Cape Ann Conversations

Get ready to hatch some serious business success! In this high-energy episode of Cape Ann Conversations, host Jim Unis sits down with the incredibly empathetic and outgoing Emily McCavanaugh, co-founder of the Creative CHIXX Collective, along with Dana Leavitt. Born out of a desire to smash the isolation and loneliness that so often plague female entrepreneurs, this thriving community has grown from just seven women in a living roo...

In this high-energy torch-passing episode of Cape Ann Conversations, new host Jim Unis sits down with former host turned absolute business mogul, Troy Scarbrough. Troy hasn’t been relaxing one bit—he's currently running two different companies, Best Vending Solutions and Nor’east Cleaners, expanding into fire and flood restoration work, and single-handedly employing over 30 Cape Ann locals! The guys swap incredibl...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, host Troy Scarbrough welcomed Essex resident and coffee enthusiast Rob Fitzgibbons, the founder behind a growing coffee cupping experience business. Drawing on his background as a user experience designer, Rob has transformed a simple at-home tasting with friends into a sought-after program for libraries and community centers, helping people slow down, pay attention, and truly ex...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Troy sits down with Jay Salois, founder of VRtical Media, to explore how 360° virtual tours are transforming industries from real estate to education, healthcare, and museums. Jay, who left a career at Microsoft to pursue immersive media full time, explains how his company builds interactive virtual experiences that go far beyond simple 3D scans—integrating high-resolution imagery, b...

As Halloween approaches, Cape Ann Conversations welcomed back Rebeccah from Apothecary Suil Crow in Rockport along with intuitive reader Melissa Porter for a chat about spirituality, seasonal traditions, and the meaning behind modern witchy symbols. Melissa shared how she uses oracle cards—rather than tarot—to channel messages of guidance and healing, reading the imagery and energy around each card to help people recon...

In this lively Cape Conversations episode, host Troy welcomes Brian Ridolfo, President and CEO of The Cabot Theater, and Kimberley Ballard, VP of Philanthropy and Community Relations, to discuss the theater’s ongoing transformation and community impact. Brian, a newcomer to the North Shore, shares his enthusiasm for the area and the theater’s role as a regional arts hub. Kimberly, who has been with The Cabot since its e...

Today on Cape Ann Conversations, Troy is joined by Psychic Annette Dion, who’s been helping people find clarity and confidence for more than thirty years. Annette has a warm, down-to-earth style that blends intuitive insight with real-world wisdom, guiding people through life’s big questions—about love, purpose, career, and everything in between.

She’s not just about predictions; she’s about empowerment...

Al Temkin Productions, led by Alan (“Al”) Temkin, is an event services business that focuses on auctioneering and emcee (master of ceremonies) support for nonprofits, schools, businesses, and celebratory gatherings. He is passionate about helping organizations achieve their goals through impactful and engaging events. Al brings energy, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to every event, ensuring it’s a memor...

Colleen Murdock, Director of Community Relations, chats with host Troy Scarbrough about the current happenings at the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest.Facebook: https://⁠facebook.com/capeannchamberInstagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/capeannchamber⁠Website: ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠Presented by: Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠ Production Partner: Streamography, ⁠https://strea...

Today’s Cape Ann Conversations podcast guest is Scott Trenti, CEO of SeniorCare Inc. Scott discusses the background, mission, and services of SeniorCare with Troy, and emphasizes the need to spread the word about how SeniorCare can help the elderly population “age in place.”

SeniorCare Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting older adults and people with disabilities so they can live independently w...

In today’s episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Samantha Morrison and Rosanna Niosi of Build Health International (BHI) sit down with Troy to discuss the history, mission and goals of BHI.

BHI is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve access to—and build capacity for—dignified, affordable, and high-quality healthcare infrastructure in resource-constrained settings around the world. Their goal is to incr...

This week on the Cape Ann Conversations podcast, the table gets turned on host Troy Scarbrough, who is now in the “hotseat” as the new owner of Nor’East Cleaners. Steamography’s founder and owner, Andrew Nicastro, takes on the task of interviewing Troy about his newest entrepreneurial endeavor.

For nearly six decades, Nor’East Cleaners has been a trusted, locally owned institution providing exceptional ...

Wolf Hollow, officially the North American Wolf Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wolf sanctuary located at 114 Essex Road in Ipswich, MA, just north of Boston. Under the stewardship of facility director Zee Soffron—whose father, Paul Soffron, founded the sanctuary—Wolf Hollow emphasizes education, advocacy, and immersive exposure to wolves as a means to reshape public perception. The current residents include seven ...

This episode of Cape Ann Conversations features Oliver Barker, Director of The Cape Ann Museum, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Cape Ann Museum celebrates the rich cultural, artistic, and maritime heritage of Cape Ann. Founded in 1875, the museum houses an extensive collection that highlights the area’s significance as one of America’s oldest seaports and a long-standing hub for the arts. Its holdings include ...

Today’s Cape Ann Conversations podcast guest is Nancy Gardella, Executive Director of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (NBCVB). Since its founding in 1955, the NBCVB has been a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to promoting Essex County, Massachusetts, as a premier, year-round travel destination. As one of the state's official Regional Tourism Councils, the NBCVB serves as the bri...

In this episode of Cape Ann Conversations, Troy visits with Apothecary Suil Crow, an Olde World–style metaphysical shop tucked into Rockport’s Whistlestop Mall. Owner Rebeccah Pearson, a fifth-generation folk practitioner, has been sharing her craft and curating mystical treasures for over 15 years, with the shop now celebrating its fourth year at this location. Listeners will hear about the shop’s eclectic offeri...

This episode is sponsored by the Cape Ann YMCA, Gloucester MA

The YMCA of the North Shore's ONEDOOR initiative—“A Path to Mental Wellness”—is a growing, inclusive program designed to strengthen mental health across the North Shore. It encompasses free weekly group walks called Walk Talk Collective, in partnership with The HelpHUB, offering a safe space to move, connect, and share mental health experiences app...

Chorus North Shore is a vibrant, non-auditioned community choir based on Massachusetts’ North Shore, with roots tracing back to a Depression-era gathering in Rockport in 1931. Now drawing around 125 voices, the ensemble specializes in challenging classical and modern choral masterworks—performing landmark pieces such as Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s masses, Verdi’s Requiem, and St...

Colleen Murdock, Director of Community Relations, chats with host Troy Scarbrough about the current happenings at the Chamber, upcoming events, and other points of interest.

Facebook: https://⁠facebook.com/capeannchamberInstagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/capeannchamber⁠Website: ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠

Presented by: Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, ⁠https://capeannchamber.com⁠

Production Partner: Streamography, ⁠https://strea...