Talk Local To Me

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto shines a light on Central Virginia’s thriving business and nonprofit community. She shares details about upcoming networking events, features Puzzled, a nonprofit founded by Blake Bryant that supports children with autism through community car shows, and interviews Jennifer from Creative Cove Designs, a local business offering custom apparel,...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Mike chats with Jesse Reynolds and Jordan Wise, who shares the inspiration behind his new venture, the Vincent Van Gogh Café in Central Virginia. Jordan discusses the café’s mission to unite art, wellness, and spirituality, reflecting on personal experiences with family, illness, and faith that shaped his vision. The conversation spotlights the café’s dedi...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike look back at the successful Center Fest in Bedford and share a preview of upcoming holiday happenings, including the “Parade of Trees,” local Christmas parades, and Bedford’s annual tree lighting celebration. They also spotlight Small Business Saturday’s “Shopper on the Shelf” initiative, designed to encourage support for neighborhood sho...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike take a closer look at the upcoming Bedford CenterFest, highlighting its community impact, exciting music lineup, and strong partnerships with local businesses. They also spotlight Love Heals, a sponsor with a mission to support those facing medical debt and caregiving challenges, showing how local collaboration creates lasting change. The...

In this episode of "Talk Local to Me," hosts Heather and Mike spotlight upcoming Central Virginia Business Coalition events and welcome guests from The Joint Chiropractic, who discuss the benefits of accessible chiropractic care in Lynchburg. The conversation then shifts to Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, with staff sharing insights on the site’s history, preservation efforts, and community programs, in...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto sits down with Jenny Simmons to talk about the Hill City Memory Cafe, a nonprofit program dedicated to supporting individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive impairments, along with their caregivers. Jenny shares how the cafe provides monthly themed activities, opportunities for socialization, and wellness support—all in...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike highlight upcoming Bedford County events and sit down with Jordan from Bedrock Bookkeepers, who offers practical insights into why professional bookkeeping is essential for small businesses. In the second half, Dr. Maddukuri of Forest Wellness recipient of the CVABC Leadership Award shares a personalized approach to weight loss, hormone t...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, Heather Alto, Executive Director of the Central Virginia Business Coalition (CVABC), dives into the coalition’s mission to help local businesses thrive through strategic marketing, networking, and valuable resources. She shares details on affordable membership options, upcoming community events, and why collaboration between businesses is essential for growth....

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather Alto and Mike turn the spotlight on local businesses, community happenings, and valuable resources for families and seniors across Central Virginia. The conversation touches on back-to-school shopping and the importance of choosing local retailers, while also previewing upcoming events like ribbon cuttings and networking meetups. Special guests jo...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather and Mike sit down with Rachel from Joyful Harmonies, a local music studio dedicated to early childhood music education. Rachel shares the inspiring story of the studio’s growth, the proven benefits of music in early development, and how Joyful Harmonies creates a welcoming, family-centered environment through flexible enrollment and research-based...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto shares the latest updates in local business news and upcoming community happenings before introducing special guest Chantel West, owner of The Wick and Pour Candle Bar. Chantel discusses how her eco-conscious candle bar offers engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages—from personalized candle-making to perfume blending workshops and private...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me,hosts Heather Alto and Mike share personal stories, discuss local events, and highlight community news. They chat about recent concerts, family activities, and the importance of work-life balance. Special guest Kate Kelly, owner of Lady Legacy of Bedford, discusses her boutique’s offerings, upcoming fall events, and a community-focused Farm Makeover Contest. The...

In this lively episode of Talk Local To Me,hosts Heather Alto and Mike welcome Kelly Wood of Media Mosaic to discuss small business marketing and community events. The show features personal stories, including a bear encounter and nostalgic holiday memories, and practical advice on social media management, branding, and website health. The trio also highlights upcoming Christmas parades, the impor...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather Alto and Mike dive into local business initiatives, upcoming community events, and smart financial strategies for individuals and entrepreneurs alike. Special guest Keith from Mercer Advisors shares practical advice on integrated financial planning, including tips for navigating college funding and preparing for long-term financial success. We’re...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto brings together a vibrant mix of conversation around business, beauty, and community. Guests Taryn from Milk & Honey Skin Studio and Terry with The Pampered Chef share their experiences as local entrepreneurs, offering insights into the beauty industry and home cooking made simple. From skincare tips to kitchen must-haves, they highlight t...

In this episode of Talk Local to Me, host Heather Alto shines a spotlight on Lynchburg Restaurant Week with guest Megan Williams from Vista Graphics, highlighting its collaboration with Meals on Wheels. Heather also chats with Malik Stewart of M2 Landscaping and the 434 Hub about his entrepreneurial path and commitment to community-centered marketing. The conversation underscores the importance of...

In this episode, hosts Heather Alto and Mike delve into the importance of self-care, community involvement, and mental health awareness. They share personal experiences about managing the demands of work, family, and personal well-being, while spotlighting upcoming local events. Guests from Kairos Counseling join the conversation to discuss their supportive work environment, the benefits of therap...

In this episode, the hosts engage in a dynamic discussion covering local events, business insights, and community engagement. They highlight the value of conducting mid-year business reviews, focusing on evaluating goals and measuring customer satisfaction. Listeners are also given a preview of upcoming events like "Coffee Talk" and Bedford Center Fest. The conversation underscores the importance...

In this episode, the hosts and guests dive into local happenings, business networking, and the power of community involvement. Heather kicks things off with an intro, proudly sharing that the show is sponsored by the Central Virginia Business Coalition. Heather Alto spotlights several upcoming coalition events, from valuable networking opportunities to the exciting Bedford Center Fest, all while h...

In this episode, a bunch of great voices come together to chat about local events, personal experiences, and insights from their work. It kicks off with some announcements—including the “First Annual Fur Baby Fundraiser” and other happenings from the Central Virginia Business Coalition. Mike and Magen dive into why networking and community support really matter. Then Joshua E. Music shares how he...

In this episode of "Talk Local to Me," hosts Heather Alto and Mike chat with Skylar Cardenas and Heather Schrader from the Bair Foundation, a therapeutic foster care organization. They dive into what makes foster care so complex, especially for kids dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges. Skylar talks about how important it is to have foster parents who are specially trained to handle th...

In the 200th episode of Talk Local to Me, hosts Heather Alto and Mike Norfield look back on how far the podcast has come and what it’s meant for local businesses in Central Virginia. They chat about the show’s journey—from its early days to now having welcomed over 300 guests. This milestone episode gives a shoutout to local favorites like The Happy Waffle and The Sweet Fox bakery, and shines a li...

In this episode, the crew chats about why supporting local businesses really matters, how to market smarter (not harder), and why getting involved in your community is such a big deal. Heather Alto from the Central Virginia Business Coalition stops by to share some great takeaways from a recent home show—spoiler: it’s all about making real connections, not just handing out freebies. They also talk...

In this episode of Talk Local To Me, the conversation focuses on what's happening around the region, the power of music, and how local organizations are making an impact. With Heather out this week, the show kicks off with a spotlight on the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra. Ula Kauppi, executive director, joins us to share the orchestra’s history, upcoming events, and how they’re working to engage th...