Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA

Ever feel like you only hear about the best local events after they’re over? We talk with Martin Young about turning that frustration into a nationwide directory that surfaces what’s happening right now across 740 U.S. cities—without relying on fickle social algorithms. From big festivals to small community gatherings, Martin shares how a simple, chronological design helps you find plans fast, whether you’re at home or traveling.

When family life collides with the legal system, the stakes are high and the path is murky. We sat down with attorney Rochelle Oldfield of Oldfield Law Tennessee to bring clarity to the mess, exploring how a client-first, child-centered approach can steady families through adoption, DCS cases, divorce, and custody changes. Rochelle’s journey from prosecuting child abuse and domestic violence to advocating for parents offers a rare ...

Craving something familiar yet bold enough to surprise you? Meet Geoffrey Bernstein, the owner-operator of Penne For Your Thoughts, where Italian comfort meets Southern smoke and fast-casual service meets fine-dining technique. We dig into the craft behind dishes like smoked chicken Alfredo and Italian sausage mac and cheese pasta, the kind of plates that taste like a neighborhood favorite but show the polish of a serious kitchen.<...

Need more than a quick cut and a pile of brush left behind? We sit down with CJ Bible, owner-operator of Xpert Xteriors Tree Service in Rogersville, Tennessee, for a candid look at what safe, professional tree care really requires—and why the cheapest quote can become the most expensive mistake. CJ opens up about launching his company in 2019, pressing through the uncertainty of 2020, and building a reputation anchored in safety, p...

A house fire in childhood doesn’t sound like the start of a thriving real estate career, but for Rob Howard—better known as “Knoxville Rob”—that early disruption became a compass. We sit down with Rob to trace his 23-year journey from a $32,000 first home to a relationship-first practice that guides clients through some of life’s most stressful transitions. The result is a candid, practical conversation about what really matters wh...

Ready for a real estate conversation that puts people before transactions and data in service of real decisions? We sit down with broker Savannah Price of Elite Realty, who turned a “you’ll never make it” moment into a career helping hundreds of families buy, sell, invest, and plant roots across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. From first homes to new construction, multifamily, commercial, land, and renovations, Savannah ...

What if you didn’t wait for rock bottom to ask for help? We sit down with therapist and Ascending Self owner Barrett Wilson to explore practical, compassionate ways to strengthen relationships, manage anxiety and grief, and start writing a truer version of your story today. Barrett blends evidence-based tools from the Gottman Method with Internal Family Systems to help couples and individuals communicate clearly, make repairs that ...

A calling rarely arrives on our schedule. Pastor David Hodges traces a winding path from a teenage conversion to years in the secular workforce to a decade in youth ministry—only then stepping into the role of senior pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Kingsport. Along the way, he learned the slow lessons of service, the weight of shepherding during crisis, and the joy of preaching Scripture with clarity and care.

We ta...

A childhood hobby, a 36-year legacy, and a community that keeps showing up—this conversation with Sports Treasures owner Zach Haire is a tour of what makes a local card shop thrive. We pull back the curtain on Knoxville’s go-to spot for sports cards, Pokémon, and memorabilia, just minutes from the University of Tennessee. Zach shares how a summer job turned into an online business, then into buying the brick-and-mortar shop, comple...

Ever wondered why some conversations spiral while others heal? We sit down with Barrett Wilson, owner of Ascending Self, to unpack how practical therapy tools and real empathy can transform daily life—whether you’re navigating grief, stuck in recurring arguments, or just craving more ease in your relationships.

Barrett traces his path from a spark in a high school psychology class to building outdoor programs for foster yo...

What if burnout isn’t about how many hours you work, but how you recover and perform under pressure? We sit with high-performance coach and licensed mental health counselor Emily Heird, founder of Vantage View Coaching, to unpack a practical, science-backed approach to thriving in high-stress roles without sacrificing health, relationships, or purpose. Emily draws on her years in mental health and her love of sports and performance...

A collapsing greenhouse, a howling blizzard, and a decision that changed everything—that’s the moment Sunny Hill turned from growing plants to building landscapes that last. We sit down with Steve Ward and Bruce Ballard to trace a 50-year family journey from a small Buncombe County greenhouse to a trusted regional landscaping team serving Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and North Georgia. The story blends grit, fait...

Growth doesn’t stall because the strategy is weak. It stalls because people are unclear, overloaded, and under-coached. That’s why we brought in Sharon Justice, founder of Justice Leadership, to share how small and mid-sized businesses can build simple, scalable people systems that actually stick. Sharon blends decades in financial services leadership with 12 years building a university leadership program, then shows how those less...

What if your wedding meal didn’t just “do the job,” but became the part guests talk about for years? We sit down with Mac Cooper, owner of Ciao Y’all Catering, to unpack how a former Asheville food truck turned into a go‑to events team by elevating flavor, discipline, and hospitality. The secret isn’t flash—it’s a calm, methodical prep cadence that starts on Tuesday and lands flawless plates amid tight timelines, long drives, and n...

Hidden systems make or break a home. That’s why we brought on David Bar Shimon, co-owner of Asheville Septic and Well, to pull back the curtain on septic tanks, well inspections, sewer scopes, and the mountain springs that still supply water to some homes across Western North Carolina. If you’ve ever bought a house, sold a house, or wondered what’s really happening under your yard, this conversation delivers the practical answers y...

What if luxury real estate had nothing to do with price and everything to do with how you’re treated? We sit down with broker Alicia Bean MacDonald of Christie's International Real Estate to unpack a service-first approach that helps buyers, sellers, and investors in Western North Carolina make smarter moves with less stress. Alicia explains why accurate pricing on day one creates momentum, how strategic comps and absorption d...

A handful of sandwiches, a small garage, and a bold idea turned into a lifeline for dozens of men each week. We sit down with Steve Ward, founder and president of Man Cave Ministry, to trace how a six-week plan blossomed into a thriving community that helps men confront hurts, habits, and hangups without judgment—and with a clear path forward.

Steve shares the pivotal moment that changed everything: a trusted friend reveal...

Medicare shouldn’t feel like a riddle with moving parts, yet so many seniors are stuck choosing between confusing options, conflicting advice, and high-pressure pitches. We sat down with Danny Haire—who’s spent 52 years in the insurance world leading Financial Services Inc. and Senior Benefit Inc.—to break through the noise with straight talk, practical frameworks, and a client-first mindset that prioritizes people over policies.

Want proof that resilience beats headlines? We’re joined by Corey Prince of PMI Blue Ridge, a family-run property management company serving Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, to unpack how a region regains momentum after a storm and how a team can outperform a tough market. Corey shares the origin story—from a rough real estate deal to buying a PMI franchise—and why the mix of boutique, local service and corporate systems ...