Media & Events
Events, podcast appearances, coverage of Granite Goodness, externally published pieces, announcements, etc.
November 12, 2025
I was named to the Seacoast 10 to Watch winners list!
An initiative of Catapult Seacoast, the 10 to Watch Awards recognize and celebrate remarkable, hard-working young professionals who live or work in the Seacoast.
Each year, 10 to Watch honors young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 who are making a difference in the Seacoast Community. The top 20 finalists, along with the 10 winners, are selected by a panel of judges from young professional organizations around New Hampshire.
October 30, 2025
I received an Alumni Sustainability award from my beloved alma mater University of New Hampshire and the team at UNH Sustainability Institute. This award was in the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) category, which recognizes a significant multi-year body of work in the professional or civic lives of recent graduates.
Super humbling to share the stage with these cool people who inspire me so much!
October 16, 2025
I was awarded Young Person of the Year by StayWorkPlay NH’s Rising Stars awards.
“The Young Person of the Year Award celebrates an exceptional individual (ages 40 and under) who lives and works in New Hampshire and is making a powerful impact in both their industry and their community. A true rising star, this person demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to making the Granite State a better place to live, work, and play.”
Full story behind this here:
Thanks so much to all the people who have helped Granite Goodness grow along the way! This means the world!
Big thank you to GG alum Corinne Benfield (who had no role in judging winners) for encouraging me to go out for this award.
October 3, 2025
ANNOUNCING: GRANITE GOODNESS LIVE!
Our first ever live podcast! Tickets on sale now!
“For the first time ever, the award-winning podcast highlighting problem-solving and progress across New England comes to The Rex Theatre for an evening of optimism.
If the state of the world has you down, this show is for you. Watch 5 local changemakers take the stage to discuss the solutions that will drive our region forward and shine a light on everything that’s going right.
Join co-hosts Andy DeMeo (Granite Goodness) and Corinne Benfield (Stay Work Play NH) in conversation with Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander and Steve Turner & Shana Brunye (Bring Back the Trades). Together, they’ll lead a forward-looking discussion on building a better future for New Hampshire, creating opportunities for the next generation, and revitalizing American industry.
Presented by Grappone Automotive, the night will kick off with a live performance by local indie-folk sensation Sneaky Miles.”
October 2, 2025
Announcing my partnership with the Granite Post! They’ll be sharing bits of my NH good news highlights weekly in their Thursday newsletters, which feature a good news section.
From their site: “Granite Post is COURIER’s 10th state-based newsroom, and launched in December 2023. The organization is dedicated to providing honest, relevant news for and about New Hampshire.”
They ran this piece about me on Oct 1.
Thank you to Katy Savage for putting this all together— excited for this collaboration!
September 17, 2025
I ran a panel at the ACCESS 2025 Economic Growth Conference, put on by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The room was packed!
The theme of the panel was tactical urbanism: low cost, scalable approaches toward improving public spaces.
Joining me was:
Charlie French, who leads UNH Cooperative Extension’s Community and Economic Development program
Sara Powell, Program Director at the Hannah Grimes Center
Cecilia Ulibarri, Executive Director at Positive Street Art
Sharing the recording here for anyone’s benefit. Many thanks to Lauren Getts and Heather McGrail at the Chamber for inviting me!
September 11, 2025
Attended a lecture Saint Anselm College put on by their Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice featuring
of the substack!Thanks Elissa Margolin for this opportunity to meet one of my heroes. And thank you Matthew Yglesias for coming to Manchester and humoring me for a picture.
Also ran into GG alum Sarah Wrightsman of
. Here is a picture of the back of Sarah’s head:
September 10, 2025
Joined Michael Azevedo on Making Media Now! Thank you Michael for having me! And to AJ for sound mixing!
September 5, 2025
Went on It’s Freitag with Jan Ziegler. Big thank you to Jan for having me and for being so generous with marketing advice. I don’t get over to Keene enough. Jan is the smartest marketever I’ve ever met, hands down!
