Watch episodes of the Lancaster Podcast here:
Episode 55 - A Midsummer Night...Tent Sale
Are you looking to upgrade your mattress? Or to find something new for yourself? Now is your chance to save big and get on these deals!
💥Join Ben & Jeff as they share about their tent sale event happening now until Monday, July 4th. 💥
Stop by Gardner’s Mattress & More to shop for amazing deals that are up to 50% off! This includes:
✅ Luxury Mattresses at Discount Prices - kings and queens and fulls
✅ Twin, full, queen and king size mattresses in a box, in stock for easy pick up
✅ Floor model savings on hybrids
✅ Floor model savings on bed bases
✅ Floor model savings on Number Beds
✅ Hybrids of all types and sizes
✅ Futons
✅ Headboards & platform beds
Or if you want to shop our typical offerings…
✅ Double Dealzzz Savings on mattresses and items not on sale in the tent!!!
Gardner’s Mattress & More
830 Plaza Blvd - Behind Park City Mall Lancaster, PA 17601 www.GardnersMattressAndMore.com
Episode 54 - Type 1 for No One
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their strength lies in their exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D.
JDRF works every day to change the reality of this disease for millions of people—and to prevent anyone else from ever knowing it—by funding research; advocating for government support of research and new therapies; ensuring new therapies come to market and are recommended by healthcare providers; and connecting, engaging, and educating the T1D community.
Connect with JDRF:
- Website: https://www.jdrf.org/westcentralpa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JDRFCentralPA
Episode 53 - Investing in Lancaster
Ross Stockdale is a Lancaster county native and graduate of Warwick High School and Elizabethtown College. Ross has spent the last decade in the digital marketing industry and since 2019 has transitioned into the private equity industry.
Ross is a co-founder of Perpetual Equity Group, a Lancaster based private equity firm seeking to preserve, enrich and grow their investors, assets, and community.
Ross is the host of The PMG Pod podcast and co-founder of Perpetual Marketing Group. In his spare time, Ross enjoys preparing for fatherhood, golf, fitness, and giving back to the community through service at the Lititz Young Men's Business League.
Connect with Ross:
- Website: https://perpetualequitygroup.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ross.stockdale/
Episode 52 - Empowering Elizabethtown
ECHOS purpose is to empower families and individuals experiencing housing instability and insufficient income in the Northwest Region of Lancaster County. Their mission is to mobilize communities to provide services that prevent and alleviate poverty and empower stability in our neighbors.
Brie started her leadership at ECHOS as the Executive Director in March 2021. She began her professional experience in direct service but transitioned to macro-focused work as a medical advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and as an executive director of a non-profit senior community center.
Connect with ECHOS:
- Website: https://echoslancaster.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECHOSLancaster/
Episode 51 - Helping Lancaster Wake Up Happy
Join Ben and Jeff as they share updates about their recent Gardner’s Give Back initiative, their 7 Step Promise, and their upcoming Memorial Day Savings Event! They’ll also discuss the Lancaster Newspaper Readers Choice Award voting where they’re going for a 13th straight win for “Favorite Mattress Store” category.
Ben and Jeff were also featured on WGAL News where they discuss why it’s important to choose the right mattress for a better sleep.
Episode 50 - Connecting Through Crisis
In this episode, we will be joining with Dawn Tluczek who is the Donor & Church Liaison & Event Manager for Bethany Christian Services, along with Charlotte Guerin who is the Refugee Resettlement Site Supervisor. This will focus on the Ukraine crisis as they discuss how Bethany will provide support for refugees and their needs.
Bethany Christian Services is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. For more than 75 years, their faith has inspired them to stand for children close to home and around the world.
Connect with Bethany Christian Services:
- Website: https://bethany.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethanyfans
Episode 49 - The Gift of Strength and Hope
At A Week Away, the foundation coordinates and finance respite weeks for families who are battling a life-threatening illness, with the goal of providing them the hope they need to continue their fight.
“When you get away, you get to feel normal.” — Caleb Walker, Founder
Caleb was Lynn Walker’s son. He passed away in December of 2014 knowing that he had successfully established his foundation with the help of very loyal & committed friends and his family. Lynn is so thankful for all of the support they have and is committed to helping to grow AWA’s impact in helping families and keeping Caleb’s legacy going onward.
Joe and a few others were responsible for launching The A Week Away foundation along with Caleb and he is a huge factor in the growth that the foundation has experienced in their first 5 years. After taking a two year break, he is back again as President of their Board of Directors and brings his passion for the mission with him.
