FXBG Neighbors Podcast

Dori Stewart
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Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast

  1. EP #119 How A Local Mom Built A Thriving Custom Apparel Brand That Gives Back

    2D AGO

    EP #119 How A Local Mom Built A Thriving Custom Apparel Brand That Gives Back

    A single Cricut on the kitchen table turned into a community-powered apparel brand with a mission. We sit down with Fredericksburg’s own Amanda Randall of Impact Apparel by Amanda to unpack how a simple love for crafting grew into a thriving, debt-free business that outfits local teams, gyms, churches, and small brands—while giving back in meaningful ways. Amanda shares the real playbook: start small, keep prices fair, and let demand guide your next move. She walks us through the tech leap from early vinyl to modern direct to film printing, why partnering with a commercial shop transformed quality and turnaround, and how she navigates trends like sublimation, stickers, and color-rich apparel without overextending. You’ll hear how she balances maker life with motherhood, protects creativity by avoiding unnecessary debt, and builds loyalty with old-school customer service that fixes problems fast and makes ordering easy. One highlight you won’t want to miss: the story behind Patches the Cat, the viral rescue whose weight-loss journey captured hearts nationwide. Amanda built and fulfilled the Patches merch store and directed a portion of every sale to Richmond animal rescue—proof that mission-driven merchandise can look great, tell a story, and fund real impact. Whether you’re a creator curious about scaling, a small business exploring custom merch, or a neighbor who loves supporting local, this conversation delivers practical steps and plenty of heart. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this episode with a friend who’s building something, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find the show. Amanda Randall Impact Apparel by Amanda impactapparelbyamanda.com vinyleverythingbyamanda@gmail.com +15408428872

    13 min
  2. EP #118 Choose Joyful Work: Discover Your Working Genius

    2D AGO

    EP #118 Choose Joyful Work: Discover Your Working Genius

    What if the secret to a stronger team isn’t more effort, but better alignment with the work that gives each person energy? We welcome leadership consultant and longtime nonprofit leader Janel Donohue for a candid, story-rich conversation about turning joy into performance and building cultures that last. From HR beginnings and a painful corporate collapse to 15 years as a United Way CEO, Janel traces the moments that shaped her philosophy: accept it, change it, or move on. We dig into Patrick Lencioni’s Six Types of Working Genius and how this simple framework helps teams stop forcing fit. Janel shares how discovering her own strengths in discernment and galvanizing changed the way she leads, delegates, and protects her energy. You’ll hear how a two-hour workshop can reset a team’s mindset, giving people a shared language for collaboration, clearer project roles, and fewer turf battles. The result isn’t theory—it’s practical, immediate shifts that help organizations across corporate, nonprofit, and government find momentum without burning people out. Janel also pushes back on myths about leadership consulting. The work isn’t glamorous; it’s deep preparation, honest facilitation, and constant iteration. Her advice for founders and managers is refreshingly actionable: don’t wait for perfect branding to start making a difference. Take the next step, learn in public, and improve as you go. Along the way, we get personal—travel that restores perspective, pickleball that adds play, and routines that keep leaders grounded. If you’re ready to bring a fresh perspective into your team, unlock hidden strengths, and rebuild morale with intention, this conversation delivers clarity and tools you can use right away. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review—your support helps more neighbors find the stories and tools that move our community forward. Janel Donohue J Donohue Leadership and Consulting jdonohue211@outlook.com

    12 min
  3. EP #117 Inside ChamberWorks Business Academy: Skills, Mentors, And Real-World Results

    3D AGO

    EP #117 Inside ChamberWorks Business Academy: Skills, Mentors, And Real-World Results

    What if you could take one stubborn business problem and turn it into a concrete plan backed by expert guidance and a cohort that won’t let you stall? We sit down with Carley Walker, Executive Vice President of Workforce and Community Development at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, to share how ChamberWorks Business Academy gives small and mid-sized businesses a practical path from uncertainty to action. Across six sessions, we unpack a curriculum built for real-world impact: business foundations to sharpen your operating model, AI to work smarter and scale your efforts, HR and culture to stabilize teams, and financial management to bring clarity to cash flow and decisions. Carley spotlights the people behind the program—local leaders, seasoned operators, and the Dean of the Business School at the University of Mary Washington—who bring deep expertise and a Fredericksburg lens to every topic. Together, they create a learning environment where questions are specific, examples are local, and answers translate into daily wins. The standout feature is the capstone. From day one, each participant brings a live challenge or opportunity—hiring, pricing, product launch, rebrand, or a pivot into a new field. As you move through the academy, you stress-test ideas with peers and instructors and build a business impact plan you present at the end. That structure turns notes into movement, with accountability, feedback, and momentum that lasts long after graduation. We also get into practical details: how the $895 member pricing compares to typical executive education, what kind of ROI owners can expect, and why this community’s habit of saying yes makes all the difference for emerging leaders and career changers. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to level up, consider this your nudge. Explore the ChamberWorks Business Academy, apply with a real problem in hand, and join a cohort ready to help you grow with intention. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a fellow business owner, and leave a review to help more neighbors find us. Carley Walker  Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce fredericksburgchamber.org cwalker@fxbgchamber.org (540) 373-9400 1701 Fall Hill Ave Ste 106, Fredericksburg, VA, United States, Virginia

