The Ridge Podcast

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Mason King. This was a very special episode for Ethan, as Mr. King serves as a coach for the CCHS Swim Team. During the interview, they discuss his early life and schooling in South Carolina, his family's move to Carroll County, his adjustment to Public Schooling, his football career including his time and Emory and Henry College, and his job as a...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Jerry Carter, founder of the non-profit OneOfUs. Care. He and his wife have spent the last twenty years promoting wholesome, local activities, including sports. Now, he has moved to Carroll County to continue his mission. He discusses his experience in the news industry; his skills in writing, speaking, and management; and why caring is important. Mr....

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Editor and Founder of The Cardinal News, Mr. Dwayne Yancey. The Cardinal News is a digital news service that runs on a 100% donation backed business model, dedicated to providing free news to the commonwealth through zero paywalls. He was also an editor at The Roanoke Times, working with the company for 39 years. In this episode he recounts the early tales...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview the Senior Producer of PBS Appalachia and creator of the Hometowns series, Mr. Josh Deel. They discuss his early life, career playing professional baseball, his journey through blue collar work, eventually creating his own company, and then his transition to film making. They discuss the challenges of interviewing, finding guests, travel, weather, and more...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Beth Macy, a prominent author, writer for the Roanoke Times, and lecturer at Hollins University. During the discussion, they talk about her early life and the challenges she faced, and her decision to go to college. She remarks on the Pell Grants providing her the rare opportunity to go to college debt free and how that changed her life. They then tal...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Allen Worrell. Mr. Worrell works at The Carroll News based in Hillsville, Virginia. He is a graduate of Carroll County High School and Emory and Henry College. He is an experienced journalist whose favorite topic to write about is Sports. Additionally, he has received both the Virginia Press Association News Writing Award and the Virginia Press Associa...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss the book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. They discuss this books role in exposing the horrors of slavery, the life of Mr. Frederick Douglass, and his journey from living on a plantation to escaping to the free states. Podcast Information: Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://i...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Tyler Towe, a lifeguard, substitute teacher, and student. Mr. Towe is the youngest guest they have had on the show and therefore offers a unique perspective on many of their questions. They discuss his early life, farming, various jobs including being an AmeriCorps tutor and mail carrier for the post office. They discuss his shift in educational perspe...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Sam Bush, an award winning musician that specializes in Bluegrass, or "New Grass". He was a member of the New Grass Revival band for several years and is now a part of the Sam Bush band. He is particularly known for his work involving the mandolin. They discuss his early life, taking band classes in high school, influences on his music style,...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview the esteemed Mr. Santa Clause. They discuss his early life, his recruitment of elves and how they used their magic, plus his reindeer. They then cover gift production and travel, including vacation. Finally, they talk about the meaning of Christmas and familial love. Parents, Ethan and Luke encourage you to listen to this episode and then share it with you...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The book is a heartwarming story about the gift of giving, change, and the power of Christmas. They discuss the events in the book, relating it to recent events and taking away valuable lessons. Links Mentioned: Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm Podcast Information: Website: https://TheR...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Kevin Silvey. To start, he gives a deep background into his upbringing and discusses challenges he faced. They then dive into his start into running, followed by his change in eating habits. Then they talk about his passion for art through his company Art4Healing, including his opportunities to create murals in hospitals. After, they discuss running in...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke review the book Anthem by Ayn Rand. They recount the story, add linguistic and philosophical thoughts along the way, discuss the stark similarities between Anthem and other works of literature like 1984. This was a powerful piece of literature for Ethan and Luke and they thoroughly enjoyed both reading it and discussing it. They would love to hear the feedback from...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss the work There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury. They recount the story, discuss the hidden meaning within the story, and Ethan reveals the special meaning that this story has for him. They then discuss other works by Ray Bradbury and discuss what they will read next. This work is the duo's first attempt at reviewing a short story. If the listeners...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Bonita M. Williams, the Treasurer of Carroll County, Virginia. They discuss her early life, the collection of taxes, her experiences campaigning and the impact of politics on personal life, her strong success on the ballot, and finally they debunk some misconceptions that many have about the Treasurer's office and its role. Thank you again Mrs. W...

This episode is unique. Instead of their usual book talk or interview, Ethan and Luke discuss a recent, local event that they both had the opportunity to participate in: Election Day. To be fully transparent, The Ridge Podcast is meant to be, and always will attempt to be, a politically neutral platform, covering all aspects in order to fully inform the voter. However, this does not mean that its...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. This book is interesting and very controversial. The book's thesis is how a monarch should rule a country. It presents a framework for taking, executing, and maintaining control. Being required reading for many Political Science, Government, and Philosophy programs, Ethan and Luke decided to read the book and give thei...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Clerk Gerald R. Goad. This is the second time that he has been on the podcast. Last time, they discussed his personal life and journey to the Clerk's office. This time however, they discuss his achievements thus far, his campaign, his goals for the next term, and a description of some of the procedures that the Clerk's office. Thank you again Cle...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss Bobok by Fyodor Dostoevsky. They go through its plot, some moral lessons contained within the book, and briefly discuss Mr. Dostoevsky's personal life and how it may have influenced his writing style. Near they end they discuss what they each are currently reading and different translations of this work. Links mentioned: Project Gutenberg: https://www.g...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Walter Rugaber. Mr. Rugaber is a former journalist, president and publisher of the Roanoke Times, New York Times correspondent, Interim President of Hollins University, and member of the Virginia Humanities board. They discuss his life growing up, his decision to go to Northwestern University for journalism, his experience and their unique program, and...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss Animal Farm by George Orwell. They compare it to other Orwellian literature, muse on the political impacts the book has had, and recount the story. Later on in the episode they discuss biographies, author's motivations to write books, and all the wrong reasons that people write books, as well as some of the right ones. Podcast Information: Website: http...

In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Curt Sumner. Mr. Sumner is the Engineering teacher at Carroll County High School. He has years of experience in the Drafting, Engineering, and Designs fields. They discuss his journey from working in a factory to returning to college, working as a teacher, and lessons that he has learned from education. They also briefly discuss the impact of COVID, mu...

In this episode Ethan and Luke interview B.P. Phil Hawks. Mr. Hawks is a candidate for the Clerk of Circuit Court in Carroll County, VA. He recounts his early life, his education, role models, career transition to becoming an OT and other important topics. He also briefly discusses his motivation for running for political office. Thank you again Mr. Hawks for being on the podcast. Podcast Informat...

In this episode Ethan and Luke interview William (Bill) Barr. Mr. Barr is a Carroll County native who currently resides in Florida. They discuss the countries mentioned in the title, Bill's education, his business and career, other travels, experiences, and lessons learned. He was also a student at CCHS when Kylene Barker won Mrs. America and discusses the local reaction. They hope to intervi...

In this Episode Ethan and Luke interview Technical Sergeant Nicholas McGaughey. Sergeant McGaughey is an Air Force Reserves recruiter currently stationed in Richmond, Virginia. They discuss the enlistment process, boot camp, tech school and different jobs available in the Air Force, how the Air Force can help people get through college, serving part time through the Reserves or Air National Guard,...