Podcasts about High country

A hunt in Tajikistan that tops out over 19,000 feet. An argali at 1,200 yards. Kyrgyzstan on horseback and a Mongolia hunt that included wolves working the same animals. Rob Gearing shares stories from three very different Asian mountain hunts: the long, open, high-altitude country of Tajikistan near the Afghan border; camping and horses in Kyrgyzstan; and Toyotas in places they shouldn't go in the Gobi. Sponsor: Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like ad-free access to the podcast a day early. Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 151: Rob Gearing On Spartan Precision Bipods and Tripods – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 216: Rob Gearing From Spartan Precision (2022) – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 309: 2024 Update From Spartan Precision – Episode referenced in podcast Best Hunting Rifle Bipods – Article referenced in podcast

This week Paul Brunner takes us around the world in pursuit of sheep. Now at the age of 82, Paul is still hunting hard and living the life as a bowhunter. Paul tells Alan about various adventures around the world and the friends he shared those special times with including Paul Schafer. They not only relive numerous hunts, but cover a lot bowhunting experiences and knowledge gained through real life hard times. There is so much knowledge in this one that will make you a better bowhunter.  

TV guru Steve Molk returns to discuss Ted Lasso season 4 and Hammo's issues with this newest batch of episodes. Then they pivot into some Lanterns talk, Silo season 3, Molk's rewatch of The Shield, Apple TV's Last Seen, High Country and Apocalypse. It's all TV for this episode!Questions or topic ideas for Hammo? Shoot him an email or DM him on Instagram For exclusive eps and chats, join the podcast's Patreon HERE, and check out Hammo's Substack HERELove the show? The easiest way to support is by following on Apple or Spotify and leave a 5 star review!To sponsor the show, contact justinhamiltonpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailI ordered my next truck: a 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country. In this episode, I explain why I chose Chevy over GMC and Toyota, why timing pushed me into the High Country trim, and the exact engine, color and towing configuration I ordered.CHAPTERS0:00 I ordered a new truck0:45 The trucks I considered2:10 Why Chevrolet instead of GMC3:20 The new Silverado V8 decision4:10 Ordering through Kelley Chevrolet5:20 Why I chose High Country7:05 Pacific Blue and the 6.6L V88:25 Max Trailering availability9:10 The 3.23 rear axle explained11:05 Delivery timing and estimated price13:25 Screen ProTech giveaway and PUTT updates15:25 This week in truck news20:30 Germany programming noteSave 15% on a Screen ProTech screen protector: https://screenprotech.com/timJoin our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/pickuptrucktalkVisit the Pickup Truck + SUV Talk website: https://www.pickuptrucktalk.comSupport the show

Before there was a booming Boone, paved roads, big-box stores, and modern construction, Watauga County was a collection of small mountain communities connected by trails, rivers, stores, mills, and the people who lived and worked there.In this episode of All About Home Construction, we go back to the early days of the High Country and explore the important role of the general store.We'll look at Council's Store, the early settlement that eventually became Boone, and how a simple general store and post office became the center of a growing community. We'll talk about why old general stores were so important—not just for buying supplies, but as post offices, places of credit and barter, sources of news, and gathering places.It's a look at the High Country not just through its history—but through the buildings, businesses, forests, and people that built it.

The game of football means a great deal to the High Country and its economy. For decades, championship success on the field has fueled business growth and activity throughout the surrounding High Country region. How the business of college athletics moves forward has a direct impact on the economic performance of a key time of year for our community.On this week's Mind Your Business, we bring you our annual conversation with App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. Heading into his 12th season in the AD's chair, we'll talk about the current trends in the business of college football and athletics in general, and how the evolving landscape of college sports will impact gamedays. We'll also discuss how App State athletics is brining entertainment other than sports to the High Country and -- perhaps refreshingly --  we'll hear about possible connection points for student-athletes in the community as they look to make a positive impact on the area during their time in Boone.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the showSupport the show

It’s been a year since a murderous ambush in rural Victoria led to Australia’s biggest manhunt, and the consequences are being felt beyond the dense bush that Dezi Freeman fled into after he shot and killed two police officers. Today crime journalist Sherryn Groch on the underground network and doomsday preppers in the High Country. And why Freeman, a monster to some, has become an outlaw hero to an entrenched part of Australian society. It’s Wednesday, August 26. Background reading: ‘Still Kelly country’: Life in Porepunkah after Dezi Freeman, as locals pick up the pieces The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtney speaks with Margaret Hickey who is an award-winning author and playwright from North East Victoria.  Margaret won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Fiction in 2025 for The Creeper.They chat about her new novel Cold River - a thought-provoking crime mystery set in Victoria's High Country.Read Next Newsletter Connected Libraries WebsiteConnected Libraries Facebook PageIn a nook with a book Facebook GroupConnected Libraries Instagram PageConnected Libraries YouTube

Send us Fan MailStep onto the dirt road and into the vibrant world of high-altitude flower farming with Beth Brinkerhoff, owner of Teton Flower Farm in Victor, Idaho. In this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, she shares her story of what it takes to grow, harvest, and market delicate flowers in one of the state's most challenging climates. Beth and her husband learned how to use geothermal resources to heat and cool crops naturally using underground air tubes. Beth breaks down the reality of her daily routine—from pre-dawn harvests to fulfilling orders for Jackson Hole florists and Whole Foods—and shares her plans to expand into agritourism with "cut-your-own-bouquet" nights.

