Naturally Curious

Host Bruce C. Bryan speaks with author, podcaster, and music teacher Scott Perry to explore his lifelong journey with Stoicism, marketing, and community building. Perry shares insights from his upcoming book, Stepping Into Possibility, reflecting on how ancient Stoic principles offer a practical framework for navigating life's uncertainties and finding peace of mind. He also discusses his coaching work alongside Seth Godin, his yea...

Host Bruce C. Bryan steps outside the usual format for a special bonus episode, turning the microphone around on Naturally Curious producer and editor Big Jim Shively. Big Jim reflects on his perspective behind the audio board over the show's first thirty episodes, sharing what it's like to manage sound levels while holding back laughs, gasps, and tears through powerful guest interviews.

The conversation digs into Big Jim's backgro...

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Dr. Robert Brandon, President of New River Community College, to discuss the evolving landscape of rural higher education and workforce development. Drawing from his early days as a middle school teacher in rural Tennessee, Dr. Brandon shares his lifelong passion for connecting student talent with real-world opportunity. He reflects on his first 18 months lead...

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan chats with Kevin Deck, a retired architect turned professional painter based in Roanoke, Virginia. After a 30-year career designing public schools and senior living facilities, Kevin transitioned his eye for detail from drafting blueprints to mastering American realism through watercolor. He shares how he overcame a lifelong fear of color by using his technical hand skills t...

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 ne...

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 workin...

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan welcomes long-time friend and jazz guitarist Cyrus Pace to discuss his new role as the executive director of the Academy Center for the Arts in Lynchburg. Cyrus shares his journey through the music industry, reflecting on everything from his master's degree in jazz guitar and playing in the Navy band to his 15-year tenure running Roanoke's Jefferson Center. The conversation ...

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...

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...

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...

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Karen Pillis, the executive director of the West End Center for Youth, Inc., to explore how a grassroots neighborhood program from the late 1970s evolved into a vital community anchor. They discuss the realities of post-pandemic childhood, discussing how local educators and nonprofits are teaming up to tackle unique modern hurdles like virtual learning gaps an...

This week on Naturally Curious, host Bruce Bryan sits down with Julia Boas from the Roanoke Regional Partnership to uncover why the greater Roanoke area is becoming such a massive magnet for outside companies, capital, and top-tier talent. From global manufacturing growth and the booming "placemaking" movement to the secret weapon of the regional outdoors, Julia breaks down the sustainable growth driving the region forward. We'll a...

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 Naturally Curious 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 shar...

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 wee...

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan talks with Dr. Jai Girard from the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association. They discuss her transition from Texas to Virginia, a move sparked by her father’s health needs and a timely job offer from James Madison University. Dr. Girard shares how her early days bartending and managing a nightclub eventually led her to pursue a PhD and a career in academia before...

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan talks with Rita Joyce about her journey of turning a devastating personal loss into a way to help others. Since losing her son nearly twenty years ago, Rita has dedicated herself to supporting families through her nonprofit, "Fed Up with Gun Violence." The conversation covers her work providing financial and emotional aid to those in their darkest hours, while also touching on he...

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 getti...

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Virginia’s senior senator, Mark Warner, for an in-depth conversation that moves beyond the typical political headlines. Senator Warner reflects on his unconventional path from a struggling entrepreneur in the early days of the cellular industry to serving as the Governor of the Commonwealth and eventually a United States Senator. The discussion offers a ...

The Food Evangelist: John Park on the Virginia Culinary Scene

What 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 consult...