FXBG Neighbors Podcast

What if movement could speak first and the music answered back? That’s the electric core of Bomba, the Afro‑Puerto Rican tradition that turns emotion into sound through a live dialogue between dancer and drummer. We sit down with Semilla Cultural’s founder, Isha Renta Lopez, to trace how a scientist from Puerto Rico rebuilt community in Virginia—one packed basement workshop, one class, and one dru...

Ready to turn conversations into customers and policy into opportunity? We sit down with Wendy Zelazny, Executive Vice President of Membership and Strategic Growth at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, to unpack how modern chambers fuel small business success. Forget the old image of dusty luncheons. This is about purposeful networking, targeted training, and real advocacy that meets...

What if street food left you feeling lighter, energized, and ready for the rest of your day? We sit with Senna and Robbie of Shawarma Rama, the easy-to-spot mint green food truck serving Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, to unpack how fresh herbs, thoughtful prep, and smart workflow turn shawarma, falafel, and grilled steak into a craveable, feel-good meal. From the trio plate that showc...

Ready to hear how a single yes can change a career, a city, and a community? We sit down with Kristal King of Glamour Beauty and Brows to trace her path from a corporate role in D.C. to becoming a microblading pioneer in Stafford and Fredericksburg. She breaks down what microblading really is—custom, hand-drawn hairstrokes tailored to your face and skin—and why it remains the foundation of permane...

A bustling bookstore in 2026 says a lot about what people still crave: a place to slow down, explore, and feel part of something bigger. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Mike Burton, district manager at Books-A-Million, as we celebrate the new Stafford location and dig into how a 1917 newsstand grew into more than 200 stores across 32 states. Mike takes us beyond the shelves to show h...

What if a hair appointment felt like a deep breath? We sit with Selena, founder of Selena’s Unique Designs, to explore how a home-based braid studio can be quiet, gentle, and still built for growth. From soft music to weighted capes and sensory toys, Selena designs every detail for clients who crave a calm chair—tender headed adults, anxious teens, and neurodiverse kids who deserve dignity and cho...

A career-ending crash at 85 mph didn’t stop Roberto Jimenez—it redirected him. We sit down with the Marine-turned-broker to explore how leadership, service, and a clear process can turn financial confusion into a confident plan for retirement, legacy, and everyday money decisions. Roberto leads Greatness Financial Services, a veteran-owned, Fredericksburg-based brokerage that operates virtually an...

The first click decides the next call. We sit down with Gavin Robyn of Next  Door Photos to explore how strategic real estate media turns casual browsers into booked showings and signed contracts. Gavin breaks down a practical toolkit—pro photography, video, drone, virtual tours, and floor plans—and explains why each medium matters at a different moment of the buyer journey. You’ll hear how they p...

What if the most powerful shift in your health and performance isn’t eating less, but finally eating enough? We sit down with registered dietitian Brooke Czarnecki, founder of Intentful Nutrition, to explore a weight-neutral approach that helps runners, active postpartum moms, and everyday athletes fuel better, feel stronger, and perform with confidence. Brooke’s story starts on the track. As a co...

A high-speed crash, a quiet hospital room, and a rescue dog who refused to look away—this is the story of Honey on Duty and the human she steadies. We mark our 100th episode with Stefan, who opens up about survivor’s guilt, anxiety, and the path that led a returned shelter dog to become a psychological service partner trained for real-world tasks. We dig into what task-trained support actually loo...

A luxury tattoo studio in Fredericksburg sounds bold—until you hear how Gary McCord built Battlefield Ink with precision, purpose, and a clear mission to serve professionals who expect more from the tattoo experience. We bring you Gary’s story from the Marine Corps to MBA to entrepreneur, and the moment he decided to trade a stable nonprofit career for a craft that demands both artistic excellence...

Ever wonder how a local HVAC shop grows into a multi-trade service company without getting swallowed by private equity? We sit down with OHA’s John Berardino to unpack a strategy built on patience, culture, and customer trust—plus a few myths about the home services business that may surprise you. From honoring a founder who still visits customers to adding plumbing, chimney, fireplaces, and roofi...

A single grabbed wrist changed the course of a life—and launched a mission to make practical safety skills accessible to everyone. We sit down with Courtland Divine, a veteran and the founder of Compass Protection Solutions, to explore how real-world self-defense and active shooter response training can turn uncertainty into decisive action without fear or fluff. Courtland breaks down a clear fram...

