Virginia Is For Laughers

Enjoy this playful, encouraging and inspiring conversation with laughs on art, creativity and ‘being better humans’ with Mary Hairston, an artist and illustrator. Listen to the story of this Shenandoah Valley Virginia-based artist who transitioned from being an ESL teacher to opening up her own art business because she couldn’t find what she was looking for so she began creating it! Inspired by Go...

Enjoy a playful and inspiring chat with laughs with Joel Byars, Comedian, Podcaster & Trophy Husband. Listen to a heartwarming story about The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation who contacted Joel to help Ethan make his comedy dreams come true by helping him perform live on stage! Discover lessons he’s learned interviewing 400+ comedians at the top of their game including Jeff Foxsworthy, Ce...

Enjoy this playful chat with laughs as you get a sneak peak behind the curtains of this surreal sitcom spoof! Meet Tim Wiggins and Jake Gerl creators, writers and producers of “Help My Baby’s a Rat!”, a Third Story Studios production. Discover where they met and how their mutual love for comedy, writing and all things bizarre lead to generating creative and thought provoking content. Find out how...

Listen to an engaging story filled episode with lighthearted moments from Adam Bush. He’s a Comedian, TV Writer and cancer survivor that grew up in Louisiana and travels the globe sharing stories. Find out how he won a contest to open for Mike Birbiglia on Broadway; how he builds a comedy career in today’s world and what’s on his TikTok! Discover his writing process; how he disciplines himself dai...

Celebrating our 100th Episode with you! Need a laugh? Love fun? Like stories, games, and discounts? Then join us for this special episode made just for you and grab your promo code for some delicious munchies. Get a behind the scenes peek into the lives and funny minds of this diverse line up of 42 comics. They are some of the local, regional, and national touring comedians seen on our hilarious X...

Listen to an engaging and playful chat with laughs with Comedian and Writer, Noah Miller. Find out how he went from flying helicopters to doing standup and writing TV pilots. Listen to what it was like for this ‘nomad’ to grow up in Iowa and discover what inspired to join the Coast Guard. You’ll even learn some of their lingo! Find out what prompted him to make the switch to a comedy career and li...

Listen to a delightful and fascinating chat with laughs with dual citizen James Carter. From Bath, England to the Shenandoah Valley, listen to his story and hear some history of his home city with recommendations for what to do and see. Find out how his first business selling baby products funded his family’s move to America. Learn his biggest takeaway from this experience that influences him as a...

Listen to a fun, funny and heartwarming chat with laughs with Comedian Joey I.L.O. who was raised by Clowns. He’s been on Last Comic Standing, Thou Shalt Laugh 5, Dry Bar Comedy, Yes TV, Comedy Channel and a regular on The DATENIGHT Tour. After having a stroke at age 21, hear how comedy saved his life! Hear how he overcomes the adversity of his disease and the hope he has from his ability to creat...

Listen to a fun, interesting and friendly chat with laughs on all things Kelly May Brown, an indie pop tunes artist with a blues-y-twist and Shenandoah Valley native. Listen to her telling stories of where her love for classic cars comes from, the restoration project of her ’54 Chevy Pickup, where she learned how to weld, make fire pits and her wine bottle art business. Discover her approach and a...

Listen to an authentic, fun and transparent chat with laughs with pastors, parents, entrepreneurs and natives of the Shenandoah Valley, Becca & J.J. Slye. Listen to their love at first sight story and how their faith plays a big role in their family and business. Hear stories of what lead them to serve at Full Circle Church and purchasing their family’s business with two store locations in Roc...

Listen to a delightful and empowering chat with laughs on all things fitness with Personal Trainer and Certified Functional Strength Coach, MJ Saunders. Listen to her remarkable story of how a national hero inspired her to develop her athletic career. Get helpful and practical fitness tips for all ages that can make a big difference whether you are an athlete or fitness enthusiast. Listen to her e...

Listen to an informative, fun and humorous chat on all things Jon Henry General Store with Jon Henry himself. From a multigenerational family of farmers, truckers and trades folks, hear Jon’s story and learn about the rich history of this 1800’s historic home. Learn about their Jumpin Run farm that produces the locally sourced food they have in the store sought after by chefs and restaurants. List...

Listen to an upbeat fun chat with laughs on all things Merge Coffee with one of the owners and new comic, Duck Matthews! Hear his story and the story behind their business name. Find out how they got started and what inspired them to open up their business. Discover their company’s core values and learn about their green sourcing ethics. Learn about the complex system of sourcing coffee and what s...

Listen to an uplifting and delightful chat with laughs on all things lavender available to you on this interactive eco-friendly farm and just breathe! Hear the story of how their agri-tourism business adventure started and has grown has grown into a popular year-round agritourism venue. Discover how this premier lavender destination provides hospitality, hope and encouragement through their high q...

Listen to a super fun and joyful chat with lots of laughs on all things the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Find out how this year’s busy season is going for the famous Christmas couple and what helps them keep the elves on task to make all the toys this time of year. Listen to them share their love story and find out what keeps the spark going in their marriage after all these centuries! Le...

Listen to a pleasant, informative and engaging chat with laughs on heritage, history and storytelling that bring to you “A Heritage Christmas”. Learn about this unique faith filled holiday experience where you can take a dramatized tour, Watchmen Tell Us of the Night , to see what Christmas may have been like here in the Valley in 1864. Listen to the playwright, Liz Beachy Hansen, and the Brethren...

Listen to a playful, informative chat with laughs and get to know some of the amazing change makers on the team at HDR.  Formed in 2003, learn about the history of how HDR was formed and why. Find out about the Main Street 4 Point Approach and how they used it to successfully revitalize downtown earning national recognition as a Great American Main Street Award Winner. Discover more about all the...

Listen to a soulful and inspiring chat with laughs as Corrie Lynn Green shares stories of her rural Appalachian roots. Listen to her incredible story of finding meaning in life’s hardships; beauty in being human; and a newfound bravery from her songwriting and music that tells it all. Hear how facing breast cancer impacted her view on life and music career. Discover the huge array of eclectic infl...

Listen to a heartwarming and uplifting chat with laughs to get a peak behind the scenes of the play Can’t Feel at Home with members of the Creative Team. Hear the story of how this play by Dr. John T. Glick was beautifully written for healing in a way that is powerful and emotional with humor threaded throughout to honor these displaced families. Learn about the connection of the co-producers to t...

Listen to a cozy fun and charming chat with laughs with Lynne Hess from Back Home-on the Farm where they have 240 beautiful acres with lots to do for all ages! Listen to Lynne’s story of how she met her husband, Gary, whom she refers to as a “big kid” who is tons of fun. Hear more about the 30+ activities you can do on the farm including the 60-foot underground slide! Get a behind the scenes peak...

Listen to an enlightening and delightful chat with laughs with Maggie Marangione as we discuss her novel, Across the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Set in the early twentieth century of Elkton, VA at the time the mountain families were removed for the Shenandoah National Park. Hear what brought this New York native to Virginia and how she developed a curiosity for these displaced families. In her 10 years...

Listen to this friendly, curious chat with laughs exploring all things Escape Rooms in downtown Harrisonburg with Harrisonburg native, Sam Lambert, and his fiancé, Suzanne Dupois.  Get descriptions of what you will experience at Escapism in the rooms they have now and the new ones coming soon! Hear uplifting stories about the worldwide Destination Imagination STEAM based program where they origina...

Listen to this lovely, uplifting chat with laughs with Kathleen Mania-Casey known as “The Grilled Cheese Lady”! Celebrating their 10th year, hear stories of starting the food truck business to opening their restaurant with warm hospitality and charm. Find out “Why Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?” and hear the stories behind the sandwich names. From New Jersey, listen to Kathleen’s stories of her childh...

Listen to a delightful and friendly chat with laughs on all things the Sipe Center with Amanda Saufley, Performer Manager. Discover all the Sipe Center has to offer you. An Eastern Mennonite University Alum, listen to Amanda’s story including her semester abroad in the Middle East. Find out more about the philosophy on creative place making that provides accessibility to the arts outside New York...

Listen to how you can experience history in the Valley during a friendly, informative chat with laughs on all Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center! Meet Sam their Executive Director a graduate of James Madison University and Princeton Theological Seminary. Hear his stories on how he makes his own low brass instruments and has simplified his life to reduce his own personal carbon footprint incl...