ICONic Talk

Join Mark and Rachel as they chat with Jeremy Blaustein and Elizabeth Albert of Shenandoah Summer Music Theater to explore how this vibrant local company keeps the arts thriving in our Winchester community with behind the scenes conversations and previews of the upcoming season.

The team sits down with Jared Mounts of Jake's Bait and Tackle to discuss the joys of outdoor activities along with his journey as a teacher, coach, and ultimately a leader in our local fishing circles.  Links for the Episode:Frederick County Bass HomepageLocal Events:MSV Pottery Show & SaleHop Blossom Craft Beer FestivalBelle Grove Garden FestFather's Day Car Truck Show, Middletown Community Park

Mark and Caleb sit down with Abby Linaburg, co-owner of Wholesome Media, to talk about the latest social media marketing trends and share practical tips to help you promote your brand more easily and effectively.Links for the episode:Wholesome Media HomepageUpcoming Local Events:Healing Field of HonorICONic Talk local sponsors:ICON MediaMark Francis Realtor

Learn all about Claudio's Pizza as Mark, Caleb, and Rachel chat with co-owner, Tommy Buono, as he shares his passion for soccer, pizza, and our local Winchester community - plus get the recap of last week's Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival!Links for the Show:Claudios Pizzeria Home PageUpcoming Events:Garden Fair - May 10-11, Blandy FarmMurder on the Orient Express - May 9-24, Winchester Little TheaterShenCoLab - May 17, Shenandoah University

Mark, Rachel, and Caleb share their past experiences with The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival and chat about the various events that they are excited about!Links Below:The Bloom's Events:https://www.thebloom.com/events.htmlPast ICONic Talk episode about Apple Blossom…All Things Apple BlossomICONic Talk · April 7, 2022All About ApplesICONic Talk · March 30, 2023

Caleb and Rachel officially join Mark as the co-hosts of ICONic Talk and talk about the hopes and dreams of how this podcast can impact the local community and beyond…with plenty of jokes and cackling at the same time!

What would you like to see open up in our Winchester area?  Mark invites friends back to the show to discuss their viewpoints of that topic - Caleb Pearson and Rachel Racey.

Mark shares his take on what the current real estate market looks like in Winchester/Frederick County, as well as the one year follow up report to the NAR settlement that happened last year.Upcoming Events :Friday, March 14, 6:30pm-9:30pm @ West Oaks Market“St Patrick's Party”https://www.westoaksfarm-market.com/events/st-pattys-party-at-west-oaksSaturday, March 22, 6:30pm-8:00pm“Sip and Savor” - live theatrical sitcomhttps://friendsofoldtown.org/event/sip-savor-a-live-theatrical-sitcom/Monday, March 24, 6pm-9pmRavenwood Foundation benefit screening of “A Knights Tale” @ Alamohttps://friendsofoldtown.org/event/a-knights-tale-benefit-screening-ravenwood-foundation/

Learn all about the potential future of money in this conversation with local Bitcoin expert, Gary Krause, as he shares his perspectives and knowledge on the pioneering of this leading crypto-currency.Shenandoah Bitcoin Club:https://shenandoahbitcoin.club/index.htmlUS News story on Bitcoin (February 18, 2025)https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/the-history-of-bitcoinUpcoming Events :Shenandoah University, “Monte Python's Spamalot”, February 27 - March 2https://www.su.edu/performs/event/25-02-monty-pythons-spamalot/Travelin' McCoureys concert @ Backseat Events / Backseat Bar and Grill, Friday, March 7https://www.tixr.com/groups/backseatevents/events/backseatevents-the-travelin-mccourys-128450Celtic Fest, downtown Winchester, Saturday, March 8https://friendsofoldtown.org/event/celtic-fest/

Gain a greater appreciation for servers in the restaurant industry as you hear some of the behind-the-scenes stories with Mark's chat with long-time server at “Roma Old Town”, Rachel Racey.For show notes:Roma Old Town:https://romawoodfiredpizza.comUpcoming Events :History Conference: Washington's First War, Feb 14-15https://www.shenandoahatwar.org/washingtonRestaurant Week - Winchester, Feb 17-23https://www.winchesterrestaurantweek.com“Coldest Night of the Year” Walk, Feb 22Support for WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter)https://cnoy.com/location/winchester

Gain some insights on what life in Winchester is like for young adults as they look to navigate and balance a career, a social calendar, and even dating, as Mark chats with Caleb Pearson.Links for this episode:Keystone gatherings, Thursday evenings @ 7pmFellowship Bible Churchhttps://fbcva.org/keystoneChocolate Escape, Saturday, February 8, 2pm-5pmDowntown Winchesterhttps://friendsofoldtown.org/event/chocolate-escape/

