Raising Connections

Send us Fan Mail Today Rachann talks with Mikahla Insalaco, from To Win Again Farm. Mikahla brings a fresh insight into how a licensed acupuncturist blends a smart adaptogenic approach to compliment treatments. Horses intuitively respond to a diverse range of holistic healing modalities—from the precision of acupuncture and the grounding stimulation of a vibraplate to the respiratory benefits of a...

Send us Fan Mail Set sail with Rachann Mayer and Captain Jan Miles aboard Pride of Baltimore II; a replica Baltimore Clipper modeled after the swift privateer tall ships of the War of 1812: ships built for speed, commerce raiding, and daring blockade runs with cargo. Captain Miles' seasoned, steady leadership embodies seamanship, entrepreneurship, and the fine art of storytelling. Everywhere...

Send us Fan Mail The Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) is the county’s designated anti-poverty organization, a non-profit designed to meet community needs. CAC is dedicated to fighting poverty by helping people become economically self-sufficient. Tracy Broccolini, President of the CAC talks with Rachann about their five core services of Early Childhood Education, Energy Assistance,...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast originally released in December 2025, kennel owner Rachann Mayer and three long-time clients share heartfelt memories of Mariah-Belle Manor Kennel - a journey of care, trust, kindness, and a tribute to seasons of life, generosity, and the expansion that made this kennel a true family for pets and people alike. Mt. Airy Dog Boarding and Daycare at Mariah-Belle Manor...

Send us Fan Mail From a podcast first released in July 2024, Rachann talks with Erin Gilmore, a well-known local photographer who can be seen at equine events throughout Maryland and Virginia. From her website eringilmorephotos.com, "My specialty in equestrian photography stems from my many years as an equestrian journalist and photographer, and during my career I’ve been lucky enough to stan...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, Rachann talks with Joanna Veltri, owner of Nuthatch Gardens. Joanna’s farm opens a window into modern flower farming — the hustle, the bird sightings, and the business smarts behind every bloom. She blends personal stories with practical insights on crops, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and the messy magic of growing flowers. Unused blooms become compost...

Send us Fan Mail Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day in parts of the US. In this rebroadcast from 2023, Rachann talks about the history of Decoration Day when people began decorating graves with wreaths and flags after the Civil War, although the tradition didn't start in the United States, but in ancient Rome! Support the show www.raisingconnections.com

Send us Fan Mail This podcast dives into the lives of turtles, tortoises, and other reptiles that outlast generations, thriving under careful protection and purpose‑driven stewardship. Rachann talks with Dean, the keeper and guardian at Dean’s Turtle Farm, who manages many species, including over 100 turtles, while advancing education, conservation, and hands‑on protection.  This episode brings li...

Send us Fan Mail Maryland State Highway Administrators Charlie Gischlar and Andrew Radcliffe sit down with Rachann to explore the planned completion of the Westminster Community Trail Loop and unexpected facts about Maryland state highways.  They pull back the curtain on the fast‑lane dangers faced by state highway workers, the real story behind the buffer lane, and the world of test gardens and p...

Send us Fan Mail White, green, oolong, and black teas are what happen when a professional engineer applies 30 years of systems-thinking to an acidic field in Howard County. You get the first tea farm in Maryland. Lori Baker, co-owner-operator of Heron's Meadow Farm , shares a candid look at the "identity crisis" of building a multi-faceted business and the relentless entrepreneurial...

Send us Fan Mail Join Claire Lacey, President of My Lady's Manor Driving Club and Rachann, as they free wheel through the world of modern horse driving. To quote Claire “Anything you can do on horseback, you can do in a cart.” This episode drives into the world of functional carts, elegant carriages, and rugged wagons.  They explore the world of carriage driving, where the driver and horse bu...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why George Washington was obsessed with his sheep? This episode of Raising Connections offers a fascinating look into the history and heritage of shepherding.  This week, we step into the world of Elaine Shirley, President of the Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association, as she shares why sheep are the perfect "triple-purpose" animal for modern small f...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Elizabeth Tate from Common Ground at Paradise Stables. They invite listeners into a safe, tactile world where equine assisted learning, breathing, and aromatherapy help shift feelings that have been shaped by fight, flight, and freeze. Facilitators hold space for the moment as people explore trust, physical awareness, and self-regulation, guided by the wisdom of...

