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A Little Day Music host Luke Currie talks with Kaoru Ishibashi aka Kishi Bashi ahead of Saturday's performance at Roanoke's Jefferson Center

Peter Leonard, Artistic Director of Opera on the James, illuminates Puccini's masterpiece Madame Butterfly ahead of two upcoming performances - November 7th & 9th at the Academy Historic Theater in Lynchburg.

Naturally Curious host Bruce C. Bryan talks to Stan Hale of The Roanoke Tribune about the history, struggles and perseverance of Roanoke’s longest-running African-American newspaper.

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.

Building Homes and Leaving Legacies: A Conversation with Jim DraderIn the final installment of our three-part series on the New River Valley’s most pressing challenges, we dive into the world of affordable housing. Recorded in late 2025, this episode features Jim Drader, the former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the NRV.Jim recently announced he is stepping down after six years of dedicated service to lead Habitat for Humanity in Northeastern Indiana. We discuss his impact on our region, the evolving housing crisis, and what it takes to build a community from the ground up. This concludes our deep dive into the pillars of American stability: workforce development, childcare, and housing.

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 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 of Naturally Curious, we sit down with Xavier Duckett—photographer, mentor, and founder of The Humble Hustle Company, a Roanoke-based nonprofit built on a simple but powerful idea: Keep Giving. What began as a grassroots T‑shirt project has grown into a creative hub supporting Black youth, connecting diverse communities, and redefining what it means to give back with intention.Xavier shares how he left his 9‑to‑5 to pursue his vision full‑time, why a missing “U” in Hmble Hstle carries a message of purpose, and how a clothing line evolved into a community space that blends art, entrepreneurship, and service. His story is one of risk, reinvention, and relentless generosity—and a reminder that sometimes the boldest step is choosing to bet on yourself.

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.

What happens when a professional career path and a deep personal mission collide? In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Ashley Arney, Director of Development for Healing Strides of Virginia, to explore the profound impact of equine-assisted therapy.Ashley’s connection to the organization goes far beyond her job title. Having witnessed firsthand how these "hoofed beasts" reach everyone from children facing developmental challenges to veterans processing the trauma of war, she shares how her professional role became a personal calling.Tune in to hear:The Healing Power of Horses: Insights into how the animals at Healing Strides act as the "stars" of this regional nonprofit.A Personal Mission: Ashley’s unique story of how her personal experiences and career path eventually merged into one dedicated purpose.Professional Alignment: Reflections on how a winding career can lead exactly where it needs to be when passion is the guide.This conversation offers a moving look at the life-changing work happening right here in our region and may leave you thinking differently about your own professional journey.