The Positively West Virginia Podcast

Today's episode features Malene Davis, the visionary behind WV Caring. As the Founding President and Chief Visionary Officer, Malene has been instrumental in shaping hospice care in West Virginia, emphasizing the importance of providing quality, compassionate support to those with life-limiting illnesses. In our conversation, Malene shares her experiences, the challenges and rewards of hospice wor...

Today's episode features Tony Martirano of Tony M Music—an artist, educator, and motivator from Martinsburg, West Virginia who's using music to change lives. Tony has created a platform where education meets entertainment, offering kids a chance to learn, grow, and express themselves through movement, sound, and play. His programs go beyond the classroom—they're designed to build confidence, emoti...

Today's podcast features Alex Weld, Executive Director of Generation West Virginia   Alex leads a team dedicated to empowering young professionals and building a stronger, more connected workforce across the Mountain State. We'll explore Generation West Virginia's mission, their innovative programs, and their upcoming Pathways to Progress conference on May 8 in Charleston, WV. This inaugural, solu...

In this special episode, we talk with Erica Bowden, owner of Auntie E's Bakery in McArthur, West Virginia. Erica was recently honored as the 2024 Survivor Bee of the Year by WV Hive, recognizing her determination and resilience as a small business owner. She shares the story behind her bakery, the challenges she's overcome, and the impact she's making in her community. If you're looking for inspir...

Today, we're joined by Julie Robinson , Executive Director of WVNLA , and Michael Biafore of Biafore Landscaping to talk about the importance of landscaping, horticulture, and green industry growth in West Virginia. WVNLA has been instrumental in providing resources, education, and advocacy for landscaping and nursery professionals, ensuring the industry continues to thrive. Biafore Landscaping ,...

Today we're sitting down with Bill & Ashley Chouinard, the entrepreneurs behind Wild Blue Adventure Company (@wildblueadventurecompany) and Aviators Lounge (@aviatorsloungewv) in Fayetteville, WV. As the 2024 WV Hive Entrepreneurs of the Year, they've built an aviation business that brings history and adventure together in one unforgettable experience. Wild Blue Adventure Company (@wildblueadventu...

Today's episode of Positively West Virginia features Mark Bland , a West Virginia native who's taken social media by storm. From growing up in Harrison County to serving in the military and now entertaining millions online, Mark shares his story, his creative process, and how he uses humor to connect with people. Check out his TikTok @mark_bland!   Studio Powered by: Breezeline Sponsored by: Highm...

On this week's Positively West Virginia podcast, we sat down with David Biafora and Mark Keppel of East End Development to talk about East End Village—a transformational $120M+ project reshaping Morgantown. This mixed-use development will bring new homes, retail, and even a potential hotel to a once-blighted area, creating a thriving, walkable community for residents, students, and visitors alike....

In this episode of Positively West Virginia , we sit down with Carlos Fernandez, founder of Stud-IA , an AI-powered educational platform designed to personalize learning and improve academic performance. Carlos shares how Stud-IA is transforming the way students engage with their studies through adaptive curricula and tailored resources. Tune in to hear how AI is shaping the future of education. S...

This week, we're featuring Jack Taggart, the innovative entrepreneur behind New River Farms Sawmill, a premier sawmill located in Clifftop, West Virginia. Dedicated to sustainable and small-scale timber harvesting, Jack has built a business that supplies high-quality, locally sourced lumber to the New River Gorge area and beyond. New River Farms Sawmill specializes in green lumber, offering wood a...

Today, we're featuring Stephanie Lawson , the visionary behind Confetti and Lace , a top-tier event rental company that turns ordinary spaces into extraordinary celebrations. From elegant tents to stylish décor and high-quality furnishings, Stephanie and her team specialize in providing everything needed to create a seamless and stunning event experience.   Whether it's a wedding, corporate event,...

This week on Positively West Virginia , we have a special episode featuring Savannah Jones & Eliza Hocz from UniteUS as they share details about an incredible FREE event coming to WVU Coliseum on March 11 at 7:30 PM . Unite West Virginia is a movement of college students coming together to lift the name of Jesus. Don't miss this powerful night of worship and community! 🎟 Reserve your free tickets...

