Virginia Is For Laughers

Listen to a jovial chat loaded with laughs with comedian and actor, Clean Ryheem! From ripping the runway at New York Fashion Week to GEICO commercials, listen to his story that began by being raised by his grandparents. Discover why he quit his job as an Accountant to pursue a career in entertainment. Hear stories about how he got into modeling and what his experiences were like. Listen to his fu...

Listen to a friendly interesting chat about trains and life on the railroad with Kevin Kinsey, a retired Railroad Conductor who ran the route from Strasburg to Harrisonburg, now abandoned! Learn more about what training is involved and the typical career path is in this field. Listen to  the biggest changes he’s seen over his 47 years on trains. Find out what happened to the cabooses and why. Lear...

Enjoy a delightfully friendly fun conversation with Sara Cristensen from The Lady Jane Shop. This charming downtown boutique shop is filled with unique items where you can enjoy warm conversation and laughter! Hear the story of the inspiration behind the shop’s name and the atmosphere she wanted to create from this ‘nerdy’ book lover. Listen to what some of her favorite works are by her favorite a...

Listen to a warm friendly conversation with this veteran who possesses a great sense of humor with impactful insights and a message of hope. Listen to the incredible story of his suicide attempt and what helped him change his perspective to find hope, happiness and love after.  Learn more about his final mission to make a difference for vets & their families with their peer-to-peer groups at L...

Enjoy this friendly fascinating chat with laughs on the rich history of Melrose Caverns dating back to 1748 with Dick Yancey and Jack Yancey! Listen to the story of why the caverns have been closed since 1968 and what prompted its reopening. Learn about historic tax credits and how they used them for the caverns.  Hear the story of working with their local electricians to put in new lighting and s...

Enjoy this delightful chat with laughs and learn so much on all things sustainable with Melissa from Great. Full Goods at Agora Market! Learn what a sustainable lifestyle shop is and the wide array of refills and sustainable goods they have in this colorful conscious shop. Get several ideas on what you can swap out for single use plastics that are easy to do and might surprise you. Hear a fun stor...

Enjoy this fun chat with laughs on all things Un-Wine’d , an Emmy Award winning cooking show on VPM PBS that brings in Virginia wines from the Shenandoah Valley and beyond with Tassie Pippert! Get scrumptious recipes and wine pairing ideas from this delightful person, Chef and Wine Specialist. Hear her story and find out who calls her “the next Gordon Ramsey of Virginia” in the wine industry.  Dis...

Listen to this fun and inspiring chat with laughs sprinkled with wisdom nuggets on all things youth fine arts with JR Snow, Director of Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley and the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator of Harrisonburg City Schools. Learn about the Court Square Café, a monthly evening showcase of performance and multi-media art created and shared by talented youth. Get a behind the s...

Listen to another upbeat and informative chat with Matt Ream and Morgan Mowbray on all things Massanutten Resort aka “The Nutt”, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier four-season resort that includes an indoor/outdoor waterpark! Celebrating their 50th anniversary find out what fun stuff, events and discounts they have for you this year. Learn about the ongoing entertainment at Live at the Lodge. Discover som...

Join us for an upbeat and informative chat about the adventures and fun your crew can have at Massanutten Resort with staff members, Matt Ream and Morgan Mowbray. Hear about the very first Escape Room they had and learn more about the three they have now. Get a more detailed description of each one and find out which ones are more technology based. Listen to the #1 piece of advice they have for yo...

Join us for a fun upbeat chat and lots of laughs with Diana Witt, a JMU student who recently completed the fall semester studying comedy at The Second City in Chicago! An actress, storyteller, social media specialist and nationally recognized writer, hear what originally sparked Diana’s passion to write and perform comedy. Discover why she picked James Madison University. Listen to her experiences...

Join us for lots of laughs and a heartwarming authentic chat with The Laugh Therapist, Vernard Hines. Hear his story about the healing power of comedy battling his PTSD and how it saved his life. Listen to the realities and challenges his faces in life and how he adapts. Hear how he describes his comedy; what the audience can expect and how he channels the energy from his PTSD into his performance...

Listen to an awe inspiring and uplifting chat with Joanne Gabbin, the first black professor in the English Department at JMU with a building on campus recently named after her. Hear her rich stories that lead her to establish the nation’s first academic center for Black poetry and the changes she’s seen in her 36 years at James Madison University. Listen to the degree options available to her in t...

Happy New Year Laughers! Anytime of year is a good time to reset your mindset so for you we have this upbeat inspirational episode filled with wisdom nuggets with Letitia Bates. Hear her story of how unhealed trauma lead her to becoming a Mindset & Empowerment Coach. Discover how she helps people transform to share their gifts, talents and abilities to achieve a higher level. Learn what the di...

Join us for a fun inspirational time filled with laughs chatting it up with Amy Strunk from Rocktown Yarn where they are building an inclusive community and where you can shop local for yourself, for gifts and more!  Hear the story of how this cancer survivor found her way back to Harrisonburg and reconnected to her passion for the fiber arts.  Find out about the biggest challenged she faced openi...

Join us for an upbeat fun chat to hear the story of Christmas In The Valley where you can enjoy a magical drive through light show at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds. Learn what happens behind the scenes to create this 1.5 mile trail with over 40 Holiday scenes and light display where you can also tune into a radio station and watch the lights dance to the music! Find out how the buying process...

Join us for an upbeat casual chat on the history and current happenings at Brix & Columns with Stephanie Pence.  With Jeffersonian structures and spectacular panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can sip wine, enjoy events or book your dream wedding here! Hear the stories of their rich agriculture background that lead to the opening of this venue. Learn the inspiration behind the Je...

Join us for laughs and an easygoing entertaining chat with die-hard introvert and comedian, Paul Synder. Listen to how he got his start doing comedy.  Find out how he addresses his low-energy after following high-energy comics during shows. Hear what his friends, family and co-workers reactions are to him doing stand up. Discover what he does for a day job that takes him traveling quite a bit to “...

Join us for delightfully fun chat to grab several amazing healthy holiday entertaining cooking tips and recipes from Lois and Don Crawford at The Recipe Idea Shop. It’s comfort food recipes with a healthy twist. Hear how Lois’ heart attack lead her on a journey of eating healthier and losing 40 pounds without going on a diet. Hear Don’s family stories of the cooks in his family that made food fun...

Join us for a very fun and entertaining episode with Elf themed holiday improv and a chat with 9 students from JMU’s New & Improv.’d! Get to know them a little bit before the Elf games. Find out what character they would be in a Christmas movie and why. Discover how auditions work and traditions they have for new members. Hear how the transition went from the virtual shows last year with Covid...

Join us for a super fun uplifting chat on all things North Pole with Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Find out why they chose the Shenandoah Valley as their second home. Learn what kind of cookie is Santa’s favorite and what he does when he comes across a home without a chimney. Find out what Mrs. Claus is up to when Santa is out of town. Learn how sleigh technology has changed over time; what happens when the...

Join us for a casual and inspiring chat with laughs. Listen to the story of PrePOPsterous Gourmet Popcorn & Sodas, a Virginia Living Made in Virginia Award Winner with Tisha McCoy-Ntiamoah. From living in the Midwest to JMU, hear how this Mom-preneur transitioned to doing her business full-time from a dream deferred and the lessons learned. Find out what’s in the North River Marketplace you ca...

Join us for a super fun sporty chat! Hear the story of how this ACC player birthed his coaching career from the adversity of two medical redshirts back to back in college. Find out how these trials and tribulations of season ending injuries have shaped his different perspective as a coach. Discover his answer to the question “What do you do all day?” Be entertained by the story of the best venue h...

Join us for lots of laughs and a super fun chat with these hilarious comics, Andy Beningo and Bill Boronkay.  Listen to how they each got their start in comedy and check out their numerous comedy credits! Some of these include Andy’s Drybar Comedy Special, "Adorable Tough Guy" that’s generated over 5 million views on social media. He’s also been named the 40 Best Up and Coming comedians in the cou...

Join us for a casual fun chat with folks that feel like family at Old Town Cidery aka the cider yard! Listen to their story with Kelly Kinsey, Tasting Room Manager; Stephen Kelly, Cider Maker; and David Glaize, Co-Owner. Since 1937, four generations of Glaizes have produced premium fruit harvests between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains.  Learn about the apple growing industry; interesting f...