Around Town with @ColaMayor

In this episode of Around Town with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, we dive into the captivating story of Hotel Trundle, an architectural marvel and a beacon of hospitality in Columbia, South Carolina. We welcome special guests Rita and Marcus, the dynamic duo behind this remarkable establishment. United in marriage and their mutual love for architecture, they have turned their dream into a reality, crea...

Welcome to this week's episode of Around Town with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann! We're thrilled to have a special guest on our show today - the dedicated and inspiring CEO of Riverbanks Zoo, Tommy Stringfellow. As a man who began his humble journey in the industry working at Carowinds during his high school years, Tommy has since climbed the ladder of success, finding his true calling as a passionate a...

In this episode, we have a special guest, Bobby Williams, the owner of the iconic Lizard's Thicket restaurant in Columbia, SC. Lizard's Thicket has been a staple in the community for 45 years, serving up delicious Southern cuisine to locals and tourists alike. Mayor Rickenmann and Bobby Williams discuss the history of Lizard's Thicket and how it has evolved over the years. They also dive into the...

Welcome to "Around Town" with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, the podcast where we explore the vibrant community of Columbia, South Carolina. In each episode, Mayor Rickenmann sits down with guests who are making a positive impact in our city. In this episode, Mayor Rickenmann is joined by Dr. Aaron Bishop and Dr. Jennifer Bishop, two leaders who are dedicated to making Columbia a better place to live, w...

Ana Sazonov's world changed on February 24, 2022 when Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, was hit by Russian ballistic missiles. As the destruction spread across central and eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces attacking the country from three sides, she knew she would have to do something. Ana spent most of her life grappling with her Ukrainian and Jewish identities. Born to a Jewish father and non-Jewish m...

In this episode of the Around Town podcast, we are excited to welcome our guest, Deon Generette, the host of the popular television show "7 Sunday" and the Founder of Dapper & Distinguished Gents. Deon is an incredibly talented creative who is an anchor in our community. Deon shares with us his journey from a small town in South Carolina to become a prominent media personality and community le...

Shane Beamer is one of the brightest and most promising coaches in college football today. The South Carolina native has made a name for himself as a coach who knows how to build a winning culture. Y'all know in South Carolina, we love our football, and Shane has been making waves in the SEC as the head coach of our Gamecocks. He has a natural talent for making the team feel like family, inspiring...

It has been a great year in Columbia, and it has been a great year of the Around Town podcast. We have sat down with some of Columbia's best-known leaders and some of Columbia's best-kept secrets. It has been amazing to hear their stories, learn more about our community, and discuss how we can work towards making Columbia an even greater Capital City. Our city is growing, but it will take our whol...

Erinn Rowe serves as CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank, managing the organization’s operations through its three locations in the Midlands, Pee Dee and Upstate of South Carolina. Prior to joining Harvest Hope, Erinn worked with Bank of America for 10 years as the Senior Treasury Sales Analyst for Commercial Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In this role, Erinn and her team worked with companie...

We had the pleasure to sit down with the President & CEO of Benedict College Dr. Artis. Dr. Artis was unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees as the 14th and first woman President of Benedict College on June 30, 2017. Previously, Dr. Artis served as the 13th and first woman President of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida.

I sat down with my buddy, the Mayor of West Columbia Tem Miles, to talk food, improving our cities, and much much more. Be sure to check this one out.

Everybody who calls Columbia home is special. That includes the dogs, cats, and everything in between. But we wouldn’t be able to take care of them without our amazing team at Columbia Animal Services, and Doctor Jen Bonovich is one person there who makes it all possible. Dr. Bonovich is one of the hardest working people I know. Before she joined the city shelter full time she volunteered her time...

Local business woman & consultant Lynn Hutto stops by to talk scaling local business, taking care of your employees, and engaging a young generation in the work force. Be sure to check this one out!

Through the generosity of our community, Home Works' mission is able to activate and thrive. Many helping hands from local universities and companies -- like Bank of America -- volunteer to assist Home Works in extending the lives of the houses they work on while helping homeowners continue to live in them. Executive Director of Home Works, Joe Higgins, brings over 21 years of construction and pro...

Since its founding in 1901 by social activist Mary Harriman, The Junior League has evolved into one of the oldest, largest, and most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, encompassing more than 150,000 women in 291 Leagues in four countries. We sat down to discuss all the amazing things the Junior League of Columbia have been doing in since it's start as well as what's to come.

Brackish began with a feather bow tie designed by Ben and gifted to his groomsman, and has grown into a large business here in South Carolina worn by celebrities such as Bill Murray, Cam Newton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Blake Lively and Don Cheadle. Join us in learning about the history of Brackish, Ben's favorite way to fry fish, and a history lesson on the origins of Sir Bigspur.

I sit down with local business leader Mark Wesley of AMAROK Ultimate Perimeter Security to talk about growing business in Columbia, river floating, company culture, and more.

The man behind some of Cola's greatest buildings and finest restaurants is joining the podcast to talk about the design changes coming to downtown in the next decade. 

Two presidents are joining Mayor Rickenmann in the studio for this week's episode. Join the trio as they discuss the future of the university, how to keep students in town and how to connect the university to its city. 

The founder of Soda City Market, Emile DeFelice joins Mayor Rickenmann on the podcast to talk about how the city got its name and how we can improve Cola moving forward. He also gives a few hints for what he is doing next. 

Robert Lominack from the Richland One School Board joins the show to talk about the issues in the Columbia public school system and what he is doing to fix them. 

Kassy Alia Ray has an incredible story and an even greater mission. Today she is sitting down with the mayor to talk about improving relationships between the police and the communities they serve. 

In just a few short months on the job Lamont Paris is already making big moves. Listen to the Mayor and Coach Paris discuss the upcoming season and how Coach is fitting in to his new city.

On the heels of launching his new restaurant Railroad BBQ, Kevin Gray joins the mayor on this episode of Around Town. Nobody knows Columbia like Kevin, so tune in for a reflection on how the city became what it is today and how it will improve over the next few years. Stick around after that for plenty of hilarious stories and hot takes from Kevin and Mayor Rickenmann. 

Mayor Rickenmann sits down with legendary artist, producer, and engineer, Jay Matheson, to talk about the music scene in Columbia. They discuss their favorite artists from the past and new artists that excite them. Join the conversation as they take you back in time, swapping stories about the days of Hootie, Tootie and the Jones, and Widespread Panic.