Founding Your Way

Maggie Ward

Hosted by Maggie Ward and Lucy Luneva, co-founders of Pearl + Light, Founding Your Way is a podcast exploring the human side of building something meaningful. Pearl + Light is a small business and nonprofit consulting agency inspired by good people doing good things. They partner with organizations rooted in service, creativity, and community, and are passionate about helping spread awareness of the people and projects uplifting local communities. This podcast is an extension of that mission. Through honest conversations with founders, creatives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders, Founding Your Way shares the stories behind the work — what inspired people to begin, what challenges them, what keeps them going, and what it really looks like to build something of your own. Rooted in Boston and shaped by the people creating impact within it, the podcast highlights the ideas, relationships, and communities that make meaningful work possible.

Episodes

  1. Jul 7

    Everyone Belongs Here: Colleen Suhanosky on Building Rifrullo Café

    What does it take to build a neighborhood café that becomes the heart of a community? In this episode of Founding Your Way, Maggie sits down with Colleen Suhanosky, owner of Rifrullo Café in Brookline, to talk about entrepreneurship, hospitality, and creating a business rooted in connection. They also discuss reducing food waste in the restaurant industry, trusting your instincts, taking risks, and finding the resilience to keep showing up—even when the path feels uncertain. Whether you’re building a business, dreaming of opening one, or simply love hearing the stories behind the places that bring people together, this conversation is full of wisdom. In this episode: 02:00 How Colleen discovered her love of cooking 07:00 Starting over and opening Rifrullo Café 13:00 Why community makes people feel at home 14:40 "You're going to be supported. You're going to be okay." 15:00 Why being a good neighbor is good business 16:15 "Something about food just opens you up to talk about things." 20:00 Food waste, sustainability, and creating better systems 23:00 "Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to take risks." 24:00 Building courage through uncertainty 24:30 "We kept getting better because I just kept coming back."Connect with Colleen:  @rifrullocafe  www.rifrullocafe.com Connect with the hosts, Maggie & Lucy  https://www.pearlandlight.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearl-light-co/about https://www.podpage.com/founding-your-way/

    Everyone Belongs Here: Colleen Suhanosky on Building Rifrullo Café

  2. Jun 11

    Living Adventurously, Safely: David Trant on Building Trant Training

    David Trant didn't set out to build a training organization. What began as a way to keep his lifeguards certified gradually evolved into Trant Training, a growing New England-based collective offering lifeguard, CPR, first aid, wilderness safety, and instructor certifications. In this episode of Founding Your Way, Maggie sits down with David to explore confidence, preparedness, and the unexpected journey from public school teacher to founder. Together, they discuss why we respond the way we practice, the art of staying calm under pressure, and how learning safety skills can help us live more fully and adventurously. Learn more about Trant Training: www.tranttraining.com Instagram Facebook Connect with the hosts, Maggie & Lucy  https://www.pearlandlight.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearl-light-co/about https://www.podpage.com/founding-your-way/

    Living Adventurously, Safely: David Trant on Building Trant Training

  3. May 14

    Community as Medicine: Jeffrey Thomas on Building The Mandela Yoga Project

    In the very first episode of Founding Your Way, Maggie sits down with Jeffrey Thomas, founder of The Mandela Yoga Project, to explore the deeply personal story behind the organization and its mission to make healing practices accessible to all. Inspired by the life of Jeffrey’s sister, Sonya, The Mandela Yoga Project was created with a powerful mission: to empower communities impacted by the public health crisis of racism through the proven health and emotional wellbeing benefits of yoga. The conversation covers systemic barriers in healthcare, the commercialization of yoga in the West, and Mandela Yoga's work partnering with federally qualified health centers to bring free, accessible yoga into underserved communities. Jeffrey also shares the realities of building a nonprofit, navigating funding, and working toward long-term systemic change. Learn more: mandelayogaproject.org Follow Mandela Yoga on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mandela-yoga-project-inc/posts/?feedView=all Follow Mandela Yoga on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MandelaYogaProject Connect with the hosts, Maggie & Lucy  https://www.pearlandlight.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearl-light-co/about https://www.podpage.com/founding-your-way/

    Community as Medicine: Jeffrey Thomas on Building The Mandela Yoga Project
  • 3 Episodes

About

Hosted by Maggie Ward and Lucy Luneva, co-founders of Pearl + Light, Founding Your Way is a podcast exploring the human side of building something meaningful. Pearl + Light is a small business and nonprofit consulting agency inspired by good people doing good things. They partner with organizations rooted in service, creativity, and community, and are passionate about helping spread awareness of the people and projects uplifting local communities. This podcast is an extension of that mission. Through honest conversations with founders, creatives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders, Founding Your Way shares the stories behind the work — what inspired people to begin, what challenges them, what keeps them going, and what it really looks like to build something of your own. Rooted in Boston and shaped by the people creating impact within it, the podcast highlights the ideas, relationships, and communities that make meaningful work possible.

Information

  • Creator
    Maggie Ward
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Founding Your Way
  • Show Website
    Founding Your Way