September 4, 2025
Joined the
with A.J. Kierstead! Many thanks for having me on and for such a pleasant chat with a fellow New England focused podcaster.August 28, 2025
Granite Goodness gets a shoutout in the summer 2025 edition of UNH Magazine!
Thank you for thinking of us Michelle Morrissey, and looking forward to collaborations!
August 27, 2025
Sustainabilibrews + 603 After Hours + Treeline Outfitters!
I run a seacoast-based networking group for young professionals interested in sustainability (Sustainabilibrews) and we collaborated with Stay Work Play New Hampshire to put on an incredible night for young professionals. Thanks Corinne, Steven, and Cody for organizing and hosting such a great time!
Corinne came on episode 51 of Granite Goodness, and Cody joined us for episode 10.
August 21, 2025
Granite Goodness officially joins The Progress Network!
This is a surreal moment for me-- this organization is THE convener of progress oriented organizations across America (and arguably, the world). So many of my favorite outlets are in here-- NewsFix, Roots of Progress Institute, Braver Angels, IFP – Institute for Progress, Warp News, and tons of others. TPN very literally helped inspire what I am doing.
I am nowhere near the caliber of any of these incredible orgs, but to be seen in any small way as a peer to some of my heroes is humbling.
Thanks Emma Varvaloucas and Zachary Karabell for all your incredible work, and for continually reminding us all of What Could Go Right (their podcast, highly recommend)
Check out their site's Institutional Network page to see Granite Goodness listed!
August 11, 2025
Guest appearance on the
podcast!Thank you to my friend Troy Farkas for this opportunity, who runs the fantastic NH & Maine based show Seacoast Stories.
Thanks as well to Ryan Lambert (
) and Seth Pearson for such a positive & fun convo.
July 24, 2025
I emceed New Hampshire & New England night at the Manchester International Film Festival!
It was SO fun to introduce and celebrate local artists. The Rex screened four award-winning short films by local filmmakers, and then capped off with a screening of JOIN OR DIE, a phenomenal documentary centered on Jaffrey, NH’s own Robert Putnam. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. It explores the decline and revival of American civic life, and in doing so, quietly celebrates the kind of neighborly, participatory spirit that New Hampshire has modeled for centuries.
It felt like by showing up to celebrate local artists, we were living out the antidote to Bowling Alone (Putnam's famous work diagnosing the decline of social capital in America). Putnam would be proud!
Thank you again to Warren O’Reilly, Lisa Neville, and the Rex Theatre for this opportunity!
July 9, 2025
Announcing partnership with NH Rocks!
NH Rocks is a digital guide to the best of New Hampshire—things to do, places to visit, and local businesses to support.
When you use it, you’re not just exploring—you’re helping. A portion of every purchase supports community projects through their nonprofit, Sereno, from affordable housing to Main Street revitalization.
NH Rocks is partnering with us to share Granite Goodness stories across their platforms—helping even more people discover the progress, problem solving, and optimism happening across New Hampshire.
Huge thanks to my new friend Jon Noury-Elliard for making this happen and for all he’s doing to build a stronger, more connected Granite State. Learn more about Jon and NH Rocks on their site or listen to his Granite Goodness episode!
July 8, 2025
Announcing the expansion of our brand to cover all of New England and the creation of the Good News in New England Newsletter!
This piece explains why we are making this change. Thanks to everyone who has been with us so far!
Good News Needs a Rebrand
Some days begin with 50,000 angry bees and end in the back of a police cruiser.
June 19, 2025
My new friend
published a profile of me on his substack .Thanks for the kind words and wonderful chat Steve!
June 16, 2025
Production sponsorship with NH Possible is announced!
NH Possible is a collaboration between:
Health Strategies of NH
NH Health Cost Initiative
HealthForce NH
Foundation for Healthy Communities
NH Center for Justice & Equity
NH Fiscal Policy Institute
and NH Businesses for Social Responsibility
Together, they are building a statewide movement envisioning a “New Hampshire where individuals, families, communities and businesses all have what they need to thrive, including a sense of belonging, opportunities for civic engagement, optimal health, and access to educational and financial opportunity.”
