Biz Beat Banter
Bill Freehling talks with local business owners about their passions, pursuits and origin stories.
Episodes
Biz Beat Banter: Hamish Brewer
This week, Bill sits down with Hamish Brewer, an education consultant and motivational speaker who recently moved back to Stafford County from New Zealand.
Biz Beat Banter: Nancy Guinn
This week, Bill sits down with Dog Krazy owner Nancy Guinn to discuss the origins of the business, how franchising has accelerated its growth, and future goals.
Biz Beat Banter: Frank Mueller
This week, Bill sits down with Kaeser Compressors President Frank Mueller to discuss his life and career, which has taken him all over the world.
Biz Beat Banter: Dr. Kostas Constantine
This week, Bill sits down with longtime local surgeon Dr. Kostas Constantine to talk about his life and career.
Biz Beat Banter: Bill Freehling
This week, Atlantic Builders Founder Adam Fried turns the tables on Biz Beat Banter host Bill Freehling and interviews him about his life and career.
Biz Beat Banter: Tom Schoedel and Gene Brown
This week, Bill talks to Atlantic Builders executives Tom Schoedel and Gene Brown about the company’s origins, struggles during the financial crisis of the late 2000s, and current trajectory.
Biz Beat Banter: Kevin Harkins
This week, Bill sits down with Harkcon Inc. CEO Kevin Harkins to talk about his business and military career and the recent autobiography he wrote.
Biz Beat Banter: Carrie O’Malley
This week, Bill sits down with Carrie O’Malley, a local attorney who recently received a prestigious designation in her field.
Biz Beat Banter: Zancheng Wu
This week, Bill sits down with Fredericksburg Nationals Director of Production Zancheng Wu to discuss his journey from China to the U.S. to pursue a career in baseball.
Biz Beat Banter: Jason Cohen
This week, Bill sits down with ILM Corporation President Jason Cohen to discuss the many ways the company has pivoted over the years to stay in business.
Biz Beat Banter: Ype Von Hengst
This week, Bill sits down with Ype Von Hengst, co-founder and executive chef of Silver Diner, which built a location at the front entrance of Central Park.
Biz Beat Banter: Mike Jones
This week, Bill sits down with Mike Jones, one of the owners of local land-development company Tricord Inc. to discuss the area real estate market and the efforts his company is taking to foster affordable housing.
Biz Beat Banter: Paymon Matini
This week, Bill sits down with Paymon Matini, who grew up in Iran before making his way to the U.S. and opening Paymon Fine Rug Imports in downtown Fredericksburg.
Biz Beat Banter: Tom Scott
This week, Bill sits down with Tom Scott, who recently became president of the newly branded Virginia’s Innovation Crossroads (formerly Fredericksburg Regional Alliance).
Biz Beat Banter: Mitzi Brown
This week, we talk to Mitzi Brown about her law career, decision to move to Fredericksburg, and motivation to co-found the Fredericksburg Free Press.
Biz Beat Banter: Dr. Maithreyi Sarma
This week, Bill sits down with Dr. Maithreyi Sarma, a hematologist and medical oncologist for Mary Washington Healthcare. Among the topics discussed: how AI is affecting medicine, the need for good bedside manners, and how a family illness shaped her career decision.
Biz Beat Banter: Dietmar Weselin
This week, we sit down with Dietmar Weselin, who grew up in Germany during World War II, made his way to the United States and Fredericksburg, became a business success and now gives of his time and talents to support wounded members of the U.S. military.
Biz Beat Banter: Tommy Mitchell
Longtime Fredericksburg real estate investor Tommy Mitchell is the guest on this week's edition of the Biz Beat Banter podcast. Mitchell discusses how he first got involved with downtown real estate investing, how the market has evolved during his decades-long career, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Rahmein Mostafavi
This week, we sit down with stand-up comedian Rahmein Mostafavi, who performs regularly in Fredericksburg, to discuss his craft and the inspiration for his material.
Biz Beat Banter: Ramona Settle
This week, we sit down with Ramona Settle, one of the owners of Carl’s Ice Cream in Fredericksburg. Tune in to learn about Carl’s rich history and secrets to success.
Biz Beat Banter: Don Newlin
This week, we sit down with Don Newlin to talk about his long career as a financial advisor, the secrets to investing success and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Jeff Harvey
This week, Bill sits down with longtime area planning director Jeff Harvey to discuss the region's tremendous growth during his time here.
Biz Beat Banter: Barney Reiley
This week, we sit down with former Rappahannock Area YMCA CEO Barney Reiley to discuss his long career overseeing significant growth for the Y.
Biz Beat Banter: Anne Little
This week, Bill sits down with Tree Fredericksburg Co-founder Anne Little to discuss her career before coming to Fredericksburg, the success of Tree Fredericksburg, her thoughts on running again for City Council and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Fred Rankin
Longtime Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) President and CEO Fred Rankin is the guest on this week's edition of the Biz Beat Banter podcast. Fred discusses his time at MWHC and gives his thoughts on what makes for a healthy and happy retirement.
