What does it really mean to “buy local” in 2025? In this episode of the All Comfort Services Home Comfort Zone, host Theresa sits down with Meghan Stern, Interim Executive Director of Dane Buy Local, to unpack how the organization has evolved from a “shop local” campaign into a purpose-driven connector for locally owned businesses across Dane County Wisconsin and beyond.
You’ll hear how Dane Buy Local helps members make meaningful connections with decision-makers, supports workforce and trades initiatives, and tackles big-picture “systems work” like strengthening local food infrastructure (including cold storage solutions) and expanding access to shared resources. Meghan also shares practical ways consumers and business owners can get involved—and why telling your story about great local service matters more than you think.
In this episode, host Theresa sits down with Lisa Reihl, Director of Brand Strategy at AprilAire, to explore what really goes into creating healthy indoor air. From whole-home filtration and humidity control to fresh air ventilation, Lisa explains the surprising truth about indoor air quality and what homeowners can do to improve it.
Listeners will learn:
• How AprilAire’s history shaped modern IAQ solutions
• The difference between MERV 16 and MERV 13 filtration
• Why the 40–60% humidity range is considered healthiest
• Why today’s tightly built homes need ventilation
• Key questions to ask your HVAC contractor
Making holiday giving more accessible, connected, and community-driven.
In this episode of The Home Comfort Zone, Theresa interviews Hannah Stowell, Director of Corporate & Community Engagement at United Way of Dane County, to break down how Toys for Tots truly works behind the scenes—and how it has evolved to better serve families across the county.
Hannah shares how United Way partners with the U.S. Marine Corps, school districts, nonprofits, and over 1,000 volunteers to ensure kids ages 0–14 receive meaningful gifts during the holidays. No long drives. No long lines. Just community, connection, and care.
🎁 You’ll learn:
How the Toys for Tots partnership began in Dane County
Why accessibility and trusted community partners make a huge difference
What gifts are most needed—especially for ages 9–14
How local schools and nonprofits help identify families in need
Ways to support the program through donations or volunteering
If you’d like to donate toys, drop them off at All Comfort Services or find one of 100+ drop-off sites across Dane County.
🎁 Toy drop-off: At All Comfort Services at 5245 Voges Road, Madison, Wisconsin or more than 100 locations across Dane County. 🔗http://www.allcomfortservices.com
🧸 Amazon wishlist: Available at 🔗 http://www.unitedwayofdanecounty.org
🙋♀️ Volunteer opportunities: 🔗 http://www.volunteertime.org
Together, we can make the holidays brighter for local families. ❤️
In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone podcast, Theresa sits down with Kristi GoForth, Executive Director of Bikes for Kids Wisconsin, for a powerful conversation about bikes, transportation equity, and the life-changing impact of a simple bicycle.
Kristi shares:
Why she says to skip the training wheels and start kids on balance bikes
How Bikes for Kids Wisconsin grew from a seasonal bike giveaway to a statewide transportation equity nonprofit
The emotional story of a young girl from Honduras getting her first bike in Madison
How donated bikes are collected, refurbished, and matched with people facing financial instability
The real costs behind giving away a safe, high-quality bike (and why parts like grips and tubes matter so much)
Creative ways they source parts and bikes, from community donations to circular economy partnerships
The organization’s dream of building a permanent warehouse and educational center on a bike path
You’ll also hear how public schools, nonprofits, tribes, and job centers can apply for bikes, and how families, kids, and volunteers of all ages can get involved.
🔧 Learn more, donate, or apply for bikes: http://www.bikesforkidswi.org
📍 Madison-based, serving communities throughout Wisconsin
Hosted by Theresa, Marketing Manager at All Comfort Services. http://www.allcomfortservices.com
Transformational coach and yoga teacher Zach Ketterhagen joins Teresa on the Home Comfort Zone Podcast to talk about mindfulness, stress, and how we can all “come home” to ourselves — no matter what life throws our way.
Learn how breath, awareness, and simple mindfulness practices can help you feel more grounded, whether you’re dealing with a home repair, workplace stress, or just a busy day.
🌐 Learn more about Zach: ZachKetterhagen.com
🎧 Presented by All Comfort Services — heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and sewer & drain experts serving Madison, Wisconsin
#HomeComfortZone #Mindfulness #MadisonWI #Breathwork #AllComfortServices
In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa from All Comfort Services sits down with Ben Stanger, founder of Green Box Compost, to talk about turning food waste into a local sustainability success story.