Connect with A Week Away:
- Website: https://www.aweekaway.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aweekawayfoundation
Episode 48 - Lancaster County In Focus
Jon, Chad, and Ralph, best friends since high school, started ModernEYES Optical 15 years ago as a kiosk at Park City Mall selling stylish eyewear. They grew the business in many creative ways including allowing their customers to host home eyewear parties, partnering with local school districts to increase business and being able to help kids in need of eye exams and glasses but can't afford them, and partnering with local non-profits for fundraiser events.
8 years ago, ModernEYES opened their new eyewear boutique location at Chelsea Square on Manheim Pike. It is a relaxed and fun environment! They have helped over 800 local children in need with eye exams and glasses at no charge and have raised over $150,000 for local non-profits. They pride themselves on having the best selection of stylish eyewear and sunglasses in the Central PA area. They also offer quality eye exams and contact lenses.
Connect with ModernEYES:
- Website: https://www.meoptical.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernEyesOptical
Episode 47 - Music Empowers Dreams
Diana Vuolo is the Founder/Executive Director of SWAN4kids. She received a full-tuition scholarship to study violin with world-renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay at The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (PCPA). She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance and was a masterclass performer for Miss DeLay at PCPA and the Aspen Music Festival.
Her performance career began with a chamber music concert in Carnegie Hall, NY, and as co-concertmaster for the International Lyric Festival Opera Orchestra, Barga, Italy. Diana was a member of the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, Philly Pops Orchestra, Canton Symphony. She served as a substitute for the Saint Louis Symphony under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. In addition to performing, Diana has taught violin, music theory, and ensemble classes over the past 45 years and served as an adjunct violin professor at Lancaster Bible College. Volante, one of her high school student groups, was featured on CBS, “The Early Show.” Her SWAN students have been featured on national and local television and radio broadcasts.
Mission: To be dedicated advocates for children affected by parental incarceration by providing life-changing intervention through music and mentoring. SWAN provides free music lessons, ensemble training, and performance opportunities as an after-school program within the School Districts of Lancaster, Red Lion, and Lancaster's Youth Intervention Center.
Connect with Diane:
- Website: https://swan4kids.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWAN4kids/
Episode 46 - From Success to Significance
You won’t want to miss this very special episode of Lancaster Connects. Join Ben & Jeff as they discuss how Gardner’s Mattress & More will be giving everyone an opportunity to make more of an impact to the Lancaster Community. This includes the new roll out of their Gardner’s Gives back initiative: Round Up, Help Out. A great way for both you and Gardner’s Mattress & More can work together, choose to make a difference, and move from success to significance in the Lancaster Community. Together, we can create a better Lancaster County.
Connect with Gardner's:
Episode 45 - Serve, Listen & Lead
Steve is the owner/Chief People Builder of the Goble Group, a talent and leadership development organization serving businesses, non-profits, and teams in Central PA and surrounding areas. He is passionate about helping people grow and solve problems. As an author, a Founding Partner of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, a Certified Coach, and a Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Steve was a 2017 ’40 Under 40’ recipient from the Central Penn Business Journal. Steve is also the co-host of the ‘A Dram of Leadership’ podcast, sharing leadership principles and action steps to improve yourself/team from leading business books.
Steve currently resides in Lancaster County, PA with his family, where he enjoys petting other people’s dogs and a good pint of IPA or dram of whiskey. No, he and his family are not Amish.
Connect with Steve:
- Website: https://www.thegoblegroup.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gobles/
Episode 44 - Restoring Lancaster County
In 2014, Kapp and Linda Brown took a big step to follow their dream. They entered in to the world of entrepreneurship. Kapp’s desire to serve others and continue learning and growing led him to partner with The Master’s Touch (Glendale Arizona). TMT was one of the largest non-franchise training companies in the world. They personally set up over 1500 people in business for themselves all over the world.
In the past 7 years, Newly Restored has branched out from cleaning tile and grout to carpets, upholstery, power washing, concrete cleaning, duct cleaning, and disinfecting services. As new technologies emerge, Kapp and Linda are anxious to be on the front line – bringing the very best to the customers they serve!
Connect with Kapp:
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- Website: https://newlyrestored.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Newlyrestoredhscr/
Episode 43 - Learning to Lead
Dr. Keith Floyd is the founder and President of iNVISION Group Leadership Services Group. Founded in 2013, iNVISION Group LSG LLC is a full-service leadership development consultancy focused on the areas of coaching, training, planning, and analytics and services clients both regionally and nationally. Dr. Floyd and iNVISION Group works largely in the professional services space (attorneys, accountants, engineers, and those in the financial industry), but also assists clients (and their teams) in a multitude of other industries..
