Podcasts about Cumberland

Tate welcomes in Coach Eric Evans II, who is entering his fourth year at the helm of the Cumberland University Men's Basketball program. Coach Evans opens up about the massive shift he has led at Cumberland—moving away from a heavy reliance on two-year transfers and focus instead on building a long-term culture from the freshman class on up. He breaks down what he and his staff look for when scouting high school talent, emphasizing that a player's character, behavior as a teammate, and coachability matter just as much as their point production. Tate and Coach Evans also dive into the ultra-competitive landscape of their NAIA conference, which Evans describes as a "low-major Division I league" featuring perennial powerhouses like Free Hardeman and Georgetown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on High School Sports Saturday, Tate Mathews takes the show on the road, broadcasting live from the TOA Sports Performance Center in Franklin for the massive BCAT Hoops Fest! With over 150 teams packed into the facility, Tate sits down with some of the best basketball minds in the region to discuss summer development, the evolving landscape of college recruiting, and the highly anticipated arrival of the shot clock in Tennessee high school hoops. First, Coach Bruce Slatten the Executive Director, BCAT breaks down the explosive growth of the Hoops Fest, the importance of getting players exposure across all collegiate levels, and the association's successful push to finally implement the shot clock statewide. Then, Coach Jason Welch the Head Coach of the Tullahoma Wildcats, provides a look into the Tullahoma program, the grind of summer ball, and how playing multiple games in a single day builds necessary team chemistry and competitive endurance for the winter. Coach Andy Blackston of the Brentwood Academy Eagles) shares his philosophy on building a Next, winning culture, defending the standard at a powerhouse program, and his thoughts on how the new 35-second shot clock will change late-game strategies. The show wraps with Coach Eric Evans II of the Cumberland University Phoenix providing a deep dive into the college side of the game. Coach Evans discusses the relentless recruiting trail, the reality of navigating the transfer portal, and building a gritty, defensive-minded NAIA program at Cumberland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate welcomes in Coach Eric Evans II, who is entering his fourth year at the helm of the Cumberland University Men's Basketball program. Coach Evans opens up about the massive shift he has led at Cumberland—moving away from a heavy reliance on two-year transfers and focus instead on building a long-term culture from the freshman class on up. He breaks down what he and his staff look for when scouting high school talent, emphasizing that a player's character, behavior as a teammate, and coachability matter just as much as their point production. Tate and Coach Evans also dive into the ultra-competitive landscape of their NAIA conference, which Evans describes as a "low-major Division I league" featuring perennial powerhouses like Free Hardeman and Georgetown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on High School Sports Saturday, Tate Mathews takes the show on the road, broadcasting live from the TOA Sports Performance Center in Franklin for the massive BCAT Hoops Fest! With over 150 teams packed into the facility, Tate sits down with some of the best basketball minds in the region to discuss summer development, the evolving landscape of college recruiting, and the highly anticipated arrival of the shot clock in Tennessee high school hoops. First, Coach Bruce Slatten the Executive Director, BCAT breaks down the explosive growth of the Hoops Fest, the importance of getting players exposure across all collegiate levels, and the association's successful push to finally implement the shot clock statewide. Then, Coach Jason Welch the Head Coach of the Tullahoma Wildcats, provides a look into the Tullahoma program, the grind of summer ball, and how playing multiple games in a single day builds necessary team chemistry and competitive endurance for the winter. Coach Andy Blackston of the Brentwood Academy Eagles) shares his philosophy on building a Next, winning culture, defending the standard at a powerhouse program, and his thoughts on how the new 35-second shot clock will change late-game strategies. The show wraps with Coach Eric Evans II of the Cumberland University Phoenix providing a deep dive into the college side of the game. Coach Evans discusses the relentless recruiting trail, the reality of navigating the transfer portal, and building a gritty, defensive-minded NAIA program at Cumberland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet new host Antoine Kincade as he and our community outreach team talk about staying safe in the summer.

In this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm pulling back the curtain on the real booking and revenue numbers from May at Cabins on the Cumberland. If you've ever wondered whether investing in direct bookings is actually worth it, this episode provides the proof. I break down exactly where our bookings came from, how much revenue each channel generated, and why direct bookings continue to outperform Airbnb when it comes to profitability. I also share the pricing strategies, marketing tactics, and guest experience considerations that have helped us grow direct bookings into a meaningful part of our business. During the episode, I walk through our May booking breakdown, explain why 29% of our bookings generated 43% of our total revenue, and share how Airbnb and direct bookings compare from a profitability standpoint. I discuss the pricing strategy behind maintaining rate parity across channels, how promo codes and email marketing support direct booking growth, and why direct guests are often less price-sensitive than OTA guests. I also explore the psychological difference between booking on Airbnb versus a branded website, how simple upsells can increase guest value, why owning the guest relationship matters, and the hidden costs of relying entirely on OTAs. Most importantly, I explain why building a brand is one of the most valuable long-term investments a hospitality business can make. The numbers from May tell an interesting story. While 62% of our bookings came from Airbnb, those reservations generated approximately 47% of our total revenue. Direct bookings accounted for just 29% of reservations but generated approximately 43% of total revenue. Airbnb produced $12,943.26 in revenue while direct bookings generated $11,927.27, leaving only about a $1,000 difference between the two channels despite a significant difference in booking volume. If you're a vacation rental owner, boutique hotel operator, or hospitality entrepreneur looking to create a more profitable and sustainable business, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Apply to work with us at theweberco.com.  Follow along for more hospitality marketing and direct booking strategies on Instagram at @theweberco.

ALSO: Indiana employers face new immigration law enforcement starting July 1, Indiana child care rankings, META AI data center training, Caitlin Clark hits game-winner as Fever take down Mystics, and Shaquille O'Neal to perform in West Lafayette as DJ Diesel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ALSO: Missing 6-year-old boy from Plainfield found dead in pond, Gov. Braun talks Bears timeline and deal being ‘real, real close' to done, Beau Bayh wins Democratic nomination for secretary of state in Indiana, and Colts gear up for mini camp.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight, we're getting in the Time Machine once again, and going back to March 19, 2004, continuing our journey to revisit the very first season of what was then known as ParaReality Radio. This episode is all about the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River, with over 60,000 enrolled members. Centered in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland counties, their cultural and political headquarters are located in Pembroke, NC. On this episode, I'll introduce you to the Lumbees and tell you what makes them special. There are rumors that they are descendants from the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Is this true? What is the evidence? To learn more, you'll need to Turn On, Tune In & Find Out! Here is Season 1, Episode 7: The Lumbee Indians. Originally airing on March 19, 2004 on Live365. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early May 2026, transport vans rolled out of Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, carrying beagles toward new lives—grass under their paws, sunlight on their faces, and homes instead of stacked wire cages. Nearly 1,500 beagles were purchased by rescue organizations like Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Beagle Freedom Project after years of documented suffering at one of the nation's largest commercial beagle breeders for biomedical research. This outcome marks a rare, tangible win for animal advocates. But it came only after daring direct-action raids, mass protests met with tear gas and rubber bullets, a special prosecutor's investigation, and persistent legal pressure. Even now, roughly 500 dogs may remain behind as Ridglan winds down its commercial breeding operations by July 1, 2026. The Ridglan story is not just about one facility. It exposes deep, systemic failures in U.S. law that leave millions of animals in laboratories with minimal protections—and even those “covered” by federal rules often receive little meaningful relief. The Raids That Forced Change On March 15, 2026, activists from groups linked to the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs breached fences and buildings at Ridglan Farms. They removed around 22–30 beagles. Some were successfully rehomed; others were recovered by police. However, an estimated 2000 beagles remained in captivity, potentially subject to additional horrific experimentation. Our guest, Dean Guzman Wyrzykowski, was one of these activists. A second, larger action on April 18 drew roughly 1,000 protesters to rescue the remaining beagles. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets. No additional dogs could be rescued that day. Dozens of protesters were arrested, including our guest on The Breggin Hour, Dean Guzman Wyrzykowski, a San Francisco Bay Area-based animal rights activist and political organizer. He is co-founder of The Simple Heart Initiative—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing species equality through open rescue, impact litigation, undercover investigations, and activist training. With over eight years in nonprofit advocacy, Dean has recruited and trained hundreds of activists and is one of the lead organizers of the Ridglan campaign. He now faces serious felony burglary charges—potentially up to 12 years in prison—along with several co-defendants for the first March 15, 2026, rescue effort. Further charges may be pending. As a top priority, we urge that the charges be reduced or dropped to reflect the vastly important ethical basis of the actions of these animal advocates. How to Help Dean Dean reports that the best way to assist him with legal costs is to become a paid subscriber to his Substack at Urbananimal.substack.com. To support ending the breeding of dogs for lab testing, go to Save the Dogs, make a donation, and join over 111,581 others who have already signed the petition to end breeding of dogs for laboratory use. These weren't the first efforts to expose and stop the abuses of these dogs. Ridglan had faced scrutiny for years, including earlier investigations. The raids amplified public outrage and accelerated negotiations between rescuers and Ridglan Farms. In late April, rescue groups announced they had reached a deal to acquire ~1,500 dogs. Transports began in early May, with many “frosted face” seniors (older dogs with graying muzzles) now adjusting to life outside the facility—initially flinching at touch but quickly learning to wag tails and play. Decades of Alleged Cruelty at Ridglan — and Why It Is Winding Down Ridglan Farms operated for decades as a major supplier of beagles for testing. Former employees and state inspections described windowless warehouses, stacked cages over waste pits, high ammonia levels, rusted wires causing injuries, and routine surgeries (including eye procedures and devocalizations) performed without anesthesia or proper pain relief—sometimes by non-veterinarians. In 2025, Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) cited Ridglan for hundreds of violations. A judge found probable cause for animal cruelty. Special Prosecutor Tim Gruenke was appointed to investigate. Rather than face criminal charges, Ridglan chose to wind down. In a negotiated settlement in late 2025, the company agreed to surrender its Wisconsin commercial dog-breeding license by July 1, 2026. This effectively ends its large-scale commercial breeding and sales of beagles to external laboratories. In exchange, the state dropped the threat of felony animal cruelty prosecutions. This agreement was driven by years of accumulated citations, whistleblower testimony, undercover investigations, and intense public and activist pressure. While Ridglan can still conduct limited on-site research under its federal USDA licenses, its days as a major commercial beagle supplier are over. Parallels with Envigo and Other Scandals Ridglan is far from isolated. In 2022, a major scandal erupted at Envigo's breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia. PETA's undercover investigation revealed severe neglect: inadequate food, veterinary care, housing, and staffing; dead puppies were left among litters; and unqualified staff performed invasive procedures. The U.S. Department of Justice intervened, leading to the rescue of over 4,000 beagles—the largest such seizure in U.S. history. Envigo (and its parent company Inotiv) later pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and the Clean Water Act, agreeing to pay a record $35 million+ in fines and shutting down the breeding operation. From the Beagles to the Breggins, Senator Bill Stanley Sought Justice for the Underdog At a state level, key Virginia state legislators were involved in advocating for stronger animal welfare regulations in response to documented Animal Welfare Act violations, poor conditions, and high puppy mortality in the facility. Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin County) was a leading champion at the state level. He visited the facility multiple times, co-sponsored several “Beagle Bills” in 2022 (e.g., SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 604) to increase oversight, close loopholes for research animals, require adoption offers before euthanasia, and penalize repeat violators. He adopted two Envigo beagles (Daisy and Dixie) and worked on adoptions/rescues. We are especially happy to acknowledge Sen. Stanley's contributions because, among several attorneys we contacted to defend us against Robert Malone's lawfare defamation suit against us for $25 million, Bill was the first attorney willing to seriously pursue our case, which ended in the presiding judge throwing Malone's case out of court. From the beagles to the Breggins, Senator Stanley has sought justice for the underdog. The Sand Fly Experiments and High-Profile Scandals Public outrage over government-funded beagle suffering peaked in the early 2020s with revelations about NIH-funded experiments under Dr. Anthony Fauci's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). One widely criticized study involved beagle puppies in Tunisia exposed to sand flies carrying parasites (to study leishmaniasis). Reports described dogs having their heads locked in mesh cages filled with infected sand flies, being used as live bait in desert cages overnight, and in some cases undergoing cordectomies (vocal cord removal) to silence barking. The experiments sparked bipartisan congressional criticism and intense media coverage. The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) and partners filed habeas corpus petitions seeking court recognition of the Ridglan dogs' right to freedom from cruelty and immediate remedies. While initial petitions faced dismissal, appeals continue for the remaining animals. Why U.S. Law Fails Experimental Animals The core federal statute is the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966 (and its amendments), enforced by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It sets minimum standards for housing, feeding, veterinary care, and handling of certain animals. Critical Limitations Include: Massive Species Exclusions: Rats, mice, and birds bred for research—accounting for roughly 95% of lab animals—are explicitly excluded. Cold-blooded animals and others also fall outside coverage. Weak Standards for Covered Species: Even for dogs, cats, primates, etc., the AWA permits painful procedures if deemed “scientifically necessary.” There is no outright ban on specific types of experiments. Self-Regulation via IACUCs: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees—dominated by researchers at the institutions they oversee—review protocols. Approval rates hover near 98%, with limited external oversight. Enforcement Gaps: Under-resourced inspections, reliance on self-reporting, and modest penalties limit impact. Ridglan itself had passed many USDA inspections despite state-level findings of serious issues. Property Status: Animals remain legal property. Novel habeas efforts like the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) challenge this but face significant judicial hurdles, as courts have historically rejected animal “personhood” claims. For those of us who learned in childhood about unconditional love from our dogs, they are not only of equal value to people, but they seem on a higher spiritual level in the love they have given to us. Other frameworks, such as the Public Health Service Policy, apply only to federally funded research and offer even less robust enforcement. The 2022 FDA Modernization Act opened doors to non-animal alternatives, but broader statutory mandates for the “3Rs” (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) remain limited. Reform efforts often stall due to powerful research lobbies, congressional agriculture committees' oversight, and public support for medical research that can overshadow welfare concerns. Broader Context and the Path Forward Ridglan and Envigo show that systemic problems persist despite occasional rescues and fines. Millions of animals continue to be used annually in U.S. labs, yet positive developments exist: growing adoption of alternatives (organ-on-chip, AI modeling, human cell cultures), increased rehoming programs, and shifting public opinion favoring stronger protections. The Ridglan victory shows that sustained pressure—investigations, lawsuits, public protest, and direct rescue—can force change where law falls short. Yet relying on activists risking felony charges is not sustainable. Meaningful reform requires: Expanding Animal Welfare Act coverage to all vertebrates. Stronger, independent oversight and enforcement with real penalties. Mandatory consideration and funding for non-animal methods. Judicial tools (like effective habeas relief) to address cruelty in licensed facilities promptly. A Call to Readers The beagles now tasting freedom represent hope—but hundreds may still face uncertainty, and systemic issues persist for countless others. Share their stories. Support reputable rescues and organizations like The Simple Heart Initiative, the Nonhuman Rights Project, Beagle Freedom Project, and others working on legal and legislative fronts. Contact your representatives and demand real modernization of the Animal Welfare Act. Persistence works. Now we must translate outrage into lasting legal change—so no more facilities like this exist in the first place. What are your thoughts on balancing research needs with animal welfare? Have you followed the Ridglan story, the Envigo case, Dean's work, or the earlier sand fly scandals? Drop a comment or share this post. References / Endnotes Wisconsin Examiner / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of Ridglan rescues and settlement (2026). Nonhuman Rights Project – Ridglan Beagles case page. U.S. Department of Justice – Envigo sentencing and $35M+ resolution (2024). Bipartisan congressional letters on NIAID/Tunisia sand fly experiments (2021). Dean Guzman Wyrzykowski / The Simple Heart Initiative statements (2026). USDA Animal Welfare Act overview and limitations. Additional reporting from WPR, Right to Rescue, and related investigations.   ______   Learn more about Dr. Peter Breggin's work: https://breggin.com/   See more from Dr. Breggin's long history of being a reformer in psychiatry: https://breggin.com/Psychiatry-as-an-Instrument-of-Social-and-Political-Control   Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, the how-to manual @ https://breggin.com/a-guide-for-prescribers-therapists-patients-and-their-families/   Get a copy of Dr. Breggin's latest book: WHO ARE THE “THEY” - THESE GLOBAL PREDATORS? WHAT ARE THEIR MOTIVES AND THEIR PLANS FOR US? HOW CAN WE DEFEND AGAINST THEM? Covid-19 and the Global Predators: We are the Prey Get a copy: https://www.wearetheprey.com/   “No other book so comprehensively covers the details of COVID-19 criminal conduct as well as its origins in a network of global predators seeking wealth and power at the expense of human freedom and prosperity, under cover of false public health policies.”   ~ Robert F Kennedy, Jr Author of #1 bestseller The Real Anthony Fauci and Founder, Chairman and Chief Legal Counsel for Children's Health Defense.

WITF's Jordan Wilkie speaks with Berwood Yost, who leads public opinion research at Franklin and Marshall College, and with Stephen Medvic, professor of government also at Franklin and Marshall. They talk about lessons learned from the primary and what to expect in the general election this fall, with a special focus on Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties. We also spotlight photojournalist Ann Hermes and her powerful visual project documenting the slow disappearance of local newsrooms. Drawing on her years of experience covering major global events, Hermes turns her lens closer to home—capturing the quiet, often overlooked spaces where local journalism once thrived. Her photographs preserve the people, routines, and environments that are fading as community news outlets shut down.

Granville and Cumberland counties lost the most schools as costs to school districts is leading to merge and close schools. It's a trend being seen for public schools across the country. WRAL's Destinee Patterson and Emily Walkenhorst discuss what it means for the next generation of students.

As the Union line collapses at Chickamauga, George Henry Thomas gathers whatever troops he can on Snodgrass Hill and makes a stand that saves the Army of the Cumberland from destruction. This is the story of the desperate last stand that earned him the name “The Rock of Chickamauga.”

303 - From Influencer to Micro Resort Owner: Steph Weber's Blueprint for Building a Profitable Hospitality Brand What if the biggest mistake short-term rental owners are making has nothing to do with design, pricing, or occupancy... and everything to do with branding? In this powerhouse episode, branding strategist and hospitality entrepreneur Steph Weber breaks down why relying solely on Airbnb is one of the riskiest moves investors can make and how building a real brand creates long-term wealth, guest loyalty, and scalable freedom. From influencer marketing to direct bookings, boutique hospitality, and micro resorts, this conversation is packed with next-level strategy for serious real estate investors. Steph shares her incredible entrepreneurial journey from fashion influencer and marketing consultant to building six and seven-figure brands and launching a thriving short-term rental business. She reveals the exact mindset shifts, marketing systems, and guest experience strategies that helped her and her husband build a six-figure co-hosting company in just one year. You'll learn how to turn your vacation rental into a destination brand, how to capture guest data outside Airbnb, why direct booking websites matter more than ever, and how SEO, AI search, email marketing, and influencer partnerships are changing the future of hospitality. If you own short-term rentals, want to build a boutique hospitality brand, dream of creating a micro resort, or simply want to stop depending entirely on Airbnb, this episode is essential listening. The vacation rental industry is evolving fast, and investors who understand branding, guest experience, and direct bookings will have a massive competitive advantage. This episode will challenge the way you think about real estate investing and show you how to build a business guests remember, rave about, and return to again and again. 5 Powerful Takeaways • Why building a recognizable hospitality brand is the key to increasing direct bookings and reducing dependence on Airbnb • The exact strategies Steph uses to capture guest emails, create repeat customers, and market directly to travelers • How SEO, AI search optimization, and email funnels are becoming game changers for vacation rental owners • The behind-the-scenes structure of a successful 8-person micro resort partnership and how clear roles prevent chaos • Why luxury experiences, emotional branding, and influencer marketing are driving the future of boutique hospitality About the Guest Steph Weber is the CEO of The Weber Co, a branding and marketing agency specializing in short-term rentals, boutique hotels, and hospitality businesses. With over 10 years of experience in branding, influencer marketing, and business strategy, she has helped more than 100 small businesses scale into six and seven-figure brands. Steph is also the co-founder of a rapidly growing six-figure short-term rental co-hosting company and the visionary behind Cabins on the Cumberland, a luxury micro resort and event venue built alongside three other couples. Known for blending emotional branding with profitable hospitality strategy, Steph teaches investors how to create destination-level guest experiences that drive repeat bookings and long-term growth. She is also the host of the Branded and Booked podcast, where she shares cutting-edge insights on direct bookings, boutique hospitality, and experiential branding. Resources & Websites Mentioned • The Weber Co • The Weber Co Instagram • REIGN Mastermind • The Real Jen Josey

We talk with Karen M. Dixon, Transportation and Community Planner at the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, about her research along Interstate 81 in Cumberland and Franklin Counties. Karen explores how transportation infrastructure intersects with environmental conservation, with a focus on wildlife crossings and their role in improving road safety and ecosystem connectivity. We also discuss Pennsylvania's growing momentum around wildlife corridor planning, including a new statewide working group developing a comprehensive blueprint to protect habitats while supporting resilient transportation systems.we're also joined by Elena Cuffari, a cognitive science researcher and feminist philosopher at Franklin & Marshall College, to unpack the complex relationship between exercise, body image, and gender. Drawing on her work in embodiment and lived experience, Elena explores how agency, personal style, and pleasure shape the way we move and care for our bodies. Together, we examine the cultural pressures surrounding “bikini body” narratives, the impact of evolving beauty standards, and how fitness can be reframed as a source of empowerment rather than expectation.

As Rachel and Louise approach the 100th episode of the podcast, they talk to its producer Pauline Blanchet about the intersection of film-making and built environment leadership as explored through Coaches On The Couch. Coaches On The Couch is co-hosted by Louise Rodgers and Rachel Birchmore who are exec and leadership coaches. They design and deliver bespoke leadership development programmes and coaching for architects, engineers and other consultancies across the built environment. For more information, please visit www.StepUpLondon.com

Introduction (0:00:00). Loyola's Susan Poehls Celebration of Life.The Break (0:04:58). Results from Amicus Cup.Innovation Award (0:06:11). The Award's founder Todd Berger and two of this year's winners -- Megan Daic and Dave Schott -- discuss their innovations, their favorite James Bond, and how they think Shlahet is pronounced.Tournament of Champions (0:20:40). Judge Jim Roberts announces the 16 schools invited to TOC 2026. But first he discusses Cumberland's unusual boot camp and one of this year's applicants: his daughter.Gavel Rankings (0:34:28). Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt announces this year's Top Ten – and a change to next year's ranking format.Top Gun Invitations (0:43:36). Baylor's Robert Little announces the 16 schools invited to Top Gun ... and celebrates his first few days of fatherhood!NALAE (0:58:45). Come for the discussion with outgoing president Dave Schott and incoming president Liz Boals. Stay for the trivia competition they didn't know was happening.Exonerated (1:12:41). Star trial lawyer John Raley describes how he won a reversal for a man wrongfully convicted of murder. The Scripties! (1:36:50) Our annual awards: Best Banquet, Best Case, Favorite Tournament, Director/Coach of the Year, and more!

The American Lung Association is out with their 2026 State of the Air Report, and more than half of Pennsylvania's counties have some form of air pollution. 37 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties received less-than-perfect grades for either ozone or particle pollution - and that includes 9 counties in our listening area - Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland and York. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced two Western Pennsylvania coal plants will push back their retirement date by at least four more years. Pennsylvania received $193 million this year from the Rural Health Transformation Program. But the state's rural health leaders worry that the money isn't enough. They say that health systems already face financial gaps with more to come from expected changes to Medicaid. Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. But your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a geologist proved that human grief and human joy were being siphoned to the stars as fuel for somebody else's machine, the world spun into cults and suicides and small wars — but the professor had a wooden crate, a Cumberland cottage full of secrets, and a private answer he wasn't ready to share with the man writing the checks. | #RetroRadio EP0640Look for this podcast on YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and numerous other podcast apps. Get the full list of options here: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/OTRCHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “First Childhood” (September 12, 1977)00:46:21.651 = Philip Marlowe, “Torch Carriers” (January 07, 1950)01:15:58.500 = Pursuit, “The Loch Ness Killer” (ADU) ***WD01:40:29.807 = The Black Mass, “Bartleby the Scrivener” (September 14, 1965) ***WD02:14:04.032 = Michael Shayne, “Meet Me AT Oakland Depot” (April 02, 1945)02:43:45.557 = Beyond Midnight, “The Locked Room” (1969) ***WD03:13:19.062 = MindWebs, “The Machine In Shaft Ten” (1975-1984) ***WD03:41:42.191 = The Humphrey Bogart Theater, “Dead Man / Pilot Episode” (September 17, 1949)04:12:46.534 = Mystery in the Air, “Mask of Medusa” (September 04, 1947) ***WD04:41:44.987 = Molle Mystery Theater, “Red Wine” (March 08, 1946)05:11:00.140 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.CUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0640

Slowly, over decades, Tennessee has been building a linear trail to give hikers and backpackers access to a part of the Appalachians that isn't the Smokies. Plus the local news for April 24, 2026 and the connection between stargazing and conservation. Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: LaTonya TurnerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

What built Broadway into a global destination—and why does some of that feel at risk today?In this episode of Nashville Restaurant Radio, I sit down with Barrett Hobbs, a multigenerational Nashville operator and founder of Cumberland Hospitality Group, for a candid conversation about the city's growth, the business engine behind downtown, and the growing disconnect between those driving economic development and those shaping public policy. We talk about:* How Broadway became one of the most successful entertainment districts in America* The role independent operators played in building modern Nashville* Why Barrett believes city leadership is losing touch with business realities* The tension between neighborhood priorities and downtown economic interests* Property taxes, public policy, infrastructure, and the pressures facing operators* What happens when government and business stop speaking the same language* Why civic disagreement doesn't have to mean personal divisionThis is not a conversation about choosing sides. It's a conversation about perspective—how different people can want different things for Nashville and still care about the same city.Whether you agree with Barrett or not, this episode is an important look into how one longtime operator sees the challenges ahead.If you care about Nashville, independent restaurants, or the future of this city, this one is worth your time.

Cumberland Mountain State Park, just to the South of Crossville Tennessee, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988.  The park is a contributing element to the larger Cumberland Homesteads Historic District.  The park represents the heritage of the New Deal era and the work product of the Civilian Conservation Corp.  The … Continue reading "Interview With Mark Houston, Park Manager, Cumberland Mtn State Park, Cumberland Homesteads Buildings Episode 125" The post Interview With Mark Houston, Park Manager, Cumberland Mtn State Park, Cumberland Homesteads Buildings Episode 125 appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

Introduction (0:00:00). A week after Justin said he loves packing, he makes a harrowing packing mistake.The Break (0:07:46). Results from NTC Nationals and the South Texas Challenge.Predictions Recap (0:08:57). Who's buying steaks? Who's buying sides? And has Cumberland gotten too professional? We ask the tough questions.Three of Our Favorite Listeners (0:18:50). Northwestern's outstanding NTC team -- Caroline Kulits, Farah Mavrakis, and Bridget Maston -- have been listening to the show for years. Now they're on the show.NTC Breakdown, Part 1 (0:36:19). Hofstra's Jared Rosenblatt, Cumberland's Judge Roberts and Baylor's Robert Little join to discuss what went well at NTC Nationals ... and what didn't.America's Next Top Trial Lawyer (0:16:30). Sacramento DA Thien Ho announces the results. Who won their nationwide closing argument competition?Mailbag (1:24:08). Is A.J. Bellido de Luna responsible for the show's "comeback"?

Peak season is here, and I know a lot of you are gearing up the same way you always have… watching your calendar, adjusting pricing, and hoping the algorithm works in your favor. But in this episode of Branded & Booked, I'm challenging that entire approach. Because the biggest shift you can make right now isn't tactical, it's foundational. You're not just managing listings. You're building a business. And if your strategy starts and ends with OTAs, you're building it on borrowed land. Inside this episode, I walk through the mindset shift that separates hosts who stay stuck in the cycle of price tweaking and platform dependency from those who actually build something scalable and sustainable. I share what it looks like to step out of obsessing over Airbnb performance and into building a brand, an audience, and a direct booking ecosystem that gives you real control. I also pull back the curtain on what this has looked like at Cabins on the Cumberland, including hitting nearly 50% direct bookings on one cabin and outperforming market ADR before even experiencing a full peak season with the full property complete. Not as a highlight reel, but as proof of what happens when you commit to long-term strategy over short-term wins. You'll start to see why the real risk isn't seasonality or competition, it's building something you don't actually own. And what becomes possible when you shift your focus to branding, marketing, and guest experience in a way that compounds over time. Because the goal isn't just to fill your calendar this season. It's to build a brand, a system, and a business that keeps it full. If you're ready to stop relying on OTAs and start building a brand that drives direct bookings, you can learn more about working with us at theweberco.com. And if you want hands-on support building your brand, marketing strategy, and direct booking systems, our agency offers both done-for-you services and consulting to help you get there.

