DeKalb Talks Tourism

B98.5's very own, Skye Smith, joins the podcast today. We discussed all things Chamblee Concert Series, what it means to be a radio host, and the community of DeKalb and Chamblee's high-energy, family friendly summer plans! Get ready for a summer filled with music, community, and unforgettable performances as this year’s Chamblee Rocks Summer Concert Series! 📆Friday, June 12 🎤 The Evolut...

Today we sit down with Cristina Coca, Director of Tournament & Event Operations at Georgia Soccer. Cristina provided a behind the scenes look in the local soccer community as we dive into her career in sports, and what lead her to running events operations for Georgia Soccer. With the World Cup quickly approaching, we discuss how Georgia Soccer and the rest of the city can provide an enriching...

Today, we are joined by Delores Burgess, the Founder and Owner of The Brio Theater; a newly-opened performing arts space in the heart of Tucker, GA. Delores has a deep history of being a performer, from her start as an award-winning R&B artist, her work in public speaking and ministry, she has always done everything with 100% passion and determination. If you are in DeKalb County be sure to ge...

In this episode, we sit down with David Oblas, Founder of NFC Fighting, and Anthony Smith, headlining fighter, to break down the origins of NFC Fighting, how combat sports have evolved since 2002, and what truly defines a successful fight night after more than two decades of promoting events. He also shares behind-the-scenes insights into the overlooked details that bring each event to life. Antho...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Cain, founder of Georgia’s first drone soccer league, and David Roberts, founder and president of U.S. Drone Soccer, to explore the fast-growing world of drone soccer and its impact on the next generation. Charlotte and David shares their journey into the sport and gives an inside look at how drone soccer works, from team dynamics to the skills students...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Terry Cummings to celebrate his induction into the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County and reflect on the purpose-driven journey that led him there. Terry shares his background and career path, explaining how his commitment to mentorship and service aligned naturally with the mission of the organization. He discusses the kind of guidance he hopes to provide t...

In this episode, we sit down with the team behind Sugar Bert Boxing to talk about how they joined forces and built a program rooted in discipline, opportunity, and heart. They break down the “Sugar Bert mentality,” what separates a good coach from a great one, and why working with young fighters keeps their passion for the sport alive. We also dive into how the rise of boxing content online is sha...

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Ceesay, President of SAG-AFTRA Atlanta, to talk about her journey into union leadership and the passion driving her work with Film Impact Georgia. She shares what brings major productions to Atlanta—from competitive tax incentives to its deep, diverse talent pool and versatile locations—and what truly sets the city apart as one of America’s leading filmmakin...

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Breyo, President and Chairman of the Board of 285 Lacrosse, to explore how the organization is growing the game and transforming communities across DeKalb County. Jason shares the heart behind 285 Lacrosse’s mission to expand access, opportunity, and character development through the sport, along with what personally inspired his involvement. We dive into th...

Step inside Fernbank Museum like never before as we speak with  Jena Alison, Communications Manager , about the curiosity, connection, and creativity that shape one of Atlanta’s most beloved science institutions. Jena shares her path to Fernbank and the story the museum aims to tell for visitors young and old—one rooted in connection across time, regions, cultures, animals, and life itself.  We ex...

In this episode we got to sit down with Ming Han Chung and James Kim, the owners of Minhwa Spirits in Doraville. As Georgia’s first soju distillery—and recent award winners in San Francisco—they’re making waves in the craft spirits world! We talk about the history of soju, how Minhwa Spirits came to life, and what it’s been like building a distillery right here in DeKalb County. Plus, we got to tr...

In this episode, we sit down with James Maggard to talk about his path into the restaurant industry and what inspired his love for barbecue. James shares the story behind two local favorites, Local No. 7 and Ford’s BBQ, and how they’ve become staples in the community. We also dive into the importance of building a strong team and why his staff plays such a vital role in keeping the businesses thri...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

The C.H.E.F. Youth Culinary Conference brought together high school students and industry professionals to explore careers in the culinary and hospitality world. These interviews are from the first-ever conference, held in October 2025 in DeKalb. Students had the chance to participate in hands-on cooking demos, hear from professionals about real-world experiences, and learn about leadership, busin...

In this episode we sit down with Shani and Jelani Linder, the owners of Granite House Lofts in Stone Mountain, GA. They share their personal backgrounds, walk us through the transformation of the historic granite building into a unique lodging space, and talk about their vision for the future of Stone Mountain. If you love local stories, entrepreneurship, and community development, this episode is...

At the 2025 Taste of Chamblee, we brought our podcast van on-site to capture all the action! Inside, we sat down with Andrea Byron, Community Engagement Director of The Navigate Foundation, to talk about the Chef Youth Culinary Competition that took place at the festival. Follow Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-irvin-byron-2a56446/ https://www.instagram.com/atlfoodwriter/?hl=en More Navi...

At the 2025 Taste of Chamblee, we brought our podcast van on-site to capture all the action! Inside, we sat down with Brittney Lindsay, Community Engagement Director, with the City of Chamblee to talk about the event and what makes it special. Follow Brittney: linkedin.com/in/brittneylindsay Chamblee Website: https://www.chambleega.com/ More about A Taste of Chamblee: https://www.tasteofchamblee.n...

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Susan Walcott to explore the history and impact of Buford Highway. We dive into how the area has grown and changed over time, its immigrant communities, and its role in regional economic development. Dr. Walcott also shares insights from her research on technology, innovation, and community growth, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her work on our upcoming Bu...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Blooms of Blooms Emporium to talk about his journey into the art world and the variety of mediums he works with—from painting to tattooing, murals, and more. Andrew also discusses his role in helping bring back Atlanta’s Chinatown through art, events, and community projects. Tune in to hear how he’s combining creativity and local culture to make a real impa...

Join us inside our podcast van at the GACVB Governors Conference in Savannah! 🎙️ We sat down with Chris Hardman, who was just announced as the new Executive Director of GHLA starting next year, to talk about what’s ahead and his vision for Georgia’s hospitality industry. Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hardman-mghm-36222a48/ More about GHLA: https://www.ghla.net/ DeKalb Talks...