Lee Hunsaker

This episode of Hoot and Holler Radio features 16-year-old Mason Bibby sharing how the pandemic pushed him inward and ultimately helped him find his voice as a writer, leader, and orator while transforming self-doubt into public confidence and a deep sense of patriotism.Then we hear Tyler Crouch’s moving account of family, duty, and the Marine Corps, followed by studio interviews that reflect on hope, service, and personal growth.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents onstage stories and studio interviews exploring long friendships at a turning point and the search for belonging. Ruth Cassell-Huynh reflects on grief, sobriety, and the silence that can grow between friends over 25 years, while Nalliene Chavez recounts moving from Puerto Rico and how hair and clothing shaped her identity in America.

Two powerful onstage stories and interviews: Courtney Downs shares her harrowing journey from addiction and homelessness to long-term recovery, family reunification, and advocacy work in harm reduction.Chad Hutchinson delivers a larger-than-life tribute to his friend Jack—a Texas-born, unforgettable character whose loyalty and humor shaped a community. Together these pieces celebrate resilience, friendship, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two personal stories from the Grandin Theatre: Sandra Collins' serendipitous meeting on the Blue Ridge Parkway that led to love and life changes, and Joe Cobb's journey of coming out along the "Yellow Brick Road" that led to personal freedom and public service.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two powerful stories from the Grandin Theatre: Sarah Kennedy’s moving tale of her son Calum’s connection to butterflies and their family’s journey through diagnosis, grief, and eventual acceptance, and Lizetta Staplefoote’s candid story of going to jail, hiding the truth from her children, and finding redemption through honesty.Both stories explore transformation, resilience, and the healing power of truth and community.

In this episode, Alicia Bell tells us of magical family folklore of the Gully-Womper from her childhood in West Virginia. Then we hear from Jeff Maiden, who marches to the beat of a different drum in a blockbuster movie.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two stories from the Grandin Theatre stage: Gretchen Weinnig Beedle recounts her encounters with two cavalier mammals.Tom Landon journeys back to his paperboy days, sharing childhood mischief that includes a library of found Playboys and a clever, cheeky plan to collect overdue payments.The episode also features post-performance interviews with both storytellers.

In this episode, we start with Katie Clifton who has a story about a trip to rehab, with a twist and we hear from Hailey Hendrix, who goes shopping for a discount doctor.Those stories and a first-time sit-down with the authors after their performance, coming up next on Hoot and Holler Radio.

On this edition of Hoot and Holler Radio, Kate Givens tells us about her job when she was a 17-year-old Prayer Line Operator.And Jen Raffensperger has a haunted story and as we learn in the after-story spirits can have secrets and also be proud of you.

On this week's Hoot and Holler Radio, comedians Joe Stanley and Kim Bratic share unforgettable childhood stories: Joe's cringe-filled memories with his great-grandmother Mimi, disco moves and a donkey baseball disaster.Then, Kim's rainbow-sweater day that turned into a real-life neighborhood shootout with SWAT and a stuck armored vehicle. These personal tales blend humor, vulnerability and community, and reflect on how extraordinary moments shape our lives.