Lancaster Connects

Jeff Giagnocavo, Ben McClure
  • 5.0 (5)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Lancaster Connects brings together local charities, local heroes, and local businesses to showcase the best of what Lancaster, PA has to offer so that in 2021 and beyond – our local neighbors and friends may thrive, be more productive, and live happily and generously. The Lancaster Connects Podcast is hosted weekly by Gardner's Mattress & More co-owners Ben McClure & Jeff Giagnocavo, and can be viewed on numerous streaming services as well as listed to on your favorite podcast platforms.

  1. Building Strong Businesses and Community with John Hockley - Episode 232

    3D AGO

    Building Strong Businesses and Community with John Hockley - Episode 232

    In this episode, we sit down with John Hockley II from Weaver Associates to explore how his team delivers far more than “ink on paper.” John shares how Weaver Associates supports businesses with a full spectrum of office solutions—from copiers and printers to service, printing, pure water systems, and office furniture—helping organizations run smarter and more efficiently. We also get a glimpse into John’s life outside of work, where he stays busy with his four children, catches live sports whenever possible (especially UNC, Braves, and Redskins games), and recharges off the grid at his quiet cabin in the woods. ???? Connect with John Hockley:  ✅ Website: https://weaverassociatesinc.com/  ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weaverassociatesinc  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weaver-associates-incorporated/  Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net  #LancasterCounty #LancasterPA #LancasterCountyPA #LancasterConnects #Community #RetailExperience

    1h 2m
  2. It’s Time to Love Your Mattress: What Lancaster Shoppers Should Know This President’s Day - Episode 231

    FEB 2

    It’s Time to Love Your Mattress: What Lancaster Shoppers Should Know This President’s Day - Episode 231

    In this episode, Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo team up as your local "dynamic duo" to deliver a special Love Your Mattress President’s Day sales event preview from Gardner’s Mattress & More. Hear all about the biggest deals of the year—including 48 months no-interest financing, custom double deals, and bonus luxury travel vouchers—plus exclusive savings from top brands like Tempur Pedic, Avocado, Puffy, Helix, and more. Jeff Giagnocavo breaks down handy tax tips for investing in better sleep, while Ben McClure brings the fun with prize giveaways and their signature friendly banter. With practical mattress shopping advice, lighthearted tangents, customer shoutouts, and a salute to great charities like Off the Streets, you'll get everything you need to shop smart and wake up happy right here in Lancaster. Tune in for all the details! ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net

    49 min
  3. Heart-Based Workforce Solutions in Lancaster Featuring Jeremy & Valonda Banks - Episode 230

    JAN 26

    Heart-Based Workforce Solutions in Lancaster Featuring Jeremy & Valonda Banks - Episode 230

    In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy and Valonda Banks, partners at Liberty Employment Solutions, a dynamic couple united by their passion for helping small and medium-sized businesses thrive. From a hiring and consulting perspective, they share how Liberty supports organizations by uncovering the truth in their workforce needs and freeing leaders to focus on what they do best. Valonda brings clear direction and vision to the company, while Jeremy provides the operational support that helps turn that vision into reality. We also get a glimpse into their fun personal differences—from dogs vs. cats and Eagles vs. Ravens, to Duke vs. UNC—while discovering the shared values and love for Liberty that keep them aligned in business and in life. ???? Connect with Jeremy & Valonda Banks:  ✅ Website: https://libertyesolutions.com/  ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/libertyemploymentsolutionsllc  ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertyemploymentsolutionsllc/  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liberty-employment-solutions/  Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net

    59 min
  4. Preserving the Past to Inform the Future: Inside Lancaster’s Medical History Featuring Erin Plotcher & Shawn Gallagher - Episode 229

    JAN 19

    Preserving the Past to Inform the Future: Inside Lancaster’s Medical History Featuring Erin Plotcher & Shawn Gallagher - Episode 229

    In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Plotcher and Dr. Shawn Gallagher of the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum to explore how the region’s rich medical history continues to shape healthcare today. They share how the museum preserves and brings to life stories of medical innovation, caregiving, and public health in Lancaster County—from early colonial healing practices and 18th-century physicians to the rise of modern hospitals and groundbreaking medical advances. The conversation highlights engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community partnerships that connect the past to the present and deepen our understanding of how medicine has evolved within the community. ???? Connect with Erin Plotcher & Shawn Gallagher:  ✅ Website: https://lancastermedicalheritagemuseum.org/   ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lancastermedicalmuseum/  ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lancastermedmuseum/  Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net

    1h 7m
  5. Investing in People: Inside Assets Lancaster Featuring Denzel Brown and Lindsay High - Episode 228

