Yes! We Rise

In today's episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine is joined by Fritz Boettner of Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective . Fritz is the director of Food Systems Development at West Virginia University Center for Resilient Communities , a learning laboratory for community transformation. Learn about the value of failure as feedback, the importance of building a firm foundation to turn an idea into r...

In this episode of the Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast, Christine connects with Mayor Horne of Dungannon, VA. Mayor Horne talks about letting love lead in creating change, and is a strong point of inspiration for the We Rise Podcast and for Christine. Mayor Horne shares how community members have joined to revitalize the town -- often through working regionally, creating safe and enjoyable...

In Episode 8 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine connects with Christopher Rashad Green for a deeply inspiring conversation fueled by resilience, empowerment, and a story of transformation and connection. Christopher spent sixteen years incarcerated. Since his release in August of 2013, he has transformed his life as a motivational speaker, mentor, and advocate for change in communities in Virginia....

In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine interviews Peter Hille, President of The Mountain Association .  Peter shares what it takes to create a new economy and the empowerment of seeing progress. Learn about a "just transition" and the importance of starting at the local level to create lasting and sustainable change for a community. The Mountain Association Some organizations collaborat...

In Episode 6 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine Gyovai speaks with Theresa Burriss about the resilience of coal mining communities, building momentum, and the creative way artists are leading change around the globe. Learn about the incredible transformations happening locally and internationally, and what it takes to create something new. Theresa is the Director of Appalachian Studies at Radford U...

In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine is joined by Adam Wells, sharing the resilience of many Appalachian communities. Adam dives into the importance of reckoning with pain to create a new future and the importance of listening and sharing all voices and experiences when creating a new vision. Adam shares what it takes for a community to truly succeed. Adam is the Regional Director of...

In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine sits down with Lou Ann Wallace. From Southwest Virginia, Lou Ann has spent twenty years focused on the empowerment of counties and towns to thrive environmentally, as a community, and economically. Lou Ann started her work with a non-profit called St. Paul Tomorrow and also as a member of the St. Paul town council. She then moved into a board posit...

In Episode 3 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine welcomes Ivy Brashear to share about her passion for using storytelling to cultivate change in a community. Ivy has been the Appalachian Transition Director of the Mountain Association in Berea since 2013 and is a 10th generation native to central Appalachia. Starting a career in journalism, her current position incorporates storytelling, narrative ch...

Welcome to the second episode of the We Rise Podcast. Today, Tony Skrelunas of Tribe Awaken joins Christine to share words of wisdom about community, resilience, traditional Navajo ways, the importance of ancestral wisdom, and rethinking the future.  Tony helps communities move forward while rooting into their history. Holding an MBA and a partner of Navajo Power , a utilities solar company, Tony...

Welcome to the Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast, which shares stories and strategies to inspire action to build resilience and community transformation. Christine Gyovai is passionate about working with communities across the nation -- working with them to take action toward resilience and transformation. She is a business owner, wife, mother, and paddle boarder bringing to light leaders and...