Joe Flanagan's Hampton Roads

Joe Flanagan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Semimonthly

After 31 years at 13 News, now I was probably best known for my Joe's Job series. At the core of 42 years in local TV newsrooms, one important word defines me. Curiosity. Yes. I've always been curious about the who, what, where, when, and why who my subjects are, what they're curious about, where are their roots, and why do they do what they do. On this podcast, we'll talk to the people from Hampton Roads, Virginia who make this region so unique.

  1. Sep 26

    Jack Ankerson: Inside a Life of Sports

    Jack Ankerson has spent decades at the center of the Hampton Roads sports scene, building a remarkable career as an announcer, broadcaster, sports executive and advocate for athletics. His sports journey began in Wisconsin, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and tennis before attending Ripon College. His career later took him to professional basketball, where he became the very first employee of the San Antonio Spurs, helping build the franchise from the ground up. Among his early contributions was selecting the team's now-famous black-and-silver color scheme after studying the colors used by professional sports teams across the country. Ankerson eventually became one of the most recognizable voices in Hampton Roads sports. He worked with the Norfolk Tides for decades, beginning as a public-address announcer at Met Park before moving into radio and later returning to the PA microphone. He also worked with the Virginia Squires, the Admirals hockey team, soccer and numerous Old Dominion University athletic programs. At Old Dominion, he became the voice of both men's and women's basketball and has continued announcing ODU athletics for many years. Along the way, he witnessed some of the region's most memorable sporting moments, including the emergence of ODU quarterback Taylor Heinicke, whose remarkable career eventually led to the NFL. Beyond the microphone, Ankerson remains deeply involved in Hampton Roads athletics and the community. He serves as chairman of the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame, has served as president of the Norfolk Sports Club, and is chairman of the Lincoln Lane Scholarship Foundation. His passion for sports also extends to his family, with all six of his grandchildren becoming accomplished athletes in sports ranging from basketball and volleyball to football, lacrosse, field hockey and baseball. Ankerson recently chronicled much of his extraordinary life in the book Jack of All Sports, making his appearance on Joe Flanagan's Hampton Roads podcast an opportunity to revisit the people, places and stories that have defined an extraordinary life in sports.

  2. Aug 6

    Lights, Camera, Hampton Roads! A Conversation with Katherine Byrd, The Movie Lady

    For movie lovers across Hampton Roads, Katherine Byrd has become a trusted voice and familiar face in the world of film. Known affectionately as "The Movie Lady," Katherine  is a former theatre manager with AMC and has been a movie lover ever since watching her first monster movie on Shock Theatre when she was 5 years old and has built a reputation for delivering insightful, entertaining  movie trivia and historic information about films from the earliest days of silent film to now. Her passion for cinema, combined with her engaging personality, has made her one of the area's most recognizable entertainment personalities for at least 15 mins as Andy Warhol would say. Throughout her career, Katherine has met countless actors, directors, producers, and filmmakers, giving Hampton Roads audiences a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and the film industry.  Her ability to connect with other movie lovers has earned her the trust of moviegoers looking for recommendations they can rely on. Katherine is an advocate for the arts and an active supporter of the Hampton Roads entertainment community.  She was part of the first group of the acting community that saved the Naro when Ghent was NOT the place to be in the mid 70s and like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd, she wants to thank all those wonderful people out there in the dark that keep film alive in classic movie theatres.

  3. Jun 16

    From the Shipyard to the Ballpark: Stories with Johnny Sires

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:544e39ea-2fee-4a0b-ae31-cf99aab8109a-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:544e39ea-2fee-4a0b-ae31-cf99aab8109a-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant"> Johnny Sires, affectionately known throughout Hampton Roads as "Johnny Norfolk," is a lifelong advocate for the maritime industry and one of the region's most recognizable champions of ship repair and skilled trades. A Norfolk native, Sires built a respected career in the shipbuilding and repair business, becoming a well-known leader at BAE Systems and a passionate supporter of the workforce that keeps America's Navy mission-ready. His deep knowledge of shipyard operations, combined with his ability to connect with people from every walk of life, has earned him admiration across the maritime community. Beyond the shipyard, Sires is known for his enthusiasm for music, sports, and local history. A devoted fan of Leon Russell, he appreciates the storytelling and authenticity that defined Russell's legendary career. That same appreciation for tradition and character extends to baseball, where Sires has long enjoyed discussing the rich history of the former St. Louis Cardinals organizations and the colorful legacy of Tidewater baseball. Whether recalling memorable players, local ballparks, or the role sports have played in bringing communities together, he brings both knowledge and passion to every conversation. Sires shared many of these experiences as a guest on Joe Flanagan's Hampton Roads podcast, joined by co-host Mike Gooding. During the conversation, he reflected on Norfolk's maritime heritage, the evolution of ship repair in Hampton Roads, his love of music and baseball, and the people who have shaped the region's identity. Known for his wit, storytelling ability, and unwavering pride in his hometown, Johnny Norfolk remains a respected voice whose career and interests reflect the character and spirit of coastal Virginia.

  4. Jun 15

    More Than a Game: Gary Garner's Impact on Youth

    Gary Garner has been a respected figure in the Hampton Roads tennis community for decades, combining a passion for education with a lifelong commitment to the sport. As an educator in the Virginia Beach school system, Garner earned a reputation for positively influencing students both inside and outside the classroom. His dedication to youth development, leadership, and mentorship helped shape the lives of countless young people throughout his career. Beyond his work in education, Garner has been a highly regarded tennis instructor and coach, known for his ability to develop players of all ages and skill levels. Whether working with beginners learning the fundamentals or experienced competitors refining their game, he has emphasized discipline, sportsmanship, and a love for lifelong fitness. His patient teaching style and deep understanding of tennis have made him a trusted mentor for generations of players across the region. Garner's impact extends well beyond wins and losses on the court. Through his years of service as both an educator and tennis professional, he has helped foster a strong tennis culture in Virginia Beach while encouraging young athletes to pursue excellence in all aspects of life. His enduring contributions to local tennis and education have earned him the respect of students, players, parents, and fellow coaches throughout the community.