Since launching in 2022, Green Box Compost has diverted more than 2.4 million pounds of food scraps from Dane County landfills—transforming waste into nutrient-rich compost that supports gardens, schools, and community projects.
Ben shares how the company started from scratch, the science behind composting everything from fruit peels to bones, and how homeowners and businesses can join the movement toward a more sustainable future.
👉 Learn more or sign up at withgreenbox.com
Sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all. In this Home Comfort Zone episode, Theresa (Marketing Manager at All Comfort Services) sits down with Claire Oleksiak, Executive Director of Sustain Dane, to unpack what sustainability really means for Dane County—from energy efficiency in affordable housing to food-scrap drop-offs, youth green-jobs pathways, and how employee green teams drive change inside local businesses.
Claire shares practical examples (hello, LED retrofits and smarter lab freezer settings), funding realities, and simple ways anyone can get involved—whether you’re a homeowner, renter, student, or business leader.
You’ll learn:
A clear, useful definition of sustainability (planet, people, prosperity)
Where Sustain Dane focuses its efforts (education, efficiency, food waste, youth)
How green teams work—and why employees are powerful catalysts
Real local success stories you can copy today
Easy first steps to plug into the movement
Sustain Dane – newsletter & programs: https://sustaindane.org/Accelerate Sustainability Workshop (businesses): https://sustaindane.org/?s=accelerateRecycle Better: https://sustaindane.org/better/Food Scrap Drop Offs: https://sustaindane.org/farmers-market-food-scrap-drop-off/All Comfort Services (HVAC • Plumbing • Electrical • Drain Cleaning Madison, WI): http://www.allcomfortservices.com
Discover the story behind Bucky Book, Wisconsin’s favorite coupon and fundraising book, now in its 33rd year! Host Theresa from All Comfort Services. sits down with Austin Palm, President of Bucky Book, to talk about how this community-driven product helps families save money, supports local businesses, and raises funds for schools, sports teams, nonprofits, and even families in need.
In this episode, we visit Vitruvian Farms, a thriving local organic CSA and farm store committed to sustainable agriculture, community nourishment, and regenerative practices.
Join us as we sit down with the founders to explore:
What it takes to run a modern organic farm
The power of local food systems
How Vitruvian Farms supports the community through their CSA program and farm store
Insights for anyone interested in ethical farming, food justice, and land stewardship
Whether you're a seasoned gardener, curious consumer, or aspiring farmer, this episode brings inspiration from the ground up. 🌾
📍 Learn more about Vitruvian Farms: https://www.vitruvianfarms.com/
💡 In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa from All Comfort Services talks with Emma from the American Red Cross about the impact the organization makes locally and nationwide.
They cover:
✅ How the Red Cross helps families after disasters
✅ The “Sound the Alarm” program and installing free smoke alarms
✅ Blood donation shortages and how you can help
✅ Ways to get involved as a volunteer or donor in your own community
👉 Tune in to hear how small actions—like giving blood or volunteering your time—can make a life-saving difference.
In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa from All Comfort Services talks with Dan Lutz, Development Director at United Way of Dane County, about LINC (Lead, Impact, Network, Change)—a volunteer and networking group connecting people through service, leadership, and fun.
You’ll hear about:
What LINC is and why it’s more than just a young professionals’ group
Fun and impactful events like blanket-making, backpack drives, and trivia nights
United Way’s 100+ years of service in Dane County
How 82,000+ people were helped in just one year
Ways individuals and businesses can get involved
Whether you want to give back, grow professionally, or connect with others in the community, this episode will inspire you to take the first step.
📍 Learn more: unitedwaydanecounty.org
📍 Volunteer opportunities: volunteeryourtime.org
#UnitedWay #LINC #Volunteer #CommunityImpact #HomeComfortZonePodcast #AllComfortServices
How do we get young people excited about careers in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing? In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone podcast, Theresa sits down with Troy Schaefer, a Lennox Territory Manager, to talk about Lennox VisionTECH—a hands-on high school program that introduces students to the trades.
Troy shares how Lennox VisionTECH is connecting students with contractors, building real-world skills, and helping address the trades labor shortage from the ground up.
Whether you're a contractor, educator, or parent, this episode will give you insight into how the trades are being reintroduced to a new generation.
👉 Learn more at AllComfortServices.com
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Lennox VisionTech Wisconsinhttp://www.lennoxvision.comImpact Foundationhttps://impactfoundationmw.org/
Cybersecurity isn’t just for big tech firms—it’s essential for every home and small business. In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, host Theresa talks with Dan Vieth, owner of Vieth Consulting, about the biggest threats facing us in 2025.
