Category: News

The pep talk pod

Luna Smith wants to bring positivity to your day

Luna Smith of Londonderry talked about her new podcast, The Friend In Your Ear Pod, launched Jan. 11, with new episodes released every Wednesday. Find the podcast on all major podcast platforms or visit thefriendinyourearpod.com.

Tell us about you.

I’ve been married to my best friend for over a decade now, and we are parents to a 4-year-old boy and a 6-year-old Boston Terrier. I went to school for Classics but ended up in the creative realm working freelance from home. I’ve been obsessed with self-improvement for as long as I can remember. In my pregnancy I started a blog called “That Blissful Balance,” ignorantly thinking I had figured it out, only to discover postpartum that balance is not what I thought it was. Since starting the podcast I’ve restarted the blog to be more in line with the podcast — less about a perfect balance and more about all the tips and tools that make life a little more blissful, coming from the perspective of a recovering perfectionist with high-functioning anxiety who believes even the smallest changes can make major impacts on the quality of our lives.

What made you want to start a podcast?

I’m a huge fan of podcasts and listen to them daily in the pockets of time I have between drop-offs and pickups, housework and work deadlines. But sometimes I would just want to listen to something that was more personable and uplifting, like a pep talk from a friend on a particularly hard day, and I thought that if I felt that way, perhaps others did, too. So that was the inspiration to create a podcast that did that — a podcast that felt like a friend giving you a hug from afar and telling you you could do it; a friend to give you company, positivity and to help you believe in yourself when you need it.

What is The Friend In Your Ear Pod about?

It’s mainly a self-improvement and positivity podcast, currently in a season of wellness, both mental and physical, and each week is on a different topic. They mostly feel like motivational pep talks with some personal experiences sprinkled in. There’s a new segment called ‘Good News’ to celebrate listeners’ wins, because celebrating small wins makes a big difference. I also do a mantra of the week to further help with cultivating and keeping that positive mindset. But it’s all done in a friendly, encouraging way, like a friend giving you a little boost of positivity with a dose of understanding and empathy.

Who is your target audience?

I wanted to create an accessible space for anyone who could use a little boost of positivity and friendly support in their lives, but being familiar with the struggles of women and mothers in particular, that is who I’d like to offer the most support to with the topics I choose to discuss. Though some challenges are universal, I hope everyone can gain something positive from listening.

Where do you get your material?

Right now the material is mostly derived from my own personal experiences in self-improvement and wellness, though some topics are inspired by friends, and reader submissions are always welcome. I would love to provide friendly support in any way I can.

What are your future plans?

I would love to grow and expand in any way I can to provide these friendly pep talks to as many people who need them. Eventually I would love to bring on guests who can provide more expertise on particular topics, but for now it’s just my voice and experiences from things I’ve been able to accomplish and overcome through the power of positive thinking, like letting go of perfectionism and navigating anxiety to achieve goals and create a life I love.

What would you like listeners to get out of your podcast?

I want listeners to feel seen and supported in whatever they’re going through — to feel like they aren’t alone, and to get the motivation they need to make every day a little better, because every little win counts. I hope together we can create a community that celebrates and supports each other.

Featured photo: Luna Smith. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 23/02/02

Rental assistance

New Hampshire has received nearly $3.6 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the Emergency Rental Assistance program to assist New Hampshire renters with rent and other housing expenses, including energy and utility costs. According to a press release, the supplemental funds were allotted in response to an appeal made by the New Hampshire congressional delegation in October after the U.S. Treasury announced that New Hampshire would not receive additional resources to continue the program beyond Dec. 29, and New Hampshire Housing was forced to put the program on pause. “The housing crisis continues to be a top challenge facing Granite Staters, with particularly brutal consequences during the intense winter season,” U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who led the delegation, said in the release. More than $230 million in assistance was provided to more than 23,000 households across the state through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program from when it was launched in March 2021 to when it was put on pause in October 2022. Visit nhhfa.org/emergency-rental-assistance for updates and to apply for assistance.

Covid detection

Data from New Hampshire’s wastewater surveillance for detecting Covid levels is now available to the public on a new online dashboard at covid19.nh.gov/wastewater-surveillance. Because the virus can be shed in wastewater, viral fragments in community-wide samples collected from wastewater treatment facilities can be used to track trends in levels of the virus over time. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health

Services launched the program in December as a potential tool to monitor the virus in New Hampshire communities and issue earlier warnings to the public about rising levels, according to a press release. The dashboard cautions against using the current data to inform public health as several months of data are required for accurate interpretation and establishing trends.

New shelters

Manchester homelessness initiatives are working to open two 24-hour emergency shelters following the City’s eviction of a large homeless encampment at Manchester and Pine streets that left about 50 people with nowhere to live, WMUR reported. The YCWA will oversee the reopening of the Tirrell House on Brook Street to provide 14 to 16 beds for women, and the City will oversee the other shelter, which will provide 40 beds for men and women. The City-run shelter is expected to be open until April while the YCWA is seeking to keep the Tirrell House open permanently. The City set up a temporary warming station at the William Cashin Senior Activity Center on Douglas Street in early January, and that operation will be moved to the City-run shelter once the shelter opens, according to the article.

Hiring freeze

Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire’s largest private employer, has instituted a hiring freeze and plans to conduct a job review process as it looks to close a $120 million budget gap by the end of September, NHPR reported. All open positions at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics, as well as job changes, such as employee transfers, adjustments, promotions and filling positions after an employee leaves, will be subject to review. The system currently employs about 12,000 people and had more than 1,000 job openings listed last month, most of which were for nursing and allied health positions.

Back to normal

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has announced that Medicaid eligibility and enrollment will resume regular, pre-pandemic operations beginning on April 1, according to a press release. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has allowed all Medicaid recipients to retain their health coverage during the pandemic since March 2020. In the coming months, the Department will be reaching out to those approximately 102,000 beneficiaries currently protected under this coverage to assess their eligibility to continue being covered by Medicaid beyond April 1. “It will be important for Medicaid beneficiaries to watch their mail, email and texts for notices from DHHS and complete their Medicaid renewals in order to avoid a gap in their health coverage,” DHHS Medicaid Director Henry Lipman said in the release.

Tea Talks

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire’s 2023 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks Series, titled “Bringing it Back: Conversations We Still Need,” begins with its first program, “Before European Contact: Changing the Ways We Present Our History,” on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., virtually and in person at the Portsmouth Public Library (175 Parrott Ave.). According to a press release, the talks explore the history and lived experience surrounding current issues in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community and provide a safe space for conversation about race, equity, social justice and belonging. Other talks in the series will include “The Paradox of Education for Black and Brown Children” on Feb. 12; “Beyond Forty Acres: Land Ownership and Black Wealth” on Feb. 19; “Shades of Black: Connected by Color, Culture, and Community” on Feb. 26; “Exploring the Heart of Cross-Racial Conversation” on March 5; and “Youth to Power: Black Female Activists” on March 12. Registration is required. Visit blackheritagetrailnh.org/elinor-williams-hooker-tea-talks-2023.

Meredith Village Savings Bank has donated $10,000 to the Meredith Sculpture Walk (meredithsculpturewalk.org) for the walk’s 10th year. According to a press release, this year’s walk will feature more than 30 sculptures. The sculptures can be seen year-round in downtown Meredith.

A new state historical highway marker has been placed on Route 9 in Barrington noting “The Balch Household Graves.” According to a press release, the reinterred gravesites in Pine Grove Cemetery are that of Rev. Benjamin Balch (1743–1815), the first chaplain of the Continental Navy, and a formerly enslaved woman named Aggie (ca. 1740–c.1840), who became known as the town nurse. A map of New Hampshire’s historical highway markers is available at nh.gov/nhdhr.

SEE Science Center presents Science on Tap on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m. at Stark Brewing Co. in Manchester (500 Commercial St.). The topic will be the present and future of organ transplants. Nick Rinella, associate scientist at the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute in Manchester, will be a panelist. Admission is free. RSVP at see-sciencecenter.org/adults.

This Week 23/01/26

Big Events January 26, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Jan. 26

Catch Jim Dozet, the scheduled musical performer at this week’s Art After Work, tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org). Admission to the museum is free and the evening features gallery tours as well as a full menu available in the Winter Garden Cafe. Find more art and theater events in the Arts section, which starts on page 14. For live music at area restaurants, breweries and other locations, check out Music This Week, which starts on page 36.

Friday, Jan. 27

The Boogie Wonder Band brings disco to the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com, 437-5100) tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40. Find more concerts this weekend and beyond in our listings on page 38.

