The Pride & Prosperity Podcast is a celebration of LGBTQ+ businesses in Vermont. Through conversations with founders and business leaders across the state, we explore the impact of identity on entrepreneurship and demonstrate the necessity of LGBTQ+-run businesses in building a world that works for all of us. Created and produced by Out in the Open & The Pride & Prosperity Network.
Episode 7 - Mel Baiser & HELM Construction Solutions
In this episode we connect with Mel Baiser of HELM Construction Solutions, a 7th generation Vermonter who is driven to create impact and inclusion in the construction industry. Mel takes us into entrepreneurship as community building, doing less better and remembering that our collective fear and anger is directly correlated to how much we love one another.
2 Dec 2025
Episode 6 - Eliza & Lee VT Queer Craft Fair
In this episode we talk about making and selling queer art as one way to survive capitalism with Eliza and Lee of the Queer Arts Fest, a biannual fair that celebrates queer makers and artists. Eliza and Lee talk about what it means to make queer art, being a less shitty boss by being self-employed, and using consensus-based decision-making to create a vibrant, inclusive, and incredibly popular event that moves and multiplies queer dollars. Catch the Arts Fest in-person this weekend, December 6th from 10 am to 3 pm – with a fully masked access hour from 10-11am at the Old Labor Hall & Up End This on Granite Street in Barre.
More about VT Queer Craft Fair here: https://linktr.ee/vtqueercrafts and @vtqueercrafts on Instagram.
This episode was produced and edited by HB Lozito, with advisory and project support from Claire Wheeler, and features original music by This Could Be It.
In this episode we consider the possibility of improving our relationship to the earth through the built environment with Ace McCarleton and Najat Croll of New Frameworks, a high performance and natural building construction and training worker cooperative. Ace and Najat take us into communication as justice, building the world we deserve, and the reality that we have to take risks to make change.
27 Aug 2025
Episode 3 - Red Durkin & Everyone’s Books
In this episode, I talk with Red Durkin, the owner of Everyone’s Books in Brattleboro. We talk about the importance of creating inviting spaces, generational transfers of businesses and business relationships, how hard it is to work in kitchens, and much more. Enjoy this conversation and if you ever find yourself Brattleboro, stop by Everyone’s Books to give Lucky the dog a pet and pick up your next great read.
28 Jun 2025
Episode 2 - Raph Draws
In this episode we dive into the 5 dimensional reality of Raph Draws, a Haitian-American self-taught digital illustrator and muralist who sees Vermont as a blank canvas. Raph takes us into the divine feminine, identity as a dance, and making consciousness and liberation digestible through creative expression.
28 Jun 2025
Episode 1 - Isora Lithgow
In this episode we talk about queering business and industries with Isora Lithgow, a wedding and branding photographer and owner of Isora Lithgow Creations. Isora takes us into the ever-changing nature of business ownership, the value of mentorship, and how her intersecting identities shaped her value proposition, clarified her audience, and elevated her brand.
28 Jun 2025
Episode 0 - Introducing the Pride & Prosperity Podcast
In this episode, HB Lozito and Claire Wheeler talk about the Pride & Prosperity Network and the two of us introduce some themes you’ll hear about throughout the season. We talk about visibility and power, tools for surviving capitalism, the utility of joy and shaking your butt, and how great LGBTQ people are. Take a listen and share in our excitement for all the conversations to come this season.
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