Hello Hello

The golf rivalry is back! One year after their first golf episode, Alyssa Rogers welcomes Joey Rogers and Matt Hunt back to the Hello Hello Podcast to catch up on Joey's golf journey, relive the recent Member-Guest Tournament, and preview the upcoming Club Championship. What follows is exactly what you'd expect—plenty of laughs, nonstop trash talk, and a few surprisingly impressive golf shots. Mat...

The countdown to the Fourth of July is on! In this special episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers sits down with the team behind Downtown South Boston's annual Fourth of July Celebration to talk about everything planned for this year's event—including the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. From the farmers market and food vendors to live music, family activities, the reading o...

Athletics have always been a big part of Halifax County's story, and few people are more passionate about preserving that legacy than Dan Powell. In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa sits down with Dan to discuss the Halifax County Sports Hall of Fame, how athletes and contributors are nominated and selected, and why preserving our community's athletic history matters. They also talk...

What does it take to become the voice of a community for more than four decades? In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers sits down with Nick Long, the longtime broadcaster behind WHLF 95.3 and a familiar voice to generations across Halifax County. Nick shares how a high school opportunity sparked a lifelong career in radio, his experiences calling local sports, interviewing comm...

In this special episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa is joined by her favorite guest—her daughter, Riley—as they celebrate her golden birthday! Fresh off a birthday trip to West Palm Beach, Riley shares highlights from turning 8 on the 8th, including an $8 Build-A-Bear, poolside fun with family, and mastering front and back flips in the water. The mother-daughter duo talks about summer plan...

What really happens to your old appliances, scrap metal, and aluminum cans after they leave your property? In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers sits down with Thomas Forlines, Site Manager of Gerdau South Boston, to explore the fascinating world of metal recycling and the critical role it plays in our community. Thomas shares his incredible journey from temporary employee cru...

This week on the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers sits down with Matthew Rich of Young Life and Darrell Chandler of TC's Barbecue & Grillers For A Cause to talk about an incredible community event happening June 13th at the Halifax Farmers Market. From mentoring youth and building leaders through Young Life to teaching kids real-life cooking skills around the smoker, this episode is all about po...

In this inspiring episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers sits down with Rex and Debbie Masterman in the heart of downtown Clarksville, Virginia, at the beautifully revitalized Turnaround Park. What started as a final wish from 101-year-old Ruth Toone has blossomed into a community-driven project filled with flowers, wildlife, peaceful spaces, and purpose. Rex and Debbie share the incred...

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers sits down with Dan Hayes from the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region to talk about the incredible impact the Fund for Halifax is making right here in our community. From supporting local nonprofits and fire departments to helping childcare centers, libraries, and scholarships, Dan shares how donations are invested to create long-...

On this episode of Hello Hello , Alyssa Rogers visits Resilient Pathways in Chase City, Virginia, to talk with Executive Director Chris Pennington about the nonprofit's work as a family resource center. Chris shares how Resilient Pathways helps families find support, access services, reconnect through supervised visits, and build resilience through safe, compassionate guidance. They also discuss C...

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down with Lisa from Historic Downtown Clarksville to talk about the exciting momentum happening in this charming lake town. From the inaugural Flower Crawl to vibrant local businesses and community-driven events, Lisa shares how Clarksville is creating experiences that keep visitors coming back—and staying longer. If you love small towns wit...

What happens when healthcare meets people exactly where they are? In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Kim Murray from the Sentara Mobile Care Clinic to uncover how this "clinic on wheels" is transforming access to care in our community. From primary care and women's health to lab work and vaccines, this mobile unit is removing barriers like transportation, cost, and access—while restoring the p...

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down with the incredible cast and director of Keep On Laughing , coming to Halifax County Little Theatre April 23–26. From first-time performers to seasoned stage veterans, this talented group shares what it takes to bring a comedy to life, the challenges of memorizing lines, and the joy of live theater. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the c...

In this inspiring episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down with Dr. Johnson, President of Danville Community College, for a powerful conversation on leadership, education, and building stronger communities. With nearly three decades in higher education, Dr. Johnson shares his journey from Seattle to Texas and ultimately to leading DCC—offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes...

What started as a simple idea for live music in downtown Clarksville has grown into one of the region's most beloved events. In this episode, Alyssa sits down with the team behind Lake Life Live to celebrate 10 years of music, community, and growth—plus the 20th anniversary of the Clarksville Wine Festival. Hear how it all began, what it takes to pull off events of this scale, and how these experi...

Step inside one of Danville's most iconic destinations—Rippe's—and discover why this fourth-generation family business has been creating unforgettable shopping experiences for over 118 years. In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down with Sam and Emily Rippe to explore the rich history behind the store, from its beginnings in 1907 to its evolution into a modern, trend-forward b...

Step behind the scenes of one of Virginia's most iconic race tracks. In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down trackside at South Boston Speedway with General Manager Brandon Brown to talk about his journey from die-hard NASCAR fan to leading one of the most exciting short tracks in the country. Brandon shares how he turned his childhood passion into a career, the unexpected pa...

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers visits a hidden gem in South Boston, Virginia— Good Hope Equestrian Farm —to meet founder and executive director Peg Bass . Peg shares the incredible journey that brought her nonprofit from South Florida to Halifax County and how her passion for horses has transformed lives for more than 25 years. At Good Hope, therapeutic horsemanship pro...

In this special on-location episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa takes you to one of Chase City's most beautiful and historic treasures — MacCallum More Museum & Gardens . From six breathtaking acres of formal gardens to a museum housing one of the most significant Native American artifact collections in the eastern United States, this episode is a true hidden gem in our own backyard. 🌿 In...

In this episode of The Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa sits down in South Hill, Virginia with Keli Reekes, the town's first female Town Manager. From growing up locally to studying accounting at James Madison University, Kelly never expected to land in public service — let alone lead her hometown. But through grit, growth, and a deep love for community, she stepped into one of the most demanding role...

You would never believe this breathtaking experience is right here in Halifax County, Virginia. In this episode of The Hello Hello Podcast , I sit down with Molly and Nick, founders of Wilde Manor — a safari-inspired bed and breakfast bringing giraffes, flamingos, penguins, lemurs, and more to Southside Virginia. Inspired by Kenya's famous Giraffe Manor, Wilde Manor is creating intimate, up-close...

Donielle Jopko didn't build her company from a highlight reel—she built it through real life. In this episode, Alyssa sits down with the founder of Work Life Solutions Concierge to talk about the unglamorous, gritty side of entrepreneurship: starting a business while working full time, surviving abuse and a painful divorce, caregiving through trauma, and still finding a way to keep going. Donielle...

In this episode of Hello, Hello , Alyssa Rogers takes us inside Pumpkin & Bugs Bake Shop in Halifax, Virginia—a place that smells like happiness the moment you walk in. Owner Thomas Whitt shares how a simple request for a blueberry donut during COVID turned into a beloved community staple known for handmade baked goods, small-batch ice cream, and unforgettable customer experiences. From starting a...

On this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast , host Alyssa Rogers sits down with writer, filmmaker, author, and creative visionary Natalie Hodge , founder of Rudy's Girl Media , inside her stunning studio in Martinsville, Virginia. Natalie shares her powerful journey from growing up in a small town to working in major cities like New York and Los Angeles—and ultimately returning home to build a thri...

What does it really take to lead a town forward — without losing what makes it special? In this episode of The Hello Hello Podcast , Alyssa Rogers sits down with Matthew Candland, Town Manager of South Boston, Virginia , for an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, growth, and community. With more than 30 years in municipal management, Matthew shares his journey from Maryland to Sou...