Monika Jaensson knows that innovation is only as strong as the protection behind it. As a leading intellectual property attorney based in Charleston, WV, she has spent over 30 years helping businesses and entrepreneurs secure patents, trademarks, and copyrights that safeguard their groundbreaking ideas. Her work spans industries from biotechnology to energy, securing major patents and trademarks f...

This week we're sitting down with Alexander Durand, owner of Mountain Table! Alexander has built Mountain Table into more than just a restaurant—it's a culinary experience that highlights the best of West Virginia's local ingredients and flavors. With a focus on farm-to-table dining, Mountain Table is a place where food lovers can enjoy expertly crafted dishes while supporting local farmers and pr...

We're excited to feature Rachel Babb, owner of Honey Salon in Morgantown. Rachel shares her journey of launching a salon that's not just about great hair, but also about sustainability, creativity, and empowering her clients and team. From eco-friendly products to bold, innovative styles, Honey Salon is making waves in the beauty industry. Tune in now to hear how Rachel is redefining beauty in Wes...

This week we're sitting down with Jeff Webb, owner of Trails Edge Cycles !   Jeff has turned Trails Edge Cycles into more than just a bike shop—it's a destination for cyclists of all levels who are looking for high-quality bikes, expert service, and a community to connect with. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just getting started, Jeff's dedication to the cycling community is clear in every ser...

Leah Summers the inspiring Executive Director of Strategic Development at Mylan Park in Morgantown, is leading the way in making this nonprofit a vital resource for community engagement and growth in West Virginia. With her strategic vision and dedication, Mylan Park continues to thrive, offering top-tier facilities and impactful programs that enhance the quality of life for everyone it serves.  ...

The CEO and Founder of Sparkz, Dr. Sanjiv Malhotra, is revolutionizing the energy industry with his company's innovative zero-cobalt battery technology. Focused on creating sustainable solutions to reduce environmental impact, Sparkz is leading the way in clean energy innovation. With its continued growth, the company is making an exciting move to Bridgeport, WV, furthering its mission to shape th...

She's the CEO and Founder of Performance Ally, and is the Co-Author of Vital Behavior Blueprint. Julie Smith hopes her book allows individuals and organizations to adopt Vital Behaviors, leading to superior execution and results. Since 2019 she's been working on Performance Ally which creates enterprise software that provides realtime performance feedback and behavior change support to individual...

Thanks for joining us as we revisited our favorite episodes of the year. To wrap it up we look back at our conversation with Morgan O'Brien, CEO of Hope Gas! Morgan values all people and all forms of work. We spoke to him today and learned how he leads Hope Gas and what makes it so special to be right here in Morgantown, West Virginia. Visit their website: https://hopegas.com/ Studio Powered by: B...

To give thanks and to look back on a good year for PWV, we're bringing you a few of our most popular episodes that we've done! This week we revisit our conversation with Mal Moholt from Mal's Fresh Produce. With a total of 5 locations all across Morgantown, Mal's Fresh Produce focuses on providing high quality, fresh produce to their customers. Going into her fifth year running the business, we sp...

To give thanks and to look back on a good year for PWV, we're bringing you a few of our most popular episodes that we've done! Jamie Lester is known around West Virginia for not only designing the obverse of the West Virginia state coin, but also his bronze sculptures around the nation, including Don Knotts and Milan Puskar outside of Mountaineer Stadium. With of love of all things art including s...

To give thanks and to look back on a good year for PWV, we're bringing you a few of our most popular episodes that we've done! Today we're revisiting our conversation with Anita Whitehair, a registered Nurse and Owner of Mountain Sole Foot Care about the importance of Foot Care specifically for the elderly population and how exactly Mountain Sole Foot Care is working to help alleviate the problem...

To give thanks and to look back on a good year for PWV, we're bringing you a few of our most popular episodes that we've done! First up is Erin Cunningham, who is the Executive Director of Recycleballs, a family owned nonprofit that makes it easy for tennis clubs and fitness centers around the country to recycle their used balls. Having started a move to West Virginia, we took the time to talk to...