Asheville Area Favorites

Join Laura as she sits down with Jane Carter, a therapist-turned-business coach who helps Asheville's "soulful solopreneurs" build authentic businesses by embracing what makes them different.  Jane shares her journey from therapy to coaching, why she calls her work "stealth therapy," and how running a business brings up all your stuff—in the best possible way. Discover why...

Join this conversation with Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media for a talk about making the shift from corporate to entrepreneur as a single mom, plus the world of Digital Media, and learn what the heck a fractional marketing executive is.  Find Sumaya at: https://www.presentmomentmedia.org/ or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/_present_moment_media_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&...

What started as Ric Pratte’s simple desire to grab a beer with fellow remote workers has blossomed into AVL Digital Nomads—a thriving 3,800-member community that's become a cornerstone of Asheville's professional landscape. In this episode, Ric shares how a casual meetup at Wedge Brewing four years ago evolved into a cornerstone local organization hosting dozens of monthly events. From i...

I have the joy of interviewing one of the founders of LEAF Global Arts Festival, Jennifer Pickering, about 30 years of LEAF. Check out this wide-ranging conversation, where we talk about the new book coming out (hot tip: pre-order now & get LEAF pajamas!!!), and LEAF's work post-hurricane. Jennifer & LEAF bring such rich gifts to the community, you won't want to miss this convers...

In this episode of Asheville Area Favorites, host Laura Jurgens sits down with Anna Deimer (they/them), a fascinating entrepreneur who's carved out multiple niches in the voice world. Anna is the owner of Deimer Voice Studio, where they specialize in three unique areas: singing throughout the lifespan (especially for folks navigating menopause), gender-affirming voice lessons for trans client...

I absolutely love, love, love this episode & I think you will too. Join me as I get the pleasure of hearing all about Move It Or Lose It  from the wonderful & hilarious Amalia Grannis.  Seriously people, don't miss this one. You'll get the scoop on how the end of a relationship played a role in the growth of a business, the deal with those amazing Rainbow Raccoon trucks, and hear...

Join this fun conversation with Becca Ploener of Wild Woman Coaching. Becca coaches woman adventurers (especially whitewater kayakers, but others too) to have more fun and push the envelope doing what they love. We talk about embracing risk, the importance of play as adults, and some extra fun waterways around WNC.  Find her and her podcast (Wild Woman Podcast) at https://www.wildwomanbecca.com/ F...

This was such a fun episode to record and I hope you enjoy it as much as a listener. Join me in conversation with Marissa Urias from Hire Her Handywoman as we talk all about how she wound up in business for herself rather unexpectedly after Hurricane Helene devasted the Asheville area in late September 2024. Hear about Marissa's unique approach to helping people with home repair projects, and...

Today's episode is the second in our "great small-business gyms of Asheville" roundup, as I interview Kyle, a co-founder of Strength Ratio (along with Zach Greenwald, who's busy being a new dad!). Their model is sustainable performance, whether you're a newcomer to fitness or a seasoned professional athlete. Kyle and I talk about his own path from college to new business o...

Don't miss this fun interview with Betsy Archer from All Bodies Movement & Wellness on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville. We talk about the common challenges facing people seeking health & movement when you're not a stereotypical gym-goer. Betsy explains their approach to making movement fun at all sizes, ages, with mobility or hypermobility issues, and if you have no idea how to streng...

This week we hear from Karen & Tess from Thrive in Home Comprehensive Care Solutions -- a unique and really helpful small business in Asheville. They specialize in mobile Occupational Therapy in the home, helping seniors, people with Parkinson's, and others stay independent, remain at home, and do the things they love to do.  We also have a little chat about Mountain Eclairs, dreaming up...

Ever find yourself in a career that doesn't feel at all like what you're meant to do? Join me as I chat with Rebecca Williams, LAc, LMBT, MAOM, DACOM of Asheville's own Dragon Mountain Acupuncture, Bodywork, & Chinese Medicine. She tells us the story of her transitions from Nebraska track kid, through corporate jobs, to following her own call, adventures in training for it, and...