Mark chats with Dr. Diane Schnoor, as she shares how her passions in education, story-telling, and the arts, all led her to her current career path of mentoring and assisting educators around the world with her company, “Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning”.Today's Guest:Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learninghttps://www.drdianeadventures.comUpcoming Events :Friday, January 17 @ 8:00pmImprov Comedy with Porkchop Volcanohttps://allevents.in/winchester/improv-comedy-with-porkchop-volcano/100001088767656369Saturday, January 18 - 11:00am-1:00pmWriter's Group (with Project Write) @ Handley Libraryhttps://allevents.in/winchester/project-notebook-writers-group/200027711320345Saturday, January 25 - “The Bloom: Cash Party!”Millwood Station, 5pm-10pmhttps://www.thebloom.com/cash-party.html

Discover the future vision for downtown Winchester and the transformation of “Winchester Main Street” into “Friends of Old Town” as Mark sits down with Executive Director Brady Cloven for an insightful conversation.Friends of Old Town:https://www.facebook.com/people/Friends-of-Old-Town/61566981196869/?_rdrUpcoming Events :Jan 3 - 18, Winchester Little Theater, “The Witness Tree”https://winchesterlittletheatre.org/production/the-witness-tree/Jan 15, “Friend of Old Town” meeting @ Winchester Brew Works, 3pmhttps://www.facebook.com/events/615132037869111

Mark shares parts of his favorite ICONic Talk conversations from 2024 and breaks down what makes this podcast so special to our local Winchester community.Upcoming Local Events:Nutcracker by Virginia Youth Ballet @ John Handley High SchoolDecember 21-22Walking in a Winter Wonderland @ Clearbrook ParkEvenings running until January 1New Year's Eve Celebration – Glow Party / Laser Light Show and “Apple Drop”December 31, 1:30pm-12:00am

Listen how Dr. Colette Sabbagh fell in love with our town of Winchester when she and her family moved five years ago - and learn from her what it takes to get connected and be a valuable member of the community.  (And there are some bonus tips on good practices on flu/cold prevention!)Upcoming Events :Nutcracker Tea, as The Tea CartDecember 5-29https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/nutcracker-tea/Follow the Star, at Fellowship Bible ChurchDecember 8 and 9https://fbcva.org/followthestarWinchester Old Town Winter VillageDowntownDecember 6-8https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/winchester-winter-village/Holiday Tours at Belle Grove PlantationDecember 6-30https://www.bellegrove.org/calendar/holiday_tours

Mark chats with local historian and author, Mike Robinson, as he unpacks the “tales” of Winchester over the centuries, giving a fun way to reflect and be grateful for our local community in this Thanksgiving season!Links for the episode:Winchester Tales:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057264977086Upcoming Events :Saturday, November 23, 11am-4pm“Winter Wonderland Christmas Market”War Memorial Building @ Jim Barnett Parkhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/winter-wonderland-christmas-market-2/Thursday, November 28, 8:45am“Thanksgiving Day 5k and Fun Run”Sherando Parkhttps://www.runatthetop.net/thanksgiving-day-5kFriday-Sunday, November 29-December 1“WINdependent Weekend!”Old Town Winchester shoppinghttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/windependent-weekend-2/

The results are in! And so Mark breaks down the winners and losers nationally and locally, and what you can anticipate in our local area as now that the election season is behind us.Links for the episode:Election results:https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/frederick-county/elections/2024NovemberGeneralhttps://enr.elections.virginia.gov/results/public/winchester-city/elections/2024NovemberGeneralFinancial implications:https://nypost.com/2024/11/06/business/trump-projected-white-house-win-sends-dow-futures-up-1000-points/Real estate implications:https://www.thestreet.com/real-estate/2024-election-will-have-surprising-effects-on-the-housing-marketUpcoming Events :SU, “Waitress”, November 14-16https://www.su.edu/performs/event/24-11-waitress/MSV Garden Lights exhibit opens, November 15-December 1)https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/garden-lights/

Learn about the status of the current fall real estate market along with some of Mark's favorite things about fall - including top podcasts he listens to!Upcoming Events :Ravenwood Faire, Oct 25-27 @ Fred Co Fairgroundshttps://ravenwoodfaire.us/tickets/Haunted Tour of Historic Blue Ball Inn, Oct 26-27https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/haunted-tour-of-the-historic-blue-ball-inn/2024-10-26/Little Shop of Rocky Horror Murder Mystery Dinner, Oct 31 @ Wayside Innhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/little-shop-of-rocky-horror-murder-mystery-dinner/Harvest Hoedown - Sat, Nov 2 (5pm-10pm) @ Landfill Lodge(Presented by The Bloom)https://www.thebloom.com/harvest-hoedown.html

