FXBG Neighbors Podcast

A single brown highway sign on I-95 sent Joyce Miller down a path she didn’t expect, and it led straight to a new historical fiction novel rooted in Fredericksburg-area history. Joyce joined us to share the story behind Mrs. Gari Melchers, inspired by Corinne Mackall Melchers, an artist connected to the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. Corinne’s work and ambition existed in a world that o...

Your gym can be more than a room full of equipment, and your fitness can be more than a before-and-after photo. I’m joined by Rich Brown from Honor Bound Fit, a veteran-owned functional fitness gym in Fredericksburg that trains people for the long game: fewer breakdowns, more capability, and a body that still works decades from now. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by “hardcore” fitness culture, Ri...

What happens when a city’s extra shirts, shoes, and hoodies become a lifeline instead of landfill? We sit with the founder of Fredericksburg Free Closet to share how a donated cargo van, a few rolling racks, and a lot of heart evolved into a mobile, zero-cost clothing shop serving neighbors with dignity. From free market tables to school events and community dinners, we unpack a simple system that...

Charcuterie is everywhere right now, but most people still wonder the same things: How much do I need, how do I order, and can it actually be affordable for a real-life budget? We answer those questions with Lenair Ballard from Graze Craze Fredericksburg, a charcuterie catering company with a brick-and-mortar shop in Central Park Fredericksburg. We talk through what you can grab for lunch, how onl...

A family crest, a knight with a shield, and a beeper-era origin story collide in a candid conversation with Kim Oztuna of Burke and Burke Insurance. We dig into what it takes for a local agency to thrive for four decades while staying human, accessible, and relentlessly focused on education. From Alexandria to Fredericksburg, Kim shares how a small, family-owned team scaled to four offices without...

What if your doctor’s office felt more like a community and less like a system? We sit down with Dr. Dannielle VonDerLinden, podiatrist and president of Dynamic Medical Centers, to explore how a trusted foot and ankle practice evolved into a comprehensive, non-operative musculoskeletal hub serving Fredericksburg and beyond. The story isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a blueprint for expanding services wh...

Spring doesn’t start on a calendar—it starts when a field explodes into color. We sit down with Bloomia CEO Werner Jansen to explore how a Dutch-rooted company built America’s largest cut tulip operation right here in King George County, supplying roughly 120 million stems a year to retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, Wegmans, and Publix. Werner pulls back the curtain on hydroponic tulip growing—n...

What if tutoring felt less like a transaction and more like a village? We sit down with Maija - Liisa Penn, CEO and co-founder of The Knowledge Exchange, to explore how a small Fredericksburg nonprofit delivers big impact through free, holistic, and evidence-based learning support. From K–12 students with IEPs or 504s to adults preparing for the GED or college classes, their model removes cost bar...

What if one word on a test—or one poorly written survey question—cost your students points or pushed your customers away? We sit down with Dr. Jones, founder of Numbers Matter LLC, to unpack how psychometrics and smart data practices help schools, agencies, and local businesses make confident, evidence-based decisions. Dr. Jones shares the origin of Numbers Matter, her path from federal psychometr...

Great hair isn’t an accident—it’s the result of clear conversations, consistent maintenance, and products that truly perform. We sit down with Kat, owner of Kat’s Beauty Lounge in Fredericksburg, to explore how she builds a client experience that starts long before the first snip. From thoughtful consultations to lifestyle-first plans, she shows how to make your look last, feel better, and fit you...

Planning for tomorrow isn’t about fear; it’s about keeping your voice when life throws curveballs. We sit down with attorney Christina Parrish of Parrish Law Partners to unpack what real-world estate planning looks like when you blend legal expertise with lived caregiving experience. From the first shock of a health crisis to the quiet logistics of paying bills and accessing records, Christina off...

Tattoos should feel as good as they look. That’s the belief powering Battlefield Ink, a Fredericksburg studio where hospitality, precision, and professionalism turn body art into a luxury you actually experience. We sit down with owner and lead artist Gary McCord to unpack what “luxury tattooing” means without the fluff—fair pricing, zero gimmicks, and a studio culture designed to lower stress, ra...