Dan breaks down what ransomware really is, how phishing scams work, and the often-overlooked dangers of browser token hijacking—even with two-factor authentication.
🔍 Topics covered:
What ransomware looks like in real life
Why phishing emails are still so dangerous
How EDR and MDR work to keep your systems safe
The one thing every homeowner should do today (freeze your credit!)
Are AI tools like ChatGPT safe to use?
Dan also explains how Vieth Consulting helps businesses protect their systems and train employees to spot threats before it’s too late.
📍 Based in Madison and Brookfield, Wisconsin, Vieth Consulting provides full-service IT support across southern Wisconsin.
💻 Learn more: https://www.viethconsulting.com
🎙️ Brought to you by: https://www.allcomfortservices.com
#Cybersecurity #ViethConsulting #HomeComfortZonePodcast #Ransomware #Phishing #MadisonWI #SmallBusinessSecurity #EDR #MDR #TokenHijacking #AllComfortServices #MadisonWI #MadisonWisconsin #Wisconsin
In this special episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa sits down with John Vardalas, a recipient of the Lennox Feel the Love program. John and his wife Barb have spent decades volunteering in Madison, Wisconsin—through their church, neighborhood association, and causes close to their hearts like Alzheimer’s awareness.
Through Lennox’s Feel the Love program, All Comfort Services was honored to provide the Vardalis family with a new furnace and air conditioner at no cost, in recognition of their extraordinary community service.
🎉 Want to nominate a deserving person in your life? Visit 👉 https://feelthelove.com
🔧 Learn more about how All Comfort Services supports the community: https://allcomfortservices.com
Subscribe for more local stories, HVAC tips, and comfort-focused conversations.
Thinking about a generator for your home? In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone Podcast, Theresa interviews Master Electrician Aaron Robarge to break down everything you need to know—from the types of generators available to installation steps and what powers them.
Aaron has been with All Comfort Services for 14 years and shares real insights from the field, including why customers choose generators, how they're sized, and what makes Generac such a popular choice.
👉 Whether you're considering a portable unit or a whole-home standby system, this episode is packed with practical information and answers to common questions.
Learn more about our electrical services at allcomfortservices.com
In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone, we welcome Larry Davies, founder of All Comfort Services in Madison, Wisconsin. Larry shares his inspiring journey from hairdresser to HVAC business owner, how he and his wife Suzie launched the company in 1973, and why he chose employee ownership (ESOP) over venture capital. Hear about the evolution of the HVAC industry, the values that built the business, and Larry’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
📍 Topics Covered:
Starting a business from home
HVAC industry evolution over 50 years
Transitioning to employee ownership (ESOP)
Building partnerships and vendor relationships
Life lessons from growing up on a farm
Subscribe for more inspiring conversations from the trades and home services industry.
In this special springtime episode of Home Comfort Zone, Theresa, Marketing Manager at All Comfort Services, chats with Lance Owens, Director of Artworking—a Madison-based nonprofit empowering artists with disabilities through career support and creative opportunity. 🌸🎨
Tune in for a refreshing conversation about:
How Artworking helps artists build self-sustaining careers
A massive hand-drawn river map that found a home at UW Hospital
Ways the community can support local artists
This is a heartwarming and eye-opening glimpse into how art, purpose, and community come together in Madison.
🔗 Shop Artworking artists' work: https://www.artworking.org
Humidity creeping into your home this summer? Learn how whole-house dehumidification can help your home. In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone, Theresa from All Comfort Services talks with Taylor Bauch of AprilAire to explore indoor air quality, signs of high humidity, and why whole-house dehumidifiers beat portable ones in comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings. AprilAire is based in Madison Wisconsin.
🔧 The Homeowner’s Guide to Plumbing Essentials
In this episode of the Home Comfort Zone podcast, Master Plumber Rich breaks down everything homeowners need to know about plumbing — from spotting leaks and maintaining water heaters to preventing costly damage with simple seasonal tips. Whether your home is brand new or 100 years old, this episode is packed with practical advice to keep things flowing smoothly! 🚿🏡💧
In this episode, Theresa sits down with Rob Davies, owner of Prairie Grove Insurance, to unpack the often-confusing world of Medicare. Whether you're nearing retirement or helping a loved one navigate their options, this conversation is full of helpful insights and real-world tips.