Mark chats with Bob Hess, a former local public servant in both Frederick County and Winchester, who displays his passion for government and history as he breaks down the landscape of our local political affairs.Links associated with this episode:https://www.winchesterva.gov/Government/Votinghttps://www.fcva.us/departments/office-of-elections-voter-registration/elections

Mark connects with Dave Compton, a Pastor a Congregational Care & Seniors at Fellowship Bible Church, as they discuss all things related to the high quality of life for retired adults in Winchester, which is consistently one of the top retirement towns in the country.Links for the episode:Fellowship Bible Church, Seniors gatheringsEvents:September 28, 7:30pm - Shenandoah University, Symphony Orchestra concertOctober 3-6 - Shenandoah University, Legally BlondeOctober 4-6 - North-South Skirmish Association events

Mark shares a bit of his own personal story of what led him to Winchester and his various career paths, all leading up to hear more about how he spends his time on a daily and weekly basis to best serve those he works with.Upcoming Events :Charity Dog Walk and Pool Pawty - Saturday, September 14, 10AM-3PMSherando Park and Poolhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/charity-dog-walk-and-pool-pawty/A Scottish Evening at the Battlefield - Saturday, September 14, 6PM-7:30PMKernstown Battlefieldhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/a-scottish-evening-at-the-battlefield/Celebración of Winchester Festival - Saturday, September 21, 12PM-4PMOld Town Mall downtownhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/celebracion-of-winchester-festival/Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival - Sat-Sun, September 21-22Frederick County Fairgrounds(Presented by Rotary Club)https://www.rotaryclubofwinchester.org/index.php/shenandoah-apple-harvest-festival/

Mark tackles some of the listener's tough questions about the new NAR settlement.Upcoming Events:August 31:● Exoticon: Exotic Pet Expo: 9AM-4PM. Millwood Stationhttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/exoticon-exotic-pet-expo/● Patsy Cline Block Party: 10AM-4PM. 608 South Kent StreetWinchester, VA 22601.https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/patsy-cline-block-party/September 7:● Comic Expo: 11AM-3PM. War Memorial Buildinghttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/comic-expo/● Picklechester Festival: 11AM-5PM, West Oaks Marketplacehttps://visitwinchesterva.com/event/picklechester-festival/

Mark gives his opinions and thoughts on the new changes in the real estate market due to the NAR settlement - what are the things the media ISN'T telling you!Related Links to the Show:NAR Reminder - https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/national-association-of-realtors-reminds-members-and-consumers-of-real-estate-practice-changeCNN post - https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/12/economy/nar-realtor-settlement-august-commissions/index.htmlToday Show video - https://www.today.com/video/how-changes-to-real-estate-broker-commission-fees-will-impact-you-217134149754Events:Saturday, August 17:Middletown's Annual Car, Truck, and Tractor Show: 3-8PM. $10 entry fee. 7793 Main Street, Middletown, VA 22645https://www.middletownva.gov/2024/02/06/14t-annual-car-truck-tractor-show-saturday-august-17-2024/Saturday, August 24:Belle Grove Wine Fest: 11AM-6PM. 336 Belle Grove Rd. Middletown, VA 22656.  Live music, tastings, food and artisan/merchandise vendors.https://bellegrove.org/calendar/winefestWatermelon Wine Festival: 12-5PM. James Charles Winery. Watermelon wine slushies, local beers, complimentary glass of wine, food trucks, local craft vendors, and live music. https://jamescharleswine.com/event/watermelon-fest-2024/August 24 - September 2:“Hungry for History” Food History Event: Museums and historic sites in our community will offer a variety of programs and special events such as presentations, cooking demonstrations, children's activities, food tastings, special handouts and giveaways, historic recipes, agriculture related programs and more.https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/hungry-for-history-food-history-event/

Learn more about how you can declutter your home before selling by using a local storage unit facility, Allied Self Storage, as Mark chats with Mallory Frogale and Merideth Reyes in his on-site conversation with them.Self Storage units in WinchesterEvents:1) West Oaks Peach Festival - Saturday, August 3, 11am-5pm2) Sunset Series at Bowman Library - Thursday, August 8, 6:30pm-8:30pm3) Rt 11 Yard Crawl - Saturday, August 10, 7am-“until you drop”!

