Episodios

  • Evan and Rebekah Harding on Building Community Through Clendenin Brewing Company

    Evan and Rebekah Harding on Building Community Through Clendenin Brewing Company
    Nov 13 2025
    I talk with Evan and Rebekah Harding and hear how they left Cincinnati, returned to West Virginia, and build a new life in Clendenin after stumbling onto the town during a fall festival. They tell me how they took over Clendenin Brewing Company, work almost every hour themselves, and build real relationships with the people who walk through the door. They talk about supporting the ribbon cutting at the new Riverview project and how the momentum in the community lifts every business. They explain how the brewery sits in a restored bank building once damaged by the flood and now filled with craft beer, wine, food, live music, trivia, knitting club, book club, and a steady flow of regulars they know by name. They say their goal is to create a true third place where people gather, connect, and feel at home whether they want a drink or just a space to sit and talk. I wrap up by sharing how to find them online and inviting listeners to stop in on Main Street to meet them.
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  • Rebuilding a Town’s Future with Dave Knight

    Rebuilding a Town’s Future with Dave Knight
    Nov 11 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Dave Knight about how he and a small group of residents in Clendenin saved their old 1912 school building from being lost. They partnered with several organizations to transform it into apartments, offices, and a clinic. The first renovation in 2011 cost $5 million, and the latest one totaled $7.5 million. Now the building has ten apartments, eight business suites, and medical offices, all within walking distance of downtown. Dave explains that most apartments are already rented, with a mix of income-restricted and open units. He says it’s emotional to see the project completed after years of work and cooperation with local leaders like Mayor Kay Summers. Since the 2016 flood, the town has brought in more than $30 million in economic development, and Dave says it shows what can happen when a small community comes together to rebuild and take pride in its future.
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  • Discipline Over Excuses Is What It Takes to Build a Business

    Discipline Over Excuses Is What It Takes to Build a Business
    Nov 6 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk directly to entrepreneurs who say they want to grow but still think like employees. I remind them that success doesn’t come from a 9-to-5 mindset — it takes nights, weekends, and sacrifice. Building a business is hard work, not balance, and if they want stability, they should get a job. I tell them to get their finances straight, stop wasting money on convenience, and invest in tools and marketing that move their business forward. Flashy spending won’t impress the right people — results will. I also call out habits that hold people back, like drinking and hanging with the wrong crowd. If your friends aren’t pushing you forward, it’s time to find new ones. Growth means discomfort, new habits, and staying focused. You don’t need more excuses — you need discipline and consistency. I believe anyone can build something great if they’re willing to work for it.
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    6 m
  • Inside West Virginia’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    Inside West Virginia’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
    Nov 4 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Rozanna Bracken, director of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for West Virginia. She explains that 988 replaced the old 1-800-273-TALK number to make it easier for people to remember and now allows calling, texting, or chatting for help. Anyone can reach out — whether they’re struggling themselves or worried about someone else — and trained counselors will listen and guide them to resources. Rozanna says crisis is defined by the person in it, not by anyone else, and emphasizes that listening without judgment can save lives. We discuss how family and friends often try to fix problems instead of simply hearing what someone is going through, and that’s where 988 provides real support. Rozanna also serves on the board for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and talks about the Out of the Darkness Walk, an event that helps break stigma and brings people together. She ends with a message of hope: everyone matters, and if you’re struggling or know someone who is, call, text, or chat 988.
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    6 m
  • Reed Byers on how a single hug can make a difference

    Reed Byers on how a single hug can make a difference
    Oct 30 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Reed Byers, founder of the One Billion Hugs movement. Reed shares how his mission to connect a billion people through hugs came from his own battles with mental health and loss. He tells me about a day when wearing a free hugs shirt at Tudor’s Biscuit World turned a bad moment into one of hope and connection, inspiring him to turn that feeling into a movement. He says that even in a world where we’re constantly online, people are more disconnected than ever, and physical touch can make a real difference. At the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, Reed explains that events like this help start life-saving conversations and show people how to get involved. He’s already sold over 100 shirts, given hundreds of hugs, and recruited ambassadors to help spread the message. As we wrap up, Reed reminds me that one small gesture—a hug—can be enough to change a life.
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    4 m
  • Stepping Forward for Suicide Prevention in West Virginia

    Stepping Forward for Suicide Prevention in West Virginia
    Oct 29 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Tara Miller at the 10th annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Charleston, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She explains that the walk raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention while honoring those lost, with funds staying in West Virginia to support free education and advocacy programs. Tara shares that she became involved after losing her brother, Todd, to suicide in 2023, and that walking and volunteering have been part of her healing. She tells me there are walks across the state in places like Huntington, Beckley, and Parkersburg, and that all are run by volunteers who want to make a difference. Tara says anyone can learn more or get involved by visiting afsp.org. As we wrap up, she reflects on how this work creates a sense of family among those affected by suicide.
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    5 m
  • From Creative Work to Growing a Brand

    From Creative Work to Growing a Brand
    Oct 23 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I share how I learned that great work alone doesn’t bring clients. I start my career in 3D animation for education, then move into creating courtroom visuals for attorneys, always producing strong work but still struggling to grow. I realize that success comes from visibility, not just skill. When I become marketing director for an IT company, I dove into digital marketing—websites, email, and social media—and helped the company make the Inc. 5000 list in 2019. That experience shows me the power of marketing and storytelling. Two years ago, I launch Joe Justice Media to help West Virginia businesses get attention and grow through video. Running my own company teaches me even more—about taxes, paperwork, and the realities of entrepreneurship. The tools of business keep changing, from print to digital to AI, but the goal never does: get attention, grow your brand, and keep hustling.
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    6 m
  • Building Community Through Local Events and Live Music

    Building Community Through Local Events and Live Music
    Oct 21 2025
    In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Cristen Michael, who runs Charleston Events and manages cwvevents.com a website that lists everything happening around the city. She says October is packed with festivals and activities because people love being outside in the fall. Cristen started the calendar while working at a local hospital to help medical residents new to the area find things to do, and it quickly grew into a community resource. She’s now planning a 2026 Winter Concert Series at the Charleston Town Center Mall, running January 17 through March 14, with live local bands every Friday evening. The event will be free and open to the public, and she’s currently seeking sponsors to help make it happen. Cristen says her goal is to promote local talent, bring people together, and show that Charleston has something fun going on all year long.
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    6 m