Connect with Dr. Keith:
Episode 42 - Two Dudes Discuss Lancaster
From residential and commercial painting projects to the most elaborate, beautiful murals, Two Dudes is committed to taking the time and care needed to ensure each customer achieves their vision. They aim to inspire and enhance the lives of their employees, clients, and their community. This commitment to excellence has shaped and molded the company into a business that significantly values what they do and how they do it.
Connect with Tony and Two Dudes:
- Website: https://twodudes.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twodudespaintingcompany
Episode 41 - Kisses for EB
Kisses For EB is a non-profit created in 2017 after Kiba was born in 2015. EB is short for epidermolysis bullosa: a very rare genetic disorder that affects about 200 births yearly worldwide. EB individuals are missing the protein in their skin layers to keep their layers together. any sort of friction can cause blisters and wounds, there is no known cure and only pain management and wound care, EB individuals are more apt to get infections.
Kisses For EB was created to bring awareness to the community and to bring assistance to the individuals and families that live with the most horrible disease you have never heard of.
Connect with Dana, Ashley & Kisses for EB:
Website: http://kissesforeb.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KissesForEB
Episode 40 - The Finer Things in Lancaster
Mark Pontz has spent nearly three decades helping folks finance their dream homes. As a senior loan officer at loanDepot, he has earned the honor of Chairman’s Elite for each full year that he’s been with the company.
Born and raised in Lancaster County, his love of the city’s unique food, music, art, and culture led him to create Fine Living Lancaster magazine. For 15 years, he has served as the publisher of this quarterly magazine.
In recent years, Mark has channeled his passion for the arts into a study of photography. In his work at Mark Pontz Photography, he feels that the best photograph is one that lets the true personality of a person (or product, dish, or drink...) shine through. In his spare time, he plays bass in the folk-rock band Bailey Run.
Connect with Mark Pontz:
Website: https://www.loandepot.com/loan-officers/mpontz
Fine Living Lancaster: https://fllmag.com/
Episode 39 - Using the Gokhale Method To Improve Your Sleep & Reduce Your Pain
As a nationally award-winning Licensed Massage Therapist, Rachel Benbow’s understanding of anatomy and physiology enable her to clearly instruct her Gokhale Method students with an understanding of how their muscles and bones work to realign their posture.
As a CranioSacral Therapist, Rachel also recognizes that our minds and our bodies are not separate, but are actually a unified whole. She understands that by addressing the body with the Gokhale Method, we are likewise addressing our minds.
After obtaining better posture, regaining range of motion, and reducing or eliminating pain, many people using the Gokhale Method find that they approach life with greater confidence and ease.
Connect with Rachel Benbow:
Episode 38 - It Takes a Village!
Lancaster Downtowners is a village-model non-profit that connects people who have chosen to age-in-community in the City of Lancaster. Founded in 2008, the organization provides social, educational & wellness programs; volunteer support for day-to-day tasks; and information and recommendations when other resources are required. A member of the national Village to Village Network, the Lancaster Downtowners is made up of over 200 seniors who value a vibrant, interdependent, and multigenerational community.
Melissa Ressler has been the Executive Director of Lancaster Downtowners since 2018. She has a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation and Gerontology, with previous positions held at the Occupational Development Center and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. She serves as leadership for Age-Friendly Lancaster City, and has presented locally and nationally about collaborative partnerships, villages, and intergenerational volunteer engagement.
Connect with Lancaster Downtowners:
Episode 37 - A Renewed Focus on Northern Lancaster County
Casey Ellis recently joined Ephrata Area Social Services as the new Executive Director. Even though she is fresh in her position, she is excited to share the mission of EASS with the community. She has been overwhelmed and humbled by the staff, volunteers, and community that rallies around EASS and the clients served. She has learned quickly it really is about neighbors helping neighbors.
Connect with Ephrata Area Social Services:
Episode 36 - Recreation For All - Bringing Joy To Our Community!
The Lancaster Recreation Commission (Lancaster Rec) is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency formed by a partnership agreement between the City of Lancaster, School District of Lancaster and Lancaster Township. Our administrative offices are located at the Lancaster Recreation Center.