Governor Josh Shapiro is rallying Democrats ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Shapiro spoke to a nearly packed room of almost 400 people at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Several high-profile Democrats also spoke at the weekend event. Conor Lamb, a former U.S. Representative who also ran against Senator John Fetterman, says Democrats have a large window of opportunity this year. For decades, social scientists studying bias and prejudice have relied on Project Implicit, a nonprofit research collaborative and website where people can take tests to measure their own unconscious biases. Millions of people have taken tests on the site over the years. The data collected on the site has also led to many research studies. Now, the funding for the site is under threat. Pennsylvania's two major party gubernatorial candidates - Governor Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity - are traveling the country to meet with donors and fundraise. During the first three months of the year, Shapiro out-raised Garrity 10 to one. HACC announces it's eliminating 87 filled positions and 41 vacant positions. Steelton mayor Ciera Dent announced Sunday the Dauphin County borough is launching a new program to curb gun violence, following recent shootings. 14 horses died Sunday in a barn fire at Hanover Shoe Farms. Firefighters from Franklin, Adams and Cumberland counties continue to battle a Franklin County forest fire. And now a deep dive: Several states — including Pennsylvania — are in federal court over the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s latest executive order to rework elections. Trump explained the order by repeating his often-discredited claim that non-citizens are voting en masse and in favor of his political opponents. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie speaks with Carter Walker, reporter for Votebeat, about his story of how non-citizens were registering to vote in Pennsylvania, and how current Secretary of State Al Schmidt led the charge to fix the problem. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Most haunted locations are long abandoned—but Kentucky State Penitentiary is still very much in operation.Known as the “Castle on the Cumberland,” this historic prison has been housing inmates since 1886, carrying with it a long and complex history tied to confinement, punishment, and death. Unlike many locations investigated today, this is a place where the past and present exist side by side.Reports of unexplained activity have come not just from visitors, but from those who have worked and lived inside its walls—guards, wardens, chaplains, and inmates. From unexplained sounds and footsteps to moments that are difficult to rationalize, the accounts suggest that something may still linger within the facility.In this episode, we explore the history of Kentucky State Penitentiary and the experiences reported there, examining what happens when a location remains active while its past continues to make itself known.#paranormal #kentuckystatepenitentiary #hauntedprison #paranormalinvestigation #ghosthunting #hauntedlocations #ghosthunters #supernatural #ghostevidence #paranormalactivity #prisonhauntings #hauntedhistory #paranormalpodcast #thegravetalks Love real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOMost haunted locations are long abandoned—but Kentucky State Penitentiary is still very much in operation.Known as the “Castle on the Cumberland,” this historic prison has been housing inmates since 1886, carrying with it a long and complex history tied to confinement, punishment, and death. Unlike many locations investigated today, this is a place where the past and present exist side by side.Reports of unexplained activity have come not just from visitors, but from those who have worked and lived inside its walls—guards, wardens, chaplains, and inmates. From unexplained sounds and footsteps to moments that are difficult to rationalize, the accounts suggest that something may still linger within the facility.In this episode, we explore the history of Kentucky State Penitentiary and the experiences reported there, examining what happens when a location remains active while its past continues to make itself known.#paranormal #kentuckystatepenitentiary #hauntedprison #paranormalinvestigation #ghosthunting #hauntedlocations #ghosthunters #supernatural #ghostevidence #paranormalactivity #prisonhauntings #hauntedhistory #paranormalpodcast #thegravetalks Love real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

Born aboard a ship of immigrants in the Atlantic Ocean, Kasper Mansker became a longhunter, venturing out to explore the wilderness of Kentucky and Tennessee from his home in what's now West Virginia. From those longhunts to building Mansker's Station and helping shape the Cumberland frontier, his life is part of the story of those who moved west on the Appalachian frontier. If you enjoy our stories, be sure to subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Consider becoming a supporter of the podcast, too...you'll get an ad-free version of the Stories podcast plus lots of extra unreleased episodes!Thanks for listening.

This episode perfectly captures something I think a lot about: what does it actually look like to build a business that supports your life?My guest, Lydia Savramis, is someone who truly embodies that.Lydia didn't start out in marketing or online business at all. She was running an orthotics practice, seeing patients all day, when she started a podcast as a creative outlet back when podcasts were still a pretty new thing. That little experiment ended up opening the door to a completely different career.But what I loved most about our conversation isn't the pivot story. It's the way Lydia has designed her business so that it genuinely fits her life.We talk about burnout, boundaries, creativity, and what it takes to build a business that doesn't consume you. Lydia Savramis runs RTL Productions, a boutique marketing and branding studio in Cumberland, Maryland. She helps non-profits, municipalities and professionals show up clearly and confidently online without all the overwhelm.Tune into this episode to hear:What burning out in her first profession taught Lydia about designing a sustainable businessThe mindset shift that helps you ride the natural ups and downs of businessWhy having more “tools in your toolbox” changes how you experience the rollercoaster of entrepreneurshipWhat it actually looks like to build a business with clear boundariesLearn more about Lydia Savramis:RTL Productions: http://hellortlpro.comInstagram: @rtlpro Resources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/masteryProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

Daniel Ellis of Carter County, Tennessee was a wagon maker who became one of the most successful guides of the Civil War. Living behind Confederate lines in East Tennessee, Ellis created a secret route through the Appalachian Mountains to Union territory at Cumberland Gap.Traveling mostly at night and avoiding Confederate patrols, Ellis made about twenty journeys through East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, guiding roughly four thousand Union supporters to safety. About two thousand of them later joined the Union Army.Join us as we tell the story of the man Confederate soldiers called “The Old Red Fox” for his ability to escape capture, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast so you don't miss a single episode.  And consider becoming a supporter of the podcast on Spreaker.com, where you can get an ad-free version of our stories, plus exclusive content.Thanks for listening!

Better access to mental health care for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and state police officers was provided by state law last year. Now the current budget proposal seeks to expand workers compensation and death coverage to first responders called to duty during state disaster emergencies. Dauphin County State Representative Justin Williams says crisis counseling and mental health treatment is essential for emergency personnel. Pennsylvania's Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Pope Leo the Fourteenth will accept Philadelphia's National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal this summer. Two special elections were held in Pennsylvania Tuesday. In State House District 193, Republican Catherine Wallen was elected the new state Representative for parts of Adams and Cumberland counties. In the other special election, in state House District 79, Republican Andrea Verobish was elected the new state representative for Altoona and its suburbs. Ethics experts are raising concerns after state Treasurer Stacy Garrity campaigned at a gala hosted by a firm from which she purchased millions in bonds in her official state role. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Full Text of Readings Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 245 The Saint of the day is Saint Patrick Saint Patrick's Story Legends about Saint Patrick abound; but truth is best served by our seeing two solid qualities in him: He was humble and he was courageous. The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God's instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ. Details of his life are uncertain but his popularity has never wavered. Current research places his dates of birth and death a little later than earlier accounts. Patrick may have been born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Cumberland, England, or in northern Wales. He called himself both a Roman and a Briton. At 16, he and a large number of his father's slaves and vassals were captured by Irish raiders and sold as slaves in Ireland. Forced to work as a shepherd, he suffered greatly from hunger and cold. After six years Saint Patrick escaped, probably to France, and later returned to Britain at the age of 22. His captivity had meant spiritual conversion. He may have studied at Lerins, off the French coast; he spent years at Auxerre, France, and was consecrated bishop at the age of 43. His great desire was to proclaim the good news to the Irish. In a dream vision it seemed “all the children of Ireland from their mothers' wombs were stretching out their hands” to him. He understood the vision to be a call to do mission work in pagan Ireland. Despite opposition from those who felt his education had been defective, he was sent to carry out the task. He went to the west and north–where the faith had never been preached–obtained the protection of local kings, and made numerous converts. Because of the island's pagan background, Patrick was emphatic in encouraging widows to remain chaste and young women to consecrate their virginity to Christ. He ordained many priests, divided the country into dioceses, held Church councils, founded several monasteries and continually urged his people to greater holiness in Christ. He suffered much opposition from pagan druids and was criticized in both England and Ireland for the way he conducted his mission. In a relatively short time, the island had experienced deeply the Christian spirit, and was prepared to send out missionaries whose efforts were greatly responsible for Christianizing Europe. Patrick was a man of action, with little inclination toward learning. He had a rock-like belief in his vocation, in the cause he had espoused. He never doubted his direction because he understood that grace could guide him One of the few certainly authentic writings is his Confessio, above all an act of homage to God for having called Patrick, unworthy sinner, to the apostolate. There is hope rather than irony in the fact that his burial place is said to be in County Down in Northern Ireland, long the scene of strife and violence. Reflection What distinguishes Saint Patrick is the durability of his efforts. In the face of difficulty or strife, he maintained the faith. When one considers the state of Ireland when he began his mission work, the vast extent of his labors, and how the seeds he planted continued to grow and flourish, one can only admire the kind of man Patrick must have been. One of tireless faith and incredible stamina in bringing people to God. The holiness of a person is known only by the fruits of his or her work.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Here's Johnny!!!! Our latest theme episode features songs about one of the most rock'n'roll names ever. But you wouldn't call "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares rock, though it'll grow on you, unless you're a total yutz ... Song 2 is "Johnny B. Goode," a version of Chuck Berry's immortal rockin' classic performed by Cumberland, Rhode Island combo The Mards ("mods" with a Northeastern US accent)!. Michigan folk-punkers channel The Byrds on their rendition of the American Civil War chanty "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Topical. San Francisco weirdos The Mystery Trend introduce us to a very unsettling All-American boy in "Johnny Was A Good Boy." And finally, Johnny-Come-Latelys Fine Young Cannibals tell another sad tale in the percolatin, leg-shakin' "Johnny Come Home." John, I'm only (pod)casting!!!

A Cumberland County food manufacturing facility is expanding. Schreiber Foods, located in Shippensburg, announced Tuesday it's embarking on a nearly $133 million expansion at its yogurt and cream cheese plant. Nearly half of the state’s rural counties do not have hospitals with labor and delivery units, according to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. This reflects a nationwide trend of hospitals closing specialized service lines such as obstetrics. Every year, PA One Book encourages reading by selecting a children's book to help create a shared reading experience statewide. We share this year’s selection. Police in Carlisle continue to investigate the distribution of white supremacist propaganda last weekend. The FBI found explosive residue in a Bucks County storage unit after two men were charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states with a closed primary system. That means only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can cast ballots in their respective parties' spring elections. Advocates hope to open those primaries up to Pennsylvania's unaffiliated voters - a group that numbers more than one million.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about something that feels personal… but is actually wildly strategic. Naming your short-term rental or micro resort sounds fun (and it is!), but more importantly... it's positioning. It's perception. It's your first marketing asset. And I see so many owners starting with the name before they've ever gotten clear on their guest, their brand messaging, or the experience they're actually building. In this episode, I'm walking you through why that's backwards, and what to do instead. We're diving into real client stories, including why Freestone Lodge became Silvarra, how Josephine's Ridge was rooted in legacy and storytelling, and why Cabins on the Cumberland was a strategic SEO decision. Your name should signal a feeling. It should act like a magnet for the right guest. And yes, sometimes SEO matters, but it has to work alongside strategy, not replace it. If you've been stuck on what to name your property (or wondering if you got it right), this episode will give you a framework that supports bookings, brand equity, and long-term growth. If you're building something meaningful, don't let the name be an afterthought. It deserves more than five minutes and a ChatGPT prompt. Enjoy this episode! Connect with Steph: @theweberco

Adam is joined by the Crew that puts on the Cumberland Con in Somerset, KY every year. We talk about the genesis and the history of Cumberland Con and the trajectory that is has taken the last few years. Plus we have a special announcement about where you can find Strange Realities Next!! Enough said! Go Listen!Stay tuned for news from Cumberland Con at: https://cumberlandcon606.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conspirinormal-podcast/donations

Recorded January 28th, 2026Adam is joined by the Crew that puts on the Cumberland Con in Somerset, KY every year. We talk about the genesis and the history of Cumberland Con and the trajectory that is has taken the last few years. Plus we have a special announcement about where you can find Strange Realities Next!! Enough said! Go Listen!Stay tuned for news from Cumberland Con at:https://cumberlandcon606.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conspirinormal-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rachel Knutton, founder and CEO of Alluvia Studio, shares how a 30-year healthcare journey—from hospital marketing and public relations (PR) at HCA Healthcare to medical device commercialization, product launches, and sales—shaped her belief that everything in MedTech ultimately comes down to storytelling. Rachel explains how her “been there” experience in hospitals, cases, and value analysis environments helps her create messaging that's compelling, compliant, and built to endure. She also opens up about becoming an “accidental entrepreneur,” discovering unexpected fulfillment in leading people, and building an agency culture grounded in authenticity, humor, and joy.    Guest links: www.alluviastudio.com | www.linkedin.com/rachelknutton | www.linkedin.com/alluviastudio  Charity supported: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 073 - Rachel Knutton [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I'm delighted to welcome Rachel Knutton. Rachel is founder and CEO of Alluvia Studio, a strategic medtech marketing agency based in Tennessee that supports some of the largest medtech brands in the world. Her experience in healthcare spans 30 years, including hospital marketing and PR for HCA Healthcare, as well as various roles in medical device commercialization, sales and marketing. Right. Well, welcome to the show, Rachel. It's so nice to you for having me. Of course. I would love if you would start off by just, uh, telling us a little bit about yourself, your background and what led you to medtech. [00:01:36] Rachel Knutton: Yeah, so I actually have a pretty interesting background and I bet I'll cover a little bit more of it as we go through the discussion, but currently I have an MedTech marketing agency. We have 16 employees. been in business technically since 2011, so 14 years. And just really focused on this industry. My path to getting into MedTech actually came through HCA Healthcare. I started working in hospital world back in 1996. And actually it was accidental. I, you know, I was pretty new outta school, a couple years outta school and I'd answered an ad and I dove right into a really exciting world. It's, you know, of course headquartered here in Nashville. Learned all about hospitals. I supported I think eight different hospitals at that time that were in region, the Nashville region, doing marketing and public relations, walked into my first open heart surgery case, helped feed employees at midnight, handled all kinds of interesting PR events because we're hearing Nashville, a lot of country music stars might get hospitalized. And I did that for about 10 years. And then I ended up moving into devices a recruiter, and it's when Kimberly Clark Healthcare had gone into the medical devices arena through the purchase of Ballard. so honestly I really didn't know much about it. But I had, you know, I did have my MBA, I had been working in healthcare, which sort of met the qualifications at that time. And I got a early start in marcom. Learned so much, got back into the hospital through that role from the other side of the coin and I had the chance to do product management, launch a product, and then I moved into sales and sold the product a whole bag and then got back into the hospital, you know, working through the whole value EIS ecosystem and working with physicians and being in cases. So it's been a very interesting path for sure. [00:03:37] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. And so I'm curious about a lot of things, but I'll start with this. So what do you find are some of the differences and similarities between marketing and PR for the hospital side of things versus the device side of things? [00:03:55] Rachel Knutton: I mean, certainly I think PR piece is a much bigger aspect, the community aspect. Um. Every hospital is such an important part of the community. So there's a heavy weight there on that. And then of course, the regional aspect of it. So whereas in the device world, you know, all targeting like very large geographies, maybe either the US or outside of the US. And so in the hospital world, that tends to be more regionalized. I would say. That's like one of the big differences for sure. And then honestly, hospital world, it's more business to consumer. is a lot of physician related marketing as you're trying to drive preference to, you know, using your hospital for surgeries or trying to recruit physicians, but it's a lot more B2C in the, medtech world. world. [00:04:44] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. So, okay, so you mentioned know, you responded to an an ad and that led you to was sort of like, well, a say, um, synergy, whatever you wanna say. that was was marketing and communications something that you always had a passion for or what led you to kind of pursue that? [00:05:05] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. Well actually I was a little bit more of a writer. would say telling stories is origin story. So I wanted to work in magazines. This is back when we still did print and newspapers and things like that. And always wanted to work in the magazine um, industry and I, and it started out writing for a business magazine. Started working for an agency for Ford, doing writing for a sales focused magazine. And so it just sort of morphed into that. I would say in the marketing and PR world, we were telling stories about patient stories, pitching those to newspapers. We were telling stories about physicians doing new types of procedures employees, you know, trying to promote them within the hospital world. That's also important to that ecosystem. And so I think that's kind of where that transition happened. And I would say that's still what I do today. So it's taken a lot of different forms and product management and working in Excel files and figuring out demand forecast isn't really about telling stories what it is, right? Everything is about telling a story in the end. [00:06:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. So it sounds like you have the strategist side, the analytical side, and the creative side, which doesn't always, you know, align. And so tell us a little bit about your approach maybe to, say, there's a client of yours that is interested in bringing a product to market, and story tell to help them achieve their goals, and within compliance, because obviously that's a component. [00:06:35] Rachel Knutton: yeah, I mean, that's certainly in our industry, you know, figuring out are the guardrails. course in marketing, I always think, you know, we, know the rules. But we're also going to make sure that we're not self-limiting within those rules. So I let the regulatory people and the legal people push back. But I know what not to risk, right? So I think one of the things that's very helpful is having sold devices, having launched devices myself, having worked in the hospital system, I spent a lot of time on the floors watching how devices are used. I spent time in ICU collecting data. I think really having been part of that environment helps feed the story building process. It's almost like a natural part of what goes into building that story. So because of that experience, because I've walked those halls, I've been in those shoes, I kind of know what some of those limitations are and that just automatically configures into the storytelling process. I know what the product managers are up against when they're trying to launch a product. And theoretically, I should know the right questions to ask and how they got to the product that they have today and how they've, you know, customer feedback has fed into that. And then how do we take that and make sure that the messaging meets the same requirements? Like you have a, you know, you have design requirements, well, your messaging should have the same requirements and achieve a goal. So I think that's the analytical side is making sure, does the message achieve the goal? Are we being very committed to what's the business objective? How is the marketing objective supporting that? And then is the, how is the messaging fitting into that? I think that's a very important part of the discipline. We also are very familiar with, you know, claims matrices and the importance of having, you know, data and research to support claims. And so kind of knowing that framework, I think is helpful when you're building messaging because helps you think through like, okay, here's how the client is going to need to organize the messaging. Here's how they're gonna have to reuse the messaging. You know, how can we be very consistent in how we roll that out so they're not having to go back through and through their approval process every time. It's really important part of the discipline in the medtech world that we have to deal with that industries as well, of course, but it's certainly very important in ours. [00:09:01] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. I, I really appreciate that insight and I think, you know, it's so interesting to see-- you're totally speaking my language about the consistency of, it's something I've, I've preached so much is you have to be consistent with your messaging and your branding. And it's not like everyone has to have the same cookie cutter language, but when you're aligned, that really translates. [00:09:25] Rachel Knutton: And it works. this is, you know, I, think this is a little bit of a, it's not a pet peeve, it's a passion project rather of mine is to get people to be consistent because I think what happens is internally, people get tired very quickly of their messaging or their creative. And I do think you need creative variability. We know with AI you need some of that, like that's gonna be important. But probably your customer, your target audience isn't tired of it and they might not have even seen it yet. And it's that very old, like nine times someone has to hear a message. And so my favorite clients are the ones that work very hard to get the messaging right in the first place. They go through the discipline process of doing it, knowing why we're doing it, getting full buy-in from an extended team, and then just keep with it, with some obviously refinement and tweaking when you get customer feedback. But you know, sadly, I'm sure we've all had this instance where it's like, "Oh, Dr. like this ad. We need a new ad campaign." And it's like, "Well, that's okay. I'm really glad he noticed it." You know? That's all right. That, might be okay. So, it, I think that the best companies are consistent and, you know, one of our clients is um, intuitive Surgical, and one of the things that we see is like, of course there's fresh creative. Of course there's brand evolution, but the overall message is very consistent and that's, it's fun to see how fruitful that consistency has been for them. [00:11:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. Love that. So you worked for other companies and then you took a leap and became an entrepreneur and a leader of your business. What was that like? Were you prepared, so to speak? I'm not sure anyone's actually prepared to be an entrepreneur, but you know, how did that go for you? [00:11:24] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. was certainly an accidental entrepreneur. Some lifestyle choices, particularly marrying someone in the military at the time when we didn't do Zoom calls forced me to look at my career path and go, you know what? I'm not gonna climb the corporate career ladder moving. At that time, it wasn't a thing. And I thought, you know, I'm gonna need to do consulting in order to, you know, support family and then keep my business going. So I had lifestyle reasons that I became an entrepreneur and wasn't really sure how it was gonna work out, to be perfectly honest with you. And, you know, felt like a lot of people say, "Well, I'm consulting," which just means they don't have a job right now. And I, I know, you know, nothing bad about saying that, that can be very true, but for me, I was like, this is actually something I'm gonna need to do. And I did it as a as a solo consultant for several years, and then when I, we finally settled down and stopped moving said, "Well, it's time for me to get some help." The thing that was really interesting to me is I never really wanted to manage people even when I was in the corporate world, I just wanted to do great work. I wanted to, you know, I, felt like people slowed me down. You know, I just, I'm like, "Just let me go. I'm a star player." And it was really nothing that I was interested in at all. And now I have, you know, all these employees and I spend a very large portion of my time managing people. And the thing that has been so surprising is how gratifying that is, how fulfilling it is. One, to, you know, go beyond your comfort zone and find, I've learned so much. I've made a lot of mistakes. I've thought about other leaders that I've been lucky to work with in the past and follow what they do. And maybe some people who had some tendencies that I try not to do or I'll check myself and go, "Oh, am I, you know, am I doing that?" But I think managing team, developing people is the most exciting piece of it. always loved helping clients, so as I started out in this venture, I had a couple of offers to go work full time for those clients, but at that point I had been helping a few people and I was like, "Well, I can't say no to to the guy at this company, I can't say no to her because she needs my help. And if I have a full-time job, I'm not gonna be able to do that." So I really just wanted to help as many people as possible and I felt like owning my own business will allow me to do that. Now that I have a team, we are able to help so many more people and that is really gratifying. The other thing is. Where I am, my community is outside of Nashville and we're a micropolitan, which means we're kind of just far away for our commute to Nashville to be impractical. We have a local university here, and so one of the things I wanna do early on was work with the local university talent for people who wanna stay in this upper Cumberland area and have a great profession. And it's somewhat limited still. It is growing, but there's not a lot of big corporate jobs. So what I love to do is I bring that corporate experience into my small business in terms of professional development, evaluations, how we coach people. And then I try to get rid of all this stuff that I didn't really care about working in the corporate land, you know, and increased flexibility. Let's not have politics and things like that, and so that people can just grow and flourish. And so it is, I'm very passionate about it. I love helping clients and I love helping my team, and so it's really like the best of both worlds for me. [00:14:58] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Excellent. So you have an interesting name for your company and I would love if you would share a little bit what led to that? [00:15:07] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. Thank you for asking about that, actually. So when I was the first name for my company was called Good Day Marketing, and when I realized I was really going to stay in medtech, at that time when I launched it, I was like, well, maybe I won't do medtech. Maybe I'll just do other marketing. I was like, "Well, medtech is where people want me. This is what I know. I have expertise. This is where I need to be." It made a lot of sense. I was like, okay, I need to rebrand, and I had gone through a period of testing. And so I'm a Christian and I'm familiar with scripture. You know, where you're like, you get refined in the fire, you're refined like silver and like gold. And I was like, "Okay, I need to have something about gold." And I discovered there's a type of