Kentucky Hidden Wonders

You can learn technique in culinary school, but you learn judgment in a real kitchen. We’re joined by Chef Brent Evans, executive chef of the Bell House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, for a candid conversation about how his career truly clicked once he worked under great mentors and started cooking food that was made with care, not shortcuts. If you love Kentucky food culture, chef stories, or the craft behind hospitality, this one goes...

Fireworks on the Fourth of July, kids racing on Simpsonville's "Motor Speedway," and a town small enough that the Parks and Recreation Director also hops on the DJ mic. We sit down with Chris Truelock from Simpsonville Parks and Recreation to hear how a community of about 3,500 pulls off youth sports leagues, special events, and the streetscapes people rave about.

We map out what to expect for Simpsonville’s...

A concert on a Kentucky farm sounds like a perfect summer night, but the real story is what the night is built to do: raise money to house homeless veterans and support veterans across the state. We sit down with country artist J.D. Shelburne, Brady Wright from Fire Mission Veteran Services, Aaron Garofola, and Justin Gallrein to share how Shelby County pulls together to create a veteran benefit concert at Gallrein Farm where the m...

We’re joined by Bryan Slone, PGA, the general manager of Weissinger Hills Golf Course in Shelbyville, Kentucky to unpack how history, location, and day-to-day hospitality turn a local course into a true travel stop for golfers coming from Louisville and beyond. 

The most meaningful aspect centers on PGA HOPE, a free six-week program for veterans built around instruction, support, and camaraderie, plus how listeners can help fund it ...

We sit down with Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences, to unpack how a six-stop trail from 1999 has grown into a powerhouse composed of 58 destinations that’s reshaping Kentucky tourism, extending stays, and driving local communities' economies. From the Amber Triangle of Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown to small-town gems like Shelby County, the trail’s variety now spans ultra-modern sustainability ...

Most people think lavender is just a pretty scent. We open the door to a much bigger story: a Kentucky team who planted 5,000 starts, signed a lease before they had products, and built a year-round destination inside a historic stone building where food, wellness, and craft come together.

We talk through the origins of Little Mount Lavender, the lessons learned from California farms, and how a bold idea became a brand with...

A granddad with a butcher’s hand, a grocery from 1970, and a burger that made a town famous—this is the flavor map behind B&N Food Market in Bagdad, Kentucky. We sit down with Buckshot and Ashley Warren to trace how a family store turned into a destination where the Newt Burger, 20‑hour brisket, and blue‑ribbon desserts pull travelers off I‑64 and locals back for seconds. The story runs on work ethic and love: fresh‑ground beef...

Some gaps are obvious once you’ve lived through them. Brady Wright, a combat Veteran turned ministry leader, describes the moment he realized why so many vets were cycling from hospital detox back to the street; there was no immediate bridge into stable, supportive housing. Together with event coordinator and fellow veteran Marla Kaiser, we walk through a three-step model that changes outcomes—clinical treatment with Fire Mission M...

A flat map can’t explain why a roadside rock wall feels like a time machine. That’s where Ronald R. (Reggie) Van Stockum Jr. comes in. He’s a lawyer who practices environmental law, a biologist with a PhD, an author who writes like a traveler-poet, and a musician with a knack for rhythm on the page. Together we follow his Surrounding® philosophy — skip the pre-research, chase the blank spaces on the map, write while the feeling is ...

A roadside crash. A child on the spectrum overwhelmed by noise and confusion. One pair of headphones, a set of picture cards, and a dinosaur-weighted plush turn panic into calm. That pivot—from chaos to connection—is the heart of our conversation with Aaron and Ashlea Garofola, the co-founders of The Backwards Backpack, a grassroots nonprofit outfitting first responders, schools, and families with sensory bags that work in real tim...

Want the kind of day that smells like sweet corn, tastes like warm apple cider donuts, and ends with muddy boots and full hearts? We sit down with Gabriella Gallrein of Gallrein Farms to explore how a third-generation family operation became one of Kentucky’s most beloved agritourism destinations without losing its roots.

The story starts decades ago, with a move from Louisville to Shelbyville, when dairy days gave way to ...

Judge Dan Ison and Debbie Holloway Ison share their journey through Kentucky's horse country, from thoroughbred racing dreams to quarter horse breeding and equine therapy programs. Their 36-year marriage has united their complementary passions for horses while building careers in public service, professional speaking, and community development.

• Judge Dan Ison has served as Shelby County Judge Executive for 10 years after 30...

We explore Cornerstone Christian Academy with Advancement Director Annette Hill, discovering how this 42-year-old institution is shaping the future leaders of Shelby County through faith-based education and community involvement.

• Cornerstone Christian Academy is a non-denominational pre-K through 12th grade school with approximately 330 students
• The school offers a unique Greek language program instead of traditional foreign lang...

Mulberry Orchard celebrates its 15th season as a Shelby County treasure with 8,000 fruit trees and a commitment to authentic farm experiences. Fifth-generation farmer Amanda Gajdzik shares how her family transformed traditional farming operations into a thriving agritourism destination that educates visitors about where their food comes from.

• Mulberry Orchard started in 2010 with 2,500 trees and has grown to 8,000 tree...

Derrick Griffitts brings a fresh perspective to Shelby County Parks and Recreation, transforming Kentucky's hidden outdoor treasures into accessible adventures for everyone. As a 25-year PGA golf professional who now directs the entire 960-acre park system, Griffiths shares his unique vision for connecting community members with nature's wonders.

The conversation reveals surprising gems scattered throughout Shelb...

Sarahbeth Farabee, head genealogist at the Shelby County Public Library and vice president of the Shelby County Historical Society, shares her passion for genealogy and the extensive resources available at the library's Kentucky Room.

• Started researching family history in her 20s by contacting distant relatives through letters
• Found surprising connections including relation to Francis Scott Key and an ancestor executed after...

Justine Saudan and Lyndsey Estes from Red Fern Riding Center share how they're bringing authentic horseback experiences to visitors and locals alike at Shelby Trails Park in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Their riding center offers guided trail rides, English riding lessons, boarding services and equestrian events while focusing on safety, accessibility and exceptional horse care.

• Located on 465 acres of county parkland in Simpson...

Deputy Judge Jon Park takes us on a journey through Shelby County's hidden gems and historical treasures, revealing surprising discoveries and community stories along the way. He shares his path from Illinois to Kentucky and explains how his background in ministry and public service prepared him for his current role.

• Born near Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois, with a deep appreciation for history and civ...

Joyce Nethery from Jeptha Creed Distillery shares her journey from chemical engineer to master distiller at her family's woman-owned, woman-run Kentucky bourbon operation. The distillery's signature Bloody Butcher corn creates distinctive flavor profiles in their spirits while honoring local heritage through sustainable farming practices. 🥃

• Joyce leveraged her chemical engineering background, teaching experience, and ...