Saturday, Jan. 28

See illusionist Leon Etienne at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Etienne has been featured on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Fallon, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us! and is bringing his critically acclaimed show to the Granite State. The family-friendly performance will have illusions, comedy, sleight of hand and more. Tickets cost $29. Visit palacetheatre.org to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Join Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord; 224-0562) today at 1 p.m. for an author meet and greet with Christopher Golden about his book All Hallows. Golden, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the Bram Stoker award for horror writers, will discuss his newest book, which takes place in a small Massachusetts town in 1984, where two families try to protect young trick-or-treaters from The Cunning Man on Halloween night. To learn more about this book or the event, visit gibsonsbookstore.com. Find more upcoming author events in the book listings on page 33.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Celebrate the 1980s at the Strand Theatre (20 Third St., Dover) tonight at 8 p.m. with Neon Wave, a tribute band to the iconic dance bands of the ’80s. The theater is inviting the audience to wear a gown, a tux or their best ’80s costume. Those dressed up will be entered for a chance to win a $20 prize at the show, and everyone dressed up will get door prizes. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at thestranddover.com.

Sunday, Jan. 29

McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Ct. in Manchester; mcintyreskiarea.com, 622-6159) will hold the Bob Gilman Fun Run, a ski and snowboard race for all ages and abilities, today starting at 11 a.m. The $20 fee includes a lift ticket for the day. Go online to register.

Save the Date! Monday, Feb. 13
The cult classic Pitch Perfect (PG-13, 2012) will be screening today at 7 p.m. at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord) as a “Galentine’s day” special. The showing will be hosted by Katie Reynolds and Lydea Irwin, the creators and hosts of the podcast My Husband Made Me Do It. There will be a music trivia event beforehand with a chance for audience members to win prizes. Tickets cost $12 for general audience, $10 for members, and can be purchased at redrivertheatres.org.

Featured photo. Illusionist Leon Etienne.

Quality of Life 23/01/26

Donation for mental health

Merrimack County Savings Bank, better known as The Merrimack, donated $10,000 to support two New Hampshire mental health services. According to a press release, the recipients are Riverbend Community Mental Health, a private nonprofit organization based in Concord that offers comprehensive behavioral health and addiction treatment services for children, adolescents, adults and families, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Hampshire, a grassroots organization that works to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness and suicide through support, education and advocacy for improved access to services and social supports, early intervention and science-based practices that promote recovery and build skills and resilience. “Riverbend and NAMI NH play a crucial role in our community by providing access to lifesaving treatment,” Linda Lorden, president of The Merrimack, said in the release. “We hope this donation will help stretch the resources needed to improve the quality of life for our neighbors, friends, and families.”

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Data published by NAMI revealed that 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 children in New Hampshire experience mental illness each year, according to the release.

One less spot for movies in a theater

Concord’s 10-screen Regal Cinema movie theater, located at 282 Loudon Road, is one of 39 movie theaters across the country set to be closed by Cineworld Group, the parent company of Regal Cinemas, effective Feb. 15, the Union Leader reported. Cineworld filed for bankruptcy in September 2022 following financial struggles spurred by the pandemic and competition with at-home streaming services. Regal is the second-largest movie theater chain in the U.S. following AMC theaters and has more than 500 locations. The company announced that it will reject the leases of the 39 theaters to save an estimated $22 million, which would allow it to keep remaining theaters open.

QOL Score: -1

Comment: Remaining theaters such as the Regal Cinema on Technology Drive in Hooksett, which will continue to serve up popcorn and movies.

Free tax prep

Granite United Way has launched a free tax prep program for New Hampshire residents with annual household incomes of up to $60,000. According to a press release, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, supported by a $50,000 contribution from Citizens, connects qualifying low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in the state with IRS-certified volunteers who can help them access the greatest amount of tax refunds. “This is one of the uniquely impactful ways Granite United Way helps our community,” Paula Gay, asset building coordinator, said in the release. “VITA’s IRS-certified volunteers are up to date on all the options in which to receive their refunds and options to use a portion of their refund to gain financial stability moving forward.” To schedule an appointment near you, visit nhtaxhelp.org.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: IRS data revealed that about one in four New Hampshire residents don’t file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), leaving an estimated $49 million unclaimed, according to the release.

QOL score: 51

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 52


What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

Featured photo: Granite United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Courtesy photo.

The week that was

The NFL followed up the close games and the astonishing comeback of Jacksonville from down 27-0 to beat the San Diego, er, L.A. Chargers 31-30 in a wild card weekend with a series of boring duds last weekend. Next comes (for me) the best sports day on the calendar when the NFC and AFC play their title games on Sunday, where it’ll be the 49ers trying to get to the Super Bowl behind a rookie QB with just seven NFL starts to his name vs. the Eagles, followed by KC’s injured star Pat Mahomes facing the red hot Bengals in a rematch of last year’s AFC title game.

