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10/01/25 - Andy DeMeo (Granite Goodness podcast)

Andy DeMeo is the creator and host of Granite Goodness, a podcast and newsletter celebrating optimism, progress, and problem-solving across New Hampshire and New England. 

A lifelong New Hampshirite, Andy shines a spotlight on local changemakers tackling challenges with creativity and resilience. With a background in sustainability, social impact, and entrepreneurship, he's driven to share stories that inspire positive action and promote a rationally optimistic worldview. 

When he's not talking to optimists around New England, Andy can be found drumming, diving into pirate history, or doing homesteading projects with his 13 chickens, two dogs, and one wife on their farm in northern New Hampshire. 

10/15/25 - Margo Walsh (MaineWorks)

Margo Walsh is a though leader and social entrepreneur who, in 2011. founded MaineWorks—the first felon employment company in the country and Maine's first Certified B-Corp. Through a staffing agency model, MaineWorks connects individuals with industrial construction jobs, creating meaningful pathways back into the workforce. 

Recognizing the complexities of reentry and the critical need to address substance use, Margo co-founded United Recovery Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2017. United Recovery Fund supports clients as they return to work by providing rent assistance, grocery gift cards, outerwear, work gear, and access to financial literacy training.

In 2024, Margo further expanded her commitment to recovery by co-founding Cecil’s Place Sober Living—two MARR-certified sober homes for men in Portland, Maine.

A Cumberland native, Margo graduated from Waynflete School and earned a BA in Psychology from Wheaton College. She began her career in New York City at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division, later joining the consulting firm Hewitt, before returning home to Maine to raise her two sons.

11/05/25 - Clement Kigugu (Overcomers Refugee services)

Clement, a former refugee from Rwanda, is the founder and executive director of Overcomers Refugee Services, established in 2013. His organization helps settled refugees assist newcomers in adapting to their new lives, enabling them to heal and thrive as active citizens. With extensive experience supporting refugees, immigrants, and families in need, Clement also serves as senior pastor of The Overcomers Church of God. A father of six and grandfather of four, he speaks five languages and holds a degree in Management from the Université Libre de Kigali. Clement is also a trained and certified medical interpreter. He has received the 2025 Pinnacle Award for Business Leader of the Year from the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, 40 Influential Leaders by NH Business Review & NH Magazine, and the 2024 Influential Business Leader award from New Hampshire 200.

Clement is excited to share my journey alongside other refugees through the refugee resettlement process, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs we faced while starting a new life in a welcoming country!

11/19/25 - Seacoast Outright

A non-profit dedicated to supporting, protecting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth across the state. We're also a community where those young people and their allies can find strength, guidance, and hope. From our roots at Seacoast Outright, we've grown into a statewide movement committed to ensuring access to programs, groups, and resources for LGBTQ+ young people. 

12/03/25 - Stephen Gianotti 

12/10/25 - Alexandra Martin (Archeology)

Dr. Alexandra Martin is the archaeologist at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH. She conducts research at the museum’s archaeological sites and is responsible for maintaining the museum’s collection of over one million archaeological artifacts. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Anthropology department and coordinator of the Native American and Indigenous Studies minor program at the University of New Hampshire. As a board member of the New Hampshire Archeological Society, she also serves as the editor of the society’s publication, The New Hampshire Archeologist. Martin holds degrees in Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College and The College of William & Mary.

Alix will share how she began volunteering with NH's Archeology Program when she was in 7th grade and went on to find her niche in the field of historical archaeology in museums. She'll share information about current projects at Strawbery Banke Museum, including furnishing the apartment of the Cousins family inside the ca. 1750 Penhallow House, and describe preliminary findings from her most recent fieldwork at the ca. 1701 Col. Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH.
 

01/28/26 - Inga Potter (Cold Current Kelp)

Inga Potter is a marine biologist, educator, TEDx speaker, and co-founder of Cold Current Kelp, a kelp farm and skincare company in Kittery, Maine. Inga started Cold Current Kelp because she is passionate about the environmental benefits of kelp farming and the potential of kelp as a nutrient rich ingredient in many products like skincare, as well as the benefit of kelp farming to support New England's working waterfront communities. Inga earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 studying the ecology of large oceanic fish. She enjoys sharing her story about what led her to kelp and the incredible potential of this industry and regenerative resource to heal our planet and strengthen the blue economy in the United States. 

02/11/26 - Craig Jensen (Organic farming)

Craig Jensen works the land at Sun Moon Farm with his wife Megan and their 8 year old son, Fox. Together they grow high quality food for their 100+ member CSA while cultivating a strong community for their customers, their neighbors and all the friends who work with them. Craig's identity as a Quaker Farmer is important to him and the work that he does at Sun Moon Farm has been recognized as a vital ministry by his Quaker Meeting. The values of peace, simplicity and integrity guide many of the decisions that Craig makes on the farm. Sun Moon Farm is known for its heirloom dahlia flowers, weekly potluck dinners, and for growing some of the best garlic in the Monadnock Region.

03/04/26 - TBD

03/18/26 - Slam Free or Die

Slam Free Or Die is a series of all-ages open mic nights for poets and spoken-word artists every Thursday night, held at Stark Brewing Company in Manchester, NH. There is an open mic every night and poetry slam competitions are also held several times a month. Doors open and sign-ups begin at 7pm with open mic beginning at 8pm. Featured poets and slams follow the open mic.

Current Participating Schools: