Are We Here Yet Podcast
235 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 15 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsWe're telling the stories of entrepreneurs artists and other creative class warriors making a go of it in cities and small towns all over the country. The Are We Here Yet? Podcast blends topics of economic development, urban planning and arts and culture. We are the official podcast for SMGravesassociates.com.
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Episodes
The Medtech Innovators at Aprexis plus Orrin Evans in The Jazz Room
April 18, 2024 20:25 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBThe folks at Vermont-based medtech startup Aprexis are no strangers to the definition of persistence. This is the just the start of why the podcast desired to talk with co-founders Mike Howe, Rob Squire and Carrie LeCompte. In this episode you’ll learn the importance for rooting a medtech solutions company from the clinicians perspective. We spoke at length regarding the challenges unique to medtech software firms, namely the challenge to working in an iterative technology that comes u...
Artificial Intelligence at Hypersonic Speed: An Ecliptic Capital Report plus Gary Burton in The Jazz Room
April 11, 2024 15:39 - 1 hour - 165 MBDavid J. Neff serves as Operating Partner at Austin, TX based Ecliptic Capital where he works with portfolio companies on people, process,, marketing, strategy and culture. he spearheads the fund’s concentration on climate change and energy transition as part of ecliptic Capital’s deep tech thesis. Our conversation is focused on the recent report Ecliptic released offering a comprehensive look at considerations for the consequences of Artificial Intelligence called, ‘How Artificial Intel...
From the Culture Desk: Pianist & Magazine Publisher David Haney
April 04, 2024 22:46 - 1 hour - 149 MBIt was so interesting to talk with pianist, David Haney. Based in Portland, Oregon David travels often to NYC to perform at Joe’s Pub. Since 2012 he’s been the publisher and contributing editor of Cadence Magazine Online. In this two part interview we listen to performances of Improvised compositions featuring David and his friends. David discusses how he became publisher of Cadence Magazine Online. Learn more about Cadence Magazine
One View of Vermont’s Future - Kevin Chu of Vermont Futures Project
March 28, 2024 14:58 - 57 minutes - 132 MBKevin Chu is Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project People from throughout the United States can access their thoughtful and well researched information in order to make the case for workforce, middle market, affordable and any other form of housing needed. The core goal driving the work of the organization is to increase Vermont’s population while providing good housing to a more diverse population. The information provided by the project goes well beyond just addressing ho...
Premiere of The Vermont Tech Special Feature
March 20, 2024 15:32 - 42 minutes - 97.4 MBJoin Vermont tech leaders Will Jeffries, Ryan Munn and Scott Graves as they discover the best this Brave Little State has to offer in technology-driven entrepreneurship. Maybe you’re local, maybe you have a rural project in another part of the country, maybe you just love to talk technology and tech policy. We want YOU to come with us, listen in and join the neighborhood. #ruraldevelopment #techinvestment #ruralinnovation Like what you hear? Have a episode topic you want us to tac...
A BHM report: The Housing Crisis from Massachusetts Plus: Bertha Hope in The Jazz Room
March 12, 2024 23:11 - 1 hour - 159 MBThe housing crisis gripping the United States is gaining a disconcerting momentum in the Northeast, as it is in many regions of the United States. In this episode we’re speaking with Worcester, MA developer Jackson Restrepo regarding the challenges to the housing market in this, the second largest city in New England and one of the fastest growing cities there, as the Biotech sector continues to grow in Massachusetts. This is the second in our ongoing series of episodes focused on the hous...
How Immigration Affects Tech in America w/ Davide Dantonio
March 07, 2024 20:16 - 52 minutes - 51.5 MBWe all hear about the importance of international talent to the US technology sector. We understand how an open set of arms to international trade, travel and immigration plays a role in our country’s success. But our historic relationship to immigration tells a much more complicated story and with the recent threat of closed borders as posed by a possible Trump 2024 administration, we wanted to take a closer look at the lived experience of those plying the waters of our current internation...