    9 min
  4. EP #116 Building Strong Networks For Real-World Leadership

    3D AGO

    EP #116 Building Strong Networks For Real-World Leadership

    What if the biggest leap in your leadership came from the smallest daily habit? We sit down with Vernon Green founder of GCubed Inc. to explore the simple routines, mentor relationships, and high-value networks that turn aspiration into traction. Live2Lead FXBG isn’t a lecture circuit—it’s a room full of operators, owners, and emerging leaders who bring real stories and hard-won lessons, and we dive into why that mix changes careers. Vernon breaks down a practical roadmap: make one disciplined move every day, seek out a mentor who has solved your exact problem, and plug into a network that raises your standards. You don’t need to be the smartest in the room to lead; you need repeatable systems, honest feedback, and proximity to people doing the work at scale. We talk about the loneliness many leaders feel and how hearing unfiltered stories of challenges and comebacks provides both relief and direction. Expect concrete takeaways you can apply right away—how to structure habit tracking, how to approach mentors, and how to turn event conversations into ongoing partnerships. We also spotlight why hosting a high-caliber leadership event in Fredericksburg matters now. The energy is real: local businesses, community groups, and seasoned speakers are showing up to share what works across Northern Virginia and the DC area. Whether you’re building a team, scaling a company, or preparing for the next role, this conversation gives you the insight and motivation to move. Ready to grow your network and your impact? Subscribe, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors lead with purpose. Vernon Green GCubed, Inc. gcubedinc.com info@gcubedinc.com +1 540-412-0753 10 Center Street Suite 103, Stafford, VA, United States, Virginia

    9 min
  5. EP #115 Come For The Leaders, Stay For The Grit

    3D AGO

    EP #115 Come For The Leaders, Stay For The Grit

    Leadership gets real when a community commits to learning together. We bring you a candid conversation with Kirstin Purcell of Handshake in Heels Talent Strategy about Live2Lead Fredericksburg, the one-day event designed for managers, founders, public servants, and anyone hungry for growth. From solopreneurs to government contractors, the room will be packed with people who want practical ideas they can use on Monday, not just motivation for the weekend. Kirstin shares the simple, memorable theme guiding her talk: bet on yourself. We dig into what that looks like in practice—owning tough decisions, taking smart risks, and staying a sponge even when you think you’ve seen it all. The lineup brings powerful range: local business leaders, a fire service instructor of instructors, and voices with very different backgrounds that challenge how we think about communication, hiring, culture, and resilience. That mix turns theory into tools and helps you borrow proven tactics from fields you might never touch. What surprised us most was the groundswell of support. From GCubed’s Vernon Green as title sponsor to WFLS and Stafford County Economic Development, the partnerships show how much the region wants consistent, high-quality leadership development. We talk about why Fredericksburg needs this now—industry shifts, new employers, ongoing change—and how this event aims to close the gap between potential and connected opportunity. You’ll hear who should be in the room, why it matters if you’re leading a team or plotting a career pivot, and how to turn one day of learning into momentum that sticks. Ready to invest in yourself and your community? Save your spot at livetoleadfxbg.com and join us on February 10. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more local leaders can find the show. Kirstin Purcell  Handshake in Heels Talent Strategy handshakeinheels.com kpurcell@handshakeinheels.com 571-422-8353