gold called alluvial gold. And it's the kind of gold that you find in riverbeds. And soil in uh, riverbed is very, very rich because you have so much, you know, marine life and you know, plant life flowing over it, but then there's gold deposited there, and I was like, "That's we do, right?" Like when we're working with medtech companies, there's so much rich content, there's so much intelligence and innovation baked into what they're doing. Our job though, is to find the pieces of gold that will really help them tell that story and distill that, right? And like purify it. And it goes through a refining process to make sure the message is really clear. leave the extra behind. And then once we get it into a good spot, we shine it and we just like make the best part of that messaging, pull that forward. So it just made a lot of sense for the agency to be called Alluvia Studio. [00:16:42] Lindsey Dinneen: That's, that's perfect. That's such a great story too. I love the intentionality behind it and the thought process of it. Um. So yeah, so you have some core values with the company, and I'm assuming this also derives from yourself, and three me were the values of authenticity, joy, and humor. Can you speak to those and how you came up with that? [00:17:06] Rachel Knutton: Sure. Well, authenticity is, I, I just can't not be authentic. So one of the things you and I had talked about before is, I have a hard time talking about myself. just am naturally a little bit humble and I have to ask other people to tell me what I'm good at, right? And they're like, "Well, such a thought leader. You know what this industry so well, you're so great at telling this story." And I think just being able to say, "Hey, I don't know how to frame myself is something that's just innate to me." [00:17:40] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm. [00:17:42] Rachel Knutton: I think I wanna work that way with people. It means that if you need to have a tough conversation with a client, you can have it. something doesn't feel right, I wanna pick up the phone and say, "Hey, this didn't feel right to me. I don't like how this conversation went. I don't like how this project's going 'cause I don't, I sense that you're dissatisfied, I wanna talk about it, I wanna understand it." from the client side, that's how authenticity works. And then with my team as well. So, for me, their personal lives are very important. I know we all bring our personal life into our work. If we say that we don't, we're lying. And so I ask that, you know, if someone's having a rough day or going through something as much as they're comfortable, at least just let us know so that other people aren't impacted by maybe, you know, a down day or, or take it personally because you know how we all do that, right? We read into it, go, "Oh, did I do something to upset them?" "No, I'm just, I'm not here today." And so I just think it's really important one, and I want people to feel comfortable with them, to feel themselves. And I think it helps with like diverse perspectives well. And then fun. So like humor, fun to me are lumped together and I just think when you have fun at work, you do your best work. And reminded of a couple of stories with our clients. So a lot of times we think in medtech, like everything's so serious. Everything, you know, and it is, it's a serious business. We're doing important things. There's nothing flip about what we do. However, we're all human beings. And we all need to have fun while we're working together. So we like our clients to have fun working with us, and I like sharing things that are fun about me. I had someone just this week who is from a very high level financial position in a big company comment that he loved that I had a roller skater in my LinkedIn profile. Now, I never would've thought that, right? I never thought that person would have really appreciated that, but that just goes to show that we all need to have fun. And even if we're working hard, we just like work hard, play hard, like let's just, and when we're stressed, let's just laugh it off and keep going. [00:19:58] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, and the joy aspect, just curious because that is, uh, the huge core value of mine, and so I would just love to hear your take on it. [00:20:06] Rachel Knutton: It is my purpose life. I have identified that. I got go through a leadership development class about 20 years ago with Kimberly Clark, and we identified our purpose, and bringing joy into other people's lives was mine and what that means for me-- it is funny, early on in my career I, didn't think I was gonna work in medtech. I thought it was more in like hospitality, tourism, something, you know, that's fun, you know, obvious fun. But what I really realized is that joy, um, joy comes from completing a project, feeling very good about what you do. We are often a very important part when people are presenting about themselves. So they do a lot of presentations. They're presenting to their boss or to a board. We wanna make them look good. We wanna make them feel very confident and relieving that stress is a joyful experience for them. So for me it's very personal. know, as much as we can, we want to help them feel that and experience that, and that comes down to how we communicate with them. You know, let's laugh a little bit. Our job is to look good. We, this business is not about Alluvia. This business is about you, and we are here to be a partner with you in that process. [00:21:29] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Oh my goodness. Yes. That resonates very much. Um, yeah, so, you know, you've you've had an amazing career and you've worked, like you said, on the hospital side, you have had the device side and now your own business. Are there any moments along your journey that really stand out as affirming to you that "Yes, I'm in the right place at the right time?" [00:21:52] Rachel Knutton: Definitely. When I started my consulting business, I wasn't sure that I was going to be in medtech. So I had been in the hospital world for about 10 years and I had been in medtech for about 10 years, and I thought, "Well, am I supposed to be doing something different?" You know, that's that's a nice time to like, and my relationships and my reputation drew me back in. So it was almost one of those like. I'm meant to be here because I do have the experience that people value and I do have a way of thinking that's very helpful for people and it's a unique perspective that help. And so through my consulting business, I ended up launching two more products through very large publicly traded companies. And I thought, "Well, okay, obviously I'm supposed to be doing this." [00:22:48] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. Excellent. Yes, and I think makes sense too because it's, it's also rather niche, you know? So, so having the skill sets really play a good part into-- it's, it's-- basically what I'm trying to get at is it's not an necessarily an easy path. So it's helpful to have had that background to, you know, you've got the communications and the marketing, but also the nitty gritty of, you know, I remember when I first joined, you know, somebody would say a sentence and it was like, half of it was acronyms and it was, it's just such a steep learning curve, [00:23:21] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. Mm-hmm. [00:23:21] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:23:22] Rachel Knutton: It's, it really, and it still is. I mean, there's no way to know about every specialty in the world or all of the, you know, technical or clinical issues that our clients customers need to deal with. But being able to figure out which parts you need to understand and which you don't, I think is good. Like, what do you need to filter? do you really need to go in order to help them communicate their message is. Is helpful. And I think having that experience does provide that filter. And you know, it's funny because I was thinking about your podcast and I love what you're doing with it. Like I love that you're trying to shine a light on our community and it is about so many people trying to help people and save lives. And yes, I mean, I work so heavily with the investor community and startup community that sometimes it starts to feel a lot like it's about money. think money follows great ideas, right? Because there's an economic value to an innovation that's gonna save our healthcare system money, save lives and outcomes and, things like that. So I think it's all important. One of the things that I've thought about though is. Our unique position is we help people that help people save lives. So, you know, we are not on the frontline innovating new devices. We are not really on the frontline working with the patients. But if they don't tell their story, if there's not awareness of their solution, if it's not implemented correctly-- we think, I think a lot about that at the at the sales level, having been in, in those shoes-- if those things aren't done correctly, then the patient's not gonna be helped and making sure that we make that as easy as possible. people don't really wanna think about marketing, right? Like they wanna think about the clinical aspect. They wanna think about the innovation and the know, technical issues that they need to solve. And new product development, but the marketing piece is really important. All [00:25:28] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah, and it's just a fun, well, it's really a special role to play, I think. And I've always felt really grateful for that because, right, if somebody doesn't know that it exists, then they can't buy it. And so even though my role is small in comparison to maybe the scientists and the engineers and everything like that, I still get to play a part, and I think that's just delightful. Yeah. [00:25:55] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. Yeah, it really is. And it's really helpful too. So, you know, running an agency, I have a lot of creative people. Well, in our industry, we don't get to be quite as creative as other industries, right? Because as you mentioned, you know, we have regulatory reasons and it's a slightly more conservative industry for sure and should be. We're always looking to figure out how do we inject that joy? How do we inject that fun and authenticity into something that still feels as professional, as innovative, and as buttoned up the product is, as the quality process has been, as the clinical study has been, but still, how do we have a unique voice within that? And so that's really helpful with my creative team too, to say, right, like our guy boundaries are a little bit different, but what we're doing is so much more important than selling a consumer product. Maybe like a luxury item or jewelry or marketing a, I don't know, something sexier, you know, like a vacation. I don't know. To me that'd be like the ultimate, send me around the world and have me market a travel. That'd be very good. [00:27:05] Lindsey Dinneen: You go. [00:27:06] Rachel Knutton: But at the end of the day, like it, it's making a really big impact and I think that's really helpful to help people in that. We're always looking for ways to try to get that experience. Like I'm always looking for ways to get experience from my team to be able to do that. I think that's probably my next big goal is like, how do I get them into the hospital? How do I expose them to what the day-to-day life is of a sales rep? You know? think that's really important in our industry to have some sort of exposure to feed on the streets in the hospital setting, how it works, what the sales rep has to go through to get the product implemented, how long it takes for it to actually succeed, right? Because it's not just one sale, it is a long process, a long journey, and an ongoing journey to make sure that that it sticks and that people understand how to use it. And I think having that like empathy or at least point of view can be really helpful to anyone marketing in our industry. [00:28:10] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. I I really like that. That's, that would be a really helpful thing for anyone, especially if they're newer to the industry, to have that sort of boots on the ground, this is what it's actually like, kind of experience. [00:28:24] Rachel Knutton: Yeah. [00:28:25] Lindsey Dinneen: So, okay, so pivoting the conversation just for fun. Imagine that you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want. It could be within your industry, doesn't have to be, what would you choose to teach? [00:28:39] Rachel Knutton: I think it would really be about this, like how to find joy. Like how to find joy in everything. You know, how do you cultivate a joyful outlook on life so that even when you're sitting in traffic or doing something you don't really love to do, how can you integrate that? You know, I think that one thing that's really important to me is my faith. So my values, I'm, Christian, and I really believe the only true joy that we have is when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. And so that's not part of my business, that's part of my life mantra, but like if I could help people get to the real joy, that would be like the ultimate goal, right? If I can't get them there, if I can get them to, you know, experience joy in the day to day or experience joy in their trials, think that would be something worth, I'd do it for free. I don't even need a million dollars. a million dollars would be great. [00:29:34] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Right. Excellent. Excellent. Yes. Okay. And then how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:29:43] Rachel Knutton: I think it's that point I just made there, right, is that, maybe, I mean, it's so cliche, but I left things better than I found them. I left people better than I found them. And, you know, and ultimately, you know, if I lead them to Jesus, that is like the ultimate goal for me as a Christian. So for me, that would be a metric that if it was, you know, one person, if it was 1 million people, it doesn't matter. That's the goal. [00:30:13] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Yeah. And then final question, what is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:30:22] Rachel Knutton: It is my business. It really is. I mean, okay, obviously my family and my pets and things like that, but I really love coming to the office. This, we have our own building. Every time I come here, my spirits are lifted. I love seeing my team members and I love working with the clients and just hearing from them and building those relationships. Everything about this is so deeply personal to me that the money piece of it is like the very last thing that I think about. It's the last way that I run my business. It's the last way that I measure success. It's the last way I hire. It is really just follows that, that positive feeling of making an impact and having fun. I, it's just, I know it sounds crazy. We keep saying that, but I think it's really fun to do what I do. I'm [00:31:18] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. I love that answer. That's that's wonderful. And it, I think that's one of those affirmations that yeah, you are in the right place at the right time because you're having fun and you're joyful. I love that. [00:31:30] Rachel Knutton: Sometimes it's temping to work from home, and then I work from home, and then I come to the office. I'm like, "Why did I wanna work from home? It's so much lighter here. We have a disco ball here and I don't have a disco ball at home." [00:31:40] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh. Brilliant. I love it. Oh my goodness. Well, this has been such a fantastic conversation, Rachel. I so appreciate you and your time today, and I love the way that you bring joy and fun into medtech and into the lives of the people that you touch. And we're excited to be making a donation on your behalf, as a thank you for your time today, to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds for children who don't have any in the United States. So thank you for choosing that charity to support. Again, thank you so much for everything you're doing to change lives for a better world. [00:32:18] Rachel Knutton: Thank you. This is a great interview, so I appreciate it. You made it easy. [00:32:23] Lindsey Dinneen: So glad to hear that. Alright, well thank you so much again, and thank you also to our listeners for tuning in and if you're feeling as inspired as I am right now, I'd love it if you'd share this episode with a colleague or two and we'll catch you next time. [00:32:40] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

