Main Line Makers

How many old t shirts do you have saved in your closets, attic or basement?  And what do you think you’ll do with them?  It was those exact questions that led Jen Anderson and her mother to starting a business where they could help people preserve the meaning in their loved ones old clothes.  Today, Jen Anderson of Once Upon a Time Creation is talking with me about why she loves what she does and how we can all use clothing to brin...

It’s hard being a parent - and saying that is most definitely an understatement.  It’s also really hard being a teenager - especially will all of the challenges they have faced over the past year with the pandemic.  In Malvern, tucked away beside the Chester Valley Trail, we have a truly wonderful place that exists to support teens who are feeling overwhelmed with emotional, mental and behavioral struggles.  The Center for Families...

For over 50 years the Main Line has had a top notch, professional theater company, intertwined in the community, creating and serving for and with us.  People’s Light Theater, located in Malvern, is more than a series of live productions. It’s a civic center with theater at its core.  It’s a community of local resided artists.  Today, Zak Berkman the producing director and Erin Sheffield the general manager are talking with me abou...

If you’ve been at home, or kept to within a 20 mile radius of home for the past year, I’m sure you’re itching to go somewhere far, far away!  Or at least somewhere with a different landscape and culture.  Jamie Jones, president and luxury travel advisor at Whirl Away Travel in Chester County is joining me to today to talk about why travel is so important to our soul and how we can make sure our next trip is fun and fulfilling, amon...

17 years ago, after a life changing check up at the pediatrician for her 5 month old son, Noreen Geibel and her family’s life turned down a new path.  Noreen’s son was diagnosed with a rare birth defect and her family soon learned how difficult it can be to secure the therapies and equipment that help people with disabilities.  4 years ago Noreen decided to start a charity, named TAG, after her son, Thomas, in which she could impro...

I’ll bet if you asked 100 people throughout the Main Line what their top 3 favorite local places are, most of them would include Chanticleer Garden in their answer.  I know that I would.  If you’ve visited the garden before you know that Chanticleer is a special place, full of amazing landscapes, beautiful plants and whimsical surprises.  If you’ve never been, you have to make plans right now, to go visit on the next day you have f...

Local artist, Amy Terlecki found herself exploring a whole new way of painting and creating after she became a mother.  Her years in art school spent woking on technique eventually led her to place where she could let herself experiment with her art in abstract ways.  This year Amy was commissioned by the Tredyffrin Library to create a mural for their donor wall.  Amy has been busy designing, building and painting the mural and she...

Last March when the Covid 19 pandemic arrived, Susan decided to temporarily stop making skirts and to start making face masks using the fabrics and materials she had lying around the house and she has been busy ever since.   I’m Emily Brunner, your host of Main Line Makers, and I’m so excited to share my conversation with Susan Ramee here with you today! (recorded in May 2020)

To see Susan's beautiful dance skirts or face masks...

I recently enjoyed reading the book, "Up, Not Down Syndrome", a love letter and a map written by Nancy Schwartz about her journey in parenting her youngest son, Alex.  Nancy learned at Alex’s birth that he had Down Syndrome and from that moment on, she’s been learning that love is greater than fear and that every single person has gifts.  Today Nancy, Main Line mom, teacher and author, is joining me to talk about her book...

Anyone who is a parent has spent countless cozy hours telling and reading stories to their children.  Javier Garay took his kids’ bedtime stories a step further by turning tales he created on his own, into a series of 2 illustrated children’s books, with more on the way. Today Javier is joining me to talk about The Blocks book series, what inspired him to create the stories within the books and how he made them a reality.

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In 2008 Alana Milazzo and Matt Huber decided to transition from jobs in the financial field to owning and operating a local Italian market, Tredici, located in the heart of Wayne.  After getting married in 2009 and growing Tredici for another 12 years, they’ve been able to not only feed Main Line families, but also form relationships with their customers and the community.  Today Alana and Matt are joining me to talk about Tredici ...

When Melissa Bloom was faced with a scary health situation with her son in 2019 she did what every mom would do.  She learned everything she could about his condition and considered every possible option for ways to help him heal.  In her research she learned that the symbiotic relationship we have with the micro organisms in our gut have a profound effect on our health.  Today Melissa is talking with me about the connection betwee...

The phrase out of sight, out of mind often applies when it comes to our trash.  I wonder how many of us really know where our trash goes after its loaded into the weekly truck for collection.  Local mom Gwenn Nolan was inspired to do something about that in 2018 and decided to open Mother Compost.  Her goals were simple, to empower the community to make sustainable choices by offering a composting service that was easy for her cust...

What happens when parents and representatives from 4 neighboring school districts come together to learn about inclusive education?  A whole lot of goodness!!!  Through the month of February, Maggie Gaines and Wendy Brooks worked through BUILD TE to bring an online series about inclusive education to the TE, Radnor, Lower Merion and Methacton school district communities.  Maggie, a mother, co leader of BUILD TE and journalist for C...

When AnnaMarie Jones hired a writing coach to help her with a project, she found herself making an instant connection with Daralyse Lyons through their shared experiences as biracial women. Almost immediately after, AnnaMarie felt deeply inspired to partner with Daralyse to use their lives, relationships, resources and empathy to help foster diversity, equity and inclusion.  Together, they started the Demystifying Diversity Podcast...

10 years ago, after a successful and fulfilling career as a professional ballet dancer and teacher, Marla Kaine made a new path for herself in the dance world by opening Swan Dancewear in the heart of Narberth, PA.  Marla’s well stocked shop and trusted guidance has helped her dancers and dance schools thrive in their own journeys through dance.  Today, Marla shares with us what it was like to dance professionally and how she consi...

If you’re driving along Conestoga Road in Radnor and you see a trail of glitter on the side of the street, you’ve probably just driven by Main Line Dance Company’s studio, where Meghan Weaver and her team of dedicated teachers support and encourage their energetic and sparkling young dancers.  Today Meghann, founder, director and teacher at Main Line Dance Company, talks about what dance has meant to her, what she hopes to provide ...

As a neuroscientist and artist, Mark Aizenberg uses the remarkable abilities of the brain to achieve maximal impact of his photography on the viewer’s experience.  His work, whether it’s of landscapes, portraits or abstract imagery,  creates a powerful viewing experience.   Today Mark talks about his journey and creative process with his photography.

For more information about Mark and his photography, visit:
https://m...