Small Town Secret Sauce Barton Quigley

#13 Jason Fowler is the President and Co-Founder of Land & Table. This grassroots non-profit is on a mission to help create a thriving and resilient local food system in the Lynchburg Virginia region and revitalize connections between local food, land, and community.Jason is an old soul and a kindred spirit after my own heart. We dive deep into the ways consumer society has led us into isolation and out of healthy relationships with each other and Mother Nature, to the detriment of our mental and physical health.Jason's passion and drive are so inspiring and motivating, even to someone like myself who runs on positivity and possibility. He's also wicked smart, and I fully believe he will succeed in his audacious mission.Enjoy the conversation!Land & Table WebsiteLand & Table on InstagramLand & Table on FacebookTo support this podcast, consider becoming a member of the Patreon community, which believes that inspiring stories like this can empower others to create a meaningful life.Additional links can be found in the Show Notes for this episode. 

#12 Shelley Blades is the Executive Director of Lynchburg Grows, a 7-acre non-profit farm in the heart of Lynchburg, VA. Their mission is to "work with our community to provide access to healthy food and afford purposeful jobs to individuals with disabilities." This beautiful marriage of passion and contribution immediately caught my attention, and I was eager to know more. After learning the full scope of what Lynchburg Grows does for the community, I absolutely fell in love, and I know you will, too.As you will hear, Shelley has a heart for service and a natural talent for gardening and farming. As the Executive Director, she is deeply engrained in all aspects of the operation and its people. Shelley and Lynchburg Grows are almost one and the same, and that is beautiful for both.Enjoy the show!Lynchburg Grows WebsiteLynchburg Grows on InstagramLynchburg Grows on FacebookTo support this podcast, consider becoming a member of the Patreon community, which believes that inspiring stories like this can empower others to create a meaningful life.Additional links can be found in the Show Notes for this episode. 

#11 Klaire Maranto is the founder, owner, and chef of Klaire's Kitchen, a meal-prep service in Lynchburg, VA. Following her passion for hospitality and healthy living, Klaire saw an opportunity to serve others by creating a business that offers affordable, convenient, healthy meals to nutrition-minded individuals short on time.As you will hear, Klaire has incredible drive, a nose for business, and a huge heart. At the same time, she is a humble student, hungry to grow and improve constantly. What an inspiration for people, especially women, who want to create their own successful business.Enjoy!Klaire's Kitchen WebsiteKlaire's Kitchen on InstagramKlaire's Kitchen on FacebookSee the Small Town Secret Sauce Patreon Page to join the community that makes this show possible.

#10 Many locals I've spoken with credit Ashely Kershner as instrumental in turning around downtown Lynchburg, VA, since her arrival in 2016 as the Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) Executive Director. This non-profit group has been working "as the champion for downtown revitalization for 25 years," and with Ashley's vision, tenacity, endless drive, and commitment to community, the rubber has really been hitting the road, and the future is bright.
Ashley is deeply passionate about Lynchburg as a whole and sees the downtown as a vehicle to improve the quality of life for everyone here. Beyond creating and hosting amazing community events such as Bright Nights Festival, Movies in the Park, Fireworks on the Riverfront, and many more, Ashley knows how important a beautiful, vibrant downtown is to the large local employers that compete with big cities for young talent.
As a new local in Lynchburg, I am excited to see what’s next for the downtown area, especially after my conversation with Ashley. Hearing the story of her early days as Executive Director and her exciting vision for the future, I am so glad my wife and I moved here. There’s so much potential that it’s ridiculous, and more and more sharp, driven folks are starting to take advantage.
Downtown Lynchburg Association WebsiteDowntown Lynchburg Association on InstagramDowntown Lynchburg Association on FacebookAdditional notes can be found in the Show Notes for this episode.

#9: Ken Arpino is the Executive Director of Wolfbane Productions, an incredibly talented, wickedly entertaining theatre company located in the tiny town of Appomattox, VA. Wolfbane brings big-time Broadway-quality programs to the small stage, and they do so in their own unique, quirky way.
What began as a school project in the summer of 2008 by Ken’s husband, Dustin Williams (the founding Artistic Director), has grown from seasonal theatre in the woods (not kidding) to year-round productions in Appomattox and Lynchburg, VA, and they continue to grow and evolve.
I was already a big fan the moment I discovered this group from afar, and I became a SUPER fan when I saw my first performance. Sitting down to chat with Ken about his theatrical journey and the story of Wolfbane Productions was an incredible treat, and I hope you enjoy it, too!Wolfbane Productions WebsiteWolfbane on InstagramWolfbane on FacebookKen Arpino on InstagramDustin Williams on InstagramAdditional links can be found in the Show Notes for this episode.

#8: Oliver Russell is the founder of Marsh Roots Seafood, a retail market in Lynchburg, VA, selling fresh seafood from the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia, which are a four-hour drive away.His story was the spark of inspiration to create this entire podcast. What caught my eye was (a) he is selling fresh seafood so far from the coast in a mountain town where his business is a unicorn, and (b) it took the support of the community to make it a sustainable success, turning it from a fluke into a fixture.We talk about unhelpful guidance counselors, homesteading, the genius of Joel Salatin and Polyface Farm, Oliver's connection with the National Geographic show Wicked Tuna, and the power of learning a trade and practical skills.Enjoy the show!Marsh Roots Seafood websiteMarsh Roots on InstagramMarsh Roots on FacebookAdditional links can be found in the Show Notes for this episode.