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On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan talks with Maureen Best, the executive director of LEAP, about how the organization connects people with local food sources in Virginia. Maureen shares her background in agriculture and talks about her transition to becoming LEAP's first paid staff member back in 2013. The conversation covers the daily operations of the local food system, including fixed-site farmers markets, a mobile market that visits senior housing complexes, and an in-house kitchen that turns leftover produce into frozen soups. They also discuss the realities of funding a nonprofit, the value of community partnerships, and how programs like Virginia Fresh Match help local families stretch their grocery budgets.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two intimate stories of grief, signs, and unexpected grace. Lindsay McKinnon recounts losing her two sons, a psychic prophecy that brought healing and serendipity.Writer Matthew Vollmer explores his mother’s decline into dementia and the mysterious lights that appeared near the family home. Through strange phenomena, a shaman’s reading, and his father’s changing life, Matthew finds new ways to see his mother and move forward.Both storytellers join Lee for follow-up conversations about life after their performances and how storytelling helped them heal.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Charlie Counts of Local Seafood Delivery to explore the winding journey of a modern fishmonger. Growing up on a tobacco and cattle farm in Southwest Virginia, Charlie’s career took a sharp turn from Black Angus beef to the docks of North Carolina after a single lightbulb moment during a family vacation. The conversation explores the reality of eleven-hour weekly commutes, the intensity of vying for the best catch at the docks, and why he chooses to drive the extra mile to maintain deep-rooted relationships with his coastal suppliers.The episode also highlights the unique culture of local farmers markets, where Charlie has become a staple for seafood lovers from Roanoke to Blacksburg. Listeners will hear about the "hogfish" craze, the importance of sustainable United States fisheries, and even a few stories from the road involving hitchhikers and the pursuit of the perfect taco. It’s a look at what's required to bring the coast to the mountains, proving that for this "fish guy," the business is truly all about the people and the fellowship of a fresh meal.

Two storytellers take the Grandin stage: Anastasia Giffin hilariously traces her Greek roots and Joe Mylan Jr. recounts his leap to become a writer in Seoul. Host Lee Hunsaker sits down with the tellers for candid post-show interviews about identity, craft, and the messy, beautiful work of telling your story.

For the first time in nearly forty five years, Hollins University women's basketball has secured a winning record in the NCAA era. Coach Emilee Dunton joins the show to discuss the relentless, loyal, and passionate mindset required to turn a program around after a decade of dedicated building. From growing up in a Division I household to navigating the unique dynamic of having her own father as an assistant coach, she shares how her experience as a point guard shaped her holistic approach to leadership. We explore her strategy of keeping a smaller, more focused roster of twelve players to ensure clear communication and high expectations. Coach Dunton also provides an honest look at balancing the high stakes of head coaching and recruiting with her newest role as a mother to her nine month old son. This conversation offers deep insights into shifting a team culture toward sustained excellence and creating a home court advantage that rivals the best in the conference.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two powerful true stories: Katie Elmore’s tale of grief, a psychic’s prediction, and two orange kittens who felt like a sign from the other side; and Jill Thompson’s harrowing account of a van plunging into a lake, the fight to survive underwater, and the bonds that saved her life.

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Isabel Thornton, the executive director of Restoration Housing, to discuss the intersection of historic preservation and the affordable housing crisis. They explore the creative mechanics of transforming blighted, boarded-up properties into high-quality rental units, emphasizing how tools like historic tax credits can breathe new life into communities affected by industrial loss. The conversation shifts to a major milestone for the organization: the adaptive reuse of an old Methodist church into Trinity Commons, a 15-unit independent living space specifically designed to help local seniors age in place. Thornton also shares her perspective on intentional organizational growth, the importance of cultivating a strict work-life balance for working mothers, and how the power of a single restoration project can ripplingly uplift an entire neighborhood.

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan welcomes his long-time friend Bob Schmucker to the studio for a conversation that is bound to lift your spirits. Bob is the resident leader of the Third Street Coffeehouse in Roanoke's Old Southwest neighborhood, a volunteer-led acoustic venue celebrating its 40th year of bringing people together. He shares his journey from serving in the Air Force and working in the defense industry to picking up his old guitar again to help manage the stress of caregiving at home. Bob talks about the history behind co-founding Virginia's Veterans Parade, mobilizing local musicians to raise over thirty-two thousand dollars for the local food bank, and how a chance photograph in the morning paper led him to welcome a "bonus family" of Ukrainian refugees into his life. Plus, Bob breaks a major radio seal by becoming the very first guest to perform live music right in the studio, playing a couple of original songs that show exactly why his friends describe him as one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Jacqui Sobieski, who holds a dual role in her region as the executive director of the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce and the co-owner of Virginia Mountain Vineyards. Jacqui discusses the rich history of Botetourt County and the balancing act of managing rapid economic expansion, new housing infrastructure, and the upcoming Google data center while working to preserve the rural character of the area. She shares details about her transition from a corporate financial career in Chicago and Washington, D.C., to running a 91-acre farm, navigating the steep learning curves of agricultural business, and classical winemaking. Jacqui also discusses her vineyard's recent silver medals at the Virginia Governor's Cup and reflects on the bittersweet decision to place the property up for auction after eight years of dedication to the craft.

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Joey Donovant, the executive director of SML Gives Inc., to discuss the hidden realities of rural poverty and food insecurity in the Smith Mountain Lake region. Joey opens up about his personal journey from a decade-long battle with opiate addiction to founding a grassroots movement during COVID-19 that has rapidly evolved into a fully operational nonprofit network. The conversation highlights how rural hunger manifests through isolating geographical barriers and a lack of baseline infrastructure, as well as the organization's upcoming expansion into northwest Henry County and Martinsville. Joey also shares details on how the community can support their mission through their first physical facility launch in Glade Hill and upcoming fall fundraisers, including an antique Harley-Davidson raffle and a pre-concert tailgate with the Marshall Tucker Band.