While the NFL commanded the most attention, that wasn’t the only thing that happened. Here are a few thoughts and outright pontifications on recent events.

Mahomes’s injured ankle is reminiscent of Tom Brady getting knocked out of the AFC title game in Pittsburgh during the run to their first title in 2001. That brought opening day starter Drew Bledsoe off the bench to save the day. He wasn’t lights out, but he did throw the decisive TD pass to the late David Patten that got them to the big game. Then we wondered all week if it would be Drew or Brady as QB on Sunday (there was only one week off because of the 9-11 attack). As everyone knows, Brady did play, and while he led the game-winning drive with Adam V sending his FG try right down Broadway, TB only threw for 145 yards.

Think Red Sox owner John Henry got the message that the natives are not happy when he and his over-his-head GM got booed off the stage at their ticket sale pep rally in Springfield, Mass., on Friday night?

I don’t know about you but the premise for the movie House Party of having one at LeBron James’ house, unbeknownst to LBJ, sounds like a funny idea in an Animal House kind of way.

I’m starting to sports-hate Steph Curry because he flops on every play. Sorry, but it’s not possible to fall as much as he does. Yet he gets the call all the time even though replays show defenders clearly are not touching him. Thought we were done with that nonsense after Michael Jordan retired.

Didn’t hear many of the yahoo M-V-P chants for Jayson Tatum in last week’s game vs. Golden State, did we? He did do something remarkable, though, by having a terrible game (outside of a few late plays) despite a 34-19-6 stat line that suggests otherwise. And his statement afterward that it was just one of 82 shows that, despite all the brilliance, he still doesn’t get it. Because there are five or six a year that aren’t one of 82. And after he choked against the Warriors in the Finals and again in their first meeting this year, they/he needed to make a statement on Thursday night. Which they did not by lucking out in OT vs. a team that has struggled all year except in two games vs Boston. Like the Pistons getting by Boston in the ’80s and then Jordan’s Bulls finally doing it to Detroit, emerging teams have to show they can beat their nemesis, and the Cs didn’t do that. That’s why if they meet in the Finals again I’m taking GS unless and until Tatum figures it out.

Things are progressing nicely for Wenyen Gabriel. He’s played in 38 of the Lakers’ 47 games when he’s getting about 16 minutes a night off the bench while averaging 6 points, 4 rebounds per while shooting 62.4 percent from the floor.

Everyone loves what Nate Eovaldi did in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series. But after winning just 24 games in four full seasons with the Sox while averaging just 101 innings per season, how much of a loss is he to the Red Sox? I know in the pitching world of today expectations are different than when you’d check the papers to see what the pitching match-ups would be on a daily basis. But six wins a year is not worth $20 million per year.

What a difference a year makes. A year ago there was outrage that Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich wasn’t getting at least Rooney Rule interviews to be a head coach after two stat-filled years with Brady. This year he just got fired/blamed for TB’s less than stellar offensive season.

Is it ironic, or just interesting, that amid all the talk of the negative brain drain impact on the Patriots coaching staff, the coaches who killed them the most were pre-drain returning Super Bowl vets Joe Judge and Matt Patricia?

Robert Williams is hurt again. This time after banging his left knee (the bad one) with Jaylen Brown. Celtics Nation and the brass are just going to have to live with the fact that the guy is fragile and likely never will be able to play a full season.Which means they need insurance for the playoffs.

Here’s another thing that’s wrong about how the steroid era is treated by Hall of Fame voters. Guys who came clean like Andy Pettitte don’t get in, while guys everyone knows were users are rewarded with induction by staying silent. I know it is complicated for some, but that seems wrong to me.

For the record, in addition to his record (by far) 18 post-season wins, Pettitte’s 256 wins in the five-man rotation era are more than the following Famers from the four-man rotation time: Carl Hubbell, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Don Drysdale, Jim Bunning, Catfish Hunter, Stan Coveleski, Bob Lemon, Rube Marquard, Dizzy Dean and Sandy Koufax, as well as Yankee Famers Waite Hoyt, Whitey Ford and Herb Pennock. And he’s also got more than fellow five-man rotation guys Pedro Martinez, Jack Morris, Roy Halladay and John Smoltz.

