The Boston Podcast

In this episode of The Boston Podcast, host Dave welcomes Matt Abrams, a seasoned real estate professional and founder of Abrams Properties, to delve into Matt's personal and professional journey in the building and real estate industry. The conversation kicks off with Matt's childhood fascination with building, which never went beyond playing with Legos, to establishing his own company that specializes in decks, repairs, and eventually venturing into real estate development and the renovation of old houses.Matt candidly shares anecdotes from his life, discussing how he developed a passion for building from a young age, influenced by his uncle. Despite his claim of not being a carpenter, Matt's early experiences in building decks and his stint with a painting business laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in the real estate and construction business. The discussion reveals Matt's expertise in navigating the complexities of rehabilitating and modernizing old homes, a task he finds significantly more challenging yet rewarding compared to new constructions.Dave and Matt explore the evolution of Abrams Properties, highlighting Matt's strategic shift from working on personal projects to catering to third-party homeowners. They touch on the impact of client relationships and project challenges, including client expectations and the intricacies of renovation work. The interview also delves into Matt's insights on the real estate market, trends in home renovations, and the integral role of creativity and problem-solving in achieving client satisfaction and business success.More on Matt: https://abrams-properties.com/Topics:01:10 Introducing Real Estate Professional Matthew Abrams03:34 A Deep Dive into Building and Renovation with Matt05:37 The Challenges and Rewards of Renovation07:35 Navigating Client Expectations and Budgets08:26 Creative Solutions in Home Renovation13:35 The Dark Side of Contracting: Avoiding Scams18:55 Embracing Technology and Trends in Home Building21:07 The Future of Smart Homes and Outdoor Spaces23:30 Exploring Outdoor Living Spaces: Pergolas and Canopies24:18 Debunking Home Improvement Myths25:00 The Realities of Home Renovation: Costs, Delays, and Client Expectations25:47 The Joy and Challenges of Finalizing a Project26:27 Connecting with Abrams Properties28:06 The Personal Side of Business: Client Relationships and Unlikely Friendships30:00 Good Stuff: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'40:32 Larry David Moments: Relatable Mishaps and Misunderstandings43:18 Wrapping Up with Abrams Properties

Paul Medeiros is the CEO of Easter Seals Massachusetts. David and Paul discuss various topics, including the services offered by Easter Seals, the impact of the pandemic on their operations, the Bridge Center's programs, and the College Navigator program. They delve into the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding for individuals with disabilities, the inclusivity of Easter Seals' programs, and the challenges faced by students with disabilities transitioning to college. Paul highlights the importance of advocating for resources and support for people with disabilities, emphasizing Easter Seals' mission to provide inclusive opportunities and assistance.Paul mentions the expansion of Easter Seals' staple programs like assistive technology and the mentorship and youth leadership network, along with the opportunities for camp scholarships and fundraising efforts. They discuss the competitive pricing of the camp, options for half-day and full-day attendance, and the need for counselors and nurses.More at eastersealsma. orgTopics:Introduction and Podcast Promotion [00:00:00]Easter Seals Massachusetts Services [00:01:00]Impact of the Pandemic [00:03:00]The Bridge Center and Therapeutic Horseback Riding [00:06:00]Camp Programs at the Bridge Center [00:11:00]College Navigator Program [00:19:00]Advocacy and Resources [00:23:00]

Meet Dr. Catherine Harmon Toomey, a physician, hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and founder of TOTAL Weight Care Institute. (www.drtoomer.com) If you are looking to lose weight, she says, look way beyond just diet and exercise.Summary of EpisodeHer Health Transformation JourneyDr. Toomer shares that she had been 100 lbs. overweight and an insulin-dependent diabetic, with congestive heart failure. She had started working with her husband, also a physician, to control her diabetes and lose weight. she discovered the bio psychosocial approach to treatment and started helping her patients reverse their chronic diseases through weight loss. Weight-Shaming and Traditional ModelsDr. Toomer discusses the ongoing issue of weight-shaming and the limitations of traditional weight loss models. She emphasizes that weight loss is not solely about calorie intake and exercise, but also involves genetic and metabolic components. She laments that many physicians still assign health issues to weight, neglecting other complaints and contributing to weight-shaming. Weight Management and Psychological FactorsDr. Toomer talks about the complexities of weight management and the role of psychological factors in it. She emphasizes the importance of understanding a patient's medical history, dieting history, and mental health status, including depression, ADHD, and anxiety. She also shares her personal success story of losing weight using her own program that targets the root cause of weight gain, which varies from person to person.  She also clarifies the concept of hypotherapy, explaining that it is a tool for deep relaxation that helps people break through mental barriers, rather than a method of mind control.Holistic Approach to Weight Loss DiscussedDr. Toomer favors  a holistic approach that considers biology, psychology, and social structures. A primary care physician, she notes the need to rule out any biological issues and to screen for depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She also addresses the influence of social media and advertising on weight perceptions and the importance of treating weight loss as a health issue, not just a cosmetic one. Dr. Toomer hopes to normalize the importance of health through her work.She preaches the importance of focusing on health rather than size or appearance. She also expresses hope that her legacy would inspire her daughters and granddaughters to prioritize health over aesthetics. LINKSFind Dr. Toomer on her YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@drtoomerFB: https://www.facebook.com/drtoomerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtoomertalks?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcDr.Toomer.com