Lawmakers look to make changes to the state's largest public school district, debating the pros and cons of alternative sentencing for caregivers, Southern Kentucky counties are slowly seeing power restored following the winter storm, and the mayors of Kentucky's two largest cities talk about what's next for their communities.

In this episode of FYI – For Your Innovation, ARK's Cathie Wood speaks with Don Wilson, a pioneer in crypto market infrastructure and the founder of DRW and Cumberland. They discuss the accelerating shift of traditional finance onto blockchains, focusing on the emergence of the Canton Network, a public permissionless blockchain designed for institutions—with privacy and permissioning at its core. Don unpacks why Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation's (DTCC's) decision to tokenize U.S. Treasuries on Canton marks a turning point in institutional adoption, how Canton balances decentralization with control, and what makes it uniquely suited for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. The conversation covers stablecoins, the evolving role of private credit and equity, and how tokenization might reshape collateral, leverage, and capital efficiency. Don also offers sharp takes on Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) vs. payment for order flow, prediction markets, and whether we're still in a “four-year crypto cycle.” A must-listen for those tracking the future of digital asset infrastructure.Key Points From This Episode:[00:00] Intro + Why tokenization matters: reducing costs, unlocking capital efficiency, and ARK's thesis on blockchain infrastructure[06:27] Don Wilson's background, early crypto involvement, and the founding of Cumberland and Canton[09:57] Why privacy and permissioning are essential for institutional blockchains[13:44] DTCC's adoption of the Canton Network and the mechanics of tokenizing U.S. Treasuries[25:05] Real-world benefits of tokenization: collateral mobility, after-hours lending, and stablecoin settlement[29:23] Prediction markets: institutional vs. retail use cases and the importance of privacy on-chain[35:13 – 37:23] Scaling Canton: new strategic investors and trillions in tokenized assets already on-chain[37:25 – 47:34] Private equity and credit on-chain: implications for efficiency, leverage, and retail access[47:34] MEV vs. payment for order flow: why Don believes MEV resembles illegal front-running[48:18] Crypto market structure: October flash crash, ETFs, and institutional buyers in the current cycle[55:10] Closing remarks

Host/s: Emily Goulette Editor: Sarah Johnson Music: Samuel James Justice Radio is a WMPG production. Justice Radio: Tackling the hard questions about our criminal legal system in Maine. This week: Emily’s interview with second year law student Mica Gonzalez about inequity and inaccessibility in our criminal legal system and the path forward. FMI: ruffnerlaw.com/ About the hosts: The Justice Radio team includes: Catherine Besteman is an abolitionist educator at Colby College. Her research and practice engage the public humanities to explore abolitionist possibilities in Maine. In addition to coordinating Freedom & Captivity, she has researched and published on security, militarism, displacement, and community-based activism with a focus on Somalia, post-apartheid South Africa, and the U.S. She has published nine books, contributed to the International Panel on Exiting Violence, and received recent fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies and the Guggenheim and Rockefeller Foundations. MacKenzie Kelley is a formerly incarcerated woman in long term recovery. She is a teachers assistant for inside-out courses through MIT. MacKenzie works at the Maine Prisoner Reentry Center as a reentry specialist, peer support and recovery coach. She is the program director for Reentry Sisters, a program designed to assist women reentering the community from prison. Linda Small is the founder and executive director of Reentry Sisters, a reentry support organization specializing in a gender-responsive and trauma-informed approach for women, serving Maine and beyond. She is a Project Coordinator for the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition. Linda serves on the Maine Prison Education Partnership board at UMA and the New England Commission for the Future of Higher Education in Prison through The Educational Justice Institute at MIT. The Young People's Caucus (YPC) builds pathways for young people who have been directly impacted by systems involvement and systemic oppression to have a genuine voice and power in decision making in Maine. We create opportunities and connect young people, agency partners, and policy makers to work together to create public systems that support and empower all young people, with a focus on youth who have experienced the juvenile justice and foster care systems. MIDC: Maine Indigent Defense Center is a criminal defense firm accepting only court-appointed cases in primarily Cumberland and York counties. We bring a holistic approach to every criminal case, collaboratively addressing our clients' problems outside the courtroom, which are the problems that often bring them into court in the first place. By addressing these issues we believe our clients are able to achieve better outcomes in and out of court. MIDC was formed in December of 2007 amid cuts to funding for court appointed attorneys. Today, MIDC splits time between representing individual clients, working with students, collaborating with other professionals in our community to work towards a fully holistic defense model, and advocating for reform by providing a critical voice at the legislature and other forums. Robert J. Ruffner: Robert Joseph Ruffner, Director of MIDC. grew up in New England and is a graduate of Clark University ('92). Rob attended Washington University in St. Louis School of Law ('96) where, to no one's surprise, he was Managing Editor of the Devil's Advocate. After a short stint as a defense attorney Rob worked as a prosecutor in St. Louis, Missouri and Portland, Maine. In 2001 Rob returned to his true calling, criticizing the State Criminal Defense, forming his own practice to focus exclusively on criminal (almost entirely indigent) defense. A Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Rob is also member of the Maine State Bar Association and Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was the recipient of the 2009 MACDL, Unsung Hero Award for “highest level of commitment, passion and tireless pursuit of justice in the representation of indigent defendants”. Rob is never far from his three senior Labrador Retriever partners, Luke (8), Gideon (3) (featured on Our Team page) and Flynne (6 months). When he isn't Monday morning quarterbacking the Commission during public comment or poking the State in the eye with a stick, Rob spends as much time as possible with Luke, Gideon and Flynne in a tent in the remote woods of Vermont, from where he “Zooms” back to court in Maine … and pokes the State a little more. Emily Goulette: Emily is a Maine native and 2019 graduate of Colby College. Emily then earned her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law (2023) where she worked in Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic's Youth Justice Clinic representing youth in criminal and education matters. Emily assisted in re-instituting Maine Law's chapter of the Student Animal League Defense Fund while working for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. Emily also interned for Webb Law Firm during law school, assisting on misdemeanor and felony cases. Before joining the Maine Indigent Defense Center, Emily advocated for Maine's homeless population supporting youth and their families through Homeless Youth Services at the Opportunity Alliance in South Portland, ME. Emily (alongside her service dog Finley) now serves as the Director of Policy and Development for MIDC, creating new MIDC initiatives, running the robust student programming, and kick-starting Maine's newest non-profit – The Center for Indigent Defense Studies. Emily lives in Hollis, ME with her horse (Chevy) and problem-causing dog and cat (Stanley and Lennie, respectively). The post Justice Radio 1/29/26: Mica Gonzalez first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

