#146: Democratizing Public Media with Scott Finn of VPR and VT PBS
Release Date: 10/14/2021
#182 A New Wave of Equity in Vermont with Emiliano Void
Learning Life with Jon Tota
Emiliano Void is the Founder and CEO of nuwave Equity Corporation. He is responsible for the development and implementation of systemic solutions centered around the dismantlement of anti-Black and systemic racism through profitable and innovative approaches. Emiliano grew up in Montreal, Canada and has spent the last decade living and working in the Burlington, Vermont area and serving in several positions for both Dealer.com and Cox Automotive. He visits Learning Life to discuss the challenges in achieving equity in Vermont and shares with us the inspiration behind some of nuwave's most...
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#181: Empowering Wellness with Ashley Reynolds
Learning Life with Jon Tota
Born and raised in Vermont, Ashley Reynolds is the President and Co-Founder of Elmore Mountain Therapeutics. Ashley and her husband Colin founded EMT 2017 after Ashley’s personal struggle with postpartum anxiety. Finding relief through the use of CBD, Ashley saw a need for cannabis advocation to all. With a deep understanding of the science behind it, she dispels misconceptions and educates others on the use of CBD for promoting moisture, reducing wrinkles, and brightening dark spots. Ashley believes in the power of stories to connect with others and is determined to bring CBD skincare into...
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#180: Lake Monsters Go Local with C.J. Knudsen
Learning Life with Jon Tota
This week, Jon speaks with C.J. Knudsen, Senior Vice President for the Vermont Lake Monsters. C.J. graduated from Rice Memorial High School in 1992 and served as the Lake Monsters Assistant General Manager from 1997-1999 and the team's General Manager from 2000-2009. C.J. returned to the Lake Monsters in 2021 as Senior Vice President and has helped the team navigate the transition from MLB's minor league system to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. By all accounts, it's going well. In 2021, Knudsen was named Executive of the Year following the Lake Monsters' massively successful first...
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#179 Part 2: Synchronicity Meditation led by Dr. Rob Williams
Learning Life with Jon Tota
In the previous episode, we delved into the fascinating world of Synchronicity with Dr. Tom Myers and Dr. Rob Williams. Now, in Part 2 of our series, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey through a profound meditation session led by Rob himself, the co-founder of Peak Flow. Prepare yourself by finding a peaceful spot, turning off your devices, and allowing Dr. Rob to guide you into an awakened state, enabling you to discover the magic of Synchronicity in your life today. To learn more about Tom and TriSync Impact, please visit . To learn more about Rob and Peak Flow, please visit...
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#179 Part 1: Find Your Flow with Dr. Tom Myers and Dr. Rob Williams
Learning Life with Jon Tota
Dr. Tom Myers is a Synchronicity Researcher, Educator, and Coach, dedicated to helping individuals and businesses discover the power of Synchronicity and implement it in their lives. Having had a distinguished career as a professor and faculty chair at Champlain College, Tom now focuses on assisting people in understanding the concept of Synchronicity, recognizing its occurrences, and learning how to activate and operate in synchronistic harmony with those around them. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of Synchronicity with Tom and Dr. Rob Williams, exploring how a breathwork...
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#178: Grit Gets It Done with Doug Lewis
Learning Life with Jon Tota
Doug Lewis is a 2-time Olympian, 8-year member of the US Ski Team, and in 1985 won the first ever World Championship medal for an American in downhill. And he grew up right here in the Green Mountains, cutting his teeth at Middlebury's Snow Bowl, then honing his skills at the GMVS Ski Academy at Sugarbush. After a great run on the US Ski Team, Doug returned to Vermont to attend UVM and to later co-found ELITEAM, a sports camp hosted at Killington Mountain School, that helps young athletes reach their highest potential. Listen to a great conversation with Doug on his journey through his...
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#177: Ready for Anything with Alex Hernandez
Learning Life with Jon Tota
In this episode, Jon sits down with Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College, who was recently inaugurated as just the 10th President in Champlain's long history. Alex's vision for the college is centered on a theme of “readiness,” as he outlines plans to build a better future for students, the college, and Vermont. Jon talks with Alex about how education creates opportunity and what he thinks our institutions must do to get students ready for their future. Learn more about Champlain College here:
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#176: Laughing Matters with Jason Lorber
Learning Life with Jon Tota
In this episode, Jon sits down with Jason Lorber, the Founder and President of Aplomb Consulting, where they help people facilitate change in their lives and businesses. Based in Burlington, VT, Jason is also a standup comedian who served four terms in the Vermont state legislature. We talk about change, how comedy can help through the process, and why everyday citizens should get involved in politics now. Learn more about Jason and Aplomb at
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#175: High Times in Vermont with Bridget Conry
Learning Life with Jon Tota
In this episode, Jon sits down with Bridget Conry, founder of High Fidelity and host of the new High Fidelity podcast show. Bridget is an herbal practitioner and cannabis industry educator, advocate and entrepreneur based in Burlington, VT. High Fidelity intends to explore the intersection of cannabis, wellness, culture and the arts through insightful conversations with industry experts and thought leaders from all disciplines. Learn more at We discuss the history of cannabis in Vermont and the current events around adult use legalization just this...
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#174: A Blast from the Past with Beth Hill
Learning Life with Jon Tota
This week, Jon sits down with Beth Hill. Beth is the President and CEO of Fort Ticonderoga, the historic 2,000 acre destination overlooking Lake Champlain and educating visitors since 1909. Beth has a passion for history and a long career in the development and management of historical sites. In this episode, we discuss the importance of learning from our history, why sense of place matters today and how legendary historical sites like Fort Ticonderoga can scale into the digital age. There’s so much we can learn from Beth about our own local history and the value of...
info_outlineThis week we have Scott Finn, President and CEO of VPR and Vermont PBS.
With the recent merger of Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS, Scott is now leading the green mountain state’s largest media organization with a reach of over a million people each month and the goal of expanding to a broader and more diverse audience.
Modern public media is more than just TV and Radio. Scott is looking to democratize media, with outreach through Youtube, podcasts, and more online content with shows like “Brave Little State,” “The Frequency” and the children’s educational show “But Why?“.
We’re excited to see VPR and Vermont PBS support independent podcast shows like ours.
Learn more at https://www.vpr.org and https://www.vermontpbs.org