The Ingredients of Grit Chef Laura Fonner’s career is one movies are made of. As a teenage mother, self-taught cook, and woman in a male-dominated industry, she faced challenge after challenge on her path to becoming a two-time Food Network winner and Executive Chef of Zynodoa. From leading one of…
Learn MoreIt’s Your Turn: Why Communities Need People Who Show Up When a mentor looked across the table and said, “It’s your turn,” Tony Davenport realized something important: communities don’t sustain themselves. They are built, shaped, and strengthened by people willing to show up. In this heartfelt conversation, the longtime public…
Learn MoreWould You Survive the 1700s? Inside Staunton’s Living History Museum For Butch Smiley, history isn’t about just memorizing dates-it’s about understanding people. In this conversation, the retiring CEO of the Frontier Culture Museum shares stories from his own life and leadership journey while reflecting on the immigrant experiences, cultural traditions,…
Learn MoreThe Silver Line: What Happens When You Stop Waiting for Permission to Build Something Beautiful “Cool stuff doesn’t happen unless there’s a lot of love in the room.” That’s Jeremy West, Artistic Director and Founder of Silver Line Theatre Exchange—a black box educational theatre built inside a converted Staunton warehouse…
Learn MoreStaunton Jams: Building a Music Community What does it take to take a community’s music scene to the next level? In this episode, Molly Murphy—musician, educator, and founder of Queen City Music Studios—explores how access, collaboration, and a little bit of scrappy energy can transform a city’s creative identity. From…
Learn MoreIt Takes a Valley: The Art of Ecosystem Building What if the secret to a thriving community isn’t competition but collaboration? In this episode, Samantha sits down with Anika Horn—ecosystem builder, global traveler, and co-founder of CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley—to explore how connection and intention can transform a place. From growing…
Learn MoreRethink Classical: How Staunton Music Festival is Rewriting the Rules What happens when you take 100 world-class musicians from across the globe, drop them into a small Shenandoah Valley city, and ask them to perform pieces they’ve never played together before? Magic, apparently. In this episode, we sit down with…
Learn MoreTHE HARD WORK OF HARD HISTORY: INSIDE A PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY Why museums might be our best hope for civil dialogue. In this episode, Samantha sits down with Robin Von Seldeneck, President & CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia. They trace Robin’s journey from a…
Learn MoreParks & Recollections From bear cubs to bandstands, Chris Tuttle’s 36-year ride through Staunton’s parks proves the grass really is greener where you water it. In this unfiltered season finale, he shares stories of wrangling raccoons, defining learning moments, and the community spirit that makes it all worth it. About…
Learn MoreTangleroot: Author Kalela Williams on History, Healing, & Heritage What we bury still speaks. Author Kalela Williams takes us on her literary journey through memory, place, and identity—from a childhood encounter with hidden histories to her debut novel Tangleroot. She shares how unearthing untold stories of enslaved people shaped her…
Learn MoreThe Bones Are Good: The Secret to A Small-Town’s Revitalization Developer Robin Miller joins us to reveal how Staunton’s historic buildings are getting new life—thanks to the power of preservation, tax credits, and a little creative vision. Hear about the hidden gems behind old walls and why saving the past…
Learn MoreCulture in Color: Noelia Núñez Blends Community, Mediums, and Mindfulness From the brick facades of Beverley Street to the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley’s scenery is Noelia Núñez’ palette. Dive into her creative painting process, learn how social media catapulted her work, and hear why she keeps community…
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