    9 min
  6. EP #114 From Managing To Leading: Why Growth Mindset Wins

    JAN 23

    EP #114 From Managing To Leading: Why Growth Mindset Wins

    What if the most powerful leadership event of your year didn’t require a flight or a week away—just a short drive across Fredericksburg? We sit down with Integrity Solutions Group’s James Kingman to unpack why Live2Lead FXBG on February 10 is more than a calendar invite. It’s a local catalyst for real growth, grounded in the simple but demanding idea that leaders learn first, then lift others as they climb. James draws a clear line between managing and leading: management controls process, leadership expands people. He shares how a growth mindset—humble, curious, and community-driven—turns inspiration into practice. You’ll hear why arriving with a learner’s posture matters, the kind of ideas that stick long after the auditorium empties, and how previous talks from organizer Mike McClanahan delivered tools worth using months later. We also explore why this lineup matters for our region: high-impact voices, zero travel friction, and a room full of neighbors who are serious about leveling up. Fredericksburg shows up in this conversation as a “hidden gem” with deep capability and a thriving small business backbone. We talk about the power of proximity: handshakes that lead to partnerships, hallway conversations that spark collaboration, and real accountability that only forms when people meet face to face. Expect practical takeaways—arrive with one skill to sharpen and one relationship to start; leave with three commitments you’ll act on in 30, 60, and 90 days. If you’re tired of hype and hungry for momentum, this is your moment to learn, connect, and lead with purpose right here at home. If this episode resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more local leadership stories, and leave a review so more neighbors can find us. Ready to join us live? Grab your ticket at live2leadfxbg.com. James Kingman  Integrity Solutions Group, LLC integritysolutionsva.com jkingman@integritysolutionsva.com

    9 min
  7. EP #113 Live2Lead FXBG: National Voices, Local Impact

    JAN 23

    EP #113 Live2Lead FXBG: National Voices, Local Impact

    Big voices, bold ideas, and a simple promise: leave with tools you can use tomorrow. We welcome Mike McClanahan from the John Maxwell Team to unpack Live2Lead FXBG, a one-day leadership experience that connects national insights to our local ecosystem. This conversation moves quickly from inspiration to application, showing how frameworks like Jesse Cole’s Five E's and John Maxwell’s Six C's help teams remove friction, deepen engagement, and celebrate wins that actually move the needle. We walk through the unique value each featured speaker brings. John Maxwell grounds the day with a proven language for influence and culture, while Jesse Cole shares how the Savannah Bananas transform every touchpoint into a moment of delight and action. Craig Groeschel zooms out on multi-site leadership—decision speed, trust, and systems that scale without losing heart. Anthony Trucks adds the mindset edge, challenging us to own the hard shifts that define growth. Rather than abstract theory, you’ll hear how to translate these ideas into better meetings, cleaner processes, and stronger relationships. At the core is a human pivot: moving from success to significance. High achievers often hit targets and feel empty. The fix isn’t more goals; it’s turning me into we—teaching what you know, building others up, and designing habits that compound across people and time. That’s why a room full of driven leaders matters. When we share patterns and compare notes, we realize our challenges aren’t unique, and we leave with clearer actions and peers who hold us to them. If you manage people, build a business, serve a nonprofit, or want skills that carry from office to home, this is your playbook. Tune in for the preview, then join us live to sharpen your edge and strengthen our community. Enjoy the episode, share it with a teammate, and grab your seat at Live2Lead FXBG. If it helped you, subscribe and leave a quick review—we read every word. Mike McClanahan Live2Lead FXBG Speaker live2leadfxbg.com mike@advaloremllc.com

    10 min
  8. EP #112 Inside Suite Tooth Pediatrics: Calming Dental Care For Kids

    JAN 20

    EP #112 Inside Suite Tooth Pediatrics: Calming Dental Care For Kids

    Smiles don’t have to start with fear. We sit down with Ashlee Kato of Suite Tooth Pediatrics to explore how a kid-first approach can turn dental visits from meltdowns into milestones. From the first tooth to the senior year photo, she shows how thoughtful design, clear communication, and science-backed care build brave patients and calmer parents. Dr. Kato shares her journey from a family of dentists to launching a pediatric practice in Stafford, Virginia, and why behavior guidance matters as much as clinical skill. You’ll hear practical strategies you can use right away: tell–show–do to reduce anxiety, early visits to catch problems before they escalate, and prevention routines that actually stick. We dig into tools like fluoride, sealants, silver diamine fluoride, and mouthguards for young athletes, plus the small, consistent habits that cut cavity risk without power struggles. We also talk entrepreneurship, balance, and community. Dr. Kato opened Suite Tooth Pediatrics while growing her own family, and she’s candid about what helped—starting lean, listening to patient feedback, and measuring what matters: experience, trust, and recall. The result is a clinic that treats two patients at once—the child in the chair and the parent beside them—so everyone leaves informed, respected, and confident. If you’re a caregiver looking for a better dental experience or a founder seeking heart-forward leadership lessons, this story will stick. Ready to rethink your next checkup? Follow, share with a friend who has little ones, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find the show. Dr. Ashlee Kato Suite Tooth Pediatrics suitetoothpediatrics.com info@suitetoothpediatrics.com +1 540-426-0779 1229 Garrisonville Rd , Stafford, VA 1229 Garrisonville Rd, Suite 101 Stafford, VA

    10 min
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About

Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Dori Stewart
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FXBG Neighbors Podcast
  • Show Website
    FXBG Neighbors Podcast