Episode 40 - 101 Bottles
“In today’s episode, we kick off season three with
Justin, the owner of 101 Bottles. Justin has a really cool story that starts with him playing video games in his mom’s basement and ends with him being a successful business owner. The
in-between is full of powerful and exciting events that demonstrate Justin’s tenacity and
scrappiness. Enjoy hearing his story!”
Episode 41 - Kent Free Library
“In today’s episode, I spoke with Stacey, the director at the Kent Free Library. I learned a lot about the library and the resources they offer in thisconversation, and I’m excited for you to learn more too!
Episode 42 - Hall-Green Agency
“In today’s episode, I spoke with the owner of
Hall-Green Agency. Ted and I talked a little bit about insurance, which is what Hall-Green does,
but we mostly talked about Kent and why we love it! If you love Kent too, this is an episode you’ll be agreeing with the whole way through.”
Episode 43 - Salon NeXt
“In today’s episode, I spoke with Tina, the owner (and famous “Hair Jedi”) of Salon NeXt. I love Tina’s story because it just epitomizes the scrappiness that our Kent business owners have. Salon NeXt had small beginnings, but now it’s on arguably the most historic street in downtown Kent! I’m excited for you to hear her story.”
Episode 44 - Traveling Spa Girl
“In today’s episode, Megan, the Traveling Spa Girl
herself tells us about her journey from working in spas to owning one herself. We also talked about facials and what it means to have healthy skin. I even asked Megan a bit of a personal question about her skin, so there’s a teaser for you.”
Episode 46 - Talk On
“In today’s episode, Calley, the founder and owner of Talk On! If you have any children in your life, this is a really cool episode for you to listen to. I
had no idea the types of resources Talk On! offers for kids including speech therapy and occupational therapy. Calley had a crazy story about how the business survived during the pandemic shutdown. I can’t imagine doing that kind of work in any way but in person, but
somehow they managed! Crazy!”
Episode 47 - Just Add Cookies
“In today’s episode, we are finishing up Foodie
February while seamlessly entering into Women’s History Month! Tina from Just Add Cookies
spoke with me today, and we talked so much about balance in our lives. She teaches Public Health at Kent State, but she also uses her (delicious) cookies as a creative outlet and a chance to share in joyful occasions with others through goodies. So cool! We can all learn a valuable lesson from Tina!”
Episode 48 - Kent parks and recreation
“In today’s episode, we are talking with Oliver from Kent Parks and Recreation! We all know who Kent Parks and Rec are, but I had a feeling that we didn’t know about all the programming and events that they offer. So I used this episode as an opportunity to investigate all that we might be missing, and Oliver did NOT disappoint! I hope you have your calendars out because you are going to want to add some fun events to it!”
Episode 50 - Standing Rock Cultural Arts
“In today’s episode, I spoke with Jeff, the founder of Standing Rock Cultural Arts. His colleagues, Cameron and Fred, joined us as well! I was so
excited to do an episode about this organization because a couple people have mentioned them
as a hidden gem! After talking with them, I can see why it’s such a gem: they do so much for the
community to incorporate the arts into every crevice possible in Kent. I’m so thankful for that!
We all should be.”
Episode 51 - Keys By Keleigh - Keller Williams
“In today’s episode, I spoke with Keleigh from Thresholds Group. Keleigh has the sweetest personality. I wanted to keep talking to her for
hours because she is just a genuine person. Keleigh and I also have a lot in common with her
being a Kent transplant and having a background in education, so we are kindred spirits for
sure! You will love hearing Keleigh’s story, and you will love the energy she brings to the pod!”
Episode 52 - Kent State Museum
“We are walking a bit down Main Street today to the Kent State University Museum where I spoke to the director, Sarah. Sarah welcomed me into her beautiful office (pictured as the episode artwork), which she later told me used to be the university president’s office! It was quite an experience chatting with her in such a historic and beautiful space. Sarah gave a big nod to the history of the museum and expressed her desire to see the community take full advantage of it. I really hope you’re inspired to do that after hearing this conversation!”
Episode 53 - Wolcott Lilac Gardens
“Today’s episode is one that I feel is about a true
“hidden gem”, the Wolcott Lilac Gardens. (Even though, at the beginning of the episode, you’ll
hear me mispeak and call it the “Wolcott Lilac Fartings”…wow.) This is literally a house in Kent
with beautiful gardens in the back yard! So much care and attention goes into these gardens, as
you’ll hear about in this episode. And the gardens are only open to the public a few weekends a
year! Bob, the owner, told us about the wide variety of plant life in the gardens, including 200+
lilacs, some of which are over 100 years old!”
Episode 54 - Kent Historical Society & Museum
“I have been waiting for so long to talk about this local organization! We are talking with Julie and Bengt about the Kent Historical Society today! I am a big history buff, and if you are too, this is a great episode to listen to. We chat about some of Kent’s rich history and the ways we as a community are celebrating it these days, including a 150th birthday party for the Depot.”
Episode 55 - Kent State Hotel & Conference Center
“For today’s episode, I spoke with David, the general manager for the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center. David reminded us that not only is this quality hotel placed perfectly downtown, but it exists to bridge the university and the community. It’s a local business with a community purpose just like all the other businesses and organizations we’ve heard from on this podcast. So go ahead! Invite your friends to come to Kent for a weekend and stay at the hotel, and know that those dollars are going right back into the community, not a big corporate operation.”
Episode 56 - Leadership Portage County
“Today, I spoke with Andra, the executive director of Leadership Portage County. I admit, I did
not know much about LPC before this episode, but talking to Andra got me all excited about it!
LPC is a great organization for supporting and growing the greater community. I’m excited for
you all to learn about it just like I did during this conversation.”