Biz Beat Banter: Richmond McDaniel
This week, Bill sits down with longtime area real estate professional and native Richmond McDaniel to discuss his career, thoughts on work-life balance, decision to not get involved with the family business and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Jeff Rouse
This week, Bill sits down with Olympic-gold-medal swimmer and Stafford County native Jeff Rouse to discuss his swimming career and transition to a successful banking profession.
Biz Beat Banter: Julia Payne
This week, Bill sits down with Julia Payne, a local woman whose public relations career has included stints working with former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
Biz Beat Banter: Jack Scholl
This week, Bill sits down with Hyperion Espresso owner Jack Scholl to discuss Jack’s path to owning the iconic downtown business and the plans he has in store for it.
Biz Beat Banter: Al Fagan
This week, Bill sits down with Al Fagan to discuss his long business career and path to becoming president and CEO of The Oberle Academy in Fredericksburg.
Biz Beat Banter: Fitzhugh Johnson
This week, Bill talks to local commercial real estate professional Fitzhugh Johnson about how he has overcome some personal struggles to emerge as a bright star in the local real estate scene.
Biz Beat Banter: Fredericksburg medical school?
This week, Bill sits down with University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino and Mary Washington Healthcare President and CEO Chris Newman to discuss the possibility of a Fredericksburg medical school.
Biz Beat Banter: Bill Howell
This week, Bill sits down with longtime Virginia Speaker of the House and Stafford County resident Bill Howell on how he got into politics, his time in office and how things have changed since he left governance.
Biz Beat Banter: Charles G. "Charlie" McDaniel
This week we sit down with Hilldrup Chairman Emeritus and longtime community leader Charles G. "Charlie" McDaniel.
Biz Beat Banter: Danilo Orofino
This week, Bill sits down with Orofino restaurant owner Danilo Orofino to discuss his journey from Sicily to Fredericksburg and the stops along the way.
Biz Beat Banter: Brian Shanle and Jeff Oliveri
On this week's episode, Bill sits down with Brian Shanle and Jeff Oliveri, respectively the general manager and assistant general manager of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions' new Spotsylvania County resort.
Biz Beat Banter: Raymond Renault
This week, Bill sits down with, chef/owner of La Petite Auberge in downtown Fredericksburg, to learn more about the workings of a restaurant kitchen and Renault’s journey in it.
Biz Beat Banter: Karen Moschetto
This week, Bill sits down with longtime Fredericksburg Academy Head of School Karen Moschetto to discuss her career journey and the evolution of the school.
Biz Beat Banter: Rennie McDaniel and Kelly Johnson
This week, Bill sits down with Rennie McDaniel and Kelly Johnson to talk about their instrumental role in the successful Monumental Vision campaign for the renovation of Mary Washington Monument.Merry Christmas.
Biz Beat Banter: Keith Lebor
This week, Bill sits down with Olde Towne Butcher owner Keith Lebor to learn about his path to becoming a small-business owner.
Biz Beat Banter: Susan Spears
This week, Bill sits down with Susan Spears, president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Biz Beat Banter: Nancy Moore
This week, Bill sits down with Nancy Moore, longtime managing editor of The Free Lance-Star.
Biz Beat Banter: Dean Cedric Rucker
This week, Bill sits down with longtime University of Mary Washington Dean Cedric Rucker on his career in education at his alma mater.
Biz Beat Banter: Seth Silber
This week, Bill sits down with Seth Silber, whose many hats include being president of the Fredericksburg Nationals, co-chairman of the Fredericksburg Free Press’ Board, and a prominent D.C.-area anti-trust attorney.
Biz Beat Banter: John Nicholls
This week, Bill sits down with Nicholls Auction Marketing Group President John Nicholls about what it takes to be successful as an auctioneer and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Fitz Johnson
This week, Bill sits down with longtime area real estate investor and broker Fitz Johnson.
Biz Beat Banter: Jeff Small
This week, Bill sits down with Jeff Small, who doubles as Clerk of Fredericksburg Circuit Court and a longtime serial entrepreneur.
Biz Beat Banter: Tom Callahan
This week, Bill sits down with longtime local serial entrepreneur Tom Callahan, whose latest venture is the Callahan Learning Center.
Biz Beat Banter: Heidi Bass
This week Bill sits down with Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg owner Heidi Bass to talk about driving the streets of Fredericksburg in a large bus while giving a tour, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Curry Roberts
This week, Bill sits down with Fredericksburg Regional Alliance (FRA) President Curry Roberts to talk about his career and recent decision to retire from the FRA in April.
Biz Beat Banter: Bruce Davis
This week, Bill sits down with Bruce Davis, a longtime area businessman and current chairman of the Mary Washington Healthcare Board of Trustees.
Biz Beat Banter: John Fick
This week Bill sits down with John Fick, whose family for many years owned and operated the J.F. Fick Inc. local Anheuser-Busch beverage distributor.
Biz Beat Banter: M.C. Morris
This week we sit down with M.C. Morris, who has spent most of her career promoting the virtues of the Fredericksburg region to businesses and visitors.
