She's a Watertown resident and founding company member of Actors' Shakespeare Project, a longstanding Boston-area theater company that is now company-in-residence at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. In this conversation we get into Sarah's career from her first lead at 11 in The Saving of Little Sarah (a play her music teacher wrote), to being taught in high school by the playwright of Driving Miss Daisy, sharing the stage with Cicely Tyson and Hector Elizondo in the Berkshires, and having an inside joke with Steve Martin when she acted in the East Coast premiere of one of his plays. We chat about the long road to "making it", including what it's like to be thrown into a long-running show like Shear Madness, and starting Actors' Shakespeare Project over 20 years ago. Then we talk about what Actors' Shakespeare Project is, a bit of its journey, and its upcoming play, Little Women.Find more info about Actors' Shakespeare Project hereAnd grab tickets to see Sarah in Little Women at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in February hereSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Benita Chelagat! She's a Watertown resident and founder of Coffee Plus 254, a Kenyan coffee brand. In this conversation we talk about growing up in Kenya, splitting time between the capital city, Nairobi, and her grandma's farm in Kericho. Then we get into her moving to the US for school and her coffee journey. You'll hear about her getting to know farmers back home in Kenya and their challenges with the coffee business and how Benita's set herself up to try and bridge the gap between those farmers and the roasters and market here in the US.Find out more at coffeeplus254.com or InstagramSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers.Links mentioned in the episode:City Council - December 9, 2025The City of Watertown Inauguration Ceremony - January 2, 2026Information About the Alternative Pathway Program for Firefighter-ParamedicsShoveling Ordinance Information & Exemption ProcessWatertown Food Pantry Porch Food PickupHistoric DistrictHistorical Commission (Southside Report)Historical Society of WatertownRiver of Light (Listen to Event Highlight Podcast Episode)Walker PondSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

The River of Light is a celebration of light in winter. Presented by the Public Arts & Culture Committee and the Mosesian Center for the Arts in partnership with the Watertown Cultural Council, the lantern-making workshops and wintertime parade build community and bring light, joy, and festivities during the darkest season of the year. Listen to this conversation with Roberta Miller, Chair of the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee to learn more!Saturday, January 17th, 4-6pm at the Mosesian Center for the ArtsFree to the publicMore information and details hereSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Roberta Miller! She's currently the Chair of the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, but she's had a hand in many things in the city over the years. In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground from growing up in North Dakota and being an exchange student at a historically Black college in the South, serving on the first Watertown town council then later traveling the country developing and sharing new facilitation techniques as a consultant to other city councils. We talk about her being a leader in the Arsenal redevelopment project that resulted in bringing a handful of community benefits to Watertown that still exist today, her time directing the Mosesian Center for the Arts (twice), and being honored with a state heroine award for her work. Then we end with a bit of the Public Arts and Culture Committee and the upcoming River of Light event. There were a lot of stories to share in here, so there will be a separate River of Light event highlight episode that will be released shortly after this one for a deeper dive into that.River of Light Event InformationWatertown Public Arts and Culture Committee PageSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. This conversation was with artist, musician, and community organizer Marija Draskic Brancazio. The conversation digs into how she started and grew a successful open mic series from Zoom to her backyard to a lively and packed event at the Mosesian Center. We talk about how to create an environment for events that encourage attention and dedication to long-time artists and beginners alike, how she managed the necessary changes as the event grew, and how to avoid burnout by sharing ownership of the event with the community.Check out the next Open Mic on January 14th, 2026Find out more about Marija the artistListen to previous Creative Chats episodesSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a live podcast event in November 2025, hosted at Italian Design Interiors in Watertown Square. Watertown’s Open is a series of live podcast events that bring local businesses and local business advocates together to share their stories and knowledge. The project is a collaboration between the City of Watertown’s Economic Development Planner, the Little Local Conversations podcast, and the Watertown Business Coalition.The conversation was on the topic of the state of development in Watertown and featured a panel of:Bob Airasian (Co-President Watertown Business Coalition, Coldwell Banker Broker)Andrew Copelotti (Principal at Boylston Properties)John Nealon (WJ Nealon Commercial Realty)Laura Portney (PCA Design Firm)Gideon Schreiber (City of Watertown's Director of Planning and Zoning)They were asked to discuss and reflect on their role in Watertown, what changes they've seen over the years, what they're most worried about and most excited about going forward, and specific thoughts on housing costs for residents and costs for businesses. The discussion was followed with some Q&A with the in-person audience.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers.Links mentioned in the episode:Special City Council - Nov. 18thCity Council - Nov. 25thEverbridge Emergency AlertsWinter Parking InfoFree Public SkatingSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Jenna Bancroft! She's the Director of Human Services for the City of Watertown, a new department in the city. In this conversation we talk about how when she was a teenager her family helped foster young kids and how that experience led her to want to get into a career to improve social services. We talk about her early work in Watertown at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network and how that direct work with people led her to want to step up in scope to try and affect things higher up. Then we dig into the new Human Services department in Watertown, how it quickly jumped in on issues such as food access and housing needs, why Watertown is a great community to work on these issues, and some of her thoughts on the future of the department and areas it might put their efforts. We also talk about the community food drive that is currently going on through the end of December, so be sure to click on the link below to see how you can help.Visit the Human Services webpageCommunity Food Drive: City's webpage and Watertown Community Foundation's webpageSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is an arts and culture roundtable episode where we talk about things that have been going on in Watertown arts and culture recently, what's coming up, hidden gems, and more. The discussion was with Liz Helfer (City of Watertown, Public Arts and Culture Planner), Jamie Kallestad (Communications and Design Specialist for the Watertown Free Public Library), Kristen Kenny (Chair of the Watertown Cultural District), Gavin Kleespies (Executive Director of Gore Place), Lydia McCoy (Watertown Senior Center, Director for Senior Services), and Sheri Melenciano (Watertown Senior Services, Program Coordinator).Too many links to fit here! Visit littlelocalconversations.com for the list of links mentioned in episode.Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This episode is a sponsored event highlight for SOLSTICE, a reflective light and sound experience happening at Mount Auburn Cemetery this December. I sit down for a conversation with Matthew Stephens, the President and CEO of Mount Auburn Cemetery, and Sam Okerstrom-Lang, the co-founder of Masary Studios and the Creative Director of SOLSTICE.Give a listen to hear about how the non‑denominational winter tradition came to be, what to expect as a visitor, how they craft the mood and tone for a reflective experience, some of their favorite stories of past solstices, and more.SOLSTICE runs from December 5th - December 21st Find more information and tickets at mountauburnsolstice.orgPhoto by Aram BoghosianSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. This conversation was with Margo Guernsey, documentary director/producer, impact strategist, and founder of Time Travel Productions LLC. The conversation digs into Margo’s approach to outreach and impact through discussing some of her recent projects, including THE OFFICIALS, a documentary about the work of US election officials.Find out more about Margo and her films at:timetravelproductions.comcivicsfilms.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Aliana de la Guardia! She's the Executive Director at the Mosesian Center for the Arts and a working artist herself. In this conversation we dig into her path into opera, what it's like to be a professional singer in the avant-garde world (from Cheerios to puppets and more), the behind-the-scenes of running Guerilla Opera for many years, and what led her to a sabbatical and rethinking of her direction. Then we talk about her joining the Mosesian Center for the Arts, the relationships she's building, and some of the new ideas she's bringing into the mix.Find out more about the Mosesian Center for the Arts at mosesianarts.orgFind out more about Aliana the artist at alianadelaguardia.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers.Links mentioned in the episode:Mobility StudyEconomic Development and Planning - Oct. 21stCommission on Disabilities - Oct. 22ndSchool Committee - Oct. 27thCity Council - October 28thMid-Year Budget PresentationConstruction NoticesPublic Works - Oct 22ndCommunity Food DriveWCA-TV 20th AnniversaryWalker Pond SurveySupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Jon Hecht! He's a longtime contributor to the Watertown community from being a town councilor, a state representative for the area, the first president of the Watertown Community Foundation and many other involvements. In this conversation we get into his early work with human rights in China, his first steps into local politics and joining the town council, helping create and being the first chair of the council's budget and fiscal oversight committee, working on open space and park projects, and then his path into becoming a state representative and using the platform to continue improvements in Watertown. Then we switch into his current work on legislative reform and the question he's working to get on the ballot for next year that he believes would open up the state legislative process to be more equitable for committee members and open to the public. Find out more information about the ballot question at stipendreform.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Max Ritcey! He's the Owner and Chef at Ritcey East here in Watertown. In this conversation we talk about growing up in a four-generation family-run restaurant in Waltham, his journey through bartending and restaurant management jobs (and some of the funny stories from that era), and then finally landing his own spot here in Watertown. We dig into how it was important for his restaurant to be a welcoming space that helps people in small and big ways, from driving groceries to his employees throughout covid, to being available to chat and get to know customers, and even helping provide the space to feel comfortable himself as a trans male during his transition. Throughout the conversation we weave in how much he loves Watertown and giving to the community where he can and how it's a truly special place.Find out more about Max and Ritcey East at ritceyeast.comSee info for Ritcey East's meals for SNAP recipients: ritceyeast.com/snap (See info for helping/getting help from others in the community as well: www.watertownfoundation.org/community-food-drive)Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Jon Bockian! He's a longtime Watertown resident with a history of community involvement and an author. In this conversation we talk about being part of the PTA, Zoning Board, the group that started the arts center at the Arsenal property, a group that pushed for a Watertown Transportation Management Association, and being one of the first members of the Community Preservation Committee. Then we change topics to his new book What Was Forbidden, and the process of researching and writing a novel with philosophy, history, murder, romance, and mystery, and how he's surprising himself with the good reviews he's received as a first time author.Find out more about What Was Forbidden at whatwasforbidden.comBook launch of the Mosesian Center for the Arts, November 2ndSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Meet Jim Henderson! He's an attorney and singer here in Watertown. In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about his early years in law (including winning a state supreme court case as a junior associate), the importance of different parts of his life beyond his law work such as his musical practice, how he homeschooled his kids and why the arts played a big part in that, and running for Massachusetts Secretary for State as an independent (and getting almost 3% of the vote). We do a dive into a part of his current work of getting questions on the state ballot, how he got into that field, the behind-the-scenes process of drafting the language, the political strategies involved, the questions he's worked on in the past and the four that he's currently working on this cycle. Then we end with his musical project Crooked Mowth and the story of reconnecting with his birth father in his 40s. Learn more about Jim, the lawyer at law.jdhenderson.comLearn more about Jim, the singer at crookedmowth.comSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from a series for the podcast at the Mosesian Center for the Arts called Creative Chats. This conversation was with Megan Ramette of the Watertown Zine Fest team and we dug into everything zines and Watertown Zine Fest.Hear about:- What is a zine and why it matters- The culture and ethos of zines- Reasons to create and how to start- The origins and impact of the Watertown Zine Fest- Insights on tools, printing and the history of zinesCome out to Watertown Zine Fest, Saturday, October 18th, 11am - 4pm!Support the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

Listen to the latest conversation with Tyler Cote, the Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Watertown, and Victoria Weichel from WCA-TV to discuss things that have happened during the past month in Watertown through key moments, success stories, and important numbers.Links:City Council - Sept 9thSchool Building Committee - Sept 17thTrash and Recycling Info and CalendarState of the City 2025 VideoState of the City SlidesElection Voting Locations2025 Election Dates and DeadlinesVote by Mail InfoLibrary Board of Trustees ForumCity Council At Large forumWCA-TV Election Coverage PageWCA-TV Public ChannelWatertown Square UpdatesWatertown Senior ServicesWalker Pond InfoCreative Chats With Filmmaker Margo GuernseyWicked WatertownWatertown's Open, State of Development in WatertownSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.

This is a recording from the Watertown's Open live podcast series panel discussion recorded at Get Lively Health and Fitness Studio in Watertown in September 2025. The theme was Small Business Support Group and dived into the numerous ways small business owners in Watertown are collaborating and supporting each other. Take a listen to hear stories and tips for established business and ones just starting out.The panel included (left to right, top to bottom in episode image):Liz Padula, owner of Artemis YogaAriel Nathanson, certified financial education instructor and founder of Finances for Feminists Liz Ganno, certified nutrition coach Erin Rathe, City of Watertown's senior planner for economic developmentJan Taylor, owner of Get Lively Health and Fitness Doug Orifice, owner of Arsenal Financial, and co-president of the Watertown Business CoalitionSupport the showHead on over to www.littlelocalconversations.com to check out all the episodes, events, and everything else going on. Sign up for the Little Local Conversations email newsletter Follow on Instagram: @littlelocalconversationsUpcoming events! Click here to see upcoming live podcast events.