NH Possible is collaborating with Granite Goodness to produce a series of podcasts highlighting their member organizations, the first of which is the NH Health Cost Initiative featuring Jennifer Frizzell. Big thank you to Karen Ager and Chris Dugan at NH Possible for your enthusiastic support.
May 28, 2025
The second Granite Goodness guest reunion!
Thank you to Cody and Emily at Treeline Outfitters for hosting and to all the Granite Goodness alums Beth, Zack, Bryan, JAM, Anna, Jon, Alex, Marisa, Jason, Alex F., Charley, and Fiona for coming out!
May 9, 2025
I co-hosted TEDx Portsmouth!
“One of the biggest TEDx events in the country, TEDxPortsmouth is an immersive, full-day event showcasing a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, rousing artistic performances, local food and more. This 100% volunteer-run annual event is where the Seacoast comes together to connect and explore big ideas — science, the arts, the environment, humanity, entrepreneurship — in a shared experience emphasizing community, conversation, and inspiration. TEDxPortsmouth garners not only a huge local following, but a global reach with speaker videos generating more than a million views (and counting!).”
The theme for 2025 was WHAT IF?
This was an incredible time, and perhaps the greatest honor of my life. I got to stand on stage in front of 900 people and cheerlead 14 extraordinary locals doing interesting postive things. Shout out to my amazing co-host Latonya Wallace, the TEDx Portsmouth team, the team at the Music Hall, and all of the sponsors and partners for making this so easy and fun.
Here is a piece I wrote about this experience and what it meant to me.
April 27, 2025
Guest appearance on the Conspiracy of Goodness podcast!
Thank you to my new and wonderful friend Dr. Lynda Ulrich (a Vermonter!) for having me on. It was an absolute joy to chat with a fellow optimist! Here is a little clip Lynda posted to Youtube:
April 1, 2025
Guest appearance on the Tell Talks Northeast podcast. Thank you to Jenn Bakos for such a fun time! Jenn also came on Granite Goodness shortly after this.
February 19, 2025
Moderated a panel about electrification in NH at Green Wave Electric Vehicles’ 2 year anniversary party!
Thanks to Jesse Lore (Green Wave), Jessyca Keeler (Ski NH), Chris Kelly (Revision Energy), Steve Birkett (Plug & Play EV), and Sam Evans-Brown (Clean Energy NH) for an awesome time.
February 17, 2025
I published a piece in NH Business Review titled Optimism, problem-solving in the Granite State. This piece was for NH Businesses for Social Responsibility’s regularly published “Sustainability Spotlight.” Thanks to NHBSR for this opportunity!
February 5, 2025
Guest appearance on the Creative Guts podcast in Exeter, NH!
Thank you to Laura Harper Lake, Sarah Wrightsman, and the Creative Guts team for such a fun time! They also came on Granite Goodness just after this.
January 23, 2025
Granite Goodness is mentioned in The Progress Network’s What Could Go Right? newsletter— one of the world’s premier roundups of substantive, positive news. This was an amazing moment for me— they are heroes of mine who helped inspire Granite Goodness. Thank you Emma Varvaloucas for this generous shoutout!
January 15, 2025
The first Granite Goodness guest reunion!
Thank you to Treeline Outfitters for hosting, my darling wife Jessie for the wonderful catering, and to all the Granite Goodness alums who came out.
September 24, 2024
Guest appearance on the Round the Square radio show in Portsmouth, NH. Thank you to Phil Kliger and Dan Freund for this opportunity and an awesome time.
June 17, 2024
Thanks Treeline Outfitters for your support and giving us an awesome space to record.
Huge thank you as well to SNEAKY MILES!
Sneaky Miles is an indie punk/folk band based in Newmarket, NH. They are also dear friends of mine, who have generously allowed me to use their music from day one of Granite Goodness.
The little guitar thrum you hear at the beginning of every single episode is their hit song Suzie.
I chose their music because to me, it sounds how optimism feels. I don’t know how else to describe it.
These are guys I’ve come to know and love on and off stage. If you have the chance to go to one of their shows— don’t miss it!