Virginia Is For Laughers

Listen to a heartwarming chat with touching moments and laughs with Lisa Custalow, a descendant of a family removed the mountain and Joe Appleton, co-producer of “Can’t Feel at Home” an original play by Dr. John T. Glick based on these displaced families.  Hear the story of Lisa’s family and what inspired her to found the Children of the Shenandoah twenty-five years ago with her late husband, Curt...

We flipped the script! Listen to a fun, entertaining and inspirational chat with laughs on how ‘it’s never too late’ where Brandy, musician and radio DJ interviews Dawn, comedian, producer and podcaster. Listen to a heartbreaking story of her early loss that changed the trajectory of her original life goals. Find out how mentoring a JMU student inspired her to chase her dreams again later in life....

Listen to a delightful, inspirational and informative chat with laughs on being an artist and a creative from this James Madison University alum from Rochester, NY. Find out the interesting reason she chose JMU and how a federal work-study program sowed the seeds to a 20-year career as a professional artist! Discover what art class she found most challenging and why. Listen to stories of her vario...

Listen to an engaging, playful and frank chat with laughs on all things good food and good neighbors at Magpie with owner and entrepreneur Kirsten Moore! Listen to the story of this full service breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant that serves up scrumptious food daily, delicious seasonal dishes and menus that stay fresh, flavorful and creative. Hear about the sub rosa supper club that existed b...

Listen to a delightful and informative chat with laughs on all things BrydgeWorks Glass with owner and designer, Rebecca Brydge. Now celebrating 8 years of offering classes, supplies, memberships, commissions and a beautiful shop full of their handmade gifts! Listen to her story that birthed her passion and find out why this Indiana native opened her business here in Harrisonburg. Hear how the sto...

Listen to an interesting, humorous and engaging chat with Jay Zehr! Based out of Harrisonburg this one of a kind original versatile comedic talent has been acting, writing and directing plays since 1985! He’s also won four awards for Best Film in the Super Gr8 Film Festival. Most recently, a song he wrote was selected for the Office Ladies podcast with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey from the hit...

Listen to another fun, highly entertaining, engaging chat with laughs! It’s Schewitz Whichard, a nationally touring comedian not short of stories to tell. Listen to how he got his start in comedy in 1996 that was a ‘surprise’ to him.  Hear some entertaining stories behind a shared connection in comedy between Dawn and Schewitz leading to lifelong friendship. Discover the childhood experiences that...

Listen to another fun and entertaining chat with laughs! It’s Dante Carter, a comedian with 20 years experience performing worldwide. Listen to his story and how he got his start in comedy. Find out his top comic influences that have inspired his career. Hear about his experiences being on HBO Def Comedy Jam and BET’s Comic View. Listen to the story of ‘the night that made him’ in the largest conc...

Listen to an engaging playful chat with David Berry, a highly talented classical musician and impressive avid improviser with numerous accomplishments including a recent performance in a historic house debut at Carnegie Hall! Hear an entertaining family story on how and when he was first introduced to the piano. Learn about his audition process for Juilliard, a private performing arts conservatory...

Listen to a candid chat with laughs and chemistry with your podcast host, Dawn Davis Womack and special guest, Chris Womack, a JMU Professor, answering FAQs about X2 Comedy. Find out about the connection between this podcast and X2 that was inspired from their personal experiences of living in the Valley. Hear the story of X2 and get answers to some of the most FAQs including ‘Why clean comedy PG1...

Listen to a playful, informative chat with laughs with Wendy Kern, LPGA Professional and Co-Owner of Mulligan’s, Shenandoah’s Premier Golf Facility! Listen to her story and hear about the new double decker driving range with Trackman Range that has games, courses and interactive experiences that are fun and help improve your skills. Never been? Listen to a description that paints a clear picture o...

Listen to a fun, delightful and informative chat with laughs on all things The Wishing Well with Terrie Dean! Listen to her story and find out about the life changes that inspired her to open this boutique.  Discover how they serve all budgets and customize travel for you. Hear about the most touching and memorable events they have planned to date. Learn about the increasing trend of Celebration o...

Listen to a super fun upbeat chat with laughs on all things Arts Council of the Valley with Executive Director, Jenny Burden! Listen to Jenny’s story and find out when she first discovered her passion for the arts. Learn about the community initiatives available to local artists and art educators. Discover all you can see, explore and experience! Find out more about the art exhibitions in their th...

Listen to a fun laidback engaging chat with laughs filled with entertaining short stories including the one that inspired Lachlan headlining in the Cave Comedy Shows in Harrisonburg! Known for his sarcastic and observational humor, hear about Lachlan’s whirlwind start in comedy at 19 years old and when his obsession to do it for a living began after a 3-year hiatus. Listen to the story of Chaka Kh...

Listen to a lovely passionate chat about the arts with Tracy Straight and learn about all things The Wayne! Originally a Vaudeville House in 1926, hear the restoration story that was several years in the making fueled by volunteers as a gift back to the community. Find out what original elements were kept from the 1926 Vaudeville House. Learn what’s unique about the four spaces available to you fo...

Listen to a highly entertaining chat with Miss Gayle rich with stories and laughs! Find out how Miss Gayle got billed in comedy as ‘The Black Redneck Woman’ and hear the story of how she got her start over a bet at a backyard BBQ. Find out how she was discovered at her first comedy open mic to go on performing professionally for all branches of the military doing several overseas tours. Listen to...

Listen to a friendly, playful and inspirational chat with Sarah Hamilton who teaches voice lessons from kids to adults with a philosophy “There is no such thing as a person who can not sing. If you can speak, you can sing.” Hear her story including the “big moment” when she stepped into herself as a singer. Learn what a typical day is like for a voice student in college and how the intensity influ...

Listen to a fun-loving chat with laughs with Tracy and Deb Shaver on signature weddings and stylish events you can create with personalized touch of rustic elegance at Mountain View Farm in Mount Solon! Hear the story of how these upstate New Yorkers made their way to the Shenandoah Valley now sharing their breathtaking panoramic views of the Allegheny Mountains and stunning sunsets on the farm wi...

Listen to a delightful chat with laughs on all things vintage finds with the incredibly talented and creative Deb Shaver, owner and operator of LuLubunny Home. A transplant from New York to the Valley, listen to the story that brought her and her family to Virginia. Discover when and how she found her passion for vintage and antique items. Get her insights on how items can be repurposed for modern...

Listen to a friendly playful chat with laughs on all things Explore More with Kelly Snow, a “career fundraiser” who is passionate about children’s causes and the ‘ power of play ’! Hear her story and find out more about the team behind all the creative programs and classes offered. Learn about Maker City and hear stories about some of what the kids have made it so far. Learn about the fun missions...

Listen to a delightful, easygoing, authentic chat with Mike Op’t Hof aka OPHIE described as ‘late to the music scene, but well worth the wait with a distinctive style that connects with his audiences’. Hear his story and the inspiration for creating Late Bloomer a mix tape album that lead to opening for a major act! Discover how he communicates through his music and hear his philosophy on music cr...

Listen to a fun and informative chat on all things Golden Tee Golf with Steven Puff, a Top 50 in the world gamer from the Valley! Hear his story on he got into playing this golf arcade game that has become a part of bar room pop culture since 1989. Find out about the close-knit community that has a lot of FUN meeting up for tournaments and online. Discover what the tournament atmosphere is like an...

Listen to this easygoing, fun and inspiring chat with Spencer Hatcher, deemed the greatest country music artist & band coming out of Broadway, Virginia! Hear his stories that landed a Mountain Dew Commercial and inspired the name of his band, Spencer Hatcher & The Ol’ Son Gang. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, find out how a record deal in Nashville and the pandemic altered t...

Listen to this uplifting chat with the charming and funny Irina Dovganetskiy, Owner & CEO of withSimplicity, featuring beautiful clean beauty with products safe for you! Listen to her story of relocating to the US from Russia at 12 years old and how this experience inspired her interest in cosmetics. Hear the love story with a “hometown boy” that brought her to Harrisonburg. Find out how she l...

Listen to this delightful entertaining chat with sisters, Jessica and Stephanie, from Harmony Harvest Farm to hear the story of this multigenerational farm with over 200 types of flowers! Listen to the touching fun stories about building beautiful personal connections with their customers and how they hard as they work on the farm. Find out how they deal with the challenges of their business and l...