A farm, a gym, and a fierce commitment to real change—this conversation with coach and Marine veteran Kimberly Lanford of Let’s Flex It is a testament to what happens when grit meets community. Kimberly shares how surviving a violent assault at 19 lit a lifelong passion for strength and coaching, and how that journey carried her from Southern California to the Marine Corps to a nine-acre fitness o...

A dog-themed bookstore that brews great coffee and even better community? That’s Tales and Tails, and Christine Bowman joins us to share how a playful idea became a Fredericksburg staple where readers, neighbors, and pups all feel at home. We dig into the origin story: a lifelong reader partnered with a former teacher and coffee enthusiast, the hunt for the right downtown space, and the decision t...

Pink tile, red carpets, rooster wallpaper—some design choices have had a very long life. We sit down with Home Stretch’s Ashley Lavin  to show how small, smart updates can revive a dated home fast, boost resale appeal, and spare you the chaos of a full remodel. If you’ve been putting off changes because you fear cost, mess, or contractor headaches, this conversation offers a simpler path. Ashley b...

What does it mean to grow up everywhere and belong somewhere? We sit down with Fredericksburg author Justin Marlowe to trace the making of Perfect Strangers: Echoes of a Black Suburban Youth—a candid memoir that follows his journey from toddlerhood through 17, shaped by military moves, culture shock, and the quiet codes of suburban life. Justin opens up about race, politics, and identity seen thro...

What if the missing piece in your health isn’t a new supplement, but a calmer nervous system and simpler food? We sit down with author, podcaster, and local wellness consultant Laura Heflin to unpack a root-cause approach that helps people lower inflammation, regain energy, and, in many cases, reduce reliance on medication. Laura’s blend of functional nutrition and stress regulation turns complex...

Think a six-month-old can’t learn water safety? You’ll rethink that after meeting Allysa Smith, the certified coach behind Mighty Floaters Infant Aquatics in Fredericksburg. We dive into how infants and toddlers build real survival skills—rolling to a float, breathing calmly, and swimming to safety—in focused, 10-minute lessons four days a week. No scare tactics, no shortcuts. Just gentle, proven...

A quiet room can change how we connect. That’s the spark behind our conversation with Leanne, the voice and vision of Smoke and Mirrors Cigar Lounge in downtown Fredericksburg—a grownup space with soft lighting, light jazz, and a heated, covered patio that invites you to slow down. We talk about why an adults-only lounge matters in a city full of great spots, and how thoughtful design choices can...

A salon can be more than a service—it can be a sanctuary. We sit with stylist and founder Erica Mynar to unpack how Girl Time, her one-on-one salon suite in Fredericksburg, delivers calm energy, honest guidance, and gorgeous blonding without the noise or rush of a crowded floor. From the first hello to the final style, Erica designs every moment to feel personal, present, and pressure-free, so cli...

What if a neighborhood salon could change the way a city feels about itself? We sit down with master stylist and educator Ruby Brown from The Haven Salon and Beauty Bar to explore how craft, mentorship, and community care can live under one roof—and why that mix builds confidence that lasts longer than a haircut. Ruby shares her path from earning a license right out of high school to becoming an e...

Think orthodontics starts when the last baby tooth leaves? We dig into the earlier, smarter path with Dr. Mohammed Abdulateef of One Orthodontics, revealing how a simple age-seven check can prevent extractions, shorten treatment, and even reduce the chance of jaw surgery. This is a story of a first-day dental school friendship that became a Fredericksburg practice grounded in community, clarity, a...

Money should feel calm, not confusing. We sat down with family financial coach Juliana Alcantara of Financial Health Solutions to talk about practical ways parents, couples, and newlyweds can create a plan that fits real life—without giving up joy or relying on rigid rules. From her early days as a bank teller to years in public accounting, Juliana brings a grounded view of cash flow, debt, and th...

A 16-foot trailer, hand-built shelves, and the smell of custom candles set the stage for one of the most heartwarming business stories in Fredericksburg. We sit down with English teacher and founder Katie O’Mara, who turned a spark of inspiration and a meaningful family legacy into The Book Market FXBG—a mobile bookstore that proves curation, community, and local makers can outshine any algorithm....