Mark chats with local author, historian, and ancestry researcher, John Flood, as they dive into local roots and even things from the Wild West!UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS:Friday, July 19● Film and Float: Elemental-7-11PM-Sherando Pool-$10.00 - https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/film-and-float-elemental/● Glow All Out 5k-7:45-9:30PM-Evendale/Byrd Campus -https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/glow-all-out-5k/ Saturday, July 20● Kevin Riley Community Day and Craft Show-9AM-2PM-Food Vendors-Face Painting-Carnival Games-Magic Show -https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/kevin-riley-community-day-and- craft-show/● Antique and Model Car Show- Museum of the Shenandoah Valley- 10AM-2PM-Free admission to the car show. Admission fee required for the gardens—including the outdoor exhibition Gardens of Glass—and the galleries.- https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/antique-and-modified-car-show/Friday, July 26● MSV at Night- Museum of the Shenandoah Valley- 5-8PM-Outdoor show from six-piece country/folk band Smoke & The Poet (sets at 5 & 6:30 p.m.), a quilling demonstration by artist Lana Lechkina, and nighttime access to the gardens and the outdoor exhibition Gardens of Glass. - https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/msv-at-night/Saturday, July 27● Reenactment of the Second Battle of Kernstown- July 27 from 5-7PM and July 28 from 3-4PM- Kernstown Battlefield -https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/reenactment-of-the-second -battle-of-kernstown/Monday, July 29● Frederick County Fair- July 29-August 3- Frederick County Fairgrounds -https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/frederick-county-fair-3/

For our Independence Day episode, Mark recounts the stories of George Washington and Daniel Morgan and the role they played in developing our local Winchester and Frederick County area.Upcoming Local Events:July 4: Frederick County July 4th Celebration and FireworksJuly 5 James Charles WineryJuly 5: Guided Winchester Walking TourJuly 13:  George Washington Hotel Concert Series July 13-20:  Winchester LIttle Theatre 

Listen to a conversation that Mark had with local lender, Ross Lehman, who shares his story on how he has built real estate wealth in our local community.Local Events (Links):Shenandoah Valley Wine Festival - Sat, June 22, 1pm-7pmSSMT, Fiddler on the RoofWest Oaks BBQ, Brews, Bluegrass Festival - Sat, June 29, 11:30am-5pm

Mark gives his perspectives on the upcoming summer real estate market, sharing some stats and stories, along with predictions of what's to come.

Mark chats with co-owners of CrossFit Vicerant, Merideth and “Rey”Reyes, as they share their story of becoming gym owners and how they celebrate Memorial Day with the intense workout called “The Murph Challenge”.Related Links to the Show:History of MurphCrossFit VicerantEvents Coming Up:Winchester Police Car Show - Sat, May 25, 12pm-4pmWest Oaks Strawberry Festival - Sat, May 25, 11am-5pmLoudoun St Mile - Mon, May 27, 8amHop Blossom Craft Beer Festival - Sat, June 1, 12pm-6pm

Mark swaps stories with co-host, Danielle Spriggs, discussing post-Apple Blossom recap along with the history of Mothers Day and its significance to them.Upcoming Events:ShenCo Labs…Sat, May 11Mother's Day Brunch…Sun, May 12 - Shen ValleyMother's Day…Sun, May 12, Winchester Brew WorksChorale Concert…Fri/Sat, May 17/18Fort Loudoun Day…Sat, May 18

Mark shares his take on the NAR settlement, including what it means to buyers/sellers and our local Winchester/Frederick County area.

Mark chats with ICON's newest real estate agent and recent college graduate, Taion Clanton, as they unpack the journey of high school to college into the workforce for today's young adult generation.Taion ClantonEvents:Abram's Creek Nature WalkSat, April 13, 8:30am-10:30amSolenberger's Hardware Car, Truck, Motorcycle and Tractor ShowSat, April 20, 9am-3pm97th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival!

Mark chats with owner of Moran & Associates, Jim Moran, as they dive into the world of heating and cooling your house - all with efforts to keep you comfortable in every season!Events:Easter weekend…church servicesEaster Brunch - Village Sqaure, 11am-3pmGW Hotel 100th Anniversary Celebration…Sat, April 6“Evening with Orleans”Brunch Bar @ James Charles Winery…Sun, April 7

Mark unpacks the current status of the real estate market in the local Winchester area, including details and tips for buyers who are curious about new construction properties.Events:St Paddy's Celtic FestDowntown, Sat March 16, 12pm-10pmKite Flying FestivalKernstown, Sun, March 171pm-4pmDancin' OutSUMarch 22-24She Kills MonstersSUMarch 21-24