Biz Beat Banter: Gabe and Scarlett Pons
This week we hear from Ponshop owners Gabe and Scarlett Pons about their decision to move from NYC to Fredericksburg to open their business, how the business has evolved and how it is to run a business with one’s spouse.
Biz Beat Banter: Doug Stewart
This week’s episode features financial advisor Doug Stewart discussing his career, philanthropy, and personal challenges.
Biz Beat Banter: Xavier Richardson
This week we sit down with longtime community and Mary Washington Healthcare leader Xavier Richardson.
Biz Beat Banter: Jerry Ulman
This week we sit down with Jerry Ulman to hear about his lifetime of work running Ulman’s Jewelry in downtown Fredericksburg.
Biz Beat Banter: Antoine Carey
This week’s guest is Antoine Carey, a local entrepreneur and public speaker who was once incarcerated.
Biz Beat Banter: Rich Larochelle
This week we sit down with Rich Larochelle, who had a hall of fame career working with electric cooperatives and is now putting those skills to work helping to build a variety of local community-minded entities including the Fredericksburg Food Cooperative and the Rappahannock Education Farm.
Biz Beat Banter: Neil Sullivan
This week we sit down with longtime Fredericksburg-area real estate investor Neil Sullivan to talk about his success in real estate, his decision to semi-retire at a young age, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Joe Wilson
Longtime PermaTreat Pest Control owner Joe Wilson tells about the many moments of serendipity that have marked his career and life.
Biz Beat Banter: Emmett Snead
Snead's Farm owner Emmett Snead tells us about his childhood on Braehead Farm in Fredericksburg, his long career in farming, his stint as a star basketball player at UMW and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Amber Dawson
Brompton Community School Founder Amber Dawson discusses why she started an independent school, the challenges of running one and what she sees for Brompton’s future.
Biz Beat Banter: Brian Lam
This week we speak with Collage Spa owner Brian Lam about his entrepreneurial journey, his goals for the spa and the challenges of running three separate locations (with more to come?).
Biz Beat Banter: Pete Morelewicz
This week, Print Jazz owner talks about why he became an artist, his creative process, and how it feels to see his works around Fredericksburg
Biz Beat Banter: Charlie Payne
Hirschler attorney Charlie Payne talks about his childhood in Falmouth, his decision to become an attorney, and his thoughts on the data center boom in the region.
Biz Beat Banter: Clint Van Zandt
This week we talk to Clint Van Zandt, a Fredericksburg resident who was a longtime FBI profiler and negotiator, about his storied career and life.
Biz Beat Banter: Ted Schubel
Our guest this week is longtime Fredericksburg-area radio personality Ted Schubel. We talk to Ted about his early love for radio, what brought him from Michigan to Virginia, the most-memorable stories and people he has covered over the decades, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Nick Cadwallender
Nick Cadwallender tells about his life journey from Australia to Fredericksburg, a diverse career including as former Free Lance-Star publisher, the keys to a good life, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Adrian Silversmith
Sprelly co-founder Adrian Silversmith tells us about Sprelly's origins, his aspirations for the brand, and what he likes about being an entrepreneur.
Biz Beat Banter: Ryan DeWeese
Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center CEO Ryan DeWeese talks about his career in healthcare, the healthcare needs of the local community and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Mary Katherine Greenlaw
Former Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw talks about her life, her many different careers, and her proudest moments as Fredericksburg mayor.
Biz Beat Banter: Anita Crossfield
We covered a range of topics during our conversation, including: Anita's early life in war-torn Kosovo, how she made her way to the U.S. and ended up in Fredericksburg, and the life of an entrepreneur running a downtown business.
Biz Beat Banter: Mary Jane Pitts O’Neill
Fredericksburg-area philanthropist Mary Jane Pitts O’Neill talks about her approach to community giving, her life in the city, and more.
Biz Beat Banter: Kevin Breen
Coldwell Banker Elite Broker-Owner Kevin Breen discusses his childhood in Ireland, how his fleet feet brought him to America, and how he has built his company into one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the area.
Biz Beat Banter: Janet Gullickson
Germanna Community College President Janet Gullickson is the guest on this month's Biz Beat Banter podcast. Janet discusses why she pursued a career in higher education, what has fueled Germanna's growth and plans for her upcoming retirement.
Biz Beat Banter: Dr. Christopher Newman
Bill sits down with Dr. Chris Newman, the incoming CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare. They delve into Newman's musical background, his thoughts on taking over leadership of the health care nonprofit and discuss its future.
Biz Beat Banter: Dr. Troy Paino
Bill Freehling sits down with University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino to discuss how he got into education, what he likes about being a University president, and his goals for UMW as his tenure approaches a decade.
Biz Beat Banter: April Peterson
In this episode, host Bill Freehling catches up with River Rock Outfitter owner April Peterson to discuss her business's story and plans for expansion in the new year.
Biz Beat Banter: Charles W. McDaniel
Bill Freehling got a chance to sit down with Hilldrup President and CEO Charles W. McDaniel this week for the second episode of our monthly Biz Beat Banter podcast (which you can now find on Spotify and iHeart).
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