Operating since 1909, we provide neighborhood-based recreation and learning opportunities for all ages – with an emphasis on affordable programs for children – at schools, parks, playgrounds, and other indoor and outdoor facilities. Programs include youth and adult instructional sports programs and leagues, senior centers, fitness and wellness classes, summer playgrounds and day camps, full-day child care for infants through age 5, club activities, before and after school care, preschool education and seasonal family events.
Our most important functions are the intangible ones – family interaction, the friends we make, memories of playing on the playground, being part of a team or learning to swim. Our recreation services bring people together and make our community stronger.
Heather Dighe has been a part of the Lancaster Recreation Commission for nearly 6 years and has served as the Executive Director for 4 years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Marketing and a Master's Degree in Adult Education and Training. Heather enjoys her role and the opportunity to bring joy and recreation to the people in her community.
Connect with Lancaster Rec:
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- Website: https://www.lancasterrec.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterRec
Episode 35 - Real Results for Real People!
Rod Redcay is the Executive Director of Real Life Community Services. which began in 2010 as an outreach service project. Later, in 2015, they changed their name to REAL Life Community Services to better represent the resources they provide to the Cocalico region.
REAL's mission is to do everything possible to connect the community to hope through partnerships, collaborations, and building relationships.
Their vision is empowering people in the name of Christ to have hope and purpose in life by meeting basic human needs.
Connect with Real Life Community Services:
- Website: https://www.reallcs.org/
Episode 34 - Delivering Amazing & Joyful Fun, For Non-Typical People
We're joined by Risa Paskoff and Kate Mullen of Aaron's Acres, which seeks to provide all children and young adults with disabilities opportunities to participate in the most innovative and unique social and recreational programs in an atmosphere of acceptance that embraces the child and family.
They provide individuals with disabilities ages 5-21 year-round therapeutically based age-appropriate recreational programs directed by specially trained and certified staff in a supportive environment that enhances socialization and communication skills. Emotional, educational, and recreational support is offered for the entire family.
Connect with Aaron's Acres:
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- Website: https://aaronsacres.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronsacresorg
Episode 33 - A Hand Up for Lancaster's Vulnerable
We're happy to have Anne Williams & Sarita Rivera of Lancaster CIty Alliance on the show!
Lancaster City Alliance is a non-profit that promotes City growth and stability so that Lancaster City flourishes and everyone shares in its success. They are here to listen, collaborate, and connect organizations so the City succeeds.
Connect with Lancaster City Alliance:
- Website: http://lancastercityalliance.org/
Brad Peterson is the Executive Director of Power Packs Project, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that aims to improve the mental and physical health of children by helping their parents provide nutritious meals over weekends when school breakfast and lunch programs are unavailable to them.
PPP is in 45 schools in 13 school districts in Lancaster and 3 school districts in Lebanon. They have over 500 volunteers and serve over 1600 families.The many volunteers at the warehouse and distribution points give their time each week to ensure that the participating parents have the groceries and the tools to provide complete meals to their families over the weekends. It’s nothing short of inspirational! And the feedback from families that they are now sitting down to have complete and nutritious meals over the weekends is gratifying to the project volunteers.
Connect with Power Packs Project:
- Website: https://www.powerpacksproject.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerpacksproject
Lena Hohenadel is with Off the Streets, which helps families and individuals in Lancaster, PA get “off the streets” and into permanent housing. They fill critical missing pieces to transition those who are homeless into housing. They also work with local service agencies to identify those who need help and then they provide:
- Security deposit sent directly to the landlord
- Basic furnishings and household items
Connect with Off The Streets:
Jenn Knepper is the organizer of the Lancaster Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair which is taking place:
- Sunday December 12 from 10am-3pm
- Farm & Home Center
- 1383 Arcadia Road
- LANCASTER, PA 17601
At this amazing event you can purchase meaning-filled gifts for everyone on your shopping list!! This Gift Fair features alternative gifts, fair trade, social enterprise, food trucks and more. There's something for everyone and the atmosphere provides a festive and laid back setting to find meaning-filled gifts for everyone on your shopping list.
Connect with Jenn:
Based in Lancaster PA, but delivering worldwide, BigPlanetApparel has been owned and operated by Christian Newcomer since its inception in 2009.
While they are proud to be local to Lancaster, PA and primarily serve businesses and organizations in Lancaster County with their custom t-shirts needs, they also work with many people on the other side of the country or even the other side of the globe.
Today, Chris continues to do high-quality screen printing jobs for organizations and businesses, mostly in the Lancaster PA area. His vision for the future remains rooted in the idea to stay local while maintaining a global awareness.
Connect with Chris:
Website: https://bigplanetapparel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigPlanetApparel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyMzqhIJ4aFu3YaC5KKBbQ
Mary Sue Wolf is a Realtor with Wolf and Webb Real Estate in Lancaster. She's raised her family in Lancaster, PA for the past 30 years, enjoys staying active in the community and exploring new adventures in the area.
Mary Sue also heads up Lancaster Local Secrets (https://lancasterlocalsecrets.com) the official blog where she shares her 'secrets' with you about the most enjoyable things in Lancaster and is dedicated to Lancaster local businesses and the memories they create for families every day! Connect with Mary Sue:
Website: https://wolfandwebb.com
Website: https://lancasterlocalsecrets.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfandwebb...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WolfandWebbR...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/compa...
John Erisman is of Stratix Systems in Lancaster - a Family-Owned company who finds a way to communicate clear solutions to teach, plan, coordinate, and execute ways to save your business time and money with your IT and copier needs.
Join us as we take a virtual walk with John on Lancaster Connects!
We are honored to be joined LIVE by Parke Oehme of War Horse Garage and Dom "Slice" Teich of Peak Performers on our special Veteran's Day Episode of Lancaster Connects.
Parke, Oehme Bros. & War Horse Garage specialize in the restoration and preservation of WWII vehicles and armor based in Litiz, PA - "The Coolest Small Town in America." They have some amazing projects they are working on that we are thrilled to show and talk about.
Dominic "Slice" Teich, is a decorated F-16 instructor pilot in the U.S. Air Force. His service to our country includes 69 combat missions and 2 deployments to Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
For the past 16 months Dom has built a business to serve others: Peak Performers.
"Single Seat Wisdom" is the first of a series of books which highlights the stories and wisdom from America’s fighter pilots. The goal of this book is two-fold:
1- To guide and inspire the next generation of American fighter pilots.
2- To raise $100,000 for the Anna Schindler Foundation and all the children in the world that are riddled with cancerous malignancies (all book profits are being donated to this important cause).
Their main goal is to drive as many Kindle or print book sales as possible just after Veterans Day (November 11, 2021).
Justin and Men Of Iron are celebrating 15 years of impact through mentorship this year - sharing stories of men committed to know God and their purpose. And the ripple effects across marriages, families and communities has been nothing short of AMAZING!
Justin will be sharing his story, plus talking about the huge upcoming Iron Sharpens Iron Dinner on April 19 featuring Coach Tony Dungy!
The special guest this week is Mark Allan Maurer, II of Vanscoy, Mauer & Bash Diamond Jewelers in Lancaster. This episode provides great insight of the day-to-day battle that businesses of varying size have vs the behemoths on Main Street. We will be LIVE! so please join the discussion.
Mark Mauer started the store back in 1981, so this is his 40th year and it is Mark Allan’s 27th year. When they bought Bash Jewelers in 2004, they assumed their legacy which goes back to 1956.
They are the only David Yurman dealer between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and also the only Rolex Jeweler between Philadelphia and Camp Hill. They've also been importing diamonds directly from the Fischler Diamond Co. of Antwerp, Belgium for 37 of the 40 years they've been in business. They truly import in a way that no other jeweler does in the great Central Pennsylvania area.
The Maurer Star Diamond is very special and every Maurer Star is hand selected by either Mark Allan or Mark Mauer and put through the rigorous standards of the American Gem Society. There are very few AGS stores in the area and they are proud to be a member of the American Gem Society (AGS) as they are an organization has high standards for ethics and education.
We're honored to have Jeffrey Butch of the Red Rose Chapter of Disabled American Veterans as our special guest. Jeffrey will discuss the core values and mission of DAV, as well as how we can all work together to give back to those that have so graciously served our great country. In addition, Jeffrey will discuss an upcoming Veteran's Luncheon
DAV Luncheon (1st Tuesday of every month):
- 11/2, 11:30a - 4:00p
- Lancaster Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road Lancaster, PA
- For all honorably discharged veterans, spouse/guests are welcome
- Buffet lunch by Hess BBQ Catering
- Guest Speaker
- Door prizes
- Chinese Auction, 50/50 Drawing
- Info and display tables from various organizations
- Register - https://www.DAVREDROSECHAPTER80.org
- Register by 10/27
- $20 cash or check at the door
Connect with Jeffrey: 
[email protected] http://davredrosechapter80.org/ https://www.dav.org
Bonus Video! Ben and Jeff discuss an interesting history nugget with Adam Zurn of Uncharted Lancaster.
