For Henderson

In this episode, Josh sits down with Ellie Kellen, Marketing Director at the Henderson Tourist Commission, to talk about what it looks like to tell the story of a community you love. After growing up in Henderson, Ellie couldn’t wait to leave for college. But while traveling across Kentucky during an internship, she realized something surprising: many of the places people travel to experience alre...

Kyle and John Hitner are bringing something completely new to Henderson: MELT Mobile Sauna and Cold Plunge, a sauna and cold plunge experience built inside a retired delivery truck. After years of seeking out bathhouses, spas, saunas, cold plunges, and thermic bathing experiences across the country, Kyle and John decided to bring that same sense of rest, recovery, and community back home to Hender...

For nearly a decade, Julie Wischer has led Elevate through one of the most significant transformations in its history. What began as the Sandefur Center, a traditional training center for adults with disabilities, has evolved into an organization with a focused mission of creating pathways to independence. In this episode of For Henderson, Julie shares the story behind Elevate, the challenges of n...

Nate "Mayhem" Maness has fought on the world's biggest stages in combat sports, from the UFC to BKFC. And he did it all from Henderson. In this episode of For Henderson, Josh sits down with his business partner and Mayhem MMA head coach to talk about the road that started with being an undefeated professional fighter at 10-0, a heartbreaking loss, long days on a roofing crew, and the...

When Kaci Manion became a young mom, she found herself craving something many parents understand: a place where kids could play safely while adults connected, relaxed, and found community. That need eventually became Imagination Oasis Play Cafe , a new family destination in Henderson that combines imaginative play spaces, drinks, snacks, birthday parties, and something even more valuable...connect...

What do vintage toys, two-headed pigs, octopus tentacles, and miniature dumpster fires have in common..? They all live at Corkscrew Curiosities, and they're all pieces of a bigger mission to build a stronger community. This week on the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Kyla Ford, co-owner of Corkscrew Curiosities, one of Henderson’s most unique small businesses. What started as an onl...

What started as a simple question is becoming a movement that is reaching from Henderson, Kentucky all across the US and beyond. "How can we do something GOOD for our community?" In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, we sit down with Addison Hearrin, director of the Hope 4 Good program at 4 Good Community. What started in 2020 as a no-barrier resource center has grown into one of the most...

What does it actually take to build a stronger, more connected Henderson? In this episode, we sit down with Cooper Beck, founder and executive director of Henderson Kentucky Pride, and a young leader deeply involved across multiple organizations including Elevate, Matthew 25, and the Father Bradley Shelter. Cooper is only 21 years old, and has already helped launch initiatives, build a nonprofit,...

In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, we sit down with Hattie Hancock, owner of Hattie James Bridal and part of the family behind Elite Downtown. Hattie is just 24 years old and is already helping shape the future of downtown Henderson through small business, hospitality, leadership, and a willingness to take some big risks. Hattie shares the story behind Hattie James Bridal and talks abou...

This week on the For Henderson Podcast, we’re joined by Jonathan Dixon and Evan Dixon from SummerFest and Sons of Henderson, the local charity behind one of Henderson’s downtown music events. What started as the Henderson Wiffleball Classic has evolved into SummerFest: a free, family-friendly concert in downtown Henderson, Kentucky that brings the community together while raising money and awarene...

What does it actually look like to love on your town? In this episode of the For Henderson podcast, we sit down with Abby Dixon and Ellie Kellen from the Henderson Tourism Commission to talk about having some pride in our city and a few simple things we can do to show it. Abby and Ellie share some fun (and unexpected) stories about visitors falling in love with our city, and what it is that truly...

This week on the For Henderson Podcast, we sit down with Kacee Campbell, Executive Director of Audubon Kids Zone, to talk about what real neighborhood transformation looks like in Henderson’s East End. Kacee shares how she first walked into AKZ as a volunteer, quickly fell in love with the kids, families, and neighbors, and eventually stepped into leadership. She talks about how AKZ has shifted fr...

In this episode, we sit down with Mikaela Ledbetter, a lifelong Hendersonian and social worker at St. Anthony’s Hospice, to talk about what it looks like to show up for people when it matters most. Mikaela shares how growing up in Henderson shaped her into a helper, from her family’s deep roots to the area to her years in Henderson County Schools and how a personal experience led her into hospice...

In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Rachel Trout of Matthew 25 to talk about what it takes to build a Henderson where people actually want to stay. Rachel shares the story behind Matthew 25, a nonprofit serving individuals living with HIV around our region, and explains how their work goes beyond just the medical care by helping to remove barriers and fight stigma. We...

What does it really take to build a great city? Most people want to help their community. But what if the way we’re doing it is actually making things worse? In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Dr. Austin Maxheimer, Love Your Neighborhood Director at Community One, to unpack what real, lasting transformation looks like in Henderson and beyond. From his early days knoc...

What does it really look like to take care of your neighbors? In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast , Josh sits down with Taylor Heady—a Henderson native, mom of three, victim advocate, and founder of the Warming Box initiative. What started as a simple act of kindness toward one individual has grown into a community-wide movement, with multiple donation boxes now serving people across the...

What does it look like to truly take ownership of your community? In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Sean Leavelle, Director of Operations at St. Anthony’s Hospice, Hendersonian (by choice), soccer coach, HLI graduate, and community-minded leader. Sean shares the story of how work first brought his family to Henderson, why they immediately fell in love with the city,...

Addiction recovery can feel like an overwhelming problem, but here in Henderson, there are people working every day to bring hope, healing, and second chances to those who need it most. In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Carrie Gentry, director of the STOP Initiative through the WARM Center, to talk about the work happening in our community to address addiction, redu...

What makes Henderson such a special place to live? In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Josh sits down with Abby Dixon, Director of Tourism for Henderson, to talk about the stories, experiences, and people that make this community unique. Abby shares how she first fell in love with Henderson, why the Ohio River and historic downtown create such a compelling space, and what visitors from a...

Great cities don’t happen by accident. They’re built through the daily decisions of the people who live there. In this opening episode of For Henderson, host Josh Stanley introduces the vision behind the podcast and explains why the stories of the people shaping our city matter. Henderson isn’t perfect...but it is home. And across the community there are entrepreneurs, educators, leaders, creators...

For Henderson: a podcast about the people in our community who are actively working to build a great city. Each episode highlights local leaders, creators, and city-builders who are FOR Henderson. Great cities don’t just happen. They’re built. So…are you FOR Henderson??