What happens when a simple idea to make people happy turns into a successful business?

In Episode 25 of Moore Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Briana "Bri" Azier, founder and owner of Bri's Sweet Treats in Worcester, to talk about the unexpected journey that turned homemade treats created during the pandemic into a growing local business.

Bri didn't start as a chocolatier. In fact, she says she didn't even have a particular passion for making candy. What she did have was a passion for giving back, creating happiness, and making a difference in her community. What began with Bri and her six-year-old son making treats for friends, family, and neighbors eventually became Bri's Sweet Treats.

The conversation goes far beyond chocolate. Bri talks candidly about what it really takes to become an entrepreneur: starting before you have everything figured out, learning from failure, building a network, finding mentors, taking advantage of business-development programs, and understanding why relationships matter.

She also explains why entrepreneurs shouldn't try to do everything alone—and why walking into a networking event simply handing out business cards isn't enough. Her approach helped take her from a new entrepreneur attending Worcester-area networking events to being named the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023.

Bri also discusses the role her husband and son play in the family business, her work mentoring young people, her experience as a minority woman business owner, and her vision of eventually creating a much larger Bri's Sweet Treats destination in Central Massachusetts.

It's a conversation about candy—but even more, it's about entrepreneurship, community, perseverance, relationships, and having the courage to simply start.

In Episode 24 of Moore Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Brian Doyle, Executive Director of the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction (CABI), and Melissa Belsito, Director of Student Services, to discuss the highly specialized educational services CABI provides for students on the autism spectrum with significant behavioral and learning needs.

Founded in 2014, CABI was created in response to a growing need for intensive educational programs for children whose needs could not always be met in a traditional public-school environment. The school uses the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and provides highly individualized instruction, including one-to-one and two-to-one student-to-staff ratios, along with special education teachers, behavior analysts, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The conversation explores how behavior can often be a form of communication, and how CABI uses data, reinforcement, and individualized plans to help students develop safer behaviors, stronger communication skills, greater independence, and improved academic performance.

Senator Moore and his guests also discuss the importance of preparing students for life beyond the classroom. CABI's transition programs help students develop vocational, social, and independent-living skills while building partnerships with local employers and community organizations.

The episode also takes an honest look at the cost and staffing challenges involved in providing this level of specialized care, including the shortage of special education teachers and the difficulty of recruiting and retaining staff for demanding but deeply meaningful work.

At the heart of the conversation is one goal: helping every student reach the greatest level of independence and opportunity possible—whether that means returning to a traditional school environment, entering the workforce, continuing their education, or successfully transitioning into adult services.

This is more than politics. It’s about giving every child the support, skills, and opportunities they need to build their own future.

In Episode 23 of Moore Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Dave Minasian of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 336, for a wide-ranging conversation about the skilled trades, organized labor, and the future of the construction workforce in Massachusetts.

With more than 30,000 members represented across the Northeast, the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters plays a major role in training the next generation of skilled workers while advocating for wages, benefits, retirement security, and safe working conditions.

Senator Moore and Minasian discuss why unions still matter to working families, the growing problem of wage theft and illegal contracting practices, and the challenges facing workers as housing, healthcare, education, and everyday living expenses continue to rise. They also take a closer look at careers in the skilled trades and the opportunities available through union apprenticeship programs. Menasian explains why employers aren't necessarily looking for someone who already knows how to swing a hammer—they're looking for people with the attitude, work ethic, and desire to learn. The skills can be taught.

The conversation also explores the remarkable training happening at the Carpenters' facility in Millbury—from commercial construction and welding to rigging, blueprint technology and even underwater welding. Plus, they tackle some of the bigger issues affecting Massachusetts construction today, including the housing shortage, tariffs and material costs, energy policy, major infrastructure projects, and the increasing demand for skilled workers.

For young people considering what comes after high school—or adults thinking about a career change—this episode offers a revealing look at an often-overlooked path to a middle-class career with training, healthcare and retirement benefits, without necessarily following the traditional four-year college route.

Moore Than Politics goes beyond the headlines for conversations about the issues affecting Massachusetts residents, their families, and their communities.

In this episode of More Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Dave Charbonneau, the new President of the Massachusetts Elks Association, to take a closer look at an organization that has been serving communities for generations.

With approximately 37,000 members across 54 Massachusetts lodges, the Elks support an impressive range of charitable and community programs. Dave discusses the organization's work with veterans, youth programs, drug awareness initiatives, scholarships, food pantries, schools, Special Olympics, and other local causes.

The conversation also explores the Elks' longstanding commitment to veterans, including programs that help veterans transitioning from homelessness into apartments by providing household essentials and other support.

Senator Moore and Dave also discuss the challenge facing many traditional civic organizations today: attracting a new generation of volunteers. Dave explains why getting involved doesn't have to mean doing everything—it can simply mean finding a cause you're passionate about and lending a hand.