    JAN 12

    Investing in People: Inside Assets Lancaster Featuring Denzel Brown and Lindsay High - Episode 228

    In this episode, we explore the mission and impact of ASSETS Lancaster, a nonprofit CDFI focused on building strong communities through entrepreneurship, equitable access to capital, and business education. The conversation highlights how ASSETS supports underserved entrepreneurs by removing traditional barriers and investing in people as the foundation for long-term economic growth. Denzel Brown and Lindsay High share insights from their work on the front lines of community development—Denzel through mission-driven lending and Lindsay through relationship-building and community partnerships. Together, they discuss how inclusive financing, trust, and collaboration help entrepreneurs start and scale businesses that create lasting impact in Lancaster and beyond. ???? Connect with Denzel Brown and Lindsay High:  ✅ Website:https://assetspa.org/   ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/assetslancaster  ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assets.pa/  ✅ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/assets-lancaster  Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net

    1h 6m
  6. Lancaster Connecties 2025 - Episode 227

    JAN 5

    Lancaster Connecties 2025 - Episode 227

    If you're ready to see the real heartbeat of Lancaster County - the people rebuilding lives, feeding families, preserving farmland, and opening doors others thought were closed - then this episode is for you. Join us for the inaugural Lancaster Connecties, where we celebrate the small businesses, nonprofits, and local heroes who didn't just talk about change in 2025 - they made it happen. From fighting homelessness and hunger to transforming lives through recovery, the arts, and adventure, these are the stories that prove Lancaster is more than a place - it's a movement. This isn't your typical awards show. It's a tribute to the neighbors, leaders, and quiet warriors who give their time, heart, and talent to strengthen our community every single day. Tune in to discover who's leading the charge - and how you can be part of what's next. Brought to you by Gardner's Mattress & More - because great communities are built on great people. ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net

    1h 1m
  7. Growing Community: Inside Conestoga Valley SEEDS Featuring Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey - Episode 226

    12/29/2025

    Growing Community: Inside Conestoga Valley SEEDS Featuring Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey - Episode 226

    In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey, Co-Directors of Conestoga Valley SEEDS, as they share the heart, vision, and impact of this growing community initiative. Celebrating three years of service as of October 2025, SEEDS was birthed from the passion of CV social worker Katie Reiff and a desire to cultivate a healthy, thriving Conestoga Valley community. Michelle and Kristen discuss how SEEDS enriches lives by connecting neighbors to vital housing resources, educational supports, and health services—walking alongside individuals and families to remove barriers through tools, resources, and meaningful relationships. ???? Connect with Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey:  ✅ Website: https://seedscv.com/  ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Conestoga-Valley-SEEDS/100087483900730/  ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedscv/  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvseeds/  Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead: https://CastAhead.net

    1h 2m
  8. Building Ability Through Fitness: Special Strong Comes to Lancaster Featuring Ruth Polillo - Episode 225

    12/22/2025

    Building Ability Through Fitness: Special Strong Comes to Lancaster Featuring Ruth Polillo - Episode 225

    In this episode, we sit down with Ruth Polillo, Owner and Certified Adaptive Personal Trainer at Special Strong Lancaster County. A seasoned physical therapist and mom of four—including two children with special needs—Ruth shares how her personal and professional journeys came together to fuel her passion for adaptive fitness. She explains why she launched Special Strong Lancaster County and how she’s helping individuals of all abilities access empowering, personalized fitness training. We also highlight the origin of Special Strong, founded by Daniel Stein, who overcame his own disabilities through exercise and created the program to help people build strength, confidence, and healthier lives. Together, Ruth’s expertise and Daniel’s vision showcase a powerful mission: making fitness inclusive, accessible, and transformative for every person. ???? Connect with Ruth Polillo:  ✅ Website: https://specialstronglancastercounty.com/  ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialstronglancastercounty  ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialstronglancastercountypa/  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-polillo-4ba00a58/   Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great.  ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net  ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-better LIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS:  ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects: ✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/  ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects  ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnects Lancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Lancaster Connects brings together local charities, local heroes, and local businesses to showcase the best of what Lancaster, PA has to offer so that in 2021 and beyond – our local neighbors and friends may thrive, be more productive, and live happily and generously. The Lancaster Connects Podcast is hosted weekly by Gardner's Mattress & More co-owners Ben McClure & Jeff Giagnocavo, and can be viewed on numerous streaming services as well as listed to on your favorite podcast platforms.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Giagnocavo, Ben McClure
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    233
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Lancaster Connects
  • Show Website
    Lancaster Connects