The Big ‘D’ in Decentralize/Lakecia Benjamin
February 15, 2024 21:04 - 39 minutes - 41.7 MBScott M. Graves, host of the ‘Are We Here Yet? Podcast speaks to us regarding the importance for small cities and towns to take advantage of the opportunity recently presented to solve some of the most pressing economic and social issues of our day. ‘For we are, I’m sure of this, at the start of a national movement to decentralize the map. For placing venture capital where it’s needed most, for updating outmoded zoning laws so we can start rebuilding our built environments to serve all of...
Breaking Housing Matters/Kurt Elling
February 05, 2024 21:21 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBWith a background in housing policy, law and international business, author and business leader Peter de Krassel has witnessed the long arc of bad housing policy across the globe. He is launching Breaking Housing Matters as a novel means to solve the global housing crisis, one that is designed to address the impasses our current system of financing and policy has created over the last half century or more. More on Peter’s Book, Custom Maid Housing for a New World Disorder Breaking Ho...
AI & NeuroDiversity: A conversation with Dr. Meltem Ballan, Ph.D.
January 27, 2024 15:27 - 54 minutes - 52.8 MBWe’re launching a closer look at Artificial Intelligence; how it has and will shape our society. How you can shape an informed perspective around what’s sure to play a significant role effecting all of us for centuries to come. Rather than do this investigation from a good/bad standpoint, we’d rather treat all of YOU, our listeners as the smart and curious people that you are! So away we go! Our guest, Dr. Meltem Ballan, Ph.D. has decades of experience in digital technology, data sci...
Fighting for Rural Arts Education plus Jose James in The Jazz Room
January 19, 2024 19:27 - 36 minutes - 35.5 MBRegional Artist and VSU Castleton student Julie Griffin fills us in on the artist response to the latest attempt by Vermont State University to curtail budget constraints by consolidating fine and performing arts programming between its campuses. Find out what was the response to the proposed change by artists and students alike, get inspired by their response for when you need to organize and constructively show your dissatisfaction with institutional decision-makers. Mentioned in ...
On Peace plus: Dave Holland in the Jazz Room
January 11, 2024 19:49 - 52 minutes - 63.8 MBA Definition of Peace from Daniel Parkins. He helps businesses and local civic leaders work with communities to transform conflicts, launch impact initiatives, and achieve sustainable growth. Find Daniel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielparkins/ and in The Jazz Room: we were able to chat a bit with bassist, Dave Holland just before his set at the Newport Jazz Festival. We talked about the musicians with him on that date and he answered questions from our friend Dave Zox. Learn more...
Ep. 134-Space City Innovation
December 31, 2023 21:13 - 50 minutes - 59.6 MBIn an age of decentralizing the map when it comes to venture capital, place takes center stage for an increasing number of communities whose neighborhoods benefit from innovation centers, coworking space, workforce development space and the like. Our guest Robert Pieroni has his own story to tell in founding Downtown Launchpad in Houston, Texas. He’s a successful VC and is currently Director – gBETA ITA & Director of Italian Business Development for our good friends at gener8tor and ...
Ep. 134-Space City Innovation
December 31, 2023 21:13 - 50 minutes - 59.6 MBIn an age of decentralizing the map when it comes to venture capital, place takes center stage for an increasing number of communities whose neighborhoods benefit from innovation centers, coworking space, workforce development space and the like. Our guest Robert Pieroni has his own story to tell in founding Downtown Launchpad in Houston, Texas. He’s a successful VC and is currently Director – gBETA ITA & Director of Italian Business Development for our good friends at gener8tor and ...
Knowledge Towns w/ Dominic Endicott
December 29, 2023 19:00 - 54 minutes - 60.1 MBDominic Endicott believes we can redraw our maps for the 21st century. He has a vision for how knowledge-based ecosystems can create the proliferation of entrepreneurship, jobs, real estate and services in demand for a wider spectrum of rural and urban communities. He spoke with us to talk about his vision as expressed in ‘Knowledge Towns: Colleges and Universities as talent magnets’ which he co-authored with David J. Staley of Ohio State University. Dominic is a partner at NorthStar Ven...
AWHY - Ep 132 - Ted Timreck
September 02, 2023 21:33 - 35 minutes - 36 MBTo spend some time re-imagining the story of what came well before us on the North American continent has importance for understanding our future path towards a more equitable and just society. Our modern obsession with consumerism and modernity, emphasizing technology to solve our key issues isn’t working because people, not machines are at the core of our solutions. Our discussion with award-winning documentarian Ted Timreck invites you, our listener, to more closely examine epigenetics ...
AWHY - Ep 132 - Ted Timrick
September 02, 2023 21:33 - 35 minutes - 36 MBTo spend some time re-imagining the story of what came well before us on the North American continent has importance for understanding our future path towards a more equitable and just society. Our modern obsession with consumerism and modernity, emphasizing technology to solve our key issues isn’t working because people, not machines are at the core of our solutions. Our discussion with award-winning documentarian Ted Timreck invites you, our listener, to more closely examine epigenetics ...
TJR - Three for the Price of One
September 02, 2023 21:30 - 1 hour - 98.3 MBThree for the Price of One: We had to take a brief break for summer vacation. So M the Media Project is giving you three for the price of one! Joan’s two part interview with our generation’s progenitor of the great American Songbook, none other than Michael Feinstein plus we feature Claire Daly, all in the latest Jazz Room.
Building The Authentic Leader
June 30, 2023 22:12 - 34 minutes - 38.1 MBAuthors John DiCicco, Ph.D. and Robert Cuomo, Ph.D. of ‘The Authentic Leader’ have shared their wealth of experience honed in business ownership and academia in order to complete a crusade of sorts. A crusade to make change where it counts. Engage with The Authentic Leader John and Bob will join Startup Rutland (anticipated fall 2023) in developing a program to engage emerging business leaders to better prepare them for the moral hazards sometimes inherent in complex business models. ...
Alto Saxophonist Tia Fuller
June 30, 2023 22:10 - 31 minutes - 31.1 MBFrom her 2021 Interview from the summer phenomenon known as the Newport Jazz Festival, host Joan Watson Jones spoke with the fantastic alto saxophonist Tia Fuller. Enjoy as you imagine the Newport bridge view, the sea salt air and the magic of thousands of friends gathering to hear their favorite jazz artists. Click here to learn more from Tia Fuller
The Devilish World of PermaGrin
June 22, 2023 22:40 - 36 minutes - 44.5 MBHost Scott M. Graves sat down with Dan Cummings and old pal Steven Harnois from PermaGrin, the fantasmic music project that originated as a pandemic project which has resulted in the album, ‘Ode to Entropy. We entice you to listen in with four aural excerpts from said album. From the moment I heard this album I was enthralled and wrote a friend, ‘Brah, it’s like these dudes went to sleep with Hot Rats and The Grand Wazoo on repeat and then woke up the next day to the rest of their lives...
Emerging Technologies from the Rural Northeast
June 17, 2023 22:01 - 36 minutes - 43.2 MBI spoke with Ryan Munn, tech professional and devotee to trends in emerging technology about what potential we have in northern New England, particularly Vermont-centric possibilities in industries such as financial services, building materials, renewable energy and climate tech. Ryan is a resident of White River Junction, VT and works throughout the central VT region. Garner ideas and reach out to us and let us know your new ideas. Join the conversation in our comments section. Cl...
Eddie Palmieri Part II
June 17, 2023 21:59 - 31 minutes - 31.1 MBIn Part 2 of this feature Eddie tells us about the many musicians he has collaborated with through the years to make his music not just Latin and not just Jazz but his own brand and style. He also shares stories about his performances across the globe. Learn more about Eddie Palmieri at www.palmierimusic.com
The Outliers: Author John Schlichtman discusses Showroom City
June 08, 2023 22:27 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBWhen is it useful to study an outlier? While we may find phenomena that represent an extreme less useful at times, there are times that discounting an outlier would prevent us from a highly valuable opportunity to explore, to discover and to learn. Dr. John Schlichtman takes outliers seriously. When he first came across the city of High Point, NC two decades ago, he had to see it for himself. Thus began a near two decades relationship John has cultivated with the people and places in Hig...
Eddie Palmieri - Part One
June 08, 2023 22:24 - 30 minutes - 30.6 MBWe have a spirited conversation with Latin Jazz Legend Eddie Palmieri. In Part One, of this feature he tells about his early beginnings and about his brother Charlie Palmieri getting him started in music. He also tells us who were his major influences in Jazz. Learn more about Eddie Palmieri at www.palmierimusic.com
Four Profiles from ‘She Means Business’
June 02, 2023 03:42 - 34 minutes - 38.1 MBWe recently hosted Vermont Small Business Development Center’s ‘She Means Business’ event for women in business at our headquarters The Hub CoWorks in downtown Rutland, VT. THis event hosted women business leaders, entrepreneurs in the making, banking professionals and other concerned stakeholders who wish to advance the work women are doing in our region to build our economy. We garnered perspectives from a host of attendees including Sarah Nadler, newly appointed Community Development ...
Judi Silvano
June 02, 2023 03:41 - 32 minutes - 38.4 MBAnother in the series "Kitchen Table Chats" from Studio 952 in New York City. We talk with Vocalist Judi Silvano. She talks about her CD "Women's Work" . Judi talks about her husband Saxophonist, Joe Lovano, improvisation and personal style in jazz. Learn more about Judy at judisilvano.com.
Composer Maria Schneider
May 25, 2023 11:27 - 29 minutes - 29.5 MBWe met with Orchestra Leader/Composer Maria Schneider at the Newport Jazz Festival. This show is a bit different as per Maria’s request she asked I play 30 seconds of music and one full composition. As you listen to this interview she talks not only about creating her music, but defending her copyrights of her work in this world of free music streaming and music distributors charging artist exorbitant fees for their use digitally. Click to learn more about Maria
A Declaration of Inclusion for Vermont
May 23, 2023 10:47 - 40 minutes - 48.4 MBWhen Al Wakefield, Bob Harnish, Barbara Pulling and Bill Cohen set out to encourage the 247 Vermont cities and towns to adopt their Declaration of Inclusion the goal was rooted in economics, class and above all doing what’s right by people. ‘Vermont has started to see people moving here,’ said Wakefield during this episode, ‘but (sic) other young people have been leaving and they’re not coming back.’ This draws on what many of us in economic development already know. People of all ages ...
Two Perspectives on The Business of Jazz
May 18, 2023 21:44 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBThis month we present two interviews that take you behind the scenes in the music business. Meet Artist Manager Judith Humenick and Jon Catherwood-Ginn, program director for the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech. Judith Humenick is from Ottawa, Canada. She an Artist Manager who was at the Newport Jazz Festival representing The Royal Bopsters behind the scenes. She talks about a few of the artists she manages and you’ll hear a bit of their music. Learn more about Judith We met Jon Cath...
Cultural Intertia: A Conversation Between Vermonters
May 11, 2023 19:42 - 49 minutes - 57.4 MBIn this AWHY? Podcast Scott is joined by two new friends made since relocating to Vermont in December 2022. Bill Ramage is a professor emeritus of Art, Castleton University and founder 77Art, established to help affect Rutland’s well-being in preparation for what he believes could be a post-retail economy. His collections can be found in, among other places, The Williams College Museum of Art; The Wexner Museum, Ohio State University and Northern New England Museum of Contemporary Art (NN...
Stan Chovnic & Linda Presgrave
May 11, 2023 19:41 - 30 minutes - 30.8 MBMeet saxophonist, Stan Chovnic and pianist, Linda Presgrave. Stan talks about his CD “ Love Vibrations for Planet Earth”. Learn more about Stand and Linda at Metropolitan Records - An independent jazz record label located in NYC (metropolitanrecordsnyc.com)
Rest in Power: Ahmad Jamal Parts I & II
April 27, 2023 20:16 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBThis month we pay homage in memory of Jazz Legend, Pianist Ahmad Jamal. This interview at the Newport Jazz Festival in 2010 was my very first interview with a major artist! It was loads of fun to meet someone I had listened to and admired since I was a teen. In part 1 he talks about his latest CD "A Quiet Time" and the use of his own compositions. Learn more about Ahmad Jamal at https://www.ahmadjamal.com (updated since this interview) In Part II Jamal gives advice to Jazz musician...
Rural Planning: An Orchestration
April 13, 2023 15:42 - 55 minutes - 55.8 MBDevon Neary is the Executive Director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commision (RRPC) of Rutland County, VT USA. We spoke about the need to orchestrate the viable connective opportunities between rural towns for solutions in infrastructure, financing, technology, broadband access and new business. Devon kindly spoke to the ways his organization is helping project management for towns without such capacity, for stewarding small towns from a bottom up rather than top down approach to ca...
Frank Wilkins
April 13, 2023 15:40 - 31 minutes - 27.3 MBThis is a special show as it’s one of our first with half hour features. Pianist Frank Wilkins joined us in the studio with his keyboard to play live , talk about his projects at the time and our first project together. Yes, we even jammed a bit together. While you listen you’ll hear about the many well known, and up and coming artists at that time. Learn more about Frank at WeJazzUp (bandvista.com).
Plastic People: An Artificial Intelligence Love Story
March 30, 2023 15:40 - 5 minutes - 6.41 MBIn today's audio essay we're focused on Artificial Intelligence. Entrepreneur, incubator director and community developer Scott M. Graves is pondering the future, more specifically how we build a better one. 'Could we create a great tipping point where a society, devoid of the means for cultivating its great creative class warriors, cease to provide the know-how to create more ‘tech’ to feed the AI revolution. How Ironic.' 'Revolution? Or de-volution. It’s for us to decide.' Ab...
Two hands to play the piano: Bertha Hope & Onaje Allan Gumbs
March 30, 2023 15:38 - 57 minutes - 65.2 MBMeet pianist Bertha Hope. She talks about her husband Elmo Hope and her CD “Nothing But Love” featuring drummer Jimmy Cobb as part of her ensemble. For more information Bertha Hope’s Biography (thehistorymakers.org) This show we remember pianist, Onaje Allan Gumbs. We chat about his CD “Sack Full of Dreams” and his experiences working with jazz legends during his long musical career. Sadly, Onaje passed away in April of 2020. Learn more at Onaje Allan Gumbs, Jazz Arts – Onaje – New...
Building Regional Relationships A talk with Brattleboro’s Nattie Hussey
March 16, 2023 15:05 - 53 minutes - 48.5 MBNattie Hussey is Director of Business Acceleration for the Brattleboro (VT) Development Credit Corporation. The organization has participated has recently worked with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) to develop its programming targeting the development of rural Windham county’s business ecosystem. Nattie is no stranger to small business development as both his parents and his grandfather owned a multiplicity of small businesses over the decades. Nattie shares the idea with our ho...
The Jazz Room - William Hooker
March 16, 2023 15:03 - 30 minutes - 30.7 MBWe talk with drummer William Hooker. He came to visit us at Studio 952 in NYC for one of our Kitchen Table Chats. Not your typical drummer he describes his presentations as an installation and experimental. Listen to his vision for performing drums and be amazed. Learn more by clicking here.
Evolve Rutland: Overcoming the Gender Divide in Business
March 09, 2023 16:46 - 28 minutes - 44.8 MBEvolve Rutland is focused on an effort to recognize exceptional business leadership with across the gender spectrum. The organization, now re-energizing following the global health crisis, was formed when women in the Rutland (VT) regional business community saw a need to recognize women in leadership while also encouraging more entrepreneurship and leadership of organizations by women. We spoke with Kiki McShane, founder of FarVision Consulting regarding Evolve Rutland’s current eff...
The Jazz Room - Jackie Lennon
March 09, 2023 16:44 - 37 minutes - 50.6 MBMeet vocalist, Jackie Lennon who is president of the non-profit organization International Women in Jazz. Jackie and I talk about IWJ, it’s purpose and various projects they plan for members and those who love Jazz. Learn about IWJ at www.internationalwomeninjazz.org.