  5. Jun 12

    Jack Ankerson: The Soundtrack of Hampton Roads Sports

    Jack Ankerson is a legendary figure in Hampton Roads sports whose career has spanned athletics, professional sports management, broadcasting, and community leadership. A native of Wisconsin who ultimately made Norfolk, Virginia, his home, Ankerson first gained recognition as an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Ripon College, where he excelled in football, basketball, and tennis. His athletic talents earned him an opportunity in professional football when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, launching a lifelong connection to the world of sports. Following his playing career, Ankerson transitioned into sports administration and executive leadership. He held prominent positions with the San Antonio Spurs and later served as general manager of the Virginia Squires during the American Basketball Association era. His ability to connect with athletes, organizations, and fans helped establish him as a respected leader in professional sports. Upon moving to Hampton Roads, he expanded his influence through sports radio, where his insight, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of athletics made him a trusted and familiar voice throughout the region. For generations of local sports fans, Ankerson has become synonymous with the Hampton Roads sports scene. As the longtime public-address announcer for the Norfolk Tides and the celebrated "Voice of the Monarchs" for Old Dominion University athletics, he has called countless memorable moments and helped shape the game-day experience for thousands of fans. Beyond the microphone, his leadership with the Hampton Roads Sports Commission and his tireless support of community athletics have left a lasting impact on the region. Today, Jack Ankerson is widely regarded as one of the most influential and enduring ambassadors of sports in Norfolk and across Hampton Roads.

  6. Jun 11

    Finding the Light: Glen McClure's Stories Behind the Camera

    While listening to this podcast, visit Glen McClure's website:  www.glenmcclure.com  Glen McClure is an award-winning photographer whose work has helped define the visual history of Hampton Roads for more than forty years. A Norfolk native, McClure has built a career documenting the people, industries, and communities that make coastal Virginia unique. His photographs are known for their authenticity and emotional depth, capturing everyone from shipyard workers and Chesapeake Bay watermen to civic leaders and everyday citizens. Through exhibitions across the United States and Europe, his images have earned widespread recognition for their storytelling power and artistic excellence. Beyond Virginia, McClure has developed a deep connection to Ireland, making numerous trips to the country over the years to photograph its rugged coastlines, historic villages, and remarkable landscapes. The ever-changing light and rich culture of western Ireland have become recurring themes in his work, inspiring some of his most celebrated images. His photography from Ireland reflects a lifelong pursuit of meaningful moments and a passion for discovering the beauty found in both extraordinary places and ordinary lives. In addition to his extensive body of photographic work, McClure is the author of numerous books that preserve the stories, traditions, and character of the people and places he has encountered. His publications have explored subjects ranging from Virginia's maritime heritage and working communities to the landscapes and culture of Ireland. Today, he joins host Joe Flanagan and Co-Host Mike Gooding on Joe Flanagan's Hampton Roads Podcast to share insights from behind the lens, discuss the experiences that shaped his career, and reflect on a lifetime dedicated to documenting the world around him.

  7. May 29

    Hampton Roads Through a Reporter's Eyes: Mike Gooding – Part 2

    Mike Gooding returns to Joe Flanagan's Hampton Roads Podcast for Part 2 of a conversation shaped by decades of journalism, storytelling, and service to the community. Best known throughout Hampton Roads as the longtime Military Reporter for WVEC-TV 13, Gooding built a reputation for delivering insightful coverage of the region's vast military presence, earning the trust of service members, veterans, military families, and civilian leaders alike. His reporting brought audiences beyond the headlines, offering a deeper understanding of the people, missions, and challenges connected to one of the nation's most significant military communities. In this episode, Gooding reflects on lessons learned throughout his career, memorable stories from the field, and the evolving relationship between the military and the Hampton Roads region. Drawing on years of firsthand experience covering local, national, and international military issues, he provides a unique perspective on leadership, public service, and the events that have shaped the community. Part 2 continues an engaging discussion with one of Hampton Roads' most respected journalists and storytellers.

  8. May 24

    Keeping Tradition Alive at Doumar's Restaurant

    Doumar's Cones & Barbecue owner Thad Doumar has spent his life preserving one of Hampton Roads' most iconic family businesses while continuing the traditions that have made the restaurant a Norfolk institution for generations. As a third-generation member of the Doumar family, he grew up immersed in the restaurant's daily operations and developed a deep appreciation for its history, customer relationships, and commitment to quality. Under his leadership, Doumar's has remained known for its handmade waffle cones, classic curb service, barbecue sandwiches, and vintage diner atmosphere that continues to attract both longtime locals and first-time visitors. Thad Doumar is recognized not only as a restaurateur, but also as a steward of Norfolk history and culture. He has worked to maintain the authenticity and character of Doumar's while adapting the business to serve new generations of customers without losing its timeless appeal. His dedication to family tradition, community connection, and consistent hospitality has helped solidify Doumar's reputation as one of Virginia's most beloved historic restaurants and a lasting symbol of Norfolk's culinary heritage.

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About

After 31 years at 13 News, now I was probably best known for my Joe's Job series. At the core of 42 years in local TV newsrooms, one important word defines me. Curiosity. Yes. I've always been curious about the who, what, where, when, and why who my subjects are, what they're curious about, where are their roots, and why do they do what they do. On this podcast, we'll talk to the people from Hampton Roads, Virginia who make this region so unique.

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