Podcasts about Blue Ridge

Welcome, Late Boomers! We're Cathy Worthington and Merry Elkins, and this week, we set sail on a truly transformational journey with Alison Gieschen—author, former horse farm owner, educator, and intrepid world sailor.Have you ever wondered what it would be like to leave everything behind and follow a lifelong dream? In this inspiring episode, Alison shares how she dared to reinvent her life, selling her horse farm and embarking on an adventure with her husband to sail around the world. From the lush hills of upstate New York to the remote islands of French Polynesia, Alison opens up about her life's boldest moves, the storms she's weathered—physically and emotionally—and how it all fuels her work as a writer.We dive deep into Alison's bestselling books, The Seven and A Mermaid's Tale, the profound lessons she's learned traveling to over 49 countries, and the universal themes of courage, culture, and resilience that weave through her stories. You'll also hear incredible anecdotes, like surviving life-threatening storms at sea, encounters with solo sailors, and how her lifelong love of horses continues to inspire her writing—even while anchored in paradise.Key TakeawaysReinvention Is Possible at Any Age: Alison's journey from horse farmer to global sailor proves it's never too late to answer the call of adventure.Facing and Managing Fear: Learn how Alison turned fear into fuel, surviving tumultuous ocean storms and emerging with a deeper understanding of her own resilience.The Transformative Power of Travel: Discover how experiencing different cultures shaped Alison's worldview and the authentic characters in her novels.Writing from Life: Hear how personal stories, hardships (like her son's bullying), and the solace of animals are woven into her fiction and children's books.Simplicity Breeds Joy: Alison discusses the happiness she's witnessed in communities with few material possessions, offering a powerful message for all of us in the West.Finding Community on the Water: Even in the vastness of the ocean, Alison found deep connection and camaraderie with fellow sailors from around the world.Actionable Inspiration for Listeners: Alison encourages everyone to carve out distraction-free time to pursue creativity—and to be brave enough to make the leap toward that “someday” dream.Ready to be inspired for your own third act—or maybe just to ignite your curiosity about life's possibilities? We invite you to:Subscribe to Late Boomers wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, etc.) so you never miss these empowering conversations.Check out Alison Gieschen's books, especially The Seven, A Mermaid's Tale, Sienna, Riding the Waves of Reality, Blue Ridge, and The Legend of Altor—perfect whether you're a horse lover, adventurer, or in need of a dose of hope.Visit our website at lateboomers.us for more inspiring content and to get in touch.

We're so over the snow and ice, Slushies. Join us as we cozy up to three poems from Hilary King. We admire the first poem's warm nostalgia towards old technology and its recollection of a burgeoning appreciation for art. Sam notes how well the poem's title prepares the reader for the poem that follows. The pairing of the projection of art and the projection of memory intrigues Jason. The setting in an art history class sends Sam to the Julia Roberts' movie Mona Lisa Smile, also set in 1953. Whether mothers or daughters, we consider how much we can know about another person's interior life.     Kathy puts on her bad cop hat, but in the nicest way possible. We're thinking about the importance of sharply observed details and how they can focus a poem from the general to the specific. In the final poem we'll clarify whether we're talking about drunk aunts or drunk ants and why either would be preferable to a drunk uncle. And Dagne questions what duties an epigraph can or should perform.   Slushies, if you're attending AWP in March, please stop by and see us at the book fair. We'll be at table 1272. We'd love to see you in person. Thanks, as always, for listening! At the table: Dagne Forrest, Tobi Kassim, Samantha Neugebauer, Jason Schneiderman, Kathleen Volk Miller, Lisa Zerkle, and Lillie Volpe (sound engineer) Author Bio: Originally from the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, Hilary King is a poet now living in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Her poems have appeared in Ploughshares, Salamander, The Louisville Review, Fourth River, Common Ground Review, and other publications. She was the 2023 winner of the Rose Warner Prize from Freshwater Review and the second place winner of the 2025 Common Ground Review Annual Poetry Prize. She serves as an editor for DMQ Review, and her book of poems Stitched on Me was published by Riot in Your Throat Press in 2024.  Author Website: www.hilarykingwriting.com   Instagram: @hilaryseessomething Facebook: Hilary Rogers King Bluesky: @hilary299.bsky.social   My Mother's Scholarship Job, 1953   In the ivied dark, she rushes to keep up. The professor barks out facts, theories, slows only for art he likes, or to hiss when she fumbles a slide, sending a Renoir sideways, her face hot in the yellow projector light, rows of girls in store-bought clothes turning to stare at her. After she was accepted, her mother began sewing, made her six versions of the same dress,  full-skirted, round necked, good as any  that ever dressed  a mannequin.  She does fumble the slides. She hasn't mastered  this machine, dazed by how it transforms a square into the magnificent. Monet's shimmering train station, Van Gogh's glowing garden at Arles. She never tells her mother she wears dungarees for the class she takes over and over again, the machine oily, trapping her in the dark, in the back, never up front, her pencil poised  like a fork for a feast. Nest She turned thirteen and shut her door on us. We let her, let her make a freedom of those four walls. What she did, watched,  heard, learned, hid– we had only outlines,  fear and hope filled in the rest. Mornings she stepped over the threshold, shouldered her childhood, cycled towards the gristmill. Afternoons she returned, spent, recovered only with the door closed. Gone just yesterday, grown enough to go, I leave her door open, let it swing like memory. How to Be Peonies              from Trader Joe's   Enter the house in a shroud. Allow the presence of water. Exist as a fist. When no one is looking, peep out one pink petal. That night, alone again, unfurl another. Watch them walk past the golden pollen you fed the table. Get drunk on your own beauty, open your face wide as a drunk aunt's smile. One day later, die spectacularly, fabulously your magenta remains scattered like broken glass.

Downtown Blue Ridge is about to turn electric. Sandra Parrish talks with Troy Shirbroun of the Blue Ridge Business Association about the 15th annual Fire & Ice Chili and Craft Beer Festival — the biggest one yet. From a record 24 chili competitors to 36 ice sculptures, live carving demos, craft beer, live music, and Valentine’s Day fun, Troy shares why this hometown celebration draws thousands every year. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or download our app to stay connected! Saturdays with Sandra www.1011thepulse.com ios App Android App Advertise with Us Fire & Ice Chili Cook Off & Craft Beer Festival Chapters00:00 Introduction and Banter00:32 What Makes Fire & Ice Special01:15 Chili Competition and Tasting Details01:58 Ice Sculptures and Live Carvings02:23 Craft Beer, Music, and Vendors03:40 Valentine’s Day Activities04:20 Event Schedule and Final DetailsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with master bamboo rod builder and engraver Bill Oyster of Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods about bamboo craftsmanship, building rods at the highest level, and the weeklong class in Blue Ridge, Georgia that fulfills Bill's 30-year dream of making a split-cane fly rod.Bill and Bill walk through how Oyster got his start—from fly fishing as an escape after bicycle racing and a life-changing accident, to teaching himself bamboo rodmaking from books, building his first 7-foot 3/4-weight, and eventually turning a surprise wave of early orders into a full-time shop.They also break down what makes Oyster's classes unique—finishing a complete rod in six days with all tools and materials provided, optional upgrades like engraving and extra tips, and the community aspect that keeps students coming back year after year.They close with a quick history lesson on split-cane bamboo as an American-born craft, plus why modern bamboo rods belong in today's fishing—including serious saltwater applications like redfish, specks, and beyond—and tease a follow-up episode after Bill and Aaron complete the class.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp

There is a theory that both the next podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement as well as the next written version might be delayed out of some sort of concern about whether the internal numbering system is equipped to deal with the impending approach of the 1,000th edition. At least, that is one possible explanation of why it has taken so long to produce these older stories from the last week. There was a slight disruption in the routine which sometimes results in delays. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I look forward to sorting it all out.Audio versions of stories previously sent out in the newsletter: * Charlottesville City Council agrees to reallocate funding intended to run low-barrier shelter (read the story)* Charlottesville's finance director presents more details on city's $8.5 million surplus (read the story)* The 700 block of Charlottesville's West Main Street is now known as “Mel's Walk” (read the story)* Albemarle's Economic Development Authority agrees to spend $500K on Boulders Road Extension (read the story)* Supervisor Mike Pruitt shares information on CARTA with fellow elected officials (read the story)* The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission will try again for federal funding for design of Rivanna pedestrian bridge (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Cville Village seeks volunteers!Can you drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment? Change an overhead lightbulb, plant a flower, walk a dog for someone who is sick, visit someone who is lonely? If so, Cville Village needs you!Cville Village is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization loosely affiliated with a national network of Villages whose goals are to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible, and to build connections among them that diminish social isolation. Volunteers do small chores for, and have gatherings of, professors and schoolteachers, nurses and lawyers, aides and housekeepers. Time and chance come to all – a fall, an order not to drive, failing eyesight, a sudden stroke. They assist folks continue living at home, with a little help from their friends.Cville Village volunteers consult software that shows them who has requested a service and where they are located. Volunteers accept only the requests that fit their schedule and their skills.Volunteering for Cville Village can expand your circle of friends and shower you with thanks.To learn more, visit cvillevillage.org or attend one of their monthly Village “meet-ups” and see for yourself. To find out where and when the next meetup is, or to get more information and a volunteer application, email us at info@cvillevillage.org, or call them at (434) 218-3727.End notes for #998-AMy thoughts were well-intentioned. As I was producing stories last week, I did produce the audio but I did not post them to the Information Charlottesville website. Somehow I forgot that finished audio segments had been made and it felt like a slog to have to do the audio again.This is because the radio version did not air last week and so I didn't feel the same pressure to follow all of the steps. This week there will be a radio show and I have enough material that I am considering slowing down a little this week to focus on business and administration things.Also, it is going to be in the fifties later and I want to go for a walk and watch the ice and snow melt. So I am going to aim to have the next newsletter out tomorrow. That will be #999 and after that will be #1000. No comma. I think that's how I'll get through adding a fourth digit.Another reason things were difficult this week is that my copy of Adobe Audition reset and a lot of my bookmarks disappeared. Because I could not see the recent links to session files, I assumed I had not produced them.I'm writing this as I produce the podcast and also missing are my links to various sound files I use as punctuation in between stories. Youngers versions of me used to love playing around with audio production. I still do, but these days the need to produce takes the capacity away from being creative.Which is why this may be a week I listen to my brain and take a slight reset. All I know is that I'm very glad to have this edition done and to have a few hours off away from writing. There are many stories to tell, but there are also days I need to do a little more.Oh! Another reason this week is weird. For some reason, the gain on the headphones for my recording set-up is really low so I can't really hear myself while narrating. This is an annoyance but also causes issues. Perhaps I'll spend the rest of the day setting up a new place to work! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Today we tell not one but two stories, both involving the same community in Fannin County, Georgia. In 1864 two men, brothers-in-law Elisha Stanley and Evan Hughes, became the victims of a gang of violent bushwhackers who terrorized the area during the Civil War, leaving their families to pick up the pieces. Forty years later, in 1906, the Tilley Bend massacre occurred in the same area, causing a local woman, Elizabeth Bradley, known as a "Granny Woman" and healer, to place a curse on the community, in the process creating what may be the most well-known bit of Appalachian folklore in that part of Georgia. If you enjoy our stories, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast app. If you'd like an ad-free version of the podcast and other extras, like unreleased episodes and other content, go to our podcast host, Spreaker, and become a supporter of the Stories podcast!Thanks for listening

Katherine Rogue started not four years ago, but is wasting no time, spending as much time on stage as possible. She and Dan chat about coming up in comedy in a rural area, the trap that is feeling like you have to write new material weekly for the same crowd, and how having a background in other art forms has helped with stage presence. Also, how being observant while out helps with material, the “club” that is comedy, the vital importance of being able to pivot to other material, and the age-old advice of being honest about your time. Crowd work, comedy festivals, and if Dan has ever experienced a break-up! This episode covers it all!Katherine RogueKatherine Rogue is the matriarch of the Blacksburg, VA comedy scene. Her minivan humor can take a sharp turn as she explores observations from parenting, general life, and the upcoming doom of menopause.  Katherine has been a first-round loser in Game of Jokes, the Ultimate Comic Challenge, and Blue Ridge Comedy Knockout. She produces shows in the New River Valley of Virginia and performs throughout Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee.https://linktr.ee/ComediansGoneRogueOur Sponsors Visit any of the following sponsors and use promo code "AOBPOD" at checkout to receive:20% off an item at Liqure Gummies: https://liqure.com/ 15% off an item at Old Glory: https://oldglory.com/ 20% off an item at Aspire Drinks: https://aspiredrinks.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-art-of-bombing-a-comedy-podcast--5788059/support.Art of Bombing:"Nobody Had a Podcast Called The Art of Bombing" Theme by John Hult https://johnhult.bandcamp.com/album/half-a-life-to-recoverWebsite: http://artofbombingpod.comLinks: https://linktr.ee/artofbombingpodBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-art-of-bombing-a-guide-to-stand-up-comedy--5788059/support.Hosts:Dan Bublitz Jr: http://www.danbublitz.com/ Larry Smith: https://larrysmithcomedy.com/

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Blue Ridge, one of the most popular mountain cabin destinations in the Southeast.This episode highlights just how wide the performance gap is in Blue Ridge — where top-performing properties can earn more than double what average listings make in the same bedroom category.Inside the data, you'll learn:What 3-bedroom cabins earn at average vs. top-tier performanceWhy occupancy swings in Blue Ridge are some of the largest we've seenWhy adding a 4th bedroom doesn't always move the needle — unless you're a top performerHow 5-bedroom properties unlock a massive revenue jump when executed correctlyWhy 6+ bedroom homes can exceed $250K per year in the top tierThe takeaway is clear: Blue Ridge strongly rewards great locations, views, amenities, and execution, while average properties leave a lot of money on the table.Whether you already own in Blue Ridge or are underwriting a potential cabin investment, this episode gives you the real numbers to understand where the upside truly lives.Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we'll bring the data.

Hey there, neighbors. Fred Talley here from Faith Pest Control. If you're reading this, there's a good chance you just walked into your kitchen, flipped on the light to grab a glass of water, and saw something scurry across the counter. That sinking feeling in your stomach? I get it. We take a lot of pride in our homes here in Jasper, and seeing a roach feels like a personal insult. But before you go out and buy every bug spray on the shelf at the hardware store, let's take a breath and talk about a game plan. Here is exactly what you should do if you spot a “uninvited guest” in your kitchen. 1. Identify Your Enemy Not all roaches are the same. Up here in North Georgia, we usually see two main types: The Smokeybrown or American Roach: These are the big ones (sometimes called “palmetto bugs”). They usually live outside and wander in by mistake. The German Cockroach: These are smaller, light brown, and have two dark stripes on their heads. These are the ones to worry about. They live indoors, multiply faster than you'd believe, and love your kitchen. 2. Clean Like You've Never Cleaned Before Roaches aren’t just there for the scenery; they're there for the buffet. To get them out, you have to starve them out. Wipe the crumbs: Check under the toaster, inside the microwave, and in the cracks of the stove. Dry it up: A roach can live for a month without food, but only a few days without water. Fix that leaky faucet and don’t leave standing water in the sink overnight. Seal the snacks: If it comes in a cardboard box (like cereal or crackers), move it to a sealed plastic or glass container. 3. Clear the Clutter Roaches love cardboard and paper. It's like a luxury hotel for them. If you have a stack of paper grocery bags or old Amazon boxes tucked between the fridge and the wall, get rid of them. You're removing their “hiding spots” and making them feel exposed. 4. Be Careful with the “DIY” Sprays I've seen it a thousand times: a homeowner buys a “bug bomb” or a heavy-duty spray and soaks the kitchen. The problem? If you have German roaches, those sprays often just scatter them. They'll run deep into your walls or into your electrical outlets, making the problem much harder for a professional to fix later. Fred's Pro Tip: If you see one, don’t just spray it and walk away. Try to see where it's running to. That’s the entry point we need to seal or treat. When to Call in the Pros If you see one roach during the day, it usually means there are a lot more hiding in the shadows. At Faith Pest Control, we don’t just “spray and pray.” We look for the source, use baits that the roaches take back to the nest, and make sure they don’t come back. We're your neighbors, and we want you to feel comfortable in your own kitchen again. Whether you're in Jasper, Ellijay, or Blue Ridge, we've got your back. Stay safe, stay dry, and keep those counters clean!The post Don't Panic, But Don't Wait: A Kitchen Survival Guide from Faith Pest Control first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