Mark gets a chance to sit down with fellow-podcaster, Brian Dick, as they chat all about the music landscape in the Winchester area and the stories that Brian uncovers in his show, “Musician's Cafe”.Upcoming Events:Sat, Mar 2, 8:30pm-11:30pmKat Atomic at Backseat Bar and GrillSun, Mar 3, 12:30pm-3:30pmWinter Sundays @ Shenandoah Valley Discovery MuseumThu, March 7Harlem Globetrotters, 6pm-9pmSat and Sun, Mar 9/10 Valley Vipers home games at SU

Mark chats with new real estate agent, Danielle Spriggs, as they discuss common interactions, questions, and misconceptions with today's buyer in the Winchester area.Here are the local events promoted at the end of the episode:Sports Card / Pokémon card showSat, Feb 17, 9am-3pmMillwood Station “Bingo” HallSomeone Special Sweetheart DanceSat, Feb 17, 3pm-8pmWest Oaks Farm MarketWinchester Restaurant WeekFeb 19-25SU - “Pippin”Thur, Feb 22 - Sun, Feb 25 

Mark shares a great option for parents to give their children after-school exercise and team-building opportunities by chatting with owner of East Coast Gymnastics and Cheer, Mandy Van Fossen. East Coast website: https://ecgymnastics.com/Event links:FredCo EatsAll week…January 29 - Feb 4African American Heritage Trolley TourSat, Feb 3, 1pm-2pm - Free!ValenWine's Day Event @ James Charles WinerySaturday, Feb 10, 2pm-5pmGalentines Day @ The Wine Room (Taylor Pavillion)Tuesday, Feb 13, 5pm-10pm

Mark chats with owner of Hope Restored Credit Repair, Megan McLaughlin, who unpacks how she can assist with boosting your credit score, allowing for you to be eligible to acquire a loan for a home purchase when you may think it's a lost cause.Here's her website:Hope Restored Credit RepairEvents this weekend:Karaoke Night at West OaksApple Blossom Casino and Cash PartyEvents next weekend:MSV Mini-ConWinchester Bridal Expo

Mark shares his new year resolutions, his summary of 2023, and his predictions for 2024 all on this fact-filled first episode of 2024!Here are the links for the various events and details talked about in todays episode:Interest Rate DetailsJurassic Empire - SportsplexJanuary 6The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Winchester Little TheaterJanuary 5-20Terrarium Workshop - West OaksJanuary 10Brunch Bar - James CharlesJanuary 14

Dive a little deeper into Mark's story as he chats with his Physician Assistant superstar wife, Erika Francis, to discuss a variety of topics including what brought them to town, their appreciation of the Winchester area, and a few of their family Christmas “traditions”.Links:Holiday Tours At Belle GroveNew Year's Eve Celebration – Glow Party and Laser Light Show

Mark chats with Team Market Owners of the Virginia Valley Vipers, Rodney and Tina Culbreath, as they share their vision of bringing professional basketball to our area with the purpose of enriching our community.Links:Virginia Valley Vipers: https://virginiavalleyvipers.com/Holliday Wreath Making Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-wreath-making-workshop-tickets-704963473727

Mark unpacks the history behind Thanksgiving, shares his gratitude for the this season, and celebrates the people of the Winchester area that make it a great place to live.

Mark connects with two of the brothers who make up “Brothers Residential Contracting”, Drew Sanford and Tyler Percy, as they share their experiences in kick-starting their contracting business as new residents of the Winchester area.

Get the full picture “state of the union” update on all things loans, interest rates, and beyond, as Mark chats with lending expert, Marlin Beitzel, from Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation.

Mark chats with ICON Real Estate's office expert, Olivia Baber, and aspiring real estate agent, Danielle Spriggs, as they unpack the fun of the fall season in Winchester, VA!

Mark chats with owners of Shenandoah Music, Matt and Jason Strosnider, as they share their love for music and love for our community.

Mark brings on a guest co-host, Danielle Spriggs, as they chat about the life of a realtor and what it takes to be successful.

Mark reflects on the history of the Labor Day holiday and also spotlights the top 5 organizations in the Winchester/Frederick County area and how they help strengthen our community.Local event links:Hungry for History:https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/hungry-for-history-food-history-event/Patsy Cline Block Party:https://visitwinchesterva.com/event/patsy-cline-block-party/

Mark has local football expert, Josh Kirby, in the studio to chat about the upcoming season of our local high school football teams, giving run downs of each team along with some predictions.

Mark chats with local appraiser, William Orth, to get his take on the status of how the real estate market is in our local region.

Mark chats with the owner of True North Group, Tom Stamulis, as he shares practical tips to protect yourself and your business from cyberspace criminals.