Move the Needle

Ep 16 Chandler - Rock Lobster - State 48 - APPAREL"ently" HERE TO STAY!

Welcome to another snappy episode of the Move the Needle podcast. Today, we have unexplained ’90s vibes. The truth is that we’re live from Rock Lobster, which makes us think of the song "The B52s," so there’s that. 
Today, we have a full plate of sushi and two of Arizona’s gems stopping by. First, those familiar with PHX Business Radio X will know Karen Nowicki. She’s recently sold that business and is stepping into her next adventure soon. Connect with Karen here.
 
Then State 48 CEO Mike Spangenberg drops by with all kinds of goodies. Mathew and Mike talk about their time together at the Special Olympics, and we learn a valuable lesson about hats courtesy of Steve Petz. Finally, we learn about the next phase of State 48 and how easy it is to work with them for your nonprofit. Reach out to Mike here, or head to State 48 here.
Become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen

Ep 15 Ahwatukee YMCA "We've got Puppy Cams!!!"

The following episode was recorded live from the YMCA on November 21st. Mathew and Steve got caught up on Steve’s dating life, which perfectly paved the way for our first guest. Thanks for stopping by; please follow along using the links below. 
Shelly Albetta, ALONE NO MORE (DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING & EVENTS)
This was such a fun interview because we had dogs in the house! Yes, Alone No More let the dogs out, and we had a dog cam rolling the whole time. It’s a must-see YouTube TV for dog lovers. We learn about the special sauce of their rescue and find out Shelly WILL BE COMING because she’s co-host of a podcast for women in their 40s who are dating again. Sidebar - Steve is single, ladies! 
 
Scott Monroe, Ice Den Chandler (Hockey Development program)
What’s not to love about Scotty Monroe? This guy has a million-dollar smile and a heart of gold. One piece of his post-professional hockey career is spent developing young hockey players at the Ice Den in Chandler. Mathew had the pleasure of working alongside him for years and clearly has a man crush on Scott. Check out their programs here, and we’ll see you on the ice.
 
Tom Thomas (Board of Directors YMCA and MLB scout)
Tom, who sits on the YMCA board, dropped by to chat about the backend of baseball, his time with the Twins, Dodgers, and now the Athletics. He says it still comes down to the five basics of baseball: Your arm, Hitting, Fielding, Running, and power. More importantly, he was dropping by to make sure we understand the impact our Foothills YMCA is having on our community. So many of our neighbors use their programs, and they are smack dab in the middle of their campaign to raise funds. Please see how you can help by SMASHING THIS link. 
 
Become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen

MTN14 Gilbert- Hair of the Dog - Stories from an Space

Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Hair of Dog in Gilbert. 
First we sat down with Kelly Giesler from Cultivate Goodness. Kelly is a native Arizonan whose parents became foster parents when she was just 6 years old. Over 25 years, she was a foster sibling to 125 foster kids. She founded Cultivate Goodness in 2019 and hopes to inspire others to join her in serving those in need.
We discuss her new partnership with Queen Creek Botanical Gardens, the goodness that she serves up on the daily annnnnnnnnnnd some easy ways you (our community) can spread goodness.
 
Then we sat down with our local legend, Bill Gregory who spent a chuck of his life as an Astronaut.  He talks about what its like in space, his bike ride IN SPACE, and his record setting journey piloting Space Shuttle Endeavour.
We covered the pranks they pull in space
A couple who he suspects had sex in space 
His perspective after being a test pilot for some of the most incredible fighter jets ever made.
 
Also in this episode we were treated to some music from Jenn McMillan. She played an original song and did a fantastic cover of an Elton John song. Please reach out to her through her website for booking info.
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen

MTN 13 - Scottsdale - Lessons from Camp Kilimanjaro

What a fantastic show for you today! We recorded this episode from the Homesmart headquarters in Scottsdale, where the 100+ Women Who Care meeting occurred. Today, we welcome Jennifer Kiernan, Pam Stelzer, and the beneficiary of the 100 + Woman Who Cares award winner, Angie Ramirez.
First things first, we sit down with Jennifer Kiernan from Saving Amy. Mathew leads a statistics-based conversation on the current homeless community to open your eyes to WHO is a part of this community.
Jennifer Kiernan embarked on this journey while volunteering at a local shelter, where she observed the persistent struggles faced by families leaving shelters, trapped in the cycles of homelessness and poverty. It was during this time that Jennifer encountered Amy, a single mother grappling with homelessness, past incarceration, and addiction. Amy’s story became the catalyst for Jennifer’s determination to effect change. Saving Amy has a 100% success rate, and all Saving Amy families continue to live in their own homes and contribute to society.
Next, we sit down with our local legend Pam Stelzer…NOT STELTZER, as Mathew said. 
She’s a CPA who works with Valleywise, but her work climbing Kilimanjaro piqued our interest. She didn’t climb it once, but twice! Her lessons are invaluable, and the story of how she brought burn survivors and visually impaired people together is incredible.
Which climb was more brutal, the first or the second? Listen in to find out. Skip to about 19:00 to jump into that conversation. Here is a link to the film she mentioned a couple of times.
Finally, our surprise guest was Angie Ramirez, an advocate for the New Song Center for Grieving Children. She found them sadly after losing her husband ten years ago and needed a place for her young kids to process their grief. Tonight, that organization was the beneficiary of at least $10,000 courtesy of the 100+ Women Who Care.
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 12 - Ahwatukee - What do Montessori schools do different?

We kicked things into high gear today with Fitness extraordinaire Sunny Settles. She trains our very own Steve Petz at F45 in South Tempe. We hashed out the latest fitness trends and discussed the workouts at F45, and she broke the news that she’s about to add a third furry friend to her mix. 
Today, our local legend is Laura Hertzler, Head of School at Keystone Montessori. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary, and Laura’’s here to share some incredible behind-the-scenes moments from Keystone. She also has the details of their upcoming fundraiser and helps us understand the difference between typical and Montessori education. *Keystone Montessori is an official sponsor of our podcast.
We wrap up our podcast with Deb Shapiro & Amanda Schnieder; these two dynamic women are here to talk about Amplify Voices. Amplify Voices empowers people to share their stories with courage, conviction, and compassion. Positioned as an advocacy incubator, Amplify Voices is dedicated to empowering marginalized groups to create positive change worldwide. By amplifying the voices of groups of individuals historically silenced, misunderstood, or oppressed,  we equip individuals with the tools and platforms to authentically share their stories, fostering confidence and creating "change agents" who go on to impact their communities. 
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

Ep 11 - Chandler - Supporting first responders right away!

This week, we were live from Sea & Smoke in Octillio, and 
 
WHAT. 
A.
SHOW. 
We have it for you today. We’ve got the police chief, the Fire Chief, and the CEO of the 100 Club of Arizona. 
Police Chief Bryan Chapman is a 28-year law enforcement veteran who brought his wealth of experience in policing to Chandler in 2024. Chief Chapman served as an Assistant Chief of Police in Phoenix, Arizona, for 25 years.  
Chief Dwiggins has served the Chandler Fire Department since 1998, first as a firefighter/paramedic and then as a chief officer in 2009. Dwiggins is a certified Chief Fire Officer and a United States Air Force veteran.
Then, as they say, we save the best for last and welcome the CEO of the 100 Club of Arizona. Angela Harrolle shares the story of losing her husband and how she uses that to lean into the work at the 100 Club. She also invites you to join them at their blood drive on December 1st.
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.
 

MTN 10 - Gilbert - Three Valley heros, BIG impact

We’re live today from an unbelievable new workspace called Kiln—33,000 square feet of awesomeness. Speaking of awesome, today, we learn about three resources serving the Valley.
We kick things off with Annette Sellers from A New Leaf, which is dedicated to helping end homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and other community challenges in Arizona. We encourage you to visit their site to learn more.
Next, we welcome Shelby Pedersen with an “EN.” This local legend is the CEO of ICAN
ICAN is a free, family-centered youth service in the East Valley. It provides a full complement of programs proven effective in equipping youth to achieve personal and academic success by tackling substance abuse, gang involvement, and juvenile delinquency.
Specifically, 8 out of 10 young people in the areas we serve are living in extreme poverty. Four of those children will go to bed hungry at night, and eight will be using drugs or alcohol to cope with the harsh realities they face. Joining gangs becomes a more viable choice than graduating in the community we serve. This is not an option for ICAN. We exist to combat these issues and build strong futures for them and our community.
Finally, we sit with executive director Tracy Lenord-Warner from Ryan House today. Ryan House enriches the quality of life and creates cherished memories for children and their families, providing a much-needed break from 24/7 caregiving as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life journeys.
 
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 9 - Gilbert - Brooklyn V’s “He did what only .016% people have done”

This week, birthday boy Steve Petz and Mathew Blades were “forced” to try the homemade strawberry cheesecake because…who cares? It’s cheesecake. 
 
The podcast was recorded at Brooklyn V’s in Gilbert, and today, we sat down to settle a bet. Does this cheesecake recipe belong to the owner, Vito, or is it a family recipe passed down?
 
In this episode, we tackle these and other “hard-hitting” issues. We also met up with Randy Duren about his new dog-friendly coffee, wine, and beer bar in Gilbert, Hair of the Dog. 
His “crappy” Halloween story is one we hope only a few have ever experienced, haha.
 
Finally, we sat down for an important interview with our local legend, Jerome Daniels. This former NFL tackle played for Miami, Baltimore, and Arizona. He told us about the hardest-hitting guy in the NFL, the hardest stadiums to play in, and most importantly, his new financial literacy program for kids. Jerome is doing important things and is actively looking for partners to walk alongside him. You will look up to this guy - literally, he’s like 6’7
Check out Be a Mushroom here
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.

MTN 8 - Chandler - Craft 64 "Olympian Fry makes the boys cry happy tears"

In today’s episode, recorded live at Craft 64 in Downtown Chandler, we get a lesson in networking. From there, we learn of an incredible organization for first responders called Compassion Alliance, and then we get the most incredible story from USA Olympian Lyndsey Fry. How she told her family she’d been selected to the team brought a happy tear to our eyes. 
 
Now, the links:
Connect with Boston Dave here
Connect with Tony and Compassion Alliance here
Connect with Lyndsey and learn more about Shott’s Tott’s here
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen. 

MTN 7 Ahwatukee - The Living Room “Small business mistakes to avoid”

The following episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience at The Living Room in Ahwatukee.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Tom Dougherty, Jennifer Armer, and Sarah Kumar, our local legend and owner of Water and Ice.
In this episode, you’ll learn how much Sarah Kumar and her family love the kids who come to her business. Mathew thought it was a nuisance, but she quickly corrected him and even said she’d let some kids get behind the counter to learn what it takes to work at a place like Water and Ice. She loves our Ahwatukee community, and the story behind how they bought the place is so good.
Then, we sat down with Jennifer Armer of the Armer Foundation for Kids.  This foundation is dedicated to easing the financial burdens of families battling extreme medical or life-altering conditions. That means co-pays, flights out of state for surgeries, and more. To raise money for this important cause, they have an event called Dancing with the Stars coming up.  You can purchase tickets HERE.
Finally our SPARK interview was with executive coach Tom Dougherty.  With so many people starting their businesses after the pandemic, most of us must invest in a coach, or we’ll face the shocking statistic that 90% or more will ultimately fail. Tom’s got some great tips from the interview, and we feel strongly that your business will improve after listening to this interview.
Learn more and become a part of our Move the Needle Podcast HERE. 
Follow along on our YouTube channels and Instagram platforms. 
Learn more about Mathew Blades or Steve Petz.
Video captured and edited by Max Muehlhausen.