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Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce New “Work & Wonder” Podcast spotlights community, business
Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce “Work & Wonder” Podcast – a new biweekly podcast spotlighting the people and stories shaping business in Northern Rhode Island
The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce (NRICC) announced the launch of Work & Wonder, a new podcast series featuring conversations with the people driving business, innovation, and community across Rhode Island. The series is produced in-house and hosted by Chamber staff members Lauren Malloy and Bethany Kent, who each bring extensive experience in podcasting and media to the project.
Malloy, the Chamber’s Membership Development Manager, previously hosted and produced My Mom’s Murder, a hit true crime podcast produced by AYR Media that launched on Audible in 2024 and is now being adapted into a television series by MGM Television, starring and executive-produced by Chloë Grace Moretz, with Malloy on board as a producer.
Kent, the Chamber’s Manager of Events & Marketing, brings more than two decades of experience in radio and media, having started her career at 92 PRO FM locally in Providence and at the legendary HOT 97 in New York City.
The series debuted this week, with new episodes releasing every two weeks. Season 1 is sponsored by Coastal1 Credit Union. The first half of season 1 includes six episodes:
- Episode 1 – August 17: Monika Zuluaga, President & CEO of NRICC
- Episode 2 – August 31: Dr. Daryl Appleton, Executive Coach, Psychotherapist and Podcast Host
- Episode 3 – September 14: Betty Robson, Former CEO, current Board Director of OIA Global (formerly J.F. Moran)
- Episode 4 – September 28: Crystal Papino, Owner, The Perfect Parcel
- Episode 5 – October 12: Marc Streisand, Owner, Marc Allen Fine Clothiers
- Episode 6 – October 26: Jeff Merhige, CEO YMCA – Pawtucket, MacColl, and Camp Westwood
Each episode explores a different guest’s path, perspective, and connection to the regional business community, offering listeners insight into the work and the people behind Rhode Island’s economy. The podcast is recorded at Chamber member Dan Phillip’s Retina Creative Lab in East Providence. Additionally, each episode features production assistance from members of NRICC’s Emerging Leaders Council.
NRICC President & CEO Monika Zuluaga helped kick off the series as the very first guest. She shared, “It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but as business owners and leaders, the hard parts are what we rarely talk about. Work & Wonder is about hearing local leaders speak honestly about both, because that’s what actually helps other founders keep going. Getting to open the series as our first guest was a full circle moment for me, and it’s just the start. We have 12 episodes lined up through the rest of 2026, and Season 2 is already taking shape.”
Work & Wonder is available now at Work & Wonder RSS Feed, with new episodes releasing every other Monday.
We found Work & Wonder HERE
About the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce
The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce (NRICC) is Rhode Island’s leading business advocacy and professional networking organization, working to convene local leaders and to promote and protect the interests of its members and the greater business community. Originally based in Northern Rhode Island’s 13 communities including Cumberland, Lincoln, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Scituate, Foster, Glocester, and Woonsocket, the Chamber’s network today extends throughout Rhode Island and into Providence and Southern Massachusetts. The Chamber’s mission is to strengthen the economic climate through business leadership that fosters member and community prosperity. The NRICC is headquartered at 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Building 1, Suite 107, Lincoln, RI 02865. Learn more at nrichamber.com.