It's cold, but not cold enough to freeze the Cumberland River again. Nashville's founders famously crossed the Cumberland on foot, but that's not the only freeze on record. Plus the local news for January 27, 2026 and Nashville artist Shelldhn Credits: This is a production of Nashville Public RadioHost/producer: Nina CardonaEditor: LaTonya TurnerAdditional support: Mack Linebaugh, Tony Gonzalez, Megan Jones and the staff of WPLN and WNXP

Sat, Jan 24 5:43 PM → 7:39 PM Cumberland RI - 2 Alarm Structure Fire - 24JAN25 Radio Systems: - RISCON North and South

In this episode, I'm diving into why personal branding in 2026 is no longer optional, especially if you're in boutique hospitality. If you're building short-term rentals, a co-hosting or property management business, a boutique hotel, or a micro resort, your personal brand is becoming one of the biggest drivers of trust, connection, and bookings. We talk through what a personal brand actually is (and how it's different from your property or business brand), why people connect to people (not logos), and how personal story builds trust long before a booking ever happens. I share real examples from my own journey building The Weber Co. and Cabins on the Cumberland, including how showing up online consistently helped us find partners, grow our audience, and create deeper loyalty with guests. I also break down what I've observed from brands in the hospitality space that are doing this well, why we're in a trust recession, and how human connection is becoming a major differentiator in a crowded market. This episode is for anyone who feels hesitant about showing up online, unsure what to share, or worried about blending personal and business in a way that still feels aligned. If you want to grow bookings, attract the right guests or owners, and build something that lasts beyond algorithms and trends, this conversation will help you rethink how your personal brand fits into the bigger picture. Connect with me:

Thirty-six years after he was arrested and convicted, the most successful double-agent to ever work inside the Central Intelligence Agency died this week at the Federal Correctional Institution at Cumberland, Maryland. From 1985, when he began selling secrets to the Soviet Union, Aldrich Hazen Ames compromised over 100 CIA operations, enabled the execution of ten high-level sources, and helped plant disinformation which made its way to three United States presidents. An official investigation concluded he “caused more damage to the national security of the United States than any spy in the history of the CIA.” watch @praveenswami explains in @theprintindia #Explorer the most important lesson of the Ames case—which is how easy it was for him to get away with it. Like all bureaucracies, intelligence services—even the best ones—tend to be mired in process and procedure.

A Lancaster County man is accused of stealing human remains from 100 graves at Delaware County's Mount Moriah Cemetery. Jonathan Gerlach, a resident of Ephrata, is also being investigated in connection with November’s theft of two bodies from Good Shepherd Memorial Park in Luzerne County. A new study from Penn State University finds a ‘hot-spot’ of melanoma cases in central Pennsylvania. The study found a pattern of skin cancer in counties with or near farmland. That hot spot spans 15 counties and includes Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York Counties. Last week, WHYY’s Terry Gross appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to celebrate Fresh Air's 50th anniversary. A 61-year-old Hanover man died at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital after a fire late Friday night according to the York County Coroner's Office. We’re learning more about a chase that ended in a stand off and shooting Friday in Berks County that closed down Route 61 for nearly six hours. The city of Harrisburg has been awarded a $750,000 grant under a program administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The funds will be used to make significant upgrades to the Capitol Area Greenbelt, a popular 26-acre outdoor recreation space. If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 / 4 MDJ Script/ Top Stories for December 31st Publish Date: December 31st Commercial: From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. Today is Wednesday, December 31st and Happy Birthday to Donna Summer I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 1. ‘Bittersweet’ goodbye: Marietta school board says farewell to three colleagues 2. New Cobb Young Republicans Chair looks to affordability, voter engagement 3. Cumberland CID details big projects, future plans All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! BREAK: INGLES 1 STORY 1: ‘Bittersweet’ goodbye: Marietta school board says farewell to three colleagues The final meeting of the year for the Marietta Board of Education was a bittersweet one, full of hugs, tears, and heartfelt goodbyes as three longtime members—A.B. Almy, Kerry Minervini, and Jason Waters—stepped down. During the meeting, emotions ran high. Vice Chair Jaillene Hunter praised Almy for her relentless push for academic excellence. Angela Orange called Minervini “a woman who gives a million percent,” while Irene Berens, tearing up, described Waters as “an exceptional man and a dear friend.” Waters, who’s moving on to the Marietta City Council, called the moment “surreal.” Minervini, meanwhile, joked about finding a new hobby, and Almy expressed gratitude for her time on the board. The night ended with a video tribute, glass plaques, and a reminder of the board’s legacy: being named Georgia’s 2025 School Board of the Year. STORY 2: New Cobb Young Republicans Chair looks to affordability, voter engagement At just 25, Andre Stafford is stepping up as the new chairman of the Cobb Young Republicans, ready to shake things up. “I’m all in,” he says, a mantra that’s driven him since he first got involved in politics after the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump—a moment that, for him, changed everything. Stafford, a restaurant manager by day, wants to grow the group, boost voter turnout, and focus on issues like affordability. “The American Dream feels like a fairy tale to my generation,” he says. “We need more homeowners, less paycheck-to-paycheck living.” His goal? Turn Cobb red—and keep it that way. STORY 3: Cumberland CID details big projects, future plans 2 / 4 Big things are happening in Cumberland, and Kim Menefee, the CID’s executive director, couldn’t be prouder. “2025 was our best year yet,” she told lawmakers at a recent meeting. One highlight? The first phase of the New Day Palisades project at Paces Mill Park. With $6.3 million in upgrades—like better parking, trail access, and erosion control—it’s already drawing millions of visitors. Phase 2 kicks off in 2026, with a $9.5 million price tag and plans for a visitor center and river overlooks. Oh, and driverless shuttles? Coming in 2027. Free rides connecting The Battery, Truist Park, and more. Cumberland’s future? Bold. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back. Break: INGLES 1 STORY 4: Cobb Superior Court Clerk asks judge to dismiss charges against her Lawyers for Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor are fighting to get her case dismissed before it even reaches trial. Meanwhile, prosecutors are busy filing motions over what evidence can and can’t be shown in court. Taylor, elected in 2020, faces four felony charges tied to allegations she mishandled passport fee records—pocketing over $425,000 in fees during her first two years in office. Things escalated when a whistleblower claimed Taylor ordered records destroyed, reportedly saying, “We’re just going to Donald Trump this thing.” Taylor denies wrongdoing, but if convicted, she’ll lose her job permanently. A hearing is set for Feb. 5. STORY 5: Marietta residents call for increased safety measures after crash on train tracks Residents are sounding the alarm after a truck barreled off the road and crashed near the train tracks at Kennesaw Avenue and Church Street last week. Melissa Korczyk, out for a walk with her toddler and dog, heard the screech of tires just before 10 a.m. “I look up, and this car is flying down Kennesaw Avenue,” she said. “It hit the tracks, went airborne, and slammed into the pedestrian signal.” The driver, who also hit a light post and tree, escaped with minor injuries and was charged with reckless driving. “It’s scary,” Korczyk said. “That intersection feels like an accident waiting to happen.” Break: 3 / 4 STORY 6: Marietta celebrates legacy of service as three council members retire The Marietta Fire Museum was full of laughter, hugs, and a few teary eyes last week as friends, family, and city staff gathered to honor retiring council members Andy Morris, Grif Chalfant, and Johnny Walker. “You’ve left a footprint on this city that just keeps getting better,” said Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin, summing up the mood of the night. Chalfant, who’s been on the council since 2005, joked about finally tackling 20 years of neglected home projects—and maybe fixing up his Triumph TR3. Morris, a lifelong Marietta resident, said he’s ready to relax with his new dog, Harry. “I might even pick up golf again,” he added. Walker, proud of his work on school traffic safety, plans to focus on real estate, photography, and more time at home. Each was presented with a Distinguished Service Award, a fitting send-off for years of dedication. STORY 7: Baby clothes program helps mothers in need year-round For nearly two decades, Rosemary Buckley has quietly made life a little easier for new moms in need. Every month, she gathers bundles of baby clothes—layettes—and delivers them to Wellstar Kennestone, where they’re given to families who could use a little extra help. “It’s not just store-bought stuff,” Buckley says. “Parishioners make blankets, tiny hats, even mittens. It’s beautiful.” Inspired by her 12 grandchildren and a simple church request back in 2007, Buckley has turned this into her mission. Monsignor John Walsh calls her a “woman of action.” She just calls it “something that needs to be done.” We’ll have closing comments after this. Break: INGLES 1 Signoff- Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.mdjonline.com 4 / 4 Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: ● www.ingles-markets.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Hannah and Barbi share the full story of their Cumberland Island adventure with all twelve of them in tow. They dive into the rich history of the island, the unforgettable boat rides from Fernandina to St. Marys and on to Cumberland, and the unexpected moment when the boat ran out of gas just as they made it back - thankfully drifting safely into another boat only yards away.Along the way, they sprinkle in Christmas and Christmas Eve reflections, family memories, and plenty of laughs from a trip that could've gone very differently but ended up being one for the books. It's a fun, story-filled episode packed with history, holiday warmth, and a reminder that sometimes the best memories come from the unexpected moments.

It's done. Cabins on the Cumberland is officially complete. In this episode, I'm sharing what it really took to build a 12-cabin micro resort with an event venue, game center, and year-round amenities — from construction milestones and financing lessons to direct bookings, full buyouts, and what's next. We talk through: How the build unfolded over 2.5 years What I'd do differently with underwriting and reserves How we've maintained 30–50% direct bookings Why full property buyouts (weddings, retreats, church groups) are the future The unglamorous realities no one posts about — dead season, cash flow, and learning as you go This is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at building a destination property — not just something that looks good online, but something designed to last. If you're building, scaling, or dreaming about a micro resort or event-driven STR, this episode will give you real context, not theory. Connect with me:

2025 has been one of the biggest years of growth I've ever had — across three hospitality businesses, inside my personal life, and in the direction I'm heading for 2026. I'm breaking down what worked, what stretched me, and what I'm changing moving forward. I walk through each business — The Weber Co., Hosted by the Webers, and Cabins on the Cumberland — and share the real numbers, the mindset shifts, the growing pains, and the wins. I also open up about the conversations Colin and I have been having about our boys, school, where we want to live, and why "camper life" is the plan for next year. If you're building something big, navigating pivots, or trying to figure out how to scale without losing yourself in the process… this one's for you. Connect with me: