The Upstate Trail Talks

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin hits the track with Lucas Williams, co-founder of Deadlast, as they ditch their workout to record this Trail Talk. Lucas talks about his journey of becoming a runner, building this brand, and the importance of equipping local runners with high quality gear. This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carmellasdessertbar.com/

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Katie Poterala, owner of Emerald Well Diagnostics and Katie Poterala Jewelry Studio. Katie talks about balancing her two businesses and how her own health journey enabled her to start Emerald Well to help others with theirs. This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carmellasdessertbar.com/

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Ashley Pearson, the founder of Run Club GVL. Ashley shares what inspired her to start this run club and how she has help build an amazing, welcoming community of runners, no matter what your ability is! This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carmellasdessertbar.com/

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Tor Bennstrom, co-founder of the Greenville Cycling Classic, which takes place TOMORROW Thursday April 30th. Tor talks about the incredible cycling community here in the Upstate and the impact that this event has had on the community and the sport. Info on the Greenville Cycling Classic can be found here! This week's sponsors: Carmella's C...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Julian Loué, owner of Rise Bakery, to talk about two of his favorite things - bread and pastries! Julian tells the story of baking as a hobby to now baking for the Upstate at Rise's store front, the science behind sourdough, and all the exciting things coming up at the bakery. This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https:/...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Joel Arcieri, author of "The Boy in the Tree: When Weak is Okay." Joel talks about his journey working in ministry and corporate America and what led him to writing a childrens book which focuses on how to be ok with weakness and to empower parents to have deeper conversations about emotions. Get your copy of "The Boy in the Tree" here: ht...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Beau Blackshear, owner of Kenny's Golf Club located at Judson Mill. Beau shares why Greenville was the perfect place to plant roots and start a business after busy nature of his previous career.  Book your tee time: https://www.kennysgolfclub.com/ This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carmellasdessertbar.com/ N Pa...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Danielle Johnson, Senior Product Editor for GVLtoday and 6AM City. Danielle gives us a behind the scenes look at how one of everyone's favorite newsletters is put together each and everyday!

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin gets the chance to chat with one of the co-founders of the Reedy Reels Film Festival just before their big upcoming weekend! Ken shares amazing stories of how the festival got started 11 years ago as well as how it's become a hub for filmakers, actors, directors, and everyone in between to share ideas and foster more collaborations. Be sure to grab you...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Sara McAda, founder of Next Chapter Navigator! Sara has spent her whole career caring for seniors in Upstate and has recently launched her own business to support families navigate care decisions for older family members. Check out Next Chapter Navigator's website: https://www.nextchapternavigatorsc.com/ This week's sponsors: Carmella's Ca...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Nathan Spainhour, author of his debut book, "The South Carolina BBQ Project." Nathan shares about his passion and career in creative design and how this book originally came about as he was writing his Master's thesis.

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin hits the trail for the second time with Mary-Neil Jackson, President of the Junior League of Greenville, to chat about their Roast and Rally Event! Two days of delicious food, playing pickleball, and supporting JLG's mission - what better what to spend a weekend? Register for the event here: https://www.jlgreenville.org/roast-and-rally/ This week's spo...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin chats all things pickleball with the soon-to-open Baseline GVL's Director of Operations, Chandler Benore. Chandler shares her history of being a D1 Collegiate tennis player and making the transition to pickleball and now being able to make it more accessible to the Upstate year round. This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carm...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Drea Tremols, owner and massage therapist of Soul Vibration Wellness. Drea shares about how her own health journey led her to becoming a massage therapist and what it's been like being a part of the growing health and wellness industry here in the Upstate. This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https://carmellasdessertbar....

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Stacy Hyde, Executive Director of Pendleton Place, a nonprofit organization providing stable housing and homelessness prevention for youth in our community! The two chat about how Stacy landed here in Greenville almost by accident and all the incredible programs that Pendleton Place offers to help young people in the Upstate. This week's s...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin starts gearing up for warmer spring weather by chatting with Kevin Barnes, Chairman of the GVL St. Patrick's Day Committee. Kevin shares about the history of the organization and the amazing things they do as well as a little sneak peek on what to expect at this year's parade and festival! This week's sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar - https:/...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Max DiNatale, owner of Max DiNatale Digital Marketing and Homes of GVL. Max has spent decades in the Upstate using his marketing skills to birng out the best in his clients online. He's also stepping into a new venture of restoring vintage houses here in the Upstate!

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Meta Hendricks, executive director of the Meyer Center for Special Children. Meta shares about her role with the Meyer Center which supports children with disabilities and their families as well as the school's plans for the future as they continue to grow with the rest of the Upstate.

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is up before the crack of dawn to chat with Mel Wilcox, owner of Other Lands Brewery and Café. Mel shares about his passion for brewing and why Greenville was the perfect place to come back to and open his own brewery after working for some major ones across the country!

Happy New Year! Kicking things off this week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin tried to tackle those new year exercise goals with the owner of CORE. grow strong., a pilates studio and athletic boutique, Currie Gossett. Currie shares how pilates helped her recover from injury which then grew into a passion, then to owning a business!

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin wraps up 2025 with the co-owners of P+F Construction, Will Prescott and Steve Foushee. With roots here in the Upstate and years of experience in the construction industry, Steve and Will decided it was time to start their own venture by starting P+F Construction and bring some amazing projects to life in the area.

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin gets a history lesson about the Hollingsworth family and how their legacy has allowed for so many places, parks, and business we love to be built through the work of Hollingsworth Funds and their President, Gage Weeks. Gage shares his story of coming to Greenville to work with this organization and how it's shaped so much of the Greenville area today.

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by one of the co-founders behinfd the super popular Ville to Ville Relay, Zack Hall! What started out as an idea where they hoped to get maybe 50 runners, turned into an event that sells out within minutes every year bringing people from all over to run in the Carolinas! This Week's Sponsors: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin spends time during the week of Veteran's Day with Col. Kevin Farrell, currently serving as President and CEO of Battlefield Leadership, a leadership development company located here in Greenville that prepares today's leaders using history's lessons. After an accomplished military career with the US Army, Col. Farrell bring hose leadership skills here...

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Kamber Parker Bowden is back on the trail with Griffin to talk about her new book, "The Generational Advantage." She also shares about her company's rebrand to Generational Performance Solutions and how that has affected the impact they can have working with different organizations. Check out " The Generational Advantage " now! This Weeks Sponsors: Carmella's...