There are some people who just seem to know everything that’s happening in a city.

And then there are the people who help the rest of us understand it.

That’s Jeff.

When Jeff Hastings joined me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, this wasn’t just a conversation about news or photography. It was about responsibility, perspective, and what it really means to tell a city’s story the right way.

Because behind every post, every photo, and every breaking update, there’s a person making a choice about how that story gets told.

If you live in Manchester, you know Jeff.

Or at least, you know his work.

Because if something is happening in this city, chances are Jeff already knows about it, has photographed it, and has shared it before most people even realize what’s going on.

But what really stood out to me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast is that behind all of that is someone who genuinely cares about how those stories are told.

Jeff’s story starts right here.

He grew up in the North End, right behind Engine 5, and that connection to first responders stayed with him from a young age.

Photography came into his life through a mentor, and that spark turned into something much bigger over time.

He built a career.

He worked in the corporate world.

He helped launch HomeGoods for TJX.

But eventually, he realized that wasn’t where he was meant to be.

So he made a change.

And that decision led to something that now reaches millions of people every month.

Manchester Information didn’t come from chasing attention.

It came from purpose.

Jeff is very clear about what drives him.

Respect for first responders.

A desire to show what they really do.

And a commitment to telling those stories in a way that is honest and respectful.

That matters.

Because it’s easy to post something.

It’s much harder to post something responsibly.

This was something I really appreciated.

In a world where everyone wants to be first, Jeff is focused on being right.

On Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, he talked about how quickly misinformation spreads, especially in emergency situations.

And how he would rather wait and get it right than rush and get it wrong.

That mindset is a big reason people trust him.

And when you look at the reach he’s built, it’s incredible.

Millions of views.

Millions of people paying attention.

But still just one person behind it.

This part of the conversation was powerful.

Because Jeff was honest about the reality of what he experiences.

There are things he has seen that don’t get posted.

Moments that stay with you.

Situations that are hard to process.

And it reminded me that behind the camera is still a person.

Someone who carries those moments with them.

Just like the first responders he’s documenting.

One of the most moving parts of this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast was when Jeff shared his health journey.

After making positive changes and getting healthier, he was diagnosed with three different cancers.

Just hearing that stops you.

But the way he talks about it is what stayed with me.

Honest.

Grounded.

Focused on helping others.

He’s shared parts of that journey not for sympathy, but to encourage people to pay attention to their health and get checked.

And that kind of openness matters.

You know we had to go there.

And yes, Jeff is absolutely a foodie.

We talked about local restaurants, supporting small businesses, and how important it is to be fair when talking about food.

Because one negative review can impact a local place in a big way.

And I couldn’t agree more.

We also talked about places he loves, including Ignite, which he described as his version of Cheers.

And I loved that.

Because it says everything about what he values.

Connection.

Community.

Familiar faces.

At the end of the day, this conversation was about Manchester.

Jeff loves this city.

Not in a surface-level way.

But in a way that comes from knowing it, seeing it, and believing in where it’s going.

He sees the challenges.

But he also makes sure people see the good.

And that balance is important.

This episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast reminded me that the people behind the scenes often matter just as much as the stories themselves.

Jeff Hastings is one of those people.

A photographer.

A storyteller.

An advocate.

And someone who shows up for this city again and again.

And I’m really glad we had this conversation.

Watch and listen to my full conversation with Jeff Hastings and get a deeper look at the person behind Manchester’s biggest stories.

LISTEN + FOLLOW

New episodes every Tuesday -- Beyond the Plate with Carol

YouTube: youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol

Instagram: @beyondtheplatenh

TikTok: @nhbeyondtheplate

Facebook: Beyond the Plate with Carol

All links: linktr.ee/BeyondtheplateNH

ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON

Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.

Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com  |  @redarrow24diner