LeahVanity

Brandan Tobin shares a thoughtful perspective shaped by entrepreneurship, marriage, fatherhood, and a long journey of faith. From growing up in California and chasing achievement to navigating seasons of uncertainty, he reflects on the moments that challenged his assumptions and reshaped his priorities. He also explores the tension of balancing work and family, the importance of being present with...

Corey Blaske is a residential real estate professional with the Go Fetch Team whose work extends far beyond buying and selling homes. Known for helping newcomers connect with the Tri-Cities, he shares why promoting local businesses, events, and community life has become central to his approach. From relocation and relationship-building to teaching life skills through youth golf, his focus remains...

Robin Van Huss, along with her husband Brian, is the creator of Saucers Over Appalachia, a project exploring UFO sightings, paranormal experiences, and regional folklore throughout Appalachia. She reflects on the deeply personal side of unexplained encounters, the cultural history tied to these stories, and why curiosity often matters more than certainty. Her work approaches the unknown through re...

Keddrain Bowen grew up in Washington, North Carolina, earned a football scholarship to Tusculum University, and never left the Tri-Cities. In this episode, he shares the drowning experience at age 9 that shaped his entire worldview, what it looked like to become a teen father and eventually raise six kids, and how he went from selling clothes out of his car to coaching clients around the world. We...

Jennifer Sweet founded Jeremiah Cafe out of a clear gap—what happens after school for individuals with autism. Shaped by her daughter’s experience, she built a working cafe that trains, employs, and steadily prepares people for jobs beyond its walls. She shares what she’s learned about capability, patience, and why meaningful work—not just support—is the missing piece for so many. Visit: https://j...

Lewis Kizer started Smash Meals eight years ago and has been showing up every day since. In this episode he talks about the mental side of running a small business, how he's using content and AI tools to stay visible, and what he's learned about raising kids with real responsibility. He also shares stories he's kept quiet for years — including a false accusation that followed him for t...

Heather Watson is President and CEO of Hands On Discovery Center in Northeast Tennessee, a hands-on science museum shaped by decades of growth from its 1987 beginnings in downtown Johnson City to its partnership with the nearby Gray Fossil Site. She reflects on how an unexpected road construction project revealed an Ice Age fossil trove that expanded the museum’s direction and helped turn it into...

Michael Mabry is a physician practicing a relational, faith-centered approach to medicine that prioritizes presence, prayer, and whole-person care. Blending osteopathic training with a holistic mindset, he focuses on root causes over symptom management while walking closely with patients through their health journeys. He explores identity, anxiety, and truth, emphasizing rest, listening, and the d...

Courtney Dailey is an author and speaker whose book God Stories grew out of her experience responding to the devastation of Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee. What began as helping a single friend rebuild turned into a sustained effort supporting dozens of families, shaped by what she describes as constant, precise provision. She reflects on surrendering control, recognizing purpose in real time,...

Briana Garner is the owner of Jovie Nannies and Sitters across the Tri-Cities, Asheville, and Knoxville regions, where she’s building awareness around flexible, vetted in-home childcare. With a background in nursing and firsthand experience navigating childcare gaps, she focuses on matching families with caregivers, supporting working parents with adaptable solutions, and creating sustainable, pro...

Mary Massarueh is the communications and fund development manager at the YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, where she approaches community work through relationship-building and storytelling. She frames the organization as a “community first aid kit,” focused on supporting women and children through programs that address generational cycles, economic barriers, and critical moments...

Crystal Carter is a broadcaster and founder of Appalachian AI Marketing and Appalachian Vibes Media, blending a career in radio, news, and television with a grassroots approach to helping small businesses navigate marketing through AI. Deeply rooted in Appalachia, she shares a perspective shaped by place, storytelling, and service, from supporting local businesses to reshaping how the region is se...

Jeff Martin is the lead pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Johnson City, Tennessee. Raised in a military family that moved across the country, his story spans Eastern Kentucky roots, formative years in Nebraska and Texas, and a calling into ministry shaped by mentorship, personal struggle, and deep faith. He reflects on burnout in early ministry, the role of honest community in spiritual growt...

Will Barbour is the campus minister for Reformed University Fellowship at East Tennessee State University, where he spends his days walking closely with college students through conversation, discipleship, and shared life. A husband and father of three through foster care and adoption, he reflects on the rhythms of ministry, the quiet work of building trust with students, and the importance of cre...

Avondre McCrary is an enrolled agent and founder of Ax That Tax, a tax resolution firm focused on helping people navigate serious IRS issues including liens, levies, audits, and back taxes. Growing up in Kingsport shaped his drive to build something different, and that mindset carries into his work advocating for clients and negotiating directly with the IRS. He shares how tax controversy works be...

Lewis Kizer has served as a United Methodist pastor since age 18 while building Smash Meals, a gluten-free meal prep and catering company he co-founded eight years ago. He reflects on fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and ministry—raising twins who now work alongside him in the kitchen, navigating divorce, rebuilding the business alone, and learning to trust God through growth, setbacks, and a life-al...

Lanie Chase (@ cackling_crow ) is a 20-year-old artist building Cackling Crow one market at a time. She talks about what it really looks like to grow a handmade business—burning through early designs, packing her car with 20+ hats, getting rained out, and still showing up the next weekend. This conversation gets into the unfiltered side of small business: why going in person beats DMs, how winerie...

Lance Hanbey is the lead minister at Unicoi Christian Church and a Navy Reserve chaplain. He shares his journey into ministry, what it’s really like to pastor through life’s highest and lowest moments, and how faith has shaped his leadership and sobriety. The conversation covers serving families at Arlington National Cemetery, celebrating nearly a decade of sobriety, and learning to hold plans loo...

In this episode, Leah sits down with Adam Jasenak, president and head coach of Johnson City Rugby, Army veteran, and stay-at-home dad. Adam explains rugby in simple terms, breaks down common misconceptions, and shares how he helped rebuild and lead the local club with clear direction and competitive goals. They discuss leadership, discipline, community, and why showing up matters—even on the days...

Dave McAuley is the founder of Summit Leadership Foundation in Johnson City. He shares his journey from radio DJ and furniture store owner to nonprofit and church leader. We talk about the power of connecting leaders, why no one succeeds alone, founder syndrome, Trinity Grace Farm, and raising the next generation of leaders. If you care about community, legacy, and meaningful leadership, this conv...

In this first episode, Leah sits down with Beth Jenks and Jessica Patrone, the owners of Pro Compounding Pharmacy. They discuss their paths into compounding pharmacy, what personalized medicine actually means, and what they see daily in women dealing with hormone changes, perimenopause, sleep issues, anxiety, and aging. The conversation focuses on practical experience, education gaps in healthcare...

In this opening episode, Leah introduces the heart behind the Leah Vanity Podcast. What started as a desire to be better listeners and more present with the people around them has become a space for honest, unfiltered conversations. They share a bit about their life as business owners, creatives, parents, and a husband-and-wife team, and why community, connection, and listening well matter—especia...