Brian Roberts is the chief legal officer at Array (www.trustarray.com) and the host of the new podcast The Attorney Lounge, a show about life, law and business. Brian welcomes accomplished attorneys, legal professionals and industry veterans to share their inspiring personal stories and discuss the latest trends and ideas in the business of law. Find the podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-attorney-lounge/id1717684476

Kirk & Jacob McKinney are the upstart businessmen who founded Junk Teens.More at junkteens.comIG: @junk.teenslinktr.ee/junkteens 

Sports-radio veteran Dave Volin joins the show to talk about the state of the Pats, the Sox and more.

Mian LaVallee has been a real estate agent in the Greater Boston area for ten-plus years. She joins the show to discuss how authencity equals business growth. More on Mian:https://wilsongroupre.com/WilsonInstagram: @wilsongroup @mplavall

Meet true cowboy Neil Dudley, a true Texas gentleman who is a V.P. for a bacon company and hosts a refreshing, honest and compelling podcast called The Cowboy Perspective.Listen at www.thecowboyperpective.com

Somatic Archaeology centers on "unearthing in the human body those remains and artifacts of our familial, ancestral, and spiritual lineage in order to uncover our myths and remember our stories for personal and planetary evolution."Dr. Ruby Gibson explains and shares her journey.More at:https://freedomlodge.org/https://weintheworld.org/

The guest is Charla Stevens, a lawyer turned employment consultant. She also hosts a podcast about the human resources and workplace challenges that businesses and individuals encounter every day. Contact Charla at https://www.charlastevensconsulting.com/Find her podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workplace-community-connections-with-charla-stevens/id1688788157

The guest is Shaun Jones, author of 'Unbrainwashed Investing.' Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QP1SQD2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_R40FVVN12ZMK8WXCBV4ZMore at: ShaunJones.me/boston

Kate Stallings is the owner of Kate Creative Media, which focuses on website design for companies across the country.More at katecreativemedia.com

Bertil Jean-Chronberg founded Bonde Fine Wine Shop in July 2021. It's a concept in Cambridge’s Harvard Square dedicated not only to eco-responsible wines, but also creating a bespoke experience for each guest and providing wine education to the community in a lighthearted and intimate environment. Each month Jean-Chronberg also publishes a new edition of Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight, an online newsletter tackling various wine-related topics peppered with humor and wit, along with Casserole & Sommelier sharing monthly recipes and wine pairings.Within the first year of opening, Bonde received recognition in publications from The Boston Globe, Boston Common Magazine, Cambridge Day, and was awarded “Best Wine Shop” by Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston 2022. Find more at www.bondewines.com

Lawyer Laurie Israel, author of 'The Generous PreNup,' joins the show with her controversial thoughts on prenups.More on Laurie and the book at www.laurieisrael.com

Stephanie Petty represents buyers, lenders, sellers and developers. She has extensive experience in residential condominium development and financing.She joins the show to talk law -- but a lot more too.Find her at https://www.bdboston.com/team/stephanie-petty-esq/

Gary Bubb, an M&A/tax lawyer at Roberto Israel Weiner, joins the show to talk, law, sports, TV and more.Find Gary at https://www.riw.com/bio/gary-bubb/

Going to prison? We hope not, but if you are, this guest knows just what to do. Tara Lenich is an advocate, mitigation specialist, prison consultant, and speaker. More on her and Liberty Advisors LLC at www.libertyadvisorsllc.com

James Verrier of Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon joins the show to talk about the tasty new drink in town.Try it yourself: https://www.taffersbrownedbutterbourbon.com/

What is Mandylicious? A yummy phenomenon created by Mandy Silverman.On IG: @mandyliciouschallahFind out more at https://mandylicious-436716.square.site/

Brandon Gilson of thebestseatsvip.com joins the show to talk about how he can get you VIP treatment at Boston events -- and how a mere $100 buys you a chance at primo Taylor Swift tickets.To enter the Taylor Swift lottery email Brandon at brandon@thebestseatsvip.comMore at www.thebestseatsVIP.com