My money is on a Philly-Cincy Super Bowl.

Email Dave Long at [email protected].

News & Notes 23/01/26

Hate crime forums

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office presents a series of public Hate Crimes Forum conversations, with the first to be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Michael Briggs Community Center (409 Beech St., Manchester). According to a press release, the series will provide community members, public officials and other interested parties with information related to the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act as well as state and municipal hate crimes laws, and engage local and federal law enforcement and community organizations in discussions and information sharing on methods to prevent and respond to local bias incidents and hate crimes. “Preventing hate crimes is one of our most important shared priorities across New Hampshire law enforcement,” Attorney General Formella said in the release. “We need a whole-community approach to truly be successful in our fight against bias and hate. … These will be critical conversations as we work collectively to keep New Hampshire safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds.” Presenters at the first event will include the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Manchester Police, the Department New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire, the Manchester Branch of the NAACP, the New Hampshire Council of Churches and the IQRA Islamic Society of Greater Concord. Call 230-2518 to RSVP by Feb. 6.

New at Stay

Stay Work Play New Hampshire, a nonprofit organization that works to attract and retain young people in New Hampshire, welcomes a new events and communications manager, Kristina Lafiosca. According to a press release, Lafiosca, a New London resident, graduated from the University of New England in 2011 with a bachelor of arts in sociology and anthropology. She began her career in the nonprofit sector and most recently has owned and operated her own business in the Sunapee region. In her new role, Lafiosca will oversee the organization’s content and communications strategy; provide leadership in planning, coordinating and evaluating the organization’s events, programs and initiatives; and serve as the organization’s primary point of contact for young professionals.

Airport funds

A New Hampshire delegation consisting of U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas welcomed $2,821,120 to support modifications and rehabilitation efforts for the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport terminal building. According to a press release, the award, allocated through the Department of Transportation using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, will be used to replace 16,000 square feet of the terminal’s original translucent fiberglass canopy, thereby increasing energy efficiency. “Improving and updating Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is critical to our regional economy and ensuring individuals can travel safely and efficiently,” Pappas said in the release. “This federal funding … will update existing infrastructure to improve key systems at New Hampshire’s largest airport.”

Big bird weekend!

The New Hampshire Audubon’s annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey will run on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12. According to a press release, New Hampshire residents are invited to count and observe birds in their own backyards during that weekend and report their findings to the New Hampshire Audubon to provide critical data to biologists who are monitoring the state’s bird species, such as the northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker, southern woodpecker and evening grosbeak. Reports of a lack of birds are just as valuable as reports of many birds. “If everyone reported only when they have a lot of birds, we wouldn’t be able to see the declines,” Rebecca Suomala, survey coordinator, said in the release. Forms can be acquired and submitted online at nhbirdrecords.org/backyard-winter-bird-survey or by emailing [email protected].

And the nominees are…

Nominations are open now through April 14 for the 2023 Governor’s Arts Awards. The awards, given every other year, recognize individuals, organizations and communities that have made outstanding contributions to New Hampshire’s arts and culture. The categories include Arts Education, Arts in Health, Creative Communities, Distinguished Arts Leadership, Folk Heritage, Individual Arts Champion and Lotte Jacobi Living Treasure, a lifetime achievement award. To be eligible, nominees must reside in New Hampshire or have resided in New Hampshire while making their contributions. Nominations, which must include a 1,000-word statement of the nominee’s accomplishments and two to five current letters of support, will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the State Arts Council. Visit nh.gov/nharts. Nominees will be notified of the results by mid May, and an awards ceremony will be held in the fall. Visit nh.gov/nharts/artsandartists/gaa/index.htm.

Registration is open for the 21st Annual Payson Center for Cancer Care Rock ‘N Race 5K, to take place Thursday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in Concord. The event raises funds for services for patients and their families at Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care HOPE Resource Center. Participants may run or walk a 5k or walk a one-mile loop. Visit rocknrace.org to register.

Construction has begun on the F.E. Everett Turnpike south of the I-293 interchange in Bedford. According to an announcement from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, work includes rock blasting in southbound lanes to allow the addition of a through travel lane. The work is scheduled to be done on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. over the next two to three months.

Nashua high schools are adjusting their GPA (grade point average) scale from 5.4 to the more commonly used unweighted 4.0 to measure students’ academic achievement. According to a press release, the 5.4 GPA was originally put in place as a way for students to earn added points for Advanced Placement and honors classes.

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