Good Morning BT with Bo Thompson and Beth Troutman | Friday, August 14th, 2026. 6:05 Beth’s Song of the Day | Live from Boone, NC 6:20 Guest: Willard Watson (Blowing Rock Arts and History Museum) - upcoming events 6:35 Willard Watson (Blowing Rock Arts and History Museum) - Doc Watson Day! 6:50 RAM Biz Update; Field of Dreams Game recap 7:05 Bo, Beth and Steve talk trip to the High Country 7:20 Guest: Armando Garcia (Beech Mountain) 7:35 Guest: Mac Cornish (Zaloo's Canoes) 7:50 Tell Me Something Good 8:05 Guest: Bill Bartee (Carolina Outdoors) 8:20 Guest: Suzanne Livesay (Exec. Director of the Appalachian Theatre) 8:35 Friday News Quiz with Jeff Atkinson 8:50 Guests: Chef Zach - Betty’s Biscuits 9:05 Guest: Mark Freed - Director, The Jones House 9:20 Guest: Charles Lee (Hornets Head Coach) - Hornets offseason round up | Season preview 9:35 Guest: Sheri Moretz (Mast General Store) 9:50 Guest: Olivia Phillips - Watauga County Heritage MuseumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I denne miniserie fordyber Dennis sig i udvalgte film fra Sam Peckinpahs filmografi. I dette afsnit er det hans debut spillefilm: Ride the high country.Musik af: Karl Casey@WhiteBatSmid en besked :)

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks into the growing concerns around hikers relieving themselves in the Colorado mountains and how federal cuts to the Forest Service could mean “wag bags” will have an even greater role in keeping the lands clean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States. Its mandate is to promote the effective operation of the U.S. economy. Sometimes such high-flying agencies or policy influencing organizations can feel detached from the day-to-day experiences that make up the High Country economy. However, the Federal Reserve uses a network of economists and data analysts to ensure the voice of Main Street is being heard and helping inform Federal policy and direction.On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Bethany Greene, Regional Economist for the Charllotte Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Bethany monitors regional economic trends through data analysis and engagements with the business community in North and South Carolina. We'll discuss the role of the Fed, and how they extract data from locations across the region in a manner that ultimately shows up in policy shaping discussions. We'll also talk about the recent transition of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, what Western North Carolina can expect, economically speaking, as we move further away from the physical impacts of Hurricane Helene, and what's on the horizon in terms of economy shaping influences.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

In this episode, Matt sits down with Jack Muir from ZeroTech Optics to dive into the world of rifle scopes, binoculars, long-range shooting and what really makes quality hunting optics. From explaining the differences between HD and ED binoculars to discussing why objective lens size matters in low light, Jack shares practical advice to help hunters choose the right equipment for their style of hunting. If you've ever wondered whether premium glass is worth it or what magnification you actually need, this episode is packed with valuable insights. The conversation also explores the story behind ZeroTech, one of Australia's fastest-growing optics companies. Jack explains how the Australian-owned company was created, why customer service and lifetime warranty are at the core of the business, and how feedback from everyday hunters continues to shape new product development. Matt also shares his own experience with ZeroTech's warranty process and why reliable after-sales support is just as important as optical performance. For those interested in precision shooting, Jack takes listeners inside the world of F-Class competition, explaining long-range ballistics, ammunition consistency, projectile selection, chronographs and the science behind accurate shooting beyond 1,000 metres. They discuss popular calibres including the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, 7mm PRC and .300 PRC, along with why choosing the right projectile is often more important than simply choosing the biggest cartridge. The episode finishes with plenty of hunting talk, covering Sambar deer in Victoria's High Country, why Jack still prefers getting within 100 metres despite his long-range experience, ethical shot selection, red dot sights versus traditional rifle scopes, and why spending time in the bush continues to teach lessons no matter how experienced you become. Whether you're a new hunter or an experienced shooter looking to improve your equipment and understanding, there's something in this conversation for everyone. For the latest information, news, giveaways and anything mentioned on the show, you can find all the links here. If you have a question, topic, gear review suggestion or a guest you'd like to hear on the show, get in touch via our socials.Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.

July is prime time for tourism season across the High Country. As the calendar flips, vacationers flock to the area, especially those melting in the record heat off the mountain. On this week's Mind Your Business, we will discuss the intentionality that goes into creating the visitor experience, and what July means to both the anchor attractions as well as other businesses that benefit from increased traffic. Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Executive Director Jesse Pope returns to program to talk July tourism from the perspective of one of our region's most recognizable and frequently visited attractions. We'll learn how he and his staff help set visitors up with great experiences as they depart the gates and head toward other locations. We'll also get the latest on Blue Ridge Parkway road work, and how to access Grandfather Mountain and some of the area's more popular trails and features throughout the month of July.Speaking of road work, we'll also bring Downtown Boone Development Association Director Lane Moody back to the show, as she gives us the latest updates on the Howard Street Revitalization Project.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

As we move through the month of June, the Mountaineer 10-miler, High Country Jazz Festival, and Boonerang are among the summer events that are officially in the books.On this week's Mind Your Business, we dive into the early numbers regarding the economic impact of the Mountaineer 10-miler and Boonerang. Charlie Mercer, CEO of Capstone Event Group rejoins the show to discuss the post-race survey results from over 850 participants in the Mountaineer 10-miler, which includes a breakdown on runner demographics, lodging impacts, shopping and dining activity, and likelihood of repeat trips to the High Country. We then turn attention to the inital visitor data from the 5th annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, which further supports the impact event weeknds have on the entire High Country.To wrap up the show, we'll visit with Victoria O'Connell, Water Conservation Program Coordinator with the Town of Boone, as she explains the recently announced Stage 2 Water Restrictions enacted by Boone Town Council, and what this means for residents and businesses.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

There are businesses in the High Country that truly connect their product to the place. This week on Mind Your Business, we continue our Built in Boone series, and step inside Booneshine Brewing Company, and talk with President and Co-Founder Tim Herdklotz. As we take a walking tour through the tasting room and production facility, we'll talk with Tim about Booneshine's origin story, their capacity for growth, and the intentionality that allowed them to develop a business that helps "make Boone shine."We'll also go over some logistics for this weekend's Boonerang Music & Art Festival and we'll play a new game called "What are they building over there?"Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Combine the wisdom of a fifth-generation superintendent with a historic golf course in one of the most picturesque parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you begin to understand the appeal of Blowing Rock Country Club.This golf course dates back to 1915, and is impeccably maintained by Josh Costner and his team. It fits well into this scenic part of North Carolina's High Country, which has a wide array of wildlife, and 160 species of birds, including Bald Eagles. Costner relies on Redox TurfRx products for their impressive playing conditions.“We try to focus on playability a lot,” he said. “That's how we got into Redox, was getting more into the fast, firm, yet healthy grass plants.” Redox TurfRx® products utilized at Blowing Rock include K+, Linx™, XTraction™, Micro+, OxyCal®, CA, Supreme. Platinum and RDX-N®.Find out more about Josh's golf course at blowingrockcountryclub.com. It's the only Seth Raynor-deigned golf course in North Carolina. 

This week on All About Home Construction, we're answering listener questions from around the High Country and beyond. We cover practical landscaping tips, including drainage solutions, planting around foundations, and choosing the right mulch. We also discuss ladder safety, common mistakes homeowners make when working at heights, and how to stay safe while tackling projects around the house.In addition, we answer several DIY plumbing questions, talk about routine home inspections, and share what tool every homeowner should have in their toolbox. Whether you're maintaining your property, planning a weekend project, or just looking to learn something new, this episode is packed with useful information for homeowners and DIYers alike.Tune in Saturday mornings at 8 AM on WATA, or catch the podcast anytime on Spotify and YouTube.

A campfire recap from the Victorian High Country after an unforgettable Sambar hunt, with plenty of highs, lows, laughs, and one very hard-earned first deer.In this episode, the microphones come out around the campfire as Matt, Nick and Brad reflect on an incredible few days chasing Sambar in the Victorian High Country. After years of dreaming about it, Matt finally gets his first Sambar deer, marking a milestone hunt in some of Australia's toughest hunting country.The conversation dives into the reality of hunting the High Country. Steep terrain, thick cover, long climbs, and physical demands that make every success feel more than earned. Matt shares the challenges of the hunt, including finding himself flat on his back at times and battling through a gruelling carry-out that tested both body and mind. It's a raw and honest look at what makes Sambar hunting such a rewarding and challenging pursuit.As always, the campfire setting brings out plenty of laughs, stories, and reflections on the moments that made the trip memorable. From the excitement of success to the struggles that come with hunting in rugged country, this episode captures the experience exactly as it happened.For the latest information, news, giveaways and anything mentioned on the show, you can find all the links here. If you have a question, topic, gear review suggestion or a guest you'd like to hear on the show, get in touch via our socials.Disclaimer: Content shared on this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. For the full disclaimer, click on this link.

A landmark childcare partnership arrived in the High Country last week — one designed to stabilize two different workforces at once. On Friday, May 15th, UNC Health Appalachian officially announced their participation in the North Carolina Tri-Share Child Care Program, becoming the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to do so.On this week's Mind Your Business, we were at Friday's press conference and have the audio. You'll hear from Halee Hartley of Kid Cove, Jessica Sullins of the Hugh Chapman Early Learning Center, Nathan Nipper of UNC Health Appalachian, and Fred Hunter, Director of Program and Business Development for NC Tri-Share — on what this partnership means locally and what it signals for employers across the state.We'll also share the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation's announcement of a new fall fundraising campaign — a direct, one-time retention bonus for every childcare worker at a licensed facility in Watauga County. The goal is $60,000 to $75,000, with distribution planned for October 2026. It's the third consecutive year the Foundation has run a targeted fall childcare campaign. To get involved, visit boonechamber.com/foundation.Also on this week's show — a Blue Ridge Parkway update ahead of Memorial Day weekend, covering Great American Outdoors Act construction progress and the latest on Hurricane Helene recovery repairs. Check nps.gov/blri before you head out.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Global pressures are testing economies at every level — and the High Country is not immune. Gas prices, a new Federal Reserve Chair, ongoing conflict abroad, and a midterm election on the horizon are all part of a picture that demands clear-eyed perspective.This week on Mind Your Business, we bring local context to all these issues as we are joined by Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management for our quarterly economic check-in. He'll discuss what the current market conditions mean for investors and business owners here in the High Country, how energy prices affect our summer tourism season, and what smart financial strategy looks like at the midpoint of 2026.We also recap the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce's participation in the annual WNC Chamber Coalition Legislative Visit to Raleigh this week. Eighty-five business and civic leaders representing 14 chambers — including 20 from the immediate High Country — spent two days meeting with state officials, agency leaders, and members of the General Assembly. Governor Josh Stein addressed the group directly, and we'll share highlights from those conversations, including the latest on the state budget.Next week, the Chamber hosts Vision Northwest North Carolina — our annual regional summit — on May 21st at the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. This year's focus is transportation. Registration is open at boonechamber.com.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

This week, UNC Health Appalachian became the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to launch a partnership with the North Carolina Tri-Share program — a childcare cost-sharing model that splits tuition three ways between the employer, the employee, and the state. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Alysia Price, Chief Human Resources Officer at UNC Health Appalachian, to discuss how the partnership works, who it serves, and what it could mean for other High Country employers who are watching closely.Also on this week's show, we mark the completion of Section 1B of the Great American Outdoors Act restoration work on the Blue Ridge Parkway — running from Parkway School to Bamboo Gap in Watauga County — and recap last night's public scoping meeting where Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Tracy Swartout and agency partners met with the community to begin planning Helene-related debris removal. We also preview the full agenda for the 7th Annual Vision Northwest North Carolina Summit on May 21st at the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. This year's theme is Driving Regional Progress, with a day of keynotes and breakout sessions focused on transportation funding, workforce access, freight and mobility, and what it takes to move people across Northwest North Carolina. Registration is open now at boonechamber.com.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon (Friday afternoon this week) at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Send us Fan MailJay, Rhea, and Angelo are back... and Hollywood just got a lesson from its own past. Devil Wears Prada 2 opened to $77 million domestic and $233 million worldwide, proving that 125 million Americans over 50 — mostly women — will absolutely show up if you give them something worth watching. The question is whether the movie actually delivered: Angelo thinks Meryl Streep is chewing the scenery so aggressively she's a structural hazard, Jay thinks she's the only thing holding it together, and both of them agree Emily Blunt deserved a better movie than the one she got. Is this proof that Hollywood has been leaving a fortune on the table by over-indexing on teenage boys and Marvel sequels?THEN: SNL is the only late night institution the Trump administration hasn't gone after and the gang has theories about why. While Jimmy Kimmel is fielding daily White House attacks and Colbert has gone dark, SNL keeps swinging and nobody's calling their advertisers. Is it the rotating cast? The difference between caricature and attack? Plus: Jon Stewart's Correspondents' Dinner bit analyzing the assassination attempt footage may be the single funniest thing anyone has produced all year... and it barely made the news cycle.ALL THAT PLUS: Hulu dropped a surprise The Bear prequel episode before Season 4 even officially launches, and Angelo still won't watch it. A deep dive into the history of May Sweeps, Rhea cannot stop watching High Country on Hulu or talking about Criminal Record Season 2 on Apple TV. Angelo found a Scottish show about a man with Tourette's that he's calling “beyond spectacular.” And much MUCH more!MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR SPONSOR: Steven Singer Jewelers!The TV Show is a weekly podcast hosted by Jay Black, with regular guests Angelo Cataldi and Rhea Hughes. Each week, we dive into the new Golden Age of Television, with a discussion of the latest shows and news. 

This week marks the 3rd annual Fairway Fore Foundation Golf Classic at Jefferson Landing. This annual fundraising tournament fuels the work of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, providing support for economic development projects and investments in childcare, housing, workforce development, infrastructure, and organizational support.The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is not the only organization that does business on the golf course. In fact, 30% of small business owners say they have initiated or closed business on a golf course. This week on Mind Your Business, we are on location for this year's tournament, highlighting the ways golf and business lead to the relationship equity that can move a deal or project across the finishline.Speaking of business, we have updates on two key project areas -- broadband infrastructure and local convention space. Edward Hinson of SkyLine/SkyBest takes time away from the range to discuss the company's continued Helene recovery efforts along with information about the future of broadband usage in the High Country. Then, we visit with the owner of the Graystone Lodge, Justin Patel. In addition to serving alongside Carolina West Wireless as our tournament co-sponsor, Justin's team has been working on a project that could add valuable meeting and convention space inside the Town of Boone. We'll get the latest details on that project, as well as an early look at the performance of the 2026 tourism season.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Today, Sun outdoors reporter Jason Blevins looks at how a change in Telluride’s affordable housing rules has riled a folks in town. As housing continues to challenge mountain town workers, was it an overcorrect? https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/19/telluride-rent-regulations-renters-affordability-shandoka-sunnyside-voodoo-apartments/ https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/31/colorado-sunfest-2026-panel-housing-crisis-in-high-country/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snow-capped peaks in mid-summer aren't just a view—they're a challenge. In this episode of the Peace Love Moto podcast, we're diving into the unique reality of motorcycling in Colorado during the spring transition. From my home base in Loveland, Colorado, I'm looking at late April through the eyes of a rider. It's not just a season; it's the official start of motorcycle trip planning for the High Country.

 On Tuesday, April 21st, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools hosted the inaugural Trades Signing Day at Watauga High School — recognizing students who have earned, or are on track to earn, an industry-recognized credential through the school's Career and Technical Education program.On this week's Mind Your Business, we recap the event and dig into the 2026 Watauga County Attainment Profile from MyFutureNC, which tracks where our community stands on postsecondary credential attainment against the state's 2030 goals. Dr. Kim Case, Regional Impact Manager for myFutureNC's Northwest Region, joins us to connect the data to real career pathways for students across the High Country. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Earlier this week, tickets went on sale for the 42nd season of An Appalachian Summer Festival, an annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the Appalachian State University campus, featuring an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming. This five-week series brings world renowned artists across multiple genres to Boone and the High Country at a highly popular time for summer tourism engagement, which provides a predictable and impactful annual economic benefit to the region.On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Allison West, Director of Marketing for App State's Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources. She will preview the full schedule of this year's festival and tell you which events feature the fastest-selling tickets! We'll also discuss the economic benefits of An Appalachian Summer, and how this annual showcase has provided unique opportunities for the development of local artists. Speaking of economic impact, the taxes created by events like our summer festivals (occupancy tax, sales tax) provide impactful dollars to be spent on services in our local community. As the North Carolina General Assembly resumes its work this month in Raleigh, there are several legislative discussions around tax law that could have direct implications for communities across the State. The Chamber's Advocacy Task Force continues to monitor these conversations, and we'll bring you the latest details.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Earlier this week, Lenny Cottom announced the sale of Hawksnest Snow Tubing & Zipline after 35-years of family ownership. Fortunately, this was part of the Cottom's plan, and they worked to find a buyer that shared their vision for the future of this long-time outdoor playground.Business succession does not always go so smoothly, and sometimes a lack of planning can force the hand of a business owner in a way that has a negative impact on employees, customers, and the surrounding community.On this week's Mind Your Business, we hear directly from Lenny Cottom about the sale of Hawksnest, what drove the family's decision, and what comes next for one of the High Country's longest running outdoor attractions. We then tackle the concept of business succession as we visit with Chris Grasinger and John Wilantowicz of Mountain BizWorks. We discuss how developing a plan around the sale of a business can help maximize the value of the return, and ensure employees and customers can continue to count on the goods and services provided. We'll also talk about the growing benefits of buying an established business versus starting a small business from scratch, and how that can factor positively into future financing, community positioning, and other similar considerations.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon (except this week -- tune in Friday, April 10th) at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

The Federated Farmers High Country Field Day recently took place at Glenaray station in the Waikaia Valley. Over 280 visitors visited various sites across the farm to discuss the issues impacting New Zealand's rural sector. The Country's Jamie Mackay recapped the action, and speculated about the lack of Labour MPs at the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sudden conclusion to one of Australia’s most intensive manhunts, self-described sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman was shot dead by police on Monday morning. For more than 200 days, Freeman evaded police after killing two police officers at a rural property in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s High Country, on August 26 last year. In a bonus episode today, crime reporter Melissa Cunningham on how the deadly saga of Dezi Freeman came to an end. For all the latest on this story, visit theage.com.au or smh.com.au.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sudden conclusion to one of Australia’s most intensive manhunts, self-described sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman was shot dead by police on Monday morning. For more than 200 days, Freeman evaded police after killing two police officers at a rural property in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s High Country, on August 26 last year. In a bonus episode today, crime reporter Melissa Cunningham on how the deadly saga of Dezi Freeman came to an end. For all the latest on this story, visit theage.com.au or smh.com.au.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WhoTim Smith, President and General Manager of Waterville Valley, New HampshireRecorded onNovember 12, 2025About Waterville ValleyClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: The Sununu FamilyLocated in: Waterville Valley, New HampshireYear founded: 1966Pass affiliations:* Indy Pass, Indy+ Pass: 2 days, no blackouts* White Mountain Super Pass: unlimited, no blackouts* Indy Learn-to-Turn: 3 days, includes rentals, lesson, lift ticket; limited lift access* Ski New Hampshire Kids Passport: 1 day with holiday blackouts* Uphill New England: no lift accessBase elevation: 1,984 feet (highest in New Hampshire, 3rd in New England)Summit elevation: 4,004 feet (2nd-highest in New Hampshire, 5th in New England)Vertical drop: 2,020 feet (4th-highest in New Hampshire, 14th in New England)Skiable acres: 265Average annual snowfall: 148 inchesTrail count: 62 (14% novice, 64% intermediate, 22% advanced)Lift count: 10 (1 six-pack, 1 high-speed quad, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 2 T-bars, 2 carpets)Why I interviewed himWell no one wants to hear this but we got to $300 lift tickets the same way we got to $80,000 pickup trucks. We're Americans Goddamnit and we just can't do stickshifts and we sure as s**t ain't standin' up on our skis to ride back up the mountain. It's pure agony you see. We need us a nine-pack chairlift with a bubble and a breakroom and a minibar and surround sound and Lazy-Boy seats and hell no we ain't ridin' it with eight strangers we'll hold back and take a whole chair to our ownselves. And it needs to move fast, Son. Like embarrass-the-Concord fast because God help us we spend more than 90 seconds with our own thoughts.I'm not aiming to get kicked out of America here, but if I may submit a few requests regarding our self-inflicted false price floors. I would like the option of purchasing a brand-new car with a manual transmission and windows rolled up and down with a hand-crank. I would like to keep pedaling my bicycle. I would like to cut the number of holidays with commercial mandates by 80 percent. I would prefer that we not set the air-conditioners to 60 when it's 65 degrees outside. This doesn't mean I want to get rid of all the air-conditioners but could we maybe take it easy on the frostbite-in-July overkill of it all?My Heretic Wishlist for American Skiing includes but is not limited to: more surface lifts, especially to serve terrain parks, high-altitude exposed terrain, and expert pods; on-resort lodging that does not still require a commute-by-personal-vehicle to reach the lifts; and thoughtful terrain management that retains ungroomed sections for skiers who like things about skiing other than going fast.Waterville Valley is doing all of these things. It is perhaps the only major American ski area in decades to replace a chairlift with a surface lift on a non-beginner terrain pod, and the only one to build two new T-bars this century. A planned gondola would connect Waterville Valley the town with Waterville Valley the ski area, correcting an only-in-America setup that separates these inseparable places by two miles of road. The glade network grows annually in both subtle and obvious ways.This is not a ski area going in reverse. Waterville is modern and keeps modernizing. The four-year-old Tecumseh bubble six-pack, though bookended with T-bars, is one of the nicest chairlifts in America. Skiers still go groomer-kaboom on morning cord. Suburban office-park dads with interstate commutes and a habit of lecturing the Facebook Commons about the virtues of snow tires can still park their 42-wheel-drive Abrams-Caterpillar-F-15,000 Tanktruck in sub-parking lot 42Z and walk uphill to the lifts. But Waterville Valley is one of a handful of American ski areas, along with Killington and Deer Valley and Winter Park, that is embracing all of our luxe cultural excesses while pursuing the very un-American ambition of putting more skiers close to skiing.No ski area is perfect. For all the cash saved on those T-bars, peak-day Waterville lift tickets still hit $145. The mountain's season pass is the second-most expensive single-mountain season passes in New England – more than a top-line Epic Pass (an adult WV pass includes a free pass for a kid age 6 to 12, which is great if you have one of those). That's bold pricing for the 22nd-largest ski area in New England, especially one that still spins three Stadeli chairlifts that predate the extinction of the dinosaurs. And two high-speed chairlifts is not a lot of high-speed chairlifts for a 2,000-vertical-foot ski area (though about half of New England's 2,000-footers run just two or fewer detaches).Yeah I know. Sick burn from someone who was waxing about surface lifts four paragraphs ago. I may have collected too many ski area Lego blocks in my mental bucket, and they don't always click together back here on planet Earth. “More villages,” I say while dismissing Aspen as a subsidized simulacrum of itself. “Big fast lifts rule,” I say while setting off fire alarms as first-generation chairlifts disintegrate and the cost of their most basic replacements escalates. “No-grooming, all-glades makes the best ski area,” I say, while condemning resort operators for $356 lift tickets that dam the masses. “Vail is too expensive,” I say. “Vail is too cheap,” I also say. “Modernize our chairlifts,” I say while celebrating the joy of riding an antique Riblet double. I endorse ski areas splitting off from conglomerates and ski areas joining them. These narratives can feel contradictory at best and schizophrenic at worst.But that tension is part of what draws me to lift-served ski areas, where two things central to my worldview – wild nature and human invention – merge. Or perhaps more accurately, collide. Both forces act at all times not only to extinguish one another, but themselves: above-freezing temps trash two feet of new snow; bad liftline management cancels out the capacity benefits of a $12 million lift upgrade. Making a ski area function, then, requires continual tweaking, of both the nuanced and look-at-us-press-release variety. A ski area is a business, sure, but that's almost a coincidence. The act of building and running a ski area is foremost an art, architecture, and engineering project that requires a somewhat madcap conductor to succeed. As with any artform, there is no one correct and final way to build a ski area. The variety is central to skiing's appeal. But there are operator/artist attributes - flexibility, inventiveness, consistency tempered by openness to change - that contribute to the overall quality and cohesion of the individual ski area experience in the context of competing ski areas. In the current version of Waterville Valley, we find one of our best contemporary examples of a ski area evolving toward the best version of itself under the stewardship of owners and managers possessing exactly these traits.What we talked aboutThe return of World Cup training and events to Waterville; drifting away from and back toward freeskiing culture; the best terrain parks in New England; why terrain parks are drifting away from mega-features; what happened to all the halfpipes?; and ramps?; no really no one wore helmets in the ‘90s; building terrain parks before institutional knowledge and the internet; the lost Hidden Valley, Wisconsin ski area; the rise of the high-speed ropetow; why Waterville replaced one T-bar and one Poma with a new T-bar (rather than a chairlift); why Waterville installed night skiing; the return of the Exhibition terrain park; self-installing the World Cup T-bar; Waterville's ops blog; why the Tecumseh Express sixer needed new bubbles after just a couple of seasons; why bubbles cost so much and how Waterville manufactured a less expensive one; Tecumseh's incredible wind resistance; MND lifts as an alternative to the two large U.S.-based lift manufacturers; a chairlift's “infancy” and how different 2020s lift technology is from early detachable tech; how Waterville's masterplan would reorient the mountain and skier traffic with an expansion and new lifts; Waterville's declining skier visits and whether that's a bad thing; how the resort's 1994 bankruptcy changed Waterville's trajectory; what stoked the Green Peak expansion; “we've been on a track to try to rebuild that energy we saw in the 1990s”; why Waterville turned away from discounting; “the right quantity of skiers on the right amount of surface”; building more terrain diversity; and a gondola connection from town to mountain.Should someone tell them they're running it backwards? Video by Stuart Winchester.What I got wrong* I said that the “High Country double chair was still standing” – what I meant was that parts of it were still in place. The top terminal remains, sans bullwheel, and the base terminal and motor room remain as a patrol shack:* I said that Waterville hadn't been known for terrain parks until recently, but Smith recalled that the ski area was more freestyle-centric from the ‘70s through the ‘90s, before pulling back during the first part of this century.* I said that 1,100 skiers per hour was “a little less than what a double chair would move,” thinking standard capacity for a double was 1,200 per hour. Smith says it is 900. Exact capacity varies from lift-to-lift, however. Lift Blog itemizes hourly capacities of between 800 and 1,200 for four of Smugglers' Notch's double chairs, between 1,000 and 1,200 for four of Mt. Spokane's fleet of Riblet doubles, and 1,000 for Waterville's Lower Meadows double. We all know, however, that the hourly capacity for a double chair is however many people are in line minus the number not paying attention minus singles who refuse to ride with anyone. So I don't know maybe 50.Podcast NotesOn other mentioned podcasts* World Cup competition returning to Sun Valley:* Heavenly backing out of mega-parks features:* Killington and the cost of bubbles:* Waterville part 1, from 2021:On Partek and each lift being differentOn Waterville's ownership historyFounder Tom Corcoran owned Waterville Valley from 1966 until 1994, when he sold to American Skiing Company (ASC) antecedent S-K-I. The feds made ASC dispense with Waterville and Cranmore when they merged with LBO Enterprises in 1996. Booth Creek (more on them below), bought the ski area and held it until 2010, when they sold it to the Sununu family. This makes Waterville one of just a handful of ski areas to ever enter a multi-mountain pass portfolio and then exit to independence - though Killington and Ragged recently did exactly that, and Eldora may follow.On Mt. Holiday, MichiganThis is just a little 200-footer, but it's still around on the outskirts of Traverse City, Michigan:That trailmap doesn't really communicate the ski area's essence. A little better are these pics I took on a summertime swing-through a few years back:I never skied there though, always preferring the far-larger Sugar Loaf, right down the road (which Smith and I also discussed):Until it was abandoned around 2000, this was one of the better ski areas in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. After a succession of owners - one of whom stripped all the chairlifts off the bump - failed to bring skiing back, the Leelanau Conservancy recently took ownership of the property. Skiing will return as an officially sanctioned activity, though unfortunately without a lift or snowmaking. I would have at least liked to have seen a ropetow. Here's their vision:On midwestskier.com Yes, Kids, the internet really did used to look like this:On Hidden Valley, WisconsinHere's a little ski hill that didn't make it. Smith spent time at Hidden Valley, Wisconsin, which opened in 1956 and closed forever in 2013. The chairlift appears to have been moved to nearby, county-run Kewaunee Winter Park, where it awaits installation.On high-speed ropetowsI am a huge fan of high-speed ropetows, which are a cheap and effective means to isolate users of terrain parks or other specialized, intensive-use zones from the broader ski area. Here's one at Spirit Mountain, Minnesota in 2023 (video by Stuart Winchester):On Waterville Valley's masterplanThis is perhaps the best angle of how Waterville's expansion would connect the legacy trail network to the town:Here's the Forest Service masterplan slide:Neither of these images, however, show how the gondola would eventually connect down into town, which is the crucial element of transforming Waterville Valley from a ski-area-that-says-it's-a-ski-resort into an actual ski resort. Here's a look at that connection:Waterville set up an excellent microsite detailing the hoped-for evolution.On Booth CreekAt the mid-90s height of American Skiing Company dominance, a former Vail executive assembled a cross-country ski area portfolio with ambitions of creating a hub-and-spoke network:Booth Creek ultimately sold off most of its properties, but still own Sierra-at-Tahoe. Grand Targhee GM Geordie Gillett was involved in the whole saga and broke it down for us in 2024:On Waterville going from one of the oldest lift fleets in New England to one of the most modernWhile Waterville runs some of the last Stadeli lifts in America (I count 16), the ski area has modernized extensively over the past decade:On U.S. Forest Service ski areas in the EastMost (109) of the 119 active U.S. ski areas on United States Forest Service leases sit in the West; two are in the Midwest, and eight are in the East: Bromley, Mount Snow, and Sugarbush, Vermont; Waterville Valley, Loon, Attitash, and Wildcat, New Hampshire; and Timberline, West Virginia. None, as far as I know, sit entirely within the boundaries of a national forest, but even partial overlap triggers the requirement to submit an updated masterplan each decade.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

There are numerous businesses here in the High Country that we all drive by every day and wonder, "what do they do in there?"This week we continue our 12-part series: Built in the High Country. This monthly feature will take us physically inside some of the most unique and successful businesses in Watauga County, as we examine what got them started and why they chose the High Country as the home for their business.This week on Mind Your Business, we visit Jackson Sumner & Associates. Established in Boone in 1981, JSA has grown to become one of the top Excess & Specialty Lines Brokers in the eastern United States. CEO Danielle Wade explains the company's origin story, and how Boone's location plays in to their workforce recruitment and retention strategy. We'll also hear about JSA's place as an industry leader, and how they've earned that recognition while being located in rural North Carolina.We'll also bring you the latest on Blue Ridge Parkway construction tied to the Great American Outdoors Act, including updates on detours planned for Watauga County in the near future.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Turning the napkin sketch into a viable business is one of the most exhilarating and equally terrifying tasks in the entrepreneurial journey. Here in the High Country, we are fortunate to have several partner organizations and programs that can help a small business move from theory to reality.This week on Mind Your Business, we show how these partners work to provide insight and expertise for budding business owners -- through the lens of the food truck community.Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals is an upcoming workshop for those seeking to grow or sustain a food truck business. This two-day experience will be held March 25-26 and is organized through the Small Business Center at Caldwell Community College at Technical Institute, in conjunction with AppHealthCare,  Empowering Mountain Food Systems, and the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. While this conversation may highlight the process of staring a food truck, much of our discussion with facilitator, Dani Black, owner of Bigger Tables Culinary & Service Consulting, centers on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, with some helpful tips for those considering the creation of a business in any industry.You'll also hear details about our entrepreneurship local support network, and how partners like the Small Business Center, App State's Center for Entrepreneurship, Mountain BizWorks, the SBTDC, and your local Chamber of Commerce can support the process of turning dreams into business realities!Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

The Olympics may be complete, but this episode of Mind Your Business is all about how we pass the torch. In communities across the High Country, we see the emergence of a new crop of leaders that are ready to make their mark. Events like the 10th annual 4 Under 40 Awards help spotlight those who are ready to do more, whether it's within their own business or industry, or by impacting the community through the giving of their time and expertise.On this week's show, we visit with two of our past 4 Under 40 Award honorees. Joseph Miller was recognized in 2019 for his work as a owner of Cobo Sushi Bistro & Bar and Black Cat Burrito, and now nearly seven years later, this restauranter is one of the lead influencers of the Downtown Boone business community. We'll hear how this local product used examples from his business-minded parents, combined with his own unique experiences off the mountain, to create two signature brands within the Boone restaurant scene -- and what it takes to make these businesses work.Chelsea Helms is a Project Manager for STITCH Design Shop, and was our Rising Star honoree in 2025. She's used her Boonerang experience to establish community roots and fuel growth opportunities within her industry. Today, Chelsea and the team at STITCH are involved in some lasting, community focused projects, and the skills she learned in Boone are helping her shape the next version of this special place.We will also unveil the 2026 class of 4 Under 40 Award Finalists.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Chatting with Ashlyn McKayla Ohm is always a delight. Listen in as we chat about her spin-off new series and the first book, Between Heaven and Earth. I love Avery and can't wait for you to meet her and Addisyn. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Anyone listening to Ashlyn talk about Colorado will see just how much she LOVES the Rockies.  This new series combines her love of the mountains with a love of Lakota culture and the stories she's discovered there. Between Heaven and Earth by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm In the High Country, Heaven is closer than they know... After fighting to overcome her mother's abandonment, Avery Miles is thrilled to be working at a nature center in her beloved Colorado Rockies. But when her younger sister, Addisyn, begins revisiting their past, Avery's struggle with anxiety returns—especially as Addisyn comes dangerously close to the secret Avery kept to protect her. And Avery's problems worsen when she's forced to work alongside the creative—and cocky—YouTuber Creed Running Wolf on a conservation project with a surprising link to her own past. Now, Avery is caught between Addisyn's search for the truth and the anxiety that's becoming harder to hide…and the only answer lies in the town she ran from years ago. Creed Running Wolf has always been fascinated by the Lakota concept of kapemni—a doorway between Heaven and Earth. If that doorway exists, he's sure it's not in Colorado, the place he never wanted to see again. However, as he learns Avery's story, he begins to hope he can still rewrite his own—especially as he and Avery find common ground. But when the past resurfaces and his friendship with Avery is shattered, they will both have to face everything they've tried to escape—and discover once and for all what would truly bridge Heaven and Earth. Captivating and compelling, Between Heaven and Earth is an honest yet hopeful look at the stories we tell, the secrets we keep, and the healing power of forgiveness.  To learn more, visit Ashlyn's  WEBSITE.  Also follow her on GoodReads and BookBub! wildgoosewords.substack.com Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

North Carolina has been named by CNBC as the #1 State for Business in the country in three of the last four years. The State's success is not just about its running list of economic development wins, but how those projects are boosted by our business climate, workforce pipelines, and quality of life. It takes all economic strengths and assets along with regional partnership to deliver the world-class experience that impacts business recruitment and retention.So how does North Carolina stay on top of the charts? What are the key issues that will drive the State's success in 2026? How do the State budget and the upcoming elections impact economic opportunity? This week on Mind Your Business, we pose these questions and more to Ben Kinney, Publisher of Business NC. For 45 years, North Carolina's magazine of record has kept readers informed about key trends, breaking economic development news, and how what happens in the Triad, or Raleigh, or Charlotte, could impact us in the High Country.It just so happens Business NC also has a podcast! While Ben Kinney appears on this week's Mind Your Business, David Jackson visits as a guest on this week's Chatter with BNC. Subscribe to both programs wherever you get your podcasts.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Everyone that happens to own a small business will tell you a different story when it comes to the concepts, creation, and execution involved in turning their dream into reality. Each will also admit that small business success is hard to achieve, with constant variables and market influences -- and then occasionally it snows! The opportunity to keep the dream alive keeps small business owners motivated to clock in each day, no matter the circumstances, and when they achieve a milestone, it's time to celebrate!On this week's Mind Your Business, we take a look back at 10-years of The Cardinal, as popular for their cheeseburgers and Bisbee rolls as they are for creating community for their customers and staff. Co-owner Seth Sullivan tells us the origin story the restaurant we know today, how much of the initial vision is still prevalent 10-years later, and how they have managed to manage the ebbs and flows of business management over a tricky decade. This conversation is part inspirational, part motivational, and an examination of the traits that make small businesses stick in the High Country.Also on this week's show, we share a few long term Helene Recovery updates, including news about new leadership for the Watauga Long Term Recovery Group.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

This week Rod and Steve tell the story of a gang of robbers who cast a long shadow over Ashe County, North Carolina in the unsettled years after the Civil War. One by one they fell, until only Linville Eller remained. He, too, met his fate in 1890 after a massive manhunt. This is the story of the Eller Gang, led by brothers Linville and Henry Eller, the North Carolina high country's most notorious 19th-century outlaws, another one of the Stories of Appalachia. Thanks for listening.

Information was flying fast and furious at the 10th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, held January 15, 2026, and hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.On this week's Mind Your Business, we revisit some of the key discussions from the event, including a one-on-one interview with Dr. Harry Davis, Economist for the NC Bankers Association and longtime App State professor. Other highlights include:Workforce R&R: Recruitment and Retention PanelFinding and keeping skilled workers across all industries is a top challenge for Watauga County businesses—and this panel tackles it head-on. Hear from local leaders representing five key local business sectors as they share recruitment realities, retention solutions, and family-focused approaches to policies that are helping keep these businesses in tune with the talent they need to thrive.Panelists:Emily Brinker, Co-Owner, The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle ShopAlysia Price, Chief Human Resource Officer, UNC Health AppalachianCaren Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer, DMJPS PLLCKeynote Presentation:Mark Vitner, Economist, Piedmont Crescent CapitalMind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

There are numerous businesses here in the High Country that we all drive by every day and wonder, "what do they do in there?"As we roll into 2026, we are excited to launch a new 12-part series: Built in the High Country. This monthly feature will take us physically inside some of the most unique and successful businesses in Watauga County, as we examine what got them started and why they chose the High Country as the home for their business.This week on Mind Your Business, we visit Baker Forge & Tool, the 2023 Watauga County Small Business of the Year. Since in 2019, this niche business has moved from a car port to a 10,000 square foot facility in Watauga County, while becoming an influential player in the knife making industry. We'll tour the shop, talk steel forging, and learn about the influences that helped this business scale in such a short period of time.We'll also talk recruitment and retention strategies on this episode, as we take a deep dive into Family Forward NC.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

We are excited to bring you our first Mind Your Business for 2026! Our first episode of the new year examines the recent spike in activity in commercial development, particularly in the housing market. Recent large-scale projects have made headlines due to scope, location, and their potential impact on the local housing market.As these developments make their way through various stages of approval, we get some context and details about the development process from James Milner, President of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. He gives detail on ordinance requirements, process differences between municipalities, how communities address items like traffic control during the planning process, and how recent housing projects will impact the High Country's continued need for housing solutions.We are also excited to unveil our 2025 Watauga County Businesses of the Year. This year's honorees will be recognized at the 10th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon on January 15, 2026.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

In this episode of Bigfoot's Wilderness, we step into a quieter, more unsettling corner of the legend with the story of The Bushman That Never Laughed — a chilling account that reminds us not all encounters come with noise, aggression, or spectacle. Some are marked by silence… and something watching back.Following the story, we sit down for a short interview with Curt Bradford, author of Sasquatch: Way Off the Beaten Path. Curt shares insights from his research and experiences, offering a grounded, thoughtful perspective on the Sasquatch phenomenon far from the usual hype and folklore. His book is available at Barnes & Noble and now on Amazon.Amazon: https://a.co/d/7uZ376oBarnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sasquatch-curt-bradford/1148952308Whether you're here for the stories, the history, or the voices of those who've spent years walking these lesser-known paths, this episode invites you to slow down, listen closely, and keep your eyes on the tree line.www.bigfootswiderness.com

#855 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855      Presented by: San Juan Rodworks, On DeMark Lodge, Four Wheel Campers Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors   If you've ever stood knee-deep in a Western river wondering whether a trout spey rod might change your whole approach, this conversation with Howard Cole will get your wheels turning. Howard's spent a lifetime shaping flies, shaping cast loops, and shaping anglers at JD High Country Outfitters — and he brings a river-smart perspective on everything from trout spey dry flies to yellow sally emergers. Trout spey tips show up often in this episode, and they sneak into almost every story he tells from the Snake to the South Fork. By the end of this episode, you'll probably be digging through your fly box looking for your own emerger patterns — or maybe even picking up a short spey rod for the next drift. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/855 

Warren trekked and worked on staff in the 1970s, returned in the 80s to manage PTC Family Programs, and has been a major contributor to the PSA including President, editor, author, and more. SponsorshipThis episode is proudly sponsored by the National Scouting Museum, whose mission is to showcase the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways, both in person and virtual. Philmont Experience1974 - Trek participant1975 - Kit Carson Men (now Rayado) participant1975 - Trail hire: Ponil barkeeper1976 - Ranger / USAFA Training Ranger1977 - Training Ranger (now Ranger Trainer)1978 - Rayado Trek Coordinator1979 - Camp Director – Crater Lake1981-1983 - Manager – Brooks Lodge – Katmai National Park, Alaska1984-1985 - PTC Manager of Family Programs1985 - Editor - Philmont Fieldguide1985-1990 - Editor – High Country1994-1998 - PSA Vice President of Membership1998-2002 - President – Philmont Staff Association2003 - Editor and Contributor – Tales from the High Country (Best of…collection)2007 - Editor and Contributor – More Tales From The High Country2011 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – First Edition2013 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – Second Printing2017 - Author - Print The Legend – Novel set in Philmont country1985-2025 - Various roles with High Country. Contributing WriterSupport the show

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It's a shortened version of this week's more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.Former homicide detective Andrew Stamper reflects on the landmark investigations that defined Melbourne's underworld era and what it took to stop a city sliding into violence.He shares the inside story of leading the High Country case from a missing persons report to a multi-year homicide investigation, and the emotional toll of searching for answers for families left behind.We're excited to announce the release of Sherele Moody's new podcast, She Matters. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Join our Facebook Group here.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Andrew StamperExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardThis episode contains extra content from the ABC.GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former homicide detective Andrew Stamper reflects on the landmark investigations that defined Melbourne's underworld era and what it took to stop a city sliding into violence.He shares the inside story of leading the High Country case from a missing persons report to a multi-year homicide investigation, and the emotional toll of searching for answers for families left behind.We're excited to announce the release of Sherele Moody's new podcast, She Matters. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. Join our Facebook Group here.Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.For Support: Lifeline on 13 11 1413 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380CREDITS:Host: Meshel LaurieGuest: Andrew StamperExecutive Producer/Editor: Matthew TankardThis episode contains extra content from the ABC, Channel 9 and Channel 10.GET IN TOUCH:https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.