Lancaster Connects
Learn about the local heroes, charities, and happenings in the Lancaster, PA community. Hosted by Jeff Giagnocavo and Ben McClure, owners of local store, Gardner's Mattress & More.
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Preserving the Past to Inform the Future: Inside Lancaster’s Medical History Featuring Erin Plotcher & Shawn Gallagher - Episode 229
In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Plotcher and Dr. Shawn Gallagher of the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum to explore how the region’s rich medical history continues to shape healthcare today. They share how the museum preserves and brings to life stories of medical innovation, caregiving, and public health in Lancaster County—from early colonial healing practices and 18th-century physicians to the rise of modern hospitals and groundbreaking medical advances. The conversation highlights engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community partnerships that connect the past to the present and deepen our understanding of how medicine has evolved within the community.???? Connect with Erin Plotcher & Shawn Gallagher: ✅ Website: https://lancastermedicalheritagemuseum.org/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lancastermedicalmuseum/ ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lancastermedmuseum/ Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great. ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS: ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnectsLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net
Investing in People: Inside Assets Lancaster Featuring Denzel Brown and Lindsay High - Episode 228
In this episode, we explore the mission and impact of ASSETS Lancaster, a nonprofit CDFI focused on building strong communities through entrepreneurship, equitable access to capital, and business education. The conversation highlights how ASSETS supports underserved entrepreneurs by removing traditional barriers and investing in people as the foundation for long-term economic growth.Denzel Brown and Lindsay High share insights from their work on the front lines of community development—Denzel through mission-driven lending and Lindsay through relationship-building and community partnerships. Together, they discuss how inclusive financing, trust, and collaboration help entrepreneurs start and scale businesses that create lasting impact in Lancaster and beyond.???? Connect with Denzel Brown and Lindsay High: ✅ Website:https://assetspa.org/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assetslancaster ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assets.pa/ ✅ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/assets-lancaster Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great. ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS: ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnectsLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net
Lancaster Connecties 2025 - Episode 227
If you're ready to see the real heartbeat of Lancaster County - the people rebuilding lives, feeding families, preserving farmland, and opening doors others thought were closed - then this episode is for you.Join us for the inaugural Lancaster Connecties, where we celebrate the small businesses, nonprofits, and local heroes who didn't just talk about change in 2025 - they made it happen. From fighting homelessness and hunger to transforming lives through recovery, the arts, and adventure, these are the stories that prove Lancaster is more than a place - it's a movement.This isn't your typical awards show. It's a tribute to the neighbors, leaders, and quiet warriors who give their time, heart, and talent to strengthen our community every single day.Tune in to discover who's leading the charge - and how you can be part of what's next.Brought to you by Gardner's Mattress & More - because great communities are built on great people.???? Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net
Growing Community: Inside Conestoga Valley SEEDS Featuring Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey - Episode 226
In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey, Co-Directors of Conestoga Valley SEEDS, as they share the heart, vision, and impact of this growing community initiative. Celebrating three years of service as of October 2025, SEEDS was birthed from the passion of CV social worker Katie Reiff and a desire to cultivate a healthy, thriving Conestoga Valley community. Michelle and Kristen discuss how SEEDS enriches lives by connecting neighbors to vital housing resources, educational supports, and health services—walking alongside individuals and families to remove barriers through tools, resources, and meaningful relationships.???? Connect with Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey: ✅ Website: https://seedscv.com/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Conestoga-Valley-SEEDS/100087483900730/ ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedscv/ ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvseeds/ Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great. ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS: Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnectsLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net
Building Ability Through Fitness: Special Strong Comes to Lancaster Featuring Ruth Polillo - Episode 225
In this episode, we sit down with Ruth Polillo, Owner and Certified Adaptive Personal Trainer at Special Strong Lancaster County. A seasoned physical therapist and mom of four—including two children with special needs—Ruth shares how her personal and professional journeys came together to fuel her passion for adaptive fitness. She explains why she launched Special Strong Lancaster County and how she’s helping individuals of all abilities access empowering, personalized fitness training.We also highlight the origin of Special Strong, founded by Daniel Stein, who overcame his own disabilities through exercise and created the program to help people build strength, confidence, and healthier lives. Together, Ruth’s expertise and Daniel’s vision showcase a powerful mission: making fitness inclusive, accessible, and transformative for every person.???? Connect with Ruth Polillo: ✅ Website: https://specialstronglancastercounty.com/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialstronglancastercounty ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialstronglancastercountypa/ ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-polillo-4ba00a58/ Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great. ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS: ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnectsLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net
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