Most people are told to “live with it” when their body starts sending signals—leaks when they laugh, pelvic pain during pregnancy, discomfort with intimacy, or exercise setbacks that feel mysterious. We wanted a better answer, so we invited Dr. TaLisa Taylor, founder of Taylored 4 You Health and Wellness, to break down what pelvic health physical therapy actually does and how it changes daily life...

Ever wondered if a martial art could feel like a second home? We sit down with Laura Fenton from Gracie Barra Fredericksburg to share how a family’s search for a dad–daughter activity grew into a welcoming academy where parents, kids, beginners, and competitors train side by side. This is Brazilian jiu jitsu without the bravado—safe, structured, and designed to help you start where you are. Laura...

A neighborhood changes when a restaurant dares to be both local and boldly itself. We sit down with chef-owner Daniel Perron of Locavore in downtown Fredericksburg to explore how a seasonal American kitchen, rooted in Mid-Atlantic farms and shaped by Korean flavors, can open minds and build community. From scratch-made staples to the beloved Kalbi Beef Skewers, Daniel shows how approachable dishes...

A single Cricut on the kitchen table turned into a community-powered apparel brand with a mission. We sit down with Fredericksburg’s own Amanda Randall of Impact Apparel by Amanda to unpack how a simple love for crafting grew into a thriving, debt-free business that outfits local teams, gyms, churches, and small brands—while giving back in meaningful ways. Amanda shares the real playbook: start sm...

What if the secret to a stronger team isn’t more effort, but better alignment with the work that gives each person energy? We welcome leadership consultant and longtime nonprofit leader Janel Donohue for a candid, story-rich conversation about turning joy into performance and building cultures that last. From HR beginnings and a painful corporate collapse to 15 years as a United Way CEO, Janel tra...

What if you could take one stubborn business problem and turn it into a concrete plan backed by expert guidance and a cohort that won’t let you stall? We sit down with Carley Walker, Executive Vice President of Workforce and Community Development at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, to share how ChamberWorks Business Academy gives small and mid-sized businesses a practical path from...

What if the biggest leap in your leadership came from the smallest daily habit? We sit down with Vernon Green founder of GCubed Inc. to explore the simple routines, mentor relationships, and high-value networks that turn aspiration into traction. Live2Lead FXBG isn’t a lecture circuit—it’s a room full of operators, owners, and emerging leaders who bring real stories and hard-won lessons, and we di...

Leadership gets real when a community commits to learning together. We bring you a candid conversation with Kirstin Purcell of Handshake in Heels Talent Strategy about Live2Lead Fredericksburg, the one-day event designed for managers, founders, public servants, and anyone hungry for growth. From solopreneurs to government contractors, the room will be packed with people who want practical ideas th...

What if the most powerful leadership event of your year didn’t require a flight or a week away—just a short drive across Fredericksburg? We sit down with Integrity Solutions Group’s James Kingman to unpack why Live2Lead FXBG on February 10 is more than a calendar invite. It’s a local catalyst for real growth, grounded in the simple but demanding idea that leaders learn first, then lift others as t...

Big voices, bold ideas, and a simple promise: leave with tools you can use tomorrow. We welcome Mike McClanahan from the John Maxwell Team to unpack Live2Lead FXBG, a one-day leadership experience that connects national insights to our local ecosystem. This conversation moves quickly from inspiration to application, showing how frameworks like Jesse Cole’s Five E's and John Maxwell’s Six C&ap...

Smiles don’t have to start with fear. We sit down with Ashlee Kato of Suite Tooth Pediatrics to explore how a kid-first approach can turn dental visits from meltdowns into milestones. From the first tooth to the senior year photo, she shows how thoughtful design, clear communication, and science-backed care build brave patients and calmer parents. Dr. Kato shares her journey from a family of denti...

Ready to trade tax-time panic for calm, confident decisions? We sit with CPA Melissa Harman of Mission First CPA to unpack how small businesses can turn messy books and ad hoc choices into clear systems, steady cash flow, and a mission-led strategy that actually scales. Melissa shares how her years in tax, audit, public accounting, and corporate finance shaped a simple truth: the crucial moves hap...

What if reentry didn’t start at the prison gate, but at the moment of arrest? We sit with Failsafe-ERA founder Juanita Shanks to map a different path—one built on evidence-based classes inside the jail, steady case management after release, and family support that breaks isolation and shame. Juanita shares the story that moved her from federal service to frontline nonprofit leadership, including t...