Send us Fan Mail Jennifer Trout, Maryland's State Veterinarian, joins Rachann to share a day in the life of the state's top vet. Dr. Trout walks us through her approach to wellness, highlighting leadership, challenges, partnerships, and preparedness efforts that keep our critters safe. It's an open down-to-earth conversation about how Maryland protects its herds, flocks, and food sy...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Rachann talks with world-renowned field trial judge Trish Jackson, and conformation judge Chip Bondi. They lead us through the teamwork, preparation, and decision-making that defines the Gun Dog Sports. Gun dogs are highly trained competitors, judged on speed, ability, and stamina. Both Trish and Chip breed, raise, and train their own puppies. Trish's passion...

Send us Fan Mail Stephen Strosnider, Executive Director of the Carroll County Arts Council, joins Rachann for a cheerful look at the 19th Annual PEEPSHOW held in the TownMall of Westminster, MD - March 27 - April 3, 2026. Together they explore the creativity, community spirit, and the magic of marshmallow masterpieces that make this event a local favorite. Learn how the event raises support for th...

Send us Fan Mail On this week's podcast, Rachann is joined by Laurie Savage, one of the owners of Brown Cow Creamery. Step onto the farm and into the heart of a community where dairy farming is more than a livelihood, it’s a way of life. Follow the journey from pasture to pint, exploring the world of cows, cream‑line milk, and the craft of non‑homogenized, direct‑to‑consumer dairy products. E...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the world of the Savannah Bananas, where minor league baseball transforms into a full‑blown celebration of joy, connection, and fun. Rachann is joined by Emily Cole, one half of the husband and wife team that owns the Bananas. Dive deep into the phenomenon of Banana Ball—the fast‑paced, rule‑breaking, music‑soaked version of the game that has fans dancing in the aisles a...

Send us Fan Mail Traveling with a dog is a journey filled with small details that make a big difference. In this episode Rachann talks with Joyce Johnson from Fora Travel about everything from choosing the right airline or ground transport to keeping pets comfortable with familiar items, calm routines, and thoughtful preparation. Health certificates, vaccines, microchips, and reentry rules are exp...

Send us Fan Mail In celebration of the Howard County Bird Club's 54th year, Rachann talks with club president Val Swan and longtime club member Bonnie Ott about the rhythms, surprises, and hidden patterns that shape the lives of birds across our landscapes.  We highlight the connections between birds, plants, pollinators, and habitat diversity. It’s a conversation that invites listeners to sl...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Carroll County Farm Museum, Rachann and Elaine explore the stories behind its remarkable collection of antiques, hand‑crafted furniture, and the farm machinery that powered generations of Maryland agriculture. From the traditional use of oxen to the preserved alms house that reveals how the county cared for its most v...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Elisha Barnes, winner of the 2024 Hubbard Peanut Company Made in the South Award for Sustainability for his single-origin red-skin peanuts, about his work on a modest 12‑acre farm in the heart of Virginia. This podcast digs deep—literally—into the soil that shapes peanuts, and the choices farmers face between chemical shortcuts and time‑tested natural methods. T...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, Rachann Mayer is joined by holistic wellness coach, nutritionist, and registered dietitian Heather Wolfe. She guides you through the ever‑evolving wellness journey with depth, compassion, and clarity, exploring the mind‑body connection, practical approaches to weight management, and the role of spirituality in healing, You’ll hear insights drawn from years of clin...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Melinda Horner, a representative of the Four County Quilters Guild, which meets the second Tuesday of every month in Mount Airy, Maryland. The guild gets together and quilts, presents speakers who talk about quilting, and welcomes anyone whether they have been involved in quilting or not. They'll teach you how! Four County Quilters Guild Support the show ww...

Send us Fan Mail Rachann talks with Shaun Dunn, zoologist with the Nebraska Game and Park Commission, Wildlife Division, Natural Heritage Program. Shaun takes us into the hidden world of bats: how these remarkable creatures live, from their insect‑rich diet, to the ways guano tells much about their diet and health. They explore the mystery behind echolocation and decode the meaning of bat calls, u...