StartUp Rutland Series: The Entrepreneurial Legal Lab w/ Director Nicole Killoran
March 02, 2023 16:35 - 50 minutes - 81.3 MBThe Entrepreneurial Legal Lab is a new resource that, when coupled with other offerings unique to the Green Mountain state, makes Vermont ever friendlier to those who wish to deliver innovation to the economic ecosystem from the great state of Vermont. Learn more about VLS's Entrepreneurial Legal Lab or schedule a referral We discussed the program within a greater discussion regarding the challenges of small businesspeople in determining when and how to engage an attorney or navigate a l...
The Jazz Room - Todd Bryant Weeks Interview
March 02, 2023 16:32 - 31 minutes - 54.7 MBWe talk with Todd Bryant Weeks. We had a conversation about his best selling Biography about Trumpet player "Hot Lips" Page titled “ Luck’s in My Corner” You may find Todd's book at Amazon.com.
StartUp Rutland Special: Tacitly’s Jeff DeJarnette
February 16, 2023 16:56 - 52 minutes - 80.8 MBJeff Dejarnette came to entrepreneurship the way many in a place as special as Vermont often do. A combination of meeting practical needs with work that benefits both team and town while building value. Key community assets brought together Jeff, his future team and mentors like long-time business innovator Rick Gile. Assets like the MINT Makerspace and StartUp Rutland at The Hub. Click here to learn more about the MINT Cick here to find out more about The Hub Tacitly was launched ...
Bruce Jackson
February 16, 2023 16:51 - 31 minutes - 50.7 MBOn this episode of The Jazz Room we meet, drummer Bruce Jackson. We chat about his CD "Don't Step on Your Dreams" Bruce talks about being a Bandleader and the emotions that go into creating a CD. Also we talk about our mutual experiences with Singing legend Joyce Bryant.
The Kids are All Right: What’s right with young professionals
February 09, 2023 18:42 - 57 minutes - 90.1 MBTo open the sixth season of SMG’s ‘Are We Here Yet?’ podcast we’re joined by Pulse Magazine’s 2023 Person to Watch, it’s Worcester’s own Rebekah Etique. We’re delving into the issues being faced and solved by young professionals in the workplace. You can’t discuss issues between the generations in the workplace without hitting upon how generations perceive each other, not to mention the effects our media-soaked society has on how young professionals are perceived and how they perceive e...
The Jazz Room - Bob Cranshaw Interview
February 09, 2023 18:40 - 30 minutes - 50.6 MBThis show we remember Bassist, Bob Cranshaw. We interviewed him at a Jazz conference in NYC. Long time Bass player for Sonny Rollins, Bob talks about his work with Sonny and his work on "Sesame Street" and other television programs. Video Jazz Guy Bob Cranshaw Talks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX6BhvatEeY
Jazz Kitty Holiday Special
December 22, 2022 16:02 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MBWhen we take a break for the holidays, our MsJazzKitty (aka Miribel) takes over as Jazz DJ. She has exquisite taste so we let her chose the holiday music for you. Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Season Five High Note: Joan Watson-Jones
December 15, 2022 21:51 - 40 minutes - 66.1 MBWe wanted to end season five on a high note. Our fellow podcaster, Joan Watson-Jones is host of The Jazz Room here on M the Media Project and a seasoned composer and performer of Jazz, America’s great artform. We know you’ll enjoy part I of host Scott Graves’s interview with Joan taken in October of this year. She was just coming off of her performance in Cambridge, MA at the Lily Pad and getting ready for more recording in 2023.
Linda Presgrave
December 15, 2022 16:50 - 32 minutes - 57.5 MBOur friend Composer /Pianist Linda Presgrave stopped by to say “Hello”. We talked about what she had been doing since we last spoke in the Jazz Room. She gave us insight into her compositions on her most recent CDs and talked of composing more and plans for a CD of all her own work. Learn more about Linda: Linda Presgrave – Jazz Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Metropolitan Records Recording Artist (metropolitanrecordsnyc.com)