One example is the Build a Bed program, where volunteers come together to physically build beds for children who need them—a local effort Dave is now bringing to the state level. From helping veterans and supporting students to strengthening communities across Massachusetts, you may be surprised by just how much the Elks do.

This is more than politics. It's about community, service, and finding a way to make a difference.

In this episode of More Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Dr. Bruce Moore, Professor Emeritus at the New England College of Optometry and Co-Chair of the Children's Vision Massachusetts Coalition, to discuss an issue affecting thousands of children across the Commonwealth: undiagnosed vision problems.

Dr. Moore explains how untreated vision issues can significantly impact a child's ability to learn, often being mistaken for learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Together, they explore why early vision screening matters, how improving access to eye care can help close the achievement gap, and why Massachusetts is becoming a national leader in children's vision policy.

The conversation also highlights recently passed Senate legislation aimed at improving follow-up care after school vision screenings, collecting better statewide data, and ensuring children—especially those in foster care and underserved communities—receive the eye care they need to succeed.

Topics include:

-How vision problems affect learning and reading

-Why some children are mistakenly identified as having learning disabilities

-The importance of early childhood vision screenings

-The connection between vision, education, and long-term success

-Improving access to eye care across Massachusetts

-Senate legislation to address disparities in children's vision

-Why Massachusetts is leading the nation in children's vision policy

Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare professional, or policymaker, this episode offers valuable insight into how something as simple as better vision can transform a child's future.

This is more than politics. It's about giving every child the opportunity to learn, succeed, and reach their full potential.

In this thought-provoking episode of More Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore welcomes Cesar Fernandez, Head of U.S. State and Local Government Relations at Anthropic, one of the world's leading artificial intelligence research companies and the creator of Claude AI. Together, they explore the extraordinary opportunities—and very real challenges—presented by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.

The conversation breaks down complex AI concepts into plain language, explaining generative AI, agentic AI, frontier models, and how these technologies are already transforming businesses, scientific research, healthcare, and government. Fernandez also discusses Anthropic's unique approach to AI safety, transparency, and responsible innovation, emphasizing the importance of building safeguards alongside technological progress.

Topics include:

-What generative AI and agentic AI really mean

-How Claude AI is changing business and research

-Why AI safety and independent oversight matter

-Massachusetts' leadership in AI policy and innovation

-The future of AI regulation and frontier AI models

-Cybersecurity, transparency, and responsible AI development

-The global race for artificial intelligence leadership

-How AI could transform medicine, education, and everyday life

Whether you're an AI enthusiast, business owner, policymaker, or simply curious about the technology reshaping our future, this episode offers an informative and balanced discussion about one of the most important innovations of our time.

This is more than politics. It's about understanding the future—and ensuring artificial intelligence serves the public good.

In this episode of More Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore visits Spicy Water Distillery in Millbury, Massachusetts, to sit down with founder Barry and explore the journey of turning a passion for craft spirits into a thriving local business.

Barry shares how he transitioned from corporate America to entrepreneurship, the challenges of launching a craft distillery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the art and science behind producing premium bourbon, vodka, agave spirits, limoncello, rum, and other handcrafted spirits. The conversation also highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, building community partnerships, and creating a welcoming destination where people can gather and celebrate together.

Topics include: Starting a craft distillery in Massachusetts The bourbon aging and distillation process How limoncello and agave spirits are handcrafted The challenges and rewards of small business ownership Entrepreneurship after corporate life Supporting local businesses and the Millbury community

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, craft distilling, or discovering unique local businesses across the Commonwealth, this episode offers an inside look at one of Central Massachusetts' growing success stories.

This is more than politics. It's about supporting local entrepreneurs, strengthening our communities, and celebrating the businesses that make Massachusetts unique.

In this fascinating episode of More Than Politics, State Senator Michael Moore sits down with Dr. Alissa Haddaji, founder and director of the Space Consortium and Massachusetts Space Week, for an eye-opening conversation about Massachusetts’ growing role in the space industry and the future of space exploration.

Dr. Haddaji shares how the Space Consortium connects researchers, educators, students, and industry leaders across the Commonwealth to make space science, technology, law, medicine, engineering, and policy more accessible to the public. The discussion explores everything from asteroid detection and planetary defense to space law, STEM education, and the opportunities available for students interested in careers connected to the rapidly expanding space sector.

Topics include:

• Massachusetts Space Week and STEM outreach programs
• Space law, ethics, and international cooperation
• Planetary defense and protecting Earth from asteroids
• NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and the future of space exploration
• Space careers and educational opportunities for students
• Why Massachusetts is becoming a leader in space research and innovation

Whether you're a space enthusiast, a student considering a STEM career, or simply curious about humanity’s future beyond Earth, this episode offers an engaging look at how Massachusetts is helping shape the next generation of space exploration.

This is more than politics. It’s about discovery, innovation, and inspiring the next generation to reach for the stars.