Brothers with Opinions -B.W.O.
Four friends discussing Winchester, VA news and topics. Debating political issues, news, social injustice and anything that is up for debate in our world.
Episodes
The night before Thanksgiving, we sat down with community energy buzzing—clippers humming, a dog chiming in, and playoff scores rolling across our screens—and took stock of where our teams stand. We started with football: Skyline fighting through overtime, Strasburg rolling, Martinsburg and Jefferson setting up big West Virginia matchups. Then we pulled apart Handley’s playoff loss with respect for the kids and honest...
A beloved PE teacher with a coach’s grit and a neighbor’s heart, Miss Shelly Lee joins us to share how a lifetime of movement turned into a citywide mission: build two indoor pools and two ice rinks so every kid can swim, skate, and thrive. From teaching line dances to launching teams, she shows how play unlocks confidence, health, and community—and why water safety should be as standard as math class.
We div...
The scoreboard told two stories tonight. On one side, blowout wins, playoff seeds, and a local junior tearing up the field with jaw-dropping numbers. On the other, grocery budgets evaporating overnight, parents driving an hour to unfunded jobs, and food pantries moving four times their usual volume just to keep families fed. We brought both into focus because they’re part of the same community pulse.
Our gues...
A rushing phenom closing in on 2,000 yards, a shutdown standoff threatening family budgets, and a city weighing a casino to fund growth—tonight’s conversation connects local pride to statewide power with zero fluff. We kick off with Skyline’s surge and Zaydon’s historic pace, then widen the lens with policy strategist Chris West to unpack why Virginia never sleeps on elections and how turnout waves can crash like a wr...
A small city stares at a big decision, and we pull the lens all the way back. We kick off with Winchester’s casino question—real jobs and tax revenue on one side, addiction risk and culture shifts on the other. Ray joins us with a lived-in blueprint for building something from scratch, from Connecticut studios to Brooklyn shows to a Florida pivot. His story threads the needle of this episode: ambition needs structure,...
Friday night lights, changing streets, and a cold plunge that might actually fix your mood—this one moves. We start on the field with a rapid-fire rundown of local high school football, including Handley’s rough day against Kettle Run and what really swung the game: protection, turnovers, and field position. From there, we look ahead to this week’s matchups and plant our flags on the picks that matter.
Then w...
The night starts with the crackle of hometown football—scores flying in from the Shenandoah Valley, a showdown circled on calendars, and the buzz of a 6'5 playmaker, Christian Dinges suiting up for Handley. We swap streaming notes, argue about strength of schedule, and give flowers to local athletes putting up real numbers. If you love the rhythm of Friday night lights, you’ll feel right at home.
Then we...
The moment you step onto a college field, everything feels faster—and Emmanuel “Manno” Lusca doesn’t sugarcoat it. From standout days at John Handley High to carving out a role at strong safety for Emory & Henry, Manno walks us through what it really takes to level up: embracing a redshirt year, letting go of ego, learning a new position, and building the habits that keep you ready when your number is called.
...
A guitar at 28. A notebook full of poems. Two losses that changed the shape of a life. We sit down with our friend and musician Justin Garber to trace how Family Tree came to life and why starting “late” can be the best kind of beginning. Justin opens up about writing through grief, turning a grandmother’s wisdom into a narrative ballad, and sequencing an album that actually takes you somewhere—upstream and back again...
Boxing isn't just about landing punches—it's about landing purpose in young lives. Meet Michael Benitez, founder of Mutopia Boxing and Fitness in Winchester, Virginia, whose passion for the sport transcends the ring and enters the realm of youth transformation.
Starting with nothing but a football pad tied to a pole after his father's gym closed, Mike has built an 8,000-square-foot sanctuary wh...
Ever wonder what makes a community truly special? In this captivating conversation with Brian Pierce Gonzales (BPG), we discover the heart and soul of Winchester through the eyes of someone who chose to make it home 21 years ago.
BPG takes us on a journey from his role as a Shenandoah University professor to his position on the Winchester Public School Board and his recent mayoral campaign. With refreshing h...
Friday night lights have returned, and the Brothers With Opinions are here to break down all the local action! High school football in the Shenandoah Valley kicked off with some eye-opening results. James Wood's 44-3 demolition of Clarke County signals they might be this season's team to beat, while Handley silenced doubters with their impressive victory over Eastern View despite losing their star quarterbac...
The undefeated 1994 Handley High School football team stands as the last to bring a state championship home to Winchester, Virginia. Thirty years later, running back Trey Kern and wide receiver/safety Danny Westfall join BWO to share what made that legendary squad special.
Their championship journey began with heartbreak – a tough loss to Matoaca in the 1993 state semifinals that lit a competitive fire. Built...
Tyrus Thomas is quietly revolutionizing youth development in Winchester, Virginia. As president of both the Youth Development Center (YDC) and Winchester Rising Stars, his visionary leadership has transformed these organizations while maintaining their core mission of community service.
The conversation begins with exciting news about YDC's relocation to downtown Winchester at 302 South Loudoun Street (t...
What happens when three record-breaking high school athletes gather to share their journeys? Pure inspiration.
Brothers With Opinions welcomes Emeryce Worrell, Rylan Stribling, and Hassan Akanbi – three extraordinary talents from John Handey High School who are redefining athletic excellence in their community and beyond.
Emeryce, now attending the prestigious University of Virginia, reveals how she...
From middle school sidelines to high school head coach, Chris Higgs is taking the reins at James Wood Basketball with a clear vision for building champions both on and off the court. His journey represents the passion and dedication needed to develop young athletes in today's competitive landscape.
"It's not how you do anything, it's how you do everything," Higgs shares, revealing his...
In this engaging episode, we tackle a blend of sports triumphs and pressing social justice themes that resonate with our community. Starting with the recent victory of Handley against EC Glass, we celebrate the achievements of local players like Christian Dinges, showcasing their talent and passion on the court. The thrill of high school basketball serves as a backdrop to crucial discussions about societal issues, par...
A powerful discussion around social injustice, local high school sports, and the importance of community engagement unfolds. We emphasize that silence is no longer an option; voicing opinions on pressing issues is paramount.
- Addressing current events and their impact on the community
- Transitioning from community issues to local sports scores
- Analyzing key games and standout player performances<...
Is the sports world just a distraction, or is it a mirror reflecting broader societal issues? Join us as we navigate a fascinating journey through high school basketball rivalries, major sports events, and societal controversies. From the gripping aftermath of a significant drug raid in Frederick County to the fierce rivalry between Handley and Millbrook high school basketball teams, we explore how local events resona...
What if our collective voices could reshape the future?" Join us as we confront global and local injustices, from the complex tapestry of conflict in Palestine to the pressing need for reparations in Black communities. Our conversation threads through the historical and ongoing struggles, questioning the role of media manipulation, systemic racism, and hate in shaping today's societal tensions. We challenge ...
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