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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 Seth Marlow, who took to the Grandin Theater stage to share a story about his long road to becoming a father. Then we hear from Marilyn Moriarty, who tells about her involvement in an accidental prison escape on Hoot and Holler Radio.

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.

This episode of Naturally Curious features a deep dive into the life and work of Emily Hemphill...a reporter, writer, and future graduate student whose work spans the heart of Virginia. From her reporting at the Daily Progress in Charlottesville to her insightful long-form pieces for Cardinal News, Emily shares what truly drives a reporter to find the heart of a story. The conversation explores the complexities of segregation in Southwest Virginia and offers a preview of her upcoming book on the historic Christiansburg Institute.

Nearly 30 years ago, Angie Covey started at New River Community College as an adjunct instructor. Today, she oversees more than $25 million in assets as the Executive Director of the NRCC Educational Foundation.Join us on Naturally Curious as Angie discusses her unique path from NRCC graduate to executive leadership. We explore her commitment to providing "access to education for all" and how the Foundation has tripled its impact under her tenure.Learn more about the Foundation: www.nr.edu/foundation/

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.

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 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.

The Food Evangelist: John Park on the Virginia Culinary SceneWhat does it take to become the most influential "Food Evangelist" on the East Coast? This week on Naturally Curious, we sit down with the man behind the lens and the menu: John Park, known to his tens of thousands of followers as The Hungry Asian. John isn’t just eating and drinking his way through the region; he is actively connecting, photographing, and consulting with the major chefs and food leaders who are shaping the industry today.In this conversation, we explore the current state of the Virginia food scene and how John’s unique approach to dining out has created a literal frenzy in the business. With over 17,000 followers on Instagram and 6,000 on Facebook, John shares how he manages his massive digital community and what he looks for when he steps into a new restaurant. We also get a few exclusive "in the know" tips from John about the best-kept secrets in the state's food and drink world. Whether you are a dedicated foodie or just curious about the power of digital influence, this episode is a deep dive into the passion and hustle of the man known as The Hungry Asian.Find John Park: Search for "The Hungry Asian" on Instagram, Facebook, and all major social media channels to follow his latest culinary adventures.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan spends time with retired judge and acclaimed author Martin Clark, often described as "the thinking man’s John Grisham." With a legal career spanning three decades on the bench, Clark shares the fascinating story of his winding path from a young judge to a celebrated novelist. The conversation dives deep into the realities of the courtroom, the grueling process of getting published, and how he balances the demands of a high-stakes legal career with the creative life of a writer. From humorous stories about his "FM radio voice" and rejection letters to poignant reflections on how personal challenges have shaped his storytelling, this interview offers an intimate look at one of the most unique voices in legal fiction.