In this episode, Blue Ridge Ruby organizers Jeremy Smith and Joe Peck join Andrew, Chris, and David to talk about the conference returning in 2026. They explain why it's different (single-track, long breaks, and memorable community activities), what they've learned from running it, and how folks can help (speaking, sponsoring, and attending). The discussion also highlights the importance of community and in-person interactions in the tech industry, offering insights into how these events support professional growth and long-term sustainability in software development. Hit download now to hear more!  Chris Oliver X/Twitter Andrew Mason X/Twitter Jason Charnes X/Twitter

Episode 163 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – January 29, 2026 Our destination is the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia—steep, green, and loaded with incredible trout water if you know where to look. We're blue-lining small mountain streams with Mark Taylor, Eastern Communications Director for Trout Unlimited and one of the most respected outdoor writers in the country. Virginia might be the most underrated fly-fishing state in the East. Freestone brook trout streams high in the mountains, spring creeks in the valleys, and big rivers loaded with trout, smallmouth and muskies. Stick around—we're breaking it all down.   With host Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber  Contact Mark Taylor:   Destination Angler Podcast:   Website YouTube Instagram & Facebook  @DestinationAnglerPodcast  Please check out our Sponsors: High N Dry Fishing Where science and performance meet.  Check out the full lineup of floatants, line dressings, and sighter waxes at www.highndryfishingproducts.com    Facebook @highndryfishingproducts  Instagram @highndryfishing Redd's Flies Premium flies, tied with purpose.  Redd's is a family-run company built around premium, hand-tied flies that actually hold up and flat-out catch fish, delivered to your doorstep in days, not weeks.   A portion of every order goes directly to organizations protecting trout habitat and restoring rivers.  Facebook @ReddsFlies      Instagram @ReddsFlies TroutRoutes  The #1 Mapping Resource for Trout Anglers.  Podcast listeners can try one month of TroutRoutes PRO for FREE by clicking the link in the episode description. Explore 50,000 trout streams with TroutRoutes today.   Get 1 Month Free   Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes    Got Fishing  Crafting world-class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.    Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing    Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 4, 2025

In this episode, Jason sits down with Pete Schuler, Senior Vice President and Head of Consulting at Blue Ridge, who brings more than 30 years of experience in the ESOP industry. As a trusted advisor on ESOP transactions and compliance, Pete has worked across all stages of the ESOP lifecycle and offers a deep, practical perspective on what makes these transactions successful. Jason and Pete dive into the key “R's” of an ESOP transaction, unpacking critical considerations around plan design, compliance, and transaction readiness. Drawing on Pete's extensive experience advising companies, working alongside investment banks, and leading complex ESOP projects, this conversation provides valuable insights for business owners and advisors navigating ESOP planning and execution.

Halloween night, 2001. A blue moon hangs over Virginia, a celestial event so rare it only occurs a handful of times per century. Seth, a young man wrestling with his faith and freshly removed from Liberty University, decides on a whim to drive out to the Blue Ridge Parkway alone. No plan, no destination, just a quiet stretch of road under a perfect, cloudless sky. He pulls into an empty turnout, not a single car in sight, and figures, why not take a night hike? The trail is short, the visibility through the trees is crystal clear, and he settles onto a bench to take in the stillness. That's when the silence becomes unnatural. No insects. No wind. Nothing, until the snapping of twigs begins circling him from the darkness. Back at his car, things escalate. Pinging sounds strike the steel frame of his 1970 Chevy Bel Air like pine cones being hurled from the void. The tree line ahead begins shifting, figures standing where there were none before. And on the grass median to his left, flat shapes appear like blankets tossed on the ground, cloaked and hooded but with no depth, no hands, no faces. Each time Seth looks away and back, they've moved closer. Then comes the flickering, a light sparking where a face should be, like a Bic lighter that can't hold a flame. Seth has never been able to find another account like this, and we try to unpack it through the lens of his testimony, childhood trauma, spiritual access, and the strange convergence of a once-in-a-generation night. Want to listen to this episode and an entire back catalog of exclusive members-only content? Check out a Blurry Creatures membership at ⁠https://blurrycreatures.com/pages/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Been dying to get Josh on the podcast for awhile now and the stars finally aligned at the new year. He has an interesting story starting out in fitness, then becoming a professional firefighter, to then moving to the mountains to start a mountain bike shop. Not only that but he picked in my opinion one of the best places to ride mountain bikes in GA ,and maybe even the southeast, the Aska Trail System in Blue Ridge. We get into his personal story more in this podcast and then round it out with the new shop talk and their (Mulberry Gap Style) outpost. Check it out! www.bluemountainbikes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/bluemtnbikes/https://www.instagram.com/hennessey12/https://www.youtube.com/@bluemountainbikes

In this week's episode, I sit down with my husband, Jonathon Schaech, for a candid look into marriage, money, identity, and creative purpose. Together, we unpack what our financial fights have really been about, how fear shows up for each of us, and why trust — not control — has become the foundation of our partnership. Jon shares openly about the evolution of his career, the impact sobriety has had on his life and work, and how our move to Nashville restored a sense of peace he didn't even realize he was missing. We talk honestly about what it looks like to support each other's dreams without competition, how we navigated my many business reinventions, and why letting go — of perfectionism, chaos, and old stories — has expanded everything from our marriage to our creative expression. This conversation is especially for the women whose partners may not yet fully understand their entrepreneurial dreams. We reflect on the values that have carried us through 13 years of growth — faith, honesty, sovereignty, and mutual respect — and what it means to choose each other again and again. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review with your takeaways — it helps us create the exact content you want more of. KEY POINTS: 00:00 Exciting Announcement: First In-Person Retreat 01:30 Welcome to Woman of Influence 02:19 Special Guest: Jonathon Schaech 03:17 Navigating Financial Conversations in Marriage 16:33 Balancing Dreams and Careers 26:47 Reflecting on Sunsets and Letting Go 27:23 Overcoming Chaos and Shame 27:54 The Grind and Wasted Hustle 28:47 Clearing the Past and Becoming Adults 29:09 Age and Perspective in Creativity 30:03 Wisdom from Stillness and Faith 31:25 Addressing Perfectionism and Sobriety 33:51 Ownership vs. Stewardship 37:08 Finding Your True Creative Expression 41:43 Blue Ridge and Social Media Support 45:29 Hopes for Hollywood and Personal Growth 46:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts QUOTABLES: “I'm not going in there talking about my husband this and my husband that because we've already done so much of that work in our marriage. It's like I get this space to actually work on myself. And I think that that's a huge thing. And that I'm grateful for in our marriage.” - Julie Solomon  “ When we got married that day on the beach, it wasn't glamor. It was just real. And I tried to live up to those values with you and God and everything I've learned over the course of these years made that commitment to you. And you have been loving, caring, forgiving, and I couldn't imagine doing anything less. I couldn't imagine being less for you.” - John Schaech GUEST RESOURCES: IG: www.instagram.com/johnschaech/ RESOURCES: ✨ Unscripted: My First In-Person Retreat in 2+ Years — Now Accepting Applications If you've felt your voice no longer matches the woman you've become, this intimate 2-day retreat in Nashville (Feb 5–6, 2026) is for you. Unscripted is where your message, identity, and leadership come back into alignment—without pressure, performance, or shrinking. Spots are limited and application-only. Apply now at juliesolomon.net/unscripted.

Listen to this story I was told back when I was a little feller.

Listen to this story I was told back when I was a little feller.

This week, old time early radio days throwback quartet Bill and the Belles recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these novel retro performers. What began as a project to explore the space created between hillbilly and urban, between vaudeville and down home, has arrived somewhere entirely new. Bill and the Belles offers a contemporary reimagining of a bygone era, a vocal-centric performance that breathes new life into the sounds of early country music. At the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the forefront of old-time music, Bill and the Belles continue to further the music traditions of their region. From sentimental Southern ballads to the popular songs of Tin Pan Alley to regional fiddle breakdowns, a Bill and the Belles show is a celebration of the diversity country music once represented. Bill and the Belles play alongside America's top country and roots music artists as the house band for the historic radio program Farm and Fun Time presented by Radio Bristol and the Birthplace of Country Music. Lifelong musicians Kris Truelsen, Grace Van't Hof, Kalia Yeagle, and Karl Zerfas bring to the stage an uplifting show unlike any other, full of humor, high spirits, and all-around revelry. It's clear this group shares a rare musical connection and deep love for the music, and their excitement is contagious. In this week's “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Aubrey Richardson performing the traditional song “Bunker Hill,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In today's episode, you'll find Ryan and Kevin catching up on life and then jumping into the interview with a multi-talented former school teacher, master of rock slabs, forest plantings, and South Carolina yamadori collector - John Geanangel. John shared with us his bonsai origin story, how it led to becoming a headliner artist for the Bonsai in the Blue Ridge convention in 2026, and what you can expect when attending his 3(!) Bald cypress workshops there. We also discussed his methods for bald cypress yamadori collecting and growing from seed.The video version is ⁠⁠⁠⁠coming soon.Show notes, relevant pictures, and links is coming soon. Guest Info:            John Geanangel is a bonsai enthusiast passionate for his local scenery and natives in the South Carolina area. Find more of his work on his facebook page and Youtube channel which he has lots of great content on from previous years of educational effortsJohn Geanangel's FacebookJohn's YouTubeJohn's Bald Cypress Workshops for Bonsai in the Blue Ridge 2026Storm-damaged flat top bald cypress (link coming soon)Bald cypress care and refinement (link coming soon)American Bonsai Society's Bonsai in the Blue Ridge 2026 Convention Info (link coming soon)Sponsor Info:            This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ and navigate to the consignment ⁠pottery⁠ and ⁠tree⁠ pages.Community:NEW BT DISCORD ChatBT Facebook GroupSupport the Pod:            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! If you wouldn't mind please go leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!!Welcome back to Episode 389 of On the Spot Sports and in today's episode we have a very special guest, professional hockey goaltender, Anthony Shrum! Anthony and I talk about his first full season with the Blue Ridge Bobcats of the FPHL. We also talk about growing up with youth hockey in Michigan, developing through Junior hockey in the EHL, high school hockey experience at Mona Shores, 4 years of NCAA Division III hockey at Worcester State, transferring to Misericordia University and getting game experience, ECHL Training Camp, having confidence as a goaltender and how much it can help your career and so much more! We hope you guys enjoy this episode!!Thank you Shrummer for coming on the show! I had a blast!!Follow us on Instagram @on_the_spot_sports and take a listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts @ On The Spot SportsGet $25 off our guy Jamie Phillips Nutrition book for Hockey Players with the discount code "ONTHESPOT" on victoremnutrition.comLiving Sisu link: ⁠⁠https://livingsisu.com/app/devenirmem.... BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! If you wouldn't mind please go leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!!Welcome back to Episode 388 of On the Spot Sports and in today's episode we have a very special guest, professional hockey player, Carson Gallagher! Carson and I talk about playing pro hockey in the FPHL with the Blue Ridge Bobcats and playing in the SPHL. We also talk about being the reigning SPHL Rookie of the Year, All Rookie Team, lessons learned playing in the SPHL, transition to the FPHL in Blue Ridge, importance of having fun and loving the grind and so much more! We hope you guys enjoy this episode!!Thank you Carson for coming on the show! I had a blast!!Follow us on Instagram @on_the_spot_sports and take a listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts @ On The Spot SportsGet $25 off our guy Jamie Phillips Nutrition book for Hockey Players with the discount code "ONTHESPOT" on victoremnutrition.comLiving Sisu link: ⁠⁠https://livingsisu.com/app/devenirmem.... BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Alright, let’s talk about finding a good place to hang your hat around Jasper, Georgia. Fred Talley here, from Faith Pest Control, and I’ve seen a lot of homes and a lot of neighborhoods in my time. When I’m not wrangling bugs, I’m often asked by folks, “Fred, where’s the best spot to settle down around here?” It’s a good question, and one that deserves a good answer. Now, Jasper itself, it’s got a charm you can’t beat. It's that classic North Georgia small-town feel, with the courthouse square, the local shops, and a real sense of community. But what folks are often looking for are those neighborhoods and developments that offer a little something extra, a bit of that mountain air and a peaceful setting, while still being close enough to town for convenience. One of the first places that always comes to mind when you talk about popular spots is **Big Canoe**. Now, this isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s practically a mountain community all its own. You’ve got miles and miles of hiking trails, beautiful lakes for fishing and boating, golf courses that are just stunning, and a real emphasis on nature. It’s a gated community, so there’s a sense of security, and the homes there range from cozy cabins to larger, more luxurious mountain homes. It's a place where people really embrace the outdoors. I’ve been in many homes in Big Canoe, and you can just feel the tranquility. Of course, with a place like that, you’ve got your homeowner’s association fees, and it’s a bit of a drive from the main shopping centers, but for many, that peace and quiet is well worth it. Then you have areas like **Bent Tree**. Similar to Big Canoe in many ways, Bent Tree is another established, gated community that offers a lot of amenities. They've got a great golf course, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and that same beautiful mountain scenery. It attracts a mix of retirees and families looking for that active lifestyle in a secure setting. The homes here are varied, with a good number of properties offering those expansive views that make living in the mountains so appealing. Again, it’s about that balance of privacy and access to recreation. Moving a little closer to the heart of Jasper, you’ll find some lovely developments that are popular with folks who want to be closer to town amenities but still enjoy a nice setting. **The Preserve at Sharp Mountain** is one that comes up often. It offers a more traditional neighborhood feel, with well-maintained homes and a sense of community. It's close enough to jump into Jasper for groceries or dinner, but it still feels removed from the hustle and bustle. Another development that's seen a lot of interest is **Eagles Watch**. This one often features homes with larger lots, giving residents a bit more space and privacy. It’s got that beautiful North Georgia landscape, and the homes are generally well-built. It's a good option for those who want to feel like they’re in the country without being too far from town. Now, for those who are looking for something a bit newer, or perhaps a development that's still growing, there are always new projects popping up. But the established ones, the ones that have a track record of happy residents and well-kept properties, those are the ones that tend to have staying power. It's also worth mentioning that people are increasingly looking at areas just outside of the main hubs of Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge. Places like **  near Tate or Ball Ground** can offer more land for your money, and you can still be within a reasonable drive of all the conveniences. These might not be formal “developments” in the same way as Big Canoe or Bent Tree, but they are popular areas where people are building or buying homes because of the natural beauty and the more rural feel. When you're considering a move to any of these areas, it's important to think about what's most important to you. Are you looking for a vibrant community with lots of organized activities? Or do you prefer a more secluded, private retreat? Do you need to be within walking distance of shops, or is a scenic drive part of the appeal? And of course, no matter where you choose to live, you’re going to want to make sure your home is protected. That’s where Faith Pest Control comes in. From ants in the kitchen to termites in the walls, we've got you covered. We know these mountains, we know the critters that come with them, and we know how to keep them out of your beautiful new home. We've serviced many of the homes in these popular developments, and we always appreciate seeing how people have made these beautiful areas their own. So, to wrap it up, if you’re looking at the Jasper area, keep Big Canoe and Bent Tree in mind for that full-on mountain resort experience. For a more traditional neighborhood feel close to town, look at places like The Preserve at Sharp Mountain or Eagles Watch. And don’t discount the areas just outside the main towns if you’re looking for more space and a quieter, more rural setting. Whatever you choose, just remember to enjoy the beauty of North Georgia. It's a special place, and finding the right neighborhood to call home here is a great decision. And when you do, give us a call at Faith Pest Control. We’ll make sure your home is as comfortable and pest-free as it can be.The post Searching for Jasper Georgia Homes first appeared on Faith Pest Control.

Jerry returns to the show for another deep dive into the South Mountains of North Carolina—a region he calls one of the strangest “hotspot” corridors he's ever researched. Drawing from decades of local accounts, family histories, and firsthand reports, Jerry traces a chilling pattern of unexplained activity across the South Mountains, the Great Smokies, the Blue Ridge, and even the Pacific Northwest.This episode unfolds like a living archive of the weird: early-1900s stories of eerie vocalizations rolling through the hollers, barns disturbed in the dead of night, and unsettling encounters that left families questioning what really stalks those ridgelines. From Carpenter's Knob to backroads you'd never notice on a map, the stories stack up—each one different, yet threaded by the same sense of being watched, followed, or hunted.Then the episode pivots into something even darker: the black-eyed children phenomenon.Through Dave, the lifelong partner of Susan, we hear her spine-freezing encounter that followed her mother's death—a night marked by a knock at the door, a request to be let inside, and the unmistakable terror of realizing something wasn't human. Susan's experience mirrors incidents tied to her mother years earlier, raising disturbing questions about generational patterns, grief triggers, and why certain places seem to attract the unexplainable.By the end, you'll be left wondering what makes these mountains a magnet for high-strangeness—and whether some forces don't just haunt locations… but follow bloodlines.Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsEpisode Timeline00:00 – Welcome back to the South Mountains series01:35 – What makes a “hotspot”? Patterns across mountain regions03:08 – Carpenter's Knob: the encounters that won't let go08:48 – Ray's experiences in the heart of the activity17:11 – Edward's roadside encounter after dark23:09 – Susan and the black-eyed children: a generational nightmareBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Who says you have to settle for empty nights and slow seasons in your short-term rental business? Today, Kenny Bedwell, the data-driven founder of SCR Insights and host of Cashflow Positive, uncovers the single most overlooked tactic for filling your calendar year-round. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned investor tired of watching rival listings rack up bookings, you're about to learn how to outsmart the algorithm, target untapped guest avatars, and supercharge your occupancy without slashing prices or adding another hot tub.Forget the usual "add amenities and hope" advice. Kenny Bedwell shares raw stories, market case studies, and step-by-step strategies for duplicating and syncing your listings, hacking bedroom counts, and designing your calendar to capture both big groups and last-minute couples. If you want practical, counterintuitive tactics with real revenue impact, press play and get ready to rethink your entire listing game.Timestamped Highlights[00:01:00] – Understanding amenities: Differentiating what boosts ADR vs. occupancy[00:03:00] – The real #1 occupancy strategy: Duplicating listings and adjusting bedroom/guest count[00:04:22] – Buffalo duplex playbook: Parent-child listing method for seasonality[00:06:02] – The calendar hack—setting advance notice to maximize bookings in both units[00:09:00] – Blue Ridge, GA case study: How listing a three-bedroom as a two-bedroom crushes the competition[00:11:45] – Airbnb algorithm secrets: How your listing size controls visibility and booking rate[00:13:24] – Application for single-family homes—catching snowbirds, couples, and off-season guests[00:17:36] – Side-by-side and duplex strategy: What guest avatars really want (and when you lose money)[00:19:20] – The essential gathering area: Why big bookings may flop without this overlooked space[00:21:38] – Experiment, critique, and pivot—how to "round the wheel" and not just reinvent it[00:23:01] – Invitation to STR Scale Summit: Get the connections and knowledge to scale fastMentioned ResourcesHospitableOwnerRezAirbnbVRBOImportant LinksWant us to find the deals for you? https://strinsights.com Get Top Markers for STRs (2025) - https://rebrand.ly/28b1df Instagram – @kenny_bedwellYouTube – Cash Flow PositiveLinkedIn – Kenneth BedwellCash Flow Positive is an original podcast hosted by Kenny Bedwell. Brought to you by STR Insights. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Bonfire podcast! We're coming in hot after Thanksgiving weekend with stories of ultramarathon suffering, questionable bike ride decisions, and somehow surviving Black Friday madness.IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode of the High Impact Man podcast, hosts Defib and Dial Up welcome Adam Black, also known as White Wedding, from the Blue Ridge region. The conversation covers a range of topics including personal fitness journeys, the significance of community in F3, the origin of Adam's F3 name, and insights into the data center industry. Adam shares his experiences growing up in Atlanta, his family background, and how he lost 100 pounds through F3. The discussion also touches on the community's concerns about data centers and the importance of security in these facilities. In this engaging conversation, Adam Black shares his transformative journey towards health and fitness, emphasizing the importance of self-love and discipline. He discusses the positive influence of his fitness journey on his relationship with his son, the community aspect of F3, and the valuable lessons learned from jiu-jitsu. Adam also highlights the unique blend of fitness and music in his life, and concludes with a powerful message for men to connect with the world around them and seek adventure.

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! If you wouldn't mind please go leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!!Welcome back to Episode 384 of On the Spot Sports and in today's episode we have a very special guest, the Voice of the Blue Ridge Bobcats, Brett Wiseman! Brett and I talk about this season in Year 3 with the Blue Ridge Bobcats as their play by play announcer, favorite moments and calls from the 24-25 season, expectations going into year 3, building a championship team in Blue Ridge and so much more! We hope you guys enjoy this episode!!Thank you Brett for coming on the show! I had a blast!!Follow us on Instagram @on_the_spot_sports and take a listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts @ On The Spot SportsGet $25 off our guy Jamie Phillips Nutrition book for Hockey Players with the discount code "ONTHESPOT" on victoremnutrition.comLiving Sisu link: ⁠⁠https://livingsisu.com/app/devenirmem.... BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

The Human Experience - [Blue Ridge Mishmar] in Vayishlach by Rabbi Daniel Kalish

Rabbi Kalish

This week the Christmas spirit soars through song!  Joining Barry on the show is Jeffrey Alban with the Blue Ridge Singers to invite all to their concert series, "The Very Best Time of Year" (www.blueridgesingers.org)  Also stopping by is Dave Worthington with the Clarke County Community Band that will present three fun-filled Christmas concerts to benefit Chain of Checks  (www.clarkecountycommunityband.com)   

Ryan Fahey (pronounced “Foy”) — consultant, speaker, and author of four books helping educators launch and scale as entrepreneurs.Big ideas & highlightsAuthentic > algorithmic: why clear opinions outperform beige, AI-generated content.The “last 20%” of growth: being fully yourself so the right people follow.Teachers → founders: turning buried skills into offers, pricing with confidence.Speaking starter kit: assets to collect before chasing stages.“Add value daily”: the habit that compounds in life and business.Impact beyond the balance sheet—and why sticking around wins the long gameTimestamps / chapters00:00 – Cold open, baseball talk, PEI & Blue Ridge vibes03:55 – Who is Ryan Fahey? Dad, husband, entrepreneur, speaker, author05:40 – Authenticity as the growth unlock (“the last 20%”)07:50 – AI everywhere vs. human voice; why 1 real video beats 100 clones09:25 – “Don't be the mayor of vanilla town”: have an opinion, repel & attract11:45 – Niche & offers: helping educators become entrepreneurs14:45 – Humble pricing, buried skills, and making the leap efficiently16:50 – Should you write the book first? Sequencing brand → book for lift17:55 – Speaking: assets, testimonials, and building your page18:40 – First stage stories and the virtual keynote era21:33 – Listener chain: “What keystone habits make you unstoppable?”22:15 – Impact goals that don't show up on a P&L23:53 – Rodric on service, time studies, and keeping energy-rich workRyan Fahey Quotes:“Don't be the mayor of vanilla town.”“People follow real people. One piece of you beats 100 pieces of fake you.”“If you add value daily, the market will reward you over time.”“Most teachers already have the skills— they're just buried.”“Stick around long enough and you win the long game.”Resources & mentionsRyan's site: faheyconsulting.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fahey-consulting/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessrf88/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessrfRodric's foundation: Send a Student Leader Abroad (SASLA)EF Tours (context around student travel)Books referenced: Robin SharmaHousekeepingRyan's question for the next guest: “What keystone habits make you unstoppable?”Pronunciation note: Fahey = “Foy.”Resources:Million Dollar Flip FlopsFollow Us on Insta Ready to transform your business and your life while making a difference? Grab your copy of *Million Dollar Flip Flops*—the ultimate guide to creating a life and business that feels just as good as it looks. And here's the best part: 100% of the proceeds go directly to our foundation, Send a Student Leader Abroad, with a goal of sending 1,000,000...

Rabbi Kalish

Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most chaotic train robbery–slash–exorcism this side of the Blue Ridge. It's the Old Gods of Appalachia finale, and nobody's walking away clean. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research This series raised funds for the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, one of the world's leading hospitals dedicated to ending cancer through research, treatment, and education. The fight doesn't stop when the dice stop rolling. You can continue that mission right now by visiting  https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 to give what you can. Every contribution supports life-saving work and honors those who continue the battle against cancer every day. Because together, we can help make cancer history. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler, where labor, faith, and eldritch horror were all part of the same sermon. In Part 2, the pair unearthed cursed coal, Tommyknockers, and a very bad reason to keep digging. In Part 3, they barely escaped the mines—only to find not-deer, haunted orchards, and a preacher whose god might be listening a little too closely. Now, in Part 4, it all comes crashing down—literally. Our heroes steal a train, strike a deal with a devil in a suit, and decide the only way to save Williams Holler is to blow the mountain itself to hell. With flaming undead, eldritch roots, and GM-donated chaos (plus one extremely aggressive can of Campbell's Chunky Soup), this finale is a combustible mix of tension, sacrifice, and Appalachian legend. Highlights include: Jessie and Isaiah team up with Jam for one final run into the mines. A mysterious Railroad Man appears, offering a deal with infernal fine print. The players literally hijack a train to ram into a coal-fed, living mountain. The long-awaited Giant GM Intrusion arrives—turning the mountain into a wrestling ring for titans. The crew makes emotional sacrifices as Jam races to plant dynamite before it's too late. Reverend Timit returns—with canned soup as his chosen weapon of faith. The mountain collapses, salvation comes at a cost, and the town must decide what living free really means. The episode wraps with heartfelt thanks to donors, reflections on Cypher System mechanics, and a moving reminder of why these charity events matter. Key Takeaways Chaos is the point – Trains, devils, and GM intrusions combine into one unforgettable finale. The Cypher System encourages cinematic storytelling – Fast, flexible, and fueled by narrative moments over crunch. Community storytelling makes charity shine – Every donation shaped the game, creating real-time chaos and connection. Emotional stakes matter – Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam's story lands because it balances horror with heart. The mountain is more than a monster – It's a metaphor for endurance, corruption, and the cost of labor. Reverend Timit's soup throws deserve their own rulebook. The crew raised over $1,000 for cancer research – Proof that gaming communities can make a real-world difference. Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Special thanks to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for crafting the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game that makes this Appalachian nightmare come alive at the table. Experience it yourself: Listen to the award-winning Old Gods of Appalachia podcast at OldGodsofAppalachia.com Buy the RPG from Monte Cook Games: montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Play your own story of coal, faith, and fire—and see how long you can survive the holler. The mountain may have fallen, but the Old Gods are far from silent. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

As the last day of Camping for Hunger Week dawns, Janet Michael, host of "The Valley Today," welcomes listeners with a call to action: the bus is ready to collect donations for those in need. This annual event, hosted by The River 95.3, not only gathers food and funds but also shines a spotlight on the ongoing issue of food insecurity in the community. In a heartfelt conversation, Janet talks with Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, to discuss the challenges, triumphs, and the power of community support. Navigating Uncertainty: The Lingering Impact of Crisis The conversation quickly turns to the aftermath of recent government shutdown and its ripple effects. Les explains that while federal employees have returned to work, the economic consequences linger. Many families remain in arrears, struggling to catch up on bills and basic needs. Moreover, uncertainty around SNAP benefits and rising healthcare premiums continues to weigh heavily on vulnerable households. As Les notes, the demand for food assistance surged during the shutdown and shows no sign of abating. The Power of Community: Giving and Receiving Despite these challenges, Janet and Les celebrate the community's remarkable generosity. Time and again, individuals who once relied on food pantries return as donors, eager to give back. Les shares stories of federal workers volunteering their time even while facing hardship themselves, and of families who, after receiving help, now deliver food to others in need. This full-circle giving, they agree, is the glue that binds the community together. Every Contribution Counts: Dollars, Hours, and Kindness Transitioning to the topic of donations, Janet and Les emphasize that every contribution—no matter how small—makes a difference. Les highlights the food bank's efficiency, turning a single dollar into more than three meals. Janet adds that volunteering, even for just an hour, can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to join the cause. The food bank relies on thousands of volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food, and new opportunities for involvement are always available. Beyond Food: Innovation and Partnerships The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank's impact extends beyond food distribution. Les describes programs like the Partner Impact and Innovation Grants, which provide local pantries with essential equipment such as freezers and coolers. Strategic partnerships with retailers like Walmart and Martins ensure that surplus food is redirected to those who need it most. Additionally, the food bank facilitates direct connections between pantries and corporate donors, streamlining the process and maximizing the reach of every donation. Volunteering: A Pathway to Connection Janet and Les encourage listeners to consider volunteering, whether as individuals or with family and friends. Not only does volunteering address immediate needs, but it also fosters new friendships and a sense of purpose. As Les points out, sharing positive volunteer experiences can inspire others, multiplying the impact across the community. The Need Never Ends: Looking Beyond the Holidays As the holidays approach, Janet reminds listeners that the need for food assistance persists year-round. Les echoes this sentiment, noting that hunger doesn't take a holiday. The food bank serves over 171,000 people each month, and that number can spike dramatically during crises. With the cost of living rising, especially in Virginia, ongoing support is essential. Conclusion: The Call to Action In closing, Janet and Les urge everyone to contribute in whatever way they can—donating food, money, or time. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank's website: https://www.brafb.org/ offers resources for those seeking help or wishing to give back. As Camping for Hunger Week wraps up, the spirit of generosity and community endures, proving that together, small acts can fuel big change.

Welcome to this special collection episode of Backwoods Bigfoot Stories, a journey across sixty years of encounters from the deep woods of the Southeastern United States. In this episode, I share six of the most compelling accounts I've documented over the past five years—stories that take us from the riverbanks of Alabama to the swamps of South Carolina and reveal just how many secrets the South still keeps hidden.Our journey begins in Alabama in 1967, where a power company lineman discovered enormous handprints embedded in a utility pole along the Cahaba River. His face-to-face encounter with a towering creature challenged everything he believed about the world and set the tone for the stories that followed: intelligent beings that choose their moments carefully and always remain in control. From there, we move into the mountains of North Georgia in 1973, where four seasoned hunters found themselves under siege near Blue Ridge. A night of rock throwing, violent tree shaking, and dozens of stick figures arranged in a perfect warning circle around their camp left them shattered and unwilling to ever return to the woods.In Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains in 1985, a park ranger and wildlife biologist had her scientific worldview upended when a massive creature climbed her fire tower and examined her equipment with deliberate intelligence. Her experience led her to discover that the Park Service had quietly documented similar incidents for decades.The most tragic encounter comes from the Ozark Mountains in 1991, where a family camping trip spiraled into terror. A young girl watched as towering beings demonstrated their strength by crushing rocks with their bare hands. The emotional and psychological fallout broke her family apart, leaving scars that never healed. In 2002, the forests of North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest became the setting for an encounter unlike any before it. An experienced hiker spent three days in what he described as captivity with a family group of these beings, observing their social dynamics, tool use, and an unmistakable curiosity about human objects—suggesting a species far more complex than previously imagined.Our final story takes us to South Carolina in 2014, where two college biology students captured over forty minutes of high-definition footage showing a creature examining their research equipment with clear understanding of its purpose. The immediate government intervention and enforced silence that followed hinted at a much larger effort to conceal the truth. Across all six encounters, the patterns are unmistakable: the heavy musky odor that announces their presence, the massive handprints, the intelligent eyes studying and evaluating, and the sense that these beings could harm us—but choose not to. Together, these stories paint the American South as a hidden refuge for an undiscovered species, or perhaps a separate branch of human evolution that has mastered the art of staying unseen. This episode serves as both a warning and an invitation. The woods are not empty. Something ancient and intelligent is out there, watching from the edges of our world. As you listen, consider how these beings' behavior has evolved over the decades, how closely they seem to be studying us, and what it means that evidence is so quickly suppressed. These are not campfire tales—they are the testimonies of people whose lives were forever changed by what they saw. And sometimes, in the quiet space between dusk and dawn, the South's best-kept secrets step out of the darkness and make themselves known.

We're switching things up this week on the Blue Ridge Bonfire! Matt's out of town, so Logan and Rick decided to sit down and talk about our trip down to Georgia Bushcraft — what we saw, who we talked to, and what made the event stand out this year.Instead of doing a traditional recap, we wanted to give you more of a behind-the-scenes look — the drive down, the vendors we met, the gear that caught our attention, and some of the ideas we took away for the next big trip or project.If you're into overlanding, camping, or just hanging out around the fire with good conversation, this one's for you.

Join Randy, Caly, and travel writer Whitney O'Halek as they explore Charlottesville, Virginia, one of America's most historic and charming colonial towns. Discover the homes of early U.S. presidents, stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery, and the region's award-winning wine trails, along with other tips for the best things to see and do in this unique and charming destination.Subscribe to RV Destinations Magazine at https://RVDestinationsMagazine.com and use code PODCAST20 to save 20% on your subscription today!Learn more about Whitney O'Halek at https://halffullpassport.com and follow her on Instagram @HalfFullPassport.CHAPTERS00:00 About Charlottesville02:08 Skyline Drive03:22 Hiking04:14 U-Pick Farms05:47 Shopping/Downtown06:49 Wineries09:10 Presidential Homes (Montpelier/Monticello)13:41 Hot Air Balloon Ride19:13 Recommended Campgrounds

In this episode of the Southeastern Fly Podcast, host David Perry welcomes returning guest Rob Jeeves for a deep dive into DIY Fly Fishing North Carolina. Rob—who cut his fly-fishing teeth in the Tar Heel State before moving north—shares hard-earned insights on planning and fishing a self-guided trip through the region's freestones, headwaters, and neighboring tailwaters.They cover everything from gear and fly selection to reading water, fishing etiquette, and why Western North Carolina continues to call anglers back. Rob also gives behind-the-scenes stories from his YouTube channel and his recent post—Hurricane Helene series that revisited many of his favorite Appalachian streams.Highlights of the EpisodeA Lifelong Connection: Rob's fly fishing story began while studying at NC State and evolved into years of exploring mountain waters like Stone Mountain, Helton Creek, and the Elk River around Banner Elk.Freestone Favorites: Insights into fishing high-elevation brook trout streams and valley rivers—how to pack multiple rods, pick versatile flies like the Elk Hair Caddis and pheasant tail, and read tight mountain water.Tailwater Talk: A look across the Tennessee line to the Watauga and South Holston—what to know about generation schedules, long leaders, and using local fly shops for up-to-date hatch info.DIY Done Right: How to plan a North Carolina fishing trip that balances comfort and adventure—whether you're camping along the Davidson or staying in an Airbnb near Boone or Brevard (bonus tip: bring a paper map, not just your phone).Beyond the Fishing: The camaraderie of the Psycho Fly Fishers, 25 years strong, reminds us that great trips are about more than fish—community, memories, and shared time on the water.Post-Helene Perspective: Rob's YouTube series documents the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the resilience of mountain communities rebuilding their homes, bridges, and beloved trout streams.Food Stops Worth the Drive: Don't miss local gems like The Starving Squirrel, Banner Elk Café, Pie on the Mountain in Lansing, and the Old Hampton Store and Barbecue in Linville.Whether you're plotting your first DIY fishing road trip or just want to relive time on familiar waters, this episode captures the spirit, simplicity, and soul of fly fishing in the Blue Ridge. This is for sure a must-listen for anglers who want to explore North Carolina's mountain waters.ResourcesInstagram: @robjeevesYouTube: RobJeeves1972The Starving Squirrel — Great spot for coffee and breakfast in the High Country.Old Hampton Store & Barbecue — Classic Southern BBQ and live music.Pie on the Mountain — Must-stop for pizza in Lansing.Banner Elk Café — Local favorite mentioned by Rob.

SPECIAL GUEST: Pastor Jack Gill from the Blue Ridge Bible Church, And More.  Hosts: Olivia, Pastor Jack and Matt  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dum-show--6012883/support.Call In Live: +1 (276) 200-2105 Be Heard. Be Bold. No Censorship. Watch Us Here:  linktapgo.com/thedumshow  thedumshow.com #DontUnfriendMe #TheDumShow #MAGA #Trump2025 #GOP #ConservativeTalk #FreeSpeech #PoliticsUnfiltered #Republicans #TalkRadio #CallInLive #WimkinLive

This week the American contemporary mixed-media artist Anna Carll who began her painting career with very colorful figurative work, which slowly evolved into non-representational abstract work that's based on the concept of urban expansion and erosion. Anna was born in Charleston, WV in 1960. Her mother Maggie Schettler, a career nurse and teacher, and father James Carll, who worked in the auto industry, divorced when Anna was just 12 years of age. She is the youngest of six children.  Anna reflects on a troubled childhood and how she became a truant, eventually dropping out of high school and becoming a juvenile delinquent. She describes herself as a having been a sickly child who suffered from dyslexia while becoming introspective and private.  At the age of 17, she ran away from home. When she returned home six months later to her mother she went back to school and achieved her General Equivalency Diploma (GED) at 18. It was then she decided to focus on a vocation in graphic art and design by attending the Sarasota County Vocational Technical Center for 12 months. This was followed by six months at the Venice Sun Newspaper where Anna realized she still needed further training so she attended the University of Florida, graduating with a BA in Art & Graphic Design in 1984. Her career began as an illustrator and graphic artist and for 16 years she worked in Atlanta. Anna subsequently spent 12 years honing her craft as an painter in the North Georgia Mountains under the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains in the Blue Ridge area. From 1992-4 she studied with the artist Ouida Canaday before leaving her career as a graphic artist to become a full-time fine artist in 1999. Anna's first gallery representation came in 1997 with Bender Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta and she is now represented by a number of galleries in the US. Anna's work is collected by a diverse group of both private individuals and corporations in the US, South America, Europe and Asia. Anna now lives in Chattanooga, TN with her cat Sadie Mei. Anna's links:https://www.annacarll.com/https://www.instagram.com/annacarllart Anna's favorite female artists in visual arts:Current artists: Marjorie Thompson, Galen Chaney, Karen Stamper, Lynn Alker, Nicola Bennett, Cat Tesla, Bethany Kohrt, Helen Ward, Julia Bland, Jackie Mulder, Jackie Leishman, Rebecca Crowell, Patricia Kelly, Jill Stoll, Nina TichavaLate artists: Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Nevelson Eva Hesse, Ruth Asawa, Georgia O'Kieffe, Frida Kahlo Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.

This week the American contemporary mixed-media artist Anna Carll who began her painting career with very colorful figurative work, which slowly evolved into non-representational abstract work that's based on the concept of urban expansion and erosion. Anna was born in Charleston, WV in 1960. Her mother Maggie Schettler, a career nurse and teacher, and father James Carll, who worked in the auto industry, divorced when Anna was just 12 years of age. She is the youngest of six children.  Anna reflects on a troubled childhood and how she became a truant, eventually dropping out of high school and becoming a juvenile delinquent. She describes herself as a having been a sickly child who suffered from dyslexia while becoming introspective and private.  At the age of 17, she ran away from home. When she returned home six months later to her mother she went back to school and achieved her General Equivalency Diploma (GED) at 18. It was then she decided to focus on a vocation in graphic art and design by attending the Sarasota County Vocational Technical Center for 12 months. This was followed by six months at the Venice Sun Newspaper where Anna realized she still needed further training so she attended the University of Florida, graduating with a BA in Art & Graphic Design in 1984. Her career began as an illustrator and graphic artist and for 16 years she worked in Atlanta. Anna subsequently spent 12 years honing her craft as an painter in the North Georgia Mountains under the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains in the Blue Ridge area. From 1992-4 she studied with the artist Ouida Canaday before leaving her career as a graphic artist to become a full-time fine artist in 1999. Anna's first gallery representation came in 1997 with Bender Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta and she is now represented by a number of galleries in the US. Anna's work is collected by a diverse group of both private individuals and corporations in the US, South America, Europe and Asia. Anna now lives in Chattanooga, TN with her cat Sadie Mei. Anna's links:https://www.annacarll.com/https://www.instagram.com/annacarllart Anna's favorite female artists in visual arts:Current artists: Marjorie Thompson, Galen Chaney, Karen Stamper, Lynn Alker, Nicola Bennett, Cat Tesla, Bethany Kohrt, Helen Ward, Julia Bland, Jackie Mulder, Jackie Leishman, Rebecca Crowell, Patricia Kelly, Jill Stoll, Nina TichavaLate artists: Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Nevelson Eva Hesse, Ruth Asawa, Georgia O'Kieffe, Frida Kahlo Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/aart--5814675/support.

WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! If you wouldn't mind please go leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!!Welcome back to Episode 377 of On the Spot Sports and in today's episode we have a very special guest, professional hockey player, Kyle Heitzner! Kyle and I talk about starting the season up with the Blue Ridge Bobcats in the FPHL. We also talk about going from the OHL to playing professional hockey, the struggles with addiction, being sober for the last 3 months and starting a new journey, the mindset of being a hockey player, every day practices to create good habits and so much more! We hope you guys enjoy this episode!!Thank you Heitzy for coming on the show! I had a blast!!Follow us on Instagram @on_the_spot_sports and take a listen on YouTube, Spotify and Apple/Google Podcasts @ On The Spot SportsGet $25 off our guy Jamie Phillips Nutrition book for Hockey Players with the discount code "ONTHESPOT" on victoremnutrition.comLiving Sisu link: ⁠⁠https://livingsisu.com/app/devenirmem.... BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler welcome guests Megan Gahima (Missions Director, Parkway Church on the Mountain, Roanoke, VA) and Joel Wagner (Senior Pastor, Colonial Baptist Church, Blue Ridge, VA). Megan and Joel recount how a cross-denominational coalition of Roanoke-area churches formed and started partnering to bring Scripture to a Bible-less people in Southeast Asia.The conversation traces the coalition's formation where unity became the defining “current of the Holy Spirit,” overcoming long-standing denominational barriers. Practical steps included monthly prayer, a memorandum of understanding, research on translation partners, and a collective discernment period before identifying the Baker people and launching joint prayer initiatives like a citywide prayer summit. The video of the "Roanoke Current" which Matthew references: https://youtu.be/JIPoJk_5lS0The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God's people to be a part of His mission.

Today's guest Stand up comedian and owner of the Blue Ridge comedy club Shawn Carter. Hailing all he way from Bristol Tennessee we met Shawn a the Big Diamond Comedy Fest in Bentonville. He was kind enough to sit down and give us the scoop on owning a club, touring in comedy, the years it takes find your place and so much more. Go check out his comedy on all socials and if you are ever in the area go check out his club.    p.s. we had so much fun we forgot to do our job and get a photo together so here one of his photos    Links down below for all the goods. If you want behind the scenes and episodes 2 days early sign up for our Patreon it helps support the show in many ways.   As always thank you for listening.     Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/crashcast   YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/crashcast      Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crashcastpod/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/crashcastpod   Twitter https://twitter.com/crashcastpod1   Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@crash.cast   YouTube Episode https://youtu.be/3v3NjQjZuz8   Shawn Carter https://www.instagram.com/shawn_carter_comedy/   https://www.instagram.com/blueridgecomedy/  

Send us a textSmoke-filled sets, long quiet drives, and the stubborn joy of getting the joke right—this conversation with comedian and writer Ed Phillips digs into the parts of comedy most people skip. We start with the real: improv roots at a Virginia Beach Cinema Cafe, the three-month wait to get a shot, and how those early reps shaped his timing, listening, and confidence on stage. From there, Ed explains how sketch sharpened his structure and why his best stand-up sticks close to lived moments—like a Blue Ridge camping trip that became a vivid bit about fear, friendship, and a maybe-bear.We talk craft without fluff. Ed breaks down how he studies specials and sets across HBO, YouTube, Hulu, and beyond, pulling lessons on economy, escalation, and callbacks from comics like Sinbad, Mitch Hedberg, Josh Johnson, and Ramy Youssef. Mentorship takes center stage too. Honest notes from veterans like Mike East Mill cut years off the learning curve: kill weak tags, fix the angle, and don't post half-cooked material just to feed the algorithm. There's wisdom in letting a joke live in rooms until it's ready for the internet.Then we zoom out to the 757 scene. Producers are building better rooms, comics are pushing past the comfort of hometown applause, and the real growth comes from traveling—testing whether your voice lands outside your zip code. Ed shares wins (hosting at BlurCon with Orlando Jones), losses (that “brave” compliment every comic dreads), and the recovery rituals after smoke-lounge gigs and late nights before a 6 a.m. shift. Through it all, his philosophy stays simple: write honestly, perform widely, learn quickly, and dress sharp because it's you—not a bit.If you care about the craft—how jokes are built, how scenes evolve, and how comics keep going after the rough nights—hit play. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves stand-up, and leave a review with the best lesson you learned or the biggest bomb that made you better.Support the show

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Marcus King grew up in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a working class family with deep roots in music. His grandfather played country and western music; his uncle played bass guitar in the church; and his father played country, rock and roll, blues, and even gospel. But Marcus had grander ambitions than others in his family. He felt that South Carolina didn't get the respect it deserved when it came to music, and he set out to travel the world and make a statement about what was possible. Now he's out with a new album called Darling Blue, his first with the Marcus King band since 2018, and their live performances have been described by some as an almost spiritual experience. Sid talks to Marcus about the song about meeting his wife, what it was like collaborating with Billy Strings and Lainey Wilson, and the annual music festival that bears his name. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Biscuits & Jam is produced by: Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer Jeremiah Lee McVay - Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boedi and Bill break down Virginia's Blue Ridge GO Cross, the first round of the Trek USCX series with analysis and rider interviews.  Cyclocross Radio is sponsored by Hammerhead and the Hammerhead Karoo cycling computer. For a limited time, our listeners can get a free heart-rate monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code CXRADIO at checkout to get yours today. Go to cxhairsdistro.com and get a Wout Me Worry, Van der Poel Rules, and This Is Real Cyclocross Weather shirt for 20 percent off. Use the code WEATHER at checkout. Twenty percent! Check out the Grassroots National Calendar and links to CXTV at cxhairs.com. Cyclocross Radio is part of the Wide Angle Podium podcast network. Support independent cycling media by joining the Wide Angle Podium at wideanglepodium.com/donate. Also, check out The CXHAIRS Bulletin at https://cxhairs.substack.com/.  Follow @wideanglepodium on Instagram for live race updates Follow Micheal on Twitter at @landsoftly and Instagram at @yeahyouride. Follow Bill on Instagram at @cxhairs and @cxhairsbulletin. You can find Cyclocross Radio and all of the Wide Angle Podium shows on Apple Podcasts if that's how you consume podcasts. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, even if it's not how you consume podcasts.  

Headlines have recently been dominated by news that directly affects people’s lives, from the new tax cut and Medicaid law to near-daily economy updates. But those headlines don’t always capture the everyday reality for millions of Americans just trying to get by. To better understand that reality, Lisa Desjardins went to Virginia’s